There's been no shortage of action at Truro Magistrates' Court this week with several jail sentences handed down and some pretty bizarre cases heard - including a man who masturbated in public.

Cornwall's magistrates' courts deal with a huge variety of cases, ranging from petty crimes such as shoplifting to serious offences that eventually end up in long prison sentences.

Between Bodmin  and Truro, the courts handle all the criminal cases in Cornwall. Everyone who has been charged with an offence, from the least to the most serious, appears first of all before the magistrates.

All offences come before the magistrates, although the most serious ones are sent up to the crown court.

If a defendant pleads guilty they could be sentenced straight away or have the matter put back for a pre-sentence report. If they deny the allegations against them the case will be adjourned for a trial.

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There are typically two or even three courts running just at Truro Magistrates' Court.

The courts are open to anyone and our reporters attend just like any other member of the public. As most people have jobs and cannot spend their time at court, the media has always acted as the eyes and ears of the public.

Here's who's been sentenced this week

Anthony Edward Cooper

No fixed abode

Aged: 51

Between June 13 and 14 in Bude entered an estate and had contact with a woman he was prevented from doing so by a restraining order.

Committed to prison for eight weeks. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115. To pay costs of £85.00 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

David Ferguson

New Road

Saltash

Aged: 69

On June 1 in Saltash assaulted a woman.

Discharged conditionally for two years. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20.00. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Glenn Lewis Thomas

Townshend

Hayle

Aged: 26

On May 6 in St Ives assaulted a woman by beating her.

Community order made. Building Better Relationships Programme, Rehabilitation Activity Requirement: carry out unpaid work for 300 hours within the next twelve months. Restraining order made

To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Lance Stanley George Hughes

Mount Wise

Newquay

Aged: 27

On May 31 were drunk and disorderly in Newquay.

On May 31 assaulted a PC.

Community order made. 12-week 7pm to 7am curfew. To pay compensation of £50.

Michelle Elizabeth Parkyn

Mount Wise

Newquay

Aged: 38

On February 7 in Bodmin stole groceries worth £95.28 belonging to Spar.

On February 14 in Bodmin stole cosmetics and toiletries worth £54.25 belonging to Boots.

On March 7 in Newquay stole sunglasses worth £70 belonging to Boots.

On March 7 in Newquay stole four steaks worth £20 belonging to Aldi.

To pay compensation of £194.31.

Colin Robert James Stuart

Benson Drive

Bideford

Aged: 38

On June 14 in Truro exposed his penis and buttocks and masturbated in public.

Fined £80. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Jason Lee Bates

St Columb Minor

Aged: 38

On January 21 in Newquay stole alcohol worth £230.60 belonging to Sainsbury’s.

Community order made. Eight week 4pm to 4am curfew. To pay compensation of £230.60.

Stephen Patrick Byfield

Church Street

Newlyn

Aged: 66

Between January and March in Newlyn accessed the internet without risk management software being installed and deleting the internet history, that he was prohibited from doing by a sexual harm prevention order.

Committed to prison for 16 weeks suspended for 12 months. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Adam James Fletcher

Redannack North

Mullion

Aged: 23

On February in Bissoe drove whilst over the limit for a controlled drug.

And not driving with appropriate licence, MOT or insurance.

Fined £120. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service. Disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 14 months.

Daniel Kwamina Ofoe

Magor Avenue

Troon

Aged: 38

On January 24 in Camborne was in possession of 2.03 grams of diamorphine.

On January 24 in Camborne was in possession of a small amount of cannabis.

Fined £80. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

George James Alexander Smalley

Mylor Bridge

Aged: 19

On May 28 in Penryn drove a motorcycle while over the drink drive limit.

Fined £280. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30. To pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service. Disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 15 months.

Kelly Marie Cowling

Tregurra Lane

Truro

Aged: 29

On November 24 in Truro stole two cans of Gordon’s gin, four bottles of Leffe blonde beer and two cans of lager worth £13.18 belonging to Waitrose.

On December 31 in Truro stole one bottle of Tarquins strawberry and lime gin and one bottle of Cornish orchards cider worth £39.90 belonging to the Great Cornish Food Store.

On November 24 assaulted two women.

Community order made. Eight week curfew. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85.00. To pay £210 compensation.

Daniel Kenneth Penrose

Daniel Penrose recycling old cans during the period he 'turned his back on crime'
Daniel Penrose recycling old cans during the period he 'turned his back on crime'

 

East Pool Park

Redruth

Aged: 29

On April 20 in Redruth stole 11 gas canisters worth £1,650 belonging to Warriors Ltd.

On April 20 in Redruth destroyed a metal fence worth £750 belonging to Warriors Ltd.

Also driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.

Committed to prison for 24 weeks. Disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 24 months and 84 days.

Jake Michael Francis Symons

Paynters Lane End Estate

Illogan

Aged: 29

On April 20 in Redruth stole 11 gas canisters worth £1,650 belonging to Warriors Ltd.

On April 20 in Redruth destroyed a metal fence worth £750 belonging to Warriors Ltd.

Also driving with no insurance and without appropriate licence.

Committed to prison for 16 weeks. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115.00. To pay compensation of £350.00.

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It's the place to find a wide range of crime related coverage, including sentencings, plea hearings, ongoing trials, crimes that shocked Cornwall through the years, crime stats and more besides.

The content will primarily relate to hearings at Truro Crown Court, Truro Magistrates' Court and Bodmin Magistrates' Court but every now and then we will publish police appeals or pull in content from further afield with links to Cornwall.

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