Plymouth Crown Court Sentencing Results

On 25 August 2022, at around 5.30am, Stephen Saint, driving a minibus alone after dropping off family members at Bristol Airport, crossed the stop lines on Kings Road at the junction with Rectory Road in Plymouth and collided with a Honda motorcycle ridden by the victim, who was on his way to work. A forensic report showed Saint had cut the corner and advanced three meters into the oncoming carriageway. The victim died from his injuries. Saint tested positive for cocaine with an extremely high level of its breakdown product in his blood and had failed to monitor his blood sugar levels as a diabetic prior to driving.

Rasty Hassan, aged 27, an Iraqi national, conspired with others between August 1, 2024, and September 18, 2024, to organise the illegal entry into the UK of men, women, and children via a 27-foot yacht named Induna that encountered mechanical issues off Berry Head near Torbay on September 17, 2024. The yacht was towed to Brixham harbour where nine Iraqi nationals, including a family with a 10-month-old baby and three siblings, were arrested. Hassan transported a man from Roscoff, France, to Calais before the crossing.

Lee Blatchford engaged in a campaign of violent and controlling behaviour towards his former partner over a one-year relationship that began deteriorating within six months. He became paranoid, prevented her from speaking to her children, locked her in the house, took her bank card and withdrew her money leaving her in debt, required her to keep her phone in his view for message examination, and prevented her from seeing a doctor for medical issues. On one occasion, he took an overdose in front of her after she stood up to him. The relationship ended in March 2024 when the victim went to collect her belongings, leading to an argument where Blatchford was threatening and abusive. Upon her return home, he strangled her until she struggled to breathe; she and her daughter managed to remove him. He was arrested and bailed. On 31 March 2024, in breach of bail, he waited outside her property, invited her over, provided crack cocaine to keep her there, became abusive when she tried to leave, lay on top of her, strangled her once, and strangled her a second time while dragging her back. He allowed her to leave the next morning. From prison, he made calls asking others to contact the victim to make her drop the case.

Aminadab Temesgen, aged 19 of Yellowmead Road, Plymouth, participated in the riot on the evening of August 5, 2024, in Plymouth. He was captured on police footage standing at the top of Royal Parade close to St Andrews Church throwing bottles at officers and members of the public.

Justin Crimp approached TK Maxx shortly after 9.45pm on Monday 5 August 2024 where he threw a brick twice at the glass door, causing significant damage, as part of violent disorder in Plymouth City Centre. He was arrested on 7 August after officers reviewed CCTV footage.

Justin James Crimp was involved in violent disorder in Plymouth City Centre on Monday, 5 August 2024. Footage showed him at the front of the disorder and throwing rocks to smash the door of the TK Maxx store on Royal Parade, causing damage valued over £5000. He was arrested at his home on Palace Street, Plymouth, on 7 August 2024, and charged on 8 August 2024.

Lucas Ormond Skeaping was involved in the violent disorder and looting in Plymouth City Centre on Monday, August 5, 2024. Go-Pro footage clearly showed him throwing objects at those who had gathered and he admitted to pushing a cyclist off their bicycle as part of a so-called counter-protest.

Michael Williams was involved in the violent disorder in Plymouth City Centre on Monday, August 5, 2024. He was seen hurling bottles and rocks at police and kicking another man before he was arrested at the scene.

Daniel McGuire was involved in the violent disorder in Plymouth City Centre on Monday, August 5, 2024, where he was seen spitting at police officers.

On 17 December 2024, Dwayne Arney drove an Audi A4 Quattro at speeds between 81 and 85mph in a 30mph zone on Ham Drive, Plymouth, in the wrong lane. He ignored his passenger's pleas to slow down, lost control after passing a parked ambulance, and collided head-on with the victim's Ford Fiesta, killing her at the scene. Arney, who was under the influence of drugs, had no licence or insurance, fled the scene, and was later arrested at his home where he attempted to swallow cocaine. He had admitted the offences at Plymouth Crown Court.

On 16 April 2023 in the early hours, Jake Pennington visited Jesters nightclub on Union Street in Plymouth. After being attacked inside by another man, door staff intervened to eject both. In the foyer at around 3.30am Pennington produced a knife (possibly a Stanley knife) and slashed two doormen, causing cuts to wrists, thumb, stomach, thigh and knee plus psychological harm. He fled but was later identified and arrested. He had two prior convictions for carrying a bladed article.

Joseph Powney, a 35-year-old man from Plymouth, subjected his intimate partner to controlling and coercive behaviour over approximately 10 months, including numerous assaults and strangulations, resulting in physical injuries and trauma. In September 2024, police were called to his victim's home, finding her injured outside; Powney had fled but later handed himself in. He lied about the cause of her injuries, suggesting they were work-related or self-inflicted.

On February 5, 2024, Jordan Goody, 26, of Higher Efford Road, Plymouth, was pulling wheelies and overtaking cars on a KTM motorbike on Beacon Park Road when he hit 80-year-old war veteran the victim, who suffered life-threatening injuries and died in hospital three days later. Goody fled the scene. He was identified, arrested, charged, denied the offence but found guilty by a jury on April 10, 2026.

Nicholas Pennell, the former chief executive of Plymouth and District Mind, stalked a 29-year-old woman for three months. He followed the woman home from work in his car and continued to follow her even after she changed her route home. The victim took down his car's registration number and reported him to the police. Pennell resigned from his position following his arrest in September 2013.

Martin McDonagh, 26, from Plymouth, fled to Ireland 9 days before he was due in court in February 2017, resulting in conviction in absence for fly-tipping and this additional sentence upon extradition for failing to surrender to custody. He had offered to take rubbish to the tip for cash but dumped it at 18 countryside locations over 12 months, including concrete rubble and asbestos in Teignmouth.