It’s a short list because the courts have not operated fully during the festive period
File picture of Bodmin Magistrates Court (Image: CornwallLive)
It’s the weekend and therefore time for a look at the cases that have recently come before Cornwall’s magistrates’ courts. Everyone who has been charged with an offence, from minor crimes to the most serious, appears initially before the magistrates.
The most serious cases are then sent to Truro Crown Court. If a defendant pleads guilty, they could be sentenced straight away or have the matter put back for a pre-sentence report. If they deny the allegations against them, the case will be adjourned for a trial.
The courts are open to anyone and our reporters attend just like any other member of the public. As most people have jobs and cannot spend their time in court, the media has always acted as the eyes and ears of the public to ensure that justice is seen to be done.
Here’s who has been sentenced at the magistrates’ courts in Bodmin and Truro recently.
Craig Piper
Age: 45
Darite
Criminal damage to property. On May 12, 2025, at Golitha Rise in Liskeard you without lawful excuse, damaged a fish tank, an ottoman and a blanket basket of unknown value belonging to a woman intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.
Common assault. On the same day and place assaulted three different women.
Suspended sentence: 18 Weeks, Suspended period: 12 Months. Rehabilitation activity: 20 Days. Compensation: £375. Restraining order not to contact your victim or go to Golitha Rise in Liskeard for two years. Costs: £135. Surcharge: £154.
Brian O’Sullivan
Age: 39
The White Hart Hotel, St Austell
Sex offenders register – fail comply with notification requirements. On May 8, 2025, at Truro, being a relevant offender within the terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and subject to a notification order, failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the notification requirements as provided by Part 3 of that Act in that you failed to notify police of any changes to the name and address you have given before three days of the date of any change, including release from prison for future offences, with such information as required by the Act. Contrary to section 91(1)(a) and (2) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Suspended sentence: 24 Weeks, Suspended period: 18 Months. Rehabilitation activity: 12 Days. Costs: £85. Surcharge: £154.
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Jason Eugene Seeney
Age: 40
Trecarrell Close, Launceston
Failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a community requirement of a suspended sentence order made by Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on April 18, 2024. Failed to attend, as directed, a supervision appointment on May 21, 2024, and again on November 19, 2024. He has failed to provide an acceptable reason and/or evidence to substantiate a reasonable excuse for the failures within five working days.
Fine: £50. To be detained in the courthouse. Detention deemed served by reason of time already spent in custody.
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