St Albans Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 118 verdicts at St Albans Crown Court (St Albans). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

John Alford

Sexual assault

January 14, 2026

Sentence: 8.5 years imprisonment

John Alford, real name John Shannon, sexually assaulted two teenage girls during a party at a friend's home in April 2022. He bought £250 worth of food, alcohol, and cigarettes, including vodka, which the victims drank. He had sex with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and later in a downstairs toilet, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl while she was half asleep on the living room sofa. The assaults occurred after a night out at the pub when the girls were drunk. Police were informed two days later by the 15-year-old's mother. The victims reported severe emotional impact, with one feeling 'absolutely sick' and having a mental breakdown, and the other stating it affected her and her family in every way and destroyed her mental wellbeing. Alford denied the allegations, claiming they were a set-up and that the girls intended to extort him, citing his mental health issues.

Pleaded not guilty but was convicted. No similar prior offences mentioned for these crimes, though has previous drug conviction. Sentencing remarks noted significant impact on victims and offender's self-focus. Also received restraining order and sexual harm prevention order. To serve up to two thirds in custody, remainder on licence.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

John Shannon

Sexual assault

January 14, 2026

Sentence: 8.5 years imprisonment

John Shannon, known professionally as John Alford, sexually assaulted two teenage girls at a property in Hertfordshire on April 9, 2022, following a night out at the pub where the girls were drunk. The offences occurred at the home of a third girl whose father was friends with Shannon. He bought £250 worth of food, alcohol, and cigarettes, including a bottle of vodka which the victims drank. He had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and later in a downstairs toilet, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half asleep on the living room sofa. Police were notified by the 15-year-old's mother two days later, leading to his arrest.

Found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to a 15-year-old girl. Prior conviction for supplying illicit drugs in 1999. Restraining order and sexual harm prevention order imposed. Will serve up to two thirds in custody and the remainder on licence.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Jason Young

Manufacturing a firearm and possession of a firearm

December 9, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Jason Young, 45, of Selbourne Close, Kent, converted a staple gun into a viable firearm equipped with a barrel to fire ammunition. He took a selfie posing with the weapon and filmed himself test firing it in a field. The weapon was discovered in March 2024 after an off-duty police officer saw him taking crack cocaine on a train and alerted British Transport Police. He was removed from the train at St Albans City station, searched, and the firearm was found in his suitcase along with two phones and a small amount of crack cocaine. Evidence from his phones confirmed his involvement in creating and testing the gun. During interview, he claimed he was unaware the firearm was in his suitcase.

Jake Cummings

Rape

September 23, 2025

Sentence: 16 years imprisonment with a two-year extension

Jake Cummings, a former Metropolitan Police officer from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, engaged in a prolonged campaign of abuse against three women from July 2019 to February 2024. This included raping two women, using apps like Life360 and Team Viewer to track their locations, creating multiple social media accounts to harass them, sending excessive messages, isolating them from friends and family, and committing acts of voyeurism and stalking. He exploited his position as a police officer to intimidate victims, such as claiming he could evade consequences, and the abuse caused severe psychological harm, including fear of going out alone and loss of autonomy.

Found guilty of three counts of coercive controlling behaviour, two counts of voyeurism, two counts of rape, and three counts of stalking. He was a serving police officer during the offences and showed a pattern of abuse.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Edmond Lleshe

Burglary

July 25, 2025

Sentence: Five years imprisonment

Edmond Lleshe stole high-value jewellery and watches from properties in Kings Langley, Watford and Hemel Hempstead during a two-week spree in January and February of this year. He was found guilty and sentenced accordingly.

Found guilty of three counts of burglary and theft as well as one count of going equipped to steal. The crimes were committed in a two-week spree in January and February of this year.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

David Vincent

Fraud by false representation

July 11, 2025

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

David Vincent, as the sole director of Admiral Roofing and Building Contractors Ltd, cold-called a recently widowed 80-year-old man in Stevenage in early 2024. He and another man falsely identified roof issues, displaced tiles to exaggerate the problem, and pressured the victim into agreeing to a £30,000 roof replacement quote, which was grossly overcharged. They began work to a poor standard, took £5,000 payment, and failed to provide information on the victim's right to cancel, leading to an investigation by Hertfordshire County Council's Trading Standards service.

Pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation contrary to The Fraud Act 2006 and four counts of engaging in unfair commercial practices contrary to The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Ordered to pay £5,000 compensation to the victim, disqualified from acting as a director of a company for 10 years, and a deprivation order issued for a trade vehicle used in the offending.

Sources: kentlive.news

Claudiu Marcu

Theft and fraud

June 19, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 4 months imprisonment

Claudiu Marcu, 51, from London, conducted a string of distraction thefts in supermarkets across Surrey and other areas between November 2024 and February 2025. He targeted elderly people, stealing wallets, purses, and bags while distracting them, and used the stolen bank cards to withdraw thousands of pounds, totaling over £40,000.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, multiple theft offences, and two offences of fraud by false representation. The offences spanned several counties and involved preying on elderly victims.

Sources: getsurrey.co.uk

Irakli Rustemi

Possession of firearms, ammunition and Class A drugs

October 30, 2024

Sentence: 11 years imprisonment

Irakli Rustemi, 33, an Albanian national from Hertfordshire, was stopped by armed Cambridgeshire Police officers in a white Citroen DS3 on the A10 at Buntingford. Intelligence indicated access to a firearm. A key seized from the vehicle led to a search of a chalet-style apartment in Penton Drive, Cheshunt in October 2023, where a 9mm Makarov self-loading pistol with six rounds of ammunition and 13 kilos of cocaine (street value £700,000) were found hidden in a wardrobe, wrapped in a towel.

Pleaded guilty to firearms, ammunition and drugs possession offences. No leave to remain in the UK and was an absconder from Immigration Enforcement.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Gregory Assemakis

Fraudulent trading

October 11, 2024

Sentence: 3.5 years imprisonment

Gregory Assemakis was involved in the fraudulent trading activities of Imperial Wine & Spirits Merchant Ltd, a scheme that defrauded 41 UK victims of £6m through fake wine investments. The company, founded in 2008, used call centre tactics to target pensioners, employing lies, repeated calls, and false reassurances. Wine was sold at unreasonable mark-ups, often worthless on the secondary market. A November 2018 raid exposed the operation's mantra 'no means yes'. Assemakis was found guilty by jury in August after trial.

Dominic D'sa

Fraudulent trading

October 11, 2024

Sentence: 4.5 years imprisonment

Dominic D'Sa participated in a fraudulent wine investment scheme run by Imperial Wine & Spirits Merchant Ltd, convincing 41 victims across the UK to invest £6m in worthless wine. The operation involved persistent cold calls to elderly and vulnerable people, misrepresentations about profits, and high mark-ups. Investors lost pensions, homes, and in one case, a marriage. The scheme operated from 2008 to 2018, with a raid revealing deceptive practices. D'Sa was convicted of fraudulent trading after a jury trial in August.

Pleaded not guilty. Previously served a prison term for fraud. Mitigation noted he realized issues but did not walk away.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Benjamin Cazaly

Fraudulent trading

October 11, 2024

Sentence: 6.5 years imprisonment

Benjamin Cazaly founded Imperial Wine & Spirits Merchant Ltd in 2008, operating a fraudulent wine investment scheme from a call centre in Groveland Court, London. The company targeted vulnerable pensioners with cold calls, using scripts, fake names, and glossy brochures with unauthorized logos. Victims were misled about wine values with mark-ups up to 400%, losing at least £6m from 41 investors. A raid in November 2018 uncovered the mantra 'no means yes' on the wall. Over £37m passed through accounts in 10 years. Cazaly was convicted of fraudulent trading after a trial in August.

Described as the 'captain of the ship'. Pleaded not guilty. Prior role as founder of the company.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Dorriano Dos Santos Ferreira Farias

Robbery

September 5, 2024

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

Dorriano Dos Santos Ferreira Farias committed a series of robberies and attempted robberies in Dacorum and St Albans in February 2024. He stole cards and cash from an elderly man and a lone woman after they used cash machines and demanded cash at knifepoint in an underpass. He was also involved in dangerous driving, leading to a police pursuit on March 3, 2024, where he was tracked and arrested.

Found guilty of three counts of robbery, three counts of possession of a bladed article, attempted robbery, theft, and dangerous driving. Also disqualified from driving for seven years and must take an extended retest.

Sources: hertsad.co.uk

Chavez Johnson

Stalking

August 29, 2024

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment with an additional 4 years on licence

Between May and November 2024, Chavez Johnson used several aliases to contact lone and isolated female therapists and psychotherapists across the country, pretending to seek help. Instead, he subjected them to repeated unwanted sexual behaviours and harassment, including exposing himself and making calls during the early hours, which caused significant distress and fear. He was arrested in December 2024 following an investigation, and after initially denying the offences, he pleaded guilty during his trial.

Pleaded guilty to stalking, two counts of exposure, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity. Judge considered him dangerous due to the offences occurring over a seven-month period with patterns of escalation. He must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. A lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders were issued.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

Ahsan Naseer

Fraud by false representation

August 28, 2024

Sentence: Three years imprisonment

Ahsan Naseer, along with accomplices, orchestrated a cold calling campaign pretending to be detectives investigating fraudulent bank activity. Between April and July, they targeted elderly and vulnerable victims in Essex, Hertfordshire, and Kent, coercing them into withdrawing cash, purchasing foreign currency or high-value jewellery, and handing it over as part of a fake undercover operation. This resulted in around £51,000 taken from seven victims, with attempts for a further £30,000.

Pled guilty to fraud by false representation. Judge described the offenders as 'cruel and despicable'.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Ismail Sarwar

Fraud by false representation

August 28, 2024

Sentence: Three years imprisonment and a Serious Crime Prevention Order

Ismail Sarwar, along with accomplices, orchestrated a cold calling campaign pretending to be detectives investigating fraudulent bank activity. Between April and July, they targeted elderly and vulnerable victims in Essex, Hertfordshire, and Kent, coercing them into withdrawing cash, purchasing foreign currency or high-value jewellery, and handing it over as part of a fake undercover operation. This resulted in around £51,000 taken from seven victims, with attempts for a further £30,000.

Pled guilty to fraud by false representation. Judge described the offenders as 'cruel and despicable'.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Hamza Ali

Fraud by false representation

August 28, 2024

Sentence: Three years imprisonment

Hamza Ali, along with accomplices, orchestrated a cold calling campaign pretending to be detectives investigating fraudulent bank activity. Between April and July, they targeted elderly and vulnerable victims in Essex, Hertfordshire, and Kent, coercing them into withdrawing cash, purchasing foreign currency or high-value jewellery, and handing it over as part of a fake undercover operation. This resulted in around £51,000 taken from seven victims, with attempts for a further £30,000.

Pled guilty to fraud by false representation. Judge described the offenders as 'cruel and despicable'.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Hamza Aftab

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

August 26, 2024

Sentence: 7 years and 7 months imprisonment

Hamza Aftab, 25, of Fountains Road, Luton, was part of a gang supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Luton into the Welwyn Hatfield area. He took control of a drug line following the jailing of other members, using a dedicated phone to receive orders and direct associates to exchange drugs for cash. During an operation in 2022, mobile handsets, bladed weapons, class A drugs, and £7,700 in cash were seized.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin). Took control of the 'Q' line after other gang members were jailed and used a dedicated telephone number to advertise and facilitate drug sales, directing others to deliver drugs.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Adeeb Mohammed

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

August 26, 2024

Sentence: 5 years and 4 months imprisonment

Adeeb Mohammed, 34, of St Winifred’s Avenue, Luton, was involved in a gang supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Luton into the Welwyn Hatfield area. The gang's activities included storing and distributing drugs, with arrests in 2022 leading to the seizure of mobile handsets, bladed weapons, class A drugs, and £7,700 in cash.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Mohammed Sohail Khan

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

August 26, 2024

Sentence: 4 years and 2 months imprisonment

Mohammed Sohail Khan, 22, of Hallwicks Road, Luton, was part of a gang supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Luton into the Welwyn Hatfield area. He stored drugs, cash, and weapons on behalf of the group and was involved in drug exchanges. During an operation in 2022, mobile handsets, bladed weapons, class A drugs, and £7,700 in cash were seized from his address.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin) and possession of criminal property related to £7,700 in cash seized from his address.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Muhammed Tawhid

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

August 26, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 10 months imprisonment

Muhammed Tawhid, 22, of Morgan Close, Luton, was part of a gang supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Luton into the Welwyn Hatfield area. He was involved in drug deliveries as directed by a gang leader, with the operation leading to the seizure of mobile handsets, bladed weapons, class A drugs, and £7,700 in cash during arrests in 2022.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin). Was directed by another gang member to deliver drugs to customers.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Casey Porter

Fraud by abuse of position

August 18, 2024

Sentence: 22 months in prison

Casey Porter, a 25-year-old care worker from Barleycroft, Stevenage, exploited his position while working for a care agency to scam a vulnerable victim with learning difficulties. He withdrew cash from ATMs in Baldock without the victim's consent on 40 separate occasions between April and September 2024, stealing more than £10,000 for his own gain.

Pleaded guilty to 40 counts of fraud by abuse of position. Detective Sergeant Helen Wise described the offending as cold, cruel, and calculated, noting the abuse of a position of trust.

Sources: thecomet.net

Zephon Allen

Rape

July 21, 2024

Sentence: 19 years imprisonment

Zephon Allen committed multiple sexual offences against three women between 2021 and 2022 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hemel Hempstead, and Watford. He built relationships with his victims and carried out the assaults when they were asleep or semi-conscious, as detailed in the court proceedings.

Convicted of three counts of rape and one count of digital penetration. Described as a dangerous predator who targeted victims by building relationships with them before committing offences when they were asleep or semi-conscious. Victims showed exceptional courage in giving evidence.

Sources: stalbansreview.co.uk

Neelen Balarajah

Money laundering and conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs

July 15, 2024

Sentence: 13 years and six months imprisonment

Neelen Balarajah, 34, was part of a London organised crime group that laundered millions in drugs cash using scrap metal dealers. In January 2022, he was caught by National Crime Agency surveillance taking possession of a Gucci embossed box containing over £20,000 from associate Hitesh Vadolia. He also distributed cannabis and attempted to fraudulently acquire £1.5 million in government grants. During arrest, he tried to escape by driving at officers. A search of his home on Grove Road, Pinner, Middlesex, revealed substantial cash, herbal cannabis, cocaine, and empty wrappings testing positive for cocaine traces, with phone images showing they had contained kilo blocks of cocaine. The group also used cash to pay for stolen metal and sought grants to divert funds to criminal ventures.

Pleaded guilty on the first day of trial to money laundering and conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. Attempted to escape by driving his car at arresting officers.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Rickinder Hare

Money laundering

July 15, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and 400 hours community service

Rickinder Hare, 36, of William Street, Knightsbridge, organised the exchange of over £20,000 in cash as part of a London organised crime group laundering millions for cocaine barons using scrap metal dealers. He was arrested on July 20, 2022, following a two-year National Crime Agency investigation. The group also attempted to secure government grants for waste removal from a site they controlled, lacking capacity to legally dispose of the waste, likely to divert funds to criminal activities. Surveillance showed cash couriers visiting scrap premises, suspected of paying for stolen metal.

Matthew Narroway

GBH with Intent

July 10, 2024

Sentence: 3.5 years imprisonment

Matthew Narroway stabbed a staff member and a member of the public with a kitchen knife after being refused entry to the smoking area at the Hoo House pub in Harpenden High Street around 1am on November 10, 2024. He was located and arrested in Kirkwick Avenue shortly after the incident.

Liam Lincoln

Burglary

July 9, 2024

Sentence: Eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

Liam Lincoln, 22, of Hartforde Road, Borehamwood, participated in a crime spree as a co-defendant, pleading guilty to burglary at Co-op in Delta Gain, Carpenders Park on March 16, 2025, burglary at Co-op in Watford Road, Rickmansworth on March 17, 2025, and theft on Dales Road, Borehamwood on March 18, 2025.

Required to complete 40 days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work. Pleaded guilty to the offences.

Sources: thecomet.net

Paul Hayward

Burglary

July 9, 2024

Sentence: Two and a half years imprisonment

Paul Hayward, 46, of Stanley Gardens, Borehamwood, committed a series of offences including aggravated vehicle taking of a BMW in Dales Road, Borehamwood on March 18, 2025, theft of a BMW and PlayStation console from the same address on March 18, 2025, burglary at Co-op in Delta Gain, Carpenders Park on March 16, 2025 where a large quantity of cigarettes were stolen, burglary at Co-op in Watford Road, Rickmansworth on March 17, 2025 where a large quantity of cigarettes were stolen, battery against a member of staff at Boots chemist on Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage on February 20, 2025, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, and possession of cannabis in Edgware on April 17, 2024.

Disqualified from driving for 39 months. Previous charges for attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon were ordered to lie on file.

Sources: thecomet.net

Ryan Lee

Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

July 2, 2024

Sentence: five years and four months in prison

Ryan Lee, 24, of Wildwood Lane, Stevenage, was involved in a county lines drug dealing operation supplying class A drugs like cocaine and class B drugs like cannabis. He was arrested following an investigation by Herts police's County Lines Investigation Unit, during which class A and class B drugs with a street value of more than £5,000, along with a large amount of cash, were seized.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine, class B drug cannabis and possession of criminal property. He was on bail for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon.

Sources: thecomet.net

Sedric Smith

Possession of class A drugs

July 2, 2024

Sentence: five years and seven months imprisonment

Sedric Smith, 46, of Connaught Road in Harrow, London, operated a county line known as the 'Dee' or 'D' line in St Albans, selling heroin and cocaine over a four-month period from June to October 2024. He used the address of a vulnerable woman without her consent as a base for his drug dealing activities. During a police warrant in Dellfield in October 2023, he was found with 50 wraps of crack cocaine with a street value of about £1,000, along with cash, multiple phones, and scales. He attempted to flush the drugs down the toilet when officers arrived.

Found guilty after a trial. Had a significant role in running the Dee drugs line and used a vulnerable woman's address as a base of operations.

Sources: hertsad.co.uk

Frances Noble

Fraud

June 24, 2024

Sentence: four years and nine months in prison

Frances Noble faked a neurological condition and falsely claimed to be bedbound, deceiving Hertfordshire County Council into providing her with payments for round-the-clock care between January 15, 2007, and November 26, 2018. She received a total of £702,905, which was intended for her care but was misused for personal purposes. She employed her daughter and son-in-law in the scheme and was placed under surveillance, where neighbours observed her walking and performing activities without assistance.

Pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and transferring criminal property in the sum of £130,649.46. Judge Richard Foster described it as one of the largest frauds of its type, noting that she spun a web of lies and deceit to deceive the council.

Sources: thecomet.net

Daniel French

Grievous Bodily Harm

June 18, 2024

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

On the evening of May 12, Daniel French pushed a man in his 60s to the ground and punched him in the face outside a Wendy's restaurant on Watford High Street, causing a cut to his head. Court documents stated that he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm upon the victim.

Pleaded guilty to wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. Also given a restraining order against the victim and ordered to pay a £228 surcharge. Remanded in custody due to the seriousness of the case, his previous record, and likelihood of reoffending.

Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk

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

Russhaun Thompson-Mohalland

Rape

June 1, 2024

Sentence: 8 years and 3 months imprisonment

On the night of February 15, 2021, Russhaun Thompson-Mohalland allowed a woman into his address in Hatfield. He raped and sexually assaulted her shortly afterwards when he believed she was asleep. She left and contacted the police, leading to his arrest in the early hours of February 16, 2021.

Sentenced for rape and assault by penetration, to run concurrently. The victim was a woman known to him who needed a place to stay.

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

Flora Mendes

Fraud

May 3, 2024

Sentence: 7.5 years imprisonment

Flora Mendes, a struck-off solicitor, exploited the Grenfell Tower fire scheme by submitting fraudulent immigration applications for 14 immigrants, fabricating addresses in Grenfell Tower between October 2020 and March 2021 to claim eligibility under a Home Office concession for survivors. She charged victims an average of £2,800 each, netting approximately £39,000. Applications featured inconsistencies like non-existent flat numbers and common phrases. Additionally, between 2018 and 2023, she provided unqualified immigration services to five people, including via the Windrush scheme, duping them into paying large sums while submitting low-cost or fee-waived applications and pocketing the fees.

Pleaded guilty to all 15 charges. Judge Geoffrey Payne described actions as 'truly disgraceful' and noted abuse of power over vulnerable people. Concurrent 74 months for Grenfell-related fraud; additional 16 months for Windrush exploitation.

Sources: standard.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

Lee Moran

Supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property

May 1, 2024

Sentence: four years imprisonment

Lee Moran, 42, of Birch Court, Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, was arrested following a warrant on February 26, 2024. Around £750 in cash was seized, and he was linked to supplying drugs in the area.

Pleaded guilty to the offences of supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property.

Sources: thecomet.net

Jonathan Dunn

Dealing class A drugs

May 1, 2024

Sentence: 12 years and six months imprisonment

Jonathan Dunn, aged 50, from Clifton in Bedfordshire, was arrested after police raided a property in Baldock in November 2023. Officers seized 7.5kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £905,000 and £120,000 in cash.

Pleaded guilty to dealing class A drugs. Police described him as a key player in distributing cocaine in the Stevenage, North Herts and Welwyn Garden City areas.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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