Durham Crown Court Sentencing Results

Kalvin Atkin
Assault on emergency workers and intentional strangulation
August 18, 2023

Sentence: 54 months imprisonment, followed by a 3-year licence period

Kalvin Atkin, while serving a sentence for a 2016 stabbing, attacked four prison officers at HMP Deerbolt on August 11, 2023, by headbutting, punching, and biting them during an incident in the exercise yard, egged on by other inmates, resulting in injuries including a broken hand and the need for a tetanus jab. After his release in December 2023, he was involved in an incident on April 1, 2024, where he punched and strangled a female police officer who responded to a report of masked figures trying to enter a property on Cumberland Street in Darlington, leaving her bloodied and anxious, before he was subdued with a taser.
Pleaded guilty to the offences. Judge Jo Kidd noted his dangerous attitude towards police and prison officers, and that he expressed remorse. He has a history of 11 previous offences, including assaults on emergency workers, and was on prison recall at the time.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk
Ian Sale
Possessing amphetamine with intent to supply
August 11, 2023

Sentence: 12-month suspended sentence for 18 months, up to 30 rehabilitation activity sessions, and a 6-month alcohol treatment requirement

Ian Sale was involved in a drugs handover at a filling station forecourt on the A167 in Newton Aycliffe on August 26, 2021. As a front seat passenger in a black Volvo, he received a Morrison's bag containing 8kg of amphetamines of 21% purity from another vehicle. He was dropped off and arrested while carrying the bag, which he dropped upon confrontation by police. The offence was part of a larger police operation targeting drug supply, and Sale was interviewed but released initially, with proceedings delayed until he pleaded guilty.
Pleaded guilty to possessing amphetamine with intent to supply. Played a lesser role in the operation with no relevant prior convictions. Judge noted his limited involvement and prospects for rehabilitation, considering health issues and delay in proceedings.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk
Julie Jones
Burglary
August 8, 2023

Sentence: Just under two years and five months imprisonment

Julie Jones broke into an empty house in Moor View, Wheatley Hill, east Durham, sometime between April 25 and May 1. She attempted to force entry through the French doors but instead smashed a window to gain access. She stole a TV set and a kettle worth a total of £410, leaving a bloodstain at the point of entry that linked her to the crime. The house was being prepared for use as a communal home, and the owner reported losses and repair costs amounting to about £1,000, along with concerns about future break-ins.
Pleaded guilty to burglary. Has 51 past convictions, including two previous domestic burglaries, and was sentenced as a third-strike burglar. The sentence was reduced by 20 per cent due to the guilty plea.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk
John Bostock
Intentional Strangulation
July 25, 2023

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment

On Christmas Day, John Bostock, while intoxicated, punched and strangled his father after being questioned about missing beer at his father's home in Trimdon Station. He assaulted his sister when she intervened, grabbed his father by the throat causing him to fear for his life, threatened his nephew with a knife, and later returned to the home two days later to threaten his father again by grabbing his neck and saying 'I’m going to kill you'.
Had prior convictions including assaults dating back to 1996; judge noted he left his family traumatised and completely lost his temper; mitigating factors included a period of good behaviour between 2007 and 2018 before heavy drinking resumed.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk
Dale Coulton
Sexual assault
July 25, 2023

Sentence: 7 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years, sign sex offenders' register for 10 years, 30 days rehabilitation activity, sex offenders' programme, and sexual harm prevention order for 10 years

Dale Coulton sexually assaulted a primary school-aged girl, committing a sex act on her, which caused significant turmoil for the victim and her family. The incident was reported, and despite Coulton's denials, he was found guilty by a jury. The victim is described as vulnerable, and her parents provided statements in court detailing the emotional impact. Coulton has a history of neglect and abuse in his childhood, along with intellectual disabilities, which were considered in sentencing.
Pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury. Has a troubled childhood with neglect and abuse, and significant intellectual disabilities. Judge noted he continues to deny responsibility and shows no remorse. Victim's family described the sentence as a 'joke' and expressed heartbreak.
Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk
Stacie Mason
Unlawful wounding
July 10, 2023

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years

Stacie Mason invited friends to her home for drinks on April 22, 2023. During a drunken row, she was pushed and lost her footing, then picked up a glass bottle and struck a man on the head, causing a 4cm cut that required stitches. The victim reported ongoing headaches and discomfort. Mason has no memory of the incident but accepted responsibility, amid her mental health struggles and prior hospitalisation for an overdose.
Pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. Suffered significant mental health difficulties and adverse childhood experiences. Judge imposed 30 rehabilitation activity days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement, with a warning that further offences could activate the sentence.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk
Mark Walters
Intentional Strangulation and Assault by Beating
May 12, 2023

Sentence: 21-month suspended prison sentence, 120 hours unpaid work, 30 rehabilitation activity sessions, 6-month alcohol treatment requirement, £500 costs, and 5-year restraining order

Mark Walters assaulted his partner multiple times between late 2022 and 2023 while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Incidents included slapping her head and strangling her during an argument, dragging her from bed and pushing her against a deck chair after she returned from a friend's house, and slapping her face, dragging her around the room, pinning her to the floor, and attempting to kick her after drinking whisky. One assault resulted in the victim seeking hospital treatment for dizziness and headaches. His behaviour was described as 'Jekyll and Hyde' due to his drastic changes when intoxicated.
Pleaded guilty on the day of trial. Has issues with alcohol and anger management, is remorseful, and has voluntarily sought help for substance abuse. No offences committed since arrest in 2023.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk
Roger Pilling
Conspiracy to sell criminal property
May 1, 2023

Sentence: five years and two months imprisonment

Roger Pilling, a 77-year-old metal detectorist from Loveclough, Lancashire, was involved in conspiring to sell 44 ninth-century Anglo-Saxon coins worth £766,000, which were part of the Herefordshire or Leominster Hoard discovered in 2015. The coins, believed to have been buried by a Viking between 874 CE and 879 CE, included two rare two-headed examples showing Alfred of Wessex and Ceolwulf II of Mercia. Pilling attempted to sell them to an undercover police officer posing as an expert for a wealthy buyer, after they were not declared as treasure. Forty-four coins were recovered in a sting operation, though two were never found as Pilling claimed they were broken.
Convicted of conspiring to sell 44 ninth-century coins that were not declared as treasure. A confiscation order was later granted for £103,000, with a potential additional 12-month prison sentence if unpaid. Judge comments emphasised that crime should not pay and highlighted the defendant's intent to profit from stolen treasure.
Sources: herefordtimes.com
Kurtis Mawson
Voyeurism
March 1, 2023

Sentence: 25 months imprisonment

Kurtis Mawson, a sex offender, engaged in repeated voyeuristic activities, including covertly filming women using a public toilet next to The Odeon Cinema in Durham and performing a sex act on himself in public while standing behind a female tourist taking a photo of Durham Cathedral. These offences occurred in 2022 and 2023.
Admitted to offences including voyeurism committed in 2022 and 2023. Breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. A psychiatric report is to be updated for further proceedings.
Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

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