St Albans Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 34 verdicts at St Albans Crown Court (St Albans). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Razvan Balasoiu

Causing death by dangerous driving

June 5, 2024

Sentence: 9 years and 3 months imprisonment and a 5-year driving ban

Razvan Balasoiu was driving a black BMW 316L at speed in wet conditions while under the influence of alcohol on the A602 between Hitchin and Stevenage in November 2023. He failed to notice the road changing from a dual carriageway to a single-lane road, striking a silver Toyota Corolla, which caused it to spin out of control and hit a Hyundai IX35. This resulted in the death of a woman in her 50s at the scene and serious, life-changing injuries to a woman in her 60s, who required significant hospital treatment.

Pleaded guilty to the charges. Detective Constable Felicity Walker commented on the tragic consequences of his reckless driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sources: thecomet.net

Graham Radcliffe

Robbery

May 27, 2024

Sentence: 4.5 years imprisonment

Graham Radcliffe carried out a series of robberies at three bookmakers in Hertford and Ware between January 25 and February 3, 2024, using an imitation firearm to intimidate staff and steal a total of £6,000. He was arrested shortly after an attempted robbery at William Hill in Ware High Street.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, and four counts of possessing an imitation firearm. The judge praised the staff for their composure during the incidents.

Sources: whtimes.co.uk

Zoran Kojic

Breach of Restraining Order and Assault

May 19, 2024

Sentence: 64 weeks imprisonment

Zoran Kojic, 41, breached a restraining order and committed four assaults by beating. He appeared in court on May 19, 2024, after previously being subject to a criminal behaviour order in 2018 for related offences.

Pleaded guilty to harassment (breach of restraining order) and four counts of assault by beating. Time on remand and qualifying curfew to be counted towards the sentence.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Adam Depra

Attempted Rape

May 3, 2024

Sentence: Nine years imprisonment for attempted rapes, plus an additional six months for ABH, to run consecutively

Adam Depra, aged 30 and of no fixed address in Letchworth, attempted to rape a victim he knew in Stevenage in July 2023. He had given her a lift earlier that day and later insisted on coming to her address despite her reluctance. After she became dizzy and unwell from drinking alcohol, he refused to leave, manhandled her on the bed while she vomited, removed her clothes, and made attempts to rape her despite her pleas to stop. She escaped to a friend’s house and was later hospitalised. The incident was reported to police on July 21, 2023. Additionally, Depra pleaded guilty to an unrelated actual bodily harm (ABH) assault that occurred in Stevenage in September 2020.

Placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and will be deported after sentence. Pleaded guilty to the ABH assault and was found guilty by a jury for the attempted rapes.

Sources: thecomet.net

James Heany

Aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving

April 17, 2024

Sentence: 7 years and 9 months imprisonment

James Heany stole a Ford Mondeo at knifepoint in Telford Road, London Colney, at 5.40pm on August 20, 2023. He drove dangerously, crashing into several cars on the A405 North Orbital Road near the M1 junction between Watford and St Albans, then abandoned the vehicle. He attempted to take another car by threatening seven people with a knife, jumping on their bonnets, and punching one victim. He was arrested on October 10, 2023, in Waterhouse Street, Hemel Hempstead.

Stole a vehicle at knifepoint and drove dangerously, causing a multi-car crash. Sergeant Krisztina Gulyas highlighted the lasting impact on victims.

Sources: thecomet.net

Jay Rosario

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

April 16, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Jay Rosario, aged 19 from Days Close in Hatfield, was riding an e-scooter when he collided with a pedal cycle at around 8pm on July 28, 2023, in Welwyn Garden City, causing life-changing head injuries to a woman in her 40s. He fled the scene but was arrested the next day.

Also received a two-year driving ban upon release and ordered to pay a £167 victim surcharge. Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury whilst disqualified, failing to stop at a collision, failing to report a collision, driving whilst disqualified, and possession of cannabis.

Sources: thecomet.net

Zaheer Abbas

Murder

April 11, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years

Zaheer Abbas assisted and encouraged his cousin Husnein Amjad to murder Amjad Hussain. He groomed and manipulated Husnein into committing the act. On October 28, 2021, Amjad Hussain, 52, was found with serious injuries in an upstairs bedroom in Watford and was pronounced dead shortly after. Abbas was arrested on June 20, 2024, following extensive enquiries and was convicted after a trial lasting nearly eight weeks.

Pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a unanimous jury. The sentence was greater than that of his co-defendant due to aggravating factors, as noted by Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Martynas Piecia

Importation and supply of controlled drugs

April 4, 2024

Sentence: 15 years and seven months imprisonment

Martynas Piecia led a Hertfordshire drugs gang that used a small aircraft to drop cocaine packages from France into the UK. The gang operated on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, using a car wash business as a front. They liaised with contacts abroad for at least three flights from Cherbourg, avoiding radar systems. Piecia was arrested in September 2024 near the car wash site, and a video on his phone showed him examining a cocaine package matching those seized.

Rolandas Bauza

Importation and supply of controlled drugs

April 4, 2024

Sentence: 14 years and seven months imprisonment

Rolandas Bauza was part of a drugs gang that used a plane to deliver cocaine packages from France. The gang operated from the Hertfordshire and Essex border, using a car wash as a cover. He was arrested in September 2024 near the site, in possession of £31,700 in cash. The gang made at least three flights from Cherbourg, avoiding UK airspace regulations.

Arjan Lisaj

Importation and supply of controlled drugs

April 4, 2024

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Arjan Lisaj was involved in a drugs gang that dropped cocaine packages from a small aircraft flying from France. He worked at the car wash business used as a front and was arrested in September 2024 near the site. During the arrest, he threw a phone into a stream, and 2kg blocks of cocaine were found in the car wash office. The gang avoided radar systems and UK airspace documentation.

Tomas Bauza

Supplying controlled drugs

April 4, 2024

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment

Tomas Bauza was involved in supplying controlled drugs as part of a Hertfordshire gang that used aircraft to drop cocaine from France. He was arrested at his home in September 2024, where 54kg of cocaine worth £4.2 million was found in his loft, along with evidence of a cannabis factory. Prior to the shipment, he travelled to Dorset to scout drop sites, and his fingerprints were on packaging from a cocaine parcel.

Temitayo Ogbaro

Supply of Class A drugs

April 4, 2024

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Temitayo Ogbaro was involved in running the ‘Max’ drug line, supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Hemel Hempstead between February 2022 and September 2023. Police conducted a long-running investigation, arresting him in September 2023 and seizing large amounts of Class A drugs, cash, and handsets used in the drug network.

Yassar Aftab

Supply of Class A drugs

April 4, 2024

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Yassar Aftab was involved in the ‘Max’ drug line, supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Hemel Hempstead between February 2022 and September 2023. He was arrested in September 2023 after a police investigation, with seizures of Class A drugs, cash, and handsets used in the drug network.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs. Resides on Bennetts End Road, Hemel Hempstead.

Sources: hertsad.co.uk

Jasper Thompson

Actual Bodily Harm

March 23, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 6 months imprisonment

Jasper Thompson, a 28-year-old from Letchworth, strangled his victim in front of her two children on December 29, 2023, threatening to cut her face with a knife and kill her. The abuse lasted for hours, during which he put his hands around her neck, preventing her from breathing. He had a history of violent behaviour, including previous offences in May 2021.

Pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm. Was already serving a suspended sentence for seven counts of assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a sharp pointed article. A five-year restraining order was imposed.

Sources: thecomet.net

Frank Mooney

Rape and Sexual Assault

March 2, 2024

Sentence: 19 years imprisonment

Frank Mooney was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a child under 13, as well as inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two charges of sexual assault. He was arrested in May 2022 after reports of these offences. While on bail, on July 23, 2022, he attended an address in Borehamwood, where he punched and stabbed a man in the shoulder, causing non-life-threatening injuries.

Pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, common assault, and possession of a knife. Added to the sex offenders’ register and must abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. DC Jacqueline Oliver commented on the bravery of the victim and her family.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Michael Kiley

Robbery

February 28, 2024

Sentence: four-and-a-half years imprisonment

Michael Kiley was picked up by an Uber driver from an address in Ware on Thursday, November 7, 2023. During the journey, he produced a knife, held it to the driver's neck, threatened him, and demanded he pull over in Westmill Road. Kiley then stole the vehicle and drove it to Stevenage, where it was abandoned. He was identified through an investigation by detectives from the East Herts Local Crime Unit, arrested shortly after, and a search of his address revealed a knife, cannabis, cocaine, and cash.

Pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article, as well as possession of class A and B drugs.

Sources: thecomet.net

Michael Miller

Arson

January 30, 2024

Sentence: 45 months imprisonment for arson, with concurrent sentences of 27 months for stalking with serious distress and 9 months for breaching a Stalking Protection Order, plus a 10-year restraining order

Michael Miller, 38, from Cottonmill Lane in St Albans, stalked his ex-partner after their relationship ended, relentlessly pursuing her by messaging, appearing at her workplace, leaving notes on her car, and falsely reporting her to police. The stalking escalated when he used a petrol bomb to set fire to her car outside her home and messaged her threateningly. He was arrested with a mobile phone that violated his existing Stalking Protection Order.

Already subject to a Stalking Protection Order; judge described actions as an escalation of dangerous behaviour with a psychological cost to the victim.

Sources: hertsad.co.uk

Terrence Moore

Causing unnecessary suffering to animals

January 23, 2024

Sentence: Five-year ban from keeping animals and £14,380 fine

Terrence Moore, owner of the Cat Survival Trust in Codicote Road, Welwyn, failed to provide proper veterinary care to several animals, including a European Wildcat named Hamish, a Bengal Cat named Jasmine, a Jungle Cat named Lily, and an unnamed Caracal, leading to their suffering. He used homeopathic products instead of appropriate veterinary treatment and kept animals in inadequate conditions with poor hygiene in food storage and housing. The offences occurred over several years, with investigations starting in February 2022, and involved exploiting endangered species for commercial gain by charging fees for photography sessions without the required licence.

Pleaded not guilty during a three-week trial. Convicted on four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and seven counts of using endangered species for commercial gain without a licence. The disqualification order was suspended initially to allow rehoming of animals.

Sources: hertsad.co.uk

Tuche Coskun

Murder

January 16, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years

Tuche Coskun, 21, of Central Avenue, Enfield, went to Gavin Hubbard's home in Linkfield, Welwyn Garden City, on May 19, 2023, to retrieve drugs that had been stolen from her earlier that evening. Armed with a large kitchen knife, she stabbed the 42-year-old victim 22 times, one of which was fatal, leading to his death at the scene despite emergency efforts. Police seized Class A drugs, £764 in cash, an iPhone, and other drug paraphernalia from her and her address during the investigation.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin), for which she received 45 months imprisonment on each count to run concurrently. Found guilty of murder after claiming self-defence.

Sources: whtimes.co.uk

Tevin Leslie

Murder

December 8, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years for murder and 10 years for conspiracy to rob, concurrently

Tevin Leslie participated in a honeytrap scheme where women gained access to Vishal Gohel's second-floor flat in Bushey High Street on January 23, 2022, under false pretenses of sexual liaisons. Male accomplices, including Leslie, entered to rob, resulting in Gohel being gagged, beaten, and strangled, leading to his death from brain damage and a fractured voice box. The flat was wiped clean, and items like an iPhone and Apple Watch were stolen.

Faith Hoppie

Manslaughter

December 8, 2023

Sentence: 8 years for manslaughter and 8 years for conspiracy to rob, concurrently, with requirement to serve two-thirds in prison

Faith Hoppie was involved in a honeytrap scheme where she and others gained access to Vishal Gohel's flat in Bushey High Street on January 23, 2022, by promising sexual liaisons that did not occur. This allowed male accomplices to enter, leading to a robbery and Gohel's brutal killing, where he was gagged, beaten, and strangled, resulting in brain damage and a fractured voice box.

Found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. Aged 22 from Blake Avenue, Barking.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Sakeen Gordon

Murder

December 8, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years for murder, 11 years for conspiracy to rob, and 6 months for carrying an offensive weapon, all concurrently

Sakeen Gordon took part in a honeytrap operation where women deceived Vishal Gohel to access his flat in Bushey High Street on January 23, 2022. Gordon and accomplices entered to commit robbery, during which Gohel was gagged, beaten, and strangled, causing his death from brain damage and a fractured voice box. The scene was cleaned, and valuables were stolen.

Georgia Bruce-Annan

Murder

December 8, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years for murder and 10 years for conspiracy to rob, concurrently

Georgia Bruce-Annan was part of a honeytrap scheme that lured Vishal Gohel to his flat in Bushey High Street on January 23, 2022, under false pretenses. She facilitated entry for male accomplices, leading to a robbery where Gohel was gagged, beaten, and strangled, resulting in his death from brain damage and a fractured voice box. Items were stolen, and the scene was wiped.

Brandon Browne

Manslaughter

December 8, 2023

Sentence: 15 years for manslaughter, with requirement to serve two-thirds, and 8 years for conspiracy to rob, concurrently

Brandon Browne was involved in a honeytrap plot where women gained access to Vishal Gohel's flat in Bushey High Street on January 23, 2022, by deception. Browne and others entered to rob, during which Gohel was gagged, beaten, and strangled, leading to his death from brain damage and a fractured voice box. The flat was cleaned, and valuables were taken.

Cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. Aged 23 from Laburnum Road, Rochester, Kent.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Robert Ashton

Fraud by false representation

December 5, 2023

Sentence: 12 weeks imprisonment and £290 victim compensation

Robert Ashton, 37, from Pascal Way, Letchworth, set up numerous fake social media accounts in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. He falsely claimed to be a struggling single parent who had lost his partner and the mother of his children to Covid, soliciting donations through JustGiving and GoFundMe pages. He collected at least £10,000, possibly more, from dozens of victims, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable individuals who could barely afford to donate.

Kierson Murray

Grievous Bodily Harm

December 3, 2023

Sentence: three years and six months imprisonment

Kierson Murray, a 19-year-old from Link Walk in Hatfield, stabbed two teenage boys aged 16 and 17 outside a newsagents at the junction of Hatfield Road and Wynchlands Crescent in St Albans on October 9, 2023. The attack was targeted and occurred near a college during school hours, resulting in one victim sustaining a gash injury to the arm and the other to the back. Police responded quickly, and neighbourhood officers increased patrols to reassure the community.

Sentenced for two counts of grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article, with sentences to run concurrently. Sergeant Paul Wadsworth highlighted the targeted nature of the attack and its impact on the victims.

Sources: hertsad.co.uk

Abdi Hassan

Grievous Bodily Harm

October 30, 2023

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment with an extended four year licence

Abdi Hassan and two other men lured a man in his 20s to Neasden Recreation Ground in December 2021 under the pretense of selling him cryptocurrency. They attacked him, knocking him to the ground, after which Hassan produced a Rambo knife and slashed the victim on the back, arms, and legs before throwing him into a nearby lake, leaving him injured and traumatised in freezing winter conditions.

Found guilty of GBH, robbery, and possession of an offensive weapon. Police described the incident as a particularly violent attack on a defenceless man, causing long-term psychological trauma.

Sources: kilburntimes.co.uk

Mike Martin

Sexual activity with a child

August 31, 2023

Sentence: 11 years imprisonment

In 2012, Mike Martin, who was 23 years old at the time, met two vulnerable teenage girls in the Dacorum area. He groomed them and engaged in sexual activity with them as offences, which related to the victims who were teenagers then.

Found guilty after a 16-day trial of nine counts of sexual activity with a child. Will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Sources: thecomet.net

Alison Blake

Fraud by abuse of position

August 4, 2023

Sentence: More than two years imprisonment

Alison Blake, while serving as treasurer for the Parochial Church Council at All Saints Church in Radwell, abused her position to launder over £125,000 stolen from her employer, Kier Fleet Services, where she worked as an assistant finance manager. From February 2018, she paid 147 fraudulent cheques totalling £125,531.05 into the church account, then transferred the funds to her own account for personal spending on shopping sites. She also stole £24,000 from church funds, which she later repaid. Blake resisted adding a second signatory to the account and lied to church members about bank charges. The crimes were motivated by personal issues including depression and perimenopause, and she has since apologised.

Pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by abuse of position. Of previous good character, made full admissions, and has repaid the church. Judge commented on the serious abuse of position over a lengthy period.

Sources: thecomet.net

Thierry Wilkerson

Grievous Bodily Harm

April 23, 2023

Sentence: 2 years and 6 months imprisonment

On April 1, 2023, Thierry Wilkerson assaulted an elderly man in his 70s in Hatfield town centre by punching him repeatedly after being asked to stop riding an e-scooter illegally, causing a fractured eye socket and multiple injuries. He was also sentenced for his involvement in an affray on June 13, 2022, where he was part of a group fight that injured several people and involved kicking a dog.

David Shoubridge

Robbery

February 23, 2023

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

David Shoubridge, a 35-year-old former British champion motorcyclist from Hatfield, committed a series of offences between November 2022 and July 2023, targeting betting shops in Hatfield and Potters Bar, and a service station at South Mimms. He stole more than £100,000 by wearing black clothing, a balaclava or motorbike helmet, and wielding what appeared to be a handgun, which was later identified as an imitation firearm. He used an angle grinder and crowbar to break into cash machines and left DNA on a BB pistol at one scene. During one incident, he pointed the gun at a female employee, demanding money, and in another, he grabbed a university student, causing bruises and terror. Victims reported severe psychological effects, including nightmares, anxiety, and changes in their daily lives.

Pleaded guilty to numerous offences including robbery and attempted robbery. Blamed crimes on drugs and gambling addiction; had no previous criminal record and was described as a man of good character prior to this. Judge noted the devastating psychological impact on victims.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Naeem Ahmed

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

January 7, 2022

Sentence: 6 years and 9 months imprisonment

Naeem Ahmed, 25, of Warren Farm Road, Birmingham, was involved in running a county lines drug network known as the A1 line, supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Birmingham to Stevenage and surrounding areas between December 2020 and May 2021. Police executed warrants in May 2021, recovering more than £9,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin, along with over £12,000 in cash. He was arrested and remanded into custody.

Pled guilty to conspiring to supply class A drugs. Ran the A1 line with Abdullah Milash.

Sources: thecomet.net

Abdullah Milash

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

January 7, 2022

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Abdullah Milash, 25, of Merryhill Drive, Birmingham, was involved in running a county lines drug network known as the A1 line, supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Birmingham to Stevenage and surrounding areas between December 2020 and May 2021. Police executed warrants in May 2021, recovering more than £9,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin, along with over £12,000 in cash. He was arrested and remanded into custody.

Alfie Eaves

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

January 7, 2022

Sentence: 2 years and 7 months imprisonment

Alfie Eaves, 27, of Sinclair Court, Birmingham, was involved in a county lines drug network known as the A1 line, supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Birmingham to Stevenage and surrounding areas between December 2020 and May 2021. Police executed warrants in May 2021, recovering more than £9,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin, along with over £12,000 in cash. He was arrested and remanded into custody.

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