Birmingham’s criminal courts have seen intense drama, from fights to emotional trials, making 2024 a year to remember in the justice system.
Birmingham: Wow, what a year it’s been in the courts! 2024 has been packed with tears, fights, and some wild scenes. Honestly, it feels like every time I walk into the crown court, something dramatic is happening.
Just think about it. I’ve seen people queuing for ages at the magistrates court, all thanks to those super strict security checks. And don’t even get me started on the folks who keep swiping pastries from Greggs. It’s like a daily show!
This year, though, there’s been a new twist. The city council has these litter enforcement officers who are on a mission. I watched one guy catch loads of people tossing their cigarette butts outside the court. It’s a bit of a joke, really, especially since there’s a homeless spot right behind the so-called ‘flower bed’ they’re trying to keep clean.
And guess what? If you get caught, it’s a £150 fine. No discounts, no mercy. It’s all about keeping the streets tidy, but it feels like they’re just trying to patch up their budget issues.
Now, let’s talk about the court cases. January kicked off with a shocking murder trial. A teenager named Terrell Boyce was found guilty of stabbing a guy over a stolen e-bike. His buddy, Nathaniel Daly, got hit with manslaughter. You should’ve seen the chaos when Boyce found out. He went after Daly in the dock, and it took a bunch of officers to pull them apart!
Fast forward to February, and there was this crazy argument between a barrister and a judge. The barrister, Geraldine Toal, was so fed up that she threatened to complain about the judge for ‘bullying’ her. That’s not something you see every day in court!
Then there was the big case of the year. Two people, Kami Carpenter and Remy Gordon, got life sentences for murdering a footballer named Cody Fisher. The tension in that trial was off the charts. They were turning on each other, and the courtroom was a total mess. It was wild!
Summer brought a close to the saga of Zahid Khan, a guy who fled to Dubai while waiting for his fraud trial. He finally came back and looked like a shadow of his former self. It’s funny how life can turn around.
And in the autumn, a family got caught up in one of the craziest brawls in Birmingham’s history. Ellen Sweeney and her crew were filmed fighting in the Gay Village. They were supposed to be sentenced but vanished before the hearing. Classic move!
Sometimes, the oddest cases grab the most attention. Like the mum who chopped down a giant tree outside her house without permission. She got a slap on the wrist and walked away without a fine. People were fuming!
Birmingham’s courts are never dull. It feels like there’s a new murder trial every week. If you’re heading there in 2025 and you smoke, just remember to toss your butts in the bin. You don’t want to mess with the flowerbed!