Swindon Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 20 verdicts at Swindon Crown Court (Swindon). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Caetano Mauricio Vas

Rape of a child under 13

June 5, 2025

Sentence: 25 years imprisonment

Caetano Mauricio Vas sexually abused his victim starting when she was eight years old, including four counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, one count of inciting a girl under 13 into sexual activity, and one count of sexual assault. The offences occurred between 2014 and 2016. He threatened to release inappropriate photographs if she disclosed the abuse, which left her feeling suicidal and impacted her life significantly. The victim reported the abuse in 2021, leading to his conviction after a trial.

Denied the offences and was found guilty by a jury on March 17. The victim provided a statement describing the lifelong impact, and Detective Constable Chloe Smith commended the victim's courage.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

John Butters

Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order

June 4, 2025

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

John Butters, a 77-year-old from St Albans Close in Rodbourne, Swindon, breached his sexual harm prevention order by using a prohibited TLC mobile phone from August 2024 to February 2025, employing banned apps such as Clean Up and DuckDuckGo, and failing to notify police of his new passport. Additionally, on February 6, 2025, he assaulted a detective constable from Wiltshire Police. This incident follows his prior convictions, including a 20-month jail sentence in October 2020 for attempting sexual communication with a child, making indecent images, and assaulting a police detective.

Pleaded guilty to five charges including breach of sexual harm prevention order, using prohibited devices, failing to notify police, and assaulting a detective constable. Must complete several rehabilitation activity days and his phone has been seized.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Rooney Gardi

Rape

June 4, 2025

Sentence: 5 years and 6 months imprisonment

In the early hours of Sunday, June 30, 2024, Rooney Gardi raped an 18-year-old teenager in a car park on Dammas Lane in Old Town, Swindon, leaving her unconscious with injuries to her face and body, and missing her underwear. She had no memory of the events. Gardi was later charged, found guilty at trial, and sentenced almost a year later. Members of the public and community wardens discovered the victim and preserved the scene, aiding the investigation.

Found guilty of rape after a trial where he denied the charge. Also received a lifelong restraining order, must notify police of his whereabouts after release, and pay a £228 government surcharge. The victim expressed feelings of disgust, shame, and self-blame in her statement, while police described him as a sexual predator who took advantage of a vulnerable young woman.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Jon Iacomino

Attempted child sexual abuse

May 1, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 10 months imprisonment with 3 years extended licence

Jon Iacomino travelled from Honiton to Wiltshire intending to sexually abuse a young girl after making plans online. He was arrested upon arrival and has been remanded in custody since.

Rhys Cutler

Engaging in sexual activity with a child

February 19, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 6 months imprisonment and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order

Rhys Cutler engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl on three occasions between May 4 and 8, 2024. He breached a 10-year sexual risk order that was imposed on May 1, 2024, by contacting another 13-year-old girl on June 13, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl and breaching a sexual risk order. The prosecution amended the indictment to avoid trial.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Peter Melville

Breaching a sexual harm prevention order

February 14, 2025

Sentence: 47 months imprisonment

On September 3, Peter Melville, 60, approached two girls aged 10 and 11 who were playing in a driveway in Covingham. He told one girl she was beautiful, gave her a two-pound coin, and attempted to expose himself by unzipping his trousers. The girls fled in fear, as captured on Ring doorbell footage and nearby CCTV. Melville, who was on police bail and working as a vehicle courier, fled the scene in his van and was arrested later that day by armed police near the M4. The incident caused significant trauma to the victims, affecting their sense of safety and daily activities.

Pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Judge Jason Taylor KC described him as 'undoubtedly dangerous' with a 'worrying pattern of sexual offending'. He has 11 prior convictions for 39 offences, including possession of indecent images and assaulting a child under 13.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Robert Kemp

VAT Fraud

November 26, 2024

Sentence: Two years and two months imprisonment for VAT fraud, plus two months for going on the run, and 12 months for affray

Robert Kemp and his son Marcus acted as directors of a firm with offices in Tetbury and Royal Wootton Bassett that claimed to supply windows for new-build homes. They submitted false invoices and fraudulently reclaimed £251,499 between May and November 2015. Kemp evaded authorities for nearly three years, hiding in a bedsit in Rhyl, Wales, until he was caught after ordering a £18 kebab, which led to his arrest.

Admitted VAT fraud but failed to attend court hearings. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Anthony Dugard

Child sex abuse

November 22, 2024

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Anthony Dugard, a 60-year-old man, was arrested on July 4, 2024, in Swindon after travelling to meet who he believed was a child with the intention of abusing them, but he was met by police. Further investigation revealed he had coerced and exploited a real 15-year-old child over several months. The victim provided evidence of the abuse, and her mother highlighted the emotional impact in a personal statement.

Pleaded guilty to nine child sex abuse offences. Judge JN Townsend paid tribute to the victim for her engagement in the criminal justice process. Additionally, he will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Bethan Guy

Blackmail

October 15, 2024

Sentence: 2-year suspended sentence, 225 hours of unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 12 sessions of mental health treatment, and £450 in compensation

Bethan Guy, 26, from King John Street, met her victim on Snapchat where she sold adult photos of herself. She threatened to inform his partner about the purchases unless he paid her money, leading to unwarranted demands for financial gain between July 20, 2022, and August 3, 2022, which caused the victim significant distress and financial strain.

Pleaded guilty to making unwarranted demands for money. Victim felt trapped and helpless due to threats.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Kurtis Knee

Possession with intent to supply Cannabis

October 14, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

On July 31, 2024, officers executed a warrant at a property on Keswick Road, Park South, where they discovered just under 10kg of Cannabis, other suspected controlled drugs, more than £4,500 in cash, and criminal property including clothing and trainers valued at £5,689. The Cannabis had a potential street value of up to £100,000 if sold individually.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cannabis and possessing criminal property. Police noted he had prior convictions and continued to supply drugs in the community.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Kydon Davis

Supplying heroin and crack cocaine

August 13, 2024

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment and 7 months concurrent for possession of crack cocaine

Kydon Davis, 19, of Wheatcroft Way, Swindon, was involved in selling and buying large amounts of crack cocaine and heroin. He operated a drug line from December 2023 to February 2024, using a vulnerable person's home as a base for criminal activity, known as 'cuckooing'. On February 22, 2024, police raided a house in Raleigh Avenue, Swindon, where they found nearly five grams of cocaine, white powder in the toilet bowl, £2,115 in cash, a wrap of cocaine, and a mobile phone linked to drug sales. Davis admitted responsibility for the phone messages and dealing, earning around £200 a week to pay debts and fund his cannabis addiction. He had a history of being exploited, including being attacked with machetes and having his home set on fire, and became a father at a young age.

Pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine, intent to supply crack, and possession of criminal property. Had ten prior convictions for 17 offences, including possession of knives and cannabis. Committed in breach of a community order. Judge noted his significant role in drug distribution and his background of exploitation and trauma.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

David Russell

Fraud by false representation

July 24, 2024

Sentence: 1 year and 6 months imprisonment

David Russell posed as a landlord on Facebook Marketplace to scam prospective tenants out of nearly £7,000 between April 1, 2023, and June 18, 2024. He falsely represented himself as the owner of properties in Swindon, including 172 Paramount Buildings and 3 Seacole Crescent, demanding deposits and rent payments for properties he did not own or manage. Specific incidents include scamming one victim out of £800 for a deposit in April-May 2023, another out of £600 deposit and £1,200 rent in May-June 2023, and additional scams including £1,685 deposits and rent for a flat in Kensington, as well as £875 from another victim in February-March 2024.

Pleaded guilty to all charges. The judge noted that the defendant is an intelligent man who frequently offends and referenced his previous crime in 2022 for similar scams.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Arthur Dolan

Fraud

May 20, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order, 250 hours of unpaid work, and £2,500 compensation

Arthur Dolan and Isaac Follows pressured an elderly homeowner in Westbury between February 14 and March 2, 2023, to pay over £12,000 for substandard roofing work. They inflated prices, performed exceptionally poor workmanship, abandoned the job after receiving payment, and left the victim with defective property requiring £3,650 in repairs. Dolan admitted to being unskilled and acting as a casual employee.

Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Previously of good character except for an old shoplifting offence. Low risk of re-offending. Was dragged to Crown Court due to co-defendant's decision.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Isaac Follows

Fraud

May 20, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order, 300 hours of unpaid work, and £2,500 compensation

Isaac Follows and Arthur Dolan pressured an elderly homeowner in Westbury between February 14 and March 2, 2023, to pay over £12,000 for substandard roofing work. They inflated prices, performed exceptionally poor workmanship, abandoned the job after receiving payment, and left the victim with defective property requiring £3,650 in repairs. Follows quoted prices without experience and acted as a driver and caller.

Pleaded guilty later. Was 22 at the time of the offence. Previously of good character. Low risk of serious harm to the public.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Emily Macarthur

Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

May 16, 2024

Sentence: 13 years and 11 months imprisonment

Emily MacArthur conspired to supply drugs into prisons and imported cocaine from Jamaica. In January 2020, UK Border Force intercepted parcels containing cocaine worth over £130,000 addressed to her in Frome and Bristol. She exchanged messages about drug supply profits and was involved in producing and sending spice into prisons using fake legal letters. In February 2020, authorities seized spice, soaked paper, and other materials at her address in Trowbridge. She continued her activities post-release, leading to further arrests in April 2020 and later that year, involving cash, drugs, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. She evaded capture using aliases and was arrested in Belfast in June 2024.

Pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply drugs and importing cocaine, as well as three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin), possession of criminal property, and failure to attend court. Her co-conspirator was previously sentenced.

Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Ryan Hobbs

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

March 21, 2024

Sentence: 3 years and 3 months imprisonment

Ryan Hobbs caused actual bodily harm and intentionally suffocated a female victim on several occasions during a seven-month period between February 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024, including specific incidents on January 23, 2024 (suffocation and theft), January 24, 2024 (assault), and February 14, 2024 (assault, suffocation, and theft of a mobile phone). He also committed common assault against a male victim on January 29, 2024, shoplifted goods worth £50 from Morrisons on January 23, 2024, and stole goods worth £35.96 from The Range on the same date.

Pleaded guilty to three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of intentional suffocation, one count of common assault, two shoplifting charges, and one count of theft from a person. No separate penalty was issued for the theft of the mobile phone.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Drew Stanton-Foreman

Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm

March 17, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 8 months imprisonment

Drew Stanton-Foreman, who was 19 at the time, stabbed a 17-year-old boy with a broken champagne glass during a house party, inflicting a wound near the jugular vein that could have been fatal. The victim now has a visible scar and lasting nerve damage. When restrained by other party-goers, she threatened to stab two others. She was sentenced on March 17, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm after initially claiming memory loss due to consuming half a bottle of vodka and several shots. Expressed remorse, but the investigator noted she took no accountability, and toxicology reports confirmed no evidence of spiking or mental disorder.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Luke Mcinerney

Burglary

March 7, 2024

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Luke McInerney trespassed into a property on Chamberlain Road on September 11, 2023, stealing a large amount of jewellery and other items. He fled abroad, taunted police on social media, and was eventually arrested upon returning to the UK.

Pleaded guilty to burglary. Described as a professional criminal with a flagrant disregard for people and their property.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Lewis Morton

Supply of Controlled Drugs

February 18, 2024

Sentence: 5 years and 7 months imprisonment

Lewis Morton was involved in drug offences, including possession of MDMA, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of a push dagger, possession of criminal property, and being concerned in the supply of heroin. The offences took place between September 17 and November 5, 2023, during which time he operated a local drugs line. Police seized £2,922.50 in cash, an Xbox Series S, two Moncler jackets, and several electric bikes following his arrest on November 5. He has a history of similar offences, including a previous sentence in 2022 for drug supply.

Pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing. Has prior convictions for drug-related crimes and was sentenced by Judge JN Townsend.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Alfie Thomas

Being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin

February 14, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years, 10 rehabilitation activity days, 200 hours of unpaid work, and £187 surcharge

Alfie Thomas became involved in drug dealing at age 17, handling four separate drug lines linked to his mobile phone in Swindon between December 13, 2022, and May 18, 2023. He used the device for drug deals, among other things, and initially denied involvement after arrest. He played a lesser role and was experiencing homelessness at the time.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. No previous convictions. Judge noted he was acting under direction, had strong prospects for rehabilitation, and was taken advantage of by others.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

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