The following cases were among those heard at Teesside Magistrates Court this week:

JOHN PAUL HUTCHINSON, 34, of Thornton Street, Middlesbrough, was handed a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting stalking, burglary and criminal damage. The stalking charge related to a five month period this year which involved him attending a woman's address and being verbally abusive to her, and damaging her clothing. He also entered a dwelling and stole cash. He was placed on a six-month curfew with electric monitoring. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £115 victim surcharge, and £300 costs. A restraining order banning him from contacting his victim was also made.

ALEX BEGLEY, 28, of Laburnum Avenue, Thornaby, was jailed for 20 weeks for possessing pepper spray and assaulting two police officers. The court jailed him because of a record of previous offending. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation.

ANTHONY POWER, 34, of Bankfields Road, Middlesbrough, admitted having an offensive weapon, namely a 15 inch axe. The court was told he was facing threats from another at the time. He was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

KARL MARTIN O’HARA, 33, of Hume House, Stockton, was given a community order after he admitted assault by beating. He was given a community order requiring him to take part in ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £160 compensation.

CRAIG MARC PAUL DEATON, 34, of Charlbury Road, Middlesbrough, was fined £392 after pleading guilty to driving whilst under the influence of cannabis, Benzoylecgonine and cocaine when he was stopped on Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough on August 9 while driving a Vauxhall Vivaro. He was also banned from driving for three years.

BRIAN JOHN DIXON, 36, Bickersteth Walk, Stockton, was fined £80 and banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink driving. He was stopped by police on Hampton Road, Stockton, on October 10. He was also ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

JAMIE MELLOR, 18, of Westbourne Grove, Redcar, was given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to causing criminal damage to the sea walls in Redcar and resisting arrest on September 15. He was ordered to pay £250 in compensation, £21 in victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

SCOTT THOMAS SHARPE, 38, of Finsbury Street, Middlesbrough, was given a community order after admitting assaulting two police officers on October 10. He was ordered to carry out 40 hours unpaid work and to pay each of his victims £50 in compensation.

TRACEY BARKER, 40, of Northcote Street, Stockton, admitted failing to ensure a child attended school regularly. She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £130.

TRACEY HILL, 36, of Pearson Walk, Stockton, admitted failing to ensure a child attended school regularly and was given a 12-month community order, ordered to pay £130 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

SOPHIE LAMBERT, 27, of Ellary Walk, Hartlepool, was ordered to pay £6,066 or serve a 75-day suspended prison sentence for non-payment of council tax.

MICHAEL DACK, 30, of Landsdowne Road, Thornaby, was given a six-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis and drug-driving. He was also fined £204, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge. His licence was endorsed with ten points.

DAVID GEORGE THOMPSON, 48, of Ayton Drive, Redcar, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £75 compensation after admitting assault of a woman by beating.

GARY MARTIN, of Whitby Road, Easington, near Saltburn, was fined £80, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs after admitting speeding on the A171 Ormesby Bank.

FAREEN ALI, 27, of Ivy Drive, Stockton, was fined £185 and given six penalty points after admitting failing to give information regarding the driver of a Mercedes. She was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

We previously reported that Miss Ali had admitted a charge of drink-driving and was disqualified from driving. This charge was withdrawn and no ban was imposed. We apologise for the error.

RICHARD MARK JONES, 32, of Kildale Court, North Ormesby, was given a community order with an unpaid work requirement after admitting breaching a non-molestation order by contacting a woman via text and phone. He was also ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

PAUL DENNIS PATTON, 43, of Ponteland Road, Newcastle, admitted stealing a shower worth £330 from B&Q as well as breaching bail conditions and a conditional discharge. He was given a community order with a 12-week curfew requirement, ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 costs.