A woman has admitted fiddling a pre-school out of a huge amount of cash. Claire Precious appeared at magistrates in Exeter this week accused of fraud.

She admitted the offence and will be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court next month. She was one of a dozens of defendants appearing at magistrates across the county in the past week.

Other offenders included a shoplifter who stole vast quantities of goods from shops in Exeter. A number of drink and drug drivers were also sentenced. Two of the defendants in this list have died since being charged.

All criminal cases start at the magistrates. The most serious are sent to crown court. Most defendants are dealt with by fines or court orders. Magistrates have the power to send people to prison for up to 12 months.


MARCH 26

Robert Holderness, Quarryman Close, Bampton. Age: 33. On 09/03/2024 at Bampton drove when alcohol level above the legal limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £415.

Martin Paul Honeywill, Barland Way, Winkleigh. Age: 37. Between 10/02/2023 and 20/02/2023 at Torridge knowingly permitted controlled waste, nine rubble bags, seven blue bags, two black bin bags, to be deposited at Brimblecombe Farm without an environmental permit. Plea: Guilty. Fined £1,000. Compensation £97. Surcharge £400. Costs £1,600.

MARCH 27

Ryan Ross, Lee Close, Honiton. Age: 29. On 14/02/2024 at Strand, Exmouth obstructed a constable in execution of his duty and used threatening words or behaviour. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Unpaid work for 40 hours.

Shaun Bignell, Geneva Place, Bideford. Age: 33. On 26/03/2024 at Fillablack Road, Bideford assaulted an emergency worker, possession of 3.8g of cannabis, criminal damage to a door, pushchair and wall. Pleas: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Unpaid work for 80 hours.

Tommy Lee Pike, Beardon Mead, Launceston. Age: 19. On 11/09/2023 at Tiverton possession of 2.9g cannabis and a knife in a public place. Plea: Guilty. Three months in prison suspended for 12 months. Unpaid work for 60 hours. Rehabilitation activity for 10 days.

Philip Doggart, Brixington Lane, Exmouth. Age: 57. On 06/04/2023 at Exmouth stole a purse and cash to the value of £150. Defendant has died. Case discontinued.

MARCH 28

Alastair Harrison, Heavitree Road, Exeter. Age: 36. On 26/01/2024 at Exeter stole vodka from Marks and Spencer. Plus multiple shoplifting from Boots, Waterstone, Typo, Specsavers. Common assault on 15/02/2024, failed to comply with a Public Spaces Protection Order. Pleas: Guilty. Prison for 18 weeks. Compensation of £1,142.

Neil Jackson, NFA Exeter. Age: 57. On 13/03/2024 at Alphington Road stole alcohol from Co-op. Also shoplifting M&S and drunk and disorderly. Plea: Guilty. Community order for six months.

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APRIL 2

James Addicott, St Michaels Close, Exeter. Age: 20. On 12/01/2024 at Cowick Lane, Exeter, dangerous driving, possessed quantities of cannabis and cocaine. Plea: Guilty. 26 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. Unpaid work for 250 hours. Disqualified for two years.

Oliver Gutteridge, Carpenter Cose, Tiverton. Age: 44. On 16/01/2024 at Tiverton breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by having Facebook profile picture of a watch rather than identifying likeness. Plea: Guilty. Conditional discharge for six months.

George Packman, NFA, Exmouth. Age: 34. On 15/03/2024 at Exmouth assaulted a male and police officer. Plea: Guilty. Fined £853.

Tyrone Powers, Uplowman, Tiverton. Age: 50. On 16/03/2024 at Willand drove when alcohol level above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 12 months. Fined £80.

James Short, Smythen Street, Exeter. Age: 41. On 17/03/2024 at Marsh Barton Road, Exeter stole jackets from Go Outdoors. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 10 months. Rehabilitation activity for 12 days.

Mark Langdon, Austen Cose, Exeter. Age: 33. ON 18/03/2024 at Thorverton drove when alcohol above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 17 months. Fined £452.

Graham Muirhead, NFA Exeter. Age: 43. On 01/04/2024 at South Street, Exeter, assaulted a male causing actual bodily harm. Plea: Guilty. Fined £80.

Simon Cox, Green Lane, Feniton. Age: 53. On 29/11/2023 at Exeter drove when controlled drug above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Disqualified for 36 months. Fined £400.

APRIL 3

Claire Precious, Madagascar Close, Exmouth. Age: 49. Between 31/12/2017 and 28/01/2023 at Exmouth committed fraud that while occupying a position, namely office/accounts manager at Bassetts Farm pre-school dishonestly abused position intending to make a gain, namely £65,689.69. Plea: Guilty. Committed to crown court for sentence on 01/05/2024.

James Barratt, Simcoe Way, Dunkeswell. Age: 38. On 20/02/2024 at Dunkeswell drove when alcohol above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. 100 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified for 26 months.

Samuel Khan, Beauvale Close, Ottery St Mary. Age: 20. On 13/09/2023 at Cotford Road, Sidbury, drove when controlled drug above specified limit. Plea: Guilty. Six weeks suspended for 12 months. Unpaid work for 120 hours. Disqualified for 28 months.

Kelby Langdon, Rifford Road, Exeter. Age: 31. On 09/04/2023 at Exeter assaulted three police officers. Plea: Guilty. Prison for eight weeks suspended for 12 months. Abstain from alcohol for 90 days. Rehabilitation for 15 days. Compensation £300.

Paul Gardener, Bronshill Road, Torquay. Age: 38. On 22/07/2023 at A38 Kennford drove vehicle when drug and alcohol above the limit. Plea: Guilty. Community order for 12 months. Alcohol treatment, rehabilitation for 10 days, unpaid work for 200 hours. Disqualified for 30 months.

Tristan Locke, NFA, Exmouth. Age: 35. On 26/08/2023 at Exeter assaulted a male by beating. Defendant has died. Discontinued.