Sefton Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Neil McCann, a 58-year-old private landlord from Hightown, rented out four flats at a property in Crosby. Following a tenant complaint in October 2023, Sefton Council inspected the property and served a schedule of works. A further inspection in October 2024 revealed no improvements and deterioration, including no working smoke detectors, no fixed heating, no electrical supply to one flat, no front door, lack of fire protection, excess cold, structural collapse risks, damp, and mould. An improvement notice was served requiring works to start by November 8, 2024, and complete by January 8, 2025. On January 28, 2025, re-inspection found non-compliance and a tenant still in a prohibited flat, leading to an emergency prohibition order. McCann failed to vacate the tenant, resulting in prosecution.

On June 11, 2025, Callum Brown's brown Staffordshire cross dog Nala, tied to a railing outside Tesco Extra in Bidston, was released and attacked the 13-year-old West Highland terrier, biting its head and causing fatal injuries. The dog also bit the terrier's owner, a 72-year-old, on the leg during the owner's attempt to intervene. The terrier suffered severe wounds, was hospitalized, and died from a heart attack the following day.