A number of criminals ranging from the horrific to the petty have been jailed this July.

As lockdown has eased and normal life returned, courts have been busying sentencing a variety of offenders to jail time, with the News Shopper reporting on their cases.

This month saw a mortifying case of sex trafficking and modern slavery in Plumstead, a man jailed for murdering his wife and child, plus dozens of people were charged following the fall of Encrochat.

Below is a list of the most noteworthy cases that saw people jailed during July 2020.

Ilcic and Ioan Dumitru - Sex trafficking and slavery

News Shopper:

These two brothers were found guilty of holding a young woman in slavery in Plumstead and forcing her to work as a prostitute.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that a 20-year-old woman from Romania was duped into coming to south east London, where her travel documents were taken from her, she was forced to make money for the brothers and was regularly beaten.

Ilcic Dumitru, 19, and Ioan Dumitru, 24 were sentenced to a combined 31 years and three months in jail over sex trafficking, slavery, and Class A drugs supply charges.

The victim actually became pregnant whilst being forced to work for the pair, and despite the horrific ordeal she managed to give birth to a healthy baby boy.

Cobaine Holden - Serial car theft (and evading police)

News Shopper:

This serial car thief had his string of criminal offences abruptly ended after a high speed police pursuit across north Kent and south east London.

The 23-year-old was tracked to Greenhithe after stealing two cars from a home, but accelerated away from police around 50mph over the speed limit.

He was pursued by Kent Police and Met Police officers, as well as the National Police Air Service, before being detained in Eltham after he reversed into a streetlight.

Holden, of Timberleys, Littlehampton, was arrested at the wheel of the stolen vehicle, and was sentenced to three years and six months' imprisonment.

Joshua James-Smith and Jacob Winnett - Burglars

News Shopper:

The pair of burglars were caught after police pulled over their getaway car, discovering a trail of stolen goods linking them to a Swanscombe property.

Joshua James-Smith, 24, of High Street, Chatham, and Jacob Winnett, 27, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, were stopped in Sheerness after police received reports of two men acting suspiciously near a house.

They were arrested after a two-mile foot race, and large quantities of stolen items and cash were later found.

Winnett, who also admitted an unrelated charge of perverting the course of justice, was jailed for one year and eight months on July 23.

James-Smith, who admitted an additional burglary in Swanscombe, was sentenced to one year in prison on the same date.

Melvin Gambanga - County lines drug kingpin

News Shopper:

Gambanga, of Federation Road in Abbey Wood, south east London, was brought to justice after officers from Kent Police's county lines team identified him as co-ordinating the supply of Class A drugs in Gravesend.

The county lines drug dealer was caught with a loaded pistol flushing crack cocaine down the toilet in his home in Abbey Wood, and has been been jailed for eight years.

Aaron McKenzie - Murder

News Shopper:

Crane operator Aaron McKenzie, 26, was jailed for at least 35 years for killing his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend and their baby in a jealous rage.

The "evil" man broke into Kelly Fauvrelle's bedroom as she slept and stabbed her 21 times, the Old Bailey was told.

Their son Riley was delivered by Caesarean section but died in hospital four days later.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC jailed McKenzie for life with a minimum term of 35 years for the murder of 33 weeks pregnant Miss Fauvrelle.

Enchrochat

News Shopper:

July also saw the results of the fall of Encrochat, the military grade communications network used by criminals worldwide and thought to be impenetrable until European police forces inflitrated and took apart the network.

The result? Over 100 people were charged with offences in London, including a number of 'untouchables' living affluent lifestyles posing as tycoons beyond the reach of police.

In July, 34 people were charged from across Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, Dartford, Lambeth and Southwark for crimes ranging from Class A drugs supply to murder.

There are too many to list here, but click the link to see the full list of names and crimes.