Dear Supporters

Thank you for standing with me during this challenging time.  I'm writing to update you on my upcoming trial at Chester Magistrates Court on 16th and 17th December 2025.  I have entered a not guilty plea to the charges of assault and criminal damage.  I firmly maintain my innocence and am determined to clear my name with your help.

On 8th August 2025, I attended a plea hearing at Chester Magistrates Court, which had been unexpectedly relocated from Crewe at the last minute.  Neither my legal team nor I were informed of this change in advance, causing some confusion.  I've since learned that my case has been flagged at a national level, possibly due to my public profile as a councillor and the significant online commentary surrounding the case.  As a result, the case will now be heard by a District Judge rather than a panel of lay magistrates.

While the exact reasons for this change are unclear, I remain hopeful of a fair hearing.  My solicitor and I are working diligently to ensure all relevant evidence is disclosed by the police and CPS in full and in a timely manner. 

To strengthen my defence for the December hearing, I have been advised to engage a barrister alongside my solicitor.  There are many parallels between my case and other high profile cases and recent high profile incidents with regards to different and unfair treatment of people, whether at public events or on social media, and where protected beliefs have featured in that unfairness.  This means I need the strongest possible team to help me and my legal support is therefore going to cost significantly more than I had initially hoped, hence the increased fundraising target.  I take solace that my legal team are confident that the evidence supports my innocence and we are preparing a robust defence to ensure the truth is heard.

On a personal note - and I feel this is important to say - attending court has been as demeaning, frightening and horrible an experience as you would imagine, but the support from those who joined me in person on the day, gave me hugs afterwards, and of those backing me through this crowd-funder has been truly uplifting.  Your kind messages and encouragement have made all the difference. 

What is happening to me is, in my view, part of a wider picture of suppression and political 'punishment by process' - a trend which recent events have shown to be extreme and dangerous.  It is stressful and depressing being in limbo and unable to talk publicly about what actually happened.  This sense of being gagged whilst being hung out to dry by activists on social media has only been made worse by having to watch others I greatly admire, who speak up and take legitimate policy-related action on similar concerns to me, also being treated so appallingly they have in some cases become physically ill from it, whilst feeling unable to make much comment about any of it. 

This process has prevented me from being able to step up the work I have been doing as a councillor to safeguard children and rid local public sector organisations of a political bias that has caused so much destruction, not just to kids and families but to the fabric of our society and our ability to trust in public institutions.  I'm 'on ice'.  Those that know me, know that in itself is a pretty challenging place to be, but to feel gagged whilst the impacts of two-tier policing are becoming so visible and whilst child safeguarding continues to unravel locally before our eyes (look out for images emerging shortly of the merch on sale at Chester Pride around children, about one month after my arrest), all whilst not feeling able to trust in any certainty of a fair process in December and whilst not feeling safe, is something I don't have words for.  I feel scared and powerless, but also now feel I really do need my 'day in court'.  These are dark days within the UK and across the wider world and we have to change this and make sure the aggressive suppression of thought and speech in all its forms is exposed as publicly as possible, in order to ensure it gets better, not worse.

To that end, I am going to post some images of the event in question on my social media accounts.  These are images which are already in the public domain and which give a flavour of the type of event it was.  There has been so much malicious and false content published online by activists misrepresenting what happened that it feels important to do this.  I am also going to start posting updates again on various projects I was working on prior to my arrest at Winsford Pride, as I feel I can't sit here being silenced on those important projects any longer than I already have, whatever the consequences of doing that might be.  Most of them relate to the impacts of institutional ideological capture on children’s safety and wellbeing.  I am proud of the work I do on that front, as a local councillor.

The fight to hold public sector organisations accountable and protect vulnerable groups from harm, especially children, is a challenging but vital one.  We must not back away from it or be intimidated.  I was threatened at the event last year and the security team refused to help me.  This is in the public domain and I have raised it repeatedly with the relevant local public bodies, who did eventually and reluctantly make some policy changes in response.  I went along this year knowing I may be targeted because there is too much at stake for those in elected positions to choose this moment in history to be shushed and go selectively blind and deaf.  I won't do it.  I do want to apologise to my family for the worry my decision to remain involved in this fight has caused them.  I don't think I will ever feel ok with that element as they did not choose to take on these impacts and do not deserve them.  I thank them for their ongoing support.

It is critical that councillors are safe and able to speak freely, attend public events, hold those running events and services properly to account, and raise legitimate concerns professionally, without fear of harm or unjust consequences.  Your support helps me continue this work and unfortunately, at this point in time, that includes defending myself against these charges. 

I'll provide further updates as we approach the hearing.  I love and thank my local TERFy support and friendship group, who I would feel far worse without - you are all brilliant.  I look forward to being able to say a lot more about the details of the event at the hearing in December and can tell you that this is definitely going to be one for anyone interested in free speech, children's safety and public sector ideological policy-capture to follow closely. I didn't ask to be in this situation, but now I am in it, perhaps some significant local level failings will have a chance to be publicly aired more widely and perhaps we can change things for the better more broadly.  I remain hopeful.

Again, I cannot thank you enough for your incredible support - it means the world to me and strengthens my resolve to see this incredibly stressful situation through.

With gratitude

Mandy

Some have asked what I am charged with and am defending against.  There are two charges being brought against me - Common Assault and Criminal Damage.  

We have surpassed the initial cost target within the first day and are now a quarter of the way to the stretch target!  

I really am blown away by your kindness in this awful situation.  This has been a traumatic journey so far.  It really makes a difference to know I have so much support out there.  Thank you!