A horror crash at Tesco, a drunk football dad and a speeding comedian appealing his driving ban are among our most-read court stories of 2023.
Thousands of people have passed through Southampton's courts this year for offences ranging from drink driving to attempted murder.
Below are some of our most-read court stories over the last 12 months:
Jim Davidson
Comedian and actor Jim Davidson was at Southampton Crown Court in May as he looked to overturn a driving ban.
The Big Break and Generation Game star was previously caught speeding on Maybray King Way in Southampton at 36mph.
He was initially given a 12-month driving ban at Aldershot Magistrates' Court but after appealing the judgement, this was reduced to six months.
Read the full story here
Sophie Louise Carter
In August Southampton Crown Court heard how paedophile Sophie Louise Carter "wrestled" with police to stop them from taking her phone.
The 39-year-old tree surgeon pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children after 11 images were discovered on a mobile phone.
Carter, who identifies as a woman, was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months after the court heard about her "longstanding issue with alcohol abuse".
Read the full story here
Lee Barnes
Southampton dad Lee Barnes was seen singing, shouting and hurling abuse while on his way to watch Saints V Arsenal at St Mary's.
In April Southampton Magistrates' Court heard he had been "unsteady on his feet" whilst walking through the city centre alongside his daughter.
At one point, he walked off the pavement and in front of a car.
He was also seen sitting down with his eyes closed next to his "visibly upset" daughter.
Read the full story here
Lee Swain
Perverted football coach Lee Swain was caught by police after he travelled almost 60 miles from his home in Woking to meet a '13-year-old girl'.
The 55-year-old who was a senior figure at Goldsworth Park Rangers FC started talking to what he thought was a schoolgirl on social media.
But when he arrived to meet the 'child' at Antelope Park in Southampton, he was met by police who arrested him.
Read the full story here
Katie Wilson-Dean
Eastleigh Borough Council worker Katie Wilson-Dean used her sick mother's blue badge to park in a disabled spot whilst she attended a meeting.
The now-sacked worker parked her vehicle in the disabled space at the car park on Romsey Road before going to Eastleigh House.
The badge belonged to Wilson-Dean's 77-year-old mother who had been suffering from cancer and was unaware it was being used.
Read the full story here
Calum Lacey
Southampton school teacher Calum Lacey caused two children "significant psychological harm" by sending them sexually explicit messages during lockdown.
A court heard how the 33-year-old, of Station Road, Southampton questioned one of his victims about her bra size and sexual preferences.
He was among the perverts who preyed on school-age children confined to their homes as the first wave of Covid-19 swept across the UK.
Read the full story here
Miguel Castro
Cannabis dealer Miguel Castro was using business cards to advertise his services before he was caught by chance.
A police officer had been handed his phone as part of an investigation into a separate incident and by coincidence, tried entering the passcode "1,2,3,4" which unlocked the device.
On the phone, police found text messages offering cannabis for sale and when his home was searched, drugs worth between £650 and £900 were found, as well as bags and business cards.
Read the full story here
Malcolm Rogers
Southampton pensioner Malcolm Rogers left a woman in a coma and his own wife needing a leg amputation after a horror crash in a supermarket car park.
The 79-year-old had been picking up his wife from the Bursledon Tesco store when he pressed down on the accelerator instead of the footbrake, sending his Ford Mondeo flying backwards.
A woman in her 30s was left laying underneath another vehicle and was rushed to hospital with skull fractures, two bleeds on the brain and a fractured vertebrae.
Read the full story here
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