Offenders of all shapes and sizes were jailed in June for committing crimes across East Lancashire.
From rapists to drug dealers, burglars to joy riders, the crown courts in Lancashire heard their fair share of cases, with many receiving custodial jail terms.
Here, we've provided our monthly round up for all those put behind bars last month.
Blackburn man carried out prolonged attack on victim
A man carried out a prolonged assault on another man, dragging him from his car and punching him, then returning to attack him again.
Shoviab Ahmed was driving around Blackburn in a car with three other men on February 11 last year, Preston Crown Court heard.
At around 11pm they turned into the Esso garage on Preston New Road, and the defendant spotted his victim, Muhammed Nasir, in another vehicle.
Prosecuting, Paul Cummings said it became apparent to the defendant that there had been a falling out between Mr Nasir and the other occupants of the car, with Ahmed shouting across the forecourt to the victim.
Full story here: Blackburn man carried out prolonged attack on victim
Blackburn man jailed for raping woman at Boxing Day party
A man who was convicted of raping a woman on Boxing Day 2020 has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Craig Banks, 43, of Bower Street, Blackburn, had been drinking and taking drugs with a man and a woman at a Christmas party when the offence took place.
Preston Crown Court heard how late on Boxing Day, the man and woman went upstairs to bed together, heavily intoxicated from the drinking and drug-taking, and had consensual sex.
Full story here: Blackburn man jailed for raping woman at Boxing Day party
Man jailed for glassing a woman causing her to lose 8 teeth
A man who glassed a woman in a town centre pub causing eight of her teeth to fall out and leaving her needing bone restructure surgery has been jailed for more than seven years.
Adam Perry, 24, was in the Bees Knees in Blackburn on January 9, 2022, Preston Crown Court heard, when the attack happened.
While on the dance floor, an unknown man who was enjoying himself bumped into him, causing Perry to push him away.
Full story here: Man jailed for glassing a woman causing her to lose 8 teeth
Teenagers jailed for role in burglaries in Rossendale
Two teenagers have been jailed for their parts in a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries across Rossendale.
Rohan Brown and Declan Steel, both 19, pleaded guilty to two burglaries and three attempted burglaries in Crawshawbooth and Rawtenstall on Monday, August 8, 2022.
Brown, of Ribbleton Lane, Preston, pleaded guilty in December last year while Steel, whose last recorded address was HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, pleaded guilty in February of this year.
Full story here: Teenagers jailed for role in burglaries in Rossendale
Prolific shoplifter wants to move away from Blackburn
A prolific shoplifter and drug addict wants to start her life over in London after being jailed again.
Jodie Shea, 34, has been sent to prison again for shoplifting in Blackburn.
Prosecuting, Frank Dillon said Shea was subject to a two-year criminal behaviour order which banned her from entering Blackburn town centre.
On April 17, Shea stole cleaning products from B&M costing £94.65.
Full story here: Prolific shoplifter wants to move away from Blackburn
Man stole brother's car and took it for birthday 'joyride'
An immature ‘birthday boy’ who took his brother's car for a joyride and hit speeds of 70mph during a police pursuit has been jailed.
Umar Farooq said he was ‘stressed about becoming a father’ when he stole his brother's car, just days after finishing a community order for doing the exact same thing.
Prosecuting at Burnley Crown Court, Stephen Parker said at about tea time on Farooq’s 20th birthday, on April 24, his brother, Shazad Atif, looked out of the window to see Farooq sat in the driver's seat of his car revving the engine.
Full story here: Man stole brother's car and took it for birthday 'joyride'
Daniel Ryder went on the run but was caught with cannabis
A thug who went on the run for six months after smashing his girlfriend’s face against a window was caught in a stolen van with three large bags containing cannabis plants and two machetes.
Daniel Ryder, 30, had been in a relationship with his victim for several years, but in May 2021 he began displaying violence towards her, making her feel like she was 'walking on eggshells'.
It came to a head on January 9 last year, when he hit her in the face with the palm of his hand causing her to think her nose was broken.
Full story here: Daniel Ryder went on the run but was caught with cannabis
Shiloh Pottinger jailed for 15 years for stabbing student
A man who stabbed 'gentle giant' Luke O'Connor eight times over a comment about his skateboard has been jailed for 15 years for manslaughter.
Shiloh Pottinger, who is originally from Wilpshire but had moved to Manchester to study music production at BIMM, stabbed 19-year-old student Luke O'Connor in Wilmslow Road in the city on October 26, 2022.
Pottinger, now 20, was found not guilty of Luke's murder at a trial last month however a jury did find him guilty of manslaughter.
On Monday, June 19 Pottinger appeared at Manchester Crown Court where the Honorary Recorder of Manchester Nicholas Dean KC passed down a sentence of 15 years.
Full story here: Shiloh Pottinger jailed for 15 years for stabbing student
Alex McQuirk threatened to slit his ex-partner's throat
A dad-of-two strangled his ex-partner and then while on police bail, persisted in calling and harassing her, telling her he would 'slit her throat'.
Alex McQuirk, 26, of Hamilton Street, Blackburn, had been in a relationship with the mother of his two children for 10 years, but in December last year they had separated and were living at different addresses.
McQuirk still had regular contact with his children, Preston Crown Court heard, and on the morning of December 12, went to pick them up and take them to school.
Full story here: Alex McQuirk threatened to slit his ex-partner's throat
Neighbours' dispute over loud music escalated into disorder
Two neighbours took to the street armed with a knife and a BB gun in a dispute over some loud music in a residential Clitheroe street.
Preston Crown Court heard how on February 24, 2022, Glen Gloriani returned home at around 8pm and as he sat down for tea with his wife, he heard loud music coming from a neighbouring property.
Eleanor Gleeson, prosecuting, told the court similar loud music had been heard the previous nights, being played until 10.30pm.
After hearing a banging sound, Mr Gloriani headed outside to see the first defendant, Tony Kimmance, knocking on the door of his neighbour’s house.
Full story here: Neighbours' dispute over loud music escalated into disorder
Burnley drug dealers who used WhatsApp to plan sales jailed
Two drug dealers who exchanged photos of their goods and planned sales over WhatsApp have been jailed for a combined 36 months.
Eric Taylor, 26, was arrested on May 23, 2022, after police executed a search at his home address of Leyland Road, Burnley.
There, they recovered two mobile phones, 2.241kg on cannabis, £7,995 in cash and a further £125 from the pocket of a pair of tracksuit bottoms, and an e-bike.
Shahid Ansar, 32, of St Peter’s Road, Nelson, was arrested on March 30, 2022 for different offences, and was charged in relation to this offence in August 2022 when he was already remanded in custody.
Full story here: Burnley drug dealers who used WhatsApp to plan sales jailed
Man must serve 11 months from previous suspended sentence
A man has been jailed for just under a year after he breached a suspended sentence.
Ross Hoyle, 27, was back before the court charged with two counts of assault by beating on Friday, June 16.
Hoyle, of no fixed abode but previously of Westgate, Whitworth, was handed a sentence of 11 months suspended for two years back in October for driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving without a license or insurance.
Preston Crown Court was told how on two occasions on November 27, Hoyle assaulted a woman at her home address.
Full story here: Man must serve 11 months from previous suspended sentence
Man jailed for strangling former partner at her Burnley home
A man has been jailed and handed a restraining order against his former partner who he strangled after she refused to get back together with him.
Wasar Ahmad, 33, was convicted of intentional strangulation at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on May 11 this year.
Preston Crown Court heard how Ahmad had been having difficulties in his relationship with his partner, who lived in Burnley.
Police documents showed there had been recorded violence between them in 2020 and 2022, and Ahmad would regularly go to his partner’s address to see his son, who was the youngest of his partner’s three children.
Full story here: Man jailed for strangling former partner at her Burnley home
Two Rishton men sent to prison for cannabis offences
Two men have been jailed for more than two years for their involvement in the burglary of cannabis plants and possession of cannabis.
Daniel Smedley, 33, and Richie Gardiner, 28, appeared at Preston Crown Court along with four co-defendants with regards to the burglary of cannabis plants in Burnley, and the discovery of a cannabis sweet factory in Rishton.
Smedley and Gardiner, along with Kristan Hall, 28, were charged with being concerned in the production of cannabis in June last year
Full story here: Two Rishton men sent to prison for cannabis offences
Callum Parkinson jailed for stalking his ex-partner
A man with an “unenviable record” who is currently serving a jail sentence for burglary has been jailed again for stalking his ex-partner.
Repeat offender Callum Parkinson appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday June 23 after pleading guilty to stalking incidents which took place between August and November last year.
The court was told how Parkinson, of Cambridge Street, Nelson, had been in a relationship with the mother of his child for around four years, but it came to an end in August 2022.
Full story here: Callum Parkinson jailed for stalking his ex-partner
Kane Shepherd punched cousin following drunken pub fight
A man kicked and punched his shirtless cousin as he lay unconscious in a back alley following a drunken fight in a pub.
Kane Shepherd and his cousin, Daniel Cowburn, had been drinking heavily in the Lord Nelson pub on Manchester Road in Nelson on March 24 last year.
Preston Crown Court heard how at around 5.30pm, the two men began fighting each other.
Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell, said CCTV from the pub, and witness accounts from the landlords described Mr Cowburn pouring something into Shepherd’s drink.
Full story here: Kane Shepherd punched cousin following drunken pub fight
Dangerous paedophile Stuart Bulling has been jailed again
A dangerous paedophile who identifies as a woman and has shown the utmost contempt for the legal system, his lawyers and probation, by refusing to leave his cell to attend his sentence hearing, has been jailed again.
Stuart Bulling, who was convicted in 2019 of up-skirting and making indecent images of children, refused to appear in court on Friday for his most recent hearing, in which he was to be sentenced for five counts of making indecent images of children and nine breaches of his sexual harm prevention order, which he pleaded guilty to in March.
Full story here: Dangerous paedophile Stuart Bulling has been jailed again
Blackburn woman jailed for threatening man with knife
A Blackburn woman has been jailed for five months for threatening a man with a knife.
Amy McCrudden, 28, was convicted of the offence at Blackburn Magistrates Court on March 10 of this year.
On May 26 she was also convicted of failing to surrender to custody on May 24, which she admitted.
Preston Crown Court heard how on May 23, 2022, at around 9.30am, Phillip Henney was at home in Hertford Street, Blackburn, when he heard loud banging at his front door.
Full story here: Blackburn woman jailed for threatening man with knife
Accrington sex offender sentenced to further jail time
A man who breached the conditions of a previous sentence by hiding an internet-enabled phone from the police has been given further jail time.
Gary Sheridan, 36, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for breaching the terms of his notification requirements and for breaching the terms of a sexual harm prevention order.
In 2017, Sheridan was sentenced to more than six years in prison for having sex with a 13-year-old girl, when he was 27.
Full story here: Accrington sex offender sentenced to further jail time
Mohammed Shafiq committed the offences between 2012 and 2013
A 44-year-old man raped a 17-year-old girl after plying her with vodka until she blacked out.
Mohammed Shafiq, from Accrington committed the offences between 2012 and 2013 and then attempted to pervert the course of justice in 2021 by lying about it to police.
Shafiq approached the teenager, who he knew from the local area, in a shop in Accrington and took her to a takeaway in Blackburn.
Full story here: Mohammed Shafiq committed the offences between 2012 and 2013
Adrian Tillotson appeared at Crown Court on Wednesday
A ‘coercive and controlling’ teenager groomed and had sex with an 11-year-old girl when he was just 16, telling her he would kill himself if she didn’t comply.
Adrian Tillotson, now 19, appeared at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday June 28 after pleading guilty to five counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by penetration.
The court heard how the offences dated between March and August 2020, when the defendant was 16 and his victim between the ages of 11 and 12.
Full story here: Adrian Tillotson appeared at Crown Court on Wednesday
Hassan Ashfaq was jailed for two years at Preston Crown Court
A convicted pervert who previously received a suspended sentence for attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 has now been jailed after breaching the sexual harm prevention order and the notification requirements of that sentence.
Hassan Ashfaq, 26, was jailed for two years at Preston Crown Court having failed to notify police about the change in name of an online account and the opening of a new bank account. He also failed to produce a mobile phone and a PlayStation 4 which had internet access.
Full story here: Hassan Ashfaq was jailed for two years at Preston Crown Court
Four men sentenced for importing cannabis from US to UK
Four men have been sentenced for their part in an operation which saw more than 20 kilograms of cannabis imported to the UK from the US in packages described as ‘clothing’.
While in California in May last year taking part in poker tournaments, Andrew Taylor, of Higher Gate Road, Accrington, was presented with an opportunity to make some money by importing cannabis into the UK.
Full story here: Four men sentenced for importing cannabis from US to UK
Michael Knight used a fake name while communicating online
A sex offender who breached a court order by lying about a mobile phone he claimed not to have has been jailed following an investigation.
A jury at Preston Crown Court also heard that Michael Knight used a fake name while communicating online. Knight had failed to notify police he was using the alias Jack Keller, which was also a breach of his notification requirements.
The breaches came to light after 51-year-old Knight was seen with the phone, which he had also failed to notify police about.
Full story here: Michael Knight used a fake name while communicating online
Man jailed for role in 11kg Darwen cannabis robbery
A man who was involved in the movement of more than 11kg of cannabis has been jailed for 18 months.
Antonio Docan, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and five counts of possessing a bladed article, namely two machetes and three axes, at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on April 12.
Full story here: Man jailed for role in 11kg Darwen cannabis robbery
Robber who stole iPhone and injured woman in Accrington jailed
A man who caused a woman to fracture her wrist as he robbed her of an iPhone has been jailed for more than five years.
Anthony Clarke, 39, pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery. He was initially charged with a further offence of possessing a bladed article in a public space but this could not be proven by the prosecution.
Preston Crown Court heard how on February 8, the first of Clarke’s intended victims left for work at around 6am, leaving his home address in Accrington and heading toward the bus station.
Full story here: Robber who stole iPhone and injured woman in Accrington jailed
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