Bolton Crown Court Sentencing Results

Ben Robinson, 33, from Coniston Avenue in Farnworth, Bolton, met a mother of four on a dating site in October 2022. He charmed her into a relationship, borrowed her leased Land Rover Discovery under false pretenses to buy a birthday present for his son, and sold it to criminal contacts. The vehicle contained her disabled daughter's NHS-issued wheelchair, special boots, and splints. Robinson fabricated excuses, including a false claim of a hit-and-run crash, and coached the victim to lie to the police. The wheelchair was later recovered but unusable due to a missing seat, and other items were never found, causing ongoing hardship. He had prior convictions for car theft, burglary, and criminal damage, and was under investigation for an unprovoked assault.

John Fairhurst subjected four children to abhorrent sexual abuse over a number of years, including sending intimate photos and requesting that they take part in degrading acts. He became aggressive and took advantage of his victims, leading to his arrest in October 2022 and subsequent conviction on 17 counts of sexual offences.

Paul Watts, during a neighbourhood dispute on February 8, 2023, in Leigh, drove his car towards a neighbour on Hawthorne Grove, striking her left leg and endangering a four-year-old child who ran towards the scene. The incident stemmed from an argument where Watts shouted abuse and threats, including calling the victim names and threatening to damage her property. No serious injuries were caused, but the victim reported significant distress, leading her to move house and install security cameras.

Timothy Nolan committed a series of thefts at the Co-op on Highfield Road, Farnworth in January. On January 16, he stole laundry detergent products worth approximately £170. On January 17, he took laundry items and a Yazoo milkshake. On January 18, accompanied by another male, he stole washing tablets, cheese, and a drink worth £150-200, making cocky comments to staff. On January 19, he stole more laundry items and several coffee jars worth £291.50. He was arrested on February 3 and has 31 convictions for 58 offences, primarily theft-related.

Jake Anderson, along with another man, forced a girl into a car and drove her to her grandparents' home. There, they stormed inside, stole cash, cigarettes, and a mobile phone while holding her grandfather at knifepoint. Anderson later made threatening phone calls to the girl, accusing her family of informing the police and threatening to burn them out. Additionally, he assaulted two men in a separate incident on Hart Mill Close, Mossley, accusing one of stealing his bike and attacking both. He also engaged in dangerous driving, ramming a police car and attempting to flee.

Kai Horrocks assaulted his girlfriend on multiple occasions during their year-long relationship, including grabbing her arm, pushing her to the floor, forcing her down stairs, and headbutting her, which caused cuts to her nose. On November 14 of the previous year, he punched a police officer, PC Chapman, in the face and escaped custody before being recaptured. In February of the current year, he breached bail by contacting and assaulting the victim again, dragging her by her hair and threatening her.

Vijay Gaikwad, a 44-year-old former doctor from St Catherine's Gardens, Lowton, sexually assaulted three patients during medical appointments by inappropriately touching them, exploiting his position of trust. The offences occurred while the victims were under his care, leading to a thorough investigation by Wigan authorities.

Sean Paul Johnson, while on bail for 27 child abuse offences including attempted rape against a child under 16, carried out a savage assault on July 25, 2022, at the Berkeley Inn in Wigan. He bit off a piece of an innocent pub-goer's lip during an unprovoked attack, leaving the victim with broken bones, lasting scarring, and ongoing psychological impact. The sexual offences were predatory in nature and involved abusing a child.

Stephen Cleworth, 38, was involved in the preparations for the attack on Thomas Campbell, 38, at his home in Mossley, Tameside, on July 2, 2022. Campbell was tortured and murdered by being stabbed, strangled, beaten, and having boiling water poured on his genitals in a two-hour ordeal.

Reece Steven, 29, was one of three men who attacked Thomas Campbell, 38, at his home in Mossley, Tameside, on July 2, 2022. Steven and others tortured and murdered Campbell by stabbing, strangling, and beating him, and pouring boiling water on his genitals. The attack was part of a plot involving Campbell's ex-wife.

Coleen Campbell, 38, plotted with others to target her ex-husband Thomas Campbell, leading to his torture and murder at his home in Mossley, Tameside, on July 2, 2022. She provided details about his whereabouts, resulting in a brutal attack where he was stabbed, strangled, beaten, and had boiling water poured on his genitals.