Barking and Romford Courts Crack Down on Drugs, Assault and Damage
A spate of cases hit Barking and Romford magistrates’ courts on June 20 and 25. Offences ranged from drug possession and assault to drink-driving and criminal damage. Here are the jaw-dropping highlights.
Drug Offenders Face Fines and Bans
- Herry Fred Barros Cabral, 24, from Walthamstow, copped to cannabis possession on May 12, 2025. He forked out £151 in fines and costs.
- Taylor Maffia, 24, of Romford, got caught with cannabis and drink-driving on the same day. He lost his driving licence, had his drugs confiscated, and was hit with a £165 fine.
- Joshua Smith, 32, from Hornchurch, pleaded guilty to cocaine possession on June 3. He escaped jail with a six-month conditional discharge but must pay £111 and forfeit the drugs.
Assault and Disorder Bring Tough Community Orders
- Elliot Gibbon, 25, from Romford, admitted common assault on May 30. He was fined £133 and ordered to pay compensation.
- Thomas Haden, 38, of Leigh-on-Sea, got nailed for two counts of assault by beating and criminal damage for smashing a laptop last November. He landed a community order until December 2026 with strict conditions:
- Five-month exclusion from Barking and Dagenham, enforced by an electronic tag
- 30 days of compulsory rehabilitation
- Restraining order banning contact with victims and access to certain addresses
- Must pay £903 by July 17
Criminal Damage — Small Fines but Serious Warnings
- Anthony Fitton, 45, of Barking, broke a community protection notice by entering Station Parade on June 19. He was slapped with a £50 fine.
- Adeniyi Odubawo, 38, from Ilford, admitted smashing two care home windows in November 2024. He was fined £50. Surprisingly, no further penalty for the second offence.
