Weekly Round-up: Notable Court Cases (March 17

Sexual predators, violent offenders and drug dealers faced substantial prison sentences across Welsh courts this week. William Rutter, 31, received over five years for sexually grooming a 14-year-old boy and possessing images of child abuse, while Daniel Messham, 21, was jailed for over three years for sexual activity with a child. Other cases included Jason Owen’s unprovoked attack on a 75-year-old pensioner, Glenn Morgan’s prolonged campaign of domestic abuse, and Tyrese Tulloch’s imprisonment for supplying Class-A drugs. The courts also dealt with cases of child abuse imagery possession, intentional suffocation, cannabis dealing, and theft.

William Rutter, 31, from Cardiff, was jailed for five years and four months after sexually grooming a 14-year-old boy online. He contacted his victim through the internet, encouraging sexual acts and discussing the child with another paedophile. Police found over 1,000 indecent images on his devices, including videos of babies being abused. Rutter received an extended licence period of three years.

Daniel Messham, 21, from Bridgend, was jailed for three years and four months at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child. He contacted the teenage victim via social media before collecting her from home. Despite knowing her age, he took her away against her mother’s wishes. He received a 10-year restraining order and indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Tyrese Tulloch, 25, from St Fagans was sentenced to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class-A drugs and possession of criminal property. He was arrested in Fairwater, Cardiff when police caught him with cocaine, £1,675 cash, weighing scales, and a ‘drugs line’ mobile phone after a brief chase.

Jason Owen, 36, jailed for two years and three months at Caernarfon Crown Court after admitting grievous bodily harm. Owen knocked on 75-year-old Brendan Kenny’s door and launched an unprovoked attack, leaving the pensioner with a broken nose, cheekbone and dislodged jaw. The assault occurred after Owen had been disturbing residents on the Tan-y-Foel estate in Holyhead while intoxicated.

Glenn Morgan, 43, from Newport, was sentenced to 20 months in prison after pleading guilty to a prolonged campaign of domestic abuse against his former partner. Morgan committed multiple assaults between 2012-2024, including throwing a phone at her face and violently pushing her, causing permanent scarring. He also made threatening phone calls. Morgan has 11 previous convictions for 28 offences. He received a five-year restraining order.

Darrell Evans, 36, from Wrexham, has been jailed for 18 months after being found guilty of possessing over 1,500 child abuse images on his iPhone, including 421 category A (most serious) images. Police discovered the content after seizing his phone during a June 2021 home search. Evans received an additional one-month sentence for failing to appear in court and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Scott Miller, 29, of Llys Felin, Aberdulais, Neath, sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to intentional suffocation and three counts of assault by beating. Miller assaulted two women, pulling one by the hair and punching her face. He threatened another victim with a “body bag” and suffocated her until she couldn’t breathe. He’ll serve nine months before release on licence.

Lucia-Nicolta Vaduva, 47, has been sentenced to four months in prison after stealing £68.13 worth of items from B&M Bargains in Wrexham. Security staff caught her taking goods from health, beauty and electronics sections. She claimed she was stealing to send items to her children in Romania. With six previous convictions including 10 theft-related offences, Vaduva will also be deported as she’s subject to an indefinite deportation order.

Abubaker Abdulrahman, 27, was caught with 281g of cannabis worth up to £2,770 whilst posing as a Deliveroo driver in Cardiff. Police discovered 49 bags of cannabis in his delivery bag, along with evidence of 11 drug deals on his phone. The asylum seeker from Iraq was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment and disqualified from driving for six months.

Christine Kenny, 37, from Newport, assaulted Dr Miriam John at Grange University Hospital in what was described as “a serious and unprovoked attack” on 10 July. She also used racially aggravated threatening behaviour while drunk in Newport city centre on 26 October. Kenny received a 12-week suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £100 compensation.