Blackpool: From the courts 03-10-17

Here is the latest round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court.
Blackpool Magistrates' CourtBlackpool Magistrates' Court
Blackpool Magistrates' Court

David Everton, 24, possessing an offensive weapon, possessing cannabis

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A man told police who found two knuckledusters in his pocket that they were key rings.

David Everton, 24, of Wyreside Close, Garstang, pleaded guilty to two offences of possessing an offensive weapon and one offence of having cannabis.

He was sentenced to a 12 month community order with up to 20 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, ordered to serve 24 hours at an attendance centre and told to pay £85 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said police received information about Everton on April 6, and officers found him in Fleetwood Road, Thornton.

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On searching him they found a knuckleduster in each pocket. Everton told officers: “You can throw them away. They are key rings – look at the tiny holes in them.”

Police then searched Everton’s flat and found cannabis in his bedroom and the living room.

Michael Woosnam, defending, said at the time of the offences, Everton was living in a block of flats in Luton Road, Cleveleys, and he found the knuckledusters in a flat he was asked to clear out.

James Beeston, 27, theft

A man was believed to have been under drug-induced psychosis when he stole expensive gold jewellery.

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James Beeston grabbed a £1,750 gold chain and a ring from a jewellery store at a Fleetwood market and then snatched a £745 large gold sleeper ring from a second-hand shop in the port.

Beeston, 27, of Mount Road, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to two offences of theft.

He was sentenced to 46 days imprisonment and ordered to pay £115 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said a jewellery stall holder at Adelaide Street market, Fleetwood, came out of the back of his premises on July 29 at 12.30pm, to see Beeston snatching something from one of the display counters.Beeston fled dropping a gold ring. A homeless person retrieved a £1,750 gold chain Beeston also dropped and identified the defendant to the police.

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On August 10 at 1pm Beeston went into Money Traders, Fleetwood, and complained to an assistant that he had been ripped off by the shop when they sold him an iPod. He asked to look at a heavy gold ring valued at £724 and said: “You could use this as a knuckleduster – can you imagine getting smacked with that?”

After asking to see another ring Beeston fled from the shop got on his bicycle and rode off.

Steven Townley, defending, at the time of the offences Beeston had been using drugs and there had been concerns about the state of his mental health.

Mr Townley said: “The drug team believe he committed the offences while under a drug-induced psychosis. He is no longer taking drugs and is mentally and physically feeling much better.”

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Stephen Morgan, 26, driving while disqualified, no insurance, obstruction

A car trader who was banned from the road lied to a police officer who stopped him as he drove with three passengers.

Stephen Morgan gave a false name and date-of-birth but police got an image from the DVLA of the man the defendant had named and it did not match him.

Morgan, 26, of Fairfield Road, North Shore, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified without insurance and obstructing police.

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He was sentenced to a 16 week jail sentence, banned from the road for three years and ordered to pay £115 victims’ surcharge.

Presiding magistrate, Ian Robertson, told him: “You knew exactly what you were doing.

“You have a terrible record especially for driving matters.

“You have completely disregarded court orders.”

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said police saw Morgan drive away on September 30, at 3.40am in a Saab on General Street.

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He was stopped on Warbreck Drive, gave false details and said he was insured on a trader’s policy and would go and get the paperwork.

When shown the DVLA picture of the man whose name he had given Morgan said: “I gave you the wrong name. I’m disqualified.”

Morgan had previous convictions for driving while banned and driving dangerously.

Kieron Rowlandson, 26, burglary

A man accused of burglary and handling stolen goods at Fleetwood has appeared at court over the video link.

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Kieron Rowlandson, 26, of Rede Avenue, Fleetwood, pleaded not guilty to burgling a garden shed and stealing a can of spray paint on September 3.

He also denied handling the stolen car keys to a Renault Clio and a satellite navigation system in November last year.

Defence lawyer, Steven Townley, did not ask for bail for his client.

Rowlandson was remanded in custody to October 13.