Blackpool: From the courts 08-02-18

Anthony Walls, 33, attempted robbery

A father-of-two has made his first appearance at court accused of a knife-point raid at a Fleetwood bookmakers.

Anthony Walls, 33, of St Heliers Avenue, South Shore, is charged with attempted robbery at William Hill, Lord Street, on February 5.

He is also accused of possessing a kitchen knife at the bookmakers.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said the case must be heard at crown court.

Walls was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on March 7.

John Beaney, 21, drink-driving

Staff at a McDonalds drive-thru were suspicious a customer had had too much to drink and reported him to police.

John Beaney was said by staff at the outlet on Amy Johnson Way, South Shore, to be slurring his words and bobbing and weaving about in his van.

Beaney, a 21-year-old carpet delivery driver, of Bridge House Road, Marton, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 17 months and fined £120 with £85 costs plus £30 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Sarah Perkins, said McDonalds staff called police on January 20, at 2am, after Beaney ordered food at the drive-thru, because he appeared intoxicated.

A breath test showed 60 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit.

Sophie Gillespie, defending, said her client had been drinking earlier in the day and had awoken hungry after a nap.

Gary Scott, 49, drink-driving

A man accused of being in charge of a car at Lytham while he was three-and-a-half times over the alcohol level has made his first appearance at court.

Gary Scott, 49, of Stanley Road, Lytham, pleaded not guilty to being in charge of a Saab in Stanley Road on December 12 last year with 126 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

Scott’s case was adjourned for trial on May 16.

Wayne Emery, 41, possession of an imitation firearm and impersonating a police officer

A man accused of posing as an armed police officer to repeatedly burgle the home of a 94-year-old man has made his first appearance at court.

Wayne Emery, 41, of Bryon Street, South Shore, is charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause the pensioner to believe violence would be used against him and impersonating a police officer.

He also faces four offences of burgling the pensioner’s home in the resort’s Bolton Street stealing a total of £750 cash, two rings and a key.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 27 and February 4 this year.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said the case must go to crown court and opposed bail for Emery.

Defence lawyer, Martin Hillson, did not ask for bail for his client and said Emery would not indicate pleas to the offences at that stage.

Emery was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on March 7.

Matthew Mallea, 40, criminal damage

A man damaged a door at Blackpool’s Job Centre after he stormed out in a temper.

Matthew Mallea had asked for financial assistance because his benefits had been sanctioned but he was told he had brought incorrect documents with him.

Mallea, 40, of Cavendish Road, Bispham, pleaded guilty to causing damage.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation.Prosecutor, Sarah Perkins, said Mallea swore at a staff member at the Tyldesley Road Job Centre on November 23, at 11.20am, when his application for financial help was refused because he did not have the right documents.

John Pearce, 46, drink-driving

A driver replied to police who asked if he had had a drink with “I’ve had loads”.

John Pearce had drunk two bottles of wine and was almost three times over the limit.

Pearce, a 46-year-old store worker, of Grizedale Road, Mereside, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 60 hours unpaid work for the community, disqualified from driving for 24 months and ordered to pay £85 costs plus £85 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Sarah Perkins, said police received a report of a crash on Langdale Road on January 17 at 10.10pm. Officers arrived to see a Citroen Berlingo had hit metal railings outside Mereside Primary School.

The vehicle was written off and the railings significantly damaged.

A breath test showed 93 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit.