Former Harrogate solicitor jailed for indecent exposure in Knaresborough

A former Harrogate solicitor has been jailed for four weeks for indecent exposure.

Richard Wade-Smith, 67, was charged with exposing his genitals on Stockwell Lane in Knaresborough.

York Magistrates Court heard the incident happened between May 7 and May 10 this year.

Wade-Smith, who appeared in court via link from HMP Hull on Monday, pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was jailed for four weeks and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and court costs of £85.

A court document detailing the sentence said the offence was serious because it caused a “distressing experience in presence of children and occurred on multiple occasions”.

It added that Wade-Smith’s guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing him.

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Wade-Smith, who worked for various law firms in Yorkshire and later ran his own legal service from Wedderburn House, had previously been jailed for breaching a restraining order in December 2022.

The 67-year-old was given the order by York Crown Court after he rammed his car into his wife’s home in Harrogate on Boxing Day 2021 and subjected her to “mental torture”.

He was jailed for 10 months after he breached the order, which banned him from going near his wife’s address, by knocking on her door just four days after being spared jail.

Bulgarian martial arts experts jailed for dealing cocaine in Harrogate

Two Bulgarian martial arts experts have been jailed for peddling cocaine in Harrogate after delving into the UK drug market within a week of arriving in the country.

Emilov Andonov, an expert in the Russian combat sport sambo, and his sidekick Stanislav Stefanov, a professional judo trainer, were stopped by police in the Asda car park where officers suspected a drug deal was taking place, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Rachael Landin said Stefanov, a part-time bouncer in his home country, had been driving an Audi, and Andonov was in a Toyota. Police suspected something was amiss when one of the men got into the other’s car.

Officers searched both vehicles and found 11 wraps of cocaine, worth £550, under the gear stick in the Audi.

They found a further 19 wraps of high-purity cocaine under the covering of the gear stick in the Toyota. Those drugs were worth £950.

They also seized three mobile phones which showed that text messages had been pinging back and forth between the two men in the four days preceding their arrest on January 28.

It appeared that Andonov and Stefanov, both national-level martial artists in their homeland, had been working under orders from people higher up the drug chain who provided them with “post codes and instructions” to deliver their illicit wares.

They were each charged with possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply but initially denied the offence, claiming they had “bought in bulk” for their own personal use.

However, they ultimately changed their pleas to guilty and appeared for sentence yesterday after being remanded in custody. They were assisted by a Bulgarian interpreter.

Just arrived in England

Defence barrister Matthew Harding, for Andonov, said both men, of no fixed address, had only been in the country for a week before they got involved in the drug trade.

He said they had been “sent up to the Yorkshire area” to deal cocaine by their drug overlords in London, adding:

“They are clearly delivering under (instruction).

“At times they don’t know where to go or what they are doing.”

He claimed when the two men arrived in the country on January 20, they had no intention of lurching into crime.

He said Andonov, 21, was a judo expert who studied sambo at the national academy in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. Mr Harding added:

“He and his co-accused have competed in (national) competitions,”

“He will inevitably receive a sentence that means his deportation from this country is automatic.”

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John Batchelor, for Stefanov, said his 21-year-old client was a professional judo trainer and part-time doorman who had studied at the same sports school as Andonov. The barrister added:

“He’s competed at national level and they’ve known each other from school.”

He said the two men arrived in London initially where they were “offered an opportunity” to deal drugs in Yorkshire.

He added Stefanov would go back to judo training and study upon his inevitable deportation to Bulgaria.

Judge Sean Morris told the defendants:

“Within days of arriving in this country you were breaking the law in the most serious way.

“You were being directed where to sell drugs and that meant you were putting the citizens of this country at risk for your own greed.

“I recommend, on the completion of your sentence, (that) you are immediately deported back to Bulgaria.”

Each man was jailed for two years and three months.

 

Harrogate cocaine dealer jailed for two years

A drug dealer has been jailed for two years and eight months after being caught by police in Harrogate.

Alex Horsfield, 26, was spotted by North Yorkshire Police’s county lines officers on Roberts Crescent off Skipton Road in his Vauxhall Astra on 11.50am on May 11 this year.

Horsfield, who is from Keighley, was detained for a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act search over suspicions that he was part of a county lines drug supply operation.

Officers found two separate packages in his clothing, both containing multiple individual wraps of white and brown powder.

One was from within his hoodie pocket and one from within his shorts concealed under a pair of tracksuit bottoms.

Approximately 40 packages were individually wrapped containing both crack cocaine and heroin.

Horsfield was later charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

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He claimed that the drugs were for his own personal use.

However, when he appeared at York Crown Court today (Tuesday 6 June 2023), he pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced immediately at his own request.

PC Michael Haydock, of operation expedite at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Alex Horsfield is yet another example of someone who believe they can come across the border to North Yorkshire to commit drug crime.

“This has shown him, and others like him, that this will not be tolerated.

“North Yorkshire Police is committed to tackling drug-related crime, and having a dedicated Operation Expedite County Lines Team allows us to target those who pedal these illegal substances in a proactive and relentless manner.

“The fight against Class A drug supply will continue and anyone else doing so can expect to be dealt with robustly should they chance their arm it.”

Harrogate police officer sacked after ‘misleading’ the force

A Harrogate police officer has been sacked after misleading North Yorkshire Police during its vetting process.

Christopher Hudson faced four allegations at a misconduct hearing in Northallerton last week.

Mr Hudson was alleged to have acted dishonestly, including failing to declare he was friends with a convicted criminal and failing to notify the force he had been involved in a criminal investigation in 2006.

Lisa Winward, chief constable at North Yorkshire Police, said the misconduct had the potential to seriously affect the “the trust and the confidence in the service”.

Misleading the force

The 32-year-old, who had previously been suspended following an allegation of sexual assault in Harrogate for which he was later acquitted, had first applied to North Yorkshire Police in November 2017.

He completed a vetting application on February 27, 2018.

However, the hearing, which was overseen by chief constable Lisa Winward, found Mr Hudson had been dishonest and misleading during the process.

He failed to declare he was associated with convicted criminal Richard Calvert, who he had visited on seven separate occasions at HMP Wealstun near Wetherby between June 2012 and October 2014.

Calvert was jailed for six years for robbery in April 2012.

Mr Hudson, who is from Huddersfield but had been based in Harrogate, had claimed Calvert was “purely someone whom I know by name from my youth”.

However, the hearing found he had visited him on multiple occasions and was arrested alongside him for arson.

It also found that Mr Hudson had called Calvert to wish him happy birthday during an 18-minute phone call.

The hearing found Mr Hudson failed to supply the correct information about being arrested for arson and criminal damage in 2006.

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In a previous application for a PCSO role to West Yorkshire Police in 2016, Mr Hudson said he had been arrested at the age of 14 for “playing football on private property” and was later released.

Officers at the force then confirmed he was arrested for both criminal damage and arson in 2006 after speaking to Mr Hudson.

A year later in his application to North Yorkshire Police, he only declared that he gave a statement to West Yorkshire Police over “an arson in my neighbourhood”. He failed to declare his arrest for criminal damage and arson.

Meanwhile, the hearing found he also failed to declare he had four siblings. Instead, he named one “half sister” during the application.

Mr Hudson  also failed to declare he had two county court judgements against him. In his application, he only declared one.

Dishonest behaviour could be repeated

Lisa Winward

Chief constable Lisa Winward

In her decision notice, chief constable Winward said the force had “no confidence” Mr Hudson’s dishonest behaviour would not be repeated.

She said:

“There is no confidence that the officer’s dishonest behaviour would not be repeated in the future given the multiple opportunities during this investigation for him to offer a truthful explanation for his actions. Indeed, he appears to have continued to embellish events into further untruths.

“Therefore, the only sanction appropriate in this case is dismissal without notice and the officer will be placed on the barred list.”

Ms Winward added:

“I also bear in mind that the misconduct of a single officer can tarnish the reputation of a force and the service as a whole and undermine the trust and confidence that members of the public have in North Yorkshire Police. 

“I bear in mind that should the public feel that improper behaviour on the part of police officers is left unchecked and they are not held accountable for it in a suitable manner, then public confidence in the police, and North Yorkshire Police in particular, will be eroded.”

Mr Hudson was dismissed from the force without notice.

Second arrest in Pateley Bridge petrol station attempted arson

Police have arrested a second man in connection with an attempted arson in Pateley Bridge.

Officers say the incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday, May 14, at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.

According to North Yorkshire Police, two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.

Police today confirmed a 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident.

He currently remains in police custody.

A 36-year-old man had previously been arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage on May 14. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.

The force said no charges have been issued at this stage and investigations continue.

Jill Cowling, detective inspector from Harrogate CID, said previously:

“We’re treating this incident as deliberate, and enquiries are continuing.  Thankfully no one was injured, but we will be increasing police activity in the area to provide additional reassurance to the public.

“As part of the ongoing police investigation I’m now appealing for people to come forward about any suspicious activity at the location on the night of Saturday 13 and in the early hours of Sunday 14 May 2023.”

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Police appeal after spate of vandalism in Pateley Bridge

Police are appealing for information about a spate of vandalism in Pateley Bridge this week

Overnight on May 30 to 31, damage was caused at the recreation ground near the youth shelter and the band stand.

Graffiti has been sprayed on the bus shelter at Station Square.

Later in the week, broken glass and bottles were left near the youth shelter and graffiti discovered in the toilets at Southlands car park.

North Yorkshire Police urged any witnesses or people with information to email Mike.Spittlehouse@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire police on 101 or on-line at www.northyorkshire.police.uk.

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

Quote reference 12230100002.

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Andrew Jones MP says new police powers will help tackle Traveller issues in Knaresborough

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said new laws will strengthen police powers to tackle crime associated with Travellers in Knaresborough this summer.

Appleby Horse Fair starts on Thursday next week in Cumbria and lasts until June 14.

The event has attracted illegal encampments in Knaresborough and Copgrove in previous years as people make their way to and from the event.

The encampments have also led to widespread concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Jones recently discussed the issue with fellow Conservative Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

He told the Stray Ferret the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 enabled police to “take quicker and more effective enforcement action where significant harm is happening” and criticised opposition parties for not supporting it.

Hay-a-Park in Knaresborough after an encampment two years ago.

Mr Jones added the broadening of existing powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 would also enable police to “ban trespassers from returning to land previously occupied and preventing them from occupying land that forms part of the highway”.

He said:

“These are all matters I have raised with the local police and the police, fire and crime commissioner to ensure that they are fully aware of the tools at their disposal for dealing with anti-social behaviour connected with traveller encampments.

“I am also keen that the council and the police share intelligence on traveller movements, particularly during the summer season of traveller fairs, so that private landowners can be given advice on how to secure their land if they are on the route to these fairs.

“I hope these new powers and continued coordination between the relevant authorities, landowners and residents can prevent anti-social behaviour that is associated with some of the encampments.”

But Mr Jones admitted it was “difficult to address all eventualities and I am sure incidents will still occur”, adding:

“The court process exists for those occasions and our local council has a good track record of using those processes to re-possess public land and can provide guidance to private landowners in that respect too.

“There are sites travellers can use in the district – in fact there are nine council-owned sites across North Yorkshire. The council needs to constantly review whether the number of sites is adequate.  It may be that the capacity is enough and the travellers are simply not using them. That is information the council will need to assess in its deliberations over whether the number of sites is adequate.”

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‘No specific actions’

Ms Metcalfe said she took “no specific actions” from her meeting with Mr Jones but said she expected all reports to be “investigated thoroughly”. She said:

“I am aware of community concerns surrounding traveller encampments in the run up to and during Appleby Fair, and I know the force are learning from previous years when incidents involving gypsies and travellers have taken place.   

“When meeting with MP Andrew Jones last month he raised no particular issues in relation to traveller encampments, and we spoke about this year’s Appleby Fair and the positive community messaging that had already been circulated by North Yorkshire Police regarding things such as road safety, for example drivers being aware of people travelling to the event and being careful when over taking horse and carts.   

“I took no specific actions from the meeting, only to encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences a crime to report it to the police via 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency. I will continue to scrutinise the force for their handling of calls and expect that all reports made over the duration of the event will be investigated thoroughly.”

Arrest warrant issued for couple charged with fraud in Harrogate district

An arrest warrant has been issued for a couple charged with fraud in the Harrogate district.

John Carnell, 70, and Jacqueline Carnell, 73, were due to appear before York Crown Court yesterday for a pre-trail hearing.

The couple have been charged with a string of fraud and theft charges which are alleged to have happened between July 2014 and December 2018.

They included dishonestly claiming to have wealth of £24 million to gain a tenancy on a house in the Harrogate district.

Both initially denied the charges when they appeared via video link at Harrogate Magistrates Court from their home in Loule, Portugal, on April 28.

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However, the couple failed to appear at York Crown Court in person to enter formal pleas.

As a result, Judge Simon Hickey issued a warrant for their arrest.

A further pre-trial hearing has been listed for July 21, 2023.

A third of callers give up on police 101 calls in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has criticised the force after new figures today revealed more than a third of 101 calls were abandoned.

Statistics for April showed 16,939 non-emergency calls were made to North Yorkshire Police.

Of that number, the average answer time was five minutes and 27 seconds.

The force has a target to answer 90% of calls within 120 seconds. Last month, 60% were picked up in time and 34% were abandoned.

At a North Yorkshire Police online public meeting today, Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative police, fire and crime commissioner, said:

“It’s just not good enough for the public at all that we are having a 34% drop-off rate here in 101.

“I really would like to know when are we going to see an improvement.”

The meeting can be viewed here.

The criticism comes after the commissioner awarded the force control room £1.8 million a year to improve response times.

Figures for 101 calls in April. Data: NYP.

The money was earmarked to fund the appointment of 36 additional communications officers, 12 additional dispatchers, six established trainers and two additional police inspectors.

Elliot Foskett, assistant chief constable at the force, said he was optimistic the performance would start to improve.

“We would agree, we think 34% is high. You will start to see an improvement, commissioner, with those resources landing in the control room.

“I can’t stress highly enough that we monitor this every single day. Not only within the chief officer team, but at the force daily management meeting and in the local meetings in the force control room.

“I am optimistic that by the summer time as we start to get more people in and towards the end of the summer, we will should see that come down. I absolutely understand the frustration when people are hanging on the phone and trying to get through to us as well.”

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Meanwhile, Mr Foskett pointed to “massive improvements” in the force’s 999 response times.

The force control room answered 76% of calls over the last three months on time.

The figure is in stark contrast to November 2022, when just 44% of 999 calls were answered within that time frame.

However, it is still short of the police national target to answer 90% of calls in under 10 seconds.

Teenagers sentenced for damaging Boroughbridge school roof

Two teenagers have been sentenced after causing £660 worth of damage to a Boroughbridge school.

The boys, aged 15 and another 14, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were referred to a youth offenders panel for 12 months after damaging tiles and window seals at Alborough and Boroughbridge County Primary School last year.

The teenagers were charged with intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

The incident happened on October 13 last year at the school on York Road.

The pair were also charged with trespassing in the maintenance building at the school on October 10, 2022, and stealing £94 worth of beer and wine. Another boy, aged 16, was also charged with the same offence.

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The three were sentenced to a youth offender panel after pleading guilty.

All three boys were sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (May 19).