Taunton Crown Court Sentencing Results

Michael Atkinson
Causing death by dangerous driving
July 11, 2025

Sentence: 9 years and 3 months imprisonment and 11 years and 11 months driving disqualification

Michael Atkinson was driving a white Mercedes Sprinter van while under the influence of cannabis, cocaine, and alcohol, and while disqualified from driving. He was speeding at 43mph in a 30mph zone on Lisieux Way, Taunton, on March 10, when he collided with 77-year-old Sally Blew, who was crossing the road with her bike. She died shortly after the crash, which was captured on CCTV showing his erratic driving.
Pleaded guilty to causing death by driving while disqualified, causing death by dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. Judge noted the devastation caused to the victim's family and described the deceased as a kind and gentle soul.
Sources: somersetlive.co.uk
Konrad Hicner
Burglary
May 23, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 7 months imprisonment

Konrad Hicner carried out four burglaries in Taunton between October 2024 and February 2025. He stole a mobility scooter from a vulnerable person's underground car park in Compass Ride on October 19, 2024. He also stole a purse containing bank cards from Galmington Road, attempted to enter a property in Hoveland Drive where he was disturbed via a video doorbell, and broke into a home in Belmont Drive, stealing a bag that was later found discarded.
Pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary. PC Mattie Kasperek noted that the crimes were opportunistic and caused significant distress to victims, describing the theft of a mobility scooter as a callous act.
Sources: somersetlive.co.uk
Steven Hentschel
Sexual assault
May 3, 2025

Sentence: suspended sentence

Steven Hentschel, 54, was sentenced for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old, as reported in the court news.
Received a suspended sentence at Taunton Crown Court last month.
Sources: avonandsomerset.police.uk
Dean Arnold
Causing death by careless driving
May 1, 2025

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment and 19 months driving disqualification

Dean Arnold drove on the A39 without due care and attention on May 21, 2021, causing a crash that resulted in the deaths of Craig Duffy and Susan Parminter. He was involved in the incident as the driver responsible for the collision.
Pleaded not guilty but found guilty. Ordered to pay a £156 surcharge.
Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk
Nigel Frith
Sexual Assault
April 30, 2025

Sentence: 34 months imprisonment

Nigel Frith sexually assaulted six people, including four children and two adults, over an 11-year period from 2012 to 2023. His offences involved touching, kissing, and making sexual suggestions, often in places where victims should have felt safe, leaving them feeling degraded, violated, angry, and terrified.
Pleaded guilty to 14 counts of sexual assault by touching against four children and two adults. Victims provided personal statements describing the impact, and he was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and added to the sex offenders' register.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Stephen Minton
Sexual activity with a child
February 7, 2025

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Stephen Minton, of Bishop's Hull, Taunton, committed multiple child sex offences between 2004 and 2008 in Somerset, including sexually abusing a vulnerable child while in a position of trust. The investigation began in 2020 after the victim reported the abuse to the police, leading to Minton's arrest and charges. The abuse had lasting effects on the victim, who struggled with relationships and trust issues as a result.
Pled guilty to four offences. The victim reported the abuse had a long-term effect, and the investigating officer noted that Minton took advantage of a position of power to abuse a vulnerable child over a significant period.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Dean Cohen
Possessing a bladed article
October 17, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years; 30 rehabilitation activity days; 1 month concurrent imprisonment for common assault and possession of cannabis

Dean Cohen was arrested on June 25 following a disturbance in Station Road, Stogumber, where he brandished a knife in a public place, making people feel threatened near the village hall and primary school, which was locked down for a time. He faced charges including possessing a bladed article, common assault, and possession of cannabis.
Admitted possessing a bladed article; subject to monthly reviews starting on November 26; ordered to pay a surcharge for the assault victim; forfeiture and destruction of the knife and drugs.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Ashley Jeanes
Controlling and Coercive Behaviour
July 26, 2024

Sentence: 3 years and 1 month imprisonment

Ashley Jeanes, aged 29, conducted a sustained campaign of assaults against his wife between March 2019 and January 2020, including attacking her with a baseball bat and a broom, submerging her head under water where she feared drowning, causing bruising, a permanent scar on her forehead, and significant impact on her mental wellbeing, leading to difficulties in trusting others.
Pleaded guilty to one charge of controlling and coercive behaviour and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Police described him as a violent man who presented himself as a loving husband but engaged in brutal assaults and controlling behaviour.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Jack Larnach
Possession and use of a knife
May 21, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years; 250 hours unpaid work; 30 rehabilitation activity days; £250 costs

In October 2023, Jack Larnach, then 34 years old and living in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, became involved in an argument with an elderly man and a group at Stoke-sub-Hamdon Working Men’s Club. He returned to the club later that evening, acting aggressively and shouting about being owed a pint. When the group left, Larnach followed them, continued threatening them, and pulled out a knife. Police arrested him and found the knife in his possession.
Aggravating factors included being drunk and returning to the location; mitigating factors were no relevant previous convictions and caring for his mum and children. Judge Shepherd noted there was antagonism on both sides and warned that breaching the order would result in imprisonment.
Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk
Jane Butcher
Burglary
May 21, 2024

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Jane Butcher entered a property in Holford Road, Taunton, on November 16, 2023, where she was found by the victim. She stole a purse, which was later discarded in the garden of the property. She was charged on November 24, 2023, and her actions were part of a pattern of offending that impacted the community.
Pleaded guilty to the offence. Described as a prolific offender by PC Jim Card, who noted that burglars like her can cause long-lasting emotional and psychological effects to victims.
Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk
Darren Ashton
Facilitating child sex offence
May 9, 2024

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Darren Ashton engaged in child sexual offences between October 2010 and November 2022. He contacted individuals in the Philippines, requesting images of young naked boys and offering to pay a 15-year-old boy's tuition fees in exchange for explicit performances. Investigations revealed 185 Category A, 244 Category B, and 266 Category C indecent images, plus 10 extreme or prohibited images on his devices.
Pleaded guilty; moved to a different area and has not offended since; described as of previous good character and deeply remorseful. Judge noted exploitation of vulnerable children for personal pleasure.
Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk
Ryan Horrill
Possession with Intent to Supply Cannabis
May 9, 2024

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment

On November 6, 2024, police attended Ryan Horrill's address on Haywood Road, Taunton, where they discovered 1.98 kilograms of cannabis and over £21,000 in cash in his house and a bin store outside. He was arrested and answered 'no comment' during his police interview. Horrill has a considerable criminal record and was previously given a suspended sentence for a similar offence but continued his activities.
Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. Has 68 previous offences, including three drug-related convictions. Judge noted his traumatic childhood, health issues, and that he had led a law-abiding life from 2019 to 2024 before reoffending. Also sentenced for breach of a suspended sentence.
Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk
Jonathan Farrelly
Assault causing actual bodily harm
April 17, 2024

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment

Jonathan Farrelly committed two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and harassment by breaching a restraining order in September and October 2024. He had a previous restraining order from December 12, 2023, which was discharged and replaced with a new order prohibiting contact with the victim and visits to certain areas until 2028.
Sentenced to two 12-month terms for assault to run concurrently and nine months for breach of restraining order to run consecutively. Original restraining order from December 12, 2023, discharged and replaced with a new one until 2028.
Sources: thewestonmercury.co.uk
Andrew Wilson
Laser Misuse
April 11, 2024

Sentence: 4 months imprisonment

Andrew Wilson shone a laser at a helicopter flying over Yeovil on August 3, 2022, and at an Airbus A320 passenger plane with nearly 200 people on board during its descent to Bristol Airport on August 14, 2022. The incidents occurred at night and targeted aircraft during critical flight stages, potentially causing distractions or permanent eye damage to pilots, though both aircraft landed safely.
Admitted two offences under the Laser Misuse Act 2018. A pilot's statement highlighted the dangers, including potential temporary blindness and long-term eyesight damage. PC Jason Marshalsea noted that the act was dangerous and reckless, endangering lives.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Geoff Marshall
Dangerous Driving
November 10, 2023

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment and a 2-year driving disqualification

Geoff Marshall, aged 41, of Station Road, Norton Fitzwarren, engaged in a driving rampage on September 10, 2023, using a 1958 American military-style truck. The incident began after an argument with his partner, during which he was holding a chainsaw over his head. He drove the truck through a police roadblock, colliding with several police and neighbours' vehicles, causing over £300,000 in damage. He reversed into his property, causing structural damage, and later drove to an M5 overbridge at Walford Cross, where he climbed over the safety barrier and threatened to jump. Police officers intervened, and he was arrested after being talked down.
Admitted to one charge of assault by beating, 11 counts of criminal damage, and one of dangerous driving. Judge Edward Burgess KC noted that Marshall was deeply ashamed and remorseful, suffering from significant mental health problems, but his actions were extremely reckless and created a high risk of injury or death.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Luke Hawkes
Causing death by dangerous driving
January 27, 2023

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment and 12 years and 7 months driving disqualification

Luke Hawkes was driving a white Ford Transit van at high speed on the A38 Taunton Road on November 8, 2022, when he jumped a red light and collided with two cars at a junction, causing the death of 19-year-old Bethany Branson, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles. He had previously been involved in a minor collision nearby and fled the scene. Hawkes was intoxicated, refused breath and drug tests, and made callous remarks indicating no remorse.
Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen. The judge noted his intoxication, lack of remorse, and that this was among the first sentences under new guidelines allowing tougher penalties for dangerous driving.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Patrick Shelley
Possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply
April 14, 2022

Sentence: 30 months imprisonment

Patrick Shelley was stopped by police during targeted patrols in Dunster amid the Covid lockdown, where officers found drugs, a lock knife, and a knuckleduster in a vehicle. Further enquiries revealed more drugs at his associate's home, with a total seizure including cocaine worth over £16,500 and cannabis worth more than £9,500.
Admitted to possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, possessing an offensive weapon in public, possessing a knife in public, and acquiring/possessing criminal property.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Jared Tappin
Possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply
April 14, 2022

Sentence: 26 months imprisonment

Jared Tappin was stopped by police in a vehicle in Dunster with Patrick Shelley, where officers discovered drugs, a lock knife, and a knuckleduster. Further investigations led to the seizure of additional drugs at his home in Dulverton, including cocaine worth over £16,500 and cannabis worth more than £9,500.
Admitted to possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply and acquiring/possessing criminal property.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Ian Rowland
Causing death by careless driving
December 28, 2020

Sentence: 28 weeks imprisonment

Ian Rowland, 51, was driving on a country road near Shepton Mallet in April 2020 when he lost control of his Vauxhall Vectra after over-steering on the B3139 at Emborough, causing it to skid sideways into the wrong side of the road and collide with the vehicle carrying Emma Summerell, 44. Ms Summerell was recovering from a two-year battle with cancer and was about to be given the all clear and marry the love of her life. The crash resulted in her death, and Rowland's actions led to his conviction.
Denied the charge and did not give evidence. Judge stated that his speed was not safe for the road or conditions, and it was more than a momentary lapse of concentration. Defence noted he is a decent man who taught maths and science to children with special educational needs and may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Ian Sephton
Robbery
February 5, 2020

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Ian Sephton, a 48-year-old drug addict living in a tent near Minehead, stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods and cash to fund his habit. In April, he stole a handbag from a 77-year-old woman in a Tesco car park and another from a woman in the Hairy Dog pub, and carried out four credit card transactions. He also stole £200 worth of perfume from stores in Minehead. The most serious incident occurred in May when he grabbed £350 in cash from an 80-year-old man at an HSBC cashpoint in Minehead, leaving the victim feeling vulnerable and anxious.
Pleaded guilty to his crimes. Judge Paul Cook stated that, although he was sorry, his level of addiction demanded a custodial sentence. He was spending £60 a day on cocaine and heroin and had fled from drug-dealers in Liverpool.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk
Paul Francis
Sexual assault on a child under 13
August 13, 2014

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Paul Francis, aged 62, targeted young children by promising music lessons and opportunities to be in a band. He sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl, forcing her to engage in inappropriate behaviour at his home, and exchanged letters with a ten-year-old girl that caused her distress. These offences occurred in March 2014, and police investigations revealed indecent images of children at his home. Francis lived in Williton, West Somerset, between 2008 and 2012, and may have committed similar acts during that time.
Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Has a history of serious sexual offences dating back to 1973, including a nine-year sentence for rape. Committed the offences when emotionally low and expressed a desire for help to prevent re-offending. Will be on an extended six-year licence and the sex offenders' register for life, with a ban on contact with children under 16.
Sources: wsfp.co.uk

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