Police close house in Harrogate after man dies

Police and council officers have closed a house on Mayfield Grove, Harrogate where a man died this month.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today it and Harrogate Borough Council had carried out a joint investigation following ‘concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour at the multi-occupancy address’.

Mark Wolsey, 48, died on Mayfield Grove this month. A suspect has been charged with murder and is remanded in custody pending trial.

A court approved the closure for an initial period of three months. Entry to the premises is now a criminal activity.

The police statement said the closure would give officers ‘an opportunity to work with the landlord and residents in the premises’.

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Inspector Nicola Colbourne, of North Yorkshire Police said:

“It’s really important that we support our communities who expect to be able to live in a safe environment.

“This approach demonstrates one way we can do that in a proportionate and effective manner.

“We’ve worked closely with Harrogate Borough Council, and this work continues to ensure we strengthen our communities for everyone and help the most vulnerable people.”

Dean Richardson, head of safer communities at Harrogate Borough Council, said in a statement:

“It is imperative that residents across the Harrogate district feel safe in their homes and their community.

“Anyone who doesn’t feel safe should report their concerns to us or North Yorkshire Police, giving as much detail as possible.

“Where there is sufficient evidence to support any reports, we will work with the police and partner agencies, to act accordingly.”

Cannabis farm ‘under the noses’ of Ripon residents

Residents and businesses in the Juniper Grove area of Ripon have been shocked to find a cannabis farm on their doorstep.

Witnesses, who did not want to be identified, have told the Stray Ferret about the police raid that unearthed the farm.

Officers broke in to unit 6 at Juniper Grove Business Park at around 11am on March 12 and found more than 50 plants on the premises.

A business owner who watched the raid, said:

“The smell that came out of the building when they broke down the door was over-powering.”

They had assumed that legitimate activities were going on behind the roller shutter doors of the unit which had ‘Micro Concrete’ on its signage.

The business owner added:

“With the covid lockdown, everything around here is quiet at the moment, so it came as a bit of a shock when a large number of police suddenly arrived.”

Photo of the sign at the Juniper Grove Business Park

Juniper Grove Business Park, where the police raided a unit being secretly used as a cannabis farm.

A resident, who lives near the eight-unit business park, pointed out:

“It was opened just over two years ago along with a new homes development.

“It’s a former brown field industrial site, that has been transformed and improved through regeneration.”

Another resident added:

“It came as a surprise to see so much police activity.

“Whatever has been going on at the unit, has clearly been happening under our noses.”

Juniper Grove Business Park backs onto Ripon Grammar School in a predominantly residential area of Ripon.

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After the raid, Inspector Alex Langley of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The damage that drugs cause to individuals and families is significant, and that’s why it’s important we take this pro-active approach to tackle drug issues Ripon.

“The use of industrial units in the Ripon area is of concern as criminals carry out illegal activity in plain sight.

“I would like to ask local business and premises owners to look out for any suspicious activity. Please let us know if something doesn’t feel quite right. The information you provide allows us to carry out this pro-active work in order to try and safeguard our local communities.”

Two men aged 36 and 38. have been arrested in connection with the find and released under investigation pending further enquiries

Two arrests after attempted theft from vehicle in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after two suspects attempted to break into a car on a Harrogate street early this morning.

The force said the incident happened at 12.44am this morning on Connaught Court.

Two men have been arrested and remain in police custody whilst enquiries are ongoing.

The police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell camera footage that could have captured something.

Officers are also asking anyone else who believes thieves have broken into their vehicles to get in touch.

Anyone with information can can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press option two and ask for James Skaith. Or email the officer via james.skaith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210079917.

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Two men fined for travelling to Knaresborough for a McDonald’s

Police have fined two men from Hull for breaching covid restrictions after they travelled to Knaresborough for a McDonald’s.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police said they spotted the men’s car at St James Retail Park at 12.45am on Monday.

The men told police they were out for a drive to get a meal from McDonald’s.

The restaurant is 66 miles from Hessle in Hull where they drove from.

Both were issued with fixed penalty notices for being outside place of living.

Police handed out 102 fines in North Yorkshire for breaching lockdown restrictions in the past week — 12 of them were in Harrogate.

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It takes the total number of fixed penalty notices issued during the third lockdown in North Yorkshire to 1,662.

Superintendent Mike Walker, who leads the county’s covid response, said it was important there was “no let up” in complying with restrictions over the forthcoming four-day Easter weekend.

He said:

“Together with our partner agencies and the people of York and North Yorkshire, it is imperative that we maintain the collective effort to reduce the infection rate as low as possible while the vaccination programme is rolled-out across the population.

“We can all see that better times are on the horizon, that’s why we must keep going and not allow all the hard work and sacrifice to be undone through complacency.”

Two men arrested after cannabis farm found near Ripon

Two men have been arrested after police found a cannabis farm at a business park near Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police discovered the cannabis plants following a search at a business unit near the city on Friday.

The force said more than 50 plants were found following a search of another unit in the area.

Two men, aged 36 and 38, were arrested in connection with the cannabis grow and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

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Inspector Alex Langley, North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The damage that drugs cause to individuals and families is significant, and that’s why it’s important we take this pro-active approach to tackle drug issues Ripon.

“The use of industrial units in the Ripon area is of concern as criminals carry out illegal activity in plain sight.

“I would like to ask local business and premises owners to look out for any suspicious activity. Please let us know if something doesn’t feel quite right. The information you provide allows us to carry out this pro-active work in order to try and safeguard our local communities.”

The police urged anyone with information to dial 101, press one and speak to the force control room.

Or you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal after watches stolen from Kearby home

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information after an unspecified number of watches were stolen from a house in Kearby, near Harrogate.

The incident happened between 7pm and 11.30pm on Saturday, March 13.

According to police, suspects entered a secure window and stole the watches from a bedroom.

Kearby is a small village in the south of the Harrogate district, near Kirkby Overblow.

Police hope the public can help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

They are particularly interested to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Elizabeth Estensen. Or they can email the officer via elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210077196.

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North Yorkshire Police: no action after Sarah Everard vigil in York

North Yorkshire Police said today it hasn’t taken any action against people who gathered at York Minster on Saturday for a candlelight vigil in memory of Sarah Everard.

Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick has faced calls to resign over its handling of a vigil on London’s Clapham Common on Saturday, where officers handcuffed women and removed them from the gathering.

But there were no similar scenes in York on Saturday night.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Around 150-200 people attended a candlelit vigil outside York Minster on Saturday evening in memory of Sarah.

“Officers allowed people to lay flowers whilst ensuring that the gathering took place in a safe and lawful way.

“No enforcement action was taken against anyone in attendance and most people had left the area by around 6.30pm.

“Our thoughts are with Sarah’s loved ones at this very sad time.”

Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with Ms Everard’s murder.

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Column: ‘My sexual assault in Harrogate shows why all attacks must be reported’

Bethany Sadler was 19 when she was sexually assaulted in the centre of Harrogate in 2018. The recent murder and kidnap of Sarah Everard as she walked home in Clapham, London has brought back memories of her assault. Waiving her right to anonymity, Bethany writes about her experience and why she believes it’s important to report such crimes to the police. 

On August 4, 2018, I was on my way to baby-sit for some family friends. I had been shopping in town, and was walking towards West Park Stray where their flat was. I remember it was an incredibly warm day, so I was dressed in a blue denim skirt and a red t-shirt. It must have been early evening, around 5pm, as it was still very light outside and busy in town.

I turned off into an alleyway, which leads to the apartments within metres of the street. As I was opening the gate into the apartments, I felt a hand reach up into my skirt and grab me in extremely intimate areas. Startled, I turned around to see a man staring right at me. It took a moment’s eye contact before I slammed the gate and rang the apartment bell, causing him to sprint away.

As my friends let me in and I explained what happened, I remember crying and feeling violated. I was extremely shaken up, but wanted to shake it off and leave it behind. I called my mum, who insisted I report it to the police, but even then I was reluctant. I didn’t think it was a ‘big deal’, or important enough to report. I just thought I’d be wasting police time.

But, as it turned out, it was a big deal, and the police took it extremely seriously. Once I reported the assault I was contacted by a female detective, who came to my house to take a statement from me. She was incredibly kind, and explained to me that many of these events are not isolated.

The police thought they knew who had assaulted me. He had been caught on CCTV following me from the town centre and was already on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. If I could identify him, it could prevent other women from going through the same thing, or worse. I am five foot two and have a very young face, and at the time I remember constantly thinking about how young I could have been. It affected me a lot more than I thought it would, so I can’t imagine the detrimental impact it would have had on a child.

The alleyway where Bethany was assaulted

The process of identification before the arrest was tough. I was called into the police station in York a month after the assault, where I was to be shown a series of pictures of men. I knew that if I identified the man who assaulted me, the charge would be much easier to prove. Each time I was shown the pictures, I was asked if I knew which male was the offender, how sure I was that it was him (on a scale of 0 to 100% sure). This was the hardest part the process for me, as not only was I potentially staring at the man who violated me, but I also began to doubt myself and my memory.

Until you have been through this process, it is hard to comprehend why someone wouldn’t report these crimes. But it is difficult to keep going through the trauma of the incident – no part of the process was easy. But when I got the news that he was going to prison for three years, alongside a sexual harm prevention order, I was so glad I had chosen to be brave. It turned out he had been following me with the intention of groping me. My identification and suspect description had linked him to CCTV footage which warranted arrest.

At the time I thought I could brush it off, but the truth is it did affect me, and it took a while before I felt completely safe. But if I hadn’t reported it, the problem wouldn’t have been fixed, and to this day I might still be dealing with the consequences.

Sexual assault should not be brushed under the carpet – it is always a big deal. It is always worth reporting.

 

If you have been affected by this story, North Yorkshire Police provides support and signposting for victims of rape and sexual assault. Click here for more information.

To report a crime to police, call 101. In an emergency, dial 999.

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:

“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.”

Harrogate man died from drugs, not head injury, inquest told

A coroner has ruled that a Harrogate man died as a result of drugs rather than a head injury, as police first believed.

Aaron Atkinson, 38, who was homeless at the time of his death, was found at a flat at Park House Green on May 7 last year.

North Yorkshire Police arrested two men, aged 46 and 40 at the time, on suspicion of murder and robbery shortly after the incident.

However, the force has now dropped its suspicions of murder.

It told the Stray Ferret today that one of the two suspects remains under investigation for assault and robbery. The other is still under investigation for robbery and theft.

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Jonathan Leach, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire and York, said at an inquest in Northallerton today:

“It is clear from the reports I have seen that Aaron Atkinson had a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

“Mr Atkinson was found unresponsive at a flat on Park House Green at 3am. The post-mortem found that he had taken heroin, cocaine, alcohol and anti-depressants.

“I have found the cause of death to be drugs-related.”

A mother’s tribute

Christine Bloomfield, Mr Atkinson’s mother, was at the inquest and told the Stray Ferret about her son’s life:

“People should remember Aaron for his heart of gold and his smile. He was a loving brother and son.

“He just got on the wrong path and went through a lot of heartache. Aaron recently lost his nan, dad and wife.

“My son was getting back on track. I saw him before he died in March and he had cleaned himself up.

“When we go through a life with a lot of sadness we all go in search for something to comfort us. With him it was drugs and alcohol.

“But he started to realise that he needed to make some changes. I believed him, he was doing well and I was proud of him. Then this happened.”