A woman accused of a serious stabbing, a city centre axe man and a man who spread poo in a police cell all appeared at magistrates on Monday [December 30]. The festive line-up of defendants also included a man jailed for breaching a court order.
A number of applications were made by police to impose Domestic Violence Protection Orders. These are civil orders designed to provide a ‘cooling off’ period following a domestic bust-up.
Below are details of the cases heard by magistrates in Exeter on December 30. It is followed by a list of defendants who appeared between Christmas Eve and December 28.
Exeter homeless man in trouble
Homeless Kevin Fugatt, aged 40, has been living on the streets in Exeter city centre over Christmas, the court heard. He was picked up by police on December 28 after breaching the terms of his bail and brought before the court to be sentenced for a series of offences, including criminal damage and shoplifting.
The first offence happened in June after Fugatt was arrested and taken to Exeter Police Station. The court heard he was “annoyed” at his treatment by police and “decided to defecate and smear faeces around the cell.” It had to be deep cleaned.
In October and November he targeted at Co-op store in Cowick Street, Exeter. He stole meat and other items worth a total of £302.
At the time he was living at a hostel in Smythen Street. He had issues with neighbours who had been keeping him up by playing music at night, said the prosecution.
He lost his temper after being told by staff he could not have a female visitor stay. He threw a glass bottle at a window and then smashed the window with his hand. He has been homeless ever since.
Fugatt already owes the court £1,230 in fines for previous offences and lives off Universal Credit. He has been working with probation to improve his situation.
Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge after he admitted theft, criminal damage and failing to surrender. He was told to pay £282 in compensation to police, Gabriel House for the window and the Co-op.
Breaching court order
Presley Hallett, 44, was arrested at his ex-partner’s address over Christmas – a location he was banned from as part of a restraining order. Police knocked on the door of the house near Topsham Road on December 28.
The woman said Hallett was not there but police found him in the front room and took him into custody. The defendant, of Howell Road, was given a 10-year restraining order not to contact the victim after a conviction for intentional suffocation an battery in August.
Hallett admitted breaching the order.
Peter Seigne, defending, said Hallett had only attended the address because his ex-partner had invited him over. They had spent Saturday and Sunday together. He said it was now clear to Hallett that he must not respond to any contact in future.
Magistrates decided they needed more information about the defendant and adjourned sentence to February 24 and ordered a pre-sentence report.
Alleged stabbing
Jessie Stanford, 31, was charged with an offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on December 28/29. The allegation is too serious for magistrates to deal with and was sent to crown court.
It is alleged that Stanford stabbed her ex-partner in the leg with a kitchen knife. She was not required to enter a plea during the hearing.
The alleged offence is said to have happened at Penwethers Crescent in Truro, which the defendant gave as her home address. She was remanded in custody.
The case was sent to Truro Crown Court on January 31.
Prison for breach of Domestic violence order
A man has been jailed for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order. Connor Rees, 25, breached the order on December 23 when he attended an address of a former partner in Torquay.
The defendant, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty. He was jailed for 14 days. The reason given was his flagrant disregard for court orders.
Axe allegations
Harry Snowball, 32, of Howell Road, Exeter, is accused of possessing an axe in Sidwell Street on December 11. He is also charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour with intent. He is yet to enter a plea and the next hearing will be on January 10. He was released on conditional bail.
Other cases heard at magistrates over the Christmas period between Christmas Eve and December 28
Jacob Hill, St Johns Terrace, Totnes. Age: 26. On 13/07/2024 at Exeter drug driving Sidmouth Road. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fine £276.
Jacqueline Holland, Barn Park, Buckfastleigh. Age: 46. 28/07/2024 at Newton Abbot Railway Station drunk and disorderly in a public place. Plea: Guilty. Fine £80.
Lewis Jordan, Drake Road, Newton Abbot. Age: 31. On 22/12/2024 at Newton Abbot breach of a restraining order. Plea: Guilty. Fine £80.
Jemma Cruse, St Peters Street, Tiverton. Age: 38. On 21/08/2024 at Fore Street, Tiverton, assaulted two police officers by beating. Plus failed to surrender to bail and possess cannabis. 12 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months. Compensation £225. Fine £200.
Robert Bastin, St Michael’s Hill, Clyst Honiton. Age: 31. On 24/12/2024 at Clyst Honiton, allegedly possessed offensive weapons in a private place. Not required to enter a plea. Sent to Exeter Crown Court January 23.
Jordan Jackson, South View Close, Willand. Age: 25. On 20/09/2024 at Tesco Honiton allegedly assaulted a female causing ABH. No plea required. Sent to Exeter Crown Court 24/01/2025.