11 of Shropshire's worst criminals jailed in August - including perverts, drug dealers and a violent abuser

With prisons bursting at the seams, it appears more and more criminals are being handed suspended sentences, with immediate custodial terms reserved for the worst offenders.

Among those sent down to the cells in August was a wannabe burglar who fashioned a gun out of a brown paper bag to threaten police officers in Telford. 

Another case last month saw a manipulative abuser jailed, after leaving his exes with a range of broken bones and emotional scars after suffering years of horrific abuse. 

Here are those and some of the other cases the Shropshire Star reported on throughout the month. 

Man jailed for fashioning a gun out of brown paper bag and threatening police officers in Telford

37-year-old Matthew Sylvester of no fixed abode, pled guilty to number of offences halfway through his week-long trial at the end of July. 

The range of charges included two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of an imitation firearm to cause distress, possession of class A drugs and attempted burglary after an incident at Telford town centre in February.

Police were first called to the town centre after Sylvester was seen using a trolley to try and break into a store - unbeknownst to the officers, Sylvester was preparing for police arrival. 

When he learnt police were on their way, he made his way to a nearby trolley park, where he used a jumper to cover his face and forged an object to mimic a handgun. 

Upon their arrival, Sylvester immediately charged at the officers, brandishing the imitation firearm at them. 

After bravely confronting the 37-year-old, officers quickly established the firearm was in fact a brown paper bag that Sylvester had folded in such a way that it looked like a handgun. 

On Friday, August 1, he was sentenced to 16 months for imitating a firearm, and three months for assaulting two emergency workers. He was also given four months for causing fear and violence and one month for possession of a class A drug (cocaine).

Violent Telford abuser who left exes with broken bones and devastating mental trauma 

The court heard how the manipulative Arron Moss, aged 34, from Telford, bought one of his victims “big bouquets of flowers” and took them on “fancy” dates as he love-bombed them into falling for him, before his violent and abusive true colours came pouring out of his skin.

He broke the nose of one of his victims, left her with a huge laceration on her arm and strangled her while she carried her toddler in her arms - all in separate incidents.

Another one of his victims suffered a broken wrist and broken ribs after violent attacks, amid years of physical and mental abuse.

In court this month, Moss was jailed for seven years and issued him with seven-year restraining orders, banning him from contacting his victims. 

Whitchurch burglar who 'took anything that wasn't nailed down' jailed for rural crime spree 

Andrew Winter, 59 and of St Mary's Street in Whitchurch was jailed for two years, four months and 26 days after pleading guilty to a string of burglaries.

Police said that between December 6 last year and July 1 this year, Winter targeted sheds and outbuildings across Malpas, All Stretton, Chester, Tilstone Fernall, Tiverton, Whitchurch and Wrenbury.

During his raids Winter helped himself to a range of items from bicycles and garden equipment to tools, watering cans and trophies.

Sergeant Roy Wellings from Cheshire police called Winter "prolific" with his crimes "indiscriminate" adding: "It appears that if it wasn’t nailed down he took it."

Winter was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday (August 4) having pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to attempted burglary with intent to steal, 10 counts of burglary other than a dwelling, burglary, and theft from the person.

Shropshire paedophile back in jail after molesting schoolgirl

Convicted paedophile, Kieran James Bowers, 27, had been in jail before for having a stash of child sex abuse images and getting a 13-year-old to send him nudes. 

But this month, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that his latest victim, who he molested in 2020, had not told anyone until three years later, when she found out about his past.

Bowers, formerly of Ellesmere but now of Avondale Drive, Castlefields, Shrewsbury, was found guilty after trial of assaulting a girl by touching and two counts of sexual communications with a child. 

He pleaded guilty to four counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after he was found in possession of internet devices which he had not told the police about.

For those offences, the judge jailed Bowers for six years. Bowers was already subject of an indefinite SHPO and had been ordered to sign onto the sex offenders register for the rest of his life after the previous case. Those orders will remain in place.  

Market Drayton stalker jailed after stealing ex's car and leaving it covered in sick amid a campaign of bizarre behaviour

Lewis Smith, a father, found himself in the dock at Shrewsbury Crown Court on the day he turned 33 (August 14, 2025) after harassing his former partner for several weeks.

Smith, of Carr Meadow in Bamber Bridge, Preston, and his ex from Market Drayton, had a six-month, long-distance relationship which ended in July last year. 

However, months later, he began a stalking campaign, culminating in him turning up at her home holding a metal bar, demanding to see her. 

Amid the campaign, Smith stole her car, which was later found three days later in Telford - covering in vomit. 

Smith, of Carr Meadow, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to one count of stalking at a previous hearing. He has 18 convictions for 32 offences.

The judge sentenced Smith to six months in prison - meaning he would be released shortly due to the time he had already served.  

Judge Meegan also issued Smith with a restraining order, banning him from contacting the victim.

'Dangerous' Telford paedophile who was injured in prison attack is locked up

Wayne Morgan, 40, of Stonedale, Sutton Hill, Telford, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court after being found guilty of multiple offences following a trial earlier this year.

In total he was convicted of six counts of sexual assault of child and three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

During sentencing the paedophile, who also has a conviction for voyeurism, was classed as a 'dangerous' offender by Recorder Taylor, over concerns about the risk of him re-offending.

Morgan was sentenced to a total of six years in prison, and will serve two thirds before being eligible for release.

As part of his determination as a dangerous offender Morgan will also be subject to two years of extended licence.

Morgan will be on the sex offenders register for life, and will also be made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Predator who sexual assaulted two women in the middle of the night

Christy McCleary, formerly of Wrekin View in Madeley, was on bail for attacking the first woman in 2017 when he attacked a second woman in her home in 2019, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard on August 15.

Mr Tariq Shakoor, prosecuting, told the court that the attacks on the women took place in the middle of the night.

The court was told that McCleary, who was convicted of two counts of sexual assault by penetration on the two women after a trial, had a number of previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers and had admitted to attacking police officers who attempted to arrest him following the assaults.

The 32-year-old also admitted a charge of breaching his bail conditions by committing the second sexual assault while on bail for the first.

Judge Anthony Lowe jailed McCleary for six years for the two sexual offences.

Former soldier caught dealing cocaine and monkey dust in Telford with knuckle-duster

Shaun Harris, of Sutton Hill, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting a number of offences - involving three separate incidents.

The 34-year-old was twice caught by police operating out of other people's homes, before he was arrested after a dangerous incident where he rammed his car into a wall as he tried to escape being blocked in by police.

In total he admitted nine charges, including being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, possession of class B drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving with no insurance. 

Harris was jailed for four years, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.

Man caught with stolen car keys used nicked credit card to buy scratchcards - and went back to claim winnings

Shrewsbury Crown Court was told that a Shifnal family, who live on Curriers Lane, woke up on July 18, 2022, to find a Kia Ceed car had been stolen from the driveway, and a handbag - containing a purse and cashcards, was missing.

Alexa Carrier, prosecuting, said that the victim had received a notification at 7am that morning, after noticing the items were missing, to say that her cash card had been used to spend £20 at the High Street Co-op.  

Stephen Wood, 48, of no-fixed-abode, had been seen buying scratch cards from the shop using the card's contactless function. 

Ms Carrier explained that Wood had returned to the shop to attempt to spend a further £40 on scratch cards shortly after the first purchase, but the card was declined.

The court was told the defendant had then made a third visit to the shop - to claim the winnings from cards purchased on the first visit.

Ms Carrier told the court that when police went to arrest Wood they discovered the keys to the Kia vehicle, woollen gloves and a black hoodie. 

Wood - who was jailed for 28 months back in June 2023 was sentenced to 14 months in prison for the fraud and handling stolen goods charges.

Drug dealer who peddled crack cocaine and heroin in Telford

Hasan Mahmood, of Victoria Avenue in Wellington, Telford, was sentenced to 32 months behind bars at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday, August 15 for two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

During the hearing the court heard how police carried out a warrant at the 24-year-old's home on June 18, 2019 where they discovered a large quantity of heroin and crack cocaine.

It was estimated that the drugs held a street value of around £5,000. Mahmood was arrested and later charged with drug supply offences.

Telford dealer caught with more than £20k of heroin knocked over seven-year-old child attempting to flee cops 

Ulfraz Khan, 34, of Acacia Drive, Leegomery, Telford, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday, August 22, where he was sentenced after admitting a number of charges.

In total he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing criminal property, being concerned in the supply of heroin, crack cocaine, and cannabis, as well as possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine, and cannabis.

Khan had been spotted by officers on February 18, and followed over suspicions a drug deal would take place. 

As Khan tried to escape two police officers on foot, Khan knocked over a seven-year-old child as he scrambled to get away.

He was caught by officers who discovered around 100 raps of white powder. The court was told that the parents of an 18-month-old had also discovered three raps in their child's pushchair, which had seemingly inadvertently ended up in there during Khan's attempts to flee.

A search of the car revealed cannabis, while Khan had £320 cash in his sock. A further search of his property revealed more drugs - heroin worth a total of £24,146, crack cocaine worth £3,120, cannabis worth £400, and £830 in cash.

Sentencing Judge Trevor Meegan said Khan would receive a total of three years in prison for the offences, of which he will serve half.