Basildon Crown Court Sentencing Results

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.

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.

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.

Ashley Russell, along with Christina Storey, threw a corrosive fluid at the victim 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.

Christina Storey, along with Ashley Russell, threw a corrosive fluid at the victim 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.

Anthony Grimes, 64, from Galleywood, and Paul Jones ran a large-scale counterfeit currency operation at a rented industrial unit on Cranfield Park Road, Wickford, Essex. Discovered on 9 April 2024, the set-up produced fake Bank of England polymer £20 notes potentially worth up to £2.7 million using industrial printing machines, drying equipment, foil application materials, cutting machinery, printing dyes, and scanners with original notes.

On 30 July 2024, Hamza Dinbil was part of a group of teenagers who gathered in side streets in Southend city centre before moving to the seafront armed with knives and guns. The disorder left at least two people with serious injuries requiring hospital treatment. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

In November prior to sentencing, Sharon Small extorted £100 from a man by threatening to spread a rumour that he was gay. She also threatened to stab him in the neck if he did not pay. After the victim handed over the cash, Small returned days later demanding more money and threatened to punch him. He reported the matter to Essex Police. Small pleaded guilty to one charge of blackmail. She had 68 previous convictions, including a 21-month prison term in 2022 for possessing a bladed article and making threats. Small blamed the blackmail on her severe alcohol addiction.

Paul Jones, 50, of Camberwell, London, and Anthony Grimes ran a large-scale counterfeit currency operation at a rented industrial unit on Cranfield Park Road, Wickford, Essex. Discovered on 9 April 2024, the set-up produced fake Bank of England polymer £20 notes potentially worth up to £2.7 million using industrial printing machines, drying equipment, foil application materials, cutting machinery, printing dyes, and scanners with original notes.