Blackpool: From the courts 11-06-18

Zack Jackson, 22, assault

A man punched one supermarket security guard in the face and spat in another guard’s face after he was told to leave the store.

Zack Jackson was already barred from Sainsbury’s, in Talbot Road, Blackpool, when he was seen reeling about in the premises.

Jackson, 22, of Windsor Place, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to two offences of assault.

He was sentenced to a two year community order with up to 50 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, put on six months drug rehabilitation and ordered to pay compensation of £100 to each guard with £50 costs plus £85 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said Jackson was seen coming into Sainsbury’s a second time on Saturday, May 31 at 4.30pm, by a security guard who had previously asked him to leave.

Jackson was very unsteady on his feet and as the guard tried to escort him out Jackson punched him on the jaw.

Another guard went to the aid of his colleague and the three of them ended up on the floor where Jackson spat full in the face of the second guard.

The first guard suffered pain in his jaw.

The second guard said he felt sick after he had been spat on.

Brett Chappell, defending, described his client as massively intoxicated that day.

He had been shocked and disgusted by his behaviour.

Jackson had problems with drugs including Spice and mental health problems and wanted to change.

John Rooney, 53, assault

A man described as controlling and possessive has been given a five month jail term, suspended for a year.

John Rooney, 53, of Yates Street, North Shore, must also undertake 35 days rehabilitation, be restricted to a curfew and a two -year restraining order was also imposed.

Rooney must also pay £500 compensation to his victim.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting his former partner at her home.

Howard Green, defending, said: “The injuries she received did not require any medical attention.

“He assaulted her and that is something he is not proud of.

“He has not seen her since.”

The court heard the couple had been out drinking and argued on their return home.

Rooney accused her of flirting with another man and he put his hands around her throat.

The court heard the incident had left the victim anxious and suffering bad dreams.

David Knowles, 49, theft and attempted theft

A man who was hard-up and struggling to buy food to eat stole from a supermarket in Blackpool.

David Knowles, 49, of Clifford Road, North Shore, pleaded guilty to one offence of theft and two offences of attempted theft.

He was sentenced to a seven week curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said CCTV at Sainsbury’s, Talbot Road, Blackpool on May 19, showed Knowles taking the security tag off a £200 television and walking out with it without paying.

The next day Knowles returned to the store, de-tagged a £50 razor and put it up his top.

He was detained after a security officer watching the CCTV saw him then trying to remove the security tag from a £100 sound system.

Knowles had a record of 60 previous convictions for theft and similar offences.

Jon Lee, defending, said his client, who had pleaded guilty immediately, had been struggling financially.

Knowles was on income support and received about £60 a fortnight after deductions and he had been struggling to eat.

Ian Sutcliffe, 61, breach of Sexual Offences Prevention Order

A Blackpool man has been sent for trial accused of sexually grooming a 14-year-old girl.

Ian Sutcliffe, 61, of Hornby Road is also alleged to have breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order three times.

The first breach alleges he used a website aimed at youngsters to contact teenage girls.

He is also accused of removing two apps from his mobile phone used to contact girls.

Sutcliffe further faces two charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Magistrates agreed with a prosecution application that the cases must be heard at Preston Crown Court.

No application for bail by defence lawyer Gary McAnulty and Sutcliffe will appear at the higher court on July 11.

Liam Nield, 24, theft

A thief targeted a shop on seven occasions and stole DVD box sets valued at hundreds of pounds.

Liam Nield, 24, of Reads Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to seven offences of theft.

He was sentenced to a four weeks’ tagged curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered to pay £400 compensation plus £85 costs.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said Nield went into Blackpool’s HMV store seven times between April 15 and 21, and box sets to the value of £400.

Nield was apprehended by a store security officer on April 21.

When interviewed he said he stole the items to sell so he could pay for food.

Howard Green, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had been in a difficult situation as he had no income.

Nield’s work contract had come to an end and he was unable for a time to get benefits.