Rapping burglar, controlling thug and online groomer among criminals jailed this week

Their cases were among those dealt with at Leeds Crown Court this week, where judges also sentenced a burglar found hiding in a wheeled bin and two shop owners who showed a “flagrant disregard” of the law.

Watch van being crushed after man is jailed for fly-tipping

Daniel Swift

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Clockwise from top left, Dylan McEwan, Simon Ward and Graham Dowsett.

Daniel Swift, 40, of Longfield Terrace, Wakefield, had downed 12 cans of beer during the defeat to Italy before getting into an argument with his long-term partner. The judge, Recorder Joanne Kidd, described the assault as a “disgraceful incident” but said he would not be going directly into custody. Graham O’Sullivan

Damien Cooper, 30, was handed the extended prison sentence for two firearms offences which occurred just a fortnight apart. Graham O’Sullivan, prosecuting, said shots were fired at a house on Woodview Mount, Beeston, at around 7.30pm on May 1 last year. Dylan McEwan

Dylan McEwan, 19, of Barncroft Drive, Seacroft, was involved in burglaries at two homes in Pudsey and Bramley. Four cars were stolen, along with Christmas presents from one of the addresses. A video clip of him driving a car followed by him rapping about his criminal activities was submitted to the court as part of the case file. Watch the video here.

Graham Dowsett Police officers swooped to arrest Graham Dowsett after he sent Snapchat messages stating he had a bed in the back of his vehicle. A court heard how Dowsett, of Windmill Lane, Yeadon, believed he had been grooming a girl on social media over a six-month period leading up to his arrest.

Brandon Varley Brandon Varley, 19, of Quarry Mount, Ryhill, was part of a gang who broke into a property in Crofton, Wakefield. Two months before the incident, he had been arrested alongside another man for going equipped for burglary.

Simon Ward Simon Ward, 38, of West Lane, Keighley, carried out the assault after subjecting the woman to months of controlling and humiliating abuse. Leeds Crown Court heard Ward would attack the woman on an ‘almost weekly basis’.

Ali Mohamad and Aram Mohammedie Two convenience store owners have avoided jail after thousands of packets of fake cigarettes and GBP33,000 in cash were seized from their shop in Leeds. Ali Mohamad, 64, and Aram Mohammedie, 33, continued to sell counterfeit products from the Mama Mia store in Harehills despite repeated warnings from authorities.

David Hallas A robber was tackled by two members of the public in the moments after he attacked a pensioner with a piece of glass in Leeds city centre. David Hallas, 38, of Nepshaw Lane, Morley, carried out the targeted attack on a 77-year-old woman as she was in her car.

Leeds Crown Court heard the incident took place on June 6 last year, shortly after the victim got into her car on Albion Street to drive home from a shopping trip. Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United.

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