The Cheshire criminals who have been jailed throughout 2022

MURDERERS, predators, thieves and stalkers are among the Cheshire criminals who have been put behind bars in 2022.

Here is a round up of some of the biggest court cases from the past year:

A MAN who funded his lavish lifestyle by running a huge drug dealing operation in Winsford was jailed for more than six years.

Shane Preece, 43, 'brought misery' to residents thanks to his illegal enterprise and was sentenced to six years and nine months at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, January 20.

The court heard how Preece lived at a property in Dart Walk, which was the centre of the drug dealing operation.

Northwich Guardian: Shane Preece Shane Preece (Image: Cheshire Police)

A ‘SOPHISTICATED’ stalker who harassed multiple people online by creating countless fake social media profiles of his victims was put behind bars.

Matthew James Hardy, of Forest Place, Northwich, was sentenced to nine years at Chester Crown Court on January 26 for the ‘deep and sophisticated infiltration into his victims’ personal lives’.

The 30-year-old admitted creating fake profiles on social media between April 2016 and August 2021 to try and befriend his victims – sometimes even posing as their friends and family members in order to gather information about them that would cause embarrassment.

Northwich Guardian: Matthew Hardy Matthew Hardy (Image: Cheshire Police)

A TEEN killer will serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars after a Cheshire judge branded him ‘one of the most dangerous 17-year-olds’ he had ever seen.

Noel Reade, of Crewe, was just 16 when he stabbed Keagan Crimes to death in Winsford on Sunday, October 11, 2020.

Judge Everett sentenced him to a minimum of 19 years on February 21.

Northwich Guardian: Noel Reade Noel Reade (Image: Cheshire Police)

A BURGLAR who left an elderly couple 'fearing for their lives' at their Winsford home was jailed for more than six years.

Thomas Price, 20, of Slaters Way, Winsford, burst into the bedroom of the vulnerable victims, brandishing a claw hammer and demanded they hand over all their money.

Price and an accomplice rifled through personal belongings while the petrified couple sat trembling upstairs in their home on St George's Road on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

Price, who had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, was jailed for six years and eight months at Chester Crown Court on Monday, February 21.

Northwich Guardian: Thomas Price Thomas Price (Image: Cheshire Police)

CHILD killer Brandon Heath was jailed after causing the death of a 22-month-old girl and trying to blame it on her mum.

The 22-year-old, residing in HMP Altcourse, was convicted of manslaughter at Chester Crown Court after the jury cleared him of the more serious charge of murder.

The youngster was taken to hospital on August 30, 2020, while in Heath's care and it was discovered she had suffered a ‘catastrophic’ brain injury and died the following day.

On March 8, Heath returned to court for sentencing and remained emotionless as Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen sent him down for 13 years and six months.

Northwich Guardian: Brandon Heath Brandon Heath (Image: Cheshire Police)

FRAUDSTERS who stole more than £145,000 from a vulnerable relative to fund their lavish lifestyle were jailed.

Scott Billington, Janet Billington, Keith Billington were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday, March 11, to a total of 11 years in prison.

Scott, 30, and 60-year-old Janet had previously been found guilty of fraud by abuse of position and possession of criminal property following a six-day trial at Chester Crown Court.

Sixty-four-year-old Keith was convicted of possession of criminal property at the same hearing.

The main perpetrator Scott was jailed for five years, Janet and Keith were handed three-year sentences.

The trio all lived at Forster Avenue in Weaverham.

Northwich Guardian: Scott Billington, Janet Billington and Keith Billington Scott Billington, Janet Billington and Keith Billington (Image: Cheshire Police)

A KNUTSFORD man tied up his friend and 'tortured' him for more than two hours after they fell out over a stolen tin of chicken curry.

Stuart Paul McPhee, of Longridge, falsely imprisoned Daniel Edwards in his flat, after parading him around the estate with his hands tied, in a bid to humiliate him.

After beating him with sticks, the 46-year-old then cut him with a knife and poured bleach into the wound, which a judge said was 'akin to torture'.

McPhee was sentenced on March 25 to serve 32 months in prison for the offence, which took place on February 18, 2021.

Northwich Guardian: Stuart Paul McPhee Stuart Paul McPhee (Image: Cheshire Police)

A MAN caught selling class A drugs in Northwich was jailed.

Ryan Stephen Bailey, of Austin Street in Lostock Gralam, was sentenced to three years at Chester Crown Court on Friday, April 1.

The 29-year-old was found with quantities of both heroin and crack cocaine when police raided his home on January 26 this year.

Northwich Guardian: Ryan Stephen Bailey Ryan Stephen Bailey (Image: Cheshire Police)

A MAN who admitted stalking TV star Denise Welch was jailed for more than seven years.

Toraq Wyngard, of Cannon Street in Salford, was sentenced to seven years and seven months at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, April 7.

The 53-year-old had already admitted stalking the Hollyoaks actress as well as charges of arson, possession of a bladed article and damaging property.

Northwich Guardian: Toraq Wyngard Toraq Wyngard (Image: Cheshire Police)

A NORTHWICH man who sexually assaulted a sleeping child and shared indecent images he had taken online was jailed for four years and four months.

Craig Crowther, 31, was identified by National Crime Agency investigators as username ‘craggy2014’ who, on numerous occasions, discussed his sexual interest in children with who he believed were other paedophiles online.

In May 2020, Crowther, of Tilstone Close, Northwich, told an undercover police officer posing as another user that he likes to ‘get involved’ with children, and had access to a child who he had sexually abused.

Northwich Guardian: Craig Crowther Craig Crowther (Image: Cheshire Police)

A MAN who raped, strangled and imprisoned a woman in Knutsford was jailed for 12 years.

Lee Jones, of Cross Flatts Street in Leeds, threatened the victim with a knife and made threats towards her family.

The 46-year-old admitted raping the woman twice.

On April 19 he was jailed for 12 years and given an extended six years on licence.

Northwich Guardian: Lee Jones Lee Jones (Image: Cheshire Police)

TWO burglars thought they had discovered ‘the perfect crime’ breaking into unoccupied homes under renovation.

Martin Maloney, 49, and Christopher Leigh, 45, carried out at least 21 burglaries at expensive luxury homes across East Cheshire.

The duo, from Bolton, were both sentenced to four years and three months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, April 26.

Northwich Guardian: Christopher Leigh and Martin Maloney Christopher Leigh and Martin Maloney (Image: Cheshire Police)

A 'career criminal' from Northwich was jailed for breaking into the home of an elderly flood victim on two separate occasions.

Shaun Kelly, of Beech Grove in Weaverham, broke into the home in Acton Bridge twice in January and February of this year.

The 36-year-old was sentenced to serve three and a half years in prison for multiple offences, including two for burglary.

Northwich Guardian: Shaun Kelly Shaun Kelly (Image: Cheshire Police)

A MAN from Alderley Edge described as 'a dangerous predator' was found guilty of rape following a trial at Chester Crown Court.

Daniel Exley, of Beech Close, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years by Recorder Simon Killeen on Friday, May 6.

The 37-year-old had been found guilty of two counts the previous day.

Northwich Guardian: Daniel Exley Daniel Exley (Image: Cheshire Police)

A DESPICABLE fraudster was jailed after ripping off 40 pensioners for more than £250,000 and using some of the cash to buy a brand-new BMW.

William King, of Moss Drive in Middlewich, fleeced his victims by persuading them to have work done to their static caravan homes when it wasn’t even required.

His Honour Judge Everett told King he was a “disgusting and despicable person” and “a menace” to the public – particularly those considered to be vulnerable – as he jailed him for six years on May 9.

Northwich Guardian: William King William King (Image: Cheshire Police)

A TEENAGER on a night out with his mum went ‘completely berserk’ and attacked a young woman with a ‘zombie knife’ outside a bar in Northwich.

A crown court judge said there could easily have been a fatality when Joshua Clow repeatedly slashed his victim with the ‘absolutely horrific’ weapon, leaving her with deep cuts, in need of stitches and left with permanent scarring.

Clow, 18, of Brookcot Road in Manchester, appeared in Chester Crown Court on May 25 where he was sentenced to six years in jail for wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and assault.

Northwich Guardian: Joshua Clow Joshua Clow (Image: Cheshire Police)

A WINSFORD man who shouted 'just die' as he attempted to suffocate his own mother with a pillow was jailed.

Steven James Hunt, of Catalan Close, was a live-in carer for his 63-year-old mother at the time of the attack on December 5 last year.

Chester Crown Court heard how the 42-year-old subjected her to taunts about her ill-health, telling her she had given up and to 'go back' to her already deceased parents, before he covered her face and mouth with a pillow.

He was jailed for six years and eight months.

Northwich Guardian: Steven Hunt Steven Hunt (Image: Cheshire Police)

A SEXUAL predator from Winsford was finally been brought to justice for his despicable assaults on three young girls more than 50 years ago.

Christopher Rollings, of Wharton Road, was handed 21 years in prison after ‘taking the childhood’ away from his victims by sexually assaulting them.

The 76-year-old appeared in Chester Crown Court on June 9 where he was branded an ‘arrogant liar’.

Rollings will serve a total of 21 years in prison, plus an extended licence period of one year.

Northwich Guardian: Christopher Rollings Christopher Rollings (Image: Cheshire Police)

A CHESHIRE man who engaged in online sex chats with what he thought were four underage girls was actually communicating with decoys set up by paedophile hunters.

Andrew Gates, 50, of Alan Street, Northwich, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges, including five offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He also admitted one offence of causing what he believed was a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity, and one offence of intentionally inciting what he believed was a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, June 16, Gates was jailed for 30 months.

Northwich Guardian: Andrew Gates Andrew Gates (Image: Cheshire Police)

A DRUG dealer from Northwich has been jailed after a police raid uncovered a quantity of heroin and cocaine he was intending to supply to the town’s residents.

Mark Keelan, of Romanes Street, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with the intent to supply class A drugs.

The 49-year-old was first arrested by police on April 28 when they executed a warrant on Manchester Road.

He admitted the offences on June 1 at Chester Crown Court.

Appearing back in court on August 8, Judge Steven Everett sentenced Keelan to three years in prison.

Northwich Guardian: Mark Keelan Mark Keelan (Image: Cheshire Police)

A NORTHWICH man was jailed after he raped a woman as she slept in bed next to him.

Joseph Taylor, of Solvay Road, had originally denied four counts of rape and four sexual assaults against the woman, who was just 16 at the time the offences took place - he was 17 and 18.

A trial of the 25-year-old began at Chester Crown Court in June, but on the second day, Taylor was re-arraigned in the dock and pleaded guilty to two rapes and two sexual assaults.

He was back in the dock at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, August 11, where he was sentenced by Judge Simon Berkson to six years and nine months in prison.

Northwich Guardian: Joseph Taylor Joseph Taylor (Image: Cheshire Police)

A PROLIFIC drug dealer was jailed after heroin and cocaine worth almost £4,000 were seized from his home.

Michael Edwards was arrested on Wednesday, June 29, after officers executed a drugs warrant at his home on Pinewood Road in Winsford.

The 35-year-old was subsequently charged with and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, heroin and crack cocaine.

Edwards was jailed for three years at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, September 8, for possession with intent to supply heroin and three years for possession to supply crack cocaine to run concurrently.

Northwich Guardian: Michael Edwards Michael Edwards (Image: Cheshire Police)

A MAN was jailed for supplying cocaine in Winsford after his DNA was found on a package of drugs seized from a car two years ago.

Tony Whalley appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, October 13, where he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison

The 35-year-old, of Bramhall Close, Winsford, had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and failing to surrender to bail.

During the hearing, the court heard how officers found traces of Whalley’s DNA on a package of drugs which was seized from a car on the A51 in Stamford Bridge on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Northwich Guardian: Tony Whalley Tony Whalley (Image: Cheshire Police)

A 'SEXUAL predator' from Winsford was jailed after grooming a teenage girl over nine months.

Michael Walker, of Yellowhammer Crescent, began abusing the girl in August 2020 before it ended the following April.

His victim reported her ordeal to the police in August 2021, leading to the 45-year-old's arrest.

On December 2, Walker was jailed for two years and four months and given a 10-year restraining order. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed.

Northwich Guardian: Michael Walker Michael Walker (Image: Cheshire Police)

TWO Northwich men raided cash machines across Cheshire.

Robert Lowe, 30, from Wessex Drive, Rudheath and Tristan Tighe, 22, from Dunham Road were sentenced to five years each for conspiracy to steal.

Their rampage began on October 9, 2019 when they removed a cash machine at McColl’s, London Road, Holmes Chapel, and stole a large amount of cash.

The pair also conducted two failed attacks at cash machines outside the Tesco superstore on Chester Road, Helsby, on September 2, 2019, and Tesco Express, on Northwich Road, Weaverham, on January 10, 2020.

Northwich Guardian: Robert Lowe, left, and Tristan Tighe Robert Lowe, left, and Tristan Tighe (Image: Cheshire Police)

THREE people were jailed for a total of 27 years after police stopped a pink Ford Mustang containing more than £250,000 worth of drugs on the M6.

Emily Phillips, 33, and Robert Dalton, 40, were in the car when it was pulled over by officers near junction 18 on the M6 southbound at around 1am on Thursday, October 21, 2021.

The car contained thousands of ecstasy tablets.

Michael Smyth’s DNA was on some of the class A drugs packages, and a further quantity of ecstasy tablets was found in the 29-year-old’s home when he was subsequently arrested by officers.

Phillips, of St Georges Road, Swanley, Kent, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and dangerous driving.

She was jailed for 14 years and four months at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Smyth, of Compton Road, Liverpool, and Dalton of Old Road West, Gravesend, Kent, both pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

They were sentenced earlier this year at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, July 26, 2022.

Smyth was jailed for seven-and-a-half years and Dalton was imprisoned for five years and 10 months.

Northwich Guardian: L-R: Emily Phillips, Michael Smyth and Robert Dalton L-R: Emily Phillips, Michael Smyth and Robert Dalton (Image: Cheshire Police)

These are just some of the biggest court cases we have covered over the past 12 months.

However, you will find more from Cheshire’s courts and defendants on our websites.

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Jailed in 2022: Murderers, predators, thieves and stalkers among those behind bars

The Cheshire criminals who have been jailed throughout 2022

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The Cheshire criminals who have been jailed throughout 2022

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