Lancaster Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Connor Newsham shoplifted from a Co-op, Boots and Home Bargains in Fleetwood, taking goods totalling £270. CCTV footage showed a man committing multiple shoplifting offences between September 5 and 18. He was arrested and charged with four offences before appearing at Lancaster Magistrates Court.

Aidan Riches was arrested and charged with six shoplifting offences after multiple shops across Thornton and Cleveleys reported a man taking items such as laundry detergent without attempting to pay. He was sentenced at Lancashire Magistrates Court.

Barry Cowin, a former civilian investigator with Cumbria Constabulary, used his position to unlawfully access police systems and share confidential information about people he knew, including financial and criminal records. The offences took place between August 2022 and June 2024. He accessed systems at the request of two associates and shared information without policing purpose, including looking up vehicle details and criminal records.

Darren Wall, 41, of Mornington Road, Lytham, approached a mother and daughter walking their dog on Harbour Lane, Warton, around 1pm on 4th January. He shouted racist abuse at them while intoxicated, followed them to a Morrisons Daily store and continued the abuse. He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Lancaster Magistrates Court in April and was sentenced on 13th May.

James Dobson, 23, of no fixed address, was released from prison on December 1, 2025. Within weeks, he committed two thefts from shops in Lancaster city, on one occasion using threatening behaviour by making threats to assault a shopkeeper. He also failed to keep in contact with the police regarding his sex offenders register notification requirements.

Peter O’Brien, a 54-year-old man from Adelaide Street, Blackpool, was convicted of a series of shoplifting offences. The order prohibits him from entering or attempting to enter any Booths store in Lancashire, including locations in Preston, Chorley, Clitheroe, Lancaster, Penwortham, Longridge, Hesketh Bank, Carnforth, Poulton-le-Fylde, St Annes, Lytham, Burscough, Garstang, Hesketh Bank, and Barrowford, as well as any Tesco in the Lytham St Annes area.

Connor Bradley, 31, of no fixed abode, was banned from Blackpool town centre until January 2027 due to previous shoplifting offences. He violated this order by entering a shop on Adelaide Street West, leading to his arrest and sentencing.

Christopher Wilding, along with his mother, kept 22 dogs in unsuitable conditions at their home in Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, between 8 October 2023 and 8 November 2023. The dogs were housed in metal cages in an outhouse, some stacked on top of each other, with no water, bedding, or food. They spent up to 18 hours a day in these cages, even in temperatures as low as 3C, leading to health problems including thin body condition, dental disease from bar biting, eye infections, ear infections, and pressure sores.

Michelle Wilding kept 22 dogs in metal cages at her home in Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, between 8 October 2023 and 8 November 2023. The cages were soiled with urine and faeces, with no water or bedding provided. Some dogs were confined in cramped spaces, leading to health issues such as thin body condition, dental disease, eye infections, ear infections, and pressure sores. The RSPCA inspector noted a strong ammonia smell that burned the nose and throat, and temperatures in the outhouse dropped to as low as 3C.

Samantha Louise Forrester neglected two dogs and a cat at her former home on Lodore Road, Blackpool. On June 8, 2024, the animals were found in horrific conditions, living among rubbish, faeces, with no food or water. One dog was emaciated and had to be put to sleep due to extreme suffering, while the other dog and cat were underweight and infested with fleas. Another dog had previously been taken to a vet in a collapsed state in March 2024.

Ryan Lowe was involved in violence at the Armfield Club in Blackpool before and during the Blackpool v Burnley Championship match on March 4, 2023. Disorder broke out when Burnley fans entered the pub, resulting in punches and the throwing of items. Lowe was identified on CCTV footage during the incident and a subsequent clash at half-time.

Craig Elliott participated in violence at the Armfield Club in Blackpool before and during the Blackpool v Burnley Championship match on March 4, 2023. The disorder involved exchanges between fans, punches, and throwing of glasses and furniture. Elliott was seen on CCTV footage during the initial incident and a later clash at half-time.

Dale Ryan was involved in violence at the Armfield Club, a designated home team pub in Blackpool, before and during the Blackpool v Burnley Championship match on March 4, 2023. Disorder erupted when Burnley supporters entered the pub, leading to exchanges of words, punches, and the throwing of glasses and furniture. Ryan was seen on CCTV footage participating in the incident and throwing items from the outside balcony.

Christopher Banks took part in violence at the Armfield Club in Blackpool before and during the Blackpool v Burnley Championship match on March 4, 2023. The disorder involved confrontations between fans, including punches and the throwing of items from the balcony as Burnley supporters left the pub.

Ian Greenwood was involved in violence at the Armfield Club in Blackpool before and during the Blackpool v Burnley Championship match on March 4, 2023. The incident included fans clashing, with punches thrown and items like furniture and glasses used. Greenwood was identified as throwing items from the balcony during the disorder.

David Broadbent, of no fixed abode, committed various offences in Blackpool and Preston. These included stealing a wallet and sunglasses worth £240, toothbrushes and toothpaste worth £48 from Boots, cans of beer from Co-op, and £200 from a McDonald's till. He also interfered with a Honda CRV and a Mercedes C180, and was involved in racially aggravated public order offences, common assaults, and criminal damage.

Johnny Reid, from Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, was involved in handling stolen goods including trailers and a generator, driving whilst disqualified, and possessing an offensive weapon. He was arrested and appeared in court for these crimes, which occurred in the Morecambe area.

Liam Hill breached a restraining order and was sentenced to 8 months in prison.

Louis Simmons breached a community order and was fined £40. He was detained in the courthouse until court rose.

Andrew Fawcett failed to ensure that he and other persons were not exposed to risks to their health and safety. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months and ordered to pay £6,058.20 in costs.

Shaun Thompson breached a community order. The order was continued and varied to include 80 hours of unpaid work.