Pair in Wigan court after disturbances at centre helping the homeless

Police were called to a centre supporting homeless people twice in one day after two separate disturbances.
Wigan and Leigh Magistrates CourtWigan and Leigh Magistrates Court
Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court

Jason Pasquill and Leah Catchpole appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court after the incidents at the Railway Road Project in Leigh.

The court heard both had stayed at the centre on Findlay Street before, but were not residents at the time.

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Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, said Catchpole, 21, went there on Monday.

He said: “She had visited a couple of times in the day. She was reminded she wasn’t welcome there. She understandably became distressed because she had nowhere to live.”

Staff tried to find her somewhere to stay, but Catchpole became “very agitated” and the police were called, he said.

When she appeared in court the next day, she said she could not remember what had happened as she had drank around three bottles of wine.

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Catchpole, of no fixed address, agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for six months to the sum of £100.

Police were later called after an incident involving 42-year-old Pasquill, of Wigan Road, Leigh.

He had been released from prison on Friday after being given a 14-day sentence for breaching post-sentence supervision.

Mr Gaffney said: “He goes there and asks to speak to one of the residents. He is told that person isn’t in. He appears agitated and a bit angry but walks away without further ado.”

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However, he said Pasquill returned a short time later and smashed a window with an item, possibly a part from a nearby vacuum cleaner.

He was arrested later and found to have cannabis resin, the court heard.

Pasquill pleaded guilty to criminal damage to the window worth £150 and possession of a class B drug.

Karen Moorfield, defending, said: “He regrets his actions.”

Magistrates handed down a six-month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay a £50 fine, £85 victim surcharge and £150 compensation.