Preston Crown Court Sentencing Results

Andrew Thomson, 53, from Bawdlands in Clitheroe, Lancashire, was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for committing a series of sexual offences against young boys. The charges included attempted rape and inciting sexual activity, stemming from a prolonged period of abuse uncovered by Lancashire Police investigations. Court documents revealed that Thomson targeted multiple young victims, exploiting his position of trust to carry out the assaults. The offences spanned several years, with evidence including victim testimonies and forensic analysis that corroborated the accounts of abuse. Thomson's actions caused significant trauma to the boys involved, who bravely came forward to assist the police. In July 2025, at a hearing in Preston Crown Court, Thomson was convicted on all counts after a trial that highlighted the devastating impact of his crimes on the community in Clitheroe. The prosecution argued that the severity and repetition of the offences warranted a substantial custodial sentence to reflect the harm inflicted and to protect the public from further danger. Lancashire Police commended the courage of the victims and stressed the importance of reporting such crimes. This case is part of broader efforts in the county to address historical and ongoing child sex offences, ensuring perpetrators face the full force of the law.

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.

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.