It’s been a busy year for Devon’s magistrates’ courts. Cases of shoplifting and assaulting police officers continued to soar in 2024 with no sign the crime epidemic will end soon.
This round-up of results from the courts in Exeter, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple takes us right up to the Christmas period. It includes 18 people convicted of driving offences in all corners of the county.
One feature of the year has been the rise in the number of drug driving cases, which now regularly outnumber drink drive charges.
This list also features a man from Bideford given a suspended sentence for possessing a meat cleaver, a Teignmouth stalker and an Okehampton man guilty of possessing extreme pornographic images.
DECEMBER 13
Benjamin Clough, Westleigh, Bideford. Age: 23. On 06/08/2024 at Bideford drink driving on B3223. Drugs driving (THC a chemical compound of cannabis). Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Disqualified for 12 months. Unpaid work for 40 hours.
Christopher Hurwood, Allhalland Street, Bideford. Age: 51. On 01/09/2023 at the Quay Bideford possessed a black axe/hatchet, knife and meat cleaver. Plea: Guilty. Suspended sentence of 16 weeks. Curfew for 26 weeks.
Adrian Letheren, NFA, Exeter. Age: 38. On 31/03/2024 at Exeter assaulted two males by beating. Plus possess a sharp pointed article in public. Plea: Guilty. Prison for 26 weeks. Serious unprovoked attack.
Jordan Vale, Round Wood, Cardiff. Age: 32. On Between 16/08/2024 and 27/11/2024 at Teignmouth stalked a female involving serious alarm or distress. Plus driving whilst disqualified. Plea: Guilty. Prison for 48 weeks. Disqualified for 34 months.
Dean Snell, East Street, Paignton. Age: 49. Between 01/10/2023 and 30/11/2023 stalking of female that amounted to harassment. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Fine £108.
Dean Bickerstaff, NFA, Torquay. Age: 46. On 06/10/2024 at Union Street Torquay stole beauty products worth £871. Further thefts from Sainsbury’s and Asda. Plea: Guilty. Assaulted a male by beating at Asda. Found Guilty. Prison for 12 weeks.
DECEMBER 16
Warren Edworthy, Station Road, Beaworthy. Age: 19. On 27/03/2024 at Throwleigh, drink driving and drug driving (BZE). Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Abstain from alcohol. Unpaid work for 100 hours. Disqualified for 17 months.
Shannon McNamara, Millers Way, Tedbrun, St Mary. Age: 29. On 30/08/2024 at Newton Abbot drug driving (THC). Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fine £392.
Glen Heathcote, Alphington Road, Exeter. Age: 29. On 25/09/2024 at St Thomas Centre stole food from Co-Op. Plus six more shoplifting from the same store. Suspended sentence of 12 weeks. Compensation £300.
Sarah Carpenter, Prowess, Hemyock. Age: 42. On 28/12/2023 at Broadclyst assaulted three emergency workers by beating and criminal damage to a police vehicle by spitting on it. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Compensation £250. Fine £180.
DECEMBER 17
Mark Hoile, Alexandra House, Barnstaple. Age: 30. On 04/05/2024 and other dates at Torrington breached a restraining order four times by contacting a female. Plea: Guilty. Community order for two years. Probation programme for 30 days. Restraining order.
Charlie Houle, Egham Avenue, Landkey. Age: 21. On 30/07/2023 at Barnstaple inflicted GBH on a male. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. 200 hours of unpaid work. Compensation £1,000.
Alistar Peters, Logan Way, Hemyock. Age: 37. On 10/07/2024 at B3181 Broadclyst drug driving (THC). Possessed 27g of cannabis. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fine £288.
Callum Hill, Badgers Way, Bovey Tracey. Age: 26. On 12/07/2024 at Exeter drove on Lime Grove Road when drugs (BZE, ketamine and cocaine) above limit. Plea: Guilty. 12 weeks suspended for 12 months. Unpaid work 150 hours. Disqualified for two years.
Russell Latham, Woodwater Lane, Exeter. Age: 48. On 22/07/2024 at Exeter drug driving (THC). Drove without valid test certificate. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £120.
Ashley Short, Oldham Road, Hatherleigh. Age: 43. On 19/08/2024 at Barnstaple stole alcohol from Pilton Bridge Garage. Six more shoplifting offences. Plea: Guilty. Conditional discharge for two years.
Matthew Walsh, Hayne Court, Tiverton. Age: 41. On 27/08/2024 at Tiverton A361 drug driving (THC). Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £120.
Letisha Orchard, Avocet Road, Exeter. Age: 21. On 07/09/2024 at Gandy Street, Exeter, assaulted a female by beating and an emergency worker. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Unpaid work for 120 hours. Compensation £150.
Christian Wake Blakewell Close, Barnstaple. Age: 49. On 14/09/2024 at Exeter drove whilst disqualified on Cowley Bridge Road. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fine £373.
Anthony Berra, Bicton Street, Exmouth. Age: 71. On Between 07/06/2022 and 30/06/2022 at Exmouth published obscene article in that discussed child sexual abuse on WhatsApp. Plea: Guilty. Committed to crown court for sentence 14/01/2025.
Lee Bunclark, Broadway Avenue, Kingsteignton. Age: 46. On 08/02/2024 at Queen Street, Newton Abbot, driver failed to stop after a road accident. Failure to provide specimen. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for two months. Fine £160.
Michael Gonnelly, Devonport Road, Plymouth. Age: 56. On 07/10/2024 at Newton Road, Torquay, assaulted a male by beating. Possess offensive weapon. Plea: Guilty. 22 weeks in prison. Unprovoked attack of serious nature. Compensation £154.
David Amey, NFA, Torquay. Age: 43. On 06/09/2024 at Paignton stole alcohol from Co-op. On 12/08/2024 at Torquay burglary Metropole Hotel stealing Spiced Gold rum, Tia Maria, Martel brandy and a packet of nuts. Plus four shoplifting offences and handling stolen goods. Plea: Guilty. 16 weeks in prison.
DECEMBER 18
Paul Boyer, Cunningham Road, Exmouth. Age: 51. Between 28/01/2024 and 30/01/2024 at Exmouth four offences of using threatening words or behaviour to a female with intent. Plea: Not Guilty. Verdict: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Unpaid work for 200 hours. Restraining order.
James Matthews, Kellands Lane, Okehampton. Age: 33. On 05/09/2021 at Okehampton two offences of possessing extreme pornographic images. Plea: Guilty. Adjourned to sentence on 24/02/2025.
Michael Davey, Chapel Street, Tiverton. Age: 34. On 12/05/2024 at Crediton on Jockey Hill drug driving (cocaine). Drive without due care and attention. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 18 months. Fine £200.
Lee Hugall, c/o King William Street, Exeter. Age: 44. On 06/06/2024 at Sidwell Street stole fragrances from John Lewis. Plea: Guilty. Conditional discharge for six months. Compensation £160.
DECEMBER 19
Sally Gallagher, Hillside Avenue, Exeter. Age: 62. On 17/01/2023 at Exeter caused serious injury to a male by careless or inconsiderate driving. Plea: Guilty. 10 weeks suspended for 12 months. Unpaid work for 150 hours. Disqualified for two years. Read more on Gallagher here.
DECEMBER 20
Serik Tassuov, Bridgerule, Holsworthy. Age: 43. On 10/11/2024 at B&M Bude, drink driving. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 22 months. Fine £120.
Kayla Sherbourne, Halcyon View, Torrington. Age: 19. On 19/07/2024 at Riverbank car park, Bideford, drink driving. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 15 months. Fine: £120.
Kurt Taylor, Buttgarden Street, Bideford. Age: 27. On 08/09/2024 at A3125, Barnstaple, driver failed to provide a specimen. Driving without due care and attention, licence or insurance. Plea: Guilty. Community order for six months. Alcohol treatment for six months. Fine £140.
Stephen Kent, Lundy Close, Barnstaple. Age: 62. On 05/10/2024 at Barnstaple being a relevant offender failed to comply with the notifications of the sex offenders register by failing to complete annual notification. Plea: Guilty. Adjourned to 12/02/2025 for sentence.
Aiden Cooney, Hostel Park, Ilfracombe. Age: 26. On 09/11/2024 driver failed to provide specimen for analysis. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 36 months. Fine £307.
Harry Hart, Boobery, Sampford Peverell. Age: 25. On 24/12/2003 at Exeter driver failed to provide a specimen. Plea: Not Guilty. Verdict: Found Guilty. Disqualified for six months. Fine £550.
Jonathan Ford, Lime Road, Tiverton. Age: 48. On 06/03/2024 at Plymouth failed to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a car. Verdict: Found Guilty. Fined £375. Six penalty points.
DECEMBER 23
David Jones, Lower Union Lane, Torquay. Age: 39. On 27/09/2024 at Torquay Factory Row intentionally obstructed a police officer in exercise of his powers to search and detain. Plus failure to surrender. Plea: Guilty. Six weeks in prison.
Ryan Fellows, Falkland Drive, Newton Abbot. Age: 44. On 21/10/2024 at King Street, Newton Abbot, breached a restraining order. Plea: Not Guilty. Verdict: Found Guilty. Committed to crown court for sentence on 20/01/2025. Custody.
Christina Plumb, Parsonage Lane, Ugborough. Age: 49. On 17/09/2023 at Ugborough assaulted a male by beating. Plea: Not Guilty. Verdict: Guilty. 12 weeks suspended for 12 months. Abstain from alcohol for 60 days. Rehabilitation activity. Unpaid work for 150 hours. Compensation £150. Restraining order. Read more on Plumb here.