CPS News Brief

Drivers jailed following fatal pursuit

 

Two drivers who caused the death of a young woman after they pursued her through the streets of Cardiff have been jailed today (Friday 12 May).

Sophie Taylor, 22, died after the car she was driving span off the road and into a building during the incident in the early hours of August 22 last year. Joshua Deguara, who was a passenger in the car, received life-changing injuries in the incident.

Melissa Pesticcio, 24, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. Michael Wheeler, 23, pleaded guilty to the same two offences.

The court heard that all of those involved in the incident knew each other. Pesticcio and Wheeler began pursing Sophie Taylor after she drove past them at a set of traffic lights. Wheeler’s vehicle made contact with Sophie Taylor’s, causing it to leave the road.

Janine Davies, of the CPS, said:

“Wheeler and Pesticcio used their cars to frighten and harass Sophie and Joshua, with tragic consequences.

“The jury had to consider whether the standard of Pesticcio’s driving fell far below that of a careful and competent driver. The evidence presented to them demonstrated that it did.

“We thank Joshua for giving his evidence in court. He and his family, along with Sophie’s family, have been supportive throughout the process and we thank them for their bravery.”

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Notes to Editors

·         Janine Davies is a District Crown Prosecutor with CPS Cymru-Wales.

·         Melissa Pesticcio was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison

·         Michael Wheeler was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison

Four men jailed for £7million investment scam

Four men who pressured hundreds of investors into buying worthless “rare earth metals” have been jailed today (Thu 11 May).

Christopher Sabin, 46, Tobias Ridpath, 52, William Berkeley, 53, and Nicholas Start, 36, were convicted of fraud offences following a trial at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The trial heard how the group operated in two companies under the names “Denver Trading” and advertised an investment opportunity in rare earth elements.

The sales were made through a series of brokers, including a company called London Commodity Market which had offices in Canary Wharf and of whom Start was the sole director.

The men convinced investors to part with their money – often five-figure sums – but in fact the returns being promised never materialised as there is no viable market for resale. In total investors paid more than £7million to the fraudsters.

Naheed Hussain, from the CPS, said:

“These men deliberately and persistently targeted hundreds of members of the public through high-pressure selling of commodities which in reality had no resale potential. Their actions caused significant financial hardship to their victims, some of whom lost their life savings.

“The CPS worked with the police to analyse the complex financial evidence and build a compelling case, resulting in the guilty verdicts returned by the jury.”

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Notes to Editors

·         Naheed Hussain is Deputy Head of the CPS Specialist Fraud Division 

·         All four defendants were convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud.

·         The sentences passed by the judge at Blackfriars Crown Court were as follows:

Christopher Sabin – 9 years’ imprisonment, 15-year director disqualification order

Tobias Ridpath – 9 years’ imprisonment, 15-year director disqualification order

Nicholas Start - 7 years’ imprisonment, 10-year director disqualification order

William Berkeley – 4 years’ imprisonment, 6-year director disqualification order

Couple jailed for decade of child abuse

A couple who carried out a prolonged series of sexual assaults, child cruelty and drug supply that lasted over a decade have been jailed today (Mon 8 May).

Nicholas and Joan Taylor, of Northampton, preyed on vulnerable children and systematically abused them, repeatedly committing serious sexual offences against nine child victims.

The Taylors used cocaine, threats of violence, force and humiliation to manipulate their victims into being subjected to sexual acts. Five of the children involved were raped on numerous occasions. This offending has had a significant impact on all those involved.

Today at Leicester Crown Court, Nicholas Taylor was sentenced to life imprisonment and Joan Taylor was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Janine Smith, from the CPS, said:

“To prosecute Nicholas and Joan Taylor the CPS was presented with evidence from multiple victims of a sustained period of abuse. They had committed so many offences that prosecutors were faced with the challenge of selecting charges and presenting the evidence in order to give a clear picture of the abuse to the jury and to enable the court could pass a sentence reflecting the offending.

“The Taylors were found guilty of over 90 separate offences and we argued that both present a real danger to society. 

“The victims have given moving personal impact statements to the court to make clear the profound impact that the Taylors’ offences have had on their lives. They have shown great strength and courage to come forward to ensure that the Taylors have faced the consequences of their crimes.

“I would like to commend them for supporting the prosecution with their evidence. It cannot be easy but today they have seen their abusers imprisoned and I hope that this will be of comfort to them.” 

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Background

·         In preparing the case for trial, prosecutors at the CPS East Midlands Complex Casework Unit and prosecuting Counsel decided to include a large number of counts on the indictment to accurately reflect the extent of the defendants’ offending. As part of the sentencing hearing, victims have given victim impact statements to the court, so that the court can understand how the offences have affected them.

·         The Taylors were convicted after a six-week trial at Leicester Crown Court. Nicholas Taylor had previous convictions for serious sexual offences.

·         Janine Smith is the Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands.