Many of us will have set some New Year’s resolutions for this year. But these offenders will instead be spending the start of their 2025 with prison sentences.
As everyone was celebrating the Christmas season, many courts in our region remained open – and these offenders were either put behind bars, or were given suspended prison sentences during the festivities. From heartless attackers, to cannabis farmers and stalkers, Newcastle Crown Court dealt with all kinds of criminals towards the end of December and beginning of January.
Here are just some that were dealt with recently:
Mark Wyatt
Mark Wyatt, who assaulted his cousin
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Football fan Mark Wyatt left his cousin with a life-changing brain injury in a “senseless” single punch when post-match “banter” turned sour. Wyatt landed one blow on Anthony Robson’s face while they were out drinking after Sunderland’s final match of the season last May.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the force of the punch made Mr Robson fall backwards onto the road and he suffered a devastating brain injury which meant surgeons had to remove 40 per cent of his skull during life saving surgery. The court heard Mr Robson spent two-and-a-half months in hospital, including four weeks in intensive care, before he was transferred to Leicestershire, where he lives, for further rehabilitation.
Recorder Nathan Moxon said it was a “senseless act with catastrophic consequences” and sentenced Wyatt to 14 months, suspended for 18 months. He must also complete an alcohol abstinence requirement, rehabilitation and 160 hours unpaid work.
Mark James
Mark James, jailed for attempting to rob his partner
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Convicted rapist Mark James tried to rob his partner after downing around 18 cans of lager – because she wouldn’t give him £10 to buy more booze. James had already persuaded the woman to give him £20 for alcohol but after consuming it all, he demanded more. She eventually gave in to his request for £10 but he then raised his demand to £20.
When she refused, he turned aggressive, throwing beer over her before repeatedly punching her and twisting her arm while threatening to break it. The attack only came to an end when a concerned neighbour banged on the window and told him to get off her. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was jailed for three-and-a-half years with an extended licence period of a further two years
Klodian Sulovari and Eldison Kalemi
Klodian Sulovari and Eldison Kalemi
Illegal immigrants Klodian Sulovari and Eldison Kalemi were found looking after a £240,000 cannabis farm in a former restaurant. Police raided Riverside Lodge, High Stanners, Morpeth, Northumberland, on October 9 last year. As the raid took place, Klodian Sulovari and Eldison Kalemi tried to escape via the roof, putting themselves and officers in danger, but were arrested.
Inside, police found 533 cannabis plants, 183 of which were well-developed and four to five feet in height. The other 350 were between two and three-and-a-half fee tall and there were also 224 cuttings about four inches in height.
Police said the value of the cannabis farm could have been as high as £240,000 and there was evidence there had been a previous crop. They both pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and Kalemi was jailed for two years and Sulovari got 20 months.
Gordon Glass
Gordon Glass, jailed for controlling behaviour
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Control freak Gordon Glass left his partner living in fear he would kill her. Glass began a relationship with the woman in June 2023 and she said things were initially problem-free, although on occasions he would ask her to send photographs showing where she was at any given time, which she didn’t mind at first. However in May last year he became controlling towards her.
Glass, of no fixed address, who has 12 previous convictions, admitted controlling or coercive behaviour, assault by beating and two counts of criminal damage. He was jailed for two years and given a restraining order.
Paul Barton
Paul Barton, jailed for seven-and-a-half years for domestic violence offences
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Savage thug Paul Barton repeatedly stamped on his partner and threatened to kill her while holding a knife to her throat during a “campaign of terror”. He subjected his then-girlfriend to a series of assaults, including stamping, punching and kicking her after she had lost consciousness.
The violent relationship had a significant impact on the victim and a judge described her statement about how she had suffered as “harrowing”. In December, the 47-year-old Barton, of Finchley Crescent, Daisy Hill, Newcastle, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he admitted three assaults and threats to kill.
Shuaib Muhammad
Shuaib Muhammad, jailed for stalking
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Stalker Shuaib Muhammad subjected a complete stranger to a campaign of terror in a case which a judge said was like a Hollywood film. Muhammad started targeting the woman soon after he had been released from prison on licence for stalking another woman. It began when the victim got a handwritten note through the door asking her to call a number because there was a parcel for her.
Muhammad later turned up at her home and was seen looking inside and reaching in through a partially opened window trying to undo the window on the inside. She installed a camera at her property and it was found the window pane had been painted white to obscure the view of the camera. The court heard the campaign of terror continued and what ensued was described as ‘predatory stalking behaviour’ where Muhammad ‘tracked’ the woman and was spotted stalking her on numerous occasions.
He pleaded guilty to stalking involving fear of violence and was jailed for five years with an extended licence period of a further three years. He was also given an indefinite restraining order.
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