Press release - Community Justice Salford
The Community Justice Court sat of the first time on 22nd November 2005. It deals with crimes and behaviour that are of concern to the people in Eccles, Winton and Barton and also Anti Social Behaviour Orders from across the City of Salford.
Some of the cases dealt with on this first day were:
Stuart David Potts aged 24 yrs of Kingswood Road, Winton, Eccles was a passenger on a Yamaha mini quad bike at 6 am on 16th October 2005 in the Eccles area. He appeared before Community Justice Magistrates and pleaded guilty to owning a quad bike without insurance.
In Summing up the Chairman of the bench who is a resident of Eccles stated that quad bikes are a particular concern to this community, particularly when they are uninsured and driven without a licence Mr Potts was asked Do you recognise what a nuisance these (quad bikes) are to people when they are driven, with the noise that they make?
Stuart David Potts was fined £200 ordered to pay £35 costs and disqualified from driving for 6 months.
A 12 year old boy appeared on charges of breaching his ASBO, he has received a 6 month referral order where he will be asked to attend and work with Youth Offending Service Officers and sign a behaviour contract. The Chairman, in summing up told the boy that he hoped he never had to see him again.
Richard Knott, Greater Manchester Area Director for Her Majesty's Courts Service said
"Too often people think that the criminal justice system doesn't recognise the real problems affecting our communities; Community Justice Salford is about listening to local people and responding to their needs. Feedback from the people of Eccles, Winton and Barton states that one of their crime and disorder concerns is illegal Quad Biking and Trail Biking, and by prioritising the work of the Court to address these concerns we can ensure that local people have a say in how Community Justice can serve them best".
Jon Matthews, Chairman of Eccles Community Committee said
"Asking the community to have a voice and putting something back into society is a good thing. There is overwhelming support for this. This is an opportunity for communities to speak out."
Other cases that were brought before the court but have been adjourned for reports or more evidence include:
Affray
Assault
Quad Biking
Bodily Harm
Burglary