ROYSTON WHITE FROM PAIGNTON SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND KNIFE OFFENSES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Paignton, a well-known local criminal, Royston White, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars following his conviction for a series of serious offenses, including a brutal sexual assault and possession of weapons. The incident took place in June 2019, when White, who has a long history of criminal activity, broke into a woman's home in Paignton, a seaside town in South Devon, in a terrifying act of violence and intimidation.

According to court reports, White forcefully kicked in the door of the woman's residence before arming himself with knives. The court was told that his primary motive was to coerce her into revealing her personal banking details. White demanded that she disclose her PIN number so he could withdraw money to fund his ongoing drug addiction. Under duress, the woman wrote down her PIN, but White's actions did not stop there. He proceeded to sexually assault her in her own home, an act that has left a lasting impact on the victim.

Following the assault, White fled the scene but was later apprehended by police. During his arrest, he threatened to slit the woman's throat, further demonstrating his violent tendencies. White, who is also known by the alias Southhall, was taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses. At his trial in April, he was found guilty of assault by penetration, blackmail, and possessing ketamine. Additionally, he admitted to carrying two knives in a public place, which posed a significant threat to public safety.

Throughout the legal proceedings, White chose not to attend most of the trial, opting instead to remain in his cell. He was present only for the sentencing hearing held on the following Monday. It was reported that while incarcerated, White had been studying Buddhism, a detail that was noted during the court proceedings.

Judge Martin Meeke QC, who presided over the case, reviewed White's extensive criminal history, which includes 61 previous court appearances. Most of these were for dishonesty-related offenses, with some involving violence. The judge considered whether to impose an extended sentence but ultimately decided against it after reviewing a pre-sentence report. The report indicated that White did not pose a significant danger to the wider public, despite his long-standing drug addiction.

In his sentencing remarks, Recorder Meeke highlighted White's longstanding struggle with substance abuse, stating, “The defendant has been a drug addict for many years.” The judge further explained that during the trial, White admitted that he had used nearly every drug imaginable, with his worst habit costing him around £300 daily. The court was also informed that White's drug dependency often led him to commit thefts to sustain his habit, and he acknowledged that he would often act recklessly and irresponsibly when desperate for drugs.

This case underscores the ongoing issues of drug addiction, violence, and vulnerability within the community of Paignton, and the serious consequences faced by those who commit such offenses.