Preston Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Ahmet Hilal admitted a single charge of harassment against a Member of Parliament between June 6 and July 14, earlier this year. The offending involved a sustained barrage of threats, including threats of physical assault, sexual assault and rape, which caused fear and anxiety for the victim and the victim's family.

Henry John Beaney kept 52 chickens in poor conditions at a stable yard in Lytham St Annes. On May 12, 2025, RSPCA and police executed a warrant and found a large bird-keeping set-up with makeshift runs, smaller pens, and filthy, rusty dog crates. Two fighting pits were found, and many cockerels had been dubbed. Supplements and medication used to enhance fighting performance were removed, along with messages relating to the buying and selling of gaffs. A vet found some birds suffering from lice and one cockerel with untreated foot lesions.

Andrew David Mellin was arrested after a paedophile vigilante group livestreamed a sting at his home on February 24, 2024. He was accused of grooming and sending sexually explicit images to a child under 16 online. He was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child under 16.

Michelle Batty kept four dogs in squalid conditions at her home in Preston, where an RSPCA inspector and police found floors covered in urine and faeces. Three of the dogs had overgrown nails that had curled into their foot pads, causing open wounds, and other health problems; those three were later put to sleep because of their poor condition. Batty admitted she had not taken the dogs to a vet. A fourth dog was found in relatively good health and was later rehomed.

Michael Moran, 47, from Derby Road, Longridge, breached a 2024 Criminal Behaviour Order prohibiting entry to Fishergate, Church Street, and Friargate areas of Preston city centre, following prior convictions for knife and theft offences.

Zubeir Mister, as director of 107 Penny Street Ltd, was involved in unauthorised internal and external works to the Grade II-listed former Revolution bar and Alexandra Hotel building on Penny Street, Lancaster, without the necessary planning permissions or listed building consent. This breached a Listed Building Enforcement Notice previously served on the property. The works affected the character of the historic building.

On November 1, 2024, Mac Blackham and others trespassed on land in the area of Scarisbrick, with intent to search for or pursue hares using dogs. They were equipped for hunting a wild mammal and entered the land as trespassers at night. Following a 999 call, police detained them with lurcher dogs, leading to their guilty verdict.

On November 1, 2024, Joseph Hodgson and others trespassed on land in the area of Scarisbrick, with intent to search for or pursue hares using dogs. They were equipped for hunting a wild mammal and entered the land as trespassers at night. Following a 999 call, police detained them with lurcher dogs, leading to their guilty verdict.

On November 1, 2024, Ben Blackham and others trespassed on land in the area of Wyke Lane, Scarisbrick, with intent to search for or pursue hares using dogs. They were equipped for hunting a wild mammal and entered the land as trespassers at night. Following a 999 call, police detained them with lurcher dogs, leading to their guilty verdict.

Edward Colin Hendry, a former professional footballer, harassed a former partner for over six weeks after their relationship ended. He sent messages from multiple email accounts, used No Caller ID to call her after she blocked his number, sent dozens of emails and contacted her via LinkedIn. He also visited her home with unwanted gifts and flowers after she said she no longer wanted contact. The victim reported feeling depressed and anxious and was afraid to leave her home for fear of an unannounced visit.

Colin Hendry, a former footballer, harassed his ex-partner for over six months after their relationship ended by sending messages from multiple email accounts, calling with no caller ID, and showing up at her home with unwanted gifts and flowers. This behaviour caused the victim to feel depressed, anxious, and unable to leave her house without fear.

Liam Hendry, 35, of no fixed address, regularly stole from shops in Accrington, committing a total of 21 shoplifting offences and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order four times, despite previous court orders.

Andrew Ritchie was seen acting suspiciously on Bannister Drive in Leyland on June 12, 2025. Officers from Leyland's Neighbourhood Policing Team detained him during a routine patrol under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, discovered a kitchen knife in his pocket, arrested him, and charged him with possession of a knife. He appeared in court and was sentenced following his guilty plea.

Anthony Nurse kicked a group of gulls on Springfield Road in Blackpool in December, trapping one underfoot and stamping on it three times. The bird later died from its injuries. CCTV footage of the attack was passed to the RSPCA, and Nurse was identified as the attacker.

Connor Terence William Durkin drove a vehicle in Burnley over the 30mph limit. His licence was endorsed with three points. A related charge of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver was withdrawn.

Ed Matthews, a 24-year-old streamer and 'manosphere' influencer, made lewd comments to a female staff member at a supermarket in Lancaster on the evening of March 2. He and four other men surrounded the woman, who had her arm in a sling due to a shoulder injury, leaving her feeling trapped. Matthews asked her about Yorkshire puddings and 'whether she liked English wood', which she understood to mean penis, and continued making inappropriate remarks.

Christopher Mark Seed failed to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle who was alleged to have been guilty of an offence. The case was proved in his absence after a not guilty plea.

George Moss pleaded guilty to possessing and making indecent images of a child. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Henry Beaney was convicted of animal welfare offences linked to an organised cockfighting ring in Lytham. In May 2025, officers attended a site in Lytham with the RSPCA and uncovered makeshift fighting pits. Blood splatters found at the scene were confirmed to be from cockerels. A total of 27 cockerels were seized from small, unkempt crates; many had been dubbed for fighting and required medical attention. Police also seized supplements and medication used to enhance the birds' performance. Messages recovered from Beaney's phone referred to the buying and selling of 'gaffs' — blades attached to cockerels during fights to inflict further damage.