Lancashire court listings - Monday, March 27, 2017

Prison for prolific thief after spree

A prolific thief who assaulted a man and tried to burgle a house has been jailed for a year.

David Michael Patrick McDermott, of New Hall Lane, Preston, admitted assault and a dwelling burglary.

The 34-year-old also pleaded guilty to committing a string of 14 thefts in Booths stores in Preston, Lytham and Garstang amounting to hundreds of pounds of booze.

The bench at Preston Magistrates’ Court said the offences were aggravated by the defendant’s record of previous offending and the fact he was a serving prisoner for other crimes.

The court heard he had stolen £25 from an address on Holme Slack Lane during a burglary.

McDermott asked for three other similar offences to be taken into consideration by the bench.

He must pay a £115 surcharge but no compensation was ordered.

Car thief found with cannabis

A man who stole a car has been banned from the road for 18 months.

Preston Magistrates’ Court heard Lewis Andrew Smith, of Carr Meadow, Bamber Bridge, near Preston, took the Seat Leon car on November 4.

He was caught driving it down Wigan Road in Leyland whilst under the influence of alcohol.

When police stopped him he was found to have cannabis resin

He admitted charges of taking a car without consent, drink driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and possessing cannabis.

He was given a curfew and a rehabilitation activity requirement by the bench.

He was also ordered to pay a £296 fine, £85 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

Court snaps

Matthew Penny, 34, of Glenluce Drive, Preston, was jailed for 18 weeks and banned for 12 months after admitting assaulting a woman, and driving while disqualified and uninsured.

Kelly Forsythe, 42, of Mainway, Lancaster, admits stealing a gold bracelet worth £395 from Firths Jewellers in Lancaster and must pay £395 compensation

Aaron Walton, 36, of Broadway, Lancaster, was given a curfew after admitting assaulting a man and must pay £200 compensation, an £85 surcharge and £85 costs.

John George Geraghty, 35, of Garsdale Road, Brookfield, Preston, admits assaulting a pregnant woman and damaging a fence and was jailed for five months.

Michael Guy, 60, of Newfield Drive Nelson, admits two counts of breaching a SHPO by unsupervised contact with a child and was given six months suspended for two years with £85 costs.

Christopher Rowland Gardner, 32, of Skipton Crescent, Ribbleton, was hailed for 20 weeks after admitting three counts of stealing alcohol from stores.

Peter Robinson-Ashworth, 32, of Avenham Lane, Avenham, Preston, admits damaging a door and was given a rehabilitation activity and restraining order.

Dean Wilkinson, 29, of no fixed abode, admits assaulting a woman in Lancaster and was jailed for 10 week

Mark Farnworth, 26, of Cavendish Road, Heysham, Lancaster, was jailed for 16 weeks after admitting stealing biscuits, coffee and meat.

Michael Fisher, 31, of Brownedge Road, Lostock Hall, Preston, was given eight weeks suspended for two years after admitting assaulting a woman and damaging a wall, and must also do 150 hours of unpaid work.