HERE'S a selection of court cases featured in this week's Barnsley Chronicle:
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A MAN accused of having sexual intercourse with a child has been remanded in custody until he appears at Sheffield Crown Court next month. Thomas Braithwaite, of no fixed abode, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where a date of November 1 was set for the trial. The 21-year-old also admitted to failing to comply with a community order, which meant he had to sign the Sexual Offences Act every seven days at Barnsley Police Station, and a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up. Braithwaite faces four counts of having sex with a child, one of assault and one of breaching the community order, and all will be dealt with at Sheffield Crown Court. He did not make a plea. District judge Gary Garland said: “Due to the severity of these matters, they will be dealt with collectively on November 1. Had you have turned up to the police station, you would still be on bail.”
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A TEENAGER who threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend when their three-month relationship broke down has been given a warning to turn his life around. Brandon Shaw, of Knollbeck Lane, Brampton, made threats to Chloe Lucas when their relationship ended and he admitted harassment at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. The court was told Miss Lucas ‘believed his threats’, received a torrent of abusive Facebook messages in the aftermath of the break-up and was scared to leave her Wombwell home. Shaw also pleaded guilty to driving his Citroen Saxo, despite having no licence or insurance, to Miss Lucas’s address to demand his clothes back before the police were called on May 21. District Judge Gary Garland said: “It seems this was your first serious relationship and you were both upset at the time it ended and reacted wrongly. I imagine your frustration, but that’s no excuse to causing your ex-partner distress or driving without a licence or insurance. “Facebook has a lot to answer for and you acted in the heat of the moment when you sent her messages. “You need to get with it, get smart and turn your life around - only fools come to this court.” Shaw, 19, was given a restraining order, preventing him from contacting Miss Lucas, a 12-month conditional discharge, six penalty points on his provisional driving licence and a £20 surcharge.
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A 63-YEAR-OLD man who stole eight dresses from a Barnsley town centre shop has been jailed for 20 weeks. Stephen Stelmach, of Camberley Street, Leeds, travelled to Barnsley by train and Wednesday and targeted New Look, on Cheapside. He was detained in the town centre a short time afterwards, according to prosecutor Chantel Lowery-Green, after staff alerted police. The court was told that Stelmach, a serial shoplifter, had been given sentences totalling 35 years during his life and had been released from prison just one month ago. John Jones, chairman of the bench, said: “Within four weeks of your release you have committed yet another shoplifting office. Your record is atrocious and we have no choice but to impose another jail term.” Stelmach was also ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge.
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A CARLTON man has been remanded in custody charged with possessing an offensive weapon and affray. Graham Lake, 46, formerly of Newman Avenue, Carlton, entered no plea when he appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He was denied bail, and the case was committed to Sheffield Crown Court where it will be heard on November 6.
