They include a cowardly drunk driver who ran off after fatally crashing into a pedestrian and a street dealer caught with cocaine and heroin between his buttocks after being stopped outside a fish and chip shop.
A Leeds man who threatened to kill and rape the mother of his late child and a man who started a fire in a residential property that led to the death of a 35-year-old were also sentenced.
The summary of the cases to be heard in court this week is in the gallery below:
1. Leeds Crown Court
The criminals in this gallery were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court this week for a range of crimes. Photo: West Yorkshire Police Photo: West Yorkshire Police
2. Jason Ward
Cowardly drunk driver Jason Ward ran off after hitting a 59-year-old woman with his van in Elland Road – leaving her to die. Pedestrian Vanessa Barnes had just left the Planet Ice rink after watching her son play for Leeds Knights on December 10 last year. As she walked along the pavement at about 7.30pm, she was struck by a Ford Transit van driven by Jason Ward. Ward had spent three hours in a Morley pub with his girlfriend, drinking six pints of lager before getting behind the wheel. During his sentencing hearing this week, Leeds Crown Court heard that he was drunk, and his intoxication would have impacted his driving. Ward, of Throstle Road, Middleton, was jailed for eight years and four months and must serve two thirds of his sentence in prison. His disqualification from driving was extended for 66 months. Photo: West Yorkshire Police
3. Qasim Ahmed
Qasim Ahmed was caught with cocaine and heroin between his buttocks after being stopped outside a fish and chip shop - and then denied it was his. Ahmed was taken to the police station for a full search, and officers found 50 wraps of cocaine and 40 wraps of heroin concealed between his buttocks worth an estimated £900. He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and sent to prison for three years. Photo: West Yorkshire Police
4. Jack Duree
Cocaine-fuelled Jack Duree from Wakefield strangled his girlfriend and called her vile names during a campaign of coercive behaviour. Duree constantly accused his now-ex partner of cheating. The 26-year-old gaslighted and belittled her, pulled clumps out of her hair and drained her money to buy crack cocaine. Duree was jailed for two years and handed a 10-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim. Photo: WYP
5. Jack Beale
Leeds man Jack Beale, 26, threatened to rape and kill the mum of his late child after the pair lost their baby. The victim believed that Beale would go ahead with the vile threats when he turned up at her home in the middle of the night and smashed her window. Judge Rodney Jameson KC handed Beale a two year prison sentence, which he suspended for two years. At the request of the defendant, he also issued a restraining order preventing Beale from contacting the victim or going to her home. Photo: Adobe Stock/David Silverman/Getty Images
6. Bradley Pickles
Bradley Pickles appeared at Leeds Crown Court this week to be sentenced for breaching a non-molestation order and a restraining order. The 28-year-old turned up at his ex-partner’s home the day after the restraining order was made, following his conviction for harassing her earlier this year. The defendant began sighing and muttering under his breath as the judge, Recorder Tony Watkin, considered his sentence. When Judge Watkin told him he should be aware that muttering would not help him, Pickles said: “I’m aware, mate." To which the judge replied: “I’m not your mate, I’m your honour.” Pickles was locked up for two years and his restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim was extended until April 2028. Photo: West Yorkshire Police