Locked up in October: Rapists and violent thugs among those jailed in Cornwall

Child rapists, a bizarre child kidnapper who made them chant 'We Love Jesus' and a thug who beat up a woman in a bar after telling he doesn't beat women up but could have been among the criminals locked up at Truro Crown Court in October.

Here we look back at the court cases where only a prison sentence, or a hospital order, was deemed appropriate.

Sick child rapist told victim abuse would be 'good practice' for her

A child rapist told one of his victims masturbating him would be good practice for when she has a boyfriend. Paul Bendelow was found guilty after trial at Truro Crown Court of five counts of sexual activity with a child and rape of a child in connection with incidents involving two young girls more than 10 years ago in the greater Liskeard area.

The 39-year-old had to be brought into court by Devon and Cornwall Police for his trial after he failed to turn up and an arrest warrant was issued. He has been in custody on remand since the verdict and now appeared at a sentencing hearing at the court on Thursday, October 2.

The court heard how Bendelow had also threatened one of the girls with violence and violence against her loved ones if she told anyone of the sexual abuse he inflicted upon her.

His Honour Judge James Adkin said Bendelow had used the two girls for sex and the trauma was still having an impact on their lives so many years later. Bendelow orally and vaginally raped one of the girls and encouraged the other to masturbate him and offered her money.

Judge Adkin said Bendelow had even told one of his victims that "masturbating him would be good practice for when she has a boyfriend".

Nigel Wraith, defending, said Bendelow had been a man who had not offended before or since these incidents and had always worked very hard for very limited earnings. He said that Bendelow had no intention of ever returning to Cornwall once he is released from prison.

Judge Adkin sentenced him to a total of 18 years in prison including one year on licence. Bendelow, from Sheviok, Torpoint, will be on the sex offenders register for 30 years. A 30-year sexual harm prevention order was also made against him and a restraining order was imposed on him for life.

Kidnapper made abducted children chant 'we love Jesus'

A man abducted children and made them chant "we are well" and "we love Jesus" during what a Crown Court judge has described as a very "bizarre behaviour".

Devon and Cornwall Police were called in. James Beckett was in the Callington area when he ignored 23 calls about the two under-16s as he failed to return them.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Thursday, September 2 was told how the 18-hour abduction - in which the children were not harmed in any way - turned into a bizarre rant where Beckett told them he was protecting them from the devil, and some "evil entity" was trying to kill him.

The court was told that during the conversation he had with the children he told them that calendars should have 13 months and not 12 and that he was driving around for hours to "protect their energy". On one occasion he made them chant "we are safe" and "we love each other" or again "we love Jesus".

The court was told that on that day earlier this year Beckett stopped in a local Tesco for the children to have a toilet break and food again at a garden centre but soon the car ran out of fuel.

They stopped in the middle of nowhere in north Devon about 15 to 20 miles from where they had been staying in Cornwall and all slept in the car. The next morning they stopped at a farm and asked for a phone and help after Beckett had ordered the children to get rid off their own phones.

The farmer grew suspicious and sent them the local village where they had some food and drinks from the local postmistress. By then Beckett's picture and an appeal for information from Devon and Cornwall Police had been circulated and he was identified. Police were called and he was arrested.

The court heard how incoherent he was in police interview. He first pleaded not guilty to two charges of abducting children under the age of 16 (detaining a child so as to keep him/her from a person having lawful control) but later changed his plea to guilty.

Christopher Cuddihee, Beckett's barrister, said the 38-year-old, of no fixed abode in Barnstaple, Devon, said he never harmed the children and never had any intention of ever doing so.

He said he had met the children in Lincolnshire. "It is an unusual case," he told the court. "These children have described him as being a nice caring gentle man."

Mr Cuddihee added: "He has a calm demeanour and he is a dad himself. It was not an intentional decision to do these children any harm. Since spending four months and 10 days on remand, he has had time to reflect on his thinking and behaviour around the time of the offence.

"He understands why he is before this court and is genuinely remorseful. There certainly is a mental health element to all this."

His Honour Judge James Adkin said Beckett had been in Cornwall at the time "behaving bizarrely" when he drove off and kept these children away from their mother, whom he said would have been in great distress.

"I do not understand how you behaved that way," he told Beckett. "There is no substance abuse. No explanation for how you behaved so bizarrely."

He sentenced Beckett to 12 months in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. Judge Adkin also imposed a restraining order on him for five years.

Man jailed for raping woman in Cornwall

A young man has been jailed for raping a woman. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 3, heard how Oliver Riley forced himself upon the woman.

The sexual assault took place in the Camborne area in October 2022 at a time when Riley was 23. Now 26, Riley, from Trevean Close in Camborne, denied one charge of rape after being arrested following the incident.

He was found guilty of it following a trial at the crown court last month.

Jason Beal, defending, said Riley had been a man of previously good character, a good stable relationship and is a dad of one. He said he has a good job and is looking to better himself further while in prison to have a greater employability chance upon his release.

His Honour Judge James Adkin said: "A victim personal impact statement from her described the impact this has had on her, and how it has reshaped her life. It has had a lasting impact on her."

He sentenced him to seven years in prison. He will serve two thirds before being released on licence. He will also be on the sex offenders register for life and has been given a restraining order.

Thug beat up woman after joking he 'doesn't beat women up but could'

A burly misogynistic thug beat up a slim-built woman out on a night out with some friends after joking "he doesn't beat up women but could". A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court heard how Tyler Tresidder imposed himself on a group of women enjoying a social evening with a few drinks at the Portreath Arms pub in Portreath, near Redruth, on March 3 this year.

The three women were sitting outside on wooden benches on the decking, having conversations among themselves. At some point that evening, Tresidder joined their conversation and starting making some increasingly offensive and disturbing misogynistic comments to them.

At one point he made a comment that "he doesn't beat up women but could". His 'banter' about violence became increasingly concerning for the women present. When confronted about it, Tresidder told the women he would "put them in a cage, snap their neck and kill them".

When his victim told him he was vile and disgusting, Tresidder reached out for her face and knocked her glasses off her face. As she stood up, Tresidder 'grabbed her like a rag doll' and threw her at a pillar.

The court heard how the woman, who was of slim build compared to his large build, suffered a large black eye, bruises to her thighs, arms, and other parts of her body.

Tresidder had to be brought under control by other punters in the pub before leaving. The incident was captured on CCTV and Tresidder was later arrested and pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

The court heard how the 29-year-old from Stonechat Walk in Hayle, has three previous conviction for battery including against women, assaulting police constables, and criminal damage between 2017 and 2019.

Ramsay Quaife, defending, said Tresidder was genuinely remorseful for his actions, adding: "He has managed to not drink for months before this happened.

"He is in work and wishes he had been able to save up money for compensation, which shows his remorse, but has not been able to do so because he is not eligible for legal aid and has to pay for his solicitor. This is a man who has responded well to supervision in the past. What goes wrong is alcohol, his mental health or a combination of the two. It is a cycle.

"As far as his violence is concerned, he has not been in trouble for five years."

Mr Quaife added: "Women are better protected from him by him receiving intervention because that will reduce the risk. The alternative is to send him to prison where he will not receive any of that intervention. It will impact on his mental health and his partner's mental health and he will not have had the benefit of what he needs."

His Honour Judge James Adkin said the offence had been too serious and warranted a custodial sentence. He said: "This woman was a stranger to you. There was some jokey banter about fighting but then without any explanation you became aggressive. You told these women you would put them in a cage, snap their heads off and kill them.

"You picked up this woman like a rag doll, threw her at a column and still tried to fight her. In her victim impact statement she said she suffers from anxiety and has had to leave her job in the hospitality industry because she can't cope with individuals in pubs who are drunk. You have previous convictions for violence."

Judge Adkin added: "This offending shows bullying by a heavily built man picking on a small young woman. You are a risk to women."

He sentenced Tresidder to 18 months in prison. He will serve 50 per cent before being eligible for early release on licence. He also imposed a restraining order for five years.

Bude rapist who slashed brave victim's tyres is jailed for nine years

A man who raped a woman then returned to her house to slash her tyres later broke into her home and threatened her son with a Stanley knife. It was seemingly part of a plan to intimidate her into dropping her allegation against him.

Luke Clements' plan failed and he has been jailed for nine years. The 52-year-old sex criminal, formerly of Upton, Bude, raped a woman who visited his home for a cup of coffee in March 2025. Truro Crown Court heard how the victim felt the atmosphere change and Clements touched her without her consent.

The victim said she tried to leave the property but Clements forced her upstairs and raped her. She immediately left the address and contacted the police.

Devon and Cornwall Police officers went to Clements' address and arrested him. Clements claimed the sexual contact was consensual but he lied.

He was released the following after with bail conditions not to contact the victim directly or indirectly. The following day, the victim found her car tyres had been slashed with a knife, despite having no previous issues with neighbours.

An emergency alarm was fitted at her address. Soon afterwards, the victim's son noticed the dogs barking. When he went downstairs, he found Clements had broken into the house.

The son pressed the new alarm, which sent officers to the address. Clements, wearing a black mask and hood, assaulted the victim's son as he tried to flee. He also produced a Stanley knife from his pocket.

The son detained Clements until officers arrived. Clements was then taken into custody, charged and remanded. Following a download of Clements’ phone, evidence was then found linking him to the supply of cocaine between 2022 and 2024.

The defendant also made comments about filling the victim's door locks with adhesive. He was found with a silicone gun when he was arrested.

A jury found him guilty of rape, sexual assault, sexual assault by penetration, witness intimidation, possession of a bladed article and assault by beating. He had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison at Truro Crown Court on Thursday, October 2. He was also given a life-term restraining order to protect the victim and her family. Clements was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

After the hearing Detective Constable Tom Graham, officer in the case, said: “This conviction sends a clear message that such horrific crimes will not go unpunished.

"I want to pay tribute to the incredible bravery of the victim in coming forward and supporting this investigation. It takes immense courage to speak out and her strength was vital in securing today’s outcome.

"We know how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual offences to report what has happened to them. I want to reassure anyone who has experienced anything similar that we will listen, we will believe you and we will do everything in our power to seek justice.

"Our priority is always the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the victims and we remain committed to working tirelessly to bring perpetrators of such horrific crimes like Clements before the courts."

Sicko engaged in sadistic chats about child abuse

A man who engaged in conversations on a social media site which contained sadistic language about child abuse has been sent to prison. Adrian Walker, 27, also attempted to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity.

Walker, of Alverton Road in Penzance, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, October 8 after pleading guilty to five counts of publishing an obscene article, two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, an attempted breach of a sexual harm prevention order, possessing a prohibited image of a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity.

The court heard how Walker was caught after a random search of his phone by the police who found that on several dates in August this year, he had engaged in conversations on the social media site Discord which contained sadistic language about child abuse.

Walker was found to be in breach of a sexual harm prevention order which he was made subject to in August 2023, by using Discord and Reddit without seeking permission from his offender manager and by deleting Discord that deleted his history of internet use.

It was heard that while on the site on May 24, Walker engaged in a conversation with a girl he believed was 13 years old and attempted to make her look at an image of a person engaging in a sexual activity.

Officers also found he had 13 still prohibited images of a child and one moving prohibited image of a child on his phone.

In sentencing Walker, Judge Simon Carr said Walker could interact with the abuse of children in cartoon form and he repeated the joy he was getting from the images. Walker was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment and will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Sex offender stalked his ex because he could not cope with break up

A sex offender who couldn't cope with the break up of a short-lived relationship went on a stalking campaign and made his ex's life a misery, a court heard.

Shaun Roberts was only in a relationship with his ex for a few months earlier this year but when she ended it with him, the 36-year-old started bombarding her with dozens of unwanted messages on multiple social media platforms and even sent a friend request on Facebook to her young son.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 10 was told how on one occasion the convicted sex offender sent his ex partner 42 voice messages before 9am which she missed because she had been asleep. Some of the emotional blackmail messages were threats that he would kill himself at a time when his ex had suffered a bereavement and was emotional distressed.

The court heard that between July and September this year, Roberts, from Higher Bore Street in Bodmin, had been recalled to prison for failing to disclose his new address to Devon and Cornwall Police as per the terms of his sex offenders register requirements but continued to send abusive and obscene messages to both his ex and her new partner warning them that he would "ruin them both" and threatened to inflict violence upon them.

At the beginning of September while out of prison he again failed to tell the police of his new address which he must do within three days as required by the Section 80 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

He was arrested and charged with one count of stalking involving fear of violence and another of a breach of his sex offenders register requirements. He pleaded guilty to the two charges when he appeared before the magistrates' court.

In a victim impact statement his ex said she felt constantly "on edge" and feared that Roberts would turn up at her home address and did not feel safe. The court heard that Roberts has 22 convictions for 47 offences including for breaches of his sex offenders register requirements and further stalking.

His barrister told the court that this had been a "pattern of behaviour Roberts has had for some time". He said: "It stems from his inability to cope with the breakdown of his relationship. But it's not the case of someone sending messages every day."

His Honour Judge James Adkin said when Roberts' ex had made it clear to him the relationship was over he continued to harass her and her new partner with more threats, as a result of which she had been feeling on edge and unsafe.

With regards to the failing to notify the police of his new address as all sex offenders are required to do, Judge Adkin told Roberts: "It's a habit of yours." He sentenced him to 18 months in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. He also imposed a restraining order for five years.

Teen beats up lad in Sainsbury's car park to impress the girls

A lad suffered a detached retina and long-term vision problems after being punched and beaten up in front of his grandmother by another teen in a "macho" attack to impress a group of girls.

The victim had been at the Sainsbury's store in Falmouth with his grandmother and was waiting for her to pull out of her parking space so he could hop into her car when Oakley Daniell approached him and punched him repeatedly in the face in an apparent act of macho bravado. The pair were known to each other.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 10 heard how on July 27 last year as the victim left the store and walked towards his nan’s car, Daniell followed him and after a brief verbal exchange, punched him in the face forcing him backwards.

Daniell then punched the victim again, knocking him towards the floor, before kicking him and kneeing him. Daniell then followed up with further blows as the victim attempted to defend himself on the ground.

Daniell's victim could only try to put his hands out to protect his face but was beaten up so badly that an X-ray at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro, later revealed a fracture of his eye socket and a detached retina which needed emergency surgery.

The court heard that Daniell, who was a month short of his 18th birthday at the time of the incident, fled the scene with a group of girls he had been with. The same day he sent his victim a threatening message on Instagram saying he knew where he lives.

CCTV at the store was reviewed and he was later arrested but provided a no-comment interview to Devon and Cornwall Police. Daniell, of Wilkinson Gardens in Redruth, was charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm without intent and pleaded guilty to it at a later stage when he appeared before the magistrates' court.

In a victim impact statement, the lad who was set upon by Daniell, now 19, said that while his eye had been healing he still suffered from blurred vision which gives him constant headaches as his other eye must work harder to compensate. He said he had to leave his job for four months and had lost two and a half stone in weight through stress. He said his self confidence had been shaken up and the effects on his vision was ongoing.

Daniell's barrister told the court there was "no shrinking from the nastiness of the attack". He said Daniell had lacked in maturity, adding: "This was macho behaviour to impress a couple of girls he was with.

"He was a troubled young man. He was in a very different and much darker place back in July last year than he is now. He has stable accommodation at the YMCA in Penzance. He works with his key worker and he has aspirations to join the Army. He knows that if he were to walk out of the court and put one footstep wrong he knows exactly where he is going."

His Honour Judge James Adkin said the offence and consequences on his victim had been so serious that only a custodial sentence would do. He sentenced him to 14 months in a young offenders' institute. He will serve 50 per cent before being released on licence. Judge Adkin also imposed a restraining order for five years.

After the hearing, officer in the case, Detective Constable Richard Haycock said: "This was an extremely violent attack carried out in a public place which resulted in the victim suffering significant injury for which he has undergone numerous operations.

"Oakley Daniell continued to land blows as the victim lay defenceless and it is only through luck that his injuries were not even more serious. I welcome the sentence passed by the court and hope it demonstrates that violence will not be tolerated in our community."

Cornwall sex abuse monster 'destroyed my mental health'

A monster who sexually assaulted and raped a woman has been jailed. Nathan Carby, 28, left his victim feeling “isolated, depressed and anxious” as a result of his offending.

Carby, of Margaret Crescent, Bodmin, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, October 14 after being found guilty by a jury of sexual assault, intentional strangulation, oral rape, assault by beating and assault by penetration with his fingers.

In a victim impact statement which was read out in court, the victim said that Carby’s behaviour has made her feel “isolated, depressed and anxious”. She added that it has "destroyed my mental health and confidence”.

Defending, Rupert Taylor said that while in custody Carby has benefitted very much both physically and mentally. Mr Taylor said Carby appears to be an “entirely different person” and described him as being “calm and rational” when spoken to.

In sentencing Carby, Judge Simon Carr described the victim as being an “exceptionally vulnerable individual” and said he has no doubt Carby played on this. Judge Carr added that the offences were committed while Carby was in drink or drugs.

Carby was sentenced to a total of eight years imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register for life. A restraining order was also imposed on him.

Vengeful ex went on 'terrifying' Looe car rampage against former wife

A spurned husband went on a "terrifying" rampage against his ex-wife and those he deemed responsible for the end of their relationship. Warren Reeves, 63, left his former partner feeling “terrified” as a result of his offending.

Reeves, of Carey Park, Killigarth, Looe, appeared for sentencing at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, October 14 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, stalking involving fear of violence and five counts of criminal damage.

The court was told that when Reeves’ relationship with his wife came to an end he could not accept this and he went on a “campaign of vengeance” against her and other people he deemed responsible. On May 3 this year, Reeves used his car as a weapon and drove into vehicles belonging to his ex-wife’s friends and family, as well as buildings, including Looe Police Station, which resulted in significant damage.

It was heard that Reeves also drove dangerously through Polperro, narrowly missing pedestrians who had to “dive for cover” to avoid being hit by his vehicle. When the police went to Reeves’ property they found he was not there but discovered a kitchen knife had been stabbed through a door with a note attached saying “don’t f**k with me”.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, Reeves’ ex-wife said she “never imagined” him to be capable of these offences, so she is “terrified” of what he would do if he was released. She said she feels quite vulnerable because of his actions and has had to have counselling as a result.

Reeves’ former father-in-law, who was also targeted in his rampage, said in a victim impact statement that since the incident took place he has been left “in a bad place psychologically speaking”. He said he has not been able to stop shaking since and has flashbacks to the incident.

Another one of Reeves’ victims - a friend and colleague of his ex-wife - said in her statement that she is fearful for the safety of herself and her family when Reeves is released. She added that even writing a statement is “frightening” for her as she is afraid of “antagonising him further”.

The court was told that when Reeves was interviewed by police he gave a full and detailed account of what happened. He said it was a “vendetta or a rampage” and he targeted those he believed led to the downfall of his relationship.

In mitigation, it was heard that Reeves has endured a longstanding struggle with his mental health which appears to stem partly from childhood trauma. The court was told that he accepts his behaviour and is “deeply remorseful” as to the events that occurred and the impact his behaviour had. Reeves has been in custody since May and it was heard he has got his mental health under control and no longer requires medication for anxiety and depression.

Sentencing Reeves, Judge Simon Carr said alcohol plays a significant role in Reeves’ behaviour and he was drinking on the day of the rampage. He said that Reeves’ offending started when he began threatening his ex-wife, sending her messages and calling at her address, before ending on the day of his rampage.

Judge Carr added it was a “miracle” no one was killed when Reeves drove his car dangerously through Polperro, causing pedestrians to dive for cover in shop doors.

Reeves was sentenced to a total of 21 months imprisonment and a restraining order was imposed against him for 10 years for a number of his victims.

Bulgarian youth was brought to Cornwall to deal drugs to tourists in Newquay

A Crown court judge wants to send a message out that Newquay may well be the place to be in the summer but not for dealers from Bulgaria coming over to deal Class A drugs to tourists. During a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 17, His Honour Judge James Adkin told Yordan Ianakiev he is the third Bulgarian national he has sent to prison in recent weeks for dealing cocaine in Newquay during the summer months.

The court heard how the 20-year-old Black Sea lifeguard was recruited, no doubt by a fellow Bulgarian dealer, to sell cocaine in the seaside town popular with families and surfers. During the short hearing, it was heard that Ianakiev, of no fixed abode in Newquay, was spotted by Devon and Cornwall Police acting suspiciously in St Michael's Road on September 9.

He was arrested and found to have £250 in cash on him as well as a phone. When taken to the police station he revealed he had 18 wraps of cocaine in his underwear totalling about 7g with a street value of about £720. Ianakiev's hotel room was searched and a further £170 in cash was found.

His barrister, Ramsay Quaife, said Ianakiev was a man with no previous convictions who had pleaded guilty to one charge of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A - cocaine - at the earliest opportunity and was only 20-years-old.

He said: "Back in Bulgaria he is a lifeguard on the Black Sea and when he came to Newquay it was the first time he had seen surf. His mitigation is that he pleaded guilty at the fist opportunity and he is a young man with no previous conviction."

Judge Adkin said: "You are the third Bulgarian national I have sentenced for dealing drugs in Newquay. Someone in Newquay is recruiting young men with no previous convictions to come to Newquay to deal cocaine.

"That man will be caught at some point and will be dealt with for his leading role in dealing cocaine."

Sentencing him to 22 months in jail, he further told Ianakiev: "You were acting under direction but dealing cocaine to tourists in Newquay demands an immediate custodial sentence. You will serve 40 per cent then you will be deported."

Banned driver stuck 'two fingers up to court' when he drove in Truro again

A disqualified driver put "two fingers up to the courts" when he drove in the centre of Truro while halfway through a suspended sentence for other serious crimes. John Quinn was caught at the wheel of his Volkswagen Tiguan by officers from Devon and Cornwall Police on Boscawen Street in the centre of the city on August 19 while they looked for drivers going down the semi-pedestrianised street.

The 34-year-old from Grampound Hill, Grampound, was stopped by police and when they checked his licence he was found to be a disqualified and uninsured driver. Not only that but the offence had been committed while he was one year into a suspended sentence for two years for stalking and criminal damage. He also committed a further shoplifting offence in July.

He was arrested and charged with two driving offences which he pleaded guilty to at the first opportunity at Truro Magistrates' Court. At a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, October 21 Quinn's barrister said he has had issues since early in life and is eager to receive the help he needs from probation services.

He told the court Quinn is "doing his very best to comply and he is nearly a year into a suspended sentence". He added: "He was unaware the he was disqualified from driving when he was stopped by police. This man suffers from serious mental health issues and drug addiction. But he is sober now and doing well and his mental health is improving.

"This breach is an aberration."

His Honour Judge Simon Carr did not believe a word of it saying it had been Quinn's choice to drive and surely he had known he was banned from driving unless of course he had been asleep in court when the disqualification was handed out to him.

Judge Carr activated the suspended sentence for the other matters and added several months in prison to Quinn's sentence for the new matters.

He said: "You committed serious offences but the court decided to treat you with clemency. Your reaction was to commit shoplifting in July. Obviously that was not a wake up call enough for you.

"I don't accept for a moment that you were not aware that you were disqualified from driving. You cannot not have known. It shows a blatant decision not to comply with court orders, like sticking two fingers up to the courts then saying 'catch me if you can, I don't think you will'.

"You have 17 convictions for 28 offences. I don't think it is unfair to activate your suspended sentence."

Judge Carr sentenced Quinn to 12 months in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. He is further disqualified from driving for 12 months with an additional six month to cover beyond his prison term.

Stalker who wouldn't accept break up bombarded ex with messages and unwanted visits

A dumped ex who would not take no for an answer after his partner put an end to their short-lived relationship "bombarded" her with unwanted texts, calls, gifts and visits to her home even in the middle of the night.

Thomas Henrick met his ex girlfriend online and at first the relationship was successful, a court heard. However his former partner thought the relationship was not working out and ended it.

It was after the breakup that the 34-year-old from Lippell Drive in Plymouth started a campaign of harassment which involved sending his ex dozens of messages, both texts and calls every day, delivering unwanted gifts at her home in Truro and even turning up, pleading to be let in or to be taken back in because "he loves her", at all hours.

A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, October 21 heard how on one occasion Henrick followed her inside and started groping her breasts and buttocks when she had absolutely no intention of having sex with him.

The court was told that despite being told repeatedly that she did not love him and the relationship would not be anything more than friendship, Henrick continued to harass her, forcing his ex to install a ring doorbell camera and further CCTV at her property to cover blind spots in her garden.

The constant harassment went on for 14 days in August. The court heard how on one occasion Henrick pushed a friend of his ex to barge in as she was at her house to provide support and on another day he tried to damage her ring doorbell so she could not see him coming to her house.

The campaign of stalking led his victim to make an official complaint to Devon and Cornwall Police. Ryan Murray, prosecuting, said that during one incident Henrick's ex was actually on the phone to the police when he texted her and contacted her via Messenger and WhatsApp.

During the fortnight of stalking Henrick dropped jewellery, flowers and chocolate at his ex's door when she wanted to be left alone.

He was eventually arrested and in police interviews denied the offences saying he had engaged in a "caring behaviour" and was not stalking his ex, adding that the "relationship had been good until her friends got involved and it went downhill". He told officers he didn't believe that his contact with his ex had been excessive, adding that his gifts had been made to "cheer her up".

He was charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, one count of assault by beating and one of criminal damage in connection with trying to remove his ex's safety camera. He pleaded guilty to all charges against him when he later appeared before Truro Magistrates' Court.

Yesterday's hearing was told that Henrick has 26 previous convictions for 47 offences including four for harassment and others for breaches of a domestic protection order.

His barrister said Henrick accepted that a restraining order would be good for both his victim and for himself. He said: "He struggles to understand his behaviour and he misunderstood and minimised it but he is now on the path to accept that his behaviour needs changing. He is making this change so he does not do this again to any future partner."

He said Henrick had been in and out of prison for various offences for the past seven years but asked that the court supports him with the intervention he desperately needs. "There is now an opportunity to give him the help that he clearly needs to address his behaviour," he added.

His Honour Judge Simon Carr said being subjected to such harassment would have been frightening and very distressing for Henrick's victim.

He said she had made it clear that despite being successful at first the relationship was over and that it would not continue. "You were unable to accept that," he told Henrick. "You repeatedly bombarded her with messages and texts and attended her property after dark and assaulted her and tried to damage her ring doorbell camera to cover up what you were doing.

"You continued your course of action despite the police wanting to talk to you. You have expressed some remorse for what you did but only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate."

Judge Carr sentenced Henrick to 12 months in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. He also imposed a five-year restraining order not to contact his victim.

Elderly woman loses cherished poodle to addict's dangerous dogs on the loose

An elderly woman was left distraught and injured after a drug addict left the door of his house open while high on opiates and his dangerous dogs attacked her cherished pet poodle. James Symons was so out of it in a drug-fuelled stupor at his home in Tregony, near Truro, that he left the front door open and his staffie and pitbull cross dogs Dougie and Lottie escaped.

A 79-year-old neighbour was out walking her bichon frisé Marty, as she does every day, when Symons' out of control dogs bounded towards her and attacked her pet companion.

Marty received such severe injuries including a fracture to its leg that it had to be put down. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 24 heard that as the elderly woman was trying to fight off the two escaped hounds, she became entangled in her own lead and fell to the floor and was bitten by the staffie and pitbull as a result.

The court was told that as she did not have any pet insurance she was left almost £2,400 out of pocket and utterly distraught at losing her dog.

The hearing was told that it was only when neighbours came out to help that the two dogs fled. Police were called to the address on June 8 last year and discovered Symons half comatose on his sofa having taken a voluntary overdose of opiates. Paramedics had to be called in to revive Symons when officers were unable to rouse him.

The 36-year-old was later arrested and made full admissions in a police interview.

The court was told that the incident had happened while Symons was on police bail following an assault on two police officers who arrested him on suspicious of having class A drugs on him during an unrelated incident about six weeks before.

During that arrest Symons became agitated and aggressive and tried to sweep the leg of one of the arresting officers and when put into the van he not only bit the inside of an officer's thigh but spat in another's face when told not to headbutt the cage of inside the van.

In a victim impact statement read out at today's hearing the elderly woman said the loss of Marty had had a terrible effect on her as he had been her companion for many years.

The court was told that Symons' two dogs were originally located and taken into police care and after a long assessment were taken to a dog charity where they have a prospect of rehabilitation and being rehomed.

Symons was eventually charged with two counts of being the owner / person in charge of dog dangerously out of control causing injury. He was also charged with two counts of assaulting emergency workers and of possession of class A drug and pleaded guilty to all charges.

His barrister, Tom Bradnock, said Symons had made a full admission and was genuinely remorseful that his dogs caused the injuries to both Marty and its owner. He said Dougie and Lottie had not been trained to attack but had behaved that way because he was out of it on drugs and they were not under control.

Mr Bradnock said Symons had had a five-year spell away from criminality and had been a more productive member of society and pleaded with His Honour Judge James Adkin to keep him out of prison so he could receive the help he needs in the community.

Judge Adkin said the offences had been too serious and warranted an immediate custody. He said that for anyone losing a beloved pet in that way is awful but for an elderly woman it would have been even worse for Marty had no doubt been more than just a pet but a companion.

"For this lady to lose her dog must have been incredibly traumatic," he told Symons. "You are an opiate addict and not fit to own a dog."

He sentenced Symons to 22 months in prison. He also banned him from owning a dog for five years and ordered that Dougie and Lottie are kept on a lead and muzzled at all time.

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