Newcastle Crown Court Sentencing Results

Miles Connors, 39, from Barra Hall Circus, Hayes, Middlesex, was part of a prolific gang of doorstep conmen who posed as policemen and utility workers to prey on elderly people in Brighton, Lancing, Mid Sussex, and surrounding areas. The gang committed distraction burglaries, tricking their way into victims' homes to steal cash. Specific incidents included attempts on March 1, 2022, in Hollingdean and multiple burglaries on March 3, 2022, in Woodingdean, Portslade, and Lancing, where they stole over £2,000, £700, and £1,300 from elderly victims. The gang was caught in late April 2022 at the Selby Fork Hotel in South Milford, Yorkshire, following a nationwide investigation led by North Yorkshire Police involving 11 forces.

Raymond Finn, 71, targeted two women while dressed as Santa working as a festive performer in December 2018. He smacked the bum of one victim and pushed his groin into her. He then tried to pull his body against the second victim.

Ezedi was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018. Specific details of the incident are not provided in the text.

Paul Berry subjected three children to sexual abuse. His crimes date back to the 1980s when he indecently assaulted a young girl. Then, in the mid 2000s, Berry, from Gateshead, began abusing two young boys when he would make sexual advances towards them and sexually assault them. The victims all bravely came forward in 2019 to report the abuse and an investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding unit. Berry was arrested.

Mohibur Rahman, 44, of Northcote Street, was convicted and sentenced as part of the Operation Sanctuary probe by Northumbria Police, which dismantled a grooming gang sexually abusing vulnerable girls in Newcastle. Rahman's offences encompassed sexual assault, exploitation, inciting prostitution, and drug supply, contributing to the network's coercive control over victims. The case exposed a pattern of abuse targeting young, susceptible individuals through manipulation and substances. At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Penny Moreland imposed a sentence of four and a half years on Rahman for his direct involvement in the crimes. This followed extensive trials concluding in August 2017, where 17 men and one woman were convicted, including eight for conspiracy to incite prostitution. Rahman's role involved hands-on perpetration of sexual assault and exploitation, aligning with the gang's broader strategy of forced sexual activity. The court heard evidence of the gang's systematic approach, with Rahman among those facilitating abuse via drugs and intimidation. Victim impacts included severe mental health issues, as illustrated by statements from survivors describing paranoia, depression, and suicidal ideation. The sentencing phase, ongoing through September 2017, saw six gang members already imprisoned prior to Rahman's hearing. Operation Sanctuary's revelations included controversial informant payments exceeding £10,000 to a child rapist, aiding the evidence collection. The judge reiterated that the crimes were not racially motivated, focusing instead on the perpetrators' selection of vulnerable youth. This case formed part of a larger effort to address child sex offences in the North East of England.

Mohammed Moufareh, 19, of Swan Crescent, Old Fold, Gateshead, was part of a gang that followed a 16-year-old through Newcastle city centre, pinned him against a fence, punched him repeatedly, threatened to stab him and stole his coat, phone and bag. Moufareh was later caught wearing the stolen coat and his fingerprints were on the phone which was hidden under a rock. He was also caught dealing crack cocaine and carrying ammonia.

Nathan Maxwell punched a woman twice in the face (right cheek and chin) while she was out drinking in Sunderland in June 2021. She was unfamiliar with the area. Witnesses intervened, causing Maxwell to run away; she collapsed. He later sexually assaulted her, leaving bruising to her chin. Of Glendale Avenue, Concord, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37.

On March 4, 2026, Michaela Lawson, part of a gang, followed a drunken man from Newcastle Central Station, dragged him into an alley on Clayton Street, punched him four times while accomplices struck him, and stole his wallet containing bank card and driving licence. The bank card was used at various locations. She was already on bail for a burglary on September 12, 2025, at Luis restaurant in Newcastle city centre, where she was caught on CCTV kicking open the door (causing £200-£300 damage) and entering. Arrested after matching description.

On December 20, 2025, two police officers attended a domestic incident at Bolingbroke Street, Heaton, Newcastle. Mark Little, inside the property, aggressively approached the officers, invited arrest, and punched the victim PC in the jaw. While being restrained and arrested, he shouted two racist slurs at the officer and issued further threats, despite later apologising.