Teesside Crown Court Sentencing Results

Arthur Purcifer

Intimidating a witness

July 16, 2024

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a five-year restraining order

Arthur Purcifer, a Middlesbrough fan, intimidated a witness related to an assault allegation from a clash with Leeds United fans at Leeds railway station on December 2, 2023. He posted messages on Facebook calling the witness a 'police informant' and a 'police grass', and later arranged for a mutual friend to contact the witness to urge them to drop the case. This intimidation occurred between May 31 and July 16, 2024, and involved a Facebook call where the witness feared for their safety.

Pleaded guilty to intimidating a witness; described as a moment of stupidity and out of character by his defence. The judge, Recorder David Gordon, emphasised that witness intimidation is a serious attack on the administration of justice.

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

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

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

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

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

Simon Allen

Burglary

March 18, 2024

Sentence: 32 months imprisonment

Simon Allen, a 50-year-old man formerly of Darlington, burgled the home of his former partner's family, which was unoccupied at the time, stealing a medal and £20 in cash. He was identified via CCTV due to his prior relationship with the complainant's daughter. During his attempted arrest, he resisted a police officer, engaged in a violent struggle, seized the officer's pepper spray from his belt, sprayed it in the officer's face, and fled. He was later apprehended by another officer.

Pleaded guilty to burglary, assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a prohibited firearm, and discharging a noxious substance. The judge noted that the defendant had a long-standing drug problem and that the offence was opportunistic. Mitigating factors included his history of crack cocaine use since age 14.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Kyle Nimmo

Assault on emergency workers

February 17, 2024

Sentence: 6 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and a 60-day alcohol abstinence order

Kyle Nimmo, a 22-year-old from Cumberland Street in Darlington, was involved in a confrontation on Tubwell Row. He assaulted two police officers while attempting to escape custody, pushing one to the ground and causing the other to fall. He fled towards Milbank Road and was later found in a woodland area. The incidents occurred on October 7, 2023, and involved him admitting to possessing cocaine and requiring hospital treatment.

Pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. The judge warned that failure to comply with the community order would result in serving the six-month prison sentence.

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

Michael Daymond

Murder

December 1, 2023

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years

Michael Daymond violently shook two-year-old Maya Chappell at her home in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, in September 2022, causing severe, un-survivable brain trauma. Maya was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and died days later.

Dana Carr

Child cruelty by neglect and allowing the death of a child

December 1, 2023

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

Dana Carr, Maya's mother, shut her eyes to the fact that her partner Michael Daymond had been violently assaulting her daughter and left her in his care while she went to work. Maya Chappell, two, died in September 2022 after suffering severe brain trauma at her home in Shotton Colliery, County Durham.

Found guilty of child cruelty by neglect and allowing the death of a child. Appeal against sentence rejected by Court of Appeal.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Richard Tutty

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent

September 8, 2023

Sentence: 3.5 years imprisonment

Richard Tutty, during a drunken argument at home, pushed his partner to the floor, causing her to injure her right ankle, then repeatedly stamped on it while she was down. He also threw a canvas picture at her before leaving. The victim suffered a fracture to her right ankle, bruising near her eye, and reported significant physical and mental health impacts, including permanent scarring from surgery and effects on her daughter.

Found guilty after trial; apologised and accepted responsibility for the harm caused while under the influence of alcohol.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Jesur Ucarer

Possession of a firearm without a certificate

August 22, 2023

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, 200 hours of unpaid work, and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days

Jesur Ucarer filmed himself firing a homemade slam gun in his former home in Stockton on May 12, 2023. The footage showed him retrieving two tubular objects from a boiler cupboard, assembling them, and slamming them together to cause a discharge, producing a booming sound and a black bloom. Police recovered the metal pipes with pellet holes in the wall, and forensic analysis confirmed the pipes had been used to discharge a live cartridge, with Ucarer's DNA on the makeshift weapon. This charge was dealt with separately due to delays in forensic evidence.

Pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a certificate. Had been engaging with the probation service since his release from a previous sentence. Judge noted the makeshift weapon was obtained for protection after threats and could discharge live ammunition.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Joe Outlaw

Causing criminal damage

August 6, 2023

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Joe Outlaw, a 39-year-old inmate at HMP Frankland, climbed onto the prison roof on June 21, 2023, during exercise time, leading to a 14-hour standoff with police and prison officers. He ripped up roof tiles, smashed cell windows, damaged heating ducts, and destroyed CCTV cameras, causing £170,000 in damage. This was driven by his paranoia about his food being tampered with and his ongoing frustration with his indeterminate sentence for a previous robbery.

Judge Francis Laird KC described the defendant as manipulative and noted his frustration over a delayed special diet due to paranoia exacerbated by his indeterminate sentence. Mental health issues, including ADHD, were considered in mitigation.

Sources: thenorthernecho.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

Tyson Petch

Theft

June 16, 2023

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Tyson Petch used a stolen Toyota Hilux, which had been stolen in Gravesend, Kent, to steal a £29,375 excavator from a building site in Middlesbrough on April 18. He was spotted driving with cloned number plates in a North Yorkshire village and arrested on May 16. The excavator has not been recovered, and he was involved in handling stolen goods and driving without insurance.

Pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Had 24 previous convictions for violence, driving offences, and acquisitive offences. Was given the 4x4 as part of the deal for stealing the excavator. Judge Nathan Adams noted his gambling addiction and willing engagement in the crime.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.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

Shaun O'connor

Sexual assault

January 1, 2023

Sentence: two years imprisonment

In 2023, Shaun O'Connor sexually assaulted two women, exposed himself to another woman, assaulted an innocent man, and carried out a sickening sex act in a police station cell after his arrest. These offences led to his sentencing.

Pleaded guilty to sexual assault, exposure, assault, and performing a sex act in a police cell. This was a previous conviction from 2023.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Dominic O'flanagan

Possession of prohibited images of a child

August 12, 2022

Sentence: eight months imprisonment

Dominic O'Flanagan, a 44-year-old convicted sex offender, was caught attempting to delete files from his computer during a police visit on June 7, 2022, to verify compliance with his previous sentence. Police discovered he possessed prohibited images of children, leading to his sentencing. He had prior convictions for similar offences and tried to hide evidence by deleting files.

Repeat offender who breached his sexual harm prevention order multiple times; made subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Craig Costello

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs

June 1, 2022

Sentence: 9 years and 7 months imprisonment

Craig Costello, 43, managed the North East arm of a global drugs ring between 2015 and 2016, working with John 'Winky' Watson, Steven Beazley, and Dave Wright under Stockton drugs baron Jon Moorby and Merseyside gangster Lance Kennedy. The operation imported an estimated £17m of cocaine from Spain and Belgium into the UK using chartered helicopters across the Channel, with couriers ferrying drugs to Merseyside from Kent and then to the North East. Costello fled to the Middle East before his trial but was convicted in his absence following surveillance by Cleveland Police. He was later apprehended in Amsterdam while driving and extradited back to the UK.

Convicted in absence after fleeing to the Middle East; brought back to the UK in June 2022 to serve sentence. Released on electronic tag in August from HMP Kirklevington. Proceeds of crime application ongoing, with assets including home, vehicles, bank deposits, and cryptocurrency to be confiscated.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Eugert Merizaj

Murder

March 1, 2022

Sentence: 32 years imprisonment

Eugert Merizaj was involved in the murder of Hemawand Ali Hussain, who was shot at close range inside a house on Charterhouse Street in Hartlepool in September 2019.

Dorian Pirija

Manslaughter

January 1, 2021

Sentence: 19 years imprisonment

Dorian Pirija was involved in the manslaughter of Hemawand Ali Hussain, who was shot at close range inside a house on Charterhouse Street in Hartlepool in September 2019.

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

Qazim Marku

Manslaughter

January 1, 2021

Sentence: 19 years imprisonment

Qazim Marku was involved in the manslaughter of Hemawand Ali Hussain, who was shot at close range inside a house on Charterhouse Street in Hartlepool in September 2019.

Noza Saffari

Manslaughter

January 1, 2021

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment

Noza Saffari was involved in the manslaughter of Hemawand Ali Hussain, who was shot at close range inside a house on Charterhouse Street in Hartlepool in September 2019.

Stanley Miller

Tax evasion and money laundering

January 1, 2018

Sentence: 8 years and 3 months imprisonment

Stanley Miller, 64, evaded nearly six million pounds through tax evasion and money laundering, stealing millions of public money.

Convicted of tax evasion and money laundering having evaded nearly six million pounds.

Sources: gazettelive.co.uk

Gordon Blue Smith

Manslaughter

March 1, 2016

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

On 1 March 2016, in Bankfields, Eston, Gordon Blue Smith, then aged 23 from Whale Hill, joined Christopher Stubbs and Luke Lovell in pursuing Lee Pettite, aged 22, as part of a revenge plan after a prior confrontation. The trio chased Pettite, with Lovell intercepting him before Stubbs shot him fatally in the back around 5pm. Pettite died that evening from the gunshot wound. The judge noted all three were responsible for his death.

Acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Enlisted by co-defendants to outnumber the victim.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Luke Lovell

Murder

March 1, 2016

Sentence: Life imprisonment with minimum term of 25 years

On 1 March 2016, in Bankfields, Eston, Luke Lovell, then aged 22 from Whale Hill, along with Christopher Stubbs and Gordon Blue Smith, pursued Lee Pettite, aged 22, as part of a plan to assault him following a prior altercation. Lovell intercepted Pettite before Stubbs shot him in the back, inflicting a fatal wound to the back and chest around 5pm. Pettite collapsed on Oakley Walk and died that evening from the gunshot wound despite medical efforts. The group had threatened Pettite's mother earlier that day.

Denied murder charge but found guilty by jury. Part of a group that pursued and shot the victim.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Mitchell Ingham

Murder

January 1, 2016

Sentence: life imprisonment

Mitchell Ingham was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. While serving his sentence, he engaged in inappropriate communications with a prison officer, calling her 'babe' in texts and using an iPhone to FaceTime her.

Serving sentence at HMP Deerbolt; involved inappropriate contact with prison officer.

Sources: gazettelive.co.uk

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