Four defendants sentenced in North Staffordshire’s courts this week

Here are the latest cases from the region's courts: HANLEY: Motorist Allan Mbae has been banned from the roads for 40 months after he failed to provide a sample of breath for analysis. Police noticed the 24-year-old driving a damaged vehicle and when they quizzed him about it he appeared to be intoxicated.

He failed a roadside breath test and was taken to custody. But he failed to give a sample of breath when required. Prosecutor Lee Stone said police were travelling on Bucknall Road, in Hanley[1], at midnight on August 30 when they came across Mbae in a vehicle.

Mr Stone said: "It appeared to have collided with a traffic light pole and had knocked it over. Police could see damage to his vehicle consistent with hitting the post. "He said he was the driver and the car belonged to his sister.

He had glazed eyes, was slurring his words, and appeared to be intoxicated. "He provided a sample of breath at the roadside which gave a reading of 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He was conveyed into custody.

Once in custody he was asked to provide a sample on the intoxilyzer. "He said he would. But once the machine was started and the three minute time began he said he wanted to know where the car had gone.

He waited until the last 20 seconds before he stood up and said, 'I will do it now', and tried to blow in the machine. But he only blew for 0.7 of a second." Mbae, of Boulton Street, Birches Head[2], pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis and driving without insurance.

The court heard Mbae has a previous conviction for drug-driving in June 2022, which meant the minimum ban he would receive was 36 months. District Judge Kevin Grego fined Mbae GBP300 and ordered him to pay GBP135 costs and a GBP120 surcharge. His ban will be reduced by 40 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

FENTON: Burglar Caroline Mulheron was caught red-handed inside a pet shop. The 46-year-old entered the shop in Fenton[3] in the early hours of the morning with another person. They were found inside the store after police received a call from a member of the public.

Now Mulheron has been handed a GBP711 court bill at North Staffordshire Justice Centre. Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley said Mulheron and another were seen trying to break in to a pet shop in Victoria Road, Fenton, at 1.30am on July 9. Miss Baddeley said: "A third party phoned the police and said they were using force, kicking, punching and striking out at the doors to the store.

"She smashed the glass to the double doors. There was blood covering some of the glass which was smashed with a house brick. "She was behind the till.

Another person was present, who is not in court today." In her police interview Mulheron admitted damaging the doors and using a house brick. She did not have any money and needed help to settle a debt.

Damage to the shop was estimated at GBP1,000. Mulheron, of Jack Ashley Court, City Road, Fenton, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal. Peter Howland, mitigating, said Mulheron used to be a prolific shoplifter and had a 'terrible heroin problem'.

But she is now clean of illicit substances and has not committed any further offences since this matter in July, Mr Howland told the court. He said: "Somebody got in touch making threats towards her because she had an outstanding debt. She had not gone out with the intention of committing an offence.

"She was walking past the building with the other person and they noticed there was damage to the entrance door. When she was arrested she was not difficult with the officers. She had no tools and no glass was found on her."

Magistrates accepted it was a spontaneous act. They order Mulheron to pay GBP500 compensation, GBP185 costs and a GBP26 surcharge. STAFFORD: Drink-driver Rio Preece has been banned from the roads for 19 months.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 20-year-old was seen driving below the required standard in Rugeley Road, Armitage, at 3am on September 13. Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley said: "He was swerving in the road and nearly hit gates. Police pulled him over.

He smelt of alcohol. He admitted to having a drink. He had no licence and no insurance.

He gave a positive roadside breath test and was taken to custody. where he was breathalysed and gave a reading of 71 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - more than twice the legal limit of 35." Preece, of Friars' Garden, Stafford[4], pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Magistrates fined Preece GBP120 and ordered him to pay GBP135 costs and a GBP48 surcharge.

His ban will be reduced by 19 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course. MILTON: Drink-driver Andrew Cole has been banned from the roads for 20 months. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 49-year-old was driving a red van when he cut across the path of a police car in Westport Road, Burslem[5], on October 28.

Prosecutor Lee Stone said: "They followed the vehicle. It came to a stop. The defendant failed a roadside breath test and was taken to custody.

He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35." The court heard Cole had a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2007. Cole, of Bagnall Road, Milton[6], pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Joanne Corbett, mitigating, said Cole, a plasterer, had not had anything to eat. She said: "It was an error on his part. He accepts full responsibility."

District Judge Kevin Grego fined Cole GBP500 and ordered him to pay GBP135 costs and a GBP200 surcharge.

His ban will be reduced by 20 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

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References

1. ^ Hanley (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ Birches Head (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ Fenton (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ Stafford (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
5. ^ Burslem (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
6. ^ Milton (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
7. ^ COURT AND CRIME NEWSLETTER: Sign up for email (data.reachplc.com)
8. ^ alerts direct to your inbox (data.reachplc.com)