Man denies firearm charge at Harrogate gastro pub

A 25-year-old man has appeared in court charged with carrying a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at a gastro pub in Harrogate. 

Brad Tristan Plummer, from Killinghall, denied the accusation when he appeared at York Crown Court yesterday.

The alleged offence is said to have occurred at the Nelson Inn on Skipton Road, Killinghall, on September 29 last year.

The prosecution claims that Plummer intended to cause a named man fear of violence with a BB gun, which is a type of air gun. He denies this.

Judge Simon Hickey adjourned the case for a trial on July 18 next year. 

Plummer, of Skipton Road, was granted unconditional bail until that date. 

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to the traffic and travel blog for the final time this year this Christmas Eve.

If you spot anything, let me know on 01423 276197. Let’s help everyone have a smooth journey today.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this Christmas Eve morning. I hope you have a lovely Christmas break and we will be back in the New Year.

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate district covid rate now above 600

The Harrogate district’s covid rate is now above 600 per 100,000 people as infections soar.

A further 125 cases have been confirmed in the district, according to latest government figures.

The district’s seven-day rate has climbed over the past week as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the UK.

The district’s average now stands at 644 infections per 100,000 people.

Read more:

Across the county, the average stands at 562 and the England rate has soared to 1,006.

The figures comes as 119,789 cases were reported across the UK. The number is another record day for covid infections nationally.

Meanwhile, UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 99,081 booster and third vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district so far.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

Latest available figures show 13 covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital – an increase from eight last week.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

A very good morning to you and welcome back to the traffic and travel live blog designed to help you avoid any disruption on your journey.

If you spot anything, let me know on 01423 276197. Let’s help everyone have a smooth journey today.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I will be back bright and early with all your traffic and travel news from 6.30am tomorrow on Christmas Eve.

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning but there are a few hotspots to watch out for:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning but there are a few hotspots to watch out for:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning but there are a few hotspots to watch out for:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate district covid rate climbs as UK records 100,000 infections

The Harrogate district’s covid rate continues to climb on the day that the UK recorded 100,000 cases for the first time.

The district’s seven-day average has now increased to 597 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 525 and the England rate has soared to 953.

The figures comes as a record 106,122 covid cases were reported across the UK as Omicron infections continue to surge.

Meanwhile, UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 97,718 booster and third vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district so far.

Read more:

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

Latest available figures show eight covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Hospital bosses announced today that visiting on wards will be restricted from tomorrow (December 23) due to concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning everyone, it’s Connor back with you to take you through to Christmas with traffic and travel updates on this cold Wednesday morning.

If you spot anything, let me know on 01423 276197. Let’s help everyone have a smooth journey today.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning but I will be back with updates from 6.30am tomorrow.

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy but seem to be quieter than usual. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy but seem to be quieter than usual. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy but seem to be quieter than usual. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate district covid rate continues to climb as 190 cases reported

The seven-day covid rate of infection in the Harrogate district continues to climb as a further 190 cases have been reported.

The district’s average has now increased to 555 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 497 and the England rate has soared to 898.

Today’s figures also reveal more than 95,000 booster and third vaccines have been administered in the district.

Read more:

UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 95,631 booster and third vaccines have been given so far.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

Latest available figures show eight covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Men suspected of murder after body found in Harrogate

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police received a report that a man had died in a flat at about 11.30pm last night.

They went to the scene and found the body of a man.

A police statement said three men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at this time.

Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, county commander, said:

“I recognise that local residents will be extremely concerned by what has happened, but they can be reassured that an extensive investigation is underway.

“Officers will be conducting enquiries in the area, and the neighbourhood policing team are carrying out extra patrols to provide further reassurance.”

Read more:

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the major investigation team.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12210264785 when passing information.

Harrogate man Daniel Ainsley, 24, was jailed in October for murdering Mark Wolsey, 48, on Mayfield Grove.

Disabled Harrogate woman threatened with Christmas eviction from care home

The mother of a disabled woman who faces eviction from her Harrogate care home and being moved into a Premier Inn has accused the local authority of treating her daughter like a “slab of meat”.

Catherine Bradwell, 49, who was left partially paralysed and mildly brain damaged from a fall down stairs five years ago, has been staying at Southlands Care Home on Ripon Road since June last year.

North Yorkshire County Council, which provides social care, has been trying to find more suitable long-term accommodation and considered moving Catherine into a homeless unit in Starbeck before deciding she should go to a disabled access room at the Premier Inn hotel on Springfield Avenue in Harrogate.

Catherine’s mother, Gaye Bradwell, 81, was told the move would take place over Christmas but since contacting the Stray Ferret has discovered it has been put back to an unconfirmed date.

Nevertheless, her daughter’s long-term accommodation remains uncertain and Gaye believes the case highlights how “shoddily” disabled people with specialist housing needs are treated.

Gaye, whose late husband was an eminent surgeon at Harrogate District Hospital, wonders how many other families are in a similar situation. She said:

“My daughter is being treated like a slab of meat that’s being pushed around. They have no idea what stress it’s causing. It’s simply unbelievable.”

Gaye Bradwell

Gaye Bradwell

Catherine needs help showering, getting dressed and preparing food. She can walk unassisted indoors but due to balance problems and the risk of falling on uneven surfaces, uses a wheelchair outside. Gaye said:

“The ideal solution would be that she is found sheltered accommodation with access to help and a warden that can check if she’s OK.

“But social services will not agree that she needs to be in sheltered accommodation, which she jolly well does.”

Read more:

Southlands, which offers long-term residential and nursing care, was never considered to be a permanent option for Catherine, who is much younger than other residents and does not require round-the-clock care.

Gaye said Southlands staff had been wonderful but agreed a more suitable long-term option had to be found for her daughter, who wants to live as independently as possible.

She said social services had suggested three retirement homes, as well as Fern House, Harrogate Borough Council‘s 19-bed homeless unit on Spa Lane in Starbeck, and now the hotel.

No continuity of care

She said Catherine’s age made retirement homes, which cater for over-55s, unsuitable and the other options highlighted how woeful provision was for disabled people who want to live independently.

When threatened with the move to the homeless unit, Gaye paid for an independent occupational therapy assessment, which concluded “that retirement housing or a hostel for homelessness people would be suitable for her vulnerable physical, cognitive and psychological difficulties”.

The assessment added:

“She needs to live somewhere with adequate support where she can remain as independent as possible within safe limits but where she can be assisted promptly in the event of a fall, a seizure or being unable to complete essential activities of daily living.”

The council assessor eventually agreed the homeless unit would be unsuitable but then said Catherine would be moved to the Premier Inn, where she would be supported by a care package, on December 27.

Gaye said five different social workers had been allocated to help her daughter over the last one, which made continuity of care difficult.

Richard Webb, director of health and adult social services at the county council, said:

“Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases, in situations like this one, the county council will undertake assessments and look at all options.

“Sometimes we provide people with accommodation for a limited period  to help their discharge from hospital while reviewing their ability to live independently.

“However, we will only fund and provide permanent 24-hour care where that is required: wherever possible, we will provide home care and try and help individuals to stay in their own home and/or work with them and housing services, to find alternative accommodation.”

Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, which runs a residential care home for adults with physical disabilities on Claro Road, Harrogate, declined to comment.

Harrogate district covid case rate rises above 500

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate jumped above 500 today to stand at 518 infections per 100,000 people.

The infection rate, which was last seen at current levels almost four weeks ago, has risen by 25% in the last three days.

However, it still remains considerably lower than the England average of 844 but slightly above the North Yorkshire average of 471.

Harrogate District Hospital has reported another death from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

According to NHS England figures, the death was recorded on December 16.

Today, the district reported 141 covid cases.

Read more:

A total of 92,912 people in the district have received either booster or third doses of the covid vaccine.

If you want to know where to go for your covid vaccine or booster, keep checking our vaccine blog for updates on those open.