Luton Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 38 verdicts at Luton Crown Court (Luton). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Jonathan Fallon

Police Corruption

July 28, 2025

Sentence: 1 year and 4 months imprisonment

Jonathan Fallon, a former Thames Valley Police officer based at Milton Keynes police station, formed an inappropriate relationship with a victim of crime, a woman in her late teens, between August 4 and November 9, 2023, and engaged in sexual intercourse with her, abusing his position of authority and engaging in improper behaviour.

Pleaded guilty to police corruption under Section 26 of the Criminal Justice & Courts Act (2015). He was dismissed from the force without notice and added to the barred list for breaching standards of professional behaviour.

Sources: bucksfreepress.co.uk

Jack Johannesen

Supply of controlled drugs

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 10 months imprisonment

Jack Johannesen, 23, of Stirling Close, Sandy, was involved in an organised crime group operating across Biggleswade and Sandy in Bedfordshire, supplying cannabis, crack cocaine, and heroin. On October 25, police executed a warrant at his home, arresting him for being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and seizing multiple mobile phones, including one he tried to destroy, which contained messages to over 400 numbers about drugs and costs. While on bail, he mistakenly sent a text about his new drug line to a police officer's phone eight days later, leading to another warrant on November 28. During this raid, police seized a small amount of cannabis, high-value designer items, and nearly £2,000 in cash. He attempted to hide a mobile phone behind a wardrobe, which was discovered when it rang.

Was on bail for previous drug offences and part of an organised crime group supplying cannabis, crack cocaine, and heroin. Attempted to hide a mobile phone during a police search. Detective Constable Adam Geary noted that Johannesen is now rightfully behind bars and urged reporting of drug-related crimes.

Sources: cambridge-news.co.uk

Frank Smith

Handling stolen goods

July 8, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Frank Smith, 38, was caught on CCTV attempting to sell a stolen £9,200 Rolex watch at a pawn shop in Bedford in March 2024. The watch had been stolen during a burglary in Yelling in August 2023. Police arrested him at his home in Common Road, Potton, on December 12, 2024, where they also discovered gold jewellery and watches linked to another burglary in Little Eversden in December 2024, along with £4,000 in cash.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of handling stolen goods. Detective Constable Ed Glasse commented that the sentence sends a strong message that handling stolen goods will not be tolerated.

Sources: cambridge-news.co.uk

Jazwell Brown

Murder

June 17, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 39 years

Jazwell Brown, 49, fatally stabbed his partner Joanne Pearson, 38, multiple times with a kitchen knife and beat her with a baseball bat in their flat in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on December 25, 2024, after taking cocaine. He then stabbed his son Jake Brown, 18, who survived a life-threatening chest wound, and proceeded to the neighbour's flat where he stabbed Teohna Grant, 24, to death and attempted to murder Bradley Latter, 29, by stabbing him multiple times. He also caused injuries to Ms. Pearson's dog. The attacks were unprovoked and frenzied, with Brown later fleeing the scene and making self-incriminating statements in custody.

Admitted to crimes, sparing a trial. Judge noted that drug use was the voluntary trigger and described the attacks as a terrible betrayal, tearing apart lives.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Evie Wiles

Causing death by dangerous driving

April 4, 2025

Sentence: Five years and six months imprisonment

Evie Wiles was distracted by exchanging WhatsApp messages on her phone while driving her Seat Leon car. She accelerated through a red light at the junction of London Road and Two Waters Road in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on February 2, 2023, striking and killing 14-year-old Christopher Arnett, who was crossing the road as a boy scout. She approached the lights at 20-30mph and accelerated to 30-35mph, knowing the junction would delay her if she stopped.

Pleaded not guilty but was found guilty following a trial. No previous convictions. Also received a five-year driving ban with an additional 30 months extension. Judge Andrew Hatton noted she was distracted by her phone and rejected her account of the events.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Kevin Smith

Burglary

April 3, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment and banned from driving for 75 months

Kevin Smith, aged 40, broke into homes and outbuildings in villages including Milton Ernest, Thurleigh, Felmersham in north Bedfordshire, and Slipton and Cranford in Northamptonshire between October and November 2024, stealing equipment worth thousands of pounds to fund his drug habit. On one occasion, he punched a man who tried to stop him from stealing from a van. He was identified via CCTV, used an uninsured vehicle while disqualified from driving, and was arrested in January 2025.

Admitted to eight burglaries, four charges of theft from a motor vehicle, one charge of assault, and charges of driving while disqualified and without insurance. He also asked for eight other offences to be taken into consideration. Detective Constable Kevin Howes noted that Smith is a prolific burglar and that Operation Maze targets such habitual criminals.

Sources: bedfordtoday.co.uk

Naresh Kumar

Sexual Assault

March 21, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

Naresh Kumar, 50, of Manor Close, Kempston, grabbed a teenage girl in Addison Howard Park on August 26, took her to a nearby obscured area where he sexually assaulted her. The girl escaped when a couple walking their dog shone a torch towards them, causing Kumar to let go. Following extensive inquiries, he was identified and arrested.

Found guilty of six different sexual offences. Will be subject to a deportation order after his sentence is served. The victim thanked the police for their determination in bringing him to trial.

Sources: bedfordtoday.co.uk

Nicholas Prosper

Murder

March 19, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 49 years

Nicholas Prosper, 19, from Luton, killed his mother Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Giselle Prosper, 13, and Kyle Prosper, 16, by shooting them at their family flat on September 13, 2024. He also stabbed his brother more than 100 times and had been planning a mass shooting at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, targeting at least 30 young children and two teachers, motivated by a desire for notoriety and to cause what he called 'the biggest massacre in the 21st century'. He created home-made videos practising with a plank of wood.

Planned a mass shooting at a primary school and had no prior concerns during secondary school up to year 11.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ruifang Zhang

Money laundering

February 26, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 5 months imprisonment

Ruifang Zhang, aged 45, of Willowfield, Harlow, laundered cash from the tobacco scam, using it to pay the deposit on a house and monthly mortgage payments, and applied for a mortgage worth £270,000 using fake details as part of a gang that smuggled and distributed 5.8 tonnes of illegal tobacco over a three-year period from March 2018, evading duty worth nearly £1.5 million.

Denied her role but was convicted after a four-week trial at Luton Crown Court. She laundered criminal cash and used fake details for a mortgage application.

Sources: lutontoday.co.uk

Faruque Hussein

Cheating the public revenue

February 26, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 4 months imprisonment

Faruque Hussein, aged 54, of Blaydon Road, Luton, brought raw tobacco into the UK, processed it into hand rolling tobacco, and sold it in counterfeit packaging as part of a gang that smuggled and distributed 5.8 tonnes of illegal tobacco over a three-year period from March 2018, evading duty worth nearly £1.5 million.

Denied his role but was convicted after a four-week trial at Luton Crown Court. He was involved in bringing raw tobacco into the UK and processing it for sale.

Sources: lutontoday.co.uk

Bryan Kim

Cheating the public revenue

February 26, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 4 months imprisonment

Bryan Kim, aged 42, of St Paul’s Road, Luton, brought raw tobacco into the UK, processed it into hand rolling tobacco, and sold it in counterfeit packaging as part of a gang that smuggled and distributed 5.8 tonnes of illegal tobacco over a three-year period from March 2018, evading duty worth nearly £1.5 million.

Denied his role but was convicted after a four-week trial at Luton Crown Court. He was involved in bringing raw tobacco into the UK and processing it for sale.

Sources: lutontoday.co.uk

Yuanjian Zhou

Cheating the public revenue

February 26, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 7 months imprisonment

Yuanjian Zhou, aged 48, of Charles Street, Glasgow, brought raw tobacco into the UK, processed it into hand rolling tobacco, and sold it in counterfeit packaging as part of a gang that smuggled and distributed 5.8 tonnes of illegal tobacco over a three-year period from March 2018, evading duty worth nearly £1.5 million.

Denied his role but was convicted after a four-week trial at Luton Crown Court. He was the ringleader of the gang involved in smuggling and distributing illegal tobacco.

Sources: lutontoday.co.uk

Rahamim Shy

Arranging the commission of a child sex offence (rape)

January 29, 2025

Sentence: 11 years and six months in prison

Rahamim Shy, a former US government adviser and international investment banker, planned to rape a nine-year-old girl. He engaged in explicit online conversations for over a month with an undercover officer posing as the girl's grandmother. Shy travelled from New York to Bedfordshire in February 2024, bringing items like cuddly toys and condoms to facilitate the abuse. He was arrested upon arrival and evidence from his phone, including indecent images, was presented in court. The child did not exist, but his actions demonstrated clear intent.

Found guilty of arranging the commission of a child sex offence and possessing indecent photographs of a child. Defence argued jurisdictional issues but was unsuccessful. CPS highlighted his intent and the police operation's success.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Skylar Dalziel

January 3, 2025

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months and 180 hours of unpaid work

Skylar Dalziel illegally accessed cloud storage accounts linked to artists including Coldplay, Shawn Mendes, Melanie Martinez, Upsahl, and Bebe Rexha, stealing thousands of copyrighted tracks and selling them on the dark web, pocketing £42,000 between April 2021 and January 2023. She transferred the money to bank accounts in the US, and police are working with Homeland Security to identify linked individuals.

Carl Mccabe

Improper use of a disabled person’s parking badge

December 6, 2024

Sentence: £2,400 fine

In May 2024, Carl McCabe was spotted by a Central Bedfordshire Council officer parking on a single yellow line in Langdale Road, Dunstable, using someone else’s Blue Badge. He was securing a child in the car when confronted, initially agreed to show the badge, but drove away. An investigation confirmed that neither McCabe nor the child was the registered holder, and the badge holder was not present. He was asked to explain his actions but did not attend the interview.

Graham Pinsent

Burglary

November 18, 2024

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Graham Pinsent, 55, of no fixed address, committed four cross-county break-ins. He first struck a property in Lincoln Road, Shortstown, on March 7, stealing jewellery. He then targeted two houses in Villa Road and another on Hitchin Road in Luton on March 24 to 26, stealing cash and electrical goods. He was identified through CCTV, arrested, and charged with the offences.

Pleaded guilty to four burglary charges. Targeted properties, stealing sentimental items including jewellery, cash, and electrical goods, as identified via CCTV by Bedfordshire Police's Operation Maze.

Sources: bedfordtoday.co.uk

Tyron Harvey

Robbery

November 6, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 6 months imprisonment

Tyron Harvey, 23, from Welwyn Garden City, committed a series of offences in December 2023, including possessing an article with a blade or point, robbery, attempted robbery, and threatening another with a blade. He was arrested on December 22, 2023, charged the same day, and has remained in custody. The crimes involved knife-related activities and occurred in the local area, with details emerging from police investigations.

Pleaded guilty to knife offences, robbery, attempted robbery, damaging property, and assaulting an emergency worker. Spent time on remand. DC Alice Garrett commented that this should serve as a warning to others carrying knives.

Sources: whtimes.co.uk

Scott Paterson

Murder

November 4, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years and 178 days

Scott Paterson suffocated his 74-year-old landlady, Annette Smith, with a pillow at their shared home in Fairfield, Bedfordshire, in November 2023. He dismembered her body using a kitchen knife and saw, hid the remains in a storage unit in Letchworth, and attempted to cover up the crime by sending Christmas messages and cards from her email account, as well as selling her jewellery to pay off debts.

Made a full admission upon arrest. Judge described actions as awful and callous. He was in a position of trust, having cared for the victim after her stroke.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Timone Crossman

Violent Disorder

October 15, 2024

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Timone Crossman was involved in the violent disorder during clashes in a car park in Luton on September 29, 2023, where multiple teenagers armed with knives confronted each other following an initial fight after school.

Althaf Hussaindeen

Manslaughter

October 15, 2024

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Althaf Hussaindeen was part of a group of teenagers who clashed in a car park in Luton on September 29, 2023. He assaulted Ashraf Habimana, who was unarmed and not involved in the initial fight, during the altercation that stemmed from an earlier school dispute, leading to his brother stabbing the victim.

Found guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder. Was captured on CCTV assaulting the victim before his brother stabbed him.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Athif Hussaindeen

Murder

October 15, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years

Athif Hussaindeen was involved in an initial fight after school on September 29, 2023, in Runfold Avenue, Luton. He was injured earlier that day and later participated in a larger clash in a car park where he stabbed Ashraf Habimana in the back three times, resulting in his death, and stabbed another 16-year-old who survived. The incident escalated from a school fight and involved weapons.

Unanimously found guilty of murder after a trial. Also convicted of attempted murder, violent disorder, and possession of a bladed article. The judge highlighted that the victim was unarmed and trying to escape.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Mehboob Miah

Rape

September 26, 2024

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment for rape, with an additional 3 years on licence, and concurrent sentences of 7 years for attempted rape, 7 years for assault by penetration, 4 months for four counts of possession of steroids, and 2 years and 6 months for coercive and controlling behaviour

Mehboob Miah, 39, of Warden Hill Road, Luton, actively sought out and attacked a woman in Luton at 4am on September 11, 2022, raping her after previously threatening her on several occasions. He was found guilty of rape, assault by penetration, attempted rape, and coercive and controlling behaviour, with the offences involving serious escalation of manipulative actions.

Found guilty after trial. Described as a dangerous predator by Detective Sergeant Joanna Tyrrell, who highlighted his manipulative and predatory behaviour and commended the victim's courage in reporting the ordeal.

Sources: lutontoday.co.uk

Simon Hartwell

Fly-tipping

September 20, 2024

Sentence: Three-year community order including 150 hours of unpaid work, forfeiture of van, and payment of £1,500 costs

Simon Hartwell of Stuart Street, Luton, was caught on CCTV dumping a significant amount of building waste at Rushmore Park, Caddington on July 15, 2022. He was identified as the registered keeper of a Ford Transit Tipper, recognised by his distinctive neck tattoo. The waste was removed at a cost of £1,200 after he failed to attend a requested interview, leading to legal action.

Pled guilty. Must fulfil a five-day rehabilitation activity requirement, participate in an accredited programme to address factors leading to the offence, and attend supervision appointments with the Probation Service.

Sources: lutontoday.co.uk

Luci-Ion Stefan

Burglary

September 13, 2024

Sentence: Two years and two months in prison

On January 17, 2023, Luci-Ion Stefan broke into a house in Bramingham through a rear door. He ransacked cupboards, removed clothes from wardrobes and drawers, and broke into the attic. He stole jewellery and £300 in cash, leaving behind a fingerprint that forensic experts used to identify him. He was arrested at Luton Airport in April 2023, and police found more stolen items at his home. The victim was deeply affected by the extensive damage.

Mayank Soneji

Food safety and trademarks offences

September 13, 2024

Sentence: £5,265 fine

As director of SP Wholesale Limited, Mayank Soneji was involved in selling counterfeit Wonka chocolate bars with incorrect labelling and undeclared nut allergens. In March 2022, an Environmental Health Officer inspected the premises at Unit 11A Britannia Estate, Leagrave Road, and found staff repackaging cheap, imported chocolate bars into Wonka wrappers amid unhygienic conditions, including the presence of mice and pigeons. The products contained undeclared allergens such as peanuts and almonds, leading to a nationwide product recall. The labelling included a fake address, and the company did not obtain permission from the trademark holder to use the wrappers.

Frederick Stock

Burglary

May 17, 2024

Sentence: four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and £1,000 compensation

Frederick Stock, 42, of Woods Avenue, Hatfield, entered Watford General Hospital as a trespasser on April 12 and stole electronic devices (laptops, a tablet, and a phone), drills, and screwdrivers worth approximately £1,000.

Admitted to burglary. The offence was considered serious due to previous convictions, but the sentence was suspended due to a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. No order for costs or surcharge was made as compensation was prioritised.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Waqas Hussain

Cannabis possession and driving over the limit for cannabis

May 10, 2024

Sentence: Banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £253

Waqas Hussain possessed cannabis and drove over the limit for cannabis in Kings Langley on June 27, 2024.

Liam Winters

Illegal waste disposal

May 8, 2024

Sentence: 17-month imprisonment and ordered to pay £78,835 under proceeds of crime

Liam Winters, as a director of Codicote Quarry Ltd and Anstey Quarry Company Ltd, illegally disposed of approximately 200,000 cubic metres of household and business waste, including electrical items, furniture, food packaging, wood, and metal, at Codicote Quarry near Stevenage over nearly three years. He also dumped banned and harmful materials at Anstey Quarry near Royston and a nearby shooting ground, using soil to cover waste and building a 10-metre-high embankment. The sites exceeded permitted waste limits, causing environmental harm and unfair competition to compliant businesses. He was investigated by the Environment Agency in 2017.

Pleaded in relation to illegal waste operations; prior warnings from the Environment Agency were ignored; faces additional two years in prison if payment not made within three months.

Sources: thecomet.net

Shilyrand Charigwati

Murder

April 23, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment

Shilyrand Charigwati contacted police at around 4.40pm on April 14, 2024, stating she may have killed her two-year-old daughter Roselyn. Officers and ambulance services attended, but Roselyn passed away in hospital shortly after. Charigwati, from Juniper Square in Hemel Hempstead, was involved in the incident that led to her daughter's death.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but was found guilty of murder by a jury. Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins noted the distressing nature of the case.

Sources: thecomet.net

Courtney Richman

Manslaughter

March 1, 2024

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 21 months, with a rehabilitation requirement of 15 to 25 days and 180 hours of unpaid work

On December 6, 2021, inside Lloyds Bank in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Courtney Richman became impatient in a queue behind 82-year-old Myra Coutinho-Lopez, who was confused due to Alzheimer's and causing a delay. Richman clapped when Mrs Coutinho-Lopez was assisted, but when the elderly woman swung her handbag at her, Richman pushed her to the floor, causing injuries that led to her death 10 days later.

Found guilty in March; includes rehabilitation and unpaid work as part of the sentence. Detective superintendent Rob Hall noted it was a harrowing ordeal for the victim's family.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Hayley Best

Child abuse

January 15, 2024

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Hayley Best and Steven Buckley lied to police regarding the injuries inflicted on a one-year-old child, which included a fractured skull, brain bleed and bruising. The incident led to their conviction for causing these injuries.

Lied to police about how the one-year-old child suffered a fractured skull, brain bleed and bruising.

Sources: itv.com

Steven Buckley

Child abuse

January 15, 2024

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Steven Buckley and Hayley Best lied to police regarding the injuries inflicted on a one-year-old child, which included a fractured skull, brain bleed and bruising. The incident led to their conviction for causing these injuries.

Lied to police about how the one-year-old child suffered a fractured skull, brain bleed and bruising.

Sources: itv.com

Leon Edmund

Causing grievous bodily harm

August 25, 2023

Sentence: seven and a half years imprisonment

Leon Edmund, aged 33, from Hemel Hempstead, carried out a sustained attack on a man in his 40s following an argument on a minibus after a charity boxing event in Watford. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, March 25, 2023, on Warners End in Hemel Hempstead, leaving the victim with permanent sight loss in one eye and multiple bone fractures.

Admitted to causing grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, and assault by beating in a 'savage' attack.

Sources: hertfordshiremercury.co.uk

Tudor Manolache

Causing death by careless driving

July 21, 2023

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two years

Tudor Manolache was riding an electric unicycle along the pavement of Hatters Way in Luton on September 5, 2022, at speeds between 20 to 30 miles per hour, when he collided with 88-year-old Leonard Bailey, who was walking in the opposite direction. Mr Bailey was taken to hospital and died of his injuries a few weeks later.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and causing death whilst uninsured or unlicenced. Has taken full responsibility and is very remorseful.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Luke Flanagan

Causing death by dangerous driving

April 17, 2023

Sentence: 5 years and 7 months imprisonment

Luke Flanagan, 28, was driving his Ford Transit van near Renhold in Bedfordshire on November 1, 2021, while under the influence of cocaine and using TikTok on his phone. He failed to pay attention to the road, crashing into a stationary Peugeot 2008 driven by 55-year-old Emma van der Avoird, who was taking her 16-year-old daughter Khiana to school. The collision pushed the Peugeot under a heavy goods vehicle, causing it to burst into flames and resulting in the deaths of both victims. Flanagan sustained facial burns while attempting to help them.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Also disqualified from driving for 4 years and 9 months. A drug driving test showed he was three times the legal limit for cocaine, and his phone data indicated use of TikTok.

Sources: standard.co.uk

George Duke-Cohan

Making hoax bomb threats

December 7, 2018

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

George Duke-Cohan made bogus bomb threats by emailing thousands of schools in the UK and US, warning of explosives and claiming a pipe bomb had been planted, which led to the evacuation of more than 400 schools in March and April 2018. He also phoned in a fake report of a hijacked aircraft on a United Airlines flight between the UK and San Francisco while under investigation. He was arrested multiple times, including on August 31, 2018, at his home in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of making hoax bomb threats. Judge Richard Foster remarked that he knew the havoc it would cause and was playing a game for his own perverted sense of fun in full knowledge of the consequences.

Sources: standard.co.uk

David Cooper

Possessing a firearm without a licence

April 12, 2016

Sentence: five years imprisonment

On March 7, 2016, plumbers were called to fix a boiler at David Cooper's home on Dewsbury Road, Luton, where they discovered a bag containing an illegal Russian pistol, specifically a Baikal handgun known as a Makarov pistol, and a silencer. Police executed a warrant the next day, seized the items, and arrested Cooper. Forensics analysis confirmed his DNA on the bags containing the weapon and silencer.

Admitted possessing a firearm without a licence. DNA evidence linked him to the weapon, and he had hidden the gun.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Maria Nistor

Fraud

September 29, 2015

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Maria Nistor set up profiles on dating websites such as SugarDaddies.com and Match.com to deceive five wealthy men out of nearly £500,000. Over a two-and-a-half-year period from April 2011 to October 2013, she falsely claimed she needed the money for property investments, including changing deeds on a Romanian property inherited from her late father and selling a property supposedly given by an ex-boyfriend. She met some victims in person and continued her lies, leading to their financial loss and heartbreak.

Admitted five counts of fraud between April 2011 and October 2013, pocketing £488,000. Detective Constable Suzanne Chappel highlighted the devastating emotional and financial impact on victims.

Sources: standard.co.uk

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