Chelmsford Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 75 verdicts at Chelmsford Crown Court (Chelmsford). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Davit Nakashidze

Conspiracy to handle stolen goods

May 22, 2024

Sentence: 4 years and 6 months imprisonment

Davit Nakashidze participated in a sophisticated enterprise that involved stealing luxury cars through keyless entry methods and dismantling them at a chop shop in Little Bardfield, Essex. The gang targeted high-value vehicles from various UK locations, used signal jammers, cloned plates, and exported parts to Dubai. Police investigations, including 115 days of CCTV monitoring, revealed the scale of the operation, which included handling stolen goods worth millions.

Admitted charges on the morning of the trial; worked as a dismantler; had no previous convictions; came to the UK to support his family but took the wrong path; judge highlighted his awareness of the operation's scale.

Sources: romfordrecorder.co.uk

Mark Donovan

Murder

March 5, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years

Mark Donovan, 39, inflicted 70 separate injuries on 37-year-old Elise Mason during an attack in Great Baddow in April 2023. He strangled and beat her, causing bruises on her hands and forearms from attempts to defend herself. After the murder, he took her phone, hid it in a pub toilet cistern, visited a pub and a massage parlour, and then handed himself in at Ilford Police Station the following day while eating a takeaway.

Denied the charge but was convicted by a jury after a trial. Detective Inspector James Holmes described him as a dangerous, selfish, and manipulative man who killed the victim in a fit of rage and delayed handing himself in.

Sources: ilfordrecorder.co.uk

Patrick Hart

Criminal damage

January 9, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Patrick Hart damaged 16 petrol pumps at Thurrock Motorway Services on the M25 in Grays in August 2022, causing £9,376 worth of damage. He hit the pumps with a hammer, sprayed them with orange paint, and interfered with the refuelling of vehicles as part of a Just Stop Oil demonstration, breaching a High Court injunction.

Handed by Judge Mills. The defendant called the damage an 'act of care' and said he did not regret his actions. He will face a tribunal with the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Michael Johnson

Murder

December 5, 2023

Sentence: 25 years imprisonment

Michael Johnson stabbed his best friend multiple times during an argument in Colchester on August 10th, 2023, resulting in the victim's death; evidence included witness testimonies and forensic analysis.

Convicted for the brutal murder of his best friend, with the judge noting the premeditated nature of the crime.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

David Brown

Sexual abuse of children

November 20, 2023

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

David Brown, a former shop worker in a village, exploited his position by offering sweets and cigarettes to children in exchange for sexual favours, with the abuse occurring over several months in 2023.

The defendant was found guilty of sexually abusing children and attempting to shift blame onto the victims.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Junead Ahmed

Fraud

November 1, 2023

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Junead Ahmed was imprisoned for property fraud offences, where he used several doctor and GP aliases in attempts to rent or buy multi-million-pound properties. He escaped from HMP Chelmsford in June 2023 by sending forged High Court letters to prison authorities, but was later recaptured and sentenced for the original fraud offences.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to escape prison and was sentenced for prior fraud-related offences. Judge Mary Loram KC described the escape scheme as meticulously planned.

Sources: romfordrecorder.co.uk

Robbie Williams

Voyeurism

October 15, 2023

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Robbie Williams, a resident of Colchester, was caught filming a child in a private setting, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction for voyeurism and possession of indecent images.

Judge described the defendant as a 'devious' pervert for filming a child washing herself.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Jack Bryan

Assault and Criminal Damage

October 13, 2023

Sentence: 2 year community order and ordered to pay £1,200 in costs

Jack Bryan, 28, from Braintree, turned up at his ex-partner's house in Great Bentley on August 3, 2023, while drunk. He entered the property, punched her television, threw a remote control at her head causing swelling, assaulted three police officers during arrest, resisted custody, and threatened to kill the officers' families. It took five officers to restrain him, and the incident terrified his ex-partner and their children.

Pleaded guilty to criminal damage, assault causing actual bodily harm, and three counts of assaulting emergency workers. Judge described his conduct as completely and utterly disgraceful. He has sought help for mental health and alcohol issues.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Jordan Reid

Making and distributing indecent images of children

October 11, 2023

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

Jordan Reid, 30, from Colchester, used the online platform Discord to pose as a 14-year-old girl or boy and engaged in sexually charged conversations with 95 children. He tricked them into sending indecent images and videos of themselves engaging in sexual acts, which he then distributed to other children. Some content involved children as young as seven years old being raped. Police discovered hundreds of indecent images and videos on devices seized from his former home in Witham.

Pleaded guilty to multiple offences; Judge Recorder William Clegg KC described the catalogue of offending as 'truly staggering' and noted the psychological harm caused to the victims; Mitigating counsel stated the defendant wanted to apologise unreservedly.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Liam O’Brien

Dangerous driving

September 16, 2023

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Liam O’Brien, 33, attended Coggeshall Beer Festival with his girlfriend on September 3, 2022. He then took her car and drove it at speeds between 60mph and 67mph in a residential area of London Road, Kelvedon, before crashing into another vehicle. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the car rolling several times. He attempted to conceal the event by contacting his girlfriend, who informed the police.

Took his girlfriend’s car without a driving licence after a beer festival and crashed it while speeding; conspired to cover up the incident.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Lee Mcclenaghan

Cocaine smuggling

September 10, 2023

Sentence: 30 years imprisonment

Lee McClenaghan, 57, from Chelmsford, led a group that planned to smuggle 600kg of cocaine from South America to Europe using a yacht disguised in a sailing race from St Lucia to Lagos, Portugal. The plan, which took years to develop, was thwarted by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. He communicated via encrypted EncroChat devices and sent an associate to meet Venezuelan cartel bosses.

Led the organised crime group and used encrypted devices to plan the smuggling operation.

Sources: echo-news.co.uk

Kane Ward

Cannabis smuggling

September 10, 2023

Sentence: 6 years and 6 months imprisonment

Kane Ward, 60, of Upminster, was involved in the organised crime group's cannabis importation plots from South Africa and Canada, totalling 676kg, including a shipment of 408kg discovered in March 2022.

Lea Talbot

Drug smuggling

September 10, 2023

Sentence: 23 years imprisonment

Lea Talbot, 55, of Chadwell St Mary, worked with Lee McClenaghan using encrypted EncroChat devices to plan the 600kg cocaine smuggling on a yacht. He met Venezuelan cartel bosses and later assisted in two cannabis importation plots from Canada and South Africa, totalling 676kg, including shipments discovered in 2022 and 2023.

Assisted in planning the cocaine smuggling and was involved in cannabis importation plots.

Sources: echo-news.co.uk

John Campbell

Drug smuggling

September 10, 2023

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment

John Campbell, 69, of NW6, was involved in creating false payments and companies for the organised crime group, which was smuggling cocaine and cannabis, including shipments from South Africa and Canada.

Ian Magee

Cocaine smuggling

September 10, 2023

Sentence: 20 years imprisonment

Ian Magee, 68, of Chelmsford, was enlisted to sail a yacht named Ocean Magic in a 2019 race, believed to be a dummy run for the planned 600kg cocaine smuggling operation from South America to Europe.

Daniel Braithwaite

Drug smuggling

September 10, 2023

Sentence: 22 years imprisonment

Daniel Braithwaite, 61, from Westcliff, arranged drug prices and payments for the group. He assisted in two cannabis importation plots from Canada and South Africa, totalling 676kg, including 408kg of cannabis hidden in a machine lathe from South Africa in March 2022 and 268kg concealed in toolboxes from Vancouver in July 2023.

David Quick

Voyeurism

August 8, 2023

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

David Quick, from Walton, covertly filmed a child while she was bathing by hiding his mobile phone in a washbag, with the camera pointing towards the victim. The incident was discovered in January 2019 when the victim spotted the phone and found a naked picture of herself on it. Police examination of his phone revealed 55 category B indecent images of children and at least 40 category C indecent images, including at least 14 images and one video of the victim. The content had been moved to apps and removed from the camera roll in an attempt to hide it.

Admitted to two offences of voyeurism, taking indecent images of a child, and possessing category B and C indecent images. Made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. The victim's mother described the crimes as precise, calculated, and devious, and the victim reported anxiety, nightmares, and fear of encountering the defendant.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Kelly Nelson

Affray

August 2, 2023

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, suspended, and 140 hours of unpaid work

Kelly Nelson went to the Brewers Arms in Brightlingsea on January 3, 2019, to confront her ex-partner Brodie Groome. The situation escalated into a violent brawl where she hit Groome repeatedly, leading to injuries for seven people, including a barmaid covered in beer.

Admitted affray and causing actual bodily harm. She was involved in the disturbance and received a suspended sentence.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Nicola Brownsdon

Common assault

August 2, 2023

Sentence: 3 months imprisonment, suspended for 1 year

Nicola Brownsdon, already barred from the Brewers Arms in Brightlingsea, followed her friend Kelly Nelson to the pub on January 3, 2019, to settle a score. She became involved in a violent brawl, kicking, punching, and biting people who tried to intervene, and used her mobile phone as a weapon, resulting in injuries to seven people.

Pleaded guilty to four offences of common assault. Judge described her as a 'mug' for being led astray, behaving like a wild teenager, and engaging in appalling conduct. She has not drunk alcohol for ten months and is remorseful.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Wanderson Teixeira

Sexual offences

July 21, 2023

Sentence: six years imprisonment with four years on licence

Wanderson Teixeira, a delivery driver from Brazil living in the UK, sexually abused a young woman over a period of two-and-a-half years. He sent her explicit pictures and videos, indecently exposed himself, and coerced her into performing sex acts, escalating his behaviour as he realised she was too afraid to report it. The abuse occurred in Colchester, and he was arrested after the victim confided in a friend.

Pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences days before trial. Mitigating factors included alcohol and drug use. Made to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and subject to an indefinite restraining order.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Wayne Osborn

Assault causing grievous bodily harm

July 13, 2023

Sentence: Suspended 2 years imprisonment

On June 24, 2021, during a gathering at a female friend's house in Harlow, Wayne Osborn became intoxicated and confronted the homeowner's son. He grabbed his girlfriend by the throat for about 30 seconds, followed her outside where he attacked her and pushed her friend, causing the friend's wrist to snap. He then took his partner back inside, pushed her onto a bed, pinned her down, and grabbed her around the throat again. Police were called, and he was arrested at the scene.

Pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm. Breached bail conditions. Suffers from PTSD and alcohol dependency, as noted by his defence lawyer. A five-year restraining order was imposed banning contact with the two female victims.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Gary Ellis

Assault causing actual bodily harm

June 23, 2023

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Gary Ellis punched his wife in the face at their home in Weeley on September 8, 2022, causing serious physical harm including a wound that drew a large amount of blood and led her to believe her nose was broken. She covertly contacted a friend for help and received medical treatment, which confirmed no break but a nasty injury. Ellis warned her to lie about the cause, claiming she fell down the stairs, and he was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault.

Denied the charges and was convicted by a jury after a trial. Incidents occurred while intoxicated; has been in custody since October 2022. A restraining order was made banning contact with his estranged wife. Judge David Turner KC noted it was an ugly punch resulting in nasty injuries.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Jack Jacovou

Possession with Intent to Supply Cocaine and Cannabis

May 3, 2023

Sentence: six and a half years imprisonment

Jack Jacovou, a 41-year-old car dealer, became involved in a drug operation after his business suffered during the pandemic. Police raids in December 2020 uncovered cocaine with a street value of £180,600 to £206,400 at a property in Colchester and £28,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis at his home in Kirby Cross. He was arrested on December 24, 2020, and admitted to the charges, with evidence including packaging, scales, and messages on his mobile phone indicating debts and threats.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Judge Timothy Godfrey noted his significant role in the operation, involvement for financial benefit, and mitigating factors including business losses during the pandemic and threats from co-conspirators.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Stevie White

Burglary

January 1, 2021

Sentence: seven and a half years imprisonment

Stevie White carried out a string of burglaries in Bedfordshire, though specific details of the crimes, including when they occurred and circumstances, are not provided in the text.

Admitted to carrying out a string of burglaries in Bedfordshire. He is currently on remand awaiting sentence for new offences.

Sources: gazette-news.co.uk

Richard Wakeling

Drug Importation

April 9, 2018

Sentence: 11 years imprisonment

Richard Wakeling organised the importation of £8 million worth of liquid amphetamine into the UK in April 2016. He arranged for a truck carrying furniture from Italy to stop in Ternat, Belgium, to collect the drugs from suppliers in the Netherlands. The shipment was intercepted by Border Force at the Channel Tunnel, leading to his conviction. His crime group had organised at least six other importations prior to this seizure.

Sentenced in his absence after fleeing the country. He was placed on the National Crime Agency's most wanted list and was later arrested in Thailand.

Sources: independent.co.uk

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