Here, we have summarised the facts of cases relating to 11 South Yorkshire defendants whose offending was so serious that the judges presiding over their cases felt they had no option but to jail them.
They have been taken off the county’s streets, with custodial sentences ranging from 10 months to six years being passed.
In 1925, Lord Hewart, the then Lord Chief Justice of England said: “Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done.”
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5. Bledar Metushi: Jailed for 28 months
Bledar Metushi, 36, was jailed for 28 months during a hearing held on March 14, after he pleaded guilty to producing cannabis, relating to a cannabis factory in Russell Street, Rotherham. Sheffield Crown Court heard how a prosecution expert had determined that the 148 cannabis plants found at the property had a potential yield of between £41,000 and £124,000, once they had reached maturity. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
6. Colin Norfolk: Jailed for two years
Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 11 how Colin Norfolk, aged 67, of Richmond Road, Sheffield, had been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after he had accumulated repeated convictions for indecent exposure. James Baird, prosecuting, said the SHPO prohibited Norfolk from wearing clothing that facilitated the indecent exposure of his genitals in a public place. But Mr Baird added that between February and September, 2020, police had struggled to locate and monitor Norfolk at his flat and when he had been seen he was obstructive so a camera was installed outside his home to capture his movements. Mr Baird said: “He was seen on the camera and he was arrested leaving the flat wearing a coat, a hat and a short, floral mini-skirt that came just above his knees and flip-flops." Judge Rachael Harrison sentenced Norfolk to 24 months of custody and he was given a further eight weeks of custody relating to the activation of a previously imposed suspended prison sentence. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
7. Wayne Garrity: Jailed for 15 months
Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 17 how Wayne Garrity, aged 33, of Derby Street, Heeley, Sheffield, was part of a larger gang who subjected the mixed-race family to abuse in Barker’s Pool, before he attacked the man. Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting, told a previous hearing the victim and his partner and two daughters were subjected to racist abuse from the group before the man was punched and he and his family were pursued along Division Street. During the previous hearing, five others from Sheffield admitted using threatening behaviour including: David Hill, aged 28 at the time, of Skelton Grove; Luke Hodder, aged 29 at the time, of Burnaby Street; Brandon Moxon, aged 23 at the time, of Sicey Avenue; Iain Inkson, aged 57 at the time, of Stradbroke Road; and Hayley Holdsworth, aged 20 at the time, of Maltravers Crescent. Recorder Hawks previously sentenced Hill, Hodder, Moxon and Inkson to three months of custody suspended for 18 months with a 90 day Alcohol Abstinence and Monitoring Programme. He also sentenced Holdsworth to a 12 month community order with a rehabilitation requirement. Garrity pleaded guilty to affray and a further defendant Steven Carroll, aged 29, of Heelis Street, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. Recorder Hawks sentenced Garrity to 15 months of custody and he sentenced Carroll to three months of custody suspended for 18 months with a 90 day Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement. A 17-year-old youth, from Sheffield, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also admitted affray and he was to be sentenced at a separate youth court hearing. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
8. Melody Wolf: Jailed for 43 months
Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 17 how Melody Wolf, aged 31, of Birchall Avenue, Whiston, Rotherham, and an unknown man raided the Post Office shop on Far Lane, at East Dene, Rotherham, while a couple who owned the business were working early one morning. Mother-of-two Wolf pleaded guilty to the attempted robbery and to possessing an offensive weapon after the raid on September 27, 2021. She also admitted failing to surrender to the court on October 26, 2021. Recorder Megan Rhys sentenced Wolf to 43 months of custody and agreed with Mr Baptiste that what the defendant had done was “cowardly, callous and cruel”. She said: “This was a despicable offence committed against a couple who worked hard to earn a lawful and legitimate income and provide a service to the local community.” Photo: South Yorkshire Police