In May, Somerset courts passed severe sentences on numerous offenders responsible for brutal and disturbing crimes, ensuring justice for victims and communities affected.
Matthew Jones, 29, a teacher, received a 12-year prison term following a savage attack on fellow teacher Emma Kirk, whom he stabbed 15 times after their relationship ended. Judge Julian Lambert described Jones as dangerous, imposing an extended sentence including four years on license.
Dangerous driver Nathan Law, 42, was jailed for one year after a high-speed police chase in Melksham. Law, who displayed reckless driving behaviors such as wrong-way maneuvers and head-on driving, was disqualified from driving for over five years.
Serial shoplifters Kim Parkhouse and Mark Cripps, from Taunton, were sentenced to 20 and 42 weeks respectively, following sprees involving stolen goods worth thousands of pounds.
Alan Morris, 75, was sentenced to ten months after causing the death of cyclist Mary Emerson-Reed by careless driving at excessive speed. Mary’s family paid tribute to her dedication as a cycling community leader.
Konrad Hicner, 40, was jailed for two years and seven months after committing multiple burglaries, including stealing a mobility scooter from a vulnerable resident.
Christine Kekkonen received a life sentence with a minimum 15-years term after fatally stabbing her husband in Baltonsborough. She tragically ended his life in May 2024 despite claiming lack of intent.
David Parish, mentally ill at the time, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years for the fatal assault of an elderly woman with an umbrella in Broomfield.
Jane Butcher, 44, was sentenced to 18 months for burgling a home in Taunton, with the stolen purse later recovered.
Emily MacArthur, 34, was sentenced to nearly 14 years after conceding conspiracy to supply drugs into prisons and importing cocaine.
Gang members Kaleb Wyman, Brett Marshall, and Louise Sanders received sentences ranging from 16 months to three years for supply of Class A drugs in Somerset, following a police crackdown.
Thomas Noonan was sentenced to four years for robbing a pharmacy at knife point in Melksham.
Barbara Roe was jailed for five years for causing death by dangerous driving, resulting in the loss of her 9-year-old son in a tragic collision.
James Hortop was sentenced to 15 months after multiple exposure offenses, violating restraining orders and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Nigel Frith, 56, received a 34-month sentence for a long pattern of sexual assaults against children and adults, alongside a decade-long prevention order.
Kieron Goodwin was given a life sentence and at least 35 years imprisonment for murdering his partner and committing grave sexual offenses against other women.
William Chalkley was sentenced to 24 years for multiple rapes and assaults spanning nearly a decade.
Michael Stack, 23, was jailed for 12 months after dangerous high-speed driving while disqualified and under the influence, evading police on the M5.
Warren Chiddy, 29, received over six years in prison for possessing nearly 9kg of cocaine with street value exceeding £700,000.
Darren Ashton was sentenced to four years for live-streaming child sexual abuse from abroad, with lifetime registration on the Sex Offenders Register.
Stuart Hand was jailed for 12 years for raping a teenage girl after supplying her with drugs and alcohol; an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed.
These sentences demonstrate the firm stance taken by Somerset’s justice system against serious criminal actions, protecting the public from those who threaten safety and wellbeing.
