Blackpool: From the courts 16-02-18

A man who took four strong Valium-type tablets was described as being sent ‘crackers’ by the medication.

John Hutchinson first trashed his own flat and then smashed two windows at the flat of a friend he had lent money to.

The 39-year-old, of Progress Court, Dinmore Avenue, Grange Park, pleaded guilty to causing damage.

He was given a 12-months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor Pam Smith said on January 26 at 1pm, Hutchinson was heard shouting outside a friend’s flat in Progress Court ‘I want my money’ and ‘If you don’t come out I’ll put you in hospital’ before smashing two windows.

Allan Cobain, defending, said his client had kept out of trouble for five years.

Hutchinson took medication for depression, anxiety and pain but he bought some Valium-type pills to help a friend, who was coming off heroin, the court heard.

He decided to test the strength of the pills and mixed some with his medication.

Mr Cobain said: “This made him go crackers. He had often lent his friend money in an emergency but this time the money his friend currently owed played on his mind and he broke the windows.”

Mitchell Stokes, 54, drink driving

A motorist was found to be more than twice over the legal alcohol limit after he drove away from a fracas involving his girlfriend’s family.

Mitchell Stokes, 54, of St Marks Place, Layton, pleaded guilty to drink driving.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £100 with £85 costs plus a £30 victim surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said on January 24 Stokes was spoken to by police following an incident.

The 54-year-old had been driving a Caddy van and a breath test showed 77 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, said Stokes, who had no previous convictions, had gone to his girlfriend’s and been asked to take her 30-year-old son out for a drink in Cleveleys.

The son had problems with his drink and when they returned home members of his girlfriend’s family blamed Stokes. The court heard he was very angry, drove home and then the police arrived.

Connor Hurley, 25, assault

A man flicked a lit cigarette at a police constable, Blackpool Magistrates’ Court was told.

Connor Hurley, 25, of Condor Grove, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to assault.

The assault was said to have taken place after police took Hurley’s girlfriend from their address on January 26.

The 25-year-old was bailed for pre-sentence reports by Blackpool magistrates.

Joshua Barrett, 18, aggravated vehicle taking

A teenager drove off without permission in a vehicle belonging to the car dealership he worked for.

Joshua Barrett then smashed into a BMW X5, causing severe damage to both vehicles, before driving away from the scene of the accident in Blackpool.

The 18-year-old, of Croasdale Walk, Grange Park, pleaded guilty to the aggravated taking of a Ford Mondeo Titanium Estate belonging to car dealers Evans Halshaw, in Blackpool, on January 6.

He also admitted failing to stop after an accident with a BMW X5 on Newton Drive, having no insurance and driving not in accordance with his licence.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had taken a car from Evans Halshaw where he worked, then been involved in a collision which caused significant damage to both cars.

Barrett admitted it had been a breach of trust and he had shown genuine remorse, the court heard.

His case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports by Blackpool magistrates.

Scott Ball, 26, burglary and GBH

A man accused of breaking into an address at Freckleton he previously shared with his ex-girlfriend and fracturing the cheekbone of one of her male friends has made his first appearance at court.

Scott Ball, of Heeley Road, St Annes, is charged with burgling an address in Ferndale Close and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The 26-year-old is also accused of burgling the same address with intent to cause damage.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on February 11.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said the case had to be heard at crown court.

Defence lawyer, Brett Chappell, told the court: “He vehemently denies both allegations.”

Ball was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on March 14 by Blackpool magistrates.

He must live at his given address, keep a tagged curfew from 9pm to 7am and not enter Freckleton or contact prosecution witnesses, as conditions of his bail.