Defendant was arrested after saying she was ‘going on run’

PATRICIA Pemberton appeared for the sentencing after failing to turn up to be dealt with 10 days previously saying she was ‘going on the run’.

After she failed appear on Monday, July 9, at Preston Crown Court an arrest warrant was issued by the judge who said no adequate explanation had been given.

At that hearing prosecution barrister Keith Sutton said that over the previous weekend the defendant said she would not attend.

He said: “Mr Grundy received a number of answer phone messages on his phone which I have heard.

“On them Patricia Pemberton is threatening and abusive towards him.

“She said she was going on the run and would not be attending the hearing.”

Defending barrister Mark Stuart said his client did not drive and had phoned the court to say she would not be present due to her lift letting her down.

At the subsequent hearing Pemberton was produced in the dock from the cells after being arrested and remanded in custody. Judge Medland also imposed restraining orders on Pemberton forbidding her from contacting Bill Grundy and two other named witnesses in the case for a period of five years. A PROLIFIC shoplifter who racked up debts of £1,500 was caught by security staff trying to stealing goods from a supermarket, a court heard.

Shahid Sarwar, of Princess Street, Accrington, entered the Great Harwood Tesco at around 3.15pm on July 18 and stole Coca Cola, Red Bull, alcohol and snacks worth £314.

Prosecutor Tracey Yates said the 52-year-old was leaving the store when he activated the alarm and left his trolley, before running towards a nearby roundabout. Sarwar, who has 22 previous convictions for 79 offences including 35 thefts, was chased and detained. Sarwar pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was given a 12 month community order with 40 hours’ unpaid work and 15-day rehebailitation activity requirement.

Gareth Price, defending, said Sarwar was ‘going through financial difficulties’ after losing his job earlier this year and had ‘racked up a £1,500 debt’ which he was ‘under pressure to pay off’.

He said: “When he has problems he reverts to type.

“He has come before the court four times this year for shoplifting.”