Mid And Se Northumberland Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 29 verdicts at Mid And Se Northumberland Magistrates' Court (Northumberland). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Alan Lumsden

Shop theft

December 6, 2025

Sentence: £80 fine, £45 compensation, £85 costs, £32 victim surcharge

Alan Lumsden, 47, of Coomassie Road in Blyth, with a long criminal record, teamed up with Kate Smith to steal from stores in Northumberland. On September 28, 2025, they took £70 worth of coffee, dairy products and meat from the Co-op in Blyth. On October 3, 2025, at Morrisons in Blyth, Lumsden concealed a £20 bottle of spirits in his jacket after Smith passed it to him, while they paid for another bottle.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of shop theft. Long criminal record with 26 prior theft convictions; recently released from custodial sentence in January 2025, recalled to prison for further thefts, released end of October 2025, under post-sentence supervision.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Connor Bell

Criminal Damage

December 6, 2025

Sentence: £40 fine

Connor Bell, 21, of Elmwood Street, Chester-le-Street, went to Seghill Comrades Club in Seghill, near Cramlington, on September 27, 2025, to charge his phone after splitting up with his girlfriend. He was kicked out for abusive behaviour and confronted by a group of eight to ten people acquainted with his girlfriend. During the confrontation, one man lost control of a hammer, which Bell picked up and used to hit the outside cladding of the club, causing three holes in an attempt to scare the group off. He remained at the scene and was arrested.

Pleaded guilty to criminal damage. On a suspended sentence that expired days before the incident. Fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £16 victim surcharge.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Kate Smith

Shop theft

December 6, 2025

Sentence: £40 fine, £45 compensation, £85 costs, £16 victim surcharge

Kate Smith, 41, of Crofton Place in Blyth, assisted Alan Lumsden in shoplifting meat, dairy products, coffee and booze from the Co-op and Morrisons in Blyth. On September 28, 2025, they stole £70 worth of coffee, dairy products and meat from the Co-op. On October 3, 2025, CCTV showed Smith selecting a bottle of spirits worth £20 and passing it to Lumsden, who concealed it in his jacket while they paid for a separate bottle.

Stephen Cochrane

Criminal damage and possession of class A drug

November 30, 2025

Sentence: £333 fine, £85 costs, £133 victim surcharge, £2 compensation

On May 7, 2025, Stephen Cochrane was arrested in Blyth for an unrelated matter and found in possession of two small packages of cocaine. While waiting in a police car, he spat on the back seats, claiming boredom. He was then placed in a caged police van, where he stood up, pulled down his trousers, and urinated against the wall of the cage in view of officers, subsequently telling an officer to 'f*** off'.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage and one count of possession of a class A drug. Expressed remorse but claimed no memory of the incidents.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Daniel Robinson

Shoplifting

November 29, 2025

Sentence: £240 fine, £85 costs, £96 victim surcharge

On June 26, 2025, Daniel Robinson and another male stole chocolate from Tesco in Ashington by placing items under their clothes. Confronted by security, Robinson threatened staff aggressively, using abusive language including homophobic slurs. He fled to a nearby flat where police found a police-style baton during a search. Upon returning, he was arrested and found in possession of cannabis. He admitted the baton was his, claiming he bought it online for self-defence, believing it legal.

Pleaded guilty to shop theft, public order offence, possession of cannabis, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. Has 25 prior offences and is seeking help for drug addictions.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Annie Wilkinson

Driving with excess alcohol

November 29, 2025

Sentence: 20 months driving ban, £120 fine, £85 costs, £48 victim surcharge

On September 22 at around 6.45pm, Annie Wilkinson, 60, of Red House Farm Estate in Bedlington, attempted to park her car between two others on the estate, colliding with and damaging the parked vehicles. She had consumed whiskey and honey for flu-like symptoms and insomnia, resulting in a breath alcohol reading of 77mcg per 100ml of breath (legal limit 35mcg). She failed a roadside breath test after admitting to drinking but not specifying the amount.

Pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. No past convictions. Extremely remorseful; consumed whiskey and honey for flu-like symptoms and insomnia before driving.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Joseph Walker

Shop theft

November 27, 2025

Sentence: £40 fine, £109 compensation, £85 costs, £16 victim surcharge

Joseph Walker, 34, of Warwick Street in Blyth, stole laundry products worth a total of £109.50 from the Co-op store in Blyth on July 31, 2025, at 5.25pm, 7pm, and 9pm. He was captured on CCTV each time, identified, and arrested after the footage was provided to police. The thefts were motivated by a need to repay a £600 debt resulting from money allegedly taken from his flat by intruders.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of shop theft. Has 53 previous offences but none since 2017. Remorseful; stole to repay a disputed £600 debt after money was taken from his flat.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Barry Elliott

Non-Payment of Council Tax

November 25, 2025

Sentence: ordered to pay £38,000

Northumberland Reform councillor ordered to pay £38,000 debt to his own council.

Reform councillor in the Blyth ward of Newsham, ordered to pay council tax and business rates debt.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Darren Harris

Criminal damage

November 16, 2025

Sentence: £120 fine, £270 compensation, £85 costs, £48 victim surcharge

On August 25, 2025, Darren Harris, aged 42, of Callerton Close in Cramlington, threw a brick through the front living room window of his neighbour's home and a large stone through the driver's window of her car, which was parked outside. The incident stemmed from a long-running feud exacerbated by Harris's lack of sleep. He was caught on CCTV and easily identified. The council boarded up the damaged window.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage. Has 99 prior offences, last in court May 2024, owes over £1,400 to courts. Defence cited long-running feud, mental health breakdown, and lack of sleep due to complainant's disorder.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Gill Charlton

Being in charge of a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs

November 16, 2025

Sentence: 10 penalty points, £266 fine, £85 costs, £106 victim surcharge

On May 26, 2025, Gill Charlton, a 20-year-old trainee plumber from St John's Estate in South Broomhill near Amble, was spotted by the fire service smoking cannabis in his parked Vauxhall Corsa with the engine running on Ratten Road in Alnwick, Northumberland. Officers attended, smelled cannabis, noted he was unsteady on his feet, and arrested him. Blood tests revealed 72 micrograms of benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) per litre of blood, exceeding the 50 microgram legal limit, and THC (cannabis metabolite) below the limit. He claimed the cannabis was for wisdom teeth pain and was unaware cocaine from prior use remained in his system.

Pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs. Claimed cannabis use was for wisdom teeth pain; had cocaine metabolite over the limit but cannabis metabolite under the limit.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Anthony Pentland

Shop theft

November 10, 2025

Sentence: 8 weeks imprisonment

Anthony Pentland, 38, stole nearly £300-worth of meat and other goods from the Palmersville branch of Aldi on August 2 and 17, 2025, causing £1,000 damage to the entrance door by forcing his way out on one occasion. He also stole £56-worth of food from Home Bargains on September 3, 2025, and perfume, ready meals and air fresheners from B&M on October 23, 2025, in Whitley Bay. All thefts were caught on CCTV. He breached a July 2025 community order by failing to attend appointments and targeting shops outside banned areas.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of shop theft, one of criminal damage and one of breaching a community order. Ordered to pay £291 compensation to Aldi, £56.30 to Home Bargains and £56 to B&M. Has 49 convictions for 90 offences, 44 for theft. Previously given community order and barred from retail spaces in Longbenton and Forest Hall, and from Sainsbury's stores.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Peter Nicholson

Assault

November 9, 2025

Sentence: imprisonment

Peter Nicholson, of Ashington, assaulted his partner during a drunken row.

Simon Armstrong

Possession of a bladed or pointed article

November 5, 2025

Sentence: £280 fine, £85 costs, £112 victim surcharge

Simon Armstrong was arrested for an unrelated matter outside a Blyth address on June 6, 2025, following reports of suspicious activity on Twelfth Avenue. During a search, police found a bradawl with a blue handle in his pocket. He claimed he had been 'fannying around' earlier and had no idea carrying it in public was illegal.

Pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed or pointed article. Had seven prior offences, including drug-driving. Claimed he forgot the bradawl was in his pocket after using it to fit a shed roof.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Kerry Parker

Possessing an offensive weapon in a private place

November 3, 2025

Sentence: six-month conditional discharge

Police executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at Kerry Parker's home in North View, Stakeford, Northumberland, on August 26, 2025, searching for drugs. During the search, officers found a knuckleduster in a drawer. The law has recently changed, making it illegal to possess a knuckleduster in a private place. Parker, aged 39, claimed it had belonged to her deceased nephew since childhood and was part of a memory box she had forgotten about.

Pleaded guilty. No drug-related offences charged. Maintained the knuckleduster belonged to her late nephew and had sentimental value as part of a memory box. Stayed out of trouble since 2018.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Nichola Stappard

Assaulting an emergency worker

November 2, 2025

Sentence: £180 fine, £100 compensation, £40 costs, £48 victim surcharge

Nichola Stappard, 50, of Barras Avenue in Blyth, was arrested for a domestic-related incident on August 27, 2025, and detained at Bedlington Police Station. After her handcuffs were removed by a constable, she punched him in the groin, causing severe pain but no lasting injury. She was re-arrested for the assault.

Pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. Remorseful, stayed out of trouble for seven years, was a carer for her partner, had been drinking and couldn't remember much.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Andrew Tweedy

Drunk and disorderly

November 2, 2025

Sentence: £60 fine, £85 costs, £24 victim surcharge

On August 26, 2025, Andrew Tweedy was admitted to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington. While drunk, he entered a baby changing facility with a bottle of alcohol. When challenged by security, he became aggressive, shouting and swearing, calling staff 'c****' and 'f****** a*******s'. He continued the abusive behaviour despite requests to stop, leading to his arrest.

Pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly. Represented himself in court and apologised, mentioning progress with mental health order and homelessness. Judge commented it's never a good idea to carry alcohol in public spaces like this. Aggravated by being on NHS premises and prior similar offending.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Garry Anderson

Causing serious injury by careless driving

November 1, 2025

Sentence: 12 months driving disqualification, £200 fine

On April 5, 2025, Garry Anderson, a 59-year-old taxi driver from Penrith Court in Bedlington, crashed into a female cyclist on the A1068 Fisher Lane near Cramlington, Northumberland, in the early hours of the morning. The cyclist, who was traveling from Gosforth to Lynemouth wearing yellow reflective gear with red and white flashing lights on her bike, suffered a fractured spine and elbow, requiring treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary's major trauma centre. Anderson stayed at the scene and called emergency services.

Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. Ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge. Described as a momentary lapse of concentration by the chairing magistrate, Win Clayton, who noted he provided immediate help and no probation intervention needed.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Christian Oliver

Shop theft

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 8-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months

Christian Oliver, aged 26, formerly of Blyth but now of no fixed abode, committed 11 counts of shop theft between September 4 and October 20, 2025, mainly targeting Tesco stores in Berwick, but also B&M and Farm Foods. He stole meat and other goods valued at over £1,000, which were not recovered. Identified from CCTV, he stole to sell for money due to homelessness and poverty. He had been released from prison in July 2025 and was already on an 18-month community order for shoplifting from earlier in the year.

Pleaded guilty to 11 counts of shop theft. Has 48 convictions for 101 offences, about half for theft. Was on a community order for similar offences. Must pay £1,070 to Tesco, £99.39 to B&M, and £6.49 to Farm Foods. Told he is in his 'last chance saloon'. Working with Probation Service to break cycle of re-offending.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Danny Robinson

Dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 32-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and 3-year driving ban

On August 24, 2025, Danny Robinson, 33, of Wright Street in Blyth, was driving a Vauxhall Corsa at excessive speed, leading police on a dangerous pursuit through narrow residential streets in Blyth, including First Avenue, Second Avenue, Plessy Road, and Princess Louise Road. He reached speeds of 65mph in 30mph zones, drove on the wrong side of the road, forced an oncoming car onto a footpath, failed to slow for speed bumps or junctions, and evaded police after initially stopping. No damage or pedestrians were involved due to the time of night. He was arrested at the scene and failed a roadside breath test.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. Previous conviction for drink-driving in 2015. Breath reading of 49mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath (legal limit 35mcg). Defendant had been abstinent after rehab but relapsed after seeing a picture of his late sister and drinking 5-6 pints.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Zoe Crozier

Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place

October 19, 2025

Sentence: £120 fine, £85 costs, £48 victim surcharge

On August 18, council officers were evicting Zoe Crozier from her home in Ashington, Northumberland. She was found unresponsive on the floor, possibly due to alcohol withdrawal. When police arrived, she was sitting in a vehicle and immediately confessed to having a knuckleduster in her handbag, which she claimed she was disposing of for her brother to protect him from legal trouble, intending to throw it down a drain. The incident occurred during the eviction process at her address in Ashington.

Pleaded guilty. Has seven prior offences. Was attempting to dispose of the knuckleduster for her brother due to his familiarity with courts. Suffers from alcoholism and was in withdrawal at the time.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Ellie Burns

Assaulting an emergency worker

October 18, 2025

Sentence: £240 fine and £200 compensation

On August 15, 2025, police were called to an address in Holywell, North Tyneside, for a domestic incident where Ellie Burns, aged 22, was in a distressed state around her mother and boyfriend after discovering her boyfriend had been cheating on her. She was arrested for an unrelated matter but refused to calm down, leading to her being placed on the floor for safety. While being walked to the police van, she kicked one constable in the leg, bit another on the shoulder (causing reddening but no skin break due to clothing), and spat in his mouth, with the spit landing on his face. She was restrained again and spat once more in the police vehicle, prompting the preparation of a spit hood which was not applied after she claimed she would vomit.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. No previous convictions. Recently diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Recently lost her grandmother. Also ordered to pay £85 costs and £96 victim surcharge.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Helen Driver

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

September 20, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order, £1,392 compensation, £114 victim surcharge, and £85 costs

Helen Driver, after her 11-month relationship ended via phone on March 26, 2025, went to her ex-partner's home in Cramlington and poured two 2.5L bottles of bleach into his pond, killing his six Koi Carp fish that he had kept for seven years and valued at £1,392. She was captured on CCTV, admitted the act immediately, and the fish died despite attempts to rescue them by placing them in fresh water. The victim expressed devastation over the loss and disgust at the unnecessary killing of innocent animals.

Pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and criminal damage. Defence stated she was upset from the relationship ending and did not intend to kill the fish; she has since been prescribed anti-depressants.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Navid Yousefnezhad

Obstructing a police officer

September 20, 2025

Sentence: Fined £140, £85 costs, £56 victim surcharge, and eight penalty points

Navid Yousefnezhad was driving a BMW on Westgate Road in Newcastle on July 21, 2025, without insurance and only holding a provisional licence. When police pulled him over, he lied about his identity, giving the name and date of birth of his 40-year-old cousin despite warnings. He maintained the deception until a driving licence photo disproved it, leading to charges for obstructing a police officer, driving without insurance, and driving not in accordance with a licence.

The defendant panicked when stopped by police and provided false details, claiming to be his 40-year-old cousin. He was driving his cousin's BMW and had been practising driving.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Mark Parfitt

Assault by Beating

September 14, 2025

Sentence: £150 fine and £100 compensation

Mark Parfitt entered a shop in Stakeford, near Ashington, selected a single chocolate bar, and attempted to leave without paying. When confronted by a staff member, he grabbed the victim's neck and collar, pulling and pushing him in an assault. The worker broke free, recovered the chocolate bar, and Parfitt was later arrested nearby.

Has previous convictions and has served prison sentences in the past. Defence stated it was a short-lived assault with no injuries.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Derek Struthers

Shoplifting

September 13, 2025

Sentence: Fined £100 and ordered to pay £19.97 compensation

Derek Struthers entered Home Bargains in Cramlington on April 25, 26, and 27, 2025, and stole bottles of wine each time, with the goods not recovered and the total value amounting to £19.97. He admitted to the offences, stating he could not remember the third incident but pleaded guilty regardless, amid personal circumstances including homelessness and health struggles.

Pleaded guilty to all charges; had prior convictions and was on a conditional discharge at the time; was street homeless and dealing with alcohol problems and health issues including seizures.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Alison Nash

Driving with excess alcohol

September 13, 2025

Sentence: 17 months driving ban, £200 fine, and £80 victim surcharge

On July 9, 2025, Alison Nash was driving her Mini Cooper while over the drink-drive limit, crashing into a bollard and then into the front yard of a property in Ashington, becoming wedged between a house and a fence. She was spotted by a witness, attempted to exit the vehicle but had to use the boot, and was arrested after failing a breath test with a reading of 69mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg.

Pleaded guilty to the offence; was emotional at the scene and appeared under the influence; judge noted she was nearly twice over the legal alcohol limit and thankfully no one was hurt.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Hedley Watson

Making indecent images of children

June 1, 2025

Sentence: suspended prison sentence and sexual harm prevention order

For almost two decades, Hedley Watson amassed a collection of over 6,000 sexual images and videos of children as young as five across 48 electronic devices at his homes in Northumberland and Cumbria. The collection included more than 2,000 category A videos and pictures, the most serious kind involving penetrative sexual activity.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child. Breached the order within three months by not informing police of an online storage account. Committed to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on December 12.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Mark Burdis

Making indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography

December 14, 2024

Sentence: 9-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months

Mark Burdis, 39, of Castle Terrace, Ashington, Northumberland, downloaded 32 indecent images and 10 videos of children aged 2 to 14, including 17 category A images and 9 videos (most serious, involving penetrative activity), 8 category B images and 1 video, and 7 category C images, between August 31 and October 16, 2024. He also possessed 21 extreme pornographic images involving people and dogs. Police searched his home following intelligence about uploading indecent images, seized devices, and conducted forensic examinations. Burdis claimed he was in an adult pornographic image exchange group and did not realize some images were of children.

Pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possession of extreme pornography. No past convictions. Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years and must sign the sex offenders register. Pre-sentence report recommendations to be followed. Suffered past trauma and depression; carer for partner with two children.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Sam Haswell

Driving with excess alcohol

November 9, 2024

Sentence: 26 months driving ban, £320 fine, £85 costs, £120 victim surcharge

On September 2, 2024, Sam Haswell, aged 33, of Moorland Drive in Bedlington, drove his Nissan Juke through Ashington while nearly three times over the alcohol limit. He wrongly navigated a roundabout on Ellington Road and crashed into a tree. Police arrived at the scene, where Haswell admitted to drinking before driving and failed a roadside breath test, leading to his arrest.

Pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. Expressed remorse; unemployment contributed to the incident.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

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