The Stray Ferret spent the day at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (February 20).

We sat through a full day of hearings, which included cases of shop theft, drink-driving and drug possession. 

You can read reports on three cases below. 

A Harrogate man appeared in court charged with five counts of theft from a shop. 

Carl Baines, who gave his address as Roche Avenue, pleaded guilty to all the charges. 

Kaye Barnard, prosecuting, told the court two of the thefts happened on the same day at the same store.

The court heard Baines entered One Stop on Devonshire Place in Harrogate twice on November 23 last year. He stole San Miguel lager valued at £12 on both occasions.

The 19-year-old defendant then returned to the One Stop store on November 26, when he stole Foster's larger to the value of £11.50.

Ms Barnard said Baines stole San Miguel from the store on December 13, and again on December 18.

The total value of the alcohol stolen was £59.50.

Aneel Liaqat, defending, told the court the defendant “has a drink problem”.

He can’t remember when it started but it was due to family issues, Mr Liaqat said. 

The court heard:

Mr Liaqat told the court Baines accepts what he did was wrong.

He did not report any issues with his physical or mental health other than the drinking, Mr Liaqat added.

The case was adjourned whilst a pre-sentence report is prepared. Baines will return to court for sentencing on April 10. 

Dacre Banks man admits being more than twice the legal alcohol limit

Jack Watson, of Church Avenue, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when his alcohol level was above the limit.

Kaye Barnard, prosecuting, told the court police officers were called to a car crash on Montpellier Hill in Harrogate at 3.30am on January 26 this year.

The 25-year-old defendant told officers the car belonged to him and he had been driving it when it crashed.

Ms Barnard said Watson gave a breath sample, which recorded 88 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

Watson was of previous good character, the court heard.

Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Watson co-operated with police and wanted to express his remorse through his solicitor.

Mr Nuttney said:

The court heard Watson went to see his friends on the night of the incident and intended to get a taxi home.

“He overdid the drink”, Mr Nuttney said.

Watson realises he needs to find a balance between making time for his friends and family and going to the gym, the defence added.

The defendant also struggles with depression.

The magistrates banned Watson from driving for 20 months, reduced by 20 weeks, if he completes a drink-driving course by a certain date.

He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, a £48 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs. 

19-year-old admits cocaine possession in Harrogate

Jacob Temporal, of Halstead Road in Harrogate, was charged with two offences.

He pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place and possessing a Class A drug.

Kaye Barnard, prosecuting, told the court police were called to Mojo on Parliament Street at 10.55pm on New Year’s Eve last year.

The court heard Temporal had been refused entry to the bar and Mojo staff wanted him moved away from the site.

Ms Barnard said the 19-year-old was “pushing towards” police officers when they arrived and was spitting on the ground.

Temporal’s speech was slurred and his pupils were enlarged, she added.

The court heard the defendant lunged towards officers with his arms and body, after which he was arrested. White powder, which was later found to be cocaine, was discovered in his back pocket.

Temporal was of previous good character.

Sean Wilson, defending, told the court Temporal was “quite intoxicated” on the night of the offence.

He is a joiner by trade, Mr Wilson added.

The magistrates fined Temporal a total of £820.