North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses following an assault on a 17-year-old in Ripon.
It happened outside Majestic Wine on North Street between 9.45pm and 10pm on Wednesday May 4.
The victim was approached by two unknown young men who punched him several times in an unprovoked attack.
He suffered minor facial injuries but did not require medical treatment.
The suspects are described as being aged around 16 to 18 years old and were wearing dark tracksuits.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Mark Nursey. You can also email mark.nursey@northyorkshire.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Read more:
Three men charged following Harrogate drugs bust
Three men were charged last night following a police operation targeting suspected cocaine dealers in Harrogate.
Four men were arrested on Thursday when officers seized suspected cocaine, bulking agent, cannabis, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia.
It followed an investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit into a gang suspected of bringing cocaine and cannabis into Harrogate and the surrounding area.
The arrested men included one aged 22, from London, one aged 34 from Portsmouth, and two aged 37 and 40 from Harrogate.
The police today said three of the four men have been charged with supplying cocaine and cannabis.
The 22-year-old was also charged with assault of a police officer and the 37-year-old was also charged with two counts of assault of a police officer.
The three men will appear at York Magistrates’ Court today.
The fourth man, aged 40, has been released on conditional bail.
Read more:
Yesterday, Detective Inspector Fionna McEwan, of North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit, said:
“The latest action follows six months of painstaking information gathering behind the scenes.
“This work is not always visible but I can assure local people that we continue to work hard to disrupt organised crime and relentlessly pursue those believed to be involved.”
Four arrests in Harrogate as police swoop on suspected cocaine gang
Four men have been arrested in an operation targeting suspected cocaine dealers in Harrogate.
The action follows an investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit into a gang suspected of bringing cocaine and cannabis into Harrogate and the surrounding area.
Warrants were carried out across Harrogate yesterday afternoon when the men were arrested and officers seized suspected cocaine, bulking agent, cannabis, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia.
The arrested men include one aged 22, from London, one aged 34 from Portsmouth, and two aged 37 and 40 from Harrogate. All four were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
The 22-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
Read more:
- Police to spell out plans to tackle crime in Ripon
- Teen girl referred to youth panel after Harrogate McDonald’s police attack
The 34-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and the 37-year-old also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce class B drugs.
All four remain in police custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Fionna McEwan, of North Yorkshire Police’s organised crime unit, said:
“The latest action follows six months of painstaking information gathering behind the scenes.
“This work is not always visible but I can assure local people that we continue to work hard to disrupt organised crime and relentlessly pursue those believed to be involved.
“If you suspect drug dealing in your neighbourhood, or you believe someone is being exploited, please don’t hesitate to make a report to us in confidence, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers. Every piece of information, no matter how small, helps to inform a bigger picture.”
Reporting information about drugs
Anyone with any information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police say the signs of drug dealing can include:
Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
Anti-social behaviour at a property
Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods
Get help for drug and alcohol addiction
A Harrogate resident is appealing for information after their beloved dog, Biscuit, was stolen during a burglary at their home on Branham Drive.
Biscuit the dog is a white and tan American Bulldog and has a white-tipped tail.
The burglary took place on Wednesday, May 4 between 9.30pm and midnight when the owner was away.
North Yorkshire Police said several other items were taken during the break-in and has asked anyone with information on the burglary or Biscuit’s whereabouts to contact the police.
The police said Biscuit is considered one of the family and is keen to reunite it with its owner.
Read more:
- 64 sheep worth tens of thousands of pounds stolen in Harrogate district
- Judge brands ex-Harrogate council officer ‘thoroughly dishonest’
If you have information call 101, select option 2, and asking for PC Craig Brogden on extension 30116 or email craig.brogden@northyorkshire.police.uk.
Or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The reference number is 12220075872.
Police to spell out plans to tackle crime in RiponNorth Yorkshire Police is holding a public meeting in Ripon this month to talk about its plans to tackle crime in the city.
There are longstanding concerns about persistent crime and anti-social behaviour in Ripon, with problems particularly prevalent during summer.
At the community engagement meeting on May 16, police will spell out how they plan to address the issues.
A police social media post said the meeting will “share with you the current crime statistics and trends for your wards, provide you with an operational overview of how your area is currently policed and also tell you about the proposed plans for the future”.
It added:
“The purpose of this meeting is to ensure your voice is heard with regards to how your community is policed.
“By voicing your concerns direct to us you will enable North Yorkshire Police to target and tailor our resources and plans to better meet your needs and prevent issues or escalation in your community.
“This is an open invite to all local residents, concerned people and partners agencies that are concerned in community support to come along and provide your perspective.”
Read more:
- Police launch crackdown on underage drinking in Ripon
- Ripon construction worker’s death an accident, inquest concludes
- Two free events for Ripon literary lovers on Thursday evening
The post added that people will “be invited to highlight any community issues, tensions or criminality that are affecting you”.
Inspector Alex Langley, from the Ripon neighbourhoods policing team, will chair the meeting, which will take place from 8pm to 9pm at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre on Dallamires Lane.
Underage drinking crackdown
These partnerships see police work with retailers, schools, neighbourhood groups, Trading Standards, local authorities and other emergency and health services to reduce alcohol problems.
As part of the initiative, retailers are assessed by Trading Standards and police to check they are not selling alcohol to children.
Harrogate online predator caught by vigilantes
A Harrogate man asked a 13-year-old ‘girl’ for nude photos during online chats, a court heard.
Thomas Fryer, 36, contacted the ‘girl’ on a messenger app, not realising he was in fact chatting with an adult decoy who was working undercover to trap online predators.
Prosecutor Ashleigh Metcalfe told York Crown Court that a vigilante group called Keeping Kids Safe was behind the sting, which ended with a “confrontation” at Fryer’s home that was live-streamed on social media.
She said the volunteer decoy – a man who was named in court – set up a fake profile purporting to be a teenage girl.
Fryer made contact under the username ‘Tom Fryer 1’. On the ‘girl’s’ profile it said she was 19 years of age, but when he contacted her, she told him she was 13 years old.
Thus began a series of debauched chats on the Oasis and KIK apps, culminating in the “confrontation” at Fryer’s home where the vigilantes called in police.
Officers arrived on the scene and seized Fryer’s iPhone, which showed messages between him and the ‘girl’, including one in which he asked her if she “goes nude” and encouraged her to take naked photos of herself. Ms Metcalfe said:
‘She’ sent him two photos, whereupon Fryer called her a ‘cute girl’.”
He then asked ‘her’ if she had any photos of her young friend and if this girl was sexually active.
He then asked ‘her’:
“Why don’t you kiss your ‘bestie’ for the experience?”
In subsequent chats, he asked for more pictures from the ‘girl’ and told ‘her’:
“It’s probably better to keep this between you and me. Don’t tell anyone about the (pictures) LOL.”
Read more:
- Historic Darley Mill set to be converted into houses
- Pleas to reinstate cancelled Harrogate to Leeds rail service ‘ignored’
Ms Metcalfe said the chats occurred over a five-day period between May 28 and June 1, 2020.
Never been in trouble before
Fryer, of Dragon Parade, was quizzed by police but remained largely silent. However, he ultimately admitted attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
They were charged as ‘attempts’ because the ‘girl’ was in fact an adult decoy.
Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said Fryer had never been in trouble before.
Judge Simon Hickey said it was better for Fryer to get the help he needed in the community rather than any custodial sentence.
Fryer was given an 18-month community order with a 40-day rehabilitation programme. He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work.
He was placed on the sex-offenders’ register for five years and made subject to a five-year sexual-harm prevention order, mainly to curb his internet activities.
Harrogate man found guilty of sexual abuse of young girlWarning: this article contains details some readers may find disturbing
A Harrogate paedophile is facing a long prison sentence for the systematic sexual abuse of a young girl.
Neil Michael Stubbs, 26, was convicted of 13 separate offences this week following a four-day trial at York Crown Court.
The jury heard that Stubbs, of Kingsley Park Road, Starbeck, groomed and sexually abused the youngster over a prolonged period.
They found him guilty of all 13 charges, including one count of attempted rape of a child under 13 years of age, two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual assault, possessing indecent images and several counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said that some of the offences — including engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity — were “specimen counts”, meaning they happened on multiple occasions.
Read more:
He said that Stubbs would perform lewd acts on himself in front of the girl and got her to perform sexual acts on him on at least six occasions.
Stubbs also “pestered” her to send him naked photos of herself, added Mr Newcombe.
Following his arrest, police seized Stubbs’s phone on which they found indecent images of children, including some naked photos of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Some of the other images were rated Category A – the worst kind of such material.
Mr Newcombe said it showed that Stubbs had an “unhealthy obsession” with children.
The jury returned their verdicts yesterday (Thursday, April 28). Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, adjourned sentence to August 15.
Police confirm 39-year-old man arrested after West Park attempted robberiesPolice have confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested following two attempted robberies on Harrogate’s West Park.
The Stray Ferret reported yesterday that officers were called to the area near the parade of shops, close to the junction with Tower Street, where witnesses said a man had attempted to mug several people.
Officers said two woman reported a man had tried to take their mobile phones.
A local resident called police after hearing one of the victims screaming for help on West Park.
Two police cars, two vans and an ambulance were at the scene shortly after 7pm.
Read more:
- Police warning after Land Rover thefts in Harrogate
- Girls aged 13, 14 and 15 bailed after McDonald’s police attack
- Police on West Park after attempted muggings in Harrogate
Officers added there were also reports that an object had been thrown at a woman on Oxford Road.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed this afternoon that a 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of two attempted robberies, assault and a public order offence.
A police statement said:
Man comes forward after CCTV appeal over Harrogate sexual assault“The man currently remains in custody and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
“Members of the public are asked to contact officers if they have any information that could assist the investigation. Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference number 12220066183 when providing any information.”
A man has come forward after police issued an appeal following a serious sexual assault in Harrogate.
The incident took place on Oxford Street in Harrogate between 2.30am and 3am on Thursday, November 25 last year.
North Yorkshire Police issued a CCTV image yesterday of a man they wanted to speak to in connection with the incident.
The force confirmed today that a man has come forward following the appeal.
Read more:
- Police warning after Land Rover thefts in Harrogate
- Display of 1,300 clay poppies takes over Himalayan Gardens
Drug driver who reversed at police car in Pateley Bridge avoids jail
A driver high on cocaine and cannabis tried to reverse into a pursuing police car – but succeeded only in crashing into a bridge.
Paul Cawthra, branded an “idiot” by a Crown Court judge, tried to evade cops at a relative snail’s pace in his Ford Galaxy as police merely “followed” his vehicle, said prosecutor Rob Galley.
In stark contrast to the usual high-octane police chase, Cawthra’s attempts at shrugging off police on country roads in Harrogate descended into farce due to his “intoxicated” state, York Crown Court heard.
At one stage during the ‘pursuit’ – described by judge Sean Morris as “the slowest police chase I’ve had to deal with” – Cawthra switched his lights off in a futile attempt to evade police.
But then he switched them back on again.
When the inevitable happened and he was at stopped at Turner Bridge on Nought Bank Road in Pateley Bridge, Cawthra’s next move was to reverse at a police car and attempt to squeeze past the vehicle, but he ended up crashing into the bridge. He was then blocked in by the police vehicles and duly arrested.
Cawthra, 44, told officers:
“Boy, I feel a cxxx for what I’ve done to you.”
Read more:
- Harrogate district care worker jailed after sexually abusing vulnerable resident
- Four men jailed for Harrogate district burglary spree
- Harrogate council housing officer stole from elderly residents
He told officers he had reversed towards the police car because he had been drinking and “to knock the air bag out to get away”.
But the court heard he was one-and-a-half times the specified limit for cannabis and three times the specified limit for cocaine.
He was charged with dangerous and drug-driving and ultimately admitted the offences.
He appeared for sentence yesterday after admitting dangerous driving while over the specified limit for cocaine and cannabis.
Previous convictions
Mr Galley said Cawthra had “deliberately driven at the police”.
Cawthra, of Southlands, Pateley Bridge, had previous convictions for drug possession and cannabis cultivation.
His solicitor advocate Neil Cutte said police had merely followed, rather than chased, Cawthra’s vehicle after he failed to stop, but there was no high-speed chase and no other motorists or pedestrians around during the bizarre, late-night incident.
He said that Cawthra, a father-of-one who works as a labourer in the construction industry, was remorseful and had since changed his ways. His employer described him as “honest, reliable and hard-working, a really nice bloke”.
Judge Mr Morris, the Recorder of York, told Cawthra:
“You are an idiot. You got yourself intoxicated on drugs and when police ordered you to stop, you didn’t.
“There was a slow-speed ‘following’ of your car from Pateley Bridge out to the ‘sticks’, late at night. You briefly had your lights out, put them back on again and reversed back towards a police car, crashing into a bridge.
“Ordinarily, everybody who flees from police goes to prison in this court, but ordinarily they are flying through housing estates in built-up areas. There was none of that here and the first thing you did when you got out of your car was to offer a profuse apology to the police officers.”
The judge said that because of this, allied to the fact that Cawthra had pleaded guilty and was a hard-working man with caring responsibilities, he could suspend the inevitable prison sentence.
The six-month sentence was suspended for a year.
Cawthra was also given a 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay £330 prosecution costs.