Chester Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 17 verdicts at Chester Magistrates' Court (Chester, Chester). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

John Whitmore

Dangerous Driving

July 23, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment and a driving ban for 2 years and 6 months

John Whitmore, driving a Mazda 3 while disqualified and without insurance, was spotted in Crewe on June 23, 2025, during a police operation targeting illegal drivers. He panicked and led police on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of 90mph in 70mph zones, driving through 30mph areas, going the wrong way around roundabouts, and forcing other motorists to take evasive action. The pursuit ended when he stalled at a roundabout. He tested positive for cannabis and was wanted for failing to appear in court for a previous driving offence.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance. Police noted he panicked during the incident and chose the worst day possible for the offence, leading to a more severe sentence.

Sources: stokesentinel.co.uk

Paul Ince

Driving offense

July 23, 2025

Sentence: Driving ban

Paul Ince was involved in a driving-related offense that resulted in a ban.

Lucy Cleary

Assaulting an emergency worker

July 16, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, £160 fine, £300 compensation to the police officer, £50 compensation to the pub, and 12-month exclusion from the Penny Black pub

On April 15, 2025, Lucy Cleary, 28, was ejected from the Penny Black pub in Northwich after an altercation with another customer. She returned, pushed the bar manager, threw drink glasses and chairs, narrowly missing customers, and continued the disturbance. When police arrived, she resisted arrest, pushed and punched a female officer several times to the head, causing a lump on the officer's eyebrow, before being subdued with PAVA spray.

Pleaded guilty to common assault, criminal damage, and assaulting an emergency worker. No prior convictions; judge noted she was of good character and gave full credit for the guilty plea, accepting her claim that she struck the officer once.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Matthew Cumpsty

Dangerous driving

July 16, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work, and 16-month driving ban

Matthew Cumpsty was driving his Mercedes E220 while under the influence of cocaine. He jumped a red light at the junction of Vicars Cross Road and Green Lane in Chester on April 1, 2025, colliding with a JCB tractor pulling a tanker containing animal waste. The impact caused the 31-tonne tractor and tanker to crash into two houses, destroying their facades and rendering one structurally unsafe. No injuries were reported, but one householder fled in his pyjamas.

Admitted to drug driving and dangerous driving. Stated he has never been in trouble before and was devastated. Ordered to pay £199 in costs and a surcharge.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Daniel Gibson

Assault

July 10, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Daniel Gibson was involved in a brutal attack in a town centre, leading to his sentencing, though specific details about the incident, including what exactly happened, when it occurred, and other circumstances, are not provided in the text.

Andrew Griffiths

Drink driving

July 2, 2025

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 25 months and up to five days of rehabilitation activity

Andrew Griffiths was driving an Audi car in Erbistock, Wrexham on May 11, 2025, when his alcohol level was above the legal limit. He was charged with driving a motor vehicle over the alcohol limit and convicted following a court hearing.

Will be subject to gross misconduct procedures. Ban can be reduced by 25 weeks if he completes an approved drink driving course by December 7, 2026.

Sources: dailypost.co.uk

Jonathan Heron

Burglary

June 6, 2025

Sentence: Six months imprisonment

Jonathan Heron broke into a fitness studio on Chester Way on June 1, 2025, and stole a small quantity of cash before fleeing the scene.

Brian Cooper

Breach of Criminal Behaviour Order

May 31, 2025

Sentence: 16 weeks in prison

On May 13, 2025, Brian Cooper entered a property in Blacon without permission, violating his five-year CBO that banned him from most of the Blacon area and certain accommodations.

Mike Amesbury

Assault

February 24, 2025

Sentence: 10 weeks imprisonment

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 Mr Fellows to the head, knocking him to the ground, then following him on to the road and punching him at least five times more. He was heard saying, 'You won’t threaten your MP again will you, you f****** soft lad?'

Pleaded guilty to assault. Judge stated an immediate custodial sentence was necessary as a punishment and a deterrent.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Elias Williams

Using threatening behaviour to provoke fear of violence

July 25, 2024

Sentence: Fined £120, ordered to pay £85 court costs, and a £48 victim surcharge

Elias Williams punched and kicked a man to the ground outside the Quayside pub on Witton Street in Northwich on February 1, 2024, which was his first night out after turning 18. The incident was captured on CCTV, and the victim was part of a group of men from Northwich. Williams was with a woman at the time and was later arrested at the Witton Chimes pub. The victim did not come forward, so the extent of injuries is unknown.

Pleaded guilty to the charge. No previous convictions; incident occurred after consuming alcohol and not taking ADHD medication. The chairman of the bench described it as an unsavoury incident and hoped it would not be repeated.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Paula Barlow

Being the owner in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury

July 18, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order, 25 days of rehabilitation activity, and £500 compensation

Paula Barlow's XL Bully dog attacked Stephen Lewis during a chance meeting in Joan Bartlett Close/Marbury Gardens on August 15, 2023. Barlow was present and tried to restrain the 60kg dog, which caused significant physical injuries to Mr. Lewis's hands and psychological upset, including anxiety and the need for ongoing physiotherapy and medication. The incident had a profound impact on the victim and his family.

Found guilty after trial; no similar convictions for 10 years; attempted to restrain the dog; dog was euthanised in January 2024; judge noted she was not truly sorry and that owning the dog had benefited her life.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Mohammed Ashraf

Theft

July 16, 2024

Sentence: 4 weeks imprisonment

Mohammed Ashraf stole various items from Tesco Express on London Road, Alderley Edge, on July 15, and stole cheese and chocolate from Sainsbury's Local on Canute Place, Knutsford, on May 28. He has a history of similar thefts and was of no fixed address at the time.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop. The custodial sentence was due to his previous poor record. He was previously ordered to pay £273.20 in compensation for other thefts.

Sources: chesterstandard.co.uk

Aidan Callaghin

Dangerous Driving

June 30, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment, suspended for 3 years, 300 hours of unpaid work, and 2 years supervision

Aidan Callaghin led police on two high-speed chases, reaching speeds over 100mph on the A50 in Knutsford and Lymm. The first pursuit began on May 31, 2024, when he failed to stop for police on Tabley Road, accelerating in a silver Vauxhall Astra and overtaking vehicles while disregarding speed limits and solid white lines. He continued through residential areas, and the chase ended when his vehicle crashed into a police vehicle. A second incident occurred on June 1, 2024, where he again failed to stop, driving at excessive speeds, including 89mph in a 30mph area, until stopped by police tactics.

Pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving and other traffic offences. Magistrates noted the offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified, due to two counts of dangerous driving resulting in a collision with a police vehicle. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

Sources: warringtonguardian.co.uk

Ian James Mcintyre

Shoplifting

June 13, 2024

Sentence: 18 weeks imprisonment

Ian James McIntyre, a prolific shoplifter with no fixed abode in Crewe, targeted stores across Nantwich, Shavington, and Crewe, leading to his breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Carl Edwards

Recklessly causing a public nuisance

June 10, 2024

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 20 hours rehabilitation activity, £85 costs, and £154 victim surcharge

Carl Edwards initiated a six-hour stand-off with police outside the Portal in Ellesmere Port on March 17, 2024. He called 999, identifying himself and stating his intent to set himself on fire using a jerrycan of petrol and a lighter inside a white Vauxhall Insignia parked to block a car park on Wellington Road. He was protesting the Department for Work and Pensions removing his benefits and had additional items in the car, including other lighters, a box of matches, and a baseball bat. This caused the evacuation of the Portal, considerable disruption, and endangered emergency workers due to petrol vapours.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. Was in a mental health crisis, expressed genuine remorse, and has a light criminal record with three historical convictions. The court noted the seriousness of the incident but acknowledged he is now seeking help.

Sources: wirralglobe.co.uk

Jonathan Hughes

Driving while disqualified

June 6, 2024

Sentence: Extended driving ban until September 2026, fined £120, costs of £85, and victim surcharge of £48

Jonathan Hughes drove a car on April 30, 2024, while disqualified from driving until July 2026 and without insurance. He was spotted by police on Rossmore Road and Westminster Road, attempted to switch seats with the passenger upon being stopped, and gave a 'no comment' interview. At the time, he was helping a pregnant friend transport a second-hand washing machine.

Had 39 previous convictions including significant vehicle offences. Was recalled to prison and served four weeks. Defence stated he was helping a pregnant friend and drove a short distance foolishly.

Sources: wirralglobe.co.uk

Harry Newton-Jones

Drink-driving and drug-driving

May 27, 2024

Sentence: 4 months driving disqualification, £600 fine, £240 victim surcharge, and £85 costs

Harry Newton-Jones was found in the back of his broken-down vehicle on the A55 in Chester on February 22, 2024, with a breath alcohol reading of 83mcg per 100ml, more than twice the legal limit, and drugs in his system (cocaine at 25mcg per 100ml of blood and cannabis at 3.4mcg). Police also discovered six white bags of powder on his person. He had recently split from his partner, which led to his actions, and he works in construction seeking a promotion.

Pleaded guilty to all charges. Defendant is remorseful, has been drink and drugs free since the incident, and was described as a 'complete idiot' by his defence. Judge noted it was a serious offence requiring punishment to balance remorse and the threshold for disqualification.

Sources: wirralglobe.co.uk

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