Below are some of the more serious and dreadful cases to have recently passed through our region’s courts including Derby Crown Court where some victims have been left traumatised.
Offenders have been involved in a murder, stealing luxury cars, an assault and sexual offences and a dangerous driver triggered a high-speed police pursuit through Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
In another case, police caught a man dealing drugs in Chesterfeld town centre after he was found with 80 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, a knife and a large amount of cash.
And one sex offender who assaulted a girl has been jailed and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life after he pleaded guilty to a sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
But judges have punished these offenders with custodial sentences of varying lengths.
. Damien Ward
Derby Crown Court heard in January how serial car thief Damien Ward, aged 28, formerly of Yew Greave Crescent, Sheffield, who targeted vehicles around Derbyshire and North Wales has been sentenced to four years of custody. Ward admitted burglary, seven counts of theft, including the theft of a Range Rover, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and possessing cannabis. He also breached a suspended prison sentence. Ward was banned from driving for 48 months. Photo: Derbyshire Constabulary
1. Damien Ward
Derby Crown Court heard in January how serial car thief Damien Ward, aged 28, formerly of Yew Greave Crescent, Sheffield, who targeted vehicles around Derbyshire and North Wales has been sentenced to four years of custody. Ward admitted burglary, seven counts of theft, including the theft of a Range Rover, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and possessing cannabis. He also breached a suspended prison sentence. Ward was banned from driving for 48 months. Photo: Derbyshire Constabulary
2. Adam Wright
Adam Wright, aged 27, of Princess Road, Dronfield, followed a man off the premises at the Victoria Inn, in Stubley Lane, Dronfield, and smashed a glass into his face in February, 2020, according to a Derby Crown Court hearing. CCTV footage played to the court showed Wright following the man and smashing the glass into his face, causing him damage to his left eye, the court heard. Wright pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. Recorder Stuart Sprawson sentenced Wright on January 21 to 14 months of custody. Photo: Derbyshire Constabulary
3. Stephen Dronfield
Pictuerd is Stephen Dronfield, aged 22, of Hungerhill Lane, Ashover, who has been jailed after having sex with an underage girl, according to Derby Crown Court. He was sentenced on January 14 and handed a two-year prison term after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child at an earlier hearing at Derby Crown Court. Dronfield was also given a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He will also appear on the Sex offenders' Register for ten years. Photo: Derbyshire Constabulary
4. Asam Hussein
Pictured is dangerous driver Asam Hussain, aged 28, of no fixed abode, who was spotted driving erratically by police near the Watchorn Island, Alfreton, on December 14, 2020, according to Nottingham Crown Court. Hussain raced through Somercotes, Selston and Underwood, along the M1, the A6175 through Heath and Holmewood, and re-joined the A38 into Mansfield town centre before crashing near Rosemary Street and Chesterfield Street. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop and to drink driving. Hussain was sentenced to ten months of custody and banned from driving for five years and five months. Photo: Nottinghamshre Police