Great Grimsby Crown Court Sentencing Results

Edward Sherriff committed 19 non-recent sexual offences against three victims, spanning more than four decades from 1980 to 2022. The offences included rape of a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 16, three counts of gross indecency assault, and eight counts of indecent assault and exposure. He deliberately manipulated, threatened, and emotionally abused his victims to silence them, committing sustained abuse that has caused unimaginable harm.

Neil Altoft, 28, from Broughton in North Lincolnshire, subjected a woman to a pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour, verbal and physical abuse from November 2023, causing significant bruising across her body, leaving fingerprints on her skin, and on one occasion putting her in fear of her life. He was arrested at his home on suspicion of actual bodily harm, non-fatal strangulation, and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Dawid Flis, a 37-year-old Polish lorry driver, smuggled an Albanian woman and her six-year-old child into the UK by concealing them in the bunk area of his HGV cab. He arrived at the Port of Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, from the Hook of Holland on 23 March 2024. The woman had agreed to pay 25,000 euros, having paid 12,500 euros so far, and arranged to meet Flis roadside in Holland.

On May 30, 2024, Kyle Ferguson, aged 30, engaged in a five-hour rooftop standoff at Coventry Close in Scunthorpe, hurling bricks and roof tiles at police officers. Nearly 30 officers responded to reports of a wanted man on the roof. During the incident, a firearm and ammunition fell from the roof. Ferguson climbed down and was arrested. He was also involved in affray, burglary, and theft.

Bradley Lamond, aged 24 from Welholme Road in Grimsby, groomed, 'love bombed', and engaged in sexual activity with a 12-year-old child. He was 18 when he first met the child, manipulated them into providing social media details, gained their trust, and coaxed them into sending explicit photos. Charged with nine counts of sexual activity with a child.

Lee Wray, 41, of west Hull, stalked his ex-partner's daughter and mother between May 2023 and January 2024 following the end of their five-year relationship. He appeared at the daughter's home multiple times, including three times in one week in March 2023, demanding to speak to his ex-partner and threatening to smash windows with a brick. Doorbell camera footage identified him, and he sent online messages demanding contact. The family hid in fear, and the behaviour caused significant distress.

Between October 2024 and November 2024, Vince McAllister used messaging apps to send sexually explicit messages to a decoy profile he believed to be a 12-year-old child. An investigation was launched in October 2024 by the South West Regional organised crime unit, during which online conversations continued for two months. He was arrested in January 2025 at his address in Thorngumbald. Over 100 electronic devices were seized and analysed, linking him to the offences.

On 12 July 2024, Jacob Rispin falsely reported to police that he was confronted by two shop workers at a vape shop in Cleethorpes over attempting to steal cigarettes, claiming one pulled him back by his hoodie and another threatened him with a sawn-off shotgun. This led to an investigation, including armed police detaining two shop workers on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, though no gun was found. CCTV footage and witness statements contradicted his story, and Rispin later confessed to fabricating the incident, admitting a prior verbal altercation with a shop worker but no connection to the false report. The shop workers were released without charge.

On Saturday 16 April 2022, Ashley Hutchison was involved in a street fight on Milton Road in Grimsby, which stemmed from retaliation for a fight the previous night outside the Bank Pub on Bethlehem Street. During the altercation, Hutchison damaged a car with a machete while a woman was inside. The woman exited the car to plead with the men to leave, and as she turned around, Hutchison swung a gardening tool at her several times, eventually hitting her over the head. She was knocked unconscious and suffered a life-threatening head injury, requiring surgery and remaining in critical condition for three weeks. She continues to receive treatment for life-changing injuries.

Christian Sollitt groomed a girl by bombarding her with thousands of emails, voice messages and video calls. He arranged to pick her up from school and took her to isolated locations to abuse her. He was convicted of six counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of making indecent photos of children, sexual communication with a child, meeting a child after sexual grooming, and possession of extreme pornographic images, some showing children as young as three.

Danny McNaughton committed 18 counts of sexual offences against two children, including four counts of rape of a child, six counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences were non-recent, and the victims bravely came forward, leading to his prosecution.

David Maddison was involved in a targeted arson attack on five vehicles close to homes in Barmouth Drive, Grimsby, in the early hours of 14 October 2025. CCTV footage showed him and another defendant emptying fuel over the cars and pouring it down the windscreens and into the engine compartments before they were set alight. Residents were evacuated as a precaution.

On 12 August 2025, Salter went bare-chested into a convenience store in Beverley Road, Hull, intoxicated. He asked for food and when refused began putting food down his tracksuit bottoms and racially abusing the shop assistant. He left and returned with others, again being abusive. The victim said he felt sick and feared for his safety, and was looking for another job. Salter had 182 previous offences and was in breach of a 14-month suspended sentence.

In 2020, Anthony Merrikin, then 42, of Cleethorpes, a builder and prominent charity founder, was convicted of grooming and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. He used his private professional office to isolate the teenager and engaged in repeated sexual activity, causing severe long-term trauma. The abuse was uncovered when his wife, suspecting an affair, installed a hidden camera in the office and discovered the footage. She immediately contacted the police. Merrikin had raised over £30,000 for good causes through his charity Memory Mascots, which the judge said he used as a mask for his calculated campaign of exploitation.

While serving a prison sentence at HMP Hull, Billany repeatedly activated his cell alarm. On the third and fourth responses a prison officer saw him naked and performing a sex act. He later claimed he had been 'on Spice'. After his release, officers found he had visited a website containing indecent images of children, including one in the most serious category. He was subject to a sexual harm prevention order at the time.

Jason Gladding was involved in a targeted arson attack on five vehicles close to homes in Barmouth Drive, Grimsby, in the early hours of 14 October 2025. CCTV footage showed him and another defendant emptying fuel over all five cars and pouring it down the windscreens and into the engine compartments before the vehicles were set alight. Residents were evacuated as a precaution.

Gary Mills was involved in the aftermath of a targeted arson attack on five vehicles in Barmouth Drive, Grimsby, in the early hours of 14 October 2025. He later tried to sell a Volvo that had been used to flee the scene.

Dr Promise Agbi throttled a boy during an angry confrontation. He pushed the boy and put his hands around his neck while others shouted and screamed. The boy lost breath and thought his life was over. During the incident, the boy grabbed Agbi's groin area, which made him stop initially, but Agbi started strangling him again. The boy scratched him in self-defence. The victim said the violence left him emotionally impacted, unable to cry on several occasions.