These are the latest cases and convictions from Blackpool Magistrates' Court - March 16, 2020

Here is the latest round-up of cases from Blackpool Magistrates' Court.
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Neil Bibby, 42, breach of injunction

A man broke the law when he repeatedly banged on his front door then shouted and screamed in a block of flats on New Years Day.

Neil Bibby, 42, of Boston Way, Marton, pleaded guilty to breaching a civil injunction which bans him from causing a nuisance.

Blackpool Magistrates' CourtBlackpool Magistrates' Court
Blackpool Magistrates' Court
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He was fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £32 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Tracy Yates, said a man who lived in the flat above Bibby’s said he had had problems with the defendant for two years,

In August, Bibby was made the subject of a civil injunction at Blackpool County Court which banned him from causing a nuisance.

On January 1, at 1.30am, the witness said Bibby went on the rampage banging his front door, shouting and screaming for half-an-hour.

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The man had his child with him and the child was upset. As the man and child left Bibby opened his window and shouted and waved at them.The man said he felt intimidated by Bibby and

over the years the defendant had caused stress to him and his children,

When interviewed by police Bibby said he could not remember the incident as he had memory loss and blackouts due to medication he takes.

Stephen Duffy, defending, said after suffering a subdural haematoma Bibby got epilepsy and had fits.

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The block of flats had become accommodation for people with difficulties and Bibby had been placed there by Blackpool Council.

The complaint was the only able-bodied tenant there and was understood to want to buy his own flat.

The council was trying hard to find suitable alternative accommodation for Bibby.

John O’Brien, 61, drink-driving

A man was caught driving while more than twice over the limit in Blackpool the day after going to a funeral.

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John O’Brien, 61, of Briar Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 21 months, fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £32 victims’ surcharge.Prosecutor, Tracy Yates, said on February 19 at 4.30pm police saw

O’Brien in a Volvo which was stopped on Cookson Street facing the wrong way.

A breath test showed 87 microgrammes of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit.

He had a similar previous conviction from 2003.

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O’Brien’s lawyer said his client had been to a funeral in Manchester the day before and came to Blackpool to see his daughter and some friends.

O’Brien and the friends had been reminiscing over the friend who had died and they went to the pub where the defendant drank four to five pints.

O’Brien’s car had been stopped when police saw it but he admitted to officers he had driven it.

The ban would hit him hard as he had suffered from cancer and brittle bones and he cared for his wife who was unwell.

Gary Kennedy, 44, and Gemma Titterton, 40, reckless arson

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A man and woman have made their first appearance at court charged with committing arson at a pub.

The duo face the allegation of reckless arson as to whether life could be endangered and property damaged on Thursday.

The property involved is the Hop Inn on Talbot Road ,Blackpool which is owned and operated by Blackpool Council.

Gary Kennedy, 44, formerly of Station Road,Blackpool, and Gemma Titterton, 40, of no fixed address were remanded in custody by District Judge Jane Goodwin sitting at the town’s magistrates court.

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They were sent for trial at Preston Crown Oourt where they will appear on April 15.

No value was given for the fire damage which started in a smoking shelter in

the early hours of the morning..

Stephen Perry, 55, theft

A serial thief twice targeted a Blackpool shop and twice stole headphones from there. Stephen Perry, 55, of Reads Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to two offences of theft.He was given an 18 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £166 compensation with £85 costs plus £32 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Tracy Yates, said Perry was seen in the HMV store on February 9, secreting two pairs of headphones valued at £89 in his jacket.

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The security officer later reviewed CCTV and identified Perry as the man who had previously stolen two pairs of headphones valued at £77 from the store on December 29. When interviewed Perry said he could not remember committing the theft on December 29 Perry had a record of 82 previous offences a number of which were for theft.

Brett Chappell, defending, said his client got benefits of Employment Support Allowance (ES him three months to get his benefits reinstated.