Leicester Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 192 verdicts at Leicester Crown Court (Leicester). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Nathan Nelson

Stalking with serious alarm or distress

January 26, 2026

Sentence: hospital order combined with a restriction order

Nathan Nelson, of Barkby Road, Queniborough, near Loughborough, began a campaign of stalking against a Leicester solicitor who had previously represented him, starting in the summer of 2024, just after his restraining order from a 2022 conviction expired. He bombarded her workplace with threatening calls and voicemails, threatening to smash her face in, kill her, and cut off her head. He messaged her family members, informed her he knew their locations and parking habits, and claimed to have people watching her. He also threatened to smash the offices in Leicester city centre. The victim reported severe impacts including panic attacks, inability to be alone, fear of driving alone, and triggers from media, affecting her partner's work.

Pleaded guilty to stalking with serious alarm or distress. Has paranoid schizophrenia and was transferred to The Priory in Lincolnshire for treatment. Indefinite restraining order imposed, banning contact with the victim and mentioning her on social media. Prior conviction for stalking in 2022 with 10-week sentence and restraining order. 47 other offences including harassment, threats to kill, and 18 assaults.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Danny Casey

Conspiracy to burgle

January 20, 2026

Sentence: 112 months imprisonment

Danny Casey, 34, of Meynells Gorse, Braunstone, Leicester, was linked to 28 burglaries between October 2024 and January 2025, targeting vulnerable residents including a 92-year-old deaf woman in Whetstone whom he burgled while she slept, stealing her jewellery box containing an engagement ring and an eternity ring from her late husband; a cancer patient in Walton on the Wolds who was woken by Casey smashing a window and entering with a screwdriver; an elderly widow in Glaston near Uppingham three months after her husband's death, where he stood over her bed demanding money; and a lone woman in Mountsorrel who barricaded herself in her bedroom. With his brother, he committed four burglaries on October 3, 2025, in Birstall, Loughborough, and Mountsorrel, stealing a Toyota Yaris, drone, cash, and jewellery. The spree extended to Lincolnshire (Lincoln, Boston, Sleaford, Holbeach, Newark in Nottinghamshire) and six properties in Carmarthenshire, Wales, totaling 37 offences across regions.

Admitted three counts of conspiracy to burgle and two counts of breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order. Issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order to come into effect upon release.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Terence Casey

Conspiracy to burgle

January 20, 2026

Sentence: 42 months imprisonment

Terence Casey, 26, of Meynells Gorse, Braunstone, Leicester, was involved in 12 burglaries and three attempted burglaries alongside his brother Danny, including four joint burglaries on October 3, 2025, targeting properties in Birstall, Loughborough, and Mountsorrel, stealing a Toyota Yaris, drone, cash, and jewellery. The spree began in Leicestershire areas like Leicester, Oadby, Hinckley, Castle Donington, and Narborough, then moved to Lincolnshire (Lincoln, Boston, Sleaford, Holbeach) and Newark in Nottinghamshire, and six properties in Carmarthenshire, Wales, with a total of 37 offences linked to one or both brothers across regions.

Admitted two counts of conspiracy to burgle. Issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order to come into effect upon release.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Carl Gittens

Theft and possession of a knife in public

January 16, 2026

Sentence: 46 weeks imprisonment

Carl Gittens, 36, stole £45 from his housemate in a shared house in Cavendish Road, off Leicester's Saffron Lane, after the victim refused to buy a broken e-scooter that Gittens had tried to sell him. The incident occurred in July 2025. Gittens pinned the victim to a bench and demanded his wallet, taking the cash. While walking back, Gittens discarded a knife he was carrying upon seeing police lights and hearing a helicopter. The victim reported the theft and knife to officers. Gittens has 34 prior offences, including threats to kill and wounding with intent, and carried the knife for self-protection following his son's murder conviction and 22-year sentence.

Pleaded guilty to theft and carrying a knife in public. Previously on licence for actual bodily harm sentence from earlier in 2025. Recorder Claire MacLynn KC noted that carrying a knife for protection was not mitigating. Restraining order for 5 years banning contact with victim. New sentence starts from now; time on recall since July does not count.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Nicholas Dalrymple

Grievous Bodily Harm without Intent

January 12, 2026

Sentence: 33 months imprisonment

Nicholas Dalrymple and an unnamed accomplice lay in wait outside a flat in Leicester that the victim was visiting. The attack occurred in April 2022 after 5pm. In the hallway, Dalrymple leapt on the victim from behind, pulling him to the floor and punching him while shouting 'stab him, stab him'. The accomplice approached with a knife and slashed the victim's elbow, causing a grave injury with permanent scarring. The victim fought back, kicked Dalrymple off, grabbed the knife, and stabbed the accomplice in the torso. Dalrymple backed away, but he and the accomplice (armed with a rock) pursued the fleeing victim. The incident was caught on CCTV. The motive remains unclear but likely stemmed from a previous disagreement.

Pleaded guilty to GBH without intent after initially denying involvement; also pleaded guilty to missing a court appearance. Has 78 prior offences including robbery, violence, and class A drug offences. Judge noted planned and premeditated attack; expected to serve about 40% behind bars. Reduced alcohol and drug use since offence; cares for his mother.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Matthew Kelly

Theft and breach of criminal behaviour order

January 12, 2026

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Matthew Kelly, 34, of no fixed address, breached a criminal behaviour order by entering Beaumont Leys shopping centre, from which he was banned for three years (originally two years from November 2024, extended after prior theft). On December 1, 2025, he stole £133 worth of cosmetics from Boots and fled. On December 13, 2025, he stole £112 worth of goods from Tesco's make-up aisle but was detained by security guards until police arrived; all goods recovered.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and two breaches of criminal behaviour order. Offending linked to drug use. Judge noted extensive history of theft convictions and described him as a 'repeat customer' for the courts. Defence sought suspended sentence to allow living with aunt for support off drugs.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Majid Freeman

Using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence

January 9, 2026

Sentence: 22-week sentence

Majid Freeman, also known as Majid Novsarka, was accused of using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence during a counter-protest on September 17, 2022, amid heightened religious tensions between Muslim and Hindu communities in Leicester. He participated in efforts to de-escalate the situation, including helping to save the life of a young Hindu man. Despite this, he was prosecuted by Leicestershire Police, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to 22 weeks imprisonment. The conviction was quashed on appeal after less than a week served.

Conviction quashed by Judge Robert Brown on January 9, 2026. Released after less than a week in prison. Pleaded not guilty; found guilty at trial but later exonerated.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Aven Smith

Using threatening behaviour

January 9, 2026

Sentence: 8 weeks imprisonment

Aven Smith, 19, of Grocot Road, Evington, left numerous threatening and abusive voicemails for his ex-girlfriend after she fell out with his new girlfriend; the three had previously been at school together. In September 2025, he threatened to kill her and her grandmother, with whom she lived, and arranged for his new girlfriend to send photos of machetes he claimed to possess. After the victim reported to Leicestershire Police, Smith was arrested and interviewed with a solicitor and appropriate adult due to his vulnerabilities. During the interview, he racially abused and threatened the appropriate adult, threatened to stab the victim if released, and threatened to smash the interviewing officer's face with a hammer. When the appropriate adult tried to leave, Smith punched the male officer in the face and kneed him, then assaulted the intervening female officer by kicking her and shoving her into a concrete wall, injuring her elbow.

Pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour, sending malicious communications and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. Has dozens of prior convictions from youth. Vulnerable young adult with mental health issues; in custody since October leading to self-harm and suicidal ideation. Phone confiscated and subject to a two-year restraining order banning contact with the victim. Released immediately due to time served.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Shane Jordan

Possessing a knife in public and making threats

January 8, 2026

Sentence: 2-month sentence, suspended for a year, and 15 days on alcohol programmes

On a date in October 2023, Shane Jordan, 49, of Hermitage Road, Loughborough, who was drunk, shouted at the victim from their shared building. After seeing Jordan with a knife making stabbing motions, the victim and his partner rushed into the Lifestyle Express store in Sharpley Road, across from their home, and held the door shut to prevent entry. Jordan continued to shout aggressively through the door, causing fear of violence to the victim, his partner, and customers in the shop. Jordan later told police he intervened because the victim was 'picking on my friend in a wheelchair'. He was arrested that day but missed court hearings in November 2023 (claiming Covid), August 2024 (no excuse), and September 2024 sentencing; rearrested in October 2025 and held in custody until sentencing.

Pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in public and making threats. Had been in custody for 74 days prior to sentencing, equivalent to a six-month sentence. History of health problems, both physical and mental; was drunk at the time of the offence; has stopped alcohol and smoking while in prison. Judge considered aggravating factors including persistence of threats, use of a knife, and intoxication, but agreed no further time behind bars.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Slade Coates

Controlling or Coercive Behaviour

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 4 months imprisonment

Slade Coates, 27, of Perkyn Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, subjected his girlfriend to years of extreme abusive and controlling behaviour, culminating in 2023 with strangling and assaulting her. He breached a non-molestation order twice by contacting her after arrest.

Pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and two breaches of non-molestation order. Given 10-year restraining order.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Unnamed Man

Rape

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 22 years imprisonment with 3 years on licence

The unnamed man subjected his partner to over nine years of horrific sexual and physical abuse, including tying her naked to a radiator while pregnant for two days, kicking and spitting on her, squirting liquid soap into her 11 times forcing her to swallow, raping her, strangling, biting, and eye-gouging while pinning her. After split, he stalked her and appeared unannounced at her home with their three children. Reported two months after split.

Found guilty of 15 offences including rape, strangulation, and other physical and sexual abuse.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Adrian Lee

Rape

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 22 years imprisonment

Adrian Lee, also known as Adrian Tiene, 29, of no fixed address, met his victim and within days controlled her by banning friends, demanding phone details, verbally and racially abusing her. He raped her for the first time 48 hours after meeting, continuing horrific crimes over a week.

Found guilty by jury of three counts of rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour. Subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restraining order, and Sex Offenders Register.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Luke Crewse-Foster

Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Luke Crewse-Foster, 37, of Blakesley Walk, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, repeatedly attacked his girlfriend by punching and kicking her, banned her from social media and other men, and threw a phone at her head in May 2025. He initially claimed she fell down stairs but admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Pleaded guilty after initially denying charges and forcing victim to testify. Previously convicted of battery against the same woman in 2020.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Leon Bowes

Rape

December 23, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with minimum 17 years and 4 months

Leon Bowes, 34, of Biddle Road, Littlethorpe, near Narborough, subjected three women to sexual violence, torture, and abuse over more than 16 years, described as violent and manipulative danger to women.

Convicted after six-week trial of 10 rapes, eight counts of actual bodily harm, coercive or controlling behaviour, intentional strangulation, and other offences; admitted common assault and affray.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Imran Vaid

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 2 months imprisonment

Imran Vaid was one of the defendants convicted in the complex money laundering operation that processed over £53 million through Post Office branches in Leicester from 2019 to 2021, involving money mules, cryptocurrency transfers, and systematic cash deposits to avoid detection.

Jigar Gheewala

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 11 years and 10 months imprisonment

Jigar Gheewala led a criminal gang that laundered more than £53 million through Post Office branches in Leicester between 2019 and 2021. Criminal cash was transported from around the country and entered the banking system using money mules and a token system to avoid detection. Gheewala acted as the sole point of contact with a cryptocurrency business to transfer the laundered cash into crypto.

Bhavik Kotecha

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 6 months imprisonment

Bhavik Kotecha, a Leicester businessman, used his company White Tiger Group Limited to launder proceeds of crime, handling cash deliveries and creating hundreds of false invoices to cover the group's tracks as part of a £53 million money laundering scheme through Post Office branches in Leicester from 2019 to 2021.

Banned from becoming a company director for 12 years. Found guilty after trial.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

David Nichols

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

David Nichols transported criminal cash into Leicester as a delivery man for the gang's £53 million money laundering scheme, which used Post Office branches across the county to enter the funds into the banking system between 2019 and 2021.

Rajul Patel

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Rajul Patel acted as right-hand man to the gang leader in a £53 million money laundering operation through Leicester Post Offices from 2019 to 2021, overseeing cash handling, serving as custodian of bank cards used for deposits, and ensuring operations ran smoothly.

Banned from becoming a company director for 10 years. Found guilty after trial.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Salim Seedat

Conspiracy to commit money laundering

December 22, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 9 months imprisonment

Salim Seedat was involved in depositing bundles of cash into Post Office branches using a series of cards, some with post-it notes showing PIN codes, as part of a sophisticated £53 million money laundering scheme operating through Leicester Post Offices between 2019 and 2021.

Gregory Pichery

Sexual Assault

December 18, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Gregory Pichery, a 57-year-old dance teacher, sexually assaulted three young men on separate occasions. The first assault occurred in 2004 during a warm-up session at a Leicester college, where he groped a 19- or 20-year-old student and later pulled down his underwear and sexually assaulted him painfully. The second assault happened in 2012 during another warm-up, when Pichery pushed his crotch against a student's backside. The third assault took place in 2019 at a massage parlour in Oadby, where Pichery placed his genitals in a client's hand during a massage. The assaults caused severe mental health issues including anxiety, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, and substance abuse for the victims.

Found guilty of four sexual assaults. No previous convictions. In remission from stomach cancer. Pleaded not guilty but convicted. Judge noted exploitation of power imbalances and inappropriate behaviour. Will serve up to half the sentence in prison, on sex offenders register for life, and subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Daniel Cook

Manslaughter

December 12, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years

On May 11, 2025, during a family dinner at his parents' home in Biddle Road, Littlethorpe, near Leicester, Daniel Cook, 39, stabbed his mother Ellen Cook, 72, over 30 times after she refused to let him move back in. He followed her to the kitchen and garage, continuing the attack despite interventions by his father Russell and a neighbour. Cook broke two of her ribs with the force used and expressed intent to kill her, believing she was a witch. Neighbours called police, and officers Tasered him after a struggle. Ellen was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.48pm. Cook had prior mental health issues, including a 2009 knife threat and 2023 hospital admission.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to schizophrenia. Received a hybrid hospital order, remaining in hospital until medically fit for prison. Judge noted his irrational belief that his mother was a witch and had poisoned him.

Sources: lancs.live

Rahul Singh

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

December 11, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

On July 28, 2025, Rahul Singh, a 22-year-old provisional licence holder from Hampden Road in Rushey Mead, drove a red Audi A4 while over the drink-drive limit. He attempted to overtake another vehicle on a bend on Forest Road, Leicester, travelling on the wrong side of the road, and collided with a man in his 20s riding an e-bike. The victim, referred to as Adam, was rushed to hospital with severe life-changing injuries and remains there almost five months later. Singh abandoned the vehicle but later admitted to officers that he was the driver. He was arrested and breathalysed, showing readings above the legal limit.

Pleaded guilty to all offences. Disqualified from driving for 4.5 years and must sit an extended retest. No alternative but to plead guilty due to evidence from CCTV, phone analysis, and forensic investigation.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Calvin Davis

Attempted Murder

December 10, 2025

Sentence: hospital order

Calvin Davis, 34, from Hopefield Road in Leicester, attacked Laura Adams at an address in The Square, Littlethorpe, on Friday, August 2, 2024, by strangling her in an attempted murder.

Found unfit to plead due to mental health issues. Jury found he committed the acts of attempted murder and intentional strangulation. Sentenced by Circuit Judge S Evans.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Joe Worrad

Actual Bodily Harm and Strangulation

December 9, 2025

Sentence: 30 months imprisonment

Joe Worrad repeatedly assaulted his pregnant girlfriend and continued after their daughter was born, including smashing her face against a radiator on November 17, 2024, leaving a black eye; kicking her repeatedly in bed in May 2025 when eight months pregnant; punching her in the car in July 2025 while registering their daughter's birth; strangling her after pouring baby's bottle contents over her head in July 2025; strangling her with both hands in August 2025, lifting her off the floor and causing unconsciousness; grabbing her neck while driving with baby in back seat on St Margaret's Way in August 2025, causing swerve; and punching her in the stomach post-Caesarian. He also headbutted his brother at an engagement party in South Wigston in November 2025.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of actual bodily harm, three counts of strangulation, and one count of common assault. Recorder Claire MacLynn considered him a serious risk to the public. Defence highlighted remorse, devotion to daughter, and traumatic head injury in 2019.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Chloe May

Perverting the course of justice

December 8, 2025

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Chloe May, 24, from Oakham Drive, Coalville, was evicted from Jaylets Motel in Loughborough Road, Hathern, near Loughborough, after causing £450 of damage while staying there due to homelessness. In July 2023, she falsely alleged to Leicestershire Police that she was anally raped by a male guest while the female hotel manager and another man held her down, put a cloth over her mouth, and forced her face into a pillow. The false complaint led to police raids and arrests of the three victims in early September 2023. The alibis were supported by CCTV and other evidence, resulting in no further action. May persisted with the lie during her police interview in November 2023, showing no remorse. She was influenced by an abusive partner and was struggling with drugs and mental health issues at the time.

Pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Judge commented on the seriousness of the false rape allegation and the harm caused to victims. Sentence not suspended despite having an 18-month-old child.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Scott Hastings

Attempting to arrange child sex offence

December 8, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 4 months imprisonment

Scott Hastings, 43, contacted undercover police officers posing as men offering their underage daughters for sexual abuse via the Chatiw app in May 2022. In the first incident, he attempted to arrange sex with a fictitious daughter without discussing age. A week later, he contacted another officer pretending to be a paedophile with a seven-year-old daughter, expressing intent to commit various sexual offences against her and planning to meet the following weekend. He was arrested at his home in Leicestershire before the meeting. Additional indecent images of children were found on his phone. He has since moved to Willington Road in Etwall, Derbyshire.

Pleaded guilty to four offences including breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order, two counts of attempting to arrange child sex offence, and making indecent images. Judge extended the order for life. Prior caution in 2021 for breaching order; previous conviction in 2018 for illegal images.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Telmo Ribeiro

Sexual Assault

December 5, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Telmo Ribeiro, a 38-year-old nurse at Leicester Royal Infirmary, sexually assaulted a female patient on the hospital's neurology ward on two separate occasions in 2020. He abused his position of trust by sexually touching the woman. Ribeiro was arrested in 2020, and examination of his phone revealed images of medical records, leading to additional charges. After a long and complex investigation involving Leicestershire Police and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, he was charged in May 2022. He was suspended by the Trust in 2020 and later dismissed.

Pleaded guilty to three computer misuse offences and one data protection offence. Found guilty by jury on two counts of sexual assault. Made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. No remorse shown.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Luke Walker

Robbery

December 3, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Luke Walker, aged 34, and his cousin Owen Redshaw attempted to rob Select Convenience Store in Croft Road, Cosby, at 9.06am on January 16, 2025, by threatening staff with a knife but were pushed out empty-handed. They then drove six miles to Harrison News off Saffron Lane in Leicester, where at 9.30am they successfully robbed the store by threatening the female shopkeeper with a knife and stealing cigarettes.

Pleaded not guilty initially but changed plea to guilty during trial. Long criminal record including robbery, possessing an offensive weapon, ABH, GBH, shoplifting and drug offences. Drug addiction since age 14; crimes committed to fund drug habit.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Owen Redshaw

Robbery

December 3, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Owen Redshaw, aged 42, and his cousin Luke Walker attempted to rob Select Convenience Store in Croft Road, Cosby, at 9.06am on January 16, 2025, by threatening staff with a knife but were pushed out empty-handed. They then drove six miles to Harrison News off Saffron Lane in Leicester, where at 9.30am they successfully robbed the store by threatening the female shopkeeper with a knife and stealing cigarettes.

Pleaded not guilty initially but changed plea to guilty during trial. 61 previous offences including 34 thefts, GBH and assaulting a police constable. Committed crimes due to drug debt; elderly parents threatened. Expressed remorse for victims' suffering.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Oliver Roberts

Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 56 months imprisonment

Oliver Roberts was part of a drug-dealing gang that operated the 'Croc line' using three mobile phone numbers to send bulk text messages advertising crack cocaine and heroin in the Beaumont Leys area of Leicester. The gang was identified through police observations and investigations earlier in the year.

Admitted one count of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, one count of conspiracy to supply heroin, and one count of possession of criminal property.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Neville Sutton

Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 36 months imprisonment

Neville Sutton was involved in a gang that supplied crack cocaine and heroin across the Midlands using the 'Croc line' with three mobile phone numbers for advertising via bulk texts, operating in the Beaumont Leys area of Leicester.

Admitted one count of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to supply heroin.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Kevin Edens

Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 36 months imprisonment

Kevin Edens was a member of a drug-dealing gang operating the 'Croc line' in the Beaumont Leys area of Leicester, peddling crack cocaine and heroin via bulk text messages from three mobile numbers. He was spotted by police dealing drugs on the street in January.

Admitted one count of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to supply heroin.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Callum Johnson

Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 36 months imprisonment

Callum Johnson was part of a drug gang running the 'Croc line' in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, distributing crack cocaine and heroin through bulk text advertisements from three mobile numbers. He was identified through police investigations into the supply network.

Admitted one count of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, one count of conspiracy to supply heroin, and one count of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Connor Kieley

Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 48 months imprisonment

Connor Kieley was an accomplice in a drug-dealing gang that ran the 'Croc line' for distributing crack cocaine and heroin across the Midlands, specifically in the Beaumont Leys area of Leicester. He was spotted topping up one of the phones used for sending bulk text messages advertising the drugs.

Admitted one count of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to supply heroin.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Joshua Idowu

Aggravated burglary

November 24, 2025

Sentence: 10.5 years imprisonment

On March 2023, at about 3.30am, Joshua Idowu, aged 20 at the time, and three teenage co-accused burst into a home in Harrow Road, Westcotes, Leicester, targeting cash from absent well-paid footballer housemates. The gang ransacked the property, stealing Playstation consoles and designer clothes. The De Montfort University second-year student victim was beaten in his bedroom, kicked, stamped on, leaving a footprint on his forehead and a machete mark on his neck. They boiled a kettle threatening to burn him, interrogated him, then covered him in flour, eggs, milk, and alcohol in the kitchen. The attack was filmed. The victim walked to university to raise alarm as his phone was stolen, along with his laptop containing all university work, leading to dropped grades and ended university career.

Convicted by jury of aggravated burglary. No previous convictions. Suffered from sickle cell disease. Family fled Nigeria due to Boko Haram. Judge criticized denial and obsession with money. Co-accused Ashirie Smith further jailed for life for murder in custody.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Shaun Thornton

Causing grievous bodily harm

November 24, 2025

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment

Shaun Thornton, 54, of Highfield Drive, Wigston, was visiting his self-storage unit in Leicester in July 2024 when he took out a .22 calibre gas-powered air rifle with a telescopic sight. He called to a nine-year-old girl, the daughter of a friend who was with him, and when she turned to face him, the rifle discharged. The pellet went through her skull and halfway into her brain, causing a life-threatening injury. The girl collapsed with blood coming from her head and was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham for a five-hour surgery to remove the pellet and bone fragments. She has suffered ongoing trauma including mood swings, PTSD, temporary blindness, pain, low self-esteem from scars, absence episodes, and a change from her bubbly personality.

Pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. Judge noted it was a case of really foolish recklessness but only an immediate prison term was appropriate. Defence mentioned his son's death from cancer and belief that the rifle was not loaded.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Simone Mills

Robbery

November 24, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment

On September 10, 2025, Simone Mills entered Addictive, a women's fashion store in Gallowtree Gate, Leicester city centre, grabbed about £100 worth of clothes, and attempted to leave. When approached by a 20-year-old shop assistant, she threatened to punch and stab her, showing something metal in her hand, constituting robbery. The victim, a university student, quit her job the next day due to fear. Additionally, on July 29, 2025, Mills used a stolen bank card to spend £71 on cigarettes, sweets, and drinks from a car in the city centre (fraud), and on September 27, 2025, stole a parcel worth £84 containing clothes from a student block's secure entrance hall (theft).

Pleaded guilty to robbery, fraud, and theft. Has a huge record of previous offending, including two prior jail terms this year. Judge expressed sympathy, noting her vulnerable background and that she is more a victim than perpetrator, but highlighted the issue of armed shoplifters in the city centre.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

The Man

Sexual assault of a child

November 23, 2025

Sentence: 2 years youth custody suspended for 2 years, 240 hours unpaid work, 3-month curfew 8pm-6am, 35 days probation programmes, Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years

The defendant, aged about 14 at the start, committed sexual offences against his foster sister, aged 11-13, in a Leicestershire village over several years. Offences began with a Truth or Dare game leading to kissing and nudity, escalating to sexual assault, oral rape, assault by penetration, and sexual activity with a child. The victim suffered severe trauma including night terrors, self-harm, and 12 suicide attempts. Parents learned of the abuse when the victim was 13 but did not report it; it came to light in 2024 when she told school staff. The defendant admitted everything in his police interview and had boasted to a friend.

Pleaded guilty to all charges. Judge noted both defendant and victim were young at the time, immaturity and lack of recognition of harm. Glowing references from parents and girlfriend. Full of remorse.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Sam Cox

Possession with intent to supply cocaine

November 21, 2025

Sentence: 31 months imprisonment

Sam Cox, 27, of Prestop Drive, Ashby, was living with his grandmother when Leicestershire Police raided the property, uncovering about 6g of cocaine (cut into 0.4g deals worth over £500 street value), about 1g of cannabis, small resealable bags, scales, a phone with details of deals to 27 people over two years, a knuckle-duster, and £4,599 plus 100 euros in cash. Cox confessed to drug dealing upon arrest. He claimed £3,000 of the cash was National Lottery winnings gifted by a relative, but the relative confirmed only £1,000 was gifted. Cox had been using both cannabis and cocaine and was dealing to pay off drug debts.

Admitted possessing a class B drug cannabis, possession with intent to supply of a class A drug cocaine, and possessing a knuckle-duster. Defending counsel noted he was a vulnerable individual with mental health issues, coerced into dealing due to cannabis addiction debt. Judge seized all cash found.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Tony Smith

Conspiracy to burgle

November 21, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 6 months imprisonment

Tony Smith, 26, formerly of Green Acre, Needingworth Road, Cambridgeshire, was involved in a crime spree of 16 burglaries between May and July 2025, using stolen vehicles to ram-raid small supermarkets and steal ATMs across five counties including Leicestershire, Dorset, and others. Specific incidents include ramming the Knighton Co-Op on London Road, Leicester, on May 29, 2025, at 3.30am with a Mitsubishi Shogun, stealing the cash machine later found abandoned; and on July 9, 2025, at 4.07am, ramming the Co-Op in Cambridge Road, Whetstone, with a blue Toyota Hilux, colliding with a police car during escape. He was evidentially linked to similar offences in Christchurch, Ludlow, Shillingstone, Uttoxeter, Southampton, Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury, Shardlow, Craven Arms, Gillingham, Ilkeston, and thefts of vehicles and lifting equipment.

Pleaded guilty to conspiring to burgle businesses. Part of a criminal operation involving stolen vehicles and ram-raids across multiple counties. Financial cost to businesses in hundreds of thousands of pounds, plus loss of trade due to repairs.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

David Azumara

Transferring criminal property

November 21, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work

David Azumara, a 21-year-old Leicester university student studying business and marketing, allowed £15,033 to pass through his bank accounts in 2022 as part of a high-value texting scam. Fraudsters sent fake texts to victims pretending to be family members in need, such as children claiming their phone was broken and requesting money transfers. One female victim sent £4,611 in one day, and a married couple paid over £3,680. The money typically ended up as cryptocurrency. Azumara was asked by others to use his accounts, expecting assistance for his university course but received nothing and lost money on transfers. He had no knowledge of the original fraud.

Pleaded guilty to a transferring criminal property charge against the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Did not benefit from the scam and lost money; described as a victim to an extent. Judge noted that if jailed, the sentence would be very short indeed.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Cory Heritage

Causing death by careless driving

November 19, 2025

Sentence: 27 months imprisonment

On January 22, 2024, shortly before midnight, Cory Heritage, who had been drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis, was driving a Ford EcoSport on Barlestone Road in Bagworth, near Coalville, with his uncle Jason Farmer in the passenger seat. Heritage drove too quickly around a bend, lost control, causing the vehicle to flip and crash into a tree, resulting in Jason Farmer's death. Upon arrival of Leicestershire Police, Heritage lied, claiming Farmer was driving, and later attempted to destroy evidence by hiding and washing his clothes. Forensic examination of the airbags confirmed Heritage was the driver. No charges for drink or drug driving were brought due to errors in blood sample paperwork.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. Prior convictions include three for driving while disqualified, one for drink-driving, and one for failing to provide a specimen. Will serve half the sentence in custody and be disqualified from driving for 4 years, requiring an extended retest thereafter.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Jamie George

Rape

November 19, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 4 months imprisonment

Jamie George, then 16, met the victim at a Halloween party in Nottingham in 2023. They exchanged messages on Snapchat, leading to him visiting her home in Leicester in January 2024. Despite her clear refusal of sex, he used emotional blackmail, mentioning his struggles and self-harm, and spotted her self-harm scars to manipulate her. After initially leaving, he returned claiming his train was cancelled due to weather. In her bedroom, he pestered her, strangled her with one then two hands when she resisted, engaged in 'play fighting' to overpower her, sexually assaulted her, and raped her while lying on top of her. He was six foot tall and heavy, preventing her escape. The attack occurred in her bedroom where she should have felt safe, causing her to self-harm, be unable to sleep in her bed for six months, and suffer ongoing mental health impacts affecting her college work and self-view.

Found guilty at trial. Pleaded not guilty. Will serve sentence in a young offenders institution. Indefinite restraining order banning contact with victim. Must sign onto sex offenders register for life. Defence requested significant discount due to age (16 at time of offence). Judge noted manipulation, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and significant psychological harm to victim.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Liam Rennie

Causing serious injury by driving while disqualified

November 14, 2025

Sentence: 36 months imprisonment

On May 4, 2025, in the early hours, Liam Rennie, 35, of Victoria Road, Whetstone, lost control of an Audi RS3 while driving erratically on Station Road, Stoney Stanton, near Hinckley, after leaving a nightclub. Despite being banned from driving and uninsured, he was chauffeuring a friend on a first date with the victim, a mother of three. Rennie had consumed lager, tequila shots, and cocaine, testing over twice the alcohol limit and positive for cocaine. The car smashed into a VW T-Roc, ramming it into a Ford Transit van and demolishing a garden wall. The Audi's engine burst into flames. The victim suffered severe injuries including shattered breastbone, three broken spine bones, internal organ damage, a litre of blood in her chest cavity, and her liver shunted into her chest; she was airlifted to hospital, spent three weeks there, took six months off work, quit her job, and now lives in fear of her torn aorta rupturing.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury while driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. Previous convictions for drink-driving in 2021 (14-month disqualification) and careless driving, failing to report an accident, and no insurance last year (6-month ban). Disqualified from driving for 40 months and required to undergo extended retest.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Craig Thompson

Controlling or coercive behaviour and stalking involving fear of violence

November 14, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Craig Thompson, a married man in his mid-40s from Norman Street, off Narborough Road in Leicester, began an affair with an 18-year-old woman in April 2024. During the relationship, which lasted until October 2024, he exerted complete control over her through coercive and abusive behaviour, including sending up to 45 abusive messages daily accusing her of cheating, leaving insulting voice messages, threatening self-harm, and threatening to harm her pet dog to ensure compliance. This made her feel worthless and depressed, severely impacting her mental health. The victim reported a minor assault to Leicestershire Police in September 2024 but initially declined prosecution upon discovering she was pregnant with his child. After she ended the relationship in October 2024, Thompson stalked her with threatening messages involving fear of violence. She reported him again, leading to charges. Thompson denied the offences, but was found guilty at a two-day trial in his absence after failing to appear on the second day. The victim gave birth to their child in May 2025 and expressed ongoing fear of Thompson finding her and harming her or the child.

Found guilty in absence after failing to attend second day of trial. Pleaded not guilty initially. Barrister requested delay for appeal consideration, but Thompson decided against appealing. Indefinite restraining order imposed banning contact with victim. Judge noted lack of remorse and insight, described behaviour as disgraceful and appalling. Mitigating factors included childhood trauma from father's death at age 8 and personality disorders exacerbated by substance misuse.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Ian Mitchell

Supply of class A drugs

November 14, 2025

Sentence: 18-month sentence, suspended for two years with a two-year drug rehabilitation requirement

On September 19, 2024, in Rectory Place, Loughborough, police observed groups of young men waiting for Ian Mitchell to deliver cocaine and heroin. He approached them, completed the drug exchange, and was subsequently stopped by officers who seized £60 in cash and his mobile phone, linking him to a big, sophisticated drug operation. Mitchell, aged 39, from Gladstone Street, Loughborough, had relapsed into heroin addiction three years prior following his mother's death, leading to job loss and involvement in the drug supply chain to fund his habit.

Pleaded guilty to two charges of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. No previous convictions for supply. Relapse due to mother's death. Judge warned it was a final chance.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Balvinder Singh-Gill

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 12, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 6 months imprisonment

Balvinder Singh-Gill, 43, formerly of Deancourt Road, Leicester, was part of a cocaine ring led by Kuldip Singh-Hayre and Navjot Singh Sandhu, distributing multiple kilos of cocaine with a street value of more than £1 million between January and June 2020 across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The gang used the EncroChat encrypted service for communications, which was dismantled in 2020 by international agencies. He was tried and found guilty last month.

Paul Lipscombe

Child rape

November 11, 2025

Sentence: 28 years and one month imprisonment

Paul Lipscombe, a 51-year-old former NHS executive from Rothley, groomed and abused six girls aged 12 to 15 via Snapchat, using aliases 'Dom Woodmore' and 'George'. He raped a 12-year-old girl and committed sexual assaults and other offences against victims aged 14 and 15. He distributed category A child abuse images, including those of his victims, to up to 14 other paedophiles and operated a commercial website producing AI child abuse images for profit, earning over £3,700. Police found over 17,000 child abuse images on his devices after his arrest in April 2024. One incident involved a 15-year-old girl from Lincolnshire who ran away to meet him; he took her to a hotel in Birstall near Leicester for sex while claiming a business trip. Abuses included forcing sex acts causing pain, use of sex toys and bondage, striking a victim, and attempts to make children drink alcohol. Even in prison, he wrote a fictional story about child rape.

Pleaded guilty to 34 charges including 21 counts of sexual activity with a child, seven indecent child image charges, three sexual assaults on girls under 13, two rapes of girls under 13, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. No previous convictions. Suffered with ADHD and autism. Described by Judge Keith Raynor as 'devious, scheming and manipulative' and 'highly dangerous'. Must serve at least 18 years and two months before possible release. Subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinite restraining order banning contact with victims.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Julia Wandelt

Harassment

November 7, 2025

Sentence: Convicted of harassment; restraining order imposed

Julia Wandelt, 24, from Lubin in south-west Poland, falsely claimed to be Madeleine McCann, who vanished aged three in Portugal in 2007. She harassed Kate and Gerry McCann by sending emails, voicemails, bombarding their friends with disturbing messages, and turning up at their home in Rothley, Leicestershire. She possessed unpublished photographs of the McCann and Payne families. During the incident at the home, she approached Kate McCann emotionally but was refused and threatened to involve police. DNA evidence confirmed she is not Madeleine. She continued to insist she was Madeleine even in court.

Found guilty of a summary offence of harassment but not guilty of stalking. Judge Mrs Justice Cutts described her pestering and badgering of the McCanns as unwarranted and unkind. Posed a significant risk of future harassment. No jail time mentioned, maximum possible six months.

Sources: dailypost.co.uk

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