Devon courts: 23 convictions including bad drivers and paedophile

The courts in Exeter, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple have been busy

A woman convicted of benefit fraud and a man guilty of dangerous driving have been punished by magistrates. They are among 23 people included in this round-up of defendants from the courts in Devon.

The list also includes a convicted sex offender, shoplifters, violent offenders and bad drivers. Magistrates dished out a range of sentences ranging from fines to suspended prison sentences.

SEPTEMBER 26

Samantha Murray, Danby Heights Close, Torquay. Age: 54. On 12/04/2020 at Torquay with a view to obtaining a benefit, advantage or other payment, namely Universal Credit, under relevant social security legislation dishonestly made a statement or representation to the Department for Work and Pensions which was false, namely that did not own any other property nor received any income or had any savings. Plea: Guilty. Committed to prison for 16 weeks suspended for 12 months.

Ian Cox, Monkerton Drive, Exeter. Age 80. On 29/03/2024 at Exeter drove a Ford Transit, New North Road, caused serious injury by careless driving. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Unpaid work for 120 hours. Disqualified for 18 months.

Benjamin Simpson, Northfield Road, Okehampton. Age: 33. On 31/05/2024 at Okehampton drug driving. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fine £400.

Luke Bament, Smythen Street, Exeter. Age: 23. On 01/06/2024 at Exeter destroyed a window belonging to a female. Plea: Guilty. Fine £440.

SEPTEMBER 27

Steven Bray, Clovelly Road, Bideord. Age: 66. On 31/08/2023 at Barnstaple fail to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders register. Plea: Guilty. Fine: £80.

SEPTEMBER 28

Jamie Potter, Green Lane, Exeter. Age: 43. On 30/10/2023 at Fore street, Exeter, committed fraud by false representation by using someone else’s bank card. Plea: Guilty. Fined £80.

Naomi Palmer, Coaker Road, Exeter. Age: 51. On 26/09/2024 at Sainsbury’s Hill Barton Road stole seven bottles of wine and two bottles of Disaronno. Plea: Guilty. Fined £40.

SEPTEMBER 30

Graham Muirhead, Wellington Road, Exeter. Age: 43. On 28/02/2024 with intent to cause a female alarm or distress used threatening words or behaviour and the offence was racially aggravated. Plus theft from Mountain Warehouse and assaulted a male by beating. Plea: Guilty. Community order for six months. Rehabilitation activity for 25 days. Fined £200. Pay compensation.

Paul Johnson, NFA, Exeter. Age: 32. On 28/09/2024 at Co-op Exeter stole food. Plea: Guilty. Compensation £65.

Craig Cavey, Buttgarden Street, Bideford. Age: 32. On 11/10/2023 at The Quay, Bideford, had in a public place an offensive weapon, namely a metal weight. Plea: Guilty. 16 weeks suspended for 12 months. Rehabilitation activity for 10 days.

OCTOBER 1

Ross Jones, Greenbank Road, Barnstaple. Age: 34. On 18/04/2024 at Barnstaple wilfully obstructed a constable in the execution of his duty. Plea: Guilty. Fine £54.

Tristram Bright, Brewin Road, Tiverton. Age: 47. On 14/05/2024 at Tiverton assaulted an emergency worker by beating. Plea: Guilty. Fine £120.

Jordan Jackson, South View Close, Willand. Age: 25. On 11/04/2024 at Exeter drug driving on Pinhoe Road. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 18 months. Unpaid work for 150 hours. Disqualified for 36 months.

Joel Renbourne, Bridge Road, Exmouth. Age: 57. On 11/09/2024 at Exmouth drunk and disorderly behaviour. Plea: Guilty. Fine £40.

Joshua Garrigan, Howell Road, Exeter. Age: 30. On 11/09/2024 at High Street, Exeter, failed to comply with a public spaces protection order. Plea: Guilty. Fine £60.

Elliott Whitfield, road from Godford Cross, Awliscombe. Age: 20. On 13/09/2024 at B3177 Gittisham drove while unfit to drive through drink. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fine £346.

OCTOBER 2

Lewis Elliott, Cheriton Bishop. Age: 47. On 19/09/2023 at Exeter drove dangerously on Hask Lane. Plea: Guilty. Committed to Exeter Crown Court for sentence on 01/11/2024.

Ben Perry, Tuckers Meadow, Crediton. Age: 20. On 18/02/2024 at Crediton drove dangerously on High Street. Failed to stop and failed to report. Plea: Guilty. Custody 20 weeks suspended for 12 months. Unpaid work for £220 hours. Disqualified for two years. Compensation £1,000.

Nicholas Taylor, Bapton Close, Exmouth. Age: 64. On 17/08/2024 at Brixington Lane drove when alcohol above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 18 months. Fine £725.

Leah McCrossan, Baker Close, Sidmouth. Age: 39. On 17/08/2024 at Sidmouth used threatening or abusive words and behaviour. Plea: Guilty. Fine £40.

James Dawson, St David’s Station, Exeter. Age: 43. On 10/09/2024 at Tesco Sidwell Street stole alcohol and used threatening words or behaviour. Plea: Guilty. Custody six weeks suspended for six months. Compensation £32.

Dean Rawlings, Hanover Gardens, Cullompton. Age: 56. Between 03/07/2023 and 20/02/2024 at Cullompton made indecent photographs, namely six Category A still and moving images, of a child. Plus further images in categories B and C. Plea: Guilty. Committed to prison for nine months suspended for 24 months. Carry out unpaid work for 180 hours. Sexual harm prevention order made on conviction for five years.

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