A Wirral man has admitted neglecting his flea-ridden dogs and leaving one suffering from a tumour.

Wayne Newton, 47, pleaded guilty at Wirral Magistrates Court to four charges over his treatment of pets Socks and Patch.

Adjourning the case for reports, district judge Michael Abelson warned him: “This is a serious matter.”

One of the animals, black and white crossbreed Socks, had chronic skin and ear disease while the second, brindle crossbreed Patch, had a tumour on his rear.

Both dogs were infested with fleas, according to the charges brought by the RSPCA.

Wayne Newton, 47, pictured leaving Wirral Magistrates Court.

Newton, of Arrowe Park Road, Upton, is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to Socks, between June 3 and September 3 last year.

He is also alleged to have caused unnecessary suffering to Patch between August 3 and September 3 by the failure to seek “the provision of proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for its infected ulcerated anal mass and subsequent inguinal hernia”.

Newton is also said to have failed to “properly and adequately provide flea control and treatment resulting in a heavy flea infestation” to both dogs.

He was given unconditional bail and told to return to court on January 27.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A pensioner rode out of court on a mobility scooter with a coat over his head after admitting historical sex offences.

Shame-faced Kenneth Glazebrook, 87, hid away from cameras after admitting abusing three young girls over a 20-year period

The paedophile, of Devereaux Drive, Wallasey, faced 19 charges of indecent assault at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was due to stand trial this week but today admitted five of the offences at what a judge described as “an extremely late stage”.

The pensioner, who entered court on his scooter, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl by touching her inappropriately between 1972 and 1973.

He admitted indecently assaulting another victim, who was aged under 16, between 1988 and 1994.

Glazebrook, with grey hair and glasses and wearing a blue shirt and tie in court, also pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting another girl under the age of 16.

Kenneth Glazebrook, 87, of Deveraux Drive, Wallasey admitted sexually abusing young girls. Pictured leaving court

He admitted abusing the victim between 1988 and 1994, and between 1991 and 1992.

The court heard his guilty pleas were accepted as alternatives to 12 other counts.

He denied a further two charges of indecent assault against a woman, involving allegations that he inappropriately touched her between 1977 and 1979, and between 1992 and 1993.

Michael Scholes, prosecuting, said the Crown had decided it was not in the public’s interest to pursue these charges to trial, given Glazebrook’s pleas to the other charges.

Sarah Holt, defending, asked for medical and pre-sentence reports for her client.

She said: “As your honour knows Mr Glazebrook is in what could be considered poor health.”

Judge David Aubrey, QC, granted the requests and asked for impact statements from the victims to be obtained.

He adjourned sentencing until February 15 and remanded Glazebrook on bail.

Glazebrook was supported by two women, one of whom gasped loudly in the public gallery when the court heard he could face up to 10 years behind bars.

He covered his face as he left court on his scooter, accompanied by the pair.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Two Runcorn cannabis dealers who were caught after the car they were in was linked to alleged gang activity have been sent down.

Louis Maddock, 22, of Halsall Close, Brookvale, and Connor Pill, 18, of Tildesley Crescent, Weston Point, were sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Monday having been were arrested following a police pursuit in Runcorn on August 24.

Kate Meredith-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that police had spotted a Rover that had been ‘involved in an alleged incident involving gangs’ at 6.15pm that day.

The vehicle failed to stop for officers, who set off in pursuit.

Police received a call to say the car had been abandoned in The Glen, Palacefields, and that three men had been seeing running off.

Upon arriving at the scene, an officer searched beneath an underpass and saw Maddock run to some woods.

He chased the suspect and used incapacitant spray to subdue him.

Maddock’s jogging bottoms were found to have 27.5 grams of cannabis, divided into 15 deals with an estimated value of £300. An officer found a further 1.8 grams worth £20 on him and a scale and grinder at his house.

A police dog handler arrived and set her dog loose to discover Pill, who was ‘sweating and out of breath’ in a field.

Pill had 3.3 grams of cannabis worth an estimated £60 and a mobile phone containing incriminating text messages.

The duo gave ‘no comment’ in interview.

They later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis but not guilty to a charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

Judge Tina Landale, presiding on Monday, cleared them of the latter offence after no prosecution evidence was offered.

The court heard Maddock had a variety of previous convictions including section 47 assault, shoplifting, burglary, taking a vehicle without consent and ‘possession of cannabis’.

Maddock was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2013 for supplying cannabis. He had been among 28 defendants convicted as part of Cheshire police’s largest ever cannabis crackdown – Operation Gram.

David Rose, defending, said Maddock was ‘still very young’, had pleaded guilty to the cannabis charge, ‘bitterly regrets his actions’ and has a seriously ill grandmother who he is close to.

Pill had one past conviction for three offences, none relating to cannabis, for which he had received a 12-month referral order.

Judge Landale sent Maddock down for 18 months in prison and Pill to 12 months in a young offenders institution.

They must also pay a victim surcharge.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Landale said: “You two had a drug dealing operation going on and when the police started to chase, you have had drugs on you and made significant efforts to get away from the police.

“They were successful in locating you.

“You Mr Maddock were found with your telephone constantly ringing.

"You had drugs hidden in your trousers and your jacket.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A BURGLARY gang who went on a spree across Widnes and the North West, stealing goods worth more than £300,000, have been jailed for a total of nearly 20 years.

Kevin Andrews, 29, and Kyle Andrews, 23, both of no fixed abode, as well as Katie Gilsenan, 19, of Sutton Leach, St Helens, and Simon Bosworth, 27, of Wyredale Avenue, also St Helens, were sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Monday, January 4.

Kyle Andrews was jailed for five years and two months, while Kevin Andrews has been caged for six years.

Gilsenan meanwhile has been to sentenced to three years imprisonment, while Bosworth has been jailed for five years and four months.

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said the four committed 34 burglaries over four months, while a Cheshire police spokeswoman told the Weekly News that four were in Widnes.

Officers from both the Greater Manchester and Cheshire forces noticed a sudden increase in similar burglaries being committed across Wigan, Bolton, St Helens and North Cheshire, Widnes and Warrington.

The GMP spokesman added that some of the burglaries involved cars being taken with either ‘cloned’ or stolen number plates placed on them.

Other burglaries involved houses being broken into and high-value items taken, with even wrapped presents being stolen from underneath Christmas trees, and officers valued the stolen property in excess of £320,000, the GMP spokesman added.

GMP and Cheshire police launched a joint investigation and in November 2014 Bosworth was arrested, while the other three defendants were arrested the following month, the Manchester force said.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Sgt Nigel Rigby from GMP said: “This was a joint operation between us and Cheshire police to put an end to the spate of burglaries being committed by this group. The levels of research attached to the locating and selection of suitable ‘cloned’ number plates displayed a high level of organised criminality.

“They showed no signs of stopping whatsoever and two families were devastated to discover last Christmas that their wrapped Christmas presents had been stolen from beneath the Christmas tree.

“Their motive was purely financial and their desire to acquire items of high value, ultimately lead to their downfall when some of these items were recovered upon their arrest.

“I hope today’s sentences shows the lengths we will go to, to stop organised criminals from blighting our communities and damaging people’s lives.”

The gang stole jewellery, cash, laptops, clothing and car keys with up to 30 cars stolen, more than half of which were recovered, police said.

Also speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Alex Reeves from the Cheshire force said: “Often families, many of whom had young children, would return home to discover the devastation left by Andrews and his associates. Kevin and Kyle Andrews and Simon Bosworth were actively involved in breaking into their victims’ homes.

“Bosworth was identified after his fingerprints were found on a child’s piggy bank which he had smashed open and stolen cash from.

“This conviction is a great result for the victims. Burglary is a very emotive and intrusive crime, and to be targeted just before Christmas only compounds the situation.

“So to see these offenders behind bars should hopefully help them feel that justice has been done.

“This conviction shows just how valuable working with our colleagues in other constabularies is in tackling cross border criminals.

“We will continue to work together to tackle offending and prevent crime.”

The court told the Weekly News that Bosworth, Gilsenan and Kevin Andrews were sentenced for charges including theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, and conspiracy to commit burglary, while Kyle Andrews was sentenced for the latter two offences.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Halewood woman caught growing a cannabis farm told police she wanted the drug to be legalised so she could open an Amsterdam-style café.

Karen Hall, 52, tried to grow 18 cannabis plants in her back bedroom but was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant.

Hall, of Bunting Court, was on holiday in America when officers burst into the property at 3am on May 6.

She was arrested on May 27 and pleaded guilty to production of cannabis at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.

Andrew Page, prosecuting, said Hall told police in interview that she grew the plants for her personal use in an effort to avoid negotiating with street dealers.

He told the court: “She said she hoped cannabis would be legalised in Merseyside because she had an idea to set up her own cannabis healing cafe.”

The court heard Hall had no previous convictions, arrests or cautions on her record.

Vicky Balenski, representing Hall, said: “She is a habitual user of cannabis but did not want to associate with criminals, i.e street dealers.

“However it was not a very good attempt at growing cannabis as the plants were in a very early stage and not yet flowering, and the police experts have not been able to calculate any yield.”

Mrs Balenski said Hall was also the primary carer for her elderly mother, who is in the later stages of dementia.

Magistrates ordered Hall to complete a 20 day rehabilitation order and put her under a six week curfew of between 8pm and 8am.

She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and £85 prosecution costs.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A drug addict who robbed a pharmacy using a replica gun was jailed for more than four years.

Philip White, 31, from Hoylake admitted holding up chemist at Higher Bebington Health Centre.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Salim Malik let him in to the shop in Brackenwood Road, which was about to close, on December 1, because White said he needed some Night Nurse.

But when the pharmacist’s back was turned, White, of Queens Road said: “Put all the diazepam in a bag.”

Mr Malik thought White was joking, as he recognised his voice as that of a regular customer, and turned around smiling.

Robert Jones, prosecuting, said: “He said ‘do you think this is a joke mate?’ and pulled out what Mr Malik described as a small black handgun, not much bigger than the palm of his hand.

“He said it had what looked like Sellotape around the barrel of the gun.

“He said it was similar to a compact handgun. The gun was pointed at his chest.”

Mr Malik handed over up to 36 containers of diazepam and White fled the store.

The victim said the incident left him feeling anxious and he invested in improved security.

The defendant, appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool , admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

He has 26 previous convictions for 30 offences. In 2005 he was locked up for five years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

In 2013 he was jailed for eight months after robbing a woman at an ATM in Birkenhead .

Paul Wood, defending said the heroin addict came from a “socially very difficult background” and started abusing drugs when he was 13.

He said he became addicted to diazepam and took 14 tablets a day while receiving it on prescription from his GP, but this was withdrawn.

he said: “He had not used for two days and he was desperate. He was in emotional turmoil because of his withdrawal symptoms.”

Jailing him for four years and eight months Judge Brian Cummings said White could have put Mr Malik in fear of death and his victim was “extremely frightened”.

He said the anxious pharmacist lost money taking steps to improve the shop’s security, adding: “All this is your fault.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Fairfield man has admitted killing Liverpool mum Maxine Showers but has denied her murder.

Micheal Williams, 29, of Hinton Street, this morning pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ms Showers.

The plea was not accepted by prosecutors and the 29-year-old will now stand trial for murder.

He was charged after the body of Ms Showers, 42, was discovered by a member of the public in a locked alleyway between Hinton Street and Parton Street in Fairfield at around 8am on Monday, September 28 last year.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Showers died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Floral tributes left in Fairfield, where the body of Maxine Showers was discovered

Williams, with short blonde hair and wearing a white polo shirt and jeans, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today via video link from HMP Liverpool.

He spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his pleas during a brief hearing.

Williams pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter by accepting responsibility for the “unlawful killing” of Ms Showers.

Some of Ms Shower’s family cried out in the public gallery as the defendant entered his pleas.

John McDermott, QC, prosecuting, said: “The plea tended to manslaughter is not acceptable and the prosecution will proceed.”

He said a trial had been set for March 21, with an estimated length of 10 days.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, remanded Williams in custody.

After her death Ms Showers’ family paid tribute to the “kind, caring and loving mum”, who they said lived for her children.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

This is a drug addict who robbed a pharmacy with a replica gun – then tried to claim it was only a sock wrapped around his fingers with sticky tape.

Philip White, 31, was jailed for four years and eight months after raiding the store at Higher Bebington Health Centre at around 10.20pm on December 1 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Salim Malik let him into the shop in Brackenwood Road, which was about to close, because White said he needed some Night Nurse.

But when the pharmacist’s back was turned, White, of Queens Road, Hoylake , said: “Put all the diazepam in a bag.”

Mr Malik thought White was joking, as he recognised his voice as that of a regular customer, and turned around smiling.

Robert Jones, prosecuting, said: “He said ‘do you think this is a joke, mate?’ and pulled out what Mr Malik described as a small black handgun, not much bigger than the palm of his hand.

Mr Jones said: “He said it had what looked like Sellotape around the barrel of the gun.

“He said it was similar to a compact handgun. The gun was pointed at his chest.”

Mr Malik handed over up to 36 containers of diazepam and White fled the store.

The defendant, appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool , admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

He initially pleaded guilty on the basis that the imitation firearm was just a black sock wrapped around his fingers with Sellotape.

However, Judge Brian Cummings, QC, disagreed, and following a short adjournment, White accepted it was in fact a handgun.

The court heard White has 26 previous convictions for 30 offences. In 2005 he was locked up for five years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

In 2013 he was jailed for eight months after robbing a woman at an ATM in Birkenhead .

Mr Wood said the heroin addict came from a “socially very difficult background” and started abusing drugs when he was 13.

He said he became addicted to diazepam and took 14 tablets a day while receiving it on prescription from his GP, but this was withdrawn.

Mr Wood said: “He had not used for two days and he was desperate. He was in emotional turmoil because of his withdrawal symptoms.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A drug addict who pickpocketed a 96-year-old man for his pension was spared jail after a judge gave her another chance.

Heroin user Hannah Roberts – who has been committing crime over 20 years – spotted Walter Sutton withdrawing two week’s money while stood in the queue at Utting Avenue Post Office in Anfield.

The 40-year-old watched the pensioner put £570 in his pocket and leave the branch with his elderly wife at around 2.15pm on November 4 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Roberts, of Ayrshire Road, Anfield, followed the pair, crept up on her victim and took the cash out of his pocket.

However, members of the public saw and restrained her until police arrived.

Roberts admitted a single count of theft.

Liverpool Crown Court

She has multiple previous convictions for dishonesty and theft from a person, which have led to several spells in prison.

In October 2003 she was jailed for four years for attempted robbery, after entering a store in Wales, threatening a shopkeeper with a used syringe and scratching his arm with the needle.

In 2013 she received a suspended sentence after pretending to help an elderly woman onto a bus, only to walk off with her bag and coat.

Alaric Walmsley, defending, said the theft was an “impulsive act” and the money was recovered.

He accepted it was an “ugly incident” and said his client was ashamed.

Mr Walmsley said Roberts suffers from borderline personality disorder, anxiety and depression, but is seeking help from mental health services.

He said Roberts was working with the charity Addaction to treat her heroin addiction.

"You are someone who has shown over the years to have absolutely no respect for other people’s property"

Recorder Jeremy Lasker said Roberts had targeted Mr Sutton after realising he was “ripe for stealing from”.

He said: “You would have got away with just over £570 if it hadn’t been for passers-by.

“You do not appear to appreciate that at 96-years-old, Mr Sutton was someone who would likely be more susceptible to stress. You have put little or no attention to the effects of this offence upon him.

“You are someone who has shown over the years to have absolutely no respect for other people’s property and continued to act in a selfish manner.”

Recorder Lasker said Roberts managed to quit her drug habit and stay out of trouble between 2003 and 2011 before she relapsed.

He said she was now in a stable relationship, living at a settled address and tackling her addiction.

Recorder Lasker said: “Although you deserve a few months inside, it may not be in the public interest, if you could get off the drugs again.

“I have just been persuaded on balance to take a chance with you.”

He gave her a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, plus a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement, with regular drug testing.

More stories from the courts

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Bootle waste disposal firm admitted safety failings after a worker was crushed to death inside industrial machinery.Polish national Zbigniew Galka, 39, was killed after climbing into a compactor machine at Gaskells Waste Services.

Trading company Gaskells North West Ltd today accepted one charge of failing to ensure the safety of its employees.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the company, based in Foster Street, was charged following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the December 2010 tragedy.

Mr Galka, who had been living in Anfield, climbed into a BOA Compactor machine at the site to fix a fault.

The machine is used to prepare waste for recycling and uses hydraulic panels to compact the material.

The court heard the machine was activated while Mr Galka was inside, crushing him to death.

Andrew Long, prosecuting, said it was unclear how the machine came to be activated.

A Home Office post mortem found Mr Galka had suffered haemorrhaging, shock and severe traumatic injury to both legs.

Owner of the company, Jonathan Gaskell, 44, of Peckforton Hall Lane, Tarporley, has pleaded not guilty to breaches of health and safety legislation.

Jonathan Gaskell, MD of Gaskells Waste Management

A manager at the firm, Paul Jukes, 44, of Church Road, Chester, and another employee, Michael Cunliffe, 43, of Blackbrook Road, St Helens, also deny breaching safety laws.

The three men are due to stand trial on February 8 at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gaskells’ company brochure states: “We’re proud to be one of the largest independent and privately owned waste management and recycling companies in the North West of England.

“With two decades of experience, we understand that every one of our customers is different, which is why we offer specialised and hassle-free solutions.”

The brochure says the facility is open 24/7, handling more than 25,000 vehicle movements and processing more than 70,000 tonnes of waste material each year.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Bootle waste disposal firm admitted safety failings after a worker was crushed to death inside industrial machinery.Polish national Zbigniew Galka, 39, was killed after climbing into a compactor machine at Gaskells Waste Services.

Trading company Gaskells North West Ltd today accepted one charge of failing to ensure the safety of its employees.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the company, based in Foster Street, was charged following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the December 2010 tragedy.

Mr Galka, who had been living in Anfield, climbed into a BOA Compactor machine at the site to fix a fault.

The machine is used to prepare waste for recycling and uses hydraulic panels to compact the material.

The court heard the machine was activated while Mr Galka was inside, crushing him to death.

Andrew Long, prosecuting, said it was unclear how the machine came to be activated.

A Home Office post mortem found Mr Galka had suffered haemorrhaging, shock and severe traumatic injury to both legs.

Owner of the company, Jonathan Gaskell, 44, of Peckforton Hall Lane, Tarporley, has pleaded not guilty to breaches of health and safety legislation.

Jonathan Gaskell, MD of Gaskells Waste Management

A manager at the firm, Paul Jukes, 44, of Church Road, Chester, and another employee, Michael Cunliffe, 43, of Blackbrook Road, St Helens, also deny breaching safety laws.

The three men are due to stand trial on February 8 at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gaskells’ company brochure states: “We’re proud to be one of the largest independent and privately owned waste management and recycling companies in the North West of England.

“With two decades of experience, we understand that every one of our customers is different, which is why we offer specialised and hassle-free solutions.”

The brochure says the facility is open 24/7, handling more than 25,000 vehicle movements and processing more than 70,000 tonnes of waste material each year.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

This is the disgusting moment council inspectors discovered a severe cockroach infestation at a Liverpool takeaway.

Video footage shows German cockroaches scuttling from the rear of a filthy freezer at Chesters in Lime Street, Liverpool city centre.

Photographs show raw meat stored above ready-to-eat salad, filthy flooring and equipment and dirty cardboard used to soak up blood from raw chicken in “one of the worst” cases Liverpool’s environmental health team has seen.

Full gallery:

VIEW GALLERY

Staff were also not provided with suitable facilities to wash their hands and there was no food hygiene plan in place, inspectors found.

Smithdown Road Fast Food Ltd, the company which owns the business as well as a second branch on Smithdown Road, was ordered to pay £10,720 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to 17 breaches of food hygiene laws.

Company director Arifa Patel, 39, and her husband and manager of the branch Sadiq Patel, 42, of Holmrook Road in Preston, were also ordered to pay £2,550 each individually after pleading guilty to identical charges.

Roger Mann, prosecuting on behalf of Liverpool City Council, told Liverpool magistrates that the problem came to light after a routine inspection by Richard Parkinson on September 16, 2014.

Arifa and Sadiq Patel, owners of Chester in Lime Street, leaving Liverpool Magistrates’ Court

The court heard dead cockroaches and cockroach eggs were found at various points in a basement kitchen at the restaurant before the full extent of the infestation was discovered.

Mr Mann said: “Mr Parkinson was sure there was an imminent risk to public health which required the immediate closure of the business.”

Mr Patel, the restaurant manager, agreed to close the branch voluntarily and explained he had only owned the business since June.

The court heard the restaurant was allowed to re-open with a zero-star hygiene rating but follow up visits in March, July and October found some problems had still not been addressed, including food debris on the floors and damage to shelves and flooring, leaving them difficult to clean.

Food in fridges was also being stored at 11°c, despite the legal limit being 8°c.

Chesters takeaway on Lime Street

Mr Mann said: “Really the photographs speak for themselves. There was a severe risk to the public despite repeated visits and advice being given. There were real problems when the inspectors returned. This we say is one of the worst cases we have ever come across and we ask you to sentence accordingly.”

Mr Patel, who was not represented in court, said: “I would like to apologise for all this. For the last 19 years I have been in the fast food business and I have never been given a rating of less than four stars, The reason this happened was because when I took over the business my health began to suffer with an illness that doctors are still trying to diagnose.

“A few weeks after I took over my dad’s health went down and doctors at Blackpool Victoria Hospital said he would not be with us for long.”

The court heard Mr Patel’s father passed away in December 2014.

Chesters remains open and has a one-star hygiene rating, given in March 2015, which means major improvement is required.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A woman admitted beating a total stranger unconscious in Liverpool city centre – leaving her forced to wear make-up to conceal a facial scar.

Carla Ennis, 32, attacked Joanne Gaskell when the 21-year-old was on a night out with friends in the Dale Street area on November 13, 2014.

Miss Gaskell was leaving The Jupiter pub in Hackins Hey when she was set upon by the defendant, who pulled her by the hair to the ground.

Joanne, now 22, from Widnes, suffered a cut going through her eyebrow when she was kicked by Ennis.

The cut required stitches and left a scar.

Ennis, of Eastern Avenue, Speke, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today where she admitted unlawful wounding.

She spoke only to confirm her personal details and enter her guilty plea.

Anya Horwood, prosecuting, said Ennis had believed she was going to be attacked by another person.

However, she said this was not Miss Gaskell – who offered her no threat whatsoever.

Ms Horwood said: “None of the victim’s conduct would have caused her to feel any threat.”

Lloyd Morgan, defending Ennis, said his client agreed Miss Gaskell was an innocent victim.

22 year old Joanne Gaskell from Widnes, was beaten in an unprovoked attack in Liverpool city centre in 2014, leaving her with a scar above her eye.

Mr Morgan said Ennis was a person of past good character, with no previous convictions.

He requested pre-sentence and psychiatric reports before she was sentenced, adding: “She is under the care of a psychiatrist.”

Judge Anil Murray adjourned sentencing until February 4 and remanded Ennis on bail.

He said: “Don’t read anything into the fact you have been granted bail.

“All options are open and that might include an immediate prison sentence.”

A warrant was issued for Ennis’s arrest last year after she failed to attend a hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

Miss Gaskell previously told the ECHO that she was left with recurring nightmares and social anxiety after the attack.

The victim, whose scar has begun to heal, received counselling to try and help her get over the incident.

She said: “I remember her pulling my hair with such force, from behind and punching me in the face.

22 year old Joanne Gaskell from Widnes, was beaten in an unprovoked attack in Liverpool city centre in 2014, leaving her with a scar above her eye.

“The next thing I remember is coming round, realising where I was and what had happened and trying to get up off the ground and run away from the woman who attacked me.”

Miss Gaskell, who works as a media and communications assistant at Everton FC, said the attack had changed her life.

She said: “I’m not a girly girl, so I never used to wear make-up. But know I feel forced to wear it every day.

“I feel like everyone is looking at my scar. Every time I look in the mirror, it’s the first thing I see and it’s a constant reminder.

“When I’m in a pub I can’t relax and let go. The attack was so random that I’m paranoid something like that could happen again. I can’t control what other people might do and that scares me.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Liverpool’s top judge demanded to know why an inmate was able to set fire to two cells at Walton prison – then freed to commit more crimes.

Tony Ormesher, 50, of St Andrew Road, Anfield, used a contraband lighter to burn the bedding in his cell at HMP Liverpool.

But Liverpool Crown Court heard it wasn’t taken off him by prison guards and he then set fire to a second cell.

Despite these offences he was still released from jail a month later and went to homeless charity, the Whitechapel Centre, where he hurled vile sexual abuse at female volunteers.

Two days afterwards he breached an ASBO banning him from Liverpool city centre by stealing cider from Iceland in Williamson Square and punching a pregnant shop assistant.

Ormesher tried to escape on a tour bus before spitting in the faces of three Merseytravel workers, who restrained him until police arrived.

He was jailed for three years after admitting two counts of arson, six assaults, abusive behaviour, theft and two ASBO breaches.

Desmond Lennon, prosecuting, said Ormesher was serving a four-month sentence when he set his bedding alight at around 7pm on July 4 last year.

Prison guards were alerted to the fire, which caused superficial damage to the single cell, but the lighter was not confiscated.

At around 9.30pm, thick black smoke was seen coming from his second cell and firefighters attended the jail.

Ormesher suffered light smoke inhalation and the blaze caused up to £3,000 of damage.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said: “Is it the position that having set fire to one cell he was then able to set fire to another cell with the same lighter?

“I would like a report on how this was able to happen, because it appears to me there was a complete failure of basic security on the part of the prison.”

Pic Andrew Teebay. Stock pic. Judge Clement Goldstone QC,Honorary Recorder at Liverpool Crown Court.

Prison officials referred the matter to the police, but Ormesher was released on August 7, before he was interviewed by officers.

The Recorder of Liverpool added this “defied belief” and requested two written reports from the prison’s governor.

On August 13, Ormesher went to the Whitechapel Centre, in Langsdale Street, asking for travel tokens so he could visit his probation officer.

When he was told they were not available he threw a cup of cold water at a female volunteer and called her a “f***ing s***”.

He also hurled vile abuse at two other people.

On August 15 he went to Iceland at around 10.45am and tried to steal £14 of food and cider.

When challenged by the shop’s manager he hit him in the head, punched a pregnant worker in the face and attacked another woman.

Exterior shot of HMP Liverpool prison in Hornby Road, Walton

Mr Lennon said: “Officers from Merseytravel tried to stop him running onto a tour bus.“He was restrained and spat in the face of each of them. They went to hospital as a precaution.”

Alaric Walmsley, defending, said his client pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity.

Judge Goldstone accepted Ormesher suffered from mental health problems and was a man of good character until six years ago, when he started committing anti-social and dishonest crime.

He said: “You are 50 and you present something of a conundrum, because until August 2010 you had never been in trouble before.

“Since then you have sadly more than made up for lost time, because you have amassed an appalling criminal record.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A teenage girl was forced into sending explicit pictures of herself to a “friend” who posed as a violent stranger on Facebook.

Under a fake identity, Jamie Harrison threatened the terrified girl that he would rape her and also “brick” her house and attack her family if she did not comply.

The 19-year-old was put behind bars for two years and eight months

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 17-year-old victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, turned to Harrison – who was a friend – for advice, not realising that he was actually the man pretending to be called James Carty.

She had accepted Carty as a ‘friend’ on Facebook in November 2014 as she wrongly thought she knew him from her childhood.

They chatted on Facebook and then he began asking for indecent photographs of her. He again contacted her again online three days later saying he would “brick” her home and attack her brother.

Michael Jones, prosecuting, said: “She became scared he would carry out the threats.”

She contacted Harrison for help and he told her that Carty “had been to prison for something really bad” and she should co-operate.

Carty then twice messaged her saying he would rape her if she did not send him pictures of herself.

Mr Jones said the victim felt forced into sending him photographs of herself half naked and he then insisted on a more explicit image and she agreed as long as he left her alone.

The 17-year-old told Harrison that she was going to tell the police but he warned her not to saying that Carty “did not like snitches”.

Meanwhile Harrison messaged her saying he could not talk to her any more and he was sorry.

He wrote: “I cannot say what it is but you haven’t done anything wrong.”

She blocked Carty on Facebook but then received a threatening message purportedly from a friend saying that unless she unblocked him the photographs would be distributed online.

The scared and distressed girl confided in her teacher and the police became involved and arrested Harrison.

This week Harrison, of Hathaway Close, Gateacre, pleaded guilty to inciting her to engage in sexual activity in November 2014.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Harrison, a former cadet with the army medical corps, has no previous convictions.

In an impact statement the girl said: “I turned to him first and I feel utterly betrayed by him. I am now far more cautious about meeting new friends and more wary of people.

“I have moved from being upset to feeling angry. I cannot believe what he did to me and am still trying to process it.”

Judge Anil Murray told Harrison, who was described as immature, that he had committed the offence for his own sexual gratification.

He made an indefinite restraining order and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Harrison for life.

Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Perischine from Liverpool CID’s Protecting Vulnerable People unit said: “Harrison’s twisted deception of his own friend has left her completely distraught by what he forced her to do.

“By posing as someone else to make the threats against her and her family he pressured her into a situation where she felt there was no way out.

“She sought help from Harrison not realising he was in fact the person behind the threats and Harrison completely betrayed that trust by encouraging her to do what the man online was demanding of her, which was to share explicit photos of herself with him.

“Thankfully she confided in her teachers and through the involvement of the police, Harrison was caught and revealed to be the person responsible for these threats and manipulation.

“I would like to use this appalling case of online sexual abuse as a stark reminder to young people never to share personal information or intimate images of themselves over the internet even with someone they know or think they know. In the wrong hands these photos can have a devastating impact on an innocent person’s life.

“If you find yourself being targeted, pressured or threatened to do this by anyone at all, please do the right thing and let your parents, teachers or the police know so that we can put a stop to it.”

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Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Paul Range, the dad of Sugababes singer Heidi Range, is to stand trial accused of a double stabbing in a Formby car park.

The 56-year-old, of Wicks Crescent, Formby , is alleged to have wounded two men with a knife on September 25 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he is also accused of assaulting a third man by punching him behind shops in Harington Place.

Heidi Range leaves Liverpool Crown Court after attending preliminary hearing for her Dad Paul Range.

Heidi, 32, sat in the public gallery with other family members as her dad appeared via video link from HMP Forest Bank this morning.

The court heard Range is accused of the wounding with and without intent of 46-year-old Michael Arnold, who is said to have suffered wounds to his chest and back, and Mark Brady, 48, who is said to have sustained puncture wounds to his back.

Heidi Range leaves Liverpool Crown Court after attending preliminary hearing for her Dad Paul Range.

He is also charged with assaulting Paul Charles McCollah, causing him actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon – a kitchen knife.

Range, with short brown hair and wearing a grey jumper, spoke only to confirm his personal details and plead not guilty to all six counts.

Simon Duncan, prosecuting, said the trial was estimated to last three days.

Judge Andrew Hatton said it would take place on March 22.

He remanded the defendant in custody.

More stories from the courts

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

The teenager charged over the death of Merseyside Police officer PC David Phillips has pleaded not guilty to his murder.

Clayton Williams, 18, stole a Mitsubishi pick-up truck during a burglary in Birkenhead on October 5 and is alleged to have struck PC Phillips during an attempt to evade police, killing him.

Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video-link from HMP Altcourse today, where he also denied attempted grievous bodily harm with intent on PC Phillips’ colleague, PC Thomas Birkett.

However he pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

Williams broke into an estate agent in Oxton alongside 30-year-old Philip Stuart, stealing a cash till, fishing equipment and electrical items as well as keys to the pick-up truck.

Stuart, of Mayfair Court, Prenton, also pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking today.

The pair stole the truck from outside the premises and were pursued by police.

PC Dave Phillips

A trial, due to last two to three weeks, has been set for March 7 at Manchester Crown Court.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said: “It is, whatever the gravity of the case, a relatively straight forward issue.”

Georgia Clarke, 19, of Knowsley Road, Wallasey; Dawn Cooper, 34, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey; and Michael Smith, 19, of Widmore Road, Gateacre, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist an offender.

The three disposed of clothing belonging to Williams, with intent to impede the police investigation.

All the defendants will be sentenced after the outcome of the trial and were remanded in custody.

Another man, Glen Nicholas-Jones, 40, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey was cleared of assisting an offender and released from custody. PC Phillips had served with the force for more than nine years and leaves his wife Jen, 28, and daughters Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three, who described him as their “super daddy”.

Thousands of mourners and police officers lined the streets ahead of his funeral at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral in November.

David Phillips

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A woman trolled the mum of murdered tot James Bulger – posting alongside a picture of her young relative: “The tracks are already calling his name.”

Chloe Cowan today admitted harassing Denise Fergus, the parent of the two-year-old who was horrifically killed in 1993.

The 20-year-old targeted Mrs Fergus on Twitter between January and June last year.

Under the username ‘SirJVenables’, she taunted: “Can’t wait til he’s a tot, the tracks are already calling his name.”

At Canterbury Crown Court, Cowan, of Chichester Road, Ramsgate, Kent, broke down in tears in the dock as she pleaded guilty to the charge.

Mrs Fergus had responded online, by posting: “Cant believe that some1 on here is still blamin me 4 my sons murder it took me a long time 2 stop blamin myself thanx 4 ruinin my evenin (sic).”

Denise and James Fergus

Cowan, of Ramsgate, Kent, was granted bail and ordered to stay away from Mrs Fergus.

A judge has indicated she may impose an interim Hospital Order under the Mental Health Act at the next hearing.

She had previously pleaded not guilty ‘by reason of insanity’ and a psychiatric report was ordered.

Judge Adele Williams is expected to impose an interim Hospital Order under the Mental Health Act at the next hearing.

James Bulger was abducted from The Strand shopping centre in Bootle , Merseyside, by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.

His body was discovered on railway lines two days later.

Venables and Thompson, were freed in 2001, but in 2010, Venables was jailed for possessing child porn.

He was freed on parole in 2013 and given his fourth new identity since James’ murder.

Venables was given eight years for the murder, to be served at Red Bank Community Home in Merseyside, where doctors said he was reformed.

But it emerged he had a sexual relationship with his ‘housemother’ there.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A jealous Southport woman left her love rival with permanent blurred vision after smashing a stiletto heel into her eye.

Julie Green, 46, punched and kicked defenceless Amy Urquhart as she cowered on the floor before striking her repeatedly with the shoe in Lord Street, Southport.

Green, of Meadow Lane, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Liverpool Crown Court today while her friend and co-accused Carly Rendell, 26, of Ervington in Skelmersdale , was locked up for 18 months.

Green pleaded guilty to wounding without intent and common assault and Rendell admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

Lee Bonner, prosecuting, told the court the incident began when Miss Urquhart and her partner Stephen McLoughlin were verbally abused at the Fox and Goose pub in Cable Street, on March 8 last year.

He said: “The two complainants were in a relationship. The defendant Julie Green was Mr McLoughlin’s ex-partner, having split around two weeks before the incident, after being together three years.”

The court heard Green approached and accused Mr McLoughlin of owing her money, before telling Miss Urquhart: “You don’t know him, I was with him for three years you stupid f****** b****.”

The groups were separated by bar staff and the two victims left the bar in a taxi, stopping near the Scarisbrick Hotel for Mr McLoughlin to withdraw money from a cash machine.

Mr Bonner said: “Miss Urquhart heard a noise and saw the defendant Julie Green running towards her with her fists clenched. She tried to hit her but Miss Urquhart moved out of the way.”

As Mr McLoughlin came over to assist he was attacked by Rendell, while Green dragged Miss Urquhart to the floor and began punching her and kicking her to the head and body.

Rendell also began attacking Miss Urquhart, while Green turned her attention to Mr McLoughlin who also ended up on the floor.

Mr Bonner said Miss Urquhart had removed her stilletos to avoid falling over when Green first launched her attack.

He told the court: “Mrs Urquhart looked up to see Green holding one of her stilettos in her hand. Green then struck her in the face with the heel of the shoe, striking her a number of times.

The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Liverpool Magistrates’ Court

“On one occasion the heel of the shoe connected with Miss Urquhart in the eye, causing it to close up so she could not open it.”

The attack eventually stopped after Rendell pulled Green away, shouting: “Come on that’s enough, there’s cameras.”

The court heard Miss Urquhart suffered a cut across her left eye, slashing open her tear duct, which required suturing.

She later underwent surgery to repair the wound and is likely to suffer from permanent blurred vision and scarring.

She also suffered soreness to her chest and back, a swollen nose and bruises to her head.

Mr McLoughlin suffered bumps and bruises to his head.

Michael O’Brien, defending Green, said his client was “disgusted and ashamed” and had been jealous at seeing the complainants together.

Julian Nutter, representing Rendell, joined in out of a “misguided sense of loyalty to her friend”.

He said: “She is scared out of her wits, she is not going to do this again and she is deeply sorry to those who she has wronged.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

This is the huge 17-inch machete used to threaten a shopkeeper during a terrifying raid on a Bootle newsagents.

Ryan Kelly, 23, Shaun Moorcroft, 21, and Liam Brett, 25, struck at Sisters Shop News in Peel Road on Sunday, May 24 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Kelly, who had the huge blade under his coat, challenged 57-year-old Don Dissanyake at around 11am.

Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said: “He shouted ‘this is a holdup, give me the f****** money, put it in the f****** bag now’.”

The brave shopkeeper refused and masked Moorcroft tried to grab him – reaching through a hatch and swiping a handful of chewing gum.

Kelly paced up and down and hit a plastic window with the machete, causing it to crack, before leaning into the hatch with the weapon.

Ms Daley said: “He lunged towards the shopkeeper who had a golf club in one of his hands, which he had picked up from behind the counter.

“Mr Dissanyake had to move away to avoid being injured.”

Brett, who put up his hood to disguise himself, kept lookout outside, but the three men fled empty handed when Mr Dissanyake called police.

Officers arrested Moorcroft after recovering his fingerprints from the counter top.

When officers showed him CCTV of the incident, he replied: “Deffo not me, that.”

But when he was told about his fingerprints he accepted being at the scene.

The court heard Brett told officers “I weren’t there, mate”, while Kelly made significant admissions.

All three men admitted attempted robbery, but Brett only pleaded guilty on the first day of a trial. Kelly also admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

Kelly, of Wordsworth Street, Bootle, has previously been locked up for possessing an imitation firearm and carrying a truncheon in public.

Jeremy Rawson, defending, said Kelly was on drugs during the raid.

He said: “He took a substance he thought was cannabis and it turned out to be Spice.

“He didn’t understand what had happened until the CCTV was shown to him.”

Mr Rawson said the dad-of-two had a disabled partner and their children had now been taken into care.

Moorcroft, of Sharples Crescent, Crosby, was previously locked up for attempted robbery.

(From left to right): Ryan Kelly, 23; Shaun Moorcroft, 21; Liam Brett, 25.

Oliver Cook, defending, said Moorcroft had “tried to keep out of trouble” since his two-year-old daughter was born.

Paul Lewis, defending Brett, of Hornby Road, Bootle, accepted he was on licence, having been released from a four-year sentence for dealing heroin.

Recorder David Turner, QC, said: “Shopkeepers who keep convenience stores open for us the rest of us, if we want a bottle of milk etc on a Sunday morning, can’t afford to have a bouncer on the door or an expensive security device. They must be protected by the law.”

Recorder Turner gave Kelly three years, Moorcroft two years and three months, and Brett three-and-a-half years behind bars.

Brett hissed at the judge, shouting “You’re mad, aren’t you?”

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Kevin Reppion said it was “a brazen and vicious robbery” in which Mr Dissanyake was threatened with a “very dangerous weapon”.

He said: “The victim showed great courage and did exactly the right thing by calling police straight away and the three men fled.

“The significant sentences handed down should send a clear warning to other criminals who think it is acceptable to target local shops in Merseyside and wrongly believe they will get away with it. They won’t.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/