Jail for Harrogate man who supplied drugs on electric scooter

A Harrogate man who was caught with Class A drugs while riding an electric scooter was jailed for two years and three months today.

James Latham was caught by officers from North Yorkshire Police’s drugs team Operation Expedite on King’s Road on the afternoon of September 25 this year.

A police media release today said officers saw two known drug users being approached by Latham. The three people walked behind a shop and out of view. Within seconds one of them returned and was seen placing an item in their mouth.

Officers suspected a drug deal had just taken place, with Latham supplying the drugs.

Latham, who was riding on an electric scooter, was stopped a short distance away. He was searched and found to be in possession of a large amount of cash and suspected illegal drugs.

Heroin and cocaine

Following his arrest, officers found drugs paraphernalia at Latham’s Harrogate home, along with heroin and cocaine with a street value of over £700, and a significant amount of cash.

Latham, 44, was remanded in custody and brought to court where he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Through mobile phone analysis, investigators were able to show Latham was involved in the supply of class A drugs, and had a customer base within the Harrogate area.

At York Crown Court today, Latham was given a custodial sentence of two years and three months.

After the sentencing hearing, PC Christopher Thompson, of Operation Expedite, said:

“The sale of illegal drugs will not be tolerated on the streets of Harrogate. It causes untold misery and suffering, and forces people who are addicted to them to commit other serious crimes to feed their habit.

“Latham was willing to exploit other people’s addictions for his own cruel and selfish gain.”

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‘Disgruntled’ patient stages protest outside Ripon dental practice

A patient refused to move his van from the entrance of Ripon dental practice this morning.

The Stray Ferret contacted Bridge House Dental Practice on Bondgate Green and was told by an employee, who wished to remain anonymous, the man “sat in his van and refused to leave”.

They said the man, who arrived at around 10am, became “disgruntled” but “not aggressive”, adding:

“He was telling people how rubbish and how bad our service is when they walked in.”

North Yorkshire Police told the Stray Ferret the force was called to “reports of a confrontation” at around 11am. It added:

“Police officers attended and spoke to a man, who agreed to leave the area.”

The employee said the man left the scene two hours later at midday.

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Police appeal after second cyclist knocked off bike in Harrogate

A female cyclist has sustained minor injuries following a collision near Asda in Harrogate.

The incident, which took place between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on Friday, December 15, happened at the junction of Bower Road and Haywra Street.

North Yorkshire Police said it is now appealing for the driver of a grey Ford Focus to come forward.

It is the second police appeal involving am injured cyclist issued today.

It comes after another cyclist was knocked off their bike in Knaresborough on Monday.

Regarding the Harrogate appeal, the force said in a statement:

“A pedal cyclist entered Bower Road and was hit by the Ford Focus that had just exited Asda supermarket.

“The driver of the Ford stopped at the scene and spoke with the cyclist, however, they had left prior to police involvement.

“Officers are appealing for them to come forward along with any witnesses and anyone who may have dashcam footage.

“The driver and anyone with any information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident number 12230240822.”

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Cyclist injured after Knaresborough collision

A cyclist has been left with “minor injuries” following a collision with a car in Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident, which happened on Harrogate Road near Mother Shipton’s, took place on Monday, December 18 at 4:45pm.

The force is now appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

It said in a statement today:

“A car collided with a pedal bike which resulted in minor injuries for the cyclist. The driver of the car did not stop at the scene of the collision.

“Officers are now appealing to the driver or anyone with information to come forward. In particular, officers are keen to hear from anyone who has any relevant dashcam footage.

“If you have information, please email 001282@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.”

Quote reference number 12230241416 when passing on information.

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Senior North Yorks police officer faces criminal investigation over speeding claims

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating an allegation that a senior North Yorkshire Police officer may have provided a false or misleading account to avoid a speeding sanction.

The IOPC, which handles complaints against police forces in England and Wales, said today it had opened a criminal investigation into the matter in November after hearing about the allegation.

Today’s statement added:

“This week, we notified the officer they are under criminal investigation for the potential offences of misconduct in public office, improper exercise of police powers and intent to pervert the course of justice.

“They have also been served notice, informing them that we are investigating gross misconduct in relation to potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity; duties and responsibilities; and conduct.

“We have been advised that the officer has subsequently been suspended from duty.”

The name of the officer, or where he or she is based, has not been revealed.

IOPC director David Ford said:

“Where a serious allegation such as this is made, it is important for a thorough investigation to take place to uncover the facts.

“In light of the nature of the allegation and the seniority of the officer involved, this will be carried out by the IOPC, independently of the police.

“I would like to make clear that the launching of a criminal investigation does not necessarily mean that criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings will follow.”

Mr Ford added:

“At the conclusion of the investigation, we will decide whether to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision, and also decide whether the officer should face disciplinary proceedings.

“Our investigation is at an early stage, and we will provide further updates when we are in a position to do so.”

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police issued a statement about the investigation:

“North Yorkshire Police is aware of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further due to the ongoing investigation and as it is led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct all enquiries should be directed to them at this stage.”

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Police release CCTV image after Harrogate bike theft

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after the theft of a bike in Jennyfields.

The incident happened outside the Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre on Jenny Field Drive at 10.45am on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

The victim locked his electric bike in the bike rack and when they returned they discovered that the bike had been stolen.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to, as he may have information that could help the investigation.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email stephen.mangham@northyorkshire.police.uk You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Stephen Mangham.

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230192233.”

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Pedestrian ‘serious but stable’ after Harrogate crash

A pedestrian is seriously ill in hospital after a crash on the A59 outside Shaws Trailer Park at Starbeck.

Emergency services were called to the A59 Knaresborough Road at 7.45am yesterday (Monday, December 18).

North Yorkshire Police said last night:

“A SsangYong Korando in grey which was travelling in the direction of Harrogate collided with a man in his 50s as he was crossing the road at the pelican crossing.

“The pedestrian is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

“The driver of the SsangYong is assisting officers with their investigation.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

You can email joseph.moore@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101 and ask to speak to the force control room.

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

Quote reference number 12230239213.

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Police appeal after 14-year-old injured in Harrogate collision

Police have appealed for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was injured after a collision in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Otley Road near to Queens Road and West End Avenue at 4.45pm on Tuesday, December 12.

Officers said a black motor vehicle collided with a 14-year-old girl who was a pedestrian. Following the collision, the girl attended hospital for treatment.

The driver, who is described as aged between 60 and 70-years-old, bald and was wearing all black clothing did stop at the scene but didn’t leave any details.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Police are now requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, officers are appealing for information about anyone that witnessed the collision or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email paul.dixon@northyorkshire.police.uk   You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Paul Dixon.

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230236668 when passing information.”

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Pedestrian involved in collision near Starbeck trailer park

Emergency services were called out following a collision in Starbeck this morning.

The incident, which happened on Knaresborough Road near Shaws Trailer Park, happened at 7:45am.

North Yorkshire Police said a car and pedestrian were involved.

The force told the Stray Ferret:

“Police and ambulance are at the scene.

“Motorists are asked to avoid the area as road closures are in place and due to be there for some time.”

Officers said any further updates will be posted on North Yorkshire Police’s website and social media.

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Teen airlifted to hospital after two-vehicle crash

An 18-year-old man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a two-vehicle collision at Moor Monkton.

The man, who was a back seat passenger in a white Mazda 2, had to be extracted from the vehicle by firefighters.

Two other males from this vehicle, the 18-year-old driver and a 17-year-old front seat passenger, sustained what are believed to be minor injuries.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for witnesses to the incident, which took place yesterday at 9.18am on Friday, December 15. It occurred on Marston Lane, between the junctions of Green Lane and Atterwith Lane.

The road is located off the A59 to York.

The crash involved the Mazda, which was heading south, and a grey Volkswagen Touareg SUV that was heading north.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 33-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries. The three-year-old child in the vehicle was uninjured.

The stretch of road remained closed until 4.45pm while collision investigators worked at the scene and to allow both vehicles to be recovered.

Today’s police statement said:

“In support of the investigation, police are urging witnesses to the collision and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward as soon as possible.

“Officers also want to hear from anyone who may have noticed either the white Mazda 2 or the grey Volkswagen Touareg prior to the incident.”

You can email martin.hayes@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Martin Hayes.

Quote reference number 12230237251 when providing information.

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