Taunton Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

On the evening of Monday, 4 May 2026, Peter Norman Francis Siyachitema drove his Toyota Yaris the wrong way on the A38 dual carriageway near Walford Cross while more than four times over the legal alcohol limit. A patrolling police officer forced him to a controlled stop. Other motorists had to take evasive action. He was unsteady, confused, and slurring his words, and a roadside breath test confirmed his high blood alcohol level.

On the evening of Monday 4 May 2026, Francis Siyachitema drove his Toyota Yaris on the wrong side of the A38 dual carriageway near Walford Cross, Taunton, forcing other motorists to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Police brought the vehicle to a controlled stop. Siyachitema smelled strongly of alcohol, appeared confused, unsteady on his feet, and was slurring his words. A roadside breath test indicated he was more than four times over the legal limit for alcohol.

Wayne Greggory, 48, from Huish Champflower, was involved in a hunt in Chilton Trinity, Somerset, on 26 November 2025, organized by The Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers Hunt. The incident followed an investigation by Avon and Somerset Police into suspected illegal hunting of a wild mammal with dogs.

The 48-year-old, of Huish Champflower, was arrested and charged following a six-month investigation into an incident in November 2025, when dogs were not called off from hunting a fox during a Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers hunt event, in Chilton Trinity.

Trevor Nex, 43, of Baytree Farm in Watchfield, Highbridge, was arrested at Hellings Cross, Bathelton in West Somerset, on November 29, 2025, after reports of a vehicle being driven under the influence of alcohol. Police found him exiting the driver seat of a 4x4 with an open bottle of port inside. He admitted to having 'a couple of ports' and no driving licence due to a previous ban. He claimed the vehicle was not his.

Michelle Powell and Daniel Powell neglected their 11-year-old Labrador, Daisy, by not seeking veterinary treatment for a chronic neck wound, overgrown nails, a mammary tumour, sore eye, and other health issues over three years, leading to unnecessary suffering and the dog's eventual euthanasia

Michelle Powell and Daniel Powell neglected their 11-year-old Labrador, Daisy, by not seeking veterinary treatment for a chronic neck wound, overgrown nails, a mammary tumour, sore eye, and other health issues over three years, leading to unnecessary suffering and the dog's eventual euthanasia

On 19 March 2019, at a construction site at Swainswick School in Bath, a 1.8m tall retaining wall collapsed on employee the victim, 57, from Bristol, who was working for H. Mealing & Sons Limited to build a new classroom. The collapse occurred because a large load of aggregate was placed against the incomplete and unsupported wall, due to inadequate planning and supervision by the company.

Scott Sanders, aged 42 and with no fixed abode, damaged a door at Lloyds TSB on Wimborne Road, Bournemouth on June 8, 2025. He intended to destroy or damage the property or was reckless as to whether it would be destroyed or damaged. The incident was part of a broader unprovoked attack that included spitting and racial abuse towards an officer.

Dean Lawrence led police on a high-speed pursuit through residential areas in Bridgwater, including running a red light, after officers responded to anti-social e-bike riding on Parkway at around 2am on October 27, 2024. Driving a silver Mercedes C220, he failed to stop, contravened the Highway Code multiple times, and was stopped after a stinger burst the tyres near Clipper Close. He attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended.