CPS News Centre

Criminal cases that the Crown Prosecution Service take to court are in the news every day. This section also covers many issues related to our work, including violence against women and girls, hate crime, support for victims and witnesses, statistics, and speeches by the Director of Public Prosecutions and other senior staff.

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You can find our latest news stories here and search for older stories. You can also find more information about high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

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To make criminal court reporting more open, the CPS, police, and media representatives have created an agreement: the Media Protocol: Working together to support open justice.

Showing 11 - 20 of 49 results for crime type "Violent crime" & area "North West"

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Guilty: Killer who tortured and murdered a man before fleeing the country and texting co-conspirators during their trial

Wendy Logan, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “John Belfield was responsible for leading a meticulously planned attack to kill Thomas Campbell. Evidence presented by the prosecution made it clear that Belfield had orchestrated this attack and left no stone unturned to ensure it would be successful including organising surveillance of Campbell’s every move and even conducting dress rehearsals for their plans.
Press Release Violent crime North West

CPS authorises charges against two men following death of 13-month-old boy in Blackpool

Suzanne Llewellyn, Chief Crown Prosecutor of CPS North West, said:“The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of two men in relation to the death of a 13-month-old boy in Blackpool.“Jamie Varley, 36, of Grimsargh in Lancashire, has been charged with the murder of baby Preston…
Press Release Violent crime Sexual offences North West

Company Director jailed for manslaughter following football related violence

Company Director, Jake Balmforth, 35, has been jailed for five years for manslaughter, after an outbreak of violence in a Blackpool pub led to the death of Anthony Johnson. A nine year football banning order was also imposed.Katie Lord, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “This case…
Press Release Violent crime North West

Convicted murderer stabbed uncle to death

A man previously convicted of murdering a 23-year-old man in 2011 has been found guilty of stabbing his 64-year-old great uncle to death last year.Direece Roche, 30, stabbed his great uncle to death, after entering his house through an upstairs window in the early hours of 30 June 2024.Fintan…
Press Release Violent crime North West

Guilty: father-in-law who murdered woman just six months after she flew to UK to marry his son

A man has been found guilty of murdering his 24-year-old daughter-in-law, just six months after she arrived in the UK to marry his son.
Press Release Violent crime North West

Man jailed for acid attack against teenager

A man has been jailed today for throwing acid in the face of a teenager.
Press Release Violent crime North West

Guilty: Men kidnapped and assaulted an Imam

Two men have been found guilty of kidnapping and violently assaulting an 87 year-old Imam in Oldham last year, causing significant injuries including a brain bleed alongside swelling and lacerations across his body.Azizur Rahman, 38, and Shohad Miah, 24, had previously denied these offences and…
Press Release Violent crime North West

Guilty: Killer murdered and dismembered man before disposing of remains

A man has been found guilty today of murdering and dismembering a man who he lived with, following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, killed Stuart Everett, 67, before dismembering his body and depositing his remains in different locations across Greater Manchester and…
Press Release Violent crime North West

Three jailed for life after fatal stabbing in Manchester

Three men have been jailed for the fatal stabbing of Sadiq Al-Lami in Manchester.
Press Release Violent crime North West

Second man jailed after peacemaker stabbed to death in Manchester layby

A second man has been jailed following the fatal stabbing of a peacemaker who was trying to intervene in a heated exchange.Kevell Blake, 21, has been sentenced today at Manchester Crown Court to eight years for the manslaughter of Badri Issa, 22. At an earlier hearing Raami Mohamed, 22, was…
Press Release Violent crime North West

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Media protocol

To ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings, the CPS, the police and media representatives developed a joint protocol for working together. We are currently in the process of updating the protocol.

Read the current protocol

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