Activist to face court over harassment and malicious communications allegations

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that Raja Miah MBE, an unemployed former charity worker and failed free schools operator, has been charged with communications offences relating to a 42 year old Oldham-based female, and, separately, harassing a 39 year old female, who lives in the Salford area of Greater Manchester. He will appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 3rd February, 2021. 

Miah, 48, was arrested by Greater Manchester Police in a dawn raid on his Mossley, Tameside home on 23rd July, 2021 and his home searched. All his electronic devices and notebooks were seized during that process. He has been on extended police bail ever since and surrendered to the latest extension on 21st January, 2022. Part of those bail conditions mean that he is subject to a night-time curfew.

The Raja Miah arrest was part of a wider GMP investigation codenamed Operation Hexagon and the arresting team was overseen by lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Chris Dean. The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) is Detective Inspector Rick Arthern. Hexagon was launched in November 2019, by GMP, to look into on-line allegations of a ‘cover-up’ of child sexual exploitation by police, the local council and partner agencies.

Offences under the Protection from Harassment Act, 1997 are summary only, which means disposal in the Magistrates’ Court. If the offence is harassment or stalking: the maximum sentence is six months’ custody. If the offence is harassment (putting people in fear of violence) or stalking (involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress): the maximum sentence is 10 years’ custody.

Communications Act, 2003 offences are also summary only offences. There is no election to a jury trial at Crown Court available. If a person is found guilty of an offence they may be sentenced on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (capped at £5,000), or to both.

Raja Miah has repeatedly insisted that he will contest the charges, emphasised in a podcast shortly after he was charged on 21st January, 2022, in which he also urged his supporters to turn up at court. A specific warning from the police, regarding witness intimidation, appears to have gone unheeded (read more here). 

It is understood that both charges will be dealt with together at Magistrates’ Court in a composite hearing. If, as expected, Miah pleads ‘not guilty’, a date for a full trial will be set for later in the year. 

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Page last updated at 0825hrs on Wednesday 26th January, 2022

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