Norwich Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Brian Thompson, 69, was arrested around 9.30pm on 5 August during anti-immigration unrest in Thetford, Norfolk, with a wooden bat sticking out of his pocket. He pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The court heard he went out of curiosity, did not use the bat, and described it as a souvenir, but the judge said carrying it created a risk of further escalation.

Robert Askew, a 27-year-old former Suffolk police officer, was arrested on August 13, 2024 after information was received about the uploading of illegal material online. Officers attended an address in Stowmarket and seized digital devices, which were later examined by specialist forensic officers. He was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to making a category C movie of children. Askew was suspended as soon as the allegations were reported and resigned from the force in April.

James Connell-Shaw, 29, of Coronation Avenue in Nordelph, failed to meet the welfare needs of two dogs, Princess (staffie cross boxer) and Talula (female staffie), by not providing a suitable environment, adequate care and supervision, and failing to address ear infections in Princess. The RSPCA attended his home multiple times due to reports of the dogs being left unattended in a filthy property. The outdoor area was dirty and cluttered with overflowing bin bags, broken furniture, glass, and soiled mattresses. Inside, the kitchen lacked flooring and was untidy with rubbish, and the living room had shut curtains. Officers sealed the property and later obtained a warrant to enter. Upon entry, they found piles of faeces and urine in the living room and utility room, with scratch marks on the door. The bathtub contained dirty blankets and fabric. Both dogs were rescued and examined by a vet, who confirmed Princess had suffered from a significant chronic ear infection for at least two weeks and neither dog had access to a suitable environment for normal behaviour.

Mark Wilson, a 38-year-old man with links to King’s Lynn, was arrested after attempting to steal raincoats worth £339 from Mountain Warehouse in Norwich. He was wanted on recall to prison for breaching the terms of his licence and appeared in court, where he admitted the offence. The court determined that the offence was serious enough to warrant immediate imprisonment.

Daniel Eldridge caused unnecessary suffering to a Patterdale Terrier named Spud by using it for badger hunting at a farm in Marshland St James and failing to seek veterinary care for severe facial injuries, including skin avulsions from the lips and chin, likely caused by a badger bite. The injuries occurred between December 1 and 4, 2021, and January 11 and 15, 2023, resulting in the dog suffering for at least three to four days without pain relief. Additionally, evidence showed he illegally docked the tails of six puppies, a procedure not permitted under the law.

Robin Couzens was jailed for attempting to burn down two shopping centres, including Chantry Place, after committing arsons that targeted these locations.

Morgan Sapsford-Howard drove a red Ford Fiesta dangerously on the A11 at Thetford on 11 March. He pushed past a coach on a roundabout, narrowly avoiding a collision, then accelerated to 139mph after police activated emergency lights and siren. He repeatedly switched his headlights off and on during the pursuit. Officers ended the chase when he entered the village of East Harling because it could not continue safely. He was arrested eight days later and admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop.

Linus Halton of Oakley, near Diss, was travelling eastbound towards Diss on the A143 on Thursday 8 December 2022 at around 7.15pm when he collided with a lorry travelling southbound on the A140. He was breathalysed at the scene, providing a reading of 66ug. The legal limit is 35ug.

Luke Webb's white Ford Transit tipper truck was captured by covert cameras dumping waste at Clockcase Road, Clenchwarton in April 2023. He failed to respond to official requests to identify the driver. He pleaded guilty to offences linked to waste dumping and was fined £200 by Norwich Magistrates' Court, with £850 costs and an £80 victim surcharge, totalling £1,130.

Francis Addison was found to have left five dead goshawks in a parking area just off the B1106 in Kings Forest, near Wordwell on 16 January. X-rays showed the birds had suffered injuries from multiple pieces of shot. He also committed a number of other wildlife and firearms offences including killing a wood pigeon, using an unapproved animal trap, possessing air rifles and animal traps, and failing to comply with firearm and shotgun certificate conditions.

Colin Barnes, a 65-year-old garage owner from Podmore Lane, Scarning, Norfolk, repeatedly ignored Environment Agency warnings about storing end-of-life vehicles and parts without a permit. Officers visited the site 18 times between November 2019 and July 2022. After pleading guilty in November 2021 he received a suspended sentence and Remediation Order to clear the site by mid-January 2022. He failed to comply and further waste including gearboxes, suspension units and tyres was found on inspection.

On June 17, shortly after midnight, Jamie Newson failed to stop for police, left his vehicle and fled the scene. He was detained after fleeing and arrested five minutes later on suspicion of drink-driving. He provided an evidential breath sample of 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, double the legal limit.

Jordan Chenery set fire to three farms in 2019, resulting in approximately £750,000 worth of damage. On 26 September 2019, he set alight a barn in Bressingham, destroying the building, killing 120 pigs, and damaging hay bales and farm machinery. On 27 September 2019, he set alight a large stack of hay bales in Kenninghall. On 3 October 2019, he set alight 400 tonnes of straw in Bressingham.