Paedophile, flasher and other criminals sentenced at Truro Crown Court this week

Over the past two months the coronavirus pandemic has hit the criminal justice system in Cornwall extremely hard.

With jurors unable to travel to court all trials have been postponed.

For well over a month Truro Crown Court has only dealt with a handful of cases, taking pleas over the phone and carrying out sentencing hearings over video-link for prisoners held at HMP Exeter.

However this week things have picked up. Legal representatives, reporting media and remanded prisoners have all still appeared over the video-link, but there have also been a number of defendants attending court to learn their fate.

These defendants have had to abide by the strict social distancing requirements at the court but these appearances means the wheels are slowly beginning to turn.

A number of defendants (who judges have already decided won't be going to jail) have even been sentenced from their living rooms.

So with court staff trying to make the best of a bad situation, here's a round-up of what's gone down at Truro Crown Court this week with everything from paedophiles to flashers.

Here are the people sentenced this week

Jordan Ferris

A paedophile sent to prison for downloading thousands of sickening images of children is back behind bars after offending just weeks after his release from prison.

Jordan Ferris, 24, was sentenced to 15 months in prison when he appeared at Truro Crown Court in May 2019.

Ferris was released on licence in January 15 but within weeks police had found explicit conversations between him and a 14-year-old boy on a gay dating website.

Ferris, formerly of Falmouth but who moved to Prospect Place in Penzance when he was released, was back before Judge Carr for sentence a second time via video-link from HMP Exeter after pleading guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempted to cause a child to look at sexualised images.

Prosecuting the case, Ed Bailey told the court how on February 11 police received a notification about Ferris’ move to Penzance and paid him a visit as under the terms of a previously-imposed sexual harm prevention order they were able to inspect his electronic devices.

Straight away Ferris volunteered email addresses and passwords and investigating officers could see that he had accessed a gay dating site.

He had communicated with some adults but there was also evidence of chats with a boy who told Ferris he was aged 14.

Mr Bailey said: “The conversation turned sexual and the defendant talked about his sexual preferences. He told the boy he was on KIK and sent him two videos of a male masturbating.”

There was also reference to what Ferris wanted to do with the boy and talk of them meeting should the boy visit a friend in St Ives.

Ferris made full admissions when interviewed by police.

Sentencing Ferris, Judge Carr said he sent the boy two videos of him masturbating and from the conversation it was clear he hoped there would come some sexual contact to come of it.

Jailing Ferris for three years, Judge Carr added: “It’s clear you have a worrying and I suspect entrenched sexual interest in children.”

John Jacklin and Tracy Watkins

A couple who pedalled Class A drugs from a Penzance pub were caught following a dramatic police raid.

Fisherman John Jacklin, 55, and partner Tracy Watkins, 56, between them set up deals and sold cocaine and other drugs to customers at The White Lion pub where she worked.

Jacklin, who lives in Penzance, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court after admitting being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.

Opening the case, Philip Lee described how police raided The White Lion in November 2018.

Jacklin was present at the time and identified as a supplier. He was found with five bags of relatively high-purity cocaine worth £225 as well as £190 in cash.

Watkins was behind the bar at the time of the pre-planned operation and gave her address. Police went to the property and found more drugs and a note that said ‘can you do two grams of speed for Shane and bring it to the pub? Love you’.

At the address was 55.4 grams of 89% purity cocaine with a street value of more than £5,000.

There was a container of amphetamine worth £70 and small amounts of MDMA and diazepam. Scales were found to have traces of drugs on and there were also bags and £400 cash.

Seized phones belonging to the defendants had messages relating to the supply of drugs.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Carr said that he was taking into account Jacklin’s mitigation and the current COVID-19 pandemic when passing sentence.

Jacklin, who Judge Carr slated for involving Watkins, his partner, was jailed for two years.

Following the raid the landlady of the pub Jackie Bodinar said the town is “rife with drugs” and called for more to be done to tackle the problem.

Watkins was given a 15 month prison sentence, suspended for two years for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Shaun Roberts

A bitter ex was found by police slashing his face with a razor blade after harassing his terrified former partner.

Shaun Roberts, 31, sent a string of messages to his ex-partner threatening her and saying that he would kill himself after she ended the relationship.

Roberts, from Illogan, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to harassment.

Prosecuting the case, Philip Lee described how Roberts and the victim had been in a relationship she describes as rocky and on/off.

She ended the relationship on March 5 and, while at a friend’s flat in Penzance, received messages saying ‘you are just a using c*nt’ and ‘you watch, I’m coming’. Roberts then threatened to take his own life before sending the victim a picture of herself taken through the window of her friend’s property.

He then sent a picture of alcohol and tablets by the sea, another indication of his repeated threat to kill himself.

Mr Lee said: “The victim and her friend went to the shop and when they returned he was in the building. He grabbed her before she pushed him off and rang the police.

“There were further suicidal messages over the next day or so before officers attended his flat and found him in the living room cutting his face with a razor blade.

“He was taken to hospital and continued to bang his head. At the defendant’s home police found a number of weapons including knives and an imitation firearm.”

In a victim personal statement the victim describes being frightened and worried, having to constantly look over her shoulder.

Sentencing Roberts, Judge Simon Carr said the most worrying feature of the case is the fact he followed the victim to her friend's, making her feel that even though she was away from her home she wasn’t safe from Roberts.

Roberts was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also made subject of a two-year community order consisting of the Building Better Relationships Programme. He has to complete 120 hours of unpaid work in addition.

A restraining order was made preventing Roberts from contacting the victim.

Michaela Manton

A woman who stabbed her now deceased partner in the leg with a knife did so in self-defence a court has heard.

Michaela Manton, 30, plunged a knife into Kevin Smith at their home in Atlantic Road, Newquay, on December 14, 2019.

Mr Smith has since passed away but from a complication following an operation unrelated to the incident.

Manton, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence from HMP Eastwood Park via a video-link after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Prosecuting the case, Mary McCarthy described how the landlord of the property Mr Smith and Manton lived in heard an argument and recalls Manton telling Mr Smith to get out.

She said: “The landlord came across Mr Smith outside having sustained stab wounds to his thigh and palm. He was losing blood and when police attended they found the defendant inside, tearful.”

A basis of plea submitted by Manton claims that the violence was instigated by Mr Smith and that her actions were in self-defence.

Sentencing Manton, Judge Simon Carr said: “You have a long-term, entrenched alcohol problem. Probably as a result of that an argument started which initially verbal, then turned violent.

“You will be sentenced on the basis that you were initially the victim but your reaction was out of all proportion.”

Judge Carr then described just how dangerous such stab wounds in the thigh can be because there is a major artery there. Fortunately, Manton’s blow missed this.

Taking into account Manton’s “considerable” mitigation Judge Carr passed a sentence of 10 months, meaning that she will be released in the coming days once a care package for her is put in place and her family notified.

He said that a sentence that would allow for her immediate release would effectively render her homeless given the coronavirus pandemic.

Daniel Tyson

A minted alcoholic went on a one man crime wave during his attempt to drink away a large inheritance.

Daniel Tyson manhandled his ex, assaulted a PC and stole hundreds of pounds worth of clothes from Asda.

Tyson, 36, of Huthnance Close in Wadebridge, appeared at Truro Crown Court to be sentenced over Skype after admitting assaulting an emergency worker, battery and theft.

Prosecuting the case, Mary McCarthy described how in October of last year Tyson and his then partner got in an argument at a friend’s house over how he was cuddling her.

She made clear her feelings and left. Tyson followed her and became aggressive, towering over her and swearing before eventually pushing her to the floor.

The victim sustained minor injuries and Tyson initially told police he’d never laid a finger on the victim.

Then, three weeks later a female PC approached Tyson in Wadebridge following reports about his drunken behaviour.

The PC knew drunk Tyson and asked him where he was staying.

Tyson started pushing her and then pulled her by the utility belt. He grabbed the PC’s wrist, breaking her watch.

Then in April this year, whilst on bail for the other offences, Tyson stole £698 worth of clothes from Asda. Ms McCarthy said Tyson was stealing to order as he was seen taking photos of the clothes before pushing the trolley out of the store and being apprehended. Tyson told police officers he had limited recollection of what happened.

Sentencing Tyson, Judge Simon Carr said: “You are an alcoholic and have to stop and never drink again. There can never be a situation when you can drink in moderation.

“You suffered the very mixed blessing of an inheritance from your father and your reaction was to attempt to drink it.”

Judge Carr conceded that Tyson has since accepted responsibility and acknowledged he needs help, adding that support will be more constructive and protect society better than a short period of imprisonment.

Judge Carr handed Tyson a four month sentence, suspended for two years. He must also attend an alcohol treatment programme, a rehabilitation activity requirement and complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Autistic teen

An autistic teenager who had sex with a 14-year-old girl has avoided jail time after a judge was told that it was her who initiated it.

The now 19-year-old, who was 17 at the time of the offence, met the girl at a park in Launceston before the two proceeded to have sex.

The defendant from Launceston, who is not being named, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child.

Prosecuting the case, Nigel Wraith described how the defendant knew the girl through her sister and they arranged to meet at Coronation Park in November 2017 where they had unprotected sex.

Mr Wraith said: “She went home and told a friend from school about the sexual encounter and the following day the school and the police became involved.”

The defendant was then arrested by officers at work.

Forensic analysis found the defendant’s semen inside the girl and the court was told how he was initially investigated for rape, an allegation that hung over him for white some time.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Robert Linford said: “You were 17 at the time and I sentence you on the basis that having met up she asked you if you’d have sex with her.

“That said you were older than her and knew she was 14. You knew you shouldn’t have done it.

“You are a person on the autistic spectrum and it is quite clear you have a number of cognitive impairments and are immature but even with this condition you know you shouldn’t have done it.

“I take into regard the length of time that has gone by since you were spoken to be police. The period of delay is unacceptable and for a long time of that you were under investigation for the even more serious charge of rape.”

The defendant was given a three-year community order and told he must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Martin Saxby

A NHS worker was forced to quit her job due to the terrifying conduct of her violent and controlling boyfriend.

As well as striking the victim and swinging a baseball bat near to her head, Martin Saxby regularly turned up at her work and prevented her from accessing her mobile phone.

Saxby, 37, of Manor Park in Liskeard, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having admitted a charge of controlling or coercive behaviour.

Prosecuting the case, Jason Beal described how the behaviour lasted from November 2017 to May 2018.

Mr Beal told how Saxby met the victim through friends and before long Saxby began to show signs of his obsessive nature which caused concern.

He would constantly watch the victim and want to know where she was and what she was doing.

On one occasion Saxby left a phone and instruction manual on her windscreen wiper whilst she worked, a clear reminder that she must remain in contact with him at all times.

Mr Beal said: “On a number of occasions he was violent. Just before Christmas 2017 there was an occasion when they began arguing in his bedroom. The defendant slapped the victim and then threw her onto the bed. He the straddled her and swung a baseball bat, just missing her head.”

Saxby would follow the victim into the toilet suspecting she had another mobile phone and in January 2018 took her phone and took her to a caravan where she was unable to leave and go to work for three days.

In February 2018 Saxby pushed her and bearhugged her so tight she couldn’t breathe. The victim was eventually able to free herself by scratching him. Saxby then took her on a drive and kept slamming on the brakes and steering erratically to keep her awake.

Mr Beal also detailed how Saxby would throw water at the victim’s face as he didn’t like her wearing makeup and even followed her to a funeral where he took her phone from her. There were also veiled threats hinting at further violence.

The victim finally found the courage to dump Saxby in April 2018 and he reacted by letting down her tyres and repeatedly turning up at the hospital in which she worked.

In a victim personal statement the victim describes being so petrified Saxby would turn up at her work that she left her job.

She recalls feeling vulnerable and suffering from night terrors and flashbacks. She has yet to go back to full-time work and estimates she’s lost £22,000 in wages.

Sentencing Saxby, Judge Robert Linford said: “You completely dominated her life. You were obsessive and demeaned and humiliated her.

“You used and threatened violence on more than one occasion. You ruined her life.”

Judge Linford said that although a pre-sentence report concerned him, the fact that Saxby has since altered his behaviour and the effects of the current coronavirus pandemic on the prison system meant he was able to pass a two year community order.

Saxby must complete the Building Better Relationships Programme and 200 hours of unpaid work.

A five year restraining order preventing Saxby from contacting the victim was also put in place.

Matthew Richards

A perverted electrician pressed himself against a glass window and masturbated at three car sharing work colleagues.

Matthew Richards, 33, repeated the act towards the same victims a further four times over the course of just over a week.

Richards, of Roseland Gardens in Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court over Skype and admitted five counts of exposure in Truro in August of last year.

Prosecuting the case, Philip Lee described how the three victims parked near to the defendant’s then address early in the morning and saw him upstairs naked, pressed against a window, masturbating.

It happened four more times in subsequent days causing the victims some distress. Richards denied the offences but was later identified by the women.

The court was then told how Richards has previous for similar offending. Back in 2018 Cornwall Live reported how he masturbated in front of a jogger and cyclist after becoming addicted to online pornography and swinging sites.

Sentencing Richards, Judge Robert Linford said it would be his last chance.

He said: “Not for the first or second time you committed these sorts of offences. You previously received a community order but it didn’t succeed in making you change your ways. This order better had because any breach will result in a prison sentence with a starting point of 18 months.

“Your offending caused a great deal of distress for the women you directed your exposure towards.”

Richards was given a two year community order during which he must complete a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement.