Knaresborough stalker jailed for 14 months

A Knaresborough man who became so fixated on a woman that he broke a restraining order four times has been jailed by York Crown Court.

Michael Lonsdale, 37, sent his victim three WhatsApp messages on May 31 this year. York Crown Court heard that the messages were apologetic — Lonsdale told her he was sorry.

Prosecutor Kelly Sherif said despite their non-threatening content, they amounted to a persistent breach of a court order.

The court heard Lonsdale was first handed a restraining order in September 2020 after he assaulted his victim. Just a week later, he broke the order and was convicted of battery towards her.

A month later, in October 2020, Lonsdale was jailed for 24 weeks after he tried to strangle his victim, whilst high on cocaine and whisky.

His third breach of the restraining order occurred in January this year, for which Lonsdale was handed another prison sentence. This time he was sentenced to 32 weeks for stalking her.

The court heard that when he was questioned after his latest breach, Lonsdale told police that he harboured sexual fantasies involving ‘swinging’ with his victim and that he could be violent towards her again, if under the influence of drugs.

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In a statement, Lonsdale’s victim, who we have chosen not to name said:

“When he strangled me…I feared for my life. He can change into an unpredictable person. When Michael is out of prison, I will not go out alone. I feel like this is never going to end.”

Defending Lonsdale, Harry Crowson told the court that the three WhatsApp messages did not represent a serious breach of the restraining order.

‘Immense impact’

Mr Crowson said his client was in prison because of the latest breach and that he was making an effort to move forward. Lonsdale volunteers as a ‘care buddy’, which involves helping other prisoners who have physical difficulties.

He has lost his job as a video editor and hopes to retrain in physical therapy once he is released.

Jailing Lonsdale for 14 months, Judge John Iqbal told him:

“You tried to strangle her. Since then she has never felt safe. She fears you will relapse into that behaviour again. When you are not in a custodial setting, she restricts her behaviour.

“The messages in themselves were not threatening. But the impact of them on her has been immense’.

Knaresborough campaigner: ‘This park will be lost unless we speak up’

Campaigners in Knaresborough fighting a leisure centre and swimming pool being built on a park have accused Harrogate Borough Council of “not being honest” about the location of the new site.

A photo taken yesterday appears to show exploratory work for the new facility taking place on Fysche Field, next to the current swimming pool.

The council plans to build a new leisure centre to replace the town’s existing pool and begun drawing up designs earlier this year. A public consultation found over 80% of respondents were in support of the site, which is now the council’s preferred location.

However, some residents have criticised the consultation process and launched a campaign to protect the playing field next to the leisure centre from development.

They believe the consultation was flawed because it did not make it clear that the field next to the current pool could also be built on.

Campaigner David Hull, who set up a website against the development, took a photo that appeared to show drilling rigs and piling machines, which are used to drill holes.

Mr Hull told the Stray Ferret he believes the photo shows the council is intent on pressing ahead with its plan to build on the park.

He said:

“It is now abundantly clear to everyone that the intention is to build on the green park and not the existing pool site.

“We’ve had enough of this and this park will be lost unless we speak up.

“The council are being disingenuous and not being honest with people”.

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A council spokesperson said:

“The current facility in Knaresborough is nearing 30 years old, only provides a swimming pool and has a number of on-going maintenance issues which are not resolvable without significant investment.

“As part of the design feasibility work, we are currently carrying out ground investigations across the entire existing site. This is normal for a project of this scale and does not pre-empt any preferred design or layout for the new leisure centre.

“When plans have been submitted they will be subject to the normal planning application process.

“Once completed, the new leisure centre will provide energy efficient, state-of-the art facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Knaresborough Pool reopened yesterday after being closed since last summer following a problem with the pool’s filters.

Knaresborough vaccine centre to hold first walk-in clinic this weekend

Knaresborough’s vaccination centre is set to open its first walk-in clinic this weekend where people will not need an appointment.

The site at the former Lidl supermarket on York Road will be open between 9am and 1pm tomorrow with 400 Pfizer-Biontech vaccines available.

It will only be open to those who are yet to have their first jab. Only those who are over 18 are currently eligible.

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Homecare Pharmacy Service already has plans for another walk-in clinic next weekend, when it will have 2,300 Moderna jabs available. It hopes to hold more in future.

People can still book appointments during a walk-in clinic, which means they will be guaranteed a vaccine.

Jason Baskind, of Homecare Pharmacy Services, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are really excited to hold our first walk-in clinic. The way the whole vaccine programme has gone has been great.

“This weekend is going to be a momentous moment for the country, so why not make it more special and get a jab?

“It is quite likely that we will have queues so make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and be patient with our volunteers.”

Motorists warned of major delays on A1M near Knaresborough

Motorists using the A1M near Knaresborough have been warned of a 60-minute delay following a collision this afternoon.

Highways England tweeted that the collision occurred southbound between junction 47 for Knaresborough and junction 46 for Wetherby.

Two lanes were closed, but North Yorkshire Police traffic officers have since removed the vehicles and reopened the lanes.

Highways England said that speeds on approach to the incident are less than 10mph.

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Knaresborough’s grass verge vigilante fed up with council

A Knaresborough man is so frustrated at Harrogate Borough Council not cutting grass verges in the town that he’s picked up his shears and done it himself.

Daniel Perkins, who is 26 and works as a landscaper, has been tidying up his hometown for the last two weeks and estimates he’s spent around 20 unpaid hours scything down the tall grass, weeds and nettles.

He said:

“It’s so overgrown. It’s a nightmare for children or wheelchairs.

“People shouldn’t have to walk through a jungle.”

The Harrogate district’s wild new look continues to divide opinion, as swathes of land are left to grow several feet high. Now that some areas have been cut the contrast is really starting to show.

Mr Perkins has so far taken his shears and pitchfork to areas in Knaresborough including by the allotments, the corner of the Spinney field down to Hay a Park bridge, Charlton ginnel, Aspin Lane and from the railway track to Hambleton Grove.

HBC has previously defended its rewilding strategy, saying they have left areas uncut to improve biodiversity and attract bees and other insects.

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Mr Perkins said rewilding is the right approach for large fields or meadows, but to suggest leaving verges or ginnels uncut would make a difference to biodiversity is a “bogus” argument. He believes it’s off-putting to visitors and could damage Knaresborough’s image to tourists.

He also says when the council does cut grass they do it with a motorised strimmer or mower, which he thinks can damage wildlife and animals.

Before and after. A ginnel near Hambleton Grove.

The proud Knaresborough resident also accused the Harrogate-based council of “neglecting” the town ahead of its “crown jewel” of Harrogate.

Many passers-by have offered him the same advice:

“Everyone says invoice the council, it would be great if I could.”

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman was unable to confirm whether the areas cut by Mr Perkins are owned by the council or privately. Although the spokesman believes some of the verges are owned by Network Rail.

He said:

“We are cutting verges and green spaces in Knaresborough that we manage and have a programme of works.”

Green Party stands down in Knaresborough by-election to support Lib Dems

Harrogate & District Green Party is to ask supporters in Knaresborough Scriven Park to vote for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming by-election.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Conservative councillor Samantha Mearns, who said she was moving to Wales for family reasons.

She will resign from Harrogate Borough Council and Knaresborough Town Council.

The full list of candidates for the by-election, which will take place on July 29, was revealed last week and did not include a Green.

At the last election in 2018, Mearns defeated Liberal Democrat candidate Matt Walker by just 16 votes in the borough council vote.

A spokesperson for the Harrogate & District Green Party said it had met with Lib Dem candidates Hannah Gostlow and Andy Bell and it “supports their attitudes on crucial issues” and would therefore not put forward a candidate “for the greater good”.

The spokesperson said:

“The Green Party welcomes the opportunity to support the excellent Liberal Democrat candidates Hannah Gostlow and Andy Bell in the elections for Knaresborough Town Council. The Green Party has met with and support the candidates’ attitudes on crucial issues.

“The Green Party looks forward to reciprocal support from the Liberal Democrats in future elections as both parties recognise the fundamental problem of a first-past-the-post electoral system which negates the vote of the majority of people in this country. The Green Party will always seek out opportunities to work collaboratively for the greater good.”

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The move by the Greens could be a sign that local parties are more willing than in previous years to work together to defeat the Conservatives, whose councillors currently dominate Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

In the recent county council by-election in Bilton, parties to the left of the Conservatives won more collective votes but Cllr Matt Scott took the seat.

Harrogate Liberal Democrats county councillor David Goode told the Stray Ferret that he welcomed the Greens stepping aside.

He said:

“We appreciate what the Greens have done. There’s an understanding that opposition to the Tories splits the vote. We’ve agreed to work together on a local level but it will still be a close call.”

Sharon-Theresa Calvert will stand for the Labour Party in the by-election.

Chris Watt, a spokesman for the local Labour Party, described on Twitter the Greens and Liberal Democrat electoral pact as a “dodgy backroom deal”.

However, in a statement, Labour said it would be “happy to work with people of all parties”.

“Labour has a strong and positive vision for our area, exemplified by our candidate, Sharon Calvert, who is a well known community champion in Knaresborough.

“If that’s something that supporters and members of other parties want to get behind, we would welcome their backing.

“We are happy to work with people of all parties and none on issues of common concern for the good our local area and do so on many subjects, from our local environment to leisure facilities to education, among numerous others.”

The Conservatives have announced Jacqui Renton, a former landlady of The Union pub in Knaresborough, as its candidate. Harvey Alexander will stand for UKIP.

Knaresborough and Starbeck pools to reopen this month

Harrogate Borough Council said today it will reopen Knaresborough Pool on Monday next week and Starbeck Baths on July 19.

However, Starbeck’s reopening depends on government social distancing measures being lifted that day as anticipated.

The council tweeted the news this afternoon to end months of uncertainty, questions and suspicion over the venues’ futures.

Lockdown restrictions eased on April 12 to permit swimming pools to re-open.

However, a problem with the pool filters at Knaresborough forced it to remain closed and the council blamed social distancing restrictions for the delay in reopening Starbeck.

Frustration has grown in recent weeks, particularly over the future of Starbeck Baths, with residents questioning whether it would ever re-open.

The news that Starbeck Baths would finally reopen was welcomed by local resident Chris Watt, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to reopen the pool.

He was due to ask a question about it at tonight’s full council meeting.

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He told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s good to know my little campaign has had a result. It’s a bit of a shame it’s due to local residents putting pressure on the council.

“Let’s just hope they stick to it, they have promised to reopen it before so we will have to wait and see.

“My son will be so happy: he’s been asking constantly, ‘When can I swim again?’ so he’ll be delighted.”

‘It’s about time’

Philip Broadbank, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Starbeck, told the Stray Ferret “it’s about time” the pool reopened.

“I’ve been asking consistently since last summer when the baths will reopen so it’s good news that they are doing.

“It’s about time. I’ll be holding them to it. A lot of local residents have been campaigning with me for the baths to open so they’ll be very pleased too”.

Sessions at Knaresborough can only be booked through the council’s website from 10am on Friday. Details on how to book for Starbeck will be announced at a later date.

Trevor Watson, director for economy and culture at the council, said:

“It is fantastic news that the swimming pool in Knaresborough is set to open ahead of the school summer holidays, as I know local parents and children are keen to jump back in the pool.”

He added that being required to self isolate had presented staffing problems at the pools.

“For many of us, this doesn’t present a problem as we can work at home. But for our leisure centre staff this isn’t possible and sadly has an unavoidable impact on the services we provide.

“We are doing what we can to recruit staff, fill these gaps and return to normal as soon as it is safe to do so. I’d like to thank residents for bearing with us.”

The view from Knaresborough Castle

One of the great views of the Harrogate district is from Knaresborough Castle down to the viaduct over the River Nidd.

Amateur photographer David Thompson sent us this stunning photo of it that he took early one morning recently.

You can see more photography by Mr Thompson, who lives in Starbeck, on Instagram @kampalakid.

We love receiving readers’ photos of the Harrogate district. Send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

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‘Predatory paedophile’ Knaresborough owner of Queen Ethelburga’s School jailed

A Knaresborough man and the owner of Queen Ethelburga’s School near York will go to prison for more than three years for two incidents of non-recent child sexual abuse.

Brian Richard Martin, 71, from Ferrensby near Knaresborough, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today following a retrial.

He was originally on trial in 2018 for sexually assaulting of a boy in the late 2000s. This trial also acquitted him of six other child sexual abuse offences.

At another retrial in 2019, he was found guilty of indecent assault on a girl in the early-to-mid-1990s.

Martin has been jailed for three years and three months and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Detective Sergeant Graeme Bevington, who led the North Yorkshire Police investigation, said:

“Despite significant investment being made in the school, all this served to do was to create an environment that Martin could exploit for his own sinister gains.

“He preyed on the vulnerability of the students and was able to manipulate circumstances which allowed him to sexually abuse two children who were boarding students.”

The police said his success in business meant he could buy the school and move it from Harrogate to the Thorpe Underwood Estate, where he living with his family.

DS Bevington added the school was supposed to be safe for young students but instead they were “harmed so significantly by someone in a position of trust”.

He praised the bravery of the victims who spoke out:

“They have had to give evidence in open court about the most vulnerable and traumatic experiences of their lives and re-live the dreadful abuse that was forced upon them many years ago when they were just children.

“The courage and conviction behind their evidence has led to Brian Martin being publicly exposed as the predatory paedophile that he really is.

“They have finally had justice for what they have had to endure for so long.”

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To seek advice and further support, or report child abuse, you can contact one of these organisations:

Central Harrogate has lowest first covid vaccine uptake in district

Central Harrogate has the lowest uptake of a first covid vaccine in the district, according to government figures.

Public Health England has created an interactive map showing the percentage of adults who have had a vaccine by area.

According to the map, Central Harrogate had a first dose uptake of 68% by the end of yesterday.

Dishforth, Baldersby and Markington had the next lowest figure, at 76%.

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Knaresborough South and Follifoot had the highest uptake with 88% of adults receiving a first dose.

Spofforth, Burn Bridge and Huby also had a high percentage with 87%.

Overall, the Harrogate district has a first vaccination uptake of 81%.

Latest figures show 115,907 people have had a first jab and 95,768 have had a second.

Five highest first dose uptake areas:

Five lowest first dose areas: