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.
13
Jan
Boroughbridge man denies damaging woman’s garden
The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (January 10).
We sat through a full morning of hearings, which included cases of criminal damage and drink-driving.
The Stray Ferret also sat through cases on Thursday afternoon (January 9).
You can read reports on three cases below.
A Boroughbridge man has denied damaging a woman’s garden.
Stewart McMillan, of Willow Grove, pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.
Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, alleged Mr McMillan turned up at a named woman’s house on August 14, 2024.
The court heard Mr McMillan was allegedly "under the influence, being aggressive and shouting”.
Ms Whiteley claimed Mr Macmillan, 42, overturned a garden shed, several plant pots and damaged a fence. She told the court:
This was seen by the complainant and by a neighbour.
The prosecution said Mr Macmillan accepts he was present at the property but denies causing any damage.
Brian Nuttney, defending, said Mr Macmillan had been for a drink before going to the house.
The court heard the defendant is a landscape gardener by trade and went to the house to collect his lawnmower.
Mr Nuttney told the court:
Mr Macmillan accepts he may have knocked something over but denies any criminal damage.
The case was adjourned until May 8.
Man given lengthy driving ban
A man pleaded guilty to drink-driving in Killinghall.
His case was heard on Thursday (January 9).
Jimmy Bashir, 45, who gave an address in Dudley, West Midlands, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court where he spoke to confirm his name and enter a plea.
The court heard that Bashir had been at a Christmas party and was pulled over on Manor Gardens in Killinghall after reports of a car turning slower than normal into a road.
The 45-year-old gave a breathalyser reading of 78 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath and was taken to Harrogate Police Station where he was charged.
Bashir pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared in court.
Magistrates fined him £827 and disqualified him from driving for 42 months.
Ripon man denies driving offences
Ashton Higginson, of Curfew Road in Ripon, pleaded not guilty to four driving-related offences: drink-driving; driving without a licence; failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.
Alison Whiteley told the court a man heard a car driving quickly down Heckler Lane in Ripon at 3.15am on October 6 last year. The man then heard a bang.
Ms Whiteley alleged Mr Higginson had crashed into two cars before driving off.
The court heard police turned up at Mr Higginson’s house where he was “drunk, asleep on the floor”.
The 19-year-old gave a breathalyser reading of 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – nearly twice the legal limit.
But Kevin Walker, defending, said Mr Higginson was “not the driver”.
He told the court:
The first Mr Higginson heard about it was when the police woke him up and said his car had been damaged.
We do not dispute the two cars were damaged, we just do not agree that Mr Higginson was the driver.
The case was adjourned until May 1.
0