Leeds United footballer accused of speeding in Harrogate

Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen is to appear before court in January charged with speeding in Harrogate.

Kristensen, 26, of North Park Road in Harrogate, is alleged to have been speeding in excess of 30mph on the A6040 Knaresborough Road near the Stray in a Bentley Continental on February 19 this year.

A hearing was held at Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning, but Kristensen was not present.

Magistrates adjourned the case until January 23, 2024, and ordered the 26-year-old to appear in person.

Kristensen, who is a Denmark international, is currently playing for Italian side AS Roma on loan from Leeds. 

He joined the club in July after the Whites’ relegation from the Premier League.

Kristensen made 26 appearances for Leeds last season and scored three goals.

He joined United from Red Bull Salzberg in July 2022 for an undisclosed fee reported to be in the region of £10 million.

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Harrogate boy given life sentence for murder of Seb Mitchell

A 17-year-old boy has been given a life sentence after murdering Harrogate schoolboy Seb Mitchell.

Dylan Cranfield appeared before Leeds Crown Court this afternoon to be sentenced after being found guilty of murder in August this year.

He stabbed Harrogate Grammar School pupil Seb in the chest with a kitchen knife which led to a fatal loss of blood and cardiac arrest.

Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, sentenced Cranfield to a life sentence with a minimum of 11 years.

Cranfield murdered Seb, 17, after a row over a broken mirror at a property on Claro Road in Harrogate on February 19 this year.

Cranfield pleaded not guilty – he accepted he stabbed Seb, but said he did not intend to kill him.

A teenage girl who witnessed the incident told police Cranfield pointed the knife at Seb and said “I’m going to wet you up”, which the court heard was “London slang” for a stabbing.

Seb was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance, but his condition was so critical he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma.

He died two days after the incident.

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Cranfield, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was found guilty at a court hearing on August 25.

Judge Kearl lifted reporting restrictions on Cranfield, which had previously prevented the media naming him during proceedings.

Courts have discretionary powers to prevent the media from naming children to protect their welfare. Such orders remain in place until the child reaches 18.

However, Judge Kearl the welfare of children had to be balanced against the open justice principle that says the media should be able to report cases “fully and contemporaneously”.

He said the public interest of highlighting the dangers of knife crime meant it was therefore “in the interests of justice to lift reporting restrictions”.

Two arrested after cars stolen from Harrogate property

Police have arrested two people after two cars were stolen during a burglary in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Lime Street between 10.30pm on November 28 and 7.15am on November 29.

The offenders entered the house before taking two Skodas from the address.

One was a white Fabia, registration YD14 NVT, and the other was a grey Octavia, registration FT10 0CY.

A man in his 20s and a teenage boy, both from the Harrogate area, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Both have been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward if they have not already done so.

“In particular officers are appealing for information or CCTV around the area, showing any suspicious activity around this time, or anyone who has seen the vehicles since the burglary.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email phillip.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC108 Brown.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230226608.”

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Man seriously injured after Harrogate collision

A man in his 60s has been left seriously injured after a collision in Harrogate.

The incident happened at 5.30pm on Thursday (November 30) at the junction of Roberts Crescent and Knapping Hill.

It involved a pedestrian and a white Vauxhall van. A man in his 60s was taken to hospital by ambulance where he is in a serious but stable condition.

The van driver, also from Harrogate, is assisting police with the investigation.

Officers have appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage of the collision.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Police are appealing for any witnesses to collision or motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward as soon as possible.

“Please email Chris.Storey@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Chris Storey. quoting reference number 12230227805.”

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Police seek wanted Harrogate man

Police have appealed for information on a wanted man from Harrogate.

Bailey George Samuel Townend, 21, is believed to be evading arrest after being recalled back to prison.

He was released from prison on licence on November 1, 2023, after being handed a 51-week custodial sentence for burglary and theft offences.

However, the Probation Service has reported that Townend has failed to reside at approved accommodation in Leeds, thereby breaching his licence.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Police enquiries are ongoing in the Harrogate and Leeds areas in the effort to return Townend to prison.

“Townend is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, slim build, with short brown hair and green eyes.

If you can help us track him down, please report information to North Yorkshire Police on 101, option 4, and speak to the Force Control Room.

“For immediate sightings, dial 999 to ensure a rapid response.

“Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

Please quote reference number 12230220557 when providing details.”

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Fraudster who targeted Harrogate woman for hundreds of thousands of pounds jailed

A serial fraudster who manipulated a Harrogate woman into giving him hundreds of thousands of pounds has been jailed.

Marc Raven, 61, claimed he was a successful businessman, and deceived the victim into marrying him and selling her home.

Raven, of no fixed address, caused “immeasurable damage” to her and her family, York Crown Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to fraud against two women.

Raven, who had also been known as Marc Bookey, Marc Cohen and Marc Stewart, met one of the victims through a dating app in January 2018, and they were married by October.

Raven told her he had a large amount of money in a Singaporean bank account that he was having difficulty accessing. He encouraged her to sell her home in Harrogate and use the money to live on, making her believe they would soon be buying a property worth more than £1 million.

Meanwhile, he was taking money from her, with the promise he would pay her back when his money arrived. They made offers on a number of houses, but this would never progress, with Raven blaming the sellers.

Between June 2018 and May 2019, the victim had transferred him more than £200,000. She had to declare herself bankrupt and move in with family.

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Raven was arrested by North Yorkshire Police. During the course of their investigation into him, officers discovered another victim in Singapore.

Raven had begun a relationship with her in 2016, and the following year he contacted her to say he had been hospitalised in Dubai, and needed money to pay medical fees and customs fines. 

In reality, Raven was fit and well in the UK. Between July 2017 and August 2018, the victim transferred about £100,000 to Raven.

When interviewed by police, Raven continued to claim that he had money in Singapore. As part of the investigation, international financial enquiries were carried out there, showing his claims were false.

‘Immeasurable damage’

In a personal statement read at court yesterday, the daughter of the woman Raven married said: 

“The damage Marc has done to my family is immeasurable, and no punishment will ever repair the damage he’s done to my mum. I just hope that he’s unable to cause this much harm and pain to anyone again.”

Raven was jailed for eight years and one month.

DC Neil Brodhurst, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Raven was a serial fraudster, who lied again and again to obtain money from women he was in a relationship with. It’s no exaggeration to say his deception has shattered lives.

“While nothing can undo the damage he has caused, I hope that this result can at least bring about some closure for the victims. And it will ensure that no one else can ever be taken in by his lies, or forced to suffer what they have endured.

“Financial abuse is a form of domestic abuse. It can happen to anyone of any age. Sometimes it can take a long time for victims to realise what is happening. But if you feel uncomfortable about how someone you know is behaving with your money, they may be financially abusing you.

“It’s not easy to take the first step to break free of financial abuse, but you will not be alone – the police are here to support you. Call us on 101. We will talk to you in confidence about the help that’s available.”

Former North Yorkshire PCSO admits computer misuse offences

A former North Yorkshire police community support officer has pleaded guilty to unauthorised accessing of information on police computer systems.

Daisey Pennock, who was a PCSO at Whitby, appeared before York Magistrates Court to face the offences on Thursday (November 16).

Pennock, 26, admitted seven charges under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. 

The offences took place between April and November 2021.

She was charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Pennock is due to be sentenced on December 11.

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Mercedes driver fined for clocking 151mph on A1 at Boroughbridge

A man who was caught driving at 151 miles per hour on the A1(M) at Boroughbridge has been fined and disqualified.

Jorden Jay Barwick, 22, of Magnolia Way, Sowerby, admitted being twice over the speed limit at a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

Barwick was caught by a safety camera vehicle on the northbound carriageway at junction 48 on August 21 at 7.25pm.

North Yorkshire Police said his car, a Mercedes A45 AMG, was not displaying a front registration plate.

Officers used the images from the camera to trace the vehicle using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). The car was then stopped by a marked police car and the driver identified as Barwick.

The 22-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month disqualification and a £369 fine, he was also ordered to pay £110 in costs and a £196 victim surcharge.

Richard Fletcher, acting traffic bureau manager at North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“Speed is involved in around one third of all fatal collisions, which is why it is important we identify and punish those caught speeding on the roads of North Yorkshire.

“Barwick showed complete disregard for the safety of other road users when he chose to commit these offences. In fact, the speed he registered on our camera was the fastest we have ever seen, and we were determined to bring him to justice.”

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Woman in 70s dies after Harrogate collision

A woman in her 70s has died after a collision in Harrogate.

The collision happened on North Park Road yesterday (November 13) at around 4.10pm.

It involved a pedestrian and a car. The driver of the car, a grey BMW 3-series, is helping officers with their enquiries.

A North Yorkshire Police statement issued this evening said:

“The pedestrian who was involved in a collision on North Park Road in Harrogate yesterday, a woman in her 70s, has very sadly died.

“The woman’s family have been informed of the news and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information and dash cam footage of the incident.

A statement from the force added:

“Officers are renewing the appeal for information and are asking anyone with information or footage who hasn’t already come forward to contact the police. Anyone who could help the investigation is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk  or phone 101.

“Please quote reference number 12230216084 when passing information.”

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RAF Menwith Hill terror plot accused experimented with firework gunpowder, trial hears

A “lone-wolf terrorist” who plotted to blow up a hospital and a RAF base near Harrogate had been experimenting with firework gunpowder and fertiliser inside his garage, a jury was told.

Mohammad Farooq, 28, a clinical support worker, planned to carry out an Islamist terror attack with a homemade bomb at RAF Menwith Hill and St James’s Hospital in Leeds but was stopped in his tracks by hero patient Nathan Newby, Sheffield Crown Court heard. 

A subsequent police search of Farooq’s home in Leeds revealed a plethora of items which the prosecution claims were linked to his alleged plot to blow up the US spy and radar base near Harrogate and the hospital where he worked.

Among the items were a gun holster, a meat cleaver, a toiletries bag containing blank-firing ammunition and 250g of saltpetre, or Potassium Nitrate, which could be used as a rocket propellant or gunpowder.

Farooq, who denies plotting a terrorist attack at the two sites, admitted that “on a few occasions” he had taken the gun holster to work with him at the hospital.

In a transcript of one of his police interviews read out in court yesterday, he was asked why there appeared to be “screws and things” in the firework powder, to which he replied: “It was for the garage really.”

He said he had stripped the fireworks and placed the powder into plastic tubs which he then “poured into the bomb”.

He claimed he kept the meat cleaver under his bed to “make me feel more safe (sic), so I slept more peacefully” because he was “paranoid” and having nightmares. 

When asked what the 250g of Potassium Nitrate were doing at his home, Farooq claimed it was used as a fertiliser for a vegetable plot behind his garage as it was “supposed to be good for the soil”, and for “curing meat”.

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Farooq admitted he had been searching for “bomb manuals” on internet forums run by extremist Jihadi groups such as Al Qaeda but had not been looking for advice on how to carry out a terrorist attack.

Police seized documents such as ‘Safety and Security Guidelines for Lone Wolf Mujahideen and Small Cells” that he had downloaded from such forums. 

Other documents downloaded by Farooq included the Anarchist Cookbook and the Improvised Munition Handbook 1969 Department of the Army, which, despite chapters on how to manufacture explosives, grenades, ammunition, mortars, incendiary devices and detonators, Farooq claimed “didn’t suit me at all”. 

When asked if he had “any desire to be part of Al Qaeda” and carry out “Lone Wolf” attacks, he replied: “No, definitely not.” 

He said he was simply looking for a manual “to make a realistic-looking bomb” and wasn’t (on the Jihadi forums) to look at anything extremist.” 

He claimed he was simply trying to “get back” at his colleagues, specifically nurses, at the hospital against whom he had a grudge because he felt he had been “humiliated” by them, but “not to hurt them in any way, it was just to scare them”.

Other documents downloaded by Farooq included ‘How to make Semtex and other explosives, IEDs’, but he claimed that “wasn’t what I wanted”.

It’s alleged that Farooq’s initial plan was to target the US spy base near Harrogate, but he also planned to blow up part of the hospital and go on a terrorist spree with a firearm, a homemade bomb and a kitchen knife, with the aim of “killing as many people as possible”.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC added:

“By January 2023, we say that the defendant had a become self-radicalised lone-wolf terrorist who had made preparations to commit a murderous terrorist attack in Yorkshire.”

At about 5am on January 20, Farooq was arrested outside the Gledhow Wing of St James’s Hospital.

Mr Sandiford said:

“The defendant was in possession of a viable improvised explosive device assembled from a pressure cooker and containing 9.9 kilos of low explosive.

“He had with him…two knives, black tape and a blank-firing imitation firearm. The crown’s case is that he had gone to that hospital to commit a terrorist attack (and) seek his own martyrdom by detonating the explosive device and using bladed weapons to kill as many people as possible.”

Farooq sent a bomb threat from inside his car in the hospital car park, but it only reached an off-duty nurse who didn’t see it until over an hour later. He had intended to cause an evacuation while he waited outside to detonate the bomb and then “attack any survivors with the bladed weapons”.

However, because the bomb threat wasn’t seen for over an hour, the evacuation didn’t initially occur, and when it eventually did it was only a “part-evacuation”, with people being moved within the hospital, not to the car park where Farooq had been waiting.

Mr Sandiford said:

“When the evacuation happened, the defendant drove away.”

He returned to St James’s a short time later with a new plan of attack which was to carry the weapons including the homemade bomb into Costa Coffee inside the hospital wing, wait for a change of shift so that it would be full of nurses, “then detonate it, killing as many of them as possible”.

However, “luck intervened again” when patient Mr Newby, who was having a cigarette outside the entrance, bumped into Farooq and “noticed that something appeared to be amiss with the defendant”.

He persuaded Farooq to follow him away from the main hospital buildings to a bench where he “succeeded in talking him down” and called police, who turned up to arrest the alleged would-be terrorist.

Menwith Hill was ‘Plan A’

Using cell-site technology, police discovered that Farooq had made at least two visits to RAF Menwith Hill between January 10 and the day of his arrest on January 20. He had chosen the US spy base “because it was believed that the base had had been used to co-ordinate drone strikes against terrorists in Syria and Iraq”.

The RAF base had been his “Plan A” of attack, but when this didn’t come off, Farooq targeted the hospital in Leeds because it was seen as a “softer” target. 

Farooq later admitted that he had the bomb with him when he went to the air base but claimed he had just gone there “for a drive”. 

He had also “obtained instructions for the preparation and manufacture…of five deadly toxins as nerve agents”, namely Ricin, Sarin, VX, Tabun and Tetrodoxin. 

Farooq, of Hetton Road, Roundhay, has already admitted possessing an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances, possessing an improvised explosive device and pyrotechnic fuses.

He has also pleaded guilty to possessing a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and having an imitation firearm with criminal intent, namely a Gediz 9mm PAK semi-automatic pistol, and possession of the same imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The trial continues.