EACH and every day, criminals cause misery across Colchester whether it be with violence, drug dealing or depraved sexual acts.

Here are the people police brought to justice and received jail sentences in February.

Gazette:

Jailed - Gary Cassell

PROLIFIC robber has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Gary Cassell made accusations to his victims that they were in the wrong before grabbing their belongings.

The 34-year-old approached a man outside the One Stop shop in Wivenhoe last May, and began talking to him before walking off.

He then returned within seconds, punched the victim in the face as he held a large knife and said the man had stolen his girlfriend’s purse.

When the man denied it, Cassell said: “Yes you have - give me the money or I will stab you.”

He then struck him again and pushed him against a wall in the shop car park before stealing his mobile phone.

Just weeks before, Cassell, of Colchester Road, Wivenhoe, had accused a man of bumping into his wife in a shop in Long Wyre Street, Colchester.

He then followed the man, tightly grabbing his arm and pushing him to sit on a wall.

Cassell then menacingly said the victim would pay for his partner’s coffee before rooting through his bag and making off with his wallet.

He admitted two counts of robbery and possession of a bladed article.

Cassell has 11 previous convictions for robbery, and two for attempted robbery.

  • A DISQUALIFIED driver was jailed after flouting his ban.

Police were called to Swallow Close, Dovercourt, and found Darren Gillanders drunk.

His bag was searched and a bag of cannabis was discovered, as well as some car keys.

Checks showed he was not registered to drive after never passing an extended retest following a previous ban.

Gillanders, of Pill Box Walk, Colchester, admitted driving while disqualified, possession of cannabis and failing to provide a specimen during a Colchester Magistrates' Court hearing.

Magistrates decided to jail him for 12 weeks and handed out a fresh three year driving ban for when he is released.

  • A MAN who threatened to ‘rearrange’ a train conductor’s face has been jailed for eight months.

Cassel Shallow, 35, of Dean Close, London, bought a ticket at Ipswich station to travel to Manningtree on October 2.

But when the train passed Manningtree, a ticket inspector told Shallow he would have to buy another ticket and he became aggressive.

Ipswich Crown Court heard British Transport Police were called to Colchester station and a search of his rucksack revealed a broken kitchen knife, a metal throwing card and £110 worth of cannabis.

Shallow admitted at Colchester Magistrates’ Court two charges of possessing an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs. He denied using threatening words but was convicted at trial.

  • A MAN has been jailed for a string of thefts.

Mitchell Buttfield, of Crouch Street, Colchester, was given a community order in June after admitting stealing on a dozen occasions.

But the 34-year-old was hauled back before Colchester Magistrates' Court after failing to show for probation appointments.

He admitted the breach and was jailed for 24 weeks for the original thefts where he took booze, perfume and DVDs from a range of Colchester shops.

  • A MAN caught with a blade has been jailed for six months.

Joe Wilkinson had the green handled lock knife in Barrack Street, Colchester.

The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted possession of a bladed article when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court, as well as failing to answer to bail and committing an offence while under a suspended sentence order he was given in June.

He will pay a £112 victim surcharge upon release.

  • A THIEF was sent back to prison just two days after being released for stealing a razor.

Jason Keane took the £45 shaving kit from Superdrug in Colchester High Street.

He admitted theft at Colchester Magistrates' Court and was handed a six-week jail term.

The 46-year-old, of Roosevelt Way, Colchester, must pay compensation and £267 in court charges upon release.

  • A WOULD-BE thief has been jailed for eight weeks.

Raymond Tauchert was found with a foil lined bag, wirecutters, pliers and a screwdriver.

He admitted going equipped for theft at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

The 58-year-old, of Princess Drive, Colchester, was jailed for eight weeks.

He must pay a £122 victim surcharge upon release and the items will be destroyed.

Tauchert was also given a four-week concurrent sentence for breaching a community order he was given for drug driving.

  • A MAN caught with a knife has been jailed for six months.

James Woodley, 41, had an orange-handled lock knife in Montgomery Close, Colchester.

He admitted possession of a bladed article at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

Woodley, of Montgomery Close, will pay a £122 victim surcharge when he is released.

The knife will be destroyed.

  • A PROLIFIC thief has been jailed for six months.

Louise Cook, of no fixed address, raided Co-op stores in Rowhedge, West Bergholt, Mile End and Dedham for groceries worth more than £300 in February.

The 32-year-old also stole £100 worth of baby clothes from Next.

She admitted a string of thefts, failing to surrender to custody and breaching a community order at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.