A MURDER accused, an underwear thief and a tram ticket dodger are among the defendants to appear in court this week.

Here is a round-up of those who have appeared in both crown and magistrates’ court over the past seven days:

1. A 22-YEAR-OLD man is on trial accused of murdering a baby girl in Northwich by causing her a ‘catastrophic’ brain injury.

Brandon Mark Heath, of HMP Altcourse, appeared in Chester Crown Court on Monday, February 7, charged with killing a 22-month-old baby girl.

He has pleaded not guilty and denies causing her any injury.

The trial continues.

Read more at: northwichguardian.co.uk/news/19906308.brandon-mark-heath-stands-trial-murder/

2. A MAN was handed a six-week curfew after stealing Calvin Klein underwear from Sports Direct.

Sam Taggart, of Chapel Street, Northwich, pleaded guilty to the theft at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, February 4.

The 36-year-old stole the designer underwear, worth £40, from the sportswear branch at Barons Quay on December 20 last year.

Read more at: northwichguardian.co.uk/news/19905568.man-stole-40-calvin-klein-underwear-sports-direct/

3. A 34-YEAR-OLD man has avoided prison after drink driving and assaulting an emergency worker.

Daniel Brookfield, of Winnington Avenue, appeared in Chester Magistrates’ Court on February 7 where he was handed a community order.

Brookfield was driving along School Way in Northwich on January 1 twice over the legal alcohol limit.

On the same day he also assaulted an emergency worker in Middlewich.

Brookfield was handed a community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, was ordered to pay £200 in compensation, must undergo alcohol abstinence and monitoring and was disqualified from driving for 40 months.

His guilty plea was taken into account when imposing the sentence.

4. A MAN has been fined almost £700 for driving with no insurance.

Craig Lomax, 42, of Sandringham Close, Davenham, was driving in Liverpool when he was found to have no insurance.

He was sentenced at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on February 9 where he was fined £692 and was disqualified from driving for two weeks.

His guilty plea was taken into account.

5. A PASSENGER who failed to buy a tram ticket has been landed with a £374 court bill.

Marc Grange, 34, of Shaw Drive, Knutsford, was found guilty of entering a Metrolink vehicle without a valid ticket when the case was heard at Manchester Magistrates' Court on February 3.

The defendant was unable to present a ticket at the Cornbrook tram stop when asked by an officer from Manchester Metrolink on October 5, last year.

Read more at: knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/19908752.knutsford-tram-ticket-dodger-hit-370-court-bill/

6. A CHURCH minister has been hit with a £300 court bill after driving through a red traffic light.

Rev Kirsten Thorpe, 65, of Cobbetts Way, Wilmslow, admitted the offence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on February 7.

The defendant was caught on camera breaching traffic regulations on Rotary International Way in Bridgend, South Wales, whilst driving a Ford Fiesta on August 1 last year.

Read more at: knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/19917396.wilmslow-reverend-hit-300-court-bill-running-red-light/

7. A 19-YEAR-OLD has been fined more than £400 after driving a vehicle which was in a dangerous condition.

Oliver Thomas, of Ashley Road, Wilmslow, appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on February 8.

He was charged with driving a Vauxhall Corsa in Trafford on July 9, ‘when its condition, namely the nearside front road wheel/hub, was such that its use involved a danger of injury to any person’.

He was fined £440.

8. A WOMAN who targeted a female couple with homophobic abuse has been handed a suspended sentence at Chester Magistrates Court.

Gemma Waters, 37, formerly of Chester and now of Colinwood Avenue, Broughton, was originally due to stand trial at South Cheshire Magistrates Court on Friday, October 29, but failed to appear.

Magistrates at the court in Crewe proceeded without her and found her guilty in her absence.

She was sentenced on Thursday, February 10, at Chester Magistrates Court.

One of the two Winsford victims in the case told the court the harassment she had suffered made her feel like she was being 'discriminated against' in her own home, somewhere that should be her 'safe space'.

Read more at: winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/19918365.woman-targeted-couple-appalling-homophobic-abuse-spared-jail/