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At a Directions hearing in Liverpool County Court on 6th August 2025, counsel for the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, Mark Chester, outlined his case for committing Paul Ponting, 55, to prison over alleged breaches of a permanent injunction imposed in March 2020 at the same court (read full judgment here). 

Mr Chester pointed out that this was a lifetime Order, its effect to prevent further harassment of Lancs officers, and remained fully in force.

The judge, His Honour Graham Wood KC, drew Mr Chester’s attention to the fact that, on the papers before him, at least one of the alleged breaches dated back to 2021.

Paul Ponting, of Yew Tree Drive, Ormskirk, a controversial, publicity-seeking figure in the North West, variously presents himself on-line as a corruption advocate, social media influencer, citizen journalist and legal expert.

He was represented at the hearing by Chris Neale of counsel, and not only denies the allegations, set out in a Schedule of Breaches that accompanied an affadavit filed and served by Lancs’ Superintendent Gary Crowe, but appears likely to seek a ‘strike-out’ of the police’s application for committal as an abuse of process; citing delay and ‘technical’ irregularities with at least some of the evidence against him.

Mr Neale also asserted in submissions that Lancs’ application was ‘vexatious’ and, moreover, did not comply with Pre-Action Protocol for contemplated committal proceedings. A situation further complicated by other matters in which Paul Ponting, a prolific civil litigant, and Lancs were involved.

The judge clarified that ongoing criminal proceedings against him (with a three week trial listed for April 2026) would, doubtless, form part of that matrix.

The Chief Constable’s case is that the latest proven injunction breach is in April 2024 which, Mr Chester submitted on his behalf, falls inside the statutory limitation period of two years for committal. The ongoing nature of the Defendant’s harassment, he says, removes any argument that the matter is ‘too late to pursue’.

Mr Chester did not elaborate on the reason for the delay in issuing these proceedings.

In the Directions Order served on the parties by the court subsequent to the 6th August hearing, the following timetable was set out:

STRIKE OUT APPLICATION

1. Any application to be made by the Respondent (Paul Ponting) to strike out the application and/or to strike out any allegations of contempt and/or for reliance upon any expert evidence shall be made by 4.00pm on 19th September 2025.
2. Any application from the Respondent, if so advised, shall be listed on the first available date after 4.00 pm on14th October 2025.
3. In the event that the Respondent elects not to make such an application, the parties are to comply with paragraphs 4 – 6 as below. In the event the Respondent does make a strike-out application, he is not expected to provide his response under paragraph 4 until the conclusion of the hearing of said application.

RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS

4. By 4.00 pm on the 14th October 2025 the Respondent shall confirm in writing to the Applicant and to the court, whether he admits or denies any or all of the allegations.

EVIDENCE OF FACT

5. If the Respondent denies any or all of the allegations then:
a. By 4.00 pm on 28th October 2025 the Respondent shall serve, if so advised, on the Applicant (the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary) copies of the signed statements of himself, or others, and of all evidence upon which they intend to rely. Any notices under the Civil Evidence Act, 1995 (hearsay evidence) are to be served by the same date.
b. The Applicant shall serve on the Respondent signed statements, if so advised, by the same time and date. Any notices under the Civil Evidence Act are to be served likewise.
c. The parties are permitted to reply to any such evidence served by the other. Any reply and/or further witness evidence shall be served by the parties by 4.00 pm on 18th November 2025.
d. Oral evidence will not be permitted at trial from a witness whose statement has not been served in accordance with this Order or has been served late, except with permission from the court.
e. Any witness summons to be issued by 4.00pm on 25th November 2025.
f. If the Respondent admits all of the charges, then the parties shall not be permitted to rely on any further evidence.

FINAL HEARING

6. The final hearing will be listed as follows:
a. The estimated length of trial is 3 days.
b. By 4.00 pm on 18th November 2025, the parties (the Chief Constable and Paul Ponting) must file with the court their availability for the final hearing.
c. The court will then list the matter for final hearing with regard to the availability so provided. Should a party not provide the court with their availability, the court shall list the matter for final hearing without further recourse to them.
d. The Applicant shall file and serve a hearing bundle 10 days before the final hearing date and  ensure that, where hard copies of documents are not available, that all digital or on-line documents/videos are to be contained in a digital bundle in a format that can be played at court during the hearing.
e. The parties may (if so advised) file a skeleton argument and bundle of authorities 5 days before the final hearing date.
7. Costs of the 6th August hearing to be determined at the conclusion of the final hearing.

The upshot of all that is; if a strike-out application is made by Paul Ponting’s counsel, as per paragraphs 1 and 2 above, the hearing of that application may take place in very late October, or in November 2025, depending on other court commitments, if no application is made then a final hearing may be listed either before or soon after the Christmas break.

This report by Neil Wilby was compiled with the assistance of John Brace, both journalists being present in court on 6th August. The former having to leave court before the end of the delayed hearing to meet a prior appointment in West Yorkshire.

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Neil Wilby is a journalist, court reporter and transparency campaigner who has reported on police misconduct, regulatory failures, and criminal and civil justice since 2009. He is the founder and editor of Neil Wilby Media, launched in 2015.

More details of John Brace‘s court and local democracy reporting can be found at this weblink.

Page last updated: Wednesday 13th August 2025 at 13h50

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