From a dad feeding his kids magic mushrooms, to a woman convicted of being in charge of a dangerous dog - these are just two of the multiple offenders who appeared before magistrates last month.
As well as thieves, drug addicts and dangerous drivers, there were a handful of assault offenders, perverts and people being charged with harassment.
Here, we've provided you with a comprehensive round up of all the criminals before the lower courts in July.
Burnley dad fed magic mushroom brownies to his children
A district judge has condemned a man who fed his three children chocolate brownies laced with magic mushrooms.
Blackburn magistrates heard the children’s mother described them as going “loopy” and “bouncing off wall” after ingesting the hallucinogenic drug.
The children, aged 14, 12 and 9 were eventually taken to hospital where they were detained until they came down from the involuntary drug use.
The court was told urine tests showed the children also had traces of cannabis in their systems which was the result of passive smoking in the home.
Full story here: Burnley dad fed magic mushroom brownies to his children
Blackburn: Prolific thief and drug addict is jailed
A drug addict who repeatedly stole to fund his habit was described as "his own worst enemy."
Blackburn magistrates heard Shaun Clark repeatedly failed to comply with the probation service who were trying to help him.
His latest "snub" resulted in him losing a residential rehab placement with the Thomas Project.
"He failed to turn up for an appointment and the bed at the Thomas Project has now been given to someone else," said Tracey Harris, for the probation service.
Full story here: Blackburn: Prolific thief and drug addict is jailed
Childminder appears in dock over Burnley baby 'murder'
A woman has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with the murder of a 10-month-old baby.
Karen Foster, who was working as a childminder at the time, was also charged with assaulting a three year old child causing her actual bodily harm.
Foster, of Walden Grove, Burnley, is charged with the murder of Harlow Collinge on March 5 2022 and assaulting the other child causing actual bodily harm on March 22, 2022.
Full story here: Childminder appears in dock over Burnley baby 'murder'
Gisburne Park boss in minimum wage fine over estate worker
The owner of a Ribble Valley country estate breached minimum wage regulations by overcharging a maintenance worker for the rent on his cottage, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told the offence had initially been dealt with by the taxman, who ordered Guy Reginald Hindley and Gisburne Park Estate to pay the employee £1,718.
The court was told after that had been done Paul Stewart was called to an "informal" meeting with Hindley and his finance manager, during which he was told he had to pay the money back.
Full story here: Gisburne Park boss in minimum wage fine over estate worker
Owner of danger dog which mauled Blackburn woman avoids jail
The owner of a Mastiff dog which mauled a 60-year-old woman, leaving her with life-changing injuries, has been made subject to a suspended prison sentence.
Imposing the sentence District Judge Alexandra Preston said she had suspended the sentence having considered the fact Ashiya Hussain was the sole carer for her five children.
She said she had also taken into account that Hussain walked away from the stricken woman, Donna Omrod, without speaking to her, pleaded not guilty and forced the victim to give evidence at trial and was still refusing to accept responsibility as she planned to appeal against conviction.
Full story here: Owner of danger dog which mauled Blackburn woman avoids jail
Drug driver tells Blackburn court 'my life is ruined'
A man facing sentence for two offences related to drug driving said they had “wrecked” his life.
Blackburn magistrates heard Michael David Moir twice refused to provide a specimen of blood for laboratory testing.
On one occasion police were reacting to a report of a possible drug driver.
On the second occasion he was found to be in possession of a small quantity of cannabis.
Full story here: Drug driver tells Blackburn court 'my life is ruined'
Blackburn: Banned motorist spotted driving erratically
Police stopped a motorist after seeing him speeding and undertaking other vehicles on Barbara Castle Way in Blackburn town centre.
The town’s magistrates heard a Police National Computer check revealed that Catalin Patrascu was a disqualified driver.
Patrascu, 20, of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Susheela Regala, prosecuting, said police travelling down Larkhill saw an Audi A4 travelling a speed on Barbara Castle Way heading towards Eanam Wharf. It was travelling erratically, using a bus lane and undertaking other vehicles.
Full story here: Blackburn: Banned motorist spotted driving erratically
Jealous Darwen ex bombarded his former partner with messages and calls
A jealous ex bombarded his former partner with messages and calls because he suspected she was involved in relationships with other people.
Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Thomas O’Brien maintained the harassment over a four month period despite repeatedly being told to stop.
O’Brien, 39, of Sudellside Street, Darwen, admitted to harassment. He was given a 12-month community order with 25 days rehab activities and 100 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs.
He was made subject to a restraining order for two years which prohibits any contact with the victim other than through a third party for child contacts.
Full story here: Jealous Darwen ex bombarded his former partner with messages and calls
Pervert exposed himself in Burnley pub and performed sex act
A pervert exposed himself in a pub and performed a sex act in front of customers.
David Nightingale, 75, who has previous convictions for exposure, entered the pub in Parker Lane, Burnley around 5.30pm on June 30.
Around an hour later the female victim noticed that he had unzipped his trousers and was performing a lewd act.
When the shocked victim told her partner what he was doing, Nightingale covered himself up and left.
Full story here: Pervert exposed himself in Burnley pub and performed sex act
Man in court after unwelcome ex-girlfriend trashes his house
A man was in breach of a restraining order because his former partner let herself into his home when he left the door open, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told Terry Wakeley remonstrated with his ex asking her to leave during the incident.
She responded by trashing his house, and when police arrived she blamed members of the travelling community who she said had forced entry and caused the damage.
Full story here: Man in court after unwelcome ex-girlfriend trashes his house
Blackburn learner cops driving ban for drink driving
A teenager who was showing off his new “wheels” to mates has lost his licence before even passing his test after being caught drink driving.
Jay Mayfield was breathalysed after crashing during the short drive in his new BMW 1 Series on April 23.
Mayfield, 18, of The Shires, Blackburn, admitted to driving with excess alcohol, and having no licence or insurance.
Full story here: Blackburn learner cops driving ban for drink driving
Blackburn BMW driver admits he caused biker’s death
A Blackburn man is set to learn his fate after pleading guilty to causing the death of a motorcyclist through careless driving.
Riley Meacham, 22, was driving a BMW 5 Series which was in collision with a Ducati bike being ridden by father-of-three Clifford Shasby in Rawtenstall, at the end of October 2021.
Mr Shasby was taken to hospital with multiple serious injuries after the incident on Bocholt Way, according to police at the time.
Full story here: Blackburn BMW driver admits he caused biker’s death
Blackburn man spent mum's heating money on drug habit
A man who was entrusted with collecting £100 from his brother to give to their mother to help with the energy bills spent it on drugs.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how the victim did not initially make a complaint to the police, but they became involved when there was a disturbance in the street when the elder brother confronted David Richard Hargreaves.
Hargreaves, 45, of Hamer Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of £100.
Full story here: Blackburn man spent mum's heating money on drug habit
Drink driver James Clift crashed car twice in Blackburn
A driver who was involved in two collisions was found to be more than four times the legal drink drive limit, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how when police got James Clift out of his car they had to hold him up he was that drunk.
Clift, 47, of Roman Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and without insurance.
Full story here: Drink driver James Clift crashed car twice in Blackburn
Colne man who repeatedly offends so he can go back to prison jailed
A man who repeatedly offends so he can go back to prison has got his wish again.
Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Costello was released from prison on Friday and was arrested on Saturday after telling a shop assistant to ring the police.
He also told the assistant to tell the police he was being threatening to ensure their prompt attendance.
Full story here: Colne man who repeatedly offends so he can go back to prison jailed
Man used angle grinder to steal bike at Royal Blackburn
Three men were caught on CCTV stealing a motorcycle from outside Royal Blackburn Hospital using power tools to try and get the vehicle loose.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how when he was detained by police, Jordan Byrom had an angle grinder in his possession on April 13.
Byrom, 25, of St Gabriel's Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft with an angle grinder, during the hearing on Thursday, July 13.
Full story here: Man used angle grinder to steal bike at Royal Blackburn
Woman hit husband over head with wedding photo during row
A woman who took the wedding photo off the wall and smashed it over her husband’s head during a fight has been ordered to quit drinking.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard however that the broken glass did not result in a broken marriage, as the couple were reunited a couple of days later.
Gemma Gorton, 35, of Comrie Crescent, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Stephen Gorton at their home on December 29, 2022.
Full story here: Woman hit husband over head with wedding photo during row
Accrington shoplifter told to get help with cocaine habit
A woman caught shoplifting four times in two weeks said everything she stole had gone to her drug dealer in return for cocaine.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the incidents had been caught on CCTV, which police posted on their social media pages prompting several positive identifications of Terri-Anne Chappelhow.
Chappelhow, 39, of Wellington Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to four charges of shoplifting at Wilkinson’s Accrington and theft of property totalling £389.
Full story here: Accrington shoplifter told to get help with cocaine habit
Man hit cars and forced one to crash into Darwen takeaway
A driver who pulled onto a main road without giving way caused another vehicle to crash head first into a takeaway on the other side of the road.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how Kornel Norbert Szczepanik-Jachna then reversed his car back up the street, colliding with several parked vehicles before driving down back alleys to his nearby home.
Polish national Szczepanik-Jachna, 32, of Gillibrand Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and driving without insurance or a licence.
Full story here: Man hit cars and forced one to crash into Darwen takeaway
Nelson takeaway boss breached food hygiene regulations
The boss of a 'healthy food takeaway' has been fined thousands of pounds for 10 breaches of food hygiene regulations.
Raja Asim Hussain of Chief's Health Kitchen in Nelson, was in court last week for food safety and hygiene offences, following a visit by inspectors on December 1, 2022.
The Leeds Road business was charged with 10 breaches of food hygiene regulations relating to cleanliness, training, temperature control, food storage and safety.
Full story here: Nelson takeaway boss breached food hygiene regulations
Great Harwood sex offender kept police in dark on address
A convicted sex offender who failed to register his address with police following his release from prison has been back in court.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told Ashley Barratt was arrested after police forced entry to a property where he was staying.
Barratt, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements.
He was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced.
Full story here: Great Harwood sex offender kept police in dark on address
Burnley man smashed up mother's meter box in fit of anger
A man who repeatedly hassled his mother for money has been jailed after turning up at her home again in breach of a restraining order.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Martin Rickwood had breached the restraining order three times in the last 12 months.
Rickwood, 41, of Piccadilly Square, Burnley, pleaded guilty to breach of the restraining order and causing criminal damage to an electricity meter box at his mother's home.
Full story here: Burnley man smashed up mother's meter box in fit of anger
Blackburn death crash driver 'defied ban' to return to roads
A motorist convicted of causing the death of a nine-year-old boy by dangerous driving was caught behind the wheel of a car while still disqualified following the 2017 incident.
Blackburn magistrates heard Atif Dayaji was driving on the same road where the boy had died after being hit by a white BMW which Dayaji had hired earlier that day to attend a wedding.
Full story here: Blackburn death crash driver 'defied ban' to return to roads
Six in court after fight breaks out on Whalley New Road
Six Romanian nationals have appeared before Blackburn magistrates and admitted their part in an early morning fracas on a busy main road.
Dashcam footage showed the six attacking two other men at 8am last Tuesday morning outside a newsagents close to Bastwell lights on Whalley New Road.
One of the victims was punched to the floor but then ran off.
The other was knocked to the ground where he was repeatedly punched and kicked, at times by four different assailants.
Full story here: Six in court after fight breaks out on Whalley New Road
Community order for Rawtenstall man who stole bank card
A man who “lifted” a woman’s purse used her bank card before she discovered the theft.
Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Lonsdale was captured on CCTV taking the woman’s handbag and then removing the purse in a pub toilets.
Lonsdale, 46, of Fallbarn Crescent, Rawtenstall, admitted to theft and fraudulent use of a debit card. He was made subject to a 12-month community order with 20 rehab activity days, a six month alcohol treatment requirement and 100 hours unpaid work.
Full story here: Community order for Rawtenstall man who stole bank card
Rawtenstall man who crashed car claims he was swerving fox
A man who crashed his car at 7am claimed a fox had ran out in front of him causing him to swerve.
Blackburn magistrates heard blood test later showed Luke Mackay was over the limit for ecstasy and a derivative of cocaine.
Peter King, defending, said his client was committed to a regime that did not involve the use of drugs.
He had initially pleaded not guilty, believing blood samples must have been mixed up.
Full story here: Rawtenstall man who crashed car claims he was swerving fox
Man banned from seeing Grandma went to her 'for drug money'
A man has been jailed after going to his grandmother’s house, in breach of a restraining order, despite her not making a complaint because she didn’t want to get him in trouble.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Simon Raith claimed he had gone round to make arrangements to pay back money to his grandma.
But a District Judge said she didn’t accept what he said and believed his visit was due to his drug addiction and need for funds to finance it.
Raith, 33, of Lion Street, Church, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order.
Full story here: Man banned from seeing Grandma went to her 'for drug money'
Police officer spat at by drunk during Accrington disorder
A man arrested when police attended a disturbance in Accrington town centre spat at an officer.
Blackburn magistrates heard the officer initially employed a calming tactic with Thomas James Hilton because they were aware he had suffered a recent brain injury.
But when he was told he was being arrested he lashed out and spat at the officer.
Hilton, 19, of Cliff Street, Rishton, admitted to assaulting an emergency worker.
Full story here: Police officer spat at by drunk during Accrington disorder
Blackburn drug addict given community order for shoplifting
When one door closed another opened for a drug addict who was desperate to kick his habit.
Blackburn magistrates heard the family of Benjamin Ellis Wareing had been trying desperately to get him a place in rehab and his case had been adjourned for three weeks to see if they could succeed.
The court was told a place was not available but Wareing had used the time productively by completing eight drug education courses in prison.
Full story here: Blackburn drug addict given community order for shoplifting
Marshall Khan 'lashed out' and punched the police officer
A police officer was punched by a man who was failing to co-operate with enquiries.
Blackburn magistrates heard Marshall Khan was warned about his aggressive behaviour but ignored all warnings.
Khan 24, of Whalley Old Road, Blackburn, admitted to assaulting an emergency worker. He was bailed for a pre-sentence report.
Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said the officer attended the defendant’s home following an incident in a store where he had been pushing displays over.
Full story here: Marshall Khan 'lashed out' and punched the police officer
Driver had drunk two bottles of prosecco the previous night
A driver who pulled over and called the police because she thought her cocoa may have been “spiked” ended up being prosecuted for drink driving.
Blackburn magistrates heard Kate Pye told police she started feeling “really weird” and couldn’t see before she pulled over and contacted them.
Pye, 40,of Meadway, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was banned for 12 months and fined £80 with £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Driver had drunk two bottles of prosecco the previous night
Danielle Sewell was obstructive and abusive towards officers
A motorist was obstructive to police by failing to provide them with a specimen when they attended after she had been involved in a crash.
Blackburn magistrates heard Danielle Sewell assaulted two officers but had been dealt with by way of a caution for those offences.
Sewell, 43, of Windsor Road, Blackburn, admitted to failing to provide a specimen for analysis and was bailed for a pre-sentence report.
Andrew Prescott, prosecuting, said two cars had been involved in the crash. Sewell was immediately obstructive and abusive towards the officers who had to restrain her to prevent her wandering into the road.
Full story here: Danielle Sewell was obstructive and abusive towards officers
Macauley Seddon punched his victim 'multiple' times
A yob dished out his own rough justice after a chance meeting with a man who had burgled his sister’s house five years earlier.
Blackburn magistrates heard Macauley Seddon punched the victim “multiple” times causing a fractured eye socket and a fractured cheek bone during an incident in Darwen.
Seddon, 26, of Plodder Lane, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to assaulting Nathan Chadwick causing him actual bodily harm.
Full story here: Macauley Seddon punched his victim 'multiple' times
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