Plymouth Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 65 verdicts at Plymouth Crown Court (Plymouth, Plymouth). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Jack Goodman

Causing death by careless driving

January 23, 2026

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 5 years on release

On 26 April 2024, Jack Goodman, aged 27, from Golitha Rise, Liskeard, drove his Seat Leon car after consuming a pint of lager and eight pints of Guinness at a pub in Blackawton from around 2.30pm with work colleagues. He left just before 9pm with three passengers. One was dropped off at Totnes Railway Station. During the journey, a passenger texted concern about the driving and asked him to slow down during a phone call. The single-vehicle collision occurred at Halwell Cross near Totnes around 9.30pm, embedding the car in a hedge with substantial front-end damage. Goodman sustained minor injuries and was arrested at the scene. Rear-seat passenger Thomas McNally, 31, from Torbay, died two days later in hospital. The front-seat passenger sustained serious injuries from which he is still recovering.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the drink drive limit and causing serious injury by careless driving. Judge Robert Linford noted that the defendant did not set out to cause the death but drank to excess and drove, leading to an avoidable and needless death.

Sources: news.devon-cornwall.police.uk

Donovan Stevenson

Actual Bodily Harm, Strangulation, Harassment, Possession of Indecent Images of Children

January 16, 2026

Sentence: 6 years, 3 months and 28 days imprisonment

Donovan Stevenson assaulted and harassed his former partner in Plymouth in 2023 while she was pregnant, including throwing a phone at her, banging her head on the floor repeatedly, strangling her, and making death threats to her and the baby. He also possessed category A and B indecent images of children, including two category A images from 2019 depicting the rape of real children aged between two and six. The images were discovered on his phone during police examination in 2020, but he continued offending while under investigation and on bail. He absconded twice during another trial.

Pleaded guilty during trial to assault, harassment, strangulation, and possession of indecent images of children. Judge noted deliberate manipulation of court system, prior convictions for battery, assault, ABH, wounding, knife possession, offensive communications, and theft. Sentences for individual counts run concurrently and consecutively, plus activation of 15-month suspended sentence. Subject to 10-year restraining order, 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and 10 years on Sex Offenders' Register.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Andrew Mccann

Assault causing actual bodily harm

January 2, 2026

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, 100 hours unpaid work

Andrew McCann, annoyed that his wife Rachel did not go to bed in the early hours of March 2025 at their home in Plymouth, grabbed her by the hair, pulled her from a chair, repeatedly punched her in the face, pinned her against a wall, and squeezed her throat restricting her breathing. She fled to the garden to call police but was pulled back; the attack stopped when she grabbed a knife. Police arrived and she was hospitalized with injuries including a broken nose and rib. She feared for her life weeks before their 10th anniversary.

Pleaded guilty. Out of character incident; normally quiet, kind and dependable. Former Royal Navy sailor working for Babcock. Couple divorcing with interlinked finances impacting sentencing.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Kieran Cichocki

Causing serious injury by careless driving

January 2, 2026

Sentence: 8 months imprisonment and 20 months driving ban

On May 6, 2025, Kieran Cichocki parked his white Nissan Qashqai in New George Street, Plymouth, in a problematic manner to eat a McDonald's takeaway. When another vehicle tried to pass, he reversed and struck an elderly man from Somerset who was in Plymouth celebrating his 80th birthday with his wife, attending the theatre and a meal. The victim was flung to the ground, knocked unconscious, and suffered a broken cheekbone, eye socket, and nose, from which he is still suffering. Cichocki had cocaine ten times the legal limit and cannabis in his system, no insurance, and was in breach of a suspended sentence for affray imposed two months prior.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, two counts of drug driving, no insurance, and breach of suspended sentence for affray. Judge Robert Linford noted the defendant's disregard for suspended sentences and accepted he tried to help the victim at the scene.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Reece Rowe

Aggravated vehicle taking

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment and 20 months driving ban

Reece Rowe, aged 29, of Lisson Grove, Plymouth, stole a delivery van with keys left in it and drove dangerously through Plymouth streets at speeds up to 61mph in 30mph zones, veering across roads, driving on the wrong side, through red lights, mounting pavements, and striking other vehicles. The 90-minute police pursuit ended with the Ford Transit van crashing through a metal barrier and precariously balancing on the edge at Charles Cross church. Rowe, a banned driver with no insurance, was arrested after the incident captured on dashcam, suffering minor facial injuries treated at Derriford Hospital.

Admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, and no insurance. Has 19 previous convictions for 42 offences including dangerous driving in 2017, 2019, and 2024. Impaired by alcohol and addictions; expressed shame and admitted driving was 'awful'. Defending barrister noted he sought jail to address addictions.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Jack Burt

Handling stolen goods

December 19, 2025

Sentence: 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, rehabilitation activity up to 15 days, £540 compensation

Jack Burt was arrested after investigators were alerted to a burglary at a National Grid site near the St Budeaux bypass in Plymouth on October 20, 2025. Suspected stolen tools were being sold on Facebook Marketplace. A search of his home in Shelley Way, Plymouth, revealed a large haul of tools and equipment worth £11,450, linked to commercial burglaries in Liskeard and South Hams during September 2025. Victims identified and recovered their property at Charles Cross police station.

Offered guilty pleas to three counts of handling stolen goods. Avoided immediate prison if he stays out of trouble.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Jack Westlake

Rape

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

Jack Westlake committed a series of rapes and sexual assaults against four girls all aged under 16. On August 26, 2021, he raped one girl under 16 and sexually assaulted her by penetration on the same day. On August 26, 2022, he raped a different girl under 16. On January 26, 2021, at a play park in Plymouth, he committed two counts of assault by penetration on another girl under 16. He also engaged in four counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child (another girl under 16): one between August 1 and October 1, 2021; one between November 1 and November 18, 2021; and two on November 18, 2021, all in the Devonport area. One victim, a 14-year-old raped when Westlake was 17, became pregnant and had to terminate the pregnancy, leading to significant emotional and educational impacts. Westlake first communicated with victims on social media, arranged meetings in isolated locations, and exercised control over them. Offences occurred while he was on police bail and in breach of a November 2023 Sexual Risk Order prohibiting contact with females under 16 and requiring notification of new mobile phones.

Pleaded not guilty but found guilty on all eight charges by jury. Judge noted mitigating factors including young age at time of offences (16-17), no prior convictions, unstable upbringing, foster care, lack of relationship with father, unstable education, diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Aggravating factors included targeting vulnerable young girls via social media, luring to isolated locations, ignoring pleas to stop, offending while on bail and in breach of Sexual Risk Order. Deemed dangerous but given determinate sentence. Must remain on Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and pay £190 victim surcharge.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Daniel Hunter

Dangerous driving

November 19, 2025

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment

On October 24, 2024, Daniel Hunter drove a Seat Leon erratically at speed through narrow residential streets in Plymouth, including Mount Gould Road, Beaumont Road, and Ladysmith Road, failing to stop at give way signs and junctions. The vehicle crashed on Mount Gould Road, requiring firefighters to remove part of the roof. He was arrested at the scene. During a Newton hearing, he claimed a female passenger encouraged him to flee police and caused the crash by tapping the steering wheel, but this was not accepted by the judge.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving without a licence, and using a vehicle without third-party insurance. Disqualified from driving for 2 years with 7-month extension, must take extended re-test. Ordered to pay £187 victim surcharge. Failed to attend initial sentencing hearing on September 25.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Charlie Houslander

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

October 31, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment and 6-year driving ban

Charlie Houslander, aged 20, was riding a Piaggio moped scooter at 43mph on Exeter Street in Plymouth on the evening of July 2, 2025, when he ran a red light and struck pedestrian Thomas Brown who was crossing on a green light. Mr Brown was flung into the air, suffered a brain bleed, was placed on a ventilator, induced into a coma, and spent four weeks in hospital with a significant brain injury. Houslander came off his bike, attempted to flee the scene, and punched a witness who tried to stop him. He was seen on CCTV riding dangerously around Plymouth prior to the incident.

Suffers with ADHD and autism and has neuro diversity issues. Judge commented that the victim was very close to dying.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Peter Orme

Sexual offences

October 23, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment with 2 years extended licence

Peter Orme, 34, of York Road, Plymouth, sexually abused a teenage girl in Plymouth. He was convicted on multiple counts related to sexual activity with a child.

Convicted of nine counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child by penetration.

Sources: news.devon-cornwall.police.uk

Max Evans

Attempted arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered

October 22, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years, 26 Building Choices meetings, 18 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, 6 months Drug Rehabilitation Requirement

On April 27, 2025, at around 4am, Max Evans, under the influence of drugs and in a state of brief drug-induced psychosis, entered the Esso fuel station on Wolseley Road, Plymouth. Behaving erratically and believing he was being chased, he refused service, lit barbecue lighter fluid with a lighter, approached a petrol pump with the flame still lit, swung a petrol pump causing fuel spillage, and threatened to ignite it by shouting 'I've got a f***ing lighter - I'm going to go for it'. This endangered the life of the station worker and customers. Police intervened, tackling him to the ground and arresting him. He provided a statement claiming he sought help and attention.

Pleaded guilty. Judge warned not to celebrate by using drugs or face imprisonment. Considered drug-induced psychosis, extensive prior convictions (47 for 99 offences), positive changes during remand including getting clean and gaining qualifications.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Nicholas Stanyon-Tall

Rape

October 14, 2025

Sentence: 18 years imprisonment

Nicholas Stanyon-Tall, 53, of Kiln Close, Plymouth, was found guilty of four counts of rape upon two girls aged under 16 and two counts of sexual assault. The offences took place in Plymouth during a four-year period in the 2000s. He subjected the victims to abhorrent sexual abuse on numerous occasions.

Found guilty by jury after trial. One year extended licence period for each rape conviction. Five years for each sexual assault offence, all concurrent. Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 30 years. Placed on Sex Offenders' Register for life. Restraining order not to contact victims for 30 years. Placed on disclosure and barring service list for life.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Carl Forrester

Child sexual offenses

October 11, 2025

Sentence: 21 years extended term

Carl Forrester, a paedophile from Devon, was sentenced for child sexual offenses. He received an extended term but passed away in prison just nine days later.

Alex Gilman

Affray

October 6, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, £150 court costs, £187 victim surcharge

On December 3, 2023, at around 1.40am, Alex Gilman, aged 28, of Danum Drive, Plymouth, was involved in a brawl outside the Post Office Inn in Ridgeway, Plympton, after the pub closed. Initially friendly banter with another group escalated. Gilman pushed and attempted to kick one man, threw punches at another, contributing to unpleasant group violence that left two people unconscious and requiring medical treatment at Derriford Hospital, including one with a laceration to the skull needing stitches and stapling, black eye, and bruising.

Pleaded guilty to affray at an early opportunity. Shown remorse. No previous convictions. Gainfully employed. Realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Isolated offending.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Alfie Samuels

Affray

October 6, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, £150 court costs, £187 victim surcharge

On December 3, 2023, at around 1.40am, Alfie Samuels, aged 26, of Perriwinkle Drive, Plymouth, was involved in a brawl outside the Post Office Inn in Ridgeway, Plympton, after the pub closed. Initially friendly banter with another group escalated. Samuels was rugby-tackled and pushed into a wall, then kicked another man to the body and punched him to the face several times, leaving him unconscious. The violence left two people requiring medical treatment at Derriford Hospital, including one with a laceration to the skull needing stitches and stapling, black eye, and bruising.

Pleaded guilty to affray at an early opportunity. Shown remorse. No previous convictions. Gainfully employed. Realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Isolated offending.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Lee Borda

Burglary

September 27, 2025

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment

Lee Borda, aged 40 and of no fixed abode, committed a series of burglaries and thefts on June 15 and September 11, 2025. On June 15, he kicked in doors of businesses on Mutley Plain, stealing a radio worth £25 from a tanning salon, attempting to steal from a Starbucks cafe, taking a till with £250 from a barbershop, and shoplifting fragrances worth £177 from Superdrug. On September 11, he broke into a restaurant via a rear window, stealing two iPads worth £550 and cash, and attempted to smash into the Nationwide Building Society, causing potential damage of up to £12,000. These actions resulted in financial losses, business closures, and distress to victims, including elderly customers.

Early guilty plea considered; long history of 76 convictions including burglary and theft; mental health difficulties, schizophrenia, and addiction to heroin and crack cocaine noted; sentenced to serve half the term with 12 months of post-sentence supervision.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Rayhan Al Din

Kidnap and blackmail

September 23, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment (part of trio's total over 12 years)

Rayhan Al Din, 51, of Westrow Drive, Barking, along with accomplices, kidnapped and blackmailed a man in Plymouth.

Abdul Hashem

Kidnap and blackmail

September 23, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment (part of trio's total over 12 years)

Abdul Hashem, 37, of Morley Road (incomplete address), along with accomplices, kidnapped and blackmailed a man in Plymouth.

Afshar Ali

Kidnap and blackmail

September 23, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment (part of trio's total over 12 years)

Afshar Ali, 46, of Old Park Avenue, Canterbury, along with accomplices, kidnapped and blackmailed a man in Plymouth.

Curtis Carwithen

Rape

September 22, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 6 months imprisonment

Curtis Carwithen, aged 18 from Fegen Road, Plymouth, was found guilty of four counts of rape against a girl under 18. The offences took place in Plymouth when both Carwithen and the victim were under 18. He was convicted following a four-week trial and had been held in custody since December 9, 2024.

Sentenced as a youth due to offences occurring when under 18; to serve up to two-thirds of the sentence with time on remand counting; on licence for the remainder; placed on the Sex Offender's Register for life; ordered to pay a £41 victim surcharge; subject to four 7-year restraining orders.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Zack Blampy

Causing serious injury by driving dangerously

September 19, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Zack Blampy, an unqualified driver, was arguing with his ex-partner while driving a Renault Laguna from Efford to a music festival in Devonport. He reversed into another vehicle at traffic lights on Paradise Road, drove through a red light, and lost control on Kings Road on May 25, 2024, crashing into a tree. This caused serious injuries to his ex-partner, including holes in her bowel, injuries to her intestines, and an arterial split, leading to her inability to work and care for her child. Blampy fled the scene but was later apprehended.

Pleaded guilty; judge considered his remorse, role as sole carer for his four-year-old son, and potential impact of imprisonment on the child; ordered to attend 26 sessions of a building choices program, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified from driving for 2 years.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Keith Northey

Coercive control

September 18, 2025

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment

Keith Northey engaged in a pattern of coercive control, verbal abuse, violence, and threats against his former partner from 2020 onwards. The relationship began positively but deteriorated after she miscarried, involving routine verbal insults, physical assaults such as punching, scratching, and choking, and controlling behaviours like preventing her from leaving and monitoring her movements. Key incidents included assaults in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and threatening voice messages in January 2025 where he threatened to kill her and her new partner.

Pled guilty to coercive control and breach of a suspended sentence. Has 16 prior convictions, including seven for offences against the person. Struggles with alcohol, which turned him into a 'monster', and has participated in prison programs for rehabilitation.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

James Edmans

Production and Supply of Class A Drugs

August 22, 2025

Sentence: 81 months imprisonment

James Edmans ran a sophisticated operation growing and selling magic mushrooms (psilocin, a class A drug) on the dark web from a property in Plymouth over a seven-year period. He earned between £303,000 and £1.234 million, using methods to avoid detection, including wearing gloves and employing cryptocurrency. The operation involved growing substrates, packaging equipment, and online sales, with evidence found during a police search on August 15, 2023. He also supplied class B drug cannabis briefly and engaged in money laundering between April 2016 and August 2023.

Pleaded guilty to drug-related offences. Diagnosed with autism, which was considered a disability; had good character references and positive prison behaviour as a Samaritans listener.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Kim Edmans

Permitting Production of Class A Drugs

August 22, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years

Kim Edmans allowed the production of psilocin (magic mushrooms, a class A drug) in her property on Furzehatt Road, Plymouth. She was aware of the activities but claimed limited involvement, only helping her son by driving him a short distance to post packages, which occurred multiple times.

Pleaded guilty to permitting production of class A drugs on premises. Of previous good character, worked as an NHS nurse, and admitted turning a blind eye while assisting her son minimally by giving him lifts.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Demornia Cantrill

Possession of heroin with intent to supply

July 31, 2025

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment for possession of heroin with intent to supply and 1 month for possession of cannabis, to run concurrently

Demornia Cantrill was arrested on May 8 in Plymouth after being observed in a suspected drug exchange near Beaumont Park. He attempted to flee and discarded a Kinder egg containing heroin wraps. A search of a linked property revealed approximately 200 wraps of heroin in a modified Pringles tube. He has a background as a former MMA fighter and appeared in a Channel 4 documentary about care leavers.

Pleaded guilty to both charges. Also ordered to forfeit a mobile phone and £330 cash. Previously featured in a Channel 4 documentary about care leavers and was an MMA fighter.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Megan Wheatcroft

Assault of an emergency worker

July 30, 2025

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment

On July 20, 2025, Megan Wheatcroft made multiple nuisance calls to the police from her home in Whitchurch Road, Tavistock, including singing, dialling buttons, and silent calls. When officers arrived, she was intoxicated and became agitated, shouting obscenities, threatening to kick and headbutt them, and actually kicking an officer in the leg. This occurred while she was already on a suspended sentence for similar offences.

Pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker and persistently using the 999 number to cause annoyance. Judge noted her appalling list of previous convictions and stated that the time for an indulgent approach was over.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Araz Sharifi

Assault and Malicious Communications

July 29, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment

Araz Sharifi made a series of abusive 999 calls on July 19, 2022, to police handlers, becoming increasingly aggressive, making racist comments, and threatening to rape and kill them. He also damaged a neighbour's car, causing £3,760 in damage, and on July 10, 2024, assaulted a victim at a car wash with a chisel, resulting in facial injuries and a leg wound. He was under the influence of alcohol and frustrated with a police investigation.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. Judge noted an appalling list of previous convictions, issues with alcohol influence, and a need to control his temper. He was held in custody since arrest and will be released immediately or almost immediately due to time served on remand.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Cameron Grant

Arson

July 24, 2025

Sentence: Detained indefinitely

Cameron Grant torched a Keyham playground, causing £43,000 in damage, and was described as having a fixation with fire.

Detained indefinitely due to a pathological fixation with fire and risk to the public.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Katelyn Dimmock Cooper

Possession of a bladed article

July 23, 2025

Sentence: 12 months community order and up to 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement

Katelyn Dimmock Cooper possessed a black-handled dagger in Beaumont Park on January 25, 2024. A pre-arranged meeting between young females escalated into a physical altercation involving several teenagers, resulting in a 17-year-old boy sustaining a serious stab wound to his neck. She was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Donald Ladell

Cheating the public revenue

July 15, 2025

Sentence: three and a half years in prison

Donald Ladell, a boatbuilder and director of Built & Spaces Ltd and Spyderstudios, fraudulently claimed £278,150 in VAT repayments by inflating the value of aircraft parts he claimed to have purchased and by claiming for computers he never bought. This fraudulent activity took place over two years from May 2021, and he paid the stolen tax into his bank account.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of cheating the public revenue and one count of money laundering.

Sources: devonlive.com

Martin Payne

Causing unnecessary suffering to animals

July 7, 2025

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and banned from keeping animals for 15 years

Martin Payne and Kirsty Burford failed to provide adequate food, water, and exercise for two nine-month-old male bull breed dogs named Trigger and Pablo, leaving them barricaded in a bathroom at an address in Plymouth, Devon, between August and October 2023. The dogs suffered from prolonged neglect, leading to starvation and dehydration, and resorted to drinking water from the toilet until it ran out, resulting in their deaths. RSPCA officers discovered the bodies amid a strong smell of rotting flesh.

Pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to dogs. Judge Robert Linford commented on the terrible, lingering suffering of the animals and noted that Payne should have been jailed but was constrained by the prior sentencing of co-defendant Kirsty Burford.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Graham Chetwynd

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

June 24, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment

Graham Chetwynd attacked his neighbour by throwing a cup of boiling water over him during a dispute in August 2024, resulting in burns to the victim's ear, chest, and shoulder. Additionally, in February 2025, he was found driving his son's Volkswagen Golf while disqualified, without insurance, in breach of bail, and failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Pleaded guilty to driving offences and was convicted by a jury of assault. A restraining order was issued to prevent contact with victims, and he was disqualified from driving for two years and 11 months.

Sources: devonlive.com

Aaron Williams

Threatening with a blade

June 20, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Aaron Williams, aged 20 and under the influence of Spice and alcohol, went with two other men to an Aldi store in Union Street, Plymouth, in June 2025, where he stole a box of beer. He punched a security guard in the face, breaking a tooth, and outside the store, he produced a knife and threatened the guard in front of members of the public. Williams has a history of knife possession and claimed to have stabbed himself 12 times in the past, with limited recollection of the incident but influenced by others in his group.

Pleaded guilty to threatening a person with a blade, causing actual bodily harm, possessing a blade, and shoplifting. Judge Robert Linford commented that it was an extremely dangerous act while intoxicated on Spice and alcohol, and noted Williams' history of carrying knives and prior jail terms.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Marco Weatherhead

Harassment

June 20, 2025

Sentence: Community order, fined £100, £114 victim surcharge, and £85 costs

Marco Weatherhead breached a restraining order on 3 June by attending Tesco in St Austell, which he was prohibited from doing by the restraining order made on 28 March.

Pleaded guilty to harassment by breaching a restraining order made by Plymouth Crown Court on 28 March.

Sources: voicenewspapers.co.uk

Stefan Ledden

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent

June 18, 2025

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment and 3 years extended licence

Stefan Ledden and George White attacked a victim in a private garden in Camborne on September 10, 2024. The victim was visiting a friend who knew the attackers were dangerous. Ledden and White ordered the victim to the ground and used a sledgehammer to beat him multiple times on the head and body, and a screwdriver to stab him in the leg, resulting in a fractured skull, broken leg, multiple lacerations, and defensive injuries. The attackers fled on bicycles afterwards.

Found guilty by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Of no fixed abode. Police described the attack as an unprovoked and horrific assault in daylight hours.

Sources: cornwalllive.com

George White

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent

June 18, 2025

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment and 3 years extended licence

George White and Stefan Ledden attacked a victim in a private garden in Camborne on September 10, 2024. The victim was visiting a friend who knew the attackers were dangerous. White and Ledden ordered the victim to the ground and used a sledgehammer to beat him multiple times on the head and body, and a screwdriver to stab him in the leg, resulting in a fractured skull, broken leg, multiple lacerations, and defensive injuries. The attackers fled on bicycles afterwards.

Found guilty by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Of no fixed abode. Police described the attack as an unprovoked and horrific assault in daylight hours.

Sources: cornwalllive.com

Curtis Smith

Aggravated Burglary

June 13, 2025

Sentence: 8.5 years imprisonment

Curtis Smith, along with Altan Tezcan and Bektas Gurgur, broke into a family home in Devonport on February 17, 2024, armed with a knuckleduster, knife, and imitation gun. They forced their way in, assaulted the occupants and a friend present, demanding money while threatening to shoot. Approximately £12,500 in cash and keys were stolen, and the incident was captured on a doorbell camera. The group fled in a car that had travelled from London.

Pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. Judge Robert Linford noted that the offence was significantly planned, involved weapons, and occurred with children present in the home.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Altan Tezcan

Aggravated Burglary

June 13, 2025

Sentence: 8.5 years imprisonment

Altan Tezcan, along with Curtis Smith and Bektas Gurgur, broke into a family home in Devonport on February 17, 2024, armed with a knuckleduster, knife, and imitation gun. He held the imitation firearm during the assault on the victims, demanding money and issuing threats. Approximately £12,500 in cash and keys were stolen, and the incident was captured on a doorbell camera. The group fled in a car that had travelled from London.

Pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. Judge Robert Linford noted that the offence was significantly planned, involved weapons, and occurred with children present in the home.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Bektas Gurgur

Aggravated Burglary

June 13, 2025

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment

Bektas Gurgur, along with others, forced their way into a victim's home in Plymouth in February 2024. They assaulted the occupants and a friend, demanding money, and stole £12,500 in cash and keys. Gurgur searched the house and issued orders during the incident, with children present. The group fled in a car after the burglary. He has links to the Hackney Bombers gang and a history of violent offences.

Convicted by a jury of aggravated burglary. Prior convictions include an 11-year sentence for a similar offence in 2012.

Sources: mylondon.news

Kurtis Smith

Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm

June 12, 2025

Sentence: Three years imprisonment

Kurtis Smith attacked Royal Navy serviceman Elliot Holt in Plymouth city centre on March 18, 2023, following an altercation inside a McDonald's restaurant. Smith threatened to 'bite his face off' and later knocked Holt to the ground, bit off part of his ear, and spat it out. The incident was captured on CCTV, and Smith was under the influence of alcohol at the time. Holt suffered permanent injury, required multiple surgeries, and experienced significant pain and disruption to his naval service.

Pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Must serve 40 percent of the sentence, pay £2,500 compensation to the victim, and a victim surcharge of £228. Judge noted mitigating factors including early guilty plea, remorse, and personal circumstances such as family illnesses and bereavements.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Talha Redwan

Possession of a bladed article

June 11, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Talha Redwan was dealing heroin and crack cocaine in Cambridge Road, Plymouth, on November 4, 2024, when he was approached aggressively by Shane Sweet, armed with a hammer, and Ben Davis, who threatened him with a liquid. Redwan carried a kitchen knife for protection as advised by a more experienced criminal. During the altercation, he used the knife in self-defence, resulting in Sweet's death. He was acquitted of murder but sentenced for possessing the knife in a public place.

Pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article. Served 40 percent of the sentence before release. Judge noted his naivety and involvement in drug dealing under direction of others.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Colin Taylor

Arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered

June 4, 2025

Sentence: 27 months imprisonment

Colin Taylor, aged 67 and of no fixed abode, set light to his flat in a block in Vauxhall Street, Barbican, Plymouth, on May 30, 2024, which put other lives at risk. Firefighters from Greenbank, Camel's Head, and Plymstock stations, along with police and paramedics, responded to the incident. One resident was rescued and treated for smoke inhalation, and the road was closed for several hours due to the emergency response.

Pleaded guilty to the charge. Sentenced by Judge Mathew Turner and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Peter Wilkinson

Rape

May 30, 2025

Sentence: 30 years imprisonment

Peter Wilkinson, of Drake Gardens in Tavistock, preyed upon five vulnerable women in the Tavistock area between 2012 and 2024. He subjected them to rape, serious sexual assault, physical assaults, and strangulation, causing lasting trauma. He was arrested in October 2023 after reports of abuse, and a jury found him guilty of 21 offences following a trial that included testimony from the victims about the profound impact on their lives.

Found guilty after a five-week trial at Plymouth Crown Court. Has an intellectual disability; must serve two-thirds of the sentence before being considered for parole and sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Judge HHJ Robert Linford described him as a sexual predator who targeted vulnerable women due to their vulnerabilities.

Sources: devonlive.com

Christopher Thompson

Possession of a prohibited article in prison and transmission of electronic communications

May 25, 2025

Sentence: Seven months imprisonment for each of two offences, to run concurrently with his existing sentence; one year post-sentence supervision; £156 victim surcharge

While serving a prison sentence at HMP Dartmoor, Christopher Thompson possessed a smuggled Zanco mobile phone and charger in his cell, which was discovered on 18 July 2022. He used the phone to make over 700 calls and send messages to his ex-partner between 14 June 2022 and 22 June 2022, including extremely abusive and threatening content such as threats to kill her and her family. The phone was also used to contact his mother and was shared among other prisoners.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. Judge noted the calls included extremely abusive and threatening messages, including threats to kill his ex-partner and her family, and highlighted the unwarranted delay in the case proceeding to court.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Paul Butler

Murder

April 25, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 27 years

Paul Butler, 53, murdered Claire Chick, a 48-year-old University of Plymouth lecturer and mother of two, on January 22, 2025, in a frenzied knife attack at her home in West Hoe Road, Plymouth. After their relationship ended, Butler engaged in months of harassment and stalking, including placing a tracking device in her car, posting threatening social media updates, and making comments indicating potential violence. Despite being arrested and released on bail with a ban from contacting her, he continued stalking. Upon learning of her new relationship, he confronted her wearing a camouflage hooded top, stabbed her more than 20 times with a large kitchen knife, and also attempted to kill her new partner. Claire died that night despite efforts to save her. Butler fled, purchased alcohol and painkillers, traveled to Liskeard, and attempted suicide by overdose.

Pleaded guilty to murder. Previous convictions for violence and sexual offences from 1986-1988 were taken into account.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Leon Adkins

Administering a noxious substance

February 19, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Leon Adkins kidnapped his victim and drove dangerously in a car with a smashed front windscreen, nearly colliding with another vehicle while driving extremely fast. He forced a vulnerable young man to snort glass fragments, which constituted administering a noxious substance, and also threatened the victim's mother by telling her he would firebomb her home. The offences occurred prior to February 2025 and included false imprisonment, dangerous driving, affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of cannabis.

Pleaded guilty to previous offences. Has 22 convictions for 7 offences. Ordered to complete a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for up to 35 days and disqualified from driving for 1 year.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Andrew Archer

Breach of restraining order

February 14, 2025

Sentence: 16-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 100 hours unpaid work, and £85 costs

Andrew Archer breached a restraining order imposed in December 2023 by being found in the company of a prohibited woman at Treluggan Boatyard, Landrake on 22 December.

Breached a restraining order imposed by Plymouth Crown Court by being found in the company of a woman he was prohibited from seeing

Sources: cornish-times.co.uk

Frankie Wall

Affray and robbery

January 13, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Frankie Wall, 22, of no fixed abode but previously of Totnes, committed two acts of extreme violence four years apart. On 26 April 2025 in Totnes, Wall and two others entered a property, pinned the victim to his bed, assaulted him while demanding money, and left with cash, a phone, and tools. Wall was armed with a screwdriver, leaving the victim with facial injuries. On 4 April 2021 at Dartington Estate in Totnes, Wall and two others arrived in a black BMW and violently attacked another male, kicking him in the face and using keys between the fingers to punch him, resulting in a fractured jaw requiring surgery.

Pleaded guilty to affray and robbery. Concurrent 16 months imprisonment for the 2021 offence.

Sources: news.devon-cornwall.police.uk

Mark Fitzgerald

Murder

December 12, 2024

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum of 22 years

Mark Fitzgerald murdered his 54-year-old partner Lisa Paris in his flat in Stonehouse, Plymouth. She sustained 70 separate bruises to her head, neck, body, arms and legs, including blunt-force injuries and finger-grip-type wounds around her neck. Miss Paris was last seen on CCTV at around 9.05pm on 8 March 2024. Her body was concealed under blankets and bedding, possibly for up to 10 days, and discovered on 18 March 2024 after Fitzgerald faked finding her unconscious and called for help. The couple had been in a relationship for eight years, with Miss Paris acting as his carer due to his health issues and alcohol dependency. Witnesses described previous abuse and violence by Fitzgerald towards her.

Denied murder but was found guilty following a trial. Prior conviction in 2020 for attacking the victim with a knife.

Sources: news.devon-cornwall.police.uk

Unnamed Child Rapist

Child Rape

December 8, 2024

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

A child rapist from Plymouth sexually abused a child victim, leading to his conviction and sentencing. The case highlighted the bravery of the victim and encouraged others to report similar abuses.

Victim praised for courage. Police hope other sexual abuse victims will come forward.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

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