October 2025 saw Somerset and surrounding areas witness the sentencing of a range of criminals whose shocking crimes have left communities reeling. Judges across the region have imposed significant prison terms for a series of heinous offenses, reflecting the gravity of these acts.
One of the most harrowing cases involved Daniel Gunter, who was convicted of fatally assaulting his premature infant son Brendon Staddon. The 27-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years after brutally beating the two-week-old baby at Yeovil District Hospital. Brendon, born at just 33 weeks, suffered catastrophic injuries including a shattered skull and multiple broken bones.
Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, received a life sentence with a minimum of 42 years for the double murder of civil partners Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth in west London. Mosquera not only committed the murders but also desecrated their bodies and was additionally sentenced for possessing large quantities of child pornography.
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Marco Pierre White Jr., the son of the renowned chef, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison following multiple burglaries and acts of criminal damage in West London and Bath. His history of repetitive acquisitive offences played a role in the judge’s decision.
Darren Newlands, a key player in a major cocaine trafficking operation supplying the Southwest with over 70kg of the drug, was handed a 20-year jail term. The extensive investigation uncovered a sophisticated network dealing cocaine valued at up to £7 million.
Rodney Bunzly was sentenced to 12 years for child sexual abuse offenses in Weston-super-Mare, with the victim revealing the serious long-term psychological impact of his actions.
James Murray was imprisoned for nine years after sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman in Weston-super-Mare and attempting to obstruct justice through intimidation. He was also convicted of dangerous driving after nearly causing harm to pedestrians.
Victor Rotundu was jailed after driving over three times the legal alcohol limit, causing a fatal crash on the M32 that claimed the life of his passenger and friend Andrei Griguta.
Lewis Hobbs received a 27-month sentence for dangerous driving after mounting a pavement and seriously injuring a pedestrian before fleeing the scene.
Bryan Smith was handed 16 months imprisonment and a driving ban of over ten years after a high-speed, dangerous police chase in a stolen vehicle, displaying reckless behaviour that endangered many lives.
Jason Povey was sentenced to four months imprisonment and disqualified from driving after drink-driving and taking a vehicle without consent in Trowbridge.
Peter Kitson, former director of a company providing mobility aids, was jailed for 15 months following convictions for fraudulent claims targeting elderly and vulnerable customers.
Lastly, Jake King was sentenced to five months imprisonment suspended for 18 months after a series of driving offenses including driving while disqualified, forging documents, and possession of a bladed weapon.
These sentences send a clear message that criminal activity in Somerset and its vicinity will be met with serious consequences.