Magistrates dealing with cases covering north Essex sit at courts in Colchester and Chelmsford.

Some of the latest cases to come before these courts include a man who made threats while armed with an axe.

  • A MAN who threatened a victim with an axe has been spared an immediate prison term.

Lee Aldridge, 37, made the threats with the weapon in Clacton on July 24 last year.

Appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on December 20, he admitted a charge of threatening a person with an axe.

Aldridge, of Pump Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for a year.

He must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £195 of prosecution costs.

  • A MAN who admitted to possessing crack cocaine has been ordered to pay a fine.

Barry Coppin, 57, was found in possession of the Class A drug in Colchester on December 17.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on December 18, where he admitted to the charge.

Coppin, of Hickory Avenue, Colchester, was fined £120 and £60 in prosecution costs.

  • A LORRY driver found to be drunk in charge of his vehicle has been hit with a fine.

Rafal Irla, 30, admitted being drunk in charge of a vehicle after he was found with his Scania lorry in Parkeston on December 16.

He was found to have 80mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

He admitted the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on December 18.

Irla, of Berzenin, in Poland, was hit with a £115 fine and ordered to pay £145 in prosecution costs.

His driving licence was endorsed with 10 penalty points.

  • A MAN who exposed himself in a Suffolk village has been convicted and hit with a community order.

Miles Stimpson-Davis, 36, of Selby Close, Colchester, had denied a charge of exposing his genitals, intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress.

The incident took place in Debenham on July 23.

But he was convicted of the charge at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on September 23.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on December 20, he was sentenced to a community order, requiring he complete 150 hours of unpaid work and complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also pay compensation of £100 and £625 in prosecution costs.