Taunton Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 10 verdicts at Taunton Magistrates' Court (Taunton). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Thomas Wilkinson

Burglary

April 16, 2025

Sentence: 7 months imprisonment and £100 compensation

Thomas Wilkinson carried out 10 shoplifting offences in Bridgwater, Peasmarsh, and Taunton between August 2024 and February 2025. He also broke into a house in Peasmarsh, near Ilminster, on December 26, 2024, by entering through a window and stealing items including jewellery. He was identified through CSI evidence and a hidden camera in the property, leading to his arrest and conviction.

Pleaded guilty to 10 shoplifting offences and one burglary. He had no fixed abode. PC Jim Card noted the significant impact on victims and the role of forensic evidence and footage in securing the conviction.

Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Claudio De Carlo

Drug driving

July 15, 2024

Sentence: 18 months driving ban, £1,300 fine, £520 surcharge, and £85 costs

Claudio de Carlo was caught driving at the Dunball Interchange near Bridgwater on Christmas Eve, 2023, with blood tests revealing 39 micrograms of cocaine per litre and 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine, which were nearly four times and over four times the legal limits respectively. This offence involved driving under the influence of controlled drugs, leading to his arrest and court appearance.

Pleaded guilty. Blood tests showed 39 micrograms of cocaine per litre and 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine, exceeding the legal limits. His guilty plea was taken into account during sentencing.

Sources: thewestonmercury.co.uk

Kian Webber

Driving while disqualified

May 30, 2024

Sentence: 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; disqualified from driving for two years and six months; costs of £85

Kian Webber, a 22-year-old from Staple Fitzpaine in Taunton, was disqualified from driving for two years and six months for driving while disqualified. He appeared at court on May 30 and was given a suspended sentence.

Also a charge for driving without third party insurance with no separate penalty.

Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Wayne Scothern

Possession of a kitchen knife in public

May 28, 2024

Sentence: Two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; rehabilitation activity of up to 25 days; costs of £85 and surcharge of £154

Wayne Scothern, a 54-year-old from Abbey Close in Taunton, was handed a suspended sentence for possession of a kitchen knife in public. He appeared at court on May 28.

Lisa Burridge

Failing to comply with a community order

May 24, 2024

Sentence: Fined £40

Lisa Burridge, a 51-year-old from Boltonsborough in Glastonbury, was fined £40 for failing to comply with the requirements of a community order by not attending planned RAR appointments. She appeared at court on May 24.

Kim Parkhouse

Shoplifting

May 19, 2024

Sentence: 20 weeks in prison

Kim Parkhouse was involved in 10 shop thefts between March 5 and May 18, 2024, stealing items worth £1,962, including cleaning products, garden furniture, and children’s toys from stores such as WH Smith’s, Homesense, and B&M. In one incident, she entered a store with two others and selected a sofa and chairs worth £1,033.

Sentenced for involvement in 10 shop thefts as a prolific offender, showing disregard for financial damage to businesses.

Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Mark Cripps

Shoplifting

May 19, 2024

Sentence: 42 weeks in prison

Mark Cripps was involved in seven shop thefts between March 3 and April 30, 2024, stealing items worth £1,768, including electrical items, garden furniture, and cleaning products from stores such as Homesense and B&M. In one incident, he entered a store with another man and took garden furniture worth £699.

Sentenced for involvement in seven shop thefts, including revocation of a previous 18-week suspended sentence, as a prolific offender showing disregard for financial damage to businesses.

Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Daryl Cottrell

Sending offensive communications

April 16, 2024

Sentence: 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

Daryl Cottrell, 42, of Old Court Mews, Wellington, sent offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing messages via public communication on five counts.

Ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £70 and a surcharge of £154, participate in a rehabilitation activity of up to 20 days, and given a restraining order

Sources: somersetcountygazette.co.uk