From racist football fans to fly-tippers, domestic thugs to stalkers, East Lancashire's magistrates courts had a busy month in November.
Other criminals appearing in the dock included shoplifters, drunk drivers and drug users.
Here, we bring you a round up of all the offenders before the magistrates last month.
Burnley man punched Blackburn pub landlady after being asked to leave
A man who had been ordered to leave a Blackburn town centre bar ended up punching the landlady.
The town’s magistrates heard Harry Smith and his two associates were rude and abusive from the moment they entered Sam’s bar on Northgate.
Smith, 32, of Tuscan Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Nicola Smith causing her actual bodily harm and using threatening behaviour towards her.
Full story here: Burnley man punched Blackburn pub landlady after being asked to leave
Accrington man threatened to disclose explicit video of ex-girlfriend
A long distance love affair turned sour before the couple had even met face-to-face.
Blackburn magistrates heard Mohammed Khan persuaded his ‘ex’ to show him her breasts online by threatening to disclose an explicit video she had sent him while they were in a relationship.
He ‘screen-shotted’ the breast images and eventually revealed them to the victim’s sister.
Khan, 22, of Willows Lane, Accrington, pleaded guilty to disclosing private photographs with intent to cause distress
Full story here: Accrington man threatened to disclose explicit video of ex-girlfriend
Blackburn hostel resident 'lost it' with rowdy man
A man who initially kept his cool during a dispute with another hostel resident eventually “lost it” and ended up being arrested.
Blackburn magistrates heard Lee Costello began punching doors and then threw a chair across the dining room causing it to break.
Costello, 51, of Ribble Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a chair belonging to Shadsworth House. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £40 compensation.
Glen Anderton, prosecuting, just after 8am Costello was in the dining room with a member of staff and another resident.
Full story here: Blackburn hostel resident 'lost it' with rowdy man
Hapton man kicked car wing mirror off during row with parents
A man became upset during a row with his parents and kicked the wing mirror off his dad’s car.
Blackburn magistrates heard that Ben Porter subsequently put right the damage and would be returning to live with his parents.
Porter, 31, of Carter Avenue, Hapton, pleaded guilty to causing £300 worth of damage to a car. He was made subject to a 12-month community order with a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and three- month alcohol treatment requirement. He was fined £100 with £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Hapton man kicked car wing mirror off during row with parents
Drunk shirtless man told police he would “box your face”
Police responding to a report of a disturbance were confronted by a shirtless man.
Blackburn magistrates heard Simon Dowsing was clearly drunk and told the officers that if they came near him he would “box your face.”
Dowsing, 47, of Pansy Street South, Accrington, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Pansy Street South.
Full story here: Drunk shirtless man told police he would “box your face”
Blackburn man stole bikes to feed drug addiction
A man who racked up a series of theft-related offences to feed his drug addiction was given a chance to change his ways.
Blackburn magistrates heard that in the past Kai Rayson had failed to take advantage of the help offered to him and move on with his life.
Rayson, 21, of Sumner Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to seven offences of shoplifting, theft of two pedal cycles from outside a leisure centre and burglary at Vision Express, Accrington, and theft of designer glasses.
Full story here: Blackburn man stole bikes to feed drug addiction
Man jailed for visiting partner at Royal Blackburn Hospital
A man has been jailed for visiting his partner in the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Blackburn magistrates heard Richard O’Brien was banned from having any contact with his partner for 28 days under a domestic violence protection order.
O’Brien, 40, of Norfolk Grove, Church, pleaded guilty to breaching the order and was jailed for 14 days.
Full story here: Man jailed for visiting partner at Royal Blackburn Hospital
Man with heroin claimed he used it to self-medicate spinal injury
A man found in possession of heroin claimed he started taking it to self-medicate a spinal injury.
Blackburn magistrates heard Rowan James had initially been prescribed morphine to help manage the pain.
James 49, of Lee Brook Close, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin.
Full story here: Man with heroin claimed he used it to self-medicate spinal injury
Dog walker's shock at spotting naked neighbour in doorway
A man taking his dog for a late night walk was shocked to see his neighbour stood in his doorway wearing only his socks and shoes.
Blackburn magistrates heard Patrick Dear was carrying out a sex act. And while he appeared shocked when he saw his neighbour, he continued his behaviour.
Dear, 56, of St Leger Court, Accrington, pleaded guilty to indecent exposure. He was made subject to a 12-month community order with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was fined £120 with £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs and made subject to sex offender registration requirements.
Full story here: Dog walker's shock at spotting naked neighbour in doorway
Thug attacked partner twice with one attack caught on CCTV
A woman was assaulted twice by her partner with one of the attacks captured on camera.
Blackburn magistrates heard one of the attacks had been caught on a neighbour’s CCTV and the other seen by an independent witness.
Ludlow-Tattersall, 29, of Culshaw Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault.
Full story here: Thug attacked partner twice with one attack caught on CCTV
Woman living in fear of ex-partner found hiding in phone box
A woman who had been living in fear of her ex-partner was found hiding in a phone box after calling police.
Blackburn magistrates heard Ben Rothwell had moved into her home despite a restraining order and she said she was subjected to daily abuse for 15 days before plucking up the courage to call the police.
Rothwell, 33, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order. He was jailed for 26 weeks and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge on release.
The magistrates imposed a new restraining order for 12 months which prohibits any contact with the aggrieved or approaching her home in Nelson.
Full story here: Woman living in fear of ex-partner found hiding in phone box
Stalker ex turned up at woman's house in early hours
A woman was asleep in her bed when she woke to find her ex-partner in the room.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Luke Brooksbank demanded to know about “another “guy”, despite the couple having been separated for over 12 months.
Brooksbank, 29, of Green End Avenue, Earby, pleaded guilty to stalking.
He was made subject to a community order for two years which included a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, the Building Better Relationships Programme, six months drug rehabilitation requirement and 100 hours unpaid work.
Full story here: Stalker ex turned up at woman's house in early hours
Woman and kids had to hide in school from estranged husband
A woman and her children were “safeguarded” in school after she was approached by her estranged husband.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told Mohammed Akram was subject to a non-molestation order which he had already breached five times.
His wife said she was “very scared” when she saw him.
“He says he wants to talk but I don’t want to talk to him,” she told police.
Akram, 39, of Hollin Bank Court, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breach of a non-molestation order.
Full story here: Woman and kids had to hide in school from estranged husband
Bacup man stole from Asda supermarket with child in tow
A man had a 12-year-old boy with him when he was caught shoplifting, a court has heard.
At Blackburn Magistrates' Court, District Judge Alexandra Preston told David Talbot he should be ashamed of his behaviour.
“It is pretty grim to be out stealing from shops with a 12 year old child,” said District Judge Preston.
“It is not setting much of an example and you should be ashamed of that.”
Talbot, 36, of Pickup Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to stealing power banks worth £48 from Asda.
Full story here: Bacup man stole from Asda supermarket with child in tow
West Brom yob banned over gestures at Blackburn Rovers game
A West Brom fan who committed two offences during the game against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park has been banned from attending football matches.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Gregg Richards had been cautioned by police for indecently exposing himself but taken to court for using threatening behaviour.
Furious District Judge Richard Thompson demanded feedback on the process that had led to the single prosecution.
“How could someone decide he should be cautioned for indecent exposure but prosecuted for a non-imprisonable offence,” he said.
Full story here: West Brom yob banned over gestures at Blackburn Rovers game
Racist man abused Darwen shopkeeper after attempted theft
A man who was trying to steal beer from a Darwen store shouted racist abuse at the shopkeeper who stopped him.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Craig Lloyd was ushered from the shop by a female customer who was concerned because her child was upset by his behaviour.
When police arrived and arrested Lloyd he then tried to bite an officer.
Lloyd, 32, of Pendle Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour and assaulting an emergency worker.
He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on December 18.
Full story here: Racist man abused Darwen shopkeeper after attempted theft
Burnley man made creepy phone calls to Airbnb host
A man started making indecent phone calls to an Airbnb host six months after he had visited her property with his wife and two children.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the sexualised calls went on for four months, leaving the victim struggling to sleep and fearful for her safety.
When the calls were made she didn’t recognise Lee Campbell or remember him when he was arrested.
“She did remember that he had given her property a very good review,” said Jackie Partington, prosecuting.
Full story here: Burnley man made creepy phone calls to Airbnb host
Oswaldtwistle man crashed friend's car he'd borrowed
A man overstepped the mark after being given permission to drive his mate’s car.
Blackburn magistrates heard Steven Purkhardt panicked after crashing the car, a Ford Focus, and didn’t return it until much later in the day.
Purkhardt, 39, of Queen Street, Oswaldtwistle, admitted to unauthorised vehicle taking aggravated by damage caused. He was bailed for a pre-sentence report.
Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said the car owner had given Purkhardt a lift to work and then gave him permission to use the car to collect some materials they needed for the job.
Full story here: Oswaldtwistle man crashed friend's car he'd borrowed
Burnley man stole steaks from Lidl to pay for drugs
A brief lapse into drug taking led to a return to shoplifting after an eight-year gap.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Darren Wrighton had since re-engaged with Inspire, the drink and drug agency, and was once again drug free.
Wrighton, 42, of Calico Gateway, Mitre Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to stealing steaks worth £37.76 from Lidl. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Susheela Regala, prosecuting, said Wrighton was seen concealing four steaks under his jacket and leaving without making any effort to pay on August 17 at the Lidl store in Colne Road.
Full story here: Burnley man stole steaks from Lidl to pay for drugs
Ribble Valley hotel manager lost job after drink driving
The assistant general manager of a Ribble Valley hotel who took staff for a thank-you drink lost her job as a result.
Blackburn magistrates heard Bethany Bolton was stopped by police and failed a breathalyser test after police saw her rubber-necking their work as she drove her colleagues home on September 11.
Bolton 26, of Evergreen Avenue, Leyland, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, having blown 56 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg.
She was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £45 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Ribble Valley hotel manager lost job after drink driving
Man broke into Darwen mosque and stole charity boxes
A man with no previous convictions has been jailed for six months for his part in a Darwen mosque burglary.
Blackburn magistrates heard Jack Pilkington was one of three who broke into the Madina Mosque on Victoria Street and stole charity boxes.
Pilkington, 23, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for six months by District Judge Richard Thompson. Two other men have entered not guilty pleas and are remanded on bail pending their trials.
Full story here: Man broke into Darwen mosque and stole charity boxes
Husband and wife fought with staff at wedding venue
A husband and wife ended up fighting with staff at a Ribble Valley wedding venue.
Blackburn magistrates heard Jay Thomas assaulted three members of staff and his wife, Bethany Gardner Thomas, two, as a wedding celebration descended into violence.
Thomas, 31, of West Scausby Park, Halifax, admitted to three assaults.
He was given a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £400 compensation to the first of the victims and £150 each to the other two and £85 costs.
Full story here: Husband and wife fought with staff at wedding venue
'Untidy' Colne burglar broke into town centre hair salon
A man who was on prison licence for a previous offence of burglary committed an "untidy” raid on a Colne hair salon.
Blackburn magistrates heard Dion Lucas was linked to the offence by blood left at the scene.
Lucas, 31, of Lancaster Street, Colne, pleaded guilty to burglary at Hair Studio in Albert Road, and theft of hair styling and cutting equipment and petty cash to the value of £1,304.
He was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on December 22.
Full story here: 'Untidy' Colne burglar broke into town centre hair salon
Prolific Burnley shoplifter jailed for third time this year
A man who repeatedly stole to fund his drug habit was jailed for the third time this year.
Blackburn magistrates heard Patrick Harris had only been released from his latest sentence weeks before he offended again.
Harris, 45, of Elizabeth Street, Burnley, admitted to stealing razor blades worth £235 from Sainsburys on October 30, and stealing razor blades worth £147 from the same store on November 9.
He was jailed for eight months and ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge on release.
Full story here: Prolific Burnley shoplifter jailed for third time this year
Homeless convicted sex offender failed to report to police
A convicted sex offender who was sleeping rough failed to register with police every seven days as he was required to do.
Blackburn magistrates heard Kevin Melody had also failed to turn up for an appointment with the probation service and two court dates during a “chaotic” period in his life.
Melody, 51, of Laithe Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching sex offender registration requirements.
Full story here: Homeless convicted sex offender failed to report to police
Nelson driver who 'didn't remember taking cocaine' caught drug driving
A driver who was stopped for speeding was found to be over the limit for drugs.
Blackburn magistrates heard Amir Afzal tested positive for cocaine and its derivative, benzoylecgonine, and cannabis.
Tests also revealed the presence of methadone, the heroin substitute, but this was below the legal limit.
Afzal, 53, of Poplar Street, Nelson, pleaded guilt to three charges of drug driving.
Full story here: Nelson driver who 'didn't remember taking cocaine' caught drug driving
Drug driver spotted driving at 120mph on M65 motorway
A drug driver reached 120mph on the M65 motorway after overtaking an unmarked police car.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told that after he was stopped, Lukaz Karas was found to be in possession of amphetamines and tested positive for cannabis.
Karas, 41, of Rope Close, Preston, pleaded guilty to drug driving and possession of amphetamine.
He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Full story here: Drug driver spotted driving at 120mph on M65 motorway
Violent attack on a young man and his father
A man assaulted another man because he mistakenly believed he was going to attack him.
Blackburn magistrates heard that when the victim’s dad intervened, Samuel Shackleton punched him to the head three times.
Shackleton, 28, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault.
Full story here: Violent attack on a young man and his father
Blackburn man admits growing cannabis in conservatory
Police who forced entry to a property looking for the occupant found a cannabis farm instead.
Blackburn magistrates heard when they caught up with Jonathan Hawtrey he admitted growing the cannabis for his own use.
Hawtrey, 33, of Leopold Way, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. He was fined £400 with a £160 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Julia Draper, prosecuting, said police were searching the property on August 12, having forced entry and found a cannabis set up in the conservatory.
Full story here: Blackburn man admits growing cannabis in conservatory
Burnley woman stole two bottles of spirits and a Bag for Life
A woman walked into a store at 9am, took two bottles of spirits and a bag to put them in and left without paying.
Blackburn magistrates heard Rebecca Cawtherley was chased from the store but managed to give security the slip.
During the chase she dropped her mobile phone which enabled police to identify her.
Cawtherley, 33, of Portal Grove, Burnley, pleaded guilty to stealing spirits worth £48 from Tesco. She was fined £80 with £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
Full story here: Burnley woman stole two bottles of spirits and a Bag for Life
Nelson man charged over knifepoint robbery at Best Booze shop
A man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with a knife point robbery in Nelson on Thursday.
The court heard a man and a woman, both with their faces covered, entered Best Booze, Barker House Road.
A knife was brandished before the couple left the shop with £1,500 in cash which had been removed from the till.
Full story here: Nelson man charged over knifepoint robbery at Best Booze shop
Woman had metal pole during argument in Clayton-le-Moors
A woman who armed herself with a metal pole during a street disturbance was already on bail for an offence of violent disorder.
Blackburn magistrates heard Ebony Shaw claimed she stepped into the dispute to stick up for a friend on September 25.
Shaw, 20, of Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Barnes Street and using threatening behaviour.
Full story here: Woman had metal pole during argument in Clayton-le-Moors
Man was attacked outside pub after Burnley FC promotion
Burnley FC promotion celebrations were marred for one man when he was viciously attacked for no apparent reason in the town centre.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told Sean Wilkinson punched the victim at least 12 times to the head during the unprovoked attack on May 10, two days after the Clarets' last game of the season.
Burnley FC had won the EFL Championship title two weeks earlier at the home of arch rivals Blackburn Rovers, and finished the season with a whopping 101 points.
Full story here: Man was attacked outside pub after Burnley FC promotion
Drink driving woman 'got lost' on way home to Barrowford
A woman attracted the attention of police when she got lost as she drove home.
Blackburn magistrates heard Lauren Collier was breathalysed and found to be more than double the drink drive limit on August 5.
Collier, 35, of Halstead Lane, Barrowford, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
She was fined £120 with £85 costs and £48 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.
Full story here: Drink driving woman 'got lost' on way home to Barrowford
Bacup man guilty over fly tipping of 30 tons of rubbish
A lorry showing false number plates was filmed dumping 30 tons of household waste outside Rossendale Council’s offices.
Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the fly tipping happened shortly after the lorry owner, Paul Harrison, had been charged in connection with allegedly operating an illegal waste disposal operation from his farm in Bacup.
Harrison, 50, of Rochdale Road, Bacup, was convicted after trial of being involved in the deposit of controlled waste in Futures Park, Bacup.
Paul Bell, 58, of Finland Road, Stockport, pleaded guilty to the same offence.
Full story here: Bacup man guilty over fly tipping of 30 tons of rubbish
Man made monkey chants at Blackburn vs Bournemouth match
A Blackburn Rovers fan has been found guilty of making racist monkey chants towards an opposition player.
Burnley Magistrates' Court heard Darren Livesey was watching Blackburn Rovers vs AFC Bournemouth when he made racist remarks.
Bournemouth, known as the Cherries, were visiting Ewood Park in Rovers' last home game of that Championship season on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
When Bournemouth's attacking players ventured close to Rovers' goal, Livesey made monkey noises and chants on three separate occasions, the court heard.
Full story here: Man made monkey chants at Blackburn vs Bournemouth match
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