From football banning orders to stealing, thuggery to drink drivers, the magistrates in East Lancashire dealt with a lot of crimes last month.
Here, we've brought you a round-up of all the people hauled before the lower courts in August:
Blackburn: Banned driver crashed BMW into wall
Police called to an early morning crash found a BMW with its bumper ripped off.
Blackburn magistrates heard one person was seen to run away from the vehicle and the registered keeper, Mohammed Hassan Zaman, was found nearby.
Zaman, 23, of Douglas Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, without due care and attention and without insurance.
Full story here: Blackburn: Banned driver crashed BMW into wall
Blackburn care home worker stole cash to fund gambling addiction
A woman stole cash from the residents of the care home where she worked to fund her gambling addiction.
Blackburn magistrates heard when £400 went missing from a tin, the finger of suspicion turned on Rachel Connell, who had previously told colleagues of her financial difficulties.
Connell, 34, of Earl Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing £200. She was remanded on bail until August 21 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Full story here: Blackburn care home worker stole cash to fund gambling addiction
Man in court after crow bar attack in Nelson
A man has appeared in court charged in connection with a crow bar attack on another man in Nelson.
The victim suffered a collapsed lung, five broken ribs a broken tibia and a broken fibula during the attack on Newfield Drive.
At Blackburn Magistrates' Court, Rafal Burlak, 38, of no fixed address, was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court charged with wounding Slawek Swiezyk with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon, a crow bar, in Newfield Drive.
Full story here: Man in court after crow bar attack in Nelson
Blackburn Rovers fan threw missiles into Ewood Park Burnley end
A Blackburn Rovers supporter was caught on camera throwing four missiles into the Burnley end during the derby match clash at Ewood Park in April.
The town’s magistrates heard a bottle thrown by Connor Kendall narrowly missed a police officer.
Kendall, 21, of Royal Oak Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to throwing a bottle and three other unidentified missiles into a spectator area.
He was fined £120 with £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Blackburn Rovers fan threw missiles into Ewood Park Burnley end
Barman punched and kicked by dad and son at funeral wake in Darwen
A barman working at a wake was attacked by the husband and son of the deceased in an "unprovoked" assault.
Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was punched to the floor and then kicked repeatedly by the grieving relatives at Astley Bank Hotel in Darwen.
The court was told the victim believed he had been mistaken for someone else.
Lee Cowley, 46, and Jacob Lee Cowley, 18, both of Glenshiels Avenue, Hoddlesden, pleaded guilty to assaulting Peter Hayes.
Lee Cowley also pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker through the fear of violence.
Full story here: Barman punched and kicked by dad and son at funeral wake in Darwen
Padiham criminal pretended to be cop and tried to breathalyse driver
A man who pretended to be a police officer and tried to breathalyse a motorist was driving a car he had taken earlier that day.
Blackburn magistrates heard the victim locked his car when he was approached by Dillon Stuart Murgatroyd who he knew from school days and who he also knew as a criminal and not a police officer.
Murgatroyd, 24, a Padiham man of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to impersonating a police officer and taking a car without consent.
Full story here: Padiham criminal pretended to be cop and tried to breathalyse driver
Blackburn speeding driver caught more than double drink drive limit
A driver arrested after failing a roadside breath test told police he had only had two pints.
Blackburn magistrates heard Declan Blackwell later gave an evidential breathalyser reading more than double the legal limit.
Blackwell, 28, of Grafton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £550 with £85 costs and a £220 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 17 months.
Full story here: Blackburn speeding driver caught more than double drink drive limit
Man attacked partner during nights out in Burnley
Two “special” nights out ended with a man assaulting his partner.
Blackburn magistrates heard Emanuel Adewumi did not usually drink and blamed alcohol for his out of character behaviour.
Adewumi, 28, of Vine Street, Manchester, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and assault. He was sent on bail to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced.
Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said the victim of the attacks had not supported either prosecution.
Full story here: Man attacked partner during nights out in Burnley
Blackburn driver led police on 1am chase before skidding and crashing
A driver led police on a chase when they tried to stop him in the early hours of the morning.
Blackburn magistrates heard Asif Rehman reached speeds of more than 60mph as he drove through the centre of Blackburn before he eventually skidded on ice and crashed into railings.
Rehman, 23, of Snowden Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence and possession of cannabis. He was committed on bail to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on September 15 after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.
Full story here: Blackburn driver led police on 1am chase before skidding and crashing
Darwen brothers picked up weapons after early hours caller
A man armed himself with a pool cue following an early hours confrontation with a man banging on his front door, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how when James Hodson's brother Peter realised he was involved, he armed himself with a leather “monkey fist” and went to his assistance.
James Hodson, 44, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, namely half a pool cue.
He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Full story here: Darwen brothers picked up weapons after early hours caller
Colne man, 28, accused of attempted murder of two women
A man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates on two charges of attempted murder following an incident in Duke Street, Colne on Friday night.
Dilnawaz Hussain is alleged to have attacked the women, who were guests in his neighbour’s home, with a wrench.
Hussain, 28, of Duke Street, Colne, is charged with the attempted murder of Lynne Ashworth and April Machin.
Full story here: Colne man, 28, accused of attempted murder of two women
Blackburn drug addict targeted TK Maxx for shoplifting
It was third time unlucky for a shoplifter who was stealing to fund his drug habit.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Mark Craig had twice stolen coats from TK Maxx on the same day.
When he went back and tried to repeat the offence the following day he was detained by a loss prevention officer.
Craig, 38, of Dundee Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of stealing coats from TK Maxx.
Full story here: Blackburn drug addict targeted TK Maxx for shoplifting
Knifeman admits attacking police officer in Great Harwood
A man struggling with a police officer produced a military style Gurkha knife from the waistband of his trousers.
Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard a second officer was able to disarm Isiah Weekes, who had initially been spoken to because he smelled of cannabis.
Weekes, 18, of Milton Close, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and possession of an offensive weapon.
He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said Inspector Peter Norris and another officer were on foot patrol in Queen Street, Great Harwood, during the afternoon of Tuesday, August 8.
Full story here: Knifeman admits attacking police officer in Great Harwood
Bacup venue owner failed to comply with planning conditions
The owner of a church and events venue has been convicted for failing to comply with a council’s breach of condition notice.
Fouad ‘Freddy’ Khattab, 53, pleaded guilty at trial at Burnley Magistrates’ Court to failing to comply with a breach of condition notice and was ordered to pay costs and a fine.
Rossendale Borough Council brought the prosecution against Khattab, the owner of The Circle (St Johns Church) in Bacup after they received a report in June 2022 stating that the premises was to hold an event after 6pm.
Full story here: Bacup venue owner failed to comply with planning conditions
Marina Vasileva stole £1,000 from woman in Blackburn
A distraction thief stole an envelope containing £1,000 from a woman’s handbag and then went onto use her bank card in two stores.
Marina Vasileva committed the offence in Blackburn town centre on April 4 and was identified following painstaking CCTV enquiries carried out by Blackburn with Darwen neighbourhood police.
Officers still need to identify a second woman captured on the CCTV footage carrying a t-shirt as part of their ongoing enquiries.
The victim, a woman in her 60s, had withdrawn the money from the NatWest Bank just after 12.25pm and put it into an envelope, along with her bank card.
Full story here: Marina Vasileva stole £1,000 from woman in Blackburn
Burnley man chased woman who owed his partner money - and damaged car
A man who went on a debt recovery mission with his partner ended up being arrested.
Blackburn magistrates heard Ryan Lourie took matters into his own hands and caused £600 worth of damage to a car before chasing the debtor into her house.
Lourie, 26, of Middlesex Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and threatening behaviour. He was made subject to a community order for 24 months with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also fined £60 and ordered to pay £600 compensation.
Full story here: Burnley man chased woman who owed his partner money - and damaged car
Man headbutted partner and smacked her across face with an ashtray
A man who assaulted his partner has been banned from having any contact with her for a year.
Blackburn magistrates heard Bryan Sharpe kicked the victim, pulled her hair, headbutted her to her right eye and smacked her across the face with a plastic ashtray.
Sharpe, 33, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assault. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 rehab activity days and six months alcohol treatment requirement.
Full story here: Man headbutted partner and smacked her across face with an ashtray
Banned Nelson driver caught driving cloned car with false plates
A man who bought a car with the intention of doing it up didn’t even get it home.
Blackburn magistrates heard the car caught the attention of the police because it had been cloned and was carrying false plates. When he was stopped Tom Stokes admitted being disqualified.
Stokes, 26, of Whitehall Street, Nelson, admitted to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was given a 12-month community order, 15 days of rehab activities and 40 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Banned Nelson driver caught driving cloned car with false plates
Nelson woman attacked custody detention officer at station
A woman who had been arrested after causing a disturbance outside her parent’s home assaulted a custody detention officer who asked her to take her clothes off.
Blackburn magistrates heard the request brought back memories of an incident when she was younger which had haunted Lauren O’Toole and had a long-term impact on her.
O’Toole, 33, of St Marys Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.
Full story here: Nelson woman attacked custody detention officer at station
Blackburn man runs red light and crashes into lamppost
Motorists waiting at traffic lights were shocked to see a vehicle overtake them and go through on red at 7.20am.
Blackburn magistrates heard the car driven by Thomas Williams then crashed with a lamppost which collapsed. He continued for a short while before stopping.
Williams, 21, of Openshaw Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was bailed for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Full story here: Blackburn man runs red light and crashes into lamppost
Football fan breached ban by failing to hand in passport
A football fan who was subject to a banning order twice forgot to hand in his passport when England were playing international matches.
Blackburn magistrates heard the national team had been involved in international friendlies and Callum Blundell claimed he hadn't even been aware they were being played.
Blundell, 22, of Elmfield Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to comply with requirements of a football banning order.
Full story here: Football fan breached ban by failing to hand in passport
Barrowford man attacked brother-in-law over bullying claims
A man attacked his brother-in-law because of a family dispute.
Blackburn magistrates heard Neil Lenders repeatedly punched and kicked the victim after going to his home to confront him.
The court was told a pre-sentence report had been prepared but since it was completed Lenders, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, had suffered two cardiac arrests and was no longer suitable for recommendations made in the report.
Lenders, 51, of Park Street, Barrowford, admitted to assault and criminal damage. He was given a two-year conditional discharge with £200 compensation.
Full story here: Barrowford man attacked brother-in-law over bullying claims
Woman turned to shoplifting after moving to Accrington
A 39-year-old woman turned to drug abuse after moving to Accrington.
Blackburn magistrates heard Terri-Anne Chappelhow had no convictions prior to the move.
She then ran up a string of shoplifting offences which resulted in the police asking for a criminal behaviour order.
Chappelhow, 39, of Wellington Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to 10 offences of shoplifting.
Full story here: Woman turned to shoplifting after moving to Accrington
Man in mental health crisis asked chip shop staff for help
A “polite” young man went into a chip shop and asked staff to call the police because he thought he was wanted.
Blackburn magistrates heard that when officers arrive Keiron McCrudden was totally co-operative but was found in possession of a lock knife and a silver hammer.
McCrudden, 26, of Sussex Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
Full story here: Man in mental health crisis asked chip shop staff for help
Woman left victim 'terrified' after garden ornament ordeal
A woman threw a garden ornament through the window of her ex-partner’s mother’s home.
Blackburn magistrates heard the attack had left the victim “terrified” to go out of her home.
The court was told she was also scared of bumping into Elena Hibbert if she went out because she was scared of what she would do to her.
Hibbert, 39, of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
Full story here: Woman left victim 'terrified' after garden ornament ordeal
Blackburn fairground worker stole customers' iPhones
A fairground worker who pocketed a phone left on the bumper cars was traced through a tracking app on the phone.
Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard how when police confronted Paul Cook at his home he handed over three phones which he had “found” while working at the fair when it was in Blackburn.
Cook, 19, of Heywood House, Oldham, pleaded guilty to theft by finding of an iPhone 12 belonging to Jordan Graham, and failing to surrender to bail.
He was fined £160 by magistrates and ordered to also pay £85 costs and a £64 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Blackburn fairground worker stole customers' iPhones
'Foolish' man had Colt pistol at Holmes Mill, Clitheroe
A man caused shock and alarm when was seen walking around a Clitheroe leisure complex with a Colt 45 pistol in a holster on his hip.
Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard a police firearms expert eventually confirmed the weapon had been decommissioned, but not before people enjoying the evening at Holmes Mill had been alarmed to see it being carried around the venue.
Andrew Dewhurst, 49, of Piccadilly Close, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm, and has been remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Full story here: 'Foolish' man had Colt pistol at Holmes Mill, Clitheroe
Man admits attacking stranger in Burnley town centre
A man on a night out in Burnley with his girlfriend was attacked by three strangers in a random attack, a court has heard.
Blackburn Magistrates’ Court was told the incident was caught on CCTV, which clearly showed Haydon Lyon repeatedly punching the victim on November 19, 2022.
When a police officer went to arrest Lyon, he punched her on the arm to break free and ran off, the court was told.
Lyon, 24, of Dacre Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assault and assaulting an emergency worker, and he was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Full story here: Man admits attacking stranger in Burnley town centre
Blackburn Rovers fan ran onto pitch with flares at derby with Burnley
A Blackburn Rovers fan who ran onto the Ewood Park pitch with two flares towards the end of the grudge match against Burnley has been banned from all matches for three years.
Blackburn magistrates heard Rovers were 1-0 down but pressing for an equaliser when Jamie Lewis Webb disrupted the televised game which ended as a win for Burnley.
Webb, 34, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to entering the playing area at a designated football match and possessing a smoke flare. He was fined £532 with £85 costs and a £213 victim surcharge. The football banning order was made for the minimum period of three years.
Full story here: Blackburn Rovers fan ran onto pitch with flares at derby with Burnley
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here