News

Gloucester District Court


Published: July 17, 2008

A 67-year-old Gloucester man pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of misdemeanor breaking and entering in Gloucester District Court and received six months of probation from Judge Joseph Jennings.

Michael Hanifan, of 16 Columbia St., was arrested May 29 and then again June 17 after police received reports on those dates that he had been breaking into cars.

In May, Hanifan entered a car on Prospect Street and took groceries, including apricots, peaches and parsley, according to the police report.

In June, a woman reported that Hanifan broke into her car on Washington Street and took coins. According to the police report, Hanifan was found with around $4 in change.

Two counts of larceny against Hanifan were dismissed.

r A 44-year-old Gloucester man charged with driving an uninsured car had his case dismissed Tuesday.

Raem Scotti, of 6 Mount Locust Place, was found responsible for driving an unregistered vehicle.

Scotti was fined $100 and ordered to pay $150 in court costs.

Scotti was stopped by police April 7 when an officer checked the registration of his truck and found it had been revoked for failing to pay his insurance.

r A 30-year-old Gloucester man pleaded guilty Tuesday to leaving the scene of property damage.

Police said James Gardner, of 16 Cleveland Place, Apt. 6, rear-ended a car on Main Street on March 27, 2006, causing rear bumper damage, and drove off.

r A 30-year-old Gloucester man was found responsible for driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without a license and driving a vehicle without an inspection sticker.

Paul Dixon, of 48 Beach St., Gloucester, was fined $250. He was charged after a traffic stop on Broadway in Rockport on June 4.

r A 17-year-old Gloucester man charged with driving without a license had his case dismissed Tuesday.

Justin Harrington, of 565 Essex Ave., was ordered to pay $150 in court costs.

Harrington, who had a learner's permit, was charged following a traffic accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Eastern Avenue on May 25. He rear-ended a car, which then rear-ended another car, according to the police report.