Three burgling brothers, a gang who blackmailed a man on a night out in Liverpool city centre and a robber who helped himself to fistfuls of cash from the till at a dessert shop were among the Merseyside criminals jailed over the past week. Also locked up was a man found hiding in a bush with socks on his hands after breaking into a primary school. A serial offender with one of the UK's longest criminal records threatened to stab a smoker in the neck when she refused to give him her cigarette. These 14 defendants were imprisoned over the last seven days, handed a combined total of 59 years and nine months behind bars.
Christopher Dunster
Christopher Dunster, 48, of no fixed address, threatened to stab a woman in the neck when she refused to give him her cigarette. He approached her while she was walking to work. His comments escalated despite a friend apologising. Having committed more than 150 offences, his own defence counsel described him as 'one of the most heavily convicted people in the country'. He admitted threatening behaviour and was jailed for four months.
John McDonagh
John McDonagh, 46, of Boundary Road in St Helens, robbed a dessert shop, taking fistfuls of cash from the till to feed his drug habit. His defence barrister conceded he sees prison as 'home'. A judge said his criminal record was among the 'worst he has ever seen' and told him: 'I am not going to keep you long with some great lecture. You have heard it all before.' McDonagh admitted robbery and was jailed for two years.
Adam Goodier, Liam Evans and Nathan Evans
Brothers Adam Goodier, Liam Evans and Nathan Evans embarked on a string of burglaries. They were foiled when police found a discarded vape inside a stolen car. Goodier was handed six years in prison. Liam Evans received three-and-half years in a youth offender's institution, while Nathan Evans was sentenced to 20 months.
Gemma Collins, Andrew Little and David McKuhen
Three dishonest pals 'meticulously planned' to burgle a man's house after tricking him. Gemma Collins lured the victim away with a shopping invitation while Andrew Little ransacked the property. David McKuhen ensured they could leave before the victim returned. They stole a rare coin collection, electronics and cash. All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. Little was jailed for three years, Collins for two years, and McKuhen received a 16-month suspended sentence.
James Dean
James Dean, 45, of Stanley Road in Birkenhead, burgled a primary school and was found hiding in a bush with socks on his hands. He told police he 'didn't give a f***' when told he stole from pupils and called teachers 'grasses'. He later admitted 'I'm nicked, I done it' but sought a one-year sentence. He was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to burglary, with three other offences taken into account.
Warren Sandringham and Liam Southern
Warren Sandringham, 28, and Liam Southern, 27, both of no fixed address, were part of a gang that snatched a man's phone on a night out in Liverpool city centre and demanded hundreds of pounds for its return. They followed the Irish victim to his hotel room and blackmailed him. A judge said their actions 'damaged the reputation of the entire city and its nightlife'. Both admitted blackmail and were jailed for 27 months each. Co-defendant Ellis Atkinson received a suspended sentence, and Anthony Hughes will be sentenced later.
Jonathan Boylan and Ian Catharell
Jonathan Boylan, 46, and Ian Catharell, 50, operated a criminal enterprise importing huge amounts of cocaine into the UK using EncroChat. They were described as 'good, decent men' but had secretly run the conspiracy. Boylan, using the handle 'Rich Zone', was also involved in selling a 7.62mm rifle. He was jailed for 15 years. Catharell, username 'Dutiful Leopard', was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years.
Josh Shanahan
Josh Shanahan, 22, carried out a campaign of violence and abuse against a teenage girl over more than a year. Police described it as 'systematic violence and abuse'. He pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm, two counts of intentional strangulation, and controlling and coercive behaviour. He was jailed for three years and nine months.
John Ward
John Ward, 43, of Dobson's Way in Newry, Northern Ireland, crashed his car into a wall in the Wallasey Tunnel while speeding under the influence of drink and drugs. He then ran away. With dozens of motoring convictions including six for dangerous driving, he hung his head and wiped away tears as he was jailed. He admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified, and failing to provide a blood specimen. He was jailed for 14 months and banned from driving for three years and seven months.
