Harrogate Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 65 verdicts at Harrogate Magistrates' Court (Harrogate). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

October 2024 2 cases

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

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

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

Russell 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 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

William Thomas 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 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

Date Not Specified 7 cases

William Henry Welch

Causing an animal fight to take place *

Sentence

20 weeks imprisonment, disqualified from keeping animals for 20 years, and ordered to pay £2,000 costs

On 13 January 2018, acting on an anonymous tip, police and RSPCA officers attended premises at Skutterskelf, near Stokesley, and found a number of men and 27 live birds, some bleeding from fresh cuts. A search of buildings revealed bird feathers, dried and fresh bloodstains on the floor and carpet. Examination of a mobile phone recovered from Welch showed he was present at cockfights on 19 December 2017 and 4 January 2018, with extremely graphic video footage described as 'sickening' and one of the worst examples of animal cruelty officers had seen.

Pleaded guilty to causing an animal fight to take place, keeping animals for fighting, and being present at an animal fight. Magistrates told him: 'You put your own recreational needs before the welfare of your animals, in the most horrific and abhorrent circumstances.'

1 Jan 0001

Scott Hallas

Theft *

Sentence

12 months in prison suspended for 18 months, £6,000 compensation, 20 rehabilitation activity days and mental health treatment

Scott Hallas, a 40-year-old drag artist and pub manager who performed under the name Dragalicious, stole more than £14,000 from the till at The Fleece in Skipton, North Yorkshire, between January and June 2024. He was caught when the premises switched to card machines and the owners noticed an increase in revenue. Hallas, of Westcroft, Honley, was sentenced after pleading guilty.

Pleaded guilty to theft by employee. Magistrates said offence seemed 'very out of character'. Defending solicitor said temptation had got the better of him during a period of drinking and poor mental health. Sacked as a result but found new work as a drag performer.

1 Jan 0001

Muhammad Khaliq Rasool

Dangerous driving *

Sentence

30 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 24 months

At 1:22am on 19th December, Muhammad Khaliq Rasool was detected driving at 130mph on the A19 near Thirsk. He failed to stop for Roads Policing Sergeant Keenen, accelerating to 150mph before being cornered in a residential area. Rasool then attempted to switch seats to feign innocence but was identified as the driver and arrested. In custody, he was found in possession of 10 tablets of oxymetholone, a Class C drug not prescribed to him.

Pleaded guilty to failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and possession of a Class C drug. Disqualified from driving for 36 months and must pass an extended driving test. Ordered to complete 20 days rehabilitation activity and 100 days unpaid work, and pay £272 court costs. The drug oxymetholone was to be destroyed.

1 Jan 0001

Katie Price

Failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle *

Sentence

6-month driving prohibition, £660 fine, £120 costs, £264 victim surcharge

A Ford Capri registered in her name was detected travelling at 80mph on a 70mph stretch of the A64 near Stutton, North Yorkshire, at 3.03pm on 15 October 2025. North Yorkshire Police sent letters on 20 October and 10 November requesting confirmation of the driver, but received no response.

Seventh driving ban. Convicted in single justice procedure for failing to respond to police letters regarding speeding ticket. Speeding charge withdrawn.

1 Jan 0001

Jason Ryder

Drug driving *

Sentence

12 months disqualification from driving

Jason Ryder, 45, of Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, was arrested in August 2022 for drug driving. He was convicted of that offence and sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Convicted of drug driving.

1 Jan 0001

Andrew Peverell

Operating a taxi without a licence *

Sentence

Ordered to pay £882 in fines and costs

In the early hours of 14 April 2019, Andrew Peverell, a taxi driver licensed by Richmondshire District Council, picked up five passengers from Northallerton High Street and drove them to Thornton-Le-Moor, charging a fare, despite not holding a licence from Hambleton District Council to operate in that district. Hambleton District Council had warned of enforcement against unlicensed taxis in Northallerton, particularly on late weekend nights. Peverell pleaded guilty to the offence.

Pleaded guilty. Hambleton District Council had warned of enforcement against unlicensed taxis.

1 Jan 0001

Dorothy Harland

Animal neglect *

Sentence

Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years, 100 hours community service, ordered to pay £200 costs and £60 surcharge

Dorothy Harland, founder of Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), was convicted of animal neglect after RSPCA workers discovered extreme conditions at her home in December 2013. Police officers were forced to wear gas masks to enter the property, which was described as the worst the RSPCA had seen in 20 years. A water company had alerted police after a leak, leading to the discovery. One dog had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice, while other dogs and cats were rehomed.

Pleaded guilty to five counts of animal neglect at Harrogate Magistrates' Court. The RSPCA described the property as the worst they had seen in 20 years.

1 Jan 0001

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

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Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

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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 65 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.