Sheffield Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 7 verdicts at Sheffield Magistrates' Court (Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

February 2026 1 case

Lee Dobson

Animal Welfare Act offence (causing unnecessary suffering) *

Sentence

22 week suspended prison sentence and 15 year ban on keeping animals

On June 2, 2025, South Yorkshire Police contacted the RSPCA after reports of multiple deceased dogs at Lee Dobson's home on Warris Close, Rotherham. RSPCA Inspector Leanne Booth found the badly decomposing body of a French bulldog named Effie in a blue plastic bag outside the back door, an unidentifiable body in the outhouse, the skeleton of a Dachshund named Betty on a shoe box, another unidentified dog's skull and bones, and the skeletal remains of a female Pocket Bully named Karma in a kennel. The property was cluttered with faeces, foul odours, and signs of sustained neglect. Dobson claimed someone else was looking after the dogs and he did not know how they died.

Pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Sentence suspended for 18 months. Ordered to pay £400 costs and £154 victim surcharge. Disqualification order cannot be contested for 10 years. Prolonged neglect due to inadequate delegation of responsibility; underwent two major operations leaving him incapacitated.

5 Feb 2026

December 2025 2 cases

Sophie Zaherali

Possessing a dangerous dog and sending offensive messages *

Sentence

£614 fine and 24-month community order with 40 sessions

On December 7, 2024, Sophie Zaherali's XL Bully dog Ghost bolted out of the door onto Dunella Street in Hillsborough, Sheffield, while she was tending to her child with epilepsy and autism. The door lock was faulty. Police officers shot and killed the dog three times to mitigate risk to the public. Following the incident, Zaherali led a campaign of abuse on social media against the officers, calling them murderers.

Pleaded not guilty initially but found guilty. Judge noted out of character behaviour due to grief, lowest level of culpability, and that she was a responsible owner who followed XL Bully requirements. Actions stemmed from social media campaign of abuse after dog's shooting.

16 Dec 2025

Jake Riley

Causing unnecessary suffering to animals *

Sentence

26 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, banned from owning animals for 7 years, £754 fine, 200 hours unpaid work

On February 22, 2025, officers entered an address in Rotherham where Jake Riley was housing six dogs and a snake. Two dogs were in crates with faeces and no water. All dogs had injuries and medical issues. One dog was euthanized immediately, two more later, and three were rehabilitated and rehomed. A Royal Python snake was found dead in a glass case without a heat lamp bulb, having starved to death.

Pleaded guilty to seven offences of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

15 Dec 2025

July 2025 1 case

Edmund Fowler

Racially aggravated harassment *

Sentence

18 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, banned from going near a mosque for 18 months, 15 rehabilitation activity days, banned from certain areas of the city, and ordered to pay £239 in costs

Edmund Fowler, of Skelwith Drive, drove to Sheffield Grand Mosque on four occasions between May and June 2025. He released rats from a cage into the mosque grounds, shouted racist insults at people entering the building, and filmed himself committing the acts. He was captured on CCTV taking a rat from the boot of his Black Audi on June 2, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment. The reason for committing the crimes remains a mystery.

16 Jul 2025

April 2025 1 case

Laine Hempsey

Dangerous driving *

Sentence

One year imprisonment

On January 13, 2025, Laine Hempsey drove a Vauxhall Signum dangerously in Gleadless, Sheffield, after running a red light and ignoring a police request to stop. He drove on the wrong side of the carriageway despite oncoming traffic, on pavements, and crashed into a Vauxhall Astra before abandoning the vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. He was apprehended with the help of a police dog, tested positive for being over the prescribed limit for cannabis, and admitted to having only a provisional driving licence and no insurance.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failure to stop, driving whilst over the prescribed limit for drugs, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without third party insurance. Disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.

25 Apr 2025

October 2024 1 case

Kenny Walton

Common assault *

Sentence

£250 fine, £250 compensation, £650 prosecution costs

PC Kenny Walton, a 40-year-old West Yorkshire Police officer from Featherstone, used excessive force while dealing with a member of the public in Wakefield city centre on 16 June 2024. He had asked a man to leave a mental health hub, but his subsequent actions were not appropriate. The incident was captured on body-worn video, which contradicted his statement.

Found guilty of common assault. Denied the charge. Actions deemed not appropriate. Statement did not fully reflect body-worn video. Now faces misconduct proceedings.

14 Oct 2024

April 2024 1 case

Lee Hamshaw

Theft *

Sentence

4 months imprisonment

Lee Hamshaw stole five electric toothbrushes worth £390 from one Tesco store and four bottles of alcohol worth £120 from another Tesco store by hiding them in his trousers and coat.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.

10 Apr 2024

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.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any court, government body, or law enforcement agency. While we endeavour to ensure the accuracy of all information, we accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this data. If you believe any entry is inaccurate, outdated, or should be removed, please submit a removal request using the icon on the relevant entry or contact us directly.

No sentences found matching your search.

Castle St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LU, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield, S3 8LU, United Kingdom

+441142760760

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

Get Directions

About Sheffield Magistrates' Court

Sheffield Magistrates' Court, located in Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 7 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield 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 Castle St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LU, S3 8LU.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441142760760.

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.