We compile June's list of people we reported on who were sent to prison after being convicted of a variety of crimes. Every week, Bristol Live reports from the city's courts.
This reporting forms an important part of the UK's open justice system, that justice can be seen to be done. Some of the key benefits of open justice include ensuring public confidence and respect in democracy and the administration of justice.
It also serves to deter people from committing crimes and thereby the details of those crimes becoming public knowledge. You can read more about why we publish defendants' names and addresses here.
READ MORE: Tribute to 'excellent father' in Charfield murder probe
Michael Vowles, 12 months
Investors who dreamed of restoring a butcher's shop to Worle High Street employed a manager to see it through. But instead of making the business flourish he killed it by pilfering funds to feed a gambling addiction.
Michael Vowles, 28, of Avonmouth Road in Avonmouth, pleaded guilty to theft and two charges of fraud. He appeared before Bristol Crown Court for sentence today. (June 29, 2022)
Judge Julian Lambert jailed him for a year. He told Vowles: "It is not the money. It is the impact on people that's the most important thing.
"In the course of well-paid employment and in a position of trust you laid waste to a small business. It was driven into liquidation."
Read the full story here
Surajepal Singh, five months
A driver addled on a cocktail of drugs sped off from police, jumped a red traffic light and crashed into a traffic island. And then an oncoming driver collided with him.
Surajepal Singh was taken to hospital after the crash, Bristol Crown Court heard. Though a test for alcohol in his blood not taken until nine hours later cleared him of drink-driving, he was found to be over the drug-driving limit in a test which showed his system was positive for derivatives of cocaine and cannabis.
Singh, 37, of Beverley Road in Horfield, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and two charges of drug-driving. He appeared for sentence today. (June 28, 2022)
Read the full story here
Jonathan Sinfield, three years
A babysitter who admitted shaking a 43-day old baby, leaving the tot brain damaged, was jailed. Teacher Jonathan Sinfield was caring for the baby when the incident occurred in Bath, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Initially he reported that the child become ill and knocked its head against a sofa. He later went on to claim he had dropped the tot from around a metre.
Due to the baby's injuries, though, medical experts diagnosed the baby had been gripped forcefully and shaken. Ultimately Sinfield, 30, whose address was given as Cradley in Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard his career as a teacher is finished.
Judge William Hart jailed him for three years - giving Sinfield a 25 percent discount on the five-year maximum jail term for guilty pleas.
Read the full story here
Francesca Horn, five years and 10 months
A woman who spat at police, threw objects at them and hit them with a wooden stick at a Bristol Kill the Bill protest was jailed. Francesca Horn, 25, of Picton Street, Montpelier, Bristol, admitted a charge of violent disorder during the Kill The Bill protests but denied riot.
However, she was found guilty of the offence following a trial at Bristol Crown Court in April. She appeared for sentence at the court today. (June 24, 2022)
Judge James Patrick, presiding judge in the riot cases, jailed a tearful Horn for five years and 10 months. He told her: "You were an active and persistent participant. You were acting with other people and you accepted you changed your clothing in an attempt to disguise yourself."
Read the full story here
Human trafficking couple, 25 years
A couple convicted of running a human trafficking network in Bristol – promising people a new life in the UK then forcing them to work without pay - have been jailed.
The National Crime Agency rescued five men who were being kept as modern slaves in a house in Brentry Lane, Bristol, by Maros Tancos, 46, and Joanna Gomulska, 46. Tancos recruited vulnerable people from Slovakia, targeting those who were often raised in orphanages or living in camps.
He promised them transport to the UK, somewhere to live and food. He said they could keep half of their wages each month, whilst the other half would be kept for rent and board.
In reality, victims received no money. Earnings were spent by the defendants on online gambling, in casinos, on buying cars or their own living costs.
Tancos and Gomulska were both convicted of multiple charges of conspiracy to traffic people into the UK. They were also convicted of conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Judge Martin Picton jailed Tancos for 16 years. He jailed Gomulska for nine years.
Read the full story here
Collin Reeves, life with a minimum of 38 years
Ex-soldier Collin Reeves was given a life sentence in prison at Bristol Crown Court (Tuesday, June 21) for murdering his next-door neighbours in Norton Fitzwarren last November.
The former commando was found guilty of murder by jury verdict on Friday (June 17), the eighth day of his trial. Reeves had previously admitted to manslaughter but claimed diminished responsibility in relation to his neighbours' deaths.
However, the jury voted unanimously to convict the 35-year-old of fatally attacking Jennifer and Stephen Chapple after a long-standing parking dispute. He stabbed them each six times with a ceremonial Army dagger while their children slept upstairs.
Read the full story here
Hayden Scarrott, 71 weeks
A teenager with a long list of previous convictions has avoided jail. Until now. (June 21, 2022)
Judge William Hart told Hayden Scarrott he must have believed he "walked on water" in avoiding custody. But he said the day had arrived when he avoided it no more.
Scarrott, 19, of Ashcombe Road in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to threatening with a blade in January. He also admitted assaulting a female and two assaults on emergency workers in April.
Judge William Hart handed him 71 weeks' custody. He told Scarrott: "Quite regularly the youth and magistrates courts have never imposed on you a custodial sentence.
Read the full story here
Ross Tilling, 16 years
"You are an incorrigible paedophile". These were the words a judge used to describe a man who admitted multiple child rape.
Ross Tilling used young girls for his warped sexual gratification. But the hideous abuse caught up with him when he was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today. (June 21, 2022)
Tilling, 44, of Cheshire Avenue in Locking, Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to six child rapes - three of which when the youngster was aged under 13. He also admitted sexual activity with another girl, and four charges of making an indecent image of a child.
Judge William Hart handed him a 16-year sentence, comprising of 15 years' custody and a year's extended licence. He also handed him an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to stop re-offending.
Read the full story here
Scott Coleman, five-and-a-half years
"You were sophisticated in selling misery to others in large proportions." These were the words a judge used as he jailed a Bristol drug dealer.
Police found Scott Coleman with Class A drugs in August last year, Bristol Crown Court heard. Having released him under investigation, they found him with more Class A drugs in May this year.
Coleman, 35, of Tallis Grove in Knowle, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis. Judge Michael Cullum jailed him for five-and-a-half years.
Read the full story here
Dylan Parker, six months
A man who was ordered not to associate with a youngster was suspected of doing so. And when police paid a call on him Dylan Parker was found with boys aged 15 and 13.
Bristol Crown Court heard nothing inappropriate occurred. But Parker had previously signed a Child Abduction Warning Notice (CAWN) banning him from associating with the 15-year-old.
Parker, 27, of Hungerford Road, pleaded guilty to abducting a child. Judge Keith Parker jailed him for six months.
Read the full story here
Cody Stiddard, 19 months
A woman's former partner told her to meet him at a Bristol home. And when he turned up in a "drug and alcohol induced rage" he pummelled her, a court heard.
Cody Stiddard was with Kacy Joyce for some five years, Bristol Crown Court was told. But he attacked her when she agreed to meet him at a home in Whitchurch Lane, Bristol.
Stiddard, 22, at the time homeless but latterly living in Newport, South Wales, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He also admitted witness intimidation.
Judge Jason Taylor QC jailed him for 19 months.
Read the full story here
Harvey Mitchell, 24 weeks
A teenager admitted stealing one motorbike and handling a stolen one. And now he's serving 24 weeks' custody.
Harvey Mitchell was said to have been with an unknown offender who stole a motorbike. Police later found Mitchell riding another stolen machine.
The 19-year-old, of Hawkins Crescent in Bradley Stoke, pleaded guilty to theft and handling stolen goods. He appeared for sentence at Bristol Crown Court today. (June 16, 2022)
Judge Jason Taylor QC jailed him for 24 weeks. He told Mitchell: "You have an appalling record for somebody so young, but you have the support of a loving family which you will need on your release."
Read the full story here
Mohsen Gheibi, six years and nine months
A 45-year-old man was jailed for almost seven years after raping a student in Bristol. Mohsen Gheibi, of Stapleton Road in Easton, was handed a prison sentence of six years and nine months at Bristol Crown Court (June 10, 2022) after being found guilty of raping the woman, then 19 years old, in May 2019.
The court heard how Gheibi had walked to the victim’s home with her, followed her to her bedroom and raped her. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, noticed Gheibi walking alongside her and, when she got home and he followed her inside, she had ‘frozen in fear’ and felt ‘out of control’.
The victim shared her experiences in the hope it would encourage other victims of sexual assault and rape to come forward.
Read the full story here
Kimani Thorpe, three years and nine months
Suspicious goings-on on a basketball court prompted police to intervene. And a Henbury man was netted as a result.
Officers spotted what looked like drug dealing at the court outside Proctor House flats on Prewett Street. Inquiries led to a flat in Spence House were Kimani Thorpe was found with Class A drugs.
Thorpe, 24, of Monsdale Drive, pleaded guilty to obstructing police. He also admitted possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.
The recorder Mr David Chidgey jailed him for three years and nine months. He told Thorpe: "You obstructed a police constable in the execution of his duty and you were also found with heroin and cocaine that could be said that you had intended to supply."
Read the full story here
Luke Patten, 15 months
When Luke Patten saw his ex-girlfriend with a teenager he pummelled him. And now he's serving a jail term.
Courtney Lawnsdowne was giving a lift to Oli Pomo when Patten turned up at Yate Leisure Centre. Bristol Crown Court heard Patten pulled up in his car, attacked Mr Pomo, assaulted Miss Lansdowne and damaged her car.
Patten, 32, of Ettricke Drive, Fishponds, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and damaging property following the incident on January 1 last year. He appeared for sentence today. (June 13, 2022)
The recorder Mr David Chidgey sent him to prison for 15 months. He told Patten: "It would have been frightening for anyone involved. "Punches to Mr Pomo were forceful and to the face. There was some degree of planning."
Read the full story here
Jamie Edney, 28 months
A burglar who entered a woman's home was so short the householder thought he was a child. But when she snatched off his hat it revealed 46-year-old Jamie Edney, who made a run for it with £80.
Police called to the scene took the hat as evidence. And the forensic lab discovered his DNA and he was arrested.
Ebney, 46, of Austen Court in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to burglary in March. Judge Keith Cutler jailed him for 28 months.
The judge told Edney: "You would have read the victim personal statement from (the complainant). She felt sick to her stomach and angry that someone thinks it OK to walk into her home and take things. She took your cap and credit to her - it was a very mean offence."
Read the full story here
Jody Evans, 25 months
After mum-of-six Jody Evans attacked a man, woman and policeman she suspected her ex-boyfriend could have given her steroids. And now she is paying the price with a jail term.
Evans bit a man twice in a row over noise. Bristol Crown Court was told heard she also tried to bite a policeman and attacked a woman who visited her home.
Evans, 37, of Colombo Crescent in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to assault occasioing actual bodily harm of Richard Barnes and assaulting an emergency worker in June 2020. She also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Natasha Wedlake in October last year.
Judge Michael Cullum sent her to prison for 25 months. He told her: "Your victims would have been terrified by your behaviour when you were out of control."
Read the full story here
Gang of scammers, 20 years and eight months
Four members of a gang who preyed on dozens of elderly victims, conning them out of hundreds of thousands of pounds, were jailed for a total of 20 years and eight months. (Friday, June 10).
Mohammed Rahman, Muhammed Maarjan, Muhammed Hussain and Shoriful Islam were handed the sentences when they appeared at Bristol Crown Court today. The four had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiring to commit fraud by false representation. Rahman, Maarjan and Islam had also admitted possessing criminal property.
Before their arrest in April last year, the gang had contacted hundreds of potential victims across the country by telephone, targeting a region for a number of days before moving on to the next. Once they had found a victim, the offenders, pretending to be police officers, patiently relayed a convincingly disturbing tale of a fraud investigation that had identified counterfeit currency being transferred into their bank accounts.
Read the full story here
Can Arslan, life with a minimum 38 years
He was described as "the monster who lived next door". And now Can Arslan was caged for life with a minimum of 38 years.
Bristol Crown Court heard Can Arslan subjected neighbour Matthew Boorman to 12 years of abuse before fatally stabbing him outside their homes in Snowdonia Road, Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury,
In a brutal rampage of violence that followed, Arslan stabbed Matthew's wife Sarah when she tried to help her husband. And he admitted trying to kill neighbour Peter Marsden.
Arslan denied murder but a jury convicted him of killing father-of-three Mr Boorman on October 5 last year. He pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Mr Marsden, GBH to Sarah Boorman and affray.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Cutts told Arslan: "This was a planned, revenge attack to target people you perceived to be behind an injunction on you. A particularly brutal attack."
Read the full story here
Nathan Jones, two years
A Lawrence Weston man admitted attacking his ex-partner and her property. And he also admitted an attack on her male friend.
Nathan Jones struggled to appreciate his relationship was over, Bristol Crown Court heard. Not only did he damage's his ex's home, he assaulted both her and a friend she was visiting.
Jones, 30, of Mancroft Avenue, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, battery and two charges of criminal damage. He asked for a criminal damage charge to be considered.
Judge James Patrick jailed him for two years. He handed Jones a five year restrainng order, from his release, to have no contact with named parties.
Read the full story here
Brett Jewell, 10 months youth custody
A teenager who admitted burglary was given a chance to turn his life around. But he blew it and he's been sent to youth custody.
Brett Jewell admitted breaking into one house and trying to break into another in January. The 19-year-old, of Bristol Foyer in Victoria Street, pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted burglary.
In March Judge James Patrick deferred sentence on him on the grounds he stay out of trouble and address cannabis use. But today (June 8, 2022) the judge heard Jewell had committed more offences.
Judge Patrick handed Jewell 10 months' youth custody. He told him: "I tried very hard not to send you to prison. You did not keep your side of the bargain."
Read the full story here
Tyrese Reid, four years and four months
Conscience got the better of a man who, after denying wrongdoing, admitted rape. As a result Tryese Reid has been jailed for four years and four months.
Reid had put in a not guilty plea to raping a woman in Montpelier in April 2020. But the 22-year-old, of Walsingham Road in Mitcham, London, appeared via prison video link at Bristol Crown Court and held his hand up to the offence.
Judge Michael Cullum told him: "That evening you were somewhat out of control. You did not take no for an answer and you were told no in clear terms."
Read the full story here
Andrew Gibson, 17 years
As former general secretary of the Bristol RSPCA, Andrew Gibson was devoted to animal welfare. But, as a scout leader, he preyed on boys in his charge and kept that dark secret for more than four decades.
Bristol Crown Court heard that in sexual abuse which started 43 years ago, Gibson molested five boys all aged under 13. He targeted four victims when he was a scout leader and one when he was conservation warden on Lundy island.
The 84-year-old, of Trinity Place in Weston-super-Mare, denied wrongdoing. But a jury convicted him of nine charges of indecent assault and one of buggery.
Judge William Hart handed him a 17-year sentence. That consists of 16 years' jail and a year's extended licence.
Read the full story here
Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings
READ NEXT:
