Many crimes come before judges in courts across the North East. From petty theft to rape and murder, they see the worst the region has to offer.
But perhaps none of the crimes they condemn is more excruciating than when people have lost their lives. The families of both the victims and the accused remain distraught over the aftermath.
From a cocaine-fueled killer who repeatedly stabbed his childhood friend to a boy racer who tragically killed his girlfriend while showing off in front of car club mates, we’ve compiled a list of those who have recently appeared in court for their crimes. They have all been convicted so far this year.
Read more: Tragedy as body found in long search for missing Newcastle man Keith Bate
Here are killers from the North East who were recently convicted of their devastating crimes:
Andrew Somerville
Andrew Somerville found guilty of manslaughter of Tony Nichol (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Andrew Somerville brutally murdered ‘one in a million’ dad Tony Nicholl in front of his partner at a block of flats in Kenton, Newcastle. Somerville, 42, who has 147 previous convictions, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and was jailed for 15 years.
Tony, 36, and his partner Natalie Dowds left a friend’s flat in the block where Somerville was staying and one of them knocked on his door, not realizing he was inside. He came out screaming and brandishing a knife, then chased Tony up a flight of stairs and stabbed him twice, despite his partner’s efforts to push them away.
Victim impact statements from his relatives were read at Newcastle Crown Court. Natalie took to the witness stand to read hers and said: “There are no words that can explain the utter loss I feel. The night I lost Tony was the worst night of my life, the terrifying night that changed our lives forever.
“I tried everything in my power to save him but literally watching him die in front of me is something I want to forget but never can. He was my one in a million men, he lit up a room with his smile and melted my heart. Tony was my best friend and partner in one. Now I wake up every day alone with just his place in my bed.”
Kyros Robinson, Bailey Wilson; Bottom: Ethan Scott, Alastair Dixon
Above: Kyros Robinson, Bailey Wilson; Bottom: Ethan Scott, Alastair Dixon
Five teenagers were convicted of robbing their father-of-two after a mob hit over Ant and Dec pranks. Alistair Dixon is facing life sentences for the murder of Danny Humble, while four others will be jailed for manslaughter after a jury at Newcastle Crown Court acquitted them of murder. The fifth is 17 years old and cannot be identified at this time.
Danny was killed near an underpass in Cramlington, Northumberland, as he walked home with his partner Adele Stubbs, after their first outing since lockdown restrictions were lifted. What started as good-natured banter about his resemblance to Ant McPartlin somehow turned nasty and ended with him being punched, kicked and branded to death.
Soldier Dixon, 18, of Hawkins Way, Blyth, was found guilty of murder, while Ethan Scott, 18, of Chester Grove, Blyth, Kyros Robinson, 18, of Woodside Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Bailey Wilson, 18, of Mitford Avenue , Blythe and a 17-year-old were acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. They were all remanded in custody pending their sentencing in September.
Callum Crosby
Calum Crosby, from Newcastle, has been jailed following the murder (Image: Greater Manchester Police)
Callum Crosby randomly struck and killed dad Kevin Wood, who was described by his wife and partner of 38 years as her “soul mate and best friend”. Crosby, 23, from Newcastle, punched his beloved father outside Printworks on Dantzic Street in Manchester city center last year.
The court heard that Crosby and his friends were thrown out of O’Neills bar by security because they refused to move from the table and quickly became violent towards staff who prevented them from re-entering. Crosby can then be seen kicking and punching the security staff before randomly punching Kevin in the left side of his face, causing him to fall to the floor.
Security staff caught him as he fell and emergency services attempted to revive him, but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene just after 9pm. Crosby, of Colebridge Close, Newcastle, was subsequently jailed for seven years for manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court.
Kevin’s wife, Debbie, is still reeling from the night’s events and is urging people to think twice about hitting and assaulting each other. She said: “We’ll never get over it – our lives will never be the same. It’s absolutely crazy that one stroke can do so much damage to a person and a family.”
Dean Johnson
Dean Johnson jailed for life for murdering Paul Wilkinson (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Killer Dean Johnson was high on crack and cocaine, which sent him into a paranoid delusional state when he brutally murdered his childhood friend. Johnson and his victim Paul Wilkinson were friends as youngsters and had recently rekindled their friendship, but tragedy struck during a night out.
Johnson was invited to Mr Wilkinson’s flat in Church Walk House, Walker, Newcastle, last December, but his victim’s cousin woke the next day to find the living room door barricaded, then listened in horror as his relative pleaded for his life. Johnson killed him with a kitchen knife and a drywall knife, stabbing him repeatedly in the abdomen. A blow penetrated his heart.
Johnson, who has 109 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to murder. He was sentenced to life in prison and told he must serve at least 17 and a half years before he can even be considered for parole.
Lisa Richardson, Mr Wilkinson’s partner, said in a victim impact statement on behalf of his family: “The day Paul left us will haunt us all forever. This is something I will never come to terms with or begin to overcome. A part of each of us died with him that day.”
Cameron Holdsworth
Cameron Holdsworth (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Boy racer Cameron Holdsworth killed his girlfriend while showing off in front of car club mates. He was traveling at almost twice the 30mph speed limit on an industrial estate in Blyth, Northumberland, when he drove straight through a bend and into the path of an oncoming lorry.
His companion and the love of his life, Hannah Inman, who screamed Holdsworth’s name when she saw what was coming, was fatally injured. The court heard footage recovered from mobile phones and dash cams showed Holdsworth was prone to dangerous driving as part of activities with the Total Chaos driving gang, of which both he and Hannah were members.
A judge said he had been flaunting himself in front of members of the group gathered in Blyth when he caused the death of 21-year-old Hannah. Holdsworth, 22 at the time and now 24, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for seven years at Newcastle Crown Court.
William Campbell
William Campbell, who killed his brother Samuel (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
William Campbell will serve at least 21 years behind bars for killing his younger brother during a “totally minor” argument over a dog. Drunk Campbell took exception to the way 24-year-old Samuel Campbell spoke to his pet and the pair got into a fight at the family home in Sunderland.
The court heard Campbell, who had a history of abuse towards Samuel, armed himself with a sharp knife from a kitchen drawer and stabbed him forcefully in the chest in a fit of rage as their mother tried to intervene. The 26-year-old council worker, who was convicted of murder after a trial, was jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum of 21 years behind bars.
While he was jailed, Samuel’s girlfriend Alice Gray, a teacher, read a moving victim statement at Newcastle Crown Court. Miss Gray said: “It has completely devastated my life and broken my heart more than I thought possible. I have to somehow live with an amazing, gentle, kind man by my side.”
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