Leicester Crown Court Sentencing Results

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

Dale Parker

Possessing an offensive weapon

September 19, 2025

Sentence: 62 weeks imprisonment

Dale Parker, a 40-year-old homeless man, entered the Tarboush Cafe in Market Street, Loughborough, on June 2, 2025, while visibly drunk and armed with a hammer and a plank of wood, claiming he needed them for protection as he believed he was being chased. On the same week, he stole a crate of cider worth £40 from Morrisons on Maxwell Drive and threw cans at staff during a confrontation. On June 15, 2025, he was seen swinging a metal baseball bat at another man on Jubilee Way, Loughborough, leading to his arrest. He also damaged police property by spitting, urinating, and smearing excrement in a police van and cell.

Admitted to two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, using threatening behaviour towards staff, two counts of criminal damage to police property, and one count of shoplifting. He was in breach of a prior suspended sentence and has a history of similar offences, linked to alcoholism, ADHD, and paranoia.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Neil Whittaker

Rape

September 5, 2025

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment

Neil Whittaker subjected his victim to a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour, including threats of violence, stalking and harassment. He raped her on two occasions, slapped her across the face causing actual bodily harm, and kidnapped her by forcing her to drive with him for miles to confront a man he was jealous of. These crimes occurred in Leicestershire, and while awaiting trial, he tried to pervert the course of justice by contacting the victim through a family member.

Found guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour, kidnap and two counts of rape; pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice; arrested by armed police due to his dangerous nature; attempted to persuade victim not to attend trial.

Sources: nottinghampost.com

Jonathan Knight

Causing death by driving without due care or consideration while under the influence of drugs

August 28, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment and banned from driving for 13 years and 8 months

Jonathan Knight drove his Audi S3 into cyclist Anthony Smith on July 7, 2023, on Ling Road, Loughborough, while under the influence of drugs, without a license, and uninsured. The collision caused severe head injuries to Mr. Smith, who died at the scene. Knight fled, drove with his head out of the window due to a smashed windscreen, abandoned the vehicle, and set it on fire to destroy evidence. Police found glass fragments on his clothing and used mobile phone data to place him at the scene.

Pleaded no comment in interview. Convicted of causing death by driving without due care or consideration while under the influence of drugs, driving while unlicensed, driving while uninsured, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, and perverting the course of justice. Detective Constable Paul Hicks commented on the detailed investigation and forensic evidence.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Paul Fisher

Making a bomb hoax

August 11, 2025

Sentence: five years and two months imprisonment

Paul Fisher made multiple threatening calls between April 13 and May 5, 2025, claiming bombs had been planted at various locations, including pubs in Boston and Lincoln, Heathrow Airport, St Pancras railway station, Scotland Yard, Birmingham Airport, a hotel in London, and others. These actions led to significant police resources being deployed and public disruption.

Pleaded guilty to eight counts of making a bomb hoax and three counts of wasting police time. Also admitted to threatening to destroy or damage property. Detective Constable Kevin Sharkey commented that such hoaxes disrupt emergency services and infrastructure, hoping the sentence serves as a deterrent.

Sources: lincsonline.co.uk

Lisa Mcardle

Conspiracy to sell goods bearing unauthorised trademarks

July 21, 2025

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Lisa McArdle assisted in selling counterfeit goods, including fake Adidas, Nike, Paco Rabanne, Tiffany, Apple, and Yves Saint Laurent products, through Facebook Marketplace. The operation received complaints about poor quality and refused refunds between July 2020 and October 2021. Trading Standards seized 3,558 items during searches, with the business estimated to have a turnover of at least £480,000.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell goods bearing unauthorised trademarks. This was her first court appearance, and she had a limited role in the operation, including monitoring the Facebook page, packing orders, and sending them.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Helen Brindley-Walker

Conspiracy to sell goods bearing unauthorised trademarks

July 21, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment

Helen Brindley-Walker ran an operation selling counterfeit goods, including fake Adidas, Nike, Paco Rabanne, Tiffany, Apple, and Yves Saint Laurent products, through Facebook Marketplace. Complaints about poor quality and refused refunds were made to Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards team between July 2020 and October 2021. Trading Standards conducted test purchases and seized 3,558 items from her home and storage units. The business had an estimated turnover of at least £480,000.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell goods bearing unauthorised trademarks. Ignored warnings from Trading Standards and claimed to feel threatened by her supplier.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Jean Paul Ekombolo

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Jean Paul Ekombolo, aged 28, operated a major drugs line between Leicestershire and London. He was involved in conspiracy to supply cocaine between April 8, 2022, and October 5, 2022. Police executed a warrant at a property in Leicester's Millstone Lane, seizing Class A crack cocaine worth £10,700 and £1,000 in cash. The operation involved intelligence gathering by Leicestershire Police and the Metropolitan Police, resulting in his arrest and guilty plea after court hearings.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Time served on remand was taken into account.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Christian Mudianga

Conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 3 months imprisonment

Christian Mudianga, aged 35, operated a major drugs line linking Leicestershire and London. He was involved in conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin between January 11, 2022, and October 5, 2022. Police arrested him at a property in Heathcott Road, Leicester, as part of warrants that seized Class A crack cocaine worth £10,700 and £1,000 in cash. The case stemmed from joint efforts by Leicestershire Police and the Metropolitan Police, leading to his guilty plea after a Newton hearing.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Time served on remand was taken into account.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Miguel Figueiredo-Mendes

Conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 6 years and 3 months imprisonment

Miguel Figueiredo-Mendes, aged 28, operated a major drugs line linking Leicestershire and London, primarily in the Coalville area. He was involved in conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin between September 16, 2022, and October 5, 2022. Police executed a warrant at a property in Leicester's Millstone Lane, seizing Class A crack cocaine worth £10,700 and £1,000 in cash. The case involved collaboration between Leicestershire Police and the Metropolitan Police, leading to his arrest and guilty plea after a Newton hearing.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Time served on remand was taken into account.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Baram Tofiq

Illegal sales of tobacco products

July 11, 2025

Sentence: Eight months imprisonment and a £20,000 fine

Baram Tofiq, owner of Booze Zone in Loughborough, sold counterfeit and non-compliant tobacco products on multiple occasions, including in October 2021 and December 2022. Officers discovered illicit items during searches, and Tofiq tried to discard evidence by throwing products over a fence into a neighbouring garden. The offences involved selling genuine cigarettes not intended for the UK market and fake copies of brands like Richmond and Lambert & Butler.

Pleaded guilty to 18 offences relating to illegal sales of tobacco products. He had been warned previously and attempted to dispose of evidence.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Claudiu Cristea

Collection of Information Useful to Terrorism

July 6, 2025

Sentence: 5 years and 6 months imprisonment

Claudiu Cristea possessed a terrorist document, 'The Anarchist’s Cookbook', which provided instructions on making explosives. He was involved in an online far-right group suspected of planning attacks and claimed his interest was academic, but investigations proved otherwise. He was arrested at his home in February 2024.

Found guilty by a jury after a trial. Made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting 10 years.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Tyler Webb

Encouraging serious self-harm and suicide

July 4, 2025

Sentence: 9 years and 4 months detention order

Tyler Webb met a woman online on a suicide support forum and repeatedly urged her to take her own life and self-harm for his enjoyment. He instructed her on how to do so, threatened to abandon her if she resisted, and expressed disappointment when her attempts failed. She made two suicide attempts, suffered serious physical harm including permanent scars, and required hospitalisation. Webb was arrested in July of the previous year and remanded in custody before being transferred to a psychiatric hospital in November.

Pleaded guilty to encouraging the woman to kill herself and to self-harm. Motivated by sexual deviance. Has severe autism and was given a hybrid order, meaning he will stay in a psychiatric unit but may be transferred to prison if deemed well enough.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Albert Dawidziuk

Rape

July 2, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Albert Dawidziuk physically, mentally, and sexually abused his victim over several years. He gained access to her email and social media accounts, regularly questioned her about her contacts with work colleagues, and demanded photos to prove her whereabouts and companions. The victim reported the abuse, leading to his arrest upon his return to the UK.

Found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault, and one count of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour. Also made subject of an indefinite restraining order.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Colin Robson-Durrance

Attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child

July 1, 2025

Sentence: Two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order

Colin Robson-Durrance communicated with a decoy account on Snapchat that posed as a 13-year-old boy, encouraging the 'boy' to perform sexual acts on himself, sending explicit videos, and asking if the boy would meet up. He became suspicious and stopped the contact. He was arrested in January 2025 and pleaded guilty in July 2025.

Pleaded guilty to the offences; no previous convictions; considered a vulnerable person; sentence was deemed unduly lenient by the Court of Appeal but not increased due to unusual circumstances.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Richard Bates

Failure to comply with environmental orders

July 1, 2025

Sentence: £500 fine, £500 costs, and £200 victim surcharge

Richard Bates, a council tenant on New Street in Melton, allowed his garden to become overgrown with rubbish and vegetation, leading to a rats' nest. Despite repeated warnings and a fixed penalty notice from Melton Borough Council starting in September 2024, he failed to act, prompting the council to clear the garden themselves at a cost exceeding £1,150.

Failed to attend court; ignored multiple notices from Melton Borough Council to clear rubbish and overgrown vegetation.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Claudiu Stefan Cristea

Possessing a terrorist document

June 25, 2025

Sentence: 5.5 years imprisonment

Claudiu Stefan Cristea was found in possession of 'The Anarchist’s Cookbook', a document providing instructions on manufacturing explosives, weapons, and drugs. He was part of the online far-right group 'Einsatz14', suspected of planning a terrorist attack in Leeds. He was arrested at his home in Queens Road, Knighton, Leicester, in February 2024, following an intelligence-led investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

Claimed his interest in far-right ideology was for academic purposes, but was involved in an online chat group sharing racist and anti-Semitic views and suspected of planning a terrorist attack.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Kevin Joseph

Dangerous Driving

June 24, 2025

Sentence: 12-month suspended sentence for 18 months, 20 days on programmes, 12 sessions on a mental health treatment course, £150 court costs, and a 2-year driving ban

Kevin Joseph stole a delivery van that was parked in Netherhall, Leicester, with keys in the ignition, and led police on a 20-minute chase through countryside and areas including Northfields and Belgrave. He drove dangerously, jumping red lights, overtaking aggressively, mounting the kerb, and crashing into an ambulance in Highfields. The incident occurred in December of the previous year, and he claimed he stole the van to raise £800 for his mother to move house.

Pleaded guilty to stealing a vehicle, dangerous driving, driving without a full licence, and driving without insurance. Judge noted it was a prolonged course of dangerous driving but cited potential for rehabilitation.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Rohith-Reddy Kananala

Possession of Criminal Property

June 20, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Rohith-Reddy Kananala pretended to be a fraud investigator and contacted eight victims aged between 79 and 88 years old over a few days in March, tricking them into withdrawing and sending him approximately £30,000 through the post to help fund fraud enquiries related to their accounts. The money was delivered to his home address on Kimberley Road, where he signed for the packages under the name 'William' and filmed himself counting it. He was identified and arrested by detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.

Pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property and attempted possession of criminal property. Police found around £3,000 at his address and will seek to recover the rest through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Randy Ayor

Rape

June 19, 2025

Sentence: 25 years imprisonment

Randy Ayor, 22, raped and assaulted two women after being acquitted of a similar charge. He tricked the first victim into going to his flat, where he raped her multiple times and strangled her. For the second victim, while on bail, he raped and strangled her, falsely imprisoned her, caused actual bodily harm, assaulted her by beating, and engaged in controlling or coercive behaviour, including dictating her movements and isolating her from family and friends.

Pleaded guilty to one count of strangulation. Sentenced as a dangerous offender with an extended licence period of three years.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Gagandeep Gulati

Rape

June 19, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

Gagandeep Gulati, then aged 19, encountered an intoxicated and vulnerable woman in Leicester city centre on September 23, 2024, took her to a secluded location in Castle Gardens, and raped her. He filmed the attack, shared videos with others, and later claimed to police that he was the victim and that she forced him. The filming was seen as an aggravating factor to give a false impression of consent.

Originally sentenced to 6 years, increased as unduly lenient; claimed victim forced him but was found guilty; placed on sex offenders register for life.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Peter Brooks

Attempted Murder

June 9, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years

Peter Brooks cycled to Graeme Perks' home in Halam, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire, on January 14, 2021, during a COVID lockdown. Dressed in camouflage and armed with a crowbar, petrol, matches, and a knife, he smashed through the conservatory, stabbed Mr. Perks multiple times causing life-threatening injuries to his liver, intestines, and pancreas, and doused the ground floor and stairs with petrol in an attempt to set the house on fire, endangering Mr. Perks' wife and son. The attack was motivated by Brooks' hatred for Mr. Perks, who had provided evidence against him in disciplinary proceedings that could have led to Brooks losing his job.

Convicted after a trial; was voluntarily absent from proceedings due to hunger strike; defending counsel described it as a single act of violence and noted he is beginning to show remorse, with a history of good works.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Jonathan Peter Brooks

Attempted Murder

June 9, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years, plus 6 years for arson and 18 months for possessing a knife, all to run concurrently

Peter Brooks, a 61-year-old plastic surgeon, cycled to Graeme Perks' house in Halam, near Southwell, doused the property with petrol from his garage, intending to set it on fire, and stabbed Mr Perks, causing life-threatening injuries to his liver, intestines, and pancreas. The attack occurred after Brooks wanted Mr Perks 'out of the way'. Mr Perks, aged 65 at the time, had recently retired, and the incident followed a series of legal proceedings including a mistrial and aborted trials.

Brooks was convicted after a trial where he was voluntarily absent due to a hunger strike. The judge described the crimes as 'appalling' and noted Brooks set off on a 'murderous expedition'. Defence argued he showed remorse and had done good in the world, requesting a chance for reform.

Sources: nottinghampost.com

Ilyas Rauf

Fraud by False Representation

June 6, 2025

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment

Ilyas Rauf engaged in 'ghost broking' by selling worthless car insurance policies, pocketing £61,763 from August 2016 to January 2020. He provided forged employment letters to secure discounted premiums, affecting 52 fraudulent policies that left victims uninsured and at risk of fines and vehicle seizures. He shared £11,977 of profits with his son.

Pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, breaching the Financial Services and Markets Act and transferring criminal property.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Amer Ilyas

Money Laundering

June 6, 2025

Sentence: 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work

Amer Ilyas assisted his father in a fraud scheme by helping recruit customers through social media for worthless car insurance policies. He received £11,977 from the criminal profits between September 2019 and June 2020, contributing to a scam that left dozens of victims uninsured.

Karl Rose

Sexual assault on a girl under 13

June 5, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Karl Rose, 27, of no fixed abode, abused a girl under 13 in the East Leicester area in October and November of the previous year. He was arrested in early January after the child reported the incidents to Leicestershire Police. Evidence included messages where he apologised to the girl's family, leading to his guilty plea for multiple sexual offences.

Pleaded guilty to the charges after initially denying them. Made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Unnamed 15-Year-Old Boy

Manslaughter

June 5, 2025

Sentence: 7 years detention

On September 1, 2024, the boy pushed, kicked, and punched 80-year-old Bhim Kohli in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, near Leicester, while racially abusing him. The attack was unprovoked and resulted in Mr Kohli's death the following day in hospital.

Aged 14 at the time of the offence. Denied involvement but convicted by jury of manslaughter; cleared of murder. Judge commented the attack was wicked.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Kamaljeet Singh

Sexual Assault

June 3, 2025

Sentence: 1 year and 3 months imprisonment

On December 2, 2024, Kamaljeet Singh boarded an Arriva bus at Leicester's Haymarket Bus Station while intoxicated and sat next to an 18-year-old woman who was travelling to school. Over approximately 20 to 30 minutes, he repeatedly placed his hand on her thigh, sexually assaulting her, and at one point laid his head on her shoulder while laughing with his friends who were making comments about her. The victim attempted to create distance by using her bag and moving away, but she was trapped in a window seat. A woman sitting nearby intervened, after which Singh left the bus. This incident caused significant distress to the victim, affecting her daily life, relationships, and sense of safety in public.

Pleaded guilty to sexual assault and failing to comply with notification requirements. Judge Timothy Spencer KC noted that the offending was aggravated by prior convictions for exposure and being on the sex offenders register. He emphasised the need for Singh to address his alcohol problem to prevent further offences.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Jason Pettifer

Sexual Assault by Penetration of a Child Under 13

June 3, 2025

Sentence: 18 years imprisonment plus 16 months for another offence

Jason Pettifer sexually abused two girls, one aged eight and the other ten, in February 2022. He targeted and groomed mothers with children, assaulting the victims without their knowledge of each other's experiences until one disclosed it to a family member. He was also sentenced for a similar unrelated case in Derbyshire from 2024.

Found guilty after a trial; issued with a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order, both lasting 10 years

Sources: derbyshiretimes.co.uk

Gareth Wignall

Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16

June 3, 2025

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and registration on the sex offenders register

Gareth Wignall, a 41-year-old dad-of-two, contacted what he believed was a 14-year-old girl on social media in late August 2024, moving conversations to WhatsApp and Telegram. He sent explicit pictures of himself, pornographic videos, and made sexual comments, including offers to take her to school and remove her clothing. The girl was a decoy created by vigilante group Justice Reborn. Wignall was confronted by the group while attending an under-16s football match near his home on September 2, 2024, where he made admissions. He was arrested, and police were involved.

Pleaded guilty to the charges. Judge noted he was at a low ebb due to relationship breakdown and warned against repetition. Defence argued he does not pose a significant threat.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Ashirie Smith

Murder

May 30, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17.5 years

Ashirie Smith, aged 19, entered the cell of Mahir Abdulrahman at HMP Fosse Way in Leicestershire on August 20, 2024, and carried out a violent attack by kicking and stamping on the victim's head and neck. This resulted in fatal injuries, including a bleed at the base of the brain and fractures to the ribs. The victim had previously expressed safety concerns and was serving a sentence for a sexual offence. Smith was caught on CCTV entering and leaving the cell.

Found guilty of murder. The attack was described as a serious, sustained assault on a fellow inmate in prison.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Thierry Robinson

Manslaughter

May 30, 2025

Sentence: 11 years imprisonment

Thierry Robinson, aged 21, entered the cell of Mahir Abdulrahman at HMP Fosse Way in Leicestershire on August 20, 2024, alongside Ashirie Smith, and participated in a violent assault by kicking and stamping on the victim. This led to the victim's death from injuries, including head and neck trauma, exacerbated by the victim's pre-existing health conditions such as tuberculosis.

Found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. He was involved in the same prison attack as Ashirie Smith.

Sources: standard.co.uk

William Heggs

Computer Misuse and Data Protection Offences

May 9, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

William Heggs, a former special constable with Leicestershire Police, accessed and photographed sensitive material on his personal phone, including body-worn footage of William Harty as he lay dying from head injuries on October 25, 2021, in Bedale Drive, Leicester. He also shared graphic details of a woman's injuries from a road traffic collision, footage of a police officer falling, and details of a man convicted of a sexual offence, among other breaches, over a six-month period between July and December 2021.

Pleaded guilty to 11 computer misuse and data protection offences. Judge noted he was immature, had autism and ADHD, and breached well-understood boundaries despite extensive training.

Sources: standard.co.uk

William Morritt

Conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class A drug

April 11, 2025

Sentence: £367,301.91 confiscation order

William Morritt was involved in a drug smuggling operation that imported Class A drugs hidden in a lorry full of raspberry sorbet from Belgium. The drugs, including 39kg of cocaine and 18kg of heroin, were seized in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire, in 2017 as part of one of the largest seizures by Nottinghamshire Police.

Ordered under the Proceeds of Crime Act; had benefited by £2,384,655.93 from criminal activities.

Sources: derbyshiretimes.co.uk

Farishta Jami

Engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism

April 10, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years

Farishta Jami, a 36-year-old woman from Stratford-upon-Avon, pledged allegiance to Islamic State, researched one-way flights to Afghanistan, and saved £1,200 to fund her travel. She shared graphic and violent extremist material on social media between September 2022 and January 2024, including videos of children engaging in terrorist activity, and administered pro-IS groups with hundreds of members. She obtained and shared instructions on explosive devices, firearms, and chemical explosives, and promoted Jihad and martyrdom. Her plan involved relocating to Afghanistan to commit a terrorist act, such as a suicide bombing, but she was arrested in January 2024 before purchasing tickets or visas.

Convicted of two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb described her as having an entrenched Islamist extremist mindset and noted she was sophisticated, confident, and persistent, with no evidence of deradicalisation.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Reece Beattie

Causing criminal damage

March 1, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs

In March 2023, while employed as a police officer with Derbyshire police, Reece Beattie engaged in a sustained period of aggression towards his partner while under the influence of alcohol. This included banging his head on a wall, punching a hole in the wall of his partner's home, throwing his phone which damaged blinds, damaging a light switch, and breaking the door of a cabinet containing a boiler, causing substantial distress to his partner.

Pleaded guilty. Gross misconduct behaviour was condemned as wholly unacceptable, leading to dismissal from Derbyshire police.

Sources: derbyshiretimes.co.uk

Daniel Jackson

Misconduct in public office

February 25, 2025

Sentence: six months imprisonment

Daniel Jackson, a former Leicestershire Police constable aged 38, sent flirtatious messages to a woman and engaged in a sexual relationship with her while leading an investigation in May 2022. He knew she was vulnerable and continued the relationship despite multiple opportunities to end it. The Independent Office for Police Conduct investigated after a referral from Leicestershire Police.

Pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office. The judge noted that he knew the woman was in a vulnerable situation but continued the relationship despite opportunities to stop. He had resigned from Leicestershire Police.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Jon Ruben

Sexual assault of a child under 13

February 6, 2025

Sentence: significant sentence of imprisonment

Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old former vet from Wayte Court, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, ran a holiday camp for 27 years. At Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire, he crushed up and injected drugs into sweets and played a 'sweet game' with children, causing several to become ill, with symptoms including difficulty walking, slurred speech, inability to wake, vomiting, and one child left unconscious. Eight children were hospitalized after police were alerted on July 27 following concerns raised by his stepson about finding baby oil, syringes with white powder, and other items. Liquid Xanax was used on some victims. He also admitted to making 50 category A, 22 category B, and 7 category C indecent videos of children between August 2023 and June 2025, unrelated to the camp children.

Pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of making indecent images of children and four drugs charges. Prosecutors dropped assault by penetration charge. Judge indicated significant imprisonment upcoming.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Olegs Arklins

Attempted murder

January 27, 2025

Sentence: 27 years imprisonment

On January 27, 2024, at about 1.20am, Olegs Arklins, 45, of no fixed address, stabbed his girlfriend in the chest with a knife at her home in Leicester after becoming jealous over her friendship with a male colleague. The blade missed her heart by 3cm and aorta by 2cm. He had been drinking, slapped her, smashed her phone two days prior, taunted her with the knife, threatened to kill her while she called police, then thrust it into her chest up to the hilt. After the stabbing, he advised her not to remove the blade and smoked a cigarette by the window while taunting her. Her two young children entered the room hearing her cries for help.

Found guilty by a jury of attempted murder. Judge Timothy Spencer KC noted the attack was wicked and done with considerable force; Arklins was obsessed with his girlfriend's friendships.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Sundeep Singh

Murder

December 16, 2024

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years and 148 days

Sundeep Singh, 49, murdered his 76-year-old mother Bhajan Kaur by subjecting her to a savage beating and smothering her with a plastic bag at her home in Bolsover Street, Leicester, on May 13, 2024. He then attempted to bury her body in the back garden, but was interrupted by his sister Kalbinder Cheema who discovered the body and called 999. Singh denied responsibility, tried to blame his sister, and fled but was arrested nearby with over £500 in cash and his mother's bank card. Prior to the murder, he engaged in a campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour, demanding money, threatening to kill her and family members, stealing cash, bank cards, phone, and gold jewellery worth £4,000-£5,000. His actions stemmed from a delusional belief that the family home was his after his father's death in 2020, despite evidence to the contrary. He had serious mental health issues since at least 2021, including delusional disorder, and had been detained under the Mental Health Act twice.

Originally sentenced to life with a minimum term of 31 years; appeal successful due to serious mental illness and delusional disorder reducing culpability, despite jury rejecting diminished responsibility defence. Pleaded not guilty but convicted.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Raj Sidpara

Murder

November 29, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years

Raj Sidpara murdered his partner, Tarnjeet Riaz, in the early hours of May 6, 2024, at his property in Tarbat Road, Thurnby Lodge, near Leicester. The attack involved beating, kicking, and stamping on her in his bedroom, resulting in 64 injuries including bruising, a brain injury, and 20 rib fractures. The couple had been out drinking earlier that evening, and Sidpara claimed the injuries were from her falling while drunk, but evidence showed he acted with intent. After the attack, he removed his bloody shoes, went to bed next to her, and fell asleep before calling emergency services the next day, where CPR was unsuccessful as she was already deceased.

Admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder after a two-week trial. Judge William Harbage KC noted a lack of remorse and an established pattern of domestic violence, including prior convictions for threats to kill and battery. Alcohol dependence was mentioned as a factor.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Kelly Williamson

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 12, 2024

Sentence: 6 years and 3 months imprisonment

Kelly Williamson, 61, formerly of Mansfield Road, Papplewick, Nottinghamshire, 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.

Kuldip Singh-Hayre

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 12, 2024

Sentence: 10 years and 8 months imprisonment

Kuldip Singh-Hayre, 54, formerly of Glenwood Close, Leicester, led a cocaine ring with 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.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Given a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Navjot Singh Sandhu

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 12, 2024

Sentence: 11 years and 6 months imprisonment

Navjot Singh Sandhu, 49, formerly of Danbury Place, Leicester, co-led a cocaine ring with Kuldip Singh-Hayre, 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.

Damien Wright

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 12, 2024

Sentence: 7 years and 6 months imprisonment

Damien Wright, 49, formerly of Broom Leys Road, Coalville, 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.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Original sentence of 9 years and 6 months reduced after appeal.

Sources: leicestermercury.co.uk

Ameer Jamal

Manslaughter

October 18, 2024

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment

Ameer Jamal participated in the motorway ambush in February 2022 that led to the car crash and deaths of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, convicted of manslaughter.

Natasha Akhtar

Manslaughter

October 18, 2024

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Natasha Akhtar took part in the group that ambushed and rammed the victims' car off the M40 motorway in February 2022, contributing to the deaths of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin in the ensuing fire.

Rekhan Karwan

Murder

October 18, 2024

Sentence: 27 years imprisonment

Rekhan Karwan participated in the ambush on the M40 motorway in February 2022, driving one of the vehicles that forced Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin's car off the road, leading to their deaths by burning.

Raees Jamal

Murder

October 18, 2024

Sentence: 36 years imprisonment

Raees Jamal was involved in the fatal ambush on the M40 motorway in February 2022, where he helped force the victims' car off the road, resulting in the deaths of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin.

Sanaf Gulamustafa

Manslaughter

October 18, 2024

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment

Sanaf Gulamustafa was involved in the February 2022 ambush on the M40, where vehicles rammed the victims' car off the road, causing the fatal crash that killed Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin.

13-Year-Old Girl

Manslaughter

September 5, 2024

Sentence: three-year rehabilitation order

The girl, along with a 15-year-old boy, attacked Bhim Kohli, 80, in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, on September 1, 2023. She filmed the incident where Mr. Kohli was racially abused, slapped with a slider shoe, kicked, and punched, and she laughed during the event. This was part of a series of incidents involving local youths.

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