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MCNEIL, Michael

Case Reference: 01NI1245826

Case Details

Open Justice Notice: This record is a public court hearing entry sourced from official HMCTS daily cause lists and is published under the principle of open justice, which holds that court proceedings must be accessible to the public and the press. Appearance in this record does not imply guilt. If this case involves a spent conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, or if you believe this record is inaccurate, please contact us at [email protected].

Reference

01NI1245826

Court

Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court - Courtroom 08

Magistrate

Mrs Guest JP , Dr Hughes JP , Mr Morson JP , Ms Reese JP , Mr Smith JP

Hearing Date

13 July 2026

Time

10am

Hearing Type

Plea and Trial Preparation

Court Type

Magistrates

Prosecutor

CPS-LN

Case Details

Offence Details: | Harassment - breach of a restraining order on conviction

Next Steps at this Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH)

This is the first hearing in the Crown Court. The defendant will be asked to enter a plea. If they plead guilty, the judge may sentence them immediately. If they plead not guilty, the court will set a trial date and establish a strict timetable for the prosecution and defense to exchange evidence and resolve pre-trial issues.

Court Jurisdiction: Magistrates' Court - Magistrates' Courts handle virtually all summary offences (minor offences) and start the proceedings for serious offences. They are presided over by three volunteer Magistrates (advised by a legal advisor) or a single qualified District Judge. They do not have a jury.

UK Offence & Sentencing Guidelines

Harassment / Stalking

Engaging in a course of conduct (on at least two occasions) that causes alarm, distress, or fear of violence to another person, knowing or ought to know it amounts to harassment.

Sentencing: Summary harassment carries up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine. If the harassment causes fear of violence, or is racially or religiously motivated, it is triable either way and carries a maximum of 5 to 14 years imprisonment.
Disclaimer: The legal definitions and sentencing guidelines above are for general educational purposes under English Law and do not constitute formal legal representation or advice. If you are facing criminal prosecution, consult a qualified criminal defense solicitor immediately.

Case FAQs & Procedure Guide

Yes. Every case sent to the Crown Court must have a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing to ensure case management guidelines are followed and trial dates are secured.

Yes. If a defendant initially intended to plead not guilty but decides to plead guilty at the PTPH, they still qualify for a sentence reduction, though it may be less than a plea at the very first Magistrates' Court hearing.

For a single summary/either-way offence, magistrates can sentence a defendant to a maximum of 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months for multiple either-way offences), alongside unlimited fines and community orders.

Magistrates are trained volunteers from the local community who sit in panels of three. A District Judge is a qualified legal professional who sits alone. Both have the same sentencing powers.

Engaging in a course of conduct (on at least two occasions) that causes alarm, distress, or fear of violence to another person, knowing or ought to know it amounts to harassment.

Summary harassment carries up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine. If the harassment causes fear of violence, or is racially or religiously motivated, it is triable either way and carries a maximum of 5 to 14 years imprisonment.

Interested in the outcome of this case? You can request more information by emailing the court directly using the Email Court button at the top of the page.