These are the latest cases and convictions from Blackpool Magistrates' Court - Friday, February 21, 2020

Michael Brade, 35, assault and theft

A Blackpool man denied attacking his ex-partner twice.

Michael Brade, 35, of Charnley Road, also faces a charge of stealing £40 from the same woman.

He was bailed, with a trial set for May 5.

Michael Finney, 50, drink-driving

A care worker was almost three times the legal drink-drive limit after accepting two drinks of whisky from one his clients.

Michael Finney clipped a taxi’s wing mirror and hit a parked vehicle before being found slumped in a van, the court was told.

Finney, 50, of St Annes Road East, St Annes, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was given an eight-week 7pm-7am curfew, banned from driving for 25 months, and ordered to pay £85 costs with £90 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor Sophie Gillespie said the taxi’s driver, who was dropping passengers off in Kilnhouse Lane, saw Finney in a Peugeot at around 11.10pm on Monday, January 27.

Finney clipped his wing mirror before crashing into a parked car.

Seeing Finney slumped, the cabbie called police.

A breath test showed 99 units of alcohol in Finney’s system. The limit is 35.

Howard Green, defending, said his client had been to work before being asked to see an extra client in the evening. The client had no food, so Finney went to get him some, he said.

When he got back, he drank a whisky that had been poured for him, and drank another as he cooked for the client.

Finney was later sacked.

James Jackson, 37, drink-driving

A resort decorator overtook a police car at a speed estimated by officers at around 110mph, the court was told.

James Jackson, 37, of Marlborough Road, was travelling on the M55 in heavy rain and was stopped by police in Preston New Road, Marton.

Officers could smell booze on his breath, with Jackson failing a roadside test.

He was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £260.

His lawyer Brett Chappell said: “He will no longer be able to help his parents in Blackburn, and his new business is now at risk.”

Luke Evans, 21, threatening to commit arson

A Blackpool man was remanded in custody after being charged with threatening to commit arson.

Luke Evans, 21, of Hornby Road, is accused of saying he would set fire to flats in the road where he lives.

He was also charged with sending a woman living in the block a threatening message.

Evans’ case will be heard at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, March 25.

Richard Baker, 48, possessing a class B drug

A man was found in the bedroom of a resort house with a cannabis joint and three small bags of the drug.

Richard Baker, 48, of Burlington Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to having the class B drug and was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, March 18.

Prosecutor Sophie Gillespie said Baker was caught with the drugs when police went to a home in Blackpool on October 1 last year.

He had a record of nine previous drug-related offences and was, at the time, serving a suspended prison sentence.

Trevor Colebourne, defending, said the amount of cannabis his client had was small and for his own use.

Oliver Major, 26, assault and resisting police

A man who was hearing voices in his head launched an attack at Blackpool’s North train station.

Oliver Major, 26, of Preston Street, Kirkham, pleaded guilty to assault and resisting a police sergeant.

James Ball, defending, said his client, who pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, had been hearing voices and had been sectioned.

Mr Ball said Major was struggling to cope with the death of his parents.

Major’s case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

Amir-Salar Hemati, 22, drink-driving

A driver seen weaving between lanes on the Prom in Blackpool was caught over the legal alcohol limit.Amir-Salar Hemati, 22, of Nelson Street in Salford, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

He was banned from the roads for 13 months, fined £200 with £85 costs, and ordered to pay £32 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor Sophie Gillespie said police saw Hemati in a Mercedes approaching traffic lights on the Prom – and weaving between lanes – at around 1.10am on Saturday, February 1.

After making a late lane change into Lytham Road, South Shore, Hemati was stopped, with a breath test showing 44 units of alcohol in his system. The limit is 35.

Peter Manning, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had drunk one pint a in pub.

He then realised his car was parked illegally and decided to move it a short distance. Hemati did not accept criticism of his driving style.