The Stray Ferret spent the morning at Harrogate Magistrates Court today (November 28). We sat through a full morning of hearings, which included cases on drink-driving, theft and assault on emergency workers. You can read reports on three cases below. 

Ripon man sentenced for theft

A Ripon man has been sentenced after stealing bottles of lager from a supermarket.

Andrew Keogh, 36, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning (November 28) where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Keogh, who appeared before the court to confirm his name and gave an address in Ripon, stole two bottles of lager from a B&M store at the Balmoral Centre in Scarborough on October 30.

His defence said the 36-year-old had not been in any trouble since 2018.

They added that his partner had recently died and that he had “fallen back onto old ways and drowned his sorrows”.

The magistrates handed Keogh a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered him to repay B&M £2.50 in compensation and pay court costs of £133.

Man denies assaulting police officer

A Hull man will face trial for an alleged assault on a police officer in Harrogate.

Adam Snowden, of Queens Road, Hull, appeared before magistrates court this morning where he confirmed his name and address and entered a not guilty plea.

Snowden, 33, is alleged to have assaulted an officer at Harrogate Police Station on May 18 this year.

He will appear before York Magistrates Court for trial on April 7, 2025.

Man pleads guilty to drink driving

A Leeds man has been banned rom driving after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Charlie Richards, of Rawdon, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning.

Richards, 18, was charged with drink driving after he crashed his car into wall on September 29 at Rose Tree Farm in Otley.

The court heard that Richards made a full admission to police on their arrival and was taken to Harrogate District Hospital for treatment.

His defence told the court that he was of “previous good character” and had a clean driving licence.

They added that he was an “inexperienced driver” who had recently passed his test and had drank cider after work before returning home in his car.

The magistrates disqualified Richards from driving for 14 months and fined him £785.

Woman to stand trial over alleged police officer assaults

A Harrogate woman will face trial next year after allegedly assaulting three police officers.

Holly Jones, 30, of Regent Terrace, pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning.

The alleged offences took place on Cambridge Road on August 8.

The 30-year-old will appear before York Magistrates Court for trial on April 28.

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