Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Jul
Boroughbridge man denies assault in Ripon
The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (July 3).
The hearings included cases of assault and drink-driving. You can read reports on two cases below.
Man, 21, sentenced for drink-driving
Sami Rehman, of Malt Kiln Lane in Harewood, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police were on duty in Harrogate on the evening of June 13.
At around 10pm, officers in a marked police car parked at a petrol station on the A61 Leeds Road.
They noticed a car travelling above 50mph at the time and followed it before indicating to the car to stop.
The court heard police stopped the car on Swindon Lane, near Pannal, and Rehman told officers:
I can't lie to you I was going a bit quick.
Two male passengers were also in the car at the time.
Ms Ibbotson said police could smell alcohol on Rehman and he told them he had a drink about five hours prior.
Rehman, 21, was arrested and taken to Harrogate Police Station, where he gave a reading of 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35 micrograms.
Rehman is of previous good character.
Mr Doyle, defending, told the court Rehman has “held his hands up and does not want to waste any court time”.
Rehman’s young age and immaturity were partly why he was in court, Mr Doyle said.
The court heard Rehman had gone for a curry with his friends on the night of the offence and was the designated driver.
He intended to have “a couple of pints”, but Rehman claims he ended up having two-and-a-half pints before driving his friends home.
“He is ashamed of himself”, Mr Doyle said, adding:
What’s more embarrassing is that he is a law student. But I can say he will not do this again; he wants to take it on the chin and move on with his life.
Mr Doyle felt Rehman will “actually learn something” from the incident.
The magistrates banned Rehman from driving for 12 months, which would be reduced by 12 weeks if he completes a drink-driving course by a set date.
He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, a £48 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
0