Birmingham Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 20 verdicts at Birmingham Magistrates' Court (Birmingham). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Mahesh Kumar

Fraudulently evading a prohibition

December 17, 2025

Sentence: 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 20 days rehabilitation activity, £128 victim surcharge

Mahesh Kumar, aged 52, from Jayshaw Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham, attempted to smuggle 80 alligator heads from America to sell on eBay. He initially bought one for himself during a visit to his wife in America. Friends and family expressed interest, leading him to import more without an importation permit. His partner got involved in selling them. Border Force intercepted three parcels of 20 heads each on February 7, 2021, and another parcel of 20 heads on February 10, 2021, at East Midlands Airport. The heads were mislabelled and were by-products of lawful leather farming in parts of the US, but American alligators are a protected species, and unlicensed importation could undermine preservation.

Pleaded guilty. Sentence spared immediate imprisonment due to prosecution delays, health issues, and no further crimes in last four years. Judge warned that smuggling prohibited items is serious and future offenses would likely result in prison.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Fmp West Midlands Limited

Health and safety breach

December 5, 2025

Sentence: £24,000 fine

Nathan Watkins was loading a tube polishing machine at FMP West Midlands Limited in Oldbury on July 8, 2024, when faulty rollers required him to lean over and straighten metal tubes. His left hand became entangled in the machine’s unguarded cogs and chains, severing his left ring finger to the first knuckle, crushing his middle finger requiring a metal rod insertion, and crushing his index finger needing multiple surgeries. He has undergone eight surgeries, requires further operations, and has been unable to return to work. An HSE investigation found the company failed to prevent access to rotating cogs and chains.

Pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Also ordered to pay £2,000 victim surcharge and £4,073.10 in costs.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Francine Best

Benefits fraud

November 14, 2025

Sentence: Repayment of £35,464

Francine Best pretended her mum was alive and continued to claim social care benefits, duping Birmingham City Council officials to the tune of £35,464.

Pretended her mum was alive and continued to claim social care benefits, duping city council officials.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Omar Khider

Theft

November 14, 2025

Sentence: Suspended sentence

Omar Khider, aged 24, was involved in a 'stupid idea' at Selfridges, leading to a court appearance where he was nearly jailed but received a suspended sentence.

Nearly jailed for his 'stupid idea' at Selfridges; said he was trying to turn his life around.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Jessica Hunt

Animal cruelty

November 14, 2025

Sentence: 6-year ban from keeping dogs

Jessica Hunt, aged 33, and her partner concealed a bulldog with a dreadful body score when the RSPCA came knocking, leading to a ban from keeping dogs.

Jonathan Rounds

Animal cruelty

November 14, 2025

Sentence: 6-year ban from keeping dogs

Jonathan Rounds, aged 35, and his partner Jessica Hunt concealed a bulldog with a dreadful body score when the RSPCA came knocking, leading to a ban from keeping dogs.

Partner of Jessica Hunt; concealed bulldog with dreadful body score when RSPCA came knocking.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Julie Lugg

Causing unnecessary suffering to animals

October 6, 2025

Sentence: 8 weeks custody suspended for 12 months

Kevin Castle and Julie Lugg failed to provide adequate nutrition, parasitic control, and treatment for eye infections to a dog named Chase and three five-week-old kittens between November 14 and December 5, 2024. Chase was severely underweight with visible ribs and spine, fur loss, and scabs from fleas. The kittens were underweight, suffering from flu, flea infestation, and severe eye discharge. The animals were rescued by the RSPCA and treated at their Birmingham animal hospital, gaining significant weight and recovering without underlying health issues.

Pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences. Ordered to pay £350 in costs and £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Kevin Castle

Causing unnecessary suffering to animals

October 6, 2025

Sentence: 8 weeks custody suspended for 12 months

Pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences. Ordered to pay £350 in costs and £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Northwood Consumer Limited

Health and Safety Breach

October 6, 2025

Sentence: £240,000 fine

Northwood Consumer Limited failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks associated with workplace transport, failed to address the movement of HGVs in its site rules, failed to eliminate the need for HGVs to reverse, failed to provide aids or assistance to reversing HGVs, failed to display signage warning of hazards from HGV movement, and failed to control HGV access times at its site in Electra Park, Electric Avenue, Birmingham. On October 19, 2023, these failings led to a reversing HGV colliding with and killing 61-year-old engineering manager David Saint while he was walking across the service road on the shared industrial estate.

Pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Ordered to pay £6,917 in costs.

Sources: lincolnshirelive.co.uk

Courtney Reanne Martin

Animal welfare offences

August 22, 2025

Sentence: 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, £400 costs, and £154 victim surcharge

Courtney Reanne Martin left her three dogs unattended in a filthy house in Wolverhampton when she moved out. Two dogs were found dead; one emaciated with bruising and puncture wounds on its head and neck, likely from dog bites, and the other emaciated with an undetermined exact cause due to decomposition. The third dog was alive but in poor conditions. The dogs suffered from prolonged lack of food, water, and proper care, resulting in unnecessary suffering over an extended period.

Admitted two animal welfare offences. Banned from owning pets for ten years. Was experiencing personal challenges at the time.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Thomas Nicholas Powell

Animal welfare offence

June 4, 2025

Sentence: Six-month community order with ten days of rehabilitation activity requirement and banned from keeping animals for ten years

Thomas Nicholas Powell, aged 61, from Rochester Road, Northfield, neglected his German Shepherd dog Sadie, who was found straying in the Northfield area. Sadie was underweight, had a stiff gait, muscle atrophy, a large 15cm ulcerated mammary mass diagnosed as stage 3 mammary carcinoma, and spinal spondylosis causing pain. She had been in pain and discomfort for more than four weeks due to deprivation of basic needs. The offence occurred between December 31, 2024, and February 11, 2025.

Admitted an animal welfare offence of failing to protect Sadie from pain and suffering, failing to provide veterinary treatment and failing to provide an adequate diet. Powell stated he was very sorry and loved Sadie but had not noticed the mass due to her long fur. RSPCA inspector commented on the duty of care for animals.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Christian Orton

Littering

May 28, 2025

Sentence: £440 fine, £176 victim surcharge, and £418.44 costs

Christian Orton was seen chucking takeaway food packaging from a car on Pelsall High Street on July 22, 2024, and July 28, 2024.

Mitchell Hedges

Littering

May 21, 2025

Sentence: £40 fine, £16 victim surcharge, and £180 costs

Mitchell Hedges threw takeaway litter from the open door of a Ford Ranger on Pelsall High Street on January 13, 2025, despite being in walking distance of a bin.

Jack Lewis Elshaw

Animal cruelty

October 30, 2024

Sentence: 2 year community order, 140 hours unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days

In March 2024, RSPCA Inspector Katie Burris and Animal Rescue Officer Karen Nix investigated a complaint about a Doberman dog named JJ at the property of Jack Lewis Elshaw and Chelsea Scott Owens. JJ was found tied up in an empty bath, visually impaired with discharge from both eyes, and appeared thin with prominent ribs, hip bones, and spine. Previous welfare notices had not been complied with. The dog was taken to a vet who confirmed his needs had not been met, including failure to address weight loss, poor body condition, and eye condition causing irritation and pain. JJ was signed over to RSPCA care but developed abdominal disease and was put to sleep.

Pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to meet the needs of a Doberman dog named JJ. Accepted care was inadequate but not deliberately cruel. Personal difficulties experienced.

Sources: grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Chelsea Scott Owens

Animal cruelty

October 30, 2024

Sentence: 18 month community order, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, £120 fine

Pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to meet the needs of a Doberman dog named JJ. Accepted care was inadequate but not deliberately cruel. Personal difficulties experienced.

Sources: grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Esmeralda Negut

Theft

June 17, 2024

Sentence: 12 months in prison

Esmeralda Negut, aged 20 from Burton, was part of a group that carried out pickpocketing in Birmingham city centre. The group followed people around, with two members acting as lookouts while the third stole cash and mobile phones. They were identified through CCTV footage and arrested after officers spotted them attempting to steal from shoppers on February 21. The offences involved six theft incidents dating back to November 2024.

Admitted to crimes but claimed not professional pickpockets due to desperation; however, evidence showed several international convictions for pickpocketing. Ordered to pay more than £3,000 in compensation and victim surcharges.

Sources: dudleynews.co.uk

Florin Adir

Theft

April 3, 2024

Sentence: six months in prison

Florin Adir, aged 21 from Wembley, was part of a group that conducted pickpocketing in Birmingham city centre. The group followed unsuspecting shoppers, with two acting as lookouts while the third stole cash and mobile phones. They were caught on CCTV targeting people and were arrested after officers intervened during an attempted theft on February 21. The offences dated back to November 2024 and involved six theft incidents.

Sources: dudleynews.co.uk

Vasile Curti

Theft

April 3, 2024

Sentence: six month youth referral order

Vasile Curti, aged 18 from Wembley, was involved in a group that targeted shoppers in Birmingham city centre through pickpocketing. The group worked together, with members acting as lookouts while others stole cash and mobile phones from victims. They were caught on CCTV and arrested after attempting to flee from officers on February 21. The offences included six theft incidents dating back to November 2024.

Sources: dudleynews.co.uk

Omar Abdirizak

Making threats

March 30, 2024

Sentence: 20 weeks imprisonment

Omar Abdirizak created and posted a threatening TikTok video targeting right wing activist Tommy Robinson during the widespread racial unrest in the summer of 2024.

Sentenced for a threatening TikTok video about right wing activist Tommy Robinson amid racial unrest in summer 2024.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Lisa Leach

Animal welfare offences

January 20, 2024

Sentence: 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months; 10-year ban on keeping animals; £800 costs and £154 victim surcharge

Lisa Leach failed to provide adequate care for a 15-year-old Labrador named Lucas, leaving him in an emaciated state in a dirty garden filled with rubbish, dog faeces, and brown sludge. The dog was found struggling to stand, with a body condition score of one out of nine, and had to be euthanised due to his poor health. The offences occurred between November 22, 2023, and December 8, 2023.

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