HERE'S a round-up of some of the biggest court cases to have taken place in Carlisle and West Cumbria this week. 

Man in court accused of attempted murder

A West Cumbrian man has appeared in court accused of attempted murder.

Lee Walker, 32, of Seven Acres, Parton, Whitehaven, is accused of attempting to murder a man in Cleator Moor on Saturday, January 27.

Full story here. 

Carlisle knife offender was 'threatened with hammer during burglary'

A Carlisle man who was threatened with a hammer and a screwdriver during a terrifying burglary has admitted twice illegally carrying knives.

Darren Lee Beattie, 43, who was also caught carrying dozens of tranquilliser pills for which he did not have a prescription, said he decided to carry a knife “for protection” on the two occasions when police caught him.

Full story here. 

Employee accused of stealing £84,000 from CHP Supplies

A man has appeared in court accused of stealing more than £84,000 from the plumbing business he was working for.

Dale Hooper, 38, of John Street, Workington, is accused of stealing £84,369 from CHP Supplies Ltd in Workington while he was an employee.  

Full story here. 

Former treasurer of Bridge club admits fraud by making gain of over £22,000

The former treasurer of a Bridge club has admitted fraud by making a gain of more than £22,000 for herself.

Charlotte Phillips, 39, dishonestly abused her position at Workington Bridge Club between January 2018 and August 2022, making a gain of £22,781.

Full story here. 

Jail for Carlisle benefits cheat who illegally claimed more than £40k

A jail term has been handed to a Carlisle man who illegally claimed two benefits for around three years, raking in more than £40,000 he was not entitled to.

Despite claiming that he was unable to work due to poor health, Alan Pullar, 49, failed to declare he was working more house than permitted as a petrol forecourt assistant.

Full story here. 

Kidnapper who took two-year-old Carlisle girl brandished 'dangerous'

A jail term of almost four years has been handed to a Carlisle man who walked into a stranger’s home and kidnapped a two-year-old girl while he was high on drugs.

When a quick-thinking bystander intervened to rescue the child, taken by 38-year-old Andrzej Jasinski after he had attacked her grandfather, the kidnapper said: “This child belongs to Jihad,” a reference to holy war.

Full story here. 

Van driver who caused couple's death in Carlisle was careless - jury

A van driver has been convicted of causing a couple's death by careless driving after a collision which happened as they walked over a pedestrian crossing in Carlisle.

Full story here. 

Menacing Carlisle driver stalked his ex at 80mph around Carlisle

A motorist hit speeds of up to 80mph on a Carlisle industrial estate in pursuit of his former partner and also stalked her over several weeks.

Full story here. 

'I'm finished' - Penrith jockey convicted of drink driving

A young jockey who failed to persuade magistrates that he did not re-park his car while he was over the drink drive limit told them: “I’m finished.”

Reuben Smith, 18, told Carlisle’s Rickergate court the 14-month driving ban he was given for the offence in September last year would stop him doing his job, which involves travelling to race meetings all over the country.

Full story here. 

Carlisle arsonist wrongly thought he had targeted home of his ex

AN arsonist captured on video footage stuffing lighted toilet paper through a front door letter box mistakenly believed his ex-partner lived in the house.

Carlisle man Wayne McDonald, 30, who had been banned by a court from having any contact with the woman following earlier problems, was actually targeting the home of a couple who were complete strangers to him, the city’s crown court.

Full story here. 

Paul Grout to stand trial after denying child rape charges

A former top doctor is due to stand trial next week after he denied four counts of child rape.

Full story here.