Several criminals were locked up for their crimes after appearing at Southampton Crown Court.
Here are some of the cases heard last month.
Trans woman’s ruse lands her in prison
Sophie Louise Carter outside Southampton Crown Court in 2023 (Image: Newsquest) Convicted sex offender Sophie Louise Carter, previously known as Dominic, is in custody at HMP Winchester after failing to abide by the sex offender notification requirements.
Prosecutor Hannah Douglas told the court that 40-year-old Carter – who used to live in Southampton – had falsely claimed to have been “kidnapped and held hostage” in Petersfield, east Hampshire, and needed the cash to pay to be released.
When police discovered this was not the case, Carter was arrested by police after finding out a change of address had not been registered.
Carter was sentenced to six months in prison by judge Nicholas Rowland, who told the defendant: “It is very depressing you are back before the court”.
Man lashes out at nurses
Ben Nelson broke a nurse’s fingers after he launched a violent assault on staff at Southampton General Hospital (Image: Hampshire Constabulary) A violent outburst from Ben Nelson left a nurse questioning her career in the field.
Nelson, 24, was a patient at Southampton General Hospital in February 2024 and had to be restrained by staff.
During the “reckless” tussle he broke a nurse’s finger and hit another.
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The court heard he was struggling with his mental health at the time.
Judge Nigel Peters KC told the defendant: “Nurses need protection and there has to be punishment accordingly.”
Nelson was sentenced to a year in prison.
Paedophile told to ‘read a book’ by judge
Serial Southampton paedophile Andrew Othen was told to “read a book” instead of messaging underage girls by a judge (Image: Hampshire Constabulary) A serial paedophile was given shrewd advice by a judge who told him to “read a book” instead of messaging underage girls.
Andrew Othen, of Alma Road, Southampton, returned to the dock in May after he was spared jail a few years prior.
He breached a sexual harm prevention order after he was caught with an internet-enabled mobile phone and had eight different usernames on various applications, using Kik and DuckDuckGo.
The court heard he “does not know” how to fill his time, to which judge Peters KC advised he turn to reading.
He was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
Thugs ‘with bad blood’ beat victim and stole his bike
L-R: Connor Brown and Finlay Harvey (Image: Hampshire Constabulary) A pair of thugs beat a man until he was unconscious and fled with his bicycle due to “bad blood”.
British Army hopeful Finlay Harvey joined forces with Connor Brown to launch the attack against the then-19-year-old victim in Southampton in January 2024.
Once knocked unconscious, the pair made off with his £1600 bike.
Brown and Harvey were both handed a sentence of three years and four months each by judge Christopher Parker KC.