Five criminals have been fined heavily in court this month for a range of offences including driving without a licence, assault, not complying with community orders, and keeping an unlicensed vehicle.

The five defendants, who are from Durham and Teesside, attended Teesside Magistrates on December 12 and December 14, charged with a range of offences. 

Here are those that have been in over those two days: 

Frederick Watson, 78, of Beacon Lane, Sedgefield

A Sedgefield man has been penalised for driving uninsured and unlicensed on the A19.

Frederick Watson, 78, of Beacon Farm, Beacon Lane, Sedgefield, Durham, had no insurance for his IVECO vehicle when he was caught on March 11, 2023, driving on the A19 in Stockton-on-Tees.

At the same time, Watson was also driving with an expired driving licence, and had no MOT certificate. 

Cleveland Magistrates' Court found him guilty on December 12, 2023, after Watson pleaded not guilty in October.

However, the court noted his guilty plea for driving without a valid licence.

Watson was fined £180, ordered to pay a £72 surcharge to fund victim services and pay costs of £120 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

His driving record was also endorsed with six points.

Craig Murphy, 29, of Black Road, Langley Moor

A Durham man has been fined £307 for keeping an unlicensed vehicle on a local road.

Craig Murphy, 29, of Black Road, Langley Moor, Durham, was convicted of the offence which was reported by the DVLA.

On February 6, 2023, Murphy kept a car, on Black Road, which was unlicensed.

The car’s previous licence had expired on June 30, 2022. 

The offence was originally handled by a single magistrate in Reading on July 17, 2023, under the original case number 45629741KR55XUW.

Murphy subsequently made a statutory declaration in accordance with section 16E of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.

In his statement, he noted that he had contacted the court as soon as he received the notification letter and had since tried to make a declaration.

In addition to the fine, Murphy has also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £176.67 and costs of £85.

The total balance he is due to pay amounts to £568.67.

Abdul Saleh, 30, of South Field Road, Middlesbrough

A North East man was given a suspended sentence after assaulting a man in Blackburn.

Abdul Saleh, 30, of South Field Road, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of attacking Krzysztof Janeczek on November 28 in Blackburn.

Appearing at the Teesside Magistrates' Court on December 14, Saleh was punished with a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

As part of his sentence, Saleh faces a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

This means he must follow any instructions given by a responsible officer for up to 20 days over the next year.

A surcharge of £154 was shared with victim services.

Anthony Kett, 44, from Avonsway, Ingleby Barwick

A man has been fined £300 for ignoring the terms of a suspended sentence.

Anthony Kett, 44, from Avonsway, Ingleby Barwick, was handed down the initial penalty by Teesside Crown Court on February 7, 2023.

He was found to have failed to comply with a community requirement by not attending planned Building Better Relationship sessions on August 30 and September 4, 2023, despite no reasonable excuse on record.

Kett pleaded guilty to the breach on December 14, after which he was imposed a fine, and was given until January 31, 2024, to pay the total outstanding balance of £360.

This sum incorporates an additional £60 in costs that Kett was ordered to cover.

Bailey Arnison, 18, of Charles Street, Redcar

A teenager has been fined for failing to comply with community order requirements.

Bailey Arnison, 18, of Charles Street, Redcar, was issued a fine of £50 and ordered to pay costs of £60, for not attending the assigned Rehabilitation Activity Requirement appointments on September 8, October 9 and October 16, 2023.

Mr Arnison also failed to keep in touch with the Responsible Officer or provide valid reasons for his absence.

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The community order was granted by the Teesside Magistrates Court on July 13, 2023. 

Arnison admitted the breach of compliance on December 14, at the same court.

The total amount of £110, inclusive of fine and cost, is to be consolidated with Arnison's existing account number and deducted from his benefits.

The court made orders for deductions from his benefits and set a due date for payment by December 28, 2023.