HERE'S a selection of court cases featured in this week's Barnsley Chronicle:

***

A BARNSLEY man who was asked by police officers to stop shouting and swearing at the transport interchange told them: "F off I'm British, I will do as I like."

Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told staff at the interchange became concerned when Shane Howson began shouting and swearing. So they called police but Howson just kept on despite being asked to calm down.

He was arrested and when searched at Barnsley Police Station found to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis. At court he was charged with being drunk and disorderly and being in possession of a class B drug.

Howson, 40, of Burton Road, pleaded guilty to both offences. In mitigation his solicitor Gus Kennedy said Howson had drunk nine pints of lager.

"He had more beer than was good for him." Howson was fined £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

***

A BARNSLEY man has been jailed for more than four years after a violent robbery, which left the victim with life-changing injuries.

Richard Dawson, 29, of Pye Avenue, Mapplewell, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing at Barnsley Magistrates Court.

At that hearing the court was told Ben Earnshaw was on his way to work at 7am when he noticed a silver BMW following him as he drove along Bark House Lane, towards Cawthorne.

When he reached Cawthorne the silver car, which was being driven by Dawson, pulled alongside him before forcing Mr Earnshaw to pull up. Dawson was then said to have thrown something at Mr Earnshaw's windscreen before punching him repeatedly.

Dawson then attacked his victim - who was still secured in the car by his seat belt - demanding his wallet which contained £145 and cards. He also stole Mr Earnshaw's car keys.

Detective Constable Paul Woodruff, who investigated the crime, said: "This was a violent and unprovoked robbery against an innocent man and our enquiries have shown that this incident appeared to be a case of mistaken identity.

"The victim continues to require medical treatment today for his injuries, which included cuts, bruising and a fractured eye socket, over five months later.

"It is fair to say that Dawson's nasty and vicious attack has changed this poor man's life. I wish the victim the best in their recovery and hope that he is reassured by the sentence handed down to Dawson, knowing he is behind bars and can cause no further harm."

***

A BARNSLEY man appeared in court to face a charge of handling stolen goods after he bought £2,666 worth of stolen fishing tackle for £100.

Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told Matthew Luke Roystone bought the tackle he hadn't even seen from a friend named in court as Ashley Whitely.

But when the tackle was delivered, Roystone thought he had got himself a real bargain. Then he began to think it was too good a bargain.

So the keen fisherman made some enquiries to find out if there had been any tackle stolen in the area. And he discovered there had been some taken after Dean Shaw's garden shed had been broken into.

The court was told that Roystone then knocked on Mr Shaw's door and offered to sell the tackle back to him for the £100 he told the court he had paid. But Mr Shaw refused and said the matter was being investigated by police.

Roystone then sold the tackle back to Ashley Whitely. The court was told Mr Whitely then sold it to someone else. Roystone was arrested and charged with handling stolen goods, a charge to which he entered a guilty plea at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

In mitigation his solicitor Brian Bushell told the court he had bought the tackle using money he had borrowed from his girlfriend. Mr Bushell said: "He thought he was getting a bargain. When he looked at it he thought it was too good a bargain and it turned out to be stolen.

"He offered to give it back but only for £100 so he wasn't left out of pocket. When he didn't get it he took it back to Ashley Whitely."

Unemployed Roystone, 24, of St Michael's Estate, Grimethorpe, was made subject of a 12 month community order. He has been tagged and placed on curfew which means he cannot leave home from 7pm to 7am for 16 weeks.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of paid work, pay £250 court costs and £85 compensation to cover Mr Shaw's insurance excess.

***

A DRUNKEN woman threatened a police officer who was trying to confiscate her alcohol, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Elizabeth Cullen entered a guilty plea to a charge of obstructing Police Community Support Officer Alison Wales from doing her duty on June 15.

The court was told that Cullen was amongst a group of people who were drinking in Peel Street in Barnsley Town Centre. She was so drunk that she had fallen asleep on a bench.

The PCSO then approached to group to confiscate their drinks and when one of the group tried to hide a can behind Cullen she woke up and became abusive. Cullen was arrested when she began shouting, swearing and threatening towards the officer.

Described as an 'acute alcoholic', Cullen, 35, of New Street, Great Houghton was given a 12 month conditional discharge. She was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.