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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Wannabe Scarborough Doorman Forged Reference

A wannabe Scarborough doorman forged an employment reference in an attempt to con his way to an SIA licence.

Michael Fenwick admitted using a false instrument when he appeared at Scarborough Magistrates' Court on Friday, 1st May 2026.

Using a false instrument is an offence under section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. It has a maximum sentence of 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Magistrates heard that Fenwick supplied the regulator with a reference purportedly from his former employer. However, checks confirmed that no such reference had been provided and Fenwick subsequently admitted forging the document.

Fenwick was fined £230 and ordered to pay £90 surcharge and £600 towards prosecution costs.

Nicola Bolton, SIA Criminal Enforcement Manager, said: "Mr Fenwick's attempt to deceive the SIA in our licensing process had the potential to put the public at risk.

"Thankfully that point was never reached as the deception was swiftly identified by the SIA's Licensing Team.

"Our licensing process is robust, and anyone who attempts to cheat the system will be dealt with appropriately."

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