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28
Feb
Woman admits drink-driving in Harrogate on Christmas Day
The Stray Ferret spent the day at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (February 27).
We sat through a full day of hearings, which included cases of shop theft, drink-driving and criminal damage.
You can read reports on three cases below.
A woman admitted to drink-driving in Harrogate on Christmas Day last year.
Chloe Middleton, of Wath Road in Wath – near Pateley Bridge – appeared in court charged with drink-driving and driving without insurance.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was stopped on Ripon Road just after 9pm.
Police checks revealed Middleton did not have any insurance, magistrates heard.
When officers stopped the 35-year-old defendant, they could smell alcohol and asked her to provide a roadside breath sample, which proved positive.
Ms Ibbotson said Middleton was arrested and gave another two breath samples at the police station, which recorded 51 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – exceeding the 35 microgram limit.
Middleton, who was not legally represented in court, said was guilty for what she did and she was “not intending to be reckless”.
The defendant told the court she was not aware she had no insurance.
She added:
I had some wine earlier in the day – it was Christmas Day – but I was not drunk.
The court heard Middleton has struggled with her mental health for several years.
The magistrates banned Middleton from driving for 14 months, which will be reduced by 14 weeks if she completes a drink-driving course by a set date.
She was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £48 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
Ripon man fined for Co-op theft
Cole Richardson, of Newton Gardens in Ripon, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop.
Mel Ibbotson told the court Richardson entered the Co-op on Skipton Road in Harrogate on the evening of January 26 this year.
The defendant picked up a bottle of wine and some chicken and left the store without paying.
The court heard the incident was captured on CCTV and a police officer later identified the 20-year-old defendant through the footage.
Richardson, who was not legally represented in court, said he was “suffering with addictions” at the time of the offence.
Richardson told the court:
I could not afford to eat, and I stole food and alcohol.
The defendant said he was now “completely clean” and no longer has any reason to steal as he lives with a family member.
“Food is provided for me now”, Richardson told the magistrates.
The magistrates praised Richardson for the progress he has made.
They fined him £40. He was also ordered to pay the Co-op £11.50 in compensation, a £16 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
Man admits criminal damage in Tockwith
Dean Zyke, of Plantation Avenue in Leeds, appeared in court charged with three offences.
Zyke pleaded guilty to all the charges, which included two counts of criminal damage to property under £5,000 and one count of failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
He damaged a named woman’s window and a garden gate belonging to another named woman, both of whom live in Tockwith.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the complainants did not know Zyke before the offences.
The court heard the defendant went to the properties at 9.15am on February 8, and it was clear there was a “disturbance” between Zyke, the complainants and other people in the area including children.
When the police were called, officers searched the area to find Zyke and arrested him.
Ms Ibbotson said the 44-year-old defendant was taken to Harrogate Police Station, where he admitted causing the damage.
Police officers noted Zyke’s eyes were glazed over at the police station. He did not co-operate with them and refused to give police breath samples, the court heard.
Ms Ibbotson told the court:
It appears the defendant caused the damage due to anger. He left [the scene] at one point and then went back. The incident caused distress to people, including children.
Chris McGrogan, defending, told the court Zyke has a “significant number of mental health issues” and police officers “made comment about his demeanour” when he was interviewed.
Zyke suffers from manic depression and bipolar, as well as a number of other mental health problems, Mr McGrogan said.
The defendant, who wore a purple suit in court, was visibly distressed during the hearing.
The case was adjourned whilst a pre-sentence report is prepared.
Zyke will be sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on April 11.
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