Here are a few of the people who were sentenced at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ court this week.

They include people convicted of a sex offence, violence, shoplifting, criminal damage and driving offences.

James Lister, of Sandringham Court, Darlington, was fined £166 and had his licence endorsed with ten penalty points after he pleaded guilty to being over the drink drive limit while in charge of a motor vehicle. The 68-year-old was arrested in the Model T car park, Fulthorpe Avenue, Darlington, on April 7 this year.

Anthony Lidster, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two shop thefts on consecutive days at Sainsburys in Darlington. On May 2, he stole £15 worth of cheese before returning the following day to steal £5 worth of Carling lager. The 44-year-old was ordered to repay the cost of the stolen goods and was given a six-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months.

Andrew Todd, of Ryton Crescent, Seaham, County Durham, was given a 12-month community order and told to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work after he was found guilty of assault by beating following an incident in Seaham on February 25 this year. The 26-year-old was also ordered to pay court costs of £620.

Shaun Woolley, of Lowther Square, Cramlington, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified on March 18  at  Easington when drove a  Volvo on Thorpe Road, Easington, County Durham. The 56-year-old was sentenced to six weeks in custody suspended for 12 months.

Donna Marie Foxton, of Eastern Avenue, Langley Park, Durham, pleaded guilty to using threatening language and causing a nuisance to staff following an incident at the University Hospital of North Durham on May 12 this year. The 43-year-old was fined £20.

Kevin Peter White, of Hollyhill Gardens West, Stanley, County Durham, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in Stanley on November 10, 2021. The 40-year-old was fined £750 and ordered to pay £1,860 in compensation to his victim.

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Paul Stephenson, of Stocksmoor Close, Darlington, pleaded guilty to stealing a crate of beers, a locking wheel nut, dog waste bags and a Biscoff biscuit, from a car in Darlington, on May 13. The 52-year-old also pleaded guilty to vehicle interference on the same night and a further charge of stealing locking wheel nut and a child's hat from a car. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison.

Richard Green, of Chapel Street, Willington, Crook, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between October 16 and 30 last year in Bishop Auckland. The 40-year-old was sentenced to a two-year community order and told to attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also told to sign on the sex offenders' register for five years.

David Milburn, of Neil Crescent, Quarrington Hill, County Durham, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after a Nissan Juke was damaged on October 1 last year leaving the owner £440 out of pocket. The 53-year-old was ordered to pay £375 in compensation and was fined £550. He was also made subject to a 12-month restraining order.

Kearan Belsey, of Crichton Avenue, Chester le Street, pleaded guilty to three charges of harassment after breaching the terms of a restraining order on January 7, March 30 and between April 9 and 10 this year. The 25-year-old was £200 and the terms of his restraining order were amended by the court.