From drivers given three-year bans for refusing to be breathalysed to a man who stole donations from a church, these are some of the recent cases dealt with by Tameside magistrates.
Here's our latest round-up...
Broke into church and took donations
Jason Featherstone stole audio equipment and donations from a Denton church, Tameside magistrates heard.
The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before the court.
Magistrates heard he had broken into Holy Trinity Church on Luxor Grove and taken the equipment, plus the donations to the value of more than £2,500.
The offence had happened back in September 2019.
The court heard he had also taken clothing and equipment worth £140 from an individual in November 2019 in Denton, a charge he also admitted.
He was given a 12 weeks prison term suspended for 12 months by the court and must pay a total of £2,685 compensation.
His address was given as Wilton Street, Reddish.
Threat of jail for double assault
Sean Halliwell Meachen has been given a suspended jail sentence by Tameside magistrates for two charges of assault.
The 31-year-old, of Fields Farm Road, Hattersley, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm dating back to June 2019 in Hyde, although he had initially denied the charge.
Magistrates handed him a six months jail term, suspended for two years.
They also ordered him to pay a total of £600 compensation, £325 Crown Prosecution Service costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Driver loses licence for three years for refusing test
Tameside magistrates have banned Ashton man Anthony Butt from the road for three years.
The court heard the 32-year-old, of Freshwater Drive, had been stopped on Mossley Road in Ashton behind the wheel of Ford Transit on December 3 last year and asked to provide a specimen of breath. However, he refused.
Appearing before the court he admitted the offence plus having no insurance cover. He was given a curfew order, meaning he must remain at his address between the hours of 6pm and 6am each night for a total of ten weeks.
He must also pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge. The disqualification can be reduced by nine months if a driving course is satisfactorily completed.
Van man three times over limit
Van man Darius Rajincius has been banned from the road for two years for being more than three times over the legal drink drive limit.
The 30-year-old was stopped behind the wheel of a Mercedes Sprinter van on October 24 last year and found to have 120 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
The offence happened on George Street in Ashton.
Magistrates handed him a 10 months curfew order, meaning he must remain at his Manchester address on Lightbowne Road between the hours of 7pm and 7am each night.
He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
The disqualification can be reduced by six months if a driving course is successfully completed.
Three-year driving ban
A motorist who failed to provide a breath specimen when required to do so has been banned from the road for three years.
Tameside magistrates heard Daniel Bremner was stopped in Ashton on July 5 last year and refused to provide the specimen. He pleaded guilty to the offence.
The 34-year-old, of Lincoln Rise, Bredbury, was fined £120, plus ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £34.
Obstructed police officer
Dukinfield man Reace Fletcher has been given an 18 months conditional discharge by Tameside magistrates.
The 25-year-old, of Combermere Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty, although the court heard he had initially denied the charge.
He was ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £22.
Costly court bill and work order for disqualified driver
Driving while disqualified from holding a driving licence and using a car without insurance landed Pahad Ahmed before Tameside magistrates.
The 22-year-old, of Newton Hall Road, Hyde, pleaded guilty to both charges after being stopped on Nelson Street in Hyde on May 14 last year.
Magistrates ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, plus pay £550 court costs and a victim surcharge of £95.
He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a further four months.
Curfew order for 12 weeks
A Denton woman has been given a curfew order by Tameside magistrates for charges of theft and assault.
Melissa Watson, 34, of Ashton Road, admitted taking items from McColls on Haughton Green Road in Denton on July 22 last year and Sainsbury’s on September 22 last year.
She also admitted two charges of assault, which also happened on September 22 last year in the town.
Magistrates ordered her to remain at her address for 12 weeks between the hours of 11pm and 5am each night.
She must also pay a total of £100 compensation.
Fined £284 for offence
Tameside magistrates have fined Gary Thornton £284 for being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the drink drive limit.
The 56-year-old, of Newton Court, Hattersley, admitted the offence which had happened on Kedleston Walk in Denton on August 8 last year.
The court heard he was found to have 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35, although he was not actually driving the vehicle at the time
Magistrates ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge. His driving licence was endorsed with 10 penalty points.
In public with kitchen knife
A man found in Woodley Precinct with a kitchen knife has been given a suspended prison sentence by Tameside magistrates.
Fifty-five-year-old Anthony Erskine admitted the offence after being found in public with the blade on June 28 last year.
The court handed him an 18 weeks prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He must pay a £128 victim surcharge and magistrates ordered the knife be forfeited and destroyed.
His address was given as Oak Court, Woodley.
Threat of jail
Tameside magistrates have handed Robert Budsworth a suspended jail sentence for two separate charges of harassment.
The 32-year-old, of Worcester Avenue, Denton, pleaded guilty to both which had happened between April and May and then November last year.
Magistrates gave him a 12 weeks prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He was also issued with a restraining order. He must also pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £122.
Officer assaulted
Steven Spilsbury has been given a two year conditional discharge for assaulting a police officer.
The 57-year-old, of Alexandra Road, Denton, admitted the offence which had happened on August 27 last year.
He also admitted a charge of being threatening and abusive on the same date.
Appearing before Tameside magistrates he was ordered to pay £20 compensation, £85 court costs and a £22 victim surcharge.
Suspended prison sentence
Mahendra Solanki has been given a suspended prison term for breaching a court order.
The 44-year-old, of Barley Croft Road, Hyde, pleaded guilty to the offence and was given a six weeks jail sentence, suspended for 24 months.
He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Found guilty
Juxian Liang, 42, of Wandsworth Avenue, Clayton, has been given a 12 months conditional discharge by Tameside magistrates.
He denied a charge of damaging a mobile telephone last Christmas Day.
However, he was found guilty by the court and was ordered to pay £310 court costs and a £22 victim surcharge.
Fine of £80
Tameside magistrates have fined McKenzie Pazvakavambwa £80 for breaching court orders.
The 41-year-old, of Ashdale Crescent, Droylsden, admitted the offence.
80 hours work
Christopher Bulat has been ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work by Tameside magistrates.
The 32-year-old, of Ravens Close, Simmondley, admitted breaking a previous order.
He must also pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
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