Two thugs who engaged in spontaneous violence in and around pubs in Blackburn have been jailed.
Callum 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.
Liam Donlin (23) of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen (main picture), 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.
On August 26, 2023, Roberts (pictured above), while on a night out with co-defendant Donlin, used a stun gun to inflict a sickening assault on his ex-partner.
During the attack, Roberts violently threw his victim around, headbutted her and pulled her to the floor by her hair. He also showed aggression towards other members of the public who intervened to protect the victim.
On October 5, 2023, Donlin and Roberts were outside the Postal Order on Darwen Street. There was a fight outside the pub and as the male victim lay defenseless on the floor, Donlin kicked him to the head before the pair ran away.
On November 25, 2023 police attended 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.
Both defendants pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court and both were jailed on Friday.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “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.”
