LAST month saw a life sentence handed out to a murderer who killed his love rival but also some controversial decisions by Worcester judges which meant sex offenders were spared jail.

Murderer

'Evil' murderer Mark Chilman was told he must serve a minimum 22 years of a life sentence before he is considered for release by the Parole Board when sentenced at Worcester Crown Court last month.

The 52-year-old remained impassive, his head lowered, when he learned his fate following the killing of the 66-year-old father and grandfather Neil Parkinson whose body was found in his burnt out BMW in a lay-by in Ankerdine Road, Cotheridge, near Worcester on December 12 last year.

Brawler

Meanwhile, one man involved in mass brawl in Worcester was sent to jail for his part in the violence.

Known street fighter Jack Lowry, 21, was jailed for his part in the fight at a taxi rank outside Cafe Cadena in The Cross in Worcester city centre.

When arrested he became aggressive towards police officers as he tried to flee the scene, refusing to give his details, and had to be bundled into a cell.

His co-defendants, Harry Saunders, 22, and Preston Evis-Cannaway, 21, both received community penalties for their role in the fight when the three men appeared at Worcester Crown Court earlier this month. They were all likened to 'a pack of animals'

Drug dealer

Jack Evans of Droitwich was jailed for four years for dealing crack cocaine and heroin. He also had cannabis in his possession. The drugs had a combined street value of £6,800.

Attacker

Frank Crocker broke a man's jaw outside a Worcester pub but will now have plenty of time to think about what he has done in a jail cell.

Prisoners are now spending up to 23 hours day in their jail cell because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 23-year-old of Richmond Road, Worcester, struck his first victim, Tom Emblem, with a single punch, breaking his jaw in two places during the attack on November 1 last year.

Spared jail

However, many more defendants were spared immediate jail sentences including several men involved in child sexual offences - including Mark Bunyan from Malvern who chatted to what he thought was a 14-year-old girl. In fact he was talking to so-called paedophile hunters. Disgraced Worcester ex-teacher James Ndungu, who had taught at Blessed Edward's, also believed he was chatting to 14-year-old girls. Again he was talking to a group set up to expose online predators and protect children.

Both men walked free from Worcester Crown Court last month. Also walking free last month was Jonathan Hancocks, previously of Worcester, who had 'despicable' images of child sex abuse. He was handed a community order.

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