Dozens of people have appeared before magistrates accused of committing various crimes across East Lancashire.
From illegally demolishing a Grade II listed pub, to going on thieving sprees, from racially aggravated verbal abuse to horrific domestic violence - some offenders have been let off with a slap on the wrist, some have been jailed, while others await their fate.
Here's a round up of the cases we covered in the county's magistrates' courts last month.
Five people guilty of illegally demolishing Punch Bowl Inn
Five people illegally demolished the Grade-II listed pub the Punch Bowl Inn, a judge has decided.
A trial at Burnley Magistrates Court found that Andrew Donelan, 60, Nicola Donelan, 58, and Rebecca Donelan, 28, all of Carr Hall, Whalley New Road, Wilpshire, David Cotterell, 57, of Percliff Way, Philips Road, Blackburn, and Brian Ingleby, 69, unlawfully demolished the pub in Longridge Road, Hurst Green.
Ribble Valley Borough Council, which brought the case to court, said the pub, which was Grade II listed, was razed to the ground unlawfully on June 15, 2021.
Full story here: Five people guilty of illegally demolishing Punch Bowl Inn
Blackburn man accused of stabbing mother and sister in cigarettes row
A man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with stabbing his mother and sister during a row over cigarettes.
Khavar Najim, 35, of Pleckfarm Avenue, Blackburn, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court on charges of wounding his mother, Musarat Naimi, and sister, Zanub Naimi, with intent to cause them both grievous bodily harm.
Graeme Tindall, prosecuting, said Mrs Naimi received a stab wound to the neck and was in hospital but her wounds were not life threatening.
When her daughter tried to assist her mother she received a stab wound to the shoulder and one to the arm.
Full story here: Blackburn man accused of stabbing mother and sister in cigarettes row
Shopkeeper’s race hate tirade for Darwen mum
A shopkeeper reacted angrily when a young mum came into his premises and complained that he had sold her 13 year old daughter an e-cigarette, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how Majid Younis grabbed the woman by the throat and spat on her.
He then refused to let her leave his shop, the Premier Darwen Mini Market in Blackburn Road, Darwen, and subjected her to vile racist abuse.
He said he was going to get the boys over to sort out the "silly white b**ch" who was in his shop.
Full story here: Shopkeeper’s race hate tirade for Darwen mum
Shocked cafe-goers saw drug-taker drop shorts and shout at staff
A man who admitted he had been taking ketamine kicked off at an Accrington cafe.
Blackburn magistrates heard Thomas Smith's behaviour upset staff and customers at the eatery.
Smith, 21, of Audley Range, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour at Bulloughs Cafe, Scaitcliffe Street, Accrington.
Full story here: Shocked cafe-goers saw drug-taker drop shorts and shout at staff
'Angry' driver hit 166mph in BMW on M65 near Blackburn
A BMW driver who reached 166 mph on the M65 motorway admitted he was angry with another motorist, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard that on the 5.6 mile stretch between Junction 4 and Junction 2, Mohammed Khawaja averaged 147.65 mph, more than double the national speed limit.
The police officer who eventually pulled him over in his BMW M140 said initially he appeared to be racing with an Audi.
Khawaja, 33, of Somerset Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Full story here: 'Angry' driver hit 166mph in BMW on M65 near Blackburn
Thug attacked partner who was weak from Caesarean section surgery
A man launched a brutal attack on his partner who was still weak after undergoing an emergency C-section just two weeks earlier.
Blackburn magistrates heard Kane Hunter complained about having to look after their baby even though his partner was not strong enough to pick the child up.
He then started shouting about having to do all the housework and look after her four year old daughter which scared the young girl and she started crying.
Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, told the court the victim left her own house and went into the back yard to try and de-escalate the situation.
Full story here: Thug attacked partner who was weak from Caesarean section surgery
Pleasington sex offender had illegal Snapchat account
A convicted sex offender failed to tell police about a snapchat account under the name "thebadboi96" as he was required to as part of the Sex Offender Register requirements.
Blackburn magistrates heard Jonathon Norton had been using the app for more than five months when police discovered it during a routine compliance visit.
Norton, 36, of Old Hall Lane, Pleasington, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements.
Full story here: Pleasington sex offender had illegal Snapchat account
Ex-inmate back in jail for fresh theft spree
A woman who was released early from prison on a home curfew went on a spree of offending similar to the one which had put her behind bars.
Blackburn magistrates heard Amy Barnes committed seven theft offences at a Nelson shop and each one of them put her in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Barnes, 26, of Newfield Drive, Nelson, pleaded guilty to six charges of theft and one of attempted theft from the One Stop Shop, Netherfield Road, and seven breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Full story: Ex-inmate back in jail for fresh theft spree
Cllr Hussain Akhtar accused of dumping waste in Witton Park bonfire
A Blackburn councillor is to appear in court next year charged with illegal fly tipping at a bonfire in a town park.
Councillor Hussain Akhtar, who represents the Shear Brow and Corporation Park ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council will stand trial at Burnley Magistrates' Court on January 3.
The 75-year-old, of Shear Bank Road, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to causing the deposition without an environmental permit of controlled waste in/on land, in relation to an incident which dates back to November 4, 2021, the day before last year's Bonfire Night celebrations.
It is alleged on this date Cllr Akhtar dumped waste, which included wood, metal, glass, electrical items and general building works waste at Witton Park in Blackburn.
Full story here: Cllr Hussain Akhtar accused of dumping waste in Witton Park bonfire
Two men jailed following Burnley town centre burglary
Two men have been jailed following a town centre burglary.
In the early hours of November 30, officers, along with police dogs, responded to reports of intruders breaking into a premises in Burnley town centre.
With the help of PD Bodie, who entered the shop, the two men were detained after PD Bodie flashed them his beautiful set of pearly whites.
Full story here: Two men jailed following Burnley town centre burglary
Four hurt in East Lancs support worker drink-drive quiz
A woman who assaulted four police officers woke up in a cell the following morning and realised her life had turned upside down.
Blackburn magistrates heard family support worker Hayley Massey was worried about losing her good name, worried about the shame for her family and worried about losing her job.
Massey, 33, of Whalley Road, Ramsbottom, pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting an emergency worker.
Full story here: Four hurt in East Lancs support worker drink-drive quiz
Drunk kicked off with staff outside Blackburn Cathedral
A drunk who fell asleep on a bench outside Blackburn Cathedral kicked off with cathedral staff who roused him.
Blackburn magistrates heard Paul Proctor became extremely aggressive when police arrived and intervened.
Proctor, 46, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, admitted to being drunk and disorderly and engaging in verbally abusive behaviour and offering violence while in a religious establishment.
Full story here: Drunk kicked off with staff outside Blackburn Cathedral
Blackburn ex-squaddie’s drink drive crash shame on Remembrance Day
A former soldier who met up with other veterans on Remembrance Day crashed his car as he drove home from the pub.
Blackburn magistrates' court heard Jason Pye described his decision to get behind the wheel as the "worst of his life."
Pye, 50, of Garner Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £150 with £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 17 months.
Sameena Chaudhry, prosecuting, said the car drove by Pye had hit a lamp post on Jack Walker Way and flipped onto its roof. Pye later gave a breathalyser reading of 68 against the legal limit of 35.
Full story here: Blackburn ex-squaddie’s drink drive crash shame on Remembrance Day
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