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

We sat through hearings, which included cases of drug driving, cannabis possession and failing to provide a specimen to police.

You can read reports on three cases below.

A man has been fined after being caught with cannabis in Knaresborough.

Jake Rogers, 29, of High Street in Knaresborough, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday where spoke to confirm his name, address and plead guilty to the charge.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, said officers were on patrol near Knaresborough Castle when Rogers was spotted on a bench “rolling a joint”.

The 29-year-old then “discarded some items”, but was found to have a “pink tube” which had cannabis in it, the court heard.

Ms Ibbotson said officers found that the quantity of cannabis was enough to make “one or two joints”.

She added that the defendant made a full admission to police.

Rogers, who defended himself in court, told magistrates that he took cannabis for his mental health as he “suffers from anxiety and depression”.

Magistrates fined Rogers £333. He was also ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £133 and prosecution costs of £85.

Woman denies failing to give a specimen in Harrogate

A woman has denied failing to give a specimen to police after a crash in Harrogate.

Michelle Jennings, of West End in Boston Spa, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court where she denied the charge.

Ms Jennings, who spoke in court to confirm her name, age and address, is alleged to have failed to provide a specimen to police on Kent Road on May 6 this year.

A trial date was set for October 9, 2025, at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Man admits drug driving charge on A1(M)

A man has admitted drug driving on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire.

Harry Walsh, 18, of Cathedral Road in Oldham, pleaded guilty to the charge at a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that officers in a marked car stopped Walsh on the A1(M) near Leeming Bar to conduct a routine check.

While conducting the check, officers said they could smell cannabis and ordered the defendant to undergo a test which came back positive.

Walsh was fully compliant with police, Ms Ibbotson added.

Martin Townend, defending, told the court that Walsh was only stopped as part of a routine check and there was no suggestion of “bad driving”.

He added that Walsh was in employment and contributing towards bills at his mother’s house.

Mr Townend said the 18-year-old was remorseful and had “never been in a police station or court before”.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Walsh will appear for sentencing at Harrogate Magistrates Court on July 18.