Preston Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 278 verdicts at Preston Crown Court (Preston, Preston). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Liam Slack

Manslaughter

December 1, 2025

Sentence: To be sentenced (specific sentence not yet mentioned)

Liam Slack attacked Paul Ainscough inside the Stag pub in Worden Lane, Leyland, on or around June 22, which led to Ainscough's death from blunt force trauma to the chest on June 24. The assault was witnessed by several people, and messages on Ainscough's phone showed Slack admitting to the attack. Slack was initially arrested for Section 18 Assault and later for murder, but charged with manslaughter after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Patrick Coyle

Fraud by false representation

October 31, 2025

Sentence: 28 months imprisonment

Patrick Coyle, 57, from Common Edge Road, Blackpool, targeted mainly elderly and vulnerable victims across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and North Wales. He conned six victims from Bispham, Lytham, Blackpool, Oldham, and North Wales out of £25,000 by taking money for building work that was never completed. One victim was quoted £9,000 for wall repairs and sarcastically asked 'what are the bricks made of, pure gold?'. Victims felt betrayed, anxious, and distrustful; one victim's husband was dying, which Coyle exploited.

Pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. Recorder Clancy described his offending as 'calculated and shameful'. Targeted mainly elderly and vulnerable victims.

Sources: lancs.live

Stuart Martin

Voyeurism

October 28, 2025

Sentence: 14 months imprisonment

Stuart Martin, a 50-year-old school site manager from Preston Old Road, Blackburn, secretly watched underage girls aged 11 to 14 undress via CCTV in a school corridor during a dance show in early 2023 in East Lancashire. He organized the event and suggested the corridor for quicker changing without disclosing the camera. He was caught by the IT manager reviewing the footage, lied when confronted, and was arrested that evening. He initially denied the offence, claiming he was checking for damage.

Pleaded guilty. Received a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and must sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years. Judge Ian Unsworth noted flagrant disregard for CCTV rules and strong disgust from parents.

Sources: lancs.live

Anjan Ahmadi

Facilitating illegal immigration

October 27, 2025

Sentence: 5 years and 7 months imprisonment

Anjan Ahmadi, 27, of Stefano Road, Preston, played a crucial role in his brother Amanj Hasan Zada's international people smuggling network. The gang used social media to advertise services, moving migrants from Turkey into mainland Europe and onto the UK, often via small boats from France. Ahmadi stayed in contact with migrants, booked travel tickets, and acted as driver. Voice notes on his phone revealed him referring a migrant to a lorry smuggler, instructing them to 'go with my name'. He was arrested in July 2024 after evidence implicated him in the gang.

Pleaded guilty to facilitating illegal immigration to both the UK and EU. Acted as right-hand man to his brother Amanj Hasan Zada, arranging illegal transportation, communicating with migrants and other smugglers.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Spike Catterall

Robbery

October 25, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

On July 19, 2025, Spike Catterall, 24, along with two unidentified teenagers, targeted a man returning home from a football match in Preston. After sharing a taxi from the city centre, they were dropped off near Moor Park on Garstang Road. Catterall demanded money for the taxi fare, leading the youths to punch the victim, who surrendered his wallet containing £30 cash. Catterall then snatched the victim's phone, unlocked it using facial recognition, while the attack continued. The trio fled, leaving the victim injured and unable to call for help; he was later assisted by members of the public. Catterall was arrested in Marsh Lane along with the youths.

Pleaded guilty to robbery. Judge activated 8 weeks of a breached suspended sentence. Mitigating factors included homelessness, heavy ketamine use following ex-partner's death from ketamine overdose, and desire for drug counselling in custody.

Sources: lancs.live

Kai Edmundson

Sexual communication with a child

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 5 years and 3 months imprisonment

Kai Edmundson, 18, groomed a 14-year-old girl online via Discord, WhatsApp, and Telegram over a four-month period starting in September 2024. He referred to himself as a paedophile, sent her up to five indecent images of children and a link to a website containing images of children as young as four. He demanded images and videos of her undressing and performing lewd acts, encouraged her eating disorder, told her to self-harm and carve his name into her skin, and requested proof. The pair never met in person; the victim lived in Derbyshire while Edmundson was from Oswaldtwistle. Contact stopped on January 31, 2025, after Derbyshire Police were informed. Edmundson was arrested on April 1, 2025, by Lancashire Police's East Internet Child Exploitation Team, and indecent images were found on his seized phone.

Pleaded guilty to all offences. Made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Sources: lancs.live

Jez Shepherd

Causing death by dangerous driving

October 24, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 16 years

Jez Shepherd, of Green Street, Morecambe, stole a Fiat Punto earlier on 10 August 2025 and drove around Morecambe at high speeds while intoxicated by drugs and alcohol, more than twice the drink drive limit. He made off without paying for fuel from a garage. In the early hours, he was speeding at 90mph in a 30mph zone on Westgate, Morecambe, when he collided with a taxi, causing the death of rear seat passenger Wayne Putley, 50, who suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead in hospital.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified from driving, causing death whilst unlicensed/uninsured, aggravated vehicle taking and other offences. Was more than twice the drink drive limit and had taken drugs.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Faizal Khan

Possession with intent to supply class A drugs

October 23, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 8 months imprisonment

On August 20, 2025, officers intercepted two known drug users on Colne Road, Burnley, each carrying a small amount of cocaine. Text messages relating to drug purchases were found on a mobile phone associated with a contact saved as 'Adam'. At Faizal Khan's flat on Colne Road, a black object (later identified as a mobile phone) was tossed from an upstairs window. Upon entering, Khan admitted guilt. The flat contained three phones, plastic gloves, digital scales, and 29.43g of cocaine (83% purity) with a street value of £2,440.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Previously sentenced to 81 months for supplying cannabis in 2023 and was on licence at the time. Dealt to repay debt from prior conviction. Judge noted financial advantage and presence of drug dealing equipment.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Faizan Khan

Possession with intent to supply class A drugs

October 23, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 8 months imprisonment

Faizan Khan, 35, from Burnley, was caught selling cocaine after his release on licence from a 2023 sentence for cannabis conspiracy. On August 20, 2025, police stopped two drug users on Colne Road, finding them with small amounts of cocaine. Messages on a phone linked to 'Adam' led to Khan's flat, where he admitted guilt. Police recovered 29.43g of 83% pure cocaine (street value £2,440), three phones, scales, and gloves. A phone was thrown from the window.

Pleaded guilty. Prior sentence of 81 months for supplying cannabis in 2023 taken into account. Dealt cocaine to repay debt. Judge noted financial advantage and breach of licence.

Sources: lancs.live

Jennifer Rochford

Bestiality

October 20, 2025

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years with 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement

Jennifer Rochford, 42, engaged in sexual activity with the couple's dogs at their flat in New Lane, Penwortham, above a former vet's practice, encouraged by her husband Daniel who recorded the footage. She acted as an administrator for an online community of like-minded perverts, logging those who no longer shared their interests. The couple revelled in sharing their twisted fantasies online and possessed thousands of indecent images, with Jennifer having 1,764 extreme pornographic (bestiality) images. The depraved crimes involved only their own animals.

Pleaded guilty to eight counts of bestiality and possession of extreme pornography. Blinded by love for her husband, participated willingly without reluctance. Lost sense of decency or morality. Handed a three-year sexual harm prevention order and on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Sources: lancs.live

Andrzej Mikulski

Section 18 wounding with intent

October 20, 2025

Sentence: 22 years and 6 months imprisonment

Andrzej Mikulski, 27, of no fixed address, went on a two-day crime spree in Preston in February 2025, including stealing a rucksack containing a laptop from Preston Market offices on Earl Street after pulling out a knife, theft from shops, and theft of a pedal cycle. On February 26, 2025, while fleeing B&M Bargains on Carlisle Street with a basket of unpaid goods, he stabbed a security guard in his 40s in the thigh with a kitchen knife with a 19cm x 3cm pointed blade. The guard was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital for emergency surgery; the knife came close to passing completely through his thigh. Mikulski was arrested 45 minutes later on Edward Street by firearms officers, with blood stains on his hands and jacket, carrying a backpack and the knife. His clothing and description matched witness accounts.

Found guilty of Section 18 wounding with intent by a jury in August. Pleaded guilty prior to trial to robbery, attempted robbery, three offences of possessing a knife/bladed article in a public place, and four offences of theft. Concurrent terms for other offences. Must serve 17 years before eligible for parole. Refused to appear in court for sentencing.

Sources: lancs.live

Daniel Rochford

Rape

October 20, 2025

Sentence: 21 years imprisonment with 8-year extended licence

Daniel Rochford, 43, raped and sexually abused a schoolgirl, exposed another youngster to pornography well beyond their years, and bullied, degraded, and humiliated the children for his own satisfaction. He forced them to relive their experiences at trial. Additionally, he encouraged his wife Jennifer to have sex with their dogs at their flat in New Lane, Penwortham, above a former vet's practice, and recorded the footage. The couple shared their twisted fantasies online and possessed thousands of indecent images, including 2,180 extreme pornographic (bestiality) images and 165 child abuse images (92 category A, 29 category B, 44 category C).

Found guilty of rape, sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual communication with a child, sexual assault, voyeurism, and encouraging his wife to have sex with a dog by recording it. Poses a significant risk of harm to women and children. No remorse shown. Subject to a sexual harm prevention order and on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Sources: lancs.live

Steven Monk-Dalton

Rape

October 19, 2025

Sentence: 6 years custody

Steven Monk-Dalton raped a girl in August 1996 in Barrow-in-Furness. The offence occurred almost 30 years prior to his conviction. He had been living in Ibiza in recent years but was brought to justice following a police investigation. The victim demonstrated great courage in coming forward.

Billie Despard

Encouraging possession of prohibited item in prison

October 16, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order with six months mental health treatment and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirements

Billie Despard, 25, of Nevett Street, Preston, communicated with her uncle Frankie Hawkins, an inmate at HMP Manchester, using an illegal mobile phone in his cell. The calls were purely social and spanned back three years to when she was 22. The phone was discovered, revealing the chats. Although the contact itself was not criminal, it was deemed to encourage the possession of a prohibited item in prison.

Pleaded guilty. No previous convictions. Judge Richard Gioserano noted it was an unusual offence and the contact was purely social, not planning or discussing anything criminal, but it encouraged the inmate to keep the illegal mobile phone.

Sources: lancs.live

Andrea Bracewell

Common assault

October 15, 2025

Sentence: 12 month community order with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirements and a restraining order

On July 24, 2023, Andrea Bracewell, 41, of Highbank Avenue, Blackpool, burst uninvited into her partner's ex's house in Blackpool, marched upstairs shouting 'where's f***ing Steve?', pushed the woman, grabbed her by the arm, tried to snatch her phone, checked the daughter's bedroom, grabbed the woman's work phone from the kitchen table, and left. She was arrested shortly after, initially denied having the phone but handed it over, and gave no comment in interview. The incident was fuelled by alcohol relapse after feeling lied to by her ex.

Pleaded guilty to common assault. Judge noted the offence occurred several years ago, originally charged with robbery which was not pursued, and recommended assistance from the Probation Service for alcohol and other issues.

Sources: lancs.live

Joey Hoban

GBH

October 14, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment with 1 year extended licence

On December 1, 2024, in Blackpool near the railway station, Joey Hoban, who was swaying and following a man and his partner, punched the man to the ground after being confronted. Hoban continued to hit the unconscious victim until the partner shouted for help. The victim suffered a traumatic brain injury, bleeding to the brain, head and face injuries, spent two weeks in hospital, now has memory loss, lost confidence, cannot go out alone, and had to give up work.

Found guilty of GBH after denying the offence and claiming the victim started the violence. History of violence since 2002 including GBH, ABH, common assault, wounding, and domestic abuse. Mental health issues and substance abuse noted. Judge commented on pattern of violence and failure to engage with past help. Apologised in letter after victim awareness course.

Sources: lancs.live

John Davies

Threatening with a knife

October 13, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

On January 19, 2024, police visited John Davies' home in Ennerdale, Skelmersdale, due to concern for his welfare. After no answer, they entered through the unlocked door. Davies appeared from the kitchen, stated 'I f***ing hate police,' and charged at the two officers with a knife, threatening to stab them. He later claimed he was carrying a spatula.

Dylan Sherratt

Rape

October 13, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Dylan Sherratt groomed a 12-year-old girl, asking her to send intimate images and saving her as 'mine' in his phone. He continued sending vile sexual messages. CCTV captured him meeting the victim in Colne on September 1, 2023, wearing a balaclava to disguise his identity, and sexually abusing the schoolgirl. He raped her in woodland and behind a laundrette, admitting he would 'get done' if she became pregnant.

Karl Salmon

Supply of cannabis

October 13, 2025

Sentence: Non-custodial sentence

Karl Salmon, 30, was stopped by police in Accrington in May 2025 while driving an Audi. Officers found cannabis bagged into separate deals under the driver's seat and £140 in cash. His iPhone received a text message during the search, and he admitted involvement in dealing cannabis.

Judge stated he is not cut out for the drugs trade and cannabis has a terrible effect on society. Narrowly avoided prison.

Sources: lancs.live

Kristian Hill

Intentional Strangulation

October 13, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 1 month imprisonment

Kristian Hill, 28, of Main Street, Morecambe, attacked his partner on multiple occasions in May 2025, two days after receiving a suspended sentence for domestic violence against his ex. He visited the woman to collect belongings but refused to leave, slapped her face leaving a red mark, put his hands around her throat during one attack, and kicked the bathroom door off its frame while she hid. While on remand, he sent a threatening message via a third party warning of 'karma' for her complaint. He was also involved in a separate affray incident in Morecambe where he was part of a group of men who entered a property with weapons, picked up a knife (but did not use it), and the melee spilled onto the street.

Sentenced to 28 months for intentional strangulation, 2 months concurrent for each of two counts of battery, activation of 21-month suspended sentence in full concurrently, and 21 months for affray. Described by Judge Andrew Jeffries KC as becoming or already a misogynist. History of domestic abuse including convictions for harassment and coercive control. Six-year restraining order imposed.

Sources: lancs.live

Michael Moran

Breach of court order

October 13, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Michael Moran, 47, of Derby Road, Longridge, violated a court order banning him from parts of Preston city centre, leading to his imprisonment.

Jailed for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) issued in 2024 following convictions for knife and theft offences. The CBO prohibited him from entering Fishergate, Church Street, and Friargate areas of Preston.

Sources: lancs.live

Nathan Williams

Assault

October 10, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

On June 17, 2023, in the early hours on George Street in Rishton, Nathan Williams engaged in a brief heated conversation with the victim, a man in his 20s, before turning and punching him once in the face without warning. The victim fell backwards, knocking his head on the concrete floor, resulting in a serious head injury with a bleed on the brain. He was placed in an induced coma, had the front part of his skull removed to prevent death from swelling, and his family was told he had an 80% chance of dying. He remained in a coma for two and a half weeks, was hospitalised for seven weeks, lost four stone on a food drip, wore a helmet for a year and a half awaiting custom titanium plates from Germany, underwent rehab for head injuries, had his driving licence revoked for five months, and continues to suffer long-term effects including wariness in social situations and potential future health impacts.

Pleaded guilty at a hearing earlier this year. Indefinite restraining order from contacting the victim. Prior age 41.

Sources: lancs.live

Callum Lawn

Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs

October 9, 2025

Sentence: 40 months imprisonment

Callum Lawn, 23, of Brock Avenue, Fleetwood, was arrested in April 2025 after police executed a search warrant at a property under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Officers found Class A drugs, leading to charges of possession with intent to supply. The conviction highlights efforts to target individuals and gangs involved in drug-related crime, which brings debt, misery, and violence to communities.

Convicted of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Arrested following a police search under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Sources: lancs.live

Pamela Gwinnett

Fraud and Theft

October 8, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Pamela Gwinnett, a carer, befriended retired accountant Joan Green and her husband, a retired senior manager at BAE Systems, and gained their trust. She convinced them to appoint her as Lasting Power of Attorney, then abused this position to steal nearly £300,000 from Mrs Green after Mr Green's death in 2019. Gwinnett used the funds for her own property, beauty treatments, and Botox. She isolated Mrs Green in her detached lodge house near Chorley by changing the phone number and gate locks, moved her to a care home near Adlington during the COVID pandemic, intercepted mail and gifts, and falsely claimed Mrs Green had no family. In June 2021, family members Katherine Farrimond and David Boulton confronted Gwinnett, who made false accusations of grooming and theft against them, captured on video. Gwinnett fled to Tenerife upon discovery and remains there. Mrs Green died in 2022 believing the lies.

Sentenced in her absence; convicted of fraud and theft after a trial she did not attend. Judge Michael Maher commented on her 'self assured shamelessness' and 'brass neck' in fraudulent activity, and hopes for her extradition from Tenerife.

Sources: lancs.live

Siann Cawley

Assault (ABH), ill-treatment, neglect and abandonment

October 7, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 3 months imprisonment

Siann Cawley, 22, burned a boy with cigarettes, force-fed him dog food, and left him locked inside a room for hours while she was not in the house. The boy suffered numerous injuries over a three-week period while in her care. She is a mother to her own children but not the mother of the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Pleaded guilty to assault (ABH), ill-treatment, neglect and abandonment. Serving sentence at HMP Styal in Cheshire.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Andrew Burrows

Assault

October 6, 2025

Sentence: 3.5 years imprisonment

Andrew Burrows assaulted a nurse and security staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital's A&E department on April 19, 2025, by hitting the nurse in the face after she tried to take pills from him and punching a security member, causing injuries to his eye socket and nose. At the time, he was on bail for a prior incident a few weeks earlier where he attacked three women in Tudor Place, Blackpool, stemming from the loss of a mobile phone, resulting in their hospital treatment.

Pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault of an emergency worker, assault causing actual bodily harm and assault by beating. Made subject of restraining orders in relation to the three victims of the Tudor Place assaults. Prior bail for earlier assaults taken into account.

Sources: lancs.live

Curtis Carney

Drug smuggling

October 1, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Curtis Carney, 36, and Robert Stoba, 26, smuggled drugs and mobile phones into prisons like HMP Garth, HMP Wymott, and HMP Liverpool using drones. Carney was arrested twice in 2024 on M6 and near HMP Liverpool with packages, drones, and drugs valued £31,000-£38,000 on street (£94,000-£295,000 in prison). They used vulnerable women's homes for storage.

Richard Lamant

Drug supply

October 1, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Richard Lamant, 39, from Oxcliffe Road, Morecambe, started dealing drugs after losing his job in January 2025. In May 2025, police found 1.74kg of cannabis resin and 854g of cocaine at his flat following a customer's overdose death. He had a history of cannabis use and dealing.

Robert Stoba

Drug smuggling

October 1, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Nicolette Goldrick

Child abduction

October 1, 2025

Sentence: Imprisonment

Nicolette Goldrick, 51, attempted to abduct a seven-month-old baby in a pram outside a shop on Central Drive, Blackpool, on May 10, 2025, by releasing the brake and pushing it down the street. The mother chased and retrieved the pram. Goldrick returned later and was arrested, verbally abusing and spitting at officers.

Martin Glover

Rape

October 1, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 6 months imprisonment

Martin Glover, 39, met a vulnerable woman in her 30s on a night out in Morecambe in April 2023, offered her a place to stay as a 'Good Samaritan', and then raped her at an address in the town. The victim suffered anxiety and sleepless nights as a result.

Marcin Laskowski

Rape

October 1, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

Marcin Laskowski encountered a 14-year-old girl by chance in Southport town centre and offered her a place to stay at his flat. He then sexually assaulted and raped her despite her begging him to stop, leaving her scared and frightened.

Paul Handley

Escaping from lawful custody

September 26, 2025

Sentence: 4 months imprisonment

Paul Handley escaped from HMP Kirkham on June 2, 2025, after facing difficulties with other prisoners. He remained at large for ten days, hiding in his mother's cupboard in Bacup, before being arrested on June 12, 2025. This led to his sentencing for the escape.

Pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody. He was already serving a sentence for burglary and had 39 previous convictions for 117 offences.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Owen Knowles

Possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs

September 26, 2025

Sentence: three years and four months imprisonment

Owen Knowles, 23, began using cocaine at age 14 and became a heavy user. On October 11, 2023, police executed a search warrant at his home in Oxcliffe Road, Morecambe, Lancashire, where they found 43.5g of cocaine, 909g of ketamine, 437g of cannabis, 19 THC vape pens, cutting agent, digital scales, two mobile phones, and £1800 in cash. The drugs had an estimated street value of £22,640 to £24,140. He was arrested, and evidence from the phones confirmed drug dealing activities.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. Had mental health conditions, accrued a drug debt, and was dealing to pay it off. Judge noted his awareness of drug dangers and took into account his age and delay in sentencing.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

David Hawkyard

Making indecent images of children

September 25, 2025

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment

David Hawkyard, 24, of Lady Acre, Bamber Bridge, a registered sex offender, delayed handing over his mobile devices during a police visit. Examination revealed indecent images of children, leading to his arrest and guilty plea.

An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed to monitor his activities post-release.

Sources: lancs.live

John Fannan

Burglary

September 24, 2025

Sentence: 14 months suspended for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activities and 100 hours of unpaid work

On September 26, 2023, John Fannan took keys from the manager's bag at the Morrisons shop in Parbold, used them to access the safe, and stole £1,400 in cash, cigarettes valued at £3,000, and e-cigarettes worth £800. He was identified via CCTV and forensic evidence, and was already in prison for a separate offence when located.

The defendant has 65 convictions for 131 offences, including 90 for theft and similar offences. His defence barrister noted he has taken steps to address mental health issues and reduce drug use. Judge Philip Parry acknowledged his terrible record but highlighted his recent progress, stable accommodation, and lack of reoffending since prior sentences.

Sources: lancs.live

Jamal Yaqoob

Fraud

September 24, 2025

Sentence: 4.5 years imprisonment

Jamal Yaqoob acted as a courier in a deceptive scam posing as a police investigation, persuading elderly victims in Nelson to withdraw cash or buy Rolex watches, which were collected under false pretenses as 'evidence' of counterfeit items. The scheme defrauded victims of over £32,000, exploiting their vulnerability, including one recently bereaved man who lost his savings and confidence. Yaqoob was also found with drugs during his arrest related to the fraud.

Pleaded guilty to fraud and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. Carried out five fraudulent transactions and was arrested in possession of 51 wraps of crack cocaine. The judge rejected claims of ignorance about the scam's scale and emphasised the psychological impact on victims.

Sources: lancs.live

Mubashar Ashfaq

Fraud

September 24, 2025

Sentence: 19 months imprisonment

Mubashar Ashfaq, acting as a courier, participated in a fake police investigation scam that targeted vulnerable elderly residents in Nelson. The fraud involved tricking victims into withdrawing large amounts of cash or purchasing Rolex watches under the pretense of assisting a police inquiry into counterfeit goods. The victims, aged in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, lost over £30,000, with one 90-year-old woman withdrawing £13,000 shortly after her son's death, leading to significant emotional distress and loss of confidence.

Pleaded guilty to fraud totalling £31,000. Worked as a courier in the scam and passed on information to his cousin for other transactions. No previous convictions noted, but the judge highlighted the cynical nature of the offences.

Sources: lancs.live

Richard Roughley

Supply of class A drugs

September 23, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 8 months imprisonment

Richard Roughley, 33, started selling cocaine from his family home in Lea Crescent, Ormskirk, in December 2023, after a motorcycle accident left him unable to work. On January 11, 2024, police executed a warrant and found two wraps of cocaine, a tick list of debtors, and three mobile phones containing messages evidencing his drug dealing operation, which he ran independently for about three weeks.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The judge noted a significant delay in the case and recognised rehabilitation efforts, but deemed immediate custody necessary due to the offence's seriousness.

Sources: lancs.live

Darren Cook

Attempted sexual communication with a child

September 23, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment suspended for two years, 20 rehabilitation days, and 100 hours unpaid work

Darren Cook engaged in sexually explicit communication with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl via Facebook and WhatsApp. He sent indecent images and texts, asked for nude pictures, referred to getting married and having children, and discussed sexual topics including his own anatomy. He was arrested after a vigilante group confronted him online.

Pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, attempt to make a child watch a sexual act, and attempt to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. Has a learning disability, ADHD, no prior similar offences, and was deemed an isolated incident.

Sources: lancs.live

Martin Crossley

Rape

September 22, 2025

Sentence: 19 years and 6 months imprisonment with a further 5-year extended licence

Martin Crossley, a dangerous sexual predator, raped a woman multiple times in Preston and East Lancashire. He told a witness that he saw women as 'a piece of meat' and admitted to raping her while she was asleep and after she had said no. Additionally, he raped a teenage girl. The offences came to light through a Lancashire Constabulary investigation that began in 2022.

Pleaded guilty to five counts of rape. Deemed a dangerous offender. Victim's impact statement described how he destroyed her life and expressed that he should not 'use up the oxygen of another human being'.

Sources: lancs.live

Neil Platt

Causing death by dangerous driving

September 20, 2025

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment and a 7-year driving ban

Neil Platt, a 43-year-old HGV driver, was distracted by viewing content on his mobile phone, including social media platforms like X (with some pornographic material), TikTok, and WhatsApp, during a three-hour journey. On May 17, 2024, near junction four of the M58 in Skelmersdale, he failed to notice stationary traffic, crashed his lorry into Danny Aitchison's Hyundai Kona, pushing it into a tanker and causing it to explode into flames, resulting in Aitchison's immediate death.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Ian Unsworth KC described his attitude as 'arrogant and selfish' and noted he was genuinely remorseful.

Sources: lancs.live

Craig Marsden

Burglary

September 20, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 5 months imprisonment

Craig Marsden, a prolific burglar, raided the home of an elderly couple in Morecambe on April 8, 2025. He smashed the patio door and stole items, leaving the house in disarray. He was caught on Ring doorbell footage.

Stuart Latham

Child sex offences

September 19, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

Stuart Latham, aged 22, created a fake online persona as a 14-year-old 'Josh' on Snapchat to target girls aged 12 to 15 across the UK. He raped a 12-year-old girl and abused two youngsters in person, while committing dozens of online offences against 37 other girls, including persuading them to send indecent images and videos, then blackmailing them by threatening to share them online. He amassed around 4,000 indecent images through blackmail, with all offences occurring between 2023 and 2024.

Pleaded guilty to rape, blackmail, and multiple counts of engaging in sexual communications, causing or engaging in sexual activity with a child, making and distributing indecent photographs, and possessing extreme pornography. Described as a highly dangerous predatory sexual offender with little empathy or remorse.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Raja Imtiaz

Fraud

September 18, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 2 months imprisonment

Raja Imtiaz, as director of Al Fayroz Travel & Tourism Limited, unlawfully secured two £50,000 Covid Bounce Back Loans by submitting a second application in early July 2020, just weeks after the first in late June 2020, violating the scheme's rules that allowed only one loan per business. He falsely declared on the second application that it was the only one, leading to his conviction for fraud.

Fraudulently applied for a second Bounce Back Loan for his company, Al Fayroz Travel & Tourism Limited, in July 2020, despite already receiving one in June 2020. He was also disqualified as a company director for 6.5 years. Investigators confirmed his dishonesty.

Sources: lancs.live

Jack Lewis

Wounding

September 18, 2025

Sentence: 16 months youth detention

Jack Lewis, after attending his mother's funeral, arrived at the Sir Henry Tate pub in Chorley, Lancashire, on May 31, 2023, and was refused entry due to intoxication. A altercation broke out outside the pub involving pushing and shoving with pub staff. Lewis threw a glass at a barman, causing a serious injury to the victim's face, which required hospital treatment, including stitches and later surgery using part of the victim's ear to repair his nose.

Pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding. Was arrested shortly after the incident and told police he would have killed someone. The judge noted he was not a reliable historian due to alcohol and sensitivity following his mother's funeral.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Aiden Craigie

Burglary

September 17, 2025

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment and 19 months driving ban

Aiden Craigie and Niall Farmer committed a series of 36 offenses including car theft, burglary, fraud, and theft across Preston and South Ribble between their arrests in May 2025. They stole cars, motorbikes, tools, laptops, and bank cards, often leaving items from previous break-ins at new crime scenes. One victim had her Jaguar stolen from outside her house, containing essential work items, rendering the car a write-off. Another victim required specialist valeting for his Nissan Qashqai due to cannabis residue. The pair were located in a tent and attempted to flee upon arrest.

Craigie had spiralled into cocaine addiction and began stealing to fund his drug habit. Judge Maher highlighted the alarming regularity of the offenses occurring in the early hours.

Sources: lancs.live

Niall Farmer

Burglary

September 17, 2025

Sentence: 3 years in a youth offenders' institute

Niall Farmer and Aiden Craigie committed 36 offenses including car theft, burglary, fraud, and theft across Preston and South Ribble between their arrests in May 2025. They targeted garages, garden sheds, and vehicles, stealing items to sell, with some stolen goods recovered from other victims' properties. Farmer was involved in breaking padlocks and using stolen bank cards fraudulently. The pair lived in a tent and were apprehended after a police manhunt.

Farmer had a troubled childhood and was described as 'a creature of his upbringing.' While in Wetherby youth offenders' institute, he stabbed another inmate. Judge Maher noted the frequency of his offenses, including burglaries and thefts.

Sources: lancs.live

Amal Bose

Sexual Assault

September 16, 2025

Sentence: Six years imprisonment

Amal Bose, a 55-year-old senior heart surgeon from Lancaster, abused his position of power at Blackpool Victoria Hospital to sexually assault and harass multiple female colleagues over a period of more than five years. He groped and made inappropriate advances, including in the operating theatre while patients were present, leading to victims experiencing long-lasting psychological effects such as panic attacks, anxiety, self-harm, and some leaving their jobs. He downplayed his actions as 'flirting' and sent explicit WhatsApp messages referring to staff derogatorily.

Found guilty of sexually assaulting colleagues; judge described him as a predator hiding in plain sight and noted he showed no genuine remorse, with concurrent sentences ranging from 12 months to four and a half years.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Nicholas Stubley

Attempting to arrange child abuse

September 14, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Nicholas Stubley, 59, of Abram Close, Lancaster, tried to arrange to meet a child at M62 Birch Services to abuse her. He engaged in conversations about abusing children aged between eight and 11, and attempted to introduce a decoy to other group members, all while under a court order in September and October 2024.

Was subject to a court order restricting online activity and discussed abusing a child online before attempting to arrange a meeting.

Sources: lancs.live

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