Harrogate News Round-Up – June 2018

June was a busy month in terms of local news! We’ve included a round-up of what’s been happening in Harrogate recently.

Carer stole from patient to fund drug addiction

Greg Watson, 28, was a carer working for Foresight Care Group in Harrogate when he stole thousands of pounds from two blind patients in his care, to feed a ketamine addiction. Mr Watson stole over £3,000 from the two women’s bank accounts and care staff discovered the discrepancy when falsified banking records were found in the home.

Harrogate man jailed after killing 18-year-old in speeding car

An 18-year-old woman was killed in a drink-driving incident in Pool-in-Wharfedale after Kieran McGowan had spent the afternoon drinking in a Skipton pub. Kate Whalley was walking home from an A-level exam in June 2017 when she was struck by 23-year-old McGowan, from Harrogate, who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

New NHS dental practice a boost to demand

A new NHS dental provision in Harrogate has been hailed as a “mammoth” boost to dental demand in the area. A rebranded practice with six dentists has opened at Hookstone Park, taking over the ‘My Dentist’ premises.

‘Outstanding’ primary school in fundraising drive for new playground

Western Primary School in Cold Bath Road was rewarded with an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating recently, but is now stepping up a fundraising programme in the hope that local businesses will help it fund a new playground. With limited outside space for play areas, the school has excelled in all other areas to gain the Ofsted recognition, but now aims to add to the £6,000 raised by the PTA to find £100,000 to fund the planned works.

Hope remains for £16million mental health facility

NHS leaders have said a state-of-the-art mental health facility in Harrogate is “still on the table” despite plans being put on hold. The £16million facility on Lady Lane is still an option, according to Tees Esk and Wear Valley Trust, despite a £14million forecast deficit in the 2017/18 budget for Harrogate’s Clinical Commissioning Group.

Police trace suspects in fake £50 note scam

North Yorkshire Police have narrowed down their search to two suspects after a spate of counterfeit £50 notes were used in a number of shops across Harrogate and Ripon. CCTV footage helped police identify a man and a woman using the notes in a number of commercial outlets and the search is now on to track the duo down.

Police appeal after iStore theft

Members of the public have been asked to help North Yorkshire Police after several items of electrical equipment were stolen from Harrogate’s Apple iStore overnight. A number of items such as iPads, iPhones, Macbook laptops and iPods were taken in the raid and are expected to be made available for cheap sale online. Police have appealed for help in tracking down the stolen items and the people selling them.

Harrogate PC dismissed for gross misconduct

PC Christopher Parnell of North Yorkshire Police was dismissed with immediate effect for gross misconduct after admitting a series of serious offences. Parnell – who served in Harrogate for the majority of his career – admitted accessing the police computer system over 30 times without appropriate reason, failing to declare a business interest and using police resources to pursue this business interest.

Historic railway station could re-open in housing plan

Goldsborough station in Harrogate could be re-opened if Flaxby Park Limited’s plans to develop 2,750 homes nearby are approved. The station would serve as a park & ride depot for the scheme on the former Flaxby Golf Course, and would provide trains direct into Harrogate, Leeds and York.

Major resurfacing programme announced for Harrogate roads

£1.1million is to be spent on resurfacing four major roads in Harrogate to end driver misery caused by potholes. North Yorkshire County Council has scheduled the work for between July and September at heavily-trafficked routes including Skipton Road, Penny Pot Lane, Dragon Road and Bower Road.