A round-up of some of the cases to come before magistrates in north Essex last week include a man who damaged farmer's crops and a dangerously out of control dog.

  • A MAN who caused more than £400 of damage a farmer’s crops has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Ben Kirby, 33, had denied criminal damage after the incident in Clacton in May last year, but changed his plea to guilty at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 23.

He also admitted harassment and was sentenced for breaching a community order put in place last year for an assault charge.

Kirby, of Coronation Road, Clacton, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

  • A MAN charged with sexually abusing a boy and possessing hundreds of indecent images of children is set to appear at a crown court.

Darren Hornsby, 33, is alleged to have been found with 94 photos and videos of the most serious category A at an address in Clacton.

It is alleged he also had 213 images and videos at category B and 254 at category C.

Hornsby is also alleged to have taken an indecent photograph of a child at category A and is charged with abusing a boy under the age of 13.

Hornsby, of Spring Road, St Osyth, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 23 and did not enter pleas to six counts of possessing indecent images of children, one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child and one count of sexual assault.

He will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on August 20.

  • A DRINK driver who was found to have got behind the wheel while more than double the legal limit has been banned from the roads.

Keith Wells, 63, drove his Vauxhall Astra in Naze Park Road, Walton, while over the legal limit.

A roadside breath test recorded 97mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Appearing before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 23, he admitted a charge of drink driving.

Wells, of Naze Park Road, was ordered to pay a £576 fine and must pay £105 in prosecution costs.

He was banned from driving for 23 months.

  • A MAN who had a dog dangerously out of control at a playing field has been warned to keep his pet muzzled.

Charles Butler, 28, admitted his Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Neville was dangerously out of control at Shrub End playing fields, Colchester.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 23, he was warned the dog would be killed unless it is securely fitted with a muzzle and held on a lead when in public.

Butler, of Menin Road, Colchester, was fined £371 and ordered to pay £983 in compensation.

  • TWO care workers have admitted neglecting a woman they were supposed to be looking after.

Catherine Haining, 64, and Ann-Marie Young, 60, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 23.

They each admitted a charge of ill treating or neglecting a woman in February 2020.

Haining, of Bolsin Drive, Colchester, and Young, of Camulodunum Way, Colchester, will appear at Ipswich Crown Court on August 20 for sentence.