While some of these defendants acknowledged their wrongdoing through guilty pleas, other were convicted after jurors found them guilty at the conclusion of trials.
In addition to sex crimes, defendants have been jailed for a wide range of offences relating to fraud, drug dealing, violence and burglary.
The longest prison sentence passed down by Sheffield judges is one of 19 years, while the shortest is one of a year and 10 months.
17. Corey Rodgers: Bragging car thief jailed
Bragging car thief jailed 19-year-old Corey Rodgers stole the cars during a string of burglaries carried out between April and June of this year (2024). Police say he targeted high value vehicles such as Mercedes, BMWs, and Volkswagen Golfs. Rodgers, of Wordsworth Avenue,, Parson Cross, Sheffield, forced entry to homes before stealing the keys to the homeowners’ vehicles as well as other expensive items, such as a Louis Vuitton handbag. A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson explained: “He had been released from prison in February of this year and tried to evade arrest by cutting off an electronic tag. “However, he was located and arrested in June and a phone was seized from the address. “A Snapchat account associated with the 19-year-old contained two videos which had been sent to a group chat named ‘no 9-5 here 2.0’. The videos showed vehicles stolen by Rodgers during burglaries and included the message: “Best bid takes em…” Read More Dearne Valley Parkway: Cyclist suffers broken bones in collision with lorry on Barnsley dual carriageway Dearne Valley Parkway: Cyclist suffers broken bones in collision with lorry on Barnsley dual carriageway “A number of tools commonly used in burglaries were also seized from the address Rodgers was arrested from. “He was charged and later pleaded guilty to 10 counts of burglary dwelling and theft, one count of handling stolen goods, and one count of driving whilst disqualified. “He also admitted a further ten burglaries through the taken into consideration (TIC) process.” Rodgers appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on September 6, 2024, when he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. | SYP
18. Neil King: Shameless paedophile jailed for 21 years
Callous Neil King appeared emotionless, both as he was sent to begin a 21-year prison sentence for 17 serious historic sexual offences - including two counts of rape - and as the continuing devastation he has caused the two young girls he abused was laid bare. Sending King, aged 51, to begin his lengthy prison sentence, Judge Sarah Wright told him: “Your victims were targeted, sexualised and subjected to acts of a degrading nature. “Both were vulnerable…each of them has shown the utmost courage in coming to give evidence, after trying to bury this for so many years.” A Sheffield Crown Court hearing held on September 20, 2024 heard how both of the girls King abused, who were 13 and 14, respectively, when it started, had worked to rebuild their lives; and felt stunned and surprised when detectives from the National Crime Agency unexpectedly visited them, years later, to ask them about the abuse. Judge Wright said the fortitude the complainants, both of whom are now young women, had demonstrated by dredging up their trauma, and by giving ‘compelling’ evidence at King’s trial ‘knowing they would be accused of lying’, was ‘considerable’ and ‘commendable’. King’s shameful abuse of the complainants which began when he was 38-years-old continued in court when he had the audacity to claim that the complainants had only come forward to seek compensation, but jurors rejected his account when they found him guilty of all charges he faced at the conclusion of the trial on July 24, 2024. In total, jurors found King guilty of: two counts of rape; eight counts of sexual activity with a child; four counts of attempted rape and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. | SYP
19. Jamie Stones: Thug jailed over terrifying standoff with the police
Jamie Stones, aged 35, became aggressive towards officers when they attended his home on Burgoyne Road, Walkley, during an arrest attempt as the 35-year-old tried to barricade the door to prevent them from entering. A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said on September 18, 2024: “He then lunged at one of our officers with a knife before climbing onto the roof of the property and hurling tiles at officers on the street below. “His behaviour caused damage to three vehicles and a police van before Stones was detained and taken to hospital after falling from the roof. “While he was in hospital receiving treatment, Stones attacked multiple members of staff.” Stones, of Burgoyne Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to affray, threatening a person with an offensive weapon, sending a communication or article of an indecent or offensive nature and two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker. He was jailed for a total of 110 weeks during a sentencing hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on September 12 | SYP
20. Five rioters jailed
These five defendants have all been jailed for their roles in the Rotherham riots since September 16, 2024. Luke Crowcroft, of Danesway, Scawthorpe, Doncaster, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. He was also handed a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order. Ashley Lowe, of North Street, Barnsley, was sentenced to two years and two months detention at a young offender institution. Ben Beardsley, 38, of Hall Gate, Mexborough, was jailed for two years and eight months. Joshua Webb, of Birch Park Court, Holmes, Rotherham, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Callum Smith, of Dartree Court, Darfield, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 12 September. He was jailed for two years and eight months. Top row, left to right: Callum Smith and Ashely Lowe. Bottom row, left to right: Luke Crowcroft, Bean Beardsley and Joshua Webb | SYP