Colchester's worst criminals spending Christmas in jail

Murderers, burglars, paedophiles, drug dealers, and thousands more offenders do not get that privilege; instead, they spend Christmas Day inside a prison cell as punishment for their crimes and the misery they have caused their victims.

Many of Colchester’s worst criminals are housed in HMP Chelmsford, a Category B men’s prison with about 750 inmates.

Here are six of Colchester’s most serious criminals who will be having their Christmas dinner behind bars so the public are suitably protected.

Ertan Ersoy – serving 23 years for murder

One of the highest profile cases to have taken place this year was the trial of Ertan Ersoy, a Suffolk University academic who murdered his wife in Wickham Road, Colchester.

The 51-year-old was given a 23-year jail term in October after he was found guilty of murdering Antonella Castelvedere, having stabbed her more than a dozen times “in a jealous rage”.

The jury deliberated for five hours before finding Ersoy guilty; as he was led down to the cells, he gave an indignant wave to the court.

Brutal – Ertan Ersoy stabbed his wife to death and was sentenced to 23 years in prison for her murder (Image: Essex Police)

A statement made on behalf of Ms Castelvedere’s mother read: “In one of my last text messages, I mentioned my heart was in pieces – I didn’t know that at that very moment, my daughter was being murdered.

“Truth and justice remain important for those who remain, even though I will never be able to hear her voice or hug her.”

Rhys Hennebry – serving three years for assault

Already in prison, Rhys Hennebry was involved in a major brawl in June 2020 and was subsequently sentenced last month.

The court heard how, during the prison brawl, another inmate called Glen Luckhurst shouted to Hennebry's victim that he “should keep his mouth shut and will see what happens if he snitches.”

The judge said the seriousness of the assault justified further time in prison.

Criminal – Rhys Hennebry, who was already serving time in prison, was sentenced to more time after his part in a prison brawl (Image: Essex Police)

He said: “This was a violent, joint attack that both of you made on a fellow serving prisoner in Chelmsford Prison; had it not been for the timely intervention of staff, I have no doubt the attack would have continued.

“Each of you have truly appalling records for violence and, for that matter, other offences as well.”

Hennebry received a jail term of three years and seven months.

Neranjan Persaud – serving 14 years for drug dealing

Jailed in September, Neranjan Persaud was involved in a multi-million pound drug operation with Krystof Bakowski.

Both had denied being knowingly involved in the illegal importation and supply of 50kg of cocaine in December 2022.

Persaud, who was described as having a pivotal role in the operation, had parked his car in Newcomen Way, Colchester, and spoke to Bakowski before carrying five identical boxes to his car from his accomplice’s lorry.

Pivotal – Neranjan Persaud was said to have played a key role in a drug import operation (Image: Essex Police)

The drugs, which had a dog's face and the word “Pitbull” on the packaging, had a potential street value of between £4 and £6 million.

After being found guilty by a jury in Ipswich Crown Court, Persaud was jailed for 14 years, whilst Batowski was given a 17-year jail term.

Rakar Rahimi – serving 25 years for murder

The murder of Bako Azad Sheikha in September last year resulted in a ten-day trial in June.

During that trial, the court heard how Rahimi stabbed his best friend Bako Azad Sheikha, 22, through the heart before running him over in Distillery Lane in the early hours of the morning.

Rahimi was caught by police in Dover, Kent, as he tried to flee the country, and when he attended court, he denied the murder charge.

Jurors were told the pair took cocaine in their shared flat in Haven Road, Colchester, on the night Bako was murdered.

Murder – Rakar Rahimi is serving 25 years in jail for the murder of Bako Azad Sheikha (Image: Essex Police)

CCTV footage played to the court showed Rahimi filming himself waving a knife at his friend in the property after a row broke out.

The defendant then forced Bako to drive his car to Distillery Lane where he was then stabbed to death and run over.

Rahimi was sentenced to a minimum term of 25 years in jail.

Addressing Rahimi before he was sentenced, Judge Morgan said: “You have left his family and friends and those who knew him in the community heartbroken.”

David Pennery – serving four years for child sex offences

In March, David Pennery, of Rayner Road, had his address raided by police having already been handed a sexual harm prevention order.

Before Ipswich Crown Court in September, Pennery admitted making and distributing indecent images of children.

Predatory – David Pennery was found out after he had his address raided by police (Image: Essex Police)

It was also found that Pennery had engaged in sexualised chats and sent pictures of himself to someone who said he was a 13-year-old boy.

During the sentencing, Judge Talbot-Hadley said: “These images aren’t pretend, the children in them are actually suffering and being made to do these things.”

Pennery was jailed for four years.

Scott Butcher – serving 11 months for theft

Some customers are known to retail staff for all the wrong reasons, but many shopkeepers won’t have to worry about Scott Butcher for quite some time following his sentencing in the autumn.

An investigation resulted in Butcher being linked to thefts from Co-Ops in Wimpole Road, The Avenue, Iceni Way and The Commons.

Menace – Scott Butcher was described by police as being 'a menace' to Colchester businesses (Image: Essex Police)

Police said his campaign of thefts was co-ordinated and that Butcher, 36, posed “a significant menace” to businesses across Colchester.

Chief Inspector Colin Cox said: “The work required to link him to each of these offences should not be underestimated and that is shown by the fact that he had no option but to admit his guilt at court.”

In September, Butcher was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison.