In a busy April for the county’s courts, here are three Hertfordshire criminals who have been jailed this month, including a man who abandoned a stolen car on railway tracks, and another found guilty of rape.

1. Kieron Francis 

Kieron Francis, of Fossway, Dagenham, was found guilty of two counts of endangering life, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, two offences of criminal damage, unlawfully driving on the railway tracks and abandoning a vehicle.

He abandoned a stolen car on railway tracks and injured two officers in Cheshunt and has been jailed for 10 years.

He was cleared of stealing the vehicle.

Watford Observer: Kieron Francis injured two police officers and caused 66 train services to be cancelled.Kieron Francis injured two police officers and caused 66 train services to be cancelled. (Image: Herts police)

At around 9.30am on Thursday, July 15, 2021, the police control room was made aware that a stolen Land Rover had travelled into Hertfordshire from Essex.

The vehicle was located in Cheshunt and officers from Essex Police’s Road Policing Unit attempted to speak to Francis.

The 36-year-old then made off in the car, injuring two officers and damaging several vehicles in the process.

2. Martin Butler 

Martin Butler was sentenced on Friday, April 21, after being found guilty of rape and buggery following a trial in February at Truro Crown Court.

The 61-year-old man from Stevenage has been jailed for 11 years for raping a woman in Cornwall.

At the trial, it was described how the victim had been in a relationship with Butler and they visited his parents’ home in Mevagissey in August 1988.

After spending an evening out in the village, they returned to the property and went to bed.

The victim said she had woken up later to find her hands were tied behind her back and her legs were tied together.

She also reported that Butler put his hand over her mouth and nose, so she could not breathe.

3. Emrah Demirci

Emrah Demirci, of Windmill Road, Cheshunt, was put behind bars after appearing at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, April 14.

Watford Observer: Stevenage shopkeeper jailed for four years after raping teenager.Stevenage shopkeeper jailed for four years after raping teenager. (Image: Herts police)

The 43-year-old ran The Oval Wine in Stevenage, where he met his victim, a 18-year-old woman, back in 2019. He would then rape her at a hotel in Hertfordshire.

He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life and was handed an indefinite restraining order against contacting the victim.

The Oval Wine could also lose its premises licence, with Demici believed to have breached four objectives – including the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children.