28-02-2025
In the dock: Fake pregnancies, former circus clown and charity shop thief
From fake pregnancies, drink-driving for a McDonald's, stealing a charity shop hat and failing to pay a Covid fine, here are some of the cases heard at West Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Workington this month.
Woman who faked pregnancies 'wore silicone baby bump'
Libby Vernon (Image: Newsquest)
A WOMAN who faked two pregnancies and the death of a newborn baby was found to be wearing a silicone baby bump after going to a maternity ward, a court heard.
Libby Vernon, 23, claimed to be pregnant by an 'abusive ex-partner' when she started a long distance relationship with a west Cumbrian man she met online.
But just days after 'giving birth' she told him the baby had died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and sent a picture of a death certificate.
CNC officer twice drink-drive limit drove to Whitehaven McDonald's
Mark Bennett (Image: Newsquest)
A SELLAFIELD firearms officer drove to McDonald's while more than twice the drink-drive limit after waking up hungry, a court heard.
Mark Bennett, 33, was witnessed driving a Volkswagen Golf on the wrong side of the road as he travelled from Workington to the fast food restaurant in Whitehaven on January 18.
Prosecutor Pamela Fee said a member of the public who was following Bennett's car at Lillyhall in Workington contacted the police at 2.35am.
The caller believed that the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol. At one point, the car was on the wrong side of the road and almost drove head-on into another vehicle going in the opposite direction, Ms Fee said.
Thief who stole charity shop hat said 'Bilbo Baggins was a burglar'
Garry Pitt (Image: Newsquest)
A THIEF who stole a bucket hat from a charity shop mannequin told police after handing the item over, 'Bilbo Baggins was a trained burglar'.
Garry Pitt, 66, made reference to the main character in J R. R. Tolkien's famous fantasy novel, The Hobbit, after being caught on CCTV stealing the hat from the Ani-Mel Haven charity shop in Workington.
The defendant, who denied the theft, was found guilty following a trial at Workington Magistrates' Court.
Workington man didn't bite police officer 'because he had no teeth'
Steven Hodgson (Image: Newsquest)
A MAN accused of biting a police officer during a struggle couldn't have done 'because he had no teeth', a court heard.
Steven Hodgson, 34, 'panicked' and ran away from officers who could smell cannabis coming from his vehicle while outside a Workington supermarket in the early hours of January 27.
An officer who believed he may have been bitten by Hodgson as he 'violently' resisted, was 'mistaken', his solicitor said - because the defendant did not have a full set of top teeth.
Former circus clown Stanley Thompson jailed over car bonnet incident
Stanley Thompson (Image: Cumbria Police)
A FORMER circus performer who drove off with a friend on the bonnet of his car after drinking alcohol has been jailed for 12 months.
Stanley Thompson, 48, got behind the wheel of an Audi A1 and 'accelerated at speed' as the victim attempted to stop him from driving.
The defendant, who used to perform as a circus clown, was stopped by police but resisted the officer and refused to comply with a breath test, Workington Magistrates' Court heard.
Workington mum who avoided paying £2k Covid fine warned of prison
Jodie Teale ignored a £2k fine imposed in 2021 for breaking Covid rules (Image: Archive)
A MUM who failed to pay a £2k fine for breaking Covid rules was warned she would face jail if she continued to 'bury her head in the sand'.
Jodie Teale, 23, was fined £2,001.31 in August 2021 after attending a gathering of two or more people while Covid restrictions were in place.
But three years later, only one payment of £19.67 had been made by the defendant, Workington Magistrates' Court heard.
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