Court roundup: Meat theft and driving matters among cases dealt with in Sunderland

Joseph Brown, 43, of Gladstone Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Astra on St Michael’s Way, in Sunderland city centre, on November 11, without third-party insurance. He was fined £120 and was told to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20 and costs of £30.

He was He was disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 28 days.

James Barnes, 29, of Trafalgar Road, Sulgrave, Washington, pleaded guilty to stealing six joints of meat, to the value of £75.50, from a Sainsbury’s in Sunderland on April 21.

He was given a conditional discharge for six months and was told to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20 and costs of £85.

Michael Conlon, 58, of Southwick Road, Sunderland, was found guilty after a trial of driving a VW Golf in Pemberton Close, Southwick, without third-party insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence, on August 27.

He was fined £180 and was told to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20 and costs of £150. He was disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 24 months.

Julie Hewitson, 49, of Oval Grange, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to driving a Renault Modus on the A19 in Sunderland, on October 23, 2015, without third-party insurance.

She was fined £160 and was told to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20 and costs of £60. She was disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

Sean Prince, 20, of South Market Street, Hetton, was convicted of driving a Renault Clio on Coalbank Road, Hetton, on October 31, 2015, without third-party insurance.

He was fined £660 and was told to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £66 and costs of £250.

His driving record was endorsed with six penalty points.