OVER the last two weeks, dozens of defendants appeared in docks across Lancashire to face justice for the crimes they had committed.

It was a busy week in both the county’s crown courts and magistrates, with people appearing for a variety of offences.

Here are some of the best and most unusual cases from Blackburn Magistrates court in the last week.

Angry ex jumped on woman's car bonnet and smashed her windscreen

A MEETING with his estranged partner ended with a man jumping on the bonnet of her car and smashing the windscreen.

Blackburn magistrates heard Samuel Shackleton then followed the victim as she drove off and only abandoned the pursuit when she pulled up outside a police station.

Shackleton, 26, of Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a car and possession of cocaine. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 victim surcharge.

Read the full story here

Police dog tracked down driver with no insurance or licence

A MAN who drove off after giving his name to a police officer was later tracked down by a police dog.

Blackburn magistrates heard Junaid Ali had no licence and no insurance to drive his dad's car.

And he also had a small quantity of cannabis in his pocket when he was arrested.

Ali, 23, of Roman Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to stop when required by a police officer, possession of cannabis, and driving without insurance or licence. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, fined £120 with £34 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Read the full story here.

Former schoolmate with 'fixation' breaks restraining order for THIRD time

A MAN developed a "fixation" for a former schoolmate who he spent a night with after a chance meeting years later.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lewis James Pickup repeatedly harassed the woman who was eventually given the protection order.

But he continued to make unwanted contact on the latest occasion turning up at her home and looking in through the window as she was doing a friend's hair.

Pickup, 22, of Old Street, Newchurch, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for six months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £128 victim surcharge.

Read full story here

Taxi passenger smashed window with his crutch after fare quibble

A MAN smashed a taxi window with his crutch when the driver refused to unlock the doors.

Blackburn magistrates heard Glen Bowers was concerned because his partner thought she was pregnant and was desperate to get out of the vehicle.

She eventually climbed out of the broken window and opened the door for her partner.

Bowers, 41, of Laithe Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and failing to comply with requirements of a community order.

Read the full story here

Wife of Great Harwood scrapyard boss back in court

THE wife of Great Harwood scrap yard boss Tommy Smith has appeared in court for non-payment of £38,695 in fines and costs.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mary Smith had made minimal payments on the debt some elements of which went back to 2017.

She said for part of the time she had been in prison and her assets were still frozen as part of Proceeds of Crime applications by the police.

But the magistrates ruled there had been culpable neglect and imposed a suspended prison sentence.

The chairman said all other methods of recovering the debt had been tried and failed.

Full story here

Owner of Roberto's in Blackburn in court over drugs conspiracy

A BUSINESSMAN has appeared at court charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

John Rowe, the owner of Roberto’s Bar and Grill in Blackburn, appeared before the town’s magistrates on Friday.

It came after a warrant was executed at an address on Lynthorpe Road in June of 2020 – with Lancashire Police charging Rowe last week with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

The 53-year-old appeared before magistrates on Friday, April 9, and his case was sent to the crown court.