Sefton Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Neil McCann, a 58-year-old private landlord from Windermere Road, Hightown, rented out four flats at a property on Alexandra Road 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 13-year-old West Highland terrier Buddy, biting its head and causing fatal injuries. The dog also bit Buddy's owner, 72-year-old Terry Hunton, on the leg during Terry's attempt to intervene. Buddy suffered severe wounds, was hospitalized, and died from a heart attack the following day.

Abigail Alty, a 31-year-old housing manager, had been drinking wine with friends when she received a work call asking her to do an extra shift. Despite being over the legal alcohol limit, she decided to drive home in her Fiat 600 around 2am on May 17, 2025. She overtook a police car and struggled with lane discipline on Liverpool Road, Crosby. Police stopped her, and a breath test at the station showed 68 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms. She claimed she had stopped drinking for up to two hours before driving but panicked and failed to provide a roadside sample initially.

On April 8, 2025, Kyle Richardson wilfully rode a pedal cycle upon a footpath or causeway by the side of a road, namely Grange Road, Birkenhead, which was made or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers.

PC Sam Clarke assaulted a 16-year-old boy in custody at Runcorn Custody Suite on October 25, 2024. The boy, who has learning difficulties and ADHD and was involved in county lines drug transportation, had been arrested for possession of a bladed article. While handcuffed in the holding cell, he made a homophobic slur towards the officer, prompting PC Clarke to enter the cell, pull him from his seat, drag him to the ground, and smash his head against the floor. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Joel Groves assaulted and headbutted a woman on Barrow Street in St Helens town centre on June 2, 2024, causing her actual bodily harm. He was initially detained for breaching bail conditions but was sentenced for the assault charges after pleading guilty.

On May 13, Gareth Archer drove a grey Renault Captur in St Helens while disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence. He also failed to cooperate with a preliminary breath test and obstructed a police officer in the execution of his duty.

Madeleine Wardale assaulted Jack Canner at The Swan Hotel in Oxton on December 13, 2024.

James Nodwell was in possession of a pocket knife with a blade exceeding 7.62 cm in a public place in St Helens on September 6, 2024, and possessed silver scissors in Whiston on April 13, 2024.