Colchester criminals jailed this month named by Gazette

Among those jailed in August include a man who threatened to cut pub drinkers' throats and another on a paedophile snared by vigilante hunters.

Here’s a round-up of some of the high profile cases which have resulted in imprisonment last month.

A CAREER criminal who bragged “you’re not gonna catch me” sped away from police officers at almost 100mph in a reckless bid to evade them.

Tony Coppin snuck into a property in Clacton and snatched the keys to a Mini Countryman before driving off just hours before the high-speed pursuit on May 27.

Ipswich Crown Court heard police flagged the vehicle being driven through Jaywick, but when Coppin, 29, saw them he accelerated away, despite being under the influence of cocaine and cannabis.

Career criminal - Tony Coppin

A police chase then ensued as Coppin, of no fixed abode but known to frequent Colchester, hit speeds of up to 95mph during a reckless 15-mile trip into Colchester.

Coppin admitted four counts of theft, and single counts of aggravated vehicle taking, possession of cannabis, driving without a licence and insurance and dangerous driving.

He also admitted possession of a weapon and absconding, and was found to be guilty of burglary and theft from previous offences in Colchester.

Coppin was jailed for five years, of which two-and-a-half will be served on licence, and was disqualified from driving for five-and-a-half years.

He was also ordered to pay £190 in compensation.

You can read the full story here.

A SEX offender was filmed on his doorstep by civilian paedophile hunters as he labelled his “relentless” online pursuit of a 13-year-old girl as “just a bit of fun”.

Denis Turner, 29, thought he was engaged in a six-week-long sex chat with a young girl.

In fact he was talking to a member of the Child Online Safety Team, who had set up a decoy social media profile to snare paedophiles.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Turner asked the decoy “if she would be a bad girl” and repeatedly warned her not to tell her parents about their conversation.

Paedophile - Denis Turner

The paedophile hunters visited Turner at his Colchester home following the conversation, which unfolded from June to July 2019.

Turner, now of Ibstock Close, Dagenham, was arrested and later admitted one count of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Turner was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

He will remain the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

You can read the full story here.

A HEARTLESS carer stole almost £20,000 from a 92-year-old woman who considered him a close friend.

Richard Welch has been jailed after withdrawing money from the pensioner’s account between April 2019 and October 2020 while he was caring for her in Colchester.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the 41-year-old was snatching the cash from the now 95-year-old in a bid to fix his failing relationship with his wife.

But in doing so 114 unauthorised transactions worth £19,160 were made from the housebound victim’s account while she trusted Welch to use her debit card to shop for her.

Stolen money - Richard Welch

Welch, of The Cross, Wivenhoe, admitted fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to two years and two months imprisonment.

A victim impact statement read to the court stated: “I felt sad as I enjoy his company; I consider him my friend as well as my carer."

Evelyn Hicks, mitigating, stated £3,650 had been repaid to the victim.

Recorder Sarah Przybylska lambasted Welch for his “shameful behaviour” and ordered him to repay the remaining £15,510 he owes within three years.

You can read the full story here.

A HOMELESS thug who threatened to cut the throats of pub drinkers with a 12 inch kebab knife claimed he was taking it to a friend’s to be sharpened.

An intoxicated John Warner entered The Bull, in Crouch Street, Colchester, but became aggressive when refused a drink by the pub’s manager.

The 33-year-old was then locked out after the manager pretended to follow him outside for an altercation at 6pm on May 24.

Boozer - The Bull

“Warner then stood near the entrance of the pub and said ‘I’m going to cut you and I’m going to cut all your throats’ before showing the manager a knife hidden under his jacket,” said Toby Roseman, prosecuting.

Warner, who was living at Colchester Night Shelter in Alexandra Road, admitted possession of a knife and breaching two suspended sentences and was jailed for two years.

You can read the full story here.