Latest news with #PrestonCrownCourt
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Murderer's supporters 'removed from court' for 'screaming and shouting'
A murderer's supporters were 'removed from court' after some shouted "they're all corrupt" and "may God have mercy on them" after he was convicted. Thomas Dures, 21, fled the country hours after he stabbed his teenage victim Matthew Daulby to death during a brawl in Ormskirk, the Liverpool Echo reportes. Dures was convicted of murder and wounding with intent this week following a trial at Preston Crown Court. READ MORE: 5 retro RPGs you can play right now guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again - you won't have heard of one of them READ MORE: 5 games released in 2025 guaranteed to take you back to the good old days of gaming A witness told the Echo two women who attended court in support of Dures had to be removed from the building in the aftermath of the verdict while screaming and shouting. They were reported to have made comments including "they're all corrupt, the whole place is corrupt, everybody is corrupt". One was heard to say "may God have mercy on them". Jurors previously heard Mr Daulby travelled to the Ormskirk area with friends on the evening of July 29, 2023 after receiving a message in a group chat, named "M.R.S", which stated that one of their number, who was alone and on crutches, had been punched three times by Dures. This led to a confrontation near to Alpine Bar on Railway Road, with the defendant having been present at the premises with his associate Henry Houghton earlier in the evening. The latter would strike Mr Daulby over the head with a makeshift weapon, consisting of a rock stuffed into a sports sock, during the ensuing melee. The 19-year-old suffered damage to his skull and frontal lobe during the incident, although this injury was not fatal of itself. But Dures, of Whalley Drive in Aughton, West Lancashire, then delivered the deadly blow to the chest with a knife which he had been carrying all night, having alleged that he was minding the weapon on behalf of Houghton. Mr Daulby managed to leave the scene of the fight but collapsed on nearby Moorgate, later being pronounced dead at Aintree Hospital in the early hours of July 30. Dures also stabbed two other men during the altercation before fleeing. He discarded his jacket in a nearby park in the aftermath and handed his man bag to a friend. Having washed his face in the Railway pub and disposed of the knife in an alleyway, he then took a taxi home before travelling to a friend's home at around 3am. It was there that he apparently first learned that the brawl had resulted in serious injuries, having told jurors from the witness box: "I didn't believe it. I didn't think anyone was seriously injured, because I clearly seen everyone was able to run away." Following posts on Facebook which reported Mr Daulby's death, he was collected from the Plough Inn pub by an unknown driver and taken to Kent. He thereafter travelled via the Channel Tunnel to Austria, took a coach to southern Italy and boarded a ferry to Greece. Asked why he had absconded to Europe, Dures said in his evidence: "I was scared of going to prison. There was a £10,000 bounty on my head. I was scared to come back." Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE Dures remained in Athens until December last year, when he handed himself in at a police station before being extradited back to the UK. In the intervening period, Houghton, of Barrison Green in Scarisbrick, was handed a life sentence imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years behind bars for Mr Daulby's murder. Following his conviction, Dures will now be sentenced on Monday next week. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police's major investigation team, saying following Thursday's verdict: "After two long years, the man responsible for fatally stabbing Matthew Daulby has finally been brought to justice. "This has been two years of pain and frustration, in which the Daulbys have had so many unanswered questions. They have had to figure out a way to try and grieve, knowing the man responsible to taking their son's life before it had really started was actively evading justice and celebrating his 21st birthday in the sun, something Matthew will never be able to do. "I'd like to thank my investigation team for everything they have done in securing this conviction, the Crown Prosecution Service and our KC, Peter Glenser, and junior counsel Katy Appleton. "I would also like to thank the public and the media for all the witness appeals they shared and their help in keeping this case in the spotlight."
ITV News
09-07-2025
- ITV News
Benefit cheat couple from Blackpool who claimed they lived apart exposed by on-line holiday snaps
A benefit-swindling couple who claimed they lived apart to con the taxpayer out of more than £50,000 blew their own cover by posting holiday photos of themselves together online. Alan Forsythe, 37, and wife Jemma, 36, lived together at their family home in Blackpool between 2019 and 2023, along with their two children and Jemma's children from a previous relationship. But they were lying to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - claiming they were separated and lived lies were exposed when officers at the DWP saw social media posts of holiday photos in which the pair were clearly a married couple. Preston Crown Court heard how in February 2019, Alan Forsythe made a claim for Universal Credit, claiming he was living alone at a flat in Blackpool. He continued to claim until October 2019, when he closed down the claim, but in January 2022 he signed on again - this time claiming to be a single dad to a child who was living with continued to claim Universal Credit on that basis until July 2023, the court heard. In total, Mr Forsythe claimed £3,182.27 he was not entitled wife Jemma Forsythe, who now uses her maiden name of O'Malley, made a claim with the DWP in June 2020, also claiming to be a single claimed she was living with her four children but failed to report that her husband was also living at the family home - and working full time. She continued the lie until June 2023, fraudulently claiming £49,007.91, the court claimant signed a declaration stating the information they had provided was true, and committing to inform the DWP of any changes in circumstances. Jemma also had a previous conviction for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, dating back to 2014, the court was DWP launched an investigation and discovered social media posts in which the pair were obviously still a married couple. They made further inquiries, looking at bank statements and credit references, before inviting them to be interviewed in June 14 June, Mr Forsythe attended St Annes Jobcentre where he claimed he was 'sofa surfing' after splitting up with 26 June, Mrs Forsythe attended the same Jobcentre and told investigators they had separated but not yet divorced. The pair later pleaded guilty to fraud. In September 2024, Alan Forsythe was jailed for four years after he was involved in a brutal attack which left a man with life changing injuries. He appeared at Preston Crown Court to face fraud charges on a prison video barrister Anthony Parkinson said he accepted he would face an immediate custodial sentence but was extremely concerned about the impact on his children if their mother was also sent to Forsythe's barrister, Kira Unsworth, said her client has a strong work ethic and is trying to tackle her debts through her work as a care assistant. She has since separated from her husband and begun divorce proceedings, she Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: "You were both involved in providing false information to the DWP which affected the benefits you were entitled to. You were a married couple and resided together in your family home."At the time you made these claims you signed declarations but you were not providing accurate information. You were taking from the public purse. Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious."She sentenced Alan Forsythe, of Armistead Court, Fleetwood, to 15 weeks in jail to run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving. However, she said she considered the children's right to a family life when sentencing Mrs Forsythe."You knew it was a criminal offence," she told the mother. "You have a previous conviction and you went on to commit this offence over this period. This was fraudulent activity over a sustained period of 36 months that you were defrauding the DWP."I have heard about the pressure you were under and that you are now working and taking steps to address your mental health. You recognise you need to work on this debt problem."Taking money is not the solution. Your children deserve better than this - this is no example to set them. They are today facing the prospect of both parents being in prison. Their rights are very important to this court."If it wasn't for those children I would be sending you to prison right now. Because of those children I am going to suspend the sentence."She sentenced Mrs Forsythe, of Foxdale Avenue, Blackpool, to 21 months suspended for two years with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirements and a curfew from 9pm to 7am for the next six months.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Benefit cheat couple claimed they separated but social media showed the truth
A benefit cheat couple cheated their way to over £50,000 as they claimed to be separated and single parents - but the DWP found they were lying after snooping on their social media A married fraudster couple were caught lying about being single parents when they posted pictures of themselves on holiday. Alan Forsythe, 37, and his wife Jemma, 36, managed to cheat their way to over £50,000 in benefits before they were finally caught. The fraudsters lived together in Blackpool along with their two shared children and Jemma's two older children from a previous relationship between 2019 and 2023. In February 2019, Alan Forsythe made a claim for Universal Credit, claiming he was living alone at a flat in the town. His claims continued until October 2019. He signed on again in January 2022 claiming to be a single dad to a child living with him. Preston Crown Court heard he continued to claim Universal Credit on this basis until July 2023. Overall, he claimed £3,182.7 he was not entitled to. His wife Jemma Forsythe, who now uses her maiden name of O'Malley made a claim with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in June 2020, also claiming to be a single parent. She claimed she was living with her four children but failed to report that her husband was also living at the family home - and working full time. Her lies bagged her a whopping £49,007.91 until June 2023. In court, the pair admitted fraud. Both claimants said the information they had provided was true, and committing to inform the DWP of any changes in circumstances. Jemma also has a previous conviction for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, dating back to 2014, Lancs Live reported. An investigation was launched by the DWP and discovered social media posts in which the pair presented themselves as a married couple. They made further inquiries, looking at bank statements and credit references, before inviting them to be interviewed in June 2023. That month, Alan Forsythe said at a Jobcentre that he had split up with Jemma and was now sofa surfing. Later, Jemma told the same Jobcentre the pair had separated but not divorced. Alan Forsythe appeared in court via a video link from jail after he was jailed for four years when he carried out a brutal attack on a man who was left with life-changing injuries. He was sentenced to 15 weeks, his sentence running consecutively to his current one. His barrister Anthony Parkinson said he accepted he would face an immediate custodial sentence but was extremely concerned about the impact on his children if their mother was also sent to prison. Jemma's barrister, Kira Unsworth, said her client has a strong work ethic and is trying to tackle her debts through her work as a care assistant. She has since separated from her husband and begun divorce proceedings, she added. Sentencing, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: "You were both involved in providing false information to the DWP which affected the benefits you were entitled to. You were a married couple and resided together in your family home. "At the time you made these claims you signed declarations but you were not providing accurate information. You were taking from the public purse. "Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious. "You knew it was a criminal offence," she told the mother. "You have a previous conviction and you went on to commit this offence over this period. This was fraudulent activity over a sustained period of 36 months that you were defrauding the DWP. "I have heard about the pressure you were under and that you are now working and taking steps to address your mental health. You recognise you need to work on this debt problem. "Taking money is not the solution. Your children deserve better than this - this is no example to set them. They are today facing the prospect of both parents being in prison. Their rights are very important to this court. "If it wasn't for those children I would be sending you to prison right now. Because of those children I am going to suspend the sentence." Jemma was slapped with 21 months suspended for two years with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirements and a curfew from 9pm to 7am for the next six months.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Daily Record
Married couple caught in £50,000 benefits scam after posting holiday photos online
The pair claimed they were single parents between 2019 and 2023 before their snaps went on social media A husband and wife who falsely claimed they were single parents saw their fraud unravelled after posting holiday snaps online. Alan Forsythe, 37, and wife Jemma, 36, swindled over £50,000 in benefits they weren't entitled to. The court was informed that from 2019 to 2023, the couple resided together at their family home in Blackpool, along with their two children and Jemma's two older children from a previous relationship. An investigation was eventually initiated when the DWP spotted social media posts showing the pair as a married couple. Preston Crown Court heard that in February 2019, Alan Forsythe applied for Universal Credit, asserting he was living alone in a flat in Blackpool. He continued to claim until October 2019, when he ended the claim, but in January 2022 he signed on again - this time purporting to be a single father to a child living with him. He continued to claim Universal Credit on these grounds until July 2023, the court heard. In total, Mr Forsythe claimed £3,182.27 he was not entitled to. His wife Jemma Forsythe, now using her maiden name O'Malley, made a claim with the DWP in June 2020, also alleging to be a single parent. She alleged she was residing with her four children but neglected to disclose that her husband was also living at the family home and working full time. She perpetuated this falsehood until June 2023, fraudulently claiming £49,007.91, according to court proceedings. Each claimant is required to sign a declaration affirming the truthfulness of the information provided and committing to inform the DWP of any changes in circumstances. Mrs Forsythe has a prior conviction for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, dating back to 2014. The DWP initiated an investigation and found social media posts where the couple portrayed themselves as married. They conducted further investigations, examining bank statements and credit references, before inviting them for an interview in June 2023. On June 14, Mr Forsythe visited St Annes Jobcentre where he claimed he was sofa surfing after separating from Jemma. On June 26, Mrs Forsythe visited the same Jobcentre and informed investigators they had separated but were not yet divorced. The couple later admitted to fraud. In September 2024, Alan Forsythe was sentenced to four years in prison following his involvement in a violent assault that resulted in life-altering injuries for a man. He appeared at Preston Crown Court to face fraud charges via a prison video link. His barrister, Anthony Parkinson, acknowledged that an immediate custodial sentence was inevitable but expressed grave concern about the impact on their children if their mother was also incarcerated. Mrs Forsythe's barrister, Kira Unsworth, highlighted her client's robust work ethic and determination to resolve her debts through her occupation as a care assistant. Unsworth also mentioned that Mrs Forsythe has separated from her spouse and launched divorce proceedings. During the sentencing, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi remarked, "You were both involved in providing false information to the DWP which affected the benefits you were entitled to. You were a married couple and resided together in your family home." She continued: "At the time you made these claims you signed declarations but you were not providing accurate information. You were taking from the public purse. Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious." Recorder Siddiqi imposed a 15-week sentence on Alan Forsythe of Armistead Court, Fleetwood, to run consecutive to his current sentence. Yet, she took into consideration the children's right to a family life when decreeing Mrs Forsythe's sentence. Addressing the convicted mother, Siddiqi stated, "You knew it was a criminal offence," and noted, "You have a previous conviction and you went on to commit this offence over this period. This was fraudulent activity over a sustained period of 36 months that you were defrauding the DWP." The Recorder also acknowledged, "I have heard about the pressure you were under and that you are now working and taking steps to address your mental health. You recognise you need to work on this debt problem. "Taking money is not the solution. Your children deserve better than this - this is no example to set them. They are today facing the prospect of both parents being in prison. Their rights are very important to this court." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! "If it wasn't for those children I would be sending you to prison right now. Because of those children I am going to suspend the sentence." She handed Mrs Forsythe, of Foxdale Avenue, Blackpool, a 21-month suspended sentence for two years with 10 days' rehabilitation activity requirements and a six-month curfew from 9pm to 7am.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Blackpool sex offender jailed for breaching court order
A sex offender who breached a sexual harm prevention order has been Cane, of Furness Avenue, Blackpool, admitted four counts of breaching the order and two counts of failing to comply with notification Police said officers discovered Cane had breached the conditions of his order after a routine check. He was arrested and later charged with the 39-year-old was jailed for four years at Preston Crown Court. Cane's order stated he had to notify police of any address he stayed at or visited where a person under 18 would be also had to notify police of any other name or alias he may use, to retain the history of his internet use and to inform police of the passwords to his is also not allowed to have supervised or unsupervised contact with children under 16, and to not create social media accounts without approval by Sgt Kat Knock said: "Cane had clear conditions of his order, which he was ordered to follow."He instead knowingly chose to breach them despite the consequences he knew he would face."These restrictions are there for a reason – to protect the public. They are not taken lightly, and anyone found to be breaching them will be brought before the courts." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
