The Stray Ferret spent a morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (May 2).

We sat through hearings, which included cases of going equipped for theft, causing serious injury through careless driving and obstructing a police constable.

You can read reports on three cases below. 

A woman has admitted causing serious injury through careless driving in Nidderdale.

Shona Bostwick, 66, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday where she pleaded guilty to the charge.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court that Bostwick had collided with a 100-year-old woman while driving on West Lane in Bewerley on October 14 last year.

Ms Whiteley said the collision caused injury to the named victim which had a “serious effect on her life”.

However, the prosecution added that Bostwick, who gave the court an address in Scarborough, was of previous good character.

Ashleigh Dey, defending, asked the court to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report.

Magistrates adjourned the hearing until June 12 when the 66-year-old will return to court for sentence.

Man fined for obstructing police officer

A man has been fined after obstructing a police officer in Harrogate.

Callum Burns, 44, of Plantation Terrace, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court where he was charged with resisting a constable in execution of duty and driving without MOT on March 13 this year.

Burns admitted the charges in court.

Andrew Tinning, defending, told magistrates that Burns was unaware that his car MOT had expired and had no intention of resisting arrest from officers.

Magistrates fined Burns £317 for obstructing an officer. No separate penalty was imposed for the MOT charge.

Pair deny going equipped for theft

A man and a woman have denied going equipped for theft on the A19.

Nicolae Prichindel, 45, and Mirabela Prichindel, 41, who both gave addresses in Romania, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (May 2).

Mr and Mrs Prichindel are alleged to have been in a lay-by on the A19 near Thirsk when they had a hydraulic pump, hoses and a crossbow in their heavy goods vehicle which were to be used in the course of, or in connection with, theft on March 7 this year.

The pair, who appeared together in court, denied the charge.

The court adjourned the case for trial at Harrogate Magistrates Court on October 2, 2025.