Blackpool: From the courts 07-02-18

Shaun Threlfall, 21, sending a threatening message

A care worker who had been drinking heavily threatened to bomb Blackpool Council’s housing offices.

Shaun Threlfall had drunk 30 pints of lager, vodka and cider over a two-day drinking binge.

Threlfall, 21, formerly of Braemar Walk, Bispham, now living in Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to sending a threatening message.

He was sentenced to a 12 month community order with up to 15 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work for the community and told to pay £100 compensation to a housing official and £85 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said a housing officer from Blackpool Coastal Housing went to visit Threlfall and the man he cared for at their address in Braemar Walk.

On January 9, Threlfall left a voicemail at Blackpool Coastal Housing offices saying he was going to bomb the offices while the male officer who visited him was in there.

The officer and staff were alarmed and distressed and worried about whether they would have to evacuate the premises.

Threlfall was caught after the officer thought the voicemail might have come from him. A video of him on the internet was traced and his voice matched that on the message.

When interviewed Threlfall said he was angry when he rang the housing offices and found they were closed.

He said he had been showing off to a friend.

Suzanne Mugford, defending, said Threlfall, who had no previous convictions, had acted completely out of character and had no intention of carrying out the threat.

He had already apologised to the officer concerned.

In a report to the court, probation officer Brian Weatherington, told magistrates Threlfall said he drank 30 pints of lager plus a bottle of vodka and some cider over the two days before he made the bomb threat.

He had now reduced his binge drinking.

Lewis Danville, 22, breach of bail

A man twice failed to report at Blackpool police station.

Lewis Danville, 22, of Cheltenham Road, North Shore, pleaded guilty to two offences of breaching bail. Magistrates agreed to rebail him.

The court was told that Danville had denied a charge of assaulting his sister and resisting a police officer.

He had been bailed on the condition he did not contact his sister and reported to police daily between noon and 2pm.

On January 31 and February 1 he failed to go to the police station and sign in.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, said his client had mental health and self-harm issues.

James Studd, 23, Barbara Cookson, 67, Chris Allport, 27, trespass

The prosecution of three people alleged to have taken part in an anti-fracking protest at Thornton, have had their cases adjourned.

The trio were arrested on May 10 last year at the Hillhouse Business Park, Bourne Road, during a “lock on” protest aimed at businesses supplying the Cuadrilla shale gas exploration company.

Only one of the three James Studd, 23, of Woodbridge, Suffolk, turned up for his trial.

Barbara Cookson, 67, from Liverpool and Chris Allport, 27, of Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshore, did not attend.

Magistrates issued warrants with bail for them.

The trial was adjourned at the request of prosecutor Cecilia Prichard who said that the defence had brought up a legal issue at a late stage involving the legal status of the land where the trio were arrested.

All three are alleged to have trespassed on the land and failing to leave the area when requested.

They are also charged with obstructing people going about their lawful activity. The case was adjourned until February 19.

David Smith, 32, assault

A man has made his first appearance at court accused of holding a knife to his former girlfriend’s throat and also threatening to snap her neck.

David Smith, 32, formerly of Horsebridge Road, Grange Park, now living at Edmonton Place, Bispham, pleaded not guilty to assault.

The offence is alleged to have taken place at the ex’s home on Horsebridge Road on February 3.

Smith was bailed to appear on April 20 for trial.

James Topping, 25, theft

A 25-year-old Blackpool man claimed was ordered by another man to go into the town’s Bodyshop and steal a giftset valued at £53.

James Topping said he received threats from another man who scared him.

Topping of Jackson Street, Layton, admitted carrying out the theft and was ordered to pay the shop £53 compensation.