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.

Latest news

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.

Working with the media

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 21 - 30 of 118 results for area "North West"

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10 men have been jailed this week after the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted an organised crime gang

10 men have been sentenced this week after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted an organised crime gang, following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police, assisted by the National Crime Agency under Operation Venetic which revealed incriminating messages from devices linked to organised crime groups.
Press Release Violent crime North West

Updated with sentence - Dangerous offender, previously jailed for assaulting homeless man, now jailed for life for his murder

A man who was previously jailed for grievous bodily harm in 2013 has pleaded guilty to murder after the man died as a result of the original injuries inflicted on him, over 10 years later – following a successful prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Press Release Violent crime North West

Former professional footballer sentenced for harassment of ex-partner

A former Premier League football player has today been sentenced at Preston Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to harassment without violence.Colin Hendry, 59, pleaded guilty to harassing a former partner for a period of over six weeks after their relationship ended.Natasha Clark, Senior…
Press Release North West

UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Canal Street rapist who ‘lay in wait’ found guilty of sex attacks

A man who preyed on people in the Canal Street area of Manchester, known as the ‘gay village’, has been found guilty of raping two men and one woman in a series of attacks.
Press Release Sexual offences North West

Guilty: Patient who attempted to murder a nurse at Oldham Royal Hospital

A patient who attempted to murder a nurse with scissors, causing her to end up in intensive care, has been found guilty following a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.Romon Haque, 38, viciously stabbed the nurse with scissors in an unprovoked, frenzied attack.Claire Aitken, Senior Crown…
Press Release Violent crime North West

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

Former Home Office employee jailed for bribery

A man who abused his position by granting asylum applications for money has been jailed today.
Press Release North West

Man sentenced after sexually exploiting women across the North West

A man has been jailed today for his involvement in the sexual exploitation and trafficking of women.
Press Release Sexual offences 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

Guilty: Psychiatrist who sexually assaulted patients under the guise of physical examinations

A psychiatrist who inappropriately touched his patients has been found guilty of three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.Dr Vijay Gaikwad, 44, denied sexually assaulting his patients, claiming he had not conducted physical examinations of the three women.Gill Petrovic…
Press Release Sexual offences North West

Press Office contact details

Please note that our Press Office is NOT able to deal with issues or queries from members of the public - these contact details are for accredited journalists ONLY. Do not call this number unless you a member of the press. For all general enquiries, please visit contact.cps.gov.uk.

If you are a national or international journalist with a media enquiry, you can contact the CPS Press Office on 020 3357 0906 or email [email protected] (9am-5pm weekdays only).

For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 3357 0906 to reach the duty press officer.

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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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