Latest news with #ChesterMagistrates'Court
Leader Live
5 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
Chester: Wrexham man sentenced after harassment incident
Russell Jones, 44, of Mwyn Ffordd, attended Chester Magistrates' Court for sentencing on Tuesday, June 3, having pleaded guilty to both offences on Friday, May 2. CPS prosecutor Angela Blackmore said that the victim had been parking up near her home shortly after midnight on Friday, February 21, and spotted that a man was watching her. She rolled down the window, and Jones asked if she had a phone charger, then began to make a series of sexual comments. Ms Blackmore told the court that Jones had leant on the bonnet, which made the victim scared to leave the vehicle, and said he'd 'hired a girl for the night' and was trying to find out where the address was, before asking again for a charger. The victim had said she felt 'afraid' during the exchange and Jones continue to talk about 'Russian girls' and 'getting with a girl' which she found 'very unsettling'. He asked her intimate questions along with other comments and 'vulgar remarks'. OTHER COURT NEWS: Jealous thug headbutted ex after 'asking about her sex life with new man' Man hurled abuse at hospital staff whilst 'drinking cans of lager in A&E' Woman drove wrong way along A483 in Wrexham whilst 'very drunk,' court told At this point she locked the doors of the car and texted her friends, she also felt she could not leave the vehicle and go into her home, as this would alert Jones to where she lived. The court heard that the incident lasted about 15 minutes in total, at which point the victim's friends arrived in another vehicle and an altercation took place between them and Jones. Police later arrived and this seemed to deter Jones. The victim then went to her friend's house, where she made a statement and stayed over as 'she did not feel safe staying at home'. Jones told officers that he had been waiting to meet somebody and had needed to charge his phone. While being searched by officers, three bags of white powder were discovered which were later confirmed to be cocaine. He described the exchange with the victim as 'for want of a better word 'banter'". The defence said Jones struggled with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and had used alcohol as a coping mechanism for ongoing mental health issues. The court heard that he had wanted to apologise and 'does not seek to excuse his actions.' He had reflected on the incident and was now 'being proactive' to ensure that an incident like this would not happen again, by seeking help for his mental health, alcohol and drug issues. Magistrates said that the incident 'must have been disturbing for her and it was disgusting behaviour'. Jones will complete 120 hours of unpaid work, and pay a fine of £807, a victim surcharge of £323, and court costs of £85.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Woman hauled to court & faced jail over rude bumper sticker on her car… even though ‘everyone thinks it's funny'
She spent £80 customising her car with 40 stickers STICKY SITUATION Woman hauled to court & faced jail over rude bumper sticker on her car… even though 'everyone thinks it's funny' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN was shocked when she was hauled to court over her "offensive" car bumper sticker. Georgia Venables was pulled over by the police and charged for having a bumper sticker which read: "don't be a c***". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Georgia Venables was pulled over by the police for her car sticker Credit: SWNS 3 She spent £80 customising her car with 40 stickers Credit: SWNS The 29-year-old placed the X-rated sticker on the back of her dark blue Peugeot 108 along with dozens of other stickers to customise it. However she was pulled over by a police officer earlier this year who stated the sticker bearing the word "c***" could cause "offence". She was summonsed to appear before Chester Magistrates' Court where she pleaded not guilty to displaying threatening/abusive writing/sign/visible representation likely to cause harassment/alarm/distress. She was released on unconditional bail and told she was due to stand trial on Thursday, May 29. However Georgia revealed the case has now been dropped, much to her relief. She said: "I was told that the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case as they didn't think there was a realistic prospect of conviction. "I am so relieved. I've been stopped over a previous sticker in the past and the officer asked me to remove it - which I did. "But this time, I was stopped for no reason and told that I was going to be summoned to court. It was the same officer both times." Georgia, from Handbridge, Cheshire, has spent £80 customising her car with over 40 "rogue" stickers over the past two years including Donald Duck raising his middle finger. Others read "sh** box certified" and and image of Yoda next to the words "If my driving offends you F off". Georgia said: "I put them on as I liked how they looked - I never put them on to offend anyone. "It gave my car a bit of personality and humour." She has told how her neighbours and work colleagues never had an issue with them, branding it "funny". She said: "I once had an old man outside a supermarket standing reading them and chuckling. "He said I had a good sense of humour." Georgia said she has been pulled over regarding her stickers five times - each time it was because they included a swear word. But since her latest went to court she has revealed how the upcoming trial impacted her work as she had to inform HR. Georgia allegedly breached a public order offence which has a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment alongside an unlimited fine. She said: "It wasn't a nice thing to go through. I feel that I was targeted because this same officer has pulled me over a few times. "I always removed them when I was told too. "I have made a complaint against a different officer in the past, but nothing happened so this time, I left it. "I just want the police to leave me alone so I can go about my life because I do like to go for a night drive. "It's the freedom that helps my mental health, but the police pull me over and it's happened so many times that they know me by my first name. "From October to January, I was getting stopped twice a week but since I was put on bail for this court appearance, they haven't stopped me once which is I think is very strange. "I would like to thank people who have given me support but I just want to put it behind me now." A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "We can't comment on individual cases. "However we can reassure residents that all stop checks are conducted fairly, responsibly, with respect for people being searched and without unlawful discrimination. "All checks are also conducted in line with the national guidance." A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: 'After a further review of the evidence we decided this case did not meet our threshold for prosecution and it was discontinued at an early stage.'
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Woman hauled to court & faced jail over rude bumper sticker on her car… even though ‘everyone thinks it's funny'
A WOMAN was shocked when she was hauled to court over her "offensive" car bumper sticker. Georgia Venables was pulled over by the police and charged for having a bumper sticker which read: "don't be a c***". 3 Georgia Venables was pulled over by the police for her car sticker Credit: SWNS 3 She spent £80 customising her car with 40 stickers Credit: SWNS The 29-year-old placed the X-rated sticker on the back of her dark blue Peugeot 108 along with dozens of other stickers to customise it. However she was pulled over by a police officer earlier this year who stated the sticker bearing the word "c***" could cause "offence". She was summonsed to appear before Chester Magistrates' Court where she pleaded not guilty to displaying threatening/abusive writing/sign/visible representation likely to cause harassment/alarm/distress. She was released on unconditional bail and told she was due to stand trial on Thursday, May 29. However Georgia revealed the case has now been dropped, much to her relief. She said: "I was told that the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case as they didn't think there was a realistic prospect of conviction. "I am so relieved. I've been stopped over a previous sticker in the past and the officer asked me to remove it - which I did. "But this time, I was stopped for no reason and told that I was going to be summoned to court. It was the same officer both times." Most read in The Sun Georgia, from Handbridge, Cheshire, has spent £80 customising her car with over 40 "rogue" stickers over the past two years including Donald Duck raising his middle finger. Others read "sh** box certified" and and image of Yoda next to the words "If my driving offends you F off". Georgia said: "I put them on as I liked how they looked - I never put them on to offend anyone. "It gave my car a bit of personality and humour." She has told how her neighbours and work colleagues never had an issue with them, branding it "funny". She said: "I once had an old man outside a supermarket standing reading them and chuckling. "He said I had a good sense of humour." Georgia said she has been pulled over regarding her stickers five times - each time it was because they included a swear word. But since her latest went to court she has revealed how the upcoming trial impacted her work as she had to inform HR. Georgia allegedly breached a public order offence which has a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment alongside an unlimited fine. She said: "It wasn't a nice thing to go through. I feel that I was targeted because this same officer has pulled me over a few times. "I always removed them when I was told too. "I have made a complaint against a different officer in the past, but nothing happened so this time, I left it. "I just want the police to leave me alone so I can go about my life because I do like to go for a night drive. "It's the freedom that helps my mental health, but the police pull me over and it's happened so many times that they know me by my first name. "From October to January, I was getting stopped twice a week but since I was put on bail for this court appearance, they haven't stopped me once which is I think is very strange. "I would like to thank people who have given me support but I just want to put it behind me now." A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "We can't comment on individual cases. "However we can reassure residents that all stop checks are conducted fairly, responsibly, with respect for people being searched and without unlawful discrimination. Read more on the Irish Sun "All checks are also conducted in line with the national guidance." A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: 'After a further review of the evidence we decided this case did not meet our threshold for prosecution and it was discontinued at an early stage.' 3 She said it's not the first time she's been pulled over for the stickers Credit: SWNS
Leader Live
30-04-2025
- Leader Live
Tarporley tree surgeon avoids jail for carrying blade
Members of Deeside Ramblers Hockey Club called the police after Steven Hall, of The Dale, showed up at their Nantwich Road ground at 7pm on Monday, March 10. The 43-year-old yelled insults at players and coaches before wandering off, but police caught up with him nearby and identified him from a description. Officers found a multitool with a two-inch locking blade in his pocket, which he later said he used 'for cleaning his crack pipes'. In custody, he told officers it was a gift from his parents, and he had no idea carrying it around was a crime. He was charged with one count of possessing a blade in public, and appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 28, where he pleaded guilty. The case was adjourned for a presentence report, and he returned for sentencing on Tuesday, April 29. Prosecuting, Val Tonkinson said Hall told police he hadn't been to work that day, which meant he had no reasonable excuse for having the knife on him. Defending, Steve Coupe said his client's previous convictions were 'very limited', adding this kind of behaviour was 'very much out of character'. He told the court Hall uses drugs 'as a coping mechanism' but otherwise 'leads a relatively pro-social life'. Mr Coupe said Hall 'holds qualifications in a skilled profession', which Hall himself later confirmed is tree surgery, and uses the multitool 'regularly in the course of his employment'. 'He simply forgot he had it in his pocket,' Mr Coupe added. 'During the earlier incident at the hockey club, my client didn't threaten anyone with the knife, or refer to it in any way.' Mr Coupe said his while Hall claims Universal Credit, he 'works sporadically', and 'presents a realistic prospect of rehabilitation'. While Mr Coupe said Hall knew the case crossed the custody threshold, he hoped the bench would consider suspending any prison sentence it decided to impose. The chairman of the bench, Jean Bamford, said: 'When it comes to carrying knives in public, the law has tightened up, and we have no choice but to impose a custodial sentence. 'However, in this instance, we feel we are able to suspend it.' Hall was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered complete up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and complete a six-month drug treatment programme. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Magistrates also ordered the multitool to be destroyed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man wrecked woman's home weeks after signing contract with her
A builder who left a 'gaping hole' in the back of a woman's house after charging her £17,000 for work when his company was about to go bust has been handed a suspended sentence. Gary Roberts, 60, signed a contract with his unsuspecting victim at the start of May 2021, promising to complete an extension to the rear of her property, a magistrates heard. Within one week the woman had paid Roberts a £10,000 deposit and made a further payment of £7,000 at the end of June of the same year, even though he knew his company GR Developments 1 Ltd was in financial trouble. READ MORE: Police searched his phone - what they found has earned him a life sentence READ MORE: The Greater Manchester walking trail with a sun-trap café worth a visit on a sunny day The builder, of Old Spot Way, Winsford, in Cheshire, never finished the project, walking off the site with the victim's money in his back pocket and a gaping hole in the back of her house. He has since been ordered to pay his victim more than £10,000 in compensation and was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: "Gary Roberts left his victim in a state of utter desperation after wrecking her home. "He never should have even signed a contract with her, as he knew his company was in financial trouble. "Protecting the public from rogue traders such as Roberts is something the Insolvency Service takes extremely seriously." Chester Magistrates' Court heard the shady builder told the victim it would cost around £17,000 for new windows and a rear extension. But just weeks after signing the contract, Roberts received advice from professionals about placing GR Developments 1 Ltd into liquidation which led him to walk off the site. CI Snasdell said: "The back of the victim's house was completely exposed to the elements, having been knocked down from the kitchen. "Roberts and his company also left a huge mess in her garden, with debris and rubble everywhere." During that time he paid himself £11,513 between May and July 2021 knowing that his company was insolvent. It was eventually dissolved in January 2023. Roberts was sentenced for fraudulently removing property in anticipation of the winding-up of a company, contrary to section 206 of the Insolvency Act 1986 on Monday 31 March. Roberts was subsequently banned as a company director for 10 years for his misconduct at GR Developments 1 Ltd, with the disqualification in place until February 2034. He was also ordered to complete 20 days of community rehabilitation activity, pay £1,000 in costs, and a £154 surcharge. The woman has since completed her extension in April 2022 after employing other tradesmen. CI Snasdell said: "Fraudulent behaviour which causes clear financial harm to innocent people will be thoroughly investigated by the agency."
