Blackpool: From the courts 12-04-18

Here is the latest round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court.
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Blackpool: From the courts 11-04-18

A benefits cheat illegally claimed thousands of pounds when he worked in the security industry for five companies.

Dean Cuthbertson failed to tell the authorities about any of his jobs and obtained almost £8,000 in carer’s allowance for looking after for his mother-in-law.

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Cuthbertson, a 45-year-old father-of-eight, of Jameson Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions that he was working.

He was sentenced to an eight weeks tagged curfew from 8pm to 7am and ordered to pay £85 victims’ surcharge.

Presiding magistrate, Eileen Oldroyd, told him: “A large amount of money has been taken from the public purse which could have been given to someone in need.”

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Cuthbertson illegally claimed £7,978 in carer’s allowance between April 2013 and March 2016, for looking after his mother-in-law.

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During that time, he had worked as a security officer for five firms, including Inquest Detection and Canine Security, and at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

When questioned by fraud investigators, Cuthbertson claimed he had informed the DWP about one job but not the others because the work was either casual or he was on a zero hours contract.John McLaren, defending, said Cuthbertson and his wife had eight children between them with five still at home. His client’s wife’s mother then became too ill to care for herself and moved in with the family.

Debts began to mount up until Cuthbertson owed £35,000 and he went to work in the security industry, where he had contacts, to try and repay what he owed.

He was working more than 16 hours a week and not declaring it. Cuthbertson was not fit to work at present as he had a heart problem.

Robert Pringle, 24, drink-driving

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A fish processor was more than three times the drink-drive limit when police saw his car weaving around in the middle of the road.

Robert Pringle was described by an officer as “extremely unsteady on his feet almost to the point of falling over”.

Pringle, 24, of Harwood Close, Stalmine, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 80 hours unpaid work for the community, banned from the road for 26 months and ordered to pay £85 costs plus £85 victims’ surcharge. Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said a police patrol on Mains Lane, Poulton, saw Pringle driving a Ford Mondeo on March 18 at 2am.

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He turned into Shard Road, was weaving around in the middle of the road and when stopped he told an officer he had had a couple of drinks.

A breath test showed 107 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

John McLaren, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, worked as a fish processor and delivery driver for a firm on Preston Docks.

As a result of the offence he would not be able to do the driving part of the job and would lose income.

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In a report to the court, probation officer Lesley Whittaker, told magistrates that Pringle said he only drank at weekends having approximately five pints.

The day of the offence he went to the pub to watch rugby and had five pints, not taking into account that unusually for him, he had been drinking the night before.

He felt fit to drive and was stopped on his way home with a friend he had gone to pick up.

David Deeming, 42, theft

A man accused of stealing a wrought-iron gate valued at £500 at Fleetwood has appeared at court.

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David Deeming, 42, of Shakespeare Road, Fleetwood, is accused of committing the offence on February 10 this year,

His case was adjourned for further inquiries.

Mark Fareham, 45, theft

A Blackpool man has been put on a curfew after he admitted stealing aftershave.

Mark Fareham, 45, of Caunce Street admitted the theft from TK Maxx where a security guard halted him from leaving the store after seeing him acting suspiciously.

Police were called and found bottles valued at almost £100 under his trouser belt. Fareham was given a ten week curfew from 7pm to 7 am.

Kiera Shaw, 23, assault

A Blackpool woman punched another woman.

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Kiera Shaw, 23, of Caroline Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to assault.

Defence lawyer, David Charnley, said his client accepted she had punched the other woman but denied she had kicked her.

Shaw was bailed to July 16 for a court hearing.