Lorry driver who killed man in major pile-up among criminals jailed in February


Other criminals jailed in February include a drug dealer who dragged a woman out of her car.

A man who left a woman with a fractured cheek bone and a lorry driver who caused a major crash are among those criminals who were jailed in February. The second month of the year has been a busy one for Cambridgeshire courts.

Among the people jailed is a man who left a 14-year-old girl “broken”, after sending her an explicit photo, and also a drug dealer. Here are five of the worst criminals sent to prison in February.

Mark Broom

Mark Broom, 47, started talking to a 14-year-old girl in March 2024. The girl’s father found an explicit photograph on her phone of Broom, as he was talking to the victim on TikTok and WhatsApp.

The girl’s father contacted police and Broom’s phone was seized from him at his home in Hinchcliffe, Orton Goldhay in Peterborough. The chats revealed Broom told the girl he was 18, asked her what underwear she was wearing, and said he couldn’t wait to be with her.

The 47-year-old used a fake profile photo when talking to her. Broom admitted to one charge of sending a photograph of his genitals to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation in December.

He was sentenced to one year and seven months in prison at Huntingdon Law Courts on February 6. He was also made the subject of a seven-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to monitor any further offending.

Lee Holliday

Lee Holliday, 43, ran towards a woman’s car as she was driving out of the Westwood Centre in Peterborough on July 31, 2025 at around 1.30pm. The woman stopped when she realised Holliday was chasing her, thinking there was a problem with her car.

Holliday, formerly of Welland Road, Dogsthorpe, opened the back passenger door and got into the back and shouted “drive, drive, they’re chasing me”. The woman told him to get out, and Holliday did.

However, he opened the driver’s side door and tried to grab the keys and steering wheel. He then put his hands around the woman’s neck, tried to pull her out of the car and ripped her shirt and necklace.

Holliday was found guilty of common assault after a trial at Cambridge Crown Court on February 12. He was jailed for two years and five months, which included the activation of a two-year suspended sentence for supplying class A drugs.

Mindaugas Borisas

Mindaugas Borisas, 56, was driving a Mercedes lorry on the southbound carriageway of the A1 between Stibbington and Water Newton at around 4.25pm on July 30, 2025. He crashed into the back of a Skoda Octavia estate that stopped in traffic.

Another lorry, a blue Kia Cee’d estate, and a Mercedes Van were also then involved in the crash. Geoff Brock, 73, of Hillcrest in Bar Hill, who was driving the Skoda, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Borisas pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on February 16. He was handed a sentence of four years and nine months in prison. He was also banned from driving for 12 years and five months.

Kosta Dimitrov

Kosta Dimitrov, 36, kept pestering a woman and claimed to be in love with her before he attacked her on July 2 last year. The 38-year-old woman was sitting with friends in Baker Park, Westfield Road, when Dimitrov approached her from behind.

He kicked the victim several times in the head and then punched her. Her friends went to get help by telling a nearby couple who pulled Dimitrov away from the woman.

The friends fled and called the police when they were home, believing the victim had been killed. Emergency services attended and the woman was taken to hospital.

The victim could barely speak because of her injuries. On February 23, Dimitrov, formerly of Lincoln Road in Millfield, Peterborough, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and jailed for six years.

Gavin Boot

Gavin Boot, 33, visited his former partner at her Peterborough home on August 17, 2025, less than a month after he was released from prison. The woman had a restraining order against her former partner, but Boot manipulated his way into her home. Boot discovered messages on the woman’s phone and this triggered a violent outburst.

Boot damaged part of the woman’s home, threatened her with violence and tried to stop her from leaving. The victim managed to leave and fled to her friend’s home.

While there, he made threatening text messages and calls, including one where he threatened to “execute” her. He continued to harass the woman, and even sent a video of himself outside her parents’ house.

After appearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court (acting as a crown court) on February 20, Boot, of no fixed address, admitted to sending communications threatening death or serious harm, criminal damage and making threats to kill. He was jailed for two years and eight months.


Shops closed after concerns about drugs and anti-social behaviour


No one is allowed to enter the shops apart from emergency services.

Three shops in Peterborough have been closed after concerns were raised about drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour. A three-month order was issued by Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 25.

The Musa store, the Constanta shop, and D1 Barbers, all on Lincoln Road, were closed. The ruling for the stores in Millfield followed an application from the force’s Northern Neighbourhoods Team.

The closure orders state the premises be closed in accordance with the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014. No one is allowed to enter the shops except the emergency services until May 24, 2026.

If anyone is found on the premises unlawfully, they could be arrested. Anyone with information about the order being breached should contact the police via the force website. Anyone without internet can report anything by calling 101.

Sergeant Paul Littlechild said: “Closure orders allow us to target the core issues within the community, and in this instance, it was drug dealing and its associated anti-social behaviour. Through regular patrols, we will ensure this order is adhered to. If you have any information about the order being breached, then please report it to us.”

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Man ordered to pay £1k to landowners after major hare coursing event


The man appeared in court today (Thursday, February 26).

Another man has been found guilty of attending a large hare coursing event in Cambridgeshire. Benjamin Lee, 28, of Melton Road, Barrow upon Soar, was found guilty in Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, February 26) of attending a hare coursing event on January 25, 2025.

Lee was issued with a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which prohibits him from:

  • Entering or being present on any part of private or agricultural land within England and Wales, without the written permission of the owner, which can be presented to an officer upon request
  • Driving any vehicle with a sighthound breed dog, whilst outside of a five mile radius of his home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment, proof of appointment to be provided to an officer upon request and except when travelling to and from the land the defendant owns or rents and must provide written proof of ownership or rental agreement to present to any police officer if required.

He must also pay compensation to landowners in the sum of £1,000. Lee is another man found guilty of attending the event, which affected communities including Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, March, Wimblington and Doddington.

As part of the large police operation, it resulted in 43 arrests and 25 individuals charged with a total of 39 offences.

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‘Shameful’ man punched and stamped on unconscious victim at pub


The man has been jailed for over a year.

A man who punched and stamped on another man in a pub has been jailed. Kyle Harry, 36, was at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Church Terrace, Wisbech on December 23, 2025.

He and a woman were involved in an argument with another man in the outside area of the pub. The victim was punched multiple times and stamped on while he was unconscious.

Cambridgeshire Police were called and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts on his face and head. Harris, of Prince Street, Wisbech, was found nearby by later that day and arrested.

In Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday (February 25), he was jailed for 14 months. DC Lauren McKeever said: “There is no place for violence like this in Wisbech.

“Harris’ actions were shameful. I’m pleased he was apprehended nearby and has now appeared in court to answer for his behaviour.”

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Brazen thief stole nearly £900 worth of meat from one supermarket


The man also stole nearly £100 worth of meat from another shop

A man who stole nearly £900 worth of meat from the same supermarket has been jailed. Abid Hussain, 41, went to an Aldi in Flaxlands, Bretton, Peterborough, five times between February 1 and 10.

Each time Hussain went to the meat aisle, sometimes with accomplices, he filled a shopping basket with various items and left via the store’s fire exit without paying. The total value of meat he stole was nearly £900.

On February 17, Hussain then went to a One Stop in St Pauls Road, New England, and stole more meat worth £96.50. He returned the following day to take multiple bottles of washing up liquid without paying.

Hussain, of Eaglesthorpe, New England, admitted to seven counts of theft from a shop. He was jailed for 16 weeks after appearing at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on February 19.

PC Poppy Halstead said: “Hussain brazenly and persistently targeted the same supermarket, stealing a vast amount of stock. We continue to work with retailers to combat thefts and bring perpetrators before the courts wherever possible.”

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Woman left with fractured eye socket and cheekbone in ‘unprovoked attack’


Dimitrov had pestered the victim in the past

A man who kicked a woman in the face and ended up fracturing her eye socket and cheekbone in an unprovoked attack has been sent to prison. Kosta Dimitrov, 36, had pestered the victim and claimed to be in love with her before the brutal attack in Baker Park on Westfield Road, on July 2 last year.

The 38-year-old victim was sat with friends when Dimitrov approached from behind and kicked her several times in the head before punching her. Her friends went to get help by alerting a nearby couple who pulled Dimitrov away from the victim.

The women fled the scene and called the police when they were home believing their friend had been killed. Emergency services attended to the scene and the victim was taken to hospital.

The victim was barely able to speak due to her injuries. The victim initially said she did not know who attacked her because she was too scared.

She later admitted she feared Dimitrov, who had previously pestered her. Officers went to the caller’s home where Dimitrov turned up with his hands in the air saying “it’s me” before being arrested.

On Monday, February 23, Dimitrov, of Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and jailed at Peterborough Crown Court.

PC Joshua Lawrence said: “The victim had every right to reject Dimitrov’s advances and for him to respond in the brutal way he did was despicable.

“The victim and her friends were understandably fearful of Dimitrov so I would thank them all for their bravery, particularly the victim, as it helped us to bring a prosecution and secure a sentence that reflects the severity of the assault.”

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Stalker made hoax emergency call saying former partner died


The victim told police that she felt like a prisoner in her own home

A stalker who made a false 999 call saying his former partner had died has been jailed. David Williams, 48, began persistently messaging, texting, and calling the victim, as well as loitering outside her house in Peterborough, from August 12, 2025.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “They had been in a relationship which ended in June last year and the victim told officers Williams’ behaviour was frightening her and she felt like a prisoner in her own home.”

Williams was arrested and given bail conditions not to contact the victim or go near her house. However, officers were called to the victim’s address on August 29 after an argument between Williams and the victim was overheard.

Williams was removed by officers and the victim told them he had turned up at her house with letters and a necklace a few days before. He had also made a hoax call to 999 saying she had died, which led to paramedics attending her house.

Williams, of Lincoln Road, was arrested again on August 31 and called the force’s control room in September to say he had breached his bail conditions and texted the victim because she was ill. He also stalked her when she visited Peterborough City Hospital and made two hoax calls to police asking them to check on her welfare.

Williams, was jailed for 12 months having pleaded guilty to stalking and persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance/inconvenience/anxiety on Wednesday, February 18, at Peterborough Crown Court . He was also handed a 10-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

DC Tisha Morris, who investigated, said: “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the prolonged distress caused by Williams’ actions. Stalking has a profound impact on victims, often leaving them feeling unsafe in their own daily lives.

“The victim showed great courage in reporting Williams to the police and I hope the sentence provides her with reassurance and makes clear that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated”


Man raped people with dementia at care home and had indecent images of children


The man was sentenced to over 20 years in prison

A man who carried out “horrific” sexual crimes against vulnerable people with dementia has been jailed for over 20 years. Joshua Springer was handed a 21-year sentence after appearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday (February 20).

The 36-year-old was also given a sexual harm prevention order for the rest of his life. Springer, formerly of Cornstall Buildings in Stamford near the Cambridgeshire border, previously pleaded guilty to nine charges of rape at the same court on December 2, 2025.

His offences were against three victims suffering from dementia at a residential care home for elderly people in the Stamford area. A fourth victim was in the North Yorkshire area. The care home and area in Yorkshire are not being named to protect the anonymity of the victims.

He was also sentenced for making indecent images of children, to which he also pleaded guilty.

Detective chief inspector Jennifer Lovatt, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “While Springer has been sentenced for his horrific crimes, that does not mean that our investigations have stopped. [The] result shows that offenders will be brought to justice, so if you think you have been affected, please get in touch.”

DCI Lovatt is appealing for anyone else that may have been a victim of Springer, who is also known as Joshua Kearney and Joshua Kearney Springer, to contact police. The DCI added: “Our team has worked tirelessly for some time in bringing Springer to justice, and there may be other potential victims who perhaps have not yet come forward.

“I’d encourage them to contact us – you can call 101 (ask for Lincolnshire Police) and quote Incident 272 of November 28. If you want to remain anonymous, then you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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Man who stole hundreds of pounds worth of food jailed


Wilby was caught with items like meat and desserts

A man who stole hundreds of pounds of items including meat from a Peterborough shop has been jailed. Edward Wilby, 36, went to a branch of M&S at the BP garage off Bretton Way seven times from January 27 to February 16.

Each time, he stole items from the shop by putting them in a bag and walking out without paying. On February 17, he went to Aldi in Flaxland, Bretton, where he stole meat worth hundreds of pounds.

With effective communication between stores via Disc, the police were able to arrest Wilby. Disc is an information sharing platform from Peterborough Positive, the city’s Business Improvement District.

Wilby was found by the Spree Offender Team carrying some of the stolen meat. Wilby, of no known address, admitted to eight counts of theft from a shop.

At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 18, he was jailed for six months. He was also ordered to pay £549.70 in compensation.

PC Rebecca Risebrow, from the Spree Offender Team, said: “Wilby persistently stole from the same shop, taking hundreds of pounds worth of stock.

“He simply strolled in, filled a bag with what he wanted and walked out again.

“This kind of behaviour is incredibly frustrating for retail staff. We’re working closely with businesses to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”

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Man jailed after stealing 29 Lindt chocolate bunnies


The thief also stole a number of other items from different shops in the city.

A man has been jailed after stealing 29 chocolate bunnies from a supermarket. Jordan Cole, 36, stole the Lindt chocolate bunnies from Sainbury’s in Sidney Street, Cambridge, on Wednesday, January 28.

Between September 30 and January 24, Cole also stole a range of items from Cambridge shops. These included perfume from John Lewis, laundry products from B&M at the Beehive Centre, meat from Aldi, in Newmarket Road, and T-shirts from Hugo Boss, in Market Hill.

He also breached his criminal behaviour order (CBO) by entering the Aldi on Newmarket Road. At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 30, Cole, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of theft and breaching a CBO.

He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £300 in compensation.

PC Alex Thake, who investigated, said: “Cole’s series of thefts caused significant distress and upheaval for businesses and their employees. We take shoplifting offences seriously and will continue to work hard to bring offenders to justice.”

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