Swindon Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 18 verdicts at Swindon Magistrates' Court (Swindon). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Justin Moutousamy

Sending communication threatening death or serious harm

July 8, 2025

Sentence: £40 fine, £16 surcharge, and £85 costs

Justin Moutousamy, a 45-year-old from Cloatley Crescent in Royal Wootton Bassett, threatened his former co-worker with violence over a dispute involving the sale of classic novels, including Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, and signed photos of the Royal Family. The incident stemmed from a professional breakdown where they had worked together on removals. On June 3, Moutousamy sent several distressing messages demanding money from the sale, which was worth thousands of pounds, with one message threatening to smash the victim's teeth if he did not appear within 20 minutes. The victim felt unsafe in his home and feared for the safety of his young children.

Pleaded guilty to sending communication threatening death or serious harm. Disputed the cause of the falling out with his former co-worker but acknowledged the threat was wrong and made no attempt to follow through.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Michael Mcdonagh

Shoplifting

July 2, 2025

Sentence: 40 weeks imprisonment

Michael McDonagh, 46, of no fixed abode, stole goods worth £434.10 from B&M on June 6, returned to steal £120.93 on June 10, and targeted Co-op branches in Swindon, including stealing £120.93 on June 13, £120 on June 15, £150 on June 18, £360 from Cavendish Square, and £75 from Old Town, totalling £1,380.96. He also interfered with a vehicle on June 30 and has a history of prolific offending.

Pleaded guilty to seven theft charges and one charge of vehicle interference. Has 70 convictions for 193 offences. Judge commented on his flagrant disregard for people and their property.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Paul Brewster

Animal cruelty

April 30, 2025

Sentence: Fined £285 and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in costs

Rusty, a dog, was discovered severely malnourished in a kitchen filled with rubbish and faeces at a property in Dixon Way in May 2024. He had no access to food or water, and his skin was in bad shape, indicating neglect over time.

Pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. PC Lizzie Wright described it as a terrible case of animal cruelty.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

Sophie Clifford

Stalking

July 23, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order including 15 days of rehabilitation work and £292 fine

Sophie Clifford conducted a campaign of stalking against her ex-partner between 28 December 2024 and 28 January 2025. This involved lying about being pregnant to gain his attention, driving her car past him and his friend in a manner that left them fearful, leaving a gift on his vehicle, and turning up at his home.

Maria Maddalena

Racially aggravated common assault

July 2, 2024

Sentence: Fined £180 with a £72 surcharge and £85 costs, totalling £337

On September 26, 2024, around 6pm, Maria Maddalena shouted racial abuse at her neighbour from her flat window during a dispute over a traffic cone outside his garage. She approached him aggressively, swearing and pushing him with the back of her hand as he walked away, telling him to 'go back to your country.' The victim and his son were left shocked, upset, and fearful for their safety, with the neighbour expressing concerns about further abuse due to Maddalena's unpredictability.

Pleaded guilty to the charge. Defence raised concerns about case delays and denied specific racial language used. Judge commented that the incident was minor and advised reflection on neighbourly behaviour.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Craig Townsend

Harassment

July 2, 2024

Sentence: 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for one year

Craig Townsend breached a restraining order imposed on June 9 by contacting his ex-partner on June 10, 11, and 18, in an effort to recover his belongings, including his passport, photos of his son, and clothes. He claimed some contact was accidental, such as sending a 'yo' message intended for someone else. Despite attempts to resolve the issue through the police and arranging collection via a friend, the breaches occurred, leading to his guilty plea and sentencing.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of harassment in breach of a restraining order. In mitigation, the defence explained he was trying to retrieve his belongings after a six-year relationship ended and had attempted to involve the police. Judge Dickens noted he could have been sent to prison but chose not to due to the circumstances, and upheld his pre-existing community order.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Walter White

Speeding

June 9, 2024

Sentence: Fined £215 and five penalty points, plus £90 prosecution costs and £86 surcharge, totalling £391

Walter White, aged 55, was driving a Ford Ranger on the M4 in Swindon on May 25, 2024, when he exceeded the 70 miles per hour speed limit. He was caught speeding, and his case was heard at court after an initial adjournment from April 14, 2024.

Pheddie Delos Reyes

Voyeurism

June 1, 2024

Sentence: suspended jail term

Pheddie Delos Reyes, a registered nurse, filmed individuals through a hole in the cubicle wall in the men's toilets at an Asda store in Swindon on July 18, 2023. He arrived at the store around 6pm and remained in the toilets for nearly three hours, during which time around fifty males, including adults and children, used the facilities. Police seized his devices and found videos of men urinating and a video of a child urinating. He was arrested and later charged.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism and one count of making an indecent image of a child. The Nursing and Midwifery Council panel noted some remorse but a limited understanding of the impact, and found his fitness to practise impaired due to the severity of the convictions.

Sources: somersetlive.co.uk

Constantin Turcanu

Recklessly causing a public nuisance

May 28, 2024

Sentence: 16 weeks in prison

Constantin Turcanu spent more than seven hours on the roof of a house on Newhall Street in Swindon on May 25, 2024, refusing to engage with emergency services despite their efforts to remove him safely. This incident caused a major emergency response, including road closures, the involvement of over a dozen police officers, multiple ambulances, and fire appliances. He was on bail for a domestic violence and stalking incident and had been ordered not to go to the area. After coming down and fleeing, he was arrested on May 27 and mocked police online before his court appearance.

Pleaded guilty to recklessly causing a public nuisance. Previous suspended sentence for driving while disqualified was activated in part, and a community order for possessing a knife was revoked. Judge Dickins highlighted the seriousness of the disruption caused.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Kris Cooper

Criminal Damage

May 27, 2024

Sentence: Community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement

Kris Cooper caused over £5,500 worth of damage in two separate incidents in 2024. On June 13, he attempted to steal a can of beer from a convenience store in Birmingham, became angry when challenged, and threw a street sign at the front door, smashing the window and causing £395 in damage, which was captured on CCTV. On November 12, he tried to withdraw money from an ATM at Natwest in Swindon but failed, then used a brick-like item to smash the ATM machine and the bank's glass doors, causing £5,106.86 in damage.

Pled guilty to criminal damage. Engaging with probation service to live an offence-free lifestyle. Judge warned of potential imprisonment for further offences and reduced outstanding fines from £2,300 to £1,500.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Tracy Manser

Theft from a shop

May 21, 2024

Sentence: 18-month community order with up to 30 rehabilitation activity days and imprisonment for the remainder of her licence period

Tracy Manser, 34, stole £73.43 worth of laundry products from B&M on April 26, 2024, returned to B&M on May 14, 2024, to steal coffee worth £110, and targeted a Co-op store on May 6, 2024, stealing five jars of coffee, and on May 15, 2024, stealing laundry products of unknown value. She has a history of similar offences, including stealing from Waterstones in November 2023 and from other stores in 2022.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a shop. Judge warned of potential imprisonment for further offending and noted her terrible record for shoplifting, while acknowledging her difficulties.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Mark Stanners

Theft from a shop

May 19, 2024

Sentence: Four week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and 10 rehabilitation activity days

Mark Stanners, 55, of Downton Road, Penhill, entered a Co-op store on March 1, 2024, to steal meat and cheese valued at £84.55, and returned on April 20, 2024, to steal alcohol and meat worth £117.50. He has a long history of shoplifting linked to his drug addiction, and despite efforts to address his issues, this incident reflects his repeat offending.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop. Has a significant criminal record, including previous convictions for drug dealing and shoplifting to fund his drug addiction.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Jamie Loveridge

Theft

May 12, 2024

Sentence: 44 weeks imprisonment

Jamie Loveridge, a 29-year-old homeless man, stole a bicycle in Cricklade Road on 7 May 2024, breaching the terms of his release from prison. He was spotted in the Regent Circus area on 9 May 2024, leading to a police pursuit where he climbed onto the roofs of properties in Stanier Street and threw bricks and tiles at officers in a threatening manner. This incident caused a standoff, requiring negotiators, fire services, and ambulance services.

Pleaded guilty to two bicycle thefts, breaching a criminal behaviour order, and threatening behaviour. A court report stated that only a custodial sentence can be justified because the defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property. He was also recalled to prison.

Sources: wiltshire999s.co.uk

Ben Croucher

Stalking

April 29, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order, 20 rehabilitation activity days, £70 fine, £85 prosecution costs, £114 court surcharge, and a two-year restraining order

Ben Croucher stalked his ex-girlfriend by turning up at various locations including Lidl, Argos, Waitrose, the community hospital, and more. The offending took place on numerous occasions between November 2024 and 22 January 2025.

Daniel Melhado

Burglary

February 28, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 5 months imprisonment and a £228 surcharge

On January 13, 2024, Daniel Melhado broke into a woman's home on Devizes Road, Old Town, and stole her handbag containing her phone, bank cards, and euros. He then used the bank cards in a local off-licence, as captured on CCTV footage. He was identified and arrested by police, during which he initially claimed the card was given to him by someone named Jay before denying the burglary. The victim reported the incident after noticing the theft upon returning home.

Pleaded guilty to burglary dwelling with intent to steal and fraud by false representation. Has over 44 convictions since 1998, including a 2022 conviction for similar offences, and admitted to being a drug addict committing crimes to fund the habit.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Hubbard Richard Sean

Stalking and theft

January 17, 2024

Sentence: 12-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 12 treatment sessions with a psychologist, comply with responsible officer for up to 10 days, £85 costs

Hubbard Richard Sean, 54, breached restraining and stalking orders imposed by Swindon Magistrates' Court in August 2022 by emailing a woman on September 20, 2024. He also stole two bottles of wine from Marks and Spencer in Salisbury on October 8, 2024, and failed to surrender to police custody at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on November 21, 2024, after being released on bail on October 9, 2024.

Admitted stalking and theft; offences were serious due to past similar offences; no separate penalty for failing to surrender to custody.

Sources: salisburyjournal.co.uk

Luke Mcinerney

Assault

January 10, 2024

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment

Luke McInerney was charged with threatening to damage or destroy property on December 31, 2022, by telling a woman he would smash her windows and caravan; using threatening, abusive or insulting words to cause fear of violence to the same woman; beating another woman on April 30, 2022; and failing to surrender to custody on November 6, 2023.

Jailed for multiple offences including threatening to damage property, using threatening words, assault, and failing to surrender to custody.

Sources: swindonadvertiser.co.uk

Wayne Dyke

Causing serious injury by careless driving

November 24, 2023

Sentence: Three-year driving ban, suspended 22-month prison sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, £187 victim surcharge, and £425 costs

Wayne Dyke, 61, of Danes Close, Chippenham, was driving a Fiat Punto along Hobley Drive in Swindon and failed to stop at red traffic lights at the junction with Ermin Street. He struck a pedestrian, a man in his 60s, on October 28, 2022, causing serious injuries including a bleed on the brain and inability to use one eye. The victim now suffers from memory loss, headaches, fatigue, and anxiety, and has reported feeling unsafe in crowds and anxious when crossing roads.

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