Court roundup for Cornwall this week

PAUL MARIE-HUGHES, 55, of Notter Farm Bungalow, Notter has been sent to prison for 12 months after he changed his plea to guilty at Truro Crown Court on a charge of threatening to burn the Police and Crime Commissioner alive in her office in June 2024. He also pleaded guilty to three charges of harassment by breaching a restraining order not to contact another woman. He was made subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the Police and Crime Commissioner or attending Devon and Cornwall Police Headquarters in Middlemoor, Exeter until 23 July 2031.

STEPHEN NEWCOMBE, 58, of Lock Keepers Court, Kingston upon Hull was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of eight sexual offences against a child and a woman at St Austell. They included assaulting a seven-year-old girl by penetration with his tongue. Sentence was adjourned until 4 August for him to get his affairs in order and he was released on conditional bail not to go to three addresses in St Austell, contact four people or have direct contact with anyone under the age of 18 unless supervised by an adult aware of the case.

KEVIN ROWE, 37, of Dymond Court, Bodmin has been given a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, after he changed his plea to guilty on a charge of failing to comply with notification requirements of the Sex Offenders register. He has to pay £85 costs.

JACK HARRISON, 24, of The Cross, St Dominick pleaded guilty to sharing an intimate photo of a woman at Gunnislake on 30 December. He was ordered to pay her £200 compensation, fined £600 and has to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

NEVILLE CHESWORTH, 57, of Honicombe Park, Callington has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with raping a woman at Calstock in 2005/2006. His case was listed for 25 August.

STEPHEN SHILL, 63, of Valley View, Close, Plymouth has been sent to prison for nine years after he was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of engaging in penetrative sex with a 15-year-old girl at Gunnislake between 2007 and 2008. He was made subject to a 15-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with any female under the age of 18 and his use of the internet. The investigation got underway in 2024 when the victim contacted police after seeing a news article about Shill when he was previously convicted for online sexual offending. She immediately recognised Shill as the man who had abused her years before, albeit she had known him by the name Joshua Edwards. The victim told officers she was vulnerable at the time, and that Shill used this to his advance, grooming her online and then sexually abusing her. The abuse carried on for a prolonged period of time. In interview, Shill admitted knowing the victim but denied any sexual relationship took place. Detective Constable Emily Rickard said: “I would like to praise the victim for her enormous strength in reporting what happened to her at the hands of Stephen Shill years before. Shill preyed on her vulnerability to facilitate the abuse which had an immense psychological effect on her. It is due to her courage in reporting the abuse, and her remaining engaged in the court process that he is finally behind the bars. This case goes to show that it is never too late to report sexual abuse and bring offenders to justice.”

ANTHONY JONES, 71, of Goldsworthy Drive, Bude pleaded guilty to possessing 63 extreme pornographic images which portrayed a person performing sex with a variety of animals, namely a horse and dog, which were grossly offensive, 52 prohibited images of a child, to distributing ten indecent images of children, publishing an obscene article on a Facebook Messenger conversation, making 253 Category A indecent images of a child, 288 Category B images and 3600 Category C images. He was committed to Truro Crown Court for sentence on 20 August and he is prohibited from communicating with any person under the age of 18.

JOSH GRILLS, 20, of Hillson Close, Port Issac has been given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to possessing eight extreme pornographic images of a person performing intercourse with a dog and making 98 Category A indecent images of a child, 77 Category B and 49 Category C images. Magistrates noted he deliberately searched for indecent images including Category A and extreme images over a prolonged period of time and uploaded them to another platform. He has to have 12-months treatment for his mental health, do 150 hours unpaid work, pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his use of the internet.

STEWART MEPHAM, 37, of Cider Press Road, Boyton, Launceston pleaded not guilty at Truro Crown Court to engaging in coercive behaviour and strangling a woman at Boyton between July 2023 and November 2024. He allegedly subjected his victim to regular assaults and emotional and verbal abuse. He will stand trial on 8 February and was released on conditional bail not to enter an area of Lifton, contact his alleged victim or go to any address where he suspects she may be.

RYAN WALSH, 34, of Treviggey Crescent, Hvide Hus, Newquay pleaded guilty to assaulting a police sergeant and a police constable at Island Crescent, Newquay and a woman at The Dead Famous cocktail bar at Newquay on 28 July and assaulting the same woman at Sailors Nightclub on 27 July. He was given a 28-week custodial sentence with ten weeks in prison because the offences were committed whilst he was on a suspended sentence and because of his criminal record which includes assaults on public sector workers. He has to pay the officers £200 compensation each and was made subject to a restraining order not to contact the woman he assaulted or enter St Columb Major until 28 July 2028.

DAVID SHARPE, 19, of Thomas Street, Loughborough pleaded guilty to assaulting a man at Central Inn, Newquay on 4 July. He was ordered to pay him £2000 compensation and was made subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victim and attending the Central Inn until 23 July 2027. He has to pay £85 costs.

EDEN DUFFIELD, 22, of Hyns An Vownder, Lane, Newquay pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man at Newquay on 23 August last year. Sentencing was adjourned until 28 August.

NATHAN FLOWER, 33, of NFA, was given a 27-month prison sentence at Truro Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man at St Austell on 28 April 2024. A charge of aggravated burglary at a property in Penrice Park, St Austell the same day, when he was alleged to have a knife and stolen bank cards and jewellery which he had denied, will remain on file. He also pleaded guilty to shoplifting offences and admitted failing to answer bail at Truro Crown Court. He was made subject to a restraining order not to contact his victim until 23 July 2033.

ANDREW PAULL, 48, of NFA, St Austell pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man at St Austell on 28 April 2024. He was sent to prison for 27 months and made subject to a restraining order not to contact his victim until 23 July 2033.

JOHN QUINN, 35, of Grampound Hill, Grampound pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man in St Austell on 6 September occasioning him actual bodily harm. He will stand trial on 13 January.

OLIVER HAISMAN, 29, of Colliford Tavern Campsite, St Neot has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with assaulting a woman at St Germans on 18 July and at Hayle on 6 June when he is also accused of suffocating her; strangling her at Hayle on 2 and 8 July and possessing cannabis on 6 June. He was remanded in custody and his case listed for 25 August.

ALASTAIR GILBERT, 39, of West Street, Kilkhampton was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to assaulting a woman at Bude in July 2019 and on Boxing Day 2010 occasioning her actual bodily harm. A charge of assaulting her occasioning actual bodily harm between December 2017 and January 2018 will remain on file. He has to do 150 hours unpaid work and was made subject to a restraining order not to attend an address in Northcott Mouth Road, Poughill until 23 July 2036.

JOSEPH SMITH, 39, of Wilsey View, Tremeer, Altarnun was found not guilty at Truro Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man at Launceston in September 2022.

DANIEL POPPY, 43, of Davidstow, Camelford pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at Torquay in November 2025. He was given a community order not to enter an area shown on a map until 23 July 2027, has to do 250 hours unpaid work and pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

LEON LEE, 18, of NFA, Bodmin has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with possessing an axe on High Cross Street, St Austell on 8 July. His case was listed for 21 August.

JAMES THORNTON, 42, of Trewhiddle Road, St Austell pleaded not guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, a hammer, on Pentewan Valley Trail on 27 July. He pleaded guilty to breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order by being drunk and in possession of an open container of alcohol in a public place. He was remanded in custody and was due back in court yesterday (4 August).

GARETH FOX, 37, of Creakavose Park, St Stephen changed his plea to guilty on a charge of harassment by breaching a restraining order. On 1 February he sent a woman a friend request on Instagram which he was prohibited from doing by an order made on 3 October 2024. He will be sentenced on 15 September. He was released on conditional bail not to contact a woman or go to an address in St Columb.

ANYA CURTIS, 35, of NFA, was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 24 July not to threaten or contact a man or go to an address in Par.

CRAIG ARROWSMITH, 46, of NFA was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 24 July not to threaten or contact a woman or go to an address in Launceston.

TAWN DANGAR, 47, of Atlantic Road, Tintagel was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 26 July not to threaten or contact a woman or go to an address in Delabole.

PAUL LYNN, 36, of Porth Bean Court, Porth Bean Road, Newquay pleaded guilty to entering Trevithick Market in Camborne as a trespasser with intent to steal on 24 July. He was given a community order to have drug rehabilitation treatment and has to pay £50 compensation and £85 costs.

LEE DREW, 38, of Codling Close, St Austell pleaded not guilty at Truro Crown Court to entering a caravan at Penvose Caravan Park, Newquay in October 2023 and stealing cash, a radio, medication, toys and a phone. His case was adjourned until 4 September.

PHOEBE MCENERY, 51, of All Saints Road, London has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking when she is alleged to have taken a Mercedes Hymer from a property at Looe Hill, Seaton on 5 July and, owing to the driving of the vehicle, an accident occurred which damaged hedges and a bicycle. The case was adjourned until 11 September.

ASHLEY BEYNON, 39, of Trebarber pleaded guilty to a charge of racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards a man and causing £1,929.36 worth of damage to a counter fridge at Central Square, Newquay on 22 December. He will be sentenced on 10 September and was released on conditional bail not to go to the Central Grill in Central Square, Newquay.

MATTHEW DALWOOD, 28, of NFA, St Austell pleaded guilty to stealing cosmetics worth £395 from Boots in St Austell on 12 December, a coat worth £100 from TK Maxx in St Austell on 2 January and to possessing a knife in a public place in St Austell on 3 June. Magistrates acknowledged the blade was kept in the defendant’s bag and when police stopped him, he told them he had it. He is homeless and the knife was used for domestic purposes. He has to fully compensate the shops and was made subject to a community order to have treatment for his drug use

LUCY WADMAN, 42, of Blowing House Close, St Austell pleaded guilty to stealing at least five pairs of socks from Sports Direct in St Austell on 4 January. She was ordered to pay £50 compensation.

CEDRIC GRATTAN, 36, of Fore Street, Tintagel pleaded guilty to stealing £174.88 worth of toiletries and chocolate from Boots in Bodmin on 8 April and £306 worth of Easter eggs from Morrisons in Bodmin on 28 March. He has to pay £174.88 compensation to Boots and £306 to Morrisons.

PETER THACKERAY, 38, of Hallett Way, Poughill pleaded guilty to stealing an electric chainsaw and battery worth £290 from Mole Valley Farmers at Holsworthy on 28 September and seven bottles of alcohol worth £230 from Sainsbury’s in Bude on 28 January. He was given a ten-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months because he committed the theft from Sainsbury’s while subject to a banning order from that store and because of his previous convictions.

FINLEY BOURNE, 18, of Rectory Road, St Stephen pleaded guilty to possessing six wraps of cocaine at St Austell on 7 May. He was fined £203 and ordered to pay a £81 surcharge and £85 costs.

CARLTON WILLIAMS, 18, of Kings Court, Fore Street, Bodmin pleaded guilty to possessing 0.82g of cocaine at Bodmin on 13 September. He was fined £266 and ordered to pay a £106 surcharge and £85 costs.

VICTORIA TRITTON, 52, of Polkyth Road, St Austell has been charged with causing a disturbance and refusing to leave St Austell Community Hospital on 29 March. She has been banned from attending hospitals without having called 111 unless it is a life-saving emergency. Her case was adjourned until 1 September.

JOSEPH QUINN, 27, of Poldhu Road, Liskeard pleaded guilty to causing £6768 worth of damage to a Mercedes at King Mark House, Newquay on 26 August. He was given a community order to have treatment for his drug use, has to do 200 hours unpaid work, pay £1000 compensation, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs and was made subject to a restraining order not to contact the owner of the vehicle until 23 July 2028.

HELEN EVENS, 55, of Higher Lux Street, Liskeard pleaded guilty to causing £850 worth of damage to a Ford Mondeo at Liskeard on 7 September. She was ordered to pay £991 compensation, a £16 surcharge, £85 costs and fined £40.

PATRICK RYAN, 36, of Mallory Drive, Newquay pleaded guilty to driving on Mount Wise, Newquay on 4 July with 54 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath exceeding the limit of 35. He was banned from driving for 16 months which will be reduced by 16 weeks if he completes a course, fined £230 and ordered to pay a £92 surcharge and £85 costs.

RUPERT FINDLAY, 52, of Bedruthan Hotel, Mawgan Porth pleaded guilty to failing to provide police with a specimen of breath for analysis when being investigated for a traffic offence on 18 March. He was banned from driving for 20 months which will be reduced by 20 weeks if he completes a course, fined £833 and ordered to pay a £333 surcharge and £85 costs.

OWEN HALL, 20, of Trekenning Point, St Columb pleaded guilty to driving on Trevemper Road, Newquay on 6 July with 42 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath exceeding the limit of 35. He was banned from driving for 14 months which will be reduced by 14 weeks if he completes a course, fined £120 and ordered to pay a £48 surcharge and £85 costs.

KERRY MORRICE, 60, of Netley Meadow, Bugle pleaded guilty to driving with 800 micrograms of BZE per litre of blood exceeding the limit of 50 on Narrowcliff, Newquay on 26 January and to possessing 3.49g of cocaine at Newquay on 26 January. He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs.

MARK BURKE, 37, of St Stephen Road, Sticker pleaded not guilty to driving between Duporth and Porthpean on 28 March with 177 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood exceeding the limit of 80. He pleaded guilty to driving without a licence or insurance. His trial was listed for 3 February.

MARTIN TRUDGEON, 58, of Hensbarrow Meadows, Foxhole pleaded not guilty to driving on Fortescue Close, Foxhole on 30 June with 66 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath exceeding the limit of 35. He will stand trial on 17 February.

SAM CARNE, 26, of Long Park Road, Saltash pleaded guilty to driving on Mulberry Road, Saltash on 23 January with 7.4 micrograms of cannabis per litre of blood exceeding the limit of two. He was banned from driving for three years, fined £461 and ordered to pay a £184 surcharge and £85 costs.

MATTHEW BURNS, 45, of Lower Metherell, Callington pleaded guilty to driving on Carbeile Road, Torpoint on 23 May with 101 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath exceeding the limit of 35. He was given a community order and must abstain from consuming alcohol until 20 November and was banned from driving for 36 months which will be reduced by 36 weeks if he completes a course. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.