KILLERS, a kidnapper and a paedophile who groomed children over the video game Fortnite were amongst the Warrington criminals jailed during 2021.
Other high profile offenders locked up last year included an ex-footballer who caused the deaths of a married couple in a horror crash and a prison guard who fell in love with an inmate.
Here are 15 of the most shocking and bizarre cases before the courts in 2021:
Dean Pitts
The 'monster' kidnapped his girlfriend after subjecting her to months of sickening violence.
The 27-year-old dragged his girlfriend into her car by her hair after she attempted to flee into a nearby shop during one episode of abuse.
He also stole seven shotguns during a burglary at a firearms dealership, but was caught after leaving his mobile phone at the scene of the crime.
Jack Brooke
The thug launched a 'brutal and vicious' unprovoked attack on his 81-year-old victim in the street.
The pensioner was assaulted on Knutsford Road in Latchford before his 28-year-old assailant, who was described as having a 'nasty, evil look on his face', walked away 'as if nothing had happened'.
Steven Bennett
The former professional footballer was playing on his phone seconds before he killed 'devoted' couple Angela and Richard Wong in a horrific crash on the M56 near Lymm.
Ex-Barnsley FC striker Bennett's lorry ploughed into the back of their car, with Mrs Wong dying at the scene aged 56.
Mr Wong, 62, died three days later in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Patrick Jones
The burglar was stabbed by the occupant of the house he targeted when the homeowner caught the offenders red-handed, having returned from a meal in the pub.
Jones was identified after his DNA was found on the knife the man used to defend himself when he was attacked by the invaders at his home on Warrington Road in Culcheth.
He admitted burglary and was handed 57 months behind bars in February.
Adam Syers
The paedophile attempted to groom children aged as young as seven via Xbox games including Fortnite and Roblox.
Only hours beforehand, he had been spared jail for posting a sickening video online - in which he filmed a toddler from the window of his home while making vile sexual comments.
Syers, 23, admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order and was jailed for two years and three months in March.
Lucy Thornton
The prison guard, of Orford Green, 'fell in love' with an inmate she met while working at HMP Altcourse.
The 28-year-old even went on to have a child with violent offender Aaron Whittaker after he was released on parole.
Thornton was caged for 10 months in June after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office.
Richard Hanson
The killer spent three days on the run after escaping from HMP Thorn Cross.
Hanson was jailed for life in 2007 after admitting the manslaughter of 18-year-old Gemma Roberts, a stranger whose throat he slashed with a broken bottle in the street.
The now 35-year-old fled the Appleton Thorn prison by scaling a perimeter wall and was later discovered by police hiding under a trailer at a farm.
Aaron Law
The robber stormed a convenience store armed with a knife and 'frogmarched' a shopworker to the till before ordering him to empty the till.
But he was caught out after leaving his DNA on the staff member's jacket.
Law, of Partridge Close in Birchwood, admitted robbery and was jailed for 40 months in September.
Robbie Walkden
The student conned his own grandma out of £18,000 and spent his ill-gotten gains on makeup, fast food and designer goods.
Shaun Foy
The thug bit his wife's ear off in Orford Park in front of shocked witnesses.
Foy, 39, also knocked out his partner of 23 years' teeth after Warrington Wolves' Challenge Cup victory parade.
He was handed 59 months behind bars in January, having admitted wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
Gemma Clout
The drink and drug driver ran over a pedestrian before fleeing the scene and leaving him dying in the street.
Clout, of Folly Farm Close in Bewsey, got behind the wheel in order to buy cigarettes after binging on a cocktail of vodka, peach schnapps and cocaine.
But the 32-year-old mounted a kerb and smashed through a fence, gravely injuring beloved granddad Patrick Moore - who died in hospital as a result of his injuries five months later, aged 62.
The motorist admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years in January.
Anthony Hather
The drug dealer stormed an innocent man's house and attacked him with a machete in a case of mistaken identity.
But the 31-year-old was brought to justice in bizarre circumstances after the victim found a piece of the defendant’s skin lodged in his teeth, having bitten his attacker while attempting to disarm him.
Lesa Carter
The mum swiped more than £17,000 from tills at the Clarks shoe stores in Warrington town centre and Stockton Heath where she was working, as well as helping herself to monies in excess of £12,000 in bogus refunds over a four-year period.
One of the shops came close to closing, such was the impact of her offending.
Carter, 48, admitted theft by employee and fraud and was jailed for 18 months in July.
Stephen Leah
The drug dealer was caught with live ammunition when armed police raided his home.
Leah ran a 'thriving' cannabis dealing business and dished out threats to customers who owed debts.
The 23-year-old was handed 18 months in prison in July after pleading guilty to possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.
Colin Smith
The drug driver caused the deaths of two cyclists while under the influence of cannabis.
Smith, of Lavender Gardens in Sankey Bridges, made off from the scene of a collision which killed 39-year-old Tony Cope and 45-year-old Clare Killey.
Both left behind young children.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article