A 30-year-old man has been charged with three offences after a police officer suffered a fractured kneecap in Harrogate on Tuesday.
The man has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and use of a motor vehicle without third party insurance.
The incident happened at 3.20pm when officers approached a suspicious vehicle in Bewerley Road, Harrogate.
A male police officer underwent surgery and has remained in hospital since the incident.
A 35-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman who were also arrested have been released on conditional bail.
All three people are from Leeds. North Yorkshire Police has not revealed any names.
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Man who killed grandmother in Kirk Deighton crash sent to prison
A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to almost six years in prison after killing a 62-year-old grandmother in a collision on the A168 near Kirk Deighton.
William Charles Jackson, from Wetherby, appeared in York Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to causing the death of the woman and two further counts of causing serious injury due to dangerous driving.
The victim, Maria Cuzyova, was visiting her family from Slovakia when she was killed in the collision in 2019.
Her daughter, Micheala Young, who was driving, and her son-in-law, Nicholas Young, both suffered life-changing injuries. Their five-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries.
Jackson was driving his red Vauxhall Astra along the A168, between Kirk Deighton and Walshford, at around 10pm on April 3, 2019.
As he approached the crest of a hill, with double solid white lines, between the north and southbound carriageways, he claimed he overtook a slower moving vehicle in front of him.
He said he didn’t see the oncoming vehicle, and his fatal manoeuvre led to a head-on collision with the family’s car.
Jackson was sentenced to five years and eight months’ imprisonment and was banned from driving for seven years and ten months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190.
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During sentencing, Judge Simon Hickey made reference to a disturbing text message he sent which he said clearly demonstrated a disregard and lack of respect for road safety and other road users.
Mrs Young said her mum was “full of life”. She said the incident had “ripped apart” the family, both in the UK and Slovakia.
Speaking after Jackson was sentenced, senior investigating officer Traffic Sergeant Kirsten Aldridge, from the North Yorkshire Police Major Collision Investigation Team, said:
Suspected Harrogate murder: police forensics enter home“Maria had just arrived in the UK to visit her family over half term. They were travelling back home after spending a lovely evening together and should have been all been able to return safely.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Major Collision Investigation Team and Forensic Collision Investigation Unit for their hard work and determination in bringing this case to court and securing justice for the family.
“I hope the sentence also acts as a reminder that a poorly judged manoeuvre or a hastily thought through decision can have devastating, fatal effects. So, please drive safely and with consideration to others at all times.”
Police forensics officers entered a home in Harrogate this afternoon where a man is suspected to have been murdered.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the street in Mayfield Grove just after 10pm last night.
A 48-year-old man was found with serious injuries inside a nearby flat and was certified dead at the scene by ambulance staff.
In an update at 1.14pm this afternoon, North Yorkshire Police said the suspect remained in custody and was being questioned by detectives.
There has been a heavy police presence on Mayfield Grove today. An officer has been posted at the door of the suspected crime scene and a procession of police vans have been coming and going. Shortly after midday a forensics team entered the flat.
The police update urged people not to be worried about the “noticeable police presence in and around the area”.
Read more:
- Arrest after suspected murder in central Harrogate
- Man charged with murder of 22-year-old Harrogate woman
Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Our investigation is well under way and we can confirm this was a contained incident.
“A man is now in police custody and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public.
“However, many residents will be understandably anxious about what has happened. There will be a greater police presence in the area, which we hope residents will find reassuring, and officers will be working closely with the community.
“Our specially-trained officers are supporting the deceased man’s family at this difficult time.”
The police appealed to anyone who was in the Mayfield Grove area of Harrogate on Friday night who saw any suspicious activity to contact North Yorkshire Police by calling 101 and selecting option 1.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote incident number 12210072144 when sharing information.
Appeal for witnesses after jewellery stolen from Harrogate homeNorth Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information after thieves stole jewellery from a house on Kirkstone Road in Harrogate.
It happened between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday February 17. Access was gained to the house through a back window.
The items stolen included a gold wedding ring, a gold engagement ring with platinum diamonds and an Armani watch.
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Police are appealing for information about any discarded items or suspicious behaviour in the area of Kirkstone Road and/or Coniston Road around the same time.
Officers would also like to hear from anyone who has any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell camera footage that may have captured something.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Xavi Lopez or email xavi.lopez@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210061627.
Police say ‘crackdown’ on Ripon crime is workingNorth Yorkshire Police has said a ‘crackdown’ on crime and antisocial behaviour in Ripon is already paying off.
Ripon has been blighted by crime for months, with five incidents in one three-hour spree earlier in February, including a robbery, thefts and reports of a man carrying a machete.
Since last week, North Yorkshire Police has begun to increase its presence in the city following complaints from residents about the number of officers on the streets.
Inspector Alex Langley, from North Yorkshire Police, said it had already achieved a “significant reduction” in incidents. He said:
“We also saw a reduction in the number of young people out on the streets across the weekend and would like to thank those parents and guardians who continue to support their young people and reinforce that stay home, stay safe message.
“We are actively patrolling. The dedicated operation has seen an increased police presence in and around the city, some more visible than others, and extra teams drafted in to help deter offenders, prevent crime and we continue to enforce where necessary.”
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- Man rescued from Ripon attack thought thugs would kill him
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Cllr Andrew Williams from Ripon City Council told the Stray Ferret the increased police presence was working.
He said:
“I will credit the police, as their profile is more visible. But Rome wasn’t built in a day and it will take a while to get on top of it.”
Earlier this week, a parents group called on the police to ensure the changes are permanent:
Police issue fine for 200-mile Scotland to Harrogate trip“While we welcome this, we want to ensure that it is not simply a cosmetic exercise.
“We need a long-term solution, not a short-term fix.”
A person has been fined for driving 200 miles from Glasgow to Harrogate to meet a friend in a motorhome.
The unnamed person was one of seven who received fixed penalty notices in the Harrogate district in the past week for lockdown breaches.
The friend, from Wakefield, was also fined.
A total of 186 fixed penalty notices have been issued for lockdown breaches in North Yorkshire over the last seven days — the most in any week during the third lockdown.
Seven were issued in the Harrogate district — all for visitors to the district.
Since January 6, 55 lockdown fixed penalty notices have been issued in the district, with 39 of them going to visitors.
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North Yorkshire Police Superintendent Mike Walker told a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum today the police will continue to target “the reckless minority”.
He said:
£3,000 worth of tools stolen from Harrogate garage“To the public who want to breach regulations and travel into North Yorkshire, we are putting more resources out there to respond to public concerns and reports of breaches.
“Our message to people who think North Yorkshire is the place to come and offer various different unacceptable excuses — expect to be encountered by a police officer.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after £3,000 worth of tools were stolen from a garage in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police said the garage, on St Catherine’s Road in Harrogate, was burgled on February 3 between 10am and 7.30pm.
Power tools and garden equipment were among the items taken.
North Yorkshire Police is asking anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour or unusual vehicle movements on the street that day to get in touch.
Officers are also appealing for anyone with private CCTV to come forward.
You can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Chloe Kinnear. Or email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210052754.
Read more:
- Arrests soar as ‘county lines’ investigations continue.
- Inquest into the death of a construction worker in Ripon begins.
Police to ‘clamp down’ on rising criminal activity in Ripon
North Yorkshire Police has said it will be “clamping down” on the troublemakers after a series of incidents in Ripon.
The force said “antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated” following a spike in criminality in recent weeks.
Crimes have included street robberies, assaults on the public and emergency workers, with reports of knives and machetes being used.
Groups of youths are reported to have been breaching lockdown rules and congregating in the market square and bus station.
The police has said a new operation has been introduced to tackle the rise in crime which includes an increase in officers in the city.
The force added this is not a long-term solution and it will continue working with key partners on long term plans to safeguard Ripon residents.
Inspector Alex Langley has spoken out about the increase in criminality in the city. He said:
“Groups of youths have been breaching Covid regulations by congregating in in the Market Square, the bus station, and Bondgate to name a few.
“Whilst we cannot always inform the public of some of the positive results we see due to ongoing investigations and court processes, please rest assured this operation has already seen results.”
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- Police and Crime Commissioner accepted the force had taken its “eye off the ball”.
- Man attacked in broad daylight in Ripon saved by local shopkeeper.
Insp Langley went on to assure residents it is only a small handful of people responsible and the force will continue to patrol and take action to prevent crime.
Addressing young people directly, he said:
“If you commit anti-social behaviour and mindless act of theft and criminal damage we will take every opportunity to investigate and prosecute you.
“As a young person you may not realise that throwing that stone or stealing some alcohol may result in a criminal record. Please stop and think about the consequences of your actions and how your decisions today could impact on your future.”
People can continue to report crime via 101 and 999 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.
Ripon teen robber in balaclava steals mopedA group of teenage boys reportedly threatened a 17-year-old with weapons before taking his scooter in Ripon yesterday.
It is the latest robbery in the city, which is currently in the grip of an anti-social behaviour crisis which has led to demands for more police.
This robbery happened in the Hell Wath Grove area. The alleged victims told police a group of teenagers approached him just before 5pm.
He claimed that they threatened him with weapons before he handed over the keys for his moped, which was parked nearby.
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- Police appeal after man punched and spat at in Ripon
- Ripon residents ‘scared to go out’ as crime fears grow
One of the teens rode off on the scooter after the incident and the others all made off on foot.
Police say the boy who rode off on the scooter is around 16 or 17 years old. He was also wearing a black jacket, grey trousers, black trainers and a black balaclava.
The other suspects have been described as 16 or 17 years old, all dressed in dark clothing.
Later that evening police say the scooter was found abandoned on Long Meadows, a short while away from the incident.
Inspector Alex Langley said patrols are increasing in areas described as hotspots for anti-social behaviour. He added:
“We believe these crimes and incidents of anti-social behaviour are being committed by local youths and we are conducting a number of enquires in order to identify these individuals.
“We would also ask parents of teenagers to pass on any information you think could assist. Do you know where your child was yesterday evening? Were they out in Ripon? Were they part of a bigger group? Do your children know anything?
“The information provided by the public is key to helping us target our patrols, identify those responsible and prevent this criminal activity in the future.”
Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 and quote reference number 12210054979.
Serious collision halts traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby RoadPolice and ambulances are responding after a pedestrian was involved in a collision near the Woodlands pub on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.
The Esso filling station at the junction with Hookstone Drive has been cordoned off and traffic is unable to head out of town on Wetherby Road.
A car has also been cordoned off.
North Yorkshire Police tweeted minutes ago to say the collision, involving a pedestrian, occurred just before 5pm.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious collision involving a pedestrian on Hookstone Chase at #Harrogate, near to the Esso garage on Wetherby Road. It happened just before 5pm. Please follow diversions and avoid area until further notice. pic.twitter.com/dTeuhtdvna
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) February 4, 2021
Numerous police and ambulance vehicles are present and traffic diversions are in place.
North Yorkshire Police has asked witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage to call on 101, select option 1, and speak to the force control room. Quote reference number NYP-04022021-0279.
