Teesside Crown Court Sentencing Results

James Cowie

Affray

January 27, 2025

Sentence: Eight months imprisonment

James Cowie engaged in a fight with Hugh Holmes on Faraday Street in Ferryhill on December 19, 2024, after an altercation involving Holmes' girlfriend. Cowie punched and kicked Holmes and later a passenger in Holmes' car, leading to his involvement in the incident.

Pleaded guilty to affray. The sentence has been served due to time already spent in custody.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Mason Thornton

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

September 4, 2024

Sentence: 3 years and 11 months imprisonment

Mason Thornton, from Ingleby Barwick, was driving a car with four passengers from a party when it crashed on the A1027 Billingham Interchange in October 2022. He had inhaled nitrous oxide moments before the incident, causing serious injuries to passenger Harlan Moon, who now requires lifelong care and has lost his future plans.

Involved in a crash after inhaling nitrous oxide while driving; victim impact statements from Harlan Moon's father highlighted the profound family impact, including the need for 24/7 care.

Sources: yorkshirepost.co.uk

Ryan Raynor

Assault

September 2, 2024

Sentence: 4.5 years imprisonment

Ryan Raynor carried out a violent assault on a woman in Middlesbrough in May, involving punching, kicking and strangling her during a sustained attack. He was arrested following a police investigation, and the incident was described as leaving a lasting impact on the victim.

Admitted to charges of attempted Section 18 wounding, threats to kill, intentional strangulation and common assault. An indefinite restraining order was imposed to prevent contact with the victim.

Sources: yorkshirepost.co.uk

Jack Bowers

Supply of Cocaine and Cannabis

August 16, 2024

Sentence: 9 years and 4 months imprisonment

Jack Bowers operated a drug supply network, flooding Whitby with cocaine and cannabis from October 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. He was arrested on March 11, 2023, by North Yorkshire Police after his activities were tracked. Evidence from his mobile phone confirmed he was supplying substantial amounts of drugs to numerous individuals and sub-dealers in the area.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis between October 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. £8,000 in cash was seized upon arrest.

Sources: thescarboroughnews.co.uk

Lee Dooley

Stalking and Sexual Assault

July 15, 2024

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Lee Dooley subjected his victim to months of terrifying threats, including showing up at her work, loved ones' homes, and threatening to smash her windows. On one occasion, he showed up at her home and sexually assaulted her. The stalking began in the back half of 2024 and escalated, leading to his arrest and charges.

Admitted charges at an earlier hearing. Made subject to a 15-year restraining order and placed on the Sex Offenders register for 10 years. Investigating officer noted the behaviour caused fear and distress to the victim.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Andrew Vickers

Grievous Bodily Harm

July 15, 2024

Sentence: 10 years and 3 months imprisonment

Andrew Vickers, of no fixed address, armed himself with a hammer and a large wooden stick and attacked a man he had known for over 20 years on Westport Close in Portrack, shortly before 1pm on Friday, April 4. He subjected the victim to numerous blows to the head, inflicting multiple injuries to the face, which were life-changing. Vickers fled the scene, discarding the weapons, and later assaulted another man, aged 69, by kicking and hitting him to the face. The incident occurred in front of members of the public, and emergency services took the first victim to James Cook University Hospital.

Pleaded guilty prior to trial. Described as an extremely dangerous individual who carried out a nasty attack that caused serious harm.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Tracey Cornish

Robbery

May 14, 2024

Sentence: 66 months imprisonment

Tracey Cornish, along with Bethany Carr, targeted a partially sighted man at his home in Ferryhill in October 2023. They entered without invitation, demanded money, and Cornish threatened him with a broken bottle in the kitchen, obtaining a small amount of money and his debit card. They attempted to use the card at local cash machines but failed. Cornish also committed burglary and attempted burglary with male accomplices, targeting student digs and a pub in Durham in May 2023.

Denied robbery but was found guilty after trial. She was also sentenced for burglary and attempted burglary offences committed in May 2023. Addicted to drugs and alcohol at the time, but has engaged in rehabilitation while in custody and aims to lead a law-abiding life.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Stewart Wright

Possessing explosives for an unlawful purpose

May 2, 2024

Sentence: 24 months in prison, suspended for 24 months

Stewart Wright, a 45-year-old man who volunteered in the Ukraine war as a self-styled humanitarian, smuggled Ukrainian F1 grenades and Russian offensive grenades from the front lines. He stored them at his home near Leeming, North Yorkshire, along with firearms ammunition and other military equipment, which were hidden in a vehicle driven across Europe into Britain in 2023. The grenades, though with fuses removed, remained highly dangerous and were disposed of by military bomb experts. He was arrested in February 2023 and the investigation found the items could have caused catastrophic damage if they had exploded.

Pleaded guilty in January to possessing explosives for an unlawful purpose and possessing firearms ammunition illegally. No evidence of intent to cause injury; had a fascination with the war in Ukraine and military items. Detective Constable Amy Sharrad noted he showed no remorse and put people at grave risk.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Jake Freeman

Making a threat to kill

March 27, 2024

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment

On February 23, 2024, Jake Freeman contacted police, threatening to 'chop off' the head of another resident at a house of multiple occupation in Laycock Street, Middlesbrough, claiming the man was annoying him. In the presence of police, he made further threats to stab, kill, and murder the man. Four knives were found nearby on a kitchen work-top, though they belonged to the property and were not held by Freeman. He was arrested, refused an interview, and later pleaded guilty at court.

Pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill. Has 19 prior convictions, including offences against the person and public order matters. Mental health issues were noted, and the judge applied a 25% discount for the guilty plea; he has already served the equivalent time.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Alastair Weightman

Attempted robbery

March 21, 2024

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Alastair Weightman, 34, of Gilpin Road in Thornaby, approached a woman's Mercedes on High Street in Stockton on Christmas Eve. He opened the car door and dragged her out by her arms, hair, and jacket in an attempt to steal the vehicle. The victim, who had just returned from a carol service, managed to throw the keys out of the ignition, preventing the robbery. She called her family for help, and Weightman was confronted by her brother before fleeing the scene. He handed himself in on Boxing Day and was arrested.

Pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. Detective Sergeant Ryan Thompson noted that Weightman left the victim scared and fearful for her life.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Luke Jack Ridley

Rape

March 21, 2024

Sentence: Eight years imprisonment

Luke Jack Ridley, when in his teens, raped a girl several years younger than him more than a decade ago. The victim reported the crime to the police in September 2022. At the time of sentencing, he was already imprisoned for a prior offence involving a fatal car crash on March 7, 2018, where he lost control of his VW Bora while racing, resulting in the deaths of two teenagers.

Admitted two charges of rape. Already serving a previous 11-year sentence for causing deaths by dangerous driving in a separate incident.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Sophie Waugh

Causing death by dangerous driving

February 7, 2024

Sentence: Six years and eight months imprisonment and a five-and-a-half years driving ban

Sophie Waugh was driving on the A6055 Leeming Lane near Kirklington on June 28, 2023, while using her mobile phone, including locking and unlocking her device multiple times, sending messages on Facebook Messenger and Snapchat, and having the Instagram app active. She struck the rear of a bicycle ridden by 71-year-old Ian Morris, a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, who died instantly at the scene. Waugh was driving home from work at Alanbrooke Barracks and had been using her phone prolifically up to the point of the crash, despite witnesses stating that Mr Morris was cycling normally with proper visibility aids.

Pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. The sentence includes a driving ban that comes into effect upon release from prison and requires an extended driving test.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Matthew Gilligan

Burglary

July 15, 2023

Sentence: 876 days imprisonment

Matthew Gilligan carried out a series of offences around April 8, including burglary on a house in Thornton Street, Darlington, between April 5 and April 8, where he stole a television and medical patches. He was also involved in other incidents, such as entering a house in Victoria Embankment, Darlington, stealing items like Easter eggs, cleaning products, and a handbag, and taking items from a vehicle including a car key, a Mazda service book, a car air freshener, and charging cables. He was arrested and charged with burglary, attempted burglary, theft from a vehicle, and vehicle interference.

Pleaded guilty to burglary. Already serving sentence for similar offences committed around the same time. Sentencing for this specific offence was adjourned to March 3.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Azem Ahmed

Sale and possession of counterfeit and illicit tobacco

July 3, 2023

Sentence: Two-and-a-half years imprisonment

Azem Ahmed, owner of The Norton Shop on Norton Road, Stockton, continued to sell illegal cigarettes and vapes to children despite warnings from authorities. The criminal activity began in 2019, with undercover operations and searches uncovering illicit tobacco hidden in the shop and a neighbouring flat. The shop was closed three times in 2019, 2022, and 2023 due to sales to minors and low pricing, such as packs for £5, putting customers at risk.

Pleaded guilty to nine charges and was convicted of a further 11 charges. Received several warnings and had his shop closed multiple times.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

William Hayden

Animal welfare offences

January 27, 2023

Sentence: ten months imprisonment and a 10-year ban from keeping animals

William Hayden failed to provide adequate nutrition to his two Staffordshire bull terriers, resulting in the death of one dog, Flushe, from starvation. Flushe was found with leather remains in his stomach and was buried in Hayden's back garden. The other dog, Tasia, was discovered in a severely underweight condition and regained nearly half her body weight after receiving proper care. RSPCA inspectors visited the property in January 2023 following reports of animal neglect, and Hayden handed himself in to the police shortly after.

Pleaded guilty to two Animal Welfare Act offences. The court heard details of the dogs' suffering, including veterinary evidence that one dog died of starvation.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Scott Walker

Murder

January 1, 2021

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years

Scott Walker murdered his 17-year-old stepdaughter, Bernadette Walker, in 2021. The crime involved the killing of the victim, after which her body was hidden and never recovered. He was convicted based on evidence of the murder.

Described as a monster for murdering his stepdaughter; the body has never been found.

Sources: gazettelive.co.uk

No sentences found matching your search.