8th September 2025
A Bredbury man, who died aged 58, was accused of assaulting security guards in what was described as a “vicious sneeze attack” was acquitted on appeal at Crown Court, after judges ruled that key evidence against him was unreliable.
The incident, captured on CCTV, showed Mr. Parnell. Prosecutors initially claimed he had assaulted the guards, but the appeal court found that the guards had given false testimony under oath.
In a judgment that has raised serious questions, the court concluded that the guards had perjured themselves. Despite this, senior officials at Stockport Council, police investigators and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) all pressed ahead with the case.
Campaigners and local residents have expressed concern that Mr. Parnell was wrongly targeted because of his outspoken criticism of council practices. “They knew he was innocent,” said one supporter. “But because he was a nuisance to their friends at the council, they were happy to see him behind bars.”
The case has drawn wider criticism of the relationship between local authority officers, security contractors and law enforcement. Calls are now being made for an independent inquiry into how the prosecution was allowed to proceed despite clear doubts about the evidence.
Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment in the past.
