The Stray Ferret spent the day at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (December 19).

We sat through a number of hearings, which included cases of theft and using abusive and threatening words.

You can read reports on cases below.

A man and woman have been banned from Co-op and Sainsburys stores in Harrogate after a string of thefts.

Shamraiz Aurangzeb, 35, and Charmaine Hayward-Barnett, 35, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (December 19) where they spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.

The pair pleaded guilty to thefts at Co-op and Sainsbury’s stores in Harrogate at a hearing on October 9. They returned to court last week for sentencing.

Antony Farrell, prosecuting, told the court that the offences happened between July and October this year.

Mr Farell said Aurangzeb, of Woodfield Square in Harrogate, stole items including meat, alcohol and muffins from Co-ops on Skipton Road and Ripon Road. He also stole from Sainsbury’s on King’s Road.

The 35-year-old also admitted a charge of stealing a parcel from a property on Church Avenue on August 31.

In total, Aurangzeb stole items to the value of £146.20.

Meanwhile, the court heard that Hayward-Barnett, of no fixed abode, stole from Co-op stores on King Edwards Drive and Skipton Road.

Mr Farrell said the 35-year-old stole meat, laundry products, cheese, chocolates and milkshakes. In total, she stole items to the value of £144.35.

Ismeal Udding, defending, told the court that the thefts were “acquisitive” and were to fund a drug habit or “keep themselves afloat”.

Mr Udding said Aurangzeb had a “poor compliance” with community orders, but added that a short prison sentence would do little to stop offending.

He said that Hayward-Barnett was “lightly convicted” and was engaging with North Yorkshire Horizons, a drug and alcohol recovery service, to help with her drug use.

Magistrates imposed an exclusion order on the pair, which banned them from entering Co-op and Sainsbury’s stores in the Harrogate area.

Aurangzeb was ordered to undertake an 18-month community order, which includes 25 rehabilitation activity days and a six-month drug rehabilitation order.

He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay compensation of £240.10. The court also imposed a victims’ surcharge of £114 and court costs of £85.

Meanwhile, Hayward-Barnett was also ordered to undertake an 12-month community order, which included 25 rehabilitation activity days and a six-month drugs rehabilitation requirement.

She was also fined £80, ordered to pay compensation of £185.35 and subject to a £114 victims’ surcharge and £85 court costs.

Man admits stealing from Knaresborough Asda

A man has admitted stealing from a Knaresborough Asda and using threatening and abusive words towards staff.

Riorden Lishke, 24, of Bramley Way in Knaresborough, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday where he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Antony Farrell, prosecuting told the court that Lishke stole £55.73 worth of items from Asda Express on Boroughbridge Road on September 18 this year.

He added that the 24-year-old was caught on CCTV stealing the items and when approached by a member of staff, he told them to “shut your f****** mouth” and threatened to punch them.

Lishke entered guilty pleas to both charges.

Lishke, who defended himself in court, admitted that he stole the items but contested the words he used towards the member of staff.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be heard on March 12 at Harrogate Magistrates Court.