A drug dealer has been jailed for two years and eight months after being caught by police in Harrogate.

Alex Horsfield, 26, was spotted by North Yorkshire Police’s county lines officers on Roberts Crescent off Skipton Road in his Vauxhall Astra on 11.50am on May 11 this year.

Horsfield, who is from Keighley, was detained for a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act search over suspicions that he was part of a county lines drug supply operation.

Officers found two separate packages in his clothing, both containing multiple individual wraps of white and brown powder.

One was from within his hoodie pocket and one from within his shorts concealed under a pair of tracksuit bottoms.

Approximately 40 packages were individually wrapped containing both crack cocaine and heroin.

Horsfield was later charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Read more:

• Police sack Harrogate officer convicted of sexual assault
• Harrogate police officer sacked after ‘misleading’ the force
• Harrogate police officer given suspended sentence for sex assault

He claimed that the drugs were for his own personal use.

However, when he appeared at York Crown Court today (Tuesday 6 June 2023), he pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced immediately at his own request.

PC Michael Haydock, of operation expedite at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Alex Horsfield is yet another example of someone who believe they can come across the border to North Yorkshire to commit drug crime.

“This has shown him, and others like him, that this will not be tolerated.

“North Yorkshire Police is committed to tackling drug-related crime, and having a dedicated Operation Expedite County Lines Team allows us to target those who pedal these illegal substances in a proactive and relentless manner.

“The fight against Class A drug supply will continue and anyone else doing so can expect to be dealt with robustly should they chance their arm it.”

A move to press North Yorkshire’s police commissioner to resign, amid claims she has failed in her duty to hold the force’s leadership to account, appears to have been swept aside.

The opposition leader on North Yorkshire Council, Cllr Bryn Griffiths, told a meeting of the authority’s corporate and partnerships scrutiny committee he had issued the notice of motion after hearing Conservative commissioner Zoe Metcalfe’s response to a highly critical inspection of the force.

The Liberal Democrat leader said his Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services re-inspection of how the force keeps children safe took place about a year after Mrs Metcalfe was elected as commissioner and that she had ample time to recognise and start tackling some of the issues.

After the report found 14 of the force’s child protection cases were inadequate and eight required improvement, Mrs Metcalfe said the force had “let the public and the most vulnerable in our society down”.

In a 1,650-word letter to the committee, Mrs Metcalfe said her “activity is aimed at robustly scrutinising and driving assurance on behalf of the public, to see to it that North Yorkshire Police continues its journey to being exemplary”.

She added she would submit a report to highlight her actions to North Yorkshire and York’s police, fire and crime panel, for its consideration on June 21.

However, Cllr Griffiths said the motion was not political, but rather “a failing by the admiral of the fleet, for not keeping control of the captain running the ship”.

He said while the commissioner had spoken of her “surprise” about the report’s findings, it appeared Mrs Metcalfe did not know “what was going on in her own patch”.

Cllr Griffiths said: 

“She was monitoring, she wasn’t managing, she was not in charge of direction for her captain, the chief constable. If oversight had been under control she would have known what was going on and she would have been asking the right questions to the right people.

“This police, fire and crime commissioner has not been doing their job.”

Read more:

• Crime commissioner’s office to move to Harrogate Police Station
• North Yorkshire Police ‘still needs to improve’ on child safeguarding, say inspectors

Other councillors questioned the commissioner’s performance and whether she had held the force’s senior officers to account sufficiently.

Independent councillor for Hunmanby and Sherburn, Michelle Donohue Moncrieff, said the motion represented “a very tempting but simplistic answer”, but it was the police’s leadership, rather than solely the commissioner, who needed to be held to account.

She added: 

“Bearing in mind even if the commissioner did resign, we are running down the clock towards a mayoral combined authority, what net benefit would there be in having a by-election?

“I sometimes feel that she is representing the force to us, rather than us to the force. Some of the things in that report are not acceptable at any level. They need resolving now.”

Conservative colleagues of Mrs Metcalfe highlighted the commissioner was “not the manager of North Yorkshire Police”, but rather was “the public voice” who had “elected oversight” of the force.

Former police officer Cllr Malcolm Taylor called for the committee to take no further action, saying the right body to deal with the matter was the police, fire and crime panel, and instead the commissioner  be invited to address the serious issues highlighted in the report with the committee.

Describing the motion as “wrong-headed” and misguided, another former police officer, Cllr Tim Grogan, said the proposal had wasted the time of the committee.

Ahead of a vote to call the force’s chief constable, Lisa Winward, to answer councillors’ questions, Cllr Grogan said the commissioner had turned around the persistent issue of long waiting times for the non-emergency police phone line and if she dealt with the child protection issues as robustly he had every confidence in her.

A Harrogate village bridge looks set to be closed to traffic for a long time after a large crack appeared.

North Yorkshire Council closed the bridge on Church Lane in Hampsthwaite suddenly and without warning on Friday.

It acted after a two-inch wide gap appeared at the side of the bridge, prompting safety concerns. It was possible to look through the gap and see the River Nidd.

In an update today the council said 15 metres of the parapet, which is the safety barrier, on the damaged side of the wall needed to be rebuilt.

No timescale or cost was given but the scale of the work indicates long-term closure is likely.

The update did, however, say plans were being drawn up for pedestrians to use the undamaged side of the bridge, which joins Hampsthwaite and Clint.

The crack in the bridge

It is not yet known if cyclists will be permitted to cross.

The cause of the problem remains unknown.

The statement said:

“Following an onsite assessment by engineers we are able to confirm that the parapet has been pushed out over the edge of the bridge deck and this has damaged several of the corbels that support from beneath.

“These need to be repaired and 15 metres of the parapet taken down and rebuilt using hot lime mortar.

“The bridge will remain closed to traffic – due to ongoing safety concerns and the fact the bridge is narrow – until the repairs can be completed. Engineers are working on a scheme and aiming to get contractors on site to start them in July.

“Plans are currently being drawn up to open a section across the bridge, on the opposite side to the damaged parapet, to allow safe crossing for pedestrians.”

Read more:

• Bridge near Harrogate closes suddenly after crack appears
• Harewood Bridge to be closed for repairs for four weeks

Poet laureate Simon Armitage has been commissioned to write a poem inspired by Brimham Rocks and the surrounding moorland.

The poem, called Balancing Act, will be carved in stone and placed on the moor.

Brimham Rocks is an outcrop of millstone grit rocks formed 325 million years ago near Pateley Bridge. The site, owned by the National Trust, was designated a site of special scientific interest in 1958.

Mr Armitage, who was born in Huddersfield, was appointed poet laureate in 2019. A former geography student at Portsmouth Polytechnic, his work often focuses on northern landscapes.

He appeared at arts festival Feva in Knaresborough and at Ripon Poetry Festival in 2021.

A National Trust representative is due to give a presentation about the poem at Pateley Bridge Town Council tonight.

A trust spokesperson said the poem will “create a permanent artwork and place for reflection” and will be debuted at an official launch on June 22.

Further details are expected next week.

Read more:

• Cattle introduced to Brimham Rocks
• Boy, 11, rescued from Brimham Rocks

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens has unveiled a new flower bed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its twinning with the town of Barrie in Canada.

The beds will be made up of 3,750 flowers, primarily petunias and begonias in a variety of colours.

The unveiling will coincide with Barrie Day, a holiday celebrated across Canada.

Sir Robert Barrie, the town’s namesake, was married to Julia Wharton Ingilby of Ripley Castle. Both are buried in the family vault at All Saints’ church in Ripley. Barrie was a naval officer instrumental in keeping Canada from joining America in 1812.

Former mayor of Harrogate and trustee of Harrogate international partnerships, Michael Newby,  who is set to visit Barrie, said:

“I am delighted to be going to Barrie to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our relationship, having been the mayor who signed the twinning agreement on behalf of Harrogate.”

Part of the New Zealand flower bed section, as Harrogate is also twinned with Wellington the capital.

 Read more: 

• Valley Gardens ceremony to mark Harrogate’s 70 years of links with New Zealand
• New canopy and benches installed in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate based IDR Law has announced a £3.25 million growth capital investment from BGF – one of the largest growth capital investors in the UK.

IDR Law is the only UK law firm to specialise solely in the resolution of contentious wills, probate and trust disputes. The majority of the firm’s work is generated by referrals.

The firm’s IDR Network (IDRN) launched last year provides members with an online referral and support space for contentious issues, along with extensive training,  general resources and commentaries.

The deal will allow IDR Law to invest in talent and legal tech, as well as expanding its office network to the Midlands, North East and London.

Martin Holdsworth, founder and CEO of IDR Law, said:

“By its nature, our work is very emotive, so it’s crucial for us to deliver the best possible service to referrers and clients, which is reflected in our exceptional client and referrer NPS scores. We have identified opportunities for significant growth, but we will only take on cases where we genuinely believe we can help someone reach their goals. BGF understood what we are looking to achieve and that it’s essential we continue to do this in the right way.

“Our business is built on strong foundations because of our focus on our people and culture.  From day one, we were set up to work remotely so we could offer our lawyers the opportunity to work flexibly with paid overtime and a healthy balance between work and home. Because of this, we’ve been able to attract the best talent with a 20-strong team based across the UK with 90% of our workforce made up of women. It’s also the most productive and engaged team I’ve experienced working with.”

Read More:

• Business Breakfast: Sales manager celebrates 20 years at Harrogate district estate agents
• Revived Farmison fully reopens Ripon shop

New Executive Chef at Swinton Park

Ruth Hansom has been appointed Executive Chef at Swinton Park Hotel near Masham.

Ruth who has worked at The Ritz, The Ledbury and L’Enclume said her aim is to ensure Swinton achieves five star status in the next 12-18 months.

She said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the team on the at Swinton Estate as Executive Chef.  I am excited to showcase the best of Yorkshire’s produce, from the Estate’s own walled garden to the surrounding farms and producers.”

Ruth has redesigned the restaurant kitchens with between 50% and 80% of the food served in the hotel’s Samuel’s restaurant sourced from the Switnon estate.

Dame Susan Cunliffe-Lister, owner of Swinton, said

“We are delighted to welcome Ruth to Swinton Estate as our new executive chef.

“Her vision and enthusiasm for both the food and the process of delivering it – from kitchen design to creating a happy and fulfilled catering team, really stand out.  We are sure she’ll be a huge asset to all of the dining experiences we offer at the Swinton Estate.”

Ruth Hansom, Executive Chef, Swinton Park

A Harrogate police officer has been sacked after misleading North Yorkshire Police during its vetting process.

Christopher Hudson faced four allegations at a misconduct hearing in Northallerton last week.

Mr Hudson was alleged to have acted dishonestly, including failing to declare he was friends with a convicted criminal and failing to notify the force he had been involved in a criminal investigation in 2006.

Lisa Winward, chief constable at North Yorkshire Police, said the misconduct had the potential to seriously affect the “the trust and the confidence in the service”.

Misleading the force

The 32-year-old, who had previously been suspended following an allegation of sexual assault in Harrogate for which he was later acquitted, had first applied to North Yorkshire Police in November 2017.

He completed a vetting application on February 27, 2018.

However, the hearing, which was overseen by chief constable Lisa Winward, found Mr Hudson had been dishonest and misleading during the process.

He failed to declare he was associated with convicted criminal Richard Calvert, who he had visited on seven separate occasions at HMP Wealstun near Wetherby between June 2012 and October 2014.

Calvert was jailed for six years for robbery in April 2012.

Mr Hudson, who is from Huddersfield but had been based in Harrogate, had claimed Calvert was “purely someone whom I know by name from my youth”.

However, the hearing found he had visited him on multiple occasions and was arrested alongside him for arson.

It also found that Mr Hudson had called Calvert to wish him happy birthday during an 18-minute phone call.

The hearing found Mr Hudson failed to supply the correct information about being arrested for arson and criminal damage in 2006.

Read more:

• Police sack Harrogate officer convicted of sexual assault
• Police appeal after dog kills lamb in Harrogate district field
• Harrogate police officer given suspended sentence for sex assault

In a previous application for a PCSO role to West Yorkshire Police in 2016, Mr Hudson said he had been arrested at the age of 14 for “playing football on private property” and was later released.

Officers at the force then confirmed he was arrested for both criminal damage and arson in 2006 after speaking to Mr Hudson.

A year later in his application to North Yorkshire Police, he only declared that he gave a statement to West Yorkshire Police over “an arson in my neighbourhood”. He failed to declare his arrest for criminal damage and arson.

Meanwhile, the hearing found he also failed to declare he had four siblings. Instead, he named one “half sister” during the application.

Mr Hudson  also failed to declare he had two county court judgements against him. In his application, he only declared one.

Dishonest behaviour could be repeated

Chief constable Lisa Winward

In her decision notice, chief constable Winward said the force had “no confidence” Mr Hudson’s dishonest behaviour would not be repeated.

She said:

“There is no confidence that the officer’s dishonest behaviour would not be repeated in the future given the multiple opportunities during this investigation for him to offer a truthful explanation for his actions. Indeed, he appears to have continued to embellish events into further untruths.

“Therefore, the only sanction appropriate in this case is dismissal without notice and the officer will be placed on the barred list.”

Ms Winward added:

“I also bear in mind that the misconduct of a single officer can tarnish the reputation of a force and the service as a whole and undermine the trust and confidence that members of the public have in North Yorkshire Police. 

“I bear in mind that should the public feel that improper behaviour on the part of police officers is left unchecked and they are not held accountable for it in a suitable manner, then public confidence in the police, and North Yorkshire Police in particular, will be eroded.”

Mr Hudson was dismissed from the force without notice.

Star of Lethal Weapon movies, Danny Glover, enjoyed a meal at a Harrogate restaurant this weekend.

Staff at Efes Bar and Grill took a selfie with Hollywood actor when he ate there on Sunday.

Efes is a family-run Mediterranean restaurant that opened very recently on May 19 and has seen 5 star reviews on Google.

The actor was in town for Yorkshire Comic-Con where fans could get photos and signatures. He appeared alongside John Cleese and Gabriel Luna to fill out the star studded line up.

Glover is most famous for his portrayal of Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon franchise. He has also starred in The Colour Purple and Predator 2. He is also known for his political activism, strongly opposing the Bush administration in America. In 2016 he received the Cuban medal of friendship.

Read More:

• Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet visits Nidderdale pub for dinner
• New Mediterranean restaurant opens in Harrogate

A Harrogate butchers is supporting a £70,000 bid to raise money for a friend’s potentially life-saving medical treatment.

Country Butchers, on Leeds Road, is running the appeal in aid of Mick Wood, who has been diagnosed with chlyothorax — a rare condition where lymph formed in the digestive system accumulates in the chest cavity.

Mick underwent an operation in September last year but his symptoms have worsened and his wife Marion is now raising funds for private treatment abroad.

Marion said in a fundraiser post her husband has lost 32kg in the last year and was malnourished due to his illness.

She added the condition was “potentially life-threatening” but treatment abroad offered hope. She said:

“He has been tested for cancers and cirrhosis with nothing found.

“The consultant that is treating him has said that there is not a lot more that can be done for him here because they lack the knowledge to deal with such a rare and complex case.”

Read more:

• CrossFit Harrogate prepares for charity challenge
• Harrogate to host new fundraising walk to fight dementia

A GoFundMe fundraiser has so far raised more than £5,000,

As part of the appeal, Country Butchers has launched a raffle with tickets priced £5 each to win a family Christmas dinner worth £150.

The butchers said it set up the raffle to help get Mick “back to his good old self”.

All funds raised from the campaign will go towards Mick’s appeal.

For more information on the raffle, visit the Country Butchers Facebook page. You can also donate on Marion’s GoFundMe page.