A look at Essex criminals sentenced in January 2025 for crimes including drug offenses, theft, and sexual offenses.
Some killers strangled people. Others stole a lot from shops. Some men made fake websites to trick people. Sexual predators tried to get kids to do things online. A pub boss got jail for a drug ring.
Ron Whyte used kids to sell drugs. He got a Slavery Trafficking Risk Order. It followed an investigation into his drug network. The network sent messages about crack and heroin in Southend. Whyte had contact with the young drug runners.
Shane Hadderton, Marvin Usher, and Deividas Fiodorovas are jailed. They used a forklift to break into Home Bargains. They also did other burglaries and thefts. They stole cash, tools, and vehicles. They used a forklift to steal a cash machine.
Richie Nkundo ran a drug line. Police found him quickly. Nkundo used a Harlow address to supply drugs. Police found drugs and a stun gun. They also found phones and drug tools.
Patrick McDonagh stole Rolex watches. He tricked store staff. He and another man robbed three stores. McDonagh stole almost £200,000 in watches. Police found his DNA. He was jailed for three years.
Simon Renoldi was a pub landlord. He got over 20 years for involvement in a drug ring. He supplied cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. He and others shipped drugs to New Zealand and Australia. Police found lots of cash and cocaine.
Lee Bergstrom is in jail. He contacted girls under 16 online. He violated a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He tried to engage in sexual activity with a girl.
Alex Potter and Bibi Stone stabbed someone. They left the victim with bad injuries. They took the victim’s wallet and change. Both were found guilty. Potter got eight years. Stone got three years and nine months.
Stacey Samuels is banned from BP and Co-op stores. She admitted to many shoplifting incidents. She stole meat, meals, chocolates, and wine. She also had cannabis and cocaine.
Alastair Dixon sent sexual messages. He messaged a decoy posing as a young teen. It violated a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He created a fake email with indecent images of children. He got five years and a lifelong SHPO.
Callum Picari ran a website. It helped criminals steal from banks. He charged a fee to bypass security. This allowed fraud on accounts like HSBC and Monzo. He was jailed for over two years.
Kevin Horswill strangled someone. It happened in the victim’s garden. The jury found him guilty of murder. He got a life sentence.
Mark Welstead had a lot of cocaine. Police found it in his car on the M6. The cocaine was worth nearly £100,000. He was jailed for more than three years.
Craig Butcher chatted with a ‘teen girl’ online. It was an undercover cop. He said he wanted sex. The judge said it only stopped because of the arrest.