Repeat animal abuser and coke dealers among criminals banged up in Cornwall this month

A cruel woman who left her cat to suffer years after being warned over previous animal abuse and a duo of cocaine dealers are among those banged up in Cornwall this month. Several criminals have been put behind bars across Cornwall due to their violent and unthinkable crimes. They also include a man who fired a BB gun at a group of people and an addict who stole from two shops, assaulted shop staff and police officers and drove on the wrong side of the road causing a head-on crash.

These individuals have all been locked behind bars with a sentence. Here we take a look back over cases heard in Truro Crown Court[1] in January, but only those cases where nothing but an immediate custodial sentence was deemed good enough. ADVERTISEMENT

Please be aware we do our best to attend as many sentencing hearings as we can, but it is not always possible to be at them all. Here are the cases we did attend this month that saw people jailed, as reported at the time. Scroll down for details and mugshots, where available, of the criminals.

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Sharon Elizabeth Wood

Sharon Elizabeth Wood, 53, caused unnecessary suffering to a cat -Credit:CornwallLive A cruel woman left her pet suffering and in pain for months, a court has heard. Sharon Elizabeth Wood, 53, of Polmeere Road, Penzance[3], caused unnecessary suffering to a 17-year-old cat called Tigger when she did not get him medical attention, despite him not being able to use his back legs.

The cat had severe hind leg paresis and was unable to coordinate the limbs of both hind legs. Following an investigation from the RSPCA, the cat saw a vet, who said Tigger would have been suffering. ADVERTISEMENT

The report from the vet said: "He was presented in need of veterinary attention, and this should have been sought as soon as his symptoms appeared. He would have been suffering without medical intervention and suitable management. "He had severe hindleg paresis with reduced motor function and weakness and ataxia, and inability to coordinate the limbs of both hind legs.

He has required ongoing management for pain, and medicines to help him urinate properly." Wood admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between February 7, 2024 and March 20, 2024 at her home. She also pleaded guilty to breaching the lifetime ban imposed on her after her previous conviction in 2018 and of breaching her suspended sentence.

Sharon Elizabeth Wood -Credit:RSPCA

Wood and her son, Ashley, appeared in court in 2018,[4] after causing unnecessary suffering to their Staffordshire bull terrier type dog, Dexter. Dexter was found covered in sores with barely any fur. ADVERTISEMENT

He was chronically underweight and his ribs and back bones were exposed with no fat on his body. The court heard that Dexter belonged to Ashley but his mother was also responsible for the pet, which at the time lived at her home. The Woods were both sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for two years and were told they could not keep any animals[5].

Despite this, Sharon Wood went on to keep Tigger in her home. Sharon Wood was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison at Truro[6] Magistrates' Court[7] on February 11 and was given a lifetime animal ban, which she can not appeal for 15 years. She was also ordered to pay GBP600 and a GBP154 victim surcharge.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Pearson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: "Tigger needed care and attention from a vet. He was in pain and needed help but instead was left to suffer for a prolonged period." Tigger, who regained the use of his back legs, was signed over to RSPCA care and has since been adopted.

Aiden Cashley

Cornish townsfolk on a night out caught and restrained a man who fired a BB gun into a group of people, causing serious injuries.

Aiden Cashley hid the imitation weapon in his clothes before pulling out and firing multiple times in Launceston[8] town centre, after getting into a row on the night of Saturday, December 28 last year. ADVERTISEMENT Cashley became involved in an altercation with the unknown group.

During the incident, he told the group he had "to get something" and, when he returned, pulled out an imitation firearm that he had hidden in his clothing and fired it multiple times at around 11pm that night. One man suffered serious injuries after he was repeatedly hit in the arm. He later required surgery.

Cashley fled but was caught and detained by members of the public nearby until officers arrived to arrest him and seize the weapon. He was charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault causing actual Bbdily harm. Cashley, of Budshead Road in Plymouth[9], pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced to three years and one month by the judge at Truro[10] Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, March 4).

The weapon will also be destroyed. Investigating officer Detective Constable Hannah Ackford, from Devon and Cornwall Police[11], said: "We welcome the sentence given to Cashley, who carried out this random and serious attack on a group of people who were not known to him. There are so many risks associated with possessing weapons and no good can come from it."

Oliver Haisman

Oliver Haisman -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police

A violent drinker attacked his girlfriend with a bag of beer cans when she dumped him for drinking too much. Oliver Haisman, 28, and his now ex-girlfriend had been drinking in a pub in Saltash when she called an end to their relationship. Haisman followed her out and caught up with her down the street, grabbed her by the throat and hit her with a bag of beer cans, shouting threats to kill her as he did so.

Witnesses to the assault called the police and when officers arrived Haisman continued to be violent, spitting at a female officer. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[12] on Tuesday, March 11, heard that the victim was struggling to get free as Haisman also shouted aggressively at her and threatened to kill her. His victim later reported that Haisman had shouted: "I could kill you right here, right now."

When police turned up, Haisman, who has nine previous convictions for 29 offences including causing actual bodily harm, violence and assaulting a police constable, turned his violence towards the officers who tried to arrest him. The court was told that he continued to be "volatile" after being arrested and kept "thrashing around". During his arrest he assaulted one of the officers.

He was later charged with assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, assault by beating of an emergency worker, and possession of cannabis. He pleaded guilty to all charges at the first opportunity. In mitigation, his barrister read out a letter Haisman sent His Honour Judge Simon Carr ahead of his sentencing, in which he expressed remorse for his action.

In it, Haisman said: "If I could turn back the clock, I would. There is no justification for what took place. Since being back in custody I have had time to reflect on my actions and I am sorry for the distress I have caused.

I am now engaging with the mental health team to help defuse situations rather than take action." His barrister said Haisman had been drinking and had lost control as a result of drinking too much. She added: "He has accepted it.

His problems go back to 2016 when he was the passenger in a car and had a bad crash. As a result he had a bleed on the brain which has led to his mental health problems. Now that he is in custody his problems are being addressed properly.

He has accepted that he needs to change." Judge Carr said Haisman had found it hard when his girlfriend ended the relationship. He added: "You hit her with a bag containing cans of lager then grabbed her by the throat.

When police arrived you were aggressive towards an officer, spit at her then kicked her. You have shown remorse and have realised that you have to address your drinking problem. "You have an appalling record for violence against individuals and police officers and sentences are getting longer each time."

He sentenced Haisman to 14 months in prison where he will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. A restraining order for three years not to contact his ex was also imposed.

Daniel Catlin

Daniel Catlin -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police A convicted paedophile who did not learn his lesson and lied to probation officers and shrugged off his sick offences wanted to be a teenage girl's sexual teacher.

Daniel Catlin was first convicted of a series of offences in connection with downloading indecent images of children in 2013. He tried to cooperate with various services to address his sexual interest in children. However, as a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[13] on Thursday, March 13, heard, despite help and support, the 32-year-old continued to deliberately target young people online for his own sexual gratification.

The court was told that between January 23 and January 26 last year, Catlin contacted two girls aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activities after he contacted them through Facebook[14]. On the two occasions, Catlin asked the girls to masturbate for him and discussed teaching them about sex. Unbeknownst to him, the two Facebook pages had in fact been set up by officers from Devon and Cornwall Police[15].

The court heard that despite knowing the girls he thought he was chatting to were underage, his behaviour escalated from "gentle grooming" to highly sexualised conversations where he asked for pictures of the girls. His IP address was tracked to an address in Bodmin [16]and Catlin was arrested. He was later charged with two counts of attempting to cause / incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He pleaded guilty to all four charges. Feleena Grosvenor, defending, said Catlin's misuse of alcohol and cannabis had been high at the time of the offences in January 2024 and his mental health was low. She said that while his behaviour was "unhealthy", Catlin, now from Bread Street in Penzance[17], had received a "harsh warning".

Ms Grosvenor added: "He has lost his job. He suffers from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) from a childhood trauma and he is still being harassed by paedophile hunters. He needed support that had not been offered before.

But he is making progress and that support would stop if he went to prison. "He is now getting the help that should have been sorted for him many years ago. Long-term rehabilitation would be better than immediate incarceration."

His Honour Judge Simon Carr did not see it that way and said Catlin's most recent offending had been an escalation since his last offences a decade or so ago. He said Catlin's actions had been deliberate in targeting children. He added: "You started with some gentle grooming to gain their confidence but this turned to highly sexualised conversations.

You wanted to be their teacher. You asked for pictures of them masturbating and of their underwear. "Had you not been caught by the police you would have continued.

This was a significant escalation from your offending in 2013." Judge Carr added: "To your credit you sought help from various agencies to assist with your issues of mental health, alcohol and a sexual interest in children but you didn't seek out that help at the time when you were first offending. You have been trying to manipulate the situation.

"You were caught out lying to very experienced probation officers. Your version of events was not true and when this was pointed out you simply shrugged your shoulders and tried to move on. You tried to get away with it.

The probation officers has real concerns about working with you. "You have an entrenched sexual interest in children. You represent a high risk of serious harm to children."

Judge Carr sentenced Catlin to three years in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed for 10 years.

Catlin will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Stuart Lee

Stuart Charles Lee has been sent to prison for beating up his ex at her home in Hayle in December 2024 -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police A woman was left with severe chest pain and coughed up blood for weeks after being brutally assaulted by her ex. Violent recovering heroin addict Stuart Lee attacked the woman at her own address while on police bail with a condition not to contact her.

The 48-year-old from Meneage Parc in Helston[18] and his former on-off partner had an argument over something trivial and it was during that altercation that he grabbed her by her clothes and pushed her violently into a shelving unit in the kitchen of her home. She fell to the floor and landed on her neck and chest and was unable to move, being in so much pain. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[19] on Thursday, March 13, heard how Lee's victim suffered from chest pain for some time and coughed up blood for weeks after.

On December 17 last year, some three weeks after the first incident, Lee went back to her address in Hayle[20] and forced his way in despite her repeated attempts to keep him out. He again grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and headbutted her in the face causing injuries to her nose. She only managed to free herself from him when she punched him and he left.

The court was told that she was on the floor crying for an hour being in so much pain. Lee was later arrested and taken to Camborne[21] police station where in interviews he denied any involvement in the two incidents or that he had even seen his ex partner. He was later charged with two offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and pleaded guilty to them.

In July last year, Devon and Cornwall Police[22] launched a public appeal to find him after he went on the run and was wanted in connections with reports of stalking, harassment and assault. In a victim personal statement read out in court, his ex partner said: "There have been ongoing issues with him for many years but I can't put up with the abuse any longer. I feel worthless.

I feel I can't go on. He has taken everything from me. I have nothing left to give.

I can't cope with the abuse any longer. I want him out of my life and stay out of my life." The court was told that after the latest abuse, his victim had tried to take her own life.

Lee has 18 previous convictions for 47 offences including domestic violence and battery on previous partners and breaches of protection orders. In mitigation, barrister Ramsay Quaife said Lee is a recovering heroin addict on a reduced methadone prescription. He said he has got some accommodation lined up for six months which could be lost if he were to be sent to prison.

Mr Quaife said Lee has been engaging with the addiction services at We Are With You and has managed to sober up while on remand since December. He said: "Taking in consideration his physical and mental health, this man needs help to keep him out of trouble and on the straight and narrow." His Honour Judge Simon Carr said the offences had happened when Lee was under an order not to make contact with his ex at any cost, something he had ignored.

He said: "A minor argument developed but you lost your temper and attacked her and caused such injuries that she had considerable pain in her chest and coughed up blood. A few weeks later you returned to her address when she didn't want you in her house. You forced your way in and headbutted her in the face before leaving her cold and crying on the floor.

I note the challenges you face and the attempt you have made to challenge your addiction." Judge Carr said that because of the nature of the attacks on two separate occasions which were carried out while on police bail, Lee's previous convictions and the domestic incident setting, only a custodial sentence would do. He sentenced Lee to 10 months in prison.

He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. A restraining order for five years was also imposed on him.

Stephen Wills and Leum Barrett

Two members of an organised crime gang that connected London and Cornwall have been jailed. Stephen Wills and Leum Barrett helped traffic tens of thousands of pounds-worth of cocaine into the South West.

Exeter Crown Court heard that between July and November 2019, Wills and Barrett were involved in an organised crime gang's operation to deliver high-purity drugs from London to dealers in the Exeter area. Other members of the gang, Adi Lleshi, Mark Vasija and Richard Armitage, are already behind bars, having been convicted at previous trials for their roles in supplying cocaine to towns across the South West. Lleshi delivered cocaine to the Exeter-based conspirators.

On one of these occasions, he drove to a property in Chagford. Whilst he was in there, Barrett was seen outside the address and appeared to be waiting for someone. Shortly after, Wills made phone calls to Barrett and Armitage who arrived at the property and entered before Lleshi left with a bag, having received payment for the drugs.

All parties left the address at the same time. Lleshi went on to deliver cocaine elsewhere in the South West. Barrett and Wills were in significant telephone contact with each other that evening.

-Credit:Devon & Cornwall Police

Subsequent enquiries found that this property was rented to Armitage who paid the bills. The gang thought it was a safe house and was unaware that it was under surveillance by law enforcement agencies, led by Devon & Cornwall Police. During the course of the investigation, searches were carried out at all the suspects' addresses, and more than a quarter of a kilogram of cocaine was found at the home addresses of Wills and Barrett.

These seizures had a total street value of GBP40,000 and the evidence suggested the Exeter-based dealers still had the ability to buy and sell large amounts of cocaine. The group also used mobile phones which had the highest level of encryption. Following interviews of all the suspects, a full file was submitted to the Complex Case Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service and charges were made.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Ben Davies said: "This was a substantial and complex investigation in which large quantities of Class-A drugs destined for the streets of Plymouth[23], Bristol, Torquay and Penzance[24] were seized. "The large quantities of criminal money also recovered demonstrated the extent of the drugs empire and its foothold in the South West of England."

-Credit:Devon & Cornwall Police Wills and Barrett were both found guilty of conspiring to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine at a trial which concluded on Friday 6 December.

John Brewster, 35, of Dixon Way, Calne, was found not guilty of conspiring to supply a Class A drug at the same trial. Wills and Barrett were jailed for a combined total of 14 years by Judge Stephen Climie at a hearing at Exeter[25] Crown Court on Thursday, March 13. Wills, aged 36, of Bridford, Exeter, was sentenced to nine years in jail for a catalogue of offences including conspiring to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine.

He was also sentenced on three separate charges to which he had previously pleaded guilty. He was convicted of conspiring to supply a class A drug, conspiring to supply a class B drug and for possession of a prohibited firearm. Barrett, 35, of Newton Poppleford, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to supply a class A drug and three-and-a-half years for possession with intent to supply cocaine to be served concurrently.

The convictions are the result of a large-scale investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police[26]'s Serious and Organised Crime Branch, aided by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit. DSupt Davies added: "Sentences handed out today send a clear message to those who feel that they can transport drugs into our communities, set up and sell them. "The judge was very clear that this group of criminals were sophisticated, organised and operating across the region.

I commend the professionalism and dedication of our Serious and Organised Crime Investigation Team supported by the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the lengths they have gone to ensuring that the organised crime group were identified, arrested and convicted. "This complex investigation took place during the national pandemic which brought challenging conditions to both the teams and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Working together ensures that those who commit serious organised crime will be dealt with robustly by the police and CPS.

"I thank the CPS and those that work within it for their continued support in making the communities of Devon[27] and Cornwall[28] safer for all. Devon and Cornwall Police will continue to pursue these organised crime groups in order to protect the communities they target. "I would urge any residents to have the confidence to call the police or Crimestoppers to report drug-dealing activity so that we can be made aware and look to stop it as soon as possible."

Ann Hampshire, Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with the investigative team from Devon and Cornwall Police to build the strongest possible case against this organised crime group. "This was a complex, large-scale investigation, and it took many months to review and consider the vast amounts of evidential material and build a picture of the criminal network. Through this work we were able to demonstrate the individual role of each defendant and the part they played in the county lines distribution of drugs from London into the South West.

"The CPS will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the police to ensure that those involved in bringing drugs into the South West are brought to justice."

Steven Smith

Steven Smith -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police An addict who stole from two shops, assaulted shop staff and police officers and drove on the wrong side of the road and caused a head-on crash has blamed a bad batch of drugs. On the morning of December 6 Steven Smith took his mother's car without her consent and while under the influence of drugs, drove into St Austell[29] and stole from Poundland and Sports Direct.

When confronted by staff in the two shops, he became aggressive and violent and, after being followed by the manager of the sports goods shop, attacked him with a tin can he had stolen from Poundland and hid under his jacket. When confronted further by the staff who were just doing their job, Smith, 42, from Milton Brow in Weston-Super-Mare, threatened to inflict further violence on them. Fleeing the scene, he returned to his mother's car and, while driving towards Mevagissey, was on the wrong side of the road and crashed head-on into another car, causing the elderly driver to suffer a cracked sternum and ribs and writing off his car.

Smith also fled that scene and, after being tracked and arrested by police, kicked off and assaulted one of the arresting officers from Devon and Cornwall Police[30], threatened them with violence and threatened their children before further damaging the police van. In a victim impact statement read out at a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court [31]on Friday, March 14, the shop manager who was assaulted by Smith said: "I've been doing this job for eight years. I've had to deal with all sorts of people over the years but this was the worst incident.

I don't come to work to have that sort of language or be in fear for my safety." The elderly driver said he worried he would have to undergo surgery and he was lucky not to be killed. He added: "For him (Smith) to be on the wrong side of the road and not to check if I was okay after the accident is unacceptable."

The court heard that Smith has 33 previous convictions for 56 offences and had been serving a 12-month community order at the time of the offences. In mitigation for Smith, solicitor Philippa Harper said he had not made any excuses for his behaviour that day but said it had been "serious drug induced offending". She told the court: "He was in a bad place at the time having suffered the loss of his aunt whom had been very close to him.

She was like a second mother to him growing up and he felt her loss significantly. "So he relapsed back into drug taking which he uses as a method of calming himself down. He has some concerns that it may have been a bad batch as it gave him different experience and he didn't expect it would make him react in that way."

Ms Harper added that the drug fog meant Smith didn't remember much from the day, saying it had given him almost "an out of body experience". She added: "He was in a confused state of mind. He didn't want to steal anything or cause violence.

He wouldn't have done anything if he had been sober. He can be intelligent and articulate when not under the influence of drugs." Smith was eventually arrested and charged with a series of offences including assault, assault on an emergency worker, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to surrender to police, failing to provide a specimen, two counts of theft, criminal damage and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

He pleaded guilty to all charges. Ms Harper added: "He had a difficult upbringing and was regularly beaten up and bullied at school. He suffered from domestic abuse as a child and is waiting for an autism and Asperger assessment.

He describes his mum as his best friend and he wants to get that relationship back on track." His Honour Judge Simon Carr said the offences, while committed under the influence of drugs, had been appalling, especially assaulting shop staff doing their jobs. Judge Carr said it was sheer luck that no-one was killed or seriously injured as a result of the collision Smith caused when driving on the wrong side of the road.

He said: "You have an appalling record of violence and misuse of drugs and multiple assaults on emergency workers. You are not manageable in the community." He sentenced Smith, who had been on remand since December, to 18 months in prison where he will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence.

He also disqualified him from driving for 22 months and two weeks.

Shane Carroll

Shane Carroll -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police A man who was accused of a serious crime by his ex tried to have her drop all charges with threats of violence. Shane Carroll was ditched by his ex partner of 15 years because of his propensity to drink too much.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[32] on Friday (March 14) heard that after an argument in August last year, his ex made an allegation against him of a serious crime towards her and contacted Devon and Cornwall Police[33] with it. Whilst the police investigation was underway, Carroll was subject to a non-contact order. However the court was told that on two occasions last summer Carroll went to her home address, forced his way into her house and threatened to inflict violence upon her if she didn't drop the charges against him.

When she refused to do that, Carroll made it clear to his ex of the consequences. On one of the occasions he pushed her which caused bruising and swelling to her cheek then he grabbed her by the throat as she struggled to grab her phone and call for help. The court was told that she kicked him in the leg to get him off her and asked him to leave.

Before leaving her property he pushed her to the floor. Devon and Cornwall Police were eventually called and Carroll was arrested. In a victim impact statement read out in court, Carroll's ex said she feels angry that she feels like a prisoner in her own home when Carroll is free to lead his own life.

While police took no further action in connection with the allegation, Carroll was still charged with one count of witness intimidation and another of causing actual bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to both. Carroll, 35, of Pengegon Park, Camborne[34], has 10 previous conviction for 20 offences, including shoplifting, possession of an offensive weapon and battery.

Ryan Murray, defending, said Carroll had used his time on remand in prison constructively. He said that through his role processing new arrivals at HMP Exeter he sees faces who come back to prison regularly and does not want to be one of them. He added: "He has worked on improving his literacy skills.

He wants to get into employment. His spell in prison allowed him to reset his life and he is back on track after the abyss of drug use. He accepts that the relationship is at its end."

His Honour Judge Simon Carr said Carroll had ignored his police bail conditions not to contact his ex while a police investigation was ongoing but instead forced his way into her home and threatened her if she didn't drop the charges. "You attempted to derail the process and attempted to intimidate her and drop the charges against you," Judge Carr said. He sentenced him to 15 months in prison where he will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence.

Any time spent on remand will count towards it too. A restraining order was also imposed for five years.

William Medland

-Credit:Devon & Cornwall Police A man who sexually assaulted a sleeping party guest in his house has been jailed for ten years.

William Medland, 49, crept in on the woman while she was on the sofa, a court heard. She woke to find him groping her breasts, with his hands in her underwear and trying pull off her trousers. She fended him off and saw him leaving the room.

The next day Medland pretended nothing had happened and tried to lie his way out of trouble. But a jury found him guilty of assault by penetration and sexual assault. The trial heard there was strong forensic evidence linking him to the crime.

The trial was told the offences dated back to 2019. Prosecutor Brian Fitzherbert said it happened at Medland's address in Bude. The victim told police she had drunk two glasses of wine and two glasses of rum and ginger before feeling unwell.

She could not explain why she felt so strange and feared her drink had been spiked. It was not the prosecution case that Medland had spiked her. The woman fell to sleep on the sofa.

When she woke up she had a blanket over her head and felt someone groping her breasts before leaving. She woke again and felt her clothes being removed and being sexually assaulted. Throughout her ordeal the woman felt her body wasn't reacting to what her brain was telling her to do.

She also found it difficult to speak but did see Medland's face as he left the room. Medland told the trial the sexual assaults never happened. He said he had tried to help her because she was unwell.

But strong DNA evidence linked him to the crimes. The defendant, of Whitstone, Holsworthy, must serve two thirds of his sentence inside and sign the sex offender register for an indefinite period.

Jack Molin

A 23-year-old drink driver who caused a fatal crash said he deserved to be jailed and 'embraced it'. 'Decent hard-working' Jack Molin had drunk three pints of Guinness with work colleagues at a pub when he decided to drive to a McDonald's restaurant one day in July 2023. He strayed across the A30[35] Hayle[36] bypass and ploughed into a car driven in the opposite direction by 30-year-old solicitor Melissa Polglase,[37] from Penzance[38], who died at the scene.

The judge at Plymouth Crown Court saw dashcam footage which graphically showed the head-on crash as Molin's car flipped onto its roof. At the time of the crash Melissa's parents said their hearts had been ripped out by her death and nothing can ease their hurt. Tributes were paid to the young lawyer with her employer Penderlaw saying the whole team had been left heartbroken by her death.

In a tribute to Melissa at the time, they said: "We are heartbroken to announce the death of our much loved and respected friend and colleague, Melissa Polglase, who tragically passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones, and we send our deepest condolences to them at this awful time. "Mel joined Penderlaw in 2015.

She began her training contract in 2017, qualifying as a solicitor in 2019, and had become highly regarded in her chosen field of litigation. Mel was a complete force of nature; brave, intelligent, energetic, and passionate about her work. She was also a real live wire outside of the office, ready to grab any opportunity that came her way.

"We will all miss her beautiful smiling face, and are finding it so hard to take in the news that our wonderful friend and colleague has passed away at such a young age." Molin, of Highfield Road, Falmouth[39], who pleaded guilty to one charge of causing death by dangerous driving, said he was fully to blame for the crash and offered no excuses and said he momentarily lost concentration and drifted into her lane. He said he was disgusted with himself and deserved to be jailed.

His Honour Judge Robert Linford said Molin was a 'hard working, insightful, decent young man', adding: "You drank at least three pints and killed someone. No sentence I pass can bring her back." Molin was jailed for four years and banned from driving for eight years.

Tommy Walton

Tommy Walton, 19, of Penzance, was sentenced today (March 28) at Truro Crown Court -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police

A teenager from Penzance beat a complete stranger into unconsciousness before returning and gloating over his seriously injured victim. Tommy Walton, 19, was involved in an unprovoked and violent attack on the man in June of last year. Walton, of Penmere Road, Penzance, caused his victim "catastrophic" injuries including bleeds to the brain and a loss of hearing.

He was put into an induced coma for a week and his skull is now so unstable he has to wear a metal helmet occasionally. Walton appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, March 28, having pleaded guilty to one count of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. The court heard how a co-defendant, Cory Middleton, has already been sentenced to two and a half years in relation to the incident. Read about his case, here.[40][41]

The attack happened at 3.30am on June 16 last year in Penzance[42]. Security CCTV footage from a nearby shop captured the entire assault including showing Walton punching his victim in the head, with his head also smashing into an object behind him. The video also shows the pair later returning to the scene where the man lay seriously injured and making a celebratory fist-bump before they hug and disappear from view.

They were not known to the victim and it was described as a completely random attack following a night out. The court was told how Middleton started the attack but Walton almost immediately got involved. Following the attack, the victim was left visibly bleeding from his ears because of his injuries.

On their return to the victim, the pair appeared to show some initial concern but then seemingly "congratulated" one another. Later they have some sort of physical disagreement as Walton appears to show "greater concern" for the man than his co-defendant. They both left the scene and were not there by the time the ambulance attended.

The victim was initially taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital[43] and later to the specialist head injuries unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth[44]. The court was told by the prosecution that it was "by sheer skill of medical staff that this man survived". In mitigation, it was heard that Walton fully admitted responsibility and at no point tried to excuse his offending.

It was heard that he faces personal issues and had a "very challenging" start to life which made him "impressionable" and "foolish" but that he was deeply regretful and knew he could not begin to put right what he had done. Sentencing, His Honour Judge Simon Carr said: "I cannot understand what [the victim] could have done that would have justified what you did. He was a complete stranger, clearly worse for wear through drink himself.

He was posing absolutely no threat to you whatsoever and yet from standing near him you both launched yourself at him." He continued: "He was beaten into effective unconsciousness before you calmly walked away. It didn't end there for reasons I doubt even you can explain.

You returned and seemed to be gloating over the body before realising how serious the injuries were." He went on to describe the injuries suffered as "catastrophic", saying they will impact the victim each and every day of his life. Walton was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Matthew Bryant

-Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police

A jealous love rival set fire to the only exit of a man's flat - having started threatening him from the day he was released from prison. Matthew Bryant, 33, appeared at Truro Crown Court[45] for sentence on Friday, March 28, having pleaded guilty to one count of arson with intent to endanger life. Bryant, of St Michaels Road in Stratton, Bude[46], left his home with a petrol can and started a fire at the only exit from a ground-floor flat in December of last year, risking setting the rest of the building alight.

He later told a police officer he was "trying to do [his victim]". The court heard there was a history of animosity from the defendant towards his victim that had escalated to threatening behaviour. Bryant believed his ex-partner had stayed with the victim during a previous period of imprisonment which is where the problems stemmed from.

When the defendant was released from prison last year he visited his victim that very day and caused damage to his workshop but this was not reported to police. In November, Bryant began to send further text messages to his victim and his victim's sister. The court heard how those included threats telling them both "they were going to burn".

In December, he attended his victim's address, accessed the ground floor flat and began banging on the door. At around 8.45am he sent more threatening messages including saying "please don't make me do this shit". Bryant's father then contacted police explaining his son had gone out with a petrol can and "was in one of those moods".

He told police he felt something was going to happen but the officer who was sent that message was not working that day so did not pick it up. At 10.24pm the defendant bought a petrol can and filled it with petrol at the local Morrisons. A neighbour of the victim noticed his dogs barking later that evening, smelled smoke and described a "popping sound".

Smoke then emerged from the address which woke the victim whose porch, which was the only exit, was filled with it. Bryant had set light to his shoes, added rubbish and used petrol to accelerate it. Bryant later admitted at a police interview that he was "trying to do him" and "trying to burn him out".

Following the police interview, and while still in the room, he told the interviewing officer, "next time I'll use a 25-litre drum, that should do the job". Defending, Ramsay Quaife said Bryant has been using his time in custody as well as he can and that there appears to be a genuine motivation to use his time there as best he can. Mr Quaife added that he has a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Sentencing Bryant, His Honour Judge Simon Carr said: "You have been in dispute with the victim in this case for years, for reasons probably long lost in the mists of time which you took extremely personally and to heart." He said what followed was repeated contact, animosity and anger toward the victim including threats of physical violence. "The effects upon [the victim] have been devastating," he told Bryant. Bryant was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Ethan Edwards

Ethan Edwards, 20, from St Austell, attacked, kicked and stomped on a woman's head in a cowardly attack in November 2024 -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police

A 20-year-old "coward" viciously beat a 61-year-old woman while shouting, "why won't you just die" after she tried to stop him attacking another woman. Ethan Edwards was attacking a young woman when the 61-year-old spotted the assault and walked towards them, in the hope that it would encourage him to stop. Instead it sent Edwards into a frenzy of violence, and he beat the older woman and stamped on her head so badly she will need surgery to remove a permanent glare in her eyes.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[47] on Friday, March 28, heard how the older woman tried to seek refuge in The White Hart Hotel in St Austell but was chased by Edwards, of Trevithick Road in St Austell[48]. He then pushed and kicked her to the ground, repeatedly kicked her and stomped on her head while shouting "why won't you just die?" The woman received serious injuries to her head including fractures to her eye sockets and nose and as a result of the attack, which happened on November 1 last year, she has permanent scars and can no longer drive at night or watch TV because of her damaged eyesight.

The court also heard that the horrific injuries she received led to her developing tinnitus which is a debilitating condition with no cure. Ramsay Quaife, prosecuting, told the court that Edwards' victim had tried to play dead in the hope that the senseless beating would stop but it only did when the bouncer of a nearby pub came and intervened. He managed to detain Edwards until the police turned up.

While being taken to Camborne[49] police station for questioning, Edwards continued to spit at the officers and urinate in the police car. He was later interviewed and charged with assault by beating and another of Section 18 causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He later pleaded guilty to all charges.

In a statement read out in court, Edwards' victim said the attack had left her feeling like she needs to move away from the area as she now associates the street where it happened with the fear the attack caused her. She said the violence had deeply affected her and her life and left her to worry that had he killed her, her children and grandchildren would not have had anyone left as she is the "last of her generation" in her family. She said: "Loud noises make me jump.

It makes me more nervous. I can't drive or watch TV at night because of the shadows in my eyes. I will need to have surgery to correct it and have it removed.

"It has affected my sleep. My life has changed. I am more scared.

After the attack I was in agony for weeks. He is a coward for attacking me from behind in an unprovoked and unseen attack. I don't understand why he attacked me.

I have never felt so unsafe in my life. I feel I have to get away from this place to get away from the fear I associate with the place. "He left me feeling like a wounded animal.

I thought I was going to die." Jason Beal, defending, said Edwards had no recollection of the night in question or what he did but he has accepted his actions since. He said the 20-year-old was still young and immature and had been a man of good character until the attack last November.

He added: "He is remorseful and extremely ashamed as he should be for the way he behaved that night. He knows he is a coward." Mr Beal said Edwards had had a terrible childhood and had been the victim of and witness to domestic violence.

He added that Edwards has learning difficulties. He added: "He doesn't like violence. He has difficulties understanding how he behaved in such a violent way."

The court heard that Edwards has sobered up while on remand and realised that drinking is not the way forward. His Honour Judge Simon Carr said the violence Edwards had inflicted on his victim would have a life-long impact on her when she had been an entirely innocent victim. He said the attack had been as "bizarre as it is inexplicable".

Judge Carr said he had noted Edwards' youth and immaturity, difficult childhood and trauma, autism, PTSD and the challenges he had faced but insisted only a custodial sentence would be appropriate. Edwards was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. He will serve two thirds before being released on licence.

A restraining order has also been imposed on him for 10 years.

Steven Hawker

Steven Hawker from Grampound Road, near Truro, put a complete stranger through years of stalking after he got into his head that she was a danger to children and it was up to him to save her -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police A woman was followed, stared out, approached and laughed at maniacally by a paranoid-schizophrenic man who got it into his head that she was a danger to children and it was up to him to save her - when she was a complete stranger. Steven Hawker put his victim through hell for more than a decade after convincing himself that he needed to protect the world from her and watch her closely.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[50] on Friday March 28 heard how despite a non-stalking order imposed on him, Hawker, 49, from Parcandowr in Grampound Road between Truro[51] and St Austell[52], continued to stare at his victim, go to her place of work, stand at her bus stop for hours even when she did not take the bus, approach her, laughed menacingly in her proximity and stare through her car window when her vehicle was at a standstill in traffic. The court was told that Hawker would go to the Londis shop in The Square in Grampound Road and position himself so that his victim would have to squeeze past him when he would ask her if she was still scared of him. The court heard that indeed she was scared of him and his behaviour which first started in 2013 caused her, her partner and her children to be scared for their safety.

A stalking protection order was made by Cornwall Magistrates court on January 26, 2021 but that did not stop Hawker to continue his campaign of intimidation and harassment towards his victim. he was eventually arrested following the latest bout of breaches of the stalking order between May and September last year and he pleaded guilty to charges of stalking involving serious alarm / distress and breaching a stalking order. Despite pleading guilty to the various charges against him, the court was told that Hawker did not comprehend the harm he had caused, and said his presence in his victim's vicinity had only been "a chance coincidence" or "bad timing". Ed Bailey, defending, said Hawker's life fell apart when he was diagnosed with paranoid-schizophrenia and his mental health crashed.

"It's that mental disorder that's at the heart of his offending," he said. "From his part he is in partial denial and has limited awareness of the impact that his behaviour has had on his victim. "There is no doubt that this is a man who suffers delusions and the very unappetising delusions that his victim was a risk to children yet has no foundation, started out his peculiar behaviour of stares and visiting her at her place of work and threatening her in terms of his odd presentation." Mr Bailey said Hawker had been on anti-psychotic injections three times a month but did not always take his medications.

The court heard that because of Hawker's behaviour his victim and her family have now been shunned by some of their friends. His Honour Judge Simon Carr said Hawker certainly has some serious mental health issues but he has not always accepted that or medical help for it. He said Hawker and his victim were effectively complete strangers but he had convinced himself that she was a danger to children and was up to him to save her when it was all made up in his head.

Judge Carr said the stalking protection order had had no effect and only prison would help to protect his victim from Hawker's delusional behaviour. He sentenced Hawker to two years in prison. He will serve 40 per cent and any time served on remand will go towards the sentence before he is released on licence.

A tagging curfew and restraining order was also imposed on him for five years. ? Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone.

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