Plymouth man who hurled threats at judge walks free

A man who caused damage to a Crown Court door and hurled threats at a judge after a woman was sentenced, was handed a suspended sentence by a District Judge.

Anthony Styles, aged 22 and from Mainstone Avenue, Plymouth was arrested by police following an incident at Plymouth Crown Court on April 18 this year.

Inquiries made by police revealed that a verbal altercation broke out in the public gallery between families of the defendant and her victim following a sentencing hearing.

The judge in the Crown court room ordered the public gallery to be cleared whereupon shouting was heard outside in the corridor as a man - later identified as Styles - attempted to push past security staff and re-enter the court.

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PlymouthLive was told the judge - Judge James Bromige - was urged by court staff to press the panic alarm, which sits in front of judges at Plymouth Crown Court, before then leaving the courtroom.

Meanwhile, court security staff who had escorted Styles out of the courtroom, told police that while in the corridor Styles had said "I want to get to him now, where is he?", "who the f*** does he think he is" and "I'm going to f***ing stab him".

Believing these comments were made in reference to the judge security staff attempted to calm Styles but as he continued to make attempts to re-enter the courtroom they decided that he should be ejected from the building. On his way out Styles kicked out at a reinforced glass panel of a door, causing it to shatter.

Parts of the incident were captured on the court's CCTV system and investigators who viewed the footage were able to identify Styles as the offender. He was later arrested and charged with two counts - criminal damage and a public order offence.

He appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on May 4 where he pleaded guilty to both charges and was initially expected to be sentenced on June 4 but he failed to attend the hearing.

A bench warrant was issued by District Judge Joanna Matson. He was later arrested by police and the hearing was listed for June 18 where a number of other charges were also put to him.

Styles pleaded guilty to a count of theft from a motor vehicle on February 20 at Hexton Hill in Plymouth, where he stole "several item including NHS card" from one vehicle and a 12V tyre inflator, two window ice scrapers, small tools and a penknife to the value of £30 from another vehicle.

On the same day he stole makeup, a handbag containing house keys and a bank card from a vehicle in Harris Court, Plymouth. He also targeted another vehicle in the same area, taking a bank card, cordless hoover, jacket, scarf and coat to the value of £170.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a golf bag containing several golf clubs and golfing equipment to the value of £2,000 from another vehicle on February 20.

For the offence of using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence towards the judge, causing damage to a court door, as well as the other offences, District Judge Joanna Matson was handed a 14 week jail sentence, but suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation for the damage to the court door.

In addition, District Judge Matson ordered Styles to carry out a Rehabilitation activity requirement up to 20 days.

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