This is your weekly round-up of some of the latest court cases heard at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court.
The defendant’s name, age, address and details of the charge(s) and sentence are published in accordance with Criminal Procedure Rule 5.8, as agreed by HMCTS and the Society of Editors and approved by the Lord Chancellor. Not all cases heard will appear on this round-up due to legal restrictions.
This article is published from official information issued by HM Courts and Tribunal Service and is covered by qualified privilege. Please note: names/details of convictions will not be removed from this article on the basis of the convicted individual or their families requesting such action.
• Shane Ely, 37, of Alvington Manor View, Newport – admitted possessing a knuckleduster and a sword in a private place, possessing cocaine and cannabis, and producing 2 cannabis plants. He was given a community order until 28 September 2027 with up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity and fined £120. The knuckleduster and sword were ordered to be deprived from him, while the drugs and cannabis plants were ordered forfeited and destroyed. He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
• Joshua Cowley, 35, of Coronation Road, Cowes – admitted assaulting police officers in the execution of their duty. He was given a community order until 1 October 2028 with a probation requirement and ordered to pay £100 compensation. No costs were ordered.
• James Davis, 40, of Melville Street, Sandown – admitted drink-driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a vehicle without third-party insurance. He was banned from driving for 38 months, reducible by 38 weeks if he completes a course by 9 January 2029, and fined £162. His driving record was endorsed with no points and no separate penalty was imposed for the licence and insurance offences. He must also pay £500 costs and a £65 surcharge.
• Johnny Ward, 44, of New Road, Brading – admitted 3 shop thefts from Tesco involving goods worth £116, £177.65 and £111.60. He was given a community order until 1 October 2027 with 80 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay compensation of £177.65 and £111.60. He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
• Darren Cook, 41, of Gurnard Pines, Cowes – admitted 2 offences of possessing cannabis. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 costs, with the cannabis forfeited and destroyed. No separate penalty was imposed for one of the offences.
• Joshua Cowley, 35, of Coronation Road, Cowes – admitted driving with THC, ketamine and diazepam above the specified limits. He was given a community order until 1 October 2028 with a probation requirement, banned from driving for 24 months and fined £80.
• Tomas Vicas, 45, of Osborne Road, East Cowes – admitted outraging public decency by intentionally exposing his genitals in public. He was given a community order until 28 March 2028 with up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity, fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
• Tony Smith, 56, of Church Road, Wootton Bridge – admitted drink-driving. He was given a community order until 28 September 2027 with 80 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 27 months, reducible by 27 weeks if he completes a course by 14 February 2028. He must pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
• Michel Grossnickel, 66, of Chestnut Close, Ventnor – admitted being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control and caused injury to a person and an assistance dog. He was given a community order until 28 September 2027 with 130 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £1,500 compensation. A contingent destruction order was made for the dog. He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.+
• Martin Farren, 56, of Avenue Road, Freshwater – admitted common assault. He was given a community order until 1 April 2028 with a probation requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. A restraining order lasting until 1 October 2028 prohibits contact with the victim, subject to specified legal and family-related exceptions, and prohibits attendance at a specified address. He must pay £85 costs.
• Elliot Dwyer, 25, of St Johns Hill, Ryde – admitted being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the alcohol limit. He was banned from driving for 3 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
• Matthew Dolton, 39, of High Street, Shanklin – admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
