In a busy March for the county’s courts, here are seven Hertfordshire criminals who have been jailed this month, including a paedophile found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a child under 13.
1. Frank Mooney
He was sentenced to 16 years for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two charges of sexual assault, and a further three years after pleading guilty to wounding with intent, common assault and possession of a knife during an incident on July 23, 2022.
He had originally been arrested and charged in May 2022, after Hertfordshire police received reports of sexual offences against a child.
"The bravery of the victim and her family has assisted in sending a dangerous offender to jail for many years," said DC Jacqueline Oliver.
2. Kieron Hall
He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, causing actual bodily harm and assault on an emergency worker.
Prosecutor Daniel Siong told St Albans Crown Court that on November 10, 2021, the victim had come to give the 32-year-old medication at the end of an assessment by a psychiatrist at the Oak Ward at Kingsley Green Psychiatric Unit.
When she introduced herself, Hall rose to his feet and punched her numerous times to the face, and when she fell to the floor, he stamped on her head and chest multiple times.
"It was a brutal attack. The injuries were really quite horrifying," said Judge Richard Foster.
"She suffered a bleed on the brain, terrible pain, and dizziness."
3. Mohammed Hussain
The 29-year-old was running supply lines in both Welwyn Hatfield and St Albans between October 2021 and June 2022, and was caught after a joint investigation between Herts police and the Met.
"Drugs and the criminality associated with them destroys lives," said Detective Sergeant Adam Haines, investigating.
"Dealers will often target young and vulnerable people, often leading to devastating consequences.
"We will never stop pursuing those who we suspect to be involved in drug criminality and I am pleased with the sentence that has been handed down in this case."
4. Jamie Harrowell
In the early hours of May 27, 2021, police were called by a resident of a property in Blackford Road, Watford, to report that a van had been abandoned in their driveway.
It was reported that two men had been seen exiting the van, and were overheard discussing a gun being fired.
Officers attended the scene and identified Harrowell and Robert Dean at a nearby property, before giving false details when asked about the registered owner of the van.
Both men were arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent, with a later search by officers uncovering a shotgun and several rounds of ammunition.
Both men were further arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
"Harrowell had an extensive criminal history with a number of serious offences, which is reflected in his sentence," said Detective Constable Rob King, who led the investigation.
5. Ashley Banks
St Albans Crown Court heard the 35-year-old, of no fixed abode, sexually assaulted a woman multiple times, before punching her repeatedly in the face and putting his arms around her throat in the stairwell of an address in Letchworth in July 2022.
He was given eight years imprisonment for sexual assault by penetration. He was also given six years for another sexual assault by penetration and 12 months for non-fatal strangulation, to run concurrently, as well as 14 months each for two counts of sexual assault by touching.
“Banks is a danger to women,” said Investigator Lauren Shelley, who led the case.
6. Hayden Packard
St Albans Crown Court heard that he had been in a three-month relationship with his partner after meeting on Facebook.
During this time, Packard repeatedly assaulted the victim, as well as becoming jealous and controlling.
He would make her change her clothes if he didn’t like them and would take one of her personal belongings when she visited him to make sure she returned to him.
During their brief relationship, he shut her finger in a heavy front door causing significant damage and leaving her requiring two operations as she was trying to escape her own flat to get away from him.
On another occasion he pulled her by the hair as she was trying to escape through a ground floor window.
7. Peter Murphy
He was sentenced to 42 weeks behind bars at Hatfield Remand Court on Monday, having admitted the charge following his arrest last weekend.
The 38-year-old was issued a Child Abduction Warning Notice on March 4, warning him not to have any contact with the teenager, after concerns were raised about his behaviour.
Despite this, Murphy continued to meet with the girl and assisted in keeping her away from responsible persons.
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