Tameside Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Dawson was prosecuted after RSPCA officers found a severely neglected bull-breed dog at a property in Rochdale. The dog was emaciated, flea-infested, and living among rubbish and faeces, and was so weak it slumped to the ground after walking only a short distance. Officers had attended on 6 August 2025 following concerns that the dog had been left unattended. Veterinary evidence showed the dog had suffered hunger, severe weight loss, and anaemia caused by the heavy flea infestation for at least three weeks, probably longer. The dog survived after veterinary treatment and care by the RSPCA.

An employee fractured their hip after falling from a large plastic pallet box while disposing of food waste into a skip on 15 April 2024 at the company's site in Lostock, Bolton. The company failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment for loading skips and did not provide appropriate equipment for safe working at height. Inadequate supervision and monitoring allowed unsafe working at height practices to become commonplace.

The defendant failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare needs of their pet dog, a female tan crossbreed. On 21 March 2025, RSPCA officers visited the defendants' home following welfare concerns and found the dog extremely underweight, with prominent ribs, hips and skull, wearing a nappy secured with hair ties that had caused painful sores. The dog had worn the nappy since August 2024 due to incontinence. A veterinary assessment recorded a body condition score of one out of nine, severe dental disease, cataracts, a heart murmur, overgrown nails, pressure sores and clinical signs of diabetes mellitus. Due to the extent of the condition and poor prognosis, the dog was humanely euthanised the same day.

The defendant failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare needs of their pet dog, a female tan crossbreed. On 21 March 2025, RSPCA officers visited the defendants' home following welfare concerns and found the dog extremely underweight, with prominent ribs, hips and skull, wearing a nappy secured with hair ties that had caused painful sores. The dog had worn the nappy since August 2024 due to incontinence. A veterinary assessment recorded a body condition score of one out of nine, severe dental disease, cataracts, a heart murmur, overgrown nails, pressure sores and clinical signs of diabetes mellitus. Due to the extent of the condition and poor prognosis, the dog was humanely euthanised the same day.

Francis Anthony Heaton dumped 100 tonnes of processed household waste (Trommel fines) on the car park of The Kingfisher Special School in Oldham. School gates were cut and removed to allow access. This caused an insect infestation, disrupted pupils' education for two weeks, and posed risks to children with life-limiting conditions. The school faced £22,197 cleanup costs.

Romeo Curt drove a car dangerously on Local Board Street, Ince, on December 7, 2023. He pleaded guilty and received a suspended prison sentence with rehabilitation activities and a driving disqualification.

Sarah Gibbons admitted being in possession of a pit bull terrier named Nala on July 30. Tameside magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £1,258 compensation. A contingent destruction order was made for the dog.