Burnley Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 28 verdicts at Burnley Crown Court (Burnley). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Andrew Thomson

Attempted rape of a child under 13

July 29, 2025

Sentence: 24 years imprisonment

Andrew Thomson, aged 53, of Bawdlands, Clitheroe, targeted and sexually assaulted young boys in Accrington. He groomed his first two victims, a six-year-old and an eight-year-old boy, attempting to rape them and forcing them to watch him perform lewd acts. He told them not to disclose the abuse or face 'bad luck in life'. Additionally, two other victims came forward; one was assaulted around age nine or 10 while sitting on a tree stump, and the other was assaulted in Thomson's house when aged eight to 10. The offences spanned decades and had a profound impact on the victims.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. Judge Sara Dodd made him subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Police described him as a manipulative sexual deviant who posed a real danger to male children.

Sources: lancs.live

Christopher Jolley

Robbery

June 8, 2025

Sentence: 5.5 years imprisonment

Christopher Jolley, described as a knife thug, forced a teenager to strip down to his underwear before robbing him in Accrington.

Robert Merryweather

Assault

June 8, 2025

Sentence: indefinite restraining order

Robert Merryweather headbutted his ex-partner in the bathroom and had previously attacked her at a wedding venue, resulting in an indefinite restraining order.

Given for previously attacking his ex-partner at a wedding venue and headbutting her in the bathroom.

Sources: lancs.live

Shelim Ahmed

Engaging in sexual activity with a child

April 17, 2025

Sentence: 34 months imprisonment and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register

Shelim Ahmed, 37, committed offences in Rochdale in the early 2000s when the victim was 14 years old. He plied her with alcohol, attended her school gates and swimming lessons, and engaged in sexual activity with her daily. He exerted control over her, leading to her pregnancy at 14, which she terminated under his instructions. He also made her alter her appearance and scribe his name on her arm, causing long-term trauma including alcohol dependency and disruption to her education and potential career in swimming and boxing.

Pleaded guilty to 15 counts. Sentenced as a juvenile due to being 17 at the time of the offences. An indefinite restraining order was imposed to prevent contact with the victim.

Sources: lep.co.uk

Leon Pate

Unfair Commercial Practices

December 9, 2024

Sentence: 11 months imprisonment

Leon Pate, operating under various business names such as Build Landscapes and Driveway Designs and Landscapes, defrauded six victims in Lancashire by providing poor-quality and unfinished building and roofing work. He took payments for materials that never arrived, left homes in disarray, pressured victims for additional payments before they were due, and delayed projects for months, with some victims still dealing with ongoing disruption more than a year after work began.

Pleaded guilty to offences of unfair commercial practices under Consumer Protection Regulations. Sentence was originally deferred for six months on the condition of repaying £30,000 to victims, but no payment was made, leading to the jail term.

Sources: lep.co.uk

Zak Honeyman

Sexual Assault

October 23, 2024

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment and registration on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years

Zak Honeyman attended a bonfire in Barnoldswick on November 5, 2022, where he propositioned the victim, but she rejected his advances. He persistently asked to walk her home, and once inside, he propositioned her again and sexually assaulted her twice despite her rejections. The assault occurred in the victim's own home, leading to profound effects on her life.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. The victim reported significant emotional and physical impacts, including panic attacks and relocation for safety.

Sources: lep.co.uk

Liam Vyse

Assault

July 23, 2024

Sentence: 3 years and 4 months imprisonment

Liam Vyse, 31, of Walton Street, Colne, battered Lewis Hayman with a wheel brace over a debt on February 24, 2024, in Padiham. Vyse drove up to Hayman's car, where Hayman was in the front passenger seat with relatives, shouted at him, and struck him several times with the brace handed to him by his partner. Hayman sustained a laceration to his head, fled the scene, and was treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. Vyse later called and messaged Hayman with threats, warning of worse consequences if the debt was not paid.

Vyse accepted this was a very serious offence and showed genuine remorse. Judge noted his intention to cause really serious harm and use violence as a threat.

Sources: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Jordan Sutcliffe

Section 20 wounding without intent to cause grievous bodily harm

June 5, 2024

Sentence: Two years imprisonment, suspended for 18 months; 200 hours of unpaid work; alcohol monitoring requirement for 120 days; 10 rehabilitation activity days; £3,000 compensation

On September 24, 2022, at the De Lacy Arms pub in Whalley, Jordan Sutcliffe struck Drew Roe with a pint glass during an altercation, causing facial injuries to Roe and accidentally injuring bystander Karla Hayton with flying glass, resulting in severe eye damage requiring four surgeries and leaving her with only light perception in her right eye.

Pled guilty to two counts of section 20 wounding without intent. Judge noted the offence was out of character and unlikely to recur; defendant expressed remorse and has changed his lifestyle.

Sources: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Samuel Watts

Supply of Cocaine and Cannabis

June 5, 2024

Sentence: 4 years and 4 months imprisonment

Samuel Watts, while serving a three-year sentence for drug dealing, was found in possession of a mobile phone strapped to his waist, which contained messages proving he was coordinating the sale of cocaine from his cell at HMP Kirkham. He was arrested upon his release in November 2023 and later sentenced for these additional offences.

Admitted to being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis. Police discovered him using a mobile phone in prison to coordinate drug sales. A police officer commented that he treated his initial sentence as an inconvenience.

Sources: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Joanna Evans

Assault by penetration of a child and sexual assault by touching of a child

May 22, 2024

Sentence: 16 years immediate custody and 1 year extended licence

Joanna Evans sexually assaulted three young boys in East Lancashire. The victims were all under the age of 13, with the youngest being eight years old at the time of the offences, which occurred during or before 2020. Evans was reported to the police in September 2020, arrested the following day, and charged with the crimes. A trial proceeded in Evans's absence, resulting in a guilty verdict.

Tried in absence after failing to attend court; found guilty of all charges. DC Hannah Brown described Evans as manipulative and noted the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences. Victims showed bravery in giving evidence.

Sources: burnleyexpress.net

Stephen Anderton

Rape and sexual offences

September 22, 2023

Sentence: To be sentenced (specific sentence not mentioned)

Stephen Anderton abused young children starting in the 1980s, spanning four decades, including raping three girls and sexually abusing a boy, with the youngest victim being just four years old. The abuse was reported by the mother of one victim in 2018, leading to police investigations and identification of additional victims.

Found guilty of five rapes and 15 other sexual offences; remanded into custody; victims reported in 2018 leading to identification of further victims.

Sources: lancs.live

Zain Anwar

Dangerous driving

May 9, 2023

Sentence: Six-month suspended prison sentence and 18-month driving ban

Zain Anwar was spotted driving a Toyota Auris at excessive speeds, reaching 80mph in a 30mph zone in Whitworth on September 3, 2022. He refused to stop for police, overtook other vehicles, lost control while negotiating a corner, and crashed into the wall of a children's nursery on Market Street, causing significant damage. He fled the scene but was later tracked down via CCTV.

Patrick Corcoran

Attempted grievous bodily harm

February 27, 2023

Sentence: 45 months imprisonment

Patrick Corcoran attacked a defenceless woman in Padiham on April 23, 2021, in front of her young child. He punched her multiple times while she was in a car, then kicked her feet from under her, causing her to fall. He continued to hit her in the face and head, stamped on her head approximately five times, dragged her body, stole her mobile phone, and drove off with the child. Three members of the public assisted the victim, who fortunately suffered no serious injuries.

Pleaded guilty. Described as a cowardly bully by police, who noted the prolonged and brutal attack on a defenceless victim.

Sources: lancs.live

Josh Smith

Supply of Class A Drugs

November 18, 2022

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment

On July 28, 2020, Pendle Taskforce seized 1.5kg of cocaine and a significant amount of boric acid, a cutting agent, from an address on Thursday Road in Burnley. Josh Smith was forensically linked to these items and was part of an investigation into a class A drug conspiracy, leading to his sentencing.

Forensically linked to cutting agents and involved in a class A drug conspiracy; police seized 1.5kg of cocaine and boric acid from an address in Burnley.

Sources: lancs.live

Thomas Donaghey

Making indecent images of children

August 31, 2021

Sentence: Two-year community order with 40 rehabilitation days, £100 fine, and a five-year sexual harm prevention order

Thomas Donaghey, a 54-year-old former vicar, was caught with approximately 3,600 indecent images of children, including 297 category A images (the most severe), 468 category B images, and 2,823 category C images. He also possessed 46 extreme pornographic images depicting acts threatening a person's life. These images were downloaded from the internet and did not involve any children he was in contact with. He was arrested at his home in November 2020, suspended from his clerical duties, and sentenced after pleading guilty.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images. Resigned as vicar of Baxenden St John following arrest.

Sources: lancs.live

Mohammed Shafiq

Rape

April 25, 2020

Sentence: 11 years imprisonment

Mohammed Shafiq raped and sexually assaulted his victim, made threats to kill, and assaulted them, causing actual bodily harm. The crimes involved intimidation and violence, leading to his conviction following a trial.

Michael Cheetham

Dangerous Driving

February 8, 2020

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, with a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement, a thinking skills programme, 150 hours unpaid work, and disqualified from driving for 12 months

Michael Cheetham, while more than twice the legal alcohol limit, drove a blue Ford Fiesta on Barkerhouse Road in Nelson on December 20, 2018. He accelerated towards a brother and sister after his pregnant passenger punched one of them in an unprovoked attack. He struck a parked taxi, attempted to squeeze through bollards near a school with children present, reversed into another vehicle, and continued driving erratically for about 30 minutes before being stopped by police. Bystanders reported screaming and shouts to stop him as he posed a risk to pedestrians.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, drink driving, driving while disqualified, and using a vehicle without insurance. Judge Sara Dodd noted his poor criminal record and potential for rehabilitation, citing personal bereavements and a new stable relationship as factors.

Sources: lancs.live

Simon Andrew Palmer

Using counterfeit currency

February 5, 2020

Sentence: Nine-month suspended jail sentence with 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and four-month curfew

Simon Andrew Palmer, along with his father, alerted police to fake £20 notes being issued from a local cash machine. Two days later, he attempted to exchange a counterfeit £20 note at Big Window pub in Burnley for loose change to play on fruit machines. A staff member recognised the note from a Facebook alert and informed police, leading to his arrest. Palmer maintained the notes were genuine and had used a UV light to check them, but he has intellectual difficulties, ADHD, epilepsy, and literacy issues, with alcohol as a root cause of his offending.

Pleaded guilty to using counterfeit currency. Has five previous convictions including battery and possessing an offensive weapon. Judge noted he poses a medium risk of serious harm, has difficulties with anger management, and could benefit from psychological support and probation services.

Sources: lancs.live

Alfie Holt

Sexual assault

February 4, 2020

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Alfie Holt, a 71-year-old retired painter and decorator, sexually assaulted an 11-year-old schoolgirl on a bus to Burnley in June 2019 while under the influence of alcohol. He noticed the girl boarding the bus, moved to sit directly next to her, touched her leg, and put his hand up her skirt. The girl's mother witnessed the assault and confronted him, and another passenger detained him until police arrived. Holt claimed the touch was accidental due to the bus's movement, but he accepted the accounts of witnesses.

Pleaded guilty to sexual assault. Has 12 prior convictions including attempted rape and indecent assault from the 1960s and 1970s. Was alcohol-dependent at the time and has since stopped drinking.

Sources: lancs.live

Jordan Woodburn

Burglary

January 22, 2020

Sentence: 32 months imprisonment and 27 months driving disqualification

Jordan Woodburn broke into a family home in Fence while the victims were asleep in August 2019, stealing items including mobile phones, a wallet, a game console, and keys to a Volkswagen Jetta, which he used to steal and later crash the car, leaving his DNA on the driver's seat. He was also forensically linked to another burglary involving a stolen BMW in Sough, where his fingerprints were found on the rear view mirror. The incident left a nine-year-old girl particularly traumatised, scared to sleep at night, and the family considering moving home.

Pleaded guilty to burglary and handling stolen goods. Has three prior convictions for 13 offences and was on licence at the time of the offences. The judge noted he is immature and possibly easily led, but deemed the offences too serious for a suspended sentence.

Sources: lancs.live

Luke Kay

Burglary

January 20, 2020

Sentence: 12-month community order with 160 hours unpaid work and a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement

Luke Kay burgled his cousin’s house on Christmas Day after she refused to let him in to use Facebook. He failed to attend required rehabilitation appointments, leading to a breach hearing. As a former soldier, he has a history of prolific shoplifting and other offences, and was living rough at the time of the breach.

Failed to attend probation service induction appointments. Has 23 convictions for 47 offences. Defence urged the court to give him one last chance, and the judge adjourned further sentencing to allow compliance.

Sources: lancs.live

Abid Ashraf

Possession with intent to supply cocaine

January 14, 2020

Sentence: 40 months imprisonment

Abid Ashraf was stopped by plain-clothed police officers in his Volkswagen vehicle in the early hours of November 30, 2019. A search revealed 3.5g of cocaine worth £280 in a plastic tub in the glove box, along with 0.79g of heroin, £430 in cash, and mobile phones. He was a user of class A drugs and had supplied small amounts to friends to fund his habit, despite being determined to avoid drugs after his release from prison in June 2019.

Pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing heroin. He had previous convictions for supplying drugs in 2010 and 2016, was on licence at the time, and was supplying drugs to fund his own habit.

Sources: lancs.live

Gareth Haworth

Assault causing grievous bodily harm

January 3, 2020

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 150 hours of unpaid work

Gareth Haworth assaulted James Edwards by striking him with an ornamental garden pebble during a mid-morning attack on September 12, 2018, at flats on Rutland Street, causing a 4 cm wound to the forehead and temple. He shouted threats, including 'get outside I’m going to nail you' and 'open the door or I’ll burn the place down', before banging on the door and attacking when it was opened. While on bail for this offence, on September 7, 2019, he assaulted three police officers by spitting in their faces after being ejected from a bar and arrested for being drunk and disorderly. He also urinated on a police cell floor and blocked a toilet with an anti-ligature suit, causing damage.

Pleaded guilty. Has 26 previous convictions. Expressed remorse and has a mental health disorder. Judge warned that any breach of the order or new offence would result in immediate custody.

Sources: lancs.live

Alexander Evans

Robbery

December 27, 2019

Sentence: 30 months imprisonment

Alexander Evans, 20, of Commercial Street, Oswaldtwistle, confronted a 23-year-old support worker at a house in Oswaldtwistle on August 11 around 6pm. He attempted to intimidate her outside the property, threw a fire extinguisher at her, followed her into the kitchen, pinned her against the fridge, held a screwdriver to her neck, and threatened to slice her up and rape her if she did not hand over her mobile phone. The victim, feeling petrified, gave him the phone and fled barefoot, seeking help from a member of the public. Evans was later arrested at his home.

Pleaded guilty to robbery. Despite recommendations from doctors and the probation service for a non-custodial sentence, Judge Sara Dodd classed him as a dangerous offender and noted his volatility, history of violence, and that only immediate imprisonment could address the risks.

Sources: lancs.live

Stephen Borsellotti

Making indecent images of children

December 17, 2019

Sentence: Two-year community order with a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement, a two-month curfew, ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years, and a five-year sexual harm prevention order

Stephen Borsellotti downloaded indecent images of children, including category A images showing victims as young as eight or nine years old in pain and distress, after joining a social media group chat on the Kik Messenger app. Police conducted an intel visit to his home on Church Street in September 2018 following information about potential sharing of indecent images on Tumblr, and recovered the images from his mobile phone. He admitted to clicking on a shared link and that his partner had previously destroyed his phone after discovering similar images in 2014.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Expressed remorse and shame, had taxi licence revoked. Judge noted his long-standing sexual interest in children and that he has taken steps to address his behaviour.

Sources: lancs.live

Thomas Nichols

Rape

December 11, 2019

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment and an extended 5 years on licence

Thomas Nichols targeted vulnerable drunk women in Hyndburn. In the first incident, he met the victim early in the morning while she was having a cigarette, took her and her friend to his shed, and later to her home where he raped her while she was asleep and affected by alcohol. In the second incident, he met another victim at a bar in Accrington, took her to his shed, and raped her despite her attempts to push him away and express that she was married and unwilling. Both attacks occurred in the early hours and involved manipulation and control.

Pleaded not guilty but was unanimously found guilty by a jury after a five-day trial. Classed as a dangerous offender. Judge Sara Dodd noted his predatory behaviour, arrogance, and that he showed no insight into his offending.

Sources: lancs.live

Saif Sheraz

Affray

November 18, 2019

Sentence: 40 months imprisonment

Saif Sheraz, a paranoid drug addict, confronted and threatened window cleaner Paul Murphy with a large machete on Lodge Street in Accrington on November 7, 2018, after a verbal exchange, while under the influence of drugs. He waved the machete and shouted threats before fleeing. Upon arrest, he was found with 30 wraps of heroin and 31 wraps of crack cocaine worth over £600. Additionally, on July 3, 2019, he was caught drug dealing in Accrington, discarding 175 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine worth more than £1,000, and £175 in cash was seized.

Pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply, affray, having a machete, and concealing criminal property. No prior convictions; drug addiction and debts led to involvement in drug dealing.

Sources: lancs.live

Liam Andrew Fishwick

Actual Bodily Harm

November 17, 2019

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Liam Andrew Fishwick, a former soldier who served in the army from 2007 to 2011 and was deployed to Afghanistan, repeatedly punched his pregnant partner about six times to her face or ear and made unpleasant threats towards her and a neighbour on July 31. The incident escalated onto the public street outside the Tinker and Budget pub in Oswaldtwistle, where he grabbed her, threw or pushed her against a wall, causing her to fall and bleed profusely. At the time, he was awaiting sentence for another assault and was subject to a suspended sentence for a previous ABH conviction against a former partner.

Pleaded guilty to an offence that incorporated an earlier assault and Actual Bodily Harm (ABH). Suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after military service and alcohol dependency. Expressed genuine remorse and had sought help, but failed to complete a required programme as part of a previous suspended sentence.

Sources: lancs.live

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