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The criminals locked up in June

Lots of people who committed crimes were jailed this month and are now spending time behind bars.

Here are just some of the criminals, including murderers, drug dealers, killers, paedophiles, thugs and thieves who were locked up in June.

Lots of people were locked up this month. Picture: istock/LucaTDB
Lots of people were locked up this month. Picture: istock/LucaTDB

Andrew Griggs

A “devious and conniving” killer who murdered his wife, buried her body in his back garden and then 20 years later, asked his son to fake proof she was still alive, was sentenced to a further three years behind bars.

Andrew Griggs was already serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years after being found guilty of killing pregnant mum-of-three Debbie Griggs in October 2019 – two decades after he had reported her missing from the family home in Cross Road, Deal.

Andrew Griggs was given another three years
Andrew Griggs was given another three years

But having disappeared in May 1999, it was not until late 2022 that Debbie’s remains were eventually uncovered when police, acting on “fresh information”, found her buried in the back garden of a house in Dorset that Griggs had moved to two years after he had killed her.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that her whereabouts only came to light when the couple’s son, Jake Griggs, went to police and revealed that as long ago as November 2019 he had been asked by his dad during a prison visit to dig up her body, remove part of her hair and then travel to another country to send the lock, together with a letter professing to be from Debbie, back to the UK.

For reasons not divulged in court, Jake did not immediately alert police – much to the dismay of Debbie’s family – but once he had, officers dug beneath a concrete base at the property in St Leonards and discovered a sealed, barrel-shaped container hidden under a shed which contained Debbie’s body.

He had admitted in March this year, he’d asked his son to carry out the heinous deed by pleading guilty to perverting the course of public justice and at his sentencing hearing earlier this month, Griggs, now aged 62 and wheelchair-bound due to a spinal condition, appeared in court via a video link from HMP Isle of Wight.

A charge of obstructing a coroner in the execution of their duty by burying his wife’s body in an unknown place, preventing an inquest into her death from being held, was left to lie on file.

Griggs remained stony-faced throughout the hearing and when the three-year consecutive sentence was passed.

Lloyd Cundall

A paedophile who gave a teenager drugs and alcohol before forcing her into sexual acts was locked up.

Lloyd Cundall, 28, groomed the girl before meeting her in woods and alleyways around Maidstone.

Lloyd Cundall from Tovil was jailed
Lloyd Cundall from Tovil was jailed

Cundall, from Tovil, was later charged with eight counts of sexual activity with a child between August and December 2023 and pleaded guilty to the offences.

After he was initially arrested and released on bail with conditions not to contact the victim,he met up with the teen again in September 2024, when he gave her alcohol and drugs again before forcing her into more sexual acts.

The incident was reported to the police, and Cundall’s DNA was found on the girl and officers were also able to retrieve DNA evidence, which was invisible to the naked eye, from one of the scenes with the support of police dog Belle.

Cundall was given an extended sentence of 11 years and six months in prison and must serve two-thirds before he may appear before a parole board.

The additional four years will be served on licence.

Investigating officer DC Laura Bowness said: “A lengthy custodial sentence is fitting of Cundall’s abhorrent crimes against a vulnerable young girl.”

Charlie Golding and Alfie Bean

Two men caught dealing heroin and crack cocaine were jailed.

A police patrol spotted a car which officers thought was trying to evade them in the Kingsmead area on March 1, 2025.

Charlie Golding and Alfie Bean were jailed. Picture: Kent Police
Charlie Golding and Alfie Bean were jailed. Picture: Kent Police

The vehicle was stopped and searched, along with the two men who were inside, Charlie Golding and Alfie Bean.

On them, and in the vehicle, police found a bundle of cash, class A drugs and a Nokia phone.

The phone had been used to organise the sale of drugs.

Golding and Bean were arrested and later admitted charges, including being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Golding, 21, formerly of Sturry, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Bean, 20, of no fixed address, was sentenced to two years and nine months.

Chelsea Dunn

A woman was locked up after carrying out a savage kitchen knife attack on another woman she met up with to exchange cigarettes.

Chelsea Dunn launched a brutal and unprovoked assault on her victim, which left her bloodied and fearing for her life.

Chelsea Dunn, 31, of Darwin Avenue, Maidstone, was jailed for a brutal knife attack on a woman in Sutton Road. Picture: Kent Police
Chelsea Dunn, 31, of Darwin Avenue, Maidstone, was jailed for a brutal knife attack on a woman in Sutton Road. Picture: Kent Police

The 31-year-old turned the large blade on the woman in Sutton Road, Maidstone, during the early hours of November 7, and she left the scene on foot while the injured victim rang emergency services. She was taken to hospital with multiple wounds.

Police attended and Dunn was arrested at her home in nearby Darwin Avenue, and she later told officers the assault was linked to her misuse of cocaine, but she denied being under the influence of drugs when she carried out the offences.

Dunn was charged with wounding with intent and possessing a knife in a public place.

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of two years.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

A professional footballer was jailed for four years after admitting his involvement in a plot to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted Airport from Thailand.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who previously played for Gillingham, was sacked by Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton after his arrest last year.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was locked up for four years. Picture: NCA
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was locked up for four years. Picture: NCA

The former Livingston, Aberdeen and Arsenal academy striker changed his plea to guilty during a hearing on May 7 at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex.

Emmanuel-Thomas admitted fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis between July 1 and September 2 last year, and at his sentencing hearing at the same court earlier this month, he was jailed for four years.

The court was told how his arrest came after the National Crime Agency (NCA) seized an estimated £600,000 of the class B drug as it was being smuggled through Stansted on September 2.

Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived via a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, and it had been brought into the country by Emmanuel-Thomas’ now former girlfriend, Yasmin Piotrowska, and another woman, Rosie Rowland.

Emmanuel-Thomas, of Cardwell Road in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland, was arrested in the town by NCA officers in September 2024.

Co-defendants Rowland and Piotrowska, who both denied the charge, face no further action over the haul after prosecutors offered no evidence in their case.

Liam Prendergast

A thug who punched his girlfriend’s arm with such force it broke was jailed after being branded a danger not only to women, but also to his own children.

Liam Prendergast, from Walmer, near Deal, lashed out at Sophie Robbins after she had asked him to leave her Dover flat.

Liam Prendergast, from Walmer in Deal, lashed out at Sophie Robbins after she had asked him to leave her Dover flat. Picture: Facebook
Liam Prendergast, from Walmer in Deal, lashed out at Sophie Robbins after she had asked him to leave her Dover flat. Picture: Facebook

Taking what the mum later described to police as “a big swing”, the 31-year-old struck her with a clenched fist, immediately causing intense pain and made her right forearm go floppy.

But Canterbury Crown Court heard that although he immediately apologised, when neighbours burst in having been alerted by Ms Robbins’ screams, he told them they were “just playing” and it was an accident.

His lies continued following his arrest when he denied he had been with his girlfriend that day and that she had concocted details of the assault.

He changed his plea to guilty for the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on the day his trial was due to start almost four years later, but he also falsely accused her of having attacked him with a knife.

However, the dad started a prison sentence earlier this month after a judge dismissed his allegations and heard how Ms Robbins’ injury was so serious that she needed surgery that had left her permanently scarred.

Her ongoing fear was also said to have forced her to move with her daughter out of the county, with the ordeal exacerbating her anxiety.

Despite being assessed as high risk, Prendergast will likely be back on the streets in a matter of weeks because of the time he’s spent on remand.

Charges of sending a malicious communication and criminal damage to Ms Robbins’s phone were left on file, but Prendergast was jailed for 16 months for the attack.

Daniel Holdaway

A sex offender who raped his victim in a hotel room was jailed.

Police first launched an investigation after a woman reported she had been assaulted in Gravesend almost four years ago.

Daniel Holdaway, from Milton Regis, was sentenced to five years in prison
Daniel Holdaway, from Milton Regis, was sentenced to five years in prison

Daniel Holdaway, from Milton Regis, near Sittingbourne, had spent time with his victim during the evening before and had taken her to pre-booked accommodation.

The two entered a hotel room together and, despite the woman repeatedly stating her wishes to Holdaway, he ignored them and raped her.

The victim was able to leave the premises while he slept, and she reported what had happened soon after the attack on August 29, 2021.

Officers attended and initial inquiries were completed and Holdaway, from Burnham Close, was arrested two days after the assault and was later charged with rape.

He denied the offences in court when he went on trial, but he was sentenced to five years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court earlier this month after a jury saw through his lies.

The 24-year-old will have to comply with strict sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Babutunde Ososipe

A drug dealer who claimed he had earned £10,000 in cash by hairdressing was locked up.

Babutunde Ososipe used WhatsApp to target hundreds of substance users with marketing messages between March and November 2024 last year.

Babutunde Ososipe was locked up
Babutunde Ososipe was locked up

He had been dealing cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, Valium, Xanadol, and ecstasy pills in the Tonbridge area.

Ososipe was arrested on November 29, and an investigation and related searches led to the seizure of more than £10,000 cash, a bullet, a knife, a Louis Vuitton bag, a diamond ring, a diamond necklace, and numerous mobile phones.

He claimed he had earned the money by hairdressing and managing musical artists.

During his interview, the 31-year-old denied his involvement in the county line and alleged friends had lent him the jewellery and designer bag so that he could “look good at the gym” on his birthday.

Ososipe, of Scovell Crescent in Bermondsey, London, was later charged with five counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

He pleaded guilty to the charges before Maidstone Crown Court and he was sentenced to five years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

Sean Charles

​A heartless burglar ​was shopped to police by his cancer-suffering grandmother after he stole and crashed her mobility car.

Sean Charles​’ ​poorly nan ​was said to have been left so scared and “at the end of her tether” ​by his deceit that she ​broke down and ​resorted to locking her doors to family.

Sean Charles, 38, of Kennington, was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for 20 months after stealing his poorly gran's mobility car
Sean Charles, 38, of Kennington, was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for 20 months after stealing his poorly gran’s mobility car

​Canterbury Crown Court heard she ​told police her grandson was to blame for the theft after discovering the Kia Niro, which was ​registered to her dementia-stricken husband, had been found ​abandoned and severely damaged following a smash​ in Ashford​ on October 16, last year.

She also informed officers he had recently been freed from prison and​, when ​he was arrested two days later, homeless Charles confessed: “I knew I was wanted, I’m guilty for all of it.”

​It also transpired that the 38-year-old, who has never taken a driving test, was on bail at the time for crashing another car while three times the drink-drive limit and then headbutting a constable while being detained.

Earlier this month, the crook was told ​by a judge that a spell behind bars ​is the only appropriate punishment for what was “a breach of the love and trust” of someone ​who “gave so much” to him over the years.

Charles, of no fixed address, admitted burglary, two offences of aggravated vehicle taking, assault on an emergency worker, drink-driving, criminal damage, two offences of driving without a licence and two of driving without insurance.

Recorder Matthew Hellens jailed Charles for a total of 20 months and banned him from driving for two years.

Dominic Hedges

A violent prisoner cried “Who wants it?” before throwing a kettle of boiling water at a guard.

Dominic Hedges, whose criminal record dates back almost 30 years, confronted the officer when he arrived at his cell in Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey.

Dominic Hedges was locked up for two years
Dominic Hedges was locked up for two years

Hedges’ door had been mistakenly unlocked on the morning of May 18 last year, and the guard, Omos Emaniru, had returned to secure it again, however, on doing so he came face-to-face with the career criminal holding his recently-boiled kettle in his hands with the lid open.

CCTV as well as Mr Emaniru’s body-worn camera then captured the horrific moment a cascade of scalding water hit his head and jacket. At the time of the attack, Hedges was one month into a 16-month jail term handed to him for three other assaults committed on emergency workers.

Hedges, 43, later pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, with Maidstone Crown Court being told at his sentencing hearing – more than a year after the incident – that he was “disgusted” by his actions.

But the crook, who has 24 convictions for 58 offences to his name and is subject to life licence recall, reacted with “You’re going to kill us” as he was once again jailed, for two years.

Martin Asolo-Ogugua

A bus driver who killed a young girl after falling asleep at the wheel was jailed.

Martin Asolo-Ogugua had taken cannabis the night before he mounted the pavement and ploughed into nine-year-old Ada Bicakci, who was riding her bicycle with her family.

Martin Asolo-Ogugua was jailed for causing the death of 9-year-old, Ada Bicakci. Picture: Met Police
Martin Asolo-Ogugua was jailed for causing the death of 9-year-old, Ada Bicakci. Picture: Met Police

The 23-year-old, of Banfield Road, Southwark, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court for causing the death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

Police were called to Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue in Bexleyheath at 9am on August 3, where a bus was reported to have hit two children.

The second child was Ada’s brother, was not seriously hurt, but she was left with catastrophic injuries.

She was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, she died two days later. Asolo-Ogugua failed a drugs test at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and drug-driving.

Detectives found CCTV that showed the bus driven by Asolo-Ogugua had left its depot around 8.45am on the day of the incident. Officers followed its route west on London Road, with Ada on a footpath heading east on Watling Street.

They were able to pinpoint the moment Asolo-Ogugua fell asleep, with the bus free to drift across the carriageway and into the path of the young family.

He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court in April.

At the same court earlier this month, he was jailed for four years and disqualified from driving for seven.

To read more of our in-depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates’ courts across the county, click here.

To see who was locked up in May, click here.

Paul Knight

A registered sex offender was jailed after his phone was found to contain 129 indecent images of children.

Paul Knight, from Minster, pleaded guilty to sexual offences involving children in 2021 and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct.

A registered sex offender Paul Knight was jailed after his phone was found to contain 129 indecent images of children
A registered sex offender Paul Knight was jailed after his phone was found to contain 129 indecent images of children

A 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) along with sex offender notification requirements included restrictions around his interaction with young people, use of the internet and phones, and possession of bank cards.

He was also required to install monitoring software on his internet-enabled devices, but in November 2023, police made an unannounced visit to Knight’s home and he handed over his mobile phone for inspection and stated it was his only device, but, he was arrested as officers suspected he had bypassed the monitoring software.

Police then searched his property and recovered an iPhone hidden inside a wardrobe which was locked, and Knight, 61, said it did not belong to him. Officers also found bank cards that he had not declared to the police.

Knight, of Queenborough Road, was charged with five breaches of his SHPO, three breaches of his notification requirements, and possessing indecent images of a child. He was remanded in custody, and his two phones were then sent for further digital forensic examination.

When officers gained access to his iPhone, they found he had been communicating with multiple young girls online, been engaging in sexually explicit conversations, had sent indecent photos of himself while asking for illegal ones in return and a total of 129 indecent images of children, including one of the most serious category were also found on his devices.

He was further charged with 13 counts of causing and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent images of children.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court where he was handed an extended sentence of eight years and three months, and on release, will be required to complete an additional four years on licence and will also be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Benny Joe Dighton

A “brazen” robber who threatened a shop worker and stole money from a newsagent was locked up.

Police were called to a robbery at the Spar in Twydall Green, near Gillingham, at around 9.30pm on March 21.

Benny Joe Dighton was jailed following a robbery at Spar in Twydall Green
Benny Joe Dighton was jailed following a robbery at Spar in Twydall Green

Benny Joe Dighton had waited to enter the shop until other customers left the premises and approached a member of staff after watching them for some time.

The 43-year-old then threatened the shop worker, who was made to open the till, and took approximately £500 in cash. He fled the scene after a store colleague came to assist.

Police were called and an arrest was made the next day and Dighton, of no fixed address, was charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article. At Maidstone Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to four years and four months.

Ryan Perrins

Bodycam footage showed the moment a “vile” sex offender was arrested by police.

Ryan Perrins, from Maidstone, subjected his young victim to “heinous and vile acts” for around seven months.

Ryan Perrins, from Maidstone, was jailed for seven years
Ryan Perrins, from Maidstone, was jailed for seven years

Video footage released by officers showed a topless Perrins being arrested and put into the back of a police vehicle. Up until October 2023, he carried out a sustained campaign of abuse against a young girl.

She made attempts to break contact with him on numerous occasions, which resulted in the offender violently assaulting her and on one occasion, he forced her head into the side of a van and bombarded her with 59 calls in 12 hours.

On January 31, 2024, Perrins was arrested and later charged with possession of cannabis, assault, and sex offences.

He appeared at Maidstone Crown Court last year, where he pleaded guilty to the drugs offence – but denied four counts of sexual activity with a child.

Following a later trial, Perrins, of Heathorn Street, was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment at the same court on June 6.

The 35-year-old will be subject to a restraining order for 10 years following his release.

Ozgur Suyolcu

A vicious bully who “gratuitously and cruelly” left his girlfriend beaten, bitten, broken and burnt was jailed for life.

Callous Ozgur Suyolcu subjected the woman to a torturous ordeal in her flat in Tunbridge Wells for up to two weeks, using weapons such as a clothes steamer, a metal bicycle ‘D’ lock and a hammer.

Ozgur Suyolcu was jailed for life after violently abusing his girlfriend in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Kent Police
Ozgur Suyolcu was jailed for life after violently abusing his girlfriend in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Kent Police

As well as suffering from horrific burns to her abdomen, back and limbs, she had multiple fractures to her jaw, shoulder blades, breastbone, spine, ribs, and right arm, together with two punctured and partially collapsed lungs and numerous bite marks. Close to death and unable to move, she had to endure lying severely injured in her own urine until she summoned enough courage and strength to dial 999.

When police arrived, they found her pale, weak and gasping for breath and Suyolcu was just sat in another room watching TV before blaming drug dealers for the violent attack. He said she did not need an ambulance and even after he had been charged, the 30-year-old tried to exert control over his victim from behind bars while on remand in custody.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that there were “very many communications” between the pair, with Suyolcu initially using his own mother as a go-between before telling his victim to use a different name and number so he could contact her via the prison’s own phone system and even tried to convince her to have his name tattooed on her face.

The contact led to the legal proceedings against him having to be delayed to allow police time to investigate the extensive number of calls, voicenotes and messages.

However, on what should have been the first day of his trial, Suyolcu pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent between March 20 and April 14 last year, and controlling or coercive behaviour between June 1, 2023, and July 27, 2024.

A more serious charge of attempted murder, which he denied, was left on file, but Suyolcu was told a life sentence was demanded, given the danger he posed, and that he would have to serve at least 13 years before he can apply for parole, less time served on remand.

George Ivers

A “dangerous and aggressive” driver who left a young cyclist lying dead in the road before ditching his car 26 miles away was jailed.

George Ivers, 22, was tracked down by police at his girlfriend’s home after part of his smashed number plate was found at the scene of the fatal crash in Lower Road, Teynham.

George Ivers was locked up. Photo: Kent Police
George Ivers was locked up. Photo: Kent Police

Cavan Scott 19, was killed after Ivers’s black VW Polo hit his green Barracuda bicycle in the early hours of Monday, May 2, 2022 and the victim’s mum later told KentOnline about the family’s heartbreak at losing their “handsome, funny, loving and beautiful boy”.

On June 16, Ivers appeared at Maidstone Crown Court to be sentenced for three counts of dangerous driving and one count of perverting the course of justice after pleading guilty to the charges at a hearing earlier this year.

The court heard how the father-of-two didn’t face any charges related to the young cyclist’s death, due to a lack of evidence, but he was charged with dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice after the fatal crash in 2022.

However, after officers analysed his phone, he was charged with two other counts of dangerous driving with one count related to a video on his phone, which showed him under the Sheppey Bridge performing handbrake turns while a passenger was in the vehicle and the another charge related to another video Ivers had filmed of himself driving at speeds of up to 63 mph in a 30mph zone.

Ivers was prosecuted for a third dangerous driving charge because of the condition he drove his VW Polo in for 26 miles – dropping off his friends in the process – after hitting Cavan Scott.

Ivers was handed a 15-month prison sentence, which he will serve 40% of, and he was also banned from driving for three years, and a deprivation order was issued to seize his vehicle.

Jimmy Lovelock

A domestic abuser who threatened to burn down his partner’s flat with her inside and hid a listening device in her home was jailed.

Jimmy Lovelock, who had lived in West Malling, hid GPS trackers in the victim’s car during a campaign of abuse against a woman who had been with him for almost 20 years.

Jimmy Lovelock, who lived in West Malling, hid tracking and listening devices during a campaign of abuse against his partner of 20 years. Picture: Kent Police
Jimmy Lovelock, who lived in West Malling, hid tracking and listening devices during a campaign of abuse against his partner of 20 years. Picture: Kent Police

Lovelock was arrested in May 2024 and a Kent Police investigation included allegations he had assaulted and made threats to harm the victim over several years. He also made demands relating to her use of phones and social media, which led to the victim being isolated from friends and family.

In 2023, Lovelock began to mysteriously appear in places the victim had also been visiting, but in February of the following year, she discovered tracking devices hidden in her vehicle, along with a listening device in her home and in a separate incident, the woman also found her car tyres had been slashed.

At Maidstone Crown Court, Lovelock pleaded guilty to charges of controlling and coercive behaviour from May 2022 to May 2024 and causing actual bodily harm and he also admitted possessing a taser device and cannabis.

Two further charges, including witness intimidation, were ordered by the court to lie on file, but on Friday, June 13, Lovelock, 43, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment and was made subject to a 10-year restraining order.

Clive Tilley

A prolific shoplifter banned from every Co-op in Kent was sent back to prison after continuing to steal from one of its stores.

Clive Tilley repeatedly targeted the branch in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, three times in 10 days, between June 1 and June 11 this year.

Clive Tilley. Picture: Kent Police
Clive Tilley. Picture: Kent Police

On each occasion, the 43-year-old thief stole meat products before leaving the store with a shopping basket filled to the brim and the value of the goods taken totalling around £240.

A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) issued in July 2023 forbade Tilley from entering any Co-op, Sainsbury’s or Tesco in the county for a period of five years, meaning the recent offences put him in breach of the court order.

Tilley, of Chelmar Road, Chatham, was arrested on Saturday, June 14 and faced charges related to theft and breaches of his CBO.

He pleaded guilty to all charges before magistrates on Tuesday, June 17 and was immediately jailed for 12 months.

PC Jay Prow said: “The court order that Tilley was issued is in place to protect businesses and the local community, and this brazen offender thought nothing of ignoring it.

“He’s shown blatant disregard and now that he’s been given a custodial sentence, I hope the message is clear: we won’t tolerate retail crime, and we’ll continue to bring offenders before the courts to face justice.”

Alex Buckwell

A “cowardly bully” who controlled “almost every aspect” of his partner’s life and repeatedly beat and strangled her was jailed.

Alex Buckwell of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone, subjected his victim to “relentless physical and psychological abuse” during their relationship, even denying her privacy inside her home by using a coin to open a lock when she was in the bathroom.

Alex Buckwell, 33, of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone, has been jailed for repeatedly beating and strangling his partner. Picture: Kent Police
Alex Buckwell, 33, of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone, has been jailed for repeatedly beating and strangling his partner. Picture: Kent Police

Buckwell also made the woman delete all her social media accounts and forced her to block or delete friends on her phone and he would track her using an app so he could always see where she was, forbade her from talking to other men and would shout insults and accuse her of trying to dress and wear make-up for them.

The abuser even prevented her from changing jobs by insisting she use her time and energy for him, and would restrict her sleep by waking her at all hours, but his violence escalated on November 30, when he repeatedly kicked, strangled and punched her and prevented her from leaving her address, all while in the presence of a child.

During a sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, June 17, it was heard other incidents included Buckwell deliberately driving towards oncoming traffic while she was in the car, and dragging her back into a vehicle by her hair after she had tried to run to safety.

He also damaged property, including a mirror, TV, fridge and her phone, and continued to torment her even after they separated, bombarding her with calls from withheld numbers, but abuse was reported to police on January 31, and the 33-year-old was arrested days later.

At court, he pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour between February and November and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Buckwell was sentenced to two years and five months in jail.

Mateus Parente

A drug dealer who hid 42 street deals of cocaine from police in his underwear was jailed.

The stash was discovered after officers followed a grey Mazda rental vehicle in the Tunbridge Wells area, as they suspected it was linked to the supply of cocaine in the town.

Drug dealer Mateus Parente was sentenced to two years and two months’ imprisonment
Drug dealer Mateus Parente was sentenced to two years and two months’ imprisonment

The driver, Mateus Parente, then drove into a car park in Southborough.

But after realising he was being approached by police, he was seen through the driver’s window leaning towards the front console with his hands reaching his waistband.

Police detained him for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which led to the initial seizure of £200 in cash and a single vial of cocaine from a sock within the driver’s door, but a strip search carried out in custody, where a black sock fell from Parente’s underwear, contained a further 42 vials of cocaine.

Following his arrest on March 27, further evidence was found on his phone, including postcodes of users he was delivering to, as well as a photo which showed one of the vials in his hand.

Parente, of Limes Road, Croydon, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to charges of possessing cocaine with intent to supply and driving without insurance.

On June 24, the 26-year-old was sentenced to two years and two months’ imprisonment.

Michael Tremarco

A thief who stole more than £20,000 worth of shoes from a lorry at a service station was locked up.

Early on April 11, a security guard at the Medway Services on the M2 saw a man loitering near a curtain-sided lorry and a short time later, he was seen to run from that vehicle to another lorry, which left the scene.

Michael Tremarco stole £23,000 of shoes
Michael Tremarco stole £23,000 of shoes

On checking the stationary vehicle, the side was damaged and the driver, who had been asleep, confirmed there had been a theft and police patrols rushed towards London, where they stopped the second lorry in Cadogan Terrace, Stratford.

The driver quickly moved to the passenger seat, where he was arrested and officers found boxes of shoes worth almost £23,000.

Michael Tremarco, of St Agnes Drive, Canvey Island, Essex, was later charged with theft, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. The 35-year-old pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to one year and nine months’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer PC Natalie Newfield said: “This was clearly an organised crime that was executed swiftly during the hours of darkness.

“Fortunately, a security guard alerted police, and officers were able to catch up with the offender in London, when he probably thought he was safe from being arrested.

“This should serve as a warning to those who decide to travel into this county to commit crime.”

Shah Salim Sajjadi and Safiollah Mohammadi

A duo piloting an overcrowded boat off the Kent coast in a tragedy that killed a woman and child were jailed for eight months.

Afghan nationals Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, and Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, were arrested on Wednesday, May 21, after the small vessel – carrying more than 70 people – entered UK waters and was intercepted in the English Channel.

Shah Salim Sajjadi and Safiollah Mohammadi were locked up
Shah Salim Sajjadi and Safiollah Mohammadi were locked up

The fatal crossing began earlier that day from a beach near Calais, where French coastal patrols pulled a woman and child from the overloaded boat shortly after its departure.

Despite rescue efforts, both were declared dead.

French authorities, under the direction of the Dunkirk prosecutor’s office, are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Sajjadi and Mohammadi were identified as the boat’s pilots and detained upon arrival in Dover.

Following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), they were charged with facilitating illegal immigration to the UK.

The pair pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 24, and were each sentenced to eight months in prison.

Haidon Tomlin

A teenager who stabbed a man 51 times in a “frenzied” attack was locked up.

Haidon Tomlin was 18 when he unleashed an assault on a neighbour at a block of flats in Fairmeadow in Maidstone during the early hours of September 1.

Haiden Tomlin, 19, was locked up in a Young Offenders Institute after stabbing a man 51 times. Picture: Kent Police
Haiden Tomlin, 19, was locked up in a Young Offenders Institute after stabbing a man 51 times. Picture: Kent Police

Tomlin was charged with attempted murder but pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, arguing he had acted in self-defence, but a jury found him guilty of the alternative charge of wounding with intent, and on June 26, he was sentenced to five years and nine months’ imprisonment.

The court heard how the victim, Michael Fuller, had returned from a night of drinking at around 11.45pm on August 31, last year and had knocked on Tomlin’s and his next-door neighbour’s door to ask for a cigarette and he was invited into the neighbour’s room and stayed for several hours.

Then, at around 2.30am, Tomlin had knocked on his neighbour’s door and was met by Mr Fuller, who pinned him aggressively to the door and found his neighbour “covered in blood”. Tomlin fled to another room because he was “scared”.

Mr Fuller was then heard shouting outside and “shadow boxing” in the foyer outside the rooms and in response to this aggression, Tomlin unlocked his door and threw a make-shift flamethrower in his direction, using an aerosol and a lighter.

Mr Fuller then forced his way back into the room, but during the trial, he said he had no memory of this, but another resident then made her way towards the door and saw Tomlin stab Mr Fuller twice, before she ran to alert the security guard and in total Tomlin stabbed Mr Fuller 51 times during the 90 seconds they were in the room.

He sustained rib fractures, lung bruising and lost so much blood he needed a transfusion and he was taken to King’s College Hospital with a collapsed lung.

Stephen Castle

A builder who murdered a grandfather in revenge because he falsely believed he had “grassed” on him to the police was sentenced to life in prison.

Stephen Castle was emotionless as he was handed a minimum term of 25 years, less 243 days for time spent on remand.

Stephen Castle was jailed for life
Stephen Castle was jailed for life

Jurors unanimously found Castle guilty of murder on May 28 after hearing how “kind-hearted family man” Wayne Woodgate had died at the hands of the convicted armed robber within minutes of a seemingly chance encounter between the pair in Tunbridge Wells.

He returned to Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, June 27, to hear his fate, but during the three-week trial, the court heard how Castle had killed the dad of seven because he believed he had “grassed” on him to the police nine years earlier.

Following an angry and abusive confrontation in the street on the afternoon of October 17, he took Mr Woodgate to his farmhouse in nearby Matfield, where he throttled him with a ligature and the plasterer then dumped the 54-year-old’s body in woodland undergrowth off a layby on the A268 near Peasmarsh, East Sussex, before heading to his local pub for a drink and chat with a workmate.

He was later arrested and, after being released from custody, borrowed a friend’s car to return to where Mr Woodgate’s body lay and made further attempts to cover his tracks by concealing the corpse with a bin bag and using lime plaster to disguise any smell.

The dad of two, of Hastings Road, later admitted manslaughter but denied murder on the basis that he neither intended to kill nor cause really serious harm, but a jury of eight women and four men returned a guilty verdict last month after just two hours of deliberating.

Castle, who has 17 previous convictions for 35 offences, was handed the life sentence the day after his 60th birthday.

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