Police issue CCTV images of wanted man after Asda theft in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images of a man it would like to speak to after a theft from Asda in Harrogate.

The theft occurred at the supermarket on Bower Road between 12.30pm and 1pm on Monday, March 29.

According to a police statement today, “large quantities of valuable stock” was taken without payment.

The statement said:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 383 McCabe.

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

“Please quote reference number 12210108977 when passing on information.”

Three men arrested in police drugs swoop in Harrogate

Police arrested three men on suspicion of drug offences in Harrogate yesterday as part of a crackdown on county lines drug dealing.

According to a statement today by North Yorkshire Police, plain cloth officers on patrol in the Avenue Grove area of Starbeck had their suspicions raised by the activity of a man.

He was stopped and searched and found to have class A drugs on him.

Officers then searched a nearby property where they found three other men who were also searched.

Read more:

A police statement said:

“Officers recovered more drugs stashed in a mattress, £200 in cash from one of the men and other suspected drugs paraphernalia including three mobile phones. A fourth man was also arrested on suspicion of theft offences.”

A 39-year-old Harrogate man was arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs. Another man from Harrogate, aged 38, was arrested on suspicion of theft, possessing class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

A Leeds man, aged 50, was arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin with intent to supply. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

A fourth man, aged 26, from Harrogate, was arrested on suspicion of a number of theft offences.

The three men arrested on suspicion of drug offences have been released while under investigation as further enquiries are carried out.

The police statement added:

“Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity about drug dealing in their neighbourhood to the police on 101. Or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

“Police are also urging people to report any signs that someone they know is being exploited by criminals and forced to work for them. 

“This can include what is known as ‘cuckooing’, where drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person – who are often drug users themselves – and use it to store and sell drugs.”

E-scooters: scourge of pedestrians or saviour of transport in Harrogate?

E-scooters have been described as both an innovative solution to congestion and air pollution and a danger to pedestrians.

The Stray Ferret published a letter from reader Richard Abbott over the weekend, who said he recently dodged out the way of an e-scooter rider near the Stray. 

He called them a “blight” and a “scourge” yet they are likely to become a more familiar sight in places like Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon in the coming years.

The government is trialing the use of rented e-scooters in over 30 areas across the UK until August. It thinks they could encourage people to use their cars less and help the country’s green recovery post-covid. 

What are e-scooters?

E-scooters are similar to regular scooters but have small, electric motors.

Over 100 cities across the world operate scooter-sharing schemes, including Paris and Barcelona, where you can hire one for around €19 an hour.

E-scooters are sold in the UK online and in shops, and they can cost anywhere from just over £100 to £1,000.

Read more:

Are they legal?

It is against the law to use a privately owned e-scooter in the Harrogate district. Riders risk a £300 fine, six penalty points on their licence or having their e-scooter impounded.

The government said it will make a decision on legalising e-scooters in the rest of the UK after the trial ends in August.

For the trial, e-scooters are allowed on the road and in cycle lanes provided users have a full or provisional car, motorcycle or moped licence. They are still banned on the pavement and must not go above 15.5mph.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said it was not aware of e-scooter use being a particularly prevalent issue and added the number of recorded incidents last year was in single figures across the whole of the county.

Sustainable or dangerous?

Mr Abbott’s letter to the Stray Ferret provoked a lively response on the Stray Ferret’s social media, with some heralding them as a sustainable transport option for the future while others were fearful of injuries.

One person said on Twitter:

“They are dangerous, they use both the pavements, precincts and roads, going too fast.”

Another said:

“Depends on who’s riding it and how. If used with consideration for others I think they’d be a useful sustainable transport option that takes up less room than a car. If they were legal I’d get one for sure. Far cheaper than an electric bike.”

With the number of e-scooter riders set to increase, the debate is likely to intensify in the years ahead.

Three years for running over police officer in Harrogate

A man has been sent to prison for three years and two months after he ran over a police officer in Harrogate.

Llewellyn Mitcham, 30, was sentenced today at York Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

On March 16, police spotted a car on Bewerley Road in Harrogate that they believed belonged to a drug dealer.

They followed the car into a car park and then left their police vehicle to speak to the suspects.

Mitcham, of Harold Place in Leeds, drove off as the officers approached and hit PC Lister, throwing him into the air.

As a result of the impact, PC Lister suffered a severe fracture to his knee, which he is still recovering from two months later.

Read more:

The court heard how Mitcham left the car park and was spotted speeding away before police brought his vehicle to a stop and arrested him.

Mitcham pleaded guilty to causing serious injury whilst dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.

North Yorkshire Police Detective Constable, Kirsty Smith, said:

“PC Lister has served as a North Yorkshire police officer for a number of years and on the day of the incident was carrying out proactive work to prevent drug dealers from surrounding counties entering the Harrogate area and committing crime.

“During this line of duty he was seriously injured following Llewellyn Mitcham’s actions trying to evade arrest. Mitcham gave no regard for PC Lister’s welfare and made good his escape where he was finally apprehended some 20 miles away following a police pursuit.

“When you suffer an injury like this although we may be able to heal physically, the trauma stays with you. As police officers we know our job comes with risk but Mitcham’s actions and the long-lasting impact of these should not be underestimated, a fact which has been clearly reflected in the sentencing.”

Police appeal for help after Harrogate petrol bomb attack

Police are appealing for witnesses after a petrol bomb attack on a car on a driveway in Harrogate on Saturday night.

Firefighters and police, including crime scene investigators, were called to Heather Way, Killinghall at about 10.40pm.

The bomb failed to detonate but smouldered and destroyed the driver’s seat.

Several police community support officers conducted door-to-door inquiries in Heather Way yesterday.

Now North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for help.

It said in a statement the blaze in the Audi Q7 caused house alarms to go off and disrupted many neighbours. It added:

“Officers investigating this incident are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to get in touch.

“Dial 101, press 1 and pass information on to the Force Control Rom, quoting reference number 12210118757.”

Read more:

 

Late night petrol bomb attack on car in Harrogate

A petrol bomb was thrown through the window of a car on a drive in Harrogate last night.

Firefighters were called to the scene on Heather Way, Killinghall at about 10.40pm last night. Police, including specially trained crime scene investigators also attended.

Fortunately the bomb failed to detonate and smouldered away but still managed to destroy the driver’s seat.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service gave details of the attack in its overnight summary of activity. It said:

“A crew from Harrogate attended an incident where there was an attempt to set a car on fire on a driveway.

“The drivers window had been smashed and a plastic bottle containing petrol and a wick had been thrown in, this had smouldered away on the drivers seat but failed to set the whole car alight and then burnt itself out.

“The fire caused approximately 90% fire damage to the drivers seat. Crews used thermal imaging camera only. The police along with CSI also attended.

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Police for further details of the incident.

Read more:

 

Majestic murder-suicide: one week on, questions remain

The Harrogate district was shocked last week when two guests from London lost their lives in an apparent murder-suicide at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel.

Eight days on, the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both aged 29, remain unclear.

Staff found the pair dead with stab wounds on the Tuesday night at 10.20pm. North Yorkshire Police said it believed Ms Gregory was murdered by Mr McGibbon, who then killed himself.

But the police and the hotel have said little since.

One of the key unanswered questions is why and how the pair booked their room or rooms. Under current coronavirus rules, hotels can only allow guests if the hotel is their main address or if their visit is essential for work, education or training purposes.

The family of Ms Gregory has said she was a childcare specialist. It is unclear what Mr McGibbon did for a living. The reason for their booking has not been revealed.

Devante Gravesande-Smith, a barrister from London who was a cousin of Ms Gregory, described her as a “loving and caring person, whose smile would light up a room”.

He claimed she was “lured to her death at the hands of her controlling and manipulative ex-boyfriend”.

We asked the hotel the purpose of the two people’s stay and how it verified the reasons.

A spokesman for the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel told the Stray Ferret:

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the incident and our thoughts are with all of those affected.

“The hotel complies with the government guidelines in respect of who can stay. We are unable to comment further on the specific guests.”

The Stray Ferret has also asked North Yorkshire Police for an update on the case. It did not reply by the time of publication and, eight days after the tragic incident, many questions remain unanswered.

Read more:

Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said when the deaths were announced:

“We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it was a suspected murder-suicide.”

There have been no police updates since.

Premier League striker Oli McBurnie bailed after Knaresborough fracas

Premier League striker Oli McBurnie has been released on bail after an altercation with a man in Knaresborough on Saturday.

McBurnie was arrested last night after a viral video showed a confrontation between the 24-year-old Sheffield United striker and a 21-year-old man on High Street in Knaresborough, towards Bond End.

The incident happened at about 8.20pm.

McBurnie has now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Read more:

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses to the alleged assault.

A statement this afternoon said:

“Detectives investigating this case would like anyone who saw the incident to get in touch.

“It is believed that two cars passed the incident, and there was also a woman pedestrian on the other side of the road who saw what happened.

“Officers are appealing to the driver of those cars and also to the woman to please get in touch.

In addition, anyone in the area at the time who might have dashcam footage, is asked to contact police.

“Dial 101, press 1 and speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference number 12210115038 when passing on information.”

Premier League striker arrested after altercation in Knaresborough

Premier League striker Oli McBurnie has been arrested after allegedly attacking a young man in Knaresborough over the weekend.

A viral video clip appears to show the 24-year-old confronting a 21-year-old man on Knaresborough High Street after he mentioned Sheffield United’s relegation.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night:

“A 24 year old man from Knaresborough has been arrested in connection with an incident, which involved another man being assaulted.

“The 21 year old victim sustained facial injuries during the incident, which happened shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday 8 May on High Street in Knaresborough.

“The 24 year old arrested man remains in custody at this time.”

The force has asked any witnesses to call them and quote reference number 12210115038.

Read more:

Sheffield United has said in a statement:

“Officials at Sheffield United are aware of the video circulating on social media.

“We are currently investigating.”

Scotland international Oli McBurnie was ruled out with a fractured foot in April. The Blades have won just five game this season and have been relegated to the Championship.

 

Police treat Harrogate hotel deaths as murder-suicide

Police investigating the deaths of two people at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel have said tonight they think it was a murder-suicide.

North Yorkshire Police has now named the deceased as Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both 29 and from the London area.

They were found with stab wounds in a hotel room. Paramedics certified them dead at the scene.

Enquiries into the circumstances around the deaths are ongoing but detectives are treating the death of Ms Gregory as murder. They do not believe anyone else is involved.

Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said:

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it as a suspected murder-suicide.

“A post-mortem has taken place that has confirmed the couple died from stab wounds. We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with their families and friends and this difficult time. We have specialist officers from North Yorkshire Police, supported by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police supporting the family, and we will work with them as we investigate the circumstances leading to these tragic deaths.”

Read more: