Somerset criminals jailed in April for horrific crimes

There are a whole raft of criminals who have been put behind bars in Somerset this month. Justice has been dispended to those who have broken the law and dishing out prison sentences The latest tranche of criminals includes drivers who have killed as a result of their driving, a man who carried out a stabbing, and a police officer caught in a paedophile sting.

Here SomersetLive looks at some of the criminals jailed in April MARK DAVIES A pagan who walked from Wales to Somerset on a "pilgrimage" to Glastonbury then went on a crime spree.

Job Vacancies

Contact/Information

Cardiff Crown Court heard Mark Davies stole three cars because he was "disillusioned with the world". The 41-year-old spent five days walking from his town Chepstow to Glastonbury on what he described as a spiritual journey for last year's winter solstice in which pagans celebrate the "re-birth" of the sun for the new year. Davies was among those to watch the sun come up on December 21 after the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, as WalesOnline reports.[1]

But in the Christmas period following the solstice, Davies committed a series of offences on his way back to Wales. These included the thefts of a Ford Mondeo in Glastonbury and both a Range Rover and VW Golf in Monmouthshire. He imposed a 30-month prison term and ordered Davies to pay the owner of the parcels ?26 in compensation.

JONATHAN FARRELLY

A Somerset woman beater who attacked his partner[2] and breached a restraining order has been jailed. Jonathan Farrelly, of Weston-super-Mare[3], was sentenced after admitting to attacking his victim in October last year after making her life a misery. The 36-year-old appeared at Taunton Crown Court[4] on April 17 and was given a 21-month prison sentence.

Farrelly was convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of breaching a restraining order. Farrelly repeatedly attacked his victim, leaving her with substantial bruising over her whole body[5]. In her victim personal statement, which was read out in court, she said: "My world got smaller and smaller.

It was easier if I did nothing, just stay in the house with the kids. My house no longer felt like a home."

Woman beater Jonathan Farrelly has been jailed (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

FIRAS ZEINEDDINE A man who killed a mother and daughter when he lost control of his speeding Tesla on the M4 has been jailed for 12 months.

Firas Zeineddine was driving at more than 90mph on a wet M4 in Wiltshire when he lost control, swerved into a lorry which then ploughed into Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith who were on the hard shoulder after an earlier minor collision. Zeineddine, from Bluebell Drive in Keynsham, near Bristol, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving and was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court, Monday, April 28. He was jailed for 12 months.

Firas Zeinnedine, 46, from Keynsham (Image: Wiltshire Police)

THOMAS WILKINSON A burglar and serial shoplifter has been jailed. Thomas Wilkinson was captured on camera stealing jewellery from a home after breaking in on Boxing Day last year.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 shoplifting offences, carried out between August 2024 and February 2025. Wilkinson also admitted to breaking into a home in Peasmarsh, near Ilminster, on December 26. He entered through the window and stole multiple items, including jewellery.

Officers identified him through CSI evidence gathered at the scene as well as a camera inside the property Wilkinson was unaware of. Wilkinson, of no fixed abode, was jailed for seven months at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 16. He was also ordered to pay ?100 compensation.

Thomas Wilkinson (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

WILLIAM LOOSLEY

A man who beat a teenage boy into unconsciousness and held another teenage girl down whilst on a train has been jailed for 10 months. William Loosley, 39, of Usk Way in Newport, was travelling on a train from Bristol towards Newport when he assaulted[6] two teenagers. Loosley pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and was sentenced to 10 months in jail at Newport Magistrates' Court on April 10.

William Loosley, 39 and of Usk Way, Newport. (Image: British Transport Police)

LIAM JONES

A man has been jailed after a 'reckless and dangerous' arson which burnt down a barn close to the Somerset border. Liam Jones, 29, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court[7] on April 22 for arson, and was jailed for four years. Jones called police shortly after committing the offence at around 3pm on January 24 this year, admitting that he had set fire to the barn on Quarry Lane, in Bratton, Wiltshire[8].

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Swindon Magistrates' Court on January 25. Local crime investigator Maria Doyle said, "This reckless and dangerous incident of arson has caused a significant financial loss to the farmer as well as causing issues with feed for his animals. "This was a serious offence that could have easily gone out of control.

Tackling rural crime remains a priority of Wiltshire Police, and we will not hesitate in bringing charges to court."

BENJAMIN FOSTER A man who drove an uninsured minibus into two cars which left three people seriously injured has been jailed. Benjamin Charles Foster crashed his Transit minibus, into a red Toyota Yaris and a red Volkswagen Polo, on the A30 near Sherborne.

Foster, 35, from Yeovil, was uninsured at the time. He drove the minibus into a filter lane as if to turn right before continuing onward towards oncoming traffic and colliding head on with the red Toyota Yaris. A red Volkswagen Polo, travelling behind the Yaris, consequently collided with the rear of the Yaris.

A man aged in his 60s was taken to hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries. Another man and a woman, both aged in their late teens, were also taken to hospital with serious injuries. A road closure was put in place to enable emergency services to safely deal with the incident.

Foster, pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday, April 16, to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, as well as charges of driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance, following the incident on September 7, 2023. Officers conducted a thorough investigation into the incident and following enquiries, Foster was arrested and subsequently charged in relation to the incident. He was jailed for four years and disqualified from driving for seven years by the court.

Police said Foster showed "utter contempt" for both the law and the victims.

Benjamin Charles Foster has been jailed (Image: Dorset Police)

IRFAN AZIZI AND MUHAMET JAHOLLA Two men have been jailed after being caught with multiple fake driving licences during a drugs raid. The story begins on February 20, 2024, when officers executed a section 23 drugs warrant at a property in Pockeridge Road, Corsham, Wiltshire[9].

It was the home of Irfan Azizi, 35, who was found in the upstairs bedroom of the property. Alongside Azizi in the bedroom was Muhamet Jahollari, 22. Both men were detained by officers[10]. A search of the property found a fake German driving licence belonging to Jahollari, and a car key which Jahollari was attempting to conceal from officers was seized.

This led officers to a vehicle insured to Jahollari using the details of the fake driving licence[11]. A second fake German driving licence was found inside the vehicle. In a hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, April 4, they were sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

The fake licences will also be destroyed and they will be required to pay a victim surcharge.

AMER KHAN A man has been jailed for 25 months after stabbing another man in a "terrifying" attack at a pub in Yeovil. Amer Khan, from Yeovil admitted to causing grievous bodily harm following an attack in July 2023.

The victim was stabbed in the armpit and had his neck cut by Khan during the attack in Preston Road. He was taken to hospital for treatment and was later discharged to recover at home. Khan was arrested the same day and later charged following an investigation.

On Tuesday, April 1 at Taunton Crown Court, Khan admitted causing GBH and was sentenced to 25 months in prison.

Amer Khan (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

THOMAS HARDYMAN A drink-driver has been jailed over the death of a man in a fatal crash last year. Thomas Hardyman was travelling alone from Keynsham when the fatal accident occurred around 3.30pm on Sunday, January 21.

Hardyman was driving his Range Rover on the B3116 Burnett Hill, near Keynsham, when his vehicle veered into the opposite lane, causing a head-on collision with a Peugeot van. Dashcam footage retrieved from his vehicle during the police investigation revealed his car clipping the kerb and drifting into the opposite lane several times before the fatal collision. The driver of the van, Julian Cole, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Following the incident, Hardyman was taken to Southmead Hospital, where it was discovered that he was almost three times over the legal drink-drive limit. A passenger in the van, plus two occupants of a third vehicle that subsequently collided with the vehicles during the incident, all were physically unharmed. In a hearing in January, Hardyman admitted guilt to causing death by careless driving.

The sentencing of Hardyman, a resident of Compton Martin, occurred following a previous drink-driving conviction in 2024, which took place seven months after the fatal collision that killed Mr Cole. Hardyman was handed an eight-year prison sentence Friday, April 4, at Bristol Crown Court. Hardyman, 38, will also be banned from driving for an additional eight years following his release from prison.

Thomas Hardyman sentenced (Image: Avon and Somerset police)

THOMAS KETTLEBOROUGH

Thomas Kettleborough's life and career with Avon and Somerset Police[12] finally fell apart for good in a car park in Bristol. The paedophile police officer was caught in a sting operation when he travelled to the city with the intention of meeting and abusing a 14-year-old boy[13] he met on Grindr, a dating app. He has now been jailed for 32 months, his dark secret having been exposed. Inspector Thomas Kettleborough[14], 35, was held in high regard by his colleagues and volunteered with the Sea Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society before he was caught red handed by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Bondage equipment and limb restraints were found in his car, Exeter Crown Court heard[15]. His intentions were clear. Nicholas Lewin, prosecuting, said Kettleborough had used a false name, calling himself Liam on Grindr and Snapchat, and claimed to be 28.

Paedophile Thomas Kettleborough, 35, formerly an Inspector at Avon and Somerset Police, has been jailed (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

BILLY LANE, KYLE NUTLEY AND NATHAN SMITH

Three men have been jailed for their involvement in a 'brutal' attack where a man was stabbed. Two of the three men, from Weston-super-Mare, have been jailed for more than four years each after admitting to attacking a man last year. Appearing at Bristol Crown Court last week, Billy Lane, 24 of Greenford in London and Kyle Nutley, 54, and Nathan Smith, 34, both of Weston-super-Mare all pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The victim of their attack was approached by the trio on Alexandra Parade after an argument on June 9, 2024. Lane hit the victim and repeatedly kicked him while he was on the ground. Both Nutley and Smith then stabbed him.

The victim suffered a collapsed lung and multiple other injuries which required hospital treatment. He has since been released home. Lane was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.

Nutley and Smith were both jailed for four year and nine months.

(L-R) Kyle Nutley, Billy Lane, Nathan Smith (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

THOMAS BEASLEY, DEVON FELTHAM, COURTNEY FELTHAM, RACHAEL BEER, HARRY DYER, JOEL POWIS Six people have been jailed for their role in a drugs supply network[16] after ?2.4 million of cocaine was found in a car boot in Weston-super-Mare. The six people, all from Somerset[17], were jailed following a hearing in Taunton[18] Crown Court.

The six people, who sat at North Somerset Magistrates' Court[19], were jailed on Monday, March 31. During the hearing, Judge Paul Cook said the drug supply was on an "industrial scale" involving "eye-watering" quantities of narcotics. Those sentenced were:

• Thomas Beasley, 35, of Apple Tree Close, Norton Fitzwarren - jailed for 14 years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine
• Devon Feltham, 32, of Birch Grove, Chard[20] - jailed for 12 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine
• Courtney Feltham, 24, of Birch Grove, Chard- jailed for 10 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine
• Rachael Beer, 47, of Beach Road, Weston-super-Mare[21] - jailed for nine years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property (cash)
• Harry Dyer, 32, of Cedern Avenue, Weston-super-Mare - jailed for nine years and four months after admitting two counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply ketamine
• Joel Powis, 36, of Brockley Crescent, Weston-super-Mare - jailed for six years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine

Six people have been jailed for their role in a drugs supply network. Top row L-R: Thomas Beasley, Harry Dyer and Rachael Beer.

Bottom row L-R: Devon Feltham, Courtney Feltham and Joel Powis. (Image: Avon & Somerset Police)

Somerset Live WhatsApp Breaking News and Top Stories

Join Somerset Live's WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone Somerset Live[22] is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community. Through the app, we'll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'.[23] No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Somerset Live[24] team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out at any time you like. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'.

If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.[25]

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.[26]

References

1. ^ as WalesOnline reports. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ woman beater who attacked his partner (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Weston-super-Mare (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Taunton Crown Court (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^ substantial bruising over her whole body (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
6. ^ assaulted (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
7. ^ Swindon Crown Court (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
8. ^ in Bratton, Wiltshire (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
9. ^ Wiltshire (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
10. ^ Both men were detained by officers (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
11. ^ fake driving licence (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
12. ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
13. ^ travelled to the city with the intention of meeting and abusing a 14-year-old boy (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
14. ^ Inspector Thomas Kettleborough (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
15. ^ Exeter Crown Court heard (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
16. ^ drugs supply network (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
17. ^ Somerset (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
18. ^ Taunton (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
19. ^ Court (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
20. ^ Chard (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
21. ^ Weston-super-Mare (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
22. ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
23. ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
24. ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
25. ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
26. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)