Court round-up: Machete murder gang jailed, ex-police officer sentenced and prison drone plot punished

A gang jailed over a brutal machete murder, a former police officer sentenced for sexual assault, a prison drone smuggling conspiracy and a taxi driver's failed licence appeal are among the latest cases to have been heard in Yorkshire courts.

A number of serious criminal cases have recently been heard in courts across Yorkshire. Here is a round-up of some of the latest sentences and hearings.

Machete murder gang jailed over brutal car attack

Four men have been sentenced after a father died nine days after being attacked with machetes while trapped inside a car in Middlesbrough.

Anthony Dickons, 44, suffered a catastrophic leg injury after Morgan Caldwell, Dominic Hall, Daniel Simpson and Kole James ambushed a car he was travelling in on November 6, 2025.

The vehicle was deliberately rammed before its windows were smashed and the occupants were attacked with machetes and other weapons.

Mr Dickons was taken to hospital but died nine days later. Another man who was in the vehicle suffered serious injuries.

Following a three-week trial in May, Caldwell, 26, Hall, 24, and James, 18, were convicted of murder, while Simpson, 32, was convicted of manslaughter.

At Teesside Crown Court on Monday (Jul 20), Caldwell was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years. Hall was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years, while Simpson received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years. James was sentenced to 14 years' detention.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Dickons' family said: "Our hearts are broken; our lives will never be the same, and our home feels empty without Anthony who has been robbed of a life of love and laughter."

Former police officer sentenced for sexual assaults

A former West Yorkshire Police officer has been sentenced after sexually assaulting a woman and assaulting another during a work night out in Leeds.

Ben Hutchison, 26, admitted sexual assault and assault by beating after offending against two women while off duty but serving as a police officer in August 2025.

Appearing at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday (Jul 23), Hutchison was given a community order requiring rehabilitation activity, 120 hours of unpaid work and a 90-day alcohol abstinence requirement.

Hutchison, formerly based in Kirklees, resigned from West Yorkshire Police in April. The force said he will also face a gross misconduct hearing and is likely to be added to the College of Policing's Barred List.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins said Hutchison had demonstrated "a disregard for consent", adding that behaviour of this nature would not be tolerated.

Prison drone smuggling conspiracy sentenced

A Sheffield woman who helped organise drone deliveries of prohibited items into HMP Lindholme has been jailed.

Rhea Wood, 35, worked alongside Mohammed Abdo and her partner Abdullah Mohammed to smuggle mobile phones, SIM cards and SD memory cards into the Doncaster prison using a drone with fishing lines attached.

The court heard the items were lowered inside the prison grounds in a Hovis bread bag suspended beneath the drone.

Wood was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to run concurrently with an existing sentence for distributing terrorist material.

Her partner, Abdullah Mohammed, received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after the judge accepted evidence that his rehabilitation since being released from prison had been exceptional.

Mohammed Abdo had already been sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment after admitting his role in the conspiracy.

Taxi driver abandons appeal over revoked licence

A Bradford taxi driver has abandoned his appeal after losing his licence over two driving convictions.

Mohammed Rafiq appealed Bradford Council's decision to revoke his taxi licence after he was convicted earlier this year of driving without due care and attention before later being convicted of using a mobile phone while driving.

At Bradford Magistrates' Court, Rafiq asked for a 12-week adjournment so he could seek legal advice, telling magistrates he could not afford legal representation.

After being warned he could face a substantial costs bill if his appeal failed, Rafiq withdrew the appeal, leaving Bradford Council's decision to revoke his taxi licence in place.