Colchester Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 35 verdicts at Colchester Magistrates' Court (Colchester). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

March 2026 1 case

Carl Horsnell

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving *

Sentence

3 years and 10 months imprisonment

Carl Horsnell, of Henniker Road, Ipswich, drove a silver BMW 318i from the Chantry area of Ipswich shortly before 07:22 on 11 December 2025. On Burrell Road, he collided with a female pedestrian, a serving Metropolitan Police officer named Tara, causing her a significant brain injury, fractured spine, and lower leg injuries from which she will never fully recover. Horsnell failed to stop, returned to Chantry just over an hour later, and was arrested after police found his damaged vehicle off Cambridge Drive around 09:00. He was over the alcohol limit at 74 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath (limit 35), exceeded the speed limit, ignored red lights, made dangerous overtaking and undertaking manoeuvres, and was on a video call. He had no insurance or valid licence.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, failing to stop after a road accident, driving with excess alcohol, and refusing to provide a sample for a Class A drug test. Disqualified from driving for seven years. Denied assaulting a police officer; that charge was left to lie on file.

6 Mar 2026

September 2025 1 case

Not Stated

Homophobically aggravated public order offence *

Sentence

24-month suspended sentence

On 3 April 2025, the defendant directed homophobic abuse at a paramedic at Royal Worcester Hospital and was threatening. When police arrived a short while later, he continued to be abusive towards hospital staff and officers.

Pleaded guilty to all offences. Uplifted from a community order to reflect the hate crime element. Ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the victim.

5 Sep 2025

August 2025 10 cases

Samuel Vingris

Failing to comply with a community protection notice *

Sentence

Fined £500

Samuel Vingris failed to comply with a community protection notice by not removing trailers as required between February and May 2025.

Found guilty in absence of failing to comply with a community protection notice between February and May 2025 by not removing trailers as required. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £200 and costs of £2,648.83, making the total financial penalty £3,348.83.

22 Aug 2025

Daniel Lloyd Bulgin

Fraud by false representation *

Sentence

Community order requiring 60 hours of unpaid work

Daniel Lloyd Bulgin committed fraud by failing to disclose to the Department for Work and Pensions that he no longer lived at the address where he was claiming rent support, from December 2021 to August 2023.

Admitted fraud by failing to disclose to the Department for Work and Pensions that he no longer lived at an address where he was claiming rent support, between December 2021 and August 2023. Must also pay £114 towards victim services and £85 in prosecution costs.

19 Aug 2025

Daniel Stephens

Failing to comply with a community order *

Sentence

Community order revoked and new community order made to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, plus costs of £60

Daniel Stephens failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Colchester Magistrates Court on April 28, 2022, by failing to attend unpaid work appointments on March 22, 2025, and April 5, 2025.

Admitted failing to comply with a community order by not attending unpaid work appointments.

13 Aug 2025

Christopher Boxall

Failing to comply with a community order *

Sentence

Fined £60 and costs of £60

Christopher Boxall failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Chelmsford Magistrates Court on January 20, 2025, by failing to attend unpaid work on March 30, 2025, and April 27, 2025.

Admitted failing to comply with a community order by not attending unpaid work.

13 Aug 2025

Gary Bateman

Failing to comply with a community order *

Sentence

Original community order extended by 12 months to complete 192 hours of unpaid work, fined £60, and costs of £60

Gary Bateman failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Colchester Magistrates Court on October 1, 2024, by failing to report as instructed on April 30, 2025, and May 14, 2025.

Admitted failing to comply with a community order by not reporting as instructed.

13 Aug 2025

Keiren Vernege-Wynter

Failing to comply with a community order *

Sentence

Ordered to comply with original community order requirements and carry out 10 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, plus costs of £60

Keiren Vernege-Wynter failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Thames Magistrates Court on February 26, 2025, by failing to report for a planned office visit on March 13, 2025, and failing to report for an unpaid work pre-placement workshop on March 16, 2025.

Admitted failing to comply with a community order by not reporting for appointments.

13 Aug 2025

Lewis Chandler

Failing to comply with a community order *

Sentence

Fined £60 and costs of £60

Lewis Chandler failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Chelmsford Magistrates Court on March 12, 2025, by failing to report for unpaid work sessions on May 3, 2025, and May 10, 2025.

Admitted failing to comply with a community order by not reporting for unpaid work sessions.

13 Aug 2025

Paul Newman

Failing to comply with a community order *

Sentence

Fined £60 and costs of £60

Paul Newman failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Colchester Magistrates Court on February 26, 2025, by failing to attend unpaid work appointments on March 27, 2025, and April 3, 2025.

Admitted failing to comply with a community order by not attending unpaid work appointments.

13 Aug 2025

Sheena Angeline Johnson

Failing to give information relating to the driver of a vehicle *

Sentence

Fined £120, victim surcharge of £48, costs of £85, and 6 points on driving record

Sheena Angeline Johnson failed to give information relating to the driver of a vehicle who was alleged to have been guilty of an offence on February 24, 2023, in Billericay.

Admitted failing to give information relating to the driver of a vehicle alleged to have committed an offence.

13 Aug 2025

Emily Jayne Watts

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving *

Sentence

Fined £80, victim surcharge of £32, costs of £90, and 6 points on driving record

Emily Jayne Watts used a handheld mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle on Westway in Colchester on July 2, 2025.

Admitted using a handheld mobile phone while driving.

12 Aug 2025

October 2024 1 case

David William Betley

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal *

Sentence

8 months in prison

David William Betley failed to get veterinary treatment for his 17-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Pincher, who was suffering from weight loss and osteoarthritis. He killed the dog by cutting his throat with a knife. The incident was reported to RSPCA on 21 February after members of the public captured it on video. The dog's body was found buried in the garden, underweight with body condition score 1/9, hip and rib bones protruding, large jagged wound to neck still wet with blood.

Pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (four months for each count running consecutively). Disqualified from keeping all animals for life. Ordered to pay costs of £350 and victim surcharge of £187. In mitigation, stated he was sorry, reacted after being frightened by dog's snarling behaviour.

11 Oct 2024

August 2024 4 cases

Davinder Johal

Speeding *

Sentence

2 weeks driving ban, fined £440, surcharge £176, and costs £130

Davinder Johal, a 46-year-old delivery driver, drove his Porsche through Wakes Colne at 46mph in July 2023, exceeding the speed limit, despite already having nine points on his licence. The offence was proved in his absence after he failed to attend court.

Failed to attend court. Had nine points on his licence from previous offences, including failing to inform police about a driver in 2023 and speeding in 2022.

22 Aug 2024

Ashley Warren

Possession of cannabis *

Sentence

Fined £80, costs of £85, and victim surcharge of £32

Ashley Warren was arrested at the train station in Clacton-on-Sea on February 3, 2024, and found in possession of a small amount of cannabis. This offence occurred in the context of his appearance in court related to other charges involving dogs, but the sentencing specifically addressed the drug possession.

Pleaded guilty to possession of a class B drug, cannabis, for personal use.

22 Aug 2024

Hammad Jamil

Failing to give driver information *

Sentence

£1,899 fine and costs, and licence endorsed with six points

Hammad Jamil failed to give driver information in Billericay on June 14, 2023, and also on June 7, 2023.

Found guilty of failing to give driver information; exceptional hardship accepted, avoiding disqualification.

6 Aug 2024

Sarah Louise Vallis

Speeding *

Sentence

£146 fine, costs, and surcharge, and licence endorsed with three points

Sarah Louise Vallis sped at 57mph in a 50mph limit on the A13 at Aveley at 6.50am on December 25, 2024.

Admitted speeding; exceptional hardship found, avoiding totting-up ban.

6 Aug 2024

July 2024 3 cases

Marian Ionut Ciungu

Driving without a valid licence *

Sentence

Fined £259 and endorsed with 3 penalty points

Marian Ionut Ciungu was driving a Vauxhall Astra along Burnt Mills Road in Basildon on October 21, 2023, without a valid licence.

The offence was proved in his absence. Ordered to pay £130 costs and a £104 surcharge.

10 Jul 2024

Ruben Abba Da Costa E Silva

Driving without insurance *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 6 months and fined £115

Ruben Abba da Costa e Silva was driving a Range Rover Evoque on London Road in Southend on November 22, 2023, without insurance covering the vehicle.

Admitted driving without insurance. Ordered to pay £120 costs and a £46 surcharge.

10 Jul 2024

Jane Lowe

Speeding *

Sentence

Fined £117 and endorsed with 3 penalty points

Jane Lowe was driving a Volvo along the A13 London Road near Lapwater Close in Leigh on October 20, 2023, when she was recorded going above the 30mph limit.

Admitted speeding. Ordered to pay £120 in costs.

10 Jul 2024

May 2024 6 cases

Esen Gulsoy

Failure to give information to police *

Sentence

Fined £660

Esen Gulsoy failed to give information to Essex Police relating to a Volkswagen driver accused of an offence in Billericay on March 7, 2023.

Found guilty in absence of failure to give information; also handed six penalty points and ordered to pay £110 costs.

1 May 2024

Alex Childs

Driving without insurance *

Sentence

Fined £283

Alex Childs was driving in Lincoln Road, Basildon, on August 11, 2023, without insurance covering his Mercedes.

Admitted driving without insurance; also handed six penalty points.

1 May 2024

Anthony Luxman Asservatham

Speeding *

Sentence

Fined £166

Anthony Luxman Asservatham was driving a Toyota Prius on the A129 in Billericay on May 3, 2023, exceeding the 30 miles per hour limit.

Admitted speeding; also handed three penalty points, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £110 and a £66 surcharge.

1 May 2024

Anthony Vialls

Failure to give information to police *

Sentence

Fined £660

Anthony Vialls failed to give information to police relating to a Honda motorcyclist accused of an offence in Billericay on September 24, 2023.

Found guilty in absence of failure to give information; also handed six penalty points, ordered to pay £110 costs and a £264 surcharge.

1 May 2024

Stefan Tudora

Driving without insurance *

Sentence

Fined £660

Stefan Tudora was driving a BMW along Hockley Road in Rayleigh on March 15, 2023, without insurance and with tyres having insufficient tread.

Admitted driving without insurance and using a vehicle with insufficient tyre tread; also ordered to pay a £264 surcharge and £110 costs, with six penalty points.

1 May 2024

Velislav Yovchev

Failing to stop at a red light *

Sentence

Fined £153

Velislav Yovchev drove through a red traffic light more than six seconds after it changed on the A127 near Bellhouse Lane in Southend on November 14, 2023.

Admitted driving through a red light; also handed three penalty points.

1 May 2024

April 2024 2 cases

Curtis Tiller

Harassment - breach of a restraining order *

Sentence

10 weeks imprisonment

Curtis Tiller, 21, of Clover Close, Basildon, contacted a woman he was banned from contacting under a restraining order on March 10.

Admitted to breaching a restraining order due to the seriousness of the offence.

30 Apr 2024

Ryan Canavan

Racially or religiously aggravated harassment *

Sentence

60 hours of unpaid work

Ryan Canavan committed racially or religiously aggravated harassment causing alarm or distress in Clacton on May 10, 2024.

Pleaded guilty. Ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 in compensation.

1 Apr 2024

October 2023 1 case

Deborah Clayson

Drink driving *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 12 months, fined £160

Deborah Clayson, 56, of Wickhurst Rise, Portslade, was arrested at 7.20am on Sunday 15 June after her car was stopped during a drink drive check in Brighton Road, Shoreham.

Admitted drink driving. Had 41 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

20 Oct 2023

November 2022 1 case

Sol Clarke

Possession of a knife in a public place *

Sentence

16 weeks imprisonment

Sol Clarke, 23, of Towler Street, Peterborough, was spotted by Essex Police officers acting suspiciously in Station Road near Dovercourt rail station on October 16, 2021. He was seen throwing away a knife and was arrested after the knife was found nearby. During a custody interview, he explained that he carried the knife for his own protection. He appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the offence.

Admitted possession of a knife in a public place and stated he carried it for protection. Police officer commented on the dangers of carrying knives and urged people to dispose of them safely.

16 Nov 2022

March 2021 1 case

Tegan Downes

Racially aggravated assault and public order offence *

Sentence

16 weeks' imprisonment suspended for 12 months

Tegan Downes of Worcestershire and her boyfriend engaged in an altercation with another male in a public house on 5 September 2020. The victim, a security director at a nearby venue, approached them to ascertain what was happening and ask them to leave. Downes assaulted and racially abused the victim when he attempted to remove them from the premises. She directed further racist abuse at another security officer when police officers arrived.

Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault and racially aggravated public order offence. Sentence uplifted by four weeks to reflect hate crime nature. Ordered to pay £150 compensation to victim.

22 Mar 2021

January 2018 1 case

Cyril Thomas

Breaching HMO regulations *

Sentence

£9,000 fine plus £11,500 costs

Cyril Thomas, director of Platinum Crown Investment Ltd, was convicted of nine counts of breaching HMO regulations at 134a Hythe Hill, Colchester. Issues included poor heating, mould, fire doors, missing lightbulbs, poor ventilation in an ensuite shower room, failure to ensure fixtures and fittings were in good repair, not replacing a kitchen bin, inadequate waste storage facilities outside, and tenants being left without electricity over a weekend when the electrical fuse box tripped.

Denied the charges but was convicted. Sentencing by neutral magistrate judges in Basildon via television-link. Allowed to pay £1,000 per month over 20 months. Plans to appeal the guilty verdict.

10 Jan 2018

September 2015 1 case

Samuel Crawley

Theft *

Sentence

24 weeks imprisonment

On September 23, 2015, at about 10.30am, Samuel Crawley, 29, of Berkswell Close, Church Hill, stole £100.12 worth of tinned fish from B&M in Redditch by selecting the tins and walking out without paying. Shortly after, he stole £71.28 worth of groceries, including three trays of tinned salmon, from Lidl in Redditch, carrying them out without paying and placing them in his car. A staff member confronted him, but he refused to return. At 11am, officers saw him in Trafford Retail Park, breaching his Anti Social Behaviour Order and two suspended sentences for theft. All goods were recovered and sold by the shops. Crawley has an ongoing drug problem, previous custody terms, a five-month-old daughter, and has reduced his methadone prescription.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and breaching Anti Social Behaviour Order. Court activated 16 week suspended sentence in full. Ordered to pay £180 court charge and £80 victim surcharge. Chair of the bench noted long list of offending, particularly shoplifting, premeditated offending, and failure to comply with previous suspended order.

25 Sep 2015

Date Not Specified 2 cases

Sam White

Theft *

Sentence

Criminal Behaviour Order for three years

Sam White was convicted of multiple thefts within Worcester city centre, in particular Tesco Express in Foregate Street. He also behaved in a disorderly manner, being abusive, threatening to shop staff and causing significant alarm and fear to members of the public.

Follows convictions for multiple thefts and disorderly behaviour including being abusive and threatening to shop staff.

1 Jan 0001

Jagjit Singh

Failing to name the driver *

Sentence

6-month driving ban and £1,150 fine

Jagjit Singh, 23, from 460 Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, tried to dodge fines for three speeding offences in Worcestershire by sending his Notice of Intended Prosecution to an illegal ‘NIP farm’, which uses fake names and forwards tickets to false addresses. He also used two other people’s driving licences to hide his identity as the driver.

Sentenced for using an illegal ‘NIP farm’ scam and other people’s driving licences to evade three speeding offences. West Mercia Police investigated.

1 Jan 0001

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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St Botolph's Circus, Colchester CO2 7EF, Colchester, CO2 7EF, United Kingdom

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About Colchester Magistrates' Court

Colchester Magistrates' Court, located in Colchester, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 35 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Colchester area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at St Botolph's Circus, Colchester CO2 7EF, CO2 7EF.

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 +441245313300.

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.