Teesside Crown Court Sentencing Results

August 2024 4 cases

Jack Bowers

Supply of Cocaine and Cannabis *

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.

16 Aug 2024

Charlie Bullock

Violent disorder *

Sentence

18 months imprisonment

Charlie Bullock, 21, was the main instigator of a large group pushing against a police line and throwing stones and rocks at officers during disorder in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday.

Pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Described as the main instigator of a large group pushing against a police line and throwing stones and rocks at officers.

9 Aug 2024

Stacey Vint

Violent disorder *

Sentence

20 months imprisonment

Stacey Vint, 34, was part of a group who set alight a wheelie bin and pushed it into a police cordon during disorder in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday. In the process, she fell to the ground and was arrested.

Pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Fell over while trying to ram police with a burning wheelie bin.

9 Aug 2024

Jonathan Laydon

Intentional Strangulation *

Sentence

two years imprisonment

Jonathan Laydon violently attacked a woman in April last year by strangling her until she lost consciousness twice and set fire to her garden shed. He was arrested and charged following the incident.

Convicted of arson and intentional strangulation. Attacked a woman by strangling her until she lost consciousness twice and set fire to her garden shed.

1 Aug 2024

July 2024 5 cases

Terrence Smith

Possession with Intent to Supply Cocaine *

Sentence

four years and one month in prison

Terrence Smith was involved in a drug enterprise in Yarm. In October of the previous year, police executed a warrant at an address on Meynells Walk, where Smith was caught leaving with two packages containing £1,200 worth of cocaine. He possessed a phone used for the 'deal line' and directed Peter Walker to deal drugs in the Thornaby area. A search of the property revealed drug-dealing paraphernalia.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.

31 Jul 2024

Peter Walker

Possession with Intent to Supply Cocaine *

Sentence

three years in prison

Peter Walker was part of a drug enterprise, travelling daily from Thornaby to Terrence Smith's home in Yarm to collect cocaine for dealing. He was stopped by police on Thornaby Road and found in possession of 20 small packages of cocaine, valued at £400. The operation involved supplying drugs in the Thornaby area as directed by Smith.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.

31 Jul 2024

Arthur Purcifer

Intimidating a witness *

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.

16 Jul 2024

Andrew Vickers

Grievous Bodily Harm *

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.

15 Jul 2024

Lee Dooley

Stalking and Sexual Assault *

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.

15 Jul 2024

May 2024 2 cases

Tracey Cornish

Robbery *

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.

14 May 2024

Stewart Wright

Possessing explosives for an unlawful purpose *

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.

2 May 2024

April 2024 2 cases

Mark Page

Arranging the commission of a child sex offence *

Sentence

18 years imprisonment

Mark Page arranged the commission of child sex offences between 2016 and 2019 by contacting vulnerable children via webcam from his home in Stockton, Teesside, and during frequent trips to the Philippines, which he used as cover under the guise of business and charity work. He exploited poverty and deprivation in the under-developed country, engaging children as young as 12 in vile sexual activity for his sexual gratification. The offences involved grotesque sexual abuse discovered after Facebook alerted a charity about concerning messages, leading to a police search in January 2020.

Original 12-year sentence increased by Court of Appeal judges as unduly lenient. Pleaded not guilty. Life-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed. Prior sentence by Judge Paul Watson considered Page's overall criminality not reflected.

5 Apr 2024

Andrea Cardinale

Manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility *

Sentence

indefinite hospital order

Andrea Cardinale, 22, attacked and killed his friend Antonino Calabro, 26, and Mr Calabro's fiancee Francesca Di Dio, 21, in the early hours of 21 December 2023 at their shared flat in Thornaby. During a psychotic episode due to paranoid schizophrenia, Cardinale believed they had put spells and curses on him. He entered their bedroom, bludgeoned Mr Calabro with a sledgehammer and stabbed him, then chased and killed Ms Di Dio with the sledgehammer upstairs. Cardinale then attempted to burn down the flat by buying diesel and a lighter but did not ignite it. The bodies were discovered by his father. Cardinale was arrested that afternoon and admitted to police that he killed them due to beliefs in conjuring and curses. His phone showed searches for dynamite, bomb-making, voodoo, and removing the evil eye.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Suffering from undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia at the time. Psychiatric experts agreed that his unrecognised psychosis was the substantial reason for the killings, with minimal culpability.

3 Apr 2024

March 2024 6 cases

Jake Freeman

Making a threat to kill *

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.

27 Mar 2024

Alastair Weightman

Attempted robbery *

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.

21 Mar 2024

Luke Jack Ridley

Rape *

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.

21 Mar 2024

Simon Allen

Burglary *

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.

18 Mar 2024

Johnathan Clayton

Sexual assault *

Sentence

8.5 years imprisonment

Johnathan Clayton, a supply teacher from Carlton, Stockton-on-Tees, sexually assaulted six primary school pupils aged between seven and 11. The incidents occurred between March and May 2019 at a school where he worked. He exploited his trusted position to touch the girls inappropriately, watch them dress, and help them get changed unnecessarily, often under the guise of providing comfort when they were upset. The victims felt creeped out or uncomfortable. He was suspended after allegations from pupils and later found guilty at trial. Previous similar allegations from 2016-2017 at another school were dropped, and information was withheld by the supply firm Vision for Education, which received a positive recommendation from the first school.

Found guilty of 13 counts of sexual assault following a trial. Received an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. Denied the offences but admitted to giving hugs, helping with dressing, and letting children sit on his knee.

18 Mar 2024

Ziko Sulieman

Assault *

Sentence

18 months imprisonment

Ziko Sulieman chased victims with a metal pole before a bloody street attack on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough at 7.30am.

Jailed following a street attack.

3 Mar 2024

February 2024 8 cases

Wayne Boyd

Grievous bodily harm *

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Teenagers Wayne Boyd, Kaya Azhar, Leon Keenan, and Tyler Bradley attacked a boy who was in a fetal position, raining down blow after blow with machetes in a brutal assault.

Part of a teen gang sentenced to a combined total of 41 years for a brutal machete attack.

29 Feb 2024

Tyler Bradley

Grievous bodily harm *

Sentence

11 years imprisonment

Teenagers Wayne Boyd, Kaya Azhar, Leon Keenan, and Tyler Bradley attacked a boy who was in a fetal position, raining down blow after blow with machetes in a brutal assault.

Part of a teen gang sentenced to a combined total of 41 years for a brutal machete attack.

29 Feb 2024

Aaron Mair

Assault on prison officer *

Sentence

imprisonment

Aaron Mair, 27, filled a shampoo bottle with urine and squirted it into the face of a prison officer while playing table tennis.

Sentenced for squirting urine into a prison officer's face during a game of table tennis using a shampoo bottle.

29 Feb 2024

Leon Keenan

Grievous bodily harm *

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Teenagers Wayne Boyd, Kaya Azhar, Leon Keenan, and Tyler Bradley attacked a boy who was in a fetal position, raining down blow after blow with machetes in a brutal assault.

Part of a teen gang sentenced to a combined total of 41 years for a brutal machete attack.

29 Feb 2024

Kaya Azhar

Grievous bodily harm *

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Teenagers Wayne Boyd, Kaya Azhar, Leon Keenan, and Tyler Bradley attacked a boy who was in a fetal position, raining down blow after blow with machetes in a brutal assault.

Part of a teen gang sentenced to a combined total of 41 years for a brutal machete attack.

29 Feb 2024

Kian Walker

Gang fight *

Sentence

imprisonment

Kian Walker was involved in a gang fight on a Stockton estate and was caught after falling asleep in a stolen car.

Jailed following a gang fight in a residential Stockton street; caught after falling asleep in a stolen car.

29 Feb 2024

Kyle Nimmo

Assault on emergency workers *

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.

17 Feb 2024

Sophie Waugh

Causing death by dangerous driving *

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.

7 Feb 2024

January 2024 2 cases

Paula Roberts

Child neglect *

Sentence

4 years imprisonment

Paula Roberts, 41, mother of 22-month-old Charlie Roberts, was suspicious enough about her partner Christopher Stockton to set up a spy camera above her son's cot but stayed in the relationship despite voicing concerns. Charlie sustained a series of unexplained injuries after Stockton began the relationship, culminating in his death in January 2023 from head injuries inflicted by Stockton while in his sole care. Roberts left the home minutes before the fatal incident to go for an eye test. Neither adult sought medical attention for prior injuries, including one to the toddler's genitals.

Admitted to neglect. Struggled with mental health issues. Accused by the judge of turning a blind eye to the situation and remaining a risk to children in her care.

19 Jan 2024

Christopher Stockton

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years

Christopher Stockton, 38, was in sole charge of 22-month-old Charlie Roberts in the Darlington family home in January 2023 when he shook or threw the toddler with such violence that he suffered catastrophic head injuries similar to those seen in a car crash. Stockton had moved in with Charlie and his mother Paula Roberts just seven days earlier. He had stayed up late playing video games on his Xbox and attacked the toddler that morning after Paula Roberts left the home for an eye test. Stockton rang 999 and falsely claimed Charlie had choked on a biscuit. The toddler died in hospital the next day. An additional injury inflicted by Stockton to the little boy's genitals was excruciatingly painful, but no medical attention was sought.

Found guilty of murder and child cruelty in December. No previous convictions. Murder was not premeditated and there was no intention to kill.

19 Jan 2024

December 2023 2 cases

Dana Carr

Child cruelty by neglect and allowing the death of a child *

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.

1 Dec 2023

Michael Daymond

Murder *

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.

Convicted of murder.

1 Dec 2023

September 2023 2 cases

Richard Tutty

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent *

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.

8 Sep 2023

Sam Pybus

Manslaughter *

Sentence

4 years and 8 months imprisonment

Sam Pybus applied prolonged pressure to Sophie Moss's neck during consensual sex at her home in Darlington, County Durham, in the early hours of 7 February 2023, leading to her death. Moss was a vulnerable 33-year-old with two young children. Pybus, who was married, claimed Moss encouraged strangulation during sex.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Judge accepted no intent to kill and genuine remorse. Will serve half in prison.

1 Sep 2023

August 2023 2 cases

Jesur Ucarer

Possession of a firearm without a certificate *

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.

22 Aug 2023

Joe Outlaw

Causing criminal damage *

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.

6 Aug 2023

July 2023 2 cases

Matthew Gilligan

Burglary *

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.

15 Jul 2023

Azem Ahmed

Sale and possession of counterfeit and illicit tobacco *

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.

3 Jul 2023

June 2023 1 case

Tyson Petch

Theft *

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.

16 Jun 2023

January 2023 2 cases

William Hayden

Animal welfare offences *

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.

27 Jan 2023

Shaun O'connor

Sexual assault *

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.

1 Jan 2023

August 2022 1 case

Dominic O'flanagan

Possession of prohibited images of a child *

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.

12 Aug 2022

June 2022 1 case

Craig Costello

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs *

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.

1 Jun 2022

March 2022 1 case

Eugert Merizaj

Murder *

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.

Found guilty of murder by a jury after a trial in March 2022.

1 Mar 2022

February 2022 1 case

Carol Hodgson

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years and 4 months

Carol Hodgson, 40, smothered her two-year-old son Daniel Hodgson Green with a plastic bag at her home in Upper Garth Gardens, Guisborough, North Yorkshire, on February 2, 2022, the same day his father Stefan Green was attending a fact-finding hearing at the Family Court to gain more contact with his son. She then attempted suicide by inflicting cuts to her neck and leaving notes indicating premeditation. Emergency services found her mother performing CPR on her, with Daniel lying lifeless nearby. Despite attempts to save him at the scene and in hospital, Daniel died. Hodgson survived after hospital treatment. The murder occurred amid a custody dispute, with Hodgson having cut off contact since early 2020 and moving without informing the father.

Pleaded guilty to murder. Sentence aggravated by victim's vulnerability, abuse of trust, and premeditation; mitigated by guilty plea. Judge noted it was a horrifying crime, not an act of mercy.

2 Feb 2022

November 2021 1 case

Ian Smith

Child sex offences *

Sentence

21 years imprisonment

Ian Smith befriended women who had children or access to children in the Middlesbrough area. He was found guilty of two counts of a serious sex offence against a boy under 12, sexual assault of a boy under 14, and indecent assault on a girl.

Found guilty of a string of offences against children. Died in hospital on April 10, 2023, while serving sentence, from natural causes after contracting Covid. Suffered from blood cancer, COPD, and asthma.

1 Nov 2021

January 2021 4 cases

Dorian Pirija

Manslaughter *

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.

Found guilty of manslaughter.

1 Jan 2021

Scott Walker

Murder *

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.

1 Jan 2021

Qazim Marku

Manslaughter *

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.

Found guilty of manslaughter.

1 Jan 2021

Noza Saffari

Manslaughter *

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.

Found guilty of manslaughter.

1 Jan 2021

February 2020 1 case

Nathan Costello

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with minimum term of 21 years

Nathan Costello stabbed 18-year-old university student Taylor Black a total of 64 times, including 40 times to the head, leaving the blade stuck in the teenager's skull. The incident occurred in February 2020 after Taylor attended a birthday party and went to Costello's home the next morning. Costello, in his 30s, knew Taylor from martial arts training.

Found guilty of murder. Admitted to the murder in text messages before claiming no recollection.

19 Feb 2020

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

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Crown Court

Centre Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AE, United Kingdom

+441642240301

www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk

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About Teesside Crown Court

Teesside Crown Court is a Crown Court that handles serious criminal cases including murder, rape, robbery, and other indictable offences. With 307 sentencing records in our database, it processes cases heard before a judge and jury, with the power to impose the full range of sentences available under UK law.

The court can be found at Centre Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AE.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441642240301 or visit the official court website for further information.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.

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0.3 km away

Peterlee Magistrates Court

Magistrates Court

Peterlee

21.2 km away

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court

Magistrates Court

Newton Aycliffe, Newton Aycliffe

22.4 km away

Sunderland Magistrates Court

Magistrates Court

Sunderland

38.2 km away

South Tyneside Magistrates Court

Magistrates Court

South Shields

48.3 km away

Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates Court

Magistrates Court

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

50.0 km away

Teesside Crown Court Sentencing Results

Jack Bowers

Charlie Bullock

Stacey Vint

Jonathan Laydon

Terrence Smith

Peter Walker

Arthur Purcifer

Andrew Vickers

Lee Dooley

Tracey Cornish

Stewart Wright

Mark Page

Andrea Cardinale

Jake Freeman

Alastair Weightman

Luke Jack Ridley

Simon Allen

Johnathan Clayton

Ziko Sulieman

Wayne Boyd

Tyler Bradley

Aaron Mair

Leon Keenan

Kaya Azhar

Kian Walker

Kyle Nimmo

Sophie Waugh

Paula Roberts

Christopher Stockton

Dana Carr

Michael Daymond

Richard Tutty

Sam Pybus

Jesur Ucarer

Joe Outlaw

Matthew Gilligan

Azem Ahmed

Tyson Petch

William Hayden

Shaun O'connor

Dominic O'flanagan

Craig Costello

Eugert Merizaj

Carol Hodgson

Ian Smith

Dorian Pirija

Scott Walker

Qazim Marku

Noza Saffari

Nathan Costello

About Teesside Crown Court

Nearby Courts

Teesside Magistrates Court

Peterlee Magistrates Court

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court

Sunderland Magistrates Court

South Tyneside Magistrates Court

Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates Court

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