The Leader team has covered many cases this year - in both the Crown and Magistrates Courts.

We've selected some of the most shocking hearings we have reported on throughout 2023.

Here are some of those cases, and the sentences they resulted in.

Jamie Mitchell sentenced for murder of Steven Wilkinson in Buckley

The Leader: Jamie Mitchell (North Wales Police)Jamie Mitchell (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)This man chased his victim, whom he once considered a friend, into an alleyway and fatally stabbed him.

A Judge described the killing as "a cowardly attack carried out by pretty inadequate young man."

Man threatened to murder woman and "drink her blood"

The Leader: Matthew Winstanley (North Wales Police)Matthew Winstanley (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)This defendant left his partner verbally abusive voice messages, threatening to "bury an axe in her," and threatening to "leather" her and her mother.

In an impact statement, the victim said his behaviour had left her "mentally scarred."

Shotton man jailed after attacking victim in street over ex-girlfriend

The Leader: Robert Ditu (North Wales Police)Robert Ditu (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)This man struck his victim so hard to the face that he caused multiple facial fractures.

The victim later said: "I thought he'd burst my eyeball."

Jail for Wrexham man who hit woman outside Atik nightclub

The Leader: Jordan Roberts (North Wales Police)Jordan Roberts (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)This man delivered "a hay-maker of a punch" to his victim's head, knocking her "completely to the floor."

Three of her teeth were damaged in the assault, which was followed by him abusing police officers and threatening to kill their families.

Johnstown brothers jailed for attacking man in kitchen 

The Leader: Alexander (left) and Liam Verschueren (North Wales Police)Alexander (left) and Liam Verschueren (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)This pair launched an unprovoked attack on a man and left his kitchen covered in blood.

The victim was bitten to the face and had a wine bottle smashed over his head.

One of the defendants also took up a wine glass and deliberately broke it, holding the jagged stem between his fingers and catching the victim in the neck as he stabbed at him with it.