Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing from Cars and Brandishing a Bar
A man in his late 40s has been handed a six-month prison sentence after breaking into several cars, stealing items, and brandishing a bar when confronted by police. Bernard Rawstron, residing on Leach Street in Blackburn, committed the offenses in the Whalley and Clitheroe areas during the late hours of the night and early morning.
Rawstron’s criminal activities first came to the attention of two off-duty police officers in March. They witnessed him attempting to open a car door in Whalley, and when they gave chase, he brandished a bar, causing the officers to retreat. Undeterred by the encounter, Rawstron reappeared the following week in a carport, where he proceeded to remove a CCTV camera from a gatepost under the cover of darkness.
In April, Rawstron targeted a Volkswagen Crafter van parked on Holden Street in Clitheroe, breaking into the vehicle and stealing its contents. His streak of criminal behavior finally came to an end when he was arrested the following week in the same area, caught in the act of pilfering from another car.
During his court appearance, Rawstron pleaded guilty to theft, handling stolen goods, and possession of an offensive weapon. In addition to the prison sentence, he has also been banned from entering Whalley for three years. This restriction was imposed after the Ribble Valley neighborhood policing team highlighted the distress, harassment, and alarm caused to the local community by Rawstron’s repeated offenses.
Sgt Duncan Hall, part of the Ribble Valley neighborhood policing team, expressed satisfaction with Rawstron’s conviction, stating, We were pleased to bring Bernard Rawstron to justice. We hope that the prison sentence imposed by the court and the Criminal Behaviour Order will prevent him from reoffending in the area and offer reassurance to the people of Whalley.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting personal property and remaining vigilant, especially during the late hours when criminal activity tends to increase. Law enforcement agencies urge community members to report any suspicious behavior, helping to keep neighborhoods safe and secure for all residents.
