Reeds Solicitors are specialist criminal defence lawyers with an experienced team based in our Manchester office. The Manchester team is led by Partner Beth Mantel, who heads our North-West Complex Crime team and is recognised by Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner. She works alongside Damian Wall, who is ranked Band 1 for criminal defence by Chambers & Partners.
We act in all types of criminal cases, from motoring offences to the most serious sexual and violent allegations. We advise clients from the earliest stage of a case, including voluntary police interviews and pre-charge investigations.
The team is known for its focus on proactive pre-charge defence work, challenging the prosecution case at an early stage and seeking to prevent charge wherever possible.
Where proceedings are brought, we provide clear, realistic advice and representation in both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court across Greater Manchester.
Our Manchester team covers the full range of criminal offences, including:
- Violent offences (including the assault, ABH, GBH, strangulation, and domestic offences
- Sexual offences (including rape, sexual assault, possession of indecent images)
- Driving offences (including drink driving, dangerous driving, careless driving and Exceptional Hardship)
- Harassment, stalking and malicious communication
- Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
- Fare evasion (including Northern, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast)
- Drugs offences (including PWITS Class A and B, conspiracy to supply, production and cultivation of cannabis, and possession offences)
- Breach of Restraining Orders and Non-Molestation Orders
- Firearms and weapon offences (bladed article, offensive weapon)
- Fraud and dishonesty offences (including theft, handling stolen goods and identity fraud)
- Public order offences (s.4, s.4A, s.5 Public Order Act)
- Burglary and property offences (including, criminal damage, arson)
Our Manchester Office
Our office is based at Piccadilly House, 49 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AP. We can also offer appointments either in person or virtually, depending on your preference.
How We Defend Criminal Cases in Manchester
Duty Solicitor – Get a second opinion
If you have been told by the duty solicitor that there is nothing you can do at present, and you have to just wait, contact us immediately. We will be able to provide you with a second opinion and often there are many things we can do to proactively defend you.
Proactive defence
We provide a comprehensive pre-charge service, offering clear guidance throughout what is often an uncertain and stressful period. We assess whether proactive intervention is possible, gather defence evidence, and submit representations inviting the police to take No Further Action. We can also seek a low-level outcome – such as a community resolution or caution – when the circumstances justify that approach.
Whether you have been interviewed and bailed to return to the police station or released under investigation, we offer clear fixed-fee packages covering:
- Representation in any re-interview at the police station in Greater Manchester
- Review of your initial police interview and advice on any further action needed
- Assessment of potential defence evidence
- Preparation of written representations to the police – for example, to challenge weak evidence or to seek an out-of-court outcome such as a caution, supported by mitigating factors such as mental health difficulties, OCD, or neurodiversity
- Drafting lines of enquiries documentation to the investigative agencies to prove your innocence
- Obtain defence witness statements and collate relevant exhibits to serve on the Police and Prosecution
- Direct communication with the investigating officer, including updates on bail extensions
- Applications to vary or remove bail conditions where necessary
- Practical guidance on proactive steps to prepare for possible outcomes and protect your position
If Greater Manchester Police have contacted you to request a voluntary interview, you should seek legal advice before responding or agreeing to attend. A voluntary interview carries the same legal weight as an interview under arrest – everything you say is recorded and can be used in evidence.
Our Manchester criminal defence team provides representation at police stations across Greater Manchester and the surrounding area. We regularly attend North Manchester (Central Park), Longsight, Pendleton, Cheadle Heath, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury and Swinton, as well as stations further afield including Preston, Blackpool and Blacon.
For a full guide to what voluntary interviews involve, your rights, and what happens afterwards, see our guide to voluntary interviews in Manchester.
Our criminal defence team routinely represents people at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Tameside Magistrates’ Court and Salford Magistrates’ Court. We have well-established professional relationships with court staff, Judges and Magistrates.
As soon as we are instructed, we obtain the court papers electronically via the Common Platform, which means we can meet with you properly in advance of the hearing. Reviewing the evidence early matters because it gives us time to assess the strength of the prosecution case, identify any weaknesses, and advise on plea with proper information rather than making rushed decisions on the day.
In either-way cases, you may also have the choice of whether to elect Crown Court trial, and that decision requires careful judgment. Getting it wrong can be costly – electing Crown Court when the Magistrates’ Court would have been the better option, or staying in the wrong court, can have real consequences in terms of sentence.
Criminal cases arising across the Greater Manchester area are listed across various courts, and we act for clients from across the county. We also regularly represent clients based in Preston, Lancaster, Bolton, Stockport, Crewe, Wigan, Liverpool, Sefton,
Manchester Magistrates’ Court Address
Crown Square
Manchester
M60 1PR
Whether your case is sent to Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square), Manchester Crown Court (Minshull Street) or Bolton Crown Court for sentence or trial, we can provide specialist representation throughout the proceedings.
We have established working relationships with barristers’ chambers across the Northern Circuit and beyond, and regularly instruct counsel with specific experience in the offence type your case involves. We can advise on the right advocate for your case – from junior counsel through to King’s Counsel – and will always be direct with you about who we think gives you the best chance and why.
Preston Crown Court – Murder – Case Dropped
Partner Beth Mantel represented a male not of good character who was arrested for attempt murder and subsequently charged with s18 assault and possession of an offensive weapon. It was alleged that he drove into a man, breaking numerous bones in his body and then attacked him with a hammer, leaving the male fighting for his life.
After numerous legal arguments including making extensive disclosure requests, the crown dropped the assaults, and he pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of an offensive weapon.
Manchester Crown Court – Not guilty of Murder
We represented this defendant who was 18 at the time and charged with a gang related murder. He was accused of stabbing the victim multiple times in Trafford. After trial in Manchester Crown Court, he was found not guilty of murder whilst his three co-defendants were all found guilty of the murder.
Preston Magistrates Court- Youth – Not Guilty of Dangerous Driving
We represented a youth with no previous convictions charged with dangerous driving. It was alleged that the Client has driven at a male causing him to be knocked over.
The incident took place at a roundabout, and the Client was approached by a group of males who were damaging the vehicle. The Client drove around the roundabout, hitting one of the males. CCTV captured the incident and showed the Client driving around the roundabout and a male being hit. At trial, we argued duress of circumstances. It was put forward that the Client was in genuine fear for his life and looped around to continue his original journey away from the males. The District Judge acquitted the Client.
Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court – Breach of Restraining Order – Not Guilty after trial
Our client was accused of breaching his restraining order against his ex-partner and faced trial at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court. During cross-examination, we exposed flaws and inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and suggested that this allegation had been made maliciously as part of disputes over contact between client and their son. Through careful questioning of the client and his mother as part of the defence case, we also presented an alternative picture of the client as a person and demonstrated his commitment to abide by the restraining order in order to be a positive and reliable figure in his son’s life. The Magistrates found the client not guilty and stated their decision was based upon the fact the complainant’s evidence had presented as inconsistent whereas the client’s evidence had been clear, concise and consistent.
Ripley Police station- No further action following Pre-charge representation – serious sexual offences, cyber flashing’ stalking and harassment
Senior Solicitor, Damian Wall represented a young man of good character investigated at Ripley Police Station following allegations of staling and cyber flashing’, which arose after a complaint by a former partner. After initially being advised by the duty solicitor, he instructed us to provide pre-charge representation.
We advised the client and after analysing extensive digital material including WhatsApp communications, submitted detailed written representations addressing the allegations as we were able to demonstrate that the digital evidence undermined the credibility of the complainant account; accordingly, no charges were brought and the case was dropped.
Tameside Magistrates Court – Successful Exceptional Hardship Argument – Multiple driving offences
Damian Wall acted on behalf of a client facing a number of offences that would result in the client receiving over 12 penalty points and therefore face a disqualification from driving.
We successfully argued that the court should not disqualify the client from driving because there were exceptional reasons, relating to his family life and professional commitments. The client kept his driving licence.
The Manchester criminal defence team is led by Beth Mantel, a Partner and Legal 500 Next Generation Partner who founded the Manchester office in 2021 and has built a practice focused almost exclusively on serious and complex Crown Court work. Beth is regularly instructed in multi-handed conspiracies, murder, serious violence and firearms cases, and was awarded Crime Leading Associate of the Year at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards in 2025.
Damian Wall brings more than 35 years of criminal defence experience to the team. Previously a partner at Burton Copeland, he is ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners and is consistently recognised by the Legal 500 as a specialist in serious crime across the Northwest. Damian’s particular expertise in pre-charge representation means clients facing investigation have access to someone who has spent decades pushing back against investigators at exactly that stage.
Between them, and supported by three further Legal 500 Recommended Lawyers, the team handles the full range of serious criminal work from investigation through to Crown Court trial. Reeds is a Tier 1 Legal 500 ranked national criminal defence firm, and the Manchester team reflects that standard.
Meet the Manchester Criminal Defence Team
Beth Mantel
Partner, Team Leader (North-West) Complex Crime & Solicitor
Damian Wall
Senior Associate Solicitor
Sian Hukin
Solicitor
Lucy Astley
Associate Solicitor
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