October has seen Somerset’s courts deliver tough sentences to a range of serious offenders, including those guilty of horrific murders, dangerous driving, and child exploitation. Here’s a summary of the most notable cases that have shaken the community.
Daniel Gunter, 27, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years for the brutal murder of his premature baby son, Brendon Staddon, at Yeovil District Hospital in March 2024. The infant suffered catastrophic injuries following a merciless assault by Gunter, who was repeatedly cautioned to stop his rough handling before the tragic death.
Another chilling case involved Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, who received life sentences with a 42-year minimum term for the premeditated murders of his civil partners Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth in London. In addition, Mosquera pleaded guilty to possessing thousands of child pornography images, resulting in an additional concurrent sentence.
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Marco Pierre White Jr, son of the famed chef, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison after admitting to multiple burglaries and shoplifting incidents across west London and Bath. Described as a prolific acquisitive offender, his crime spree led to his imprisonment despite his absence during sentencing.
Darren Newlands, 44, was locked up for 20 years after being found a key figure in a multi-million-pound cocaine supply network across the Southwest. His role in trafficking over 70 kilograms of cocaine highlighted the ongoing battle against organized crime in the region.
Rodney Bunzly, 57, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing a young girl, causing significant psychological harm. His conviction for multiple child sexual offences was underscored by a powerful victim statement describing the lasting trauma.
James Murray, 45, was jailed for nine years for sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman and attempting to obstruct justice by sending letters to the victim. In a separate incident, he dangerously drove and nearly hit pedestrians before fleeing the scene.
Victor Rotundu was sentenced following a fatal crash in which he was driving three times over the legal alcohol limit, resulting in the death of his passenger and friend. The victim’s family voiced the lasting impact of the tragedy on their lives.
Lewis Hobbs received 27 months imprisonment after causing serious injury to a pedestrian by mounting a pavement during dangerous driving and fleeing the scene. The victim sustained serious leg injuries after being struck.
Bryan Smith, described by officers as driving with extraordinary recklessness during a 27-minute police chase in a stolen car, was jailed for 16 months and banned from driving for over ten years. His dangerous flight endangered the public and resulted in multiple traffic violations.
Jason Povey was sentenced to four months in prison for drink driving, theft of a vehicle, and driving offences. Caught driving with a blown-out tyre, Povey was disqualified from driving for over four years after his offences in Trowbridge.
Finally, Peter Kitson, former director of a mobility aids company, was jailed for 15 months for fraudulent practices that exploited vulnerable elderly customers by misleading sales tactics and false claims.
These sentences reflect the dedication of Somerset’s justice system to protecting the community and holding offenders accountable for their actions.