These are this week's cases and convictions from Blackpool Magistrates' Court - Monday, March 7 - Friday, March 11 , 2022

**A Blackpool man who subjected his female victim to a humiliating assault has been jailed**

District Judge Jane Goodwin sitting at Blackpool Magistrates Court sent Benjamin Fisher, 38, of Hornby Road, to prison for 26 weeks and ordered him to pay £600 costs.

He was also made the subject of a two year restraining order.

Fisher had been found guilty of twice assaulting the same victim and causing criminal damage to her car.

During one assault he threatened the woman with a car jack and then rubbed a £10 note in her face after rubbing it on his bottom.

**A 29-year-old woman has appeared before Blackpool Magistrates charged with blackmail**

Nicola Whittaker, of Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood, is charged with blackmailing a man during April last year.

Her case must be heard at Preston Crown Court where she will appear on April 6.

She was bailed in the meantime.

**An alleged member of a county line drugs gang called "Scouse P" has appeared in court**

David Parle, 34, of Kilmory Place, Bispham, faced two charges when he appeared before District Judge Jane Goodwin at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

Parle is charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

The judge sent Parle for trial at Preston Crown Court where he will appear on April 6.

He was remanded in custody.

**The owner of a Blackpool fast food takeaway has denied food safety and hygiene laws including the alleged failure to implement pest control**

Fifty-year-old Tafayul Choudhury, who runs the TFC outlet on Highfield Road, South Shore, denied eight separate allegations in a prosecution brought by Blackpool Council.

The town's magistrates were told by defence lawyer Trevor Colebourne that Choudhury, of Salthouse Avenue, Blackpool, denied the offences.

The charges relate to the alleged lack of cleanliness on the premises and improper food storage.

He faces an offence of having substandard cleanliness of fittings and equipment and failing to implement pest control procedures.

Other charges relate to hand washing facilities and document offences.

Magistrates set a trial date for May 18.

**A 29-year-old Blackpool woman has been bailed pending her trial for threatening and obstructing the police**

Jade Rutter, of Penrose Avenue, will stand trial on May 16, the town's magistrates ruled.

She also faces an allegation of criminal damage to a £300 door.

**A 30-year-old man has appeared at court charged with sexually assaulting two women - one aged sixteen - on Blackpool's Central Pier**

Jordan Wilkinson, of Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, denied both offences when he appeared at the town's magistrates court.

The offences are said to have taken place in June last year.

Wilkinson was bailed until his trial on May 10 which will take place at Preston Magistrates Court.

**A 20-year-old Blackpool man has denied three burglary charges**

Lester Downey, formerly of Central Drive and now of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to burgling two premises on Church Street, Blackpool, one involving the alleged theft of a TV set.

He further denied burgling a beach hut on The Esplanade, Fleetwood.

Dominic Hodson, 31, of no fixed address is co accused with Downey in the charges relating to Church Street, Blackpool. He also denied the allegations.

Blackpool Magistrates fixed their trial date for April 11.

**A 22-year-old woman went on a shoplift spree to help her male partner's drug problems**

Courtney Helme, of Old Market Court, Morecambe, admitted four thefts from outlets in Lancaster involving goods with £500.

They included gin, pyjamas and candles.

Helme also admitted breaching a previously imposed probation order.

Blackpool Magistrates sentenced her to a one year community punishment with 30 rehabilitation days. She must pay £230 costs.

**A restaurant worker's speed at the wheel of an Audi led to her arrest**

When Courtney Godfrey, 30, was pulled over she admitted to police she had drunk "a couple of pints after work."

Godfrey, of Taywood Road,Thornton, admitted drink driving.

She was banned for a year by Blackpool Magistrates and must pay £349 in fines and costs.

**A woman launched a verbal and physical tirade against a Blackpool cabbie**

Kelly Barker, 39, of Caton Grove, Layton, admitted a racially aggravated assault when she appeared before Blackpool Magistrates.

The court heard the driver had picked up the woman at 4.30am.

She appeared drunk so he asked for the fare to be paid up front.

But Barker became angry and punched out at the driver and used verbal racial abuse.

She told the court: "I panicked because he had locked me in. I did pay him. I was just scared."

Baker was bailed and sentencing was adjourned for probation reports.