Reading Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 135 verdicts at Reading Crown Court (Reading). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

June 2021 6 cases

Lynda Rickard

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years

Lynda Rickard forged the wills of James 'Anthony' Sootheran and his mother Mary Sootheran, then deliberately starved Anthony Sootheran to death at High Havens Farm in South Newington, Oxfordshire, in March 2014, to inherit part of his £3.5 million fortune. She had been paid £47,000 a year to care for Mary Sootheran until her death in 2012 and misused tens of thousands of pounds for her family's lifestyle, including private school fees.

Pleaded guilty to four fraud charges, two counts of forgery, two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, possession of articles for use in fraud, and obtaining benefits by deception. Judge commented on her greed and systematic exploitation.

1 Jun 2021

Michael Dunkley

Fraud by false representation *

Sentence

2 years imprisonment

Michael Dunkley participated in a fraud scheme by falsely claiming that a will in the name of James 'Anthony' Sootheran was genuine, as part of a larger conspiracy involving the Rickards to inherit from the Sootheran estate.

Found guilty of fraud by falsely claiming a will in the name of James 'Anthony' Sootheran was genuine.

1 Jun 2021

Wayne Rickard

Causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult *

Sentence

10.5 years imprisonment

Wayne Rickard, along with his wife Lynda, was involved in forging wills and misusing funds from the Sootheran family. He allowed James 'Anthony' Sootheran to die from malnutrition at High Havens Farm in South Newington, Oxfordshire, in March 2014, while benefiting from the fraud, including the purchase of a £33,000 Mitsubishi Shogun with Mrs Sootheran's money in 2010.

Acquitted of murder but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult, fraud by false representation, and perverting the course of justice. Judge stated he failed to help the victim due to hopes of financial gain.

1 Jun 2021

Shanda Robinson

Fraud by false representation *

Sentence

32 months imprisonment

Shanda Robinson conspired to pervert the course of justice and committed fraud by falsely claiming that a will in the name of Mary Sootheran was genuine, as part of a scheme to defraud the Sootheran estate.

Found guilty of fraud by false representation and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice for falsely claiming a will in the name of Mary Sootheran was genuine.

1 Jun 2021

June Alsford

Fraud by false representation *

Sentence

2 years imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

June Alsford was involved in a fraud and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by participating in the scam to falsely claim wills related to the Sootheran estate were genuine.

Pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice related to the scam involving the Sootheran wills.

1 Jun 2021

Denise Neal

Fraud by false representation *

Sentence

27 months imprisonment

Denise Neal was involved in falsely claiming that a will in the name of James 'Anthony' Sootheran was genuine, contributing to a fraud scheme orchestrated by the Rickards to misappropriate funds from the Sootheran estate.

Found guilty of fraud by falsely claiming a will in the name of James 'Anthony' Sootheran was genuine.

1 Jun 2021

October 2020 2 cases

Antonio Ferraiuolo

Housing offences *

Sentence

Fined £10,500

Arun Bajaj and Antonio Ferraiuolo let three small two-bedroom flats in a converted semi-detached Victorian home in the London borough of Islington, where 35 people were found living in criminally improper conditions. The building had no working fire alarm system, non-fire resistant room partitions, and dangerous electrics. Tenants slept six to a room in bunk beds without formal tenancy agreements, paying rent in cash. The smallest bedrooms were around 50 square foot. After discovery, the landlords moved tenants to other nearby properties with similar defects.

Found guilty of 35 offences in relation to the letting of one property and management of two others. Judge described him as calculatedly criminal and placing occupants in very serious danger.

22 Oct 2020

Arun Bajaj

Housing offences *

Sentence

Fined £100,000

Found guilty of 15 offences in relation to the management of two properties. Ordered to pay £20,000 costs.

22 Oct 2020

August 2019 1 case

Shohfah-El Israel

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with minimum term of 17 years

Shohfah-El Israel murdered 20-year-old midwifery student Joy Morgan in December 2018 after spending two nights alone with her in his Cricklewood flat, violating strict church rules of the Israel United in Christ Church in Ilford, east London. He lied to police about dropping her off at her Hatfield accommodation after a church dinner on December 26, later admitting the stay but claiming it was to avoid church sanctions. After the killing, he removed her from a church Telegram group, pretended to check on her at her student house, and drove to the Stevenage area on December 28 where a signal from her phone was detected, likely to dispose of the body. Her accommodation keys were found in his car after his February arrest. He denied any sexual relationship, claiming he saw her as a daughter, and said she wanted to leave the church, though fellow members were shocked as she had recently praised it as her best family. Her body has never been found despite extensive searches in Hertfordshire.

Convicted by a jury of murder. Judge Michael Soole commented on the defendant's lies, intelligence, and the ongoing distress caused by not revealing the body's location. The defendant used a walking stick in court and showed no emotion during the victim impact statement.

5 Aug 2019

May 2019 1 case

Gavin Lescott

Fraud *

Sentence

12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months

Gavin Lescott applied to be placed on Slough’s council housing register in 2006 while in the process of buying a buy to let property with his brother. He bought a house as an investment property and let it to tenants. He accepted a council tenancy without declaring his property ownership. In 2017, he failed to declare property ownership when applying for benefits. He resided in the council house for more than 10 years, obtaining £48,408 in illegal benefit. He voluntarily moved out and returned the keys at the end of June 2019.

Admitted three offences under the Fraud Act 2006 for making false representations and failing to disclose information. Ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation. Also ordered to pay £48,408 under Proceeds of Crime Act or face 18 months in prison for non-payment, plus £6,816 prosecution costs.

1 May 2019

July 2017 1 case

Michael Adebowale

Assault causing actual bodily harm *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment

On 20 July 2016, while being held at Broadmoor Hospital, Michael Adebowale punched healthcare assistant Jason Taplin in the jaw after being asked to turn down the volume of a television playing music. Mr Taplin was taken to hospital and examined; there was a dispute over whether his jaw was broken, allowing Adebowale to plead to the lesser charge. Adebowale was in a psychotic state due to insufficient medication for his chronic paranoid schizophrenia, hearing voices telling him to attack. This incident occurred while he was serving a life sentence with a 45-year minimum term for the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in May 2013, where he and Michael Adebolajo ran over the 25-year-old Fusilier near Woolwich barracks and stabbed him to death in broad daylight, motivated by extremist beliefs.

Pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. Sentence to be served after his 45-year minimum term for the 2013 murder of Lee Rigby. Suffered from chronic paranoid schizophrenia and heard voices before the attack. Judge noted the injury was painful and hoped for sincere regret.

24 Jul 2017

October 2016 1 case

Tomasz Kroker

Causing death by dangerous driving *

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Tomasz Kroker was driving a lorry and scrolling through music on his mobile phone, which distracted him for almost a kilometre, leading him to crash into a stationary vehicle at 50mph on the A34 dual carriageway north of Newbury in Berkshire on August 10, 2016. The vehicle carried Tracey Houghton, 45, her sons Ethan Houghton, 13, and Josh Houghton, 11, and her stepdaughter Aimee Goldsmith, 11, resulting in their immediate deaths as their car was crushed underneath a heavy goods vehicle. A man was seriously injured, and four other people were hurt in the incident.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Judge Maura McGowan noted that his attention was so poor he might as well have had his eyes closed, and he had signed a declaration not to use his phone at the wheel.

31 Oct 2016

May 2016 1 case

Harjeevan Randhawa

Dangerous Driving *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 5 years and 4 months, and 2 months for driving over the alcohol limit (concurrent)

Harjeevan Randhawa was driving an Audi on the M4 motorway when he rear-ended a Renault Clio in the middle lane between junctions 10 and 11 on the westbound carriageway around 4pm on December 24, 2015. This caused the Clio to cross the carriageway, smash through bushes, and overturn in a ditch on the hard shoulder. The couple in the Clio sustained cuts, bruises, and arm pain. Randhawa fled the scene and was later arrested at his home address in Reading, where his car was found with substantial front damage. He was over the prescribed alcohol limit at the time.

Pleaded guilty to causing the collision. Ordered to take an extended retest and licence endorsed for failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

3 May 2016

February 2014 3 cases

Gavin Gleeson

Burglary *

Sentence

5.5 years imprisonment

Gavin Gleeson, 26, was involved in a gang's 20 burglaries (13 commercial including a beauty salon, Indian takeaway, and florist; 7 domestic) in Reading and West Berkshire in 2012. The gang wore size-too-small trainers to cover tracks, used stolen vehicles, latex gloves, and radio silence on phones. He was found guilty of 5 domestic and 12 commercial burglaries. The spree cost victims £330,000 across about 45 properties.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy but basis of plea not accepted; found guilty after Newton hearing of 5 domestic and 12 commercial burglaries. Judge said he was part of an utterly ruthless, organised criminal gang. Shared a cell with Wince previously; family tragedies prompted change.

13 Feb 2014

Reece Collis

Burglary *

Sentence

4 years imprisonment

Reece Collis, 18 (17 at time of offences), participated in a gang's string of 20 burglaries (13 commercial including a beauty salon, Indian takeaway, and florist; 7 domestic) in Reading and West Berkshire in 2012. The gang wore size-too-small trainers to cover tracks, used stolen vehicles, latex gloves, and radio silence on phones. He was not involved after July 12, 2012, when arrested. The spree cost victims £330,000 across about 45 properties.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy. Described as a foot soldier with ADHD and social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. Asked for additional burglary at Collins Hardware on July 12, 2012, to be taken into consideration. Concurrent 6 months for burgling a bistro in Bournemouth in October 2013.

13 Feb 2014

Christopher Wince

Burglary *

Sentence

8 years imprisonment

Christopher Wince, 23, was a ringleader in a gang responsible for a string of 20 burglaries (13 commercial including a beauty salon, Indian takeaway, and florist; 7 domestic) in Reading and West Berkshire in 2012. The gang wore size-too-small trainers to cover tracks, used stolen vehicles, latex gloves, and radio silence on phones. A footprint from an Adidas trainer size 5.5 at Croppers in Bloom matched one at his home. The spree cost victims £330,000 across about 45 properties.

Denied all charges but found guilty. Described as one of two gang ringleaders and a ruthless, cunning, young, professional criminal. Prior convictions since age 15; to serve after completing 6-year sentence for robbery.

12 Feb 2014

May 2011 1 case

Robert Brown

Manslaughter *

Sentence

24 years imprisonment for manslaughter and 2 years for obstructing a coroner

Robert Brown, a British Airways captain, bludgeoned his 46-year-old wife Joanna to death with a claw hammer in their family home in October 2010 as their two young children cowered in a playroom. He dumped her body in a makeshift coffin in Windsor Great Park and was involved in obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty.

Admitted manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility. Was acquitted of murder and had previously believed he was 'stitched up' by a prenuptial agreement.

1 May 2011

September 2010 1 case

Mark Alexander

Murder *

Sentence

life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years

Mark Alexander, then aged 22 and a law student, killed his 70-year-old father Samuel Alexander in September 2010 in a bid to escape his controlling influence. He buried the body in concrete in the garden of their family home in Drayton Parslow, Buckinghamshire, and was subsequently convicted.

Insists on innocence and claims a miscarriage of justice; has gained two law degrees in prison and is challenging the Ministry of Justice over refusal to allow a phone interview for a podcast.

1 Sep 2010

December 1992 1 case

Leslie Patrick Bailey

Manslaughter *

Sentence

two life sentences

Leslie Patrick Bailey confessed that on 1 June 1984, he drove Lennie Smith to Wokingham where they met Sidney Cooke at a funfair. They abducted seven-year-old Mark Tildesley by enticing him with sweets and forcing him into Bailey's car. They took him to Cooke's caravan on The Moors, Evendons Lane, where Tildesley was drugged, tortured, gang raped, and strangled to death.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter and one charge of buggery. Member of Sidney Cooke's paedophile gang nicknamed the 'Dirty Dozen'. Already serving sentence for manslaughter of Jason Swift and Barry Lewis.

9 Dec 1992

Date Not Specified 16 cases

Lucas Gomes

Supplying heroin *

Sentence

four years and three months imprisonment

Lucas Gomes was caught running a heroin operation on 23 September 2025 in High Wycombe. He attempted to discard his phone to evade police but it was located by a specially trained police dog, leading to his arrest the following day.

Pleaded guilty to drug supply offence, possessing a Class B drug and driving uninsured. Ordered to hand over £490.43 in seized cash.

1 Jan 0001

Mahboob Khan

Conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury *

Sentence

4.5 years imprisonment

Involved in the ghost vote scandal which rocked Slough politics during the 2007 local council elections, convicted of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury.

Convicted of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury. Appeal against conviction rejected.

1 Jan 0001

Marcel Gordon

Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent *

Sentence

seven and a half years' imprisonment

Marcel Gordon, 19, from Garsmouth Way, Watford, carried out a savage stabbing at Maeme’s chicken shop on 23 July 2024, seriously injuring a man in his 20s. He was also involved in violent disorder at Meriden Way park on 25 July 2024.

Sentenced to six years for grievous bodily harm with intent and carrying an offensive weapon, plus 18 months for violent disorder.

1 Jan 0001

Raja Mohammed Eshaq Khan

Conspiracy to defraud and perjury *

Sentence

3.5 years imprisonment

Involved in the ghost vote scandal which rocked Slough politics during the 2007 local council elections, admitting to conspiracy to defraud and perjury as a Tory candidate.

Admitted conspiracy to defraud and perjury. Appeal against conviction rejected.

1 Jan 0001

Mohammed Basharat Khan

Conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury *

Sentence

2 years 10 months imprisonment

Involved in the ghost vote scandal which rocked Slough politics during the 2007 local council elections, pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury. Original sentence of 3 years 4 months reduced by 6 months on appeal.

1 Jan 0001

Simon John Turner

Fraud *

Sentence

10 years in prison

Simon John Turner targeted victims in Weymouth, conning them out of around £190,000 through fake caravan deals and investments. He befriended a man in his 60s at a caravan park, convincing him to hand over more than £100,000 for a discounted caravan and a supposed property investment that did not exist. He also targeted two other victims, taking more than £76,000 for a caravan purchase, decking and lighting that were never provided. Investigators found falsified invoices and no caravan secured.

Admitted multiple fraud offences. Repeat fraudster who initially failed to appear for sentencing but was arrested in Hampshire.

1 Jan 0001

Simon Turner

Fraud and theft *

Sentence

10 years in prison

Simon Turner targeted a woman from Amesbury in a romance fraud. He met the victim online, built a relationship, and repeatedly asked for money, taking nearly £30,000 claiming it was for vehicles, holidays, and other expenses that never existed.

Admitted fraud and theft offences committed between 2024 and 2025. Had previous convictions and was living in a caravan.

1 Jan 0001

Talwinder Singh

Failure to comply with planning enforcement notice and fraud *

Sentence

15 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, fined £25,000, ordered to pay £266,177, 200 hours unpaid work

Talwinder Singh was refused permission by Slough council to build a block of six flats in the Manor Park area of Slough but built them anyway. Despite a planning enforcement notice in September 2010, he let the flats to tenants including families with children. He lied to the council claiming the property had been returned to a single dwelling, installed temporary kitchens dismantled before inspections, boarded up attic doors, removed windows from top floor attic flats leaving tenants without natural light, and charged tenants extra for council tax while declaring only one property. The £266,177 represented illegally obtained rent and unpaid council tax confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Slough council received £18,826 compensation for lost council tax and £23,130 prosecution costs. He must return the flats to one or two properties as per original consent and pay all monies within three months or face up to 30 months in jail.

Admitted two charges of failure to comply with an enforcement notice between December 2011 and December 2017 under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and dishonestly making a false representation in December 2012 contrary to the Fraud Act 2006. Judge Paul Dugdale described him as a greedy experienced landlord who ignored the council's planning decision and used dishonest acts to hoodwink the council.

1 Jan 0001

Bruce Lee Clark

Being concerned in the supply of cannabis *

Sentence

two years and eight months in prison

Bruce Lee Clark was located within a working cannabis farm on Ascot Road on 17th April 2025. More than 400 cannabis plants were seized alongside £2,500 in cash. The drugs had a street value of over £90,000.

Aged 46, of Kings Lane, Egham. Pleaded guilty.

1 Jan 0001

Carlito Dujon

Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life *

Sentence

10 years' imprisonment

Carlito Dujon, 21, from Dodd Road, Watford, fired a retaliation shot from an e-bike during a shootout on the A41 on 25 July 2024.

Convicted of possession of an imitation firearm to cause fear, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and carrying a bladed weapon.

1 Jan 0001

Desmond Bonato

Violent Disorder *

Sentence

18 months' imprisonment

Desmond Bonato, 20, from Raphael Drive, Watford, was involved in violent disorder at Meriden Way park on 25 July 2024.

Pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

1 Jan 0001

Barry O'sullivan

Causing death by careless driving *

Sentence

6 months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months

Barry O'Sullivan, driving his Ford Transit Connect van at about 77mph without a seatbelt, collided with a stranded Nissan Micra on the M4 westbound between junctions 11 and 12 in Berkshire at about 08:30 GMT in March 2022. The Micra's safety alert system on the smart motorway was malfunctioning. The impact caused the car to burst into flames, killing 68-year-old passenger Pulvinder Dhillon. Other motorists had passed safely and made 999 calls.

Found guilty of causing death by careless driving. Banned from driving for 12 months. Judge noted momentary lapse of concentration. Defence argued smart motorway system failure.

1 Jan 0001

Billy Houlihan

Being concerned in the supply of cannabis *

Sentence

two year suspended sentence and 300 hours of unpaid work

Billy Houlihan was located within a working cannabis farm on Ascot Road on 17th April 2025. More than 400 cannabis plants were seized alongside £2,500 in cash. The drugs had a street value of over £90,000.

Aged 33, of Fordbridge Road, Ashford. Pleaded guilty.

1 Jan 0001

George Appleton

Robbery *

Sentence

three years and eight months imprisonment

George Appleton, from Watts Hill Cottages, Wraysbury, carried out knifepoint robberies on three taxi drivers between 6 and 12 May 2018: on 6 May at 2:35am on Ferry Lane, threatened a 53-year-old driver, stole cash, caused head injuries and bruising; on 11 May around 2:50am on Ferry Lane, assaulted a 44-year-old driver causing a head gash; on 12 May near 3am in Park Lane, Datchet, attacked a 38-year-old driver, stole wallet and cash, left him with cut above eye and bruising. Arrested same day as last attack.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and possession of a bladed article. Violent spree targeting lone taxi drivers, forcing them to remote locations and threatening with a knife.

1 Jan 0001

Harvey Drummond

Being concerned in the supply of cannabis *

Sentence

three years and four months in prison

Harvey Drummond was located within a working cannabis farm on Ascot Road on 17th April 2025. More than 400 cannabis plants were seized alongside £2,500 in cash. The drugs had a street value of over £90,000.

Aged 25, of West Road, Feltham. Pleaded guilty.

1 Jan 0001

Haneef Sheraz

Possession with intent to supply Class A cocaine *

Sentence

two years and ten months imprisonment

On August 1, 2025, Thames Valley Police stopped Haneef Sheraz on Parluant Road in Slough and found 20 bags of cocaine valued at £1,520 during a search. He was arrested immediately and charged the next day.

Possession with intent to supply Class A cocaine. Arrested after police search on Parluant Road.

1 Jan 0001

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

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Old Shire Hall, The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EH, Reading, RG1 3EH, United Kingdom

+441189674400

Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

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About Reading Crown Court

Reading Crown Court, located in Reading, is a Crown Court that handles serious criminal cases including murder, rape, robbery, and other indictable offences. With 135 sentencing records in our database, it is one of the Crown Courts serving the Reading area. Crown Courts sit with a judge and jury, and have the power to impose the full range of sentences available under UK law.

The court can be found at Old Shire Hall, The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EH, RG1 3EH.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441189674400.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.

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Reading Crown Court Sentencing Results

Lynda Rickard

Michael Dunkley

Wayne Rickard

Shanda Robinson

June Alsford

Denise Neal

Antonio Ferraiuolo

Arun Bajaj

Shohfah-El Israel

Gavin Lescott

Michael Adebowale

Tomasz Kroker

Harjeevan Randhawa

Gavin Gleeson

Reece Collis

Christopher Wince

Robert Brown

Mark Alexander

Leslie Patrick Bailey

Lucas Gomes

Mahboob Khan

Marcel Gordon

Raja Mohammed Eshaq Khan

Mohammed Basharat Khan

Simon John Turner

Simon Turner

Talwinder Singh

Bruce Lee Clark

Carlito Dujon

Desmond Bonato

Barry O'sullivan

Billy Houlihan

George Appleton

Harvey Drummond

Haneef Sheraz

About Reading Crown Court

Nearby Courts

Reading Magistrates Court

Basingstoke Magistrates Court

High Wycombe Magistrates Court

East Berkshire (Slough) Magistrates Court

Aldershot Magistrates Court

Staines Magistrates Court

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