Below are some of the more serious and dreadful cases to have passed through Sheffield Crown Court in September where victims have been left injured, traumatised or out of pocket.
Different offenders have been involved in shootings, robberies, a high-speed police chase and drug-dealing.
Among those sentenced, a peadophile has been jailed after he incited a child to engage in a sexual activity and videoed the horrific offence, while another pervert has been locked-up after he was trapped by an online police decoy pretending to be a 12-year-old girl.
In another case, an axe-wielding robber terrified a cashier during a raid at a petrol station.
Judges have punished eight of these offenders appropriately with custodial sentences of varying lengths. Two of the convicted defendants have been remanded in custody awaiting sentencing in October with one told he faces a possible life sentence and another told all sentencing options will be considered.
You can also read about the latest court cases on The Star’s website, in print and on our social media channels including Facebook and Twitter.
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5. Cameron Blair
Pictured is Cameron Blair, aged 27, of Whitehouse Lane, Sheffield, who was sentenced to four years of custody on September 14 at Sheffield Crown Court after he admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a child, attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, breaching a community order and an SHPO, and attempting to arrange a child sex offence. The court heard Blair was trapped by an online police decoy pretending to be a 12-year-old girl and police found a text message sent by Blair to an escort agency asking to meet someone aged under 16. Blair was sentenced to four years of custody and his SHPO was extended by five years. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
6. Nathan Harrod
Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 14 how Nathan Harrod, pictured, aged 25 when sentenced, of Wilford Road, Barnsley, has been jailed after he shot a man in the leg with a shotgun. Harrod, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after the incident on December 20, 2019. Harrod also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he and two others physically attacked a man on Belmont Avenue, Barnsley, in September, 2018. Judge Michael Slater sentenced Harrod to ten years of custody. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
7. Reece Cooley
Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 21 how axe-wielding armed robber Reece Cooley, pictured, aged 20 when sentenced, of Shaftesbury Avenue, Doncaster, raided a petrol station on Bawtry Road, Doncaster, on August 14. Cooley pleaded guilty to robbery and to possessing a bladed article. Recorder Keir Monteith QC sentenced Cooley to three years and four months of custody. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
8. Stephen Dunford
Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 21 how Stephen Dunford, aged 25, pictured, of Fellbrigg Road, Sheffield, was found guilty of attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after the drive-by shooting of a boy in Arbourthorne on January 12. Dunford was also found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after a separate shooting incident on Northcote Avenue, Sheffield, on January 10, after a bullet was found in a vehicle tyre. Dunford has also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving from November involving a stolen white Ford Focus. Dunford, who is remanded in custody, will be sentenced on October 2 and faces a possible life sentence. Photo: South Yorkshire Police