Disturbing cases are nothing new to Birmingham’s courts – attacks, sexual assault and murders are a daily occurrence.
This means that when judges sat in Birmingham’s crown court, accustomed to dealing with serious and often disturbing criminal cases, describing something as ‘the worst’ is a pretty high bar.
Yet even within that context, there are moments when the scale, cruelty or persistence of offending prompts the strongest possible judicial language, reserved for crimes that stand out as exceptional.
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These descriptions are not mere rhetoric – judges are identifying alarming behaviour, whether due to sustained abuse, extreme violence, or shocking neglect.
Below are key examples, drawn from BirminghamLive coverage, where judges or courts described crimes as among ‘the worst’.
Pastor abuse case
One of the clearest examples comes from the case of Birmingham pastor Michael Oluronbi. Sentencing him at Birmingham Crown Court, the judge described his crimes as “one of the worst cases of sexual abuse of multiple children to come before the courts.”
Oluronbi abused victims over two decades, exploiting his position of trust to manipulate and control children and adults.
The judge’s use of “worst” reflected both the prolonged nature of the offending and the psychological domination involved.
Puppy farm horror
The dogs were kept in ‘rancid’ conditions -Credit:Cannock Chase Council
A “rancid” illegal puppy farm uncovered in the Midlands was described by officials as the “worst case of animal neglect” they had encountered.
Dozens of dogs were found living in filthy, ammonia-filled conditions, many suffering from illness and neglect.
While the wording originated from investigators, it was presented in court and reported to underline the severity of the case.
Violent disorder
Thomas Sweeney senior
BirminghamLive also reported on a major city-centre brawl, which Judge Dean Kershaw condemned as “one of the worst” incidents of violent disorder seen in the city.
The case involved a large group attack, with victims punched, kicked and stamped on in a sustained outbreak of violence.
The judge’s remarks emphasised not just the brutality, but the collective nature of the offending.
Extreme abuse and exploitation
Judges were deeply disturbed by Matthew Falder’s long-term abuse and exploitation.
A former University of Birmingham researcher who forced one victim to eat dog food has been re-examined in a new TV documentary.
Cambridge graduate Matthew Falder was branded one of Britain’s most prolific paedophiles after he used multiple online aliases, including that of a depressed female artist.