Exclusive:Who has been in the dock at Portsmouth Crown Court as sex offender avoids prison
By David George
Published 29th Jun 2026, 10:55 BST
These people appeared in court on Friday, June 26.
- Alastair Tame, 40 from Southampton Road, Titchfield, indicated a guilty plea to one count of fraud by abuse of position. He has been remanded on conditional bail, and will be sentenced on Friday, August 7.
- Alfie Ware, 20 from Jodrell Close, Horndean, pleaded guilty to one count of actual bodily harm, but not guilty to four counts of criminal damage, one count of coercive or controlling behaviour, one count of actual bodily harm, and one count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon. He was committed to a young offender institution for 13 months, and made subject to a five-year restraining order.
- Anass Chergui, 26 of no fixed abode, indicated a guilty plea to one count of facilitating the commission of a breach of UK immigration law. He was remanded in custody, and will be sentenced on Friday, August 7.
- Anthony Benfield, 50 from Broadmere Avenue, Havant, pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm with intent. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison, and made subject to a restraining order.
- Damien Nicholls, 33 from Sherwood Close, Liss, was found guilty of one count of wounding with intent. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
- David Edgar, 63 of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of making indecent images of a child, and one count of voyeurism, but not guilty to three counts of voyeurism. He was sentenced to a two-year community order, with 35 rehabilitation days and 60 hours of unpaid work, and must register with the police for the next five years.
- James Renfree, 46 from Leigh Road, Eastleigh, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
- Jamie Jervis, 30 from Elm Grove, Southsea, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a controlled Class B drug, one count of dangerous driving, one count of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, one count of failing to stop, one count of failing to provide a specimen, one count of assaulting a constable, and one count of criminal damage. He was given 11 months in custody, suspended for 18 months, concurrent for all offences.
- Josh Lyons, 34 of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of coercive or controlling behaviour, and one count of stalking without fear, alarm or distress. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison, and made subject to a restraining order.
- Nazimus Zaman, 22 from Fivefields Road, Winchester, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving, one count of driving whilst disqualified, and one count of driving without third-party insurance. He was given a two-year community order, with 15 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
- Paul Jennings, 53 from Nelson Road, Southsea, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage, one count of possessing a knife in a public place, one count of using threatening words or behaviour, and one count of affray. He was sentenced to eight months in custody, concurrent for all offences.
- Roberto French, 30 of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to one count of assaulting an emergency worker. He was remanded on unconditional bail, with his next court date set for Thursday, July 9.