Key Points
- James Taylor, 32, of Harvey Street, Bury, pleaded guilty to two criminal damage charges on August 4.
- The charges were committed in Bury on April 9, 2026.
- He caused damage to Manchester Metrolink electric cables worth £560 and the window of a police car.
- James Taylor was ordered to serve community orders expiring October 2027.
- These orders consist of 90 days sobering up, alcohol monitoring, and nine months drug rehabilitation.
- He will compensate £560 for cables’ damage and £524.16 for the broken window of the police car.
- Probation will seize £20 per month from his benefits starting from November 18.
- Three-day curfew from October 14 was imposed so that an alcohol-monitoring device could be installed.
- His court orders mention mental problems, and he has to provide samples of drugs for nine months.
- Metrolink services between Bury and Whitefield had to be stopped when this case first happened, whereas Church Street West in Radcliffe was blocked in both directions.
Bury (Manchester Mirror) October 16, 2026 — A 32-year-old Bury man has been ordered to pay £1,084.16 after admitting damage to Manchester Metrolink electric cables and a police car window during an incident in the town earlier this year.
As reported by the Bury Times, James Taylor, of Harvey Street, Bury, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage on August 4. The offences took place in Bury on April 9, 2026.
The damaged cables belonged to Manchester Metrolink and were valued at £560. The Bury Times reported that the value of the police car window was not listed in court records.
The case was also covered by the Prestwich and Whitefield Guide, which reported that Taylor admitted damaging Metrolink electric cables and a police car window during an incident in Bury.
What Sentence Was Given to the Bury Man?
Taylor was given community orders for both offences. The order relating to the cable damage runs until October 16, 2027, while the order for the police car window damage ends on October 13, 2027.
According to the Bury Times, the community orders include 90 days without alcohol, with monitoring, and nine months of drug rehabilitation under probation direction.
A three-day curfew was also imposed from October 14, running from 5pm to midnight, to allow the fitting of an alcohol-monitoring tag.
The court orders also record mental health issues. Taylor must provide drug samples for nine months, as directed by probation.
How Much Must the Bury Man Pay?
Taylor must pay a total of £1,084.16 in compensation. This includes £560 for the Metrolink cables and £524.16 for the police car window.
The Bury Times reported that probation will deduct £20 each month from Taylor’s benefits from November 18.
The figure of £1,084 in the headline refers to the combined compensation ordered for the two damaged items. The report did not state that this amount was a separate fine; it was recorded as compensation.
What Happened During the April Incident?
The criminal damage case followed an incident on April 9, 2026, which disrupted transport and road travel in the Bury and Radcliffe areas.
As reported by the BBC, Metrolink tram services between Bury and Whitefield were suspended after police were called to respond to a welfare issue in Radcliffe. Church Street West in Radcliffe was also closed in both directions, from Deansgate to Rectory Lane, while emergency responders were at the scene.
The BBC reported that Greater Manchester Police said officers had been dealing with a welfare matter reported on East Street at around 1am BST. A man was later arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ian Davies, network director for Metrolink, told the BBC: “We are currently assisting Greater Manchester Police as they respond to a concern regarding an individual’s welfare in Radcliffe. Due to the ongoing police activity, there are no services running between Bury and Whitefield.”
Why Were Bury Tram Services Suspended?
Transport for Greater Manchester said the suspension of Metrolink services between Bury and Whitefield was linked to police activity connected with the welfare concern in Radcliffe.
The BBC reported that the closure affected tram passengers travelling between Bury and Whitefield, while the road closure on Church Street West affected drivers in both directions.
The court case has now confirmed that Taylor admitted damaging Metrolink cables and a police car window in connection with the events of that date.
What Conditions Apply to the Community Orders?
The community orders impose several requirements over the coming year.
- Taylor must abstain from alcohol for 90 days, with monitoring in place.
- He must take part in drug rehabilitation for nine months under probation direction.
- He must provide drug samples for nine months, as directed by probation.
- A short curfew was imposed from October 14 to enable an alcohol-monitoring tag to be fitted.
- The orders record mental health issues.
- Compensation payments will be deducted monthly from benefits from November 18.
The Bury Times did not report any further details about the nature of the mental health issues or the specific drug rehabilitation programme.
Background of the Development
The incident occurred on April 9, 2026, when police were called to Radcliffe following a reported welfare concern on East Street at about 1am BST. Greater Manchester Police later arrested a man on suspicion of criminal damage.
The police response led to the suspension of Metrolink services between Bury and Whitefield and the closure of Church Street West in Radcliffe between Deansgate and Rectory Lane. Metrolink’s network director, Ian Davies, confirmed at the time that the operator was assisting police and that no services were running between the two stops.
Taylor, of Harvey Street, Bury, later pleaded guilty to two criminal damage charges on August 4. The court heard that the Metrolink cables were valued at £560, while the value of the damaged police car window was not listed.
The sentencing details were reported on October 16, 2026, by the Bury Times and the Prestwich and Whitefield Guide. Both outlets reported that Taylor received community orders, alcohol and drug-related requirements, and was ordered to pay compensation totalling £1,084.16.
Prediction: How Could This Affect Bury Residents and Tram Users?
For Bury residents and Metrolink passengers, the case highlights how an incident involving transport infrastructure can quickly disrupt everyday journeys. The April suspension between Bury and Whitefield affected commuters and other travellers, while the Radcliffe road closure added pressure for drivers in the area.
The sentence may also be relevant for local residents concerned about damage to public transport assets. The compensation order requires Taylor to pay for the damaged cables and police car window, while the community-order requirements focus on alcohol monitoring, drug rehabilitation and probation supervision.
For Metrolink users, the development is unlikely to have an immediate operational impact now that the court case has concluded. However, it underlines that damage to cables or other network infrastructure can lead to service suspensions, road closures and longer journeys when police and transport staff respond to an incident.
