CPS South West news
Date
Outline
28/02/2013
CPS authorises further charge for Hanham tandem deaths
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Louise Cox, 35, from Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire, with perverting the course of justice in connection with the deaths of Ross and Clare Simons following an incident in Hanham, South Gloucestershire last month.
30/01/2013
Suspended sentence for fake CCTV
Roger Moore, 45, from Plymouth, was today sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years at Plymouth Crown Court for perverting the course of justice. He was also ordered to pay £2000 costs.
30/01/2013
Second man guilty of Plymouth nightclub assault
Thomas Field, 23, from Plymouth, was today found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a jury at Plymouth Crown court.
29/01/2013
CPS authorises charge for Hanham tandem deaths
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Nicky Lovell, 38, from Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire, in connection with the deaths of Ross and Clare Simons following an incident in Hanham, South Gloucestershire on Sunday.
29/01/2013
Life sentence for Barach Bandavad
Barach Bandavad was today found guilty of the murder of Judith Ege by a jury at Bristol Crown Court. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum custodial term of 22 years.
15/01/2013
CPS statement on Geoffrey Counsell
Barry Hughes, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: "In October 2012, CPS South West authorised Avon and Somerset Constabulary to charge Geoffrey Counsell with manslaughter in relation to a very serious incident on the M5 in November 2011.
14/12/2012
Kemp and Petrauske found guilty of historic child sex abuse
Jack Kemp and Peter Petrauske were today found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court of a series of child sex offences. Kemp was convicted of 10 counts indecent assault and sexual activity with a child and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Petrauske was convicted of rape, aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault and sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment. Both men had pleaded not guilty.
14/12/2012
Five convicted for forced labour conspiracy
Today, a jury at Bristol Crown Court have returned guilty verdicts for charges of forced labour against five members of the same family.
03/12/2012
Man sentenced for sexual offences against two women
On Friday 30 November at Truro Crown Court, Richard Mason was handed an indeterminate custodial sentence, to serve a minimum of three years imprisonment, for the violent sexual assault of two women in West Cornwall.
23/11/2012
Jahangir Karim sentenced to five years for grooming
Today at Truro Crown Court, Jahangir Karim was sentenced to a total of five years imprisonment for a number of charges relating to grooming a young girl from Helston in Cornwall.
08/11/2012
Sandra Clinch found guilty of manslaughter for killing her husband
Today at Truro Crown Court, Sandra Clinch was convicted by a jury of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility for killing her husband Alan Clinch and sentenced to nine years imprisonment. The custodial sentence will take into account the 177 days she has already spent in custody.
02/11/2012
Stephen Farrow found guilty of the murders of Betty Yates and Reverend John Suddards
Following a four week trial at Bristol Crown Court, Stephen Farrow was today found guilty of the murders of pensioner Betty Yates in Bewdley, Worcestershire, and the Reverend John Suddards in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire. Farrow was sentenced to two whole life sentences.
26/10/2012
Eleven sentenced for hate crimes at Winterbourne View
Today at Bristol Crown Court, 11 former members of staff from Winterbourne View Hospital in Bristol were sentenced for subjecting patients to ill treatment and neglect.
24/10/2012
CPS Welcomes Court of Appeal's decision to increase the sentence of Leanne Burnell
Today at the Court of Appeal, Leanne Burnell's sentence for causing death by dangerous driving was increased from 18 months to 3 years in prison.
19/10/2012
Man charged following fatal M5 collision
Today the Crown Prosecution Service authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Geoffrey Counsell with seven counts of manslaughter following the deaths of Anthony and Pamela Adams, Maggie and Michael Barton, Malcolm Beacham, Terry Brice and Kye Thomas in a collision on the M5 in November 2011.
28/09/2012
Kenneth Mark Shirley found guilty of rape
Yesterday, at Bristol Crown Court, Kenneth Mark Shirley, already a convicted murderer and rapist, was convicted of a rape he committed in 2005 and sentenced to sixteen life sentences.
19/09/2012
CPS authorise police to charge father and son with the murder of Paul Retallick
The CPS has authorised Avon and Somerset Constabulary to charge Lee McGinty, 25, and his father, Michael McGinty, 55, with the murder of Paul Retallick, 35, in Langport, Somerset, on the evening of Sunday 16 September.
19/09/2012
CPS authorise two people to be charged with conspiracy to murder Catherine Wells-Burr
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Avon and Somerset Constabulary to charge Anna Lagwinowicz, 32 and Rafal Nowak, 31 with conspiracy to murder Catherine Wells-Burr, 23 from Chard in Somerset.
06/08/2012
Last of Winterbourne View Defendants Pleads Guilty
Today, Michael Onyema Ezenagu, 28, from White City, London, entered guilty pleas to two counts of ill treating a patient at Winterbourne View Hospital in Bradley Stoke, Bristol.
03/08/2012
Pair guilty of Rico murder
Shakah Anderson, 30, and Rikel Adams, 27, have today been found guilty of the murder of Rico Gordon by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.
24/07/2012
Pair sentenced for death of Taunton schoolgirl
Today at Taunton Crown Court, Leonard Jones was sentenced to seven years and Leanne Burnell to 18 months in prison, having both been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after their high speed car chase caused the death of 13-year-old Amy Hofmeister.
21/06/2012
Leanne Burnell found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving
Today at Taunton Crown Court, Leanne Burnell was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised Avon and Somerset police to charge Leanne Burnell and Leonard Jones jointly with this offence in connection with the death of 13-year-old Amy Hofmeister.
11/06/2012
19 year old charged with murder of his grandfather, 91
CPS South West has today authorised Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to charge Stephen Francis Lang, 19, of Launceston, Cornwall, with the murder of his 91 year old grandfather, Thomas Lang.
07/06/2012
More than 50 years for Gloucester organised crime group
Fifteen people have today been sentenced to a total of more than 50 years in prison following a year long investigation into the supply of Class A drugs.
01/06/2012
Company secretary charged with defrauding employer
CPS South West has today authorised Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to charge Helen Maria Hart, 45, from Redruth, Cornwall, with more than 20 counts of fraud by abuse of position.
29/05/2012
CPS welcomes sentencing of Layla Ridgement and Kirsty Stevenson
Layla Ridgement and Kirsty Stevenson were sentenced today at Truro Crown Court, having both pleaded guilty to robbery and false imprisonment at an earlier hearing.
22/05/2012
CPS authorises charge over Olympic flame explosion threats
CPS South West has today authorised the police to charge Darren Cole, 40, of no fixed abode, with threats to cause criminal damage likely to endanger the life of another.
22/05/2012
CPS authorises police to charge Cheltenham man with making an explosive substance
On 17 May the Crown Prosecution Service authorised Gloucestershire Police to charge Martin Howard Counsell from Cheltenham with making an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose, contrary to section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act (1883).
22/05/2012
Five Bristol City supporters given Football Banning Orders
The Crown Prosecution Service has successfully applied for Football Banning Orders (FBOs) against five defendants who appeared on Friday 18 May at Bristol Crown Court, banning them from matches for a minimum of three years. They had all been convicted of football-related violent disorder at an earlier hearing.
11/05/2012
Shane Jenkin sentenced to life
Shane William Jenkin, 32 from Hayle, Cornwall, was today handed an indeterminate sentence at Truro Crown Court. The judge ordered that he serve a minimum of six years imprisonment and that he be detained at a secure psychiatric hospital.
04/04/2012
North Somerset woman jailed for 10 years for aiding and abetting daughters' rape
After pleading guilty to 25 charges of aiding and abetting the rape of three girls under the age of 16, a 65 year old woman from Weston-super-Mare, was today sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court.
07/03/2012
Brian Harrison sentenced for the murder of Neville Dunn
Cornish fisherman Brian Leslie Harrison was today sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 16 years at Truro Crown Court for the murder of Neville Dunn. From this tariff will be deducted the four years and 67 days Harrison has spent in custody since his arrest on 1 January 2008.
06/03/2012
Cornish fisherman guilty of murder
CPS South West brought Brian Leslie Harrison back to court to face a charge of murder, four years after he was convicted of grievous bodily harm on a victim who later died. Today he was found guilty of the murder of Neville Dunn by a jury at Truro Crown Court.
02/03/2012
Andrew Hartley convicted of gross negligence manslaughter
Andrew Hartley, 36, from Radstock was today convicted by a jury at Bristol Crown Court of gross negligence manslaughter.
02/03/2012
Peter Rowell sentenced to six years imprisonment for sexual abuse of young girls
Former TV and radio presenter Peter Rowell was today sentenced to six years imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court, made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
22/02/2012
CPS authorise charges in Thornbury vicarage murder
The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Avon and Somerset and West Mercia police to charge Stephen John Farrow, 47, with the murders of Betty Yates, 77, and Reverend John Suddards, 59.
21/02/2012
Chewing gum theft is "big business" in South West says CPS lawyer
The CPS has successfully prosecuted two Romanian men in connection with the theft of hundreds of pounds worth of chewing gum from a supermarket in Taunton. Both men received sentences of imprisonment, although the two cases are unconnected.
20/02/2012
First cases prosecuted at Bristol Magistrates' courts using a tablet computer
The first cases in the South West to be prosecuted electronically using a tablet computer were presented today at Bristol Magistrates' court. Up until now, all criminal cases have been prosecuted using heavy, paper-based files.
14/02/2012
Haigh and Stone sentenced
Thomas Alexander Haigh was today sentenced to serve a minimum of 35 years imprisonment for the murders of Brett Flournoy and David Griffiths. He was found guilty of the murders by a jury at Truro Crown Court yesterday.
13/02/2012
Thomas Haigh found guilty of Cornish double murder
Thomas Alexander Haigh was today found guilty of the murders of Brett Flournoy and David Griffiths by a jury at Truro Crown Court.
10/02/2012
Magistrates acquit Michael Overd
Michael John Overd was today acquitted of charges of harassment by Magistrates at Taunton Deane Magistrates’ Court.
22/12/2011
Life sentences for Michael Sexton and Richard Smith for the murder of Keith Soons
Michael Andrew Sexton, 29, and Richard John Smith, 27, both from Cheltenham, were today handed life sentences at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of Keith Soons in February this year. Sexton will serve a minimum of 25 years imprisonment and Smith a minimum of 28 years.
28/11/2011
CPS charges 10 defendants with offences committed at Winterbourne View Hospital
The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Avon and Somerset police to charge 10 people with criminal offences committed at the Winterbourne View Hospital at Hambrook near Bristol.
22/11/2011
CPS publishes new Violence Against Women report
The Crown Prosecution Service is successfully prosecuting more offences of violence against women and girls than ever before.
28/10/2011
Vincent Tabak found guilty of murder
Vincent Tabak found guilty of the murder of Jo Yeates and sentenced to life imprisonment
16/08/2011
CPS charges woman with death by dangerous driving
The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Avon and Somerset police to charge Leanne Burnell jointly with Leonard Jones with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the death of 13-year-old Amy Hofmeister. Burnell is due to appear at Taunton Magistrates’ courts on 25 August.
21/07/2011
Ross Parsons sentence increased to 15 years
At a hearing at the Court of Appeal today, the court increased the sentence for Ross David Parsons (33) to life imprisonment with a 15 year minimum for the attempted murder and rape of a woman at her home in Bedminster last October.
06/05/2011
Man handed life sentence for sickening attack
A dangerous Bristol man has been sentenced to life, following a violent and sickening attack on a lone woman in her home in Bedminster in October last year.
05/05/2011
North Somerset school teacher pleads guilty to charges of sexual abuse
A North Somerset school teacher has today appeared at Bristol Crown court and pleaded guilty to 36 charges of sexual abuse against children.
01/04/2011
New structure for CPS South West
From 1 April, the CPS in the South West will be operating under a new structure.
02/03/2011
Daniel Phillips' sentence increased to four years on appeal
Daniel Phillips, 20, from Weston-super-Mare was today sentenced to four years detention in a young offenders’ institution following a review of the sentence by the Court of Appeal.
10/02/2011
Retracting rape and domestic violence allegations: CPS launches public consultation on legal guidance
Individuals who retract truthful allegations of rape or domestic violence out of fear are less likely to be prosecuted under proposed new guidance for prosecutors on the offence of perverting the course of justice. But individuals who make malicious false allegations should know they risk prosecution.
03/02/2011
North Somerset paedophile sentenced to 10 years
Alan Potbury was today sentenced to a total of 10 years' imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court.
08/12/2010
BBC Apprentice candidate charged with fraud
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today authorised Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to charge Christopher Farrell, 29, from Plymouth with four counts of fraud by false representation.
07/12/2010
Devon man pleads guilty to faking GPS data
A speeding motorist who tried to beat the system by amending the information in his GPS device has pleaded guilty to Perverting the course of justice.
12/11/2010
Court of Appeal decision on Michael Burridge
The Court Of Appeal has today given judgement that the conviction of Michael Burridge for the murder of his two month old son Rees is unsafe.
01/11/2010
New Chief for Gloucestershire CPS
Victoria Cook has been appointed Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) for Gloucestershire.
28/09/2010
Office move for Truro staff
After more than 20 years in their 'temporary' offices on Infirmary Hill, CPS staff in Truro finally have a permanent home!
17/09/2010
Ten sentenced in Gloucestershire drug trafficking case
Ten people have now been sentenced for their involvement in the trafficking of cocaine into Gloucestershire.
12/07/2010
Drug ring's prison terms welcomed by prosecutors
The prison sentences handed to a group of men for drugs offences in Exeter and Devon have been lauded by the Crown Prosecution Service.
30/06/2010
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and Crown Prosecution Service defeat drugs gang
Operation Chronos was investigated by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary's Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT). The investigation was run in close co-operation with the Crown Prosecution Service's South West Complex Casework Unit, based in Bristol, headed by Ann Reddrop. Ray Tully was appointed as counsel for the prosecution and later joined by Ian Glen QC.
17/06/2010
Judge dismisses groundbreaking sexual offences case
The case against a 63-year-old man from Winchcombe, near Cheltenham, accused of committing sexual offences against young boys in India has been dismissed by a judge at Bristol Crown Court.
09/06/2010
Hooligans face Football Banning Order
Those convicted of football-related violence and hooliganism face being issued with a Football Banning Order which could see them banned from matches for a minimum of three years, said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) today.
03/06/2010
Eight men admit involvement in drugs gang
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary announced today that eight men from the Exeter area have admitted being involved in a large-scale drugs supply ring.
25/05/2010
CCP for Gloucestershire focuses on hate crime
The right to live free from fear and harassment is a fundamental right for all of us. We should never allow members of our community to be criminally targeted just because of who they are, whether it is because of the colour of their skin, because of their religion, sexuality or disability.
21/05/2010
Rachael Baker sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter
Rachael Baker, who was found guilty of manslaughter on 28 March, was sentenced to 10 years today at Bristol Crown Court.
25/03/2010
Core Quality Standards to become focus for the CPS
The Crown Prosecution Service has today launched a set of 12 Core Quality Standards which set out to the public the level of service they can expect from us in our work.
04/03/2010
Young perpetrator of race hate crime sentenced
A young offender who pleaded guilty to a series of racially aggravated offences last year was sentenced today at Bristol Magistrates' Court.
04/03/2010
Gail Sherwood jailed for false rape claims
2 counts in relation to false allegations of rape and 1 count in relation to the manufactured arrest of a member of the public who she stated had been stalking her.
26/02/2010
Former Police Special Constable found guilty of harassment
Ryan Neil Harvey aged 30 years, formerly a Special Constable stationed at Penzance, was today found guilty of Harassment at Plymouth Magistrates' Court.
25/02/2010
Andrew Lawless found guilty of murdering Stephen Price
Andrew Lawless was today found guilty at Exeter Crown Court of murdering Stephen Price in Paignton on 2 May 2008.
29/01/2010
CPS Counter-Terrorism Division talks to young people in Bristol
Bethan David and Moira Macmillan, leading prosecutors from the CPS Counter-Terrorism Division in London, visited Bristol on Thursday 28 January to talk to an audience of young people about their work, how they make their decisions and examples of cases th
22/01/2010
Man pleads guilty to World's End Pub murder
Sam Lengfeld today pleaded guilty to the murder of Shevon Wilson. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with an order that he a serve a minimum period of 17 years before he be considered eligible to apply for parole.
17/12/2009
CPS report shows rise in successful hate crime convictions
The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) second annual Hate Crime Report, published this week, shows convictions for hate crimes have risen by eight percentage points to 82 per cent in three years.
02/12/2009
Chilean justice system recognises status of Avon and Somerset's Witness Care Unit
Avon and Somerset's Witness Care Unit played host to delegates from the Chilean Criminal Justice System as they sought to discover more about witness care.
01/12/2009
CPS consults on Core Quality Standards
The standard of work expected of public prosecutors, at every stage of the prosecution process, is being published for consultation for the first time. Members of the public are being asked for their views on these proposed minimum standards by the DPP.
11/11/2009
Trio receive 18 month jail term for racist attacks
Nicholas Gardener and brothers Luke and Justin Lovedale today were each given custodial sentences of 18 months for three vicious racist attacks on shop staff in the Bedminster and Southmead areas of Bristol.
19/10/2009
CPS consults on changes to prosecution principles
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today launched a 12 week public consultation on important changes to the Code for Crown Prosecutors -
01/10/2009
Joint statement re Colin Blanchard, Vanessa George and Angela Allen
Joint Statement by The Crown Prosecution Service; Greater Manchester Police; Devon and Cornwall Constabulary; and Nottinghamshire Police. Read out at press conference by Ann Reddrop, Head of CPS South West Complex Casework Unit.
18/08/2009
CPS updates its policy to tackle football hooliganism
Anyone receiving a Football Banning Order this season will not be able to actively support England and Wales if they qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.
17/08/2009
Police and CPS welcome guilty plea in murder case
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service both welcomed the outcome of a murder case heard today at Truro Crown Court.
05/08/2009
Crime doesn't pay
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) yesterday succeeded in securing a four year custodial sentence for Nelson Richards aged 46 of Redruth, Cornwall for failure to pay the sum of £569,869 under the terms of a compensation order.
03/08/2009
Access to justice for victims and witnesses with mental health issues and learning disabilities
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published two new public policy statements to explain how it will deal with cases involving victims and witnesses who have mental health issues or a learning disability to ensure they have access to justice.
20/07/2009
Jonathan Cock pleads guilty to murdering Adam Hustler
Jonathan Cock pleaded guilty to the murder of Adam Hustler today at Truro Crown Court. He also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Amanda Hustler and to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
24/06/2009
Man sentenced for 69 fraud and distraction burglary offences
A man who has admitted committing 69 distraction burglary and fraud offences against elderly victims up and down the country has been sentenced to three years for fraud, five years for burglary to run concurrent.
21/04/2009
CPS authorises charges over disappearance of Paignton man
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today authorised Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to charge 41-year-old Andrew Lawless with the murder of Steven Price, who disappeared from his home in Paignton last May.
