Peterlee Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Lauren Anne Watson deposited approximately six to eight refuse sacks or bags and a flattened cardboard box in the road at Bridge Street, Bishop Auckland, on or before February 25, 2026. The litter was then left there.

William Etherington carried out a spree of shoplifting offences in the Wheatley Hill area, stealing items including sandwiches, beer and vapes. He was arrested on August 20 and taken to court, where he pleaded guilty to 11 counts of shoplifting and was jailed.

Waste from Dale Hudson's company, Thomas Plastering, was found flytipped on farmland near the A167 between Ferryhill and Chilton. The waste included a cardboard box with company details. Hudson arranged for a third party to remove business waste but did not ensure they had a valid waste transfer license, leading to illegal disposal.

Elvet Residences Limited (formerly Three Tuns Developments Limited) operated five blocks of student housing on New Elvet, Durham, accommodating over 170 residents. The properties were deemed by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to pose a significant risk of serious injury or death in the event of a fire due to serious fire safety breaches. Despite repeated warnings and enforcement actions between October 2023 and April 2024, the company failed to take adequate remedial steps.

PC Sophie Harkness, of Northumbria Police, crashed her black Mini Cooper into a barrier and knocked over a lamppost on the B6302 near Durham on June 6, 2025. The vehicle was blocking part of the carriageway with no lights or hazards. She was described as intoxicated, slurring words, and smelled of alcohol. She was arrested after failing to provide a specimen of breath at the scene. A blood test later revealed 177 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood, over twice the legal limit. Police uniform, a baton, and PAVA spray were found in the back of the car.

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.

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.

Nicholas Edwin Leat admitted breaching a planning enforcement notice relating to land next to the A181 at Wheatley Hill in County Durham. Significant amounts of materials were brought onto a field without planning authorisation, turning a naturally sloping field into a level one. The field is close to a watercourse within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the materials had the potential to contaminate it. The enforcement notice requiring the site to be restored to its original state had not been complied with.

Unhygienic conditions at Lebaneat premises in North Bailey and Meadowfield, Durham, including inadequate cleaning, risks of food contamination, rodent droppings and a dead rat. Failure to register change of operator and other food safety and notification requirements.

On 14 June 2018, a fire occurred at the Ramshaw Storage removals firm on Swan Street, Evenwood, where shipping containers were being used to illegally store approximately 50,000 litres of diesel. The fire led to the evacuation of neighbouring homes, significant diesel contamination, hydrocarbon pollution to land and groundwater, and major clean-up costs for Northumbrian Water. Malcolm Smith admitted failing to comply with oil storage regulations and causing groundwater pollution.

Andrew Paul Garthwaite, a disqualified driver, was spotted by police leaving a car park in a Volvo C30 in Easington. He drove through streets at speeds in excess of 70mph in 30mph zones, putting pedestrians and other road users at risk. He attempted to evade officers by driving in circles around backstreets and then tried to escape on foot, but was arrested and charged.

Christopher Williams dumped and burnt waste on a smallholding at School House Farm in Kiln Pitt Hill, near the A68 and Derwent Reservoir. The land was not authorised for any waste activities and it would be very unlikely that a waste operation would be allowed at that location. Williams operates an organisation known as the LCA Community Charity, which provides help to people, schools and other charities with clothing and furniture, and offers house and shop clearance services. However, he regularly dumped and burned residual waste from these activities at the smallholding.