Newcastle Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 530 verdicts at Newcastle Crown Court (Newcastle upon Tyne). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Darren Horner

Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm

July 23, 2025

Sentence: 2 years suspended for 2 years with 100 hours unpaid work and a 5-year restraining order

On February 3, 2023, Darren Horner assaulted his then-partner at their home in Sunderland. While drunk, he grabbed her around the neck with both hands, knelt on her chest, and throttled her during an argument, causing her to struggle for breath and panic. She managed to scratch him and escape. He later breached a non-molestation order three times by communicating with her, despite her efforts to seek help and protection.

Pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and three counts of breaching a non-molestation order. He has six previous convictions, including for stalking in 2015 and dangerous driving. The defendant is remorseful and is a self-employed construction manager.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Grant Marshall

Racist abuse and assault on a police officer

July 23, 2025

Sentence: suspended prison sentence

Grant Marshall, 42, from Newcastle upon Tyne, spat at a police officer and engaged in racist abuse after drinking, leading to his arrest and sentencing.

Claimed he had no recollection of the events after drinking six beers and was described as 'disgraceful' for racist behaviour.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Stephen York

Possession with intent to supply

July 23, 2025

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment

Stephen York, while serving a previous sentence at HMP Northumberland, was found in possession of four sheets of A4 paper laced with spice, 856 bromazolam tablets, 93 buprenorphine pills, and two new mobile phones during a cell search in February 2024. Some items were hidden in a latex glove inside a salt shaker. This followed his earlier conviction for large-scale drug supply conspiracies.

Pleaded guilty to possessing three drugs with intent to supply on the basis he was storing them for someone else. Judge Tim Gittins stated that such drugs provide significant currency and a source of power in prison, and emphasised the need to deter involvement in the drug trade within custodial settings.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Mark Wilson

Supplying MDMA

July 23, 2025

Sentence: two years suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work

Mark Wilson supplied MDMA to a man who had an adverse reaction and died on New Year's Day 2023 at The Lofts nightclub in Newcastle. An arrangement was made via Snapchat for six bags of MDMA. Police searched his home on Fountains Crescent, Houghton-le-Spring, and found 20g of MDMA worth around £600, 60g of ketamine worth around £700, eight bags of cannabis worth around £220, four LSD tabs, and two other drugs. Messages on his phone confirmed the arrangement, including details of a car park meeting.

Pleaded guilty to various drugs offences. Judge stated he cannot be blamed personally for the death. Defence noted he is working, apologetic, and has real prospects.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Vu Nguyen

Producing cannabis

July 22, 2025

Sentence: eight months imprisonment

Vu Nguyen, a 33-year-old Vietnamese national, entered the UK five years earlier on the back of a lorry and was found tending to a cannabis farm with approximately 400 plants at a property on Wallsend Road in North Shields, North Tyneside. The plants, valued between £21,000 and £96,000 with a potential yield of 10.2 to 32.4 kilos, were growing in three ground floor rooms and the loft. He was living in squalid conditions, with a makeshift bed in the kitchen, and received food parcels delivered by taxi every two months. Neighbours confirmed he had been at the address for about a year but rarely left due to fear and disorientation.

Admitted producing cannabis. Judge Robert Adams noted he lived in miserable conditions and is likely to be deported, a matter for the Home Office. Defence highlighted he was living in squalid conditions with a makeshift bed in the kitchen.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Jamie Eunson

Perverting the course of justice

July 22, 2025

Sentence: 12 months suspended for two years with a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement

Jamie Eunson agreed to give a false witness statement implicating one brother in assaulting another in return for £50 to buy drugs. This occurred in October of the previous year, leading to the innocent brother being arrested and held in police custody for five days while under investigation, although he was not charged. She emailed the police 11 hours later to admit her lie, but the email was not noticed immediately due to the officer's workload.

Pleaded guilty. Was bribed with £50 by her brother to provide a false statement, knowing she was drug dependent. Judge noted it was a very serious offence that interfered with public justice and mentioned exceptional circumstances due to manipulation and her attempt to retract the statement.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Johnathan Hobson

Causing serious injury by careless driving

July 22, 2025

Sentence: 3 months imprisonment suspended for 15 months, 250 hours unpaid work, 15 months driving ban

On May 13 of the previous year, Johnathan Hobson was driving his red Skoda Fabia at approximately 60mph in a 40mph zone on the A1172 in Cramlington, Northumberland. He failed to see Justin Moore, a cyclist, turning right ahead of him and did not brake until he was virtually on top of him, resulting in a collision. Mr. Moore was thrown from his bike, suffering a broken femur, broken collarbone, ten fractured ribs, and a collapsed lung. He required hospitalisation for eleven days and was off work for seven months, leaving him with scars and wariness about cycling again.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. No previous convictions. The defendant is remorseful and has lost his job as a result of the driving ban.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

David Chivers

Burglary

July 22, 2025

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

David Chivers, 35, of Cowley Place, Blyth, joined Daniel Clerkson on June 7 to smash a window at premises on Moorhouse Lane in Ashington and use an axe to steal alcohol and a cash till. He was also involved in another offence on June 11 at premises on Remscheid Way. He was arrested within an hour of the incident.

David Smith

Stalking

July 22, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment and 3 years on licence

David Smith subjected his former partner, Louise Sutherland-Knowles, to a campaign of abuse starting in 2018, including controlling her clothing, isolating her from friends, monitoring her phone, and continuing to stalk her after their 2022 split with texts, calls, emails, and uninvited appearances at her home and work. In one incident, he scaled a fence with a knife and attempted to break into her home at 2am. He also sexually assaulted her and pushed a pizza into her face during another encounter.

Pleaded guilty to stalking, possession of a pointed article, criminal damage, assault on a female by penetration, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court noted his manipulative and abusive behaviour.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Daniel Clerkson

Burglary

July 22, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Daniel Clerkson, 32, of no fixed abode, stole more than £100 worth of laundry products from a store on Moorhouse Lane in Ashington on May 28. He returned to the same premises twice more in the following week, forcing entry and stealing alcohol valued at over £1,600. He also targeted premises on Remscheid Way on June 2, stealing alcohol worth nearly £300. Later, on June 7, he joined David Chivers to smash a window and use an axe to steal more alcohol and a cash till from Moorhouse Lane. He was arrested shortly after another offence on June 11.

Bailey Reed

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

July 22, 2025

Sentence: Two years suspended for two years, six month curfew between 8pm and 6am, £1,000 costs, and 80 hours of unpaid work

Bailey Reed, while at a party at Kingston Park Stadium in Newcastle in May of the previous year, was more than twice the drink drive limit and decided to drive his Fiat 500 despite friends' pleas to stop him. He reversed the car, hitting his friend Isobel Pickard, who was standing by the open passenger door, knocking her to the ground and trapping her leg under the wheel. He reversed again, dragging her before she was freed, resulting in her sustaining a deep laceration to her knee, other injuries, and requiring ten days in hospital. She has scarring and experienced a temporary loss of independence.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving. Judge Penny Moreland described the actions as utterly inexplicable and highly dangerous. Character references noted his remorse, embarrassment, and positive traits such as being respectful, kind, hard-working, and considerate.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Christopher Wilson

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

July 21, 2025

Sentence: 8 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours unpaid work, £1,000 compensation, and a 3-year restraining order

Christopher Wilson, motivated by jealousy, attacked his ex-partner's new partner, Wayne Parker, multiple times after spotting them in a bar in South Shields in July 2024. The incidents involved punching Mr. Parker in the face, knocking him to the ground, and further assaults on two occasions. He also pushed his ex-partner, Clare Edwards, to the ground during the altercation. Mr. Parker sustained injuries including lumps to his head and face, two black eyes, swelling, cuts, and tenderness to his ear and head. Wilson was found in possession of cocaine at the time of his arrest.

Pleaded guilty at the magistrates' court. The violence was unprovoked and sustained, motivated by jealousy. He expressed remorse and did not deflect blame onto the victims. Defence highlighted that he is a working man who lost control but did not seek trouble.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Coner Williamson

Criminal damage

July 21, 2025

Sentence: £120 fine, £200 compensation, £85 costs, and £48 surcharge

Coner Williamson, after arguing with his ex-partner and sister, smashed his 19-month-old daughter's bedroom window with a paving slab on December 22, 2024, at his ex-partner's home in North Shields. This followed his initial refusal to see his daughter over Christmas, but he became angry upon learning his sister was visiting with gifts, leading him to threaten and carry out the damage, leaving his ex-partner terrified for her safety.

Pleaded guilty to criminal damage. Had two prior convictions for being drunk and disorderly. The incident occurred in the heat of the moment due to suffering from depression at the time.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Marie Allman

Assault of an emergency worker

July 21, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order, £100 compensation, and 20 rehabilitation days

Marie Allman called the police following a domestic incident on February 2, 2025, after her boyfriend took her mobile phone. Both appeared drunk, and when her partner was arrested for breach of the peace, she became aggressive, swearing, shouting, kicking at officers, and spat at an officer when warned of her own arrest.

Pleaded guilty to the offence. Has 23 previous convictions and issues with alcohol. Defence noted she has joined a gym to get fit and healthy.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Paul Bell

Coercive Control

July 21, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 10 months imprisonment

Paul Bell, 38, of Newton Street, Dunston, repeatedly assaulted his victim at a property in South Tyneside by slapping her across the face, causing a bloody nose and burst lip. The abuse included coercive control, criminal damage, common assault, and an attempt to pervert the course of justice by arranging for an acquaintance to contact the victim from prison to discourage her from attending court. The incidents occurred over a period leading up to his arrest at the scene after the victim called the police.

Found guilty at trial of three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, common assault, coercive control, and perverting the course of justice. A 15-year restraining order was imposed. The victim reported being terrified and permanently scarred, and Bell showed no remorse.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Nathan Robinson

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

July 21, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment and 7.5 years driving ban

Nathan Robinson was driving his Ford Fiesta recklessly on a residential street in Sunderland last September, screeching tyres before losing control, colliding with a parked vehicle, narrowly missing a pedestrian, and crashing into a garden wall. His 19-year-old passenger suffered catastrophic injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, leaving him unable to walk, talk, communicate, or recognise family voices, requiring 24-hour care. Robinson fled the scene after seeing the injured passenger but was later arrested.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving without a licence, and failing to stop and report an accident. Has a previous conviction for drug-driving. Judge noted elements of panic and cowardice in fleeing the scene, and described the harm as of the highest order.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Barry Richardson

Assault by beating

July 20, 2025

Sentence: £200 fine, £80 costs, and £85 surcharge

On September 5, 2024, Barry Richardson engaged in an altercation with his mother in the street over washing clothes. He was seen thrashing and screaming at her, then punched her in the back of the head. He later threw washing at her and kicked out at her. When a neighbour intervened and pulled his mother away, he approached the neighbour and slammed a door on her arm twice, causing bruising. Police arrested him while he was still combative and shouting.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating. Has mental health issues; courtroom was cleared briefly due to concerns about his health.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Aidan Frier

Fraud

July 18, 2025

Sentence: suspended prison sentence

Aidan Frier, of South Shields, conned his grandfather out of his life savings through fraud by fabricating a job and requesting money for non-existent training courses, leaving his grandfather ruined.

Repaid a lifetime of kindness with a nasty and cynical fraud in which he made up a job and claimed he needed financial help for training courses.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

James Jones

Being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

James Jones was with Melanie Cook outside McDonald's in Ashington on September 29, 2023, when a Belgian Malinois named Rogue, trained to attack people in hi-vis clothing, bit a man in a hi-vis jacket on his right thigh and a woman on her leg, resulting in puncture wounds that needed hospital treatment for tetanus injections and antibiotics. Jones shouted a warning to the first victim and later admitted the dog should have been muzzled. The dog was destroyed following a separate incident.

Pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury, as well as separate charges of fraud, theft, possessing a bladed article, and threatening another with a bladed article. He has 84 previous convictions and attempted to warn the first victim by shouting 'hi-vis', expressing guilt and agreeing the dog should have been muzzled.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Melanie Cook

Being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 29 months imprisonment

Melanie Cook was in charge of a Belgian Malinois named Rogue, which her brother had trained to attack people wearing hi-vis clothing due to his dislike of police officers. On September 29, 2023, outside McDonald's in Ashington, the dog bit a man in a hi-vis jacket on his right thigh and a woman on her leg, causing puncture wounds that required hospital treatment for tetanus injections and antibiotics. Cook had only recently taken responsibility for the dog as her brother was banned from keeping animals.

Pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury, as well as separate charges of fraud and theft. She has 51 previous convictions and was street homeless at the time, having been asked to look after the dog by her brother who trained it to attack people in hi-vis clothing.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Mark Defty

Robbery

July 17, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 1 month imprisonment

Mark Defty and Dean Baird targeted two men in Newcastle city centre. They first approached a man walking home around 3am on December 27, 2024, on Westgate Road, where they pinned him down, stole his wallet and phone, and later extorted £100 for the return of his phone, followed by an additional £30. Half an hour later, they approached a pilot on Neville Street, demanding his Canada Goose jacket, threatening to stab him, and punching him in the face, leaving him with a black eye and blurred vision that prevented him from flying.

Pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery. Has a long list of previous convictions and significant mental health problems. Has been doing well in prison, receiving a most improved attitude award and completing a hairdressing course.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Neil Willis

Rape and sexual abuse

July 17, 2025

Sentence: almost 30 years imprisonment

Neil Willis and Anthony Douglas raped a schoolgirl and sexually abused a boy in historic crimes that came to light when survivors reported the offences.

Charged with multiple sex offences after survivors of the historic crimes came forward, along with Anthony Douglas.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Imran Choudhury

Possession with intent to supply

July 17, 2025

Sentence: 2 years suspended for 18 months

Imran Choudhury was spotted dealing drugs in Jesmond, Newcastle. On January 27, 2024, police observed young men, believed to be students, entering his car to buy drugs. He was found in possession of 7.6g of cocaine worth £720, ketamine worth more than £400, cannabis, more than £1,500 in cash, and two mobile phones.

Pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis with intent to supply. He was working as a drug dealer to pay off gambling debts and was acting under the direction of others.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Joshua Macfarlane

Sex offences

July 17, 2025

Sentence: more than 10 years imprisonment

Joshua MacFarlane, from South Shields, targeted extremely vulnerable young boys online through PlayStation and Facebook, engaging in a series of sex offences that exploited his victims' vulnerabilities.

Admitted a series of sex offences targeting extremely vulnerable young boys via PlayStation and Facebook.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Dean Baird

Robbery

July 17, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 10 months imprisonment

Dean Baird and Mark Defty targeted two men in Newcastle city centre. They first approached a man walking home around 3am on December 27, 2024, on Westgate Road, where they pinned him down, stole his wallet and phone, and later extorted £100 for the return of his phone, followed by an additional £30. Additionally, Baird admitted to theft by finding a wallet in the city centre in October 2023, which he had no intention of returning. Half an hour later, they approached a pilot on Neville Street, demanding his Canada Goose jacket, threatening to stab him, and punching him in the face, leaving him with a black eye and blurred vision that prevented him from flying.

Pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery, and theft by finding. Has a long list of previous convictions. Expressed remorse for the offences, which occurred while he was homeless, and had a difficult upbringing.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Anthony Douglas

Rape and sexual abuse

July 17, 2025

Sentence: almost 30 years imprisonment

Anthony Douglas and Neil Willis raped a schoolgirl and sexually abused a boy in historic crimes that came to light when survivors reported the offences.

Charged with multiple sex offences after survivors of the historic crimes came forward, along with Neil Willis.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Defrim Laqi

Producing cannabis

July 16, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment

Defrim Laqi was found living as the sole occupier of a house on Harrington Way, Ashington, which had been converted into a large-scale cannabis factory. Police discovered 165 cannabis plants across the upper floors, with a professional setup including lighting systems, temperature control, carbon dioxide, fertiliser, and a bypassed electricity supply. The plants had a potential yield of up to 13.48 kilos, valued at approximately £69,200. Laqi was acting as a 'gardener' for the operation.

Pleaded guilty to producing cannabis on the basis he was a 'gardener'. Liable to be deported after serving up to 40% of the sentence. Originally an asylum seeker with a family in Albania.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Keaton Harbron

Dangerous Driving

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment and 30 months driving ban

Keaton Harbron, already banned from driving, led police on a high-speed chase on March 28 in Gosforth, Newcastle. He was riding a motorbike erratically, reached speeds of 80mph in a 40mph zone, went through a red light, and nearly lost control on a roundabout. The pursuit involved police reaching 90mph, and he was caught after turning into a dead end, where he fell or was knocked off the bike and attempted to flee. He has 62 previous convictions, including for dangerous and drug driving.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop, having no insurance, and possessing cocaine. Defence noted that March is a difficult time for him due to his mother's death, and the pursuit was short with no injuries.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Adam Carruthers

Criminal damage

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 3 months imprisonment

Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham travelled from the Carlisle area to Sycamore Gap in September 2023, where they used a chainsaw to deliberately fell the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, causing £622,191 worth of damage to the tree and £1,144 to Hadrian's Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site. They marked the tree with silver spray paint, cut a wedge to direct the fall, filmed the act, and took a piece of the tree as a trophy. The incident occurred at night and took two to three minutes.

Pleaded not guilty; judge rejected his excuse of being drunk, noting the act required skill and co-ordination, and highlighted elements of bravado and thrill-seeking. He expressed guilt to probation officers and will bear the burden of his actions for life.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Daniel Graham

Criminal damage

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 3 months imprisonment

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers travelled from the Carlisle area to Sycamore Gap in September 2023, where they used a chainsaw to deliberately fell the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, causing £622,191 worth of damage to the tree and £1,144 to Hadrian's Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site. They marked the tree with silver spray paint, cut a wedge to direct the fall, filmed the act, and took a piece of the tree as a trophy. The incident occurred at night and took two to three minutes.

Pleaded not guilty; judge noted high degree of planning and bravado, and that the act involved thrill-seeking. He was described as a troubled man who attempted suicide and received hate mail after the incident.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Daniel Michael Graham

Criminal damage

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 3 months imprisonment

Daniel Michael Graham, along with Adam Carruthers, drove to the Sycamore Gap tree site under cover of darkness on 28 September 2023, during Storm Agnes. They felled the more than 100-year-old tree, a landmark owned by the National Trust, using a chainsaw in a deliberate and professional manner. Graham filmed the act, which caused the tree to fall onto Hadrian's Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The tree was an iconic symbol of Northumberland's landscape, featured in films, and its destruction led to global outrage and an outpouring of emotion.

Convicted after trial but later admitted involvement to probation officers. Judge rejected claims of drunken stupidity, attributing the act to sheer bravado for a thrill. He had mental health issues, attempted suicide, and faced public backlash including attacks on his property.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Connor Fraser

Assault

July 14, 2025

Sentence: 28 weeks imprisonment

Connor Fraser, 29, attacked a police officer, breaking his jaw, in an unprovoked incident in Newcastle upon Tyne, stemming from his belief in a 'police conspiracy'.

Broke officer's jaw in unprovoked attack after believing he was victim of 'police conspiracy'.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Jonathon Gaunt

Child sex offences

July 14, 2025

Sentence: four years imprisonment

Jonathon Gaunt, 37, sexually assaulted a child while under the influence of drugs in Sunderland, claiming a 'drug-induced haze' as his defence, leading to his conviction.

Claimed he was in a 'drug-induced haze' when committing child sex offences. He was a crack-cocaine user from Sunderland.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

David Wilkinson

Rape

July 14, 2025

Sentence: 20 years extended prison sentence

David Wilkinson, 55, committed rape against a child in Newcastle upon Tyne, treating the victim in a predatory and dehumanising manner, as described in court.

Richard Rickaby

Attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity

July 12, 2025

Sentence: 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 24 months

Richard Rickaby started chatting online to who he thought was a 14-year-old boy, but it was a police decoy. Despite knowing the child's age, the 50-year-old sent a picture of his genitals and asked the child to perform a sex act on himself.

Pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a boy aged 13-15 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity, sending a photo or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Must complete a mental health treatment requirement and sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Logan Thew

Sexual communication with a child

July 12, 2025

Sentence: Eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

Logan Thew thought he was messaging a 13-year-old girl, who was actually a decoy created by an online vigilante group. Despite knowing her age, he sent her naked pictures of himself, asked for pictures in return, and told her he wanted to have sex with her.

Must complete 25 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work. A 10-year sexual harm prevention order was made, and he will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Jon Etchells

Assault

July 9, 2025

Sentence: suspended prison sentence

Jon Etchells threw bricks at a man in South Tyneside, causing a nasty head injury.

Hot-headed South Tyneside neighbour who left a man with a nasty head injury after throwing bricks at him.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Callum Harrison

Drug dealing

July 9, 2025

Sentence: suspended prison sentence

Callum Harrison, a 22-year-old, was found lying drunk on the floor of a Newcastle nightclub and was involved in drug dealing.

Brian Saunders

Assault

July 7, 2025

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Brian Saunders assaulted Wendy Douglas at her home in Kingston Park following a dispute over a fence and bush, leading to a prolonged ordeal for the victim that ended only after his attempts to overturn the conviction were unsuccessful.

Assaulted Wendy Douglas at her Kingston Park home after a dispute over a fence and bush; his bids to clear his name failed.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Barry Houston

Indecent assault and buggery

July 7, 2025

Sentence: 6 years and 6 months imprisonment

Barry Houston, aged 63, repeatedly sexually assaulted a school-aged boy when he was a teenager, with the offences occurring almost five decades ago. The victim, who had lived with the effects for most of his life, reported the assaults to police in 2023 after a surprise public encounter with Houston. Houston was found guilty of six offences following a trial earlier in the year.

Denied the offences but was found guilty following a three-day trial. Will serve a further one year on extended licence, placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, and given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Nicola Mcfarlane

Shop theft

July 6, 2025

Sentence: £80 fine, £320 compensation to Co-op, £126 to Morrisons, £85 costs, and three months added to drug rehabilitation requirement

Nicola McFarlane, a 35-year-old heroin addict from Cotswold Gardens, Gateshead, stole butter and cheese worth £100 from the Co-op in Beacon Lough, Gateshead, on an unspecified date in June. She was captured on CCTV and identified. She was also linked to six other theft offences in June, which she admitted probable responsibility for, though she claimed memory issues due to her heroin habit. This occurred while she was already on a community order from April, which she breached by missing appointments.

Pleaded guilty to shop theft. Had six other thefts taken into consideration. Was on a community order and failed to attend appointments. Defence recommended continuing the community order.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Craig Binns

Arranging the commission of a child sex offence

July 5, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 1 month imprisonment

Craig Binns, 31, met a woman on a dating website and exchanged messages with her for a few weeks before suggesting involvement in child abuse. He offered her £300 to allow him to sexually abuse her 10-week-old granddaughter, requested naked pictures of the child, and bragged about previously paying others to abuse children, including £1,000 to a parent for abusing a two-year-old girl. The woman provided screenshots of the conversations to the police, leading to his arrest. A search of his devices revealed horrifying searches, and although there was no evidence he carried out the boasted abuses, he admitted the offences.

Admitted to three offences including attempting to pay for the sexual services of a child and arranging the commission of a child sex offence. Judge Edward Bindloss noted that Binns tried to groom the woman and make her an accomplice, posed a high risk to children, and must abide by a sexual harm prevention order and sign the sex offenders register for life.

Sources: mirror.co.uk

Graeme Charlton

Dangerous Driving

July 4, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment and banned from driving for 4 years and 10 months

Graeme Charlton, a 34-year-old banned driver from Breamish Street, Jarrow, led police on a high-speed chase in an Audi A3, reaching speeds up to 100mph towards the Tyne Tunnel. The pursuit ended when he crashed into a roadside barrier. Police found a bag of amphetamines in his sock and cannabis resin at his home, along with items linked to drug dealing under the nickname 'North East Weedman'. Messages on his phone indicated involvement in drug sales, and he had a history of similar offences.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, possession of amphetamines, and two counts of possession of cannabis resin with intent to supply. Has nine previous convictions and is described as a troubled individual willing to address mental health issues.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

James Gregory

Rape

July 3, 2025

Sentence: eight years imprisonment

James Gregory, 32, raped a sleeping woman and then called the police to confess to the crime. Despite his initial admission, he later claimed the confession was not true. He stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court and was found guilty by a jury in November 2024. He has been in prison since December 2024.

Pleaded not guilty and claimed his confession was not true. Found guilty by a jury. He is a dad-of-two with previous good character and has completed 15 courses in prison, earning over 30 certificates. Judge Robert Spragg imposed an indefinite restraining order and placed him on the sex offenders' register for life.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Kallan Hamilton

Affray

July 2, 2025

Sentence: 28 months in prison

Kallan Hamilton, 23, climbed onto the roof of the Cairn Hotel on Osborne Road, Newcastle, in May 2025, after police attended to recall his licence due to a restraining order. He refused to come down, drank vodka, threw bricks at police officers, caused approximately £10,000 in damage to a car belonging to a woman whose husband was critically ill in a nearby hospital, damaged hotel property by pulling out cable wiring and kicking a business sign, and led to the road being closed for over eight hours while the hotel was evacuated.

Pleaded guilty to affray, criminal damage, assaulting an emergency worker, and breaching a restraining order. Judge Amanda Rippon commented on the impact of his actions on ordinary people and warned that he was lucky not to have seriously injured anyone.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Elton Bekteshi

Producing cannabis

July 1, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment

Elton Bekteshi was caught by police during a raid on a property on Market Place in Hetton-le-Hole, where 141 cannabis plants worth between £12,000 and £57,000 were discovered. He had paid £20,000 to enter the UK illegally and was working at the cannabis farm to repay the debt, acting as the gardener for two months. He tried to flee and was found hiding in the loft area.

Pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. Judge noted he entered the UK illegally and was working to pay off a debt. Warned of possible deportation.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

David Walton

Perverting the course of justice

July 1, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

David Walton, 62, of Nursery Lane, Felling, offered to pay a drug-addict victim £400 to retract her statement to police in his son's case. The victim had accused Walton's son of two offences, and Walton agreed to pay an initial £200 and another £200 after the trial. He drove the woman to the police station in his work van, which he was not insured to drive and from which he was disqualified, instructing her to delete text messages and not take her phone. She appeared distressed, made the retraction statement, and later revealed the arrangement to police.

Pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. He has nine prior convictions and was motivated by concern for his son going to prison. Additionally, six penalty points were added to his driving licence.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Wayne Justice

Breaching a restraining order

July 1, 2025

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment, to run consecutively with a previous sentence

Wayne Justice, 44, of Wallsend, was subject to an indefinite restraining order after previous stalking convictions. Upon release, he immediately contacted the victim via Facebook and Snapchat, leading to further breaches.

Pleaded guilty; breached a restraining order multiple times, including contacting the victim on the day of his release.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Waseem Afzal

Grievous Bodily Harm

June 30, 2025

Sentence: 35 months imprisonment

In June 2024, Waseem Afzal made unwanted advances towards a vulnerable woman with mental health issues while they were in Jesmond Dene. When she rejected him, he attacked her, punching her and causing multiple facial fractures, swelling to her face and head, and bruising to other parts of her body. She was taken to the hospital, where she required several days of treatment, and has since experienced ongoing pain, night terrors, and significant trauma.

Pleaded guilty to GBH. Has 38 previous convictions and was in breach of an eight-month suspended sentence. Judge Amanda Rippon noted his violent history, escalating offending, bipolar disorder, and cocaine use, warning that further offences could lead to a long prison term.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Sam York

Burglary

June 30, 2025

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment suspended for 1 year

Sam York, 36, of no fixed abode, joined Daniel Clerkson and David Chivers for an offence in the early hours of June 11 at premises on Remscheid Way in Ashington, where they stole items. He was sentenced separately from the others.

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