Jail for drug dealers caught outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Two drug dealers arrested outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens have been jailed.

Plain clothed county lines drugs officers from North Yorkshire Police were on patrol in Valley Gardens in October 2020, when they came across Ishmaal Mahmood and Ifaaq Mahmood in a Volkswagen Jetta parked on Valley Drive.

According to police, Ishmaal Mahmood, 25, of Stonegate Chase, Harehills, Leeds, appeared to try and delete messages from the phone he was using as officers tried to speak with him.

He and Ifaaq Mahmood, 28, of Leeds at the time, were detained for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act after what police described as “implausible and inconsistent reasons for being in Harrogate”.

Drugs recovered from the car 

Both pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing MDMA with intent to supply.

Ishmaal was jailed for three years and four months and Ifaaq was jailed for one year and eight months. In 2020, Ishmaal was previously sentenced to seven months in jail for possessing a knife linked to the same incident.

‘I’ve got a knife on me’

Ishmaal Mahmood said to one of the officers outside Valley Gardens “I’ve got a knife on me” and was found to be in possession of a curved hunting knife.

On searching the vehicle, a blue latex glove containing multiple snap bags containing white and brown powder, believed to be cocaine and MDMA, were recovered. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Ishmaal was also arrested for possession of the knife.

Addresses linked to both were searched and at the address of Ishmaal officers found a small amount of cannabis, further weapons and a large amount of deal bags.

Drug analysis on the suspected class A drugs seized from the vehicle confirmed the drugs as 32 individual wraps including 28 cocaine and 4 MDMA. This has a street value of approximately £1,500.

Forensic analysis of the drugs and phone analysis ultimately linked both men to the supply of cocaine and MDMA in the Harrogate area. It also showed Ishmaal was occasionally acting as a recruiter and trying to set up his own drug line.

The seized hunting knife

The pair were sentenced for the drug offences at York Crown Court yesterday,

Investigating officer, PC Michael Haydock from the county lines Operation Expedite team in Harrogate, said:

“Ishmaal and Ifaaq Mahmood were working together for a county line with the sole objective of selling highly dangerous and addictive drugs on the streets of Harrogate.

“They have done this freely and for their own gain, without the slightest bit of thought or consideration for the wider implications of their actions.

“Furthermore, they were on our streets in possession of a knife which had the potential to cause devastating injuries or worse. There is no place for this and both have received all that they deserve. Hopefully the pair have now seen the error of their ways and similarly, anyone who believes they can commit drug crime in North Yorkshire can expect to face the consequences.”

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Child airlifted to hospital after collision outside school near Ripon

A six-year-old child has been airlifted to hospital after a collision outside a primary school near Ripon.

It happened near Fountains C of E Primary around 8.50am today and involved a light blue Hyundai i10 which was travelling towards Sawley.

The was taken by air ambulance to James Cook Hospital with serious leg injuries.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“The driver of the Hyundai was spoken to at the scene and is assisting officers with their enquires. The stretch of road was closed for a time to allow officers to investigate the scene.

“Officers are appealing to anyone, including motorists with dashcam footage, or who witnessed the incident, to come forward.

“If you were driving in the area at the time, please check your dashcam footage in case you have captured the vehicle on camera prior to the crash but may be unaware.”

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Steve Wright, or email steve.wright1@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number 12230107761.

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Travellers leave Harrogate’s Ashville College

Travellers left Harrogate’s Ashville College last night, three days after they arrived.

The fee-paying school postponed home sports fixtures when caravans pitched up on the sports field off Yew Tree Lane on Friday night.

North Yorkshire Police said last night all vehicles had vacated the field by 7.15pm.

A police spokesperson said:

“The Harrogate neighbourhood policing team has worked closely with the college and community partners to resolve this issue.

“Our officers are continuing to liaise with all parties and are carrying out patrols in the area to address safety and security concerns.”

Ashville College

An Ashville spokesman said it served notice on the travellers to leave the school grounds yesterday morning. He added:

“The police successfully handled the departure and we are delighted to confirm that they all have left the site.

“Crucially, the order served today prohibits a return to our site within the next twelve months.

“We have secured the entrance they forced themselves through on Friday night.

Ashville head Rhiannon Wilkinson said in a letter to parents:

“It has been a challenging three days and I am enormously grateful to my colleagues in boarding who have done an exceptional job looking after the boarders this weekend in what have been difficult circumstances.”

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Appeal after golf clubs stolen from car parked at Harrogate guest house

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a car was broken into at a Harrogate guest house.

Officers say a golf equipment was stolen from a Volkswagen Polo which was parked at the Camberley Guest House on King’s Road between 5.30pm on Thursday, 8 June, and 7.30am on Friday, 9 June.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said some John Letters golf clubs and a Callaway driver were stolen.

Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to email Neel.Seth@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to PC 1442 Seth.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230104724.”

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Police patrols monitoring travellers at Harrogate’s Ashville School

Ashville College in Harrogate said today police were conducting regular patrols after travellers set up camp on the sports field.

An encampment arrived at the independent school on Friday night.

In an update today, a spokesman for the college said it had been working with North Yorkshire Police “and other authorities to expedite the removal of the travellers from our sports field”.

He added:

“As a precautionary measure, there is a fence running the width of the site to separate the school from the travellers.

“They have been instructed by the police, who are carrying out regular patrols, not to go near school buildings or any pupils.”

Home sports fixtures were postponed following the weekend arrival of travellers.

The spokesman said:

“Thanks to the hard work and vigilance of all our teaching and support staff, the school is fully operational today, although there have been some minor adjustments for our youngest pupils in Acorns pre-prep and reception.

“GCSE and A-level examinations are running as usual in the sports centre. Sports lessons, and after-school clubs and activities, are also uninterrupted.

“We are providing regular updates to families until the situation is resolved, and thank them for their continued support and understanding.”

Travellers previously pitched up on Ashville’s sports fields off Yew Tree Lane in August 2021 and demanded money to leave.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police what action it had taken but has not received a response.

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Harrogate teenagers found safe and well

Two teenage girls who were missing from their homes in Harrogate have been found safe.

North Yorkshire Police said the 16-year-old and 13-year-old were both reported missing in the early hours of yesterday.

However, a police statement this morning has confirmed that both have been found safe and well.

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Three men charged after stabbing in Harrogate

Three men have been charged with wounding after a man was stabbed in Harrogate on Thursday night.

It happened in the Dragon Road area, where police were called just after 9.30pm to reports a man had suffered stab wounds.

The victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The men, all from West Yorkshire, were arrested by North Yorkshire Police and are due to appear at York Magistrates Court tomorrow (Monday).

All three were charged with wounding with intent, while one has also been charged with possessing a knife in a public place.

Another of the trio faces a further charge of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possessing a knife in a public place.

Detective Chief Inspector Fionna McEwan, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“I hope members of public in Harrogate are reassured by the swift police response in this case, which has resulted in three men being charged.

“Incidents like this are extremely rare in our area. Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team have increased local patrols, and will be happy to speak to residents if they have any further concerns.”

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Harrogate woman recalls horror attack by husband’s ex-lover in Bilton

A Harrogate woman has spoken of suffering life changing injuries in a horrific attack at her home in Bilton.

Emma Russell, 43, was stabbed and slashed with a knife by Clare Bailey on Byland Road on June 23 last year.

Bailey, 45, of Dudley, was jailed for 22 years for attempted murder at Leeds Crown Court today.

She turned up at Ms Russell’s house wearing a covid mask, wig and sunglasses and offered a bouquet of flowers before attacking her.

A court heard that Bailey had previously had a relationship with Ms Russell’s husband.

The attack left her in a wheelchair and requiring painkillers every day. 

In an interview with North Yorkshire Police, she outlined her traumatic ordeal and spoke of how she still has flashbacks to the attack.

You can watch the full video below.

Ms Russell said:

“I am still in pain every day and need painkillers to help with this. I use crutches to get around as I am still unable to use my right leg fully and for longer distances I have a wheelchair.

“I’ve lost all my independence, I couldn’t go back to work, we are having to rely on disability benefits, I have just lost my whole life really, I need help with everything I do.

“I don’t sleep and when I do sleep, I have flashbacks and nightmares of that afternoon.

“I can’t imagine what my daughter went through, to witness what she did, to try and stop the attack, she is my hero, she will always be my little hero, I honestly don’t think I would still be here if she hadn’t been home that day.

“I know people will have their opinion about what I should have done following the attack, but I have done what was best for me. Affairs happen, they aren’t nice, but they happen and no-one would ever imagine something like this would be the outcome, this was not a normal reaction to someone breaking up a relationship.”

She added:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who came to help on that day, people who didn’t know me, didn’t know whether they were safe or if they would be attacked too, thank you.”

Clare Bailey

Clare Bailey, who was jailed for 22 years today

Jonathan Surgrove, senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“First of all I must commend the bravery of Emma, she has shown such courage throughout the investigation and I hope today’s sentence will allow her some closure on the events of that afternoon.

“This was an horrific attack on an innocent and blameless lady who is now unable to feel safe in her own home, work, or spend time independently with her children, as a result. Emma had to spend weeks in hospital away from her family receiving treatment for injuries which simply, should never have happened. All she did was open the front door to her home.

“From receiving the initial call from the ambulance service this was an extremely fast-paced investigation which led to the quick arrest and charge of the offender. It soon became clear the level of planning Bailey had put in place and the little regard she had for anyone getting in the way of what she wanted and I welcome the sentence handed to her today.”

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Ripon man used Snapchat to engage girl, 13, in sexual communications

A Ripon man has been jailed for attempting to engage a 13-year-old girl in sexualised communications.

David Wesling, 48, a former cellist and chorister with Ripon Cathedral Choir, was sentenced to 32 months at York Crown Court today.

Wesling, of Littlethorpe Lane, Littlethorpe, was caught when he contacted a child profile on Snapchat.

He pleaded guilty to the following offences, which occurred between 27 April 2023 and 16 May 2023.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Kerri Jones, of North Yorkshire Police’s online child abuse team, said:

“This case sends a message out to adults attempting to engage in online sexual activity with children, that this behaviour will not go unnoticed.

“This is not the first time that Wesling has attempted to have sexual communications with a child. He is already a convicted registered sex offender, after being found guilty of similar offences in 2019 when he was jailed for 12 months and issued with a sexual harm prevention order.

“Wesling has shown blatant disregard for the law and his conditions by committing similar offences again. Despite his attempts to deny these offences when interviewed by police, the overwhelming evidence against him has resulted in him being remanded and pleading guilty at court.”

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Harrogate cocaine dealer jailed for two years

A drug dealer has been jailed for two years and eight months after being caught by police in Harrogate.

Alex Horsfield, 26, was spotted by North Yorkshire Police’s county lines officers on Roberts Crescent off Skipton Road in his Vauxhall Astra on 11.50am on May 11 this year.

Horsfield, who is from Keighley, was detained for a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act search over suspicions that he was part of a county lines drug supply operation.

Officers found two separate packages in his clothing, both containing multiple individual wraps of white and brown powder.

One was from within his hoodie pocket and one from within his shorts concealed under a pair of tracksuit bottoms.

Approximately 40 packages were individually wrapped containing both crack cocaine and heroin.

Horsfield was later charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

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He claimed that the drugs were for his own personal use.

However, when he appeared at York Crown Court today (Tuesday 6 June 2023), he pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced immediately at his own request.

PC Michael Haydock, of operation expedite at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Alex Horsfield is yet another example of someone who believe they can come across the border to North Yorkshire to commit drug crime.

“This has shown him, and others like him, that this will not be tolerated.

“North Yorkshire Police is committed to tackling drug-related crime, and having a dedicated Operation Expedite County Lines Team allows us to target those who pedal these illegal substances in a proactive and relentless manner.

“The fight against Class A drug supply will continue and anyone else doing so can expect to be dealt with robustly should they chance their arm it.”