Blackburn Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Robert Simpson, 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced for multiple shoplifting offences in Burnley after being arrested by plain-clothed officers carrying out a proactive policing operation at a service station on Trafalgar Street. He was charged with four counts of theft from a shop and four breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, and was also wanted on recall to prison.

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.

Hussain drove while disqualified and sped off, failing to indicate and failing to give way to oncoming traffic, causing other motorists to take evasive action. He was banned from driving for 16 months and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

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

Littlefair breached a restraining order, which also put him in breach of a suspended sentence. He appeared in court on his birthday and was jailed for the breach.

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.

Hodgson-Smith committed a series of shoplifting offences in Burnley, including thefts from Home Bargains and a service station, and breached a criminal behaviour order on four occasions. When challenged by staff, he said: 'You are not insured, you can't touch me.'

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 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.

Mubashir Riaz drove off after initially stopping for police and was located a short time later on a car park. He refused to provide a roadside breathalyser sample and repeated the refusal at the police station. The defence stated the car had broken down and that he had no intention of driving, but officers had reasonable suspicion and were entitled to ask for a sample.

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.

Sam Parkington broke the victim's jaw after being offered help with his shopping in Blackburn. He was charged with wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

McKee visited a woman's home, which he was banned from doing, at her invitation, putting him in breach of a restraining order and a suspended sentence.