Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Bilal Havid was spotted driving a BMW M4 Competition in Chester-le-Street in the early hours of June 5. He sped past two police officers and, during the pursuit that followed, reached speeds of more than 120mph in 30mph pedestrian zones. The pursuit was deemed too dangerous to continue and the BMW was lost, but about 20 minutes later Havid was caught on CCTV hiding in an alleyway near the Co-op store in Pelton. When arrested, he claimed he had been waiting for a woman and denied being the driver. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance. Havid had previous dangerous driving convictions and numerous motoring offences, including a police chase near Consett in 2020 in which he reached speeds in excess of 100mph.

Dominic Radcliffe acted as a lookout while a 22ft Christmas tree in Shotton Colliery was cut down with a bow saw on 10 December 2025, hours after about 100 villagers attended a switch-on ceremony. The tree had been planted ten years earlier following a fundraising effort and stood as a memorial to local soldiers who died in the First World War. Radcliffe admitted criminal damage.

John Wallace, 31, of Wingate, was in charge of an off-lead lurcher that attacked and killed the victim's four-and-a-half-year-old cockapoo near her home in South Hetton, County Durham, in April 2025.

Carl Robinson, a 32-year-old from Parker Terrace, Ferryhill, was arrested after stealing meat and butter from Co-op and B&M stores in Ferryhill. He attempted to disguise himself by covering his face with a pair of boxer shorts and was captured on CCTV. He was charged with 10 shop thefts and one attempted shop theft, and he was identified due to prior interactions with neighbourhood officers. Robinson was described as Ferryhill's most prolific shoplifter, responsible for 14 out of 17 shoplifting charges that month, and the offences had a detrimental impact on store staff and the community.

Michaela Wayman, 35, from Seaham, caused unnecessary suffering to her black and white guinea pig Whitey by failing to investigate his weight loss and not providing food, water, bedding, forage or a clean living space. Whitey, about six years old, was found dead in a filthy garden hutch carpeted with faeces and urine last February after a public report. The hutch had no dry area, bowls contained dirty rainwater, and only mouldy fruit was present. Rats had tried to dig in, and tyres and rubbish surrounded the enclosure. The vet determined suffering ongoing for at least two weeks due to poor body condition.

William White admitted stealing from several shops across County Durham and pleaded guilty to multiple counts of shoplifting. He was jailed for 44 weeks and issued with a two-year criminal behaviour order banning him from entering any Tesco in County Durham, the Co-op in Leadgate, the Spar in Southmoor, and the Premier Store in Consett, and requiring him to leave retail premises when asked by staff.

Louise Walker, described as a prolific shoplifter, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of shoplifting. The court deemed imprisonment the only suitable option and jailed her for 46 weeks. She was also banned from every Sainsbury's store in County Durham and from entering the Gilesgate area of Durham under a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

Dylan McNamara, 26, cut down a 22ft Christmas tree in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, shortly after a ceremony to turn on the Christmas lights last December. The tree had been planted 10 years ago and served as a war memorial to local soldiers who died in World War One. He carried out the act with another man who has not been prosecuted. Police identified him from CCTV and found a saw hidden behind his fridge. He never explained his reason.

James Carr breached a Criminal Behaviour Order on several occasions between October 10 and October 14 by approaching members of the public in Durham City to request money or unsolicited work. Students new to the area were among those targeted. Police identified him after reports of door-to-door approaches, and his previous offending included fraud.

Jenna Read allowed her elderly Bichon Frise dog to become severely underweight and infested with maggots. The dog weighed only 2.5kg and was brought to a vet for euthanasia by a friend with Read's permission. Read admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animal and was banned from keeping animals for a decade.