August was another busy month in the North East courts.

Last month, criminals were put behind bars by judges in Newcastle and Durham for a range of crimes.

August's cohort of locked up criminals includes burglars, sex offenders, thieves and violent offenders, including one who attacked emergency service workers.

Below are 23 of the criminals locked up in August:

Craig Hardy

Craig Hardy
Craig Hardy

A man walked to the end of his driveway and pointed an air pistol at a motorcyclist because he thought his house was going to be attacked, a court heard.

Craig Hardy, who had been stabbed the day before, heard the motorbike drive past his North Shields home once on April 17.

A court heard he then went into his house, on Malton Crescent, and got the air pistol he kept “for dealing with rats in his garden”.

CCTV then shows the 32-year-old walking to his gate as the bike rides past again, and waving it at the motorcyclist before going back inside.

Armed police were called to Malton Crescent at around 11.20pm on April 17 this year to reports of a man pointing a gun at a motorcyclist in the street.

Prosecutor Richard Holland said officers found the weapon - which was later revealed to be an air pistol - along with ammunition for it.

They also found a syringe full of ammonia in Hardy’s sock, which he told officers was because he was “sick of being attacked”.

The judge jailed Hardy for 18 months.

Gary Beaton

Gary Beaton
Gary Beaton

A burglar was caught on camera using his foot, a shopping trolley and a knife to try and break into an Aldi supermarket in Newcastle.

In one night, Gary Beaton burgled two houses in Walker while the occupants were sleeping and attempted to get into the Aldi store as staff were stacking the shelves after hours.

The 28-year-old left a knife behind at one of the properties he broke into, leaving the owners terrified.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Beaton, of no fixed address, was captured on CCTV outside Aldi, on Walker Road, on September 30 last year.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said the store had closed at 10pm but staff were present on the premises stacking shelves.

“The defendant ran over and approached the store and kicked the door in an obvious effort to force entry. This was unsuccessful.”

Beaton pleaded guilty to burglary, aggravated burglary and being in possession of a bladed article.

Judge Stephen Earl jailed him for seven years and six months.

Abigail Turnbull

Abigail Turnbull, 28, was jailed after igniting an inferno at her home in Whitley Bay

A drink-fuelled arsonist has been jailed after she put the lives of her neighbours at risk when she sparked a huge inferno at her own home in Whitley Bay.

Abigail Turnbull, 28, ignited three separate fires at her address on Wallridge Drive in the early hours of April 17 while she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The fires erupted into a massive blaze shortly after 4.30am and a young family nearby, awoken by the smoke alarm, were forced to evacuate their home after seeing the thick smoke.

When emergency services arrived they found Turnbull sat on the doorstep in a state of “confusion” at the blaze, which caused £20,000 worth of damage.

Turnbull pleaded guilty to arson being reckless to whether life would be endangered when she appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on May 18.

Last month, she was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Francis Wilson

A burglar who was caught on the balcony of a first floor flat claimed he was “looking for his dog” when the married couple who lived there found him.

Francis Wilson tried to escape by climbing back over the balcony of the North Shields property, but the male occupant grabbed on to his coat as he dangled in mid-air.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Wilson then bit both the man’s hands as he tried to get away, breaking the skin on one hand.

The 29-year-old, who has caught Covid-19 in custody since being arrested for the burglary in January, was sentenced to just under three years in prison after pleading guilty to that incident, as well as driving into a police car in September last year.

Prosecutor Philip Morley said a couple were in their first floor flat in North Shields on January 5 when the woman heard some noises from her open balcony.

Judge Stephen Earl sentenced Wilson, of Holywell Road, North Shields, to a total of 34 months in prison.

Anthony Jenkinson

Anthony Jenkinson
Anthony Jenkinson

A serial crook has been jailed for a “spree of offending” including taking a delivery driver’s van from Newcastle Quayside and snatching a handful of cash from the till of a Byker shop.

Anthony Jenkinson has been sentenced to 19 months behind bars for the string of offences which began on December 18 last year at the Eastern European Store on Shields Road.

Adam Cain

Adam Cain
Adam Cain

A brazen burglar is behind bars after being caught red-handed by his victim.

Adam Cain, 44, has been jailed for more than three years after breaking into a home on Greystoke Avenue in Sunderland on the afternoon of June 21.

The intruder climbed through a window and helped himself to various items including keys and a mobile phone, but was caught red-handed by the occupant who pulled up on the drive and spotted the man in his home.

Cain frantically tried to escape through a locked door while the victim called the police and alerted them to the break-in.

Officers were on the scene within four minutes of the call being made and located Cain nearby.

Police then searched a black rucksack that was in Cain’s possession which contained a black and silver iPhone, a Bobba Fett keyring and various keys – all of which had been taken from the address.

Cain, of Stanhope Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to the burglary when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court last week (August 18). He was subsequently jailed for 40 months.

Ervin Lisl

Ervin Lisl
Ervin Lisl

A man is facing deportation to Albania after being recruited to harvest cannabis grown at a house in Washington.

A court heard Ervin Lisl had been doing “ad hoc” jobs such as labouring and car washing, but found himself in “strained financial circumstances” when work dried up during the coronavirus lockdown.

The 30-year-old drove from Leeds to a house in Blackfell, Sunderland, on June 10 to harvest cannabis being grown at the property.

When police searched the house they found four rooms had been turned over to growing cannabis - with a total of 130 plants.

Mr Wardlaw said: “The defendant was recruited with others to go to a house in Blackfell in order to harvest cannabis being grown at the property. He was to be paid £200 for doing so.

“The defendant drove there from Leeds on the morning of June 10 with one other Albanian male.

“On arrival they were met by two other Albanian males.

“One male worked on harvesting cannabis plants grown in the downstairs room whilst the defendant and the person he travelled with ate their breakfast and drank their coffee.”

When the police arrived all the men ran off, but only Lisl was detained at the scene.

The judge, Recorder Matthew Happold, sentenced Lisl to nine months in prison, telling him: “I agree you had little knowledge of the scale of the operation and played a lesser role.”

Michelle Gilley

A cruel thief befriended two vulnerable men in their 70s before stealing cash from them in their own homes, a court heard.

Michelle Gilley forced her way into a 73-year-old man’s home in the early hours of the morning despite being banned from going near his address.

The 41-year-old pretended to be a police officer before pushing past him and refusing to leave, later stealing money from his trouser pockets and a bag of coins.

Less than 24 hours later, Gilley went to another vulnerable man’s house and asked to stay - before taking money from his trousers.

Gilley has now been jailed for 10 months after admitting burglary, theft and assaulting a police officer.

Richard Soltanpur

Richard Soltanpur
Richard Soltanpur

An armed robber pointed a gun at a lone betting shop worker before telling him "sorry, I'm desperate" - then made off with £175 in cash.

Richard Soltanpur apologised to his victim as he put a bag on the counter to be filled with cash during a terrifying raid at Coral bookmakers in Fawdon, Newcastle.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 42-year-old gunman then caught a Metro and travelled one stop to Kingston Park, where armed police, who had tracked him through CCTV, were waiting to arrest him.

Soltanpur, of Peldon Close, Longbenton, Newcastle, admitted robbery and possessing a firearm, namely a gas powered BB gun, which was loaded and cocked, at the time of the offence.

Mr Recorder Matthew Happold sentenced Soltanpur to two years and eight months behind bars.

Gary Pickering

Gary Pickering

Women attended a safeguarding conference at St James' Park were left feeling unsafe and shocked when a prolific thief stole their handbags.

While delegates were in a conference room at the city centre stadium, they had left their belongings in a separate area.

Serial offender Gary Pickering and an accomplice somehow sneaked in and stole five handbags in a "thieving expedition", concealing them in a stolen Newcastle United Football Club holdall.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the bags contained various belongings, including bank cards that were used fraudulently, mobile phones, cash, glasses, keys and other personal items.

The 47-year-old, who has 93 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to theft of the five handbags and the holdall.

Pickering, of Elton Street West, Wallsend, was sentenced to six months in prison.

Marc Ridley

Marc Ridley

Armed raider Marc Ridley smashed his way into a woman's home in the middle of the night because she refused to lend him £20.

Ridley had downed Jack Daniel's and prescription drugs when he went to the stranger's home asked for money

When she refused, he smashed her window and kicked through her door.

Ridley, of Houghton Road, Hetton-le-Hole, was sentenced to six years and eight months behind bars.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim's living room was showered with glass, which caused cuts to her feet and she was left "absolutely terrified", fearing she would be killed.

Lee Rutter

Lee Rutter

A crazed knifeman who became convinced he was about to be kidnapped following a cocaine and alcohol binge left his neighbours petrified.

Lee Rutter set off fire alarms in his block of 48 flats then confronted neighbours with a knife and crowbar as they were evacuated.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 35-year-old had previously warned one resident at Weardale House, Washington, he would "chop her head off".

Rutter pleaded guilty to affray, criminal damage, possessing an offensive weapon and possessing a bladed article.

Recorder Craig Hassall sentenced him to 26 months behind bars with a five year restraining order to keep him away from the flats.

Gary Shackleton

Gary Shackleton

A creepy burglar confronted a terrified 12-year-old girl in her bedroom, told her he had given her family sleeping pills, claimed to have a gun, then dropped his trousers.

Gary Shackleton said the pills he had given the terrified youngster's family would stop them waking up after sneaking into her home as she got ready for school.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 33-year-old raider told the girl he knew her full name and school, said he needed a telephone and exposed himself.

Shackleton, a serial raider who was out on licence from a previous jail term for burglary, ran off when the schoolgirl screamed, which alerted her mother, who was busy in the kitchen.

Shackleton, of no fixed address, admitted burglary and exposure.

He also admitted robbery and attempted robbery in relation to two women who he targeted in the streets in the moments before and after the house raid, in a bid to get their cars.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced Shackleton to a total of seven-and-a-half years behind bars.

Judge Adams said the raid must have been "truly terrifying" for the girl and added: "She was only 12 years old and in her own bedroom."

The judge said Shackleton has to sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Kieran Ditchburn

Kieran Ditchburn

Despicable Kieran Ditchburn spat at two paramedics who had just saved his life and threatened to kill them and their families.

When the ambulance men revived him after he took a drugs overdose, the thug reacted with disgusting aggression instead of gratitude.

He spat in the face of one of the paramedics, leading to an anxious six month wait to see if blood tests showed if he had contracted any diseases.

A court heard Ditchburn also repeatedly punched his mother and taunted the ambulance crew by asking what they were going to do about it.

He then spat at two police officers.

Now Ditchburn, of Station Road, Bedlington, Northumberland, has been jailed for 12 months at Newcastle Crown Court.

Connor Barrass

Connor Barrass

Brutal rapist Connor Barrass has been jailed for 12 years after subjecting a terrified woman to a violent sex attack in her own home.

Barrass, who had met his victim just hours earlier, followed her home and as she went to close her door, he kicked it open and attacked her.

The sick pervert sat on the struggling victim's chest and rained down punches before sexually assaulting and raping her.

She believes she lost consciousness during the ordeal and was left in hospital for 10 days after the attack, which happened in Newcastle, in January.

After the attack, Barrass, 23, of Northbourne Street, Elswick, Newcastle, got his brother, Ryan Barrass, to wash his blood-soaked clothes.

Now Connor Barrass has been jailed for 12 years at Newcastle Crown Court while his brother was given a suspended prison sentence for assisting an offender.

Gary Short

Gary Short

Dangerous paedophile Gary Short has been jailed for 20 years for a series of sex attacks - including in public toilets and alleyways.

The pervert targeted his young victim from when he was just five and carried out the sickening offences whenever he could get the opportunity.

The 49-year-old, of South Frederick Street, South Shields, denied 13 charges of attempted rape, indecency with a child and indecent assault during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court but was found guilty of all offences by a jury last year.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced Short to 20 years behind bars with an extended licence period, which will involve "strict" conditions, for another year.

Short must sign the sex offender register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for life.

Melain Brass

Melain Brass

A mum who threatened two social workers with an imitation firearm has been jailed.

Melain Brass became angry and abusive when the pair turned up at her home to help her son.

A court heard she threatened to kill herself before going into another house and arming herself with two items, which in combination made up an imitation gun.

She ran towards one of the social workers with the items in her hand, leaving her "entirely terrified."

Now Brass, 43, who admitted possessing an imitation firearm, has been jailed for 15 months.

John Sanderson

John Sanderson
John Sanderson

A woman was left with a knife wound to her hand after an argument with her partner about cleaning the house.

Their relationship was described in court as being tempestuous, with "jealous and controlling" John Sanderson accusing her of having affairs.

They spent time together in April this year, when an argument erupted during which Sanderson armed himself with a knife.

He pleaded guilty to wounding the woman on the basis it happened recklessly by waving the knife around and that he intended only to harm himself.

Now the 31-year-old, who had to be tasered by police after a stand-off, during which he held a bread knife to his own throat, has been locked up for 15 months.

Steven Goss

Steven Goss

A shamed masseur was branded a "monster" by one of his victims as he was locked up for sexually assaulting four women in a disgraceful betrayal of trust.

Steven Goss, who served in the Royal Navy, appeared trustworthy and professional but had a hidden dark side.

The married 52-year-old repeatedly sexually assaulted women while giving them massages, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He continues to deny any wrongdoing, saying any touching between their legs, over underwear, was accidental.

But now he has been jailed for 21 months after jurors found him guilty of four counts of sexual assault.

Kier Ruffell and Lee Taylor

Kier Ruffell and Lee Taylor
Kier Ruffell and Lee Taylor

A 'vulnerable' man was taken hostage, attacked and filmed by two thugs who left him with bleeding on the brain while subjecting him to two hours of violence.

During the "inhumane" attack, the door to the room was barricaded with an armchair while the victim was subjected to a shocking onslaught that left him convinced he would die.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it happened in a communal living room in shared accommodation at Beach Road, South Shields, where Kier Ruffell and Lee Taylor were residents, along with their victim, last November.

Prosecutor Vince Ward told the court the victim was kept in the room from 8.08pm until 10.29pm.

"He was subjected to a sustained and prolonged attack at the hands of these two defendants," Mr Ward said.

"They prevented him from leaving.

"He said it was Ruffell who stared the violence and Taylor joined in.

"He said he had been kicked as he lay on the floor and that Ruffell had struck him with a chair.

"As they were assaulting him they were threatening to kill him. He believed he was going to die.

"The Crown say they subjected him to degradation by filming him and insulting him during that assault or immediately afterwards."

Ruffell, 29, who has convictions for 112 previous offences and Taylor, 31, who has 23 previous convictions, both admitted assault and false imprisonment.

Mr Recorder Chris Smith sentenced Ruffell to two years and one month behind bars and Taylor to 20 months.

Nicholas Burdon

Sunderland timber supplier Nicholas Burdon, 35, was jailed after he pleaded guilty to 14 counts of fraud
Sunderland timber supplier Nicholas Burdon, 35, was jailed after he pleaded guilty to 14 counts of fraud

A timber supplier from Sunderland has been jailed after defrauding customers across the North East.

Nicholas Burdon pleaded guilty to 14 counts of fraud after he failed to supply timber products to his customers "on a number of occasions" dating back to 2017 and 2018 while keeping the money for himself.

The 35-year-old, who also admitted to a charge of obstructing police by giving a false name, was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Durham Crown Court.

Matthew Jack (formerly Huckle)

Matthew Huckle

A persistent pervert was back targeting underage girls within weeks of getting out of prison for doing exactly the same thing.

Matthew Jack, previously known as Huckle, was locked up in 2018 after being snared by online paedophile hunters for trying to talk to young girls while serving a suspended sentence for having sex with a child.

Having been released earlier this year, he was soon back at it again - chatting sexually to what he thought was a 15-year-old girl called Amy on an app called Whisper.

In fact he had fallen into the same trap as last time and was again chatting to an adult male from Dark Justice, who pose as children online to catch those seeking to engage sexually with youngsters.

After he turned up to meet Amy in Gateshead, he was confronted by vigilantes then arrested.

Now Jack, aka Huckle, who changed his name and moved as a result of abuse he received because of his past convictions, has been locked up again.

Jack, of Coverdale, Leam Lane, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempting to breach his sexual harm prevention order and was jailed for 20 months.