The Chairman of the Bench at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court strongly advised a defendant to fully comply with the community order imposed upon him, to stick firmly to his curfew conditions and to attend all scheduled meetings with the Probation Service.
Nineteen year-old Raymond David Patton, from West Lane, Bishop Auckland, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of failing to comply with the curfew conditions imposed by his six month community order.
Patton had also failed to attend court on March 17th because “He had forgotton about it”. The court heard that £248 currently outstanding in fines was being deducted in instalments from his benefits.
A further £25 in compensation was to be added to his current fines for the theft of a “From Me to You” Teddy Bear from Clinton’s Cards in Newgate Street.
The defendant had been caught on CCTV and had admitted the offence, stating that he had not planned the theft but had acted upon impulse as he wanted a Christmas gift for his girlfriend.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
