The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (July 10).

We sat through all the hearings, which included cases of theft, drink-driving and being drunk and disorderly.

You can find reports on three cases below. 

Benjamin Steel, of Burns Way in Harrogate, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft from a shop.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court Steel stole alcohol from Aldi on Oak Beck Road in Harrogate on June 4.

The total value of the stolen goods was £9.49.

On June 29, Steel committed a further four thefts within a two-hour period.

He entered a Co-op store in York at around 8pm, when he stole four cans of Jack Daniel’s and cola to the value of £10.40.

Steel, 36, went back to the store shortly before 9pm. He stole two bottles of Stella Artois and more Jack Daniel’s and cola cans, coming to a total of £11.70.

The court heard after Steel selected the alcohol, he walked up to the counter and told the shop assistant:

He then pointed the goods towards a security camera and left.

Steel returned to the Co-op an hour later and stole four packs of Stella Artois. He dropped three of the packs, before selecting some cans of Stella Artois.

The stolen goods totalled £35.

The defendant went back to the store for the final time at around 10pm, when he stole more alcohol.

Ms Whiteley said the doors would not open when Steel tried to leave the store, as the staff had disabled them, but they opened when a member of the public walked inside the store.

Steel then left and the police were called. Officers found him “heavily intoxicated” nearby.

The total value of the goods stolen from the Co-op was £64.

Steel admitted the offences when he was interviewed by police, and apologised for his actions.

He told officers he has issues with drugs and alcohol and struggles with his mental health.

Steel travelled to York from Harrogate that day, Ms Whiteley told the court, adding he did not believe he had money to pay for the alcohol after spending it on drugs.

Sean Wilson, defending, said Steel has suffered with mental health problems for the majority of his adult life, as well as substance abuse.

He struggles with anxiety, depression and psychosis.

The court heard Steel was “going through a crisis” at the time of the offences, as he had stopped taking his medication, but he is now back on his medication and is engaging with the community mental health service.

Steel is also speaking to addiction agency North Yorkshire Horizons, Mr Wilson said.

Steel was ordered to pay a total of £298.49, which comprises a £100 fine, £85 in prosecution costs, a £40 surcharge, £9.49 in compensation to Aldi and £64 in compensation to the Co-op. 

Woman admits drink-driving after her cat died

Cathy Preston, of Hollins Lane in Hampsthwaite, pleaded guilty to one offence of drink-driving.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court Preston was driving on Skipton Road in Harrogate at 10.45am on December 22 last year.

Preston crashed into railings at the junction with St John’s Road after “losing control” of the vehicle.

When police arrived at the scene, Preston was trying to reverse the car but the officers parked behind her to stop her. 

The 62-year-old defendant was arrested and taken to hospital, where she later provided a blood sample. Analysis of the blood recorded 189 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – more than twice the legal limit of 80 milligrams.

Chris McGrogan, defending, told the court Preston is a woman of “exemplary” character and has never been before the courts.

He said the defendant’s cat died the day before the incident, which made her “extremely upset”, so she decided to have a drink.

Preston, who was visibly upset in court, did not think she was over the limit when she got behind the wheel the following day.

“She somehow collided with a barrier on the road,” Mr McGrogan added.

He told the magistrates he would be “surprised if she ever appears before a court again”, adding:

Preston was banned from driving for 21 months, which would be reduced by 21 weeks if she completes a drink-driving awareness course.

She was also ordered to pay a £415 fine, a £166 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs. 

Man sentenced for being drunk and disorderly at McDonald’s

Andrew Keogh, of Harrogate Road in Ripon, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court police were called to a “disturbance” at McDonald’s in Ripon at around 9pm on June 20.

Keogh tried to get behind the counters at the McDonald’s, as well as threatened and pushed staff members.

When the police arrived, Keogh continued to shout and swear in the street, the court heard.

Keogh has 99 offences on his criminal record and, by committing the recent offence, breached a community order imposed last month.

Sean Wilson, defending, told the court the 36-year-old defendant has had a “particularly difficult last year” following the death of his partner.

“Since then, his behaviour has spiralled and his use of alcohol has increased”, he added.

The court heard he has struggled to cope with the death and also suffers from ADHD.

A probation officer told the magistrates Keogh is engaging well with his existing order and has attended all his appointments.

The magistrates ordered Keogh to pay a total of £197, comprising an £80 fine, a £32 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

The defendant told the bench his probation appointments have “all been really positive” and he has only consumed alcohol twice in the last five weeks.

“But I have not been excessive [in my drinking] – I want to do better for myself," Keogh said.