Despite only being one month into the year, 2024 has already seen some of Oldham's most dangerous criminals locked up.

From an XL Bully owner to a gunman seeking revenge, The Oldham Times has picked out the biggest stories to appear before the courts in January.

Woman's XL Bully attacked boy, 12

A woman has been jailed after her XL Bully attacked a 12-year-old boy and left him with serious injuries requiring surgery.

On October 22 last year, the boy was cycling on Villa Road when he was attacked by the dog, leaving him with injuries which required hours of surgery.

A 31-year-old woman was also attacked and treated for injuries, however these were not as serious as the boy's.

Paula Jenkins, of Meldrum Street, Hathershaw, was the owner of the dog and was sentenced on January 12 for two counts of being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control causing injury.

The 43-year-old was jailed for 16 months and has been banned from owning a dog for five years.

Meanwhile, an order was made for the destruction of the dog.

Oldham gunman shot car with family members inside

A man who shot a gun on a residential street in Oldham, hitting a car with members of a family inside, has been jailed.

On July 5 last year, Daniel Whelan and his brother Alex were robbed and assaulted by a group on Great Gable Close, Oldham, before the group made off.

The two brothers, inside a BMW X3, set off in the direction of Horsedge Road, Oldham, before Daniel Whelan, 32, was seen jumping out of the car.

He fired a shot containing a 9mm bullet towards a Ford Focus, however he missed, with the bullet instead hitting a car which was being occupied by members of a family.

The two brothers were found not guilty of attempted murder following a trial, however Daniel Whelan, of Unsworth Way, Oldham, admitted to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on January 19.

Young man drove at couple who urged him not to drink and drive

A young Oldham man drove at a couple who had told him he should not be drinking and driving in a shocking attack.

The married couple were exiting a car park on Radcliffe Street, Royton, on September 19, 2020, when they spotted Joshua Bunn staggering towards his car.

The man told Bunn he should not be drinking and driving, however Bunn did not reply, instead driving at the man and knocking him to the ground.

As the wife attended to her husband, Bunn, of Windmill Close, Royton, reversed and drove at the pair, who miraculously both avoided serious injuries.

On Monday, January 29, 22-year-old Bunn was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and dangerous driving.