Private prosecutions at Manchester Magistrates' Court are dealing with cases brought by private groups or individuals rather than the police or Crown Prosecution Service. These range from littering to parents failing to ensure their children attend school, typically resulting in fines.
On Thursday afternoon, October 1, twelve cases were listed before three Manchester JPs, chaired by Nicholas Kirby. Of the eleven, three defendants attended, each representing themselves.
School attendance cases withdrawn
First to be called was mum Nicola Neil, of Aberdare Walk, Blackley, accused of failing to comply with a school attendance order. The charge was defective because the case was incorrectly issued under Salford City Council rather than Manchester City Council, due to an administrative error, so the case was withdrawn.
Two other mums, Rebecca Harris, of Whitehall Road, Didsbury, and Sophie Trimble, of Parsonage Road, Didsbury, were also accused of failing to comply with a school attendance order, with Ms Trimble additionally accused of failing to ensure her child attended school regularly. Neither woman attended court, but magistrates were told their children were now registered at school, and their cases were withdrawn.
Littering cases dismissed
Abiodun Subuola, 44, of Bollington Road, was accused of littering outside his address. He had been convicted in his absence but applied to reopen the case, saying he was unaware of the hearing. He entered a not guilty plea to throwing down litter on April 17, 2025.
Prosecuting, James Flanagan said: "A fixed penalty charge notice was issued to the defendant in respect of the amount of waste found near the address. Amongst that waste, a number of postage labels which had the defendants name on. Due to the evidence in the waste, the matter was referred to Environmental Crimes who found Mr Subuola's name."
Mr Subuola told the bench he had lived at the same address for 15 years, above a shop with five flats. He said he put rubbish down a rubbish chute and took larger items to a bin at the side, adding: "We don't have access to where the bins are, the whole building is gated. The bin trolly is there, I just put rubbish down the chute."
After a brief discussion, Mr Flanagan said: "I'm satisfied with the explanation he didn't intentionally throw down litter, I offer no evidence." The case was dismissed. JP Mr Kirby said he could reasonably believe Mr Subuola had put the waste down the chute and it had either fallen out or been dropped during transit.
Danielle Peace, 42, of Warrenhouse Lane, Huddersfield, was accused of throwing down a cigarette butt in Manchester city centre on July 19, 2024. She had previously pleaded not guilty, explaining she has never smoked, doesn't live in Manchester, and was not in the city centre on that date.
As she entered the dock, she recognised the clerk from the previous hearing, who had offered support when she became overwhelmed. "Oh it's lovely to see you," she said, "I can't believe you're here, I'm so pleased. If I can help the best I can, I will do. I was a mess last time and you helped me so thank you." The clerk replied: "I recall this case, it is likely that someone had used your details."
Ms Peace said she had been living in Yorkshire for 12 years and had been to the Titanic Spa in Huddersfield for her birthday, staying overnight. The court had received a receipt from the spa from that date. Prosecutor Mr Flanagan said he had received body cam footage from the environment agency officer, but the video wouldn't load and the audio did not work. He offered no evidence and asked for the case to be withdrawn.
Addressing Ms Peace, Mr Kirby said: "I can only apologise for this situation, it is bad enough it could be an error, it is even worse someone used your details deliberately. Sorry you had to come more than once. It can't have been easy." Ms Peace replied: "Thank you. I went back to work yesterday, it has been a stress having to go through this."
Other cases and warrants
By 2.49pm no further defendants had attended. Nicola Edwards, 37, of Lichfield Street, Salford, accused of failing to ensure her child attended school, had her case adjourned. Chantelle Hayes, 44, of Willow Ford Close, Salford, accused of the same charge, had her case withdrawn as it was no longer in the public interest.
Thomas Davin, 74, and Denise Davin, both of Church Lane, Sale, accused of fly tipping, were issued with a warrant not backed for bail. Natalie Makin, of Wavertree Road, Blackley, also accused of failing to ensure her child attended school, had the matter proved in her absence. The court heard the family had moved to Manchester from Wales in 2024, and she had not made contact regarding her child attending school. She was fined £660 plus £414 court costs, payable in full within 28 days.
Alanzo Edwards, 39, of Raby Street, Whalley Range, accused of fraud by false representation, namely using an expired disabled badge, was issued with a warrant with bail. Aamir Saadelen, 38, of Clinton Avenue, Fallowfield, accused of fly tipping, was also issued a warrant with bail. The court session concluded by 3.05pm, before the court opened to allow for other outstanding cases from other rooms to be dealt with.
