Recent court cases in Devon highlight a range of incidents, including assaults and breaches of orders, as the new year begins.
Exeter: The new year has kicked off with a busy time for the magistrates’ courts in Devon. They’ve been dealing with a bunch of cases that piled up over the festive season.
One notable incident involved a woman getting assaulted at a Premier shop in South Street. Plus, a guy was found guilty for having a knife on Queen Street. Not exactly the best way to start the year, right?
So, here’s a quick rundown of some recent cases from Exeter, Newton Abbot, and Barnstaple. On Boxing Day, Stuart Middlehurst, 35, was caught drug driving in Newton Abbot. He ended up with an eight-week prison sentence and a three-year driving ban.
Then on New Year’s Eve, Carl Carson from Basingstoke was accused of assaulting a woman in Exeter. His case is still pending, with a plea hearing set for later this month.
Another young guy, Jay Atkins, 18, got nabbed for breaking bail conditions in Torquay. He’s stuck in custody until his next hearing.
Fast forward to New Year’s Day, Gary Nolan, 41, was caught with a knife in Exeter and was given conditional bail. Meanwhile, David Swanston, 47, pleaded not guilty to drug driving charges.
There’s also Christopher Paul Jackson, 55, who breached a domestic violence protection order and got fined. And on January 2, Libby King, 24, assaulted an ambulance worker and received a community order.
It’s a mixed bag of cases, showing that the start of the year isn’t all about celebrations for everyone. Let’s hope things calm down a bit as we move forward!
