POLICE used Twitter to offer an insight into cases at the city’s Magistrates’ Court and “peace of mind that justice is being done”.

The West Midlands Police initiative was the first ever official ‘tweet-a-thon’ from a court.

It showed the diverse range of cases that the force deals with.

Among the cases ‘tweeted’ by the force from court were:

n A 19-year-old West Heath man who admitted assaulting a police constable, and obstructing an officer. The man was street drinking and got angry when beer was confiscated.

n A 41-year-old Erdington man given total of 20 weeks for one count assault on a police officer and one count of common assault.

n A woman who pleaded guilty to assault by spitting at a bus driver, shoplifting and failing to appear at court. The Twitter message added: “DNA lead to arrest. Jailed for four weeks.”

n A 39-year-old man who stole £8.99 bottle of wine receives £15 fine to be deducted from his benefits.

Asst Chief Con Garry Forsyth said: “We hope the ‘tweet-a-thon’ from Birmingham Magistrates’ Court will give people a flavour for the range of offenders we deal with, an insight into the court system, and importantly, peace of mind that justice is being done.”

Mr Forsyth said the initiative showed the West Midlands Police had “truly embraced” social media in an attempt to engage with audiences than they had traditionally struggled to reach.

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