Perverts, drug dealers and violent thugs banged up at Truro Crown Court in July

A takeaway owner who raped and sexually abused a young girl, a paedophile, and a dangerous driver who killed a beloved dad in a head-on crash while under the influence of cocaine are among the criminals to be locked up by judges this month. Each of those and more have been jailed this month at Truro Crown Cour[1] t, with some long sentences being handed out.[2] Here we look back at the court cases where only a prison sentence, or hospital order, was deemed appropriate. 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 so some may not be included.

Below are the articles as published at the time.

Cocaine driver

A driver high on cocaine lost control of his car and veered into oncoming traffic before smashing headfirst into a car carrying a baby. Paul Kingcombe, 51, from Collin Close in Plymouth, lost control of his car whilst under the influence of cocaine and oversteered after jerking to the left and hitting the grass verge. As he tried to regain control, he oversteered into the opposite lane and crashed into a car driven by Paul May, who was driving his family - including his 18-month-old granddaughter - home from a Christmas[3] party.

It was later described as a "miracle" that the baby wasn't injured in the crash, but unfortunately Paul suffered injuries that he couldn't survive. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[4] on Friday, July 25, was told that Kingcombe had been known to take drugs at work during his lunchbreaks and would "be bouncing off the walls in the afternoon" but was still allowed to drive home. The court heard from Mr May's family of the devastation his death had caused and how the "void he left in their lives can never be filled".

In powerful victim impact statements, the May family expressed their immense sense of loss at losing a beloved father and grandfather who will not get the chance to play with his grandchildren as they grow. Whitney May, Paul's daughter, was seriously injured in the crash and saw her baby daughter being taken away from the crash scene to hospital as she laid helpless and hurt in the car. She said while Kingcombe has received some injuries in the collision on December 27, 2022, on the A388 at St Dominick, near Callington, "the mindless decision you made that day changed our lives forever".

She said: "My dad was my hero, my best friend, my everything. It didn't change your life like it changed ours. You carried on living while my dad died."

Her sister said their dad was the funniest man around and had been a great father. She said he was someone who would always help and he always reminded her to be careful on the road. She added: "You have killed my dad and you have the same name.

Paul May was someone you could rely on. You don't deserve the name 'Paul'. You have mentioned your mental health but you have had no thought for our own mental health and what you did to us all.

I will never forgive you. You will not be part of our lives. You mean nothing to me.

You are nothing. "Your actions deprived us of the most wonderful man. My dad was the glue that held our family together.

The hole you left in our hearts will never be filled." His Honour Judge Carr said it had been a miracle that Whitney May's 18-month-old baby had survived unscathed from the crash. Helen May, who received long-lasting serious injuries in the collision, which have reduced the mobility in her right arm, said Kingcombe had killed her husband and her children's father.

She said Kingcombe had ruined all their lives. She told the court that for a long time after the crash she did not want to go into Plymouth for fear she might bump into the man responsible for the death. She said: "I will never be able to be with Paul again.

He went through cancer twice and survived. Paul was cancer-free, but his life was taken away from him just when he was supposed to be enjoying it." The court heard how Mr May had been 65 at the time of his untimely death and had been working since he was 14 to provide for his family.

He had been looking forward to retirement and spending more time with his family. Kingcombe, who has a previous conviction for intent to supply cocaine for which he received a suspended sentence in 2018, was arrested after recovering from his own injuries and charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three of causing serious injuries by dangerous driving. Sign up[5] to receive daily updates and breaking news alerts from CornwallLive straight to your inbox

He pleaded guilty to all four charges at the earliest opportunity. The court was told that in police interviews that Kingcombe couldn't explain the crash nor why he had taken cocaine for "I didn't knowingly take cocaine in the days before the collision". He added: "I don't know how it occurred or why.

My apologies and sympathies to all the people involved. I'm sorry I can't provide any explanation as I don't know myself." The court was told that Kingcombe had made comments to colleagues about taking drugs and telling them he "doesn't care if he lives or gets hurt or killed in a car crash".

It was also heard that Kingcombe had tried to take his life on several occasions over the last three years because he couldn't cope with the guilt. Jason Beal, defending Kingcombe, said no words could ever express any meaningful mitigation in response to the "carnage Kingcombe's actions had caused to so many people" or could compensate for the "incalculable loss" they have suffered. He said Kingcombe cannot recall the events of that fateful day but accepted he had caused the death of Mr May and injured his family members by trying "to boost his energy levels by taking drugs" which was a "catastrophic decision" for so many other people.

Mr Beal said Kingcombe's mental health had deteriorated before the collision and his sleeping pattern was non-existent. He said he was bipolar and suffered from anxiety and depression and he started drinking more and taking drugs as a result. He added: "The real victims are Mr May and his family."

Judge Carr said it had taken far too long for this case to come to court. He said Mr May had been enjoying the festive season and had been happy when Kingcombe, for no apparent reason, lost control of his car and hit the Mays. While noting that Kingcombe had expressed genuine remorse for his actions, he told him: "It's a miracle an 18-month-old baby escaped unhurt from this crash.

The void left by Mr May's death will never be filled." He told Kingcombe that receiving a suspended sentence for intent to supply cocaine in 2018 should have been a wake-up call, but it sadly was not. He added: "You have shown true remorse but your drug use was out of control at the time."

Judge Carr sentenced Kingcombe to 12 years in prison. He is also banned from driving for five years after his release from prison and will need to take an extended driving test before being allowed back behind the wheel.

Boardmasters drugs smugglers

Two men caught trying to smuggle huge amounts of drugs into Boardmasters[6] have been jailed. The paid, from Birmingham, were travelling to last year's festival when their van was stopped by police on the A30[7] near Bodmin[8].

The vehicle, being driven by Levi Bethune-Jones and Luke Belcher, contained hundreds of drug tablets as well as 174g of ketamine and two boxes of nitrous oxide cannisters. Officers also located and seized GBP1680 in cash, which was later confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The pair were arrested at the side of the road and the drugs were found during a search of their van.

In total, police found:

• 411 2CB tablets
• 225 MDMA tablets
• 174 grams of ketamine
• 70 grams of cannabis resin
• 31 grams of herbal cannabis
• 137 grams of magic mushrooms
• 2 boxes of nitrous oxide cannisters

Bethune-Jones, aged 37, of Sandford Road, Birmingham, was found guilty of five counts of possession with intent to supply drugs following a trial at Truro[9] Crown Court in April 2025. Belcher, aged 36, of Willows Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to five counts of possession with intent to supply drugs. A third man was charged but was found not guilty of the offences.

Both men were sentenced at Truro Crown Court[10] on June 26 by HHJ Judge Hadden. Bethune-Jones was handed a three year and eight month sentence, while Belcher given three years. Detective Inspector Claire Nicholls said: "We are pleased that not only were these drugs located and seized but also that the two men who had intent to sell them have been dealt with by the courts.

"We hope this acts as a deterrent to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the young demographic of Cornwall's largest festival - we will not tolerate drug crime and we will take robust action. "We will always endeavour to keep our communities safe and protected from a variety of crime including drug trafficking and encourage anyone with information which may help us, to report it." Rob Spring, Festival Director, Boardmasters says: "Boardmasters operates a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs and substances in line with UK law.

We are extremely grateful to Devon & Cornwall Police for working alongside us to help prevent such activity at the festival. "Their continued partnership plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of our customers, staff, artists, and the wider community. We fully support the efforts of law enforcement to keep illegal substances out of the event and off our roads, and we work closely with all local authorities throughout planning and delivery to provide a secure environment before, during, and after the show."

Paedophile abused victims for years

A paedophile with previous convictions for sexually abusing children has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars for doing it again.

Paul Bebbington pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and sexual assault on boys and girls under the age of 16 and under the age of 13 on the first day of his trial which had been due to take place earlier this week. The charges relate to incidents which took place in North Devon in the late nineties and in the wider St Austell[11] area of Cornwall in 2019 and 2020. At a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[12] today (Friday, July 11), it was heard how the historic and more recent sexual abuse went on over several decades and involved several children.

In powerful victim impact statements read out in court, his victims said Bebbington had wrecked their lives as children, but all also insisted that they would not let him wreck their adult lives further. One of the victims said the damage has already been done and they have to live with it for the rest of their lives. Another said their mental health has been impacted greatly and they continue to suffer from regular mood swings, anxiety and depression.

They said: "He ruined my childhood. I will not allow him to ruin my adulthood. I'm happy that he will be behind bars where he belongs and children are safe from one more sexual offender."

Another of Bebbington's victims also said their mental health has been affected by the sexual abuse they suffered and they have now been diagnosed with complex post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They said they find it difficult to switch off and go to sleep. The court was told that the 66-year-old from Snowlands, Par, was sentenced to two years in prison back in 1998 in connection with similar incidents of sexual assaults on a girl under the age of 16.

In mitigation, Jason Beal said Bebbington may have entered a guilty plea on the day of his trial but at least he had done so and not put his victims through the ordeal of having to give evidence. He said: "He does accept his guilt. His pleas are a public recognition that he has done wrong to these children."

Mr Beal also said Bebbington is in poor health with stage three chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and will find it more difficult in prison than if he had been in good health. His Honour Judge James Adkin said Bebbington had caused immense harm to his victims over decades, the effect of which will "cast a long shadow over the rest of their lives". He said Bebbington's defence had been limited and any remorse shown had been tempered by a very late guilty plea.

He sentenced him to 15 years and 10 months in prison. Bebbington will serve two thirds before being eligible for parole. A sexual harm prevention order for 30 years was imposed on him and he will be on the sex offenders register for 30 years too.

Takeaway owner raped and assaulted young girl

A Cornwall takeaway owner who raped and assaulted a young girl has been put behind bars for up to 15 years.

Necip Uslu, 45, subjected his victim to a series of sexual offences which made her fear he would "break in" to her home and "kill [her]". Uslu, of Fore Street in Redruth[13], appeared at Truro Crown Court[14] for sentence today (Thursday, July 3) having been found guilty of several counts of sexual offences ranging from assault by touching to rape. The court heard how the despicable abuse occurred at a time when the victim was under the age of 13.

Uslu, owner of Kernow Takeaway in Redruth[15], denied all charges but was found guilty by a jury following a trial held at Truro Crown Court this week. In a victim impact statement the brave teenager said, "I couldn't feel safe" and that she lived in fear "he would rape me again". She said his actions have left a lasting impact, which means she reacts fearfully to touch. "Going through this process was stressful and I can't take my childhood back," she said.

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Simon Carr called the abuse "systematic" and "appalling". "The effect, it is clear from the victim's personal statement, will be with her for the rest of her life. You show no insight and no remorse for the harm you have caused," Judge Carr told him. Uslu, a Turkish national who moved to Cornwall more than 25 years ago, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment and an additional year on licence.

He will serve two-thirds before being eligible for release. Uslu must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life. The officer in the case, Detective Constable 10461 Joanna De Seta of the Public Protection Unit said: "I would like to thank the victim for bravely disclosing what Uslu had done to her and for supporting the case throughout the court process.

Her doing so has allowed us to bring Necip Uslu to justice. "These serious investigations sometimes take a considerable time to progress to court and her courage has been unwavering. Uslu's abuse had a huge impact on the victim's schooling and life in general and we hope she is now able to feel some closure.

Uslu never had the courage to admit what he had done, meaning the victim was forced to give evidence in court. "Devon and Cornwall Police[16] continue to investigate all reports of sexual abuse made to us, regardless of when the abuse took place, and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure sexual offenders, such as Necip Uslu, are held accountable and see justice for their crimes."

Violent decorator

A decorator attacked a drinker with a "metal baton" at a brewery's pub garden and left him with "profound injuries", a court has heard. Kerry Williams, 53, was seen in footage swearing with blood on his face and clothes following the assault.

Williams, of Pauls Row in Truro[17], appeared at Truro Crown Court[18] today (Wednesday, July 2) to be sentenced having been found guilty by a jury of wounding with intent following a two-day trial this week. The painter and decorator told the jury that he felt threatened by the victim and that is why he attacked him on the night in question at Skinner's Brewery tapyard. He argued to the court that he used a wooden paint mixer, but a judge said it was more likely a metal rod of some kind, as it inflicted deep and serious wounds that left the victim with scars.

The incident occurred on September 9, 2024, on Newham Road in Truro, following weeks of text exchanges between the pair. CCTV and phone footage showed Williams striking or attempting to strike his victim at least seven times in what his barrister called a "spur of the moment" attack. In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge James Adkin said that the incident came as a result of ongoing "antagonism" between the pair.

He remarked that due to the injuries inflicted, the weapon was more likely some kind of metal rod than a wooden stick, as suggested by Williams during the trial. "You'd exchanged messages in the weeks before the confrontation and it seems to me that you went to the tapyard expecting some sort of confrontation and you were armed with what might be best described as a short, metal baton. I am sure that it wasn't a wooden paint stirrer.

It doesn't look like that on the photographs and the injuries inflicted were just too deep." The victim needed two lacerations to be glued and described the attack as having a "profound" and "ongoing" impact on him and his life. Williams was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

The judge said Williams would be required to serve half or two-thirds of the sentence before release.

Vile son

A vile son left his mum sobbing and hiding when he attacked her at her home last month, even though he should have been staying well away from her. Joseph Tucker, 44, left his mother scared and hiding in a bathroom after the incident in June. It happened while he was living with her for a short time but he shouldn't have been anywhere near her due to a restraining order.

Tucker, of HMP Bristol, appeared at Truro Crown Court[19] for sentencing today (Tuesday, July 1), having pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order. The court heard how Tucker was prohibited from contacting or entering the address of his mother in Newquay[20] following a previous conviction but lived with her for two weeks during which he assaulted her. In the incident, an argument ensued as his mother threw out some of his steroids so he grabbed her by the face and pushed her through the dining room and into the kitchen.

She was discovered by police hiding in the bathroom, "sobbing and distraught". In his defence, his lawyer said Tucker had been out of trouble for some time but wanted to go to prison, get help and come out "the son he hasn't been". Sentencing, Judge James Adkin, said: "[Your mum] expected perhaps a short term stay when she thought you were sober.

You weren't sober, you were drinking again." He added that she was "clearly very frightened of [Tucker] when [he is] intoxicated." Tucker, who has a significant criminal history, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. A five-year restraining order was also issued.

The class A drug dealer

A prolific dealer told police "to get on with it" as they searched his house for drugs while he was serving a suspended sentence.

Jacob Simmonds was given a suspended sentence for two years in August 2024 at Plymouth[21] Crown Court after being caught with class A drugs in his car on the M5. Then, in June this year, Devon and Cornwall Police[22] executed an arrest warrant at Simmonds' home in Madron, near Penzance[23] and before they could search the house, he told officers he had a quantity of cash, cannabis and class A drugs including 71.28g of crack cocaine and about 17g of heroin. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court[24] today (Tuesday July 29) heard how Simmonds also told officers that they would find other drugs in his BMW car parked in the drive outside and told them "he wanted to accept the charges and get on with it".

The court was told that when Simmonds, 26, appeared before magistrates' court the next day he pleaded guilty to one charge of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, namely crack cocaine, another one of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A - heroin, a third charge of possession a controlled drug of Class B - Cannabis / Cannabis Resin and a fourth charge of acquiring / possession of criminal property namely more than GBP4,000 in cash. Simmonds also admitted being in breach of his previous two-year suspended sentence. The court heard that Simmonds has four previous convictions for five offences including drug offences.

In mitigation, Rupert Taylor said Simmonds had admitted all the charges straight away. He said Simmonds had given in to the temptation of dealing drugs because of the allure of money and seeing others in the group he was part of enjoying a certain lifestyle. Mr Taylor added: "He has been found with the drugs, it's not like he was on the street dealing drugs.

He wanted to clear a debt. He has had the sense and courage to admit it. He has a young family and can make a worthwhile contribution to society, but in the meantime he knows he will have to pay a price for his behaviour."

His Honour Judge James Adkin swatted down any defence that Simmonds is not a dealer saying "it is a clear case of someone selling directly to users". He told Simmonds: "You had incurred a debt and that goes with the territory when dealing drugs and you get caught." Sentencing Simmonds to four and a half years, Judge Atkin warned him: "Next time we meet it will be seven years minimum because you will be a three-striker." Simmonds has to serve 40 per cent of his sentence before he will be eligible for release on licence.

The coercive woman beater

The victim of a shocking case of domestic violence has spoken about how she is finally able to rebuild her life after being made to believe the abuse she received for years was all her fault. Ben Adams showed no remorse and continued to blame his partner for the beatings and emotional violence she suffered at his hands when he appeared for sentencing at Truro Crown Court[25] today (Tuesday, July 29).

The hearing was told that the 67-year-old from Manor Road in Camborne[26] engaged in coercive, controlling and violent behaviour towards his former partner after she moved in with him during the Covid pandemic. For more than two years he repeatedly and regularly strangled and beat her, sometimes hitting her with a wooden stick or the handle of a knife. He dragged her down the stairs, hit her head against kitchen cupboards, and kicked her in the head.

His Honour Judge Simon Carr said that at no point did Adams show any insight into what he did to his partner and the emotional, mental and physical hell he put her through. The court heard how the brutal beatings were a constant feature of Adams' partner's life, but Adams always managed to convince her she was in the wrong and her suffering at his hands was her fault. In a powerful victim impact statement, Adams' victim told the court how Adams would insult her, demean her and be verbally and physically abusive when he had meant to be the one protecting and loving her.

She told the court how on one occasion he even insulted her saying she was "the worst part of every woman he had ever met". She added: "I truly believed that I was provoking him. He said I wore my bruise like a badge of honour.

But I have been slowly unpicking the stitches of my life and I am slowly learning that it was not my fault." She told the court how Adams had stolen her confidence, her ability to laugh and enjoy the little things like taking pride in her house or tending to her allotment. The court heard that as a result of the violence she suffered between July 2020 and October 2022, she continues to have nightmares, anxiety, worries about being in society, has difficulties sleeping and is relearning to see her friends and family.

She told the court: "It is the realisation that it was all a lie. Everything he told me, including the love he proffered to have for me, was a lie. In fact, he didn't like me, let alone love me.

"I'm embarrassed at having to adopt constant self-affirmations that it was not my fault. Everything he put me through was for a lie." Adams was eventually arrested and charged but denied it all saying his partner was the one attacking him.

He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to one charge of engaging in controlling / coercive behaviour in an intimate / family relationship, contrary to section 76(1) and (11) of the Serious Crime Act 2015. In his defence, his barrister said Adams had suffered from domestic abuse himself in his youth and was only getting to terms with it now. She said he had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result and was receiving counselling for it.

She said Adams has a stable accommodation and job and offers a real prospect of rehabilitation. She added that due to his ill health, he would suffer more than most from a stay in prison. Judge Carr said Adams' behaviour towards his victim had been one of the "most serious this court has heard".

He said it had taken strength of will and character for his victim not to take her own life out of despair. Sentencing Adams to 15 months in prison, Judge Carr said: "You have attempted to minimise what you did. You victim blamed her in the worst possible way.

You have shown no remorse or insight into what you did. "You see yourself as a victim which is the furthest away from the truth as possible. Prison will be hard for you but your offence was so systemic and so brutal that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

A restraining order not to contact his victim for five years was also imposed on Adams. Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp - all you need to do is click the link: https://bit.ly/3WsttWv[27] We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

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References

1. ^ Truro Crown Cour (www.cornwalllive.com)
2. ^ . (www.cornwalllive.com)
3. ^ Christmas (www.cornwalllive.com)
4. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
5. ^ Sign up (www.cornwalllive.com)
6. ^ Boardmasters (www.cornwalllive.com)
7. ^ A30 (www.cornwalllive.com)
8. ^ Bodmin (www.cornwalllive.com)
9. ^ Truro (www.cornwalllive.com)
10. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
11. ^ St Austell (www.cornwalllive.com)
12. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
13. ^ Redruth (www.cornwalllive.com)
14. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
15. ^ Redruth (www.cornwalllive.com)
16. ^ Devon and Cornwall Police (www.cornwalllive.com)
17. ^ Truro (www.cornwalllive.com)
18. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
19. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
20. ^ Newquay (www.cornwalllive.com)
21. ^ Plymouth (www.cornwalllive.com)
22. ^ Devon and Cornwall Police (www.cornwalllive.com)
23. ^ Penzance (www.cornwalllive.com)
24. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
25. ^ Truro Crown Court (www.cornwalllive.com)
26. ^ Camborne (www.cornwalllive.com)
27. ^ https://bit.ly/3WsttWv (bit.ly)
28. ^ https://bit.ly/41EZjzx (bit.ly)