Day in Preston Court Drug Cases, Theft, Harassment and Sentencings

Being a journalist means each day differs. Court reporting is always varied. Trials, sentences, and arraignments happen daily. They occur in different court levels. Preston Magistrates Court was visited. This gave insight into case differences and showed process variations too. The buildings differ significantly in size with the Magistrates Court seeming older and smaller.

First sentencing began at 10 AM. We took our places on the press bench in Court 1, which was ready for seven cases. Brian Smith was first to appear; he breached his license terms. Smith, age 37, is from Norfolk Gardens. He failed a drug test and skipped a drug appointment with no valid excuse.

Smith, a roofer, was previously sentenced on November 22, 2023, to 33 weeks. Substances linked to his past offense. His lawyer said Smith partied with friends and cannot explain why it happened, noting he has been drug-free since then.

Smith lost his best friend recently, who had a long cancer battle. Judge Wallace noted Smith stayed out of trouble and must care for his young daughter. He has 50% custody of his eight-year-old. Smith was fined £160 for legal costs.

Cases move quicker in Magistrates Court, whereas Crown Court allows more time. Prosecutors and defense get extra time there. Magistrates Court is considered a faster process.

John Stoddard faced Preston Magistrates with four charges, including burglary, dwelling, and theft. Stoddard, 53, lives on Ryde Street. His case will move to Crown Court. Burglary is an indictable-only charge.

Criminal cases start in Magistrates Court. Serious cases go to Crown Court usually, as Magistrates lack sufficient powers for those. The defendant might face a jury there.

Brian Lambert was the day’s third case. He has no fixed address currently. He stole laundry pods from Home Bargains costing £59.34 total. Lambert, 49, admitted the Skelmersdale theft, which took place on January 26, 2025.

Lambert left prison on Christmas Eve and faced immediate money problems. He saved £500-£1,000 while incarcerated. The court heard his money vanished fast. He became quickly homeless after release, having previously lived in Skelmersdale.

The lawyer said Lambert feels “set up to fail” and happy to be off the streets. Judge Wallace noted Lambert’s release difficulties, saying leaving “with nothing” is not easy. He hopes Lambert finds housing after release. Lambert received a 28-day sentence.

Andrew Barratt, 59, faced harassment charges for sending letters from prison from Dec 12 to Jan 6. Barratt has no fixed address presently and had a restraining order already. It protects the victim until 2029; therefore, he cannot contact the victim.

He is now serving time for stalking her at HMP Lancaster Farms. Barratt sent letters asking for money to her and her son. His actions broke the restraining order, even while in custody.

Judge Wallace said harassment keeps occurring, dating to 2018, and Barratt “simply ignored” court orders. The judge sentenced him to 26 weeks and a £154 victim surcharge.

John Molyneux, age 42, faced three theft charges. He stole Fairy liquid from a Gee Tee’s costing £28. He stole the same at a B&M, totaling £19.47. He also took laundry tabs from Spar costing £17.94. These thefts happened in February.

His lawyer called it a heroin addiction tragedy. Molyneux’s last sentence lasted eight weeks for committing the same crime. Judge Wallace wondered about Molyneux’s feelings, noting this cycle will continue without drug help.

Molyneux lives in Bamber Bridge. He received 28 days in jail and must pay £65.41 to the stores as compensation for the thefts.

Paul Fielding, 44, went to Magistrates Court. He owed £826 in fines from driving and TV. Fielding has no current address and got a ticket for phone use. He claimed he knew nothing of TV license costs.

Fielding became homeless recently and relies on Universal Credit income. He lives in three places lately. The court heard about his struggles and that he has mental health and ADHD issues. He self-medicated since March of last year.

Judge Wallace said Fielding’s life is tough. He cleared the fines completely and detained Fielding at court that day, where he remained for the court session.

Josh Reilly, 24, was in court for possessing a weapon publicly and possessing a Class B drug. Reilly lives on Delph Drive. He had an extendable baton and carried this in Skelmersdale.

Police got a call from Reilly’s mom on June 29, 2024. He was gone when police arrived. Officers found and arrested him later.

Judge Wallace questioned Reilly’s story. Reilly claimed he didn’t know about the weapon. This seemed unlikely due to the cannabis.

Reilly received a 12-month order and must do 180 hours of unpaid labor. He also must pay a £199 fine.

A day in court involves many cases. Some reach completion quickly, while others get continued to another day. Magistrates Court deals with many cases. Serious cases then go to Crown Court. Crown Court judges have broader powers.