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20
Jan
Man denies assault and criminal damage at Boroughbridge pub
The Stray Ferret spent the day at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 16) and heard a morning worth of cases on Friday (January 17).
We sat through a number of hearings, which included cases of assault, making indecent images of children and theft.
You can read reports on cases below.
A man has denied a string of assault charges and criminal damage at a pub in Boroughbridge.
Paul Mortimer, 54, of St Andrew's Crescent in Oakenshaw, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 16) where he spoke to confirm his name, address and enter a plea.
Mr Mortimer was charged with one count of assaulting a named victim causing actual bodily harm at the Black Bull Inn, St James Square, on June 22 last year.
The 54-year-old also faced two counts of assault by beating and a criminal damage charge.
Mr Mortimer pleaded not guilty to all charges at the hearing.
A trial date was set for May 22, 2025, at Harrogate Magistrates Court.
Man given suspended sentence over indecent images of children
A man has been given a suspended sentence after making indecent images of children.
Thomas Patchett, 20, who gave an address at Carver Barracks in Essex, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (January 17) for a sentencing hearing.
Patchett admitted three charges of making indecent images of children at a previous court hearing.
Mel Ibbertson, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant made 203 category A images, the most serious type, and 12 videos.
Patchett was also charged with making 351 category B images and eight videos, as well as 107 category C images and 14 videos.
The offences happened between February 25, 2021, and October 17, 2022.
The court heard that police seized “a number of devices” where the images and videos were found.
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court that Patchett “cooperated fully with police once these matters came to light” and that he was of previous good character.
Mr Nuttney pointed out that the charges date back to when the defendant was 17.
He said:
He was a young and immature man at the time of these offences.
Magistrates imposed an eight month sentence on Patchett suspended for two years for the category A images and videos.
He was also handed a five-month sentence for the remaining charges suspended for two years, which will be served concurrently.
Patchett was also ordered to undertake 30 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
Sainsbury's thefts
On Thursday, the court heard three separate cases of theft from Sainsbury's on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate.
A man was sentenced for stealing two cases of lager from the supermarket.
Andrew Keogh pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a shop.
Keogh, who gave his address as Harrogate Road in Ripon, went into the shop on December 16, 2024, shortly before 6pm.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the defendant picked up two cases of lager to the value of £24 and left the shop.
She said the 36-year-old was identified by a police officer through CCTV and was later arrested.
Keogh breached a conditional discharge because of the offence.
Shah Ahmed, defending, told the court the offence happened shortly after someone in Keogh’s life died, which had “greatly affected him”.
Mr Ahmed said Keogh was sorry for what he had done.
The lead magistrate told Keogh he had “seen him several times over the years” but acknowledged the defendant is “making progress”.
Keogh was sentenced to an 18-month conditional discharge for this offence and the offence he was serving the previous discharge for.
He must pay £24 in compensation to Sainsbury’s and a £26 surcharge.
Sainsbury's on Cold Bath Road.
Meanwhile, Del Johnson, of Bower Street in Harrogate, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop.
Johnson stole two crates of beer at Sainsbury’s on Cold Bath Road to the value of £18 on December 10.
He returned to the Sainsbury’s the following day and stole two more crates of beer to the same value.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court Johnson was spotted on CCTV and identified by a police officer.
Johnson breached conditional discharge by committing the two thefts.
Finally, Samantha Hardy, 44, of Bewerley Road in Harrogate admitted one charge of theft from Sainsbury’s on November 28, 2024.
Hardy stole a crate of Stella Artois with a value of £12.
Mel Ibbertson, prosecuting, said the defendant was captured on CCTV carrying out the theft.
The court ordered Hardy to pay compensation of £12 to the store.
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