As the New Year approaches, read on to reflect on some of the news stories of the year:
9. Fylde coast undertaker found with ‘extreme’ pornographic pictures jailed
Nigel Robinson-Wright, 42, was apprehended in November last year following the arrest of a paedophile in London in September 2021. The two men had been communicating with each other via encrypted chat apps, leading police to search Robinson-Wright's home in Chain Lane, Staining. Lancashire Police seized his electronic devices and subsequently found he had been sharing indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images. He had also been organising the commission of sexual offences against a young child, dogs and dead bodies via social media apps. Robinson-Wright was sentenced to 17 years in prison with an eight year extended licence period at Preston Crown Court on May 6. Photo: Contributed
10. Man dies after being stabbed in Blackpool
Police were called to a report a man had suffered "serious injuries" following an attack in Carshalton Road, Blackpool, at around 1am on July 11. Emergency services attended and Mark Gibson was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment where he later died. A post mortem examination gave Mr Gibson’s cause of death as stab wounds. Five people were later charged with murder. Photo: Lancashire Police
11. Man charged with attempted murder of toddler
Police were called to a report of an assault at an address in Brun Grove at around 8.15am on Wednesday (December 7). A two-year-old boy was found with neck and facial injuries when officers attended the scene. The boy was taken to hospital for treatment, but police later confirmed he had been discharged and was back home with his family. Lewis Prince, 28, of Browning Road, Swinton, was later arrested and charged on suspicion of attempted murder. He is further charged with assaulting a woman in the same incident and driving a Vauxhall Astra in Bolton without a licence. Prince was remanded in custody after appearing at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on Friday (December 9). He will next appear at Preston Crown Court on January 6, 2023. Photo: National World
12. Leyland man killed in Euxton car crash
Emergency services were called after an Audi A1 left the road and crashed into a tree in Runshaw Hall Lane shortly before 8pm on March 16. The driver - who was later named locally as 20-year-old Jack Moran from Leyland - sadly died at the scene. Hundreds of tributes poured in for the young man on social media, with bouquets of flowers placed at the scene. Photo: Contributed