These are the latest cases and convictions from Blackpool Magistrates' Court - Monday, March 23, 2020

Daniel Haythornthwaite, 25, theft

A 25-year-old barman had such an entrenched gambling habit that it had cost him £100,000.

A court heard that Daniel Haythornthwaite also had an addiction to cocaine.

When he was left in charge of the Bloomfield pub on BloomfieldRoad, Blackpool, he succumbed to temptation and stole£6,600 from the safe to repay debts and continue visiting bookies and casinos.

He pleaded guilty to theft from his employer and was sentenced to a 22 week jail term, suspended for 18 months.

He must do 30 rehabilitation days and a ten week curfew and repay the money he stole.

Malcom Isherwood, prosecuting, said Haythornthwaite was made assistant trainee manager after six weeks at the pub.

The managers went on holiday and left him in charge, which included putting the takings in the safe.

CCTV footage showed him playing the pub’s gaming machines after closing time.

Inquiries revealed he had used money from the safe to gamble on horses and at casinos.

The prosecutor said: “In interview he said he was in debt to drug dealers and had spent £100,000 on gambling.”

He was questioned by police and admitted what he had done.

His lawyer, Robert Castle, said the manager had been aware of Haythornthwaite’s problems when he was left in charge.

“Perhaps it was an inappropriate thing to do as my client was always going to be tempted,” said Mr Castle.

Sentencing the defendant, Bench chairman Mark Cowburn said: “You breached a significant level of trust.”

Adam England, 32, violent behaviour

A former soldier described himself as having a meltdown in a cell at Blackpool Police Headquarters after being arrested on a stag do.

Adam England kicked the cell door threatened a police officer and his family and poured water on the cell floor.

England, a warehouse supervisor, 32, of Cranmer Court, Heywood, pleaded guilty to violent behaviour in a police station.

He was fined £90 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £32 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Paul Huxley, said police were called to the Norbreck Castle Hotel, on February 25, at 7pm, where a man had been throwing chairs around and been abusive to staff.

After enquiries England was arrested and on being put in a cell was threatening and poured water on the floor which ran under the door.

Gerry Coyle, defending, said his client, had been in the Army for about five years serving with the 1st Fusiliers and doing two tours of duty in Iraq. He was now on medication and seeing a counsellor.

England, who had come to the resort on a stag do, said he had a complete meltdown and panic attack after being accused of something he did not do and was arrested.

Frances O’Brien, 40, theft

A woman who stole a trolley full of goods from a supermarket told police she wanted to have a happy New Year like everyone else.

Frances O’Brien, unemployed, aged 40, of Woodfield Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to theft.

She was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 costs with £21 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Paul Huxley, said a security officer saw O’Brien walk out of Asda, Cherry Tree Road, on December 31, at about 5pm, without paying for a trolley containing goods valued at £177 and detained her.

When interviewed she told police she took the goods because she wanted to try and have a happy New Year like every everyone else and be normal.

Robert Castle, defending, said his client received Universal Credit benefit and had no money, after losing cash hidden at home and was depressed.