Burnley Crown Court Sentencing Results

Stuart Smith, a 48-year-old bogus roofer from Whalley Road, Accrington, deliberately targeted a 92-year-old vulnerable woman in Accrington. On March 13, 2019, he attended her home claiming urgent roof repairs were needed, agreeing on a price but requesting cash payment. Lacking cash, she entrusted him with her bank cards and PIN numbers. He then withdrew hundreds of pounds from various banks in Accrington town centre. On March 26, 2019, at around 10am, he burgled her home, entering through the front door wearing a dark hat, blue coat, dark trousers, and trainers, stealing her purse. He subsequently withdrew more money (£100 and £200) from cash machines and used the cards to top up his mobile phone, totaling over £1,150 stolen. A neighbour identified him from CCTV footage. He has previous similar convictions for targeting elderly women in Hyndburn. The victim stated the incident left her a nervous wreck, constantly on edge, and destroyed her peace of mind.

Christopher Ankers, 43, from Accrington, broke into the victim's bungalow on Queensborough Road in Accrington through the kitchen window at around 3am. He approached the victim's bedroom, leading to a confrontation where Ankers headbutted the victim, knocking out his front top tooth, and threatened to kill him unless he handed over money. The victim defended himself with a bayonet in a scabbard, striking Ankers and pushing him off. A scuffle ensued in the hallway, and the victim eventually threw Ankers out empty-handed. Ankers was arrested the next day after being identified by blood left on a hallway mirror. He was disguised with a hood and intruded into the victim's bedroom while he was asleep.

Kevin King Yates, 25, of Comrie Crescent, Burnley, carried out a three-month spree of burglaries between November 9, 2018, and January 25, 2019, targeting more than 50 properties in affluent parts of East Lancashire including Whalley, Colne, Higham, Barnoldswick, Simonstone, Read, Fence, and Accrington. He smashed windows with stones or bricks to enter homes, often at night and sometimes while occupiers were asleep, stealing car keys and high-value vehicles such as Audis, Mercedes, and Volkswagens worth £500,000 in total. He was paid up to £1,500 per vehicle and also took watches, computer equipment, jewellery, and mountain bikes. Around 60% of East Lancashire burglaries in this period were linked to him. He was tracked to the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool after a wanted appeal and arrested violently, with a knuckleduster and wrapped mobile phone seized. In one incident, he stole an Audi and MacBook from a Whalley home and was traced via Apple to Padiham. Another targeted a 71-year-old man in Accrington living with his disabled wife, cutting a perfect circle in the window to steal an Audi. Stolen vehicles were used in further crimes under false plates. Yates admitted in interview to burgling for cars and valuables, often with others but as the intruder.

On February 6, 2019, John Carroll, under the influence of a significant amount of drugs, attempted to rob Matthew Taylor, an employee at the McDonald's restaurant on Hyndburn Road, Accrington. Wearing a scarf and hoodie, Carroll grabbed the victim by the shoulder, held a hammer to his head, and demanded money while pushing him towards the tills. Two cleaning staff witnessed the incident, chased Carroll outside, tackled him to the ground, and seized the hammer. They flagged down police, who arrested Carroll and recovered a Stanley knife, a chisel, and a pillow case from him. The shift manager had alerted staff to flee and sought help. The victim reported feeling shocked, scared, and more paranoid about work.

Charlie John David Hope, 22, of Wilfred Street, Accrington, targeted four homes in Accrington and Huncoat over a six-week period in 2018, stealing jewellery, cash, a games console, two cars (Ford Fiesta and Ford Kuga), sunglasses, a watch, handbag, money, and electrical items. The spree began on June 14, 2018, at Hudson Street, Accrington, where he took electrical items, jewellery, and keys to a Ford Fiesta, which he stole. On June 26, 2018, at Foxwood Chase, Huncoat, he stole a wallet, cash, sunglasses, and keys to a Ford Kuga, which he also stole. On July 4, 2018, at Lodge Street, Accrington, he took a watch, handbag, and money. On July 31, 2018, at Manchester Road, Accrington, he stole a games console and keys to a Golf, which he used in a burglary at Fife Street, Accrington (taken into consideration). After being bailed, he burgled another property in Accrington on August 30, 2018, stealing hundreds of pounds worth of computer equipment. The offences were committed after taking drugs and falling into debt following a relationship breakdown and the death of his uncle.

David Hindson, from Accrington, robbed an alcoholic man on a secluded path using a knife. The victim was targeted in a vulnerable state.

On 26 May 2018, a group of travellers, led by Thomas Ward, gained access to the Thwaites Brewery site on Penny Street, Blackburn, and set up an encampment. They refused to leave despite requests, evicted a security guard, and Thomas Ward, referring to himself as 'Big John' and 'Big Dave', attempted to blackmail Thwaites employees by demanding £20,000. The group looted office buildings, stealing televisions, computer equipment, high-value alcohol, and electrical copper wiring, causing over £300,000 in damage including smashed windows, damaged furniture, flooding, and contamination leading to the site's closure.

Abrar Hussain, 35, of Ross Street, Brierfield, attacked the victim with a metal baseball bat up to 15 times on January 12, 2018, in Brierfield, shattering the victim's elbow which required a metal plate and left a 10-inch scar, and causing severe bruising to the torso, legs, and thighs. The victim, a dad-of-two, was left traumatised and feared for his life. Hussain then tracked down the victim to his father's home in Rawtenstall on Burnley Road and threatened him and his family to withdraw his police statement.