A killer, sex offenders, drug dealers and violent thugs among those locked up at Teesside Crown Court last month.
The Northern Echo has pulled together a list of some of the most serious offenders facing justice.
See them below and find out why they were jailed.
Read more: Maya Chappell: Funeral held for County Durham toddler
Drug dealing granny
A grandmother at the heart of a family drug supply network has been locked up for more than five years.
Amada Sharp was arrested three times in just a matter of weeks while in possession of a quantity of cocaine and amphetamine as well as other paraphernalia associated with the illicit drug trade.
The 54-year-old, who has a long history of drug offences on her record, was allegedly involved with supplying the Class A and B drugs with her son and grandson.
The court heard that police raided Sharp’s home on Essex Road, Middlesbrough, on April 14 and recovered a stash of cocaine and amphetamine hidden in the pockets of her grandson’s dressing gown.
Recorder Peter Makepeace KC sentenced Sharp to a total of five years and three months for all charges telling her she was the ‘gift who kept giving’ to police for her repeated offending.
“It is a truly appalling record of previous convictions for drug supply, it has obviously been your business for a significant part of your life,” he said.
Crack dealer
A crack cocaine dealer has been jailed after he was caught in a sting when he repeatedly sold the drug to an undercover police officer.
Jay Curry sold the officer a £20 deal on a number of occasions in January and February last year and he was introduced to him by two addicts.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the 34-year-old handed over his mobile telephone number to the officer and subsequently set up a number of further deals over a five-week period.
Chris Baker, prosecuting, the officer befriended two drug users on Yarm Road in Stockton as they were making their way to buy drugs of a person called ‘Jay’ and went with them to buy a £20 deal on January 9 last year.
Curry, of Whitley Road, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to being concerned with the supply of crack cocaine and three charges of supplying crack cocaine to the undercover police officer.
Recorder Mark McKone KC locked Curry up for a total of three years and nine months for all charges.
“You were supplying Class A drugs over a period of five weeks,” he said. “You were caught supplying £20 deals to undercover police officers.
“Your case is that you were a drug user and built up a debt and were supplying to repay that debt."
Fire starter
A man who set fire to his own flat during a drug-induced psychosis before jumping from a third-floor window has been locked up.
Karl Britton barricaded the door of his flat with weights and a fridge before starting the blaze in the block of flats in Darlington in June this year.
The 34-year-old was then seen walking towards the town centre carrying a large knife and a metal bar.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the blaze caused £3,000 worth of damage to the flats on Trinity Road that house vulnerable in the town.
In police interview, the defendant told officers he was paranoid and believed someone was following him.
Recorder Mark McKone KC jailed Britton for two years before urging him to take the opportunity to address his amphetamine addiction.
He added: “I have seen the photographs of the inside of your flat where significant damage has been caused, I’m surprised to hear the damage caused was only £3,000.
“Fortunately, no one else suffered fire damage in their flat.”
Bullying thug
A bullying man who carried out a campaign of harassment and stalking on his partner over a seven-year period has been jailed.
Michael Rochford threatened to drown his former partner and dragged her around a room by her hair during their relationship before continuing his reign of terror after the relationship broke down.
The 30-year-old belittled and abused his victim throughout their relationship and even threatened to assault her when she was pregnant with their child.
James Yearsley, prosecuting, said the defendant’s abuse took place from January 1, 2012, and April 30, 2019, while the pair were in a relationship but continued even after they had split up.
Rochford, of Topcliffe Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to putting person in fear of violence through harassment and stalking, involving the fear of violence, alarm, or serious stress.
Michael Cahill, in mitigation, said his client had suffered from mental health for some time but accepted that it was ‘no excuse’ for his offending.
He said: “She describes, over a number of years, a pattern of bullying behaviour by you which included threats of serious violence, that you would drown her in the bath, you threatened her when she was pregnant with your child and you were witnessed dragging your partner by the hair.
“This was a pattern of behaviour over a seven-year period and it has had a significant effect on her."
Predatory rapist
A 'predatory' child rapist has been jailed for more than a decade after targeting a vulnerable young girl two decades ago.
Michael Scott, who has a number of convictions for sexual offences, was found guilty of raping the young girl following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
The 45-year-old’s depraved attack left his young victim traumatised and she is still struggling to come to terms with the impact of his rape.
In a victim impact statement, she told the court how throughout her childhood and into adulthood she had suffered from anxiety and struggled with trusting people.
Scott, of Dufton Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of a single count of rape, which occurred in the late 90s, despite refusing to take part in the trial.
He said: “It’s plain from her victim impact statement the offence of rape you committed towards her has had a lasting and damaging effect on her.”
Scott was issued with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life, and an indefinite restraining order.
Pervert teacher
A sick teacher who groomed a teenage girl after sending a video of himself carrying out a sex act and asking her if he could whip her with his tie has been locked up.
David Amos was tasked with contacting the County Durham student during the early days of the Covid pandemic but instead used his time to engage in sexual conversations with the girl.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the sexualised talk between the pair started on Snapchat before moving onto other social media platforms.
Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the 30-year-old coerced the teenager to send a photograph of her naked bottom after he had sent her a number of images of his penis.
Amos, of Lumley Road, Durham, pleaded guilty to causing a child to watch sexual activity and a charge of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Amrit Jandoo, in mitigation, said his client had struggled during lockdown after his relationship collapsed but understood his behaviour would result in the end of his promising teaching career.
Judge Chris Smith sentenced the former teacher to a total of 30 months in custody.
He added: “I have read some of the messages, there is a degree of cajoling or pressurising her to engage in sexual activity within the context of what is a gross breach of trust.”
Amos was also ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life and was made subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.
Child rapist
A pervert who sexually abused and raped a young girl when he was just a teenager has finally been locked up as justice caught up with him.
Stuart Jackson carried out a number of sickening sexual assaults on the young girl when she was under ten-years-old.
The 43-year-old’s offending took place more than two decades ago when he aged around 17, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Jackson, of Richmond Place, Thornaby, was found guilty of a catalogue of offences, including rape and serious sexual assault, following a trial earlier this year.
Judge Chris Smith said: “You subjected your victim to sexual assault in a variety of different ways. The first episode involved multiple assaults and you second attack her was similarly multifaceted - both amounts to sustained sexual assaults.”
Judge Smith added: “With great dignity and real clarity, this victim outlined to the court the effect your offending had on her. How psychologically she was affected immediately as a young girl; how as she grew older, she suffered flashbacks; and how medication and counselling had brought only limited relief from the depression and anxiety caused by your offending.”
Sick rapist
A vile rapist who attacked a teenager in a remote location after riding away with her on the back of his motorbike has been locked up for almost 13 years.
Lee Mason let the teenager sit on his motorbike for some photographs following a night out in Middlesbrough before speeding away from her friends and safety.
The 27-year-old took the terrified teenager to a remote location where he carried out two sexual assaults before riding off to an even more remote location where he subjected his young victim to a traumatic rape.
Aisha Wadoodi, prosecuting, said the teenager’s horrific physical ordeal only came to an end when Mason dropped her off near one of her friend’s homes and she managed to call the police.
In a heart-breaking victim impact statement, the woman said the mere sound of a motorbike leaves her terrified and her life has been destroyed by the lasting psychological damage caused by her rape.
Mason, of Hartington Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault, following the attack on April 24 this year.
Victoria Lamballe, in mitigation, said her client now fully accepts being responsible for everything that his teenage victim told police.
Judge Howard Crowson sentenced the father-of-two to a total of 12 years and nine months in prison.
“The effect on her continues, it was dreadful at the time and it continues now. For periods she has been unable to eat or sleep properly or go to work,” he said.
Killer driver
A cocaine-addled driver who killed his 15-year-old friend when he smashed into an oncoming car when he lost control of a Land Rover Discovery has been jailed.
Brandon Jefferson-Howe had been drinking and taking drugs in the hours leading up to the fatal collision in the early hours of Saturday, July 30, this year.
The 20-year-old, who has never held a driving licence, refused to give police the name of his passenger leaving Connor Thompson’s family anxiously waiting for several hours before their son could be formally identified.
Jefferson-Howe, of Trefoil Court, Norton, near Stockton, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
“The sentence that I impose doesn’t not, nor try to, measure the worth of Connor’s life or the grieving of his loss, which will be long-lived because his life has been tragically cut short,” he said.
Violent thugs
Two thugs who got drunk on the day they appeared in court charged with a violent armed confrontation left a man suffering serious injuries when they kicked his head like a football.
Sean Carroll and Jamie Hunt attacked the man, punching and kicking to the ground, as they walked through Middlesbrough town centre on March 13 this year.
The brutal attack resulted in the man having part of his skull removed to ease the swelling of his brain after he was repeatedly kicked to the head with such ferocity that he was left with a trainer print on his forehead.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the pair has spent the day drinking after appearing at the same court charged with affray and violent disorder after they became embroiled in a fight with Mark Nicholson.
An eye witness had described the men kicking their victim’s head like a football.
Carroll, of Firby Close, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm from that incident and using threatening behaviour, insulting words with intent to cause fear and provoking violence during the earlier incident.
The 33-year-old also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis from August 26, 2021; threatening to damage property from August 18 last year; and fraud from October 4, 2021.
His co-accused, Hunt, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm from that incident from the Middlesbrough attack.
The 30-year-old, of Jameson Road, Hartlepool, was also convicted of affray and possession of an offensive weapon from the July 2021 incident.
While Nicholson, 38, of Frederick Street, Seaham, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon after brandishing the golf club during the fight with Hunt.
Judge Howard Crowson jailed Carroll for four years for all offences; Hunt for three years and nine months; and passed a nine-month sentence, suspended for 12 months for Nicholson and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Threatening salesman
A threatening and intimidating dodgy fish salesman who ripped off at least 110 vulnerable or elderly customers raked in almost £250,000 over a three-year period.
Craig Henderson even had the audacity to ramp up the cost further as the age of his target increased – one as old as 105, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The 50-year-old continued to travel all over the country flogging his unsafe fish to unsuspecting victims throughout the Covid outbreak which rendered many of his victims housebound.
A judge heard how the unscrupulous businessman used his ill-gotten gains to fund his drink and drug addictions.
Sabrina Goodchild, prosecuting, said investigators were able to attribute £246,000 of fish sales going through the defendant’s bank account between November 2017 and June 21.
Henderson, of Fir Avenue, Durham, but formerly of Chester-le-Street, pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading over a three-and-a-half year period.
“Your methods included aggressive, misleading and dishonest sales techniques. It is perfectly clear that you were deliberately targeting areas where there was a high number of vulnerable or elderly people,” he said.
Domestic Violence
A bullying man who inflicted a seven-year reign of terror on his partner has been locked up for more than two years.
Keith Fleetham subjected his partner to vile abuse, threats and violence, throughout their relationship.
His threatening presence was so severe that his partner’s child wet themselves because they were too frightened to leave a room to go to the toilet, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The court how Fleetham had pinned the woman to the wall with his hands around her throat during one argument and he demanded that she tell him her pin number for her bank card.
The 51-year-old pushed his wife’s friend over and she was knocked unconscious after hitting her head on a concrete slab, the court heard.
The defendant then grabbed some keys from his wife’s hand which resulted in her fingernail being ripped off.
Fleetham, of Whin Meadows, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour and two counts of assault.
She said: “You accept that you called your wife abusive names – ‘a fat lazy *** and b******’ and you accept you called her abusive names in front of the children.”
Prolific offender
A prolific criminal is back behind bars after going on a burglary and theft spree in Darlington.
Lee Geldart knocked over the pensioner whose home he burgled when he jumped behind the wheel of her car and drove off after stealing the keys.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the woman suffered no injuries as a result but had been left traumatised by the burglary of her home.
Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said the 48-year-old’s latest crime spree started on April 12 when he stole food, candles and shopping basket from the One Stop Shop, a theft of £1,000 worth of DeWalt tools from a car on April 14.
On April 20 he stole Grenade Bars and Alcohol from the Blackwell Post Office and on the same day he carried out the burglary on Grangeside, Darlington.
Miss Buck said the defendant also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance after stealing the victim’s car.
His last offence took place between April 27 and May 5 when he was caught with a handbag and purse stolen during a burglary.
Geldart, of Dinsdale Court, Darlington, pleaded guilty to all offences.
The court heard how he had 39 convictions for 100 offences, including charges of burglary and theft, and was serving two suspended sentences at the time of the latest offences.
Judge Peter Armstrong said: “You had stolen jewellery, a mobile phone and her car keys, and when you left you took her car and drove off, accidentally knocking into her, fortunately she was not seriously injured.”
Read next:
- Police provide update into Shotton Colliery investigation
- County Durham toddler dies in hospital after alleged assault as investigation continues
- County Durham toddler fighting for her life as man is arrested after incident
If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here