The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (December 5). We sat through a full morning of hearings, which included cases on drug posession, offensive messaging and drug-driving. You can read reports on three cases below. 

Man fined after leaving offensive voicemails on social worker's phone

A man has been fined for leaving offensive voicemails on a social worker’s phone.

Stephen O’Brien, 49, of Knaresborough, was charged with sending a a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character on March 13, 2023.

He appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday and spoke only to confirm his name and plead guilty to the charge.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that O’Brien left four voicemails on the named victim’s phone on the same day.

She said that the 49-year-old told the victim in multiple messages that she was a “stupid tramp”, and a “f****** c***”.

O’Brien also threatened to sue the named victim, telling her: “I cannot wait to sue you, you dirty “f****** tramp."

Ms Ibbotson told the court:

“Clearly these offences took some time to come to court. He repeatedly makes these threats.”

Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court that O’Brien was in a stressful situation and often gets angry or frustrated during such situations.

Mr Nuttney added that the defendant had already appeared before the court due to similar offence in September 2023 — months after the current charges — when he was given a conditional discharge.

The defence questioned why the current charges could not have been brought at the same time as the previous offence.

Magistrates fined O’Brien £197 for the offences and took his guilty plea into account.

Man fined after possessing cocaine

A Boroughbridge man has been fined after being found in possession of class A drugs.

Stephen McMillan, 42, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (December 5).

McMillan pleaded guilty to possessing a small quantity of cocaine at the Market Tavern in Knaresborough on November 15 this year.

Magistrates fined McMillan £253.

Man pleads guilty to drug-driving

A Skipton man has been banned from driving after pleading guilty to drug driving.

Aaron Vaughan, 29, of Ashfield Terrace, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court after being charged with driving while under the influence of cannabis on October 9.

The prosecution told the court that police stopped the 29-year-old on the A629 near Kildwick after receiving reports of a drug driver.

Vaughan made a full admission when pulled over and was taken to Harrogate Police Station.

The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions and was of good character.

His defence told the court that Vaughan had made a “foolish mistake” and had been smoking cannabis the weekend before the offence on his birthday.

Magistrates banned Vaughan from driving for 12 months and fined him £471.

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