The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (November 27).

We sat through a number of hearings, which included cases of theft, going equipped for theft and drink-driving.

You can read reports on cases below.

A drink-driver has been banned after police caught him “swerving” on the A61 near Ripon.

Charlie Pritchard, 26, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (November 27) where he admitted a charge of drink driving.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court that Pritchard was caught by police “swerving between white lines” on Ripon bypass on November 9 this year.

Ms Whiteley said officers pulled over the 26-year-old on Hutton Lane, off the A61, where he tested positive for alcohol after a breathalyser test.

Pritchard, of Hambleton Avenue, Thirsk, recorded 58mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath — the legal limit is 35mg.

Ms Ahmed, defending, told the court that the defendant had a drink after a remembrance event in Ripon, where he had been working that day.

She added that he will now lose his job as a chef as it is too far away from his home and there is little access to his workplace through public transport.

Pritchard was disqualified from driving for 16 months and ordered to pay a £120 fine, £48 victims’ surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Woman who almost collided with ambulance banned from driving

A woman has been banned from driving after nearly crashing into an ambulance near North Stainley.

Patricia Smedley, 60, of Allinson Court, Ripon, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court where she spoke to confirm her name, age and address.

Smedley admitted a single charge of drink driving on the evening of November 7 this year.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, said the 60-year-old nearly collided with an ambulance while driving on the A1608 near the village.

After pulling over, she admitted to police that she had been drinking and recorded 84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath — the legal limit is 35mg.

Ismael Uddin, defending, told the court that Smedley was of previous good character and was “mortified” to be before the court.

He added that the near miss with an ambulance had caused no damage.

Magistrates banned Smedley from driving for 22 months. She was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £48 victims’ surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Man fined after Harrogate town centre thefts

A man has been fined after stealing from shops in Harrogate town centre and being caught with wire cutters.

Lee Windsor, 46, of Wedderburn Avenue, Harrogate, admitted two counts of theft at a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Windsor also admitted a third count of going equipped for theft after being caught with wire cutters.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, said the 46-year-old stole a pair of EA7 sliders from TK Maxx worth £24.99 and gift items from TJ Jones to a value of £58.98 on November 13.

Windsor, who represented himself in court, said the thefts were a “drunken mistake”.

Magistrates fined Windsor £140 and ordered him to pay court costs of £85 and a victims’ surcharge of £56.