Ben Cronshaw, aged 24, has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison, with an additional two years on extended licence, after being found guilty of a savage stabbing and a violent pub attack in Blackburn last year.
The dangerous offender was involved in a three-on-one assault outside the Royal Oak pub in Clayton-le-Moors in October 2020. Cronshaw joined David Osbaldeston, 28, and Aaron Walsh, 24, in a chaotic and violent attack that began when Terry Burt, the pub landlady’s partner, stepped outside to break up the fight.
The trio threatened Burt with a knife before leaving the scene. As they departed, Osbaldeston threw a brick at Burt’s head, while Walsh also threw a brick near the pub. Burt, aged 50, suffered a serious head injury that required stitches.
The stabbing incident occurred on July 3, 2021, when a man in his 30s confronted Cronshaw after discovering that Cronshaw had broken into his partner’s car and stolen her bank card. Cronshaw used the stolen card to commit fraud at a nearby off-licence.
The victim initially tried to speak with Cronshaw at a friend’s house but later encountered him on Hereford Road, Blackburn. An argument ensued, during which Cronshaw threatened to send Osbaldeston after the victim. The victim was then stabbed in the back.
Cronshaw, from Edward Street, Rishton, denied being present at the stabbing but was identified through CCTV footage. He claimed the item in his hand was a Bunsen burner rather than a knife. He pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding, theft from a motor vehicle, fraud by false representation, and possessing a bladed article in public.
Walsh pleaded guilty to violent disorder and received a 32-month sentence to be served concurrently with the wounding sentence. Osbaldeston and Walsh were already serving a combined total of 27 years and three months for their involvement in the Royal Oak attack.
Detective Constable Liam Jarman of East CID commented, “The shocking and excessive use of violence by Cronshaw and his co-defendants could quite easily have resulted in somebody being killed. Their actions were both reckless and cowardly, especially considering the fact the victims in both cases were unarmed.”
He added, “I am pleased Cronshaw has been given this significant custodial sentence and I hope he—and Osbaldeston and Walsh—reflect on how truly appalling their actions were.”
Detective Sergeant Steve Munro praised his team and stated, “The behaviour of Cronshaw, Osbaldeston and Walsh has no place on the streets of Lancashire. If you arm yourself with a weapon, you will either end up seriously or fatally injured or in custody.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
