Bosses at the Poulton Elk in Hardhorn Road have applied for planning permission to create an outdoors seating terrace behind the pub.
If passed, it would be used between 7am and 12.30am the following morning on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, documents lodged with Wyre Council showed.
It would also be used from 7am to 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
A previous application for use between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Sunday has already been passed, papers also revealed.
It is not against the law to take your child on holiday during term-time, the lawyer who beat Blackpool Council in court this week said.
Sebastian Sinclair, who successfully defended Cleveleys mum Michelle Smith at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court this week, said it doesn’t matter if headteachers agree to the time off or not, as long as youngsters attend school regularly.
Though parents still face holiday confusion because the term ‘regularly’ has yet to be defined legally, Mr Sinclair said this week’s ruling could mean schools and councils are less likely to issue fines.
Mr Sinclair, of Fylde Law, said: “The outcome of the case was always uncertain as the law is a little unclear.
“However, as the court found at the trial, it is not and never has been an offence in itself for parents to take their children on holiday during school term time, without the head teacher’s permission, when the children’s school attendance is otherwise regular.
“Ms Smith’s daughter had good attendance and had been described in her latest school report as a ray of sunshine and an asset to the school.
“We are pleased that Ms Smith was successful in having the charge dismissed”.
Michelle was also helped by Richard Brigden from Garden Court North Chambers, which has an interest in civil liberties cases.
It worked for free with legal aid not being available.
Blackpool Council will have to pay its own costs, but said it was unable to say how much that would be because it had used a staff solicitor, while there is also a cost to the taxpayer for the court time.
Michelle’s school holiday saga began in March after she and partner Rick Lake took their five children on holiday, when four of them, who go to separate schools, were on their half-term break.
Despite sending a letter to Norbreck explaining the situation, Michelle was warned against taking Amelia out of school and was later ordered to pay £60 by Blackpool Council, acting on behalf of the school.
The document, quoting the Education Act 1996, stated ‘if a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil fails to attend school regularly the parent is guilty of an offence’, but Michelle refused to pay and instead opted to have her day in court.
It was there magistrates threw out the case after Michelle successfully argued 10-year-old Amelia Lewis regularly attended school, even after going to Ibiza at Easter.
Speaking after leaving Blackpool Magistrates’ Court, said: “It’s lunacy to try and bring prosecution for someone normally in school every day. It’s been a long day but I’m over the moon and massively relieved.”
Amelia’s school, Norbreck Academy said it accepted the judge’s decision but would continue to uphold its policy on authorised absences.
The Department for Education said it’s up to schools to decide when to issue fines, using discretion as to what qualifies as ‘exceptional circumstances’, but said even one unauthorised absence could land parents in hot water, regardless of how often they attend school.
That policy was recently challenged in the High Court by Jon Platt from the Isle of Wight, who successfully argued his daughter ‘regularly’ attended school.
He now faces a Supreme Court showdown with his local authority after it appealed the High Court’s decision.
Residents whose homes have been flooded or threatened with rising flood water from the River Wyre are being urged to support a new action group.
Garstang Flood Action Group is to be launched on Monday, October 31, in the wake of floods which hit low lying parts of the town in August and December.
Between 15 and 20 properties, including Garstang’s sports and social club headquarters, were affected by the floods.
Concerned residents believe now is the time for action to reduce the risk of flooding as well as prepare action plans and deal with practical issues such as flood alert warnings and the availability of sandbags when the river gets dangerously high.
Launching the group are town councillors Joe Gilmour and Ray Hesketh.
A venue and time has yet to be confirmed for the launch meeting.
Teenager Jessica Basquill has a year with a difference lined up over the next 12 months.
Jessica, 16, of North Albion Street, Fleetwood, has been appointed the Wyre Youth Mayor and will soon be attending her first public engagements.
The former Cardinal Allen RC High School pupil, a member of the Wyre Youth Council, says the mayoral role is a worthwhile one.
She said: “I think it’s good that younger people can be represented like this. I hope that I can do something worthwhile over the next year.
“We’ve already made a start at the Wyre Youth Council - we’ll be visiting schools raising awareness of drug and alcohol issues.”
Jessica was voted into the role by other young people after she made a short video talking the youth mayor post and a ballot was taken in Wyre schools.
She was sworn into office for the next year after being appointed at a Wyre full council meeting last month.
Jessica is now the representative for young people in the borough and will be attending a number of civic occasions involving young people, alongside the Mayor of Wyre, Coun Terry Lees.
She is currently studying at Blackpool Sixth Form and is hoping to go to university.
The teenager wants to study religious ethics and philosophy - after she has completed a two-year gap of travelling and working as a volunteer at the Castlerigg retreat in the Lake District and possibly even in Africa.
She said her parents, Nigel and Janet Basquill, were proud about her new role.
More than £9m of local NHS money went to a private Blackpool hospital last year.
The sum was paid to Spire Fylde Coast Hospital after Monitor, which regulates health services in the UK, ordered health commissioners to offer patients a choice of where they are treated.
Anti-privatisation campaigners say the cash could have helped boost cash-strapped Victoria Hospital’s coffers, while Blackpool and Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), said patients have the right to take control of their own care.
Spire said work is carried out at the same price as it would cost at the Vic, and said the NHS was using private healthcare firms to meet waiting list targets and demand.
But in April, The Gazette revealed how health bosses at Spire and Blackpool CCG were at loggerheads over charges after a £2m overspend.
In 2015/16, the two CCGs paid a total of £9.25m to the private hospital, in St Walburgas Road, up from £7.26m the year before and £6.29m in 2013/14, figures sent to the 38 Degrees Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre NHS Support Group by chief financial officer Andrew Harrison showed.
At the same time, the hospital’s bank balance has dwindled from £25m in early 2014 to an expected £200,000 by next April.
Coun David Owen, chairman of 38 Degrees locally, said: “The Vic’s finances are on a tightrope because the trust which runs it has gone through all its reserves.
“The family silver has now been spent and the cupboard is bare, and part of the reason is the competition it is facing from Spire.”
Last year, Monitor, now part of NHS Improvement, dismissed claims commissioners were directing patients away from Spire towards the Victoria Hospital, but upheld Spire’s complaint that patients were not being offered a choice of hospitals for routine surgery.
Dr Tony Naughton, chief clinical officer at Fylde and Wyre CCG, said: “Everyone who is cared for by the NHS in England has formal rights to make choices about the service they receive.
“These include the right to choose which hospital they are treated at.
“A great deal of work has gone on across the Fylde coast recently to promote patient choice.”
As well as being referred to Spire through the NHS, patients are treated there through private medical insurance, or by paying for care themselves.
Procedures carried out there include orthopaedic; general surgery; ear, nose, and throat care; gynaecology, and urology.
Hospital director, Barbara Cummings, said: “We are supporting the local commissioners across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to deliver on their statutory obligations to provide elective surgical care to patients within the prescribed 18 week waiting time target.
“The additional capacity we provide is accessed through local GPs who support their patients in choosing, in accordance with legislation introduced by the Labour Government in 2007, a Spire Healthcare hospital as an alternative.
“We work closely with the commissioning groups, and see our services as complementary and supportive of the local health economy.”
Health bosses at Spire and Blackpool CCG were at loggerheads over charges after a £2m overspend.
An extra 160 patients were treated at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital costing the taxpayer £2m last year, with the 33 per cent hike in costs – compared to a 2.6 per cent rise in patient numbers – being partly blamed for the CCG ending the year with a £500,000 surplus, instead of a predicted £2.5m one.
Spire said the CCG under-estimated how busy the hospital would be, but the CCG said the sum ‘greatly exceeds what we predicted and agreed with Spire and is a greater increase than from any other hospital’.
In an open letter, Coun David Owen has asked the area’s MPs whether they intend to be at a debate on an anti-privatisation bill, and how they will vote.
On Friday, November 4, the NHS Reinstatement Bill will be discussed in Parliament and, if eventually passed, would put a stop to NHS services being put to tender with private firms.
It will be the fifth time the bill has been up for debate after being successfully reintroduced by Labour MP Margaret Greenwood in July.
In his letter, Coun Owen said: “The bill is a cross-party piece of legislation aimed at putting a stop to privatisation, and re-introducing the planned, state-managed health system that worked so well for more than 60 years.
“At 38 Degrees, we believe the bill will bring back the national, universal service we all remember so fondly, and get rid of the expensive, chaotic, [and] internal and external markets that have been allowed to develop.”
Preston North End player Paul Gallagher and wife Hayley went through the tragedy of losing their son Luca who was stillborn at 30 weeks of pregnancy while his surviving twin sister spent her early weeks fighting for life.
The couple talk to AASMA DAY about their heartache and why they are hosting a charity ball in memory of Luca and in celebration of Ava’s life
EVERY time Paul Gallagher scores a goal for Preston North End, during his jubilant celebrations, he points to the sky as a tribute to Luca, the baby son he never got the chance to know.
Paul, 32, explains: “It is like I’m saying: ‘That one’s for you son. I’m still thinking of you.’
“I then kiss my wedding ring and point to my wife and the rest of my children too.”
Paul and wife Hayley, who live on the outskirts of Wrea Green, near Preston, have children Madison, 11, Ava, four and Rocco, two.
However, the couple say they will never forget Ava’s twin brother Luca, and he will always be a part of their family.
Paul and Hayley met when they were both pupils at Our Lady and St John’s in Blackburn and Paul’s best friend was Hayley’s brother Gary.
They began going out when they were 15, and have now been together for 16 years and married for seven. The couple had their first daughter Madison when Paul was 20 and Hayley was 21. Paul and Hayley always knew they wanted more children, and Paul longed to have children close in age after his own childhood was hit by a tragedy.
Paul says: “When I was seven, my brother Daniel died of meningitis when he was nine months old.
“I can still remember it like it was yesterday. My mum was pushing Daniel in his pram and I was with her.
“Daniel just suddenly changed colour and went limp. It happened so quickly.
“I remember going to the hospital and they didn’t know what it was at first. Daniel went downhill and died.
“I found it very difficult. One moment, I had a new brother, and then suddenly he was gone and I was on my own again.
“When people spoke about Daniel’s death, it upset me and I didn’t want to talk about it.
“My sister was born three years later, so there was a 10-year gap between us.
“While I was growing up, my friends had lots of brothers and sisters and I was always with them.
“I always said I wanted four children before the age of 30.
“It did actually work out that way. But tragically, we lost Luca.”
Paul and Hayley got married at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire in 2009, when Madison was four.
Despite having a smooth pregnancy with Madison, the couple struggled to conceive again and went down the IVF route in October 2011.
Hayley, 33, recalls: “Paul was supposed to inject me but couldn’t bring himself to do it, and his hands kept shaking so I did the injections myself.
“We were very lucky as the IVF was plain sailing for us and worked first time. We know we were fortunate, as some people go through it many times and it still doesn’t work.
“We always knew there was a possibility of having twins as they put two embryos back in.
“When we went for the scan and saw two heartbeats, it was the best feeling in the world especially after waiting so long to get pregnant again.”
Paul and Hayley’s joy was given an extra boost when a private scan at 15 weeks revealed they were having one boy and one girl.
Paul remembers: “People would ask ‘Do you know what you’re having?’ and it was lovely to say: ‘Yes, we’re having twins and we’re having one of each.’”
Hayley and Paul’s happiness at their imminent double arrival turned to heartbreak at 30 weeks of pregnancy when they went for a scan.
Hayley says: “With twins, you have extra scans and it was fortunate Paul was with me for this particular scan.
“At the time, I was having scans every two weeks and Paul had training every second Monday, so I went to some scans on my own.
“However, on this Monday, Paul had a game with Leicester, who he was playing for at the time, which was on Sky, and he did not have to meet until 6pm so was able to come to the scan with me.
“It was just a normal day. We had planned to go for lunch after the scan and Paul was going to play in the Leicester match against West Ham that evening.
“Nothing could have prepared us for what happened.”
Paul recalls: “We walked into the hospital all happy and the next minute our world just came crashing down.
“The woman doing the scan pulled the screen towards herself and said: ‘I just need to get a second opinion’ and left the room.
“Her face completely changed and I knew there was something wrong.
“Our hearts just dropped.”
Paul and Hayley felt numb with disbelief when they were told one of their babies had no blood going through the tubes.
Paul remembers: “I took ages to sink in. We thought: ‘Everything was fine. How can this happen?’”
Hayley says: “With twins, you can still feel kicking and movement so we had no indication anything was wrong.
“The consultant told us as I was 30 weeks, we had two choices. We could either go home and let the other baby grow for a few weeks or have a caesarean section that day.
“The scan had shown the cord was around Ava’s neck and I didn’t want to go home with a dead baby inside me. As well as being heartbroken, I was worried for our surviving baby.”
Hayley was operated on that same day on April 23 2012 and the couple experienced bittersweet emotions.
Paul says: “I was praying it was all a mistake and they had got it wrong and Luca would be all right.
“They took Ava out first and we had the joy of hearing her cry, followed by the sadness of hearing silence when Luca was taken out.”
Ava was born 10 weeks premature, weighing 2lbs 10oz, and was whisked away to the neonatal unit.
The couple were given a room to spend time with Luca and he was brought through whenever they wanted to see him over the next few days.
Paul recalls: “He was beautiful and just looked like he was sleeping.”
Hayley says: “We went through a rollercoaster of emotions. One moment we were devastated about Luca and the next minute we were with Ava trying to be strong.
“Our emotions were all over the place. We were so upset about losing Luca, but didn’t want any negative energy when we went to see Ava.
“I just couldn’t believe how tiny Ava was. It was very scary as she was surrounded by all these tubes.
“Her skin was transparent and we weren’t allowed to touch her for a few days.
“Ava was fighting for her life. At this point, we didn’t know if she would survive.”
Paul says: “Ava was so tiny, she could fit into the palm of your hand. Her legs were like knitting needles.
“She was a real fighter and 12 hours after being born, she was breathing on her own.
“After that, it was a case of getting her weight and strength up.
“Doctors did tests on Ava’s brain and heart but everything was fine.”
Paul and Hayley had to go through the traumatic heartbreak of a burial for Luca and only family attended.
Paul says: “In my head, I kept thinking it wasn’t real. It was like a terrible nightmare.”
Hayley says: “It was the size of the coffin that got us. It was like a shoebox.”
The following day, Ava was allowed to go home just four weeks after her birth, even though doctors initially thought it would take 10 weeks.
The very first place Paul and Hayley took Ava to was to her twin brother’s grave, so she could see his resting place.
Hayley remembers: “Ava was still really small. She was only 4lbs 15oz when she came home.
“We were really worried and paranoid and were always checking her cot.”
Paul and Hayley were living in Fulwood when they were expecting Ava and Luca. They had already decorated the nursery in preparation and there were two cots in the room.
While Hayley was in hospital, Paul took the cots down and bought their new family home near Wrea Green.
Hayley says: “I didn’t want to go back to that house or take Ava there.
“But we did end up taking Ava there for a few weeks before moving, but she stayed in our room.
“I never went back into that room.
“I wanted a fresh start.”
As well as coping with the anguish of losing Luca, Hayley and Paul had to endure the heartache of telling others.
Hayley says: “It was difficult telling Madison as she was only young.
“She knew we were having twins and that she was getting a brother and sister.
“When Madison came to the hospital, she was all excited and it was hard to explain what had happened. We did not want to get upset or cry in front of Madison.
“We told her Luca was ill and had gone to heaven. Now Madison is older, she understands.”
Paul remembers telling his mother was one of the most difficult phone calls he has ever had to make.
He explains: “My mum took it quite bad because of what happened with my brother. I didn’t want to tell her when she was on her own, so I made sure her friend was with her.
“It is difficult for parents. They are hurting because their child is hurting.
“There were a lot of parallels with what happened with my brother. I was seven when my mum lost Daniel and Madison was seven when we lost Luca.
“I was 27 when we lost Luca – the same age as my mum when she lost Daniel.
“It was like history repeating itself.”
Paul who was playing for Leicester at the time confesses that for the first time in his life, he wasn’t focused on football the same.
He explains: “I was still grieving and football came second.
“You have other things going on in your life. It was a difficult time. The worst of my career.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but when you’re not sleeping and are constantly worried and still grieving, you can’t perform your best.
“We are human beings, not robots.
“People sometimes think of footballers as being in this fantasy bubble and having a perfect life.
“But we are the same as everyone else. Our kids get ill, we have ups and downs and unfortunately tragedies happen.”
Paul stayed at Leicester for another season, but the travelling got to him and he wanted to be at home with Hayley and his children.
He went back to Preston North End on loan and has been with the club ever since.
Paul and Hayley had not planned another baby, and after having to have IVF, they didn’t think it would happen.
So when Hayley discovered she was pregnant again nine months later, it came as a shock.
Hayley says: “My pregnancy with Rocco was my worst one because I was filled with sheer terror.
“There was no explanation for what happened with Luca and I was so scared of it happening again.
“As we lost Luca at Preston, I felt I could not go there as I just associated it with bad memories. The pain was still so raw.
“I decided to have Rocco at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, as I wanted a fresh start.
“I hated going for scans because it was during a scan we discovered we’d lost Luca. The hospital staff were wonderful and put me at ease. I had extra scans and heart monitoring with Rocco.”
As soon as Hayley discovered she was having a boy, she decided to name him Rocco as when Ava was in the neonatal unit, there were a set of twin boys and one was called Rocco and she loved the name. Rocco the twin was discharged from hospital on the same day as Ava.
Delighted with the three children they have, Paul and Hayley say Luca will always be part of their family too. They keep his memory alive by talking about him and visit his grave regularly.
Hayley says: “Ava will never know a life with her twin brother.
“Her birthday is bittersweet as although we want to celebrate it, we also go to Luca’s grave and release balloons there.
“We try not to be sad as we want to celebrate the fact Ava is here and don’t want her to think her birthday is an unhappy time.”
Paul adds: “We want our children to know they had another brother. When we ask Ava and Rocco: ‘Where’s Luca?’ they point to the sky.”
Hayley and Paul have organised a charity black tie ball in aid of the Baby Beat Appeal, in memory of Luca and as a celebration of Ava’s life.
Hayley explains: “We have always wanted to do something but we weren’t strong enough and the timing wasn’t right. Now it is coming up to five years, we are a lot stronger.
“We want to raise as much money as we can for The Baby Beat Appeal as they provide research into premature births and stillbirths as well as technology, monitoring and bereavement counselling.
“Our ultimate goal would be to prevent this happening to other people in the future.
“Losing a child is heartbreaking and is the worst thing. Nothing comes close.
“It has changed us as people and made us closer as a couple and as a family.”
l The Twin Ball will be held on Saturday, March 11 2017 at Ribby Hall in Wrea Green. It will be a black tie charity dinner with live entertainment, an auction and raffle. It is being sponsored by Campbell’s Caravans and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, and more sponsorship opportunities are available.
If you can help with sponsorship or raffle prizes or want more information about the ball, e-mail: thetwinball@gmail.com
A former tram driver found with a stash of images of youngsters being abused has narrowly avoided an immediate prison term.
Paul Edensor, 42, used a series of sickening search terms to find indecent images of boys, Preston Crown Court heard.
Edensor hit the headlines when he was jailed for 15 months after admitting causing a pensioner’s death on Blackpool seafront by careless driving in 2010.
The court heard although Edensor, now of Elcho Street, Preston, has a criminal history he has no offences relating to children on his record.
Prosecuting, Jon Close said: “The images were predominantly of boys of a pre pubescent age. On June 15, 2015 officers visited the defendant’s then home on Alexander Road, Thornton, where they seized a computer. A subsequent investigation revealed 785 images, 164 at category B and 611 at category C.”
He pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs between December 24, 2014 and June 16, 2015, while he still lived in Thornton.
Preston Crown Court heard when challenged, he suggested other people who had access to his laptop were responsible.
A cleaner application programme was installed on the laptop to wipe files.
Judge Robert Altham said: “It isn’t just an offence on your part of looking at something, it is an offence that involves generating a demand for child abuse because each of the children in these images is a real living breathing child who has been sexually abused.”
He suspended his 46 week sentence for two years, imposing 120 hours unpaid work and a five years sexual harm prevention order.
Calling all Santas!
The search is on for 1,000 hospice supporters ready to pull on the famous red suit and raise money.
Santa Dash, in aid of Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice takes place on Sunday December 4, and organisers are hoping to break the magic 1,000 participants this year.
It’s an event for all the family – even the pet pooch can dress up and take part.
The start point is the Sandcastle at 11am and Dashers can run, walk or jog along the Prom to Central Pier and back, with a cup of hot chocolate waiting for them at the finish.
Linzi Young, Trinity’s Head of Fundraising said: “Looking back over the years we have had an average of 935 Santas at our previous Dashes and we really want to be over the 1,000 mark this year.
“The early indications are good – we had sign-ups from the very first day registration opened.”
Dashers can enter individually or as a family and the entrance fee includes a free Santa suit to wear on the day.
The Hospice has sent a team of not-so-secret Santas out and about across the Fylde coast as part of the publicity campaign for the event.
Four hospice Santas braved the Big One at the Pleasure Beach and three more were spotted at Lytham Windmill and again at The Mount in Fleetwood.
They’ve been on the beach and even to the Tower Circus.
Linzi said: “We will be launching a social media campaign to help keep track of our travelling Santas as the big day approaches.
“The Santa Dash is such a feel-good event and something which many families have come to regard as the official start of the festive season.
“There’s no denying it’s a lot of fun, but there’s a serious side to the Dash.
“Money raised goes direct to hospice care here on the Fylde Coast and every Santa’s contribution will help keep our doors open 24 hours a day over the Christmas and New Year period, which is an emotional time for families whose loved ones are in our care.”
For more details on Santa Dash and to sign up visit www.blackpoolsantadash.co.uk or call the hospice fundraising team on (01253) 359362.
Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from October 22.
Anthony McPartland, 27, breach of restraining order
A father-of-two fell foul of the law when he rang to wish his son a happy birthday.
Anthony McPartland had been banned by a court from communicating with his former partner when he made the call to her phone.
His defence lawyer, Hugh Pond, told a court: “He has no wish to communicate with his ex because he basically detests her for what she has done and that is she will never let him see the children.”
McPartland, 27, of Fallowfield Road, Ansdell, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order.
He was sentenced to a two year community order with up to 25 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, put on a six months restraining order which prohibits him from communicating with his ex and ordered to pay £85 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.
Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said McPartland had previously been given a warning about harassing his ex and was then convicted of two public order offences involving her.
He had been put on a restraining order not to communicate with her but on August 28 it was one of the children’s birthdays and she received two calls from him on her phone.
She had not complained to police but told a social worker about the calls and the social worker informed the police.
Hugh Pond, defending, said McPartland’s ex had refused to let him see the children and on the day of the offence was his son’s birthday. All he was wanted to do was wish him a happy birthday.
McPartland could not go to the county court to try and get access to his children because he could not get legal aid for that and could not deal with the complex legal matters himself.
Mr Pond added: “He has two young children and it appears he will never see them again.”
Anton Jude, 20, drink-driving
A student riding a moped crashed into a car after going to a party.
Anton Jude, 20, of Seathwaite Avenue, Mereside, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
He was banned from the road for 12 months, fined £115 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.
Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said police were called to the resort’s Deepdale Road on September 5 at 1.20am, where Jude’s moped had collided with a Fiat, damaging its wing mirror. A breath test showed 58 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.
Patrick Nelligan, defending, said Jude, who had no previous convictions, was taking a motor sports engineering course at college and worked part-time at a service station.
Jude had been with friends and come under some peer persuasion to have a drink at a party. He did not usually drink but drank four bottles of beer and believed someone put some alcohol in a soft cola drink he drank.
David Green, 54, abstracting electricity
A man tampered with his electricity after his meter was changed and his fuel bill doubled.
David Green, a 54-year-old biscuit factory worker, of Caunce Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to abstracting electricity.
He was fined £260 and ordered to pay £111 compensation with £85 costs by Blackpool magistrates.
Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said Green’s landlord went to his address on February 11 because he was moving out. The landlord noticed the heating was on in the property.
A check by an electrician then revealed the electricity meter had been bridged. Green was given a caution by the police on the condition he paid £111 compensation but he failed to pay.
Steven Townley, defending, said Green had previously paid coins into an old-fashioned meter. The landlord then had the meter changed to the new card kind. His bill doubled and he began to struggle to pay it.
Eric Whike, 45, drunk and disorderly
A visitor became violent towards police officers in Blackpool and had to be restrained on the ground.
Eric Whike, 45, of Howarth Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.
He was fined £80 with £50 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.
Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said police were called to the cricket club, West Park Drive, on October 3 at 12.15am. They saw Whike and another man who were shouting and swearing and they were both arrested.
Whike told magistrates that he had had a problem with alcohol for several years and thought he had got it under control. That night he lapsed and he apologised.
John Stokes, 32, theft
A man with a drug problem stole a laptop computer from Blackpool’s Central Library.
John Stokes, 32, of Clifford Road, North Shore, pleaded guilty to theft.
He was given a 12 months community order with up to 20 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, put on three months drug rehabilitation and ordered to pay £500 compensation by Blackpool magistrates.
Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said Stokes and another man were seen going into the Central Library on September 6 about 12.25pm.
Minutes later a staff member found a laptop missing from a cupboard in the Adult Community Centre. The computer was later sold at a second-hand shop for £90.
When interviewed Stokes said he and the other man had gone into the library with the intention of stealing something to sell to buy alcohol and amphetamine.
Steven Townley, defending, said Stokes had mental health problems and had spent time in a psychiatric unit.
Nicola Beveridge, 42, drug possession
A Blackpool woman has admitted keeping £1,500 of illegal drugs at her home.
Home help Nicola Beveridge’s home on Kidbrooke Avenue was the subject of a raid by police Blackpool Magistrates Court heard.
The large quantity of amphetamine was found in a cupboard, said prosecutor Don Green.
Beveridge, 42, admitted possessing the drugs and was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
The court heard that Beveridge had paid just £120 for the drugs because the person who had them was about to go to prison.
The drugs were for her personal use because she was struggling to cope as a single mother with a young family and work hard.
Wyre Council is putting its faith in a new dual carriageway to end the borough’s traffic woes.
The authority has written to Highways England supporting a £100m bypass scheme which would speed up traffic between Fleetwood and the M55.
Highways England is proposing to build a brand new road to replace a 2.6 mile stretch between Windy Harbour and Skippool which is notorious for delays.
Leader of the Council, Coun Peter Gibson has already passed on the council’s support for the most expensive of two options on the table.
And he told a full council meeting he had made clear to Highways England bosses any scheme must take future growth into account.
Coun Gibson said: “While at this early stage the detailed highway scheme has not been fully worked up.
“I have emphasised to Highways England the need for the final scheme to take account of the future growth potential in the borough.
“While this option is more expensive it will futureproof the road network and impact less on local residents.
“I have therefore informed Highways England that our preferred option is a bypass to the south of the A585.”
Coun Gibson is now calling on Highways England to provide further details of the scheme and look into how other improvements could be made..
He said: “I have requested that the detail design of the scheme consider improvements to the current Shard Lane junction.
“This junction is also a major pinch point that constrains growth Over Wyre.
“Currently the junction operates giving priority to traffic on the A585 with consequent queuing over Shard Bridge.
“I am sure members would agree that we would like to see the A588 as a continuous priority route to Skippool roundabout with Mains Lane becoming a secondary access road for Little Singleton.”
Highways England has put forward two plans. A £100m dual carriageway, supported by business leaders and Wyre Council and a £50m improvement programme for the current network.
However some residents insists the works would merely be a ‘sticking plaster’.
During a public consultation event in September a number of residents took the opportunity to call for a new road to be built from Poulton to the M55, including a new motorway junction west of Kirkham.
Highways England has made clear that option, referred to in a decade-old Lancashire County Council consultation as the Blue Route, is not on the table.
Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from October 24.
Stephen Coran, 46, damage
A former soldier flew into a rage after his former girlfriend refused to give him a lift back to hospital.
Stephen Coran, who had been in a spinal unit with leg problems following a rugby injury, threw a house brick at his ex partner’s home and father’s car.
Coran, 46, who is said to be temporarily staying at an address in Stratford Place, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to two offences of damage.
Pam Smith, prosecuting, said Coran had been picked up from the Royal Preston Hospital by his ex. He later went drinking and she refused to give him a lift back to the hospital.
On October 22 she saw Coran throw a brick several times at her father’s car smashing the windscreen and causing dents and scratches to the bodywork, the court heard. An hour later he returned and threw a brick through her front window.
In a victim’s impact statement read to the court, Coran’s ex said she was scared and suffering from anxiety. She would normally go to church on Sundays but she did not feel safe to go out.
Peter Manning, defending, said his client, who had been in the Army for 15 years serving in the Gulf war, Afghanistan and Bosnia, realised his behaviour was unacceptable and that the relationship was over.
Coran had been in hospital for four weeks because he was having difficulties with his legs, possibly related to a rugby injury he suffered some time ago.
the court was told that when his ex refused to give him a lift back to hospital, he lost his bed at the unit there. His ex would not take him in, so he was on the streets and lost his temper.
Coran was sentenced to a six-month community order with up to 15 days’ rehabilitation to be supervised by the Probation Service, fined £20 with £50 costs, ordered to pay £275 compensation plus £85 costs and put on a 12 months restraining order not to contact his ex or go to her home or workplace roads by Blackpool magistrates.
Daniel Geoghegan, 26, going equipped for theft
A man trying to make a living by collecting scrap fell foul of the law when he was seen near a fire-damaged building in Blackpool.
Daniel Geoghegan became so threatening and uncooperative police had to pepper-spray him to get him under control.
Geoghegan, 26, of Winsford Crescent, Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to going equipped for theft with a hammer and screwdriver.
Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police received information a man was moving metal fencing in front of a fire-damaged building on Empress Drive on October 21 at 10.50pm.
The court was told an officer arrived to find a washing machine and components strewn about.
When asked what he was doing Geoghegan swore at the officer and said: “I’m collecting scrap metal,” the court was told
A hammer and screwdriver were found in his bag.
Kathryn Jameson-Sinclair, defending, said her client’s mental health had been deteriorating and he had an appointment with a psychiatrist soon.
Geoghegan had found it hard to get a job so he had decided to become self-employed and collect scrap metal. People gave him items they were throwing out and he had used the screwdriver and hammer to strip wire he could sell from items such as televisions.
He had failed to understand that once people had left items out for the bins they became the property of the council.
Geoghegan was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs with £20 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.
Jade Shaw, 18, breach of the peace
A teenage girl was described by police as ‘having a tantrum’ after she was told to stop screaming and disturbing flat tenants in the early hours.
Jade Shaw threw herself on the floor kicking out and flailing her arms at an officer after she was told she would have to leave the block of flats, a court was told.
Shaw, 18, formerly of St Andrews Road South, St Annes, now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to breach of the peace and was bound over in the sum of £100 for 12 months by Blackpool magistrates.
Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police were called to the report of a disturbance at flats in Blackpool’s Osborne Road on October 23 at 4.20am.
Shaw was screaming at the top of her voice and other tenants were asking police to remove her.
Shaw did not live at the flats and refused to give police her mother’s address before throwing herself on the floor in a tantrum.
Shaw told magistrates: “It’s not my normal behaviour.”
Conrad Swindells, 34, assault and affray and Amy Monteith, 27, assault
A man accused of putting a bag of spinach under a neighbouring couple’s door during an affray has made his first appearance at court.
Conrad Swindells and his partner Amy Monteith are also alleged to have assaulted their neighbours in a block of flats at Blackpool.
Swindells, 34, and Monteith, 27, both of Warbreck Drive, North Shore, each pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man and a woman and damaging a flat door on October 22.
The prosecution opposed bail for Swindells, who also denied an offence of affray.
The couple were bailed for trial on January 6 by magistrates.
They must report daily to police and not contact the complainants or enter Warbreck Drive as conditions of their bail.
Simon Griffiths, 27, fraud
A man has been banned from all restaurants unless he pays for his food beforehand.
Simon Griffiths, 27, of The Promenade, Blackpool, pleaded not guilty to fraud by failing to pay for £100 of Cantonese food and alcohol at the Mandarin restaurant, Clifton Street, Blackpool.
The prosecution opposed an application for bail for Griffiths by defence lawyer Mitch Sarangi.
Griffiths was bailed for trial by magistrates. In addition to pre-paying for his food at restaurants, he must report to police three times a week as conditions of his bail.
A dad has admitted throwing his newborn baby daughter on a sofa in irritation and frustration that she woke up crying.
John Burrill, 30, denies murdering eight-week-old Daisy-Mae Burrill but admits he caused the injuries which cost her her life.
Speaking from the witness box at Preston Crown Court, Burrill, of Gordon Road, Fleetwood, said his behaviour was “absolutely disgusting.”
“It plays on my mind every day”, he told the court.
Daisy-Mae suffered a fractured skull, a large blood clot and signs of brain damage.
A post-mortem concluded she had been subjected to significant violence and her injuries were non-accidental.
Burrill said: “I would have thrown her quite forcibly. I know what I’m like when I lose my temper.”
On May 11, Burrill had been downstairs with his daughter and fed her before returning to the bedroom they shared with the little girl’s mum, Ashlee Cox.
But a short time later the baby began to cry and Burrill was woken again.
He told the court; “I was tired. I had been up all night.
“I would say I was irritated and frustrated.”
Burrill took Daisy-Mae downstairs and put her in her Moses basket on a chair to see if she would settle before offering another feed.
The baby appeared quiet and Burrill switched on the TV news, but when the tot began to cry again he picked her up from her basket and threw her onto the settee.
He told the court there were a number of hard objects on the sofa, including the remote control and the receiver from the baby monitor, which he believes Daisy-Mae could have struck her head on.
Following the incident he told Ashlee: “Daisy-Mae is not right” and called for an ambulance.
Daisy-Mae was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and later transferred to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Tests and scans revealed she had a number of injuries to her head, legs and ribs, which experts said were ‘non-accidental’.
Burrill denied hurting his daughter but on the day he was due to stand trial for her murder admitted he had thrown her on the settee.
However the prosecution did not accept his account and he remains charged with the little girl’s murder.
(Proceeding)
Householders can learn how to save energy and money or even get help in paying the bills at a series of free local events hosted by Citizens Advice as part of Big Energy Saving Week.
The organisation will have experts on hand for a day at its Fleetwood centre to advise people on things like choosing and switching energy providers and making their homes more energy efficient, but also on what benefits and support or special discounts they may be entitled to.
Diane Gradwell, chief executive of Citizens Advice Lancashire West, said: “Checking your energy tariff and switching to a cheaper deal is one of the quickest and easiest ways for people to cut their bills.
“Big Energy Saving Week is a great opportunity to get expert advice on how you can make savings before winter starts, from changing energy supplier to insulating your home.
“We would urge everyone to come down to one of the events or contact our service for advice so they can start making savings.”
The event is part of Big Energy Saving Week which starts on Monday, a national campaign run by Citizens Advice, Energy Saving Trust and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The event will be held at Citizen’s Advice, Poulton Road, Fleetwood, on November 1 from 10am to 3pm.
Anyone who can’t make the events can still follow Big Energy Saving Week’s three-step rule of ‘check, switch, save’ by using Citizens Advice’s online price comparison tool to work out if they can find a cheaper energy deal elsewhere, or contact any Citizens Advice office any time.
The price comparison tool can be found at www.citizensadvice.org.uk
A second Knott End postcode has been drawn as a winner this year – landing a lucky couple £25,000.
Lancaster Road – postcode FY6 0AR – was drawn as a Street Prize winner on Saturday.
New dad Robert Butler, 35, who works for British Gas, now plans to treat his wife Emma:
“This is a cracking win, “ he said. “I’ve never won anything like this before. I’ve only been playing since the summer so this is sheer luck.
“My wife Emma shed a few tears when we were given the cheque.
“We had a baby boy seven months ago and I promised to get Emma an eternity ring so now I’ll be able to buy her one.”
Robert isn’t the only lucky winner in the area. In June, four players from Knott End-on-Sea each won £25,000 with their postcode FY6 0DX.
For more information on People’s Postcode Lottery, please visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk or to watch the winners’ reactions check out Facebook and Twitter.
A Fylde coast MP attended Westminster Flu Day, a vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons, to encourage people to get this season’s flu vaccine in line with Government recommendations.
Parliamentarians who would not be eligible for a free seasonal flu vaccine on the NHS made a £10 donation to the Carers Trust.
Some 51 per cent of at-risk people and 27 per cent of people over the age of 65 in Fylde were not vaccinatedagainst flu last year, even though the consequences of not having a vaccine can be serious.
Fylde MP Mark Menzies said: “The best way to help protect yourself against the flu is to get the flu vaccine. I would urge everyone who is entitled to a free flu vaccine to go and visit their GP or pharmacist.”
Nicola Blackwood MP, Public Health Minister added: “Make sure you get your flu jab this winter. People often get the flu in winter and it can lead to more serious illnesses and even death, so it is good to protect yourself”.
People in a risk group, such as pregnant women, people who are immunosuppressed and people with an underlying health condition such as liver disease and heart disease, are at significantly increased risk of dying as a result of flu.
A campaign to get 150 businesses to sign up and support children’s charity Barnardo’s has launched marking the start of 150 hours of activity.
The campaign marks the 150th anniversary of Barnardo’s which has helped transform the lives of millions of disadvantaged children in the UK.
Barnardo’s runs a number of services in Lancashire including supporting families and children with disabilities, young carers and young people leaving care at risk of homelessness.
The drive to get 150 new businesses signed up was launched at an event hosted by Virgin Rail at Preston station. Volunteers spoke to commuters and encouraged them to give their support by signing giant pledge cards.
Campaigners will also be at work at the station, speaking to people about the initiative, as well as running an unwanted handbag appeal with the aim of collecting 150 bags to sell in Barnardo’s local charity shops.
Bird Design and Marketing and Cotton Court business Centre have come together to encourage businesses across the county to pledge time, skills and services, money or products.
Paul Wilcox, from Barnardo’s in Lancashire, said: “It is wonderful to see the business community in Lancashire coming together to support us in this way to mark our milestone.”
Visit www.barnardos150years.co.uk.
An urban woodland was sealed off by police following the discovery of a woman’s body.
Police were called to The Towers in Cleveleys at around 7.20am today.
It is understood the body is that of a girl in her late teens.
She was found by a member of the public who was walking their dog in the woods.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We were called at approximately 7.20am today to reports of a sudden death in woods close to Holmefield Avenue, Thornton.
Officers attended and found the body of a woman, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. She has yet to be formally identified.
Enquiries are now ongoing to establish the cause of the death, but it is not being treated as suspicious.
A file will be passed to the coroner in due course.”
The incident is not to be linked to a missing persons inquiry being carried out by police in Blackpool.
Today’s discovery comes two months after the body of a popular 16-year-old boy was found in the same woods.
Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from October 25.
John Latham, 28, damage
A fed-up man has been granted his wish by magistrates and sent to prison.
John Latham had smashed a police car windscreen with a stone in order to get himself arrested and sent to jail.
He had lost his job as a painter and decorator, had relationship problems and disliked the flat he lived in, a court was told.
Latham, 28, of Alexandra Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to causing £500 of damage.
He was sentenced to six weeks’ prison and ordered to pay £100 compensation with £115 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.
Presiding magistrate, Eileen Oldroyd, told him: “We consider the offence so serious only a custodial sentence will do and you have stated an unwillingness to comply with any other sentence except custody.”
Andrea Fawcett, prosecuting, said Latham had smashed the windscreen of a police car outside Bispham police station on October 23, then gone to Blackpool police headquarters to confess what he had done.
At the time of the offence he was on a community order for previously causing £1,450 of damage by breaking windows at two bus shelters.
Patrick Nelligan, defending, told magistrates Latham had deliberately caused the damage.
He added : “He says he is fed-up, feels nothing and is very disconsolate. His view is that he really wants to be sent to prison.”
In a report to the court, probation officer Lesley Whittaker told magistrates Latham said he felt his life had taken a downward spiral over the past year. He had taken an overdose, ending up in hospital and self-harmed but when he asked for help for his mental health issues he was told he did not meet the criteria.
Latham had started drinking to excess and the day he smashed the police car window he had drunk four to five bottles of wine.
Ms Whittaker added: “He firmly believes that prison is the answer for him, as a wake-up call to address his problems.”
Michael Gowans, 54, five thefts
A former doorman went on a shoplifting spree at Blackpool, raiding shops on five occasions.
Michael Gowans told police he intentionally went out stealing to fund his class A drugs habit.
Gowans, 54, of Central Drive, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to five offences of theft.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with up to 15 days’ rehabilitation, fined £25 with £181 compensation and ordered to pay £85 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.
Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said that between October 9 and 10, Gowans went into the resort’s Wilko’s on three occasions and stole razors and a toothbrush. When he went into the store a fourth time staff recognised and detained him.
While on bail for the thefts, he went into Marks & Spencer twice, on each occasion stealing aftershave. He was apprehended the second time he went in.
Stephen Duffy, defending, said Gowan’s thefts had been opportunistic and not sophisticated. He was struggling with a heroin addiction and immediately admitted he had gone out stealing to fund his drug habit.
James Wallis, 44, possession of class A drugs, failing to answer police bail
A middle-aged man who had never had a job in his life was found with crack cocaine by police.
Dad-of-four, James Wallis, had also never claimed benefits and lived with his mother who provided for him a court was told.
Wallis, 44, of Fleet Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs and failing to answer police bail.
Andrea Fawcett, prosecuting, said Wallis was spoken to by police in Blackpool on September 8 and searched. Two wraps of crack cocaine were found in his possession. He had previous convictions for drug possession.
Wallis had been bailed by police to return to the police station on October 24. He did not go and was arrested later the same day.
Hugh Pond, defending, told magistrates: “He has been addicted to drugs throughout his life from a very early age and it has ruined his health. He was originally on heroin and has now turned to crack cocaine.
“He has never had a job and is supported by his long-suffering mother, who is not without means. He does not commit crime to fund his drug habit. He has never claimed benefits as he says he does not like to sponge off the state.”
Wallis lived a chaotic lifestyle and did not have a watch or diary. He therefore mistakenly missed returning to the police station when he should have.
Wallis was fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates who ordered the destruction of the drugs.
Lisa Robbins, 38, failing to ensure attendance at school
A woman could not cope with her son who constantly refused to go to school, Blackpool Magistrates heard.
Lisa Robbins, 38, of South King Street, Blackpool, admitted failing to ensure her 13-year-old son’s attendance at school.
She was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £65 costs.
Nichola Morgan, prosecuting, said the boy failed to attend Unity Academy and during one period of time had 31 unauthorised absences.
He then demanded to move school but his truancy continued at South Shore Academy, where he had 16 unauthorised absences.
The court heard he was seen by witnesses clambering over the South Shore school perimeter on one occasion.
Kathryn Jameson-Sinclair, defending, said Robbins was living in extreme difficulties in a rented property which the lawyer said was dilapidated and without electricity.
Debbie Conroy, 42, failing to ensure attendance at school
A 42-year-old Blackpool mum told a court how her daughter was offensive and swore at anyone who tried to make her go to school.
Blackpool Magistrates sympathised with the plight of Debbie Conroy, of Hawkshead Terrace, Mereside, who said her 15-year-old daughter was constantly abusive to any authority.
Conroy admitted failing to ensure the regular attendance of the girl at Unity Academy where her attendance had slipped to 56 per cent.
Conroy, who admitted the offence, told the court: “She is abusive to me, abusive to the social worker, and abusive to the school welfare officer. She will soon be 16 and can leave school and leave home.”
Conroy was fined £40 and ordered to pay £70 costs.
Daniel Keating, 24, change of court order conditions
A man who has to leave his home has been given permission by magistrates to alter a condition of his court order.
Daniel Keating, 24, of Alexandra Road, South Shore, was on a suspended prison sentence order with an overnight curfew to be kept at his address, after breaching a previous court order.
Keating told magistrates his landlord would not let him stay and that he, his two British Bulldogs and one French Bulldog, which had been passed down through his family, had to leave his current address.
Blackpool magistrates agreed that Keating’s curfew could be switched to his new address of Portland Road, Blackpool.
A DAD who murdered his baby daughter when she would not go to sleep has been jailed for life.
John Burrill, 30, has never admitted what he did to eight-week-old Daisy-Mae when he lost his temper and threw her so hard her skull was fractured and her heart stopped.
But today a court heard how Burrill swung the little girl by her legs, causing her head to bang against a hard surface.
He grabbed her chest and shook her so hard her ribs fractured.
After the attack, Burrill, of Gordon Road Fleetwood, Lancs, smoked a cannabis joint before taking his injured daughter upstairs to her mother Ashlee Cox, telling her: “Daisy-Mae’s not right.”
He repeatedly denied injuring the little girl casting suspicion on Ashlee - who was arrested twice on suspicion of being involved in the tragedy.
Handing down a sentence of life imprisonment, Mr Justice Goss said: “Although repeatedly asked at the time emergency services were called, at the time of her death and thereafter, you professed not to know, protesting you would not lie about something so serious, and thereby you added to the anxiety of her mother and family.”
In the early hours of March 11 2016 Burrill took Daisy-Mae downstairs at the damp, terraced home he shared with Ashlee, to feed her.
It was only 20 minutes since he had last fed the tot and he was irritated and frustrated that she would not settle.
But when he returned to the bedroom, telling Ashlee her daughter was unwell, he called Ashlee’s mother, Beverley Swindells, to come to the house, and raised the alarm with emergency services.
Mrs Swindells said: “When I first got the phone call from him asking to go to the house he was calm, so I didn’t panic. I just thought my granddaughter had caught her breath while she was crying and my daughter was panicking, as young mums do.”
But when she arrived at the house in Warren Street she saw Daisy-Mae ‘devastated’ on the floor and Ashlee desperately trying to resuscitate her baby daughter.
It was only when they arrived at hospital that Daisy-Mae’s mum and grandma were told her injuries were non-accidental.
Mrs Swindells said: ““I knew from the moment we were told what had happened to Daisy-Mae who was responsible. I could never be able to describe it but my gut reaction told me.
“I saw it in his eyes and when you know, you just know.”
Burrill showed no emotion as Mr Justice Goss outlined the tragic circumstances of Daisy-Mae’s young life.
Medical reports showed old injuries to her legs which were between five and 14 days old.
The judge said: “These injuries have not been the subject of any separate charges and have not been formally adjudicated on by the jury.
“However there can be no doubt Daisy-Mae would have been in pain and it is hardly surprising that in the days leading up to March 11 she was behaving as she was and was difficult to settle.”
In a victim impact statement, Ashlee told the court: ““From the moment John brought Daisy-Mae into my bedroom that morning I have been stuck in a nightmare that seems as if it will never end.
“Initially I was in shock Daisy had fractured her skull, then i felt disbelief it was non-accidental, then the awful realisation that there was only one person responsible.
“I have lost everything that was my life. I haven’t been able to eat or sleep properly since this happened, I have lost my home and I have spent the last months staying with family members.
“I have lost my friends as I now struggle to trust people. I feel unable to go out. I have isolated myself as I can’t cope with what has happened to me.
“I feel like people are judging me. The pressure of waiting for the trial has been unbearable.
“John never told anyone he was struggling to cope with Daisy-Mae. He never reached out at any point or asked for help.
“I will never understand why John has out his family through this hell when all the while he had it in his power to stop it.”
Ashlee was arrested on suspicion of wounding and later causing or allowing the death of a child.
She was later released without charge.
Burrill maintained he did not know how Daisy-Mae was injured until the morning he was due to stand trial for her murder when he admitted unlawfully killing his daughter.
He has never revealed the true extent of what happened on March 11.
Mrs Swindells said: “One person’s actions have turned our lives upside down. Just as we were celebrating the arrival of Daisy-Mae, she was taken from us, nine weeks later.
“He made a conscious decision from that moment to keep quiet about what had happened. “He has had numerous opportunities to come clean.
“I will never forgive him for not doing the right thing.”
Burrill will serve a minimum of 18 years before he is eligible for parole.
Rob Beckett is the latest star comedy name heading for Lowther Pavilion.
The popular funnyman will bring his Mouth of the South to the Lytham theatre on theatre on Wednesday, February 22 and tickets, priced £16.50 go on sale tomorrow, with brisk demand expected.
It’s a fresh comedy coup for officials at Lowther, who have staged gigs by a succession of top TV comedy names since Jason Manford took to the Lytham stage in 2013.
The following year, tickets for a performance by John Bishop sold out in just 100 minutes and Omid Djalili, Al Murray and Chris Ramsey as well as Lytham’s own ever-popular Jenny Eclair are among the top comedy names signed for Lowther since.
Londoner Beckett, who turns 30 next month, is a familiar face on shows including Live At The Apollo, Would I Lie To You?, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, on which he was appointed a team captain this year, Mock The Week, Play To The Whistle and Celebrity Juice. From 2012 until 2014, he co-hosted I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! on ITV2.
Lowther trustee Dan Creasey, a big comedy fan, has played a key role in attracting the leading comedy names to Lytham and he is confident of more and more such stars heading to the West Beach venuie.
Dan said: “The booking of Rob Beckett marks a key development in the relationship that the Lowther has with comedy management in the UK.
“Through working with the major promoters, we envisage bringing more first-class names to Lowther and developing the whole comedy element of our programme.”
Tickets have also gone on sale this week for a gig at Lowther next March by funnyman Iain Stirling, narrator on ITV2’s LoveIsland. He is heading to the Lytham stage on March 31, just weeks after the Lowther debut of Al Murray, best known as the Pub Landlord, whose performance on March 11 looks to be heading for a sellout.
Call the Lowther box office on (01253) 794221 or www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk