The Stray Ferret spent the day at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (February 27).

We sat through a full day of hearings, which included cases of drink-driving and driving whilst disqualified. 

You can read reports on two cases below. 

A Harrogate man has been banned from driving after drink-driving in Ripon.

Kehinde Akinyemi, of Birstwith Road, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (February 27) where he spoke to confirm his name, address and enter a plea.

Akinyemi admitted drink-driving on the A61 Harrogate Road on January 18 this year.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that officers were called to a single vehicle collision and found a car facing the wrong way at Hollin Lodge, just off the A61, just before midnight.

Akinyemi made himself known to police and told them he had been out in Ripon with friends. He cooperated with a breathalyser test, the prosecution said.

He recorded 53 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, according to court documents. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

The 26-year-old, who represented himself in court, told magistrates that he “made a terrible mistake”.

Magistrates banned Akinyemi from driving for 14 months. He was also fined £207 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £83 and court costs of £85.

Woman banned after driving whilst disqualified in Harrogate

A Durham woman has been banned from driving after admitting she drove a car whilst disqualified.

Sarah Brent, of Clarence Terrace, pleaded guilty to one count of driving whilst disqualified and one count of driving without insurance.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police officers saw a car driving on the A59 Skipton Road in Harrogate in the early hours of August 16 last year.

Police saw the car being driven by Brent, but checks showed only a male was insured to drive it.

The court heard when police stopped the car, it was revealed the 55-year-old defendant had also been disqualified from driving in 2023.

Brent told officers she was aware of the active disqualification and police informed her she would be reported. 

Ms Ibbotson said there was no evidence of bad driving.

Chris McGrogan, defending, told the court Brent had been visiting friends in Harrogate with her partner that night.

Her partner owns the car, Mr McGrogan said, but added he was not able to drive that night, which is why the defendant was behind the wheel.

The court heard Brent has a number of medical issues. She suffers with severe arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma and spinal stenosis.

Mr McGrogan told the court Brent lives in an area with limited access to public transport and she is reliant on her partner to drive her around when he is not at work.

The magistrates banned Brent from driving for 13 months.

She was also ordered to pay £500 to the courts and her licence will be endorsed.