Blackburn Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Taha Abdullah stalked his former neighbour in Crewe over several months in 2025. He regularly stared at her, knocked on her door to ask her partner where she was, and repeatedly attempted to speak to her despite being asked to leave her alone. He left roses and chocolates outside her home and placed roses on her car on two separate occasions. After being arrested and released on bail with conditions not to contact her, he continued loitering outside her home and waving at her, causing the victim significant distress.

Hayder Nawaz drove a Seat Leon dangerously in Burnley on 18 April 2026. In a separate case dealt with at the same time, he admitted using a Volkswagen Touran without third-party insurance in Manchester on 9 December 2025. The court also ordered deprivation of his rights in the Seat Leon and imposed £85 prosecution costs and a £187 surcharge.

Bernard Rawstron was caught on doorbell camera footage trying to open car doors in the early hours of May 27, 2026. After residents reported the suspicious activity, Rawstron was identified and later pleaded guilty to five counts of interfering with motor vehicles. He targeted at least five vehicles in the Blackburn area. He was sentenced to six months in prison.

Brodie Navin, 22, of Thorn Bank, Bacup, stole items including cosmetics and coffee from multiple stores across Bacup between November 2025 and January 2026. She was arrested as part of Operation Vulture, Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting.

Sean Nerney, 46, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged for four shoplifting offences as part of a string of offences committed by prolific shoplifters. He appeared in court following his arrest.

Mark Butterworth, 47, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged for five shoplifting offences as part of a string of offences committed by prolific shoplifters. He appeared in court following his arrest.

Kirsty Summers, 39, from Nelson, Lancashire, stabbed her Doberman dog Miana more than once on or before February 4, 2025, causing two 7cm deep lacerations to the shoulder and back. Police were called to her home on February 4, 2025, and removed the dog. The RSPCA investigated the following day. Summers initially claimed the injuries were from a nail but denied stabbing the pet during interview. Veterinary evidence confirmed sharp force trauma from a knife-like object, causing suffering. Miana had severe medical issues and was euthanized on veterinary advice. Another dog was removed unharmed and is cared for by the RSPCA.

Lee Scott, aged 35, breached a Criminal Behaviour Order by entering a prohibited Farmfoods store on Accrington Road, Burnley, despite being banned following prior shoplifting convictions. He was returned to court where he admitted the breach.

David Connelly, 39, of no fixed address, was stopped at Brierfield railway station on October 16, 2025, after officers received reports of a man walking in the Glen Way area in possession of a weapon. Officers witnessed Connelly throwing an object into nearby bushes, which was discovered to be a metal pipe. During the stop, officers also found him in possession of Class B drugs.

Tyler Smith was driving a BMW and pulled out to overtake a farm vehicle on the A59 near Blackburn, resulting in a head-on collision with the victim's Fiat 500 on February 2, 2025. After the crash, Smith fled the scene and initially lied to the police about owning the vehicle, causing injury and distress to the victim.

Mark Tomlinson, of no fixed address, was charged with 18 counts of theft and caught shoplifting again on July 29, 2025, at various locations including Spar shops, Rossendale Road service station, Barracks Road service station, Kitchens service station, Pets at Home, and Aldi. He also assaulted two police officers during the incident, targeting more than 20 stores in total and causing misery for traders.

David Hodgson Smith, from Hudson Street, Burnley, was arrested on July 28, 2025, for shoplifting and charged with three shoplifting offences. He appeared in court, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced, with the offences involving theft from shops that made life miserable for traders in the area.

David Hogson Smith was arrested on Monday as part of a police crackdown on shoplifting and retail crime in Burnley. He was charged with three shoplifting incidents and pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates Court.

Kieran Nolan was caught taking a vehicle without the owner's consent in Accrington. He fled from police after being found acting suspiciously inside the car.

James Doherty was caught shoplifting in Accrington as part of Operation Vulture. He was arrested by officers on foot patrol.

On August 16, Colin Halstead, intoxicated on drink and drugs, caused a disturbance in a residential area on Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn. Officers offered to take him home but chased him after he punched two officers. He racially abused an officer and assaulted two emergency workers.

Mcauley Goodwill engaged in an online sexualised conversation with an undercover officer posing as a teenage girl. Police attended his home in Inglewhite Fold, Padiham, and seized a mobile phone containing 11 category A, 22 category B, and 40 category C indecent images of children aged between 12 and 14, mostly of the same girl. He told officers he was engaging in conversations because he was bored. No charges from the conversation itself.

Mohammed Furmolly, 24, of Padiham Road, Burnley, lashed out at a parked Citroen Relay during a street argument, punching the wing mirror several times and knocking it off. The vehicle was covered in blood and the owner paid £115 to repair the damage.

Paul Grunshaw, 42, of Redlam, Blackburn, was stopped by police for a routine search as he left his address with his dog. He was found carrying half a pair of garden shears (described as a bladed article) in his jacket pocket, which he admitted was for self-defence while taking his dog for a walk.