Harrogate schoolboys crash: man appears in court

A man appeared in court today charged with causing serious injuries to two Harrogate schoolboys while driving.

Benjamin Oakes, 46, of Tewit Well Avenue in Harrogate, is accused of careless / inconsiderate driving of a Vauxhall Astra on Yew Tree Lane on February 2 this year.

Two 15-year-old Rossett School students, who were walking to school at the time, had to be rushed to hospital following a collision, which occurred at 8.46am.

Today’s brief hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court was adjourned when it emerged Mr Oakes was only made aware of proceedings yesterday due to a postal problem.

Prosecuting, Melanie Ibbotson said the papers involved in the case were “extensive” and she had no objection to the defence lawyer’s request for an adjournment.

The case is now due to be heard in Harrogate on August 11, when Mr Oakes is expected to enter a plea.

Mr Oakes (left) leaving court today.

 

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Missing Harrogate boy found safe and well

Police have confirmed that a missing Harrogate boy has been found.

The 12-year-old went missing from his home in Harrogate on Wednesday (June 21).

North Yorkshire Police has since confirmed that the boy has been found safe and well.

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Harrogate Town to kick-off season with Yorkshire derby

Harrogate Town will begin the 2023/24 English Football League Division Two season with a Yorkshire derby at Doncaster Rovers on August 5.

Town, who today announced Motherwell midfielder Dean Cornelius, 22, as their sixth summer signing, will then entertain Forest Green Rovers in the first home league fixture of the season on August 12.

Today’s fixture list also revealed the other all-Yorkshire clashes will see Simon Weaver’s men visit Bradford City on Saturday, September 16, before Doncaster Rovers visit the EnviroVent Stadium on Saturday, January 6. The home fixture against Bradford City is scheduled for March 23.

Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, are due in town in November 28 — a Tuesday night.

Christmas in Grimsby

The festive fixture list starts with a trip to Grimsby on Saturday, December 23, before a home match against Accrington Stanley on Boxing Day.

Three days later Harrogate, who finished 19th last season, host Tranmere Rovers, before a New Year’s Day trip to face Morecambe.

Today’s new signing Dean Cornelius

Good Friday sees the side travel to AFC Wimbledon, before an Easter Monday home clash with Gillingham.

The final home fixture of the season takes place on Saturday, April 20 when MK Dons visit Harrogate for the first time.

The final away fixture is at Salford City on Saturday, April 27.

Town’s 2023/24 EFL Trophy Group has also been confirmed, with the club drawn in Group C along with Carlisle United, Accrington Stanley and Nottingham Forest under-21s.

The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup was also made, with Town set to host Carlisle the week commencing August 7.

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‘I can’t ever accept the hard reality of losing you’: wife’s tribute to taxi driver killed in Harrogate crash

The family of a man killed in a crash near Harrogate in the early hours of Sunday morning has paid tribute to him.

Masum Miah, 45, died at the scene of the collision, which occurred at 1.20am on the A61 Harrogate Road at Dunkeswick, near Harewood Bridge.

It involved a grey BMW 3 Series and a black Peugeot Partner taxi driven by Mr Miah, from Shipley.

His wife Ambia said:

“With a heavy, broken heart I will have to say Allah Hafiz (goodbye) to you. I can’t ever accept the hard reality of losing you in this tragic, sudden crash.

“I can’t promise you I’ll be okay, but I promise I will bring our kids up the way we planned together. You’ll always be missed because of the way you were humble, funny, loving, caring, and most of all a wonderful husband and father.

“‘For sure it is god who created us and to him we shall return. You have gone, but will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace and our next meeting will be in Jannah. In Sha Allah.”

The scene of the fatal collision.

Dashcam appeal

North Yorkshire Police is continuing to appeal to anyone who may have seen the collision or who may have dashcam footage to come forward.

You can call 101, select option 2 and ask for Steve Hawkins or him at Steve.Hawkins@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Quote reference number 12230111568.

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Man admits stealing cash and alcohol at Ripon golf club

A man from Knaresborough has admitted stealing cash and alcohol from Ripon City Golf Club.

Nathan Spencer, 49, of High Street, trespassed into the building on Palace Road and stole items of an unknown value on November 4 last year.

Spencer pleaded guilty to the offence in May and was sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday.

Magistrates issued a community order requiring him to perform up to 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £199 to victim services and court costs.

Spencer’s guilty plea was taken into account when imposing the sentence.

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Business Breakfast: £660m investment fund to be launched

Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers.  At the next Stray Ferret Business Club  we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy. 

The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A £660 million investment fund to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in northern England is set to be launched early next year.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will offer a range of commercial finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million.

The fund, which is being launched by the British Business Bank  will address a funding gap in the north and increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses.

Ken Cooper, managing director of venture solutions at the British Business Bank, said the launch of the fund “will further increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in the region, providing finance for firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance”.

Mr Cooper added:

“We know that the levels of private debt lending and equity investment in the north of England remain below expectations given the region’s share of the UK’s smaller business population and that is something this next generation of the fund will continue to address by backing ambitious businesses that will drive sustainable economic growth.”

The fund will operate across three tiers: smaller loans (£25,000 to £100,000), debt (£100,000 to £2 million) and equity (up to £5 million).

Transdev offers free military bus travel

Bus operator Transdev, which includes the Harrogate Bus Company, is offering free travel for Yorkshire’s serving military and veterans on Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

All journeys on the bus firm’s network will be free throughout the day to current forces personnel, cadet volunteers and veterans from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Armed Forces Day in June each year salutes the service of men and women in the military.

Those eligible must show a forces ID card, wear their uniform or display their medals.

 

Fire ravages home in Harrogate

A house has been badly damaged by fire in Harrogate this afternoon.

Firefighters were called to Hill Top Crescent in Bilton at 3.26pm and are still in attendance. The road was cordoned off.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said three fire engines from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon attended.

It did not say whether anyone was injured.

The report added:

“Fire in a garage spread to an attached bungalow.

“Crews have used breathing apparatus, hose reels, main jets and a quantity of firefighting foam.

“The cause of the fire is to be investigated.”

The damaged roof

The road was cordoned off.

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Cost of living crisis prompts Boroughbridge café to close

A Boroughbridge cafe has announced it will close its doors for good within the next two weeks.

Fourth Stone Café serves breakfasts and brunches on Church Lane.

The business, which has been open for 18 months, posted the news on its Facebook page this week.

It cited the cost of living crisis and rising prices as factors in its decision.

Jack Pinder, the owner, said on Facebook:

“It is with a heavy heart I am having to write this.

“Unfortunately, we will be open for only the next two weeks before closing our doors for good on Saturday, July 1.
“The cost of living crisis and continued rises in cost, have caught up with us and like so many small businesses it means we can no longer continue to carry on.

“This has not been an easy decision to make but sometimes you have to acknowledge when enough is enough, not just financially but also for the good of your own wellbeing!”

The post prompted numerous messages of support. One customer said:

“It’s so sad to see such a wonderful business close.”

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Missing Harrogate boy, 12, found safe

Police have confirmed that a missing Harrogate boy has been found.

The 12-year-old went missing from his home in Harrogate on Wednesday (June 21).

North Yorkshire Police has since confirmed that the boy has been found safe and well.

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Harrogate sign Burnley goalkeeper

Harrogate Town AFC has announced the signing of goalkeeper Lewis Thomas on a one-year deal following his release from Premier League newcomers Burnley.

The 21-year-old will provide stiff competition alongside current goalkeepers Mark Oxley and transfer-listed Peter Jameson within the first-team ranks.

Thomas began his youth career with his local side Leicester before moving to Manchester City in 2016.

Having spent three seasons in the City academy, the stopper then made the move to Lancashire, signing for Burnley in 2019.

After featuring in match day squads, Thomas also enjoyed a brief loan spell with AFC Flyde during the 20/21 season.

After securing his fifth signing of the summer, Town boss Simon Weaver said:

“He’s a huge lad, so walking down the tunnel we’ve got another big unit in there, we think he’ll fit in really well with our goalkeeping department.

“Phil Priestley importantly gave us the nod that he respected the lad and thought he was very coachable and likeable, as well as having all the ingredients to do really well with his career.”

The goalkeeper takes up the number 13 jersey.

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