Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team Sergeant Mark Edwards resumes his weekly blog on Aycliffe Today…
Seems like an eternity since I was last here. I’m happy to say it’s nice to be back here in the town.
I wouldn’t wish my previous place of work on my worst enemy. Actually, on second thoughts, maybe I would!
I’ve brought myself up to speed with things that have gone on in my absence and the team have remained very active during my abstraction – does that mean I’m not needed here? No comments please!
My first day back on Tuesday was quite eventful…
We started the day off arresting a local teenage male, who we identified from CCTV footage as responsible for a shoplifting offence in the Simpasture area of the town. He was charged with the crime and has been bailed to the courts.
We followed that up with a trip to the Magistrates Court where we secured a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A short while later a 48-year-old male was arrested by the team in relation to drugs offences and a small quantity of mature cannabis plants were seized from an address in Middridge. The male received a caution.
Now I know many of you out there are sceptical of cautions and see these as a slap on the wrist.
All I can say is that any disposal available for a criminal offence is based on the individual circumstances surrounding that matter.
The decision to caution as opposed to charge can be based on any one of a number of factors – it may be the feelings of the victims themselves, whether the matter is deemed so low-value that to proceed with a court case is not in the public interest, whether there is any complaint from the victim/s at all and so forth.
So in a nutshell, no two crimes are the same and what one person receives as ‘punishment’ may not be what another gets.
This Sunday sees the Olympic Torch coming through our area so I’m sure the crowds will be out for that – let’s hope the weather is good for everyone.
It’s also the Aycliffe 10k Run and members of the NPT will be along to cheer the participants on!
Now, onto some court results…
Girts Ziemelis, 26, from the Grimsby area, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court charged with theft of a large quantity of clothing. He was conditionally discharged for 18 months and ordered to pay costs. His accomplice, Ivar Rasa, 30, received the same penalty.
Kayleigh Marie Young, 19, from the town appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates in relation to two theft offences. She was fined £70 and ordered to pay compensation to McColls and Woodham Services.
Robert Lee Lance, 24, appeared at Darlington Magistrates charged with burglary offences on Aycliffe the Business Park. He was sentenced to a community order and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within a 12-month period.
Justice? You decide.
Hopefully that will be enough to tide you over till next time. There’s still a lot of activity ongoing that the team are engaged in.
Our newest ‘recruits’ – PCSO Chris Noble and PC Paul Rogers – have settled in nicely and enjoying the challenges of their new roles.
Take care for now.
Be good!
Mark J. Edwards
Aycliffe NPT Sergeant