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Chester Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 285 verdicts at Chester Crown Court (Chester). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Chester Crown Court
July 2024 4 cases
Ruhul Mohammed Shamsuddin
HMO Licence Contraventions *
Sentence
Banned for 3 years
Ruhul Mohammed Shamsuddin, operating via companies including Lordsons Estate Agents, was convicted of multiple offences at two properties in Southend-on-Sea. At 12 Clifftown Road, a terraced house above a food outlet, offences included overcrowding in contravention of HMO licence conditions, failure to display manager details, unsafe third floor balustrade, dangerous flooring in entranceway and stairs, unmaintained fire alarm control, defective fire alarm/detector in first floor hallway, and blocked fire escape. Similar overcrowding and fire risk offences occurred at a second address, leaving inhabitants in unacceptable conditions.
Pleaded not guilty to initial offences but subsequently pleaded guilty to similar offences at a second address. Banning order secured by First Tier Tribunal Property Chamber after conviction for banning order offences. Could face imprisonment and fine up to £30,000 if breached. Applies to England only.
Bradley Neild
Possession with intent to supply Class B cannabis *
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.
Luke Cooper
Grievous bodily harm without intent *
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.
Robert Spiers
Possession with intent to supply *
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.
June 2024 9 cases
James Jackson
Burglary *
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.
Giedrius Arcisauskas
Sexual Assault *
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.
Francis Constantine
Aggravated Burglary *
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.
Pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. Aged 27, of no fixed abode.
Jonjo Swaine
Burglary *
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.
Pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. Aged 22, of Wilburn Street.
Faysul Alam
Burglary *
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.
Bradley Axford
Possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs *
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.
Mohammed Alam
Burglary *
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.
Macauley Coutts
Burglary *
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.
Llewellyn Parry-Jones
Dangerous Driving *
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.
May 2024 2 cases
Bradley Walsh
Conspiracy to Supply Drugs *
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.
Alfred Brereton
Criminal damage *
Sentence
Imprisonment
Alfred Brereton drove a tractor at a police car, causing more than £10,000 worth of damage, as reported in the article.
Deliberately rammed a police car with a tractor.
February 2024 4 cases
David Elliot Shuttleworth
Negligence under health and safety law *
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.
Matthew Melling
Negligence under health and safety law *
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.
Nathan Bake
Facilitating child sexual exploitation *
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.
Alice Wood
Murder *
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.
January 2024 2 cases
Matthew Turner
Burglary *
Sentence
20 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years
Matthew Turner, a 24-year-old decorator employed by a trusted firm, stole three watches worth more than £30,000 from the Duke of Westminster's bedroom at Eaton Hall near Chester in August 2022 while carrying out renovation work. The items included a Cartier London Tank JC watch worth £18,000, a Panerai Luminor Marina watch worth £7,000, and a Breitling watch worth £7,000, which held sentimental value as it was a gift from the duke's late father and mother. One watch was recovered after being spotted on an auction site, but the other two were not; Turner was motivated by drug debts and refused to disclose their location.
Pleaded guilty to burglary; was addicted to cocaine at the time; judge noted he escaped prison 'by the skin of his teeth' and ordered 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation activity; also admitted a separate theft offence.
Dean Garforth
Conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis, and weapons *
Sentence
19 years and 6 months imprisonment
Dean Garforth, aged 32 from Regency Park, Widnes, used the EncroChat network from March to July 2020 to coordinate the supply of substantial amounts of Class A and Class B drugs, including cocaine and cannabis, as well as weapons and ammunition. After fleeing to Spain, he was located in Marbella and arrested on 24 October 2022 following a joint operation by the National Crime Agency, Spanish National Police, and Cheshire Police. He resisted arrest by riding an e-bike into an officer. Extradited to the UK on 14 March 2023, he was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and conspiracy to supply weapons and ammunition.
Ringleader of a drugs gang using EncroChat network. Extradited from Spain. Pleaded guilty to charges. Later ordered to pay back £40,331 in confiscation order on 11 February 2025.
November 2023 4 cases
Mike Swarbrick
Supply of Class A drugs *
Sentence
30 months imprisonment
On Saturday, December 30, 2023, Mike Swarbrick was involved in a dispute in Chester city centre at around 3am and left the scene in a taxi. Police traced him to his home in Nearne Place, Ellesmere Port, where they discovered a large cannabis farm, cash, and a quantity of cocaine. Tests revealed traces of his DNA on the drugs, and mobile phones showed messages indicating his active involvement in the sale of illegal drugs. He was arrested and charged.
Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine), production of Class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of Class A drugs (cocaine). Initially denied involvement but later admitted guilt.
David Norbury
Breach of sexual harm prevention order and sex offenders register *
Sentence
2 years imprisonment
David Norbury, a 52-year-old sex offender from Shores Green Drive in Wincham, failed to notify police of his online alias 'TrendyBear109758' as required by the sex offenders register. He also breached a sexual harm prevention order by entering and remaining at an address with a child under 16 between June 25 and August 27, 2023. This is his second breach of an SHPO in three years; previously, he received an eight-week sentence for deleting his internet search history.
Pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the sex offenders register and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). Judge Patrick Thompson stated that due to the seriousness of the offences, only a custodial sentence could be justified. 4 months for failing to comply with notification requirements, consecutive to 20 months for breaching SHPO.
Richard Webb
Indecent assault on a child *
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.
Russell Wilcox
Possession of prohibited firearms *
Sentence
18 months imprisonment
Police executed a warrant at Russell Wilcox's home address in Longridge, Knutsford, on August 29, 2023, where they seized four sawn-off shotguns along with ammunition. Wilcox, aged 52, was arrested at the scene.
Pleaded guilty to being in possession of four firearms of a length less than 60cm. Ordered to pay £187 victim surcharge. Remanded in custody since first court appearance on September 1 due to the seriousness of the offence.
August 2023 1 case
Georgia Bilham
Sexual Assault *
Sentence
24-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, 35 rehabilitation days, restraining order for 5 years, sign sex offenders' register for 5 years, and sexual harm prevention order for 5 years
Georgia Bilham created a false online Snapchat persona named George Parry to deceive a short-sighted teenager into believing she was a man. She maintained this deception by wearing a hood to hide her identity and claimed paranoia due to alleged involvement with gangsters. On May 11, 2021, she crashed a car while with the victim and was convicted of sexually assaulting the teenager by kissing her, as the victim had not given true consent due to the deception.
Judge Michael Leeming stated she took advantage of the complainant's naivety and that she presented as a boy to deceive the victim. She was cleared of other charges but expressed regret for her actions.
April 2023 2 cases
Arif Patel
Fraud and money laundering *
Sentence
31 years in prison
Arif Patel, a 57-year-old from Preston, Lancashire, ran a scam through his company Faisaltex Ltd, involving chains of fake business transactions to steal VAT repayments on false exports of textiles and mobile phones. He also imported and sold counterfeit clothes worth at least £50 million if genuine. The fraud funded a £90 million property empire across the UK and overseas, and he fled to Dubai in 2011.
Masterminded a carousel tax fraud gang; convicted in absence; confiscation order for £90,503,211 and assets including properties and a Ferrari.
Mohamed Jaffar Ali
Fraud and money laundering *
Sentence
31 years in prison
Mohamed Jaffar Ali, 61, from Dubai, assisted in the fraud and money laundering operations by handling finances as part of Arif Patel's gang, which involved carousel fraud to evade VAT on false exports and imports of textiles, mobile phones, and counterfeit goods.
Co-accused and financial enabler for Arif Patel; convicted in absence; subject to confiscation order for £677,000.
August 2021 1 case
Benjamin Poole
Sexual assault *
Sentence
6 years imprisonment
Benjamin Poole, a 21-year-old carer from Somerville Street in Crewe, carried out a series of serious sexual assaults on a woman in her 20s at a residential care facility while she was having multiple epileptic seizures. The victim, prone to seizures, became suspicious of being sexually touched during episodes when Poole was on duty. On 19 November 2020, anticipating a seizure, she activated a covert camera in an alarm clock. The footage captured Poole committing sexual assaults over 23 minutes while she was unconscious from the seizures. She reported it to management, leading to police involvement and Poole's arrest.
Pleaded guilty to five sexual assaults and two counts of ill treatment by a care worker. Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed, preventing contact with the victim and working with vulnerable adults.
January 2021 2 cases
Christopher Guest More
Murder *
Sentence
Life imprisonment
Christopher Guest More murdered Brian Waters, a cannabis dealer, at Burnt House Farm near Knutsford, Cheshire, in 2003, in front of Waters' children Natalie (21) and Gavin (25). Waters was tortured over a £20,000 drug debt owed to John Wilson. More's wife Julie was abducted from their home. More had befriended Wilson, believing him to be a police informant, and located the cannabis farm by following Waters' son. He fled using a fake identity, living in South Africa, Mozambique, Turkey, and Malta.
Extradited from Malta in 2019 after 16 years on the run. Convicted of murder.
George Boden
Health and safety offences *
Sentence
9-month suspended prison sentence and £12,000 fine
George Boden, owner of Bosley Mill, was sentenced following the deadly explosion at Wood Flour Mills in Bosley on July 17, 2015, which killed four workers due to ignited kerosene cylinders leaking flammable liquid, causing explosions and a major fire. The incident led to 50 job losses and the abandonment of nearby homes.
Admitted to health and safety offences. Prohibited from serving as a company director for four years.
February 2018 1 case
Barry Bennell
Child sexual abuse *
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.
August 2012 2 cases
Iftikhar Ahmed
Murder *
Sentence
Life imprisonment with minimum term of 25 years
Iftikhar Ahmed and his wife murdered their 17-year-old daughter Shafilea at their home in Warrington in September 2003 because she wanted a Western lifestyle and defied traditional Pakistani culture, including refusing an arranged marriage. He held a plastic bag over her mouth until she stopped breathing, with his wife urging him on. He then drove the body to the Lake District, where it was found on the banks of the River Kent in February 2004. The crime was revealed eight years later by their daughter Alesha's evidence.
Found guilty of murder after a 10-week trial. Told guards to 'f*** off' before sentencing. Denied murder but convicted by jury.
Farzana Ahmed
Murder *
Sentence
Life imprisonment with minimum term of 25 years
Iftikhar Ahmed and his wife murdered their 17-year-old daughter Shafilea at their home in Warrington in September 2003 because she wanted a Western lifestyle and defied traditional Pakistani culture, including refusing an arranged marriage. She urged her husband to 'just finish it here' as he held a plastic bag over Shafilea's mouth until she stopped breathing. He then drove the body to the Lake District, where it was found on the banks of the River Kent in February 2004. The crime was revealed eight years later by their daughter Alesha's evidence.
Found guilty of murder after a 10-week trial. Initially supported husband's claim that Shafilea ran away, but later admitted seeing him beat the daughter and believed he killed her. Denied murder but convicted by jury.
January 2002 1 case
Peter Smith
Indecent Assault *
Sentence
3 years imprisonment
In 2001, Peter Voisey, using the alias Peter Smith and residing in Crawley Road, Wallsend, stalked girls at Macclesfield Leisure Centre in Cheshire and seized a 12-year-old girl in the changing rooms to indecently assault her.
Convicted of indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

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Court Image
Colvin House, Castle St, Chester CH1 2AN, Chester, CH1 2AN, United Kingdom
+441244317606
Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

About Chester Crown Court

Chester Crown Court, located in Chester, is a Crown Court that handles serious criminal cases including murder, rape, robbery, and other indictable offences. With 285 sentencing records in our database, it is one of the Crown Courts serving the Chester area. Crown Courts sit with a judge and jury, and have the power to impose the full range of sentences available under UK law.

The court can be found at Colvin House, Castle St, Chester CH1 2AN, CH1 2AN.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441244317606.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.

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