Latest news with #BoltonCrownCourt
ITV News
23-07-2025
- ITV News
Wigan man jailed for causing 'life changing injuries' in e-bike crash
Warning this article incudes distessing images. Two men from Wigan have been sentenced for their part in an e-bike crash that left a pensioner with life-changing injuries. On 1 August 2023, Margaret Scaldwell was crossing Orrell Road in Wigan when she was hit by an e-bike being driven by Kian Monks at about 40 mph in a 30 mph zone. CCTV shown to Bolton Crown Court showed Mrs Scaldwell, 70 being knocked off her feet and thrown down the road after the collision. The impact broke her spine, pelvis, both arms, and 19 ribs and she needed steel plates fitted in her face. The court also heard the emergency calls made in the minutes after the collision where nearby drivers described the horrific collision. Kian Monks, who used to play Wigan Athletic's Youth team was 19 at the time of the crash. He had previously admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Today he was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison. Joel Pilling, who was 20 at the time of the collision had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and aiding and abetting serious injury by dangerous driving. In her victim impact statement Mrs Scaldwell said she was an "independent lady who always had a smile on my face" but is now "no longer living and is just existing". As a result of the collision she relies on medication for the constant pain and to sleep at night. She said she has "nightmares and constant earache" after the collision. Mrs Scaldwell said in her statement that was read to court that she has to sleep downstairs in the dining room as she cannot climb stairs. She has limited use of her hands and struggles to eat as she lost her teeth in the collision and cannot hold a knife and fork. The court heard she has been left with "multiple life changing injuries" which means she has no social life or confidence and is on anti-depressants, she cannot leave the house on her own. Joel Pilling had bought the Talaria Sting e-bike from a friend for £3,200. It was not taxed or insured and the breaks were faulty. Judge Jon Close said that even if the breaks were in working order it could not have stopped in time when it was travelling at least 10 mph over the speed limit. The e-bike was made even more unsteady as it was carrying a passenger at the time. On the day of the crash Joel Pilling had picked up Kian Monks on the bike, but later they had swapped so Monks was driving and Pilling was the passenger. Monks insisted that he had no memory of swapping drivers, so he believed he was the passenger at the time of the collision. Both Monks and Pilling fled the scene immediately after the crash. Monks was arrested at a nearby taxi rank and Pilling turned himself into Police several hours after the crash. Monks told the court that "I woke up in a pool of my own blood, I thought I was going to die and needed to get home to my Mum and sister". He said he had "no recollection" of hitting anyone. Mobile phone footage showed to the court saw him riding the bike away from the scene. Kian Monks said he has written a letter of apology to Mrs Scaldwell and said "I feel horrendous about my actions and never set out to hurt anyone" saying he is "sincerely sorry" Monks played as a centre-forward for Wigan Athletic's Youth Team during 2020/21 season. He has been without a club since July 2022. He was described in court as having a "promising football career" that also included some time as an academy player at Bolton Wanderers. He suffered a "career ending injury to his ankle" and then started to get in with the wrong crowd and make "stupid decision" when his future in football came to an end. The court was told by Joel Pilling's defence team that the now 22 year old is a reformed character who was in with the 'wrong crowd' at the time of the collision. He has shown genuine remorse for his behaviour and has good prospects for rehabilitation as he is working towards an apprenticeship and a career as a tradesman. Joel Pilling, who was 20 at the time of the collision had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and aiding and abetting serious injury by dangerous driving. He was given a 22 months jail sentence suspended for two years plus 250 hours unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for two years .
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Booze-fuelled man torched his own mum's house after raiding the fridge
A man destroyed his mum's bungalow after climbing through a window and torching it. Liam Patrick Deeney, 30, had been drinking priority to the sickening arson attack. He has now been jailed for the 'extremely dangerous' incident, which also 'put neighbouring properties in danger'. Deeney went to the property, on Thornton Road, Tyldesley, Wigan, at around 11pm on Sunday, May 21, 2023, while his mother was in Blackpool. READ MORE: "I can't change it, but wow am I paying for it": Mum gets STUCK in Turkey after making 'worst mistake of my life' in hotel room while drunk with boyfriend READ MORE: Chelsee Healey watches on in court as her boyfriend is jailed over 'serious' criminal operation "He entered the property through a back window and stole food and alcohol from the fridge before setting the address on fire," Greater Manchester Police said. Investigators discovered he started two fires - one in the wardrobes in the bedroom and one on an armchair in the living room. The blaze then engulfed the property. It caused £35,000 damage and destroyed his mother's belongings, valued at £15,000. "The fire has caused damage to items of significance and memorabilia such as his mother's medals, clothing, jewellery, and old pictures of sentimental value," GMP added. Deeney, of Lever Street, Tyldesley, was arrested and charged. He later pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He was sentenced to three years, four months in prison at Bolton Crown Court last Thursday (June 12). In a statement issued following the hearing, Detective Constable Riyaz Patel: "Liam Deeney's actions were extremely dangerous and put neighbouring properties in danger. "He acted in an impulsive manner whilst under the influence of alcohol, destroying his mother's home and sentimental items belonging to her that meant so much to her. "I hope this sentence shows that GMP will pursue domestic violence perpetrators to keep victims safe and ensure justice is delivered." A restraining order prevents Deeney from contacting his mother for five years. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £228.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
CCTV captures teen driver inhaling ‘hippy crack' seconds before horror crash
A woman who ran over a pedestrian just seconds after she inhaled nitrous oxide from a balloon at the wheel has been detained for 20 months. This CCTV footage captured Louisa Tunstall, 19, using the Class C drug, often referred to as 'hippy crack', while travelling in her Fiat 500 in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Moments later Tunstall's vehicle veered onto the pavement and struck a 51-year-old female pedestrian and then overturned on the East Lancashire Road, Lowton. The pedestrian sustained serious life-changing injuries. Tunstall, of Bradwell Road, Lowton, received the custodial sentence at Bolton Crown Court for possession of a Class C drug, driving under the influence of drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, said GMP.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
Driver inhaled nitrous oxide, then ran over pedestrian seconds later
A driver who inhaled nitrous oxide from a balloon, then ran over a pedestrian seconds later, has received a 20-month sentence. Louisa Tunstall inhaled the Class C drug – sometimes referred to as 'hippy crack' – while driving in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on May 24, 2024. Moments later, her Fiat 500 veered onto the footpath, hitting a 51-year-old woman, Greater Manchester Police said. The pedestrian received serious life-changing leg injuries. Tunstall, of Bradwell Road, Lowton, received the custodial sentence at Bolton Crown Court on Wednesday. She had been found guilty of possession of a Class C drug, driving under the influence of drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, said GMP. She was also banned from driving for two years and eight months, and ordered to take an extended test. In a victim impact statement, the injured pedestrian said: 'I would like to say that this incident has had a significant impact on not only my life but my family's life. 'As I cannot get upstairs, I need someone to be with me all of the time and my daughter has become my full-time carer which isn't fair on her as she is currently studying at university. 'When I think about the actions of the driver, I feel like she has turned my world upside down. I have missed so much in my life, and I feel that she can just go about her business as normal with no understanding of the consequences for her actions.' Following sentencing, Pc Stefan Bielizna from GMP's roads policing unit, said: 'It was made clear by the judge that drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide, like in this case, will be given time behind bars if they choose to get behind the wheel. 'Being in possession and especially under the influence of nitrous oxide has similar effects to other drugs and can severely impair your capability to drive. 'There is no excuse for taking other people's lives into your hands due to the reckless and selfish behaviours that Tunstall has shown.'
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Telegraph
Watch: Teenage driver inhales laughing gas seconds before hitting pedestrian
A teenage driver who hit a pedestrian after taking laughing gas has been jailed. CCTV footage shows Louisa Tunstall inhaling nitrous oxide through a balloon at the wheel of her Fiat 500 in Wigan in May last year. She lost control of the car seconds later and veered into a 51-year-old woman walking on the pavement, seriously injuring her. The 19-year-old was jailed for one year and eight months at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday for possession of a Class C drug, driving under the influence of drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She was also disqualified from driving for two years and eight months and ordered to take an extended test when she is released. The court heard Tunstall had been driving on Newton Road in the village of Lowton on May 24 at 7pm when she swerved to the left onto the pavement. After colliding with the woman, the car overturned and caused life-changing injuries to her. In the aftermath of the crash, footage inside a patrol car shows a police officer telling Tunstall there is a suggestion she had been using the controlled drug. Tunstall stays silent in the video and can be seen looking away and fiddling with her fingers. She initially told officers she took her eyes off the road to retrieve something in the footwell, before later admitting she had been out to buy nitrous oxide to use that evening. The victim is still recovering from the injuries sustained to her leg, the court heard. In her victim impact statement, she said: 'Every night I go for a walk and use the same route. I usually walk with my daughter. However, this evening I was walking alone. 'When all of a sudden, I was banged into from behind, which caused me to fall to the floor. 'I remember lying on the floor and looking down at my left leg and seeing blood dripping down. I looked up and saw a white car on its side. 'I do not remember feeling any pain at the time. I was shouting for help, I felt like I was whispering, it didn't seem real.' She added: 'When I go past the scene of the collision in the car as a passenger, I now have to cover my eyes as I can't bring myself to look where it happened.' Greater Manchester Police's Roads Policing Unit said the use of nitrous oxide had become a recurring factor in incidents it attends. Pc Stefan Bielizna, who dealt with the investigation, said: 'It is clear to see the catastrophic effects the actions of Tunstall have had on the victim. 'The victim's bravery and support in this case to enable to pursue a prosecution should be commended and we hope she can continue her recovery safe in the knowledge that justice has been served. 'It was made clear by the judge that drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide, like in this case, will be given time behind bars if they choose to get behind the wheel. 'Being in possession and especially under the influence of nitrous oxide has similar effects to other drugs and can severely impair your capability to drive. 'There is no excuse for taking other people's lives into your hands due to the reckless and selfish behaviours that Tunstall has shown.'
