EXPLOITATION and drugs, indecent images of children and rape were just some of the cases dealt with by the law courts over the last two months.
The perpetrators of these crimes, which had taken place across Wiltshire between December 2018 and September last year, have now faced justice with varying sentences, punishments and fines.
Here are five cases which resulted in court sentencings in May and June.
JAILED
Mushafau Sanusi, aged 26, of Fratton, Portsmouth, was jailed for eight years after exploiting a 17-year-old girl and using her as part of a drug operation in Salisbury.
Heard at Portsmouth Crown Court, Sanusi was concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin, in addition to two charges of possession of criminal property, possession of a bladed article, and driving while disqualified.
Officers from Wiltshire Police’s Operation Fortitude were carrying out plain-clothes patrols of Salisbury city centre in March last year when they witnessed a drug deal taking place in the River Walk area.
As part of enquiries the force arrested two people – a 17-year-old girl from Portsmouth and a 45-year-old local man – on suspicion of being involved with drug dealing.
Officers realised the teenage girl was being exploited and she was released under investigation. During further enquiries police seized a moped from Salisbury Railway Station, which had around £4,000 worth of Class A drugs stored under the seat, as well as various mobile phones.
These phones led police to Sanusi and he was arrested a few days later in the Portsmouth area. Around £2,600 in cash was also seized.
The court heard Sanusi was responsible for running two drugs lines in Portsmouth and Salisbury.
Killian Hutchinson, aged 20, from Marlborough, was jailed for five years and three months after pleading guilty to rape.
On the night of February 29, 2020, Hutchinson had been on a night out in Marlborough and returned to a property in the town.
In the early hours, Hutchinson's victim awoke to find him sexually assaulting her before raping her.
The woman later awoke to find that some of her clothes had been removed. She disclosed the sexual assault shortly afterwards to her mother who then reported it to the police.
Heard at Winchester Crown Court, Hutchinson must abide by the terms of a restraining order prohibiting him from making contact with his victim, and he will be listed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Colin Martin Jones, aged 56, formerly of Swindon but now living in Gloucestershire, was sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children.
The charges relate to 201 category A images, the most serious, 121 category B images and 628 category C.
Last February officers from Wiltshire Police’s child internet exploitation team reacted to information that a mobile phone had tried to access indecent material on websites more than 16 times.
Further enquiries led them to Jones and he was arrested, with police seizing a number of devices.
Jones was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years, and was ordered to participate in rehabilitation and unpaid work.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order will be in place for ten years.
Jake Harris, aged 27, of Tempest Road, Amesbury, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking without consent, driving while disqualified, careless driving and driving without insurance.
On September 25 last year, at around 1.15pm, police were called to a crash on the A345, at the junction with Down Barn Road, Salisbury.
The car Harris was driving, a white Citroen Berlingo which didn’t belong to him, had hit the rear of a white Kia Rio that had slowed down for traffic at the junction. The crash left the Kia in the nearside verge and caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Harris also pleaded guilty to another count of vehicle taking without consent, following an offence on May 18 last year.
The 27-year-old was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, disqualified from driving for 35 months and fined £963, as well as costs.
He was also ordered to engage in a rehabilitation programme.
Thomas Hodson, of Butts Terrace, Ashley Road in Salisbury, was stopped by police on December 12, 2018, after a drug deal was seen being done from the car he was in.
Officers found a bag of magic mushrooms in the centre console and he was arrested.
A search was carried out of Hodson’s home and 282.1 grams of cannabis, along with a quantity of amphetamine, was discovered.
In total all the drugs found were valued at £4,130.
Appearing at Winchester Crown Court on June 16, Hodson was to be sentenced after he previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, cannabis and other Class A and C drugs between June 1 and December 13, 2018.
Hodson was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years.
He must also complete 250 hours unpaid work and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
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