These 47 people were sent to jail in November for committing some appalling crimes in the North East.
Courts across our region heard a range of cases, from manslaughter and sex offences to crimes involving weapons. Stories covered by ChronicleLive include a woman convicted of killing a pensioner who had a heart attack when she burgled him.
In another case, a pensioner was jailed for 15 years for raping a five-year-old girl. A number of offences listed below involved violence and the offenders have found themselves behind bars.
Here is a look at some of the people who have been jailed across the North East in November 2022.
Thomas Tams
This renowned crook has been jailed after clocking-up his fifth offence for carrying weapons.
Thomas Tams was spotted by concerned members of public carrying a knife in the grounds of Northumbria University, in Newcastle City Centre. The passers-by phoned the police, who attended the scene and found the 26-year-old in the street, a court heard.
Tams was searched and a knife with a 3ins blade was found in his pocket. He was arrested but said in interview he'd found the weapon and was in the process of disposing of it, prosecutors said.
Tams, who was already serving a prison sentence after being jailed in September this year for possession of a knife, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court via video link to plead guilty to possession of a bladed article. The crook, formerly of the Tyneside Foyer, in Newcastle City Centre, must now spend Christmas behind bars after he was locked-up for a further 20 weeks.
Cameron O'Neill
This thug smashed his way into a house in the early hours and dragged his former partner out against her will.
Cameron O'Neill, who has a history harassing and stalking women, was on a suspended sentence for breaching a restraining order on his ex when he struck again. The victim was at her friend's house in Killingworth, North Tyneside, when O'Neill began sending messages to the friend asking if she was there and accusing her of cheating on him.
He then turned up, uninvited, at 4am and tried to gain entry, shouting and causing a disturbance while the friend's child was in bed. The two women barricaded themselves into a bedroom and frantically rang police asking them to come quickly but they did not get there in time.
John Crawford, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "The defendant broke in through the front door, injuring his hand, then made his way upstairs, leaving blood throughout the property. He grabbed his ex partner and pulled her out of the property despite her trying to hold onto a stair gate.
"There was damage caused to the property and the defendant dragged her outside. She was not wearing shoes and had no coat on."
The court heard O'Neill gave the woman his shoes, meaning his feet were injured and also gave her his coat. She reluctantly went with him to her home and waited for the police to arrive, which they did at 5.30am.
O'Neill, 31, of Glebe Villas, Forest Hall, was originally charged with kidnap but that charge was dropped and he pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order and criminal damage. He was jailed for 16 months and given an indefinite restraining order.
Katrina Wright, Tamla Davidson and Aaron Walsh
This trio were part of an angry mob who chased and viciously attacked a man in ugly scenes in Newcastle city centre.
Katrina Wright and Tamla Davidson subjected the victim to repeated blows in front of shocked members of the public while Aaron Walsh, who didn’t know anyone involved, joined in with a flying kick as they passed a pub.
After a series of blows, some of which was recorded on mobile phones, the victim was left lying on the ground unconscious and had to be taken to hospital. Now Wright, Davidson and Walsh have all been locked up for assault.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was around 9.30pm on June 16 that people saw a man being chased by a large group of people, running through Eldon Square onto Clayton Street.
The court heard Wright said she had been socialising at Old Eldon Square’s “hippy green” when, she alleges, the man stole her bank card. She said she followed him and he refused to give the card back and claimed he punched her in the mouth. That version of events was not proven but they were sentenced on that basis.
CCTV captured a group of around ten people, including Wright, Davidson and others, pursuing the man on Clayton Street.
Andrew Walker, prosecuting, said: “Wright was the first person to emerge and punched the complainant from behind, causing him to stumble and another member of the group kicked someone with the victim.
“He continued to make his way down the street with the group following him. Wright emerged again and approached the man and punched him to the head from behind, this time it knocked him to the floor.”
As they got near Tesco, Wright knocked him to the ground again before Davidson delivered a flurry of seven punches to his head.
Walsh, who didn’t know anyone involved and was standing outside a pub, then got involved, running around 20 metres, jumping in the air and kicking the victim with full force in the shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Mr Walker said: “Other people were recording events on their phones and Wright applauded Walsh.” The two women then threw the victim to the ground again while Walsh punched a man he was with.
An unidentified man then punched the victim before Davidson was seen “circling round him with her fist pulled back” before punching him around five times as he tried to cover his head.
Wright then kicked him in the back of the head and Walsh also kicked him, leaving him unconscious. He lay prone on the ground for around ten minutes with members of the public and then police and paramedics coming to his aid.
The court heard Davidson, 36, has 34 previous convictions, including GBH and was on a suspended sentence for having a bladed article at the time. Wright, 38, has 60 previous convictions, including violence and was also on a suspended sentence for having a bladed article, which was activated for battery two days after the city centre assault.
Walsh, 20, has four previous convictions and was on a suspended sentence imposed in March for affray after sparking a large-scale disorder at a train station in Margate. All three admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and Walsh also admitted common assault on the other man. Wright, of Westgate Road, Newcastle, was jailed for 12 months while Davidson, of Prince Edward Road, South Shields and Walsh, of Imeary Street, South Shields, got 15 months, three months of which were their suspended sentences being activated.
Michaela Johnstone
Michaela Johnstone attacked her neighbour with a hammer in a sustained attack after being released from a psychiatric hospital against her will.
Johnstone repeatedly battered the woman about the head with the weapon in a prolonged attack, even sitting astride her as she landed blows. Johnstone told a court she had warned health professionals not to send her home from hospital and claimed her pleas for help were met with suggestions she did some colouring in.
Soon after that she went to the victim’s home in West Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, climbed through her window and launched a brutal attack with multiple blows to the head and face with the hammer. A judge said it was “a wonder” she didn’t kill or maim the victim.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that around 5.40pm on April 3 this year Johnstone went to the woman’s home and asked for cigarettes, a request which was refused. She put her foot in the door to try to stop her closing it, voices were raised and another neighbour intervened, telling Johnstone to go home.
The other woman called police, who went to warn Johnstone about her behaviour and noticed a hammer on the bench. Around 20 minutes later Johnstone went back to the neighbour’s home armed with the hammer in a bag.
The woman, who was on the phone to her grandmother, opened a window and Johnstone forced it fully open and began climbing in.
Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said: “The complainant tried to push her back out and the defendant bit her on the thumb.
“The defendant reached inside the carrier bag and pulled out the hammer and started to hit her over the head with it. She struck her around 15 times to the head and face with the hammer.
“The complainant turned and ran and fell to the floor. The defendant didn’t stop, she sat astride her and continued to hit her to the head and face with the hammer and she also smashed her mobile phone by striking it with the hammer.
“She thought she was going to be killed. She managed to get to her feet and ran for the front door and was shouting for help. The defendant grabbed her hair from behind, pulled her back and rained further blows to her head. She blocked her escape and continued to attack her with the hammer.”
The victim again tried to escape but was hit again with the hammer and fell to the ground, with Johnstone once more on top of her until a neighbour came out and threw her off and took the hammer. The victim’s family, alerted due to the fact she was on the phone to her grandmother during the attack, rushed to the scene.
The court heard she had three deep wounds to her head which required staples, as well as swelling and bruising to her face and a bite mark to her thumb. She was left with PTSD and having flashbacks and panic attacks.
Johnstone, 31, of Harewood Court, West Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was jailed for three-and-a-half years and given an indefinite restraining order.
Brody Ruddy
Slasher Brody Ruddy caused a gaping wound to a stranger's face in a shocking street attack.
Ruddy asked the 18-year-old victim and his friend if they wanted to buy drugs then lashed out with a knife he was carrying after they refused. The teen suffered a deep and gaping injury to the right side of his face that required sutures at hospital and caused underlying damage to his glands.
A judge said the victim was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" and the attack was wholly unprovoked with "no motive or reason" behind it.
Ruddy, 34, of General Havelock Road, Sunderland, admitted wounding with intent and having a bladed article. Recorder Nathan Adams sentenced him to 57 months behind bars with an extended licence period of a further 27 months.
Stephen Kelly
This dangerous driver led police on a high-speed chase through Northumberland and put the lives of others at risk before finally ditching the car.
Stephen Kelly took-off from police in a Ford Mondeo when they attempted to pull him over due to safety concerns regarding his vehicle. The 25-year-old drove so fast, the pursuing officers lost him, but found him driving dangerously again hours later. Another chase began - which also involved a police helicopter - and ended when Kelly and his two passengers finally abandoned the car.
Kelly, of Katherine Street, Ashington, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving without insurance or a licence. He was also dealt with for failing to provide a sample and failing to attend court. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
Judge Amanda Rippon said Kelly undertook "appalling driving" and said it was through "pure accident" that he did not injure or kill someone. Kelly was jailed for 16 months and was banned from driving for 43.5 months. He must also take an extended driving test if he wants a licence.
Robert Holiday
Robert Holiday had no insurance and was disqualified from driving when police caught him behind the wheel of a VW van with a passenger on October 1 this year.
Upon seeing the police, the 34-year-old took off, leading officers on a five minute chase that saw him hit speeds of up to 85mph before jumping out of the vehicle and letting it plough into a fence.
After a short chase on foot, Holiday, who has an "awful record" of dangerous driving convictions, was arrested but asked police if there was any chance they could "get rid" of the dangerous driving offence. Holiday, of Stanley Way, Billy Row, Crook, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, resisting arrest and driving without insurance. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court was told Holiday had an "extraordinary history for driving offences" and had 23 previous convictions for 65 offences. He had also been given a 16 week prison sentence for driving whilst disqualified, which pre-dated the October offences, and appeared at the court via link from HMP Durham.
Sentencing Holiday, Judge Jo Kidd said he undertook the chase on an afternoon when two pedestrians, one of which was an elderly woman, had to take action to avoid being hit by his van. She said upon arrest, Holiday asked police: "Is there any chance of getting rid of the dangerous driving?" Holiday was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for 45 months.
Alan Hunt AKA Smith
This thug threw a pint glass at a man before glassing another in the head during a disturbance in a social club.
Alan Hunt, also known as Alan Smith, started trouble at a Stanley social club on August 3 this year after offending a man by using "racist language". The 21-year-old, who was with his dad, then went on to throw a pint glass at a man's head, before glassing another man who had been entering the club after going out to buy food.
Hunt, of Lime Street, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link to be sentenced for wounding with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court heard Hunt had nine previous convictions for 10 offences, including affray, and was on a suspended sentence at the time of the pub incident. The court was told there had been "issues" with his compliance with the suspended sentence.
He was was jailed for five years and nine months.
Robert Jones
This balaclava-clad burglar, who carried out a terrifying home invasion armed with a screwdriver was arrested later that day after being hit by a car.
Robert Jones and an unknown accomplice burgled a family home in Peterlee on August 13 this year and threatened to stab the mum in the house if she didn't hand over money. The 26-year-old, who had been drinking and taking cocaine, then searched the home as the woman's two grown-up children remained upstairs before he made-off with two bottles of aftershave.
But a "bizarre karmic pay-back" occurred later on that day when Jones was ran over by a car and broke his leg as his accomplice did a runner and left him behind. When police arrived at the scene, they found the stolen bottles of aftershave nearby and his balaclava and gloves were found on him.
Jones, of Peter Lee Cottages, Wheatley Hill, Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for aggravated burglary. He had pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court heard Jones had 10 previous convictions for 18 offences, including one incident where he used a saw to cut someone's torso. He was also convicted of an affray in 2018 where he threatened to petrol-bomb a home. At the time of the aggravated burglary, Jones was subject to a community order.
He was labelled a dangerous offender and was given an extended determinate prison sentence totalling 126 months, 90 of which will be a custodial element, the rest will be served on licence.
Reece Casey
A gambling addict who began defrauding people out of money after squandering a £164,000 EuroMillions win was jailed.
Reece Casey scammed £34,000 from 25 victims by claiming he could get 40% discount from luxury clothing company Flannels. The 31-year-old left his victims out of pocket after defrauding them via Snapchat in June, last year.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Casey began an "entrenched lifestyle of gambling" after working off-shore. In 2018, Casey went on to win £54,000 from betting firm William Hill, before going on to pocket a £164,000 windfall a year later on the EuroMillions. But despite his wins, Casey "squandered" the thousands gambling after developing an addiction - it was then he took the decision to begin defrauding people.
In November, Casey returned to court be sentenced for fraud after pleading guilty to the single charge at a previous hearing.
Kelly Sherif, defending, said Casey had shown "extreme remorse" and said he was unaware there were so many victims as he had only dealt with three personally. She said he had an "entrenched lifestyle of gambling", which he started when he was 15 years old. She said: "In 2018, he won £58,000 from William Hill and in 2019 won £164,000 on the EuroMillions, and he squandered that money on betting. At that time, he realised his gambling addiction was extremely bad and he put several blocks in place to exclude himself from gambling."
Sentencing Casey, of Maughan Street, Dudley, West Midlands, Judge Stephen Earl jailed him for 12 months.
Riza Hasa
An illegal Albanian immigrant tended to a County Durham cannabis farm in order to repay a debt to those who smuggled him into the UK.
Riza Hasa had been in the UK for around three months after arriving in the country by boat and was given temporary accommodation in a hotel. But the 27-year-old "absconded" from the hotel after a man offered him to work at a cannabis farm in Trimdon. Hasa was then taught how to look after the cannabis plants before police raided the farm on October 23 this year and arrested him near the property.
Hasa, of no fixed address, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for producing cannabis. He pleaded guilty to the charge at the hearing through an interpreter.
Sentencing Hasa, Judge Jo Kidd said: "You entered the UK as an illegal immigrant having paid people smugglers money in order to travel. You were not a refugee, you made a commercial decision to take money in order to pay back a debt. You had been provided with hotel accommodation in the UK but you chose to abscond and were brought to the North East to produce cannabis."
Hasa was jailed for 21 months and the Home Office may choose to deport him upon release. Read the full story here.
Jonathon Towler
A street attack on a father and son ensued after a man who was accused of urinating on a van called for back up when he was told to clean it up.
Harry Woolliston urinated on a van on a residential street but was caught in the act by the homeowner and was told to clean it up on the night of June 14, last year. But rather than clean up the mess he made, Woolliston instead called for back up, and two cars soon arrived on the street, with Woolliston's friend, Jonathon Towler getting out. The duo, assisted by a woman, then carried out an attack on the man and his son.
Woolliston, 25, of Strathmore Crescent, Burnopfield, and Towler, 27, of Keswick Road, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be jointly sentenced for affray. They had both pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.
In a victim impact statement, the son said the violence dished out that evening was "unexpected, shocking and extreme". He said he found the incident "traumatic" and could not walk properly for six weeks after being hit by a car and repeatedly punched.
In the father's statement, he said he no longer feels safe in his own home and is "anxious and nervous". He added he still suffers from headaches after being "sucker-punched" by Towler.
The court heard Woolliston had 11 previous convictions for 25 offences, including for criminal damage. Towler, who was "brought in to be the muscle", had 12 previous convictions for 16 offences, including arson, and received a "significant custodial sentence" of nine years in October this year for drugs offences.
Judge James Adkin handed Woolliston a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, he must also carry out 180 hours unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation days. Towler was given 11 months prison, which will be served consecutively to his current prison sentence. Read the full story here.
Luke Joyce
A kidnapper stole a family car and sped off dangerously, unaware that a baby was sitting in the back seat.
Luke Joyce jumped into a car that had its engine running on September 21 this year as the mother of the child stood at the passenger door. The 27-year-old, who had only been released from prison weeks earlier, then sped off in the vehicle, completely unaware the mum's two-year-old daughter was sitting in the backseat.
As the mum screamed in terror, Joyce drove back in her direction and nearly hit the child's dad as he tried to stop the car. When Joyce finally realised there was a child in the car, he abandoned the vehicle miles away and then ran off, leaving the crying baby inside.
Joyce, of Essex Place, Peterlee, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for kidnap, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance. He pleaded guilty to the charges on the basis he was unaware there was a child in the car at the time he stole the vehicle.
Judge James Adkin jailed Joyce for 30 months and banned him from driving for 51 months. Here's the full story.
John Groves
A man threatened to "chop up" and kill his partner during a terrifying attack that left her fearing for her life.
John Anthony Groves carried out two attacks on his partner after an argument broke out about who had given her a lift home on May 21 this year. The 35-year-old threw a bag of scrap metal in her direction, cut her leg with a knife and verbally abused her, calling her "fat" and "greasy". Groves also hit her many times to the face and left her fearing for her life before hitting her in the back of the head with the handle of a kitchen knife.
Groves, of Sycamore Street, Ashington, appeared at Newcastle's Moot Hall via link to be sentenced for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was convicted of the offences after a trial.
Sentencing Groves, Recorder Mark McKone KC, said: "It is no comfort to the court to know the two of you are still in a relationship. I regard it as likely you will assault her again once you leave prison...you have a distorted understanding of relationships with women. You believe you should control what time your partner gets home." Groves was jailed for two and a half years. Read the full story here.
Kane Dunstone
A teenager knocked a man unconscious and kicked him repeatedly in the head as he lay on the ground following a row in a pizza shop.
Kane Dunstone carried out the violent attack in Durham city centre after he tried to sell drugs to a couple in a takeaway. The couple refused, saying the incident was "embarrassing", which caused Dunstone to take offence and launch an attack on the man. The 19-year-old punched him in the takeaway and was followed outside where he carried on the attack, hitting him to the floor before kicking him three times in the head as he lay knocked-out in the street.
Durham Crown Court heard the man's partner could hear a "sickening thud" as Dunstone brutally kicked into the victim before running away. The teen was later caught by police and admitted what he'd done, saying "adrenaline" took over.
Dunstone, of Johnson Estate, Wheatley Hill, County Durham, appeared in court to be sentenced for common assault and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
Sentencing Dunstone, Judge Jo Kidd said his behaviour that night was "threatening, aggressive and unprovoked" and that he "lost any sense of restraint". He was jailed for 20 months. Read the full story here.
Philip Ferguson
A man carried out a terrifying burglary armed with a machete before going on to slash his aunt with a Stanley knife.
Philip Ferguson and two unknown accomplices carried out an aggravated burglary in County Durham after falsely believing the premises contained a cannabis farm. The homeowner, who had no ties to drug-dealing whatsoever, woke up to find three masked men in his home demanding to know where the "grow" was.
Durham Crown Court heard that upon realising there was no cannabis farm at the property, Ferguson and the two other burglars instead stole a flat-screen TV and computer components before fleeing. Ferguson was later caught after the victim's son found out he was trying to sell the computer parts over Facebook. Months later, the 21-year-old went on to cause injuries to his own aunt in Gateshead with a blade after drinking 18 cans of lager.
Sentencing Ferguson for aggravated burglary, handling stolen goods, and section 20 wounding, Judge James Adkin jailed him for eight years and six months. A lifetime restraining order banning contact with his aunt was also imposed. Read the full story here.
Alexander Warren
An anti-vax protester who hit a police horse during a demonstration in Newcastle city centre was jailed.
Alexander Warren was part of a rally outside the city's civic centre in August last year when he struck a police horse called Patronus on the backside. The 35-year-old, who was seen to be acting aggressively, caused the horse to "rear up" but was caught after another mounted police officer saw what happened.
Warren, of Daryngton House, Hartington Road, London, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court via link from HMP Belmarsh to be sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He was found guilty of the offence following a two-day trial in July.
Warren, who appeared for sentence without representation, said he denied any wrongdoing and said he did not lose his temper and did not want to cause any suffering to the horse. He said: "I have never caused any harm to an animal, I've cared for them.
"I was in Newcastle for a peaceful protest and was not there to cause distress to any animal or anyone."
During his trial, Warren said Patronus was being made to walk in front of him to block his path and had "pecked" his head several times, leaving him "shocked" by what he described as an "attack" on him.
Sentencing Warren, District Judge Paul Currer, said he "slapped the backside of the horse" and behaved "particularly aggressively in motivating the crowd around you". He said Warren approached Patronus as other police told him to move back and "struck it on its hind quarters".
He added: "It was a deliberate action to escalate things, largely led by you and your bad behaviour." Warren was jailed for 12 weeks. Here's the full story.
Claire Fowles
A woman who killed a teenager is back behind bars after she was caught carrying a knife in a city centre.
Claire Fowles, 42, has previously served an eight-and-a-half year jail sentence for the manslaughter of a 14-year-old girl. The teen victim died from multilple organ failure after taking drugs supplied to her by Fowles in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 2003.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Fowles moved to the North East of England after her release from prison and stayed out of trouble for over 17 years. But in April last year Fowles was given a suspended jail sentence for attacking two police officers in South Shields.
During the violence she bit one constable and pushed and hit another but remembered little of what she did because she was intoxicated. The court heard in August this year, while on the suspended sentence, police received reports of a woman carrying a knife in Sunderland.
Officers arrived at the city centre and saw Fowles, who confessed she had a knife in her pocket, which she handed over as instructed. Prosecutor Alec Burns told the court: "She later said she had it for her own protection as she was living on the streets."
The court heard Fowles was bailed but failed to attend court as required in October so was arrested and taken to Southwick police station in Sunderland. Mr Burns said Fowles lashed out at a custody officer who had attempted to search her.
He told the court: "She kicked out five times and struck the officer on the left leg, on the thigh, knee and shin, causing temporary soreness." Fowles, of Quayside House, Sunderland, admitted having a bladed article, which put her in breach of the suspended sentence, and assault on an emergency worker.
Recorder David Kelly sentenced Fowles to 54 weeks behind bars. The judge said he accepted Fowles was carrying the knife for her own safety while living on the streets and told her: "It doesn't excuse it but I understand, a middle aged, homeless woman with an alcohol problem."
The judge said the attack on the custody officer happened when she was "just trying to do her duty and she doesn't go to work to put up with that sort of thing". Read the full story here.
Ian Hood
A jealous 'monster' beat his girlfriend and left his friend with life-threatening injuries by savagely attacking them over 'utterly groundless' suspicions they'd had an affair.
Ian Hood suddenly turned on his girlfriend and long-term pal as they all socialised together at the friend's home in Gateshead. After assaulting his partner, he launched a horrific attack on his friend when he sought to intervene, leaving him with multiple facial fractures and having to eat through a tube.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Hood then sparked a dangerous high speed police chase before decamping into woodland, emerging wearing body armour when a police dog hunted him down. Now the 46-year-old has been jailed for 13 years and 10 months.
Hood, 46, of Northbourne Street, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to GBH with intent, assault, dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and failing to provide a specimen. Here's the full story.
Pjerin Lleshi
An Albanian man trafficked to the UK illegally was caught transporting cannabis worth up to £42,500 around Tyneside.
Pjerin Lleshi was behind the wheel of a black Audi on Ponteland Road, Newcastle, at 8.40pm on July 3 this year. The car flagged up on a police system as having links to criminal offences so officers pulled it over.
Lleshi got out of the driver's side and tried to run off but was caught after a foot chase. In the boot of the car, officers found two large bags for life, which contained several big vacuum packs of cannabis and a Nokia phone. When he was arrested, Lleshi said: "I was only driving".
When the drugs were examined they were found to weigh 9 kilos, worth between £29,750 and £42,500. A police drugs expert said the quantity of drugs indicted they would be on their way to be broken down for "street level dealers" to sell on in smaller quantities.
Lleshi, 20, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and was jailed for seven-and-a-half months at Newcastle Crown Court. Due to the time he has served on remand, he will be released immediately.
Recorder David Kelly told him: "You are an Albanian citizen and you entered the UK illegally for the purposes of doing legitimate work, not criminal in nature.
"You were doing this purely for financial gain, £400, which was a significant amount. I suspect you thought it was significant too, otherwise you would not have taken the risk of transporting drugs." Here's the full story.
Connor Atkinson
A carjacker threatened to stab a driver in order to steal her car then led police on a dangerous pursuit at up to 90mph in a 30 zone.
Connor Atkinson was loitering in a car park waiting for a victim around 11pm on June 8 when the victim arrived outside her home in Sunderland. She had just reversed her Seat into a parking space when Atkinson approached her and she lowered her car window a little.
He asked if she lived there and when she said yes he replied: "Hand over the keys, give me the keys or I will stab you'. As he sped off in her car, Atkinson shouted: "Don't call the police or I will stab you, I'll kill you."
Around 45 minutes later, banned driver Atkinson had replaced the registration plates with stolen ones from a van. Just after midnight, police caught up with him but he refused to stop and sparked a dangerous chase, during which he reached 68mph in a 20 zone and 90mph in a 30 zone. He also went the wrong way around two roundabouts, drove on the wrong side of the road around beds and went through three red lights.
After jumping the third red light, he was on the wrong side of the road and crashed into the side of another car, injuring the driver. Atkinson, 21, of Aberdeen Tower, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to robbery, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, theft of the number plates, attempted theft of another set of number plates and driving without insurance.
Recorder Nathan Adams jailed him for four years with an extended licence period of a further two years and was banned from driving for seven-and-a-half years. Read the full story here.
Kelly Brock and Hayley Hickson
Two knife-wielding women who threatened a man they had both been in a relationship with outside a Tyneside hospital have been jailed.
Kelly Brock, Hayley Hickson and the victim all ended up outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead, at the same time by coincidence when trouble flared. CCTV shows both women brandishing the same blade at him.
He ended up being slashed to the torso but prosecutors said they couldn't say which one inflicted the injuries and so neither were charged. But Brock and Hickson, who appeared in court on her birthday, were both sent to prison for threatening with a blade on the night of July 23.
Sentencing them at Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder Nathan Adams said: "It's correct to say it was an unusual set of circumstances that led to this. Both of you were previous partners of the victim. Brock, you were a long time partner of him, it was an abusive relationship. Hickson, you were in a more brief relationship.
"It was an unfortunate coincidence that led you all to be at the same place at the same time."
Brock, 45, of Hopedene, Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead, and Hickson 28, of Lanchester Avenue, Wrekenton, Gateshead, each pleaded guilty to threatening with a blade. Brock was jailed for 10 months and Hickson got eight months. Read the full story here.
Michael Riley
A care home raider who twice targeted a building where dementia sufferers and other vulnerable elderly people live has been jailed.
Michael Riley broke into the Byker Hall Care Home, in Byker, Newcastle, in December 2020, getting in through a basement door, trying various door handles in the building and entering various rooms, although none of them where residents were living.
A court heard he stole a DVD player and coffee machine from a conference room and then returned to the building to steal a TV from a wall and a hi-fi system. Six months later, in June 2021, he returned and tried to break in again, just after midnight.
He made persistent attempts to gain entry, trying to force a door open with a rake before stealing items which had been left next to a skip, including a sewing machine, fan and table lamp. He was spotted, police were called and he was found to be armed with a rounders bat. Items from the first raid were then found at his home.
Riley, who told police he was only in the area of the nursing home looking for something to eat, pleaded guilty to burglary, attempted burglary, theft and possessing an offensive weapon. The 50-year-old, of Morton Street, Byker, Newcastle, was jailed for 16 months. Read the full story here.
Paul Williams
A burglar left an 84-year-old woman distressed by breaking into her home as she slept.
Paul Williams stole various valuables from the pensioner, including her car, leaving her shocked and angry at the intrusion. Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim, who lives alone, woke during the night after hearing a noise but thought it was just the wind.
But when she got up in the morning, she found her sliding doors open and she had been burgled. Williams stole her TV, ipad, phone, car keys and her £8,000 car from outside. He was identified on CCTV in the area carrying a milk bottle, which was found discarded in the victim's garage.
Williams pleaded guilty to burglary and theft in relation to that break-in, which happened in November 2020. He also admitted another burglary in August 2021.
The 40-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed for 42 months. Read the full story here.
Peter Hughes Atkinson and Jack Bush
Two burglars were jailed after they crashed a stolen car following a shameless spree at three properties.
Peter Hughes Atkinson, 40, and Jack Bush, 32, were arrested after they targeted three Jarrow properties in an overnight crime-spree in the early hours of June 25.
At around 1.30am, the alarm was raised after an occupant of a home on Pine Street had found the front bedroom of their home in a state of disarray. A number of items were reported missing including a mobile phone, bank card and a wooden drawer containing various items of jewellery and watches.
Shortly after 3am, it was reported that intruders had gained entry to a property on Gloucester Way. When confronted by the occupants, the suspect fled the scene on foot. A number of items were reported missing including jewellery of sentimental value.
Then, shortly before 6am, it was reported that a suspect had gained entry to a property on The Crescent, taking car keys and driving off in a Nissan Juke that was parked outside on the drive. Other items missing included electronics of high value.
The two men were arrested and charged with offences including three counts of burglary and joint theft of a motor vehicle. They appeared at Newcastle Crown Court and both pleaded guilty to their part in the crime spree – and the duo were sentenced to more than seven years in jail.
Peter Hughes Atkinson, of Taylor Grove, Durham, was locked up for two years and three months after admitting three counts of burglary and one count of joint theft of a motor vehicle.
Jack Bush, of Lamb Drive in Sheffield, was jailed for five years and four months after also admitting three counts of burglary and one count of joint theft of a motor vehicle, as well as a further burglary offence committed in Sheffield. Here's the full story.
Paul Rossiter
A pensioner has been jailed for 15 years for raping a five-year-old girl.
Paul Rossiter was found guilty of sickening sex attacks on the youngster by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court. As he was locked up, the victim told of the traumatic effect the abuse had on her.
She said: "I find it difficult to manage my emotions and feelings. Memories of what happened play on my mind daily and worry about these memories as I get older and start a relationship of my own. I feel very angry now about what he did to me. I was an innocent child."
Rossiter, 66, of Tenth Avenue, Heaton, Newcastle, was found guilty of three counts of rape. Judge Julie Clemitson jailed him for 15 years and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order. He will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life. Read the full story here.
David 'Porky' Clark
A thug who taunted a family from his prison cell – along with his criminal associates – has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
David ‘Porky’ Clark, 38, was found to be at the centre of planning a series of targeted attacks in Southwick while he was locked up in HMP Durham and Holme House in Stockton-on-Tees during 2020 and 2021.
Clark had found himself on remand in Durham from April 2020 and was moved to Stockton after he was sentenced to 44 months in June 2021 for a previous conviction of violent disorder in Southwick.
Detectives launched an investigation following intelligence and reports that Clark had been ordering criminal associates to carry out a range of offences including arson and criminal damage on his behalf.
It was understood that ringleader Clark had been using prison phone lines and a secret mobile phone to contact peers and give them criminal orders. Reports made in November 2020 saw offensive graffiti plastered in prominent locations slandering another family and a deliberate car fire in a bid to intimidate them.
During this time, Clark was also found to have ordered the theft of two cars – whereby his associates posed as interested buyers to the victims – and both vehicles were later found abandoned by officers.
Following extensive enquiries, Clark was arrested in connection with the reports at the Stockton-on-Tees jail on July 1, 2021 and later charged with a string of offences. Nine of his associates were also arrested and charged for their part in each crime.
And while Clark pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and possession of mobile phones in prison – he pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and perverting the course of justice.
Following a two-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Clark was found guilty of conspiracy to commit arson on September 2 and was again remanded into custody ahead of sentencing. He was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Eight of the offenders appeared before the same court in November where ringleader Clark was jailed for a further 10 years and received an indefinite restraining order. Read the full story here.
Lee Wilson
A child sex predator who groomed young girls at a Tyneside swimming pool and went on to carry out sickening sex attacks was branded a "mean man" in a letter by one of his victims.
Lee Wilson, who would often sit on the edge of the pool watching but not swimming, wheedled his way into the lives of the victims and their families in order to carry out his twisted sexual desires towards children. After winning the trust of their families, he abused it in horrific fashion, leaving a trail of trauma.
The perverted beast had branded the victims liars until police found a secret phone which he had hidden in a safe in a wall cavity, which contained damning evidence, including images of him abusing one of the victims.
Wilson, 40, of Pooley Road, Slatyford, Newcastle, was jailed for 11 years at Newcastle Crown Court for seven child sex offences, including sexual assault, assault by penetration and making indecent images of children.
Thomas Grimes and Thomas Mann
Trusted couriers in an organised crime gang were caught with nearly half a million pounds of drug dealing profits in a van.
Police pulled over Thomas Grimes and Thomas Mann after becoming aware of their involvement in a conspiracy to supply cocaine in the North East. A subsequent search of a property discovered 377g of cocaine.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was on June 30 this year that officers pulled over the van. They had £475,000 in 25 bundles of up to £38,000 each.
Grimes, 32, of Fairspring, West Denton, Newcastle, and Mann, 33, of Sandy Crescent, Walker, Newcastle, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and were each jailed for six years.
Recorder Toby Hedworth KC said: "On June 30 the police became aware of the activities that you, Grimes and Mann, were concerned in. You each had a role within a significant cocaine supply business.
"You were couriers and you had a significant role to play in that organisation. You had almost half a million pounds in cash, indicating it's the proceeds of at least 10 kilos of cocaine. This was substantial drug dealing.
"The court has a duty to impose sentences in cases of this sort to deter others. It's all too easy for those caught holding the baby to say they didn't have a big role to play. Whether someone had a greater role, your roles were significant." Read the full story here.
Ensuild Baha
A cannabis farm gardener who was earning up to £800 a week tending to a drugs factory was jailed.
Ensuild Baha, originally from Albania, had come to the UK legally on his Greek passport, having served in the military there. He worked lawfully in various jobs in the UK but when he became unemployed he took up a criminal job for some "older Albanian men" looking after 200 cannabis plants in Sunderland.
Police had been contacted about the smell of the drugs coming from the house and when they turned up on June 19, Baha and another man tried to run away. The other man fled but Baha was caught.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the cannabis farm was estimated to be worth anywhere between £27,300 and £118,500. He told a probation officer he was earning between £600 and £800 a week for looking after the farm.
Baha, 26, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis over a four-and-a-half month period and was jailed for two years. Here's the full story.
Jamie Cobden
A pervert who groomed a schoolgirl online was caught when her dad found seedy messages and pictures while fixing her phone.
When Jamie Cobden first contacted the girl on Snapchat she was 14 and he lied that he was 18. By the second day of their communication he turned it sexual, describing what he wanted to do and asking about her school uniform.
After around four months he revealed his true age of 26 and convinced her "age was just a number" and said he wanted to be her boyfriend, which she said she didn't feel comfortable with. Cobden asked her for sexual pictures and when she refused he put pressure on her until she did. She sent video and audio of a sexual nature, later saying she felt scared to say no to him. He sent a picture of his penis to her.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he put pressure on her to meet, saying he would take her for dinner and to a hotel. She used the excuse that her parents wouldn't let her and never actually met him.
Cobden's illegal contact with the girl came to light after she dropped her phone in the bath and asked her dad to fix it. He then found the messages and images that had been exchanged when he looked at her phone out of parental curiosity.
Police were informed and she blocked Cobden although she later accepted a Facebook request from him. He said he missed her and she said she still had feelings for him but couldn't talk anymore.
When he was arrested police found 2,037 messages, some of them graphic, had passed between them. They also discovered two category C indecent images he had downloaded online showing girls aged 12-15 in a shower wearing T shirts.
Cobden, 30, of Bentinck Road, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to two charges of inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and possessing two indecent images. He was jailed for 16 months. Read the full story here.
Jonathon Olley
A thug who broke a takeaway worker's eye socket because he wanted a free pizza moaned "I don't want to be going to jail" as he was locked up.
Jonathon Olley caused multiple fractures to the victim's face and left him needing surgery, all because he did not want to pay for the takeaway food. At Newcastle Crown Court, Olley was jailed for 12 months for GBH and given a restraining order to keep him away from the food shop.
As he was about to be led away to start the jail term, Olley told the court: "This is not what should be happening, it's an absolute disgrace, I've tried my best to fix myself. It's hard when you are an alcoholic, it's very, very hard. I don't want to be in this position. I have been to jail before, I've experienced it, it's not a nice place.
"I want to be with my partner. I don't want to be going to jail. I know I have done wrong, I have held my hands up, I have said sorry and I am."
But Recorder Mark McKone KC told Olley, 39, of Stanton Close, Wardley, Gateshead: "You cannot be punching people in pizza shops and fracturing their eye socket. If that happens, a prison sentence will follow." Here's the full story.
Adam Alkour
A savage cat killer who cut his pet's throat and buried her to cover up the fact he'd broken her leg in a rage has been jailed.
Adam Alkour used a razor to kill six-year-old Darwin then after she bled to death he walked six miles to bury her. A court heard Alkour had taken over the care of the cat after her previous owners became unable to look after her.
But in a fit of anger during a mental health crisis he hit her so hard he broke her leg. Having been unable to get an appointment to take her to a vet straight away, he became worried a vet would realise what he had done so decided to kill her, two days after breaking her leg.
Alkour, 32, of Grafton House, Byker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to three offences - causing unnecessary suffering, failing to provide veterinary care for the broken leg and failing to protect her from pain, suffering, injury or disease. He was jailed for six months and disqualified from keeping animals for life. Read the full story here.
Naif Muhirez
A student who was with Black Live Matter supporters during a violent city centre clash has been jailed.
Naif Muhirez had been a peaceful participant as the group he was with were separated from "counter protesters" by dozens of police officers near Grey's Monument, in Newcastle. But, a court heard there came a point when he and others tried to find a way to get to the back of the other group and Muhirez threw a bottle.
He had denied violent disorder but was found guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court. Now he has joined many of the opposing group behind bars as he was locked up for two years and five months.
The court heard Muhirez, 21, of Moore Street, Sheffield, who was in his second year of a degree in Sheffield, was previously of "exemplary character" and references described him as "quiet, studious, polite and clever". He maintains his innocence but feels shame and is contrite, the court heard. Read the full story here.
Sean Bentham
A sleeping woman was raped by a man she met on a friendship app after inviting him over on the proviso there was to be no sex.
Sean Bentham met the woman on the friends section of the Bumble app and she asked him to visit her "for cuddles" after a night out socialising. A court heard she messaged him saying: "Want to stay at mine, no sex".
They got ready for bed and the victim, who had drunk lots of alcohol, quickly fell asleep, with the pair "spooning". Richard Herrmann, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court : "The next thing she remembers is waking up to find him having sex with her.
"She froze and didn't know what to do. She became upset and he asked if she regretted it. She said she had been fast asleep before telling him to leave."
In what prosecutors say was an attempt to get his story in first, Bentham then walked to a police station and gave a detailed account, saying he'd had what he thought was consensual sex, after which she said she was asleep.
Bentham, 30, of Morecambe Parade, Hebburn, South Tyneside, denied rape and assault by penetration but was found guilty by a jury. He has now been jailed for six years. Read the full story here.
Christopher Bowery
A despicable pervert who sexually abused a brain-damaged woman on a bus has been locked up.
Christopher Bowery sat next to the obviously vulnerable victim on the top deck of a bus and got her to carry out sex acts on him in broad daylight. A court heard the victim, who is in her 60s, has significant impairments, was described as "child-like" and she even told Bowery she had a "damaged brain".
Bowery, 36, of Linden Avenue, Fenham, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice and was jailed for seven years and seven months.
Judge Robert Adams told him: "She should have felt safe and been safe on public transport in broad daylight with security cameras in place but she was not. You accept she was unable to refuse what you were doing because of her mental disorder." Read the full story here.
Kesa Malik, Mushfiqur Rahman and Abdourahmane Sow
Three shooting plot conspirators have been jailed for a total of 20 years after a gun was fired at a man's window while he was standing behind it.
The shocking attack happened in the West End of Newcastle when a clash between rival factions ended with Kesa Malik blasting the firearm towards an innocent relative of a rival. Newcastle Crown Court heard Kesa Malik, Mushfiqur Rahman and Abdourahmane Sow were among the gang responsible for the shooting in Benwell, last June.
Now the trio, who admitted conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, as well as a series of separate drugs offences, have been locked up.
Sow pleaded guilty on the basis he obtained and disposed of the car used and put false plates on it, but not for the purpose of the shooting. Rahman's basis of plea stated that he was not present at the scene of the shooting and remained at a mosque, although his DNA was found on a shotgun cartridge found at the scene.
Malik, 27, of Wingrove Gardens, Newcastle, was jailed for a total of six years. Sow, 20, of Ardgowan Road, London, was jailed for five years. Rahman, 28, of Lanercost Road, Fenham, was locked up for nine years. Read the full story here.
Sarah Daniel
A 'despicable' woman convicted of killing a pensioner who had a heart attack when she burgled him has been jailed for 20 years.
William 'Billy' Jackson, 71, went into cardiac arrest when Sarah Daniel broke into his home in Washington. Daniel and her partner, Leanne English, had plotted to raid Mr Jackson's home and they also preyed on another vulnerable man.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Jackson lived in the Concord area of Washington and had advanced heart disease, diabetes and mobility issues - which meant he used a scooter to get around outside and would spend most of his time at home sitting in a fishing chair in his kitchen as it was the most comfortable position he could achieve, so much so he slept there too.
On September 24 last year, Daniel and English hatched a plan to trick their way in to steal from him. It was not said English took part in the raid. A pathologist who carried out a post mortem said Mr Jackson would not have died at that moment were it not for the stressful event of the burglary.
Daniel, 34, of Waterloo Walk, Washington, was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to burgle Mr Jackson and aggravated burglary and two counts of fraud in relation to another victim. She was jailed for a total of 20 years. English, 40, of Waterloo Walk, was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle Mr Jackson and common assault on the second victim. She was jailed for five years and five months. Read the full story here.
Robert Strain
A angry brute warned he would "do a Raoul Moat" if he was jailed for strangling his partner and threatening her with scissors during a violent attack.
Robert Strain had been arrested and bailed after the terrifying assault, during which he'd picked his girlfriend up by the neck, thrown her on a bed, held her down by her throat and threatened to kill her while holding a pair of scissors. A court heard that, instead of keeping his head down while police investigated and adhering to his bail, the 34-year-old began harassing the victim in order for her to drop the charges.
Over the space of a month, Strain repeatedly turned up at the woman's home, pinned her against a wall by the throat, paced around inside and outside her property and made abusive calls. Prosecutors said that, on one occasion, the bully also sent the victim a message saying "I will do a Raoul Moat on you if I go to prison."
The terrified woman went to the police and Strain, of Deepdale Green, in Cowgate, was arrested and charged with harassment, intentional strangulation, assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon. He initially pleaded not guilty to the offences at a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in October and he was remanded in custody to face trial. However, on the day he was due in the dock, Strain changed his pleas.
Strain was jailed for 46 weeks. Read the full story here.
Kevin Myers
A grieving mum was left petrified when her ex partner stalked her days after they lost their twins.
The pregnant woman had already moved home to get away from Kevin Myers but he tracked her down after her employer inadvertently disclosed her new address in a letter sent to her former home, where he still was.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Myers was given a restraining order in April preventing him from contacting his ex partner, after he was convicted of common assault. Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said: "She was pregnant with twins. Sadly they were lost and as a result of the bereavement she agreed to allow a third party to have limited contact with the defendant in the presence of a nurse for the purposes of discussing what had happened.
"At that stage she says it clear she didn't want anything to do with him beyond that and he should not have known where she lived."
The twins died on June 24 and she then started getting contact from him on July 3. He phoned her, saying they needed each other due to the death of the twins and she told him to leave her alone and hung up. The following day, he tried to call her again then turned up at her home, shouting things through the letterbox and demanding documents for the funeral.
She told him to go away and he threatened to burn her house down. He then remained in her street, cycling up and down outside her home, leaving her feeling "petrified" and she called police
Myers, 34, of Locomotion Way, North Shields, was convicted of stalking and breaching a restraining order and was jailed for six months and given a 10-year restraining order. Read the full story here.
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