Bristol Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 178 verdicts at Bristol Crown Court (Bristol). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Heidi Bessant

Misconduct in a public office

January 16, 2026

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment

Heidi Bessant, 38, of Wyebank Rise, Chepstow, worked as operational support at HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire. She began an illicit six-month relationship with a convicted drug dealer and blackmailer inmate. Bessant picked up the inmate from the prison during his day release, took him to restaurants and hotels, handled his banking affairs, and exchanged phone calls and text messages using a contraband mobile phone. The affair was uncovered by SWROCU detectives investigating suspicions surrounding her conduct.

Pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office. Engaged in a six-month affair with a prisoner serving time for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and blackmail. Took the inmate to restaurants and hotels during day release and handled his banking affairs. Serious breach of trust noted by investigator PC Mark Paterson.

Sources: dailypost.co.uk

Yostin Mosquera

Murder

December 27, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment

Yostin Mosquera brutally killed a couple in their London home and inexplicably tried to dispose of their bodies in suitcases at the Clifton Suspension Bridge. He was convicted and sentenced in 2025.

Convicted of brutally killing a couple in their London home and attempting to dispose of their bodies in suitcases at the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Mark Killick

Fraud

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

Mark Killick, trading as Marc Cole, committed a £1.25 million fraud by ripping off customers as a rogue builder.

Reuben Fay

Attempted murder

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 23 years imprisonment

On December 26, 2023, Reuben Fay, along with Tayshon Graham, Ajay Edwards, and Cain Henderson, followed Mitchell Burke and his friends after they left a restaurant on Gloucester Road in Bristol. When Mitchell tripped and fell on Bishop Road, the group stabbed him seven times, causing injuries to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, buttock, and a brain injury. The attack was life-threatening, but Mitchell survived due to aid from bystanders and medical professionals.

Found guilty of attempted murder. Youth and adverse personal circumstances considered in mitigation. Dangerous offender.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Ajay Edwards

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

On December 26, 2023, Ajay Edwards, along with Reuben Fay, Tayshon Graham, and Cain Henderson, followed Mitchell Burke and his friends after they left a restaurant on Gloucester Road in Bristol. When Mitchell tripped and fell on Bishop Road, the group stabbed him seven times, causing injuries to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, buttock, and a brain injury. The attack was life-threatening, but Mitchell survived due to aid from bystanders and medical professionals.

Admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Discount applied for guilty plea. Did not take or use a knife. Youth and adverse personal circumstances considered in mitigation. Dangerous offender.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Cain Henderson

Attempted murder

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 23 years imprisonment

On December 26, 2023, Cain Henderson, along with Reuben Fay, Tayshon Graham, and Ajay Edwards, followed Mitchell Burke and his friends after they left a restaurant on Gloucester Road in Bristol. When Mitchell tripped and fell on Bishop Road, the group stabbed him seven times, causing injuries to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, buttock, and a brain injury. The attack was life-threatening, but Mitchell survived due to aid from bystanders and medical professionals.

Found guilty of attempted murder. Did not touch the victim but jointly responsible by admission. Youth and adverse personal circumstances considered in mitigation. Dangerous offender.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Tayshon Graham

Attempted murder

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 23 years imprisonment

On December 26, 2023, Tayshon Graham, along with Reuben Fay, Ajay Edwards, and Cain Henderson, followed Mitchell Burke and his friends after they left a restaurant on Gloucester Road in Bristol. When Mitchell tripped and fell on Bishop Road, the group stabbed him seven times, causing injuries to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, buttock, and a brain injury. The attack was life-threatening, but Mitchell survived due to aid from bystanders and medical professionals.

Found guilty of attempted murder. Youth and adverse personal circumstances considered in mitigation. Dangerous offender.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Paul West

Conspiracy to import cannabis

December 19, 2025

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Paul West, 37, of Thomas Street in Ryhope, was arrested by police officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit at Bristol Airport last month. His criminal scheme involved attempting to bring a significant quantity of cannabis - upwards of 42kg - into the UK from Canada via Dublin, with a street value of at least £420,000.

Admitted conspiracy to import cannabis. Part of a wider organised crime group utilising passenger flights to bring drugs into the UK from countries where it is grown legally.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Riaz Muhammed

Rape of a woman over 16

December 17, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

Riaz Muhammed, a taxi driver, picked up the vulnerable victim and drove around Bristol before paying for her to stay at a guest house known to him in 2019. He arranged for his friend Muhammed Zahid to attend the house, and when the victim was unconscious, they raped her in a planned attack.

Unanimously found guilty after an eight-day trial. Will serve two-thirds in custody before release on license.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Muhammed Zahid

Rape of a woman over 16

December 17, 2025

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Muhammed Zahid attended a guest house in Bristol arranged by Riaz Muhammed, where the vulnerable victim was staying in 2019. When the victim was unconscious, he and Muhammed raped her in a planned attack.

Unanimously found guilty after an eight-day trial. Will serve two-thirds in custody before release on license.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Kane Kotwica

Murder

December 10, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31.5 years

On May 28, 2025, Kane Kotwica, aged 39, from Bibury Road, Gloucester, was involved in an argument at a flat on Bedford Street, Gloucester, with two other men and two women. Asked to leave, he returned 90 minutes later with a knife hidden in his pocket. When 53-year-old Matthew Cainey answered the door, Kotwica fatally stabbed him. The two other men attempted to restrain him but were wounded—one stabbed in the chest requiring life-saving surgery, the other in the neck. Kotwica fled, discarded the knife in a drain, and was arrested nearby by armed officers.

Convicted of murder and two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. Judge William Hart described the act as deliberate and cold-blooded, noting the defendant is a very dangerous man. Concurrent sentences of 14 years and 10 years for the woundings, and 18 months for possession of a bladed article. Claimed self-defence but jury found him guilty after a three-week trial.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Denzel Nyamutora

Robbery

December 9, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 7 months imprisonment

On April 17, 2025, at around 2pm, Denzel Nyamutora boarded a train from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Temple Meads at Worle station. He spotted a 76-year-old man's phone on a table, swiped it after briefly leaving and returning to the carriage, and walked away. When the victim followed and confronted him, Nyamutora brandished a knife in the victim's face, telling him to 'f**k off'. He had two knives in his possession—one in his pocket and one in his bag. Nyamutora was arrested at Bristol Temple Meads for fare evasion, robbery, and possessing bladed articles, breaching strict bail conditions prohibiting railway travel.

Pleaded guilty to robbery and two counts of possessing a bladed article. No remorse shown in interview. Targeted an elderly victim and was prepared for violence, carrying two knives.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

Brandon Weyman

Shoplifting

December 8, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Brandon Weyman, 32, from Clouds Hill Road in St George, committed shoplifting shortly after being sentenced for similar offences and was immediately imprisoned upon reappearance in court.

Sent straight to prison for shoplifting days after previous sentencing for similar offences

Sources: avonandsomerset.police.uk

Christopher Monro

Murder

December 1, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment

Christopher Monro, 30, also known as Kit, from Oxford, murdered his 73-year-old father Peter Monro at home in Kelston View, Bath, Somerset, on February 11, 2025. Stayed weekend prior; argument heard two days before. Carer found Peter fatally stabbed in bedroom; Monro arrested after movements traced. Died from knife wounds.

Pleaded guilty to murder. Sentenced following hearing where sister described difficulty grieving.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Paul Hayden

Attempted Murder

November 20, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment

Paul Hayden, alongside Zacharia Talbert-Young, attempted to murder a teenager named Nathan Williams by stabbing him in Lawrence Hill, Bristol, in early 2024. This occurred seven months after Talbert-Young's murder of Eddie Kinuthia, while on bail. The incident was linked to the ongoing postcode rivalry between 2-4s and 1-6s groups. The six-week trial ended with conviction on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Convicted of attempted murder. Sentencing details not specified beyond implication of long term behind bars. Previously jailed for 5 years in April 2024 for firearms possession.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Zacharia Talbert-Young

Murder

November 20, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment

Zacharia Talbert-Young murdered 19-year-old Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia by stabbing him to death in St Pauls, Bristol, in 2023, motivated by postcode rivalry between 2-4s and 1-6s groups. Seven months later, while on bail, he and Paul Hayden attempted to murder another teenager, Nathan Williams, in Lawrence Hill in early 2024. The six-week trial ended with conviction on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Convicted of murder and attempted murder. Sentencing details for murder not specified beyond implication of long term behind bars. Previously jailed for 5 years in April 2024 for firearms possession.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Alfie Bailey

Possession with intent to supply cocaine

November 18, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 4 months imprisonment

On October 17, 2025, police executed a warrant at Alfie Bailey's address in Archer Walk, Stockwood, South Bristol. Bailey attempted to flee through the back garden carrying a carrier bag and entered a car, which was stopped by police. The bag contained 54 grams of cocaine worth £4,400 and paraphernalia. Additional cocaine, over £10,000 in cash, weapons, unusable ammunition, and multiple mobile phones were found at the property. An electric motorcycle and charger worth £11,180 were seized as criminal property.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property. Over £10,000 in criminal property and an electric motorcycle worth £11,180 seized.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Jamie Doyle

Robbery

November 17, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Jamie Doyle, 36, of no fixed address, violently pushed a staff member in the Co-Op on Two Mile Hill Road at around 8.10am on October 9, 2025, and stole thousands of pounds worth of tobacco. Between October 9-13, 2025, he repeated the theft at the Two Mile Hill Road Co-Op, targeted a Tesco in Bell Hill Road, and another Co-Op in Church Road, St Georges. In total, he stole nearly £5,000 worth of tobacco, more than £60 worth of groceries, and a £30 bottle of alcohol. He was arrested on October 13, 2025, after stealing more than £1,300 of tobacco from the Co-Op in Church Road.

Pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, four counts of commercial burglary and two counts of shoplifting.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Ben Bicknell

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 3 months imprisonment

Ben Bicknell, 37, from Whitchurch Lane, Bristol, served as the main drugs distributor for the OCG in Bristol. He was arrested in June 2022 and found in possession of snap bags containing cocaine. A search of his home revealed a small amount of cocaine and almost £20,000 in cash. He was forensically linked to three kilos of heroin and 660 grams of cocaine seized from his niece Kasey Cotterell’s address in Hartcliffe, Bristol, on the same day.

Main drugs distributor in Bristol. Forensically linked to drugs seized from Kasey Cotterell’s address.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Abdolrahman Banafsha

Sexual Assault

November 5, 2025

Sentence: 27 months imprisonment

On August 31, 2024, in the early hours, Abdolrahman Banafsha targeted a vulnerable 18-year-old woman walking home from a night out in Cheltenham. He followed her at a distance, then approached after she fell in a side street, picked her up, and escorted her by the arm to the address where he was staying, despite her protests. Inside, he pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her by touching her breasts under her clothing and between her legs over her clothing. The victim screamed, kicked him off, and fled, captured on CCTV. Banafsha was arrested later that day and has been in custody since. He was charged with attempted rape, but pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on September 23, 2025, during his trial which started on September 22, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault after initially denying the charges. Sentenced concurrently for both counts. Placed on the Sex Offender's Register for 10 years. High risk of harm to the public, particularly females. Asylum seeker from Iran.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Thomas Manson

Rape

November 5, 2025

Sentence: jailed

Thomas Manson, of Crediton in Devon, raped a teenage girl in Bristol.

Janet Chard

Participating in the activities of an Organised Crime Group

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years

Janet Chard, aged 68 from Knowle West, participated in an organised crime group by acting as a courier, transporting drugs across the country on several occasions. Police uncovered over 40kg of drugs worth £1.8m, including 10kg of heroin found in a business park off Staunton Lane on November 18, 2024. Additional drugs including 10kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 21kg of amphetamines were found in a garage in Down Lane, along with cutting agents and paraphernalia. Chard was arrested the same day she was identified as the courier.

Pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an Organised Crime Group. Acted as courier transporting drugs across the country on several occasions.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Joshua Batt

Conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Joshua Batt, aged 28 from Whitchurch, was part of an organised crime group involved in supplying class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamine). Police uncovered over 40kg of drugs worth £1.8m, including 10kg of heroin found in a business park off Staunton Lane on November 18, 2024, where Batt was present. Additional drugs including 10kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 21kg of amphetamines were found in a garage in Down Lane, along with cutting agents and paraphernalia.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamine). Present at the premises where drugs were found.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Justin Pearce

Conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment

Justin Pearce, aged 45 of no fixed address, was part of an organised crime group involved in supplying class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamine). Police uncovered over 40kg of drugs worth £1.8m, including 10kg of heroin found in a business park off Staunton Lane on November 18, 2024, where Pearce was present. Additional drugs including 10kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 21kg of amphetamines were found in a garage in Down Lane, along with cutting agents and paraphernalia.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamine). Found in the same room as boxes of drugs.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Mark Bourne

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 8 months imprisonment

Mark Bourne, aged 49 from Horfield, was part of an organised crime group involved in supplying class A drugs (heroin). Police uncovered over 40kg of drugs worth £1.8m, including 10kg of heroin found in a business park off Staunton Lane on November 18, 2024, where Bourne was present. Additional drugs including 10kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 21kg of amphetamines were found in a garage in Down Lane, along with cutting agents and paraphernalia.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin). Present at the premises where drugs were found.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Mark Glover

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 8 months imprisonment

Mark Glover, aged 48 from Henbury, was part of an organised crime group involved in supplying class A drugs (heroin). Police uncovered over 40kg of drugs worth £1.8m, including 10kg of heroin found in a business park off Staunton Lane on November 18, 2024, where Glover was present. Additional drugs including 10kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 21kg of amphetamines were found in a garage in Down Lane, along with cutting agents and paraphernalia.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin). Present at the premises where drugs were found.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Lucifer Hunter

Possession of indecent images of children

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Lucifer Hunter, a repulsive paedophile, used video games to groom children online, pretending to be a schoolboy and targeting young girls in tights. He possessed over 1,000 indecent images of children.

Cried in court. Had over 1,000 indecent images of children and used video games to groom young girls, pretending to be a schoolboy online with a particular interest in girls in tights.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Kieran Francis

Child grooming offences

October 23, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Kieran Francis, aged 22, was jailed for a calculated attack grooming children online, involving 11 offences against children.

Jacob Dolphin

Affray

October 23, 2025

Sentence: 18-month community order, 170 hours unpaid work, £900 fine, £95 surcharge

Jacob Dolphin, 24, of Weston-super-Mare, kicked out at police officers on five occasions and threw an object during a riot outside Bridewell Police Station on March 21, 2021, which involved some of the worst violence in Bristol's history.

Pleaded guilty to affray. Judge Peter Blair described the violence during the 2021 riot as some of the worst seen in Bristol's history.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Curtis Tucker

Shop Theft

October 21, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment

Curtis Tucker, 43, of Worcester Road, Kingswood, engaged in persistent shop thefts over recent months, stealing bakery products, alcohol, meat, high-value tools, and other items from various retailers in South Gloucestershire. He also committed theft from a vehicle and threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear, resulting in significant losses to targeted businesses.

Admitted to seven counts of shop theft, theft from a vehicle, and threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear. Given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order prohibiting entry to Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Gallagher Retail Park, and any known banned retail premises.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

James Murray

Sexual Assault

October 21, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

James Murray, from Weston-super-Mare, sexually assaulted a woman in a vile act.

Peter Orme

Child Rape

October 20, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment with 2 years extended licence

Peter Orme committed numerous sexual offences against one teenage girl victim on several occasions over the course of several months in Plymouth. The victim, aged 13 to 15, came forward and reported the offences to police, leading to an investigation. Orme was convicted following a trial.

Convicted of two counts of rape against a child, ten counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged under 15, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Denied the offences. Given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Showed no remorse.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Rodney Bunzly

Sexual offences against a child

October 20, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Rodney Bunzly, 57, from Grasmere Drive, Weston-super-Mare, abused a young girl approximately two decades ago when she was very young and vulnerable, committing non-recent sexual offences including sexual intercourse with a child and penetrative sexual activity with a child, causing lasting serious and significant psychological harm. He also made ten indecent images of a child.

Pleaded guilty to indecent assault against a child, indecency with a child, sexual intercourse with a child, and penetrative sexual activity with a child. Found guilty by jury on ten charges of making indecent images of a child after an eight-day trial. Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order not to contact the victim. Judge noted serious and significant psychological harm to the victim.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

Tony Heath

Rape

October 14, 2025

Sentence: imprisonment

Tony Heath, 28, of Farr Street, Avonmouth, raped two women he met online and committed sexual assault.

Vincent Allsopp

Money laundering

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Vincent Allsopp, 37, of Bayfield Gardens, Dymock, Gloucestershire, played a key role in setting up and running the false business front, holding multiple bank accounts through which victims’ payments were channelled. Between January and December 2022, the group targeted nine older and vulnerable victims across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Herefordshire, luring them with offers of low-cost guttering work under aliases and pressuring them with false claims of roof damage to pay for unnecessary and poor-quality repairs, stealing over £370,000 which was laundered through multiple accounts.

Pleaded guilty to money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act on September 10, 2025.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Stuart Woodward

Money laundering

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 1 year and 10 months imprisonment

Stuart Woodward, 35, of The Homend, Ledbury, allowed his personal bank account to be used to disguise the flow of criminal funds. Between January and December 2022, the group targeted nine older and vulnerable victims across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Herefordshire, luring them with offers of low-cost guttering work under aliases and pressuring them with false claims of roof damage to pay for unnecessary and poor-quality repairs, stealing over £370,000 which was laundered through multiple accounts including his.

Pleaded guilty to money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act on September 10, 2025. Decision on immediate or suspended sentence delayed for six months.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

David Chalk

Fraudulent trading

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 2 months imprisonment

David Chalk, 30, formerly of Green Acres Mobile Home Park, Chertsey, Surrey, was identified as a ringleader directing the fraud operation and recruiting others. Between January and December 2022, the group targeted older and vulnerable victims across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Herefordshire, luring them with offers of low-cost guttering work and pressuring them with false claims of roof damage to pay for unnecessary and poor-quality repairs, stealing over £370,000 in total.

Pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading under the Fraud Act on June 9, 2025. Issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order preventing engagement in property maintenance work.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Callum Taylor

Money laundering

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 1 year and 4 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Callum Taylor, 26, of Ledbury, allowed his personal bank account to be used to disguise the flow of criminal funds. Between January and December 2022, the group targeted nine older and vulnerable victims across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Herefordshire, luring them with offers of low-cost guttering work under aliases and pressuring them with false claims of roof damage to pay for unnecessary and poor-quality repairs, stealing over £370,000 which was laundered through multiple accounts including his.

Pleaded guilty to money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act on June 9, 2025. Ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and abide by a curfew.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Carl Davies

Fraudulent trading

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 8 months imprisonment

Carl Davies, 32, formerly of Lloyd Baker Street, Islington, London, was identified as a ringleader directing the fraud operation. Between January and December 2022, the group targeted older and vulnerable victims across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Herefordshire, luring them with offers of low-cost guttering work and pressuring them with false claims of roof damage to pay for unnecessary and poor-quality repairs, stealing over £370,000 in total.

Pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading under the Fraud Act and Companies Act on September 9, 2025. Issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order preventing engagement in property maintenance work.

Sources: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Macaulay Parsons

Affray

October 7, 2025

Sentence: 3-year football banning order, £214 fine, 40-100 hours community service

Involved in a street brawl between Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers fans outside the Moon Under Water and The Miller pubs on Bath Road in Cheltenham town centre on October 15, 2022, around 2pm, about an hour before the League One fixture. Punches were exchanged before groups dispersed. Identified via CCTV footage.

Keiran Watts

Affray

October 7, 2025

Sentence: 3-year football banning order, £214 fine, 40-100 hours community service

Liam Riley

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

October 3, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Liam Riley, 28, from Liverpool, was involved in a county lines drug operation exporting Class A drugs from Liverpool to the Weymouth area of Dorset between November 2018 and February 2019. He orchestrated the network using a phone line for broadcast texts advertising drugs. Arrested on December 31, 2018, at an address in Cheshire while attempting to destroy a mobile phone in a bathroom. The operation led to the seizure of over 800 wraps of Class A drugs and more than £15,000 in cash.

Played a leading role in a county lines drug operation. Failed to appear in court on August 25, 2023, and was arrested in Inverness on December 19, 2024.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

Daniel Gunter

Murder

October 3, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years

Daniel Gunter, 27, inflicted catastrophic injuries to the head, neck, legs and jaw of his 14-day-old premature son Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5, 2024. The baby, born on February 20, 2024, at 33 weeks’ gestation and weighing 1.83kg, was in the special care baby unit. Gunter caused multiple fractures and significant internal bleeding by applying very severe force, shattering the baby's skull and breaking his neck, possibly by holding him by the legs and swinging him forcefully against a blunt object or surface. Hospital staff discovered the fatally injured baby in his cot around 4am after his mother reported he was cold; he was pronounced dead at 4.59am. Gunter and his partner had left the unit to smoke outside while medical staff tried to resuscitate the baby. The injuries were described by medical experts as akin to a fall from a multi-storey building, demonstrating an intention to kill through the sheer brutality of the attack. Gunter was controlling towards the mother, questioned paternity, ignored nurses' advice by removing the baby from his incubator, overstimulating him, and handling him roughly, with family witnessing him shouting and becoming angry at the baby.

Convicted of murder following a three-week trial. The judge described the murder as one of excessive violence and pre-meditated. Gunter had a very low IQ, was immature for his age, and had a disruptive childhood with no previous convictions for violence, only a caution for throwing a bottle of water over an ex-partner.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Christopher Brooks

Sex offences against a child

September 24, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Christopher Brooks was sentenced for non-recent sex offences against a child, which involved committing offences against a child in the past.

Aged 74, from Bishopsworth, Bristol. Sentenced for non-recent sex offences against a child.

Sources: avonandsomerset.police.uk

Andrew Edwards

Stalking

September 12, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, GPS monitored tag for three months, and 100 hours of unpaid work

Andrew Edwards, a former police officer, used police systems including intelligence records, the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system, and the Police National Computer to monitor his ex-partner's movements without a lawful purpose. He conducted 27 unauthorised searches and visited the area of her home address on 31 occasions, including while on duty and in breach of bail conditions. He also asked a friend to check her social media after being blocked. This occurred while he was a response officer in Chippenham, leading to his suspension and resignation on 6 May.

Pleaded guilty to stalking and misconduct in public office. The Crown Prosecution Service noted that he abused his power and fabricated justifications, while Wiltshire Police described his behaviour as totally unacceptable and below professional standards.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Kemar Lewis

Possession of class A drugs with intent to supply

September 12, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Kemar Lewis was observed exchanging small items for money in east Bristol on August 6, 2025, leading to his arrest on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. A search of his home, conducted with the help of a police dog, uncovered heroin worth £55,000, crack cocaine worth £58,500, cannabis worth almost £1,800, a cutting agent worth around £50,000, and cash totaling £25,125 hidden under the floorboards.

Pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, possession of class B drugs, and possession of criminal property. £25,000 was forfeited to the courts.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Ben Bourton

Wounding with intent

September 10, 2025

Sentence: Hospital order and restriction order

Ben Bourton attacked his father, Paul Bourton, over a four-hour period on November 25, 2023, while his father was visiting to deliver medication and help him shower. Bourton, who had not taken his medication that day, hit his father with an open palm, struck him with a phone charger, stabbed him 10 times in the stomach, leg, and arm, pushed him, bit him, and pulled his coat over his head. Despite the injuries, Bourton refused to let his father go to the hospital until he shaved his back. His father sustained deep wounds, including a significant one to his abdomen, and required treatment at Southmead Hospital.

The defendant had a previous caution for assaulting an emergency worker in 2022, and a history of concerning behaviour and violent incidents. He has health issues including autism, OCD, an eating disorder, and anxiety. The judge noted that the defendant prioritised his own wellbeing over his father's serious injuries.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Andrew John Westwick

Possession of cannabis

September 8, 2025

Sentence: 27 months imprisonment

Andrew John Westwick, 59, of East Town Lane, had cannabis worth £28,500 seized from his home, leading to his sentencing.

Leah Murphy

Conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs

September 8, 2025

Sentence: 9 years and 7 months imprisonment

Leah Murphy, aged 44 of no fixed address, was part of an organised crime group involved in supplying class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamine). Arrested at Kingsdown Parade on suspicion of drug supply, with cash seized. Police uncovered over 40kg of drugs worth £1.8m, including 10kg of heroin found in a business park off Staunton Lane on November 18, 2024. Additional drugs including 10kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 21kg of amphetamines were found in a garage in Down Lane, along with cutting agents and paraphernalia. Murphy rented a storage unit where £66,000 was seized.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamine). Arrested with £5,000 cash in handbag and £20,000 in living room; £66,000 seized from storage unit.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Eileen Mcdonagh

Fraud by false representation

September 5, 2025

Sentence: 10 rehabilitation days, an unspecified fine, and a 2-year suspended prison sentence

Eileen McDonagh posed as an RNLI charity collector in Bath and Exeter, making over 3,600 fraudulent transactions to collect nearly £27,000. She wore an RNLI lanyard and uniform, fabricated a story about a family member drowning at sea, and overcharged donors, such as secretly charging £20 instead of £2. She was arrested in 2023 and the offences occurred on dates including May 25, 2023, in Bath, and June 19, 2023, in Exeter.

Pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud by false representation and one charge of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property. The judge noted the facts were shocking and that she had mental health difficulties at the time, but warned the sentence would hang over her. Defence argued she has no previous convictions and took steps to change her behaviour.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

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