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15
Feb
Ban for man caught dangerous driving on A1(M)
The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (February 14).
We sat through a full day of hearings, which included cases of assaulting an emergency worker, drug-driving and dangerous driving.
You can read reports on three cases below.
A man has been banned from driving after driving dangerously on the A1(M).
Craig Smyth, of Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court for a sentencing hearing yesterday (February 14).
Kate Barnard, prosecuting, told the court that Smyth was driving a white Ford transit van on the A1(M) near junction 49 at 3.30pm on October 27, 2023.
Ms Barnard said that the 35-year-old was spotted on two occasions undertaking dangerously using the hard shoulder.
The prosecution told the court that Smyth had taken a “deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road”.
Ms Barnard said the defendant had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving, but changed his plea on the day of the trial.
Simon Walker, defending, said that Smyth had no previous convictions and was of good character.
He added:
I can assure you that this gentleman bitterly regrets what he did. He cannot explain why he did it. He has let himself down.
Magistrates sentenced Smyth to a 12 month community order, which includes 180 hours of unpaid work.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to undertake an extended driving test. Smyth was also ordered to pay £564 in court costs.
Harrogate man sentenced for drug-driving
A Harrogate man has been banned from driving after testing positive for cannabis while behind the wheel.
Thomas Hudson, 21, of Keats Walk, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday where he admitted one charge of drug-driving.
Kate Barnard, prosecuting, told the court that Hudson was pulled over on Tower Street on July 17 last year after police noticed a brake light was out on his Citroen car.
The court heard that the named police officer approached the car and “noticed a strong smell of cannabis”.
Hudson tested positive for THC, a component of cannabis, and was charged with drug-driving.
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court that the 21-year-old had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was remorseful for his actions.
Magistrates disqualified Hudson from driving for 12 months and fined him £415. He was also ordered to pay £251 in court costs.
Man given community order after assaulting emergency worker
A Harrogate man has been sentenced to a community order after assaulting a police officer.
Louie Wright, 26, of Lindley Mews, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday for a sentencing hearing.
Wright was charged with possessing cannabis, assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing a police officer on December 26, 2024.
Kate Barnard, prosecuting, told the court that police were called after an incident at a family member's house.
The court heard a named police officer tried to detain Wright on Knaresborough High Street, but the defendant “pushed him in the torso” and fell on top of him.
Ms Barnard told the court when a different officer later tried to restrain him, Wright bit the officer on the leg. The bite did not pierce the officer's skin but it did leave red marks.
Police also found cannabis on Wright.
The 26-year-old admitted the charges at a previous hearing.
Andrew Tinning, defending, told the court that Wright had been drinking on the day of the incident.
Mr Tinning said:
Alcohol has played a part on that night. Police were called and it leads to a situation where this can happen.
Mr Tinning added that Wright had glowing references from his employers. He said it was “difficult to square” the references with how he acted on that night.
The defence told the court that Wright had also gone though “stress within his life” and that officers were not “badly hurt” as a result of the incident.
Magistrates sentenced Wright to a 12 month community order, which included 20 rehabilitation days and ordered him to wear an alcohol abstinence tag.
He was also told to pay a fine and court costs totalling £799.
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