Killers, drug dealers, perverts and thieves
A mum and her two adult children are beginning life sentences this month for the murder of a Blackburn man on his doorstep.
Joanne Maxwell, Liam Donlin and Amie Clegg sat side by side in the dock at Preston Crown Court as they faced justice for the cold hearted stabbing of Paul Scott.
Meanwhile, phD student Matthew Bennett is also starting a prison sentence after causing the death of his childhood best friend by dangerous driving. His decision to drive home after drinking six pints cost the life of 20-year-old Chris Tromp. Advertisement
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Drug dealers, thieves and thugs have also been jailed for their crimes in March 2026.
Each month, dozens of defendants appear before the courts and LancsLive reporters are on hand to cover the most serious cases.
These are the defendants spending Easter behind bars.
Student killed his best friend after drinking six pints
Matthew Bennett -Credit:Lancs Police
A university student who killed his best friend driving his Audi at high speed after drinking six pints has been jailed for nine years.
On April 14, 2023, Matthew Bennett, now 23, met up with his pal Christopher Tromp, 20, at the Windmill pub in Parbold to discuss plans for an upcoming 21st birthday trip to Dublin. CCTV from the pub showed the pals drank six pints each before leaving at around 10.30pm - each carrying a bottle of Corona. Advertisement
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They visited McDonalds in Skelmersdale[1] before heading back towards Christopher's home in Parbold in Bennett's Audi A1.
As they travelled down Cobbs Brow Lane, an unlit country lane with a 40mph speed limit, Bennett lost control of the car on a left hand bend, the prosecution said.
FULL STORY: University student who killed his best friend after drinking six pints jailed for nine years[2]
Brothers jailed after horror BMW bus stop crash death and desperate cover-up
Rizwan Mehdi and Kashif Mehdi
Two brothers have been jailed after a pedestrian was fatally struck by a BMW - and desperate attempts were later made to cover up the crash.
Just before 8.30pm on March 31, 2024, Rizwan Mehdi, 36, lost control of a black BMW 5 Series while attempting to overtake two vehicles on Colne[3] Road in Brierfield. The car careered off the road, smashing a bus stop and a stone wall. Advertisement
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Tragically, 57-year-old Alan Lee was sitting in the bus stop at the time and suffered fatal chest injuries.
Two minutes after the collision, a passing ambulance on the way to an unrelated emergency call came across the incident and stopped to give urgent medical help.
They initially treated a man claiming to be the driver of the BMW in the back of their ambulance, assessing him for potential injuries. While doing so, members of the public made paramedics aware that they had located Mr Lee in the wreckage of the collision and urgent medical attention was given to him.
FULL STORY: Brothers jailed after horror BMW bus stop crash death and desperate cover-up[4]
Accrington dealer ran the 'General' drugs line and sent out mass texts to supply Class As
Amar Hussain
A drug dealer from Accrington[5] who ran a phone line for heroin and crack cocaine supply has been jailed for 10 years. Advertisement
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Amar Hussain, 34, operated the so-called 'General' drugs line, sending out bulk messages advertising Class A drugs for sale across East Lancashire[6] and beyond.
At the time of Lancashire Police's investigation into Hussain - between June 1 and July 8 last year - he was on licence from a previous prison sentence for drug dealing.
FULL STORY: Accrington dealer ran the 'General' drugs line and sent out mass texts to supply Class As[7]
'Cowardly' child rapist finally jailed after forcing girl through three trials
Anthony Kingston
A 'cowardly' paedophile has been jailed after forcing his child victim to attend THREE separate trials before finally admitting his guilt.
Anthony Kingston raped and sexually assaulted the 10-year-old girl in Burnley[8] in 2021.
His crimes only came to light in February 2022 when the child bravely told her school what had happened. Advertisement Advertisement
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Lancashire Police said the 57-year-old repeatedly failed to show up in court[9], forcing his victim and her family to relive the trauma as two previous trials collapsed due to his no-shows. It was only during the third attempt at Preston[10] Crown Court in January 2026 that he finally admitted his "repulsive" crimes.
FULL STORY: 'Cowardly' child rapist finally jailed after forcing girl through three trials[11]
Mum and her kids jailed for murdering Blackburn man on his doorstep after 21st birthday party fight
Joanne Maxwell, Liam Donlin and Amie Clegg
A mum and her two children have been handed life sentences for the 'revenge killing' of a Blackburn[12] man on his own doorstep.
Joanne Maxwell, 44, her son Liam Donlin, 25, and daughter Amie Clegg, 22, were sentenced to life and must serve minimum terms of 23 years, 26 years and 20 years respectively.
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Paul Scott, 37, died at his home in Peridot Place after being stabbed in a joint attack between the trio. The attack was filmed on mobile phone so it could be posted on social media as a warning, Preston Crown Court heard.
Paul's family described him as 'the kindest soul' whose life had been cruelly taken away by 'these monsters'.
FULL STORY: Mum and her kids jailed for murdering Blackburn man on his doorstep after 21st birthday party fight[13]
The sexual predator who assaulted woman as she slept on the sofa
Jason Brown
A predator who sexually assaulted a woman as she slept has been jailed.
Jason Brown, from Accrington, took advantage of his victim in June 2024 after she had a couple of drinks and dozed off on a sofa. Advertisement
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Lancashire Police said the pair were known to each other at the time.
The victim woke to find the lower part of her clothing had been removed and Brown was assaulting her.
She reported the attack a few days later, sparking a Lancashire Police investigation.
FULL STORY: The sexual predator who assaulted woman as she slept on the sofa[14]
Driver caught working for baby-faced drugs gang in a stolen Ford Fiesta
A driver who was caught working for a baby-faced drugs gang has been jailed for three years.
David Johns, 49, was stopped at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta, which was on false plates, with a 17-year-old in the passenger seat.
When the vehicle was searched, officers found 13 wraps of heroin and 19 wraps of crack, along with a separate package of crack weighing 0.58g. Advertisement Advertisement
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Prosecutor Francis McEntee told Preston[15] Crown Court[16] the car's actual plates were discovered in the boot when the car was stopped on April 30, 2025. Johns was and his teenage passenger were both working for the gang, who were 'notably of tender years', Mr McEntee said.
FULL STORY: Driver caught working for baby-faced drugs gang in a stolen Ford Fiesta[17]
Remorseless predator jailed for abusing child when she was just six
Ben Slaney -Credit:Lancs Police
A manipulative predator who abused a girl from the age of six has been jailed for 17 years.
Ben Slaney, 33, abused the child over a three-year period while she was still in primary school.
When the youngster plucked up the courage to report her abuser, Slaney claimed she was lying, forcing her to give evidence in court. Advertisement Advertisement
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But the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty of seven sex offences at Preston Crown Court.
Judge Michael Maher, sentencing, said Slaney's victim, who is now a teenager, showed 'courage beyond her years'.
FULL STORY: Remorseless predator jailed for abusing child when she was just six[18]
Disgraced cop disposed of phone after call from anti-corruption team
Samarah Kamal -Credit:Lancs Police
A corrupt police officer who disposed of her mobile phone while under investigation has been jailed.
Samarah Kamal had phoned into work sick and was not at her home address when officers from Lancashire[19] Constabulary's Anti Corruption Unit tried to contact her on July 24, 2023. Calls were made to her personal mobile at 2.56pm and 2.59pm but were unanswered.
At 3pm the investigating officer received a missed call from Kamal's phone and recalled her at 3.02pm.
Kamal agreed to meet the investigating officer at their location and arrived at 3.11pm, where she was subsequently arrested.
FULL STORY: Disgraced cop disposed of phone after call from anti-corruption team[20]
Preston man jailed after his obscene comments uncovered disturbing online activities
Carl Barnes -Credit:Lancashire Constabulary
A Preston man has been jailed after sharing images of an underage girl to others online along with obscene comments. Carl Barnes, of Princes Road, Walton-le-Dale, was also found to be in possession of a series of indecent images of children, Preston[21] Crown Court[22] has heard.
Barnes, 46, appeared in court to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children and three counts of publishing an obscene article. The court heard how the offending took place from November 2024 until September 2025, including one occasion when he was on bail.
In one of the instances, Barnes had contacted a man on an online dating website, telling him that he had a wife and a kid and that he was "very dirty".
He then went on to ask the man if he would "sniff the knickers" of a young girl before sending images of a teenage girl.
FULL STORY: Preston man jailed after his obscene comments uncovered disturbing online activities[23]
Prolific shoplifter jailed after repeatedly targeting Nelson stores
Olga Jankovskaja
A prolific shoplifter who repeatedly targeted stores in the Nelson[24] area has been jailed.
Olga Jankovskaja, 41, appeared before magistrates last week after being caught stealing from a number of shops.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison when she appeared at Blackburn[25] Magistrates' Court[26] on March 9.
Police said Jankovskaja, formerly of Temple Street, had been responsible for a string of thefts from local stores, prompting action from officers in the Pendle[27] neighbourhood team.
FULL STORY: Prolific shoplifter jailed after repeatedly targeting Nelson stores[28]
Dad shoved GBP7,000 of cocaine up his bum after 'losing his head' at Co-op
Ryan Fisher
A dad who "lost his head" at a Co-op store and then shoved GBP7,000 of cocaine up his bum has been jailed.
An "extremely paranoid" Ryan Fisher made the bizarre admission to police, who had been called to the convenience store following his erratic conduct, claiming he possessed a secret compartment for hiding drugs in his vehicle. This revelation prompted officers to arrest both him and his unsuspecting father before he requested an officer escort him to the toilet, where he produced a bundle of cash from inside his trousers.
The now twice-convicted drug trafficker thanked a judge and told him "take care" as he was imprisoned once more. Liverpool Crown Court[29] heard on that police were dispatched to the Co-op store on Holes Lane in Warrington on the evening of January 28 this year.
FULL STORY: Dad shoved GBP7,000 of cocaine up his bum after 'losing his head' at Co-op[30]
Downfall of major drugs ring after car stop leads to huge discovery in Burnley garage
Mohammed Jamil, Michael Hughes, and Imran Mahmood
A major drugs ring has been smashed after a discovery in a car led police to a sophisticated cannabis farm in a Burnley[31] car garage.
The investigation started nearly two years ago when police stopped a car in Chadderton, Oldham, being driven by Kaitlyn Cross, 28.
Officers found 2kg of cocaine hidden inside.
That led detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime[32] Unit (NWROCU) straight to Burnley, where officers executed a warrant at a car garage in June 2024 and found five rooms filled with cannabis.
FULL STORY: Downfall of major drugs ring after car stop leads to huge discovery in Burnley garage[33]
Pervert jailed for sick sex chats on WhatsApp with '10-year-old girl'
Peter Atwood -Credit:Facebook
A pervert who spent eight months talking to a paedophile hunter, believing they were a 10-year-old girl, has been jailed.
Peter Atwood met 'Poppy' on a chatroom and moved the conversation to WhatsApp. Over the course of the conversation he built a rapport and chatted about 'benign' subjects.
However he also told her she was 'cute' and asked if she was wearing her pyjamas or dressing gown. the 37-year-old asked for photos and made sexual comments.
He also instructed her to perform sexual acts on herself - after she told him she was 10. Atwood also chatted sexually to another decoy, who was posing as 'Lily', 13.
FULL STORY: Pervert jailed for sick sex chats on WhatsApp with '10-year-old girl'[34]
The members of the 'Pabz' drugs line who are now spending 63 years behind bars after major operation
The gang have been jailed for more than 63 years
Ten members of a drug gang who peddled heroin and crack cocaine across Blackpool[35] have been handed a combined 63 years behind bars.
They ran the notorious 'Pabz' deal line, a phone used to coordinate street-level drug runners in Blackpool, with key members sometimes based as far away as Bradford.
Lancashire Police investigated the operation between 2024 and 2025, uncovering a gang rife with violence and weapons, who regularly clashed with rival organised crime[36] groups.
FULL STORY: The members of the 'Pabz' drugs line who are now spending 63 years behind bars after major operation[37]
Sex offender burst into woman's house and exposed himself before abusing her
Adrian Fitzgerald
A registered sex offender who exposed himself and sexually assaulted a woman in broad daylight in Poulton has been jailed.
Adrian Fitzgerald, 63, struck while already subject to strict court conditions as a convicted sex offender.
The disturbing incident unfolded on January 28 when Fitzgerald was first spotted exposing himself in Market Place at around 11am.
A shocked member of the public reported the incident and gave a description to a neighbourhood police officer. Just 15 minutes later, Fitzgerald entered a premises on Chapel Street, where he again exposed himself to a woman inside.
FULL STORY:[50]
Mum dragged crying killer son back to crash scene then testified against him
A driver who killed an elderly man while speeding in his BMW was taken back to the scene of the crash by his own mother after he fled the incident.
David Brown, 25, had been running late for dinner at his mum's home when he struck 81-year-old James Atkinson as he crossed the road in his' powerful' BMW 1 Series.
Mr Atkinson, who had been heading to band practice at the Royal British Legion, suffered 'catastrophic' injuries and died in hospital two days later.
FULL STORY: Mum dragged crying killer son back to crash scene then testified against him[51]
Moment 'sticky-fingered' thief caught hiding in Lostock Hall dessert shop by police after raid
This is the moment a 'sticky-fingered' thief was caught hiding in the store room of a dessert shop after smashing a door to break in.
Liam Elmer was captured on CCTV raiding Devine Desserts in Lostock Hall at around 12.50am on Sunday, March 1. Once inside, the masked and gloved 28-year-old then smashed the till before police officers on routine patrol outside 'noticed something wasn't quite right'.
The footage shows a police officer entering the premises on Watkin Lane as Elmer desperately opens fridge doors in the store room trying to find somewhere to hide. When he realised there was no escape, he then holds both hands up before an officers grabs and arrests him.
FULL STORY: Moment 'sticky-fingered' thief caught hiding in Lostock Hall dessert shop by police after raid[52]
Disgusting man abused girl... her bravery put him where he belongs
Ian Wagstaff
A paedophile has been jailed after a brave girl spoke out about the 'disgusting' abuse she suffered.
Ian Wagstaff, 35, sexually assaulted the victim when she was 10 years old, however his horrific crimes came to light when she made worrying comments at school.
Concerned staff immediately alerted Lancashire Police, sparking an investigation that led to his arrest.
FULL STORY: Disgusting man abused girl... her bravery put him where he belongs[53]
Woman, 37, jailed for what she did in Sainsbury's and Tesco
Danielle Ruddy -Credit:Lancashire Constabulary
A woman has been jailed for 'repeatedly shoplifting' at a Woman, 37, jailed for what she did in Sainsbury's and Tesco[58]
'We don't f***ing mess about.... smash the gaff up!' - gang barged into woman's home while her children slept upstairs
Andrew Wilson and Brandon Howarth
A mum was assaulted in her own home when a gang of four barged into her home as her children slept upstairs.
Two men have been jailed for their roles in the raid while another man and a woman have been handed suspended sentences for their part.
Preston[59] Crown Court[60] heard how on September 29, 2025, the woman saw the men with their faces covered throwing beer bottles at a van outside her house in Clitheroe[61]. They told her it was because someone had made threats to Abigail Walmsley's mum.
FULL STORY: 'We don't f***ing mess about.... smash the gaff up!' - gang barged into woman's home while her children slept upstairs[62]
Vile rapist jailed for 14 years after brutal Lancaster assault on man
Andrew Morris -Credit:Lancashire Constabulary
A rapist has been jailed for 14 years after raping a man in Lancaster[63].
Andrew Morris attacked a man aged in his 30s in March last year and had twice previously sexually assaulted him.
Morris' victim was described as vulnerable, with him suffering from anxiety and depression, and being easily manipulated.
They were known to one another, with the victim reporting to a care support worker that on the weekend of 8th/9th March 2025, Morris had raped him at a property[64] in Lancaster.
FULL STORY: Vile rapist jailed for 14 years after brutal Lancaster assault on man[65]
He was banned from every Co-op but it didn't stop him
Steven Mayren
A prolific thief banned from every Co-op store has been jailed after he repeatedly breached a court order and continued to shoplift.
Steven Mayren, from Penwortham[66], had been given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in January which prohibited him from entering any Co-op store for a period of two years.
However, the 42-year-old committed a series of thefts from Co-op in Penwortham and Booths on Millbrook Way between January and February, in which boxes of chocolates, Easter eggs and packets of meat were stolen.
Mayren, of Higher Croft, was arrested and subsequently charged with five thefts and three counts of breaching a CBO.
FULL STORY: