Preston Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 389 verdicts at Preston Crown Court (Preston, Preston). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

David Jones

Harassment

August 18, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

David Jones, from Lancaster, was hired to carry out building work on a house in Grange-over-Sands in July 2024. A dispute arose over a £21,500 bill, leading him to make threatening phone calls on October 18, 2024. In the calls, he threatened to harm the victim's family, stated he knew where they lived, and warned he would put the victim in a wheelchair. The victim reported immense fear for his family's safety, including his 85-year-old mother-in-law.

Judge Michael Maher sentenced him for making threatening calls over a building dispute, citing his toxic brand of masculinity and the need for immediate custody.

Sources: lancs.live

Ashir Shahid

Causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving

August 15, 2025

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment and banned from driving for 15 years and one month

Ashir Shahid drove a Toyota Prius at high speed, estimated between 58mph and 71mph in a 30mph zone, in dark and wet conditions, striking Renju Joseph, a 31-year-old pregnant woman, on a zebra crossing in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire, on September 29. The collision caused the death of her unborn baby boy, Olive, who lived for only five hours and 38 minutes. Shahid engaged in dangerous driving, including accelerating rapidly and swerving, as captured on video where he and his brother were laughing, singing, and driving erratically. After the incident, he abandoned the vehicle, covered it with a sheet, and had it moved to Greater Manchester. He was arrested days later and his phone revealed searches related to hit-and-run charges and videos of him singing along to music.

Pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. No previous convictions. Expressed shame, guilt, and remorse in a letter to the court. Must pass an extended retest.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Sam Shahid

Assisting an offender

August 15, 2025

Sentence: 3 years detention

Sam Shahid, aged 17, was a passenger in the Toyota Prius driven by his brother Ashir Shahid. He participated in erratic driving, as shown in videos where he put his feet and upper body out of the window while the car was in motion. After the collision on September 29 in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire, which killed the unborn baby of Renju Joseph, Sam helped cover up the incident by abandoning and concealing the vehicle. Voice recordings on his phone included rap songs glorifying the event and speaking disrespectfully about the victim and her deceased child.

Pleaded guilty to assisting an offender. Has six prior convictions for 13 offences, including burglary and vehicle theft. The judge noted his lack of remorse and ingrained criminality.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Gary Hampson

Encouraging misconduct in a public office

August 8, 2025

Sentence: Six months imprisonment, to run consecutively with his existing sentence

Gary Hampson, a 26-year-old prisoner at HMP Preston, was in a relationship with probation officer Leonie Wilkinson, which began in 2018. A mobile phone seized from his cell contained evidence of their communications, including messages and a card sent by Wilkinson. He encouraged her misconduct while she was employed at the prison.

Admitted to encouraging misconduct in a public office and possessing an unauthorised mobile phone in prison.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Leonie Wilkinson

Misconduct in public office

August 8, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

Leonie Wilkinson, a 27-year-old prison probation officer at HMP Preston, failed to disclose her pre-existing relationship with prisoner Gary Hampson when applying for her role in 2020. Their relationship, which started in 2018, involved communication via a mobile phone found in Hampson's cell, including calls, emails, and messages. She was also accused of smuggling contraband into the prison and had unauthorised access to a computer, with the misconduct uncovered in 2021 during an investigation.

Pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and other offences including unauthorised access to a computer and encouraging the possession of a mobile device.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Daniel Burba

Causing death by dangerous driving

August 5, 2025

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment

Daniel Burba left his 14-year-old son, Ryan Morgan, in a van while he went into a petrol station. Shortly after, while driving on the M6 near Lancaster, Burba had an epileptic fit at the wheel, causing the van to veer off the road and crash into a tree between junctions 33 and 34 on 20 April. The boy tried to gain control of the vehicle but suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Burba had never passed a driving test and had consumed cocaine prior to the incident.

Had an epileptic fit at the wheel, had taken cocaine, and never passed a driving test. The judge stated he made a deliberate decision to drive and disregarded the lives of others.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

Ben Bryan

Child Grooming

August 1, 2025

Sentence: 6.5 years imprisonment

Ben Bryan, 34, from Ash Bank Road, Stoke-on-Trent, groomed a 14-year-old schoolgirl on Snapchat and Roblox. He travelled from Staffordshire to meet her, picked her up from school on one occasion, and engaged in unwanted sexual advances, including touching her leg, attempting to remove her clothing, and exposing himself. On October 24, 2024, he abducted her by picking her up at 2am, refusing to let her out of his car, and giving her vapes and an iPhone to keep their communication secret. He was stopped by police due to a faulty rear light and no MOT on his Ford Mondeo.

Pleaded guilty to child grooming, child abduction, non-penetrative sexual activity, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and engaging in sexual communication. Previously a law-abiding and hard-working man who served in the army and worked as an HGV driver before a brain injury.

Sources: lancs.live

Joshua Adcroft

Sexual Assault of a Child

July 29, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment, indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and lifelong registration on the Sex Offenders Register

Joshua Adcroft, a former Accrington Stanley stadium announcer and trust board member, groomed and sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl, using 'love bombing' tactics and threatening her to remain silent. He also solicited indecent images of an eight-year-old girl from her mother via online chats on April 8 and 9, 2024, and possessed 53 additional indecent images of children on unregistered devices. As a registered sex offender, he concealed his contact with the child and failed to comply with court orders regarding his electronic devices.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, soliciting indecent images of children, and 11 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Described as a manipulative and dangerous sexual offender who left the victim feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

Sources: lancs.live

Thomas Dures

Murder

July 26, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years

Thomas Dures stabbed Matthew Daulby during a street brawl in Ormskirk on July 29, 2023. The brawl erupted after a group chat message reported that Dures had punched someone on crutches. During the confrontation, Henry Houghton struck Daulby with a rock in a sports sock, and Dures followed by stabbing him in the chest with a knife he was carrying. Dures also stabbed another man before fleeing, discarding evidence, and eventually travelling to Greece out of fear of imprisonment. He was extradited and convicted.

Supporters were removed from court shouting 'they're all corrupt' and 'may God have mercy on them'. He fled to Greece after the incident but was extradited back to the UK.

Sources: lancs.live

Joseph Chapman

Sexual activity with a child

July 23, 2025

Sentence: 11 years and 3 months imprisonment

Joseph Chapman, 36, used the Snapchat handle 'PJ' to groom two 14-year-old girls by offering them vapes and arranging meetings. He sexually assaulted the first victim in his car in November 2022 in Burnley and the second victim on two occasions in January 2023 in Colne. The offences were discovered through diary entries and vape packaging, leading to his arrest in May 2023. He attempted to contact other girls, including asking for photos in school uniforms.

Pleaded not guilty but was found guilty after a trial. Described as a dangerous and manipulative paedophile who groomed victims online. Impact statements from victims highlighted trauma, including fear, trust issues, and effects on education.

Sources: lancs.live

Craig Holmes

Possession of cannabis and nitrous oxide

July 23, 2025

Sentence: Seven weeks imprisonment for possession of cannabis, suspended for six months; one week imprisonment for possession of nitrous oxide, suspended for six months; five days rehabilitation activity requirements; £100 fine

On November 1, 2024, police visited Craig Holmes' home in Sandy Lane, Cottam, and discovered 27 canisters of nitrous oxide, 26.8g of cannabis in a Cadbury's Celebrations tin, two sets of digital scales, small plastic bags, and £695 in cash. Holmes claimed the nitrous oxide was for making birthday cakes and milkshakes for his children and that the cannabis was for personal use. He refused to provide access codes to four phones found during the search and has prior convictions for drug-related offences.

Pleaded guilty to the offences; has serious health conditions and is a father of three-year-old twins; was two days from completing a prior suspended sentence and had a conviction for being drunk and disorderly during the suspension period

Sources: lancs.live

Colin Barrow

Wounding

July 19, 2025

Sentence: 22 months imprisonment

Colin Barrow, 60, was drunk and encountered his old friend Stuart Mack on January 7, 2025, in Blackburn. He invited Mack into his flat on Abington Street and offered him a drink. Barrow then attacked Mack by smashing a plate into his face, hitting him with a bottle, and stabbing him in the bicep with a kitchen knife, causing significant injuries including head wounds and a 4cm arm wound that required hospital treatment.

Pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding. Has a history of alcohol misuse and previous convictions for robbery and aggravated burglary. The judge noted that the attack was unprovoked and linked to alcohol consumption, and expressed concerns about his rehabilitation.

Sources: lancs.live

Allen Aggrey

Being concerned in the supply of cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Two years custody, suspended for two years

Allen Aggrey was a cocaine supplier who obtained drugs from Darren McKenzie and faced difficulties in selling them, leading to debts paid from his legitimate earnings. This occurred during the gang's activities from September 2023 to January 2024.

Convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He sourced drugs from Darren McKenzie and often struggled to sell them, paying debts from legitimate income.

Sources: lancs.live

Daniel Cregg

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Six years and three months imprisonment

Daniel Cregg acted as a cocaine street dealer, obtaining drugs from Darren McKenzie and accumulating debts. This was part of the larger organised crime gang's activities between September 2023 and January 2024.

Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was a street dealer who sourced drugs from Darren McKenzie and regularly owed him money.

Sources: lancs.live

Daniel Scholes

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: 45 months imprisonment

Daniel Scholes was a cocaine street dealer who sourced drugs from Darren McKenzie and was part of the organised crime gang operating between September 2023 and January 2024. Items seized included drugs, cash, and weapons from his Accrington residence.

Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine. Police found mobile phones, cocaine, £500 cash, and weapons at his house in Accrington.

Sources: lancs.live

Darren Mckenzie

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Five years imprisonment

Darren McKenzie led an organised crime gang that supplied large quantities of cocaine, sourced from Martin Day, to street dealers. Evidence from his seized phone revealed details of his network and drug debts. The gang operated between September 2023 and January 2024.

Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was the head of the organised crime gang and supplied cocaine to street dealers in Hyndburn and Darwen.

Sources: lancs.live

Deon Houghton

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Six years and three months imprisonment

Deon Houghton was involved in an organised crime gang that flooded Lancashire with cocaine as part of Operation Chelsea. He was arrested in December 2023 and found to be in contact with the gang leader, supplying Class A drugs between September 2023 and January 2024.

Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was a trusted lieutenant in the organised crime gang led by Darren McKenzie.

Sources: lancs.live

Eamonn Wyre

Being concerned in the supply of cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Two years custody, suspended for two years

Eamonn Wyre was involved in supplying cocaine, purchasing drugs from Darren McKenzie. Items seized from his Accrington home included cocaine, weapons, and cash, linked to the gang's activities from September 2023 to January 2024.

Convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Police found cocaine, weapons, a Rolex watch, a mobile phone, and cash at his house.

Sources: lancs.live

Joshua Bray

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Three years and nine months imprisonment

Joshua Bray was a cocaine street dealer who sourced drugs from Darren McKenzie, often on credit, as part of the gang's operations from September 2023 to January 2024. Evidence included drugs and cash found at his Accrington home.

Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine. He received cocaine on credit from Darren McKenzie and police found drugs paraphernalia, drugs, a mobile phone, and £500 cash at his house.

Sources: lancs.live

Judson Hickey

Being concerned in the supply of cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Two years custody, suspended for two years

Judson Hickey acted as a cocaine street dealer, obtaining drugs from Darren McKenzie and accumulating debts during the organised crime gang's activities from September 2023 to January 2024.

Convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He was a street dealer who sourced drugs from Darren McKenzie and owed him money.

Sources: lancs.live

Jake Duxbury

Being concerned in the supply of cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Two years custody, suspended for two years

Jake Duxbury acted as a cocaine street dealer, sourcing drugs from Darren McKenzie and accumulating debts as part of the organised crime gang's operations between September 2023 and January 2024.

Convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He was a street dealer who sourced drugs from Darren McKenzie and owed him money.

Sources: lancs.live

Liam Threlfall

Conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to import and supply cannabis

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Three and a half years imprisonment

Liam Threlfall was involved in supplying cocaine and conspired to import and supply cannabis. He purchased cocaine from Darren McKenzie and distributed cannabis as part of the gang's operations from September 2023 to January 2024.

Convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and conspiracy to import and supply cannabis. He imported and sold cannabis to other dealers.

Sources: lancs.live

Lee Murray

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Two years custody, suspended for two years

Lee Murray was involved in conspiring to supply cocaine as part of the organised crime gang led by Darren McKenzie, with operations running from September 2023 to January 2024.

Martin Day

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Six years imprisonment

Martin Day supplied cocaine to Darren McKenzie, who then distributed it to street dealers in Hyndburn and Darwen as part of an organised crime gang. The operation ran from September 2023 to January 2024.

Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine. He supplied large quantities of cocaine to Darren McKenzie for distribution.

Sources: lancs.live

Michael Wyre

Being concerned in the supply of cocaine

July 18, 2025

Sentence: Two years custody, suspended for two years

Michael Wyre was a cocaine supplier who purchased drugs from Darren McKenzie. Evidence from his Oswaldtwistle home included drugs and cash, as part of the gang's operations from September 2023 to January 2024.

Convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Police found a backpack with drugs paraphernalia, cocaine, and £260 cash at his house.

Sources: lancs.live

Daniel Marsden

Possession with intent to supply class B drugs

July 17, 2025

Sentence: 10 months suspended for 12 months, 20 rehabilitation days, and 200 hours of unpaid work

Daniel Marsden was stopped while driving a Volkswagen Tiguan in Howarth Close, Blackpool, on June 24, 2025, after returning from a trip to Birmingham. Police discovered 17 vacuum-sealed packs of cannabis weighing 9.96kg, with an estimated resale value of £35,000, hidden in a grey suitcase in the vehicle. They also found £600 in cash. Marsden claimed he had met someone in a warehouse who offered him the job due to his financial difficulties, but the judge dismissed this as implausible and sentenced him as a courier with no influence over the drugs operation.

Pleaded guilty to the offense. Claimed financial struggles and was offered £600 to transport the drugs. Is a registered carer for his partner and employs staff, which the judge considered in sentencing.

Sources: lancs.live

Connor Mcgrath

Robbery

July 17, 2025

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Connor McGrath approached a delivery driver in Lytham St Annes at around 12.15am on September 27, 2023, wearing a balaclava to conceal his face and brandishing a metal bar. He threatened the driver, saying 'give me your f***ing keys or I'll whack this over your head', causing the driver to hand over the keys to his Toyota Aygo. McGrath drove away with the car, which was later found in an alleyway near his home in Charnley Road, Blackpool, and returned to its owner. The victim was performing a community service involving unsociable hours, adding to his vulnerability.

Pleaded guilty to robbery. Has 33 convictions for 66 offences, including theft, burglary, and handling stolen goods. The judge, Recorder Michael Maher, questioned his character and referenced his unfulfilled promises to reform after the birth of his child.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Terrence Kenny

Assault

July 16, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment with an extended licence period of 2 years

Terrence Kenny launched a brutal attack on a woman in her 30s at her home in Moorgate Street, Blackburn. The incident began when her dog alerted her to a noise in the back garden. She saw a figure and closed the door, but Kenny appeared at the rear window, threw a tree stump through the kitchen window, smashed the front window with a bike, kicked through the front door panel, dragged the victim out of the house, and repeatedly punched her in the face, causing significant facial injuries that required hospital treatment. The attack left the victim traumatised and forced her to move away from her home.

Deemed dangerous by the judge. The victim reported being traumatised, requiring surgery for significant facial injuries, and had to relocate due to fear of further harm.

Sources: lancs.live

Robert Macintosh

Burglary

July 16, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 4 months imprisonment, and disqualified from driving for 12 months

In the early hours of April 25, 2025, Robert Macintosh entered a couple's home in Burnley after they forgot to lock the back door. He stole the keys to their MG car and drove it away. He was later stopped by police and arrested for burglary, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and possession of cannabis. The incident involved the theft of a vehicle from a residential property.

The defendant had 36 previous convictions for dwelling house burglaries. He had been committing burglaries since age 12 but had a 10-year gap in offending. He is working with drugs and mental health teams to address his issues. The judge considered his mental health problems and periods of desisting.

Sources: lancs.live

William Berry

Supply of Cannabis

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 15 months custody, suspended for two years

William Berry participated in a family-run drug dealing operation with his father David. He advertised large amounts of cannabis on social media and was found in possession of cannabis, mobile phones, and £10,000 in cash at the time of his arrest on November 28. The operation involved supplying cocaine and amphetamine, with evidence from mobile phone examinations showing his regular involvement in drug sales.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and money laundering. He was heavily involved in drug-dealing via a Telegram channel.

Sources: lancs.live

David Berry

Conspiracy to Supply Cocaine

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment

David Berry, along with his son William, operated a drug dealing business that advertised on social media. On August 14, police responded to a report of two men with a machete and a moped at a property in Brunshaw Road, Burnley, where they discovered 3kg of cocaine valued at £90,000 in the loft. Further searches of his breakers unit in Pentridge Mill, Burnley, uncovered £250,000 in cash, a hydraulic press with cocaine traces, plates, moulds, six large bags of cocaine and amphetamine worth £14,000, a knife, scales, packaging, and suspected cutting agents. He was arrested on November 28 following mobile phone enquiries.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply amphetamine, and money laundering. Police described him as a significant player in the sale of illegal drugs.

Sources: lancs.live

Bradley Moore

Breach of a restraining order

July 15, 2025

Sentence: 10 months imprisonment

Bradley Moore, 27, of Wellington Street, Accrington, breached an indefinite restraining order by contacting his grandmother on May 13, 2025, shortly after his release from prison. He asked her for money, ignored her requests not to visit, blamed her for difficulties in his childhood, and persistently phoned and turned up at her home over four days, leaving her terrified and prompting her to install CCTV for protection.

Pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order. Judge noted his mental health and learning difficulties, genuine remorse, attempts to address offending, and previous convictions, but determined the offence was so serious that immediate imprisonment was necessary.

Sources: lancs.live

Thomas Freret

Sexual communication with a child

July 14, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Thomas Freret, a 39-year-old sex offender, groomed and exploited a vulnerable 12-year-old child in Lancaster in 2020 for his own sordid sexual interests. He engaged in sexualised chats, pictures, and videos with the victim and instructed them to delete messages to cover his tracks. Freret was living in Elche, Spain, until his arrest on November 10 of the previous year and was in breach of a 2013 Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibited him from contacting children under 16 online.

Pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Also put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. DS John Barton noted that Freret groomed and exploited a vulnerable child.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Gabor-Tamas Szilaygi

Theft

July 13, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years, 20 days rehabilitation activities, 250 hours unpaid work, £150 costs, and victim surcharge

On November 5, 2024, Gabor-Tamas Szilaygi visited an 86-year-old woman's home in Blackburn to install a bed hoist. He stole her jewellery, including a gold and diamond watch, wedding ring, and a gold and emerald ring valued at £10,000, from her bedside drawer. The items were recovered from his van after police stopped him on the M55 the following day. He admitted the theft was due to financial strain as he was expecting a child and felt guilty about his actions.

Pleaded guilty to theft. No previous convictions. The sentence considers his potential for rehabilitation and the impact on his partner and two-month-old baby.

Sources: lancs.live

Abubakr Mahmood

Causing death by dangerous driving

July 12, 2025

Sentence: 12 years and six months imprisonment

Abubakr Mahmood, who never passed a driving test, caused a fatal crash resulting in the death of a beloved mum-of-two. He had a history of dangerous driving incidents, including putting a friend in a coma and fleeing from collisions, despite previous sentences in a young offenders institute.

Had multiple prior driving bans, caused the death of a mum-of-two, and had previous convictions for dangerous driving and related offences.

Sources: lancs.live

Carl Pollit

Burglary

July 10, 2025

Sentence: three years imprisonment

Carl Pollit broke into a property on Chapel Street in Nelson on July 10, 2025, stealing a laptop, mobile phone, camera, and keys. He was caught in the act by police responding to the burglary report.

Wahid Riaz

Sexual assault

July 10, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment and lifelong registration on the Sex Offender’s Register

Wahid Riaz, a 52-year-old taxi driver, picked up a teenage girl in his taxi just after midnight on July 23, 2023, in Burnley, Lancashire. During the journey, he asked her inappropriate questions about her age and relationships, despite her stating she was 14. He parked at the bottom of her street, told her to hug him, kissed her, and sexually assaulted her. The victim recorded the incident on video, reported it to the police, and suffered significant emotional distress, including vomiting and crying herself to sleep.

Pleaded not guilty and was convicted by a jury. Detective described him as a despicable individual with a sordid sexual interest in children.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Qusai Abdalla

Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent

July 9, 2025

Sentence: 12 years and nine months imprisonment

Qusai Abdalla launched a frenzied attack on his friend, stabbing him 20 times in the head, chest, and arm at a property in Ingol, Preston, on September 29, 2024, due to an unpaid £20 debt. The victim, a man in his 40s, managed to stumble to a BP Garage on Tag Lane where he collapsed and was found by members of the public. Police discovered blood at the scene, and Abdalla was arrested at a property in New Rough Hey, Preston, with traces of the victim's blood on his trainers. The attack left the victim with severe physical and mental trauma, including flashbacks, anxiety, and loss of physical fitness.

Pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding. Victim's blood was found on his trainers, and he filmed the aftermath of the attack, sending it to an associate. He admitted to stabbing the victim 20 times over an unpaid £20 debt.

Sources: lancs.live

Alan Forsythe

Benefit Fraud

July 9, 2025

Sentence: 15 weeks imprisonment

Alan Forsythe fraudulently claimed Universal Credit by stating he was living alone and later as a single father, while actually living with his wife and children. He amassed £3,182.70 through false claims between February 2019 and July 2023, and the deception was uncovered through social media posts and DWP investigations.

Confessed to fraudulent activities; already serving a four-year sentence for assault; barrister expressed concern about impact on children.

Sources: examinerlive.co.uk

Jemma Forsythe

Benefit Fraud

July 9, 2025

Sentence: Suspended sentence of 21 months

Jemma Forsythe claimed Universal Credit as a single parent while living with her husband and children, failing to disclose his residence and employment. She obtained £49,007.91 through fraudulent claims between June 2020 and June 2023, and the fraud was exposed via social media and DWP probes; she has since separated from her husband.

Confessed to providing false information; has a previous conviction for failing to notify DWP of changes; ordered to complete rehabilitation activities and a curfew; judge considered the impact on her children.

Sources: examinerlive.co.uk

Steven Westlake

Sexual Assault

July 3, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 6 months imprisonment

Steven Westlake, a 43-year-old from Chorley Old Road in Bolton, groomed and sexually assaulted two young children in Preston, Lancashire. He threatened the victims and breached his existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order. An investigation was launched in February 2025, leading to his arrest and guilty plea.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and two breaches of his existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Police described him as a despicable man who abused children for his own abhorrent sexual desires.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Paul Kelly

Cheating the public revenue

July 1, 2025

Sentence: 7.5 years imprisonment

Paul Kelly, owner of the Ma Kelly's pub chain, defrauded HMRC of £4.9 million by failing to declare profits from alcohol sales at his bars, submitting fraudulent VAT returns, deducting tax and National Insurance from employees' salaries without forwarding it, and withholding information about VAT liabilities over several years. He was arrested at Gatwick Airport in November 2018 and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle with purchases like Rolex watches, a Versace dinner set, Rolls Royce and Bentley cars, and a yacht.

Found guilty after an eight-week trial; refused to pay tax liabilities and engaged in fraudulent activities, including submitting fraudulent VAT returns and withholding information from HMRC.

Sources: lancs.live

Mohammed Alshafi

Attempted Murder

June 30, 2025

Sentence: 30 years imprisonment

Mohammed Alshafi attacked Craig Cardwell in Blackpool on October 2, 2024, after being confronted over allegations that he had assaulted Cardwell's girlfriend, Mary Kate Morrison. During the altercation, Alshafi pulled out a flick knife from his coat pocket and stabbed Cardwell eleven times in a sustained and frenzied attack, causing severe injuries including 11 stab wounds, six broken ribs, a fractured cheek bone, punctured lungs, and a spinal injury. Cardwell required five bags of blood at the scene and was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital, where he suffered ongoing physical and emotional effects, including pain, discomfort, panic attacks, and flashbacks. Alshafi fled the scene on foot, travelled to Birmingham, and then to Ireland, prompting a nationwide and international manhunt before his capture.

Found guilty after a trial of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and assault. The sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes, as noted by Det Con Sally Blair.

Sources: lancs.live

Scott Simpson

Possession with intent to supply a Class A drug

June 28, 2025

Sentence: 30 months imprisonment

Scott Simpson, 29, from Exeter Place, Preston, was spotted acting suspiciously in a black Mercedes on Blackpool Road on December 2. Police stopped the vehicle and found Class A drugs, snap bags, scales, cash, and mobile phones.

Convicted of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, driving without insurance, and driving whilst disqualified. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Sources: lancs.live

Ilir Lelaj

Possession with intent to supply class A drugs

June 27, 2025

Sentence: 32 months imprisonment

Ilir Lelaj was stopped by police on Chancery Road, Chorley, on March 21, 2025, while driving a grey Vauxhall. He provided a false name and had 40 bags of cocaine with an estimated street value of £2,000 hidden in the roof seal of his car, along with £1,000 in cash. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and later admitted to the offence.

Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply. Was acting under direction from others and gave a false name to police. The judge noted his lies aggravated the case.

Sources: lancs.live

Christopher O’Neill

Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

June 27, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Christopher O’Neill was stopped by Lancashire Police on the M6 near Broughton while driving a BMW 320 and ordered to leave the motorway. A search of his car revealed a bag in the boot containing four vacuum-sealed packages of amphetamine, each weighing around 2kg, with an estimated street value of £80,000. He was arrested, charged, and remanded into custody before appearing in court.

Shahzad Syed Haider

Fire Safety Breaches

June 26, 2025

Sentence: 9 months suspended prison sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work, and costs

Shahzad Syed Haider, as director of Smart Auto Parts Ltd, failed to implement proper fire safety measures at their Blackburn premises. This included no suitable fire alarm system, blocked and inadequate escape routes, lack of emergency lighting, absence of staff fire safety training, and no fire risk assessment. These deficiencies contributed to a fire on April 24, 2021, which engulfed the building and resulted in the accidental death of Waqas Quereshi four days later.

Robert Cahill

Rape of a child under 13

June 26, 2025

Sentence: 9 years and 8 months imprisonment, plus 7 years on licence

Robert Cahill, 60, of no fixed abode, preyed on a young boy in Skelmersdale over several years, starting when the boy was six years old. The abuse involved sexual assault and multiple instances of rape. The victim repressed the memories for years before reporting to Lancashire Police, leading to Cahill's arrest and conviction.

Pleaded guilty to sexual assault and four counts of rape of a child under 13. The judge used discretion to add seven years on licence.

Sources: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Sajid Hussain

Perverting the course of justice

June 24, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

Sajid Hussain, a former taxi driver, was caught speeding twice on December 17 and 19, 2022, in the Burnley area. To avoid penalty points on his driving licence, which could have affected his job, he paid £600 to someone to falsify details on forms and produce fake insurance documents, claiming that a non-existent person was the driver. He was caught in his deception and charged with perverting the course of justice.

Pleaded guilty to the offence. Sgt Chris Birchall of Lancashire Constabulary's Safer Roads Unit commented that Hussain thought he could get away with perverting the course of justice and hoped the custodial sentence would allow him to reflect on his actions.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Stephen Godridge

Grooming

June 24, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment

Stephen Godridge perfected a method of grooming teenage girls for sexual activity, leading to his conviction.

Was described in court as a 'sophisticated, predatory paedophile whose intent was to satisfy his predilection for sexual activity with teenage girls' and is challenging the sentence.

Sources: accringtonobserver.co.uk

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