Weekly court round up: Cornwall man denies causing death by dangerous driving and more cases

CHRIS JOHNS, 48, of Coles Mill Close, Holsworthy pleaded not guilty at Truro Crown Court to causing the death of Martin Snowden and serious injury to two men and a woman by driving a Honda Civic dangerously and without due care and attention when he had 18 micrograms of cocaine in 100 millilitres of blood exceeding the limit of ten on the A30 at Plusha on 2 May 2024. His trial was fixed for 10 May.

JESSICA FRIGGENS, 32, of Deep Moor Close, The Mike Peters Estate, St Ives pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to causing the death of Arthur Orum by driving an uninsured Audi A3 without due care and attention on Tregenna Hill, St Ives on 30 December 2023. She was given a 11-month prison sentence suspended for two years, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for 15 months.

TREVOR CHRISTIE, 47, of Penberthy Road, Helston has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with on 27 September and 15 October, knowing or believing that a victim was a witness in proceedings for an offence, repeatedly contacting her and making threats which intimidated her intending to cause the investigation to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with. He is also charged with threatening to burn down her flat on 27 September and, on 1 October, sending her a photograph of a person’s genitals for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification and being reckless as to whether that person would be caused alarm, distress or humiliation. He was remanded in custody and his case listed for 17 November.

VIOREL MANAFU, 41, of Rocks Farm, Bugle has been sent to prison for five years after he was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of raping a woman at St Austell in 2022. He was made subject to a restraining order not to contact his victim until 15 October 2036.

ROBERTO CINA, 42, of Hallane Road, St Austell pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in sexual activity for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification knowing a ten-year-old girl would be aware of the activity at Asda in St Austell in April 2025; to between December 2021 and May 2022 at an address in St Austell, committing the same offence with a 14-year-old victim; to, between January and March last year, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, communicating with unknown children by exposing his penis in an online chat room and to making 114 category A, 31 category B and 275 category C indecent photographs of children. He was committed to Truro Crown Court for sentence on 13 November. He was released on conditional bail restricting his contact with anyone aged under 18.

CHRISTOPHER SOLOMON, 38, of Trelispen Park, Gorran Haven had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to answer court bail. Solomon has been charged with possessing extreme pornographic images portraying a person performing intercourse with an animal and making 258 category A, 75 category B and 140 category C indecent images of a child between 2007 and 2025. He is also charged with possessing 0.3g of cocaine on 13 February last year.

MALCOLM DIXON, 57, of Portland Close, Liskeard was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of a number of sex offences against children including raping a 12-year-old girl and indecently assaulting a girl aged 10. He will be sentenced on 9 November and was released on conditional bail.

WILLIAM SCHOFIELD, 34, of Menheniot was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of raping a girl aged under 13 and sexually assaulting a ten-year-old girl. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 27 November.

MATTHEW DYKE, 25, of Broomfield Road, Wadebridge changed his plea to guilty at Truro Crown Court on a charge of, in 2020 at Wadebridge, sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He was given a 28-month prison sentence, suspended for three years; put under a six-month curfew to remain at his home daily between 7pm and 7am; ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and was made subject to a restraining order not to contact his victim, go within 100 metres of a school or go to an address in Wadebridge until 16 October 2034. He was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with anyone under the age of 16.

GRAHAM BAZLEY, 71, of Tryhornek, Trencrom Lane, Carbis Bay pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to making indecent photographs of a child between 2010 and June 2026 and distributing an indecent photograph of a child at Lelant in 2024. He was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and made subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his use of the internet.

SIMON SLATER, 30, of Jennings Road, Redruth was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of raping a man at Portreath in July 2023. He was sent to prison for five years and made subject to a restraining order not to contact his victim until 15 October 2036.

REECE MASON, 22, of NFA, Newquay pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Camborne in 2024 when he used a bank card belonging to someone else without their permission to buy goods worth over £200. He will be sentenced on 25 November.

CLAIRE EMERTON, 48, of Manor View, Par pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation when she used someone else’s bank card to gain £100 cash from Tesco in St Austell on 4 February, £500 cash on 19 February, £250 cash on 26 February and £750 cash from the Co-op in Bugle and Tesco in St Austell on 20 February; £500 cash from Asda in St Austell on 9 March and £650 cash on 6 March. She was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Magistrates said: “This is an incredibly disturbing case. You have deliberately targeted someone vulnerable whom you were supposed to be caring. This was sustained and repeated and a particularly vulnerable victim and it has had a significant impact on them and their family.” They noted she has a previous caution for another dishonesty offence but acknowledged she had shown remorse, co-operated fully with the investigation and has a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation.

BROOKLYN COBBLE, 22, of Harvenna Heights, Fraddon pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman at Fraddon on 15 June and not guilty to stalking her between 19 September and 16 October. He was remanded in custody and his case adjourned.

JAMIE HARRIS, 34, of Rosevear Terrace, Bugle pleaded not guilty at Truro Crown Court to assaulting a man occasioning him actual bodily harm, not guilty to assaulting a woman and causing nearly £2000 worth of damage to her home on 10 May but guilty to using threatening behaviour. He will be sentenced on 13 November and was released on conditional bail not to go to Rock View Parc, Roche or contact a man and a woman.

DARREN THOMSON, 61, of Hallaze Road, Penwithick pleaded guilty to assaulting a man occasioning him actual bodily harm at St Austell on 4 November. He was given a 24-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months and ordered to pay his victim £1000 compensation. Magistrates noted it was an unprovoked, prolonged attack of a serious nature in a public place where children could have been present.

HARVEY YEATES, 20 of Badgers Watch, Trewoon pleaded guilty to assaulting a man at Asda in St Austell on 16 September. He was ordered to abstain from consuming alcohol until 23 January and to pay his victim £150 compensation.

JAMIE SEWARD-TOMPSETT, 20, of Hewas Water pleaded guilty to assaulting a man at Asda in St Austell on 16 September. He was ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work and to pay his victim £150 compensation.

TAYLOR HAINES, 26, of Wilson Way, Par pleaded not guilty at Truro Crown Court to assaulting and strangling a woman at Aglets Way, St Austell on 11 September. His trial was fixed for 22 February and he was released on conditional bail not to go to Aglets Way or contact two women.

KIERAN PEDLAR, 39, of Rhind Street, Bodmin was found guilty in his absence of assaulting a woman at Rhind Street, Bodmin in April 2025. He was fined £720 and made subject to a restraining order not to contact his victim until 20 October 2028.

ADRIAN MARTIN, 47, of Harvey Street, Torpoint pleaded guilty to assaulting a man at Torpoint on 16 April. He will be sentenced on 27 November.

JOHN WAUMSLEY, 74, of Coates Green, Launceston pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman at Callington on 31 March. He will stand trial at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on 2 June and was released on conditional bail not to go to Homefield Road, Callington or contact a woman.

ALEXANDER STEWART, 39, of Prince Philip Road, St Stephens has been sent to prison for 24 months after pleading guilty at Truro Crown Court to assaulting two men occasioning them actual bodily harm, assaulting a woman and possessing an offensive weapon, a Stanley knife, at Newport Industrial Estate, Launceston on 16 April. He was made subject to a restraining order not to contact two of his two victims or go to Prince Philip Road, St Stephens until 20 October 2031.

SHANNON READ HUGHES, 27, of Raymond Road, Redruth has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a man with intent at Camborne in July 2024. Her case was listed for 6 November.

JASON HART, 31, of NFA changed his plea to guilty at Truro Crown Court on a charge of assaulting a woman at Penryn in September 2025 occasioning her actual bodily harm. He will be sentenced on 12 November.

CRAIG IVEY, 34, of Trelander Highway, Truro, GEORGE BOWDEN, 28, of NFA, Falmouth and MOYANA ONEILL, 41, of Saracen Close, Penryn have been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a man at Penryn on 5 September last year. Their case was listed for 20 November and they were released on conditional bail not to contact three people or enter St Thomas Street, Penryn.

JAMIE WILSON, 39, of Old Bridge Street, Truro has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with assaulting a woman occasioning her actual bodily harm on 8 December. His case was listed for 20 November and he was released on conditional bail not to contact his alleged victim or go to an address in Truro.

GARETH LAIDLAW, 41, of Porthleven pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to assaulting and strangling a woman at Porthleven on 1 February. He will be sentenced on 13 November and was released on conditional bail not to enter an address in Porthleven.

CHRISTIAN TOPHILL, 54, of Stennack Place, St Ives was found guilty of assaulting a man and a woman at Carbis Bay Holiday Park in March 2025. He was given a ten-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was made subject to a restraining order not to contact a man or enter Carbis Bay Holiday Park until 20 October 2031.

ANDREW O’BRIAN, 34, of Twinbrook Park, Goldenbank, Falmouth pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to harassing a woman putting her in fear of violence between 2023 and June 2026. He had pleaded not guilty to assaulting her and having a knife in a public place at Carbis Bay on 10 May and assaulting her on 2 May and 22 April. These counts will remain on file. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 30 November.

GARETH FOX, 37, of Creakavose Park, St Stephen pleaded guilty at Truro Crown Court to stalking a woman between 20 July and 1 September. He had pleaded not guilty to using controlling and coercive behaviour – this count will remain on file. He was remanded in custody for pre-sentence reports.

MATTHEW MELLOR, 46, of Polruan Road, Malpas pleaded guilty to stalking a woman at Bodmin on 1 April by attending her home on numerous occasions, being abusive and delivering unwanted gifts and to stalking a man at Bodmin between 30 March and 2 April by contacting and calling his place of work asking for money and guilty to failing to surrender to custody at Truro Magistrates’ Court on 29 September. He was sent to prison for 12 weeks because he deliberately and repeatedly contacted a woman and her father which had a significant impact on them and they were in fear of him. The court heard he has previous convictions for harassment and had not complied with his community order or the probation service and was not manageable in the community.

STEPHEN COTTLE, 47, of Callington was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 16 October not to contact or threaten a person or enter an address in Callington.

TYLER HENDRA, 27, of East Pool Park, Pool was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 18 October not to contact or threaten a woman or enter an address at Four Lanes, Redruth.

TOM BENNETT, 34, of Hillsdale Bungalows, Breage, Helston was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 21 October not to contact or threaten a woman or enter an address at Pool.

DANNY FURZE, 23, of Trelawney Avenue, Redruth was made subject to a 28-day domestic violence protection notice on 20 October not to contact or threaten a woman or enter an address at Mevagissey.

SCOTT OWEN, 35, of St Marys Road, Bodmin pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of cannabis between August and October 2024 and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 24 months. Magistrates said it was a deliberate and sustained incident from which he intended to make a significant financial gain and he has a previous conviction for an identical offence.

MAXIM COLLINS, 26, of Botha Road, St Eval pleaded guilty to possessing 7.13 grams of cocaine worth £800 at Newquay with intent to supply on 12 December. He has also been charged with possessing 13 packets of THC edibles (cannabis) worth £195 and four THC (cannabis) vape pens worth £160 at Wadebridge on 13 December with intent to supply. He will appear at Truro Crown Court on 13 November.

ANYA CURTIS, 35, of Penarwyn Road, St Blazey has been sent to prison for 12 months after she failed to attend a probation appointment on two occasions. She was in breach of a suspended sentence given by Truro magistrates on 23 June after she was convicted of having a scythe in a public place on Tywardreath Highway on 6 June.

JORDAN MATTHEWS, 24, of Baytree Hill, Liskeard has been sent to Truro Crown Court charged with possessing a knife on Baytree Hill on 30 September. His case was listed for 13 December.

STEPHEN COTTLE, 48, of Urban Terrace, Callington has been given a two-year conditional discharge after he pleaded guilty to having a serrated kitchen knife on Urban Terrace on 5 April.

MATTHEW MELLOR, 46, of NFA, has been sent to prison for 18 weeks after he failed to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Truro Magistrates’ Court on 11 August. During an appointment on 25 August, he was aggressive and threatening towards staff.

ROBERT JOHNSTON, 48, of Timber Close, St Austell pleaded guilty to damaging a phone worth £300 belonging to Devon and Cornwall Police at Newquay custody suite on 20 October and breaking his bail conditions the same day by going to an area of St Austell he was banned from visiting. He was ordered to pay £300 compensation. Johnston is facing charges of wounding a man with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, a hammer, at Cornwall Neighbourhood for Change, High Cross Street, St Austell on 14 July – offences he has pleaded not guilty to. He has pleaded guilty to threatening to damage property during the same incident. He is due to appear in Truro Crown Court on 11 December.

GEORGINA ROUA, 27, of Minorca Lane, Bugle has been given a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after she pleaded guilty to stealing £621.59 worth of goods from TK MAXX in Truro on 11 March, over £500 worth of goods from the shop on 7 June and £80 worth of goods on 15 June; about £300 worth of goods from TK MAXX in St Austell on 6 March and £170 worth of goods from The Range in Truro on 20 July. Magistrates noted it was a deliberate, repeated and targeted shoplifting spree. She acted with others but took the leading role in a planned crime which included the use of getaway drivers. She had claimed to be stealing for her children but she was caught stealing jewellery, men’s clothing and an air fryer. She was ordered to pay £300 compensation.

FAYE SELWAY, 49, of Glen Road, Wadebridge ended up with a court bill of nearly £4,000 after she sold a wedding cake on 25 April which ‘was not of the quality demanded by the purchaser’. Selway pleaded guilty to four offences under the Food Safety Act at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court. Trading as the Natural Cake Company, having been informed that her client suffered from severe nut and peanut allergies in September 2025, she promised the couple’s cake could be made in a nut-free environment at 68 Clear Space. But she had closed that studio and made the cake from her domestic kitchen without informing her customers about the change in environment. As well as providing a poor-quality wedding cake she had failed to register her business operating from 68 Clear Space, Wadebridge in 2024 and from Glen Road, Wadebridge in 2025. She was fined £640, has to pay a £256 surcharge and £3067 court costs.

LOIS SUMMERS, 38, of Whitecroft, Wadebridge has been charged with six offences under the Animal Welfare Act. She is alleged to, at Castle Canyke Road, Bodmin on or before 19 August last year, confined eight pigs to a trailer without food, water or bedding causing them unnecessary suffering; failed to have provided the pigs with effective treatment for a parasite infestation; failed to have met the needs of pigs, horses and sheep by not providing sufficient drinking water and exposing them to potentially injurious objects namely scrap metal and broken roofing; permitted the pigs to stray outside her holding due to inadequate fencing and failed to dispose of pig carcasses in accordance with EU regulations. Her case was adjourned until 17 November.

4 ST THOMAS CLOSE, TRURO was made subject to a three-month closure order on 19 October under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

MAGISTRATES will decide on 28 October whether to impose a closure order on 26 PENMORVAH ROAD, TRURO under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act. The case was adjourned at Truro Magistrates’ Court for a Latvian interpreter to be present.