These are the latest cases and convictions from Blackpool Magistrates' Court - Thursday, March 5, 2020

Scott Richadson, 26, driving while disqualified and with no insurance

A rugby player who drove while he was banned from the road has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Scott Richardson, who plays for Blackburn Rugby Union Club, got behind the wheel after a fellow player was ill and could not give him a lift to play.

Richardson, 26, of Harris Street, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified without insurance.

He had been banned from the road in 2018 for an offence of drink-driving and last year had a conviction for driving while disqualified without insurance.

Richardson was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 70 hours unpaid work for the community, banned from the road for 21 months, and ordered to pay £85 costs with £90 victims’ surcharge.

Presiding magistrate, Simon Bridge, told him: “You did not seem to learn your lesson.

“We were going to send you to prison, but we are giving you a chance here.”

Prosecutor, Sophie Gillespie, said police received a tip-off on February 1, about a possible disqualified driver and a description of the car he was driving.

Police stopped Richardson, who was driving a BMW on Fleetwood Road, Wesham, and checks revealed he was banned.

Damien Pickup, defending, said his client, who played semi-professional rugby union for Blackburn, was relying on a lift to the club from another player, who then said he was not going because he was ill.

Another colleague said he would give Richardson a lift to Blackburn if he could get himself to a roundabout near the motorway - so he foolishly decided to drive there.

The defence added that, if jailed, Richardson would lose his job, a home he was buying and his rugby playing career would be in jeopardy.

Blackburn head coach, Dino Radice, told magistrates he had been upset Richardson had not informed him of his driving ban, adding if he had known he would have taken steps to ensure he did not drive.

Mr Radice added that Richardson, as a rugby player, had never put a foot wrong, been late or had a red card.

He described Richardson as “incredibly loyal, liked by others at the club, a grafter and a credit to himself as far the club is concerned.”

Katrina Campbell, 34, drink-driving

A mother-of-three was three-and-a-half times over the alcohol limit on Valentines Day after an argument with her husband over her drinking some wine.

Katrina Campbell’s breath test showed 123 microgrammes of alcohol in her body – 35 is the limit.

Campbell, 34, of Condor Grove, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

She was sentenced to eight weeks jail, suspended for 12 months, disqualified from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay £85 costs with £122 victims’ surcharge.

Presiding magistrate, Simon Bridge, warned her: “If you drink and drive again you are sending yourself to prison.”

Prosecutor, Rebecca Seymour, said police saw Campbell in a Peugeot on Condor Grove, on February 14 at 6.30pm.

She drove slowly towards a police van and then reversed.

In a report to the court, Cheryl Crawford for the probation service, told magistrates that Campbell said on the day of the offence her husband arrived home and was disappointed she had drunk some wine, so there was a row.

Her car was blocking her husband’s so she went out and moved it a short distance. Campbell had not drunk since and had paid to see alcohol rehabilitation experts.

Robert Castle, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had suffered from long term post natal depression.

Neil Beamish, 44, drug-driving, possession of cannabis

A man accused of drug driving at Blackpool was not present for the first hearing of his case at court.

Neil Beamish, 44, of Winchester Road, Eccles, is charged with driving with cannabis and amphetamine in his body in a Vauxhall Astra on the Promenade.

He is further accused of possessing cannabis.

The case was adjourned by Blackpool magistrates for legal reasons.