Plymouth Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 25 verdicts at Plymouth Crown Court (Plymouth, Plymouth). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

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

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

Anthony Anantharajah

Rape

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment with 7 years on licence

Anthony Anantharajah, aged 35 from London, was involved in grooming and raping vulnerable girls in Plymouth. The offences took place at house parties in 2017, where girls were given alcohol and money to buy drugs before being sexually assaulted as part of Operation Garcia.

Abalzaq Salih

Rape

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 19 years imprisonment

Abalzaq Salih, aged 31 from Plymouth, participated in grooming and raping two underage teenage girls at house parties in Plymouth in May and December 2017. The victims were abused after being given alcohol and money to buy drugs, as uncovered in Operation Garcia.

Saif Kahya

Rape

August 1, 2024

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Saif Kahya, aged 32 from Liverpool, raped a third teenage girl in December 2017 during house parties in Plymouth. The incident was part of a series of offences involving grooming vulnerable girls with alcohol and drugs, as investigated under Operation Garcia.

Conor O’Neill

Importation of Cannabis and Supply of Drugs

June 24, 2024

Sentence: 4.5 years imprisonment

Conor O’Neill, 26, of Glen Park Avenue in Plymouth, was involved in drug dealing activities. On April 11, 2024, police observed a suspected drug user at his property, leading to the discovery of 2.42g of heroin and 18.6g of cannabis, along with drug paraphernalia and messages on his mobile phone indicating supply. While on bail, he travelled to Thailand and returned to the UK on April 2, where he was caught at Heathrow Airport with 17kg of cannabis in his suitcase, valued at approximately £110,000 on the street. He claimed he was coerced into smuggling the drugs to settle debts and had received an Osman Warning due to threats on his life.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin, cocaine and cannabis, and importation of cannabis. Had prior convictions for supplying drugs and was under a Community Order at the time. Suffered from poor mental health and ADHD, and was attempting to repay a £50,000 debt.

Sources: plymouthherald.co.uk

Alexzander Pearce

Sexual Assault

September 11, 2023

Sentence: 1 year imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, plus 30 days of rehabilitation work

Alexzander Pearce, a 30-year-old dad of two and stepdad of one, sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl on a train near Truro train station on March 11, 2021. He approached the only other passenger in the carriage, sat in front of her, and touched her thighs without consent while rubbing his crotch. He asked if she wanted to see his penis and, when asked to stop, caressed her naked breasts inside her bra, leaving her frozen, shocked, and scared. The incident occurred during Covid restrictions when fewer people were travelling on public transport. He was caught and the assault was reported.

Pleaded not guilty but found guilty at trial. Described as an isolated incident; lost job as a carer and hopes to reconnect with his two children and one stepchild. Judge commented it was a frightening and humiliating experience for the victim.

Sources: devonlive.com

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