West Cumbria Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 26 verdicts at West Cumbria Magistrates' Court (Allerdale). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Jack Jones

Dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security

August 27, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order with 90 hours of unpaid work, £85 court costs, and £114 victim surcharge

Jack Jones, a self-employed gardener from Risedale Road, Barrow, fraudulently claimed £3,057.93 in Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions between November 9, 2022, and September 8, 2024, by failing to notify changes in his circumstances, including his employment and income. He declared he was unemployed and suffering from depression, but was actually working as a self-employed gardener. He was arrested after failing to attend voluntary interviews and made full admissions during his interview under caution.

Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. In mitigation, he was suffering from depression, had caring responsibilities for his nine-year-old son, and acknowledged he should have updated the DWP about his work.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Robert Gallagher

Possessing a knife and drink driving

August 21, 2024

Sentence: community service (maximum number of unpaid work hours)

Robert Gallagher was caught driving with alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit and was found in possession of a knife in a public place.

Pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and driving a motor vehicle with alcohol above the legal limit.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Peter Penman

Breach of sex offenders register notification requirements

August 18, 2024

Sentence: £200 fine, £85 in court costs, and £180 victim surcharge

Peter Penman, a 34-year-old sex offender with no fixed address, failed to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register. He did not report his address to his offender manager on June 8, and failed to notify police in Barrow that he was of no fixed abode within seven days on both June 18 and June 25. This obligation stemmed from a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a woman on June 20 of the previous year, for which he was jailed for 19 weeks in February and required to register for seven years.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements. Defence highlighted a chaotic lifestyle and living in a tent. Judge warned that non-compliance would lead to further court appearances and accepted he is turning his life around.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Richard Burns

Criminal Damage

August 13, 2024

Sentence: Fined £180 and 15 rehabilitation days as part of a 12-month community order

Richard Burns caused £29,060 worth of damage to appliances and doors at a Sanctuary Housing property on Chatsworth Street in Barrow between August 9, 2023, and August 9, 2024. He was arrested on August 7, 2023, after police seized an orange knuckle duster from his home. The following day, he attempted to escape custody and assaulted two women, including a mental health nurse, by pushing them to the floor. Burns has mental health difficulties and was sectioned for five weeks.

Pleaded guilty to criminal damage, possessing an offensive weapon, assault by beating, and assault by beating of an emergency worker. Defence highlighted mental health issues and first-time offending; magistrates noted reckless behaviour and isolated incidents.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Kristen Downing

Assault by beating

August 7, 2024

Sentence: 120 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order, £200 in compensation, and £114 victim surcharge

On July 5, 2024, Kristen Downing approached a male victim in a residential street in Barrow, pushed him to the floor, punched him in the face multiple times, and verbally abused him by calling him a 'dirty nonce'. The assault was unprovoked and involved some element of misapprehension. The victim sustained bruising to his cheek.

Pleaded guilty to the offence. Has one previous conviction for threatening behaviour in 2008. The assault was described as out of character; he regrets his behaviour and admitted letting his emotions get the better of him. The judge advised him to handle situations differently and not take the law into his own hands.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Jayne Millard

Animal Neglect

August 3, 2024

Sentence: Two-year ban on keeping rabbits, £120 fine, £100 costs, and £48 victim surcharge

Jayne Millard, along with family members, kept 17 rabbits in sub-standard conditions at an allotment in Askam in December 2024. The rabbits were housed in small, dirty cages full of droppings, with poor ventilation, lighting, and inadequate food and water. Some rabbits suffered from untreated medical issues, including dental disease, eye infections, hair loss, sores, and being underweight. The family failed to comply with RSPCA improvement notices and did not seek veterinary care as required.

Pled guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act. Defence mentioned difficulties due to the recent death of their father.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

John Millard

Animal Neglect

August 3, 2024

Sentence: Two-year ban on keeping rabbits, £120 fine, £100 costs, and £48 victim surcharge

John Millard, along with family members, kept 17 rabbits in sub-standard conditions at an allotment in Askam in December 2024. The rabbits were housed in small, dirty cages full of droppings, with poor ventilation, lighting, and inadequate food and water. Some rabbits suffered from untreated medical issues, including dental disease, eye infections, hair loss, sores, and being underweight. The family failed to comply with RSPCA improvement notices and did not seek veterinary care as required.

Pled guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act. Defence mentioned difficulties due to the recent death of their father.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Ryan Millard

Animal Neglect

August 3, 2024

Sentence: Two-year ban on keeping rabbits, £120 fine, £100 costs, and £48 victim surcharge

Ryan Millard, along with family members, kept 17 rabbits in sub-standard conditions at an allotment in Askam in December 2024. The rabbits were housed in small, dirty cages full of droppings, with poor ventilation, lighting, and inadequate food and water. Some rabbits suffered from untreated medical issues, including dental disease, eye infections, hair loss, sores, and being underweight. The family failed to comply with RSPCA improvement notices and did not seek veterinary care as required.

Pled guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act. Defence mentioned difficulties due to the recent death of their father.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Archie Reid

Possession with intent to supply cannabis

July 31, 2024

Sentence: 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation requirement days, plus £85 in court costs and £114 victim surcharge

Archie Reid was stopped by police in a Kendal park on February 16, 2023, nine days before his 18th birthday, where officers found nine snap bags of cannabis, two mobile phones, and £350 in cash on him. A subsequent search of his property uncovered seven more wraps of cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and £2,010 in cash. The total value of the drugs seized was £380. He claimed in interview that some of the money was for his father and the rest from legitimate employment, but he admitted to involvement in supplying to settle debts.

Pleaded guilty to the offense. Was self-medicating with cannabis and became involved in small-scale supplying to pay off debts. Described as a young man who was 17 at the time and could benefit from supervision and intervention.

Sources: thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk

Shannon Macadie

Drink driving

July 30, 2024

Sentence: Banned for more than two years

Shannon Macadie was caught driving a Hyundai with alcohol levels nearly three times over the legal limit, leading to her sentencing.

Robert Weightman

Failing to provide a specimen

July 23, 2024

Sentence: 11 months imprisonment and 20 months driving disqualification

Robert Weightman, previously convicted of sexual assault on April 19, 2024, where he inappropriately touched a woman, was given a 12-week suspended sentence on May 20, 2024. He breached this by failing to provide a breath sample after causing a road traffic accident on June 22, 2024, in Barrow, where he fled the scene, was located at Barrow train station with signs of intoxication, and refused to provide a sample in custody. This led to the activation of his sentence.

Breached a suspended sentence for sexual assault by failing to provide a breath sample; pleaded that it was a difficult evening and he was self-employed with children, but the court noted superficial engagement with the order and activated part of the sentence; also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Charley Currie

Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order

July 19, 2024

Sentence: 9 months imprisonment, £85 costs, and £167 victim surcharge

Charley Currie approached an eight-year-old girl at a play park on April 8, 2024, causing her to feel terrified and flee to a friend's house. Despite being released on bail with conditions not to visit children's playgrounds, he approached two other young girls at a park on June 23, 2024, after school, gesturing for them to be quiet, which terrified them. He was identified via social media and has a prior conviction for exposure in 2021. His actions breached an interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed due to concerns about his behaviour.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching an interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order. In mitigation, the defendant has autism, dyspraxia, and a difficult background including time in care and recent bereavement. The court determined the offences were so serious that only immediate custody would suffice for public protection.

Sources: thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk

Philip Alun Powell

Breaching disqualification order

July 16, 2024

Sentence: £120 fine, £85 costs, and £48 victim surcharge

Philip Alun Powell breached a 10-year disqualification order from keeping domestic animals, which was imposed in December 2017 by Mold Magistrates’ Court for previously throwing a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy down a corridor, causing it to crash into a door, and kicking the dog after it made a mess. On March 27, 2024, police attended a property in Burnaby Street, Barrow, for unrelated matters and found him in unsupervised custody of various cats and dogs, with no evidence of harm to the animals.

In mitigation, his lawyer stated that the animals belonged to his partner, he was not looking after them, and there was no suggestion of ill treatment. This was his first conviction for breaching the order. He was in custody awaiting sentence for other matters.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

David Graham Crawford

Speeding

July 11, 2024

Sentence: Fined £60 and endorsed with three penalty points, plus £200 in court costs and a £24 victim surcharge

David Graham Crawford was caught speeding in excess of 30 mph on Ironworks Road in Barrow on September 18, 2024, while driving a Citroen. He pleaded not guilty at court and was subsequently convicted.

Geoffrey Dodd

Causing serious injury by careless driving

July 2, 2024

Sentence: 12-month driving ban, 200 hours of unpaid work, 12-month community order, £85 in court costs, and £114 victim surcharge

Geoffrey Dodd was driving on Michaelson Road Bridge in Barrow on January 29, 2024, when he became severely distracted while adjusting his new glasses. This caused him to collide with a motorcyclist who was stopped at a red light. The victim suffered fractures to his spine and elbow, as well as soft tissue damage to his shoulder, leading to horrendous pain, a three-day hospital stay, and a recovery period of up to six months. The victim was unable to work until May 18, 2024, and experienced emotional distress.

Pled guilty to the offense. In mitigation, his lawyer noted he was distracted by new glasses and was not driving dangerously. The judge advised him to behave differently when driving next time.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Liam Christian

Assault by beating of an emergency worker

June 25, 2024

Sentence: 12 weeks imprisonment

Liam Christian was involved in an incident in Kendal where he punched out towards a car window, causing approximately £200 in damage, and also punched towards another stranger's car. Police attended his home to arrest him, during which he kicked an officer, causing pain and discomfort, and threatened to spit at the officer while in custody. The events were reported after the initial damage, leading to his arrest and court appearance.

Pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker, criminal damage, and attempted criminal damage. Has 21 previous offences, including violence and damages to property. The court stated they could not see any other alternative due to his record and lack of engagement with probation.

Sources: thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk

David Watson

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

June 10, 2024

Sentence: Imprisonment

David Watson threw a plastic bottle of laundry softener at a police officer, causing a large hematoma to the officer's head during an abusive incident.

Pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm; described as behaving in an 'extremely reckless manner'.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Thomas Drewery

Drug driving

June 5, 2024

Sentence: Unpaid work and driving disqualification

Thomas Drewery drove his Volkswagen Crafter while having Benzoylecgonine, a by-product of cocaine, over the legal limit in his system, leading to his sentencing.

Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to driving with Benzoylecgonine over the specified limit.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Jane Jones

Causing serious injury by careless driving

June 4, 2024

Sentence: Fine of over £1,000

Jane Jones caused serious injury to a woman through careless driving, as determined in court.

Lynne Granville

Failing to provide a specimen of breath

May 30, 2024

Sentence: Driving ban

Lynne Granville failed to provide a breath specimen for analysis on May 30, 2024, following an alert from supermarket staff, leading to her disqualification from driving.

Admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis after being alerted by supermarket staff.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Matthew Holland

Burglary

May 29, 2024

Sentence: Imprisonment

Matthew Holland entered a complainant’s garage as a trespasser and stole cans of alcohol and a board game, as captured on Ring doorbell footage.

Reece Robertson

Breaching disqualification under the Animal Welfare Act

June 23, 2023

Sentence: 13 weeks imprisonment and £1,000 in costs

Reece Robertson, of Cook Road, Millom, illegally advertised two-week-old terrier puppies for sale on Facebook despite a 10-year ban on controlling animals, imposed in April of the previous year. On May 3, police found a terrier bitch, another dog, and six puppies in poor conditions at his property, including in a cupboard under the stairs and in kennels with faeces build-up. The dogs were seized, and the total cost to authorities was £13,896. Robertson also had a small amount of cannabis for personal use. Previous investigations revealed multiple dogs in his care suffering from untreated injuries and inadequate living conditions at his home and an allotment.

Pleaded guilty to breaching a disqualification under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Mitigation included family health issues and seeking employment. Prior convictions for animal cruelty offences were considered.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Callum Thompson

Breach of stalking protection order

May 13, 2023

Sentence: 4 months imprisonment

Callum Thompson provided information to a stalking protection order that he knew to be false and gave a false address to police on April 15, 2023, which breached the order while he was on bail and licence.

For providing false information to a stalking protection order while on bail and licence for other matters. Has 20 previous convictions, and the breach was deemed deliberate.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Bahruz Alyasi

Selling counterfeit cigarettes

August 18, 2022

Sentence: 80 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order, £1,000 costs, and £95 victim surcharge

Bahruz Alyasi, as the owner of European Food Store on Dalton Road in Barrow, was involved in selling counterfeit and illicit cigarettes, including brands like Richmond and Marlborough Gold, which lacked required health warnings and proper duty payments. A test purchase on November 16, 2021, uncovered these illegal products in a well-stocked cupboard. He took over the store in August 2021 from Haywa Ahmedi Mohamed and sold these items to underage children and vulnerable people, indicating an organised network.

Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, no previous convictions, and maintained he purchased goods through a legitimate source; judge noted his significant role in an organised network.

Sources: nwemail.co.uk

Jack Stevenson-Grier

Assault

January 1, 0001

Sentence: Imprisonment

Jack Stevenson-Grier entered Megan & Kids newsagents on Buccleuch Street in Barrow armed with a metal letter box and attacked a shopkeeper on duty.

Joshua Huyton

Being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog

January 1, 0001

Sentence: Imprisonment

Joshua Huyton was in charge of a dangerously out-of-control Belgian Malinois that bit a tourist in Ambleside, requiring the tourist to get a tetanus injection.

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