Manchester Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Zoe Marlow, 41, of Kinsale Walk, Wythenshawe, failed to provide adequate care for her 15-year-old brindle and white female Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Laney, causing unnecessary suffering. The RSPCA visited her home in August 2023 following a tip-off about the dog struggling to stand. Marlow claimed the dog had run away and was taken to a vet by someone else, but she admitted the dog had been struggling on her back legs for some time due to lack of finances and transport. The vet found Laney severely emaciated, very weak, unable to stand properly, falling over due to muscle wastage, with a lowest possible body condition score, prominent bones, laboured breathing, an ulcerated mass on her left hip, wobbliness, and difficulty moving. The condition loss was estimated over at least two weeks, and no veterinary care had been sought despite signs of underweight, weakness, and lethargy. Laney was taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital and euthanized to end her suffering.

Michael White, 40, was shouting homophobic slurs such as 'gay boys' at passers-by on Canal Street in Manchester's Gay Village in October 2022. Plain-clothed officers intervened, but he became abusive, grabbed an officer's arm, swung him around, and attempted to drag him towards the Rochdale Canal. He was subsequently detained and found guilty.

Steve Jones was wrongly prosecuted for dropping a cigarette butt on Market Street in Manchester on December 14, 2024, despite being 200 miles away in Maidstone, Kent, at a funeral director's. The error occurred due to incorrect information provided to enforcement officers and failures in council procedures, leading to a fixed-penalty notice and subsequent prosecution.

Alfie Holt, a 20-year-old Manchester United fan with a season ticket in the Stretford End, attended the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on April 6, 2025. After the match, he shouted abuse at Manchester City players near the tunnel. When Jack Grealish responded and a verbal altercation ensued, Holt slapped Grealish on the chin and cheek. He was later arrested outside the ground and cooperated with police during his interview.

Kyle Windsor, in a drunken state after a break-up, yelled insults and attacked Jet2 staff at Manchester Airport when prevented from boarding his flight to Ibiza.

In spring 2023, Xin Zhang, a long-time member of the Tom Husband Leisure Centre at the University of Salford, entered the sauna after swimming. He pulled his shorts down and touched himself while staring at a woman through the sauna window, causing her distress. The woman reported that he grabbed his penis and moved his hands up and down for three to four minutes. Zhang provided inconsistent accounts, claiming he was warming his genitals due to being cold or adjusting his shorts for eczema, but magistrates found his actions were for sexual gratification.

Simon Hughes drove a Nissan Qashqai on May 25, 2025, while disqualified and without insurance.

Claire Faulkner stole an unknown value of chocolate from a Co-op in Bolton on December 14. She was sentenced after pleading guilty, with the court ordering rehabilitation and financial penalties.

Haydn Campbell was driving a Volkswagen Golf on East Mayne in Basildon on December 1, 2023, when found with 9.8 micrograms of THC per litre of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 2 micrograms.

Simon Ollerton-Lewis drove a Seat Ibiza on Chorley New Road, Horwich on January 1, 2024, while over the legal limit for cocaine.

Ibrahim Rumatila, aged 28, drove a BMW 5 Series on George Street in Rochdale on March 27, through a no entry sign, whilst disqualified and with no insurance.