A former carer who arranged to meet young girls; drug dealers, domestic abusers and a shocking crime where a man targeted a vulnerable 70-year-old woman - are just some of the people who came before the courts in February.
Daniel Chisnall, 48
Former carer Daniel Chisnall, 48, from Huntingdon, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers at a pub in the town in December last year, before he had checked in to a nearby hotel where he planned to carry out the abuse of young girls.
Using a pseudonym, he messaged a user who said he had access to two girls, aged seven and 11.
Officers searched his address following his arrest and his devices were seized.
Forensic examination showed his phone contained 12 indecent images of children (IIOC) in categories A-C. A being the most severe.
A further five IIOC in categories A and C had been printed out as poster-sized documents.
Chisnall, who drove a minibus in his job as a carer for vulnerable adults, was charged with one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of sexual assault of a child, one count of making IIOC (categories A-C), and one count of possessing IIOC.
He pleaded guilty at Cambridge Crown Court on January 16 and was sentenced to five years and two months imprisonment at Huntingdon Crown Court on February 17.
Read the full details of the case here
Michael White
A man who stabbed one man in the neck and kidnapped another has been handed a life sentence.
Michael White used a kitchen knife to stab his 32-year-old victim in the neck in Wyton, at about 4am on April 16 last year (2022).
Leaving his victim covered in blood, White made his way to an associate’s home in the village to wash his clothes, the knife and his mobile phone.
The victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for emergency life-saving surgery after suffering an arterial bleed. He had multiple other slash wounds to his hands and face.
At Cambridge Crown Court on February 6) White was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 11 years and nine months.
He pleaded guilty to kidnap, wounding with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and grievous bodily harm.
Detective Constable Kenny Reeves, who investigated, said: “White is a dangerous man who considers himself to be above the law and has no concern for the lives or safety of others."
Karl Cooke, 30
A man who knocked his partner unconscious, bit her, damaged her car and threatened her family has been jailed for five years.
Karl Cooke of Dahlia Close, March, first came to the attention of police when a member of the public called them just before 6.30am on May 8.
Cooke, 30, had damaged his ex-partner's Audi TT in March by stabbing its tyres with a knife, smashing a window and scratching it in numerous places.
The pair had split up two years previously but had argued after a chance encounter two days before the Audi TT was damaged.
However, on speaking to officers about her car's damage, she reported she had been attacked by him 18 months previously while they were in a relationship.
She told police that in October 2020, she had been knocked unconscious by him, and when she awoke, he was on top of her with his hands around her throat.
She said Cooke bit her nose, causing a small scar, and covered her face with a pillow until she almost lost consciousness for a second time before getting up and laughing.
The woman added that Cooke had attacked her again in December 2020 with such force she required hospital treatment. At the time, she told hospital staff she had fallen over while getting out of the shower.
Cooke admitted assault occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), damaging property, possessing a knife in public, sending a threatening message and harassment.
He also pleaded guilty to further charges of producing cannabis and possessing class A and B drugs after officers found cannabis being grown in a tent at his home in March, 2020.
He was also given a restraining order for seven-and-a-half years, preventing him from contacting his ex-partner in any way.
Read more about this story and find out how to access advice
Liam Halliday, 22, Archie Marriott, 20 and Christopher Mailes, 28
Three drug dealers caught with cannabis and bags of cocaine have been sentenced.
Liam Halliday, 22 and Archie Marriott, 20, were seen being erratically driven around Huntingdon by Christopher Mailes, 28, on February 5, 2021.
Police officers searched all three men, when Halliday had five bags of cannabis and one bag of cocaine.
Mailes had two bags of cocaine, a further 16 bags of cocaine were spotted before officers found mobile phones linking Halliday and Marriott to drug dealing.
At Cambridge Crown Court on February 3, Halliday, of Huntingdon, was given two years in prison suspended for two years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and possession of class A.
He must also carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
Mailes, of Madingley, was given 18 months in prison suspended for two years after pleading guilty to being concerned in class A drug supply.
Marriott, of St Ives, was given a year in prison suspended for two years having pleaded guilty to being concerned in class B drug supply.
More about the court case here
Ahmed Hamad, 20 and Najat Ibrahim, 22
A pair of drug dealers found to be using a vulnerable man's home in Peterborough have been jailed for a year.
Officers from the Neighbourhood Support Team carried out welfare checks at a house in Whalley Street, Eastfield, on October 24 last year after concerns about the tenant being cuckooed.
Ahmed Hamad, 20, and Najat Ibrahim, 22, were found inside, along with bags of cannabis on a table, prompting the pair to be searched.
Hamad was found with two mobile phones on him, as well as £120 in cash in his pocket and a black plastic bag containing cannabis.
Ibrahim was also found with two phones, three small bags of cannabis in his coat pocket and £1,700 in cash.
Analysis of the mobile phones showed clear evidence of drug dealing, with incoming messages placing orders while police were at the house.
The pair, with no fixed address, appeared at Huntingdon Law Courts on February 16, where they were each sentenced to a year in prison after admitting possession with intent to supply cannabis.
Adam Barratt, 42
A robber who preyed on an elderly woman as she went to use an ATM at a Barclays Bank in Peterborough has been jailed for more than five years.
Adam Barratt, 42, targeted the woman, aged in her late 70s, as she left Barclays Bank, in High Street, Fletton, Peterborough, at about 1.50pm on Thursday, July 14 last year.
An accomplice had been watching customers withdrawing money, and Barratt was sitting on some planters lying in wait for the victim to return to her husband’s car.
When she left the bank, Barratt let her walk past before lunging at her from behind.
He grabbed her handbag and pushed her to the ground, causing a head injury and injuries to her arm.
The victim’s husband tried to stop the attack, but Barratt ran into him, knocking him to the floor.
Barratt ran off but was detained a short time afterwards by passers-by who flagged down officers.
On February 24 at Cambridge Crown Court, Barratt, of no fixed address, was jailed for five years and four months, pleading guilty to robbery and actual bodily harm.
DC Matt Reed said: “Barratt shamefully targeted the elderly woman in what was a cowardly and vicious attack, so I am pleased he has now faced justice.
“He is a prolific offender who preyed on the elderly and vulnerable.”
Read more about the crime here
Steven Roweth, 51
A man who assaulted his partner and then tried to get her to withdraw her complaint has been jailed.
Steven Roweth, 51, became enraged when the victim received a text message from a friend on June 7.
He grabbed her by her hair and threw her to the floor of the property in Wisbech, before punching her in the face and strangling her.
On June 15, they were watching television at the property when a neighbour waved at the victim through her lounge window.
Roweth responded by hurling insults at the victim. She left the property, but Roweth followed her.
He grabbed her arms and swung multiple punches, connecting with her face at least once. When a neighbour came to intervene Roweth argued with her.
Later, police were called and Roweth arrested.
Roweth, of Peatlings Lane, Leverington, Wisbech, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, non-fatal strangulation and intimidating a witness.
He was jailed for two years and 10 months as well as being handed a restraining order.
Read more here and details of where to get support for domestic violence
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