Farnworth Man Faces Obstruction Charge in Bolton
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Farnworth Man Faces Obstruction Charge in Bolton
- Terrance Howarth, 38, of Westwood Close, Farnworth, appeared before magistrates in connection with an alleged incident on Plodder Lane earlier this year.
- The charge against Howarth is obstructing a constable in the execution of duty, an offense defined under Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996.
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Terrance Howarth, a 38-year-old resident of Westwood Close, Farnworth, recently appeared before magistrates to address a charge of obstructing a constable in the execution of duty. The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred on Plodder Lane in Bolton earlier this year.
Obstructing a police officer is a criminal offense in the UK, outlined in Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996. This statute defines obstruction as any deliberate act that hinders or resists an officer in carrying out their lawful duties. Such acts can encompass both physical interference and non-physical actions, including providing false information or preventing access to a location.
Penalties for this offense can include fines, a criminal record, and in some instances, imprisonment. It is classified as a summary-only offense, meaning it is exclusively tried in a Magistrates’ Court. The maximum sentence for obstructing a police constable is one month’s imprisonment and/or a Level 3 fine, which is currently capped at £1,000. The severity of the penalty is determined by the nature of the obstruction and its impact on police operations.