WEDNESDAY proved to be a busy day at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court...

A DRINK-driver was handed an 18-week prison sentence suspended for two years after admitting to a hit-and-run on November 11.

Gareth Marland, of Mill Lane, Leigh, was over the legal alcohol limit when he failed to stop after crashing a van on Warrington Road and injuring a woman.

The 36-year-old was not insured to drive the van.

He pleaded guilty to all the charges he faced.

As well as being handed the suspended prison sentence Marland was banned from driving for 16 months and ordered to pay £350 compensation, an £110 victim services surcharge and £85 court costs.

A MAN from Golborne was sent for trial at Bolton Crown Court accused of inflicting actual bodily harm to a woman.

The trial is is scheduled to take place on April 19.

Daniel O'Donnell, of Millstone Court, also faced a charge of possessing cannabis when he appeared before Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to the class B drug charge and was fined £255 and ordered to pay a £30 victim services surcharge and £85 court costs.

A DRUG-driver from Hindley was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Martin Crank, of Atherton Road, admitted driving on January 23 after taking cocaine and benzoylecgonine.

The 24-year-old was fined £300 and ordered to pay a £30 victim services surcharge and £85 court costs.

A MAN from Leigh faces a trial at Bolton Crown Court accused of carrying a meat clever and a hammer in a public place in the town and a racially aggravated offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause another person harassment, alarm or distress.

Stephen Williams, 51, of Diamond Street, entered not guilty pleas at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court.

The trial is set to take place on April 19.

A TWENTY-six-year-old woman from Atherton failed to turn up in answer to bail and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Lauren Peace, of Norfolk Road, faces charges of driving a BMW without a licence or insurance and leaving a petrol station without paying for fuel.