Unrepentant Shop Thief Talks Himself Into Harsher Sentence

An unrepentant shop thief has talked himself into a harsher sentence, by showing a total disregard for the business he stole from.

James Taylor, 33, of Llewelyn Drive, Bryn-y-Baal, Flintshire, admitted an offence of shop theft when he appeared at Mold Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 18th June 2026.

Theft is an offence under section 1 of the Theft Act 1968. Shop theft of items under the value of £200 is dealt with as a summary offence, with the maximum sentence of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine. We have previously written an article on the legalities surrounding theft.

Magistrates heard that Taylor entered Holland & Barrett in Mold on Monday, 5th January 2026.

Once inside his behaviour aroused the suspicion of a member of staff, who approached and asked if he needed any help.

Taylor replied: "She's pissing me off. She keeps phoning me. I've got to go."

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, said that staff later checked the store's CCTV. The footage revealed that Taylor had squatted down beside a display and concealed a bottle of CBD oil, valued at £68.99, on his person before walking out with it.

CBD oil (aff.) contains some of the same ingredients as cannabis, but is legal to buy and possess as a food supplement.

In interview Taylor said that he needed the CBD to "mimic the calming effect of cannabis".

He added that a large company like Holland & Barrett "could afford to lose the money".

Magistrates, who had been considering a conditional discharge, were unimpressed at that final comment, so decided to impose a fine instead.

Taylor was fined £80.

He was also ordered to pay £68.99 in compensation, £32 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Bah Humbug: Suspended Sentence for Vandal Who Felled Village Christmas Tree

A vandal who felled a County Durham village Christmas tree has been made handed a suspended sentence order.

Dylan James McNamara, 26, of Bruce Glazier Terrace, Shotton Colliery, admitted an offence of criminal damage when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Friday, 15th May 2026.

He was sentenced by the same court on Tuesday, 16th June 2026.

Criminal damage is an offence under section 1(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. Criminal damage below £5,000, as is the case here, is a summary offence. It has a maximum sentence of 3 months' custody and/or a fine at level 4. We have previously written a guide to the offence of criminal damage, which some readers may find of interest.

Magistrates heard that the 22-foot tree was felled by McNamara and another man shortly after its lights switch on ceremony on Wednesday, 10th December 2025.

The live festive spruce had been planted in Shotton Colliery a decade earlier and doubled as a monument to local soldiers who had died in World War One.

McNamara was caught committing the crime on CCTV. The saw used to do the deed was later recovered from behind his refrigerator.

The 26-year-old has never given an explanation for his antics, which barrister Amrit Jandoo suggested might be "some sort of sport, joke or humour".

Mr Jandoo added that his client was remorseful for his actions and wished to apologise to the people of Shotton Colliery.

Magistrates were of the view that McNamara's crime was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. However, in line with new sentencing legislation, the custodial term was suspended.

McNamara was sentenced to 10 weeks' custody suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £520 compensation, which will be deducted from his benefits.

William Unsworth, Presiding Justice, said to the defendant: "This was not a very nice thing to do, was it, especially when it was a memorial to people who died in the wars?"

Stuart Wardle, clerk to Shotton Parish Council, said it was "disgraceful that someone could cut down a tree that had been part of the community".

Newcastle Liberal Democrat Councillor Sexually Assaulted Woman

A Liberal Democrat councillor sexually assaulted a woman he lured into his bedroom with a teddy bear.

Thom Campion, 28, of Warkworth Woods, Great Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, denied an offence of sexual assault, but was convicted following a recent trial at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

Sexual assault is an offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It has a maximum sentence of 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment; 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

District Judge Paul Currer heard that the assault took place at Campion's suburban home in March 2023.

At the time he was a Liberal Democrat councillor on Newcastle City Council. Campion had first made contact with the complainant via the OnlyFans website.

The woman's account, which has been accepted by the court, is that Campion took her upstairs on the pretext of showing her a "cute teddy".

Once there the 28-year-old politician pinned her to the bed and touched her breasts without consent. He also dragged her to the floor by her hair and forced his fingers into her mouth, all the while muttering derogatory sexual comments towards her.

Campion's account, which has been rejected by the court, is that the woman consented to the activity. He claimed to have invited her upstairs to view an explicit item of clothing he had recently purchased.

The complainant had not originally intended to report Campion's crime, but did so when she saw him running a Liberal Democrat campaign stall at a local market.

In his findings, DJ Currer said: "She repeatedly told the defendant 'no' when with him in the bedroom. Having listened with care to all the evidence, I'm sure the defendant engaged in these sexual acts without her consent."

Campion, who has no previous convictions, was granted unconditional bail until his sentencing hearing.

He was previously selected as the Liberal Democrats' parliamentary candidate for Cramlington and Killingworth in the 2024 General Election. He is no longer associated with the party.

Northumbria University Tutor Sexually Assaulted Student

A Northumbria University tutor lost his job and gained a criminal record after repeatedly trying to kiss a student.

Arrian Cornwell, 34, of Victoria Avenue, Whitley Bay, admitted an offence of sexual assault when he appeared recently at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

Sexual assault is an offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It has a maximum sentence of 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment; 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

District Judge Kate Meek was told that the academic assaulted the student at Alfie's Bar, just a stone's throw away from the university's Faculty of Business and Law where he worked, during an evening in October 2024.

The persistent 34-year-old was repeatedly rebuffed by the complainant, but grabbed his face and managed to plant a kiss on his lips at the third time of trying.

Cornwell's conduct was reported to the university, which launched an internal investigation and referred the matter to the police. He was subsequently dismissed from his employment.

DJ Meek ordered a pre-sentence report.

Cornwell was granted bail until his sentencing on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026.

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