Prison warning for meat thief

A SHOPLIFTER has been warned he could go to jail if he keeps on stealing.

Stephen Reeves, 48, of York Street, Radcliffe, stole £100 of meat from a Co-operative in Bury on May 23 and £50 of meat from Asda in Radcliffe on July 17. 

He admitted two counts of theft to Bury magistrates and was given an eight-week prison sentence suspended for a year. He must compensate the shops for the meat.

Banned driver spared jail

A BANNED motorist who caused a car crash has been spared jail.

Paul McGinnis, aged 34, of Mellor Drive, Bury, drove a Seat Leon in Bell Lane, Bury, on March 28, and crashed into an Audi A5 before driving off.

He appeared before Bury magistrates on July 13 and admitted driving while disqualified, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, failing to report a crash and driving without insurance. 

At a further hearing on Thursday, McGinnis was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for a year.

He was also banned from driving for two years, ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay fines and court costs totalling £145.

Fare dodger fined 

A RAIL passenger did not pay a fare of £4.10 - and ended up £204.10 out of pocket.

Jack Nolan, aged 21, of Crosfield Avenue, Summerseat, admitted to Bury magistrates on August 5 that he avoided paying Northern Rail for a ticket at Bolton Rail Station on October 23 last year.

He was fined £80 and told ordered to pay £100 court costs, a £20 victim surcharge and £4.10 compensation to Northern Rail.

Drive banned

A DRINK driver has been banned from getting behind the wheel for three years.

Daniel Bedward, aged 25, of Dundee Lane, Ramsbottom, drove an Audi A3 in Brandlesholme Road, Bury, on April 12 while over the legal alcohol limit.

He admitted the offence to Bury magistrates last Thursday and was also ordered to pay fines and court costs totalling £349.

Glasses theft 

A MAN has appeared in court charged with stealing £10,885 worth of spectacles from a Bury shop.

Gareth Bessell, aged 36, of Ormrod Street, Bury, is accused of taking the glasses from Boots Opticians in Princess Parade, Bury, on July 30.

He appeared before Bury magistrates last Thursday and was remanded in custody.

Bessell, who has not yet entered a plea, has been ordered to appear at Bolton Crown Court on August 24.

Tobacco man fined

A MAN has been fined £105 for selling unmarked tobacco products at a Radcliffe shop.

Akhtar Parvez, aged 46, of Glendevon Place, Whitefield, sold the products at Bits & Bobs in Dale Street, Radcliffe, on April 9.

He admitted the offence to Bury magistrates on August 5 and was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.