Met Office issues Christmas Eve wind warning for Harrogate district

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across the Harrogate district for Christmas Eve.

The forecast shows Masham and Pateley Bridge will see the worst of it, with gusts up to 53mph, while Harrogate will see 51mph winds in the early hours of the morning.

Knaresborough, Ripon and Boroughbridge could see up to 50mph.

The warning, which is active from 8am to 10pm, covers the Midlands, the north of England and Scotland.

It comes just days after Storm Pia brought 60mph winds to the district.

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Harrogate woman jailed for chasing supermarket staff with drug needle

A Harrogate woman who chased supermarket staff with a drug needle after they tried to stop her stealing alcohol has been jailed for 19 months.

Prolific shoplifter Julie Ruth Rutherford, 54, became aggressive after staff tried to stop her stealing two bottles of alcohol at the Asda store on Bower Road, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Eleanor Guildford said that when staff members confronted Rutherford and asked her what was inside her bag, she hurled abuse at them and poured the contents of the bag onto the floor, which included needles.

Rutherford, who had bedevilled local supermarkets for years, picked up one of the needles and “began to sprint” after the store manager, shouting:

“I’ll give you a needle! I’ll stab you with it.”

Ms Guildford said the store manager, who was named in court, was caused a great deal of distress and anxiety. When he tried to block her path outside the store, Rutherford punched and threatened to stab him.

Ms Guildford said he had recognised Rutherford as she had stolen from the supermarket on “multiple” previous occasions.

As Rutherford tried to escape, she damaged two plant pots, added the prosecuting barrister.

She was arrested five days after the incident which occurred on the afternoon of November 24 and was captured on CCTV.

Rutherford initially denied the offences, claiming she had “no knowledge” of the incident because of her chronic alcohol addiction.

The store manager said the terrifying episode had had a profound impact on his mental health and his sleep, and he often had nightmares about the incident.

41 previous convictions

Rutherford, of Strawberry Dale, was charged with affray, criminal damage and theft. She admitted the offences which were in breach of a 12-month suspended prison sentence imposed in late October for shoplifting.

She had 41 previous convictions for 85 offences, more than half of which were thefts.

Ms Guildford said the shoplifting incident which occasioned the suspended sentence in October occurred in “very similar circumstances” to the incident at Asda four weeks later.

She said Rutherford had a “propensity to commit offences of the same nature” and use the same sort of “tools”, namely needles, to cause people fear of violence.

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Defence barrister Gabrielle Wilkes said Rutherford was “highly embarrassed” about her behaviour and had wanted to be remanded in custody for her own good.

She said Rutherford had endured a traumatic adulthood exacerbated by the death of her sister four years ago and becoming homeless.

She said that Rutherford was a drug addict and alcoholic who was now seeking help for her problems.

Time she ‘learnt a lesson’

Judge Sean Morris told Rutherford:

“I accept you had a tough life, but lots of people have tough lives and they don’t behave like you. It doesn’t give you the right to terrorise people with needles.”

Mr Morris, the Recorder of York, said Rutherford had cost the courts and authorities thousands and thousands of pounds over the years by her inveterate thievery.

He said it was time she “learnt a lesson” and gave her an 18-month jail sentence for the affray, with one month consecutive for breaching the suspended sentence.

Rutherford will serve half of the total 19-month sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence.

Call for North Yorkshire Council to ‘step up’ fossil fuel divestments

Campaigners have called on North Yorkshire Council to “step up” its divestment from fossil fuel companies.

Fossil Free North Yorkshire, which was set up in 2020, has called on the authority to reinvest its pension fund into sustainable projects.

The fund receives contributions from staff at 160 firms, plus past and present public sector workers.

Campaigners said they had met the council’s pension fund committee on a number of occasions and welcomed a reduction in investments to about 1.8% of the total fund, but argued it still represented nearly £76m.

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Dr Margaret Jackson, from Fossil Free North Yorkshire, said the recent COP 28 meeting in Dubai had signalled a transition away from oil, gas and coal.

Local campaigners wrote to all North Yorkshire councillors calling on them to support the case for divestment by the council pension fund committee from fossil fuels and their reinvestment into sustainable projects.

Dr Jackson said:

“Although the outcome of the recent COP in UAE was felt to be disappointing by many, it did signal, with the ‘transition away from fossil fuels’, the beginning of the end of coal, oil and gas. 

“Pension funds and other investors should take note and move away from these investments before they become stranded.”

In response, Gary Fielding, treasurer of the North Yorkshire pension fund, said the fund had already committed investment in renewable projects.

He said:

“The North Yorkshire Pension Fund has its own responsible investment policy which sets out an approach to managing assets that take environmental, social and governance factors into account in investment decision-making and the role an investor plays as an active asset owner. 

“We are also working with our principal investment manager, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, on developing targets and policies. As a shareholder of Border to Coast, we are aligned with their net zero target of 2050 or sooner. 

“Our pension fund has also committed further investment to the Borders to Coast Infrastructure Fund, which holds an ever-increasing range of renewable energy investments in the UK and abroad, which includes wind farm and solar power farms, geothermal energy plants and energy from waste facilities.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate district care firm wins £28m domiciliary care contract

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A care firm that operates across the Harrogate district has won a seven-year contract worth £28 million to provide domiciliary care on behalf of Sheffield City Council

Springfield Homecare provides care to people who want to keep living in their own homes.

It is part of Springfield Healthcare Group, which operates across Yorkshire and the rest of northern England.

Besides its domiciliary care business, it operates seven care homes including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate.

Graeme Lee, the group founder and chief executive, said he was delighted with the award of such a major contract. Mr Lee, who lives in Harrogate, said:

“We want Springfield to be the best regional provider of care in Yorkshire and the north-east.”

North Yorkshire Council this month approved Springfield Healthcare’s planning application to convert the grade two listed Grove House into a luxury care home.

Harrogate business support groups to resume in January

New support groups for businesses in the Harrogate district are set to start in January.

The York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub will be hosting peer-to-peer support groups aimed at helping firms grow.

The programme, which is facilitated by Next Step, runs weekly for six weeks and comprises three cohorts, based in either Harrogate or Ripon.

In addition, there is one hour of one to one discussion in advance of the course to assess the business’s needs and two hours of one to one bespoke support.

For more information on the support groups and to apply, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

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Harrogate restaurant and hotel under new ownership

A Harrogate hotel and restaurant is under new ownership.

The Studley Hotel and The Orchid Restaurant, on Swan Road, have been acquired by local restauranteurs — but their names have not been revealed.

A spokesperson for the Orchid said the new owners, who wished to remain anonymous, have “extensive refurbishment” plans for both venues and want “to make the interiors of the restaurant as good as the food”.

Both sites will remain open during the refurbishments, the spokesperson added.

They also said the restaurant, which serves Asian food, will remain “unchanged” to ensure it keeps its loyal customer base.

Neil Mendoza, the general manager of the Orchid who has been involved with the restaurant since he was 13, said:

“This is a very exciting time for the Orchid.

“I am thrilled that it has been purchased by a family with over four decades of experience as restauranteurs, who share a passion and deep respect for Far-Eastern cuisine.

“Having been a part of the Orchid since my early teenage years, I have built lasting relationships with our valued guests. In the new year, we will commence our refurbishment, redesigning the interiors to celebrate the essence of Far-Eastern and Pan-Asian cuisine, complementing the standard of our exceptional dishes.”

The four-star Studley Hotel will also undergo a makeover, with work expected to finish in spring 2024.

The family behind the acquisition added:

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have acquired this fabulous restaurant and hotel.

“While there are countless Chinese, Thai, and Asian restaurants, the Orchid stands out due to our brigade of chefs, lead by Head Chef, Jim, who has been with the Orchid for 10 years.

“Each of our chefs specialise in different cuisines from diverse regions of the Far East. This is a genuine Pan-Asian culinary adventure prepared by true specialists.”

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Police appeal after second cyclist knocked off bike in Harrogate

A female cyclist has sustained minor injuries following a collision near Asda in Harrogate.

The incident, which took place between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on Friday, December 15, happened at the junction of Bower Road and Haywra Street.

North Yorkshire Police said it is now appealing for the driver of a grey Ford Focus to come forward.

It is the second police appeal involving am injured cyclist issued today.

It comes after another cyclist was knocked off their bike in Knaresborough on Monday.

Regarding the Harrogate appeal, the force said in a statement:

“A pedal cyclist entered Bower Road and was hit by the Ford Focus that had just exited Asda supermarket.

“The driver of the Ford stopped at the scene and spoke with the cyclist, however, they had left prior to police involvement.

“Officers are appealing for them to come forward along with any witnesses and anyone who may have dashcam footage.

“The driver and anyone with any information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident number 12230240822.”

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Cyclist injured after Knaresborough collision

A cyclist has been left with “minor injuries” following a collision with a car in Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident, which happened on Harrogate Road near Mother Shipton’s, took place on Monday, December 18 at 4:45pm.

The force is now appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

It said in a statement today:

“A car collided with a pedal bike which resulted in minor injuries for the cyclist. The driver of the car did not stop at the scene of the collision.

“Officers are now appealing to the driver or anyone with information to come forward. In particular, officers are keen to hear from anyone who has any relevant dashcam footage.

“If you have information, please email 001282@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.”

Quote reference number 12230241416 when passing on information.

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Harrogate paedophile jailed for 13 years for historic sex offences

A serial sex offender from Harrogate has been sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for twice subjecting a young girl to indecent assault in Northallerton during the 1990s.

John William Marshall, 68, of Fairfax Avenue, was sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday after being found guilty of offences at a trial in August.

He has also been made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

A North Yorkshire Police media release today said the bravery of the victim ensured Marshall faced justice, despite the number of years that have passed.

The victim made contact with police in 2019 following publicity surrounding the conviction of Marshall for possession of more than 24,000 indecent images of children, for which he served a custodial sentence and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order. which was due to expire.

Marshall had previously been described publicly by a judge as a “dangerous paedophile”.

The court heard that Marshall had befriended the victim’s family, offering help with their newly acquired computer.

He was subsequently trusted to look after the girl when her parents went shopping.

It was during these times that Marshall sexually assaulted her.

The victim’s parents reported it to police and social services at the time, but no further criminal action was taken due to a series of complications.

Victim thought she would not be believed

Now an adult, the victim’s life had been overshadowed by the thought that she was not believed.

Adam Harland, cold case review manager at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“In coming forward, the victim has now had her voice heard, her evidence believed by a jury, and she has obtained the conviction of the man who had grossly and indecently abused her as a child.

“Sadly, we believe there could be further victims of Marshall out there. We urge them to get in touch, just like the courageous victim in this case has.

“As you can see, time is no barrier to getting justice for victims of child sexual abuse.

“If you have been the victim of sexual abuse, whether it is happening now or in the past, please contact the police.”

Mr Harland added:

“We appreciate that telling the police what has happened takes immense courage and it is never easy reliving extremely distressing experiences.

“We understand this and that’s why we have specially trained officers who will guide you every step of the way and provide access to the full range of professional support services that are readily available.

“In coming forward, we can get you the help you need and ensure offenders like Marshall cannot go on to hurt anyone else.”

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Rare mother of pearl clouds above Harrogate and Knaresborough

Nacreous clouds, a rare and very high cloud formation, covered the Harrogate district skies this morning.

The iridescent clouds, which are also knows as mother of pearl clouds, were spotted by readers just after sunrise.

The Met Office says the clouds, which usually form over polar regions when the sun is just below the horizon, are some of the highest clouds on earth – between 20km and 30km high in the stratosphere.

The sky over Knaresborough this morning. Pic: Emma Meadus

They require low temperatures to form, so are generally only visible when the cold air which circulates around polar regions in the stratosphere is displaced and hovers over the UK.

They are mostly associated with dry and cold weather.

The Harrogate sky just after 9am. Pic: Anna Mcintee.

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Harrogate heroin and cocaine dealer jailed for over three years

A heroin and crack-cocaine dealer from Harrogate has been jailed for over three years.

Scott Bradley, 36, was arrested after patrol officers in Harrogate town centre came across a group of suspicious-looking men, York Crown Court heard.

The group were “huddled” around Bradley in Bower Street in what appeared to be a drug deal, said prosecutor Jemima Stephenson.

Bradley appeared to discard a plastic bag into the hedgerow behind him. He was quickly arrested and searched.

Extra police units were called in after one of the men in the “huddle” walked up to police to try to distract them.

Police seized a tin of white powder from Bradley who claimed it was bicarbonate of soda. They also seized two mobile phones, one of which was “constantly ringing”, some tablets, two sets of weighing scales and £180 cash.

Police searched the vicinity and found a snap bag containing “multiple” wraps of white and brown powder which turned out to be heroin and cocaine.

Bradley refused to reveal his address so his home couldn’t be searched. He was released under investigation following the drug bust on January 2 last year.

In January this year, police were called out to an address in Harrogate on an unrelated matter and Bradley answered the door. He was arrested again and found to be in possession of heroin.

On October 13, he was arrested again following a police response to another “unconnected” matter at a property in Harrogate.

Bradley became “twitchy” during the police search and tried to put his hand in his pocket, whereupon officers found some white rocks which turned out to be crack cocaine in a zip-sealed bag. They also found three wraps containing illicit substances and some weighing scales.

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The drugs found on Bradley during the searches following his initial arrest included heroin, cocaine, crack and cannabis.

Messages on his phones showed he had been dealing cocaine, crack and heroin between Christmas 2021 and his arrest in January last year.

He ultimately admitted three counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, possessing criminal cash, several counts of simple possession of Class A drugs and one count of possessing a Class B drug.

30 previous convictions

Bradley – formerly of Hargrove Road, Harrogate, but currently of no fixed address – appeared for sentence yesterday (Wednesday, December 20) after being remanded in custody.

The court heard he had 30 previous convictions for 60 offences including cannabis production. At the time of his latest drug offences, he was on a community order, imposed in January this year, for burglary.

Defence barrister Jade Bucklow said that Bradley had been using drugs for over 10 years, “progressing from cannabis and alcohol to heroin”.

She said he started dealing to pay off a “large” debt to his drug dealer after he lost his job.

Ms Bucklow said that his dealer had smashed the windows at his then family home and threatened to set the property ablaze if he didn’t pay off the debt.

Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, told Bradley his offences were “pernicious” because drug-dealing “eats away at society” and led to so much associated crime and collateral damage for those who become addicted.

He added:

“You chose to deal drugs rather than obtain money by legitimate means and if you swim with sharks, you get bitten.”

Bradley was jailed for three-and-a-half years.