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12
Jan
Man sentenced for possessing offensive weapon outside Harrogate McDonald's
The Stray Ferret spent the day at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 9)
We sat through a full morning and afternoon of hearings, which included cases of drink driving and posession of an offensive weapon.
You can read reports on three cases below.
A man has been sentenced in court after possessing an offensive weapon outside McDonald’s in Harrogate.
Adam Anderson, 19, of Tunstall Road, Harrogate, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday where he spoke only to confirm his name and enter a guilty plea.
The court heard that Anderson had been seen outside the fast-food restaurant on Cambridge Road shouting and gesturing with a smashed bottle of Budweiser on November 4 last year.
Fiona Newcombe, prosecuting, told magistrates that the defendant was later detained by police on Cambridge Place in the town centre, where he had another bottle of beer on him.
She said:
He was restrained to the floor. He accepted being in possession of the bottle, but had no intention to harm.
Brian Nutney, defending, told the court that Anderson made a full admission to police and entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
He said:
He has expressed remorse and I would like to reiterate that he is sorry for what has happened.
The magistrates sentenced Anderson to a 12-month community order, which will include 10 days on a rehabilitation course, 120 hours of unpaid work and 120 days on an alcohol abstinence tag.
He was also ordered to pay court costs of £199.
Wetherby woman drives more than four-times over limit
Harriet Serra, of Front Street in Wetherby, pleaded guilty to one count of drink-driving.
Fiona Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court police officers saw the defendant driving on the A661 Wetherby Road in Harrogate at 4.30pm on December 4, 2024.
The court heard officers saw Serra, 40, drifting on the road. When officers stopped her, they noted she smelled of alcohol.
A breath sample recorded 157 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – more than four times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Andrew Tinning, defending, spoke only to request the case be adjourned.
Serra was handed an interim driving disqualification and will next appear at Harrogate Magistrates Court on January 31.
North Stainley woman banned after drink-driving
Sarah McGavin, of The Shepherdies in North Stainley, pleaded guilty to one count of drink-driving.
Fiona Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court police officers saw the defendant driving on the A6108 at around 10.20pm on December 8, 2024.
Police noted McGavin was “not driving in excess of the speed limit” but she swerved and almost hit the kerb, the court heard.
Ms Newcombe said the defendant, 37, was compliant and gave a roadside breath sample, which recorded 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
McGavin had never been before the courts prior to yesterday’s hearing, the prosecution said.
Ghaz Iqbal, defending, told the court the defendant disputes swerving and nearly hitting kerb.
Mr Iqbal read a character reference provided by McGavin’s friend, which said:
She is an active and upstanding member of the village community.
Mr Iqbal said McGavin does not drink due to complications with her liver, but she had two drinks at a pub that night and then drove around 0.3 miles before being stopped by police.
The case has had a “horrendous impact” on her, the court heard.
The magistrates called McGavin’s actions “foolish” and disqualified her from driving for 17 months.
This would be reduced if she completed a drink-driving course within a certain period of time.
She must also pay a total of £253 to the courts, which includes a £120 fine, £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge.
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