Wirral Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Ethan Kearney intentionally exposed his genitals in Wirral on 9 April, intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress. He appeared for sentencing on 21 October after earlier pleading guilty to an offence of exposure.

Jamie Blackburn downloaded 272 indecent photographs of children over a two-year period from February 2024 to February 2026. The images included 61 Category A images, the most serious category, 23 Category B images and 188 Category C images. He also possessed 13 prohibited images of children. He appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court for sentencing and received a suspended prison sentence.

Ian Clarke imported an illegal extendable baton from China, intercepted by Royal Mail staff in a Berkshire depot on 8 April. He initially told police the baton was for protection, but later told the court he intended to use it as a walking stick and did not know it was prohibited. Extendable batons are banned under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, and importing similar items is illegal under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. He had no previous convictions and was dealt with by way of a financial penalty.

Peter Croft stole laundry products worth £282.96 from The Range on 30 July, laundry products worth £132.27 from The Range on 6 August, meat products worth £32 from Tesco on 14 August, and cosmetic products of unknown value from Boots on 17 August, with a total value of £415. He was already serving a suspended sentence for possessing a knife while in prison and had been released on 7 July. He represented himself and said he had been homeless, stealing food and laundry products to survive after probation failed to find him housing. His 12-month suspended sentence was activated and he received three months for each of the four shoplifting offences, to run concurrently.

Gary Upton carried a kitchen knife around a recreational space at Pembroke Court in Tranmere on 18 March 2026. He admitted possessing a knife blade or sharp-pointed article in a public place and was sentenced to a suspended prison term with alcohol treatment and rehabilitation requirements.

Adam Evans, a landlord, failed to ensure annual gas safety checks were carried out at a rented property in Wirral for a period of eight years. The tenant, who lived at the property with her five children, had been there since 2016 and reported that no annual gas safety checks had been carried out during her tenancy. An HSE investigation began in October 2024 after a concern was received from Wirral council. Evans provided a gas safety certificate dated November 2024 completed after the concern was raised, but could not supply records covering the previous eight years.

Philip Thomas received videos on his phone showing his dog walker performing a sex act on his Patterdale Terrier, Buddy. His partner contacted police after he received the videos. Thomas said he had no prior knowledge of the incident and admitted forwarding the images. He was also convicted in his absence of handling stolen goods after being seen covering up motorcycles. The court was told he was remorseful and the dog was removed from his care.