Devon courts: Massive supermarket booze theft and drug driving epidemic

Drug drivers and prolific shoplifters dominate this week's list of offenders from around the courts of Devon. One man from Bideford was given a suspended sentence for breaking into a Co-op, helping himself to eight cans of Strongbow and a packet of Doritos, while causing substantial damage at the same time.

One thief managed to get his hands on booze worth £600 from Morrisons but was caught and jailed for 30 weeks. Eleven people in this list were disqualified from driving for motoring offences.

All criminal cases start at the magistrates. The most serious are sent to crown court. The majority of defendants are dealt with by fines or court orders but magistrates have the power to send people to prison for up to 12 months.

This round-up of cases is from the magistrates courts in Exeter, Barnstaple and Newton Abbot.

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APRIL 26

Benjamin Gould, Dove Lane, Cranbrook. Age: 39. On 18/05/2023 in Exeter drove when drug above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Costs £500. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £160.

Alexander Steadman, Moxeys Close, Cheriton Fitzpaine. Age: 28. On 29/07/2023 at Newton St Cyres drove with drug above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £160. Costs £650.

Christopher Brennan, c/o Eastern Road, Zeal Monachorum. Age: 37. On 13/10/2023 drove when drug above the limit and possessed 4.2g of cocaine. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 36 months. Fine £140.

Demi Radcliffe, Grenville Estate Crescent. Age: 28. On 15/01/2024 at Bideford Coronation Road drove while disqualified. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Rehabilitation activity for 15 days. Unpaid work for 80 hours.

David Crighton, Valley Close, Barnstaple. Age: 52. On 09/02/2024 at Barnstaple assault a male by beating, criminal damage, used threatening words of behaviour. Plea: Guilty. Compensation £180. Fine £250.

Reuben Cobb, Northdene, Bideford. Age: 21. On 03/03/2024 at Bideford Quay drove when alcohol above the limit and failed to stop after accident. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £191.

Kate Brook, Woodland, Combe Martin. Age: 44. On 15/03/2024 at Combe Martin drove when alcohol above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £279.

Sabint Anto, Long Meadow Drive, Barnstaple. Age: 33. On 12/04/2024 at Alverdiscott drove when alcohol above the limit and used a vehicle in condition likely to cause danger with smashed windscreen, caved in roof and wobbly wheels. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 18 months.

APRIL 27

Ricky Bowden, NFA, Exeter. Age: 52. On 25/05/2024 at Sidwell Street, Exeter criminal damage to a bus window. Plea: guilty. Fined £80.

Charlie Henderson, Clarence Road, Exeter. Age: 33. On 12/11/2023 at Exeter stole toiletries worth £370 belonging to Boots. Plus shoplifting at John Lewis, Next, M&S, Co-op. Plea: Guilty. Prison for 20 weeks. Compensation £400.

APRIL 29

Gary Edwards, Monkerton Drive, Exeter. Age: 40. On 09/09/2023 at Exeter drove whilst disqualified and when drug above limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 24 months.

Daniel Tape, Berwick Avenue, Exeter. Age: 30. On 26/02/2024 at Exeter Police Station assaulted a police officer by beating. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Abstain from alcohol for 90 days. Compensation £75. Rehabilitation activity for 10 days.

Jack Gouldsbrough, College View, Tiverton. Age: 31. On 26/03/2024 at Tiverton stole alcohol worth £600 from Morrison. Plus shoplifting £200 alcohol from Tesco, assault PC, breach criminal behaviour order, resist a constable. Plea: Guilty. Prison for 30 weeks. Compensation £160.

Christopher Jacks, Macford Court, Axminster. Age: 54. On 06/09/2023 at Axminster stole meat from Tesco. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 18 months. Rehabilitation activity for 20 days. Fine £120.

APRIL 30

Danny Poole, Buttgarden Street, Bideford. Age: 48. On 18/01/2023 at Isle of Wight burglary Co-Op, stealing eight cans of Strongbow and a packet of Doritos and caused substantial damage to the shop. Plea: Guilty. Custody 24 weeks suspended for 12 months. Rehabilitation for 20 days.

Andrew Ayre, NFA, Exeter. Age: 51. On 31/12/2023 at Cullompton possession of 5.45g of cocaine. Plea: Guilty. Conditional discharge for six months.

Micheal Mackenzie, Stoke Lyne, Exmouth. Age: 58. On 19/03/2024 at Exmouth drove whilst disqualified. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 15 months. Fine £200.

Samantha Laing, Locarno Road, Exeter. Age: 41. On 12/04/2024 at Exeter drove when alcohol above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 17 months. Fined £120.

Connor Allin, Hillfield, South Zeal. Age: 22. On 10/11/2023 at Okehampton drove when drug above limit. Plea:Guilty. Disqualified for 18 months. Fined £576.

Georgi Aydarski, Bampton Street, Tiverton. Age: 58. On 17/02/2024 at Tiverton drove whilst disqualified. Plea: Guilty. Fined £200. Six penalty points.