Latest convictions from Blackpool's court - Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Liam Barnsley, 19, breach of a restraining order

A teenager illegally contacted a girl on 2,500 occasions despite a judge banned him from any contact with her.

Liam Barnsley had previously broken the court order banning him from contacting the 17-year-old girl on four occasions.

Barnsley, 19, of Spencer Court, North Shore, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order between July 8 and 24.

He was remanded in custody to appear for sentence at Preston Crown Court on August 29.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Barnsley was put on a restraining order at Preston Crown Court in July last year, which banned him from contacting the girl.

Barnsley had repeatedly messaged the girl, making 2,500 contacts with her, and it was his fifth breach of the order.

Steven Townley, defending, told magistrates his client accepted there had been contact with the girl but it had been mutually agreed to by both of them and they had contacted each

other.

Mr Townley added that the teenagers wanted to have a relationship but that had been fiercely opposed by the girl’s mother and the restraining order on Barnsley had been made when the girl was 15.

The girl was now 17, living in her own accommodation and could in the future ask for the restraining order on Barnsley to be lifted.

Brandon Brook, 20, theft, attempted theft

A thief escaped alcohol when he booted open a fire door at a supermarket and fled.

But when Brandon Brook tried a similar stunt at the same supermarket he was caught by a security officer.

Brook, 20, of Lytham Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to one offence of theft and one offence of attempted theft.

He was sentenced to three months, suspended for two years, put on a six week curfew from 5pm to 4am and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said the security officer at Sainsbury’s, Red Bank Road, Bispham, viewed footage of Brook at the store on May 4.

Brook was caught on film picking up alcohol valued at £200 and then kicking open the fire door and fleeing.

Brook returned to the store four days later and put alcohol valued at £181 in a basket before heading for the fire door, but the security officer had recognised him and stopped him before he could flee. Brook had a criminal record of 45 thefts and similar offences.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, said Brook, who had come through the care system, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

At the time of the offences Brook’s benefits had been stopped after he had missed an appointment and he had had no money.

His benefits had now been sorted out.