Chester Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 82 verdicts at Chester Crown Court (Chester). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Marzena Gil

Possession of illegal cigarettes

April 3, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order, with 20 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work, plus £400 costs

Marzena Gil possessed 137,240 foreign cigarettes that did not comply with UK regulations for retail packaging, manufacture, and sale, with an estimated retail value of £83,000. This led to the evasion of approximately £56,000 in duty. The cigarettes were seized during an investigation by Trading Standards officers.

Todd Davies

Supply of Class A Drugs

April 3, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 2 months imprisonment

On 11 August 2022, Todd Davies was driving a Range Rover in Hartford, acting suspiciously with David Williams. Police stopped the vehicle on Beaufort Close, where they found 4.76g of heroin, more than £2,300 in cash, and a knife in the glovebox. Analysis of seized mobile phones revealed messages linking Davies to the sale and delivery of illegal drugs, including boasts about taking over cocaine sales in the Northwich area.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine), possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin), possession of criminal property, and possession of a knife in a public place.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Tomasz Szczepaniak

Possession of illegal cigarettes

April 3, 2025

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 1 year, and 100 hours of unpaid work

Tomasz Szczepaniak possessed 137,240 foreign cigarettes that did not comply with UK regulations for retail packaging, manufacture, and sale, with an estimated retail value of £83,000. This led to the evasion of approximately £56,000 in duty. The cigarettes were seized during an investigation by Trading Standards officers.

Pleaded guilty to offences relating to possession of illegal cigarettes. A Proceeds of Crime hearing will be arranged.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Ben Carr

Controlling and coercive behaviour

April 1, 2025

Sentence: 30 months imprisonment

Ben Carr, 42, engaged in controlling and coercive behaviour towards his ex-partner in the Willaston area of Nantwich between December 2019 and December 2022, including physical assaults that caused bruising, biting, and grabbing her throat to restrict breathing.

Found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour after a trial, with an additional eight weeks for activating a suspended sentence from North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Alan Clegg

Assault with intent

April 1, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment with 10.5 years to be served and the rest on extended licence

Alan Clegg, 42, of no fixed address, violently attacked his mother at her Frodsham home on December 26, 2024, during an argument, leaving her in an induced coma, and also harassed a former partner.

Pleaded guilty to section 18 assault with intent, harassment in breach of a restraining order, and possession of class A and B drugs, with restraining orders issued.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Kalib Morris

Controlling and coercive behaviour

March 26, 2025

Sentence: 37 months imprisonment

Kalib Morris subjected his former partner to physical and mental abuse between 2023 and 2024, including controlling and monitoring her mobile phone use, dictating what clothes she wore, restricting her contact with family, taking her money, being verbally and physically abusive, checking her movements, and injuring her pet dog. Incidents included biting her hand during an altercation, damaging her television and possessions, and stealing her phone after pulling her to the floor.

Pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, three counts of assault by beating, criminal damage and theft. Despite being released on bail with conditions not to contact the victim, he continued the abusive behaviour.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Ben Ruddock

Manslaughter

March 24, 2025

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment

Ben Ruddock killed 34-year-old Lloyd Velasquez by stabbing him during an altercation on May 1, 2024, in Ellesmere Port. The incident stemmed from a dispute over a stolen e-bike. Ruddock sent threatening voice notes, armed himself with a knife from a barbecue set, and confronted Velasquez twice that evening. During the second confrontation on Summertrees Road, Ruddock stabbed Velasquez, who later died from a stab wound to the chest. Ruddock fled the scene, disposed of the knife, changed clothes, and was arrested in Merseyside shortly after.

Found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter following a 15-day trial. Detective Inspector Andrea Price commented that the incident was avoidable and highlighted the dangers of knife crime.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Richard Burrows

Indecent Assault

March 17, 2025

Sentence: 46 years imprisonment

Richard Burrows, a former scout leader and school housemaster, systematically abused 24 boys in Cheshire, West Midlands, and West Mercia between 1968 and 1995. He used his position of trust to befriend and groom victims, committing offences while employed at Danesford Children’s Home and through local Scout groups. After being charged in 1997, he fled to Thailand using a stolen identity, lived under an alias, and was arrested upon returning to the UK in 2023 due to running out of money and health issues.

Pleaded guilty to 43 offences including indecent assault, making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images of children, and possession of false identity documents with intent. Judge described him as a despicable man who ruined countless lives, showed no remorse, and was a predator who positioned himself to groom and abuse young boys.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Christopher Livingstone

Possession with intent to supply class A drugs

March 12, 2025

Sentence: three years in prison

On June 28, 2024, police conducted a search at Christopher Livingstone's home on Goulden Street in Crewe as part of an investigation into the supply of class A drugs. They discovered a drawstring bag containing cocaine, snap bags, scales, a mobile phone, and over £22,500 in cash hidden in various places, including behind a TV and under a brick outside the property. Luxury items such as watches and jewellery were also found. Livingstone claimed he was unemployed and that the drugs were for personal use, but analysis of his mobile phone revealed messages related to the supply of cocaine in the area.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property. Detective Inspector Robert Balfour commented that Livingstone played a key role in supplying class A drugs and was in possession of a large amount of cash and designer items.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Kyle Perkins

Dangerous Driving

March 4, 2025

Sentence: 17 months imprisonment and banned from driving for two years and eight months

Kyle Perkins was driving a black Volkswagen Amarok Highline on the M6 southbound near junction 19 at around 2.45am on January 30, 2025. He was swerving and colliding with cones, then fled from police at high speed, exiting the motorway at junction 17 for Sandbach. A police helicopter tracked him as he drove through residential areas towards Middlewich. Officers used a stinger to stop the vehicle on Honiton Way, after which Perkins attempted to flee but was quickly arrested.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for officers, and failing to cooperate with a preliminary test. He will also be required to undertake an extended retest.

Sources: cheshire-live.co.uk

Mike Amesbury

Assault

February 27, 2025

Sentence: 10 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work, 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement, anger management course, and 20 days of rehabilitation activity

Mike Amesbury assaulted Paul Fellows, 45, following a row in the street in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of October 26. Footage showed Amesbury punching Fellows to the head, knocking him to the ground, and continuing to punch him at least five times. He was heard saying, 'You won’t threaten your MP again will you, you f****** soft lad?' Amesbury initially claimed self-defence, stating he felt threatened, but the judge determined this was not credible.

Pleaded guilty to assault. Judge commented that his behaviour as an MP was disgraceful and that he told police lies. He spent three nights in prison before the appeal and is at risk of being ousted if constituents back a petition.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Julie Sweeney

Sending a communication conveying a threat of death or serious harm

August 14, 2024

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment

Julie Sweeney, 53, of Church Lawton, Cheshire, posted an online message on Facebook on August 3 saying, 'Blow the mosque up with the adults in it,' which was reported to the police. She lived a quiet, sheltered life but contributed to the context of widespread disorder.

Pleaded guilty to sending a communication to convey a threat of death or serious harm. Described as a keyboard warrior who must take responsibility for her language amid national disorder.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Bradley Neild

Possession with intent to supply Class B cannabis

July 22, 2024

Sentence: 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months

Bradley Neild, of Kohli Avenue, Winsford, was arrested during a dawn drug raid at his home in December 2024. He was found in possession of cannabis, cannabis edibles, and drug paraphernalia with a street value estimated between £8,000 and £18,000. Further analysis of his mobile phone messages indicated he had been dealing drugs for several years, including offering a delivery service, despite claiming it was only for a few weeks due to debt.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class B cannabis. Police investigation revealed he was a well-established dealer involved in supplying cannabis and related products for several years.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Luke Cooper

Grievous bodily harm without intent

July 21, 2024

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment

On June 19, the victim, a 59-year-old man, was walking in the Morrisons car park in Ellesmere Port when he was nearly hit by a car driven by Luke Cooper. After confronting Cooper about the incident, the victim was punched in the face, causing him to fall and sustain multiple fractures to his cheekbone. Cooper drove away from the scene while shouting obscenities and was later identified and arrested through CCTV footage. He initially claimed self-defence during questioning.

Pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent. Also received a five-year restraining order.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Robert Spiers

Possession with intent to supply

July 4, 2024

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Robert Spiers was arrested in Knutsford on April 24, 2024, while in possession of quantities of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing on May 23, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. Ordered to pay £228 victim surcharge and forfeiture of drugs, mobile phones, 26 nitrous oxide canisters, and a drugs press.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

James Jackson

Burglary

June 27, 2024

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

James Jackson, 38, of no fixed address, conducted a series of burglaries across Brighton starting on February 8, 2024. He smashed into a restaurant in Ship Street, causing extensive damage but stealing nothing reported. On February 13, he forced entry into a bakery in North Road, stealing two electronic tablets and high-value produce. On March 17, he broke into a jewellery shop in Dukes Lane, stealing pieces worth nearly £100,000. On April 1, he targeted a bar in Western Road, smashing a glass panel and stealing an electronic tablet and money. He was arrested on April 10, rearrested and charged shortly after, and found guilty following a trial.

Pleaded guilty to two burglary charges and was found guilty of two more. PC Dan Stockley commented that small businesses were victims and Jackson showed complete disregard for the harm caused to local traders.

Sources: theargus.co.uk

Giedrius Arcisauskas

Sexual Assault

June 12, 2024

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment and 1 year on licence

On February 27, 2024, at a party in Ellesmere Port, Giedrius Arcisauskas was alone in a bedroom with a girl under 13, where he sexually assaulted her. The victim's mother heard a scream, intervened, and reported the incident to the police. His mobile phone was seized, revealing six indecent images of children, leading to additional charges.

Found guilty after a four-day trial. Handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life. DS Paul Harrison commented on the family's bravery and the devastating impact on the victim and her family.

Sources: wirralglobe.co.uk

Francis Constantine

Aggravated Burglary

June 9, 2024

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment plus an extended three years on licence

In December 2024, Francis Constantine and Jonjo Swaine used a fake Facebook account to lure the victim out of their home in Ellesmere Port while the victim was selling a car seat. Constantine forced entry into the address on Brooklyn Drive, threatened the victim's 13-year-old daughter with a knife, stating he would 'knock her out' if she came closer, and participated in the theft of a motocross bike before fleeing to Liverpool.

Jonjo Swaine

Burglary

June 9, 2024

Sentence: 30 months imprisonment

In December 2024, Jonjo Swaine and Francis Constantine used a fake Facebook account to lure the victim out of their home in Ellesmere Port while the victim was selling a car seat. Swaine forced entry into the address on Brooklyn Drive, stole a motocross bike during the confrontation where Constantine threatened the victim's 13-year-old daughter with a knife, and then fled to Liverpool with the stolen item.

Mohammed Alam

Burglary

June 3, 2024

Sentence: 8 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, 20 days rehabilitation activities, and 200 hours unpaid work

Mohammed Alam participated in a stealing spree, targeting Indian restaurants. On March 1, he stole alcohol, cash, and an industrial blender worth approximately £820 from The Indian in Northwich. On March 22, he stole four barrels of beer worth around £740 from Anmol in Warrington. He was arrested on March 26 after police stopped a red Vauxhall Insignia on Holmes Chapel Road, where he was found in possession of a balaclava, crowbar, and screwdriver.

Pleaded guilty to charges related to the stealing spree. Sentenced by Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester.

Sources: warringtonguardian.co.uk

Faysul Alam

Burglary

June 3, 2024

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, 20 days rehabilitation activities, and 250 hours unpaid work

Faysul Alam participated in a stealing spree, stealing from The Indian in Northwich and The Royal Oak in Walsall. On March 1, he stole alcohol, cash, and an industrial blender worth approximately £820 from The Indian in Northwich. The Royal Oak burglary occurred in August 2024. He was arrested on March 26 after police stopped a red Vauxhall Insignia on Holmes Chapel Road, where he was found in possession of a balaclava, crowbar, and screwdriver, and was driving on a provisional licence without insurance.

Pleaded guilty to charges including theft and driving offences. Also convicted of two counts of driving without a licence and two counts of driving without insurance. Sentenced by Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester.

Sources: warringtonguardian.co.uk

Bradley Axford

Possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs

June 3, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, plus 30 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work

Bradley Axford was stopped by police on London Road for riding a bicycle through a red light in January 2023. He attempted to flee but was apprehended on Northwich Road. A search revealed he possessed cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, ketamine, cash, a contact book, and a mobile phone, indicating involvement in drug dealing.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. Has previous convictions for possession of prohibited substances and weapons. Ordered to surrender £230 in ill-gotten gains and related items.

Sources: warringtonguardian.co.uk

Macauley Coutts

Burglary

June 2, 2024

Sentence: 40 months imprisonment

Macauley Coutts burgled a property on Blakeley Lane in Mobberley on March 4 by smashing the back doors to gain entry between 9.40am and 6pm while the residents were out. He searched every room and stole spare keys to two Audi vehicles and two watches. His blood was discovered at the scene, leading to forensic matching and his eventual arrest on April 11 after evading police.

Pleaded guilty to burglary. Blood found at the scene led to his identification.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Llewellyn Parry-Jones

Dangerous Driving

June 2, 2024

Sentence: 19 months imprisonment

On May 3, Llewellyn Parry-Jones was driving a white van while disqualified and without a licence or insurance. He was reported for drink-driving, tailgated a car, collided slowly with a pedestrian, drove around stationary cars in Vicar's Lane towards Little John Street nearly causing a crash, resisted arrest by reversing into a squad car, and was found with cannabis. He gave a breath test reading of 63mcg per 100ml, nearly twice the legal limit.

Pleaded guilty early. Judge labelled his defence as a pack of lies. Mitigating factors included the fourth anniversary of his father's death and the impact on his long-term partner, who has mental health issues.

Sources: leaderlive.co.uk

Bradley Walsh

Conspiracy to Supply Drugs

May 30, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment, suspended for 1.5 years

Bradley Walsh was involved in a drugs conspiracy as a street-level supplier of cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. The conspiracy operated for three years from March 2020 and was part of the 'DMO' drug line, which was stopped by Cheshire Police. He supplied Class A and Class B drugs around Cheshire, leading to his arrest and sentencing.

Admitted three counts of conspiring to supply cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. Sentence includes 20 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work, as ordered by Judge Steven Everett.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Alfred Brereton

Criminal damage

May 2, 2024

Sentence: Imprisonment

Alfred Brereton drove a tractor at a police car, causing more than £10,000 worth of damage, as reported in the article.

David Elliot Shuttleworth

Negligence under health and safety law

February 27, 2024

Sentence: fined £6,500 and 250 hours of unpaid community service

David Elliot Shuttleworth, as a director of Flip Out Chester, oversaw operations where customers, including children, were injured using the Tower Jump feature. Between December 2016 and February 2017, 270 injuries occurred, including 11 spinal injuries requiring surgery and various other harms like facial and dental injuries, due to negligence in addressing safety risks despite daily incidents.

Pleaded guilty to a single count of negligence under health and safety law. Judge Michael Leeming noted a 'cavalier' approach to safety and that the sentence was less than many hoped for.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Matthew Melling

Negligence under health and safety law

February 27, 2024

Sentence: fined £6,300 and 250 hours of unpaid community service

Matthew Melling, as a director of Flip Out Chester, failed to mitigate safety risks at the trampoline park. From December 2016 to February 2017, 270 customers were injured, with 11 suffering life-changing spinal injuries and others experiencing facial and other harms, due to the unsafe Tower Jump feature.

Pleaded guilty to a single count of negligence under health and safety law. Judge Michael Leeming noted that the defendants were negligent rather than deliberate, and both had been chastened by the process.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Nathan Bake

Facilitating child sexual exploitation

February 14, 2024

Sentence: 16 years imprisonment

Nathan Bake, a 28-year-old car mechanic from Runcorn, Cheshire, served as second-in-command of a dark web site called The Annex, which had nearly 90,000 users worldwide and facilitated the sharing of extreme child abuse images, including 'hurtcore' involving violence against babies and toddlers. He moderated the site under the username 'Pink', answered user queries, offered advice on evading detection, and was involved in other sites like Lolita's Paradise. Following his arrest in November 2022, authorities recovered over 3.6 million indecent images from his devices, along with children's tights, underwear, and sandals at his home. The site was a sophisticated operation with staff shifts and meetings, and Bake rose through the ranks after the previous head moderator's arrest in May 2022.

Pleaded guilty to 12 offences related to moderating and creating sites on the dark web for sharing child abuse material. Judge Patrick Thompson considered him a dangerous offender and ordered an extended licence period of four years. He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at age 16 and has converted to Islam, finding some peace in scriptures.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Alice Wood

Murder

February 2, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years

Alice Wood, 24, murdered her fiance Ryan Watson, 24, by deliberately driving her Ford Fiesta at him after an argument following a party in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on May 6, 2022. The incident occurred near their home in Rode Heath, Cheshire, where Wood reversed aggressively towards Watson, struck him, and then drove at him again, dragging him under the car for 158 metres, resulting in his death. She claimed it was a tragic accident but was convicted based on CCTV footage and evidence of her losing her temper.

Pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury. Judge Michael Leeming stated she used her car as a weapon, showed no true remorse, and was over the drink-drive limit.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Richard Webb

Indecent assault on a child

November 20, 2023

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Richard Webb sexually abused his victim over the course of six years, with the first incident occurring in the 1990s. The abuse involved six counts of indecent assault on a child, leading to the victim disassociating from her childhood and suffering long-term emotional trauma.

Found guilty after a four-day trial. The victim reported that the abuse ruined her life and she will forever be trying to deal with it. Police praised the victim's bravery in coming forward.

Sources: wiltshirelive.co.uk

Barry Bennell

Child sexual abuse

February 1, 2018

Sentence: 34 years imprisonment

Barry Bennell abused young footballers he coached by inviting them to stay at his home, with incidents occurring between 1979 and 1992. He targeted boys aged nine to 14, including acts of indecent assault and sexual abuse while associated with football clubs like Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra.

Pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual offences against children. He was convicted on five separate occasions and is currently serving his sentence at HMP Littlehey.

Sources: dailymail.co.uk

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