Weymouth Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Elizabeth Jean Watson rented out a property in Bournemouth as a holiday let. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service became aware that parts of the premises were being used for holiday accommodation after a complaint from a previous guest about alleged fire safety failings. Inspectors repeatedly attempted to gain entry to carry out a fire safety inspection, but Watson refused to cooperate or allow access.

Nicholas Gardner, 44, was subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order that excluded him from entering certain parts of Weymouth. On 20 August 2026 he was located in Commercial Road, a prohibited area under the order, and was arrested and charged. He pleaded guilty the following day and was sentenced to eight weeks in prison.

Harley Smith had his community order varied, with the unpaid work requirement extended by 12 months on May 27, 2025, under the supervision of Dorset Magistrates' Court.

Christopher David Galloway failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order on May 22, 2025, in Weymouth.

Wayne Bolton failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order on May 22, 2025, in Weymouth.

Ebony Membury and her father Michael Membury bred and sold puppies and kittens illegally from their home in Dorchester without a licence, generating over £34,000. Activities started in 2019, with unlicensed breeding from 2021. Puppies were kept in cramped conditions under the stairs, one dog injured by an anti-bark collar, and poor welfare conditions noted including excrement in the garden. Ms Membury received £68,333 in payments. She was prosecuted under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Michael Membury and his daughter Ebony Membury bred and sold puppies and kittens illegally from their home in Dorchester without a licence, generating over £34,000. Activities started in 2019, with unlicensed breeding from 2021. Puppies were kept in cramped conditions under the stairs, one dog injured by an anti-bark collar, and poor welfare conditions noted including excrement in the garden. Mr Membury received £45,575 in payments and was convicted of money laundering. He was prosecuted under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Alexander Hensher attended a computer repair shop in Bournemouth on 10 October 2024, asking staff to wipe three hard drives and a phone and mentioning he had recently been arrested for a sexual offence. The staff member, a serving special constable, reported concerns and police seized the devices. They contained four indecent images of children: one Category A, one Category B and two Category C. Hensher pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child. The court heard he believed he had not accessed the images for 15 to 20 years and had sought help from a psycho-sexual therapist.

John Nolan (31), of St Leonards and St Ives, tried to evade police on rural roads near Ringwood while over the alcohol limit. An officer from Dorset’s rural crime team responded to a call-out by a member of the public on the evening of 9th May.

Paul Scott Allen, a 54-year-old gamekeeper from Baileys Hill, Brockington near Wimborne, had his home searched in March 2021 after reports of suspected bird poisonings on a Dorset estate. Officers found dead birds of prey, a shotgun and ammunition not covered by his firearms certificate, and prohibited toxins. He admitted two counts of possessing a live or dead wild bird under schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, two charges of failing to comply with the conditions of a firearms certificate, using a biocidal product in contravention of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, possessing an unlawful substance under the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2012 and possessing a regulated substance without a licence under the Poisons Act 1972.