Sefton Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 14 verdicts at Sefton Magistrates' Court (Bootle). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

January 2026 3 cases

Alexandra Power

Perverting the course of justice *

Sentence

2 years imprisonment

Alexandra Power, an administrative officer at South Sefton Magistrates' Court, accessed confidential information about 25 search warrants planned by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) targeting serious drug and firearm offenses. She sent details to her drug dealer, Thomas Roberts, who passed it to principal target Kane Omar. Omar was found with a screenshot of the warrant list and a photo of a post-it note with his name on his phone. The leak rendered the warrants completely unusable as targets removed incriminating material.

Abused position to access confidential information about 25 search warrants and shared with drug dealer Thomas Roberts. Accessed warrants email nearly 100 times over two days. Defence argued she was pressured and coerced due to drug debt and struggling with cocaine and alcohol addiction following father's death. Judge noted she also shared court gossip with friends and family.

24 Jan 2026

Nimalarajah Mathiyadaranam

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years

Nimalarajah Mathiyadaranam murdered his estranged partner Nilani Nimalarajah by stabbing her 18 times. Chilling footage showed him on a bus and at an Asda self-checkout before the murder. A raw account of her death given by their teenage daughter was key evidence that led to his confession.

Exposure charge dropped. Killer confessed after hearing distressing evidence from his teenage daughter.

23 Jan 2026

Sean Ryan

Common Assault *

Sentence

three-year football banning order, 120 hours unpaid work, £250 compensation plus court costs

Sean Ryan, 21, from Old Swan, launched an unprovoked attack by punching a 13-year-old boy in the face at Southport Stadium during the Southport FC v Radcliffe FC game on September 16, 2025. The incident occurred after Southport FC's win in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, as Ryan walked past The Jack Carr stand. The victim, a Radcliffe supporter, suffered soreness and was very distressed. Ryan was detained by stadium staff immediately after the assault.

Pleaded guilty to common assault. Unprovoked attack on a 13-year-old boy at a football match.

15 Jan 2026

November 2025 1 case

Neil Mccann

Breach of improvement notice and prohibition notice *

Sentence

£7,000 fine for breach of improvement notice, £7,000 fine for breaching prohibition notice, and ordered to pay legal costs

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.

Pleaded guilty to exposing tenants to the risk of serious harm. Magistrate acknowledged difficulty with one tenant but emphasized statutory duties. In mitigation, works had started and in some cases completed at the property.

25 Nov 2025

October 2025 1 case

Callum Brown

Allowing dog to be dangerously out of control *

Sentence

17 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 120 hours unpaid work, 20 days rehabilitation

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.

Destruction order made for the dog Nala; owner has 21 days to appeal.

23 Oct 2025

June 2025 1 case

Abigail Alty

Drink driving *

Sentence

Fined £415 and banned from driving for 17 months, plus £166 in costs and surcharge

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.

Pleaded guilty, receiving a one-third sentence reduction for early plea. Previous good character and cooperation with police were considered. Offered a drink drive awareness course, which could reduce the ban by a quarter.

17 Jun 2025

April 2025 1 case

Kyle Richardson

Riding a pedal cycle on a footpath *

Sentence

Fined £40, costs of £110, and victim surcharge of £16

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.

Pleaded guilty to riding a pedal cycle on a footpath.

8 Apr 2025

December 2024 1 case

Ryan Kimber

Theft *

Sentence

two-year criminal behaviour order

Ryan Kimber, 34, of no fixed abode, committed five thefts from motor vehicles in Liverpool city centre and Vauxhall, causing misery and financial loss to victims by stealing valuables and damaging vehicles during a spree of offending.

Pleaded guilty to theft. Banned from entering a specified area in Liverpool city centre bounded by Vauxhall Road, Pall Mall, Tithebarn Street, Kingsway, Byrom Street, Great Crosshall Street and Scotland Road. Also banned from entering any Home Bargains, Marks and Spencer, or Tesco store and must not enter any car park or touch any vehicle without permission in Merseyside.

22 Dec 2024

October 2024 1 case

Pc Sam Clarke

Assault *

Sentence

18 month community order, 200 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation activity, £300 compensation

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.

Found guilty of assault after trial. Pleaded guilty to gross misconduct at hearing. Given final written warning due to exceptional circumstances including remorse and previous good behaviour.

29 Oct 2024

July 2024 2 cases

Joel Groves

Assault causing actual bodily harm *

Sentence

24 weeks imprisonment for assault causing actual bodily harm, and 4 weeks for assault (concurrent)

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.

Pleaded guilty. Also given a restraining order prohibiting him from entering Barrow Street and contacting two women for two years.

24 Jul 2024

Gareth Archer

Driving while disqualified *

Sentence

12-month community order, nine-month alcohol treatment programme, 60 hours of unpaid work, 30 months driving disqualification, £85 fee, and £114 surcharge

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.

Pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, failing to cooperate with a preliminary breath test, and obstructing a police officer. Aged 34.

3 Jul 2024

June 2024 1 case

Madeleine Wardale

Common Assault *

Sentence

Fined £180, ordered to pay £50 compensation, £300 costs, and a victim surcharge of £72

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

Denied the offence but was found guilty following a trial.

30 Jun 2024

April 2024 1 case

James Nodwell

Possession of a knife in a public place *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment

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.

Pleaded guilty to the charges. Offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified due to offending history and risk to self and others. Pocket knife and scissors to be forfeited and destroyed.

22 Apr 2024

February 2024 1 case

Joel Barwise

Using threatening, abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress *

Sentence

Fined £500 and 3-year football banning order

Joel Barwise, 26, of Bentham Drive in Childwall, Liverpool, made pushing gestures towards Liverpool fans at the Anfield ground on 21 October 2023 during a derby match against Everton, taunting them about the Heysel Stadium disaster in May 1985 where 39 Juventus fans were crushed. He was also spotted shouting racist abuse when Liverpool player Mo Salah’s name was announced. The incidents were reported by a steward, and Merseyside Police identified him from CCTV footage. He was arrested, initially denied responsibility but admitted it upon viewing the footage, stating he was an idiot and knew his actions were offensive.

Pleaded guilty. Fine increased to reflect racial aggravation.

13 Feb 2024

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

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29 Merton Rd, Bootle L20 3XX, Bootle, L20 3XX, United Kingdom

+441519336999

www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk

Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

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About Sefton Magistrates' Court

Sefton Magistrates' Court, located in Bootle, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 14 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Bootle area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at 29 Merton Rd, Bootle L20 3XX, L20 3XX.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441519336999 or visit the official court website for further information.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.