Peterlee Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 16 verdicts at Peterlee Magistrates' Court (Peterlee). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Michelle Hindson

Animal cruelty

August 27, 2025

Sentence: 38 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours of unpaid work

Michelle Hindson and Rhys Hagan owned a bull breed dog named Oreo, who was starved to death. Oreo weighed 9.9kg, less than half his expected weight, and had multiple wounds, including pressure sores and lacerations. Plastic material was found in his empty stomach, indicating prolonged suffering from emaciation and neglect over at least six weeks. The RSPCA investigated after the dog was brought to a PDSA clinic on January 7, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act. Court described it as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they had seen. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187 and costs of £50. Both defendants received a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Paul Hooper

Unlicensed dog selling

August 27, 2025

Sentence: Ordered to pay over £5,000

Paul Hooper, 62, and Stephanie Taylor were prosecuted for illegally selling dogs without a licence, resulting in their court-ordered financial penalty.

Rhys Hagan

Animal cruelty

August 27, 2025

Sentence: 38 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and fined £200

Rhys Hagan and Michelle Hindson owned a bull breed dog named Oreo, who was starved to death. Oreo weighed 9.9kg, less than half his expected weight for his breed and size, and had multiple wounds, including pressure sores and lacerations. Plastic material was found in his empty stomach, and he suffered from severe emaciation and muscle atrophy over at least six weeks without veterinary treatment. The RSPCA investigated after the dog was brought to a PDSA clinic on January 7, 2025.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Stephanie Taylor

Unlicensed dog selling

August 27, 2025

Sentence: Ordered to pay over £5,000

Stephanie Taylor, 58, and Paul Hooper were prosecuted for illegally selling dogs without a licence, leading to their court appearance and financial penalty.

Sarah Crawford

Outraging public decency

August 20, 2025

Sentence: suspended prison sentence

Sarah Crawford was caught performing a sex act in a doorway in Gateshead, which led to her being sentenced for outraging public decency in Birtley.

James Murphy

Using a mobile phone while driving

July 10, 2025

Sentence: 6 months driving disqualification and £520 fine

James Murphy was spotted using his mobile phone while driving a BMW on the A1(M) near Newton Aycliffe on July 1, 2024. He was found guilty, and due to his prior driving offences, this led to his sentencing.

Due to previous driving record, the offence resulted in six penalty points, triggering disqualification under totting-up rules. Magistrates issued a reminder that using a mobile phone while driving poses a danger to all road users.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

David Willis

Animal welfare offences

July 9, 2025

Sentence: 10-year ban on keeping animals, £90 fine, £36 victim surcharge, and £500 costs

David Willis and Gemma Olds failed to meet the needs of five cats, two dogs, and a Burmese python at their home in Fairy Street, Hetton-le-Hole. The animals were found living amongst clutter and rubbish with no access to water, in a chaotic and unhygienic environment. RSPCA inspectors discovered the house was littered with personal belongings, beer cans, and rubbish, with internal doors off their hinges. The animals were seized and taken to a veterinary practice where they were found to be thirsty and hungry; one cat was emaciated and had suffered unnecessarily for at least one week. The snake was cold and lacked adequate water and a suitable environment.

Pleaded guilty to three Animal Welfare Act offences. In mitigation, the court was told the couple both had poor mental health.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Gemma Olds

Animal welfare offences

July 9, 2025

Sentence: 10-year ban on keeping animals, £90 fine, £36 victim surcharge, and £500 costs

Gemma Olds and David Willis failed to meet the needs of five cats, two dogs, and a Burmese python at their home in Fairy Street, Hetton-le-Hole. The animals were found living amongst clutter and rubbish with no access to water, in a chaotic and unhygienic environment. RSPCA inspectors discovered the house was littered with personal belongings, beer cans, and rubbish, with internal doors off their hinges. The animals were seized and taken to a veterinary practice where they were found to be thirsty and hungry; one cat was emaciated and had suffered unnecessarily for at least one week. The snake was cold and lacked adequate water and a suitable environment.

Pleaded guilty to three Animal Welfare Act offences. In mitigation, the court was told the couple both had poor mental health.

Sources: chroniclelive.co.uk

Imrhan Hussain

Speeding

August 21, 2024

Sentence: Fined £92, £130 costs, £37 surcharge, and 3 penalty points

Imrhan Hussain was caught driving a Volkswagen above the 70mph limit on the A1(M) between Bowburn and Bradbury on December 9, 2024.

Michael Smith

Using a mobile phone while driving

August 21, 2024

Sentence: Fined £604, £110 costs, £242 surcharge, and 6 penalty points

Michael Smith was stopped for using a handheld mobile phone while driving his Volkswagen northbound on the A1(M) at Newton Aycliffe on July 2, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to using a mobile phone while driving. Exceptional hardship was noted due to providing vital transport for his stepson’s schooling and medical appointments.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Stewart James Breckon

Speeding

August 21, 2024

Sentence: Fined £665, £110 costs, £266 surcharge, and 5 penalty points

Stewart James Breckon was caught speeding on the A1(M) between Bowburn (J61) and Carrville (J62) in his Mercedes on October 19, 2024.

Jeanette Todd

Speeding

August 7, 2024

Sentence: Six-month driving ban, fined £138, £110 costs, and £55 surcharge

Jeanette Todd was caught speeding on the A1(M) between Bowburn and Bradbury on September 7, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to speeding. Payment arranged in instalments of £200 per month. A linked charge of failing to provide driver information was withdrawn.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

Stacey Dickinson

Speeding

July 3, 2024

Sentence: 6 months driving disqualification, fined £40, £16 victim surcharge, and £110 court costs

Stacey Dickinson was caught speeding on the A1(M) between Junctions 59 (Aycliffe) and 60 (Bradbury) on December 29, 2023, while driving her Honda above the 70mph limit. She was sentenced after admitting the offence, and her driving record was endorsed with three penalty points.

Pleaded guilty to speeding. Due to repeat offending, magistrates imposed a mandatory disqualification. No evidence of exceptional hardship was submitted to avoid it.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

John Dowson

Shoplifting

July 2, 2024

Sentence: Ordered to pay compensation of £146

John Dowson stole £146 worth of goods, including biscuits, burgers, beer, and butter, from Sainsbury's in Horden on June 14.

Kerry Birmingham

Animal cruelty

April 9, 2024

Sentence: Banned from keeping animals for 10 years, fined £200, costs of £1,080, and a victim surcharge of £80

Kerry Birmingham was caught on CCTV and mobile phone footage kicking and punching her four-year-old Rottweiler named Sasha at a pub and elsewhere in town. The abuse occurred on multiple occasions, causing the dog pain and fear, though no long-term injuries were sustained. This led to an RSPCA investigation, resulting in the police seizing Sasha on August 23, 2023.

Pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Mitigating circumstances included alcohol and mental health problems.

Sources: darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Hannah Critchlow

Animal Welfare Act offence

April 2, 2024

Sentence: 12-month animal ban, £200 fine, £250 costs, and £80 victim surcharge

Hannah Critchlow kept 11 dogs in squalid and unhygienic conditions at her home on Bourne Street, Peterlee. The floors were covered in faeces and rubbish, with a strong ammonia smell that made officers feel ill. Two dogs were being boarded while their owners were away, and several required urgent veterinary care for untreated wounds, emaciated states, and dermatitis. The RSPCA removed the dogs on September 3, 2023, after she failed to attend scheduled appointments.

Pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence. No previous convictions. Poor mental health at the time and had worked for ten years looking after dogs before going solo.

Sources: thenorthernecho.co.uk

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