Blackpool: From the courts 09-12-16

John Ellis, 63, indecent assault

A man his 60s touched a schoolgirl’s backside as she paid for goods at a Blackpool shop.

John Ellis, 63, of Belmont Avenue, Poulton, pleaded guilty to sexually touching the 14-year-old girl.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said the girl was in her school uniform paying for items at a shop counter on September 16, when Ellis touched her over her clothing.

She was upset, went home and told her mother.

When interviewed by police Ellis admitted touching the girl sexually and said he could not help himself.

Ellis’s defence lawyer said the defendant, who had no previous convictions, had learning difficulties and had been to a special school when he was young.

Ellis, who had never been treated for his disability, had expressed his regret at what he had done.

He said he had never had an inclination to commit such an offence previously.

He was bailed for pre-sentence reports and will be sentenced in the New Year by magistrates.

James Levett, 26, driving while disqualified, no insurance

A driver was caught behind the wheel of a car in a routine check seven months after he had been banned from the road.

James Levett, 26, of Dalkeith Avenue, Marton, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified without insurance.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 200 hours unpaid work for the community, ordered to pay £85 costs with £85 victims’ surcharge and had six motoring penalty points put on his licence by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said police stopped Levett on November 1 at 8pm. for a routine documents check as he drove an MG ZR on East Park Drive.

Levett immediately admitted he had been disqualified in April for 12 months for an offence of drink-driving.

David Charnley, defending, said his client had immediately co-operated with police and pleaded guilty.

Levett had driven only a short distance and it was an isolated incident.

Loren Sirbu, 21, drink-driving

A man accused of driving while unfit through drink and having no insurance has appeared at court.

Loren Sirbu, 21, of Pleasant Street, North Shore, had his case adjourned by Blackpool magistrates so an interpreter could attend.

Markus Pemberton, 21, drink-driving

A carer was more than twice over the alcohol limit when he drove home after having a meal with his girlfriend.

Markus Pemberton, 21, of Rosebery Avenue, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said police stopped Pemberton as he drove a Seat Leon on Highbury Road on November 20 at 1am. A breath test showed 86 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had acted out of character when he stupidly decided he was fit to drive back home after going out for a meal. The driving ban would have a great effect as Pemberton cared for his mother and sister.

Lee Moran, 46, handling stolen goods

A man who managed to stay off heroin for 11 years suddenly started taking the drug again, a judge heard.

Lee Moran funded the habit by handling stolen goods- work tools- stolen from vans and garages at night.

Moran, 46, of Withnell Road, South Shore, admitted 10 offences of handling stolen goods.He pawned the items after receiving them from a third party District Judge Jeff Brailsford heard at the town’s magistrates court.

The judge told Moran: “You put your needs for drugs above the need for justice and honesty.”

Moran was given a 20 weeks jail term suspended for a year. He must undertake 20 days rehabilitation which will include drug rehabilitation.

Sarah Perkins,prosecuting,said that Moran received just over £1,000 from two pawnshops for the tools.

Hugh Pond, defending, said: “The money was used by my client to buy drugs.

“He used his own name and address when pawning the items and he must have known the transaction were on CCTV.”

Luke Clayton, 24, drink-driving

A graphic designer was found by the side of the road when he crashed his car at St Annes after drinking.

Luke Clayton, 24, of Wharfdale, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 19 months, fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said police came across Clayton on November 19 at 2am at the side of Headroomgate Road.

His Renault Clio had clearly hit the pavement and had a damaged wheel.

A breath test showed he was more than twice over the limit with 73 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit,

Stephen Duffy, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had been to a pub about six minutes away from his home where a friend was DJ-ing.

Stupidly Clayton decided to drive home and believed his car skidded on black ice.

He had rung for a breakdown truck to recover his vehicle and was waiting for that when the police arrived.

Ashley Ryan, 21, criminal damage

A man banged on a window at Blackpool’s Street Life overnight shelter with a brick and broke it.

Ashley Ryan, 21, of Great Howard Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to causing damage.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 compensation with £50 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said Ryan was seen on CCTV hitting a window at the Street Life overnight shelter with a brick on May 10.

Defence lawyer, Patrick Nelligan, said his client had been frustrated because he was trying to get accommodation.

Christopher Blackledge, 26, drunk and disorderly

A man was arrested after causing a fracas in McDonalds in Blackpool.

Christopher Blackledge, a joiner, 26, of Wigan Lane, Wigan, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £66 with £85 costs by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said on November 11 at 5.45am police were called to McDonalds, Bank Hey Street, where staff had been having difficulties with the defendant.