The government’s hated bedroom tax was dealt another blow after the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of two legal challenges against it.

The separate cases were brought by a victim of domestic violence and the grandparents of a severely disabled teenager, and represents another victory for campaigners against the controversial measure, including a number of high-profile cases in Merseyside.

Earlier this month, the ECHO reported on a Merseyside man – left permanently brain damaged after a 60ft fall from a motorway flyover – who had beaten the bedroom tax.

Bedroom Tax

The family of Neil Carroll, who faced being penalised because of his specially-adapted home in Prescot , successfully argued the charge was unfair at Liverpool Tribunal Court, which ruled Neil’s four-bedroomed home was NOT under-occupied.

Last year, it was revealed that a disabled football coach – who was praised by Prime Minister David Cameron for his community work – could lose his home thanks to the bedroom tax.

At the same time as cerebral palsy sufferer John Smith, from Croxteth, was presented with an award , it was revealed the government was also trying to slash his housing benefits, potentially placing his home in jeopardy.

And in another shocking case, severely disabled Merseyside man Rob Tomlinson was forced to bathe in a paddling pool in his living room after he was driven out of his specially adapted home because of the tax.

Today’s ruling by three judges at the Court of Appeal in London followed a hearing in November.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, Lord Justice Tomlinson and Lord Justice Vos announced that they were allowing the appeals on the ground that the “admitted discrimination in each case … has not been justified by the Secretary of State”.

Neil Carroll and his partner Kathryn Dyer in their specially adapted home in Prescot. They have been asked to pay more bedroom tax because the council say they have a spare bedroom. Neil and Kathryn in Neils bedroom

Shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith said: “This victory in the Court of Appeal is a massive blow to the Tories’ bedroom tax.

“It provides a glimmer of hope for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been hit by this cruel policy.

“Labour has long argued that the bedroom tax is deeply unfair and discriminatory, which is why we have campaigned so hard against it.

“Surely the time has now come for the Tories to discover a conscience, listen to the courts as well as the public, and scrap the hated bedroom tax.”

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was given permission to challenge the Court of Appeal’s ruling at the Supreme Court.

The Government rejects the term “bedroom tax” and says the regulations remove what is in fact a “spare room subsidy”, with the aim of encouraging people to move to smaller properties and save around £480 million a year from the housing benefit bill.

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

A drunk driver from Liverpool reached speeds of up to 130mph in a stolen BMW during an 11 mile police chase.

Philip John Scarisbrick, of McQueen Street, Old Swan , weaved among other cars, changed lanes and forced other drivers to take evasive action as he drove along the A55 in north Wales.

Prosecutor Jayne La Grua told Caernarfon Crown Court that Scarisbrick, a labourer and dad-of-four, drove from Liverpool in the car, belonging to the aunt of Holyhead man Cain Jones.

Ms La Grua said Jones, 20, of Cybi Close, Holyhead, had taken the car from outside his aunt’s house in the town.

She said Jones had taken the black Series 3 BMW to go for a night out in Liverpool.

On October 8, the car was being driven back to Anglesey by Scarisbrick, who was accompanied by Jones and another youth, when police tried to stop it at about 6.15pm.

After an officer put his blue lights on twice, the car stopped but when the officer stepped out of his car, the BMW sped off.

Video from the police car showed the BMW being driven at speeds of 129mph and the occupants threw mobile phones from the car.

Ms La Grua said Scarisbrick was “clearly drunk”.

After Scarisbrick refused and then failed to give a breath test, another one taken four hours later showed his breath-alcohol count was 85 – more than twice the limit of 37.

Ms La Grua said he had an appalling record for motoring offences.

Ffion Tomos, representing Scarisbrick, admitted he was “intoxicated” at the time.

Sentencing Scarisbrick, Judge Walters said: “You knew that the car belonged to his relative and ended up driving it.

“You were weaving back and forth. If all of that wasn’t bad enough, you were driving dangerously.

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“You could have ended up facing a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. It is astonishing that you were driving at speeds of nearly 130mph and legless.”

Judge Walters sentenced Scarisbrick to 12 months in jail for driving while banned, driving dangerously and failing to provide a breath sample.

There was no separate punishment for having no insurance.

Scarisbrick was banned from driving for three years and ordered to take an extended test.

Sentencing Jones to eight months suspended for two years, Judge Geraint Walters said he had pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking.

PC Scott Martin from North Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “It is very sad that a small number of motorists still feel they can behave in a totally reckless manner when they take to the roads.

“People who drive in this manner are taking their lives and the lives of others into their own hands.

“North Wales Police have a robust strategy in enforcing the Fatal 5 offences, one of which is dangerous driving.

“I welcome the sentence given and hope it sends a strong message to anyone who considers driving dangerously to be acceptable.”

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

A 15-year-old schoolboy has admitted raping a woman in Melling.

The teenager pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday to rape and actual bodily harm in relation to an incident on Thursday, December 10.

Police said the victim, a 20-year-old woman was attacked on a canal towpath in Brewery Lane, Melling by a youth riding a bicycle.

Merseyside Police said the woman flagged down a passing motorist and was later offered support by officers from the force’s specialist Unity team.

A search of the area was carried out by officers using a police helicopter and dogs.

The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, will appear at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, April 27.

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

A jilted boyfriend was found guilty of breaking into his ex-partner’s home and stealing her cat before harming it.

Glen Dempsey, 23, took the animal during the second of two burglaries at Shauna Robbins’ flat after she dumped him in October last year.

Dempsey, of Earle Road, Wavertree , then sent her videos of him showering the cat and closing a door on its head.

He was also alleged to have set fire to Miss Robbins’ property during a four-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

A jury found him guilty of two counts of burglary but not guilty of arson and arson recklessly endangering life.

Carmel Wilde, prosecuting, said the couple were in a relationship for six months and lived together in Brook Road, Walton.

When they split up Dempsey moved out and sent Miss Robbins text messages threatening to kill her brother and “slit her throat”.

He asked if he could come round to collect paperwork and refused the offer of it being dropped off by one of her friends.

When she said she was not at home, he replied: “I will just kick the door in then.”

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Miss Robbins left her flat and returned on November 3 to find the front door had been forced open.

The victim discovered her sofa, rug and coffee table had been damaged and found a knife and screwdriver.

Ms Wilde said Dempsey put inappropriate photographs of her on Facebook , which were later deleted, and sent further texts threatening to “cut her brother from ear to ear”.

Miss Robbins went away again and returned on November 7 to find her cat and some coursework missing.

Ms Wilde said: “The defendant then sent Miss Robbins further abusive messages and videos of the cat being mistreated by being locked in a bath and having a door closed on its head.”

Police were informed her flat had been set alight on November 8.

Dempsey was arrested on November 9 and police found Miss Robbins’ coursework at his home.

Neighbour Rafal Marko – who discovered and put out the blaze – said Dempsey asked to borrow a screwdriver from him on November 7 before going in the flat.

Animal cruelty

Dempsey accepted sending the texts, but swore it was “the God’s honest truth” that he left the flat for good on October 28 and did not return.

However, during the trial he accepted that he had borrowed the screwdriver and gone in the flat.

He claimed Ms Robbins had given him permission to force his way in, when she sent him a text saying “you will have to break in then if you want your stuff”.

He said: “I didn’t burgle the house because I had permission to go to the house.”

Dempsey pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, but told the jury he did not mean to harm the cat.

He claimed he was just washing the pet and did not know cats were scared of water.

Dempsey said he admitted the charge “because it looks like I’m mistreating the cat”.

He also suggested that he didn’t mean to close the door on the cat’s head.

The defendant said: “When I was the closing the door, the cat’s head got stuck.”

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls adjourned sentencing until February 15 and remanded Dempsey in custody.

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

An inmate who made hoax bomb threats from his prison cell claiming “I’m from Liverpool ISIS” was warned his sentence could be increased.

Daniel Truelove, 20, threatened to blow up Lime Street station using a phone installed in his cell at HMP Altcourse to try and aid his rehabilitation.

He claimed he was a member of the Islamic terrorist group, responsible for atrocities including the attacks in Paris in November , which left 130 dead.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the defendant, of no fixed address, made four calls to the Samaritans and Crimestoppers between August 27 and 30 last year.

Katy Appleton, prosecuting, said: “In a call on August 27 at 8.46pm, he said six people were meeting at Liverpool bus station, before praying and going to Liverpool Lime Street at 10pm, wearing tactical vests with explosives that would be immediately detonated. He said one was carrying an Islamic State flag.

“In the second call he said he was part of Liverpool ISIS and at a kiosk at Lime Street station, carrying an Islamic State flag with a suicide vest and a bomb in a backpack.”

In a third call Truelove said there was a bomb threat to the train station at midnight.

Ms Appleton added: “In the fourth call he said he was called Aled Madora and was pressured by threats to behead his family to plant a bomb.”

British Transport Police increased searches of the station and deployed extra officers who were authorised to carry Tasers as a result of the calls.

Truelove was arrested after they were traced to his cell, in which he was spending 23 hours a day.

He had been sharing it with Clayton Williams, 18, who is accused of the murder of Merseyside Police officer PC David Phillips.

There is no suggestion that Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey , was behind the calls.

Truelove, appearing via video link from the G4S privately-run prison in Fazakerley , pleaded guilty to communicating a bomb hoax.

He admitted making the calls as a prank and said he thought they would be anonymous.

Liverpool’s Lime Street Station.

Ms Appleton said: “He said he had not intended to cause disruption and did not think his calls would be forwarded to the police.

“He apologised for his actions, particularly to the Samaritans, and said Clayton Williams had no involvement in the calls.”

Gary Brian, defending, said his client, who is serving a 30-month sentence, suffers from bipolar disorder.

Recorder John Gibson adjourned the case until February 15 so a pre-sentence report could be made.

The judge said this should not be taken as any indication of sentence, adding: “All sentences, including an immediate custodial sentence, will be considered by the court”.

HMP Altcourse previously told the ECHO the phones were installed in cells as part of a project to help rehabilitation by “strengthening support networks outside the prison”.

Dave Thompson, director of HMP Altcourse, said: “In line with many prisons across the country HMP Altcourse is moving to install telephones into prisoners’ cells as evidence suggests it supports the rehabilitation and resettlement on their release.

“Prisoners can only dial approved numbers such as members of their family and we routinely monitor and record calls to ensure telephones are being used appropriately.

“Prisoners who abuse this opportunity to remain in contact with their families can expect to face sanction and as this case shows, further action through the courts.”

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

Runcorn police have charged a 19-year-old man with two counts of robbery in connection with an incident at Phoenix Park.

A Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman said a 22-year-old woman and 23-year-old man were approached by two men as they sat on a bench on the main path from Castlefields to Bridgeway West in Windmill Hill at 1am on October 15.

It is alleged that the man and woman were threatened with a knife, then handed over cash and their mobile phones.

The defendant, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of robbery and remanded into custody.

He was due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court today.

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

The DNA of a Huyton man accused of possessing a gun with intent to endanger life was not found on the weapon or its ammunition, a court heard

Armed police discovered an 8mm Bruni self-loading pistol when they raided Rueben Murphy’s home in Barkbeth Road on April 29 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how officers found the loaded gun and 10 bullets in the pocket of a grey North Face jacket, which he was wearing around 20 minutes previously.

Murphy, 20, of Liverpool Road, Huyton , admits possessing the firearm and ammunition, but denies its possession with intent to endanger life.

The court heard how undercover police watched Murphy and another man on bikes in Huyton at around 2pm.

Prosecutors suggest Murphy was behaving suspiciously by trying to disguise his appearance with a scarf.

They say he approached an officer sat in a car and asked “are you following me?” before saying “you’re a bizzy” and riding away.

When his house was searched at around 2.30pm, the gun was recovered with one bullet in the chamber and nine rounds in an attached magazine.

Murphy told police he bought the gun for £50 and claimed it was an imitation firearm. However, he later accepted it was a modified “rebore”, which had been “drilled out”.

The defendant chose not to take the stand to give evidence this morning.

Geoffrey Lowe, defending, said his client had admitted the serious offence of possessing a firearm, but no further inference or conclusion could be drawn as to why he had the gun.

Mr Lowe questioned the logic of any suggestion his client may have had the gun in his pocket when he approached the policeman – who did not see any weapon.

He said: “He must be an extremely stupid villain to go up to somebody who is a police officer with a weapon in his pocket. For all he knew the officer might do something.”

Mr Lowe said there was more than one possible explanation why his client may have had the gun.

General view of Barkbeth Road, where Rueben Murphy’s home was raided. Photo taken from Google Maps.

He said: “Can you be sure that the only view of that is that he had an intention to endanger life?

“When you look at the case and look at the evidence, and step away from fancy theory and attempts to make it all fit in, at the heart of this case a gun has been recovered, and a man has pleaded guilty to its possession.”

Mr Astbury told the jury the evidence “spoke very much for itself” and the gun was “ready to be fired at the squeeze of a trigger”.

He said the jury must decide whether a policeman trying to keep his cover and sat in a car stuck in traffic would be a match for a young man on a bike who could easily get away.

He said: “This wasn’t an air pistol. This wasn’t a BB gun. It was a self-loading lethal weapon. It had been prepared to be fired deliberately.

“It was in the kitchen in the pocket of this defendant’s jacket. It wasn’t hidden away in a garden. It wasn’t stored in a cupboard out of sight. It was good to go.

“It couldn’t, you may think, have been more ready to be used on the streets of this city.”

The jury retired to consider its deliberations but were sent home for the night.

(Proceeding)

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

A motorcyclist has been jailed after incriminating footage was found on his helmet-mounted camera of him speeding at more than 150mph.

Clips on a memory card from Robert Hammond’s headcam showed him doing a wheelie in a housing estate before hitting more than 110mph in a 30mph zone.

Hammond, 60, was also shown overtaking at more than 140mph, reaching speeds of 153mph and entering a 30mph speed-limit at 95mph in Sussex and Hampshire.

Sussex Police officers said it was "a miracle" no-one was seriously hurt or killed by Hammond’s "outrageously bad motorcycling" on his Honda Fireblade.

Two police officers saw Hammond do a wheelie, overtake several vehicles and travel at about 80mph in a 50mph zone on the A27 at Chichester, West Sussex, on April 29.

Sussex Police/PA Wire

When they stopped him, they seized the memory card from his headcam, and it contained more than 150 biking clips, many showing Hammond’s "blatant disregard" for safety, police said.

Hammond, of Upways Close, Selsey, pleaded guilty to four counts of dangerous driving, and was jailed at Chichester Crown Court for two years on Friday, Sussex Police said.

Sergeant Alan Spicer said following the sentencing: "The footage on his headcam showed evidence of some outrageously bad motorcycling.

"It is a miracle that other road users had not been seriously injured or killed, due to the way he was driving his motorbike and the speeds he was reaching."

Hammond was also banned from driving for two years after he leaves jail, and will have to sit an extended re-test before taking to the roads again.

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

Former champion middleweight boxer Joe Selkirk appeared in court charged with assaulting a police officer.

Selkirk, 30, of Timon Avenue in Bootle , pleaded not guilty to the charge and also to an additional charge of being drunk and disorderly at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.

The former WBO European Champion allegedly assaulted PC Hoang Yung near the Hilton Hotel on Strand Street, Liverpool city centre , on December 23 last year.

Joe Selkirk

He appeared in court alongside another man, 27-year-old Paul Doris, who is charged with assaulting a PC Bellfield during the same incident.

Doris, of Margaret Road, Walton , also pleaded not guilty.

Joe Selkirk (left) and Paul Doris (right)

Selkirk was forced to vacate his title and spend 16 months out of the ring after sustaining a hand injury in 2013.

He made a triumphant return in May last year with a sixth round stoppage of Yuri Pompillo, before notching up a first round win over Zoltan Turai on December 19.

Selkirk and Noris are due to stand trial before city magistrates on April 26.

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

A woman alleged to have sexually abused two children in the 1980s will stand trial in March.

Angela King, 49, is charged with 11 counts of historic sexual offences including indecent assault and gross indecency with a child.

King, of Fernhill Road, Bootle, is alleged to have committed the abuse against a boy and a girl, who were both under the age of 14 at the time.

The defendant, with long black and dyed red hair, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning for a brief hearing.

King entered the court using a walking stick and wore a black coat with a furry hood in the dock.

She has pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges.

Louise McCloskey, prosecuting, said a trial had been set for March 7, which is expected to last two to three weeks.

The court heard King will be assisted during the trial by an intermediary.

Judge Brian Cummings, QC, remanded King on bail.

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

A doctor charged with sexually assaulting a woman at Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral is to stand trial.

Dr Manohar Deshpande, 50, faces one allegation of sexual assault, relating to an alleged incident in December 2014.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he is accused of touching the woman inappropriately without her consent on December 19.

Deshpande, with short black hair and glasses and wearing a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie in the dock, denies the offence.

The defendant, of Sandringham Close, Bowdon, Altrincham, spoke only to confirm his personal details and plead not guilty during a short hearing this morning.

Ben Jones, prosecuting, said a trial estimated to last three days had been set for April 4.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, remanded Deshpande on unconditional bail.

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

This is the face of a thug who chased a man around a busy shopping centre brandishing a two-foot machete.

Lewis Rimmer, 22, threatened to chop up his victim as he went after him in the Concourse shopping centre in Skelmersdale.

Rimmer was jailed for four years at Liverpool Crown Court and must serve an extended three years on licence.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that there was a background of bad feeling between him and his victim Robert Crinks after an allegation was made against Rimmer by a member of Mr Crinks’s family, which was never formally pursued.

Bernice Campbell, prosecuting, told how Mr Crinks was in the shopping centre on October 14 when Rimmer wielded the blade and shouted at him: “I’m going to kill you.”

Mr Crinks, fearing for his life, ran off pursued by Rimmer past shoppers and children in a play area before Mr Crinks found a security guard.

When arrested a week later, after being found hiding in a loft space of a house, Rimmer admitted he had chased after his intended victim “to cut him up.”

Rimmer said he had been “stoned” on cannabis at the time of the incident and the court heard that he claimed he was also under the influence of drugs when interviewed.

Rimmer, of Harsnips, Skelmersdale, admitted making threats to kill, affray and breaching his bail.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, told him: “You chased him through the shopping centre brandishing the machete for all the public to see and threatening to kill him.

“You were determined to catch him up if you could and our intention was to chop him up and kill him. That was your avowed intent which you repeated several times.”

He added, “It is clear you are a dangerous offender.”

Kate Morley, defending, said that Rimmer admitted intending to harm Mr Crinks but denied intending to cause serious harm.

She said: “He did not want to kill him and would not have used the weapon, he was using it to frighten him.”

She said that at the time of his interview Rimmer had been under the influence of drugs and there was an element of bravado.

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

A Huyton teenager caught with a loaded gun after confronting undercover police was locked up for five years.

Armed officers discovered the 8mm Bruni self-loading pistol when they raided Rueben Murphy’s home in Barkbeth Road on April 29 last year.

Officers found the handgun and 10 bullets in the pocket of a grey North Face jacket, which Murphy was wearing when cycling around just 20 minutes earlier.

Murphy was today found not guilty of possessing the gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, but had previously admitted just their possession.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how his home was searched by police shortly after he had approached an undercover officer sat in a car and asked “are you following me?” before saying “you’re a bizzy,” and riding away.

Prosecutors alleged that Murphy had the gun “ready to be fired at the squeeze of a trigger” during a three-day trial.

Judge Andrew Hatton told him: “You have one previous conviction for possessing a bladed article, which shows you’re prepared to go out on the streets of Merseyside with a weapon.

“The jury were not satisfied that you had an intention to endanger life. I will of course be wholly faithful to that verdict.

The 8mm Bruni self-loading pistol and magazine police found in Huyton teen Rueben Murphy’s jacket pocket

“But the evidence reveals in my judgement that you were cycling around the streets of Liverpool with a loaded gun in your pocket.

“Having realised you were being followed by the police – I suspect that may not have been the first time as you seem to know the identity of the police officers – you went to your home, put your jacket on a worktop, and when police arrived a few minutes later, the gun was still in the pocket.”

Prosecutors alleged that Murphy was behaving suspiciously while cycling around with a friend and tried to disguise his appearance with a scarf.

When his house was searched at 2.30pm, the gun was recovered with one bullet in the chamber.

Murphy told police he bought the gun for £50 and claimed it was an imitation. However, he later accepted it was a modified “rebore”, which had been “drilled out”.

The defendant chose not to take the stand to give evidence.

His barrister, Geoffrey Lowe, questioned the logic of any suggestion his client may have had the gun in his pocket when he approached the policeman – who did not see any weapon – on his bike.

General view of Barkbeth Road, where Rueben Murphy’s home was raided. Photo taken from Google Maps.

He said: “He must be an extremely stupid villain to go up to somebody who is a police officer with a weapon in his pocket. For all he knew the officer might do something.”

However, in his sentencing remarks, Judge Hatton said: “I’m confident he was cycling around with a loaded gun.”

An initial jury had to be discharged after Murphy recognised a police officer among the 12 jurors.

The second jury took three and a half hours to reach a not guilty verdict.

Murphy, 20, now of Liverpool Road, Huyton, jumped up and down in the dock.

He shouted: “That’s all I need to hear,” while family members screamed “yes” in the public gallery.

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

A man caught with two petrol bombs and a kitchen knife in a Huyton street admitted explosive offences.

Police cordoned off an area in Tarbock Road and Marine Crescent after receiving reports of “a man acting suspiciously” on Friday, December 18 last year.

They said a wooded area nearby was also cordoned off to allow officers to search for weapons at around 9pm.

Craig Cooke, 24, of Hartsbourne Avenue, Belle Vale , appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today via video link from HMP Liverpool .

Cooke was charged with making an explosive substance, and having an explosive substance, which the court heard was “two bottles of flammable liquid”.

He also faced an allegation of having an article with a blade in a public place.

Cooke, with short black hair and glasses and wearing a grey sweatshirt, pleaded guilty to all three charges.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said: “The defendant asserts in his police interview that this was constructed in some way just to threaten. The Crown do not accept that.”

The police cordon in the area of Tarbock Road/Marine Crescent in Huyton

Paul Wood, defending, said this line of defence would no longer be contested and that his client would be sentenced on the full facts of the prosecution case.

Mr Wood said his client had Asperger’s syndrome and asked for a psychiatric report to be compiled by an expert in the autism spectrum disorder.

Judge Goldstone agreed to adjourn sentencing until March 24 so this document and a pre-sentence report could be made.

Cooke was remanded in custody.

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

A man appeared in court after police raids on the north Liverpool ‘Deli Mob’ gang uncovered a £800,000 cannabis farm.

Police stumbled upon 40 cannabis plants growing at an address in Chirkdale Street, Kirkdale, while executing 14 warrants yesterday.

Officers broke down doors at 13 properties in Kirkdale, Walton, Fazakerley and Aintree, as part of an investigation into a gang known as the Deli Mob.

Jake Cieran Glenholmes, aged 23, of no fixed address but formerly of Chirkdale Street, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today charged with production of cannabis and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

He entered no pleas to the charges and also to an additional charge of attempted burglary, relating to an incident at Westminster News on Westminster Road, Kirkdale, on August 26.

Lionel Cope, prosecuting, said the cannabis farm was worth between £600,000 and £800,000 according to police experts.

Glenholmes, wearing a black Nike t-shirt, blue Adidas tracksuit pants and a grey jacket, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on February 26.

The raids in pictures:

VIEW GALLERY

Maurice David Dodd, 22, of Mere Lane in Anfield, and Adam Egan, 22, of Thomas Drive, Prescot, also appeared in court after being arrested during the raids.

Dodd pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and not guilty to assault and criminal damage, while Egan entered no plea to possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Dodd was granted bail and will next appear at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court on February 4, while Egan was remanded in custody and will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on February 22.

Seven other men aged between 19 and 27, arrested during the raids, have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

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

Liverpool’s courts were busy once again this month, locking up more than 50 criminals for a variety of serious offences.

Among them was an OAP who travelled from his home in Scotland to sexually abuse a vulnerable boy in St Helens after posing as a 13-year-old online.

Segart Garth Lochead, a former Scots Guard, was jailed for seven years and four months after assaulting the boy.

Lochead was told by a judge that he had “exploited a young and vulnerable individual”.

And a pensioner who sexually abused a young girl then branded her “a liar” when she reported his crimes was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Kevin Fox, 73, of New Chester Road, Bromborough, Wirral, denied the historical allegations but was convicted after a trial.

Meanwhile, a St Helens paedophile was jailed for sexually abusing two young girls.

David Sands, 59, was locked up for 14 years for “systematic and repeated” abuse while he was living in Eccleston Park, near St Helens.

In other cases, a burglar was jailed for two years after stealing comedian Bill Bailey’s tour bus from outside Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.

Francis John Whittaker, 35, took the Mercedes Sprinter van from outside the Hope Street venue where Mr Bailey was due to perform as part of his Limboland tour on October 26.

And Widnes man Warren Flaherty, who stabbed his neighbour in an attempted murder bid ‘sparked by jealousy and rage’, was caged for 20 years.

*Click here to read all our reports from court

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

The coroner in the Hillsborough inquests began summing up the case this week.

Coroner Sir John Goldring’s summing up is expected to last at least three weeks and will see the jury reminded of the key evidence from the case.

The jury were told that when making their determinations they would have to complete a general questionnaire, as well as 96 individual questionnaires, which will record the times and causes of death, and records of inquests.

The questionnaire is split into 14 sections and includes questions about the policing, the emergency response, the design of the stadium, the role of the club and of the structural engineers and the behaviour of supporters on the day.

The jury will also be asked if the 96 victims were unlawfully killed.

The coroner told the jury that in order to answer yes to that question they would have to be sure that David Duckenfield was responsible for the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 96.

Former South Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, the overall Hillsborough match commander on the day of the disaster.

To reach that decision they would have to believe that Mr Duckenfield had a duty of care to the 96, that he breached that duty of care, that his breach caused their deaths and that his breach was grossly negligent.

The coroner spent most of the week summing up evidence the jury heard about stadium safety.

The jury was reminded of changes that were made to the stadium in the decade before the disaster, as well as certain changes that were not made.

Aerial view of the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough

They were also reminded of concerns about the safety of the ground before the disaster and of the expert evidence of structural engineer John Cutlack – who gave evidence including that four of the crush barriers in the pen were too low.

On Friday the coroner moved onto the topic of the police planning and preparation of the match.

Among the areas he covered was the closure of the tunnel leading to the central pens, including at the 1988 semi-final.

Hillsborough Inquests

Aerial view of inner concourse, Leppings Lane end, Hillsborough

He told the jury they would have to consider whether senior officers knew about the tactic.

The court will resume on Monday with more evidence about the planning and preparation of the match but will not sit on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Read more: The 14 questions the Hillsborough jury has to answer Read more: Hillsborough jury to consider if David Duckenfield responsible for manslaughter Portraits of the 96 Liverpool fans lost at Hillsborough

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

A crook jailed for his role in a botched cash-in-​​​​tran​sit robbery in his own backyard was previously caged over an international drugs plot.

Spencer Benjamin was last week jailed for eight years for his part in ​a supermarket ram raid and a cash-in-transit robbery in Chinatown last July.

The bungled raid was carried out in a car with registration plates borrowed from a car Benjamin had hired in his own name – prompting him to come straight to the attention of detectives.

He was today beginning to come to terms with another long jail stretch after being locked up for a decade in 2000 over cocaine supply.

In 1999, Benjamin was under the watch of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) over meetings with a mystery man at a Pizza Hut restaurant in central London.

The man turned out to be Venezualan drug lord, Ivan di Giorgio, who was said to be acting on behalf of the feared Colombian Cali Cartel.

On​​ ​one occasion Benjamin was seen handing over a satchel to the South American, and at a second pizza parlour meeting a Wade Smith bag was passed to ​di Giorgio.

Police suspected cash was being handed over in return for drugs.

When police finally raided di Giorgio’s London home, he jumped out of a first floor window in a doomed attempt to escape. When he appeared in court he needed a walking frame.

Bizarre shopping spree

Spencer Benjamin, 43, jailed for eight years for two robberies

The police waited a little longer for Benjamin, allowing him to return to Liverpool .

The Toxteth dad went into hiding​,​ but then decided to go on a bizarre shopping spree.

Undercover police officers witnessed an astonishing 10-day spending bonanza as the net closed in. He spent thousands of pounds kitting out a flat above a shop in Lodge Lane, which he would use as his “safe house”.

He spent £580 on new carpets, £1,250 on a TV and video recorder, £540 on a hi-fi system, £245 on blinds and £755 on a double bed and headboard. Each time​ he used cash and gave bogus names when asked.

The bill came to more than £3,000.

He was arrested, and told detectives: “I’m innocent. I have got no involvement in drugs and I am not saying any more. I have no involvement in anything.

​“​I told you, I’ve no involvement with drugs whatsoever.”

Benjamin claimed to be legitimately employed as an “area manager” but the court heard that he was the Liverpool end of an international drugs chain.

He lived in a £120,000 house on a new estate in Halewood , holidayed in Mexico​ and wore a ​£10k Rolex Ebel watch​.

His unemployed girlfriend cruised around Liverpool in a Honda Jeep.

Det Supt John Kerruish of Merseyside’s major crime unit co-ordinated the inquiry.

‘Benjamin organised Liverpool end of the operation’

Spencer Benjamin, jailed for his part as the Liverpool contact for the drugs syndicate Cali Cartel

At the time he said: “The problem that we faced was that at this stage we had not fully identified exactly who di Giorgio was​,​ but it was becoming apparent that he was working for the Cali Cartel.

“As far as we are concerned​,​ Benjamin was the organiser for the Liverpool end of the operation.

“We regard his conviction along with that of ​d​i Giorgio’s as particularly significant in the on-going fight to stem the tide of class ‘A’ drugs coming into Merseyside.”

Benjamin pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and was jailed for ten years.

Di Giorgio was given a 20-year sentence after being described in court as “a very major player…in control of operations in this country”.

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

A carer who stole more than £1,200 from a disabled woman after she trusted him with her money was spared prison.

Ian Owens, 30, targeted vulnerable Sandra Roberts, 62, while working for Mountbatton Care between August and September last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Owens, of Peterborough Drive, Bootle, was previously suspended by the Litherland-based firm for falling asleep on the job.

But he was rehired and phoned his victim – who needs daily care since suffering a stroke – to say he was coming round to introduce himself in July.

By August the company was no longer providing care for Ms Roberts, yet Owens turned up at her home in Bootle unannounced.

Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said Owens let himself in using a key from a key safe.

She was running low on food and gave him a shopping list, her bank card and PIN, and asked him to take out £200.

Mr Hopkins said: “That is strictly a ‘no’ as far as the company is concerned. Staff are not to be handling money or taking bank cards from care users.”

Criminal carers

Owens returned with the shopping and continued to carry out errands for her, making eight withdrawals in total and pocketing £1,220.

Mr Hopkins said: “The defendant said to her ‘if the office ring, don’t tell them I’ve been here’. The defendant had no right to be going to her address at all.”

Owens’ victim was left distressed by the ordeal, but he denied any wrongdoing when interviewed by police.

Mr Hopkins said: “She says this has undermined her confidence in those who should be caring for her.

“She is worried about the money she has lost because she had not saved up for her own needs.”

Owens, with short brown hair and glasses and wearing a grey suit in the dock, admitted theft.

Shamed: callous carers

Nicholas Archer, defending, said his client was good at his job and worked long hours to provide for his three children.

He said Owens was the prime carer for his eldest child, who has severe epilepsy, and also supports his girlfriend, who suffers from depression.

Mr Archer said: “This is a young man who is extremely remorseful. It has been a spectacular fall from grace.

“On one particular occasion he worked 36 hours, which included an overnight stay when he was meant to be awake and fell asleep.

“He was suspended by the employer at that stage. He was out of work and had no income other than benefits.

“They phoned him back up and said they would take him back on. In the meantime he got himself into all kinds of financial mess.”

Judge Anil Murray said Owens had breached his victim’s trust.

He said: “You used her card to get money to solve your own cash problems.

“Your job was to care for her. There was targeting and she was vulnerable.”

However, the judge said he bore in mind Owen’s family responsibilities and that his risk of re-offending was low.

Judge Murray handed Owens eight months behind bars, suspended for 18 months, plus 150 hours of unpaid work.

More stories from the courts

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

A Merseyside Police officer accused of sex with a prostitute while on duty continues to stand trial today.

Temporary Sergeant David Gibson, 44, is suspended from duty by Merseyside Police after allegations that he engaged in sexual activity with the woman on November 6, 2014.

Gibson, of Kirkman Fold, Rainhill, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of wilful misconduct in a public office.

A spokesman for the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has previously said: “A Merseyside Police officer has been charged with misconduct in public office."

The 44 year-old has been charged in relation to an allegation that whilst on duty he engaged in a sexual act with a sex worker.

The allegation has been investigated by Merseyside Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit and managed by the IPCC.Gibson was re-bailed on the condition not to enter the Liverpool 6 area of Liverpool.

Key Events So Far 50 secs ago DAVID GIBSON TRIAL Key event DAVID GIBSON TRIAL

A Merseyside Police officer accused of sex with a prostitute while on duty continues to stand trial today.

Temporary Sergeant David Gibson, 44, is suspended from duty by Merseyside Police after allegations that he engaged in sexual activity with the woman on November 6, 2014.

Gibson, of Kirkman Fold, Rainhill, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of wilful misconduct in a public office.

A spokesman for the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has previously said: “A Merseyside Police officer has been charged with misconduct in public office.”

The 44 year-old has been charged in relation to an allegation that whilst on duty he engaged in a sexual act with a sex worker.

The allegation has been investigated by Merseyside Polices Anti-Corruption Unit and managed by the IPCC.

Gibson was re-bailed on the condition not to enter the Liverpool 6 area of Liverpool.

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