Vandal who smashed Tesco window given court order

Megan Brittany Quinn, 43, carried out a string of vandalism in Blackpool in 2015, culminating in her waving a knife a shop staff, and a further incident in which she contacted emergency services threatening to self harm herself and others with a blade.

The court was told at the time Quinn, a transgender woman, was under a lot of pressure due to insults about her situation, had mental health difficulties, and was in a violent relationship with a man.

Quinn, of Walton Parade, Preston, was living in the Poulton Road area of Blackpool at the time.

She had been granted bail after begging a court not to impose remand in a male prison when she broke the window of a Tesco Express in Blackpool, and smashed a pint glass against her neighbour’s window.

But her behaviour escalated.

Quinn sobbed in the dock as Recorder Sally Hatfield QC said she wouldn’t send her to prison, instead imposing the order alongside a rehabilitation requirement.

She said: “Until these events you have never come before the courts.

“Very sadly between July and December 2015 you committed a series of six offences.

“ You clearly have a difficult time on your hands at the moment.

“ It seems last year things came to a head due to your concerns about the relationship you were in and concerns you were having in relation to your transgender status and where that was going.

“Nevertheless it must have been frightening for all those concerned, and you caused damage all over Blackpool it seems.”

Quinn’s tormented ex-neighbour, Christian Simpson, 48, his partner Ruth Goldstone, 46, and their twin sons, nine were left terrified by Quinn’s behaviour.

He previously said: “Quinn moved in with her boyfriend in October 2014 and it was awful from the start. My sons have had to witness this.”

Quinn later appeared in court after smashing a pint glass against the family’s lounge window.

Mr Simpson says: “When Quinn went to court we felt reassured about her being on remand. But an hour later she walked past the window because she was bailed. “

Three days later, on November 14, Quinn ran in front of a Blackpool Transport bus, causing the driver to slam on his brakes.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Emma Keogh said Quinn had shouted: ‘Run me over - kill me’ before snapping the wiper off.”

On November 19, Quinn walked into local shop P and G Stone on Westcliff Road, Blackpool, and pointed a 6 inch black handled kitchen knife at the 58-year-old shopkeeper, who grabbed her arm and pinned it down.

While in custody after her arrest she smeared excrement all over a police cell, the court was told.

On December 22, after being given police bail, Quinn made a call to the ambulance service threatening to harm herself and others. She was arrested on Topping Street with a four inch black handled kitchen knife.

Quinn, previously of good character, admits four criminal damage charges and two of possessing a blade.

Defending. John Woodward said: “She was under an awful lot of pressure. She was in a relationship which was very difficult for her, it was a violent relationship and she felt isolated.”

The order means Quinn must not possess a bladed article in public, approach Mr Simpson, enter three named stores, enter her old address or act anti-socially.