Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah speaks of death threat court case

Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah has revealed she received a death threat from a man who won't face trial until 2027, highlighting the devastating impact of criminal justice delays on victims. Speaking on BBC Politics North West, Shah described how the case against Stewart Melling, accused of threatening her, has been pushed back nearly two years, leaving her worried as he remains free while awaiting trial.

The case exemplifies a broader crisis in Greater Manchester's courts, where the average wait time for criminal cases has reached 696 days-two weeks longer than the national average. Shah used her platform to discuss proposed government reforms that would limit jury trials to cases with likely sentences of three years or longer, arguing that 'something has to change' as the current system 'is not fit for purpose.

Her comments came during a wider debate sparked by Labour MP Charlotte Nichols, who waived her right to anonymity in Parliament to speak about being raped. The MP criticised government plans to restrict jury trials, with Conservative candidate Ben Fletcher arguing the changes would 'penalise everyone else' and remove important appeal rights that see 1,000 people annually found not guilty after challenging Magistrates' court decisions.

The discussion also touched on other pressing local issues including a proposed CO2 pipeline through Wirral and Cheshire, special educational needs provision across the region, and maternity pay policies that Shah described as 'draconian.' The debate highlighted how criminal justice delays affect not just high-profile cases but ordinary residents waiting for resolution, with Shah's personal experience underscoring the human cost of a system she says has broken down.