Court Report Portfolio

Case 1

Defendant: Mr Khan

Victim: Corner Shop owner on Oliver Street

Heard at Coventry Magistrates court

Verdict: Mr Khan pleaded not guilty 

Decision: Case adjourned until November 20th 2024

Sentence: A restraining order was placed on Mr Khan from entering Oliver St until the case is closed, Mr Khan must also get new solicitors for his next sentencing.

On Thursday, October 10th, a man charged with assaulting a corner shop owner in Oliver St appeared in Coventry Magistrates Court to receive his sentencing. 

The assault took place on April 16th 2024, as Mr Khan was caught on CCTV leaving the store owner in a vulnerable state.

Mr Khan was sent out of the courtroom, first thing, to get alcohol assessed as it was found that he was intoxicated during his trial. The prosecution quickly brought up the point that Mr Khan was previously an alcoholic but had now become a frequent drug user, heroin being the main source of his addiction. The morning session was then retired whilst Mr Khan was being assessed.

Returning for the afternoon session, Mr Khan came back into the courtroom, repeatedly asking if he could “come up to the bench your honour”, which was denied each time. Mr Khan then stated, “I want to vacate my plea to not guilty”. The Bench accepted his plea but said that “Mr Khan is not allowed to enter Oliver St until the case closes on November 20th 2024”. The Bench also gave the conditions that Mr Khan must find new legal advice from different solicitors for when he reappears at Coventry Magistrates Court on the given date. 

Case number 2:

Ex-partner found stalking previous partner and harassing her

Defendant: Thomas Bird

Victim: Ms Palacious

Venue: Coventry Magistrates Court

Hearing: First appearance

Charge: Stalking and harassing ex-partner by sending emails, following partner to Spain and threatening to visit her home.

Decision: Not Guilty

On October 10th 2024, Thomas Bird appeared in court to stand trial for his charges of stalking and harassment. 

The court was also told that the relationship between the victim and the defendant had ended in December 2022.

Mr Bird denied harassing the victim, but the prosecution brought up the trip to Spain that the couple had booked before the breakup. The court was told by Ms Palacios, the victim, that Mr Bird followed her onto the plane and allegedly assaulted her during the holiday. Mr Bird claimed, “I wasn’t aware we had split up when we went to Spain”, as he was in prison the night of the breakup.

After this evidence was revealed, the court was told that Mr Bird had begun sending emails to Ms Palacious, confessing his love to her. In one of the defendant’s emails, sent on 15th August 2023, Mr Bird asked the victim if she would meet him in the Old Oak Inn pub in Coventry, to which he got no reply. The follow-up email revealed that Mr Bird had threatened to go to Ms Palacios's house to meet her and her children as he deemed it “was time we meet up again”. It was after this email that Ms Palacios responded with a firm “No, please don’t contact me” and registered for a non-molestation order to be placed on Mr Bird.

The final form of contact sent to the victim was a letter from Mr Bird while serving time in prison, and Mr Bird agreed that this was the last form of contact he sent to the victim.

The bench then retired while they discussed Mr Bird's sentencing. On return, they revealed that they found Mr Bird not guilty. The case was then closed.

Case number 3:

Couple accused of neglecting their son, leaving him for dead

Defendant: Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah

Victim: Abiyah Yasharahyalah

Venue: Coventry Crown Court

Charge: Parents charged with murder, and neglecting their 3-year-old son

Decision: No decision yet

On Thursday the 24th of October, parents Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah arrived at Coventry Crown Court to continue their trial for neglecting their 3-year-old son.

The child was found buried in a back garden in Handsworth, Birmingham back in January 2023. The body was found to be extremely malnourished and with poor dental disease. During the trial on the 24th, witness and dentist, Sally Andrews came in to discuss the child’s dental evidence.

Ms Andrews's involvement in the trial was that she examined the dental remains of the child's body. Ms Andrews proceeded to reveal to the court the evidence found when examining the child's teeth. She mentioned how the condition of the teeth was “very poor” and that there wasn’t enough calcium present for the teeth to grow. Ms Andrews also mentioned how there was an insufficient amount of Vitamin D in the child's body.

As the trial continued, it was also brought up that the maxilla bone had been split into two halves, meaning the top two front teeth were separated from each other. The court was also informed that there wasn't enough soft tissue in the jaw so it didn't form a single bone.

Ms Andrews moved on to mention the enamel of the teeth, saying that they were “delicate and probably thinner than an eggshell”. Ms Andrews also highlighted how the root canals of the teeth were also very open, causing a bad smell and causing more decay within the mouth of the child.

Ms Andrews finished giving her evidence to the court and then left the courtroom. 

During the afternoon session of the trial, a new witness came to give their testimonial to the court.

Dr Olivia Gazelle came in as a witness and mentioned a confrontation in December 2021 with Tai Yasharahyalah, where police went to check his house as there had been 999 calls concerning the safety of a child in the property. 

The court was told that “Tai was shouting and swearing at me every time I tried to speak”.

Mr Yasharahyalah’s response to that was “My child is not of your concern, this is my family, my life. Is this your son?”.

The court was then told the police went to search the house as they had concerns over the safety of the woman and the child. 

The bench then decided to end the trial and resume it at a later date.