Leicester Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 163 verdicts at Leicester Crown Court (Leicester). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Karen Spragg

Involvement in harassment case

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 5-year restraining order

Karen Spragg, co-defendant of Julia Wandelt, was involved in the situation surrounding Wandelt's false claim to be Madeleine McCann. Although found not guilty of stalking and harassment, she was deemed to have enjoyed the drama and was therefore subjected to restrictions to protect the McCann family.

Found not guilty of stalking and harassment but made subject to a restraining order. Judge Mrs Justice Cutts stated she became involved and enjoyed the drama, seeing Wandelt as the victim rather than the McCanns.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Gurwinder Singh

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 6 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 12 years

Gurwinder Singh drove his car into a crowd of people in De Montfort Street, Leicester city centre, in the early hours of Saturday, May 31, 2025, during a private event, injuring six victims (four men and one woman with serious injuries requiring hospital treatment, plus one from a preceding fight). The car fled the scene but was found hours later in Margaret Street with number plates removed to evade capture. Singh handed himself in at Keyham Lane police station on the evening of May 31, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. DC Jamie Anderson noted the profound impact on victims from impulsive behaviour.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Harry Lunn

Conspiracy to commit fraud

November 3, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment

Harry Lunn, 31, of New Romney Crescent, Leicester, was involved in a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting a couple in Kent. In December 2021, the couple received a spoofed call from someone pretending to be from their bank, displaying the bank's name on their phone. The caller obtained a one-time passcode and access to their joint bank account by instructing them to review transactions and delete their banking app. The fraudsters then used the victims' identification documents to purchase a Range Rover costing over £37,000 from a car dealer in Birmingham. Lunn was identified as being involved in the transactions for both the Range Rover and a subsequent attempted purchase of a Mercedes for £10,289 the next day. The dealer became suspicious of the second transaction, preventing the sale, and reported the fraud after discovering the Range Rover payment was fraudulent.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud. The judge described the fraud as very sophisticated.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Nathan Kennedy

Conspiracy to commit fraud

November 3, 2025

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Nathan Kennedy, 29, of Mellerstain Walk, Leicester, was involved in a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting a couple in Kent. In December 2021, the couple received a spoofed call from someone pretending to be from their bank, displaying the bank's name on their phone. The caller obtained a one-time passcode and access to their joint bank account by instructing them to review transactions and delete their banking app. The fraudsters then used the victims' identification documents to purchase a Range Rover costing over £37,000 from a car dealer in Birmingham. Kennedy was identified as the suspect who attempted to purchase a Mercedes for £10,289 the following day using the same fraudulent method. The dealer became suspicious and challenged the purchaser, who claimed it was a family purchase, but the transaction was halted, preventing the sale.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud. The judge described the fraud as very sophisticated.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Liam Keran

Causing Actual Bodily Harm

October 31, 2025

Sentence: 27 months imprisonment

On May 9, 2024, at approximately 9pm, Liam Keran, along with Kira Newton and Joanna James, forced their way into a vulnerable woman's flat in Kibworth Harcourt, near Market Harborough. The attack was pre-planned as revenge because the victim had refused to give Newton £10. Keran grabbed the woman around the neck and throttled her until she became dizzy and fell to the ground. While she lay on the floor in the corridor outside her home, Keran stamped on her face and then grabbed her head. The assault ended when Leicestershire Police arrived. The victim, who has a serious medical condition, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary suffering from blurred vision, headaches, bruises, and cuts to her face, neck, and arm.

Found guilty after trial. Sentenced immediately following the hearing. Had a troubled childhood, witnessed violence at home, started drugs at age 15. Described as not simply a thug and an addict.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Adam Shellard

Rape

October 31, 2025

Sentence: 17 years and 7 months imprisonment with 4-year extended licence

Adam Shellard raped two vulnerable women multiple times in their homes in Leicestershire between 2015 and 2021. Against the first victim, he committed three rapes, two other sexual offences, used controlling or coercive behaviour including violence and strangulation, and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour by threatening to kick her four-year-old daughter down the stairs using a racist term. Against the second victim, he committed three rapes, including while she was sleeping. The attacks caused severe physical, emotional, and psychological harm, leading victims to feel shattered, unsafe, and suicidal.

Found guilty by jury of three rapes and two other sexual offences against first victim, controlling or coercive behaviour including violence and strangulation, racially-aggravated threatening behaviour against victim's four-year-old daughter; three further counts of rape against second victim including while sleeping. Described as having high risk of harm to women and children; sentenced without legal representation.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Aliyah Amin

Possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply

October 27, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Aliyah Amin, 23, of Lakeview Chase, was involved in drug dealing with Joshua Hawkins. Officers found a backpack containing crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin, believed to have a total value of £250,000, in an Audi A4 registered to her. The drugs were discovered following a police chase on June 23, 2025, in Leicester city centre.

Pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Joshua Hawkins

Possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and dangerous driving

October 27, 2025

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment

Joshua Hawkins, 35, of Lakeview Chase, drove a bronze Mazda 3 in De Montfort Street, Leicester, on June 23, 2025, despite being disqualified from driving. He refused to stop for police, sped through city streets including the wrong way up a one-way street, and abandoned the car in Mercury Close. He was later chased on foot from his home in Hamilton and arrested. A search revealed £250,000 worth of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin in his partner Aliyah Amin's car.

Pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of heroin with intent to supply, and dangerous driving.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Kamalpreet Singh

Burglary

October 23, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Kamalpreet Singh, 30, of no fixed address, targeted properties in the Evington area of Leicester throughout April and May 2025. He knocked on doors claiming his pregnant partner needed help to gain entry, then stole phones, purses, cash, and used a stolen bank card for £145.65 in purchases. Incidents included stealing a purse on Norwood Road on April 24, a mobile phone on Ethel Road on May 7 (leaving it at another address where he stole another phone and cash), and an earlier burglary at Higgs Close on April 10. He was arrested on May 9 after a resident noted his car registration, found in possession of crack cocaine. CCTV and doorbell footage linked him to all offences.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, three counts of fraud by false representation and one count of possession of a class A drug. Targeted elderly and vulnerable victims in their homes using a false story about his pregnant partner needing help.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Charles Isabirye

Rape

October 22, 2025

Sentence: 17 years imprisonment

Charles Isabirye, 48, of Ratcliffe Road, Loughborough, lured four victims from Uganda to Leicestershire under false promises of jobs and accommodation. He raped them between 2022 and later. While on bail, he posted the victims' names on social media, claimed they were colluding with investigating officer DC Sarah Le Boutillier to frame him, and threatened their families to drop the accusations, breaching bail conditions and constituting witness intimidation.

Pleaded not guilty. Found guilty by jury of four counts of rape, three counts of witness intimidation, and breaching a restraining order. Judge Steven Evans noted the defendant presents a serious risk to women and praised DC Sarah Le Boutillier for her professionalism. Subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with victims and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order post-release.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Barrymore James

Indecent assault

October 20, 2025

Sentence: 24 years imprisonment

Barrymore James began sexually abusing a five-year-old girl in the 1990s, continuing two or three times a week for almost a decade. He forced her to smoke crack cocaine and heroin before some instances of abuse and made her view pornographic material on several occasions. The victim reported the abuse to Leicestershire Police in 2021. James, who denied the allegations, was tried and convicted at Leicester Crown Court.

Found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years, and two counts of indecency with a child. The victim showed strength in testifying. DC Katie Harris noted the lasting impact on the victim and hoped for closure.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Kacper Ogrodnik

Possession of class A drugs with intent to supply

October 14, 2025

Sentence: 6.5 years imprisonment

On June 25, 2025, Kacper Ogrodnik, 24, of Harvest Close, Beaumont Leys, was driving a red Vauxhall Corsa in the New Parks area of Leicester. Officers from the Roads Policing Unit followed and stopped the vehicle on Dannett Street. Upon exiting, he was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. He became obstructive, swallowing a SIM card he held in his mouth. A custody search revealed 33 wraps of crack cocaine and seven wraps of diamorphine concealed on his body, valued at £400. While in custody, he assaulted two police officers by punching one and kicking another. He also possessed counterfeit money.

Pleaded guilty on the second day of trial. DC Zaeema Osman highlighted zero-tolerance approach to drug supply and assaults on police.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Unnamed Boy

Manslaughter

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 21 months youth detention

On April 9, 2025, the 17-year-old boy stabbed Louis Howard, 35, in the chest with a Zombie knife during an argument at his home in Braunstone Frith, Leicester. Howard had arrived drunk and high on cocaine, demanding to borrow the boy's mother's phone, leading to a struggle. The boy entered the room and thrust the knife with such force that it punctured Howard's heart and broke a rib, causing internal bleeding and death. The boy's younger siblings witnessed the incident.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of loss of control during murder trial. Prior threats against another woman reported.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Unnamed Mother

Assisting an Offender

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment

The mother, in her early 30s, lied to police after the April 9, 2025, stabbing of Louis Howard at her home in Braunstone Frith, Leicester, claiming Howard arrived with the knife already in his chest. She had argued with Howard over lending her phone before her son stabbed him.

Pleaded guilty to assisting an offender by lying to police about the stabbing.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Unnamed Neighbour

Assisting an Offender

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment

The neighbour, in her early 30s, provided the boy with a change of clothes after the April 9, 2025, stabbing of Louis Howard, hid his blood-stained tracksuit bottoms and trainers, and lied to police about not seeing the boy and claiming her CCTV recorded nothing, despite it capturing key audio evidence.

Pleaded guilty to assisting an offender by lying to police and hiding evidence.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

John Raisen

Indecent assault and indecency with a child

October 2, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

John Raisen, aged 76 from North Parade in Sleaford, groomed and abused a 13-year-old girl in Melton Mowbray starting in 1979. He took an interest in her relationships with boys, progressing to inappropriate touching over 15 to 18 months and encouraging sexual activity. The victim reported the abuse to police in 2021, realising it had stolen part of her childhood. Raisen was interviewed but declined to answer questions. Following a trial, he was convicted on September 19, 2025.

Found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault and 4 counts of indecency with a child. Placed on the sex offender register indefinitely and subject to a lifetime restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Sources: lincolnshirelive.co.uk

Donatas Venclovas

Sexual assault

October 1, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 2 months imprisonment

On Saturday, January 8, 2011, Donatas Venclovas, then 34, assaulted three women in Leicester within about an hour. The first attack at 7.40am in Rutland Street involved grabbing a 25-year-old victim's neck and putting his hand between her legs. He then assaulted a 74-year-old woman at St Nicholas Circle by putting his hand up her skirt and exposing himself. Finally, at 8.50am in Rally Park off Tudor Road, he attempted to rape a 57-year-old woman, pushing her to the ground; she fought back by biting him and screaming until help arrived. He was caught in London in early 2025 after another arrest provided matching DNA.

Admitted one count of attempted rape and three counts of sexual assault. Evaded justice for 14 years until DNA breakthrough in 2025.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Mahbubur Rahman

Rape

October 1, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

On October 7, 2006, Mahbubur Rahman, then 31, a taxi driver, picked up a 19-year-old Loughborough University student in Leicester shortly after 2.15am. He stopped at a cash machine in Greenclose Lane, then drove to George Deacon Court car park in Chestnut Street, where he raped her in the back of his car. DNA was recovered but unmatched until 2022, when a mouth swab during a burglary arrest matched the profile. Now 50, of Jane Street, Chadderton, Greater Manchester.

Found guilty following trial; DNA match identified him in 2022 after initial evidence in 2006 did not match database.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Patrick Sweeney

Drug supply

October 1, 2025

Sentence: 20 years and 6 months imprisonment

Patrick Sweeney, of Hinckley Road, Sapcote, near Hinckley, was involved in the supply of more than 10kg of cocaine, as well as cannabis, amphetamine, ketamine, and diazepam. The conviction resulted from five years of investigative work sparked by the 2020 dismantling of the encrypted Encrochat platform, where criminals planned illegal activities. Data from French authorities was shared with the UK's National Crime Agency and then Leicestershire Police, leading to analysis of messages and images by Sergeant Waheed Nagdi's team.

Convicted following analysis of Encrochat data from 2020 international operation. Involved in supply of multiple drugs including over 10kg of cocaine.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Jayesh Khunti

Rape

September 26, 2025

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment

Jayesh Khunti committed rapes and indecent assaults against five vulnerable children aged as young as six between 1984 and 1989. The crimes occurred at homes around Leicestershire, in a shop storeroom, and at the Victoria Centre in Nottingham, where he forced a boy to perform a sex act. Victims reported long-term effects including personality disorders, addiction, and damaged relationships.

Pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury. Judge noted the victims' lifelong suffering and Khunti's responsibility. Defence highlighted his integration into UK society, lack of other convictions, and charitable work.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Carlene Francis

Possessing a blade in public

September 19, 2025

Sentence: 35 weeks imprisonment

Carlene Francis was walking along Regent Street in Hinckley when men outside The New Baron of Hinckley pub spoke to her. She ran across the road, pulled a knife from her bra, and threatened the men with it on the afternoon of May 20. CCTV footage showed her waving the blade and attempting to approach them further, though she was pulled away by a friend. This incident was influenced by her history as a victim of attacks, including domestic abuse and sexual assaults, as well as her struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues.

Pleaded guilty to possessing a blade in public. Has a previous conviction for an offensive weapon. Already serving a nine-month sentence for other offences. Judge noted her vulnerability due to past experiences and hoped she would attend rehabilitation.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

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