Five defendants in North Staffordshire magistrates

Three defendants appeared before North Staffordshire magistrates in recent hearings, facing charges ranging from drink-driving to financial offences and traffic violations.

John Embury, aged 48 of Lynmouth Grove in Chell, pleaded guilty to drink-driving after crashing a white van into a parked car in Zodiac Drive on April 16. Prosecutor Lucy Allen said "The defendant crashed into a parked vehicle causing significant damage to the front driver's side. He crashed into a wall." A member of the public intervened to prevent Embury from driving away, managing to smash the driver's side window and take the keys. When tested in custody, Embury provided a reading of 53 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35. The HGV driver has since resigned from his job. Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 15 months, fined him £150 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £60 surcharge. His ban will be reduced by 15 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers rehabilitation course.

Daniel Davies, 35, of Gristhorpe Way in Bentilee, pleaded guilty to retaining a wrongful credit on June 1, 2021. A couple remortgaged their home and £47,941.62 was mistakenly paid into Davies's Barclays Bank account. He dispersed the majority of the money and Barclays recovered only £9,166.62, leaving the victims £38,775 out of pocket. Davies claimed he was expecting a lump sum from the Department for Works and Pensions. Magistrates sent the case to Crown Court.

Temba Gauti, 24, of Waterford Drive in Chaddesden, Derby, admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and driving without due care and attention on February 21. Representing himself, Gauti told the court "I am just sorry for doing the wrong thing." He received a 12-month community order including 100 hours unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, plus a 12-month driving ban.