Sefton Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

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.

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.