Salisbury Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 27 verdicts at Salisbury Crown Court (Salisbury, Salisbury). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Michael Colin Bell

Abuse of young boys

September 3, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Michael Colin Bell, a Salisbury man, was jailed after pleading guilty to abusing young boys. He was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court for his crimes.

David Hedges

Sexual abuse

August 19, 2025

Sentence: 28 years imprisonment

David Hedges sexually abused two very young and vulnerable girls over several years during the 1990s and 2000s. He was found guilty of seven offences related to this abuse. In 2005, measures were taken to prevent further abuse, but there was insufficient evidence for prosecution at that time. The case was reopened in 2017 after both victims came forward and provided evidence, leading to his conviction.

Denied charges but was convicted by a jury of seven offences. Must serve a minimum of two-thirds of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Also subject to registration as a sex offender, a sexual harm prevention order, and a restraining order to prohibit contact with children indefinitely.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Marlon Henriques

Dangerous Driving

August 15, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment

On June 10, Marlon Henriques drove a black Volkswagen Arteon taken without consent, leading police on a high-speed chase. He reached speeds over 100mph on 30mph roads, overtook vehicles dangerously, drove the wrong way around a roundabout, ignored red lights, and eventually crashed into a Citroen van and a police vehicle after a stinger device punctured his tyres.

Pleaded guilty to aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. Police described his driving as some of the worst they have seen, putting numerous lives in danger.

Sources: devonlive.com

Corey Poutney

Robbery

July 3, 2025

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Corey Poutney, 34, of Wood Lane, Chippenham, carried out a robbery at the Sports Direct store in Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, on March 31, where he attacked and injured a person to steal items. He was found in possession of class A drugs and a demagnetiser. Additionally, he committed further theft offences in Chippenham.

Pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of drugs, going equipped, and theft offences. Also handed a five-year restraining order. Described as a prolific offender with no remorse by investigating officer PC Rodriguez-Wilkins.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Akiel Jacobs

Robbery

January 3, 2025

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Akiel Jacobs, a Sanctuary Housing worker, attended a tenant's home in Rendells Court, Devizes, on 9 May 2024 for a boiler inspection but returned unannounced on 31 May 2024 to rob the occupants at knifepoint using a machete. During the incident, he stabbed a man in his 30s in the face, causing an injury that sliced his salivary glands and required several months to heal. The victim was treated at the scene by air ambulance medics and later at Great Western Hospital. Jacobs stole £2,150 in cash.

Pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a machete in a public place. A charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent will lie on file. He had a prior conviction in 2018 for possession of heroin due to drug addiction and was employed as a gas engineer by Sanctuary Housing before being sacked.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Khyl Harrington

Supply of Cocaine

October 10, 2024

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Khyl Harrington, of Meadow Lane, Westbury, was arrested on June 13, 2023, after police seized £38,650 worth of cocaine and £5,900 in cash from his home. He was involved in the supply of cocaine over several years, using the proceeds to fund an extravagant lifestyle that included expensive holidays, which had a harmful impact on the community.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine between 2019 and 2023 and for possession of criminal property. Lived a lifestyle beyond his means, including expensive holidays funded by his criminality, as noted by Detective Constable Ian Tilley.

Sources: wiltshiretimes.co.uk

Mitchell Gregory

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

September 5, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 4 years

On September 22, 2024, Mitchell Gregory, while under the influence of cocaine, drove a black Ford Fiesta on the A360 in Market Lavington, crossed the solid central white lines, and collided head-on with a motorcyclist riding a green Kawasaki motorbike, causing the victim, a man in his 20s, life-changing injuries. Gregory admitted to losing control of his car while going around a corner, and blood tests confirmed a significant amount of cocaine in his system.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving. Investigating officer PC Lucy Thompson commented on the dangers of drug driving and its impacts.

Sources: bournemouthecho.co.uk

Dadhurshanan Wairaiyan

Possession with intent to supply

August 30, 2024

Sentence: five years in prison

Dadhurshanan Wairaiyan was an active drug dealer who made regular trips between London, Farnham, and East Hampshire. On June 1, 2024, his Nissan Qashqai was stopped on the A31 near Alton during a police investigation. Officers seized more than 30 bags of crack cocaine, a bag of cannabis, two mobile phones, and other drug-related paraphernalia from his vehicle.

Pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a Class B drug. Police comments highlighted efforts to combat drug dealing in the area.

Sources: altonherald.com

Ellen Rae

Sexual Assault

August 16, 2024

Sentence: two years' imprisonment

Ellen Rae, 52, partnered with James Owen to groom an 18-year-old woman by making comments about her body and encouraging Owen's sexual intentions. This grooming occurred over weeks via text messages discussing prior assaults and plans for further abuse. On February 6, 2021, at their home in Salisbury, they plied the victim with drinks during a themed dinner and insisted she try on a heart-shaped nipple piercing, leading to her being sexually assaulted by Rae in their hot tub.

Found guilty of sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault. Her defence claimed she was driven by a desire to satisfy and please her partner, and that they had a swinging lifestyle.

Sources: standard.co.uk

James Owen

Rape

August 16, 2024

Sentence: eight years' imprisonment

James Owen, a 55-year-old personal trainer, groomed an 18-year-old client with his partner Ellen Rae through text messages discussing sexual assaults and plans for further abuse. He first sexually assaulted the victim by groping her during physical training sessions at his home between January and February 2021. On February 6, 2021, at their home in Salisbury, they plied the victim with drinks and invited her into their hot tub, where Owen raped her and Rae sexually assaulted her. The victim had trusted them, but felt uncomfortable and called a friend for help during the incident.

Found guilty of rape, two counts of sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault. A prosecutor stated that he worked with his partner to systematically plan and execute the crime while masquerading as a friendly couple.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ashley Sherred

Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent

August 8, 2024

Sentence: 6 years and 10 months imprisonment and 4 years driving disqualification

Ashley Sherred, 33, drove his Ford Fiesta into a pedestrian he knew in Pinewood Close, Bemerton Heath, on May 10, 2024, after performing handbrake turns on a grass verge. The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered a broken tibia and fibula, and faces possible foot amputation. Sherred fled, threatening to burn the victim's house, and was later found drunk in a pub. He also had a prior incident on August 31, 2023, involving a high-speed police chase where he reached 110mph and rammed a police car.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Had 23 previous convictions for offences including burglary, theft, dangerous driving, and affray. Judge noted a difficult upbringing and ADHD but did not reduce culpability.

Sources: salisburyjournal.co.uk

Philip Harding

Indecent Exposure

July 18, 2024

Sentence: one year imprisonment

Philip Harding, 72, of the Lye, Seend, exposed his penis and stroked it in a charity shop in The Brittox, Devizes, on 31 May, in the presence of a young girl accompanied by a parent. This incident follows previous offences, including masturbating towards a four-year-old girl in a coffee shop in Trowbridge in October 2023, shortly after his release from prison in July 2023 for similar behaviour.

Pleaded guilty to indecent exposure. Has prior convictions for similar sexual offences and was also given a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Maurice Jones

Murder

July 18, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum of 30 years, and 4 years concurrent for possessing a bladed article

Maurice Jones, 25, confronted and attacked Tsvetomir Genov, a 20-year-old devoted father, outside a SPAR shop in Gainsborough Close, Bemerton Heath, Salisbury, on August 22, 2023. Jones, who was in a relationship with the mother of Mr. Genov's child, engaged in a short argument before stabbing Mr. Genov at least ten times with a concealed kitchen knife. Mr. Genov was walking his young son at the time, and the incident was described as a jealous and unprovoked attack. The victim's family had settled in Wiltshire from Bulgaria, seeking a better life.

Found guilty by jury after a two-week trial. Judge Timothy Mousley noted Jones's jealousy, violent nature, and mental health issues including low intelligence, with no genuine remorse detected.

Sources: wiltshiretimes.co.uk

Lukasz Rogal

Possession with Intent to Supply

May 21, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Lukasz Rogal, 40, of Union Street in Trowbridge, was arrested on April 12 in Church Street after plain clothes police officers witnessed what they believed to be a drug deal, following reports of anti-social behaviour and drug use in the area. He was found in possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin. Also ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.

Sources: wiltshiretimes.co.uk

Alan Morris

Death by careless driving

May 9, 2024

Sentence: 10 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 29 months, and a £187 surcharge

Alan Morris was driving a Vauxhall Insignia at approximately 69mph in a 60mph speed limit on the B3081 between Tollard Royal and Shaftesbury on June 23, 2023, at around 11pm. He fatally struck cyclist Mary Emerson-Reed from behind, despite her being an experienced cyclist with lights on and wearing high-visibility clothing. Forensic evidence showed she was visible from at least 200 metres, contradicting Morris's claim of not seeing her due to oncoming lights.

Pleaded guilty to death by careless driving. Investigator highlighted the importance of attention while driving and noted the tragic circumstances.

Sources: bournemouthecho.co.uk

Ivor Williams

Sexual assault

April 4, 2024

Sentence: two years imprisonment, suspended for two years

Ivor Williams, aged 67, was found guilty of eight counts of historical sexual assault against two girls under the age of 16. The offences occurred between 1974 and 1982 near Devizes and Newbury, where Williams, then between 14 and 24 years old, forced the girls to engage in sexual activities. One victim was aged between 13 and 15, and the other between 10 and 15 at the time of the incidents.

Sentenced for eight counts of sexual assault. The sentence was later appealed and upgraded to three years imprisonment.

Sources: salisburyjournal.co.uk

Christopher Burden

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

February 7, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment with the second year on licence and a 2-year driving disqualification

Christopher Burden was over the drink drive limit, speeding, and overtook a vehicle on a blind bend over solid white lines, leading to a collision with a family's car on the A30 at Donhead St Mary on 17 November 2023. Just 10 minutes prior, he had crashed his motorcycle into a parked car near Shaftesbury and was suspected of being drunk by bystanders. The victims included a woman and two children, with the 10-year-old daughter suffering significant psychological trauma, including nightmares and flashbacks, requiring therapy.

Ben Churcher

Rape

January 31, 2024

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Ben Churcher raped a woman in 2020, leading to her experiencing significant trauma, including thoughts of suicide and isolation. She reported the incident to the police in 2021 after a year of suffering in silence. The victim faced ongoing threats from Churcher, as well as harassment from his friends and family, which made her fearful of leaving her home.

Must register as a sex offender for ten years and comply with a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim for five years. The victim reported severe emotional distress, including suicidal thoughts and harassment from the defendant and his associates.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Faris Kayani

Fraud

January 29, 2024

Sentence: Part of a combined total of 12 years and 20 months imprisonment

Faris Kayani, as the ring leader of an organised crime gang operating from the Reading area, conducted a courier fraud scam between February and September 2021. The group targeted elderly victims across Hampshire, London, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, deceiving them by posing as police officers over the phone. They tricked victims into withdrawing cash and handing over jewellery, resulting in losses of £116,000 in cash and jewellery worth at least £300,000. The scam involved keeping phone lines open to maintain the deception and sending couriers to collect items under false pretences.

Led the organised crime gang; victims' evidence helped secure the conviction; no specific individual plea or judge comments provided.

Sources: basingstokegazette.co.uk

Vadim Corai

Assisting unlawful immigration

December 20, 2023

Sentence: 2.5 years imprisonment

Vadim Corai attempted to smuggle two Albanian nationals, one a juvenile, into the UK by hiding them in his lorry. He was arrested in Newhaven, East Sussex, on November 19, 2022, after a scanner detected the individuals during his crossing from France. Corai initially denied involvement, claiming he had travelled from Zaragoza in Spain to Leeds via Dieppe in France and left his vehicle unlocked. The crime involved risks to border security and public safety.

Found guilty after a trial for assisting unlawful immigration. Motivated by financial gain, with no previous convictions. Judge noted the need for deterrence and ordered confiscation of his lorry. His family in Moldova depends on him financially, and he will serve half the sentence before release, with recall possible for further offences.

Sources: wiltshiretimes.co.uk

Jamie Suggitt

Stalking

November 24, 2023

Sentence: 34 months imprisonment

Jamie Suggitt, 34, from Melksham, stalked and followed his victim, watching her movements and threatening to kill her if she told anyone. The behaviour involved repeated unwanted actions, including threats of violence, which caused the victim significant fear. The incidents occurred prior to his sentencing, and he was arrested following the victim's report to the police.

Pleaded guilty to stalking, making threats to kill, and criminal damage. Police commended the victim's bravery in reporting the offences.

Sources: wiltshirelive.co.uk

Louis Tavener

Causing death by dangerous driving

November 18, 2023

Sentence: 8 years and 6 months imprisonment

Louis Tavener, a 23-year-old from Fell Road, Westbury, was driving his BMW at speeds up to 78mph in a 50mph zone on the A3098 in Dilton Marsh during wet conditions on 11 April 2022. He lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with a Ford Mondeo driven by 63-year-old Warwick Bayman, a retired pilot, lorry driver, and rally driver from Frome. Mr Bayman was killed at the scene, just weeks before his wedding, and three passengers in Tavener's car were injured, including one with life-threatening injuries.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Disqualified from driving until passing an extended re-test. Family and police statements highlighted the devastating impact on victims.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Scott Davis

Sexual Assault

November 10, 2023

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order

On New Year's Day 2022, in the early hours around 5am, Scott Davis approached a 15-year-old girl who was walking alone in Melksham after leaving a New Year’s Eve party. He offered to walk with her, then grabbed her hand tightly, preventing her from pulling away, grabbed her around the waist, forced himself to kiss her, and grabbed her bottom under her clothes. The incident was described as predatory, with no prior relationship between Davis and the victim.

Found guilty by majority verdict after denying the offence and refusing to testify. The victim reported significant emotional impact, including anxiety and flashbacks.

Sources: wiltshirelive.co.uk

Daniel Thomas

Engaging in sexual communications with a child

November 1, 2023

Sentence: four years and four months in prison, plus three years on extended licence

Daniel Thomas, 33, from Westbury, communicated sexually with someone he believed to be a teenager online between May 4 and June 27, 2023, but it was a specially trained officer. He was arrested on June 28, 2023, and charged with engaging in sexual communications with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

Repeat offender and Registered Sex Offender; breached his sexual harm prevention order; police described him as persistently targeting children.

Sources: wiltshirelive.co.uk

Bradley Bardowell

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

September 5, 2023

Sentence: eight years imprisonment

Bradley Bardowell was involved in running a Class A drugs network known as the G-Man line, which supplied heroin and cocaine in Basingstoke from April 2018 to May 2019. He fled to Norway in May 2019 but was located and extradited back to the UK in December 2022. The network was uncovered after police stopped gang members near Tewkesbury Close in Basingstoke on December 9, 2018.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Basingstoke between April 2018 and May 2019, and two counts in Hounslow between October 2018 and December 2019. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing ordered him to pay back £489,383.30 or serve an additional four-year prison sentence if unpaid.

Sources: basingstokegazette.co.uk

Richard Bowles

Sending indecent or grossly offensive electronic communications

August 29, 2023

Sentence: Five-year criminal behaviour order, 18-month community order, 20 rehabilitative days, 120 hours of unpaid work, and a statutory surcharge

Richard Bowles made 1,920 abusive and sexually explicit 999 calls to emergency services between December 2022 and July 2025, misusing the system for his own gratification and causing significant disruption. The calls involved indecent communications intended to cause distress or anxiety, with an estimated cost of £186,000 to public services.

Pled guilty to seven counts of sending indecent or grossly offensive electronic communications with the intent to cause distress or anxiety. Described as a persistent offender engaging in abusive and sexually explicit behaviour.

Sources: salisburyjournal.co.uk