A RAPIST who assaulted a woman as she slept to him, a drug dealer and a prolific shoplifter are just three of the Cheshire defendants to appear in court over the past week.

Here is our weekly court round-up:

A NORTHWICH man has been jailed after he raped a woman as she slept in bed next to him.

Joseph Taylor, of Solvay Road, had originally denied four counts of rape and four sexual assaults against the woman, who was just 16 at the time the offences took place - he was 17 and 18.

A trial of the 25-year-old began at Chester Crown Court in June, but on the second day, Taylor was re-arraigned in the dock and pleaded guilty to two rapes and two sexual assaults.

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A DRUG dealer from Northwich has been jailed after a police raid uncovered a quantity of heroin and cocaine he was intending to supply to the town’s residents.

Mark Keelan, of Romanes Street, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with the intent to supply class A drugs.

The 49-year-old was first arrested by police on April 28 when they executed a warrant on Manchester Road.

He admitted the offences on June 1 at Chester Crown Court.

Appearing back in court on August 8, Judge Steven Everett sentenced Keelan to three years in prison.

Read more.

Northwich Guardian: Mark KeelanMark Keelan (Image: Cheshire Police)

A PROLIFIC shoplifter who made the lives of Northwich business owners ‘a misery’ has been jailed after visiting a supermarket he was banned from entering.

Steven Owen, of Victoria House in Church Road, was originally made the subject of a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) at Chester Magistrates’ Court on May 23.

As part of the order, the 53-year-old was banned from entering several stores in both Northwich and Winsford, as well as being given a ban on being drunk in public places and asking people for money.

But on August 5, Owen was hauled back to court for breaching the order and entering the Asda store in Northwich on August 2.

Read more.

Northwich Guardian: Steven OwenSteven Owen

A NORTHWICH man has appeared in court after calling a woman a ‘rat’ and a ‘tramp’ and embarking on four days of harassment against a man.

Matthew Watson, of Braemar Avenue, pleaded guilty to various offences at Chester Magistrates’ Court, including harassment and sending menacing or obscene messages.

But he denies charges of assault and criminal damage and will appear back in court later this year to stand trial.

Read more.

A 45-YEAR-OLD man from Northwich has been fined after displaying drunk and disorderly behaviour in the town.

Gareth Brown, of Parliament Street, pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred in a public place last month.

He appeared in Chester Magistrates’ Court on August 5 to be sentenced.

The court heard how on Thursday, July 21, Brown was guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour along Chester Road in Northwich.

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A 29-YEAR-OLD man has avoided an immediate prison sentence after he displayed ‘drunken violence in a busy pub’.

Ryan Thomas, of Chester Road in Winsford, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour against a man in Northwich on July 5, 2022, intending to cause him fear that violence would be used against him.

Thomas pleaded guilty to the offence in Chester Magistrates’ Court on August 9.

Read more.

A DANGEROUS driver from Winsford has avoided jail despite causing a crash on a motorway while more than three times over the limit.

Paul Taylor, of Wharton Road, fled the scene after his Volkswagen Polo collided with a Kia Ceed while driving along the M53 near Ellesmere Port on June 19 earlier this year.

Once he was pulled over, the 40-year-old was breathalysed and was found to have 108 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of his breath. The legal limit is 35.

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Northwich Guardian:

TWO irresponsible drivers from Winsford and Middlewich have been banned from the roads after being caught over the limit.

Scott Rowland, 24, and Lydia Clare, 28, both appeared in Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (August 5) in separates cases of driving under the influence.

They were disqualified for a combined total of almost three years.

Rowland, of Cherry Crescent in Winsford, pleaded guilty to driving a Ford Fiesta along Woodford Lane in the town on July 1 after drinking alcohol.

Meanwhile, Clare, of Sutton Lane in Middlewich, pleaded guilty to driving a VW Polo along Middlewich Road in Allostock on July 17 after drinking alcohol.

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A MIDDLEWICH man has been bit with a £340 court bill and had five penalty points added to his licence for careless driving.

Yve Maddock, of Kitfield Avenue, was caught driving carelessly in Booth Lane between Sandbach and Middlewich on April 21 earlier this year.

The 21-year-old appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on August 8 and pleaded guilty to driving a Ford car without due care and attention.

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A SPEEDING driver has avoided a ban to keep his job and home.

Raymond Dwolitka, of Station Road, Wilmslow, was caught on camera on August 19, last year, driving a Citroen Berlingo van on Princess Road in Manchester at 38mph.

The 60-year-old pleaded guilty to speeding at Manchester Magistrates Court on August 5.

Read more.

A DRIVER has avoided a ban to keep his fledgling business and care for his disabled parents.

Khan Gorgulu, of Wingfield Avenue, Wilmslow, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Manchester Magistrates Court on August 5.

The 21-year-old was stopped by Greater Manchester Police driving a Volkswagen Golf without due care and attention on the M56 westbound in Manchester on March 10, this year.

Read more.

Northwich Guardian: Mark KeelanMark Keelan

A MAN has avoided prison after 'persistently breaching' court restraining orders.

Samuel Arrowsmith, of Longridge, Knutsford, pleaded guilty to contravening a restraining order at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on August 8.

The 24-year-old admitted entering the home of a man between April 15 and August 3, this year after being prohibited to do so by Chester magistrates on February 2.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to breaching another restraining order by contacting a woman between July 1 and July 31 this year.

Read more.