Coventry Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 33 verdicts at Coventry Magistrates' Court (Coventry). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

March 2026 2 cases

Jordan Peebles

Robbery *

Sentence

Imprisonment

Jordan Peebles attempted a knife robbery at a shop on Riley Square in Coventry but got trapped inside by the shopkeeper.

Bungling robber trapped by shopkeeper during knife raid.

19 Mar 2026

Zara Arsalan

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years

On July 23, 2020, Zara Arsalan, then 25, inflicted catastrophic injuries on her two-month-old daughter Harleen 'Bambi' Bains in their home at Caddick Crescent, West Bromwich, after losing her temper in a sudden fit of rage triggered by the baby's crying. She shook the baby viciously with extreme force and banged her head repeatedly against the floor three or four times, causing unsurvivable skull fractures, brain injury, broken collarbone, left leg fracture, spine injury, and multiple blunt force blows to the head. The assault lasted seconds to a minute or two. Arsalan attempted to resuscitate the child but Harleen fell into a coma and died the next day on July 24, 2020. Three to six days prior, Arsalan had roughly handled Harleen, causing a rib fracture. She provided false accounts to police, initially claiming an accident and later blaming the father Jatinder Bains, who died by suicide in August 2022.

Denied murder but was convicted by jurors following a trial. Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh KC noted the attack was in a sudden fit of rage, lasting no longer than a minute or two, with ferocious violence. No previous convictions.

12 Mar 2026

January 2026 1 case

Deng Chol Majek

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years

Deng Chol Majek, a Sudanese asylum seeker who entered the UK by small boat in July 2024, murdered Rhiannon Whyte on October 20, 2024, at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall. After staring fixedly at female staff including Ms Whyte at the Park Inn hotel where he resided, he followed her to the station after her shift ended at 11pm, armed with a concealed screwdriver. He launched a frenzied attack on the deserted platform, stabbing her 23 times, including 19 wounds to her head and a fatal brain stem injury. Ms Whyte, 27, was found injured in a shelter by train staff and died three days later in hospital. Majek disposed of evidence by throwing her mobile phone into a river and the screwdriver, then bought beer, wiped blood from his trousers, changed his flip-flops, and was seen dancing in the hotel car park near emergency vehicles. No motive was established, but the attack was described as unprovoked and sadistic.

Convicted unanimously of murder and possessing a screwdriver as an offensive weapon. Denied guilt and showed no remorse. Judge noted significant premeditation, vicious brutality, and lack of empathy. Sentenced on the basis of being 26 years old.

30 Jan 2026

December 2025 1 case

Christopher Mcfarlane

Fraud by failing to disclose bankruptcy *

Sentence

£8,000 compensation and two-year conditional discharge

Christopher McFarlane, a 48-year-old rogue builder from Haverfordwest, concealed his bankrupt status while undertaking driveway work for a disabled couple in Leamington Spa. He quoted £11,000 for the job, receiving £8,000 upfront on Christmas Eve 2018 via payments to a connected company account. Work began in February 2019 but was abandoned after three months in March 2019 due to substandard quality, leaving the driveway in a state resembling a 'poor-quality sandpit'. The couple incurred over £16,000 to repair and complete it. McFarlane only disclosed his October 2018 bankruptcy when pressed for compensation. The victims endured significant stress and disruption over five years.

Ordered to pay £500 per month starting February 2026. Failed to attend interview under caution. Chief investigator noted concealment of bankrupt status and poor workmanship.

4 Dec 2025

November 2025 3 cases

Vincent Ward

Running Unlicensed HMOs *

Sentence

£1,963 fine

Vincent Ward, a Coventry landlord, was fined for operating unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

For running unlicensed HMOs.

13 Nov 2025

Richard Lake

Theft *

Sentence

jailed

Richard Lake, an Atherstone man, went on a £3,000 crime spree stealing chocolate and other items, including food worth more than £900 from Coventry Farmfoods in Riley Square.

After £3,000 crime spree.

13 Nov 2025

Paul Lipscombe

Child Rape *

Sentence

28 years imprisonment

Paul Lipscombe, 51, ex-manager at a Coventry NHS trust and former hospital boss, used Snapchat under various names to groom and lure underage girls, the youngest aged 12, leading to their rape and abuse. He was caged for his vile crimes, including creating AI images of child abuse for other paedophiles.

Former NHS boss who groomed victims on Snapchat; also made vile AI images of child abuse.

13 Nov 2025

September 2025 1 case

Lynn Ashby

Animal cruelty *

Sentence

10-week suspended jail term

Lynn Ashby caused unnecessary suffering to her American Bulldog by leaving it in debilitating pain, resulting in her conviction.

Left her seriously ill American Bulldog in debilitating pain, leading to her sentencing.

25 Sep 2025

July 2025 6 cases

John King

Theft *

Sentence

£15 fine

John King committed a series of car break-ins across Coventry, resulting in his sentencing.

Sentenced after a spate of car break-ins across Coventry.

15 Jul 2025

Hanna Skupinski

Assisting an offender *

Sentence

jailed

Hanna Skupinski, along with Michal Lada and Kinga Rybacka, were jailed for assisting Patryk Skupinski in plotting his escape from the UK after he murdered his partner Marlene Doyle.

For plotting murderer son's escape out of UK after he killed Marlene Doyle

8 Jul 2025

Kinga Rybacka

Assisting an offender *

Sentence

jailed

Kinga Rybacka, along with Hanna Skupinski and Michal Lada, were jailed for assisting Patryk Skupinski in plotting his escape from the UK after he murdered his partner Marlene Doyle.

For assisting Patryk Skupinski after he killed Marlene Doyle

8 Jul 2025

Peter Nicholson

Sexual abuse *

Sentence

jailed

Peter Nicholson, 60, sexually abused a young girl for months and was found with over 1,330 extreme pornographic images when arrested.

Predator found with more than 1,330 extreme pornographic images

8 Jul 2025

Michal Lada

Assisting an offender *

Sentence

jailed

Michal Lada, along with Hanna Skupinski and Kinga Rybacka, were jailed for assisting Patryk Skupinski in plotting his escape from the UK after he murdered his partner Marlene Doyle.

For assisting Patryk Skupinski after he killed Marlene Doyle

8 Jul 2025

Patryk Skupinski

Murder *

Sentence

jailed

Patryk Skupinski battered his partner Marlene Doyle to death, leaving her with catastrophic head injuries after a brutal and sustained attack while she lay in bed.

For the killing of mum-of-three Marlene Doyle

8 Jul 2025

June 2025 2 cases

Aaron Godfrey

Possession with intent to supply class A drugs *

Sentence

two years and ten months imprisonment

Aaron Godfrey was stopped at the Creamfields Festival in August 2017, where he was found with 27 MDMA tablets and attempted to dispose of them. His phone revealed text messages related to the sale of illegal drugs. He was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs but failed to appear in court, fled to Ireland and later elsewhere, was arrested in Birmingham in 2022, and extradited from Spain in 2024 after attempting to enter on a golfing holiday.

Maintained that the MDMA pills were for personal use only, but the court dismissed this claim. He fled the country twice to evade justice, leading to additional charges.

11 Jun 2025

Mark Devine

Theft *

Sentence

14 weeks in jail

Mark Devine was involved in multiple thefts across Coventry. He was identified through a public Facebook appeal, which led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

Recognised from a Facebook appeal for being behind a spate of city thefts.

10 Jun 2025

May 2025 3 cases

Raydell Lennox

Shooting *

Sentence

32 years imprisonment

Raydell Lennox was involved in a devastating close range shooting in a Coventry park, as per police theory, leading to his sentencing.

Sentenced for involvement in a close range shooting in Coventry park.

26 May 2025

Raymond Higgins

Sexual abuse *

Sentence

14 years imprisonment

Raymond Higgins abused girls over a period and was found in possession of extreme pornographic images, resulting in his sentencing for these offences.

Dangerous sex offender found with more than 1,330 extreme pornographic images.

26 May 2025

Steven Harrison

Sexual abuse *

Sentence

18 years imprisonment

Steven Harrison sexually abused a young boy in Coventry and warned him not to disclose the abuse, leading to his conviction and sentencing.

Depraved individual who sexually abused a young boy and warned him not to tell anyone.

26 May 2025

October 2024 1 case

Kyle Cigleris

Shoplifting *

Sentence

Imprisonment (duration not specified)

Kyle Cigleris was involved in shoplifting incidents, leading to him being banned from several stores including Greggs, Tesco, and Heron Foods in Coventry.

Jailed for shoplifting.

1 Oct 2024

May 2024 1 case

Jonathan Rhys Lomas

Fraud *

Sentence

jailed

Jonathan Rhys Lomas, a rogue Warwick builder, pleaded guilty to fraud at Coventry Crown Court on May 7 for lying about spending £10,000 on materials for a job.

Pleaded guilty to fraud on May 7. Lied about spending £10,000 on materials for a job as a rogue Warwick builder.

7 May 2024

April 2024 1 case

Stacy Fowler

Theft and assault *

Sentence

16 weeks in prison

Stacy Fowler committed seven thefts from shops in Bedworth, including stealing a £5 bottle of wine from a shop on All Saints Square on April 2, throwing a can of beer at staff; stealing two bottles of wine worth £14 from a supermarket on Mill Street on April 2; attempting to steal £44 worth of items from a store on Newtown Road on April 3; attempting to steal £2 worth of gin and mixer from a shop on Mill Street on April 6 and £30 worth of meat on April 8; and stealing four tubs of washing pods after attempting to punch staff on All Saints Square on April 10. She also committed two assaults during these incidents.

Activation of previous suspended sentence for two counts of shoplifting and outraging public decency. Pleaded guilty to all charges. Required to pay victim's surcharge of £154.

13 Apr 2024

March 2024 2 cases

Craig Wright

Theft *

Sentence

30-week sentence

Craig Wright, 41, of Kempton Drive, Warwick, committed shoplifting offences between November 2023 and January 2024, stealing clothing, bags, fragrances, food, and alcohol valuing more than £1,000 from shops in Kenilworth and Warwick, including more than £500 worth of alcohol from a shop in Kenilworth during one theft.

Pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and one count of attempted theft. PC Barney Tandy commented on the impact to local businesses and community.

7 Mar 2024

Dean Alton

Theft *

Sentence

37-week sentence

Dean Alton, 47, of no fixed abode, committed a three-week spree of shoplifting starting on February 9, 2024, stealing meat, clothing, and alcohol to a value of more than £1,000 from shops in Kenilworth and Warwick.

Pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft. PC Barney Tandy commented on the impact to local businesses and community.

7 Mar 2024

February 2024 1 case

Gareth Haywood

Theft *

Sentence

24 weeks in prison

Gareth Haywood committed a crime spree over 12 days starting on January 20, 2024, when he stole four jars of manuka honey from a shop in the Parade. He then stole more than £80 worth of food from a shop in Radford Road on January 25 and January 30. On February 1, he was spotted stealing from the same shop in Radford Road and arrested.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one count of attempted theft.

2 Feb 2024

January 2024 1 case

Aaron Palmer

Theft and fraud by false representation *

Sentence

24 weeks in prison

On December 1, 2023, a car was broken into in Leamington and a jacket and wallet stolen. The owner contacted police after receiving a text from his bank about an attempted use of his card. Later that day, Palmer attempted to use the card in a shop, which was declined, leading to police being informed via CCTV. He was arrested in The Parade wearing the stolen jacket. Additionally, on three occasions on two days in December 2023, he stole toiletry gift sets worth more than £400 from a shop in Leamington. On December 29, 2023, he stole six bottles of spirits from a shop in Kenilworth. On January 10, 2024, he was caught on CCTV stealing a parcel from outside a house in Leamington. He was arrested again on January 16, 2024, and admitted to hiding from police.

Pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and one count of fraud by false representation. Repeat offender with no respect for the law.

17 Jan 2024

November 2023 1 case

John Williams

Theft from a shop *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment

John Williams, aged 35, of no fixed abode, committed a series of theft offences in and around Leamington, initially arrested in October. While on bail, he committed a further 39 offences, stealing a range of items including food, beauty products and household items from stores. Staff identified him, leading to further arrest in November. Charged with more than 60 counts of theft from a shop and one charge of possession of cannabis.

Ordered to pay costs and a surcharge of £227. Pleaded not specified. Vulnerabilities recognised by police.

28 Nov 2023

June 2023 2 cases

Carla Scott

Murder *

Sentence

27 years imprisonment

Carla Scott and Dirk Howell subjected nine-year-old Alfie Steele to harrowing abuse at his home in Droitwich. The abuse led to his death, which Scott tried to cover up by making a 999 call, while Howell attempted to flee the scene.

Subjected nine-year-old Alfie Steele to harrowing abuse at his Droitwich home. Scott attempted to cover up the death by making a 999 call.

1 Jun 2023

Dirk Howell

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years

Dirk Howell and Carla Scott subjected nine-year-old Alfie Steele to harrowing abuse at his home in Droitwich. The abuse led to his death, which Scott tried to cover up by making a 999 call, while Howell attempted to flee the scene.

Subjected nine-year-old Alfie Steele to harrowing abuse at his Droitwich home. Howell attempted to escape the scene after the incident.

1 Jun 2023

March 2022 2 cases

Amos Wilsher

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 38 years

Amos Wilsher murdered 88-year-old Josephine Kaye by posing as a gas worker, removing a padlock from her gate, and repeatedly throwing her to the floor at her home in Harington Drive, Parkhall, Stoke-on-Trent, on February 27, 2020, causing a broken leg and leading to her death in hospital on March 2020. He also murdered 87-year-old Arthur Gumbley as part of a gang during a planned burglary at his bungalow in Little Aston, Staffordshire, in November 2017, where the victim was punched, kicked, dragged, and robbed, resulting in fatal brain injuries and rib fractures, leading to his death on December 12, 2017. The crimes involved targeting elderly and vulnerable people for gain.

Found guilty after trial of murdering two pensioners; judge noted significant risk to the public but mitigated by lack of intention to kill. Also convicted of conspiracy to rob and wounding with intent.

25 Mar 2022

Jason Wilsher

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years

Jason Wilsher was part of a three-strong gang that attacked 87-year-old Arthur Gumbley at his bungalow in Little Aston, Staffordshire, in November 2017, smashing a window to enter, punching him in the face, knocking him down, kicking him, dragging him through the house, ripping items from his person, and ransacking the property, causing fatal brain injuries, rib fractures, and widespread bruising, leading to his death on December 12, 2017. He was also involved in conspiracy to rob and the wounding of another pensioner.

Found guilty after trial of murdering Arthur Gumbley; judge noted the crime was committed for gain during a planned and pre-meditated robbery but mitigated by lack of intention to kill. Also convicted of conspiracy to rob and wounding with intent.

25 Mar 2022

July 2015 2 cases

Luke Dukinfield

Causing fear and provoking violence *

Sentence

12 month community order with 80 hours unpaid work

Luke Dukinfield, a 20-year-old student, intervened during the arrest of Alistair Robinson following the assault on a security guard at Senate House, University of Warwick, on December 3, 2014, during a peaceful protest against rising tuition fees and privatisation of higher education. The incident escalated when West Midlands Police arrived, leading to the use of CS gas and taser guns.

Found guilty of causing fear and provoking violence for intervening when officers attempted to arrest Alistair Robinson. Ordered to pay £800 in costs and £60 victim surcharge.

9 Jul 2015

Alistair Robinson

Common assault *

Sentence

12 month community order with 120 hours unpaid work

Alistair Robinson, unemployed and not a student at the University of Warwick, assaulted a 33-year-old security guard by punching him in the stomach and grappling with him as the guard and a colleague attempted to lock the doors of Senate House to keep protesters out. The incident occurred shortly before 4.40pm on December 3, 2014, during a peaceful sit-in style protest by Warwick For Free Education against rising tuition fees and privatisation of higher education at the central campus site on Gibbet Hill Road.

Found guilty of common assault after a three-day trial. Ordered to pay £800 in costs and £150 compensation to the victim.

9 Jul 2015

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.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any court, government body, or law enforcement agency. While we endeavour to ensure the accuracy of all information, we accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this data. If you believe any entry is inaccurate, outdated, or should be removed, please submit a removal request using the icon on the relevant entry or contact us directly.

No sentences found matching your search.

Magistrate Court, 60 Little Park St, Coventry CV1 2SQ, Coventry, CV1 2SQ, United Kingdom

+442476630666

Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

Get Directions

About Coventry Magistrates' Court

Coventry Magistrates' Court, located in Coventry, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 33 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Coventry 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 Magistrate Court, 60 Little Park St, Coventry CV1 2SQ, CV1 2SQ.

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 +442476630666.

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.