It's the weekend and therefore time for a look at the cases that have recently come before Cornwall's magistrates. Everyone who has been charged with an offence, from the least to the most serious, appears initially before the magistrates.
The most serious cases are then sent to the crown court. If a defendant pleads guilty, they could be sentenced straight away or have the matter put back for a pre-sentence report. If they deny the allegations against them, the case will be adjourned for a trial.
The courts are open to anyone and our reporters attend just like any other member of the public. As most people have jobs and cannot spend their time in court, the media has always acted as the eyes and ears of the public to ensure that justice is seen to be done.
Read next: Serial bike thief and football hooligan among those sentenced in Cornwall's courts
Read next: Drunk Lamborghini driver among those sentenced in Cornwall's courts
Here's who has been sentenced at the magistrates' court in Bodmin and Truro recently.
Aaron Stephens
Age: 25
Bell Vue Road, Saltash
On May 16, 2024 at Street Record, Callington Road, Saltash, assaulted a police sergeant acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker, by beating him. Also assaulted a police constable in the exercise of her functions as such a worker, by beating her and assaulted a third police officer acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker.
On the same day and in the same place without lawful excuse, destroyed one fence panel to the value of £200 intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.
Also had in your possession a quantity of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B in contravention of section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Remanded on unconditional bail until next hearing on August 16.
Rizwan Aftab
Age: 39
Rock Road, St Minver
On September 8, 2023 at Wadebridge had in your possession a quantity of methylenedioxymethylamphetamine a controlled drug of class A in contravention of section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
On the same day and in the same place had in your possession 57.5 grams of Ketamine, a controlled drug of class B in contravention of section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Also drove a motor vehicle on the A39 between Hals Grave and West Park Farm, St Breock, when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Cannabis, in your blood, namely 2.3 milligrams per litre of blood, exceeded the specified limit.
On Wednesday September 20, 2023, at St Minver drove a motor vehicle when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Ketamine, in your blood namely 154 µg/L, exceeded the specified limit.
Community order. 20 rehabilitation activity days. Unpaid work: 200 hours. Disqualification period: 48 months.
Gregory Johnson
Age: 47
Pelynt
Assault by beating of an emergency worker, Contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. On May 19 at Bodmin assaulted a police sergeant acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker, by beating him.
On the same day, at Camborne when suspected of having driven a vehicle and having been required to provide a specimen or specimens of breath for analysis by means of a device of a type approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in the course of an investigation into whether you had committed an offence under section 3A, 4, 5 or 5A thereof, failed without reasonable excuse to do so.
Community order. Eight rehabilitation activity days. Unpaid work, 150 hours. Compensation: £100.
Ionut-Viorel Cretu
Age: 34
Minorca Lane, Bugle
Cause serious injury by careless / inconsiderate driving, Contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. On Saturday, January 6, at Truro caused serious injury to a woman by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle at High Cross without due care and attention.
Community order. Unpaid work: 200 hours. Disqualification period: 12 months.
Laura Bridge
Age: 32
Gweal Darras, Mabe Burnthouse.
On October 31, 2023, at Mabe Burnthouse without lawful excuse, damaged a TV to the value of £350 belonging to a man intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.
On the same day and in the same place assaulted a man by beating him and also assaulted another man.
Conditional discharge for 12 months.
Sean Smeadon
Age: 45
Of no fixed abode
On or in July 2 at Truro failed without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Truro Magistrates' Court, having been released on bail in criminal proceedings on June 3 at Truro Magistrates' Court. On May 10 at Fore Street in Newquay, stole a pedal cycle of a value unknown belonging to a man.
Imprisonment: 22 weeks.
Our round-ups are dependent on the results list being sent out by the courts so it is possible some people sentenced may be missing from the weekly round-up.
