Wigan's Week In Court

Steven Watson, 22, of Upper Dicconson Street, Swinley, is accused of assaulting PC Hall during an incident earlier this month on Saturday, January 4. His trial, initially set to be held at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court earlier this month will now be adjourned until July 1 at the earliest due to the Covid-19 outbreak and he has been released on unconditional bail.

A man accused of sexually assaulting two women in Wigan and trying to steal a man’s dashcam was due to appear before a judge this week. Michael Brett, 35, of Ferndale Road, Waterloo, in Liverpool, is faces two counts of sexual touching of a woman without consent and one of attempting to rob Gurmail Singh of a vehicle camera all on August 9 last year. A Bolton Crown Court judge set a date of April 29 for a pre-trial preparation hearing and a provisional trial date of August 24.

A young Wigan man has denied a charge of dangerous driving. Daniel Finch, 21, of Grange Road, Bickershaw, is accused of being at the wheel of a Seat Leon which was drive dangerously on Tyldesley Old Road, Atherton, on May 28 last year. The case was adjourned to July 7 although the defendant was told not to attend on that date due to the coronavirus lockdown and that the courts would be in touch about further hearings.

The prosecution of a Wigan waste disposal firm has been dropped - but the case may not be over.

Representatives of Miry Lane Recycling Ltd were due to appear before Wigan magistrates this month charged with failing to comply with an environmental permit condition by storing mixed waste outside, rather than in a building or secure container; and also of failing to comply with a prohibition notice requiring the same.

But the court was told that the prosecution had been withdrawn by the Environment Agency.

An EA spokeswoman today said that the agency had accepted an enforcement undertaking but could not comment further because the case was still ongoing.

A Wigan pensioner has been accused at court of a benefit swindle. David Gray, 71, of Cromford Drive, Pemberton, is charged with failing to inform both Wigan Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that he was receiving earnings from self-employment while claiming pension credit and a council tax reduction.

The Department for Work and Pensions offences are alleged to have happened in 2015 then 2016 to 2019 while the council tax allegation relates to a period in 2019.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, Wigan magistrates adjourned the hearing until July 22 although the defendant has been told not to attend: a new date will eventually be given to him.