Man admits holding up Summerbridge Stores with knife and hammer

A man carrying a knife and hammer is facing jail for holding up a convenience store in Summerbridge.

Munashe Chikomba, 22, appeared at York Crown Court via video link today and admitted to attempted robbery, possessing an offensive weapon and carrying a knife.

The raid occurred at Summerbridge Stores, a village shop on Main Street, on March 27.

Khadmin Al’Hassan, for Chikomba, said it was “very bizarre” that his “softly-spoken” client should commit such an act and asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, said:

“He’s never been in trouble before – it’s a bizarre thing to do.”

The judge agreed to adjourn sentence for a probation report but warned Chikomba “not to read (anything) into this adjournment” because “this is a serious matter”.

Chikomba, of Cardigan Road, Headingley, Leeds, was remanded in custody until sentence on June 2 after pleading guilty to attempting to rob a male shop worker, two counts of carrying an offensive weapon and one count of having a bladed article in a public place.

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Criminals targeting motorhomes in North Yorkshire

Police are warning motorhome and campervan owners in North Yorkshire to take extra precautions, after numerous reports of suspicious activity.

The force said today there had been a spate of incidents across the county involving cold callers approaching vehicle owners and asking to buy them – even though they are not for sale.

In each case, a man or two men knock on the door and ask the homeowner if they can buy the campervan or motorhome and look inside.

Most incidents have been in the Selby area but police fear it could be happening across North Yorkshire.

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Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s rural task force, said:

“Please remember, you aren’t obliged to buy anything from or sell anything to doorstep callers.

“Rogue traders often try to take advantage of householders by using high-pressure sales techniques, or may even be looking for opportunities to steal vehicles or property.

“It’s clear that a group of people are deliberately visiting homes in North Yorkshire with campervans parked outside.

“We have been able to respond to reports of suspicious activity by increasing patrols and visiting homes to gather evidence and provide advice.”

Police also released the following advice to prevent the theft of motorhomes:

‘Don’t tarnish the whole of Bilton with anti-social behaviour’

A Bilton resident has passionately defended the area following reports of anti-social behaviour and crime.

Dani Paizis was hurt to read articles in the Stray Ferret that she believes unfairly tarnished the whole of the Harrogate suburb.

One person said they were planning to move their family from Bilton after witnessing graffiti, arson and drug dealing and others said the problem was getting worse.

Ms Paizis has lived in the old part of Bilton for around seven years and said she has never seen or experienced anti-social behaviour.

She believes any problems are concentrated around a few streets.

“I’m passionately pro-Bilton. That needs to be put across.

“Any anti-social behaviour does need dealing with, but it’s a shame for a small area to tarnish the whole of Bilton.”

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She said she was proud to be part of the local community, which she said had rallied during lockdown.

“You need to hear about the other side of Bilton. We have a fabulous community. People take care of their properties here, all neighbours take care of each other.

“We have thriving primary schools and a church community. Young families move here because it’s safe.”

Ms Paizis said she sympathised with the family who wanted to move away due to perceived problems, but said “it’s not a representative view of Bilton”.

She added that any young people who might be mixed up with anti-social behaviour needed support:

“We all need to focus on his helping and supporting young people to feel purposeful and focused as we come out of the pandemic.”

Harrogate cocaine and ketamine dealer jailed for 18 months

A cocaine and ketamine dealer from Harrogate has been jailed for 18 months today.

Callum McLachlan, 20, sold cocaine and ketamine – a tranquilizer notorious for inducing a trance-like state in users – on the streets of Harrogate.

In June 2019 his enterprise fell apart when police pulled over a Fiat Punto travelling between Harrogate Hill and the A61.

McLachlan was the driver and his 17-year-old girlfriend – a former boarding-school pupil whom we have chosen not to name – was in the front passenger seat. A third named man was in the back seat, said prosecutor Imran Khan.

Officers, noting a strong smell of cannabis inside the vehicle, searched the car and found 7g of ketamine inside McLachlan’s wallet. His girlfriend and the male passenger had small amounts of cannabis.

A roadside test revealed he had been drug-driving for which he subsequently received an 18-month driving ban.

McLachlan was arrested and taken into custody, where police found 18 wraps of cocaine and ketamine.

Officers searched a flat in the Dragon Road area where McLachlan and his girlfriend had been living together and found more drugs and £3,585 cash – the proceeds of his dealing. 

McLachlan, lately of Woodfield Road, Harrogate, was charged with six separate drug charges, including possess cocaine with intent to supply, cannabis possession, possessing ketamine with intent to supply, supplying ketamine, possessing MDMA and possessing criminal cash.

He pleaded guilty to all charges on the basis that he had been dealing within his own social circle.

His girlfriend – was charged with being concerned in the supply of ketamine. She initially denied this but later pleaded guilty on the basis that she acted as a conduit for her boyfriend.

Ismael Uddin, for McLachlan, claimed his young client was no “master criminal” despite having criminal convictions.

Mr Uddin said:

“He was living in a predominantly middle-class area…where he started dabbling in drugs.”

“He didn’t have a hard upbringing; there was nothing wrong with his life. He simply fell into the lifestyle he was in.”

He pointed to McLachlan’s “glowing references” from “everybody” who knew him, and he was in gainful employment.

Susannah Proctor, mitigating for McLachlan’s then girlfriend, said she had been “achieving (educationally) at a very high standard” until she met McLachlan.

The female defendant, now 20, had been at boarding school until the age of 16 and then enrolled at a college where she met and fell in love with McLachlan.

She failed her college course because of her relationship with her co-accused but was now back in full-time education in London.

Ms Proctor said:

“She is now doing extremely well (educationally).

“Her parents were obviously devastated by this offending. She has disappointed them in ways she could never have expected.”

She said the woman had “closed her eyes to the reality” of what her boyfriend had been up to, and the resulting court case had been an “awful” experience for her family.

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Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, said there was no getting away from the fact that McLachlan was a “supplier and street-dealer” and must face justice to serve as a warning to others that “drugs wreck lives”.

The judge told McLachlan he was “going to keep (the jail sentence) as low as I can”.

“You were (supplying drugs) so you could live in your flat with your girlfriend and it’s thanks to you that she is here (in court).”

McLachlan was jailed for 18 months, he will serve half of the term behind bars before being released on licence.

Dealers peddling Class A substances can normally expect sentences of at least four years.

Mr Morris told McLachlan’s female co-defendant: 

“Were it not for the influence of the person you fell in love with, you wouldn’t be here. You need to have a long, hard think about where you are going in life and who you choose to spend time with.”

She was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours’ unpaid work.

The judge postponed financial-confiscation proceedings until September, when McLachlan will be stripped of the cash he made from his dealing enterprise. 

‘I’m moving my family from Bilton due to anti-social behaviour’

A family has told the Stray Ferret that crime in Bilton has got so bad they are planning to move away from the area.

Last week we reported a growing fear of crime in the Harrogate suburb after a girl was assaulted.

Now one family member, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of having their property damaged, has said things have become so bad they want to leave.

The person said they had witnessed graffiti, arson and drug dealing and felt “at the mercy of luck” about being victims of crime themselves.

They added the area now has “too many unsavoury characters and not enough police presence”:

“The church is a hangout for drinkers and older kids day and night. I’ve watched many acts of vandalism such as graffiti, bottles being smashed, things set on fire and gates kicked in. When I’ve been able to reach the police nobody ever comes despite the offenders hanging around here for hours.

“Drug dealing occurs regularly outside the shops, my neighbours car was stolen, my neighbour was also mugged in the alley by the Co-op so I never let my kids walk that way now.

“Every morning I check my car to see if it has fallen victim to having the tyres slashed or paint thrown over it as many residents have had. Now there are reports of potential dog snatching so we have had to stop letting ours go in our yard unattended.”

They also said efforts to create a neighbourhood watch group had failed:

“At times it has been really stressful living here and we feel we are purely at the mercy of luck. A neighbourhood watch was set up two years ago but only a handful of us went to the meeting and I’ve heard nothing since.

“We plan to leave before summer, which is the worst time for us with drunk kids hanging outside in groups all night.”

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In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said:

“Over the past 100 days, antisocial behaviour in the Bilton area has accounted for around five percent of all antisocial behaviour reported across the Harrogate district. The majority of these reports are potential breaches of covid regulations.

“Any amount of antisocial behaviour ruins the quality of life for local people and can escalate. So it is vitally important that members of the public report incidents to us, so that we aware of them and can take action.

“The area has its own beat manager and local police community support officers who carry out regular patrols of the area and also work closely with the local Safer Harrogate community safety partnership.

“We urge members of the public to report incidents to us on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report incidents online at Report it – North Yorkshire Police | North Yorkshire Police”

Police launch drink-drive campaign as pubs reopen

North Yorkshire Police has launched a drink-drive campaign today to coincide with pubs reopening.

The force is anticipating a surge in drink-driving now pubs are able to serve outdoors and is urging people thinking of going for a drink to use public transport or select a designated driver.

It is also encouraging people to report suspected drunk drivers.

In 2020, officers arrested 871 people for drink driving – an average of more than two a day.

There were 136 arrests in the first three months of this year, despite pubs being closed.

Police hope today’s new ‘be a hero, stay at zero’ campaign will encourage anyone driving to pubs to stick to soft drinks.

Roads policing sergeant Andrew Morton said:

“After months of being stuck at home, it is only natural that people will want to go out and celebrate the latest step in the roadmap to ease coronavirus restrictions.

“We’ll be out around the clock on the lookout for drink-driving so we urge people to enjoy their time in beer gardens safely. No drink is worth a fine, a ban, yours or even someone else’s life.”

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Anyone with information about drink or drug driving is asked by the police to call 101 or, if it’s happening now, call 999.

Girl assaulted by teenagers in Bilton

Police are appealing for information after a teenage girl was assaulted by a group of teenagers in Bilton on Sunday.

The incident happened at 5.50pm on the iron bridge behind Woodfield Primary School.

The girl was approached by a group of six or seven youths believed to be about 13 or 14 years old. One of the boys pushed her over, which resulted in bruising.

They were wearing dark hooded jackets and black joggers.

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North Yorkshire Police is asking for help to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 822 Cleary. The reference number is 12210092122

You can also email jonathan.cleary@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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

Harrogate district motorists caught during Easter roads blitz

A woman near Harrogate and a man in Ripon were caught almost three times over the drink-drive limit during an Easter weekend roads blitz by North Yorkshire Police.

Elsewhere in the district, a motorbike passenger had to be airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after coming off a bike in Pateley Bridge.

North Yorkshire Police released details of the incidents yesterday after stepping-up its presence on the roads over the four-day weekend.

Units were deployed to popular tourist areas, including the Dales, for the operation, codenamed Op Boundary.

It was prompted by the easing of some lockdown restrictions, sunny weather and the long weekend.

Eighty traffic offence reports were issued for offences including using mobile phones while driving, speeding and ignoring red lights.

A speed check over the weekend.

Eight vehicles were seized for having no licence or insurance.

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Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, who led Op Boundary, said:

“We’ve dealt with some serious road offences over the last few days and Op Boundary allowed us to focus on reducing collisions in key areas and keeping the roads as safe as possible.

“But it also meant our units were strategically deployed so they could tackle other offences, such as theft and burglary, which involve the use of our road network.

“North Yorkshire’s roads aren’t racetracks and anyone who uses them illegally will be dealt with as robustly as possible. This is just the start of this intensive and hard-hitting campaign and we’ll continue this approach throughout the summer.”

Nine county lines drug arrests in Harrogate in four days

Four days of police action targeting county lines drug dealing in Harrogate has resulted in nine arrests.

As well as the arrests, cocaine and heroin to an estimated street value of £2,600 was recovered. Eight mobile phones, one large hunting knife, £500 cash and other drugs were also retrieved.

In one incident, two men were arrested after being found with 26 bags of suspected MDMA, also known as ecstasy, and cocaine in a pizza box. The 18 and 28 year old have been released while under investigation.

According to a press release by North Yorkshire Police, four county lines operations took place on four days in February and March.

North Yorkshire Police worked alongside the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit to make the arrests.

Funding was given by the Home Office and the National County Lines Coordination Centre.

The operations also revealed a new county line impacting Harrogate.

A total of 76 welfare visits were made to vulnerable people considered to be at risk of county lines exploitation. They were told how to spot the signs of county lines activity as many don’t recognises themselves as victims.

During one operation, officers arrested four teenage boys from Leeds, one aged 16 and three aged 17, who were believed to be staying with a vulnerable person in Harrogate in a practice known as cuckooing.

This is where drug dealers stay in the homes of vulnerable people while selling drugs.

One of the boys was charged with possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and is awaiting trial. The other three remain on police bail while the investigation continues.

Another man, a 30-year-old from Southampton, was arrested in Harrogate. Officers found 11 wraps of suspected cocaine. He was also released under investigation.

Detective Sergeant Marcus Dawson of Harrogate-based Operation Expedite said:

“The safeguarding of vulnerable people continues to be a key focus of our work and these nationally funded days of action are very welcome, providing a boost to our existing proactive work, and allowing us to protect more people and disrupt more drug dealers.

“They also give us an opportunity the gather more intelligence about drug dealing. Members of the public can also help us protect vulnerable people by calling in information.”

Click here for help if you’re a parent or care and believe a child you care for is involved in drugs and drug dealing.

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Spot the signs of cuckooing and exploitation

Spot the signs that a young person may be exploited by drug dealers

Police appeal after CCTV camera damaged in Ripon

North Yorkshire Police appealed today for witnesses after a CCTV camera on Bondgate in Ripon was damaged.

Police said the incident occurred at about 9pm on Sunday, February 21.

They issued a rather grainy CCTV image of a person wearing a mask who they hope to speak to about the incident.

Anyone who recognises the person, or has any information, is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Sarah Hargreaves.

Or email the officer at sarah.hargreaves1995@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote police reference number 12210064248.

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