Basildon Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 34 verdicts at Basildon Crown Court (Basildon, Basildon). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Michael Hyde

Participating in an online paedophile ring

June 5, 2025

Sentence: 12 years and four months in prison

Michael Hyde, a 53-year-old from Grays in Essex, was involved in an international online paedophile ring where users shared indecent images and videos of children and discussed tactics to groom and prey on vulnerable child victims. He acted as a top moderator, vetting other users and helping to hide their activities from law enforcement. Hyde breached his existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was arrested at his home in May 2024, where small amounts of cannabis and cocaine were also found.

Pleaded guilty to charges including making and distributing indecent images of children, facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He had a prior conviction for making indecent images in 2013.

Sources: essexlive.news

Joseph Richards

Robbery

May 23, 2025

Sentence: 40 months imprisonment

On September 2, 2024, at Pitsea railway station, Joseph Richards approached a 20-year-old man who was on his way to work, engaged him in conversation, shook his hand and refused to let go, then demanded his silver necklace while threatening to seriously harm him. When British Transport Police officers arrived on the platform, Richards instructed the victim to act as if they were friends or he would stab him, but the victim informed the officers of the robbery, leading to Richards' arrest.

Pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing. Also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Sources: essexlive.news

Michael Burke

Dangerous Driving

May 15, 2025

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment

Michael Burke led police on a high-speed chase along the A13, driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph, including on the wrong side of the road. The incident occurred on January 14, 2025, and involved undertaking vehicles, moving between lanes, and attempting to evade police. He abandoned his car and hid in a roadside swamp but was apprehended by Essex Police Dog Kaiser. The car had been linked to a series of incidents in the Thurrock district, and Burke was disqualified from driving at the time.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. The judge noted a disregard for motoring laws due to similar offences in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Also banned from driving for five years and four months and ordered to take an extended re-test.

Sources: echo-news.co.uk

Jay Hexter

Child sex offences

May 2, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Jay Hexter was investigated by Essex Police since October 2020 for allegations of sexual assault involving two young girls. One victim confided in a friend, leading to the report. He was arrested and interviewed, initially answering no comment, but was later convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a child, three counts of sexual activity with a child, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Convicted of eight child sex offences after a trial. He will be subject to a restraining order and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Sources: essexlive.news

Daniele Aldegheri

Robbery

October 14, 2024

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Daniele Aldegheri, 49, carried out a series of robberies across Essex and Suffolk, wearing a Halloween-style horror mask and using knives and a metal baton to terrify staff at Co-op stores in Silver End and Hatfield Peverel between February 14 and August 4, 2024, and at Morrisons Daily branches in Braintree and Witham on July 30 and August 15, 2024. He was also linked to a previous raid at a book shop in Ipswich, where he was caught on CCTV without a mask. Police used CCTV footage, mobile phone tracking, and vehicle movements to identify and arrest him on September 3, 2024, after finding him hiding under a duvet at his home in Bocking End, Braintree. The crimes involved threatening staff, stealing money, and caused ongoing psychological impact to victims.

Motivated by financial troubles, including borrowing from a loan shark to buy morphine for his chronically ill partner; had previously served a sentence in Italy for the same offence.

Sources: standard.co.uk

George Simonson

Causing a public nuisance

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

George Simonson participated in a Just Stop Oil protest on November 9, 2022, by climbing gantries on the M25, which led to hours of traffic delays, an accident near one gantry, and fortunate avoidance of more incidents. The protest aimed to create mass disruption for media attention to demand stopping oil use.

Pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance. Described as a willing volunteer in the protest, not an organiser. Judge noted the actions were disproportionate to aims and caused widespread disruption.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Theresa Higginson

Causing a public nuisance

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Theresa Higginson took part in a Just Stop Oil protest on November 9, 2022, climbing gantries on the M25, resulting in widespread traffic disruption, delays for many people, and an accident near one gantry, with no further incidents occurring.

Pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance. Described as a willing volunteer in the protest, not an organiser. Shouted comments about her vegan diet during proceedings; judge highlighted the disproportionate actions and their impact on public life.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Paul Bell

Causing a public nuisance

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 1 year and 10 months imprisonment

Paul Bell was involved in a Just Stop Oil protest on November 9, 2022, where he climbed gantries on the M25, causing significant traffic delays, an accident near one site, and disruption aimed at generating media interest for the cause.

Pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance. Described as a willing volunteer in the protest, not an organiser. Waved and blew kisses as he was led to the cells; judge remarked on the disproportionate nature of the actions.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Gaie Delap

Causing a public nuisance

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 1 year and 8 months imprisonment

Gaie Delap participated in a Just Stop Oil protest on November 9, 2022, by climbing gantries on the M25, leading to hours of delays, an accident near one gantry, and efforts to influence public opinion through mass disruption.

Pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance. Described as a willing volunteer in the protest, not an organiser. Judge told her that age had not brought wisdom; she was a retired individual at the time.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Paul Sousek

Causing a public nuisance

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 1 year and 8 months imprisonment

Paul Sousek joined a Just Stop Oil protest on November 9, 2022, climbing gantries on the M25, which resulted in widespread traffic disruption, delays for the public, and an accident near one location, all to draw media attention to their cause.

Pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance. Described as a willing volunteer in the protest, not an organiser. Thanked the judge after sentencing and attempted to read a document before being removed; he was retired at the time.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Jordan Osbourne-Small

Conspiring to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine

July 24, 2024

Sentence: five years and nine months imprisonment

Jordan Osbourne-Small worked in a management role for a drugs line operating out of Ilford, which supplied cocaine and facilitated around 1,700 drug deals between June and December 2022. He was caught preparing wraps of class A drugs in his lounge during a police warrant in December 2022, with drugs, scales, and paraphernalia seized from his home, including a mixing agent from a safe.

Denied charges but was convicted following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, with the jury taking less than one hour to convict him.

Sources: ilfordrecorder.co.uk

Thomas Salton

Possessing nitrous oxide with intent to supply

February 19, 2024

Sentence: 35 months imprisonment

Thomas Salton, 30, from Brentwood in Essex, was caught with gift boxes containing nitrous oxide canisters, ketamine, balloons, and candy canes in his Range Rover on December 1, 2023. Police found 60 small canisters of nitrous oxide, 48 one-gram bags of ketamine, and £39,000 in cash in the vehicle. A 'naughty' and 'nice' list of customers was also discovered. Further searches at a rented property 10 miles from his home revealed 408 additional nitrous oxide canisters and 965 grams of ketamine. This case marks the first conviction for possessing nitrous oxide since it was banned in November 2023.

Pleaded guilty to possessing nitrous oxide with intent to supply. Also admitted to possessing ketamine with intent to supply, possession of a class A drug, and possessing criminal property. Prosecutor Alex Hinds noted the evidence was overwhelming and hopes this conviction deters others from buying or selling the drug.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Muhammad Khan

Murder

July 28, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years

Muhammad Khan stabbed Michael Ugwa, a 29-year-old father-of-three, to death in the food hall of Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, Essex, on April 28, 2022, after an argument sparked by a flirtatious comment Ugwa made towards Khan's companion's girlfriend. Khan, wearing a balaclava, produced a flick-knife and attacked Ugwa in a public area filled with people, leading to Ugwa's death from a single stab wound to the chest. Khan fled the scene with his accomplice.

Found guilty of murder and affray. Judge noted he carried a knife daily for almost 18 months, was in an aggressive mood, and had argued with his girlfriend earlier that day.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Brandon Lutchmunsing

Manslaughter

July 28, 2023

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment with a further two-year extended licence period

Brandon Lutchmunsing, along with Muhammad Khan, cornered and attacked Michael Ugwa in the food hall of Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, Essex, on April 28, 2022, following an argument over a flirtatious comment. Lutchmunsing participated in the assault, trapping Ugwa in a pincer movement, which led to Ugwa being stabbed and dying at the scene. Lutchmunsing fled afterwards.

Found guilty of manslaughter and affray. He had mental health difficulties and was not in possession of a knife during the incident.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Shannon Weston

Assisting an offender

July 28, 2023

Sentence: Two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 200 hours of unpaid work

Shannon Weston drove Muhammad Khan and Brandon Lutchmunsing away from Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, Essex, immediately after the stabbing of Michael Ugwa on April 28, 2022, and assisted them in evading police between April 28 and May 4, 2022, by providing transport and support.

Found guilty of three counts of assisting an offender. She had a difficult upbringing and was effectively homeless at the time, and helped her then-boyfriend evade police.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ahmed Khelifi

Supply of Class A drugs

July 20, 2023

Sentence: 2 years and 4 months imprisonment

Ahmed Khelifi, 39, supplied heroin laced with etonitazene, a synthetic opioid, which resulted in the deaths of two people in their 40s in Basildon, Essex, last month. Police traced a drug line linked to him through the victims' phone and searched his home in Gower Chase, Basildon, where they found a £1,000 stash of the laced heroin, £1,100 worth of crack cocaine, and £2,305 in cash hidden in the cushions of dining chairs. He was arrested and the substances were confirmed to be the same as those involved in the fatalities.

Pleaded guilty to charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Anita Mirmohammadi

Fraud

May 9, 2023

Sentence: 5 years and 10 months imprisonment

Anita Mirmohammadi, a 31-year-old finance manager at a Brentwood-based company, stole nearly £200,000 from her employer starting from 2018 by using a business credit card for personal expenses, including luxury purchases at Harrods, Selfridges, Mercedes Benz, and funding holidays to Mexico, Turkey, and Dubai. She also created fraudulent invoices to siphon money from the business account. The fraud was discovered on April 21, 2022, during unrelated fraud checks, leading to her arrest at Gatwick Airport on May 22, 2022. She was charged on February 10, 2023, and found guilty after a trial.

Found guilty after a seven-day trial; pleaded no comment during interview. Judge Shane Collery commented on her selfishness, self-obsession, and sustained dishonesty. A confiscation hearing is scheduled for November 2025 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Sources: echo-news.co.uk

Morgan Trowland

Causing a public nuisance

April 1, 2023

Sentence: three years imprisonment

Morgan Trowland, a structural engineer from Islington, north London, scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge on the Dartford Crossing in October 2022 with Marcus Decker. Using ropes and climbing gear, they reached a height of nearly 200 feet, unfurled a Just Stop Oil banner, and set up hammocks, causing the bridge to close for over 24 hours from October 17 to October 18, 2022. This led to significant traffic disruptions, including a heavily pregnant woman needing urgent medical help, a person missing a funeral, and a business losing over £160,000 in earnings. The action was part of a protest against climate change.

Denied causing a public nuisance but was found guilty by a jury. Has six previous convictions relating to protests. Lost an appeal in July 2023, with judges stating the sentence reflected Parliament's will under new laws.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Marcus Decker

Causing a public nuisance

April 1, 2023

Sentence: two years and seven months imprisonment

Marcus Decker, a private tutor with no fixed address, scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge on the Dartford Crossing in October 2022 with Morgan Trowland. Using ropes and climbing gear, they reached a height of nearly 200 feet, unfurled a Just Stop Oil banner, and set up hammocks, causing the bridge to close for over 24 hours from October 17 to October 18, 2022. This resulted in major traffic gridlock, affecting individuals such as a heavily pregnant woman requiring urgent medical assistance, someone missing a funeral, and a business incurring losses exceeding £160,000. The protest was related to climate change activism.

Denied causing a public nuisance but was found guilty by a jury. Has one previous conviction relating to protests. Lost an appeal in July 2023, with judges stating the sentence was not excessive and aimed to deter similar offending. Faces potential deportation after serving his sentence as a German citizen with leave to remain in the UK.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Gary Bennett

Murder

March 29, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years

Gary Bennett murdered his 30-year-old partner, Madison Wright, who was about to leave him due to his controlling behaviour. She was last seen on July 22, 2022, after attending a cleaning appointment, and her body was found eight days later on July 30, 2022, in Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea, Essex, covered in shrubs, branches, and a fence panel. Bennett sent text messages to suggest she had gone away and sold a necklace she was wearing for £310 at a pawnbroker's shop in Grays, Essex.

Denied the murder but was found guilty by jurors after two-and-a-half hours of deliberation. Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby described him as a schemer, a liar, and a murderer, noting he was too cowardly to admit his actions.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Debbie Johnson

Conspiring to supply Class A drugs

March 10, 2023

Sentence: 40 months imprisonment

Debbie Johnson, 56, of Northview Drive, Westcliff, was involved in a drugs line that supplied cocaine, operating out of Ilford and flooding Southend streets with around 900g of drugs between June and December 2022. She managed the supply chain for the runners and handled financial aspects of the operation.

Admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs and was responsible for restocking drugs, paying runners, and ensuring profits were passed on.

Sources: ilfordrecorder.co.uk

Danielle Jackson

Conspiring to supply Class A drugs

March 10, 2023

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and unpaid work requirements

Danielle Jackson, 40, of Rochford Road, Southend, worked as a runner for a drugs line that supplied cocaine, operating out of Ilford and facilitating around 1,700 drug deals between June and December 2022 by sending bulk messages to customers and distributing drugs.

Admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs and was given a suspended sentence with rehabilitation and unpaid work requirements attached.

Sources: ilfordrecorder.co.uk

Renee Crocker

Conspiring to supply Class A drugs

March 10, 2023

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and mental health treatment requirements

Renee Crocker, 25, of Shaftesbury Avenue, Southend, worked as a runner for a drugs line that supplied cocaine, operating out of Ilford and flooding Southend streets with around 900g of drugs between June and December 2022, involving shifts to sell drugs to customers.

Admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs and was given a suspended sentence with rehabilitation and mental health treatment requirements attached.

Sources: ilfordrecorder.co.uk

Sydney Hicks

Conspiring to supply Class A drugs

March 10, 2023

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and mental health treatment requirements

Sydney Hicks, 23, of York Road, Southend, worked as a runner for a drugs line that supplied cocaine, operating out of Ilford and facilitating around 1,700 drug deals between June and December 2022 by distributing drugs as part of shifts.

Admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs and was given a suspended sentence with rehabilitation and mental health treatment requirements attached.

Sources: ilfordrecorder.co.uk

Benjamin Murphy

Robbery

February 16, 2023

Sentence: 18 years imprisonment

Benjamin Murphy and George Murphy-Bristow wore life-like latex masks to disguise themselves as elderly men and robbed a jewellery store in Epping High Street on September 27, 2021. They brandished a hatchet and a knife, forced their way into the shop, cabled-tied a staff member to a chair, and stole a £15,000 Rolex watch. The brothers fled the scene in a vehicle and were later linked to the crime through DNA evidence on the masks found in a car.

George Murphy-Bristow

Robbery

February 16, 2023

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment

George Murphy-Bristow and Benjamin Murphy wore life-like latex masks to disguise themselves as elderly men and robbed a jewellery store in Epping High Street on September 27, 2021. They brandished a hatchet and a knife, forced their way into the shop, cabled-tied a staff member to a chair, and stole a £15,000 Rolex watch. The brothers fled the scene in a vehicle and were later linked to the crime through DNA evidence on the masks found in a car.

Convicted of robbery, two counts of possession of a bladed article, and going equipped for theft.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Andrew Wilding

Murder

December 2, 2022

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years

Andrew Wilding, 42, set fire to the flat he shared with his bedbound mother Elsie Pinder in Southend, Essex, on July 3, 2021, after conducting online searches for fires, arsons, murders, batteries involved in fires, inheritance pay-outs, and life expectancy of a person with a stroke. He was her sole carer, left the scene to go to a nearby McDonald's, and initially claimed it was an accident caused by a battery on charge. Neighbours raised the alarm and evacuated the building, but Ms Pinder died in the fire.

Found guilty of murder after a trial; detective chief inspector stated that his greed led to the crime and he put neighbours' lives at risk by setting the fire.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Katie Jarvis

Racially aggravated harassment and common assault

April 20, 2022

Sentence: Two-year community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 60 days of specified activities

Katie Jarvis got into a dispute with a group of women outside a fish and chip restaurant in Southend-on-Sea on July 31, 2020, around 7.30pm. The incident began over an empty chair at a table where Michelle Antonio, who is black, was sitting. Tensions escalated when Jarvis attempted to take the chair, leading to an argument where she shouted racial slurs including 'black lives don’t matter' and 'black c****'. A fight broke out between the parties. Later, around 9.15pm, she was denied entry to the Hope Hotel by bouncer Toby Groom and returned an hour later, shouting abuse and spitting towards him, though it did not connect. She was arrested around 11pm that night.

Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and common assault. No previous convictions as an adult. Judge noted she has been subjected to abuse on social media due to being in the public eye. Defence lawyer stated she was celebrating after successful interviews and bumped into an old friend, leading to high spirits and regrettable actions.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Hannah Sindrey

Murder

January 21, 2022

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years and five months

Hannah Sindrey, 24, stabbed Paul Fletcher, 31, to death at her flat in Worcester Drive, Rayleigh, Essex, in the early hours of January 1, 2021, during a New Year’s Eve party. The incident occurred after Mr. Fletcher, under the influence of cocaine and paranoid about infidelity, took Sindrey’s phone and one belonging to her friend. Six children were present in the flat at the time, including Sindrey’s two children and her friend’s four children.

Convicted of murder after a trial. Senior investigating officer Julie Gowen stated that her actions destroyed the lives of the victim's family, friends, and her own family.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Keith Banks

Arranging child sex offence

July 15, 2020

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment with 8 years extended licence

Keith Banks, while awaiting deportation from Australia and held in a detention centre, used an email account in September 2019 to arrange a meeting with a child in Essex for sexual abuse purposes. He had previously served a sentence for child sex offences and was on the Sex Offenders’ Register with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. In November 2019, he travelled from Bow to Rayleigh to meet the child but was arrested by officers from the Police Online Investigation Team. At no point was a child in danger of being abused.

Pleaded guilty to trying to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Investigating officer described him as a dangerous offender posing a real risk to children.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Alan Chima

Possession of extreme pornographic images

September 2, 2016

Sentence: Eight months imprisonment suspended for two years and 120 hours of unpaid work

Alan Chima, a 39-year-old bus driver from Leyton, east London, was found in possession of 38 extreme images depicting women with animals, including dogs, horses, and chickens, as well as a half-hour long video on his laptop. He was detained by police, broke down in tears, and admitted to the possession, stating he derived sexual gratification from the images but believed it was not illegal. His lawyer referenced a 2012 case involving an art gallery to argue that even respectable institutions were unsure about the legality of similar content.

Pleaded guilty to possession of extreme pornographic images. Claimed he did not know it was illegal. Judge noted the images were shocking and the possession occurred over a lengthy period.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Harry Sharp

Burglary

April 7, 2016

Sentence: 45 months imprisonment for burglary and 12 months for sending threatening messages, to run concurrently

Harry Sharp and accomplices broke into a home in Langleys, Basildon, on June 28, 2015. They were armed with a lock knife, forced their way in while the victims were playing computer games, threatened the two teenagers with the knife, punched them several times, tied them up with rope and tape over their eyes, and ransacked the house, stealing jewellery, a games console, and a tablet computer before fleeing. The victims freed themselves and called the police.

Pleaded guilty after initially denying involvement. DNA evidence linked him to the scene, and he was arrested and charged.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ashley Russell

Grievous Bodily Harm

March 24, 2016

Sentence: 17 years imprisonment

Ashley Russell, along with Christina Storey, threw a corrosive fluid at Darren Pidgeon through his car window around 11.20pm on June 3, 2014, in Essex, causing third-degree burns to his face and back. The victim was trapped in a cul-de-sac when the attack occurred, requiring extensive skin grafts and hospitalisation for nearly four weeks.

Denied the charges but was found guilty after an eight-day trial. He threw acid at the victim and punched him in the head.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Christina Storey

Grievous Bodily Harm

March 24, 2016

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Christina Storey, along with Ashley Russell, threw a corrosive fluid at Darren Pidgeon through his car window around 11.20pm on June 3, 2014, in Essex, causing third-degree burns to his face and back. The victim was trapped in a cul-de-sac when the attack occurred, requiring extensive skin grafts and hospitalisation for nearly four weeks.

Denied the charges but was found guilty after an eight-day trial. She was driving the vehicle involved in the unprovoked attack.

Sources: standard.co.uk

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