Harrogate Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 51 verdicts at Harrogate Magistrates' Court (Harrogate). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

April 2026 7 cases

Andrew Gray

Drink-driving *

Sentence

40-month driving ban and a two-year community order with an alcohol treatment programme and 20 rehabilitation activity days, fined £80

On April 4 at around 10.20pm, Andrew Gray parked his black car in the middle of Parliament Street in Harrogate near JD Wetherspoon. He returned to the car in pyjamas with cuts on his face, acting irrationally. When police signalled him to stop after he drove off, he sped away. His car crashed near Harewood Bridge, blocking a lane. Breath test showed 109 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath (legal limit 35). Car contained beer cans, vodka and drug paraphernalia.

Pleaded guilty to failing to stop a car when required by a constable, drink-driving and driving without due care and attention. Prior convictions for drink-driving in 2023 and driving whilst disqualified last October. Mental health and alcohol misuse issues cited in mitigation.

23 Apr 2026

Kevin Knott

Drug-driving *

Sentence

Banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay a total of £253 to the court

Kevin Knott, 52, of Ashby Place, Harrogate, was driving from Boroughbridge to Leeds when his tent box fell off the roof of his car onto the A1(M) near junction 47 in the early hours of January 15, 2026. Cars came into contact with the tent box. Knott called police to report it and arranged to meet them near junction 47 near Knaresborough. A roadside test showed traces of drugs; blood taken at 5.05am at Harrogate Police Station showed 32 micrograms of cocaine per litre (over three times the 10 microgram limit) and 800 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per litre (16 times the 50 microgram limit).

Pleaded guilty to two offences of drug-driving. Bad driving record. Took cocaine three or four days prior to the incident. Suffered personal difficulties including homelessness after his former partner set his home on fire. Suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression.

23 Apr 2026

Paul Ward

Drink-driving *

Sentence

20-month driving ban and £253 costs

On March 6, 2026, police received a report of Paul Ward trying to change a wheel on the A61 at Baldersby just before 9pm. The officer found him unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol. A roadside breath test was positive. Ward recorded 80 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at Harrogate Police Station just after 11pm. He admitted he had been drink-driving and would have driven home if not arrested. Ward stated he had a few Irish coffees and wine earlier.

Admitted one offence of drink-driving. Recorded 80 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit.

23 Apr 2026

Yevhen Panasenko

Drink-driving *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 24 months, 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity days and 40 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay £199

On March 27, 2026, Yevhen Panasenko, 44, from Knaresborough, drove after consuming one-third of a litre of gin. He purchased a large bottle of gin at Tesco Express in Knaresborough and was observed driving very slowly and weaving on the road. A member of the public followed him and alerted police. Officers stopped him outside his home on Stockwell Place, where he failed a roadside breath test and recorded 98 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at the station, nearly three times the legal limit. He was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

Admitted drink-driving offence. No previous convictions. Ukrainian national using alcohol as coping mechanism due to stress from war in Ukraine. Ban reducible by 24 weeks upon completion of drink-driving awareness course.

16 Apr 2026

Keith Moorhouse

Racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress *

Sentence

12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days, fined £576

On the evening of May 10, 2024, Keith Moorhouse, 36, of Fouldshaw Lane, Dacre, racially harassed four Asian siblings who were watching the Northern Lights on a public road near Dike Lane, Heyshaw, Nidderdale. While intoxicated from drinking in Pateley Bridge, Moorhouse, in a Land Rover Discovery, confronted the siblings, falsely claiming it was his land, used racial slurs, shouted abuse, called them a 'scruffy mess', and physically pushed one sibling. The incident was witnessed by others, and statements were provided by the victims and two independent witnesses. Moorhouse accepted his role but could not fully recall details due to time passed.

Pleaded guilty at first opportunity. Of previous good character. Apologised for the distress caused. No racist views detected in pre-sentence report.

16 Apr 2026

Stephen Cain

Drink-driving *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 40 months and fined £519

On March 26, 2026, at around 3.15am, Stephen Cain was involved in a single-vehicle collision on the B6451 near Darley, just north of the A59. Ministry of Defence Police found him in the back of the car. He initially claimed a friend was driving but admitted he was the sole occupant and driver. He gave a positive roadside breath test and recorded 53 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at Harrogate Police Station, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

Admitted one offence of drink-driving. Has a lengthy criminal record including prior convictions for drink-driving in 2012 and 10 offences of drug-driving for which he was jailed. Suffers from PTSD and was attending a friend's funeral the day before the incident.

9 Apr 2026

Connor Salisbury

Drink-driving *

Sentence

24 months driving ban and fined £5,685

On March 11, 2026, Connor Salisbury, 23, from Cumbria, was driving a Mercedes C class on Skipton Road in Harrogate, veering over white lines and driving slowly after a disturbance at his lodging on Grange Avenue. Police pulled him over at the former Texaco garage where he recorded 99 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly three times the legal limit.

Admitted one count of drink-driving. Of previous good character. Took to the road after falling out with people at lodging address.

2 Apr 2026

March 2026 4 cases

Nina Breyal

Drink-driving *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 23 months, reduced by 23 weeks if drink-drive course completed, and fined £946

On March 4, 2026, Nina Breyal, 24, of Leylands Road in Leeds, was driving a white Vauxhall Corsa on Lady Lane in Harrogate when she collided with a wall at the junction with Beckwith Head Road just after 10pm. She claimed another car clipped her vehicle and failed to stop, but police found no evidence of this. Breyal had consumed three pints of lager on an empty stomach after a long workday from 5.30am to 5pm, exacerbated by work-related stress. She provided a roadside breath test and later recorded 94 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at the police station, almost three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms. She gave a no comment interview.

Pleaded guilty. Of previous good character. Works as a chef, volunteers, involved in rugby club. Sought support from Sikh temple post-incident. Described as a one-off serious error of judgement by magistrates.

19 Mar 2026

Ricky Roberts

Drink-driving *

Sentence

46 months driving ban, £553 fine, £85 court costs, £221 victims’ surcharge

Ricky Roberts, 43, of Telford, was pulled over by police on Littlethorpe Lane in Ripon on February 4, 2026. He was slurring his words and appeared confused. A breathalyser test registered 86 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mg. He stated he had a problem with his car and thought he was alright after a few pints.

Admitted one count of drink-driving. Previous conviction for drink-driving in the last 10 years. Represented himself in court.

5 Mar 2026

Nicolas Martinez

Possession with intent to supply cannabis, THC, and ketamine *

Sentence

12 month community order including 15 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours unpaid work, plus £114 victims' surcharge and £85 court costs

On May 3, 2024, Nicolas Martinez's car was searched after a crash on Tewit Well Avenue in Harrogate. He fled from police but was arrested. The search found £504 in cash, THC edibles, 1.33 grams of ketamine (street value £40), THC vape pens (value £420), a mobile phone, and a USB stick. A search of his home on West End Avenue revealed 25 grams of cannabis (worth £145-£180). He gave no comment in interview and refused phone PIN. Police believed he was involved in supplying cannabis.

Pleaded guilty at earliest opportunity. Offences committed at age 17. Prior convictions for drink and drug-driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Has made significant progress, completing roofing apprenticeship and controlled drug habit.

5 Mar 2026

Shane Benit

Burglary *

Sentence

12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and 8-week curfew (8pm-7am)

On November 12, 2023, at around 5.30pm, Shane Benit and two other men broke into Vanguard Heating Supplies at Marston Business Park, Tockwith, using bolt cutters to cut and pull down the perimeter fence, then lifting the roller doors. They loaded plumbing items including piping valued at £5,640 into a red Ford Transit van. Police tracked the van using its registration plate, followed it 26 miles to Holme Wood estate in Bradford, where Benit was arrested at the scene while the other two fled (one arrested, one never found). The burglary involved a degree of planning as the premises was not in an obvious location.

Admitted burglary. Financially motivated due to recent move with partner. Self-medicating for depression and anxiety but making genuine attempts to improve. Ordered to pay £85 court costs and £114 victims' surcharge.

5 Mar 2026

January 2026 3 cases

Daniel Kimberley

Drink-driving *

Sentence

18 months driving ban, £692 fine

On December 27, 2025, Daniel Kimberley, 25, of Skelldale View, Ripon, drove after consuming four pints of lager, leading to a two-car collision on the B6265 near Lynden Close in Ripon. He was found to be three times over the legal drink-drive limit with 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath (legal limit 35 micrograms). Kimberley admitted to driving to buy cigarette papers and taking the long route home after sleeping and eating post-drinking. There were no passengers and no suggestion the road was busy.

Pleaded guilty. No previous convictions. Remorseful and has not drunk alcohol since the incident. Ban reducible by 18 weeks upon completion of drink-drive awareness course. Total court costs £1,054 including £247 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

22 Jan 2026

Alexander Lockwood

Failing to stop after a road accident and using vehicle with exposed tyre cord *

Sentence

Seven points added to licence and £763 costs

On November 6, 2025, Alexander Lockwood, 24, of High Street in Hampsthwaite, crashed his car into a tree on West Park in Harrogate due to exposed tyre cord despite advisory notices from a recent MOT to change the tyres. He was driving his girlfriend and friends after picking them up from Ripon to get food. Lockwood panicked, checked on the passengers, and fled the scene. He was located the next day, admitted driving, and stated he was not drinking and was in shock. No evidence of poor driving; road conditions were slippery.

Admitted both charges. Of previous good character with clean licence prior to offence. Struggling with mental health and seeking support.

22 Jan 2026

Christopher Larder

Being in charge of a motor vehicle when over the legal alcohol limit *

Sentence

10 penalty points and £652 costs

On December 27, 2025, at around 10.20pm, Christopher Larder was found in the driver's seat of his van parked in a lay-by off A6108 Palace Road near Ripon Walled Garden. The ignition was on, front lights were illuminated, and the radio was playing. Police detected alcohol on him, arrested him, and he recorded 88 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms. He intended to sleep in the van due to distress from personal issues, including an acrimonious divorce and an upsetting photo.

Admitted offence. Defence highlighted personal hardships including divorce. Magistrates considered undue hardship from a driving ban.

22 Jan 2026

December 2025 4 cases

Christopher Mitchinson

Being in charge of a motor vehicle with alcohol above the limit *

Sentence

10 months driving ban, 12-month community order with up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 134 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs

On December 9, 2025, at around 5am, Christopher Mitchinson, 43, of Arkle Crescent in Darlington, called police on himself after becoming drunk and fearing he would drive. He was in the driver's seat of his car in the Aldi car park on Stonebridgegate in Ripon, with keys in the ignition. He smelled of alcohol, was slurring words, and crying. Roadside breath test positive; at Harrogate Police Station, reading of 127 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath (limit 35). He had been to Halifax for a job but couldn't contact employer, bought gin, drank in car to keep warm. Admitted offence, struggles with mental health, anxiety, depression, possible PTSD from childhood trauma. One prior conviction for drink-driving. Has not drunk since offence.

Pleaded guilty. Chair of the bench noted high alcohol reading and prior drink-driving conviction. Described as a cry for help related to mental health struggles.

23 Dec 2025

Dale Lawson

Drug-driving *

Sentence

12 months driving ban and £407 costs

On October 11, 2025, at around 9pm, Dale Lawson, 36, of Manor Road in Killinghall, was driving a Ford Focus on the A61 towards Ripon while under the influence of drugs. Police received information about his condition and stopped him after he attempted a U-turn upon noticing them. Officers smelled cannabis, and a roadside test was positive for cannabis and cocaine. A blood sample showed 200 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per litre, four times the legal limit of 50 micrograms.

Pleaded guilty to drug-driving. Remorseful; had taken cocaine the night before and felt fine when driving. 12 prior offences. Magistrates noted drugs stay in system for a long time.

23 Dec 2025

Shamraiz Aurangzeb

Theft *

Sentence

18-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days and 6-month drug rehabilitation order, £80 fine, £240.10 compensation

Shamraiz Aurangzeb, 35, of Woodfield Square in Harrogate, committed thefts between July and October 2025 from Co-op stores on Skipton Road and Ripon Road, and Sainsbury’s on King’s Road, stealing items including meat, alcohol, and muffins valued at £146.20. He also stole a parcel from a property on Church Avenue on August 31, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to multiple thefts. Poor compliance with previous community orders noted. Theft to fund drug habit.

19 Dec 2025

Dawid Kruszakin

Drink-driving *

Sentence

40 months driving ban, £614 fine

On November 18, 2025, Dawid Kruszakin, 34, of Manning Road, Preston, crashed his Mercedes Benz into Oakdale Bridge on Penny Pot Lane in Harrogate at around 7pm while his partner and her two children were in the car. He hit the wall of the bridge, leaving the front end of the car hanging over it. Police attended, and he recorded 52mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath on a roadside breathalyser test. He had intended to go to Leeds Christmas Market but got the dates wrong and had a drink while eating out to not disappoint the children. The crash was described as a misjudgement on a notorious road.

Pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without due care and attention. Previous conviction for drink-driving in January 2021 resulting in 12-month ban. Also ordered to pay £246 victims' surcharge and £85 court costs.

11 Dec 2025

November 2025 4 cases

Patricia Smedley

Drink driving *

Sentence

22 months driving disqualification, £120 fine

Patricia Smedley, 60, of Allinson Court, Ripon, nearly collided with an ambulance while driving on the A1608 near North Stainley on the evening of November 7, 2025. After being pulled over, she admitted to police that she had been drinking and recorded 84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mg.

Admitted charge of drink driving. Of previous good character and mortified to be before the court. Near miss with ambulance caused no damage.

27 Nov 2025

Charlie Pritchard

Drink driving *

Sentence

16 months driving disqualification, £120 fine

Charlie Pritchard, 26, of Hambleton Avenue, Thirsk, was caught by police swerving between white lines on Ripon bypass (A61) on November 9, 2025. Officers pulled him over on Hutton Lane where he tested positive for alcohol after a breathalyser test, recording 58mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mg. He had consumed a drink after a remembrance event in Ripon where he had been working that day.

Admitted charge of drink driving. Recorded 58mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Will lose job as chef due to lack of transport.

27 Nov 2025

Lee Windsor

Theft *

Sentence

£140 fine

Lee Windsor, 46, of Wedderburn Avenue, Harrogate, stole a pair of EA7 sliders worth £24.99 from TK Maxx and gift items worth £58.98 from TJ Jones in Harrogate town centre on November 13, 2025. He was also caught with wire cutters, leading to a charge of going equipped for theft.

Admitted two counts of theft and one count of going equipped for theft. Described the thefts as a drunken mistake. Represented himself in court.

27 Nov 2025

Kieran Waters

Sexual activity with a girl aged 13 *

Sentence

24-month community order including 35 rehabilitation activity days, £400 fine, £114 victims' surcharge, £85 court costs, and five-year sexual harm prevention order

Kieran Waters, 25, of Kings Meadow Close in Wetherby, met a group of girls after a night out and later encountered them on a local bus route. He was captured on CCTV kissing one of the girls, aged 13, and admitted touching her bottom, thighs, and back. The offences also occurred down an alleyway. He was told the girls were 18.

Admitted two counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13. Diagnosed autistic and struggles with social interactions. Defence opposed sexual harm prevention order based on diagnosis.

7 Nov 2025

September 2025 6 cases

Mario Portinha

Drug-driving *

Sentence

3 years driving ban and £250 fine

Mario Portinha was driving a Volkswagen Golf under the influence of cannabis when pulled over by police at Wetherby Services at 11.40pm on June 25, 2025. The officer detected the smell of cannabis upon opening the driver's door. Portinha admitted smoking a cannabis joint before driving to the services where he worked and tested positive in a roadside drug test, leading to his arrest.

Pleaded guilty to drug-driving. Had a prior similar offence and lost his job as a result.

11 Sep 2025

Nathan Varley

Theft *

Sentence

£120 fine and £189.25 compensation

Nathan Varley committed nine separate thefts from Tesco Express on Cambridge Road in Harrogate between August 16 and August 22, 2025, stealing food and alcohol valued at £189.25. The offences showed some planning, with four occurring on August 16 alone.

Admitted nine thefts. Had not been before the courts in over 10 years and cited deteriorating mental health as a factor.

11 Sep 2025

Nathan Bailey

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm *

Sentence

18-month community order, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 80-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement, £120 fine, £250 compensation, £114 surcharge, £85 costs

On Christmas Day, Nathan Bailey assaulted a male acquaintance during a social gathering involving alcohol consumption. The incident escalated from an argument, with Bailey kicking the victim, who sustained a dislocated finger, bruising, and a cut to the head. The victim reported the assault to the police and sought hospital treatment the next day.

Pleaded guilty to the charge. Had consumed a significant amount of alcohol and showed remorse, with no further offences since the incident.

11 Sep 2025

Charles Quinn

Theft *

Sentence

12-month conditional discharge and £57.20 compensation

Charles Quinn stole items including peanuts, drinks, and four tubs of ice cream from Tesco Express in Harrogate between August 16 and August 22, 2025, with the total value amounting to £57.20. He was identified on CCTV, arrested, and made a full admission to police.

Admitted four thefts. Was homeless at the time, on Universal Credit, and stole food due to missing appointments and financial hardship.

11 Sep 2025

Liam Bacon

Wounding or Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm Without Intent *

Sentence

12-month community order including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours of unpaid work, plus £1,500 compensation

On October 23, 2023, Liam Bacon shouted at the victim near Hornbeam Park in Harrogate and punched him repeatedly, causing bruising, a bloody nose, a black eye, and injuries requiring emergency dental treatment costing £300. The victim reported being struck up to eight times, lasting five to seven seconds, and briefly losing consciousness. The assault stemmed from Bacon's reaction to alleged videos circulating about him, and he believed another person was involved, though that individual was not charged.

Pleaded guilty to the offence. Was 16 at the time of the incident and expressed remorse. No prior convictions and has not offended since. The court considered his youth and social anxiety.

4 Sep 2025

Winifred Stokes

Theft *

Sentence

12-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, plus £114 victim surcharge and £85 in costs

On June 3, 2024, Winifred Stokes and her co-accused entered Cotswold Outdoor on West Park in Harrogate, where Stokes was pushing a dog pram. The co-accused placed items into the pram, and they were challenged by staff but left the store and drove away. A member of the public provided the car's registration to the police, leading to Stokes' identification and arrest. She admitted to her involvement, stating she did not take items herself but facilitated the theft by pushing the pram. The stolen items, valued at less than £1,000, were not recovered.

Pleaded guilty to theft; involved with a co-accused who was the main instigator; has prior convictions for similar offences; admitted to not stopping the theft and expressed remorse; relationship with co-accused has ended.

4 Sep 2025

August 2025 6 cases

Kurt Day

Theft by an employee *

Sentence

32 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 25 rehabilitation activity days, curfew from 8pm to 7am for three months, and compensation of £4,285.57

Kurt Day, a team leader at Well Pharmacy on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate, stole 60 boxes of Dihydrocodeine and 40 boxes of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro, with a total value of £4,285.57, periodically between August 2024 and February 2025. He was caught on CCTV, and the offences were driven by his addiction to Dihydrocodeine for back and knee pain, as well as personal issues including bullying related to his weight and sexuality.

Pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, no previous convictions, motivated by addiction to Dihydrocodeine due to back and knee pain, and issues related to weight and sexuality; lost his job as a result.

29 Aug 2025

Hari Barnes

Breach of Suspended Sentence *

Sentence

30 weeks imprisonment

Hari Barnes breached a suspended sentence order that was imposed on June 27, 2025, for offences committed on December 3, 2024, including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. The breaches involved failing to comply with a curfew from 7pm to 7am and not attending required probation appointments, demonstrating a negative attitude towards the service.

Breached suspended sentence by violating curfew between June 30 and July 14, 2025, and failing to engage with probation services. Original sentence was for dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. Defence highlighted a difficult upbringing, learning difficulties, exposure to violence, and exploitation by gangs.

29 Aug 2025

Timmy James

Dangerous driving *

Sentence

1 year and 2 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 31 months, and a £187 surcharge

On June 7, 2025, Timmy James was driving a BMW at excessive speeds, reaching 90mph in a 30mph zone on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate. He drove the wrong way around the Empress roundabout, forcing other drivers to take evasive action, went through three red lights, including one at Woodlands Crossroads, and intentionally rammed a police car during a pursuit, causing over £5,000 in damage. The incident began when he failed to stop for a police patrol and escalated into a high-speed chase through residential areas, endangering public safety.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on August 7. Handed a driving ban until sentencing.

28 Aug 2025

Tamsin Robertshaw

Assaulting an emergency worker and drink-driving *

Sentence

38 months driving ban (reducible by 38 weeks if course completed), £140 fine, £56 surcharge, £85 costs

On July 28, 2025, Robertshaw drove after consuming two large glasses of wine, providing a breath reading of 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. When police approached, she resisted arrest by grabbing, squeezing, and pushing a police officer's arm, following concerns raised by a member of the public about her driving.

Pleaded guilty to drink-driving and assaulting an emergency worker. Suffered from multiple sclerosis and a recent medical episode; grabbed, squeezed, and pushed a police officer's arm during arrest.

14 Aug 2025

Jamie Garrett

Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour *

Sentence

£80 fine, £32 surcharge, £85 costs (total £197)

On July 28, 2025, Garrett engaged in an altercation outside a hostel in Harrogate, using a homophobic slur and obscene language, shouting aggressively, swinging his arms, and resisting police who had to take him to the ground.

Pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour. Was heavily intoxicated and involved in an altercation; mentioned dealing with personal issues and attending meetings for alcohol.

14 Aug 2025

Calum Robinson

Drink-driving *

Sentence

38 months driving ban (reducible by 38 weeks if course completed), £438 fine, £175 surcharge, £85 costs

On July 27, 2025, Robinson drove at speed, swayed over lanes on Harrogate Road, and provided a breath reading of 45 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath after being stopped by police while en route to collect his girlfriend.

Pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Had a prior conviction in 2022; admitted driving despite advice against it due to intoxication.

14 Aug 2025

July 2025 1 case

Stefan Soloman

Failing to provide driver details *

Sentence

Fined £709 and disqualified from driving for six months

In September 2024, Stefan Soloman drove a white Ford Transit Van past horse riders on a small country lane in North Yorkshire at high speed, heading towards an oncoming car without slowing down. This incident was reported via Operation Snap, leading to police contact. He failed to provide his details and was also found guilty of additional driving offences.

Pleaded guilty to failing to provide driver details. Also prosecuted for driving without insurance and not wearing a seatbelt.

1 Jul 2025

February 2025 2 cases

Sarah Brent

Driving whilst disqualified *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 13 months

Sarah Brent was seen driving a car on the A59 Skipton Road in Harrogate in the early hours of August 16, 2024. The car was insured only for a male driver (her partner). She had been disqualified from driving in 2023 and was aware of the disqualification. No evidence of bad driving; she was visiting friends with her partner who could not drive that night.

Pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and without insurance. Ordered to pay £500 to the courts. Licence endorsed. Suffered from severe arthritis, COPD, severe asthma and spinal stenosis; reliant on partner for transport.

27 Feb 2025

Kehinde Akinyemi

Drink-driving *

Sentence

Banned from driving for 14 months and fined £207

Kehinde Akinyemi was involved in a single vehicle collision on the A61 Harrogate Road in Ripon on January 18, 2025, just before midnight. The car was found facing the wrong way at Hollin Lodge. He had been out with friends in Ripon and cooperated with police, failing a breathalyser test.

Admitted drink-driving. Recorded 53 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, above the legal limit of 35. Also ordered to pay £83 surcharge and £85 court costs.

27 Feb 2025

October 2024 7 cases

Nathan Richards

Using threatening and abusive language *

Sentence

Conditional discharge for 6 months and £111 court costs

Nathan Richards, 42, of King Edwards Drive, was arrested on October 4 after being seen acting erratic and swearing in front of members of the public at Harrogate Bus Station.

Apologised for his behaviour; early guilty plea.

24 Oct 2024

Mohammed Mahmud

Possession of cannabis *

Sentence

Fined £197

Mohammed Mahmud, 28, of Drovers Way, Bradford, was pulled over by police on the B6451 on October 10 as a passenger in a car and found with cannabis.

Admitted possession for personal use; destruction order for the drugs issued.

24 Oct 2024

Adam Wood

Drug driving *

Sentence

12 months driving ban and £1,160 fine

Adam Wood, of Rhubarb Hill, Wakefield, tested positive for cannabis after being stopped by police on Hall Green Lane in North Rigton on September 3.

Tested positive for cannabis.

24 Oct 2024

Joshua Thorpe

Possession of cannabis *

Sentence

Conditional discharge for 12 months and £111 fine

Joshua Thorpe, 18, from Harrogate, was found with five bags of cannabis in a room at the Travelodge on Tower Street in Harrogate on March 10 after police were called at 10.30pm due to the smell of cannabis.

Already subject to a youth rehabilitation order for a similar offence; was staying at the hotel after being kicked out by his father; destruction order for the drugs issued.

24 Oct 2024

Ronnie Simpson

Assaulting police officers *

Sentence

Fined £400

Ronnie Simpson, 29, of Halfpenny Lane, Knaresborough, was charged with assaulting two officers after being drunk and disorderly outside Mojo on Parliament Street on October 5.

No previous convictions; suffered a family bereavement shortly before the incident; assault was totally out of character.

24 Oct 2024

Thomas Henry

Drug driving *

Sentence

12-month community order

On May 8, 2024, around 2am in the Starbeck area, Thomas Henry, a 36-year-old pig farmer from Mill Lane, Boroughbridge, was stopped by police while driving his car, which was observed lurking and jerking forward. He exhibited overly chatty and hyperactive behaviour with enlarged pupils, and drug tests revealed cocaine and benzoylecgonine above legal limits, plus traces of morphine and methadone. He lacked third-party insurance. This followed a heavy night out on May 6 celebrating a friend's birthday in Knaresborough, where he consumed cocaine and alcohol.

Pleaded guilty to drug driving offences and driving without insurance. Includes 20 days rehabilitation and 80 hours unpaid work. Banned from driving for three years. Ordered to pay £199 penalty including £114 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. Showed genuine remorse.

17 Oct 2024

Liam Norman

Criminal damage *

Sentence

£76 fine

On September 29, 2024, Liam Norman, aged 23 and of no fixed address, smashed the window of a grey Land Rover on Fairfax Avenue in Starbeck following an argument over a woman at a property he was visiting. The incident occurred after he left the house, and the damage was valued under £5,000, though exact cost not specified. Norman was intoxicated at the time and later admitted to police that he did it.

Pleaded guilty to criminal damage. Ordered to pay £191 penalty including £85 prosecution costs and £30 court surcharge. Defendant expressed remorse and offered to pay compensation.

17 Oct 2024

August 2024 1 case

Michael Watt

Poaching *

Sentence

Fined £461, costs of £320, surcharge of £184, and a criminal behaviour order

Michael Watt was found with a live rabbit covered in blood and trapped in a net in his van, along with a Harris hawk, ferrets, hunting traps, and falconry equipment. He had been reported for poaching on the Bolton Abbey estate and other areas in Craven. Police stopped and searched his vehicle in Threshfield near Grassington in October 2023. He was charged with two counts of poaching (one at Embsay Reservoir and one at Broad Park, Barden), causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and obstructing the police.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of poaching, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and obstructing the police. A deprivation order was made for all seized items.

29 Aug 2024

July 2024 2 cases

Michael Haggerty

Theft *

Sentence

Community order with up to 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and £528 compensation

Michael Haggerty stole diesel from vehicles parked in a lorry park in Hellifield between May 1 and May 18, 2024. He was caught on CCTV footage syphoning fuel, and his vehicle was seen nearby. £100 of the stolen fuel was recovered. He initially declined to comment during police interviews but later admitted to taking fuel on four occasions, citing his lifestyle and health as reasons.

Admitted to the offences. Has 61 previous convictions. Mitigating factors included his itinerant lifestyle and health issues due to damp in his caravan.

31 Jul 2024

Azim Parvez

Persistently using a public communication network causing annoyance and inconvenience *

Sentence

5-year Criminal Behaviour Order, 6 months alcohol treatment, up to 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement, £85 costs, and £114 victim surcharge

Azim Parvez made nearly 300 nuisance calls to North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service between June 2024 and January 2025, including 99 calls on the 999 emergency line in one period, which took up significant staff time. He also targeted vulnerable people by begging for money in certain areas of Skipton, leading to restrictions on his behaviour.

Admitted to the offence. Inspector Paul Crabtree commented that Parvez persistently targeted the control room, taking resources from genuine emergencies, and was aggressive towards emergency services staff.

31 Jul 2024

June 2024 1 case

Emma Smith

Dog dangerously out of control *

Sentence

Fined £120, ordered to pay £150 compensation, costs of £85, surcharge of £48, and £1,000 towards the costs of the dogs

Emma Smith, 50, of The Bungalows, Glusburn, was the owner of a Hungarian Vizsla named Primrose that bit a man on the leg on November 25, 2024, leaving tooth marks but not breaking the skin. Two of her dogs were seized by police, and although one dog was involved in the incident, the other was not and was on a lead at the time.

Admitted the offence. Measures were put in place to prevent future incidents, and no order was made for the dog to be destroyed.

19 Jun 2024

March 2021 2 cases

William Thomas Marriner

Animal cruelty *

Sentence

18 weeks custody suspended for 18 months

Russell Marriner and his son William Thomas Marriner inflicted severe injuries on their dog Ted, a terrier cross, including a dislocated hip, multiple bruises, a fractured tooth, wounds to the head, gums, tongue, left eye, and ears, and small circular wounds consistent with the pattern of a metal vegetable steamer. The incident occurred at their home on St Patrick’s Way, Harrogate. A blood-covered metal vegetable steamer and an axe were found at the scene. They failed to provide appropriate veterinary care for Ted's injuries, contrary to section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The RSPCA received a call about a dog being beaten and attended with police, finding Ted severely injured and covered in blood. Ted was signed over to the RSPCA, treated for pain, and later rehomed through the RSPCA’s York Animal Centre.

Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years. Ordered to attend a six-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Ordered to pay £700 costs and £122 victim surcharge. No previous convictions. Mitigation given due to health issues.

12 Mar 2021

Russell Marriner

Animal cruelty *

Sentence

18 weeks custody suspended for 18 months

Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years. Ordered to attend a six-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Ordered to pay £700 costs and £122 victim surcharge. No previous convictions. Mitigation given due to health issues.

12 Mar 2021

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

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Victoria Ave, Harrogate HG1 1EL, Harrogate, HG1 1EL, United Kingdom

+441423722000

Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:00

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About Harrogate Magistrates' Court

Harrogate Magistrates' Court, located in Harrogate, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 51 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Harrogate area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at Victoria Ave, Harrogate HG1 1EL, HG1 1EL.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441423722000.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.

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Harrogate Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Andrew Gray

Kevin Knott

Paul Ward

Yevhen Panasenko

Keith Moorhouse

Stephen Cain

Connor Salisbury

Nina Breyal

Ricky Roberts

Nicolas Martinez

Shane Benit

Daniel Kimberley

Alexander Lockwood

Christopher Larder

Christopher Mitchinson

Dale Lawson

Shamraiz Aurangzeb

Dawid Kruszakin

Patricia Smedley

Charlie Pritchard

Lee Windsor

Kieran Waters

Mario Portinha

Nathan Varley

Nathan Bailey

Charles Quinn

Liam Bacon

Winifred Stokes

Kurt Day

Hari Barnes

Timmy James

Tamsin Robertshaw

Jamie Garrett

Calum Robinson

Stefan Soloman

Sarah Brent

Kehinde Akinyemi

Nathan Richards

Mohammed Mahmud

Adam Wood

Joshua Thorpe

Ronnie Simpson

Thomas Henry

Liam Norman

Michael Watt

Michael Haggerty

Azim Parvez

Emma Smith

William Thomas Marriner

Russell Marriner

About Harrogate Magistrates' Court

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