Here are the latest cases from the region’s courts:BURSLEM: Homeless Scott Jones has been handed a six-month conditional discharge after he admitted seven charges of shop theft. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 34-year-old, care of Swan Bank Methodist Church, Burslem, stole goods worth £40 from Morrisons, Blurton, on January 18; magazines worth £100 from Morrisons on February 2; food from Morrisons worth £10 on February 25; items worth £25 from Morrisons on March 2; plants worth £28 from the Co-op on March 7; theft of Easter eggs worth £14 from the Co-op on March 16; and £50 worth of goods from Morrisons on June 1. Simon Dykes, mitigating, said Jones had not troubled the court since 2019 after he stopped using drugs – only to became homeless. Mr Dykes added: “He was picked up by the rough sleepers team. He is off monkey dust now.” As well as the conditional discharge Jones was ordered to pay £277 compensation and a £26 surcharge.STOKE-ON-TRENT: Twenty-seven-year-old Lewis Knight, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to two charges of being concerned in making an offer to supply a class A drug; being concerned in making an offer to supply a class B drug; two charges of possession with intent to supply a class A drug to another; possession with intent to supply a class B drug; possession of criminal property; and assaulting an emergency worker on February 2. His case will be mentioned at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on July 17. He remains in custody.ALSAGER: Twenty-two-year-old Dillan Middleton, of John Cliff Way, Alsager, has pleaded guilty to a charge of controlling or coercive behaviour between August 31, 2022 and October 1, 2024 and two charges of sending a communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety. He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in the week commencing August 24, after a probation sevice officer has prepared a report on him. His bail was extended.CHEADLE: Thirty-three-year-old James Johnson, of Weaver Close, Cheadle, has admitted a charge of intentional strangulation between May 8 and May 11, 2025. He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on September 4 after a probation service officer has prepared a report on him. His bail was extended.BENTILEE: Fifty-eight-year-old Kevin Hunter, of Ubberley Road, Bentilee, has pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a class B drug. He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on July 8. He was remanded in custody.Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search
Five criminals in North Staffordshire courts
