The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (May 29).

We sat through hearings, which included cases of drug driving and theft.

You can read reports on three cases below.

A man has denied two counts of drug driving on the A1(M) near Boroughbridge.

Alfie Tyers, 21, denied driving with a proportion of cocaine in his system on November 18 last year.

Tyers, of Thornaby in Stockton-on-Tees, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday to deny the charges.

He spoke in court to confirm his name, address and enter a not guilty plea.

A trial date was set for September 25 at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Ripon man admits drug driving

A man has admitted drug driving on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

Craig Harpin, 34, of Priest Lane in Ripon, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (May 29).

Harpin, who spoke to confirm his name, address and enter a plea, admitted two counts of driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug in his system — namely cannabis and cocaine.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that police pulled over Harpin at the Texaco petrol station on Skipton Road on January 4 at 7pm.

Officers found the 34-year-old had an expired provisional driving licence and asked him to undertake a drugs test after they could smell cannabis, the prosecution said.

The court heard that Harpin tested positive for drugs and was arrested.

Chris McGrogan, defending, told the court that the defendant had a serious head injury which left him in a coma for eight months.

As a result, Harpin suffered from memory loss, bipolar disorder and epilepsy, Mr McGrogan said.

The defence said the defendant was convinced his licence was in date.

Mr McGrogan told the court that Harpin had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be produced. Harpin will appear before the court on July 18 for sentencing.

Man fined after stealing from Harrogate shops

A man has been fined after stealing from two shops in Harrogate.

Frank Broadbent, 50, of Sunbridge Road in Bradford, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court where he admitted the charges.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, said Broadbent stole a £59.99 speaker from HMV in the Victoria Shopping on March 9 this year.

He was caught on CCTV and later arrested in Harrogate, the court heard.

On May 6, Broadbent stole a crate of Corona beer from Sainsbury’s on Cold Bath Road to the value of £15.25.

Martin Townend, defending, said the 50-year-old made a full admission to the offences during police interview and pleaded guilty in court at the first opportunity.

Magistrates fined Broadbent £40 and ordered him to repay Sainsbury’s with £15.25 in compensation. He was also ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £16 and prosecution costs of £85.