Redditch Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 4 verdicts at Redditch Magistrates' Court (Redditch). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

October 2024 1 case

David Wilkinson

2 Oct 2024

Indecent assault of a child under the age of 16 *

Sentence

18 months imprisonment for each of two counts of indecent assault to run consecutively, and 18 months for a third count to run concurrently

David Wilkinson, a former Kidderminster teacher, engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old pupil between March and October 1983, when he was 35 years old. The victim described being exploited, groomed, and abused in a calculated abuse of power. The relationship continued after her 16th birthday but ended, leaving her devastated. She reflected on the abuse years later after having children. The victim's mother and brother condoned the relationship, even allowing Wilkinson to stay in her bed.

Found guilty. Judge Seanin Gilmore noted a lack of victim sympathy, described the defendant as manipulative and abusive, and stated the sentence was limited by 1983 guidelines (maximum 2 years then, versus 14 years in 2025). Defence argued no clandestine actions and that the victim wanted the relationship, but the judge ruled the victim was not of consenting age.

bbc.co.uk

Checked against source, except the date 28 Aug 2026

May 2024 1 case

Khizer Ali

16 May 2024

Causing Death by Dangerous Driving *

Sentence

11 years and 3 months imprisonment

Khizer Ali, a 24-year-old from Farndon Close, Redditch, drove a VW Golf recklessly, reaching speeds of 62mph in a 30mph zone and having near misses. On April 23, 2024, he lost control on the A441 Alvechurch Highway, crashing head-on into a Vauxhall Meriva driven by a woman, 65, and her husband, 70, who were en route to shop in Redditch. The impact killed the woman instantly and caused life-changing injuries to her husband; Ali had swapped vehicles with his sister and was not insured to drive the car.

Faced charges for reckless driving; was a learner driver without a full licence and driving without consent; involved in high-speed incidents leading to a fatal crash.

dudleynews.co.uk

Source last checked 29 Oct 2026

Sentencing date not recorded 2 cases

We could not confirm the sentencing date for these from the source report, so none is shown. Everything else about them was checked as usual.

Claire Kopusto

Theft from shop *

Sentence

18 weeks imprisonment

Claire Kopusto, 42, of no fixed abode, appeared before Redditch Magistrates Court on Thursday and was sentenced for repeated shoplifting. She received 10 weeks for breaching a criminal behaviour order, four weeks each for two thefts from shops, and four weeks concurrent for a third theft. Police said her repeated offending had a significant impact on retailers in Redditch.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from shop and one count of breaching a criminal behaviour order. Ordered to pay £28 compensation.

redditchstandard.co.uk

Checked against source 25 Oct 2026

Karen Lesley Symons

Possession of Class A drugs and theft *

Sentence

24-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge

On 8 July 2014, Karen Lesley Symons was shopping in Peacocks in Bromsgrove with an elderly friend for whom she cares voluntarily. She placed two tops in her bag and left without paying. Security guards stopped her, and she was seen trying to conceal something. Police were called and searched her, finding two foil wraps of heroin and small rocks of cocaine in her handbag. She claimed the drugs had been in the bag for eight to twelve months and she had forgotten about them. She pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a class A drug and one charge of theft at Redditch Magistrates Court on 22 July 2014.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a class A drug and one charge of theft. Claimed she had forgotten about the drugs in her old handbag. Remorseful and complying. On anti-psychotics and anti-depressants. Magistrates warned her not to relapse.

droitwichstandard.co.uk

Checked against source, except the date 28 Aug 2026

About these records: Each record is compiled from a published media report or other publicly available source, and reports a sentence as it was published. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is not a criminal record check: it must not be used to make decisions about anyone's employment, housing, credit or insurance.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) follow the wording used in the report and may not match the formal legal charge. A record does not suggest that the person named has committed any other offence. Convictions can be overturned, and sentences changed, on appeal after a report is published. Records that share a name are separate records and may concern different people.

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Grove St, Redditch B98 8DB, Redditch, B98 8DB, United Kingdom

+441562514000

Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:45

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About Redditch Magistrates' Court

Redditch Magistrates' Court, located in Redditch, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 4 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Redditch area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at Grove St, Redditch B98 8DB, B98 8DB.

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 +441562514000.

The sentencing information on this page is compiled from published media reports and other publicly available sources, with automated and editorial checks applied before publication. If you believe any information is inaccurate, out of date, or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above and it will be reviewed by a person.