Two jailed following investigation into public order, domestic violence and weapons offences in pubs around Blackburn
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Two thugs who engaged in spontaneous violence in and around pubs in Blackburn have been jailed following our investigation.
The first offence took place in the town centre on 26th August 2023 and involved Callum Roberts (pictured top right), while on a night out with co-defendant Liam Donlin (bottom right), using a stun gun to inflict a sickening assault on his ex-partner. During the attack, Roberts violently threw his victim around, threw head butts at her, and pulled her to the floor by her hair. He also showed aggression towards other members of the public trying to intervene to protect the victim.
On 5th October 2023, Donlin and Roberts were both outside the Postal Order on Darwen Street. There was a fight outside the pub and as the male victim lay defenceless on the floor, Donlin kicked him to the head before the pair ran away.
On 25th November 2023 we were called to reports of an assault at a pub in Hill Bridge Street.
CCTV enquiries showed an altercation between Roberts and a woman. During the ensuing melee, Donlin was seen to attack a number of people in the premises. Roberts proceeded to pick up a bar stool, swinging it indiscriminately at other people in the pub before the pair ran away.
During comprehensive searches of numerous addresses and public spaces, we later recovered the stun gun used in the first incident.
Despite most victims and witnesses being reluctant to give evidence against Roberts and Donlin, we were able to conduct other enquiries to obtain the evidence required to prove the offences which led to both defendants pleading guilty at Preston Crown Court.
They were both jailed at the same court on Friday.
Roberts, 22, of Green Lane, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and affray. He was jailed for 45 months.
Donlin, 23, of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was jailed for 18 months and given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which prohibits him from consuming alcohol or being in possession of alcohol in any public place, licenced premises or private function premises within Blackburn with Darwen. It also as prohibits him from entering any pub or venue that he has been issued a Pub Watch ban.
The indiscriminate violent actions of the males in this case all occurred whilst under the influence of alcohol and in and around licenced premises. Conduct of this nature simply will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police.
We believe that the lengthy sentence for Callum Roberts and notably the CBO issued to Liam Donlin will allow police and partners to manage his offending behaviour and mitigate the risk to the wider public going forward. When Donlin is released, if he so much as steps into a pub to which the CBO applies, he can be arrested.
We want to make it clear that stun guns, along with pepper spray and other similar articles, are classified as ‘Firearms’ and are illegal in the United Kingdom. There is no reason for members of the public to be in possession of such weapons, and ‘self-protection’ is not a defence.
If you have any information in relation to people carrying any type of firearm or other weapon, you can let us know. Always call 999 in an emergency. If it is not an emergency call 101 or report online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
Furthermore, preventing Violence against Women and Girls is a priority for Lancashire Constabulary, and we will take all possible steps to protect the victims and put the perpetrators before the courts. We want women in Lancashire to feel safe, and able to come forward when they are suffering abuse at the hands of partners or family members. We will listen to you; we work with partner agencies to support victims and bring offenders to justice.
There are various ways to report domestic abuse, but in an emergency always dial 999. If you cannot speak you can press ‘55’ to let the call handler know that it is an emergency, and that you can’t speak.
For more information about Domestic Abuse, what to do to help yourself and others, and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law) please follow the links below to our website.
Domestic Violence: https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/personal-safety/domestic-abuse/
DVDS/ Clare’s Law: https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/personal-safety/domestic-violence-disclosure-scheme-clares-law/
