Somerset criminals jailed in October for horrific crimes

A baby murderer, dangerous drivers, and a child predator are among the criminals from Somerset and the surrounding area who have been put behind bars in the past month. Judges at Courts have been dispensing justice to those who have broken the law. The latest tranche of criminals includes a man who brutally murderered his baby son, a former TV star jailed for shoplifting, and a man who plotted as part of a 'multi-million pound operation' to supply cocaine across the Southwest

Here SomersetLive looks at some of the criminals jailed in October 2025. DANIEL GUNTER A 'diabolical' father who brutally murdered his own tiny premature baby son[1] has today, Friday, October 3, been sentenced to life in prison.

Daniel Gunter, 27, will spend at least 20 years in jail for beating to death two-week old Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in the early hours of March 5, 2024. Gunter, of no fixed address, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court in July[2] of ending the short life of baby Brendon who was born prematurely at 33 weeks on February 20, 2024. The infant was described by Prosecutor Charles Row KC as weighing "less than a couple of bags of sugar" when Gunter carried out his merciless assault[3].

The baby sustained catastrophic non-survivable injuries from head to toe, including a shattered skull and multiple broken bones. On the night of the baby's death, Brendon's mother Sophie Staddon, who was earlier acquitted at the end of the joint trial, approached the nurses' station asking for help, describing the infant as "feeling cold". Doctors and nurses rushed to try and save Brendon but his injuries were too severe he died just before 5am.

During the trial, the jury was told how Gunter was repeatedly told to stop handling, overstimulating and fussing baby Brendon by tickling him, poking him and not allowing him to rest. They were also told how Gunter was witnessed 'being rough' with Brendon and becoming angry with him when he would urinate on him during nappy changes.

YOSTIN MOSQUERA A double murderer has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years, after killing a couple and dumping their remains in suitcases near Clifton Suspension Bridge in "premediated and thoroughly wicked crimes".

Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, killed civil partners Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, on July 8 last year in their flat in Scotts Road, Shepherd's Bush, west London. Mosquera, who was staying with the couple, "decapitated and dismembered" them, froze parts of their remains and took the rest to the Bristol landmark. A jury at Woolwich Crown Court unanimously convicted Mosquera of both murders earlier this year, and he pleaded guilty at the same court earlier on Friday to three counts of possessing child pornography.

Sentencing him to two life sentences for the two murders, which will run concurrently to each other, Mr Justice Bennathan told the defendant: "Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso were a settled, affectionate couple. "It was their tragedy that you, Yostin Mosquera, came into their lives. I now have to sentence you for these premeditated and thoroughly wicked crimes."

On Friday, the judge jailed Mosquera for 16 months after he admitted possessing at least 1,500 category A photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, including videos, 750 category B images and 4,000 category C images. That jail term will run concurrent to the life sentences.

Court artist drawing of Yostin Andres Mosquera (right) (Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)

MARCO PIERRE WHITE JR Marco Pierre White Jr has been jailed following a string of burglaries and shoplifting offences.

The Big Brother[4] star appeared at Isleworth Crown Court today via video link as the sentence was handed down, after admitting to a series of offences earlier this year. The troubled son of the famous Michelin star chef, Marco Pierre White, had been held in custody on remand after pleading guilty to four counts of burglary as well as one count of criminal damage in court on August 20 in a crime[5] spree across west London and Bath[6], reports The Mirror[7]. However, when the judge adjourned to consider the sentence, Pierre White Jr told prison guards he did not want to wait and returned to his cell.

He was absent when the jail sentence was handed down. Marco Pierre White Jr was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison. During sentencing, Judge Edwards Connell said Pierre White Jr "is accurately described as [a] prolific acquisitive offender".

Marco Pierre White Jr. (Image: PA)

DARREN NEWLANDS

A man who plotted who was part of a 'multi-million pound operation' to supply cocaine across the Southwest has been jailed for twenty years. Darren Newlands was sentenced in Winchester Crown Court. The 44-year-old was described by police as a leading figure in an organised crime group which conspired to supply dozens of kilos of cocaine between 2016 and 2020.

Investigating officer DC Matthew Harvey of SOCU said: "This lengthy sentence for Darren Newlands reflects the level of criminality in which he had involved himself over a period of several years. The sentence is the conclusion of an extensive Wiltshire Police Serious Organised Crime Unit investigation into a sophisticated network which shipped more than 70kg of cocaine - worth GBP5.6m to GBP7m - across the South West.

Darren Newlands (Image: Wiltshire Police)

RODNEY GUNZLY A child predator who abused a young girl, causing lasting "serious and significant psychological harm", has been jailed.

Rodney Bunzly, of Grasmere Drive, Weston-super-Mare, has been sentenced for a number of non-recent sexual offences against a child, including sexual intercourse with a child and penetrative sexual activity with a child. In a statement read out to Bristol Crown Court during sentencing on Monday, October 20, the victim describe their ordeal over the last few years as "hard". Bunzly, 57, was sentenced to 12 years for indecent assault against a child, indecency with a child, sexual intercourse with a child, and penetrative sexual activity with a child.

Rodney Bunzly from Weston-super-Mare (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

JAMES MURRAY

A man has been jailed for nine years after sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman. James Murray, from Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault, one count of perverting the course of justice, and careless driving. The 45-year-old sexually assaulted the victim when she was not in a state to give consent and filmed the attack for his own gratification.

Bristol Crown Court was told that paramedics were called to a property In Weston-super-Mare where a woman was in distress. The victim told police Murray had sexually assaulted her. After being remanded to prison, Murray sent the victim multiple letters in an attempt to dissuade her to pursue a prosecution.

The court was also told that on a separate incident, Murray was driving dangerously and nearly crashed into two pedestrians after careering through a fence. He then fled the scene before police arrived.

James Murray (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

VICTOR ROTUNDU A man who was driving three times over the limit has been jailed after his friend died in a crash.

Victor Rotundu, of Newport, Gwent, was driving on the M32 near junction one when he lost control of his car, careered off the road and crashed into a tree. Rotundu was taken to hospital and treated before being released, but his friend and passenger, Andrei Griguta, 37, died at the scene. In court, Andrei's wife, said: "I miss Andrei so much, there has been many a time that I felt I couldn't move on without him, I think of him every single day.

I will love him for the rest of my life no matter what. "Andrei was a great man that everyone who met him will remember and miss him very much. "We have all been blessed that he was in our life even for short period of time."

Victor Rotundu (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

LEWIS HOBBS

A driver mounted a pavement and collided with a pedestrian, leaving him seriously injured. Lewis Hobbs, 32 and of Ramsbury Walk, Trowbridge[8], drove off after the crash, leaving the victim at the roadside. Hobbs appeared at Salisbury Crown Court[9] He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was jailed for 27 months. On the evening of February 7, a 19-year-old man was walking along the pavement on Holbrook Lane when he was struck by a Honda[10] Civic that was coming towards him and had mounted the pavement. The impact of the collision caused the victim to be knocked down the road, and he suffered a leg injury.

Lewis Hobbs, 32. (Image: Wiltshire Police)

BRYAN SMITH

A reckless driver who led officers on a death-defying 27-minute police chase in a stolen Volkswagen has been taken of the streets and thrown in jail[11]. Byran Smith, of no fixed address, drove onto pavements[12], through red lights, and hit speeds of 80mph in a 30mph limit while attempting to escape officers, all captured on video from the pursuing police car and helicopter overhead. One officer described Smith's driving as among the "most reckless and exceedingly dangerous I have ever seen".

Video of the chase shows Smith being Tasered as multiple officers surround the stolen Volkswagen Scirocco. He has been disqualified from driving for more than ten years. During the pursuit, Smith drove at excessive speeds and drove onto pavements to avoid stingers put out in an attempt to stop him.

The court also heard how Smith went through multiple red lights before crashing into two vehicles on Ledbury Road in Fishponds, where the car became stuck. Smith continued his attempt to flee police, despite crashing the car, and he was Tasered by officers. He was arrested and charged with; driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and dangerous driving.

Smith pleaded guilty to each offence at Bristol Magistrates' Court. Smith was sentenced to 16 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for ten years and eight months.

Bryan Smith (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

JASON POVEY A drink driver who took a vehicle without consent and drove with a blown out tyre has been jailed[13].

Jason Povey, 36 and of no fixed abode, was caught drink driving in Trowbridge[14]. He appeared at Salisbury Magistrates' Court[15] and pleaded guilty to aggravated taking a vehicle without consent, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was sentenced to four months in prison and disqualified from driving for just over four years.

Wiltshire Police[16] received a report from a member of the public of a suspected drink driver in Oatfields, Trowbridge, during the evening of Monday, October 13. Shortly after, another report was made to police of a damaged blue Kia Rio in a car park in Marston Road. The entire front offside tyre was blown out.

Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle driving along Marston Road with sparks coming from the tyres.

Jason Povey, 36. (Image: Wiltshire Police)

PETER KITSON An 'arrogant and greedy' former director of a company that supplied mobility aids and furniture to the elderly and vulnerable has been jailed for 15 months after being prosecuted for fraud. Peter Kitson, 64, was the former director of the Mobility Furniture Company Ltd.

He pleaded guilty at court to falsely claiming that goods were subject to a sales discount, making misleading claims that customers would not be placed under pressure to purchase goods, and for falsely claiming that goods were 'bespoke'. By falsely claiming that a product was made to order when it was in fact 'off the shelf' it meant that that customers were unable to cancel their orders when they did not receive what they had paid for. A victim of Kitson told Exeter[17] Crown Court Kitson's actions had been 'despicable'.

JAKE KING

A Somerset man has been jailed after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, without insurance, forging a registration document and for being in possession of a bladed article. Jake King of Maunder Close, Wincanton, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Monday (September 29). The 21-year-old was tailgating an unmarked police vehicle on the A30 near Ludwell on Saturday, September 27.

King, who was driving a black Audi, broke the speed limit and overtook the police. He was then pulled over and initially refused to provide his details to the officers and said: "Are we really going to do this?". King has been jailed for five months and suspended for 18 months.

He is also required to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activity days.

References

1. ^ brutally murdered his own tiny premature baby son (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ found guilty at Bristol Crown Court in July (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Gunter carried out his merciless assault (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Big Brother (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^ crime (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
6. ^ Bath (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
7. ^ The Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
8. ^ Trowbridge (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
9. ^ Salisbury Crown Court (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
10. ^ Honda (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
11. ^ stolen Volkswagen has been taken of the streets and thrown in jail (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
12. ^ drove onto pavements (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
13. ^ jailed (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
14. ^ Trowbridge (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
15. ^ Salisbury Magistrates' Court (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
16. ^ Wiltshire Police (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
17. ^ Exeter (www.devonlive.com)