A THIEF who was caught interfering with a Mercedes and a Vauxhall Corsa in Bury on December 17 has been jailed for 16 weeks. Manchester magistrates heard how John Sokolowski, aged 31, of no fixed address, has an appalling record for dishonesty. He pleaded guilty to committing the offences as well as stealing a woman’s watch and other items, and was ordered to pay £122 in a victim surcharge.

A DRIVER who failed to provide police with a breath specimen on June 19 last year has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. At Manchester Magistrates’ Court Michael Skelly, aged 34, of Harvey Road, Bury, pleaded guilty and was also banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay £390 in costs and charges.

A MAN who drove a Skoda Octavia without a licence or insurance has been fined £880 by Manchester magistrates. Marian Cosar, aged 36, of Bury Old Road, Whitefield, admitted committing the offences when he drove the vehicle on Elizabeth Street, Manchester, on April 17 last year.

A MAN has been banned from driving for six months after he failed, on February 13 last year, to provide police with the identity of a Vauxhall Corsa driver suspected of committing an offence. David Rose, aged 56, of Higher Lane, Whitefield, was also fined £660 and ordered to pay £151 in costs and charges.

MAGISTRATES has ordered a man to keep the peace for six months or forfeit £200. At Manchester Magistrates’ Court Paul Cummings, aged 48, of Royston Close, Tottington, admitted causing a breach of the peace on January 5.

A DRINK driver has escaped losing his licence after appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. Paul Griffin, aged 64, of Wheatfield Close, Bury, pleaded guilty to committing the offence when drove a Toyota Auris on November 15 at Greenbooth Reservoir. The court heard that Griffin only moved the car a short distance and did not intend to drive any further. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £117 in costs and charges.

MAGISTRATES have ordered a man to do 150 hours of unpaid work after he admitted allowing a house in Cambeck Close, Whitefield, to be used for the production of cannabis on March 1 last year. At Manchester Magistrates' Court Carl Rezai, aged 37, of Meadeway, Bury, was also ordered to pay £170 in costs and charges.

A WOMAN has been banned from driving for 12 months after she failed to provide police with a breath sample in Pendleton on October 9 last year. Chantelle Denny, aged 33, of Melrose Close, Whitefield, initially denied committing the offence but then changed her plea to guilty. In addition to the driving ban Denny was fined £120 and ordered to pay £350 towards prosecution costs and a £32 victim surcharge.