Maidstone Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 184 verdicts at Maidstone Crown Court (Maidstone). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Teodor-Alin Pirvu

Rape

March 26, 2024

Sentence: 14 and a half years imprisonment

Teodor-Alin Pirvu lured a woman to his home on Rochester High Street in April 2023 while she was waiting for a friend. Once inside, he subjected her to a prolonged and terrifying ordeal, demanding sex, punching and kicking her repeatedly, strangling her with a scarf, holding knives to her throat, and warning he would kill her. He prevented her from leaving until the next day, when she managed to escape with visible injuries including bruises, swelling to her face and head, and hearing loss. Police recovered the scarf and knives used in the attack, and Pirvu was arrested after the victim bit him on the cheek.

Pleaded not guilty and was found guilty after a trial. Described as 'dangerous' by the judge. Must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before applying for parole and will be subject to an extended licence period of five years.

Sources: kentlive.news

Zak Burr

Supply of cocaine

March 14, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 8 months imprisonment

Zak Burr was caught approaching a car on High Street in Tonbridge, suspected of exchanging cocaine for cash on June 27, 2023. His phone was examined and found to be part of a supply network active since April 2023, used to send bulk marketing text messages to more than 300 users. He was involved in dealing class A drugs, which fed violence and criminality in the community.

Pled guilty to supply of cocaine. PC James O’Gorman noted that Burr was dealing on a very significant scale with a criminal network across west Kent.

Sources: kentlive.news

Mohammed Sait

Fraud

March 4, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, 180 hours of unpaid work, and a rehabilitation order

Mohammed Sait, an NHS consultant orthopaedic surgeon, charged private health companies AXA PPP and Aviva for £17,636 worth of procedures he had not carried out between 2011 and 2015. He forged letters from these companies and presented them during an internal investigation at Fawkham Manor Hospital in 2016. This conduct was aggravated by prior inappropriate behaviour and occurred during his work.

Abused a position of trust; demonstrated limited remorse and very little insight; did not attend the tribunal; risk of repeating conduct.

Sources: kentlive.news

Sali Igalliu

Possession with Intent to Supply Cocaine

February 29, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment

Sali Igalliu, 21, from Turner Road in Tonbridge, was stopped by police in Paddock Wood for driving without car insurance. A search of his Vauxhall Corsa revealed 11 wraps of cocaine hidden in an air vent, £360 in cash, and a phone with messages indicating drug supply. He was charged with intent to supply drugs and possessing criminal property. During interviews, he denied dealing and claimed the drugs were for personal use.

Pleaded guilty. Was found with cocaine and cash in his car, and had links to an organised crime group.

Sources: kentlive.news

Roqia Ghulami

Child neglect

February 16, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Roqia Ghulami neglected her two-year-old adopted daughter, Zahra Ghulami, by failing to intervene or protect her from abuse at their home in Gravesend, Kent, in May 2020. She was aware of her husband's violent behaviour, including previous incidents where he banged heads against walls, and did not act to prevent harm. Zahra suffered a skull fracture that led to her death on May 29, 2020.

Found guilty of child neglect. Cleared of murder charges and told police she believed Zahra had fallen down the stairs.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Jan Gholami

Murder

February 16, 2024

Sentence: 23 years and 6 months imprisonment

Jan Gholami murdered his two-year-old adopted daughter, Zahra Ghulami, by bashing her head against a wall at their home in Gravesend, Kent, in May 2020, causing a severe skull fracture from significant impact. Zahra was taken to hospital on May 27, 2020, and died two days later on May 29, 2020. Prosecutors stated he acted out of bad temper following a rivalry between Zahra and his favourite son. He had a history of violence, including alleged domestic abuse and previous injuries inflicted on Zahra.

Convicted of murder and child cruelty. Denied allegations and did not give evidence in court.

Sources: standard.co.uk

David Allen

Possession with Intent to Supply Controlled Drugs and Possession of Prohibited Firearms

January 31, 2024

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

On July 27, 2023, police conducted a raid at an industrial estate near Bethersden, Kent, after identifying David Allen's involvement in drug dealing. They found him with over 60 kilograms of amphetamine, more than 1 kilogram of cocaine, approximately £70,000 in cash, two viable firearms (which he claimed were antiques), drug packaging, money counting machines, needles, syringes, and a cocaine purity test. At his nearby home, police seized 25 designer watches, ledgers recording deals, a CS spray, and a knuckleduster. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of around £500,000.

Admitted to charges of possessing amphetamine and cocaine with intent to supply, three charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, and possessing criminal property. Detective Inspector Stacey Chapman commented on the seizure of drugs and weapons, highlighting the violence associated with drug dealing.

Sources: kentlive.news

Stefan Farbrother

Rape

January 22, 2024

Sentence: 18 years imprisonment

Stefan Farbrother subjected a child to an appalling and terrifying campaign of repeated sexual abuse over a five-year period during the 1990s. This included multiple rapes, holding a knife to the victim's throat, and restraining them with handcuffs. The abuse was reported to Kent Police in 2018, leading to his arrest in June 2018 and subsequent conviction on thirteen offences, including seven counts of rape and multiple indecent assaults.

Denied wrongdoing, convicted on all counts, and added to the sex offenders register for life.

Sources: kentlive.news

Sian Hedges

Murder

January 12, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years

Sian Hedges and her former partner Jack Benham subjected her 18-month-old son Alfie Phillips to a night of violent discipline in a caravan in Hernhill, Kent, in November 2020. Alfie suffered 70 injuries, including a myriad of bruises, broken ribs, arms, and a leg, and had traces of cocaine in his body. He died on November 28, 2020, during a whisky and cocaine-fuelled incident.

Pleaded not guilty but found guilty after a nine-week trial. Minus 313 days already spent in custody. Victim impact statement highlighted the father's loss and lack of answers.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Jack Benham

Murder

January 12, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years

Jack Benham and Sian Hedges subjected Alfie Phillips to a night of violent discipline in a caravan in Hernhill, Kent, in November 2020. Alfie, aged 18 months, suffered 70 injuries, including bruises, broken ribs, arms, and a leg, with traces of cocaine in his system. He died on November 28, 2020, as a result of the assault.

Pleaded not guilty but found guilty after a nine-week trial. Minus 313 days already spent in custody. The pair denied harming Alfie despite being present during the attacks.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Jason Brown

Possessing class A drugs with intent to supply

November 27, 2023

Sentence: three years and nine months imprisonment

On July 30, 2023, Jason Brown was observed by Kent Police’s Proactive Targeting Team conducting a drug deal in Sheerness, where he passed something to a man from his Citroen van. Police stopped the van, seized cash, cocaine deals, and a mobile phone. Further class A drugs were recovered from his home address. He was arrested and later charged.

Pled guilty to drugs charges. Was on licence following a previous drug-related prison sentence. Detective Constable Alex Burgham noted that Brown was supplying cocaine and was caught in the act.

Sources: kentlive.news

Aiman Aziz

Wounding with intent

November 6, 2023

Sentence: Four years and eight months imprisonment

Aiman Aziz and Ayoub Omer were involved in a violent assault on three victims in Rochester on January 22. After being ejected from a nightclub near Blue Boar Lane for Aziz headbutting a man, they lay in wait and attacked the victims. Aziz headbutted one victim again and used a baseball bat to beat the others, breaking the bat in half. The victims sustained facial and head injuries, including a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain.

Pleaded guilty to the charges. The attack was described as brutal and unprovoked, with DC Vicki Hartland noting the grave injuries inflicted and the potential for fatal consequences.

Sources: kentlive.news

Ayoub Omer

Wounding with intent

November 6, 2023

Sentence: Five years imprisonment

Ayoub Omer and Aiman Aziz assaulted three victims in Rochester on January 22 after being removed from a nightclub near Blue Boar Lane. They lay in wait and attacked the victims with a baseball bat. One victim was headbutted, and the others were beaten, resulting in injuries such as a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain.

Found guilty following a trial. The attack was brutal and unprovoked, with DC Vicki Hartland highlighting the severe injuries and psychological impact on the victims.

Sources: kentlive.news

Kye Hughes

Fraud by false representation

October 1, 2023

Sentence: Three years and four months imprisonment and ordered to pay back £32,144

Kye Hughes, from Rochester, met a woman on a dating app and deceived her by claiming he invested in luxury watches for extra income. He convinced her to invest her savings, promising to double her money, but the scheme was fraudulent. She transferred thousands of pounds to him between an unspecified date before 2019 and his arrest in 2019, leaving her in financial strain and debt.

Arrested in 2019; convicted of fraud by false representation and money laundering; ordered to pay back the amount by December 24 or face an additional 12 months in prison. Comments from Kent Police and CPS highlighted the emotional and financial impact on the victim.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Jorge Garay

Murder

July 28, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years

Jorge Garay strangled his 37-year-old partner, Karla Godoy, while on holiday in Peru on or around September 23, 2022. He wrapped her body in a tarpaulin and buried it in a makeshift grave on family-owned land in Lima. After the killing, Garay returned to the UK alone on October 4, 2022, emptied their shared flat in Dartford, and was later arrested in London on October 14, 2022, following a confession.

Convicted after a trial; claimed self-defence but was found guilty. This is believed to be the first use of powers under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 for a murder case committed abroad.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Holly Willoughby

Careless driving

July 17, 2023

Sentence: £2,444 fine and 6 penalty points

Former This Morning host, 44, broke scooter rider's neck in London car crash in Barnes.

Paul Clark

Making and distributing indecent images of children

May 12, 2023

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Paul Clark, a former Labour MP who represented Gillingham in Kent from 1997 to 2010, was caught with 1,446 indecent images of children on five electronic devices, including imagery of children as young as three. He distributed indecent images to others and engaged in conversations about his sexual desires via social media between April 2013 and May 2021. He was arrested at his home by the National Crime Agency, initially made no comment, but later admitted his actions and pleaded guilty.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and six counts of distributing indecent images of children. Issued with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders register. No evidence of offending while in office.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Aurel Birlan

Rape

June 15, 2022

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum of 8 years and 3 months

Aurel Birlan repeatedly assaulted and raped his victim while she was unconscious in a public place during the early hours of one morning in December 2021. The assaults lasted almost two hours until a passer-by intervened, noticing the victim was in a state of undress, not moving, and appeared injured. CCTV footage captured the victim's repeated pleas for him to stop and showed she was unconscious for more than an hour.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Added to the sex offenders' register for life and subject to a restraining order.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Connor Mcmaster

Supplying class A drugs

January 26, 2022

Sentence: three years and four months imprisonment

Connor McMaster was arrested at his home in Luton Road, Chatham, on October 8, 2021. Upon seeing police, he threw a mobile phone into his neighbour’s garden, which was later identified as one used to supply drugs. He was involved in a drugs operation that used dedicated phones, dubbed the ‘Aaron line’, to take orders for crack and heroin in Kent as part of a south east London county lines gang.

Part of a south east London county lines gang supplying crack and heroin. He attempted to dispose of a mobile phone used in the drug operation.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Syrus Ramsey

Supplying class A drugs

January 26, 2022

Sentence: three years and six months imprisonment

Syrus Ramsey was stopped in his car on the A21 near Bromley on October 8, 2021, where police found 34 deals of crack cocaine, 26 deals of heroin, and a mobile phone. A search of his home in Parkfield Way, Bromley, uncovered £850 in cash and evidence of 12 further deals of crack and heroin. He was a key figure in a south east London county lines gang that used dedicated phones, dubbed the ‘Aaron line’, to supply drugs in Kent.

Part of a county lines gang supplying crack and heroin. Included six months for breaching a suspended sentence.

Sources: standard.co.uk

George Knights

Murder

January 8, 2022

Sentence: 23 years imprisonment

George Knights murdered 38-year-old Stephen Chapman by stabbing him in the head after they met to discuss the sale of cocaine in October 2020. Following the murder, Knights tried to dissolve the victim's body in sulphuric acid inside a wheelie bin at his home. Police discovered the body during a search, along with evidence such as a video on Knights' phone showing him with cocaine and bragging about the killing, and a tattoo on his neck resembling the murder weapon.

Showed no remorse or empathy; attempted to dispose of the victim's body by dissolving it in acid; Detective Superintendent Gavin Moss described him as a callous killer and a danger to the public.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Paul Marsh

Manslaughter

December 20, 2021

Sentence: 11 years imprisonment

Paul Marsh, while caring for three-year-old Jessica Dalgleish, inflicted catastrophic head injuries on her at her home in Sandgate, near Folkestone, on 21 December 2019, after becoming frustrated that she had not finished her lunch. Bruising on her face and head indicated previous assaults. He called emergency services at 3.10pm claiming she had fallen, but medical experts determined the injuries were likely caused by an impact, such as being thrown against the headboard or side of her bed. Jessica was flown to a hospital in London but died on 24 December 2019.

Convicted of manslaughter and child cruelty following a trial. Had previous unreported assaults on the victim. Police highlighted his reluctance to seek medical attention and attempts to evade justice by lying about the incident.

Sources: standard.co.uk

David Fuller

Murder

December 15, 2021

Sentence: Life imprisonment

David Fuller, a 67-year-old hospital electrician, murdered Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1987, by beating and strangling them before sexually assaulting their bodies. He was arrested in 2020 following a DNA breakthrough. Additionally, between 2008 and November 2020, he sexually abused the bodies of at least 102 women and girls aged nine to 100 in hospital mortuaries, recording the acts on video. These abuses occurred at the Kent and Sussex Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital, where he worked in electrical maintenance since 1989.

Pled guilty to two murders and 51 other offences, including sexual abuse of corpses and taking indecent images of children. Previously admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility but changed plea. Victim impact statements were read in court.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Anthony Collins

Bomb Hoax

November 24, 2021

Sentence: 27 months imprisonment

Anthony Collins sent a suspicious package to the Wockhardt vaccine factory in Wrexham on January 27, 2021, which contained non-explosive items including a calculator, a garden glove, batteries, a biohazard bar, a service wipe, and papers, but was intended to induce belief it was explosive, causing a bomb scare that halted production of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and required evacuation of 120 people and intervention by the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. He also sent similar packages to 10 Downing Street, a laboratory in Wuhan, China, an AstraZeneca site, a US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, and what appeared to be North Korea's leader, amid his obsessive interest in Covid-19.

Found guilty after trial; has a diagnosed personality disorder and a long-standing obsession with sending packages; judge described his actions as deliberately sending a bomb hoax, calling his explanations childish and perverse.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Michael Bowditch

Manslaughter

January 26, 2017

Sentence: 5.5 years imprisonment

Michael Bowditch was with 17-year-old Becky Morgan when she fell into the sea at the Port of Ramsgate, Kent, on May 1, 2016. Despite being present, he failed to assist her, call for help, or contact emergency services, leaving her to drown. He later reported the incident to the police several hours afterwards, and his actions were deemed grossly negligent.

Admitted manslaughter by gross negligence. Judge Jeremy Carey described his inaction as repugnant and noted his severe intoxication from alcohol, cocaine, and cannabinoids as a contributing factor.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Harvey Spencer Stephens

Actual Bodily Harm

January 13, 2017

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years for ABH, and 2 months imprisonment suspended for two years for criminal damage

On August 21, 2016, Harvey Spencer Stephens confronted two cyclists, Mark Richardson and Alex Manley, on Toys Hill near Westerham, Kent, after a road rage incident. He honked his horn aggressively, overtook them, and punched Mr Richardson, knocking him unconscious. He then punched Mr Manley multiple times, causing dental injuries and damaging his helmet. The attack was described as disproportionate and left victims with physical injuries including swelling, a broken tooth root, and ongoing effects.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of ABH and one count of criminal damage. No previous convictions; described as being in a complete rage during the incident. Judge Martin Joy noted it was a serious case of road rage with ongoing effects on victims.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Reginald Esqulant

Blackmail

December 16, 2016

Sentence: 3 years and 4 months imprisonment

Reginald Esqulant, 74, entered a Santander bank branch on High Street in Sevenoaks with a package containing a fake bomb made from a paving slab. He left instructions demanding cash and threatening to detonate the device if his demands were not met, which included not informing the police and keeping customers in place. This sparked a major police operation, including a lockdown of the town centre and a controlled explosion by bomb disposal experts. Esqulant was arrested at his home in West Kingsdown the following day after evidence, such as a VW Golf he used, plastic gloves, matching handwriting, and a broken paving slab, linked him to the crime. The incident caused anxiety and loss of trade for local businesses.

Pleaded not guilty to blackmail but admitted to causing a bomb hoax. Jurors found him guilty of blackmail, taking a motor vehicle without consent, and driving while disqualified. Detective Sergeant Jon Faulkner noted that Esqulant's actions caused significant fear and disruption to the community.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Richard Donovan

Murder

December 8, 2016

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years

Richard Donovan, while drunk, followed 59-year-old homeless man Philip Fox to his tent on wasteland in Canterbury, gave him a beer, talked to him, and then shot him dead with a sawn-off shotgun on or around August 4, 2015, after becoming paranoid. He fled the scene, threatened a woman who he told about the crime, and later sold the gun. The victim's remains were undiscovered for 10 months.

Convicted of murder while under the influence of alcohol; described as a dangerous individual who shot an unarmed homeless man.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Kaswayne Williams

Kidnap

November 18, 2016

Sentence: 16 years imprisonment, with four years on licence

Kaswayne Williams, along with accomplices, kidnapped a woman in Chatham, Kent, on the night of the incident. They forced her into a car, bound her hands with duct tape, stuffed a sock in her mouth, and drove her over 30 miles to south London. There, he dragged her out by her hair, beat her with a metal baseball bat, punched her with a knuckleduster, and threatened her with an imitation firearm. He demanded £2,000, threatening her family's lives, before dumping her near Nunhead railway station, leaving her for dead. The victim sustained serious injuries and was found by a passer-by.

Convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Also guilty of blackmail, robbery, and possessing offensive weapons.

Sources: standard.co.uk

George Emmett

Kidnap

November 18, 2016

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

George Emmett arranged to meet the victim in Chatham, Kent, on the night of the incident to discuss money owed to her. Instead, he assisted in forcing her into a car with accomplices. During the journey, he punched her in the face and beat her with her dog's lead before fleeing. The group demanded £2,000 from her, threatening her family's lives, and left her severely injured near Nunhead railway station after the attack.

Sheneqwa Delpratt

Kidnap

November 18, 2016

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Sheneqwa Delpratt drove the car used in the kidnapping of a woman in Chatham, Kent, on the night of the incident. She transported the victim over 30 miles to south London, where the woman was beaten with a metal bat, knuckleduster, and dog chain. Delpratt was involved throughout, including after the victim was assaulted and dumped near Nunhead railway station, leaving her for dead.

Daniel Kelly

Conspiracy to project an article into prison

July 20, 2016

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment

Daniel Kelly used a drone to smuggle contraband, including the psychoactive drug Spice and other items, into HMP Elmley, HMP Swaleside in Kent, and HMP The Mount in Hertfordshire during April. He was caught after a police patrol observed suspicious activity involving a car near HMP Swaleside on April 25, where a man was seen running and entering the vehicle. The car was later traced to a holiday park, leading to Kelly's arrest. The drone, which had been spray-painted black and had its lights taped over, was found in the car's boot. Analysis showed it had conducted four flights to the prisons over five days.

Admitted conspiracy to project an article into prison. Police officers highlighted the seriousness of the offence, noting its impact on prison safety and the potential for further crimes within prisons.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Paul Godden

Robbery

March 16, 2016

Sentence: 16 years and four months imprisonment

Paul Godden, 35, attempted to rob a Martin McColl shop in Luton High Street, Chatham, on August 11 by wearing a Batman mask, placing a knife and a bag on the counter, and demanding cash and cigarettes, but was refused and fled empty-handed. Later that day, he robbed a Co-Op in Wayfield Road, Chatham, of £2,540 cash and 60 packets of cigarettes while hiding his face with a scarf. He was arrested three days later in Gillingham.

Pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery during the trial. Detective Constable James Chichester praised the victims for their bravery.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Michael Stone

Murder

October 1, 2001

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years

On July 6, 1996, Michael Stone attacked Lin Russell, 45, and her daughters Josie, 9, and Megan, 6, along with their dog Lucy, on a quiet country lane in Chillenden near Dover, Kent. Stone, wielding a claw hammer, demanded money, tied them up, and bludgeoned Lin and Megan to death. Josie was blindfolded, tied to a tree, and bludgeoned but survived. The family was walking home from a school swimming gala. Stone was linked to the crime through bloodstained clothes, a hammer in his car, and witness statements. No direct forensic evidence linked him, but he was convicted based on circumstantial evidence and jailhouse confessions he denies.

Convicted of the murders of Lin Russell and Megan Russell, and the attempted murder of Josie Russell. First conviction in 1998 quashed, second conviction in 2001. Has maintained innocence and multiple appeals failed. Current review by CCRC.

Sources: walesonline.co.uk

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