Who will you vote for in 2010 Council Elections
British National Party (44%)
Conservative (43%)
Labour (7%)
Which Councillors do you believe are genuine and not motivated by Greed
Emma Colgate (BNP) (41%)
Danny Nicklen (CON) (8%)
Yash Gupta (LAB) (6%)
Which wards in Thurrock are being let down by the Council
Grays Thurrock (45%)
Grays Riverside (27%)
Tilbury Riverside (18%)
Which Political Party is The Thurrock Gazette Biased in Favour Of?
Labour Party (88%)
Conservative Party (6%)
British National Party (2%)
Are Thurrock Councillors Overpaid
No (77%)
Yes (22%)
Should the Tories Close Chadwell Primary School?
Yes (67%)
No (32%)
Are you happy that Thurrock Tories are trying to turn the area into the London Boroughs of Hackney & Brixton?
No (64%)
Yes (35%)
Do you agree with the BNP who think that Yash Gupta and his TRUST organisation are Racists?
Yes (87%)
No (12%)
Which of the following history weeks do you think Thurrock People should celebrate at the taxpayers expense
None of them (76%)
White History (17%)
All of them (5%)
If you had Black or Asian neighbours living either side of you, would you consider moving?
No (72%)
Yes (27%)
Which Political Party are responsible for secretly distributing the anti BNP smear leaflets under the name of Searchlight & Hope Not Hate
Labour (91%)
Conservatives (8%)
Is Thurrock mayor John Everett worth £20,000 of the taxpayers money?
Yes (72%)
No (27%)
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Thurrock Labour Party Linked To No Carols In Corringham Outrage
Tony Salvatore Benson is a former Homesteads Labour Councillor.
He is now known as Simple Tony Benson, Chairman of the Corringham town festival committee.
This is the left wing idiot who banned Christmas carols from a Corringham school.
Below is a picture of mr Benson and contact address for those who would like to communicate with him.
51 Howell Road,
Corringham,
Stanford Le Hope,
Essex,
SS17 8JH
Tel 01375679869
He is now known as Simple Tony Benson, Chairman of the Corringham town festival committee.
This is the left wing idiot who banned Christmas carols from a Corringham school.
Below is a picture of mr Benson and contact address for those who would like to communicate with him.
51 Howell Road,
Corringham,
Stanford Le Hope,
Essex,
SS17 8JH
Tel 01375679869
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Pizza Hut in Immigrant Worker's Shit Delivery To Customers Outrage
Pizza poop shock
A THURROCK resident who ordered food from Pizza Hut got a shock when boxes of excrement were delivered instead.
The nasty delivery, from the Pizza Hut takeway restaurant on Lodge Lane in Grays, has led to the sacking of a delivery driver.
The food was ordered by a resident from Grays, who phoned Trading Standards after opening two Pizza Hut boxes and finding faeces inside.
Pizza Hut launched an internal investigation into incident and say that the food, which was left unattended by the driver whose car had broken down, was tampered with by a member of the public.
A spokesperson for Pizza Hut said: “We were shocked to hear about this incident.
“After an internal investigation, it has emerged that a delivery was left unattended after it had left the restaurant and was subsequently tampered with by a member of the public.
“We do not tolerate any breaches of our strict policy on food delivery and have dismissed the delivery driver.
“We have apologised to those involved and are working with local authorities to assist them in identifying those responsible.”
Thurrock Council Spokesperson Andy Lever said: “A detailed investigation has been undertaken following two Pizza Hut boxes containing faeces being delivered to a customer in Grays on 23 November 2008.
“A visit was made to Pizza Hut, Grays, on the following day by an Environmental Health Officer to investigate the complaint and interview staff.
“It is thought that the cause of the incident was due to the delivery driver acting irresponsibly by permitting the delivery to be outside of his control following his car breaking down.
“It appears that four individuals not connected with the company ate the food contained in the boxes and replaced it with faeces.
“It is not known whether this is animal or human.
“It is clear that Pizza Hut did have proper food systems in place at the time of the incident and the driver involved had received suitable training.
“The driver was subsequently dismissed.
“Thurrock Council will not be taking any further action regarding this complaint.”
Thurrock Patriots
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
No Carols in Corringham
CHRISTMAS carols were kicked out of festive celebrations in Corringham last week, disappointing a school choir who had been rehearsing for weeks.
The 60 pupils from Arthur Bugler Junior School in Stanford-le-Hope had finished their rehearsals for the Corringham Winter Festival when organisers informed the head teacher that the carols they had chosen did not “dovetail” with the festival’s theme.
There was no time for the pupils to rehearse new songs so the school was forced to pull out.
Head teacher, Mrs Sue Morris, said: "It would appear there was a communications mix-up between the school and the organisers of the event.
"Initially the school was invited to attend and sing, but after a great deal of rehearsal with the school’s 60-strong choir, we were informed the songs we were rehearsing would not have dovetailed into the event’s theme.
"There was no time to reorganise the choir’s planned programme and we thought it best that we did not take part. The organisers of the event were informed of this.”
A parent of one of the children in choir, who asked not to be named, said: “The school was advised by the organisers that the carols they had chosen were not suitable as they were deemed to have a religious theme.
“The kids were really disappointed.
“Whatever the Christmas Carols were that they were going to sing- I can’t see how they would be offensive to anyone.”
Organisers of the Corringham Winter Festival have put the incident down to a communication problem.
Mr Tony Benson said: “It was a simple communications error, it did not come to my attention until it was too late they even appeared on the program and street notice.
“It was a smashing evening and their presence would have gilded the lilly.
“I have promised the head mistress that we will give them a lot more notice in the future, I can assure you their parents disappointment was matched by mine.”
When the Gazette asked Mr Benson if the school was told their Christmas carols were unsuitable for the event he added: “It is a fact of life that a lot of people have forgotten the meaning of Christmas.
"We the committee try to put something back into the community with The Winter Festival and The Tree of Lights which we arrange and put on for St Lukes.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Prayer Book Society, Prudence Dailey, has hit out at the organisers of “winter festivals” up and down the country, saying their political correctness threatens Christmas.
She said: "These 'politically correct Winter festivals' seek to make Christmas part of a 'multi-faith' mix and hark back to pagan winter solstice observance.
“'Winter festivals' see Christmas as merely a local seasonal event and miss its central religious significance at the heart of national identity.
“Perhaps organisers would benefit from reading the Book of Common Prayer and discovering what winter festivities are in fact about.”
Thurrock Gazette
The 60 pupils from Arthur Bugler Junior School in Stanford-le-Hope had finished their rehearsals for the Corringham Winter Festival when organisers informed the head teacher that the carols they had chosen did not “dovetail” with the festival’s theme.
There was no time for the pupils to rehearse new songs so the school was forced to pull out.
Head teacher, Mrs Sue Morris, said: "It would appear there was a communications mix-up between the school and the organisers of the event.
"Initially the school was invited to attend and sing, but after a great deal of rehearsal with the school’s 60-strong choir, we were informed the songs we were rehearsing would not have dovetailed into the event’s theme.
"There was no time to reorganise the choir’s planned programme and we thought it best that we did not take part. The organisers of the event were informed of this.”
A parent of one of the children in choir, who asked not to be named, said: “The school was advised by the organisers that the carols they had chosen were not suitable as they were deemed to have a religious theme.
“The kids were really disappointed.
“Whatever the Christmas Carols were that they were going to sing- I can’t see how they would be offensive to anyone.”
Organisers of the Corringham Winter Festival have put the incident down to a communication problem.
Mr Tony Benson said: “It was a simple communications error, it did not come to my attention until it was too late they even appeared on the program and street notice.
“It was a smashing evening and their presence would have gilded the lilly.
“I have promised the head mistress that we will give them a lot more notice in the future, I can assure you their parents disappointment was matched by mine.”
When the Gazette asked Mr Benson if the school was told their Christmas carols were unsuitable for the event he added: “It is a fact of life that a lot of people have forgotten the meaning of Christmas.
"We the committee try to put something back into the community with The Winter Festival and The Tree of Lights which we arrange and put on for St Lukes.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Prayer Book Society, Prudence Dailey, has hit out at the organisers of “winter festivals” up and down the country, saying their political correctness threatens Christmas.
She said: "These 'politically correct Winter festivals' seek to make Christmas part of a 'multi-faith' mix and hark back to pagan winter solstice observance.
“'Winter festivals' see Christmas as merely a local seasonal event and miss its central religious significance at the heart of national identity.
“Perhaps organisers would benefit from reading the Book of Common Prayer and discovering what winter festivities are in fact about.”
Thurrock Gazette
Monday, 15 December 2008
Don't Mention They're Black, its Prejudice.
Their headline.
Temple Fortune street under seige after violent carjacking
Our headline we got from I am an Englishman
50-Year-Old Loretta Patterson Beaten by Blacks
Dear Sir/Madam,
We have noticed one of our stories on your website.
This was a front page story of ours. You have taken the story, and our picture, and reproduced this on your site under a new, prejudicial headline.
A link to the story is pasted below.
This is blatant plagiarism and something we take extremely seriously.
Can you remove the below item immediately and inform me when this action has been taken.
Regards,
Charlie Stong.
Editor,
Times-Series
Charlie Stong can be contacted here cstong@london.newsquest.co.uk
Temple Fortune street under seige after violent carjacking
Our headline we got from I am an Englishman
50-Year-Old Loretta Patterson Beaten by Blacks
Dear Sir/Madam,
We have noticed one of our stories on your website.
This was a front page story of ours. You have taken the story, and our picture, and reproduced this on your site under a new, prejudicial headline.
A link to the story is pasted below.
This is blatant plagiarism and something we take extremely seriously.
Can you remove the below item immediately and inform me when this action has been taken.
Regards,
Charlie Stong.
Editor,
Times-Series
Charlie Stong can be contacted here cstong@london.newsquest.co.uk
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Nigerian Con Man due to be sentenced for defrauding the church
A north London pensioner is due to be sentenced after using "prayer sessions" to help defraud fellow churchgoers out of tens of thousands of pounds.
Serial fraudster Richard Abeson, currently wanted by Belgian police for a similar con, claimed he was a wealthy Nigerian oil trader with a fortune tied up in his home country.
London's Southwark Crown Court heard he told his victims their money would not only help him move the funds to Britain but would win them "substantial" pay-offs.
Abeson, 70, of Cosway Street, Edmonton, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud "with others unknown" between August 31, 2004, and April 30, 2006.
Serial fraudster Richard Abeson, currently wanted by Belgian police for a similar con, claimed he was a wealthy Nigerian oil trader with a fortune tied up in his home country.
London's Southwark Crown Court heard he told his victims their money would not only help him move the funds to Britain but would win them "substantial" pay-offs.
Abeson, 70, of Cosway Street, Edmonton, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud "with others unknown" between August 31, 2004, and April 30, 2006.
Sunday, 7 December 2008
2,000 Sex Offenders Escape With A Caution
2,000 sex offenders - including rapists and paedophiles - escape with a caution Two thousand sex offenders - including rapists and paedophiles - escaped with a caution last year.
The shock figure is a two per cent increase on 2006.
It means that, of all sex offenders punished for their crime, 28 per cent escaped with a slap on the wrist.
Those cautioned included 30 people guilty of rape - up from 20 a year earlier - four attempted rapes and nearly 300 people who admitted having sex with under 16s.
Cautions were also handed out to six people who admitted breaking child prostitution or child pornography laws.
The report revealed that - overall - the number of convicts escaping with a caution was up four per cent, to 362,900.
There has been a 28 per cent leap since Labour came to power in 1997, when only 282,100 people were given a slap on the wrist.
Other criminals to escape with the sanction - supposedly reserved for minor crimes - last year included almost 7,000 burglars, 614 robbers, and 72,789 people convicted of theft or handling stolen goods.
There are huge regional variations in the use of 'soft justice' cautions. In Dyfed-Powys, a staggering 57 per cent of indictable offences end in a caution - compared to only 22 per cent in North Wales.
Earlier this year, the Mail revealed how police had been instructed to give some serial criminals a string of cautions rather than drag them to court.
Under the Home Office guidance, anyone caught committing the same 'trivial' offence again can be let off with the equivalent of a slap on the wrist - providing two years have passed.
It means a thief could receive up to five cautions in ten years without ever having to face a court appearance.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Although there is a high percentage increase of rape cautions, the number of cases actually remains very small (32 in 2007 and 20 in 2006).
'Only in exceptional circumstances will the police and CPS decide that it is in the best interests of the victim not to prosecute.'
Asian Muggers Leave 70-Year-Old Lady "with Horrible Facial Injuries"
An elderly woman has been robbed, pushed to the floor and left with horrible facial injuries by two young thugs who targeted her while walking home in the dark from a church service.
The 70-year-old was coming home from a conformation ceremony when she was attacked on Church Road in Old Malden.
Injuries from the incident on October 12 have left her with a cut above her eye, which had to be glued closed and still doesn’t open properly, bruised knees and hands. The vicious thugs pocketed around £35.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: “They made a grab for my bag and grabbed my skirt waist band at the same time which split the skirt.
“They grabbed the bag and pushed me down to the ground. They must have hit me hard for me to have gone down with such force.
“I didn’t know how long I lay there but I got myself on my feet and as luck would have it a couple were coming in their car.
“They stopped and said ‘are you all right?’ I said ‘No I have just been mugged’.”
The man drove off to hunt down the two men while the woman took her back to their home nearby where they called the ambulance and police.
The robbers stole her handbag which had her glasses, address book of family members and her house keys.
The woman, who has lived safely in Old Malden for 35 years, was rushed to Kingston Hospital. She said: “I had severe cuts over the left eye so by the time I got to hospital the left side of my face was a mess.
“My hands have got bruising and my knees apart from being extremely shocked. The eye I think is quite serious because it closes every so often. My instant reaction was why should they do this?
“They were just opportunists and I was there and that was it. I would just like to get my hands on them and do the same to them.”
She described them as between 15 and 20 years old wearing grey and said they may have been Asian. She said: “They didn’t have hoods I must admit.”
She also praised the actions of police, including community support officer Linda Taylor, who dealt with her case and changed the locks on her home.
But she remained defiant and vowed to carry on with her charity work which includes Kingston Hospital’s Born Too Soon unit for premature babies.
“They are not going to get me down that is sure and certain,” she said. “I haven’t got time to be knocked about by these thugs.”
Her friend, Old Malden Councillor Mick Amson said: “I think it is disgusting. I have seen the photos and I was shocked. I didn’t think things like this could happen around here.
“They ought to be ashamed of themselves treating an elderly lady like that.”
Anyone with information about the robbery on Sunday, October 12, can call Kingston police on 0300 1231212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
The 70-year-old was coming home from a conformation ceremony when she was attacked on Church Road in Old Malden.
Injuries from the incident on October 12 have left her with a cut above her eye, which had to be glued closed and still doesn’t open properly, bruised knees and hands. The vicious thugs pocketed around £35.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: “They made a grab for my bag and grabbed my skirt waist band at the same time which split the skirt.
“They grabbed the bag and pushed me down to the ground. They must have hit me hard for me to have gone down with such force.
“I didn’t know how long I lay there but I got myself on my feet and as luck would have it a couple were coming in their car.
“They stopped and said ‘are you all right?’ I said ‘No I have just been mugged’.”
The man drove off to hunt down the two men while the woman took her back to their home nearby where they called the ambulance and police.
The robbers stole her handbag which had her glasses, address book of family members and her house keys.
The woman, who has lived safely in Old Malden for 35 years, was rushed to Kingston Hospital. She said: “I had severe cuts over the left eye so by the time I got to hospital the left side of my face was a mess.
“My hands have got bruising and my knees apart from being extremely shocked. The eye I think is quite serious because it closes every so often. My instant reaction was why should they do this?
“They were just opportunists and I was there and that was it. I would just like to get my hands on them and do the same to them.”
She described them as between 15 and 20 years old wearing grey and said they may have been Asian. She said: “They didn’t have hoods I must admit.”
She also praised the actions of police, including community support officer Linda Taylor, who dealt with her case and changed the locks on her home.
But she remained defiant and vowed to carry on with her charity work which includes Kingston Hospital’s Born Too Soon unit for premature babies.
“They are not going to get me down that is sure and certain,” she said. “I haven’t got time to be knocked about by these thugs.”
Her friend, Old Malden Councillor Mick Amson said: “I think it is disgusting. I have seen the photos and I was shocked. I didn’t think things like this could happen around here.
“They ought to be ashamed of themselves treating an elderly lady like that.”
Anyone with information about the robbery on Sunday, October 12, can call Kingston police on 0300 1231212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Black Muggers Attack Heavily Pregnant Woman
A heavily pregnant woman went into labour and gave birth after she was attacked by muggers in a London street.
Two men on bicycles rode up to the woman and forced her to the ground as she walked through Camden.
They stole her jewellery and fled but their 30-year-old victim, although unhurt, went into labour.
She was taken to hospital and gave birth. Mother and child are said by police to be doing well following the attack on Thursday.
The suspects are described as black men aged between 17 and 20 who fled in the direction of Swiss Cottage, leaving one of the bicycles behind.
Two men on bicycles rode up to the woman and forced her to the ground as she walked through Camden.
They stole her jewellery and fled but their 30-year-old victim, although unhurt, went into labour.
She was taken to hospital and gave birth. Mother and child are said by police to be doing well following the attack on Thursday.
The suspects are described as black men aged between 17 and 20 who fled in the direction of Swiss Cottage, leaving one of the bicycles behind.
Black gang sex assault on woman
A woman was sexually assaulted by up to seven men in an attack in Fishponds.The victim was walking along Fishponds Road at 11.30pm on November 14 when she was approached by a man.
He asked for help, and as she went to assist was subjected to a serious sexual assault by between five to seven men on wasteland at the back of the May Tree Park School in Easton, near Carroway Gardens.
The man who approached her was black, slim and in his late teens. He was wearing a white Adidas hooded top with a black jacket over the top.
Police now want to speak to two men who were seen inside the Texican Chicken take away in Stapleton Road, around an hour after the attack.
Police believe they could hold vital information that would help with inquires.
HIV illegal immigrant 'may have infected more than 400 women'
An illegal immigrant may have infected hundreds of women with HIV in a string of one-night-stands, it has emerged.
The infected Jamaican reveller prowled nightclubs to pick up women and then spent almost a year unchecked in hospital where he looked for sex with vulnerable patients.
Health officials have written to more than 400 women to warn them they might have the deadly virus after having unprotected sex with him.
The immigrant, who arrived in the UK on a visitor's visa in 2002, has admitted he cannot remember how many woman he has slept with.
He told doctors he had sex, which was often unprotected, with women he met in two nightclubs in Leicester - the now-defunct Dark Club and the Burlington Club.
Last December, he was admitted to the Brandon mental health unit at Leicester General Hospital where he slept with fellow patients - possibly even in the unit.
Doctors were told in May that his visa had expired and he was living in the UK illegally but the HIV danger only became known in the last few weeks.
A married patient confessed to sleeping with him, according to the Sun, and he then told medics about his other sexual liaisons.
A source told the paper: 'It's literally panic stations.'
Dr Philip Monk, a consultant for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) East Midlands, said: 'He doesn't know (the number of women he had unprotected sex with). He was going clubbing very regularly. He didn't have a sexual encounter every time he went out, but it didn't happen infrequently.
'There is a possibility it could be more than 100. We believe it was more than a handful.'
He added: 'We are concerned that there is a risk that the HIV positive individual may have passed on the infection as a result of the sexual activity he has engaged in.
'Understandably, women who have had sexual experiences with someone they met at either of these venues are likely to be extremely concerned, but it's important that they either visit their local genito-urinary medicine clinic or family planning clinic.
'There is also treatment that can enable them to live near-normal healthy and full lives.'
The HPA confirmed the man, who moved to Leicester in 2002, was not a bouncer at either of the clubs.
A spokesman for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs the Brandon unit, said all the women he slept with from there had been contacted.
He said: 'Although a person may have mental health problems, it doesn't mean they cannot take clear decisions on other aspects of their lives.
'There is no suggestion any activity was other than consensual but we are mindful of the potential vulnerability of these women and have taken every step to follow up the letters through teams providing medical help and emotional support.'
The man is now being cared for by the NHS outside of Leicestershire.
If caught early enough, medical treatment can prevent the HIV virus from developing in to full-blown AIDS, offering patients the chance of a largely-normal life.
HIV infects the white blood cells, which normally protect people from disease. AIDS develops when the immune system becomes too weak to continue fighting the infection.
Patients with HIV typically begin to show symptoms of the infection within five to ten years in around half of all cases.
Initial symptoms are often general conditions such as tiredness, or general ill health, but in advanced cases, patients may display 'AIDS defining' symptoms such as skin tumours or even AIDS-related dementia.
Two years ago, more than a thousand patients were placed on alert after a hospital worker was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis B.
In the first incident of its kind, the unnamed employee was diagnosed with both blood-borne viruses while working in the NHS.
1,185 patients who had been treated by the worker at five hospitals across the West Midlands and Hampshire faced blood tests to see if they had contracted either disease.
Asian Celebrity fashion designer 'raped and molested' young girls after promising them fame and fortune
A celebrity fashion designer has been convicted of raping and molesting young girls after luring them to Los Angeles with the promise of hiring them as models.Indian-born Anand Jon, who dressed Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton and singer Janet Jackson before his arrest, was found guilty on 20 charges.
They included lewd acts on a child and involved sexual assaults between 2001 and 2007 on nine aspiring models aged between 14 and 21.
The disgraced 34-year-old Beverly Hills designer found fame in the US after he worked on the reality show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ starring Tyra Banks.
He faces life behind bars when he is sentenced on January 13.
The jury at Los Angeles Superior Court announced their verdict last night after nearly two weeks of deliberations. They aquitted him on four additional charges.
The two-month trial offered a sordid look behind the scenes of the American fashion industry.
Jon used his rising celebrity stature to persuade young girls dreaming of fame and fortune in Hollywood to visit his flat in Beverly Hills where he acted out his sadistic fantasies.
In addition to the victims in California, prosecutors called another seven women to testify about alleged assaults in New York and Texas, where he also faces prosecution.
Jon, whose full name is Anand Jon Alexander, denied the charges and accused his victims of making up the attacks.
Defence lawyers tried to portray the young girls as liars plotting together to get revenge on the up-and-coming designer by wrecking his career.
He was arrested in March last year after a woman told Beverly Hills police he had raped her the previous day.
Two Immigrants charged with raping Chelmsford woman
Two men have been remanded in custody charged with the rape of a 29-year-old woman in Essex.
Jamoliddin Tulaganov, 23, and Nuriddin Shakhabutdinov, 22, both of Byron Road, Chelmsford, are due before Chelmsford magistrates on Monday.
The men have been charged in connection with an attack on a woman in Central Park in the town on 15 January.
A 23-year-old man arrested on 17 January has been released from his bail with no further action expected.
Mr Shakhabutdinov and Mr Tulaganov have also been charged with an unrelated incident on 13 November, in which a 39-year-old woman was assaulted in Baddow Road, Chelmsford.
In all, Mr Tulaganov is charged with two counts of rape and another of sexual assault, while Mr Shakhabutdinov faces one charge of rape, one of assault and another of sexual assault.
Jamoliddin Tulaganov, 23, and Nuriddin Shakhabutdinov, 22, both of Byron Road, Chelmsford, are due before Chelmsford magistrates on Monday.
The men have been charged in connection with an attack on a woman in Central Park in the town on 15 January.
A 23-year-old man arrested on 17 January has been released from his bail with no further action expected.
Mr Shakhabutdinov and Mr Tulaganov have also been charged with an unrelated incident on 13 November, in which a 39-year-old woman was assaulted in Baddow Road, Chelmsford.
In all, Mr Tulaganov is charged with two counts of rape and another of sexual assault, while Mr Shakhabutdinov faces one charge of rape, one of assault and another of sexual assault.
Girl raped by bogus Asian taxi driver
A teenager was raped by a man posing as a taxi driver in Greater Manchester.
The girl had been out drinking in Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday when she got into a car she thought was a taxi.
The driver pulled into an alley next to Kendal Terrace in Dukinfield and asked for an £8 fare, before climbing into the back of the car and raping her.
She managed to struggle free and ran off. Police are looking for an Asian man aged about 40 to 50 in connection with the attack.
Chubby cheeks
He is said to be of medium build with a round belly.
He had frizzy grey hair with flecks of black and white and a bushy beard that came down to his chest and was the same colour as his hair.
Police said he had chubby cheeks, a big nose and dark blotches on his skin.
He was wearing white or cream trousers and a long shirt.
The car is described as being possibly a Vauxhall Astra with black leather seats and with a Christmas tree air freshener.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
The girl had been out drinking in Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday when she got into a car she thought was a taxi.
The driver pulled into an alley next to Kendal Terrace in Dukinfield and asked for an £8 fare, before climbing into the back of the car and raping her.
She managed to struggle free and ran off. Police are looking for an Asian man aged about 40 to 50 in connection with the attack.
Chubby cheeks
He is said to be of medium build with a round belly.
He had frizzy grey hair with flecks of black and white and a bushy beard that came down to his chest and was the same colour as his hair.
Police said he had chubby cheeks, a big nose and dark blotches on his skin.
He was wearing white or cream trousers and a long shirt.
The car is described as being possibly a Vauxhall Astra with black leather seats and with a Christmas tree air freshener.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Asian Sex attacker strikes in city park
A woman has been sexually assaulted in a park in Leicester.
It happened at around 1245 GMT on Saturday as the 19-year-old was walking through Victoria Park on the footpath towards the university.
As she passed the tennis courts and the war memorial, a man approached her and attacked her.
Afterwards the victim kept walking along the same footpath but the man followed her, only leaving when she reached the campus site.
He is described as Asian, with a pale complexion, in his late 20s, about 5ft 6in tall and medium build.
He has short black hair and is of "scruffy" appearance with a scar above his lip on the right side.
Appealing for witnesses, Pc Rachel Hewitt said: "This was naturally an upsetting experience for this woman and we're hoping the general public may be able to help us find the person responsible."
It happened at around 1245 GMT on Saturday as the 19-year-old was walking through Victoria Park on the footpath towards the university.
As she passed the tennis courts and the war memorial, a man approached her and attacked her.
Afterwards the victim kept walking along the same footpath but the man followed her, only leaving when she reached the campus site.
He is described as Asian, with a pale complexion, in his late 20s, about 5ft 6in tall and medium build.
He has short black hair and is of "scruffy" appearance with a scar above his lip on the right side.
Appealing for witnesses, Pc Rachel Hewitt said: "This was naturally an upsetting experience for this woman and we're hoping the general public may be able to help us find the person responsible."
A-grade student Jerome Castrillo joined Triad gang and killed top drug dealer
A grammar schoolboy faces life in jail after he was lured into a Chinese Triad gang and killed a notorious drug dealer.Straight A grade student Jerome Castrillo, 18, took an afternoon off from his A-level studies to beat Michael McGrath to death over an £800 debt.
The teenager, whose mother is a primary schoolteacher and stepfather a postman, carried out the attack while he was a pupil at the prestigious Latymer grammar school in Edmonton, North London.
He was recruited to join the infamous 'Wo Shing Wo' Chinese crime syndicate by older boys at the school on behalf of leader Yuxiang Liu, 25, with the promise of girls and beer.
Despite his comfortable family background and plans to take A Levels in history, maths and media studies, Castrillo dreamed of becoming a gangster.
His parents and teachers had no idea that the teenager - who had achieved nine A or A* grade GCSEs - had entered a life of crime.
Within four months, Castrillo, then 17, skipped school to help in the killing and even boasted afterwards that there had been a lot of blood but claimed he had done it as a favour and had not received a penny.
When he police arrested him at the family home where he lived with his two younger brothers, Castrillo refused to comment while in the earshot of his parents but later admitted he had been at the scene.
McGrath, once a millionaire gangster and friend of the Great Train Robber Charlie Wilson, had fallen on hard times after being jailed for drug importation and becoming hooked on heroin in jail.
The 57-year-old let Triad gang hide heroin and crack in his home but he enraged the underworld when he started helping himself to narcotics.
He was punched, kicked and beaten by gang members before a vase was repeatedly smashed over his head at his home in Carshalton, Surrey last November.
The killers went out for a celebratory Chinese meal but they were caught after they left distinctive Chinese-brand cigarette butts at the scene of the crime.
In a 'cut throat' defence they all blamed each other for the murder in court.
Castrillo claimed he had 'pretended' to punch and kick the victim, to impress senior gang members.
Chinese restaurant boss Liu, drug dealer Ryan Parker-Saunders, 23 and Malaysian Wei Leong, 21, were convicted of murder today after a month-long trial at the Old Bailey. Castrillo was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
He showed no emotion when the jury announced their verdict as his mother Cezette Loughran, 39, and his stepfather Matthew Loughran sat in the public gallery.
Crispin Aylett, QC, prosecuting, said: 'How on earth, you may wonder, did he get caught up in all of this? For some time there had been talk at school about a Triad gang called Wo Shing Wo and which is known as SW.
'Boys in the upper sixth had said that if you joined you would be invited to parties where there would be girls and free drinks.'
While in the lower sixth Jerome was approached by the boys in the year above. When the youngster was arrested, police found online records of conversations on his computer in which he bragged about his involvement with the Triads.
In one text-style conversation he told a friend [sic]: 'Do you wanna join SW? Yu basicali (corr) jus go up central 2 sum restaurant...it ain't some lil street gang, itz organised sh*t. 'Wo Shing Wo f**k up everyone they get into beef with.'
After the killing, Castrillo went online and said [sic]: 'And Im fine ill sleep on it n itz most lykly feel beta in da morning...itz just da psychological effectz it had on em.
'u dnt get paid 4 these kinda jobs itz jus a favour...der woz alota blood man ah tel u bout it 2moro.'
Detective Inspector Bob Campany, of the Metropolitan Police, said after the case: 'Triad gangs recruit at schools and colleges. They do not discriminate. Castrillo was a bright lad, he had 9 GCSEs, 3 AS levels and he was goal to get his A levels.
'His parents are decent people but he wanted to be a drug dealer and fraudster.'
Castrillo; Liu, of Islington, North London, Leong, of Wood Green, North London; Parker-Saunders, of West Norwood, South East London will be sentenced on December 22.
Maninder Pal Singh Kohli found guilty of Hannah murder
A man has been jailed for life for the "appalling" murder, rape and kidnap of 17-year-old Hannah Foster.
Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, 41, who denied all the charges, was convicted more than five years after Hannah was found strangled.
She had been walking a short distance home after a night out in Southampton when she went missing on 14 March 2003. Her body was found two days later.
Her father, Trevor Foster, called Kohli a "cold, calculating and ruthless man".
"Today we are feeling an overwhelming sense of relief at the verdict in this trial," he added.
"We have long realised that Kohli is a cold, calculating and totally ruthless man and has destroyed so many people's life without a second thought."
On the run
Kohli snatched the teenager from a street yards from her home in Southampton after she had spent an evening with friends.
The A-level student called 999 in the hope an operator would hear what was happening, but the call was terminated when she did not speak.
Kohli dumped her body next to a road in Allington Lane, West End, and went back home to his wife and two sons.
Four days later, he fled to India, where he led a life on the run for 16 months before being arrested.
While in custody in India he gave a televised confession which he later retracted.
After more than four years of campaigning by Hannah's parents Hilary and Trevor Foster, Kohli was finally extradited back to Britain last year to stand trial.
In a victim impact statement read to the court by Hannah's aunt Jill Lewis, Hannah's mother Hilary said she would feel guilt for the rest of her life that she was not there to protect her daughter when she was murdered.
"Kohli ripped out my heart and stamped on it," she said.
"When Trevor and I saw Hannah in the mortuary, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, there must be some mistake.
"The cold, battered and bruised body certainly looked like her, but where was the sparkle in her eyes?"
Speaking earlier to the BBC, Mr Foster said: "I remember talking to her and saying, 'We'll find who did this to you'. And that's what we've been focused on doing since."
Mr and Mrs Foster said it was only now after Kohli was convicted that they could properly start to grieve for their daughter.
"The focus has been on her killer, not on Hannah," Mrs Foster said.
Her husband added: "I don't think there is such a thing as closure.
"It doesn't go away, the grief and the pain, they're going to be there until the day we die."
'Wanton disposal'
Sentencing Kohli to serve a minimum of 24 years at Winchester Crown Court, judge Mr Justice Keith said his crime was aggravated by "Hannah's vulnerability as a young slip of a girl, the terrible and appalling ordeal which Hannah must have gone through before you killed her.
"The wanton way you disposed of her body and the unimaginable grief to which you have subjected her family."
The verdicts came at the end of a long campaign by Hannah's parents, who had travelled to India four times to keep up the pressure on Indian authorities and get Kohli back to face justice.
Their first trip in July 2004 managed to locate Kohli after a national appeal for help across India, but the sandwich delivery driver fought his extradition for a further three years.
Kohli spent 16 months on the run, even marrying another woman before he was arrested.
Det Supt Alan Betts said: "Kohli did everything he could to avoid justice, and it was only through the determination of Hannah's parents, Hampshire Police, and colleagues in India that he was located and arrested.
"Our thoughts today are with Hannah's family. They, and we, may get some satisfaction that Kohli has been convicted, but it will not bring Hannah back."
Alastair Nesbitt, chief crown prosecutor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "It was important to bring Hannah's killer to justice.
"We did consider whether we would deploy an alleged confession but came to the conclusion we could not overcome the hurdles to make it admissible to a court in England."
Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, 41, who denied all the charges, was convicted more than five years after Hannah was found strangled.She had been walking a short distance home after a night out in Southampton when she went missing on 14 March 2003. Her body was found two days later.
Her father, Trevor Foster, called Kohli a "cold, calculating and ruthless man".
"Today we are feeling an overwhelming sense of relief at the verdict in this trial," he added.
"We have long realised that Kohli is a cold, calculating and totally ruthless man and has destroyed so many people's life without a second thought."
On the run
Kohli snatched the teenager from a street yards from her home in Southampton after she had spent an evening with friends.
The A-level student called 999 in the hope an operator would hear what was happening, but the call was terminated when she did not speak.
Kohli dumped her body next to a road in Allington Lane, West End, and went back home to his wife and two sons.
Four days later, he fled to India, where he led a life on the run for 16 months before being arrested.
While in custody in India he gave a televised confession which he later retracted.
After more than four years of campaigning by Hannah's parents Hilary and Trevor Foster, Kohli was finally extradited back to Britain last year to stand trial.
In a victim impact statement read to the court by Hannah's aunt Jill Lewis, Hannah's mother Hilary said she would feel guilt for the rest of her life that she was not there to protect her daughter when she was murdered.
"Kohli ripped out my heart and stamped on it," she said.
"When Trevor and I saw Hannah in the mortuary, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, there must be some mistake.
"The cold, battered and bruised body certainly looked like her, but where was the sparkle in her eyes?"
Speaking earlier to the BBC, Mr Foster said: "I remember talking to her and saying, 'We'll find who did this to you'. And that's what we've been focused on doing since."
Mr and Mrs Foster said it was only now after Kohli was convicted that they could properly start to grieve for their daughter.
"The focus has been on her killer, not on Hannah," Mrs Foster said.
Her husband added: "I don't think there is such a thing as closure.
"It doesn't go away, the grief and the pain, they're going to be there until the day we die."
'Wanton disposal'
Sentencing Kohli to serve a minimum of 24 years at Winchester Crown Court, judge Mr Justice Keith said his crime was aggravated by "Hannah's vulnerability as a young slip of a girl, the terrible and appalling ordeal which Hannah must have gone through before you killed her.
"The wanton way you disposed of her body and the unimaginable grief to which you have subjected her family."
The verdicts came at the end of a long campaign by Hannah's parents, who had travelled to India four times to keep up the pressure on Indian authorities and get Kohli back to face justice.
Their first trip in July 2004 managed to locate Kohli after a national appeal for help across India, but the sandwich delivery driver fought his extradition for a further three years.
Kohli spent 16 months on the run, even marrying another woman before he was arrested.
Det Supt Alan Betts said: "Kohli did everything he could to avoid justice, and it was only through the determination of Hannah's parents, Hampshire Police, and colleagues in India that he was located and arrested.
"Our thoughts today are with Hannah's family. They, and we, may get some satisfaction that Kohli has been convicted, but it will not bring Hannah back."
Alastair Nesbitt, chief crown prosecutor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "It was important to bring Hannah's killer to justice.
"We did consider whether we would deploy an alleged confession but came to the conclusion we could not overcome the hurdles to make it admissible to a court in England."
Murdering rapist Kristoff Emmanual Alauya 'will get life'
A Nigerian man has been told by a judge he will get a life sentence after he admitted raping and murdering a Belfast woman in her home two years ago.On Wednesday Kristoff Emmanual Alauya, 25, admitted murdering 38-year-old Grace Moore just hours after meeting her in a nightclub in November 2006.
He denied raping her but on Thursday changed his plea to admit his guilt.
The victim was strangled, stabbed and raped. Her daughter found the body when she returned home later that night.
After Alauya pleaded guilty and the jury recorded verdicts of guilty by confession, the judge, Mr Justice Weir, told Alauya the only sentence open to him to pass was one of life imprisonment.
During the trial the jury had heard how Alauya, who had an address at Churchfield in County Carlow in the Republic of Ireland, had come to Belfast just a few days before meeting Ms Moore in Skye nightclub.
They went back to her flat in Erris Grove, west Belfast, where she was attacked.
Alauya then ransacked the flat, stole a number of items, and took a taxi back to a flat in University Avenue in the south of the city.
After thanking the jury for their service, Mr Justice Weir remanded Alauya back into custody and adjourned passing sentence until January 2009.
Horror of Germaine Lindsay, the fourth bomber's family
Germaine Lindsay has been named by police as one of the bombers.The family of the fourth bomber Germaine Lindsay have described their horror at the London bomb attacks.
The statement on behalf of his wife Samantha Lewthwaite and his relatives also offered their condolences to the families of the victims.
They describe Germaine, 19, as having a "kind, caring and calming presence about him".
The family, who lived in Aylesbury, Bucks, say had no inkling of his plans to take part in the attacks.
The statement was issued by relatives Andrew, 49, Sabrina, 28, Allan, 25, and Carly, 21.
'Loving husband'
The statement read: "Germaine was a good and loving husband and a brilliant father, who showed absolutely no sign of doing this atrocious crime.
"We as a family had no idea of his plans and are as horrified as the rest of the world.
"We are still in shock about the news we have been given, and are trying to understand why anyone, never mind Germaine, would do such a thing.
"We plead to anyone who has information to help police with their investigations to stamp out these terrorists.
"We would like to thank all those people who have shown us that they are true friends for all their support."
Roof raider Duane Daniels used 'appalling violence'
A convicted murderer has been given six life terms after admitting his part in a series of violent Post Office and building society raids.Duane Daniels, 27, led a gang which tied up and tortured people who lived above the banks - they then tunnelled through their floors into premises below.
Daniels, of Lewisham, south-east London, had already committed nearly 1,000 crimes, including burglary, mugging and theft, to fund an expensive crack habit.
One of his victims said he should never be released.
'Gratuitous violence'
Two accomplices, Richard Caines, 26, and Victor Iniodu, 27, both of no fixed address were each given five-year jail terms.
Caines was jailed for attempted robbery and robbery and Iniodu for conspiracy to rob and aggravated burglary.
Daniels is currently serving a life sentence - imposed at the Old Bailey last year - for stabbing nightclub doorman George Napier to death.
The murder occurred shortly after Daniels was released from a 10-year term for beating an elderly woman during a burglary in 1993.
On Tuesday, Judge Kenneth Zucker said Daniels would remain a serious danger to the public.
"Your record is one of appalling, gratuitous and indiscriminate violence."
In one raid on a south London Post office, Daniels thrust a hairbrush into the mouth of Lorna Macleod, now 42, who was living upstairs and slit her buttocks after she was tied up.
Ms Macleod said: "He is obviously violent and volatile, very dangerous and immoral."
Manager kicked
Daniels and his two accomplices also raided the Halifax building society in Whitton, Middlesex in February, 2001.
They tied up three residents in the flat and waited for the bank staff to arrive the next morning.
They used "gratuitous violence", stabbing one of the male occupants in the shoulder.
When the building society manager arrived the next morning, she was dragged by her hair and kicked.
But she managed to trigger the panic alarm and the raiders fled as they heard police sirens.
In all three raids - two on Post Offices in south London and one on the Halifax - the upstairs residents were also robbed.
Daniels admitted his part in all three raids.
Fourth murder charge for Blackpool suspect Stephen Akinmurele
A man accused of murdering three pensioners in Blackpool has been charged with a a fourth murder.Stephen Akinmurele, 21, was charged on Monday evening with murder of Dorothy Harris at Glashen Terrace in Ballasalla on the Isle of Man in February 1996.
Mr Akinmurele, who lived on the island between 1988 and 1995, is also accused of murdering an elderly couple, Eric and Joan Boardman, and 75-year-old Jemmimah Cargill in Blackpool.
Strangled
The bodies of Mr and Mrs Boardman, married for 27 years, were discovered by one of their daughters.
Lancashire Police have now re-opened files on fatal arson attacks in north-west England over the last two years.
Mr Akinmurele, a former barman, was arrested on 1 November for the murder of Mr and Mrs Boardman at their home in Blackpool on 31 October. They had been strangled.
On 6 November he was charged with the murder of Ms Cargill, his former landlady, who died in a fire at her home in October.
Unsolved case re-opened
Mr Akinmurele was charged in connection with the fourth death following the setting up of a joint incident room between detectives in Lancashire and on the Isle of Man.
Officers are also looking into the unsolved murder of Majorie Ashton, who was found strangled at her home in Ballsalla in May 1995.
Police are contacting relatives of a number of individuals whose deaths are being reassessed as potentially suspicious in light of new evidence.
They are also appealing for any information about Mr Akinmurele, who lived in the Castletown and Douglas areas before moving to Blackpool.
Update
A suspected serial killer tormented by his obsession with murder hanged himself in prison, an inquest has heard.
A jury at an inquest in Manchester recorded a verdict of suicide on Stephen Akinmurele, 21, who died in August last year.
He was discovered hanging by a ligature from a window in his cell in Manchester prison, formerly known as Strangeways, weeks before he was due to stand trial for murdering three Blackpool pensioners.
The inquest in Manchester heard Nigerian-born Akinmurele left a note to his mother saying: "I couldn't take any more of feeling like how I do now, always wanting to kill."
Akinmurele, a former barman, had been charged with killing his former landlady, 75-year-old Jemima Cargill, who died in a house fire in Blackpool in October 1998.
Manx murders
He was also accused of the murders of a nearby couple, Joan Boardman, 74, and her husband Eric, 76. They were discovered battered to death in the town a month later.
Akinmurele was further charged with the murder of 68-year-old Dorothy Harris, who died in a house fire in Ballasalla on the Isle of Man in February 1996, and 72-year-old Marjorie Ashton, who died in a house fire in the same town in 1995.
Those charges had been dropped due to a technicality.
The inquest was told of two previous suicide attempts and a warning given to prison authorities by his girlfriend, Amanda Fitch, that he was a danger to himself.
"He told me he wished the police had never found him and he didn't want to go to trial," said Miss Fitch in a statement.
A consultant forensic psychiatrist who interviewed Akinmurele and decided he was fit to stand trial said he was "haunted by the images of his victims".
'It's always on my mind'
Prison hospital doctor Andrzej Rozyki said Akinmurele told him he would lie in bed at night thinking about murder.
In the note found in his pocket after his death Akinmurele said: "I know it's not right always thinking like this but it's always on my mind."
"I can't help the way I feel, what I did was wrong - I know that and I feel for them - but it doesn't mean I won't do it again.
"I'll keep on having this feeling I'm going mad because I can't take any more of this and that's why I'm saying goodbye."
After his arrest Akinmurele was placed in a segregated unit and, in August 1999, tried to kill himself by overdosing on medication.
He was put in the prison's health care ward on self harm watch but staff then found he had a sharpened toothbrush and fantasised about taking a female member of staff hostage.
Akinmurele was moved back to the segregated wing, still on self harm watch, where he killed himself two days later.
Killer arsonist Richard Fielding detained indefinitely
An unemployed disc jockey who set fire to a house in London, killing seven people, has been ordered to be detained indefinitely.
Richard Fielding, 21, was sent to Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire under the Mental Health Act after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey to the manslaughter of seven people.
The Recorder of London, Judge Michael Hyam, told Fielding: "If the crime had been committed by anyone with a normal mind, it would have been a crime of desolating wickedness."
Outside court, Kelly Himpfen, 21, the mother of three children who died in the fire, said: "It just goes to show you can get away with murder."
Fielding, from Walthamstow, east London, carried out the attack because of a grudge he bore his former school friend Lee Day, 22, who he claimed had ruined his chances of becoming famous.
He was charged with murder but his plea of guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility was accepted on Monday.House set alight
Fielding admitted killings Mr Day, his 17-year-old girlfriend Yvonne Colverhouse, his twin daughters Maddison and Rhiannon, aged three, and son Reece, two, Mr Day's mother Sandra, 50, and his grandmother Kathleen, 76.
They died in the early hours of 6 March last year when the three-storey family home in Bellamy Road, Chingford, north-east London, was set alight after petrol was poured through the letter box.
Lee and Sandra's bodies were found in the second floor bedroom where they had gone in a vain attempt to rescue the children.The only member of the family to escape the fire, grandfather Brian Day, 52, who was rescued by ladder by neighbours from a first floor window before the windows were blown out by an explosion, sat at the back of the court.
Mother lost three children
He was joined by Kelly Himpfen, the 21-year-old mother of the dead children.
She had separated from Lee Day and the children were staying with him for the weekend.
On the night of the fire Fielding filled up a plastic canister in a petrol station and cycled round the corner to the Day house.
Asked by the garage attendant if his car had broken down, he replied: "No, I am going to do a house", but he was not taken seriously.
The petrol can containing Fielding's fingerprint was found in the area the next day and he was arrested.
Orlando Pownall, prosecuting, said: "He seemed elated and buzzing. He was behaving like a small child."
Mr Pownall said: "He said it was revenge. He felt bad. He said 'If it had just been the kids, it would have been easier to say sorry'."Probation reports spoke of Fielding having paranoid psychosis and narcissistic personality disorder, going back many years.
One doctor said his prognosis was "appalling" and he had little chance of his illness improving.
Fielding denied the attempted murder of Brian Day and the Recorder of London, Michael Hyam, ordered the charge to remain on file.
Mr Pownall said Fielding suffered a severe hand injury during a burglary he carried out with Mr Day and bore a grudge against him.
He believed the injury made him unattractive to women and felt Day had wrecked his dreams of being a top DJ.
It was a resentment which festered and eventually led to seven people, including three children, losing their lives.
BBC News
Stockwell Strangler Kenneth Erskine in appeal bid
A killer dubbed the Stockwell Strangler has launched a bid to appeal against his murder convictions.Kenneth Erskine was jailed in 1988 after being found guilty of strangling seven pensioners in south London, but a minimum tariff was not set.
High Court judge Mr Justice Cooke set the minimum term at 40 years during a hearing on Friday.
He also revealed Erskine had lodged an application "for leave to pursue a late appeal against conviction".
Secure hospital
Mr Cooke said the application was being made "on the basis of all the medical evidence which... shows substantial impairment of responsibility of the applicant for his actions by reason of an abnormality of mind".
The Court of Appeal will consider whether his conviction should be upheld or whether it should have been a conviction for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Mr Cooke said in the meantime there was "no reason not to proceed with setting the minimum term".
The trial judge in 1988 recommended a 40-year minimum term but no exact tariff was set.
Erskine, who was 24 when he was jailed, is currently being treated at a secure hospital.
BBC News
Cannibal gets life for killings
A convicted killer with "a desire to cannibalise his victims" has been jailed for the "rest of his natural life" after admitting killing two men.Peter Bryan, 34, was arrested as he was eating part of one man, Brian Cherry, 43, at Mr Cherry's London flat.
He went on to kill Richard Loudwell, 59, at Broadmoor special hospital in April last year, while on remand.
Bryan pleaded guilty on Tuesday at the Old Bailey to two manslaughters on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Judge Giles Forrester said: "You killed on these last two occasions because it gave you a thrill and a feeling of power when you ate flesh.
Hammer killing
"The violence on each occasion was extreme and unpredictable, accompanied by bizarre and sexual overtones."
Judge Forrester said the protection of the public was the most important factor and that life would mean life.
In a statement released after the sentencing Mr Cherry's family called for the death penalty to be reinstated for such crimes.
The prosecution accepted not guilty pleas to murder charges because of the weight of psychiatric evidence.
Bryan was sent to a secure hospital after admitting beating 20-year-old shop assistant Nisha Sheth to death with a hammer as she worked in her family's clothes shop in Chelsea, south-west London, in 1993.
But he was freed in 2001 after applying to a health review tribunal.
He was allowed to live as a care in the community out-patient but went back to Topaz ward a week before he killed again.
It was in February 2004 that he walked out of the mental health unit in Newham, east London, and killed his friend Brian Cherry.
Police were called after neighbours heard screams and weapons, including a hammer, were found strewn around the flat.
'Uniquely dangerous'
Bryan was remanded to Broadmoor special hospital after appearing in court over Mr Cherry's death.
Last April he attacked fellow patient Richard Loudwell, 59, who had admitted the manslaughter of 89-year-old Joan Smyth at her home in Rainham, Kent, in December 2002.
Aftab Jafferjee, prosecuting, said: "The case reveals a chilling insight into the mind of a man who has literally developed an appetite for killing.
"The circumstances of this defendant's offending, the inability of experts to detect when he is at his most dangerous, and his settled desire to cannibalise his victims all combine to make him uniquely dangerous."
A spokesman for the East London and City Mental Health Trust said it had launched an independent inquiry into its treatment of Bryan.
bbc news
Doormen flee newly re-opened Tilbury pub in cops' drugs crackdown
POLICE swarmed pubs in Thurrock and arrested four people on suspicion of possessing illegal substances during a drugs crackdown.
The officers were backed up by riot-trained police and cops drafted in from as far away as Colchester as they carried out the Friday night-long swoop.
They were also backed by two drugs dogs and a licensing officer from Thurrock Council.
And officers from Kent police were on hand with an Ion Track machine which enables them to swab people’s hands and wallets as well as toilets and surfaces, telling them within seconds if there has been any contact with drugs.
The first pub to be hit was The Old Court House in King Street, Stanford-le-Hope. The drugs dogs picked out two men who were arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs.
Both were taken to Basildon police station and strip-searched where one was found to have several wraps of cocaine.
During the evening officers also hit the Inn on Green and the Railway Tavern in Stanford-le-Hope, the Pompadour and Catcracker pubs in Corringham and the George and Dragon, Linford.
They searched all of the pubs, including toilets and beer gardens, and the Ion Track machine found traces of illegal substances in all of them.
The newly re-opened Anchor in Civic Square, Tilbury, was the last pub of the night to be raided.
As officers approached all of the pub’s door staff ran off and once inside the dogs picked out another punter who was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs.
Inspector Rachel Wood of Tilbury police hailed the operation, which aimed to disrupt drug supply and use in and around Tilbury, Corringham and Stanford, a success.
She said: “We found traces of drugs in all the pubs and made four arrests.
“We hope this operation reassures the public that we will take strong action to prevent the use and sale of drugs in this area.
“We will not tolerate the use or sale of drugs anywhere, particularly in pubs and clubs where we want people to enjoy themselves safely.”
*Two men, aged 25 and 29 and both from Stanford-le-Hope, arrested in The Old Court House on suspicion of possessing drugs were cautioned. A 39-year-old Tilbury man arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs was released on bail until January.
The officers were backed up by riot-trained police and cops drafted in from as far away as Colchester as they carried out the Friday night-long swoop.
They were also backed by two drugs dogs and a licensing officer from Thurrock Council.
And officers from Kent police were on hand with an Ion Track machine which enables them to swab people’s hands and wallets as well as toilets and surfaces, telling them within seconds if there has been any contact with drugs.
The first pub to be hit was The Old Court House in King Street, Stanford-le-Hope. The drugs dogs picked out two men who were arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs.
Both were taken to Basildon police station and strip-searched where one was found to have several wraps of cocaine.
During the evening officers also hit the Inn on Green and the Railway Tavern in Stanford-le-Hope, the Pompadour and Catcracker pubs in Corringham and the George and Dragon, Linford.
They searched all of the pubs, including toilets and beer gardens, and the Ion Track machine found traces of illegal substances in all of them.
The newly re-opened Anchor in Civic Square, Tilbury, was the last pub of the night to be raided.
As officers approached all of the pub’s door staff ran off and once inside the dogs picked out another punter who was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs.
Inspector Rachel Wood of Tilbury police hailed the operation, which aimed to disrupt drug supply and use in and around Tilbury, Corringham and Stanford, a success.
She said: “We found traces of drugs in all the pubs and made four arrests.
“We hope this operation reassures the public that we will take strong action to prevent the use and sale of drugs in this area.
“We will not tolerate the use or sale of drugs anywhere, particularly in pubs and clubs where we want people to enjoy themselves safely.”
*Two men, aged 25 and 29 and both from Stanford-le-Hope, arrested in The Old Court House on suspicion of possessing drugs were cautioned. A 39-year-old Tilbury man arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs was released on bail until January.
Forum boost for allotment holders
CHRISTMAS came a little bit early this year for the Whitehall Lane Allotments Association in Grays who requested funds from the Orchards Community Forum to make improvements to their allotments. The money will provide benefits, including an additional water stand pipe, landscaping, surfacing of footpaths and to finish surfacing work on a car park extension. The funding was agreed at a public residents meeting and a cheque for £3,257 was presented to Dennis Allen, treasurer of the Association.After a tour of the site, Orchards Forum chairman Mike Stone said: “This funding will make a real difference enhancing the site for plot holders, their families and the local community.”
Stolen whiskey could be on sale in borough
POLICE believe whiskey and toys stolen during a Thurrock robbery made at gunpoint are being sold across the borough.Detectives have now issued pictures of the imported American Wild Turkey bourbon and toy snails, identical to those taken during the hold-up.
Officers have already recovered 100 cases of the drink and a box of the Beanstalk Activity toys, which were being delivered to Argos.
But police are still hunting another 1,400 cases of the stolen whiskey and a whole container of toys, together worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Investigating officer Det Con Kelly Allen said: “This haul is unusual and very distinctive. “We are convinced they are still in the area and might be offered cheaply at boot sales or markets.
“The bourbon is an unusual American brand not found in many shops over here. We also want to hear from anyone with information about the robbery.”
The lorry driver had stopped at the Moto Services on the M25, at Thurrock, in the early hours of Wednesday, November 5, when he was threatened at gunpoint by the two raiders.
They made him drive to a lay-by, on the B184 between Ongar and Fyfield, where they tied him up and stole his load before fleeing, leaving him stranded.
Anyone with information about the robbery, or the stolen items, is asked to contact Det Con Allen on 0300 3334444 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 5551111.
A 49-year-old man from Wickford was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods in connection with the robbery. He has been released on bail until March 3.
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Man cut from town crash
THE air ambulance was called and firefighters had to cut a man free from the wreckage of his car after a crash in Stanford-le-Hope this morning.
The incident happend at 10.40am in Billet Lane when firefigjhters from Orsett, Grays and Corringham were called to the scene.
They used cutting equipment to release a man trapped by his injuries following a two vehicle collision. A woman had already been released before crews arrived and placed in the care of paramedics.
The Air Ambulance was called to take the injured to hospital.
The incident happend at 10.40am in Billet Lane when firefigjhters from Orsett, Grays and Corringham were called to the scene.
They used cutting equipment to release a man trapped by his injuries following a two vehicle collision. A woman had already been released before crews arrived and placed in the care of paramedics.
The Air Ambulance was called to take the injured to hospital.
THREAT to national security and a dramatic walk-out by a councillor were the talking points as the long-running saga of a Thurrock airfield drew towar
PLANNING councillors have rejected their officers’ advice and ploughed through green belt regulations in a bid to tidy up a borough eyesore.
Members of Thurrock Council’s planning committee have given permission for St Clere’s Golf Club at Stanford-le-Hope to replace a historic but derelict barn with a new function hall.
The club had already won permission to demolish the listed barn but under green belt rules, needed councillors to buck the system to replace it.
And they got the thumbs up from councillors who said the site was in desperate need of tidying up.
Councillor Anne Cheale said: “I welcome this application. I drive by this site every day and I see a tip. It’s dreadful and appalling, derelict and awful.
“This is an application that would improve the whole area, we’ve given permission for other applicants at Langdon Hills and Orsett Hall and we should support this.”
Councillor Steve Veryard put his weight behind the plan saying: “There are special circumstances here. We talk about new buildings being detrimental to the area but this tip is detrimental to the area.”
Councillor Gerard Rice added: “This site is a ghastly mess and I’m for something being put there to improve upon it," though he raised concerns about soundproofing in order to protect nearby residents.
Councillor Peter Harris supported the idea of a new build but added: “I would rather this be a clubhouse with changing rooms rather than a function hall.”
Officers had recommended refusal but the councillors voted in favour of the new build with conditions that neighbours were protected from noise and the whole site around the gold club was tidied up.
Members of Thurrock Council’s planning committee have given permission for St Clere’s Golf Club at Stanford-le-Hope to replace a historic but derelict barn with a new function hall.
The club had already won permission to demolish the listed barn but under green belt rules, needed councillors to buck the system to replace it.
And they got the thumbs up from councillors who said the site was in desperate need of tidying up.
Councillor Anne Cheale said: “I welcome this application. I drive by this site every day and I see a tip. It’s dreadful and appalling, derelict and awful.
“This is an application that would improve the whole area, we’ve given permission for other applicants at Langdon Hills and Orsett Hall and we should support this.”
Councillor Steve Veryard put his weight behind the plan saying: “There are special circumstances here. We talk about new buildings being detrimental to the area but this tip is detrimental to the area.”
Councillor Gerard Rice added: “This site is a ghastly mess and I’m for something being put there to improve upon it," though he raised concerns about soundproofing in order to protect nearby residents.
Councillor Peter Harris supported the idea of a new build but added: “I would rather this be a clubhouse with changing rooms rather than a function hall.”
Officers had recommended refusal but the councillors voted in favour of the new build with conditions that neighbours were protected from noise and the whole site around the gold club was tidied up.
THURROCK Council has launched a probe to found out why an action plan to improve a borough care home failed.
THREAT to national security and a dramatic walk-out by a councillor were the talking points as the long-running saga of a Thurrock airfield drew towards a conclusion.The latest meeting of Thurrock Council’s planning committee has given approval to a package of measures surrounding controversial businessman Terry Holding’s airfield at Parkers Farm Road, Orsett.
On a night of drama local councillor Mike Revell walked out on the meeting claiming local people were being gagged – but by doing so missed the opportunity to speak on their behalf during the debate that followed.
He came in for heavy criticism from councillors, including members of his own Conservative group for his actions prior to a series of debates that included discussion on threats to national security by terrorists using the airfield.
Mr Holding’s counsel, barrister Kevin Leigh, told the meeting that the airfield was a prime site for terrorists to infiltrate the country because of its proximity to Europe and it was essential that the council gave permission for a mobile home on the site to become a permanent fixture to allow 24/7 security on the site.
In return for the permission, and other concessions by the council - including granting approval for a 720 hard surface runway and an extension to Mr Holding’s own home – Mr Leigh said the airfield would be operated under restrictions laid down by councillors.
The airfield has been a longstanding controversial issue for the council since 1999, with Mr Holding taking several planning decisions and enforcement notices to appeal but after Thursday’s meeting, peace appears to have broken out.
At the opening of discussion on Mr Holding’s applications, councillor Revell informed committee chairman Stuart St Clair Haslam that he did not believe that the Orsett Community Forum has been properly consulted and asked for discussion on the applications to be deferred.
He was told that there had been adequate notice of the applications and ample opportunity for comments to be received and when he tried to speak, he was ruled out of order by the meeting chairman and told, as a ward councillor, he could only speak during actual debate on each of the four applications.
At that point councillor Revell walked out.
When the debate began Mr Leigh said: “The time has finally come that the council can fully get hold of the airfield with restrictions it has wanted since 1999.
“My client is prepared to give the council what it wants in return for co-operation on some matters.”
He went on to explain that the mobile building on the site was required to be upgraded to be the residence of people responsible for security on the site. “People in that mobile home have to make sure that the airfield is not abused by somebody,” he said.
“This is an unmanned airfield relatively close to Europe. It would be easy for terrorists to fly in and drop off, and from here it is easy to fly in and out of controlled airspace.”
Councillor St Clair Haslam then opened debate by saying: “It is a matter for councillor Revell that he left the chamber without making representations on behalf of his residents,” and other councillors were then critical of the Orsett ward councillor’s actions.
Councillor Barry Palmer picked up on a potential terrorist threat, saying: “There is a national security issue here and exceptional circumstances because of that.” Later in the debate he added: It’s about time we got our heads round this, the applicants have compromised, we should compromise and stop making heavy weather of this. We should be proud to have this activity in Thurrock, we are trying to push the borough forwards, not backwards.”
Councillor Gerard Rice said: "Where is the problem? The applicant is being more than generous."
Councillor Barry Lawrence, who described dealing with Kings Farm as “wading through a lot of chocolate” added: “This is an issue we have been going on about for more years than I care to remember. This is an airfield, not Thurrock International.
"I am quite disappointed that we have not had the views of the residents of Orsett and Bulphan because the local councillor chose not to tell us but now is the time for us to control this airstrip for the residents.
"This is now the perfect place for us to stop.”
Councillor Lawrence was the only councillor to vote against one of the four applications, a proposal for an extension to Mr Holding’s home.
That, and plans for the hardsurfaced runway, the stationing of the mobile home and changes to the use of land near an aircraft hanger for domestic use, were all approved.
In return a number of conditions have been imposed on the airfield.
These include:
There shall be no micro-light or helicopter movements except in an emergency; there will be no training flights; there will be no more than four flights in or out of the airfield between 11pm and 7am except in an emergency; there will be no more than 50 flights in or out of the airfield in any day; no more than 11 aircraft will be allowed in covered storage and no more than 14 outside; there will be no more than one air show a year and that will be limited between 9am and 7pm.
Council launch probe into why care home plan failed
THURROCK Council has launched a probe to found out why an action plan to improve a borough care home failed.After a surprise visit to Collins House in Springhouse Road, Corringham, the only care home in the borough now run directly by the council, a government inspector gave the 45 bed home a “poor” and zero star rating.
The news shocked councillor Amanda Arnold, Thurrock’s Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, who said an action plan put in place to improve the home, where residents are charged £584.92 for their care, had clearly not been implemented.
She said: “The previous action plan, instated after the last inspection, would have led to Collins House becoming a two-star home.
“An internal investigation is currently underway to determine why this did not happen. There can be no excuses and we are taking immediate action to address the requirements of the inspector.
“We are actively monitoring the situation as it progresses and expect when the follow-up inspection takes place in the new year, the Commission for Social Care will find that Collins House has improved immeasurably.”
The home’s management team has now been “revised” says a council statement and a new acting manager appointed in place of Mrs Judith Anne McKiernan who was in charge at the time of the inspection.
The inspector’s report comes in the wake of a Thurrock Gazette special investigation into all care homes across the borough in January.
At the time campaigner John Williams, director of Thurrock Disability Network called for a full-scale inquiry into the situation, saying: “The conditions some of our most vulnerable live in are appalling. Where is their dignity? In fact where are their human rights?"
The council’s Corporate Director of Community Well-being, Lorna Payne, says improvements at Collins House, which currently has 32 residents, are now well under way.
She recently visited the home and said: “I was very impressed by what I found. The action plan is well underway. Residents were happy and so were the relatives I spoke with.
“There’s a very positive feel about Collins House; a good atmosphere with friendly and clean surroundings. Obviously there’s still work to do but I am confident the staff are committed to improvement, ably led by Kay Kimmings the acting manager, and the actions we have taken are already having a positive effect.”
The surprise inspection in September, came less than a year after the home’s previous inspection when its managers were given a list of things to improve. At the time it was said the staff “lacked direction and appropriate supervision” and the person in charge needed to review manageemnt systems.
The home wasn’t officially graded on that visit.
However, the latest report, by lead inspector Michelle Love damns the home as “poor” and makes 14 “requirements” and eight “recommendations” for action.
Among her criticisms were shortfalls in the keeping of records of patient care and “inappropriate” comments about residents in records. There was a lack of appropriate training for staff, expected staffing levels were not always maintained.
Some criticism of Mrs McKiernan’s management was detailed in the report, though it was noted that the majority of staff were complimentary about her.
Residents and their families were also approached by the inspector and the home generally received praise, including the comments “the staff are always cheerful and nothing is too much trouble” and “I have nothing but praise for the care my relative receives in Colins House.”
A council statement said that all the issues identified in the latest report are already being addressed as a matter of urgency, and both residents and their relatives have been informed of the situation.
Head injury most likely cause of bleeding says baby J death trial doctor
BLEEDING that led to a baby’s death was unlikely to have been caused by a rare blood disorder, an expert medical witness claimed.
Speaking at the trial of Joanne Mallinder, who is accused of killing her son, Dr Brian Harding, a consultant neuro-pathologist at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, said the bleeding in baby Jack's skull was most likely caused by head injuries.
He also told a jury that disorders which could have caused the bleed were extremely rare.
Mallinder, 37, is accused of causing the injuries to Jack at their former home in Falcon Avenue, Grays.
The baby, aged three months at the time, suffered brain damage, as well as fractures to his arm, shoulder, thigh bone, knee and right ankle.
He never recovered and died 13 months.
Dr Harding told Basildon Crown Court today: “There are extremely rare cases of blood clotting disorders or metabolic disorders which can produce hemorrhages in the brain.
“But the vast majority of subjural hemorrhages are caused by head injuries of some type.”
Mallinder, now of Leicester Road, Tilbury, denies murder.
The trial continues.
Speaking at the trial of Joanne Mallinder, who is accused of killing her son, Dr Brian Harding, a consultant neuro-pathologist at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, said the bleeding in baby Jack's skull was most likely caused by head injuries.
He also told a jury that disorders which could have caused the bleed were extremely rare.
Mallinder, 37, is accused of causing the injuries to Jack at their former home in Falcon Avenue, Grays.
The baby, aged three months at the time, suffered brain damage, as well as fractures to his arm, shoulder, thigh bone, knee and right ankle.
He never recovered and died 13 months.
Dr Harding told Basildon Crown Court today: “There are extremely rare cases of blood clotting disorders or metabolic disorders which can produce hemorrhages in the brain.
“But the vast majority of subjural hemorrhages are caused by head injuries of some type.”
Mallinder, now of Leicester Road, Tilbury, denies murder.
The trial continues.
Court told of bedroom violence in domestic cop assault case
A POLICEWOMAN, alleged to have been beaten up by her domestic violence cop boyfriend, denied threatening to kill herself.Insp Amanda Lowe, 33, also denied attacking her former partner Det Sgt Adrian Ramdat and trying to make him jealous by showing him texts from a married senior ranking officer who she also had a relationship with.
Richard Atchley, defending, said City of London Police inspector Ms Lowe had been with a string of policeman lovers, seeing three different officers she worked with in the space of six months.
Jurors were told she tried to make Ramdat jealous by showing him texts from the senior officer, who was also the defendant's boss, in a bid to drive him into a jealous rage.
Mr Atchley told Basildon Crown Court following a bust up between the pair at Ms Lowe's Chafford Hundred home on August 30 last year, Ramdat stormed out of the house.
But he told the court the married father-of-three returned to the house to get his things from a bedroom when he found Ms Lowe who threatened to kill herself.
Cross examining Ms Lowe, Mr Atchley said: “You're then in the bedroom barricading the door and he's trying to get in for two reasons, one because you said you were going to kill yourself.
“And it's not the first time you had said you were going to kill yourself.
“Then he comes in and you attack him and you go for it, and he does pick you up and throws you onto the bed.
“You bounced off the bed some way and that's when you broke your ankle.”
Ms Lowe admitted having relationships with three policeman.
But the inspector denied trying to make him jealous, claiming that Ramdat, formerly of Hawkins Drive, Chafford Hundred insisted she told him him about the text messages.
She also denied attacking 40-year-old Ramdat or threatening to kill herself.
Ramdat, who is currently suspended from the City of London Police where he was a domestic violence cop, denies one count of assault by beating and one count of assault.
The trial continues.
Chadwell phone mast plan fails to win councillors over
THURROCK councillors have called on mobile phone operator 02 to think again over plans for a new radio station in Chadwell St Mary.
At a meeting of the council’s planning committee councillors decided not to give their approval to the 45 foot high structure on land at the junction of Riverview, Woodview and Chadwell by-pass, instead asking 02 to find a new site.
That was despite the fact that the application had previously been rejected and 02 urged to come up with changes – which were included in the second application.
That prompted planning chairman councillor Stuart St Clair Haslam to warn the council risked incurring costs through a possible appeal, only to be told by former committee chairman Steve Veryard: “I’m not going to sit here and be bullied by these people.”
Councillor Barrie Lawrence also called on the committee to stick by its decision, saying: “Come the end of the day we sometimes have to take a chance in life. We may lose, we may win but we should not let the threat of appeal cloud our views.
“This is a real blot on the landscape and our residents expect us to take that chance.”
In its application O2 said that it had looked at a number of sites in the area, including Chadwell Place, Sandy Lane, Bowerman Road, Rigby Gardens and the Daniels pub in Longhouse Lane.
None were considered suitable and an alternative, locating the mast at nearby Thurrock & Basildon College had been declined by the college because of its own development plans.
However, ward councillor Tony Fish spoke to the meeting and said: “There has been no consultation with ward councillors by the applicant. There is a need for this kind of installation in Chadwell but this is not the right place to put it.”
Councillor Joy Redsell raised fears over health issues and the siting of mobile masts. “Nobody knows the risk of these masts, this is the wrong place, it’s too near schools,” she said.
Councillor Peter Harris pointed out that the phone company was in a difficult position because “everybody has a mobile phone or wants one and these mast have to go somewhere.”
But it was the decision of the committee that River View is not that place and they have urged the operators to find a new location.
At a meeting of the council’s planning committee councillors decided not to give their approval to the 45 foot high structure on land at the junction of Riverview, Woodview and Chadwell by-pass, instead asking 02 to find a new site.
That was despite the fact that the application had previously been rejected and 02 urged to come up with changes – which were included in the second application.
That prompted planning chairman councillor Stuart St Clair Haslam to warn the council risked incurring costs through a possible appeal, only to be told by former committee chairman Steve Veryard: “I’m not going to sit here and be bullied by these people.”
Councillor Barrie Lawrence also called on the committee to stick by its decision, saying: “Come the end of the day we sometimes have to take a chance in life. We may lose, we may win but we should not let the threat of appeal cloud our views.
“This is a real blot on the landscape and our residents expect us to take that chance.”
In its application O2 said that it had looked at a number of sites in the area, including Chadwell Place, Sandy Lane, Bowerman Road, Rigby Gardens and the Daniels pub in Longhouse Lane.
None were considered suitable and an alternative, locating the mast at nearby Thurrock & Basildon College had been declined by the college because of its own development plans.
However, ward councillor Tony Fish spoke to the meeting and said: “There has been no consultation with ward councillors by the applicant. There is a need for this kind of installation in Chadwell but this is not the right place to put it.”
Councillor Joy Redsell raised fears over health issues and the siting of mobile masts. “Nobody knows the risk of these masts, this is the wrong place, it’s too near schools,” she said.
Councillor Peter Harris pointed out that the phone company was in a difficult position because “everybody has a mobile phone or wants one and these mast have to go somewhere.”
But it was the decision of the committee that River View is not that place and they have urged the operators to find a new location.
Vikings invasion curtailed by Year Four pupils
YEAR Four pupils at Arthur Bugler School in Stanford-le-Hope had to fend off an invasion of Vikings this term.They have been learning about Vikings which included a visit from a “virtual Viking”.
They saw chain mail and Viking coins being made, played Viking spear wrestling, as well as finding out about the everyday life and artefacts used by Vikings.
The highlight of the day was a battle in which everyone joined in, using the shields they had made in school.
Cops mount festive crackdown at Lakeside
POLICE have launched their biggest ever Christmas crackdown at Lakeside shopping centre.The blitz on thieves, codenamed Operation Christmas Presence, will see extra officers drafted in from around the county to patrol the mall, its carparks and nearby retail parks.
Their numbers will be further bolstered by Essex Police’s mounted unit.
The automated number plate recognition intercept team, who can tell within seconds whether a vehicle is untaxed or uninsured, or has been used in a crime, will also be joining them.
Police hope the crackdown, launched yesterday, will drive crooks away from the centre and stop car break-ins and pickpockets targeting shoppers.
Supt Ivor Harvey warned crooks not to bother visiting the centre.
He said: “The message we want to get across is simple: shop at Lakeside and we will look out for your personal safety.
“Commit a crime at Lakeside, and we will find you and deal with you in the appropriate way.
“Lakeside has always been a safe place to shop, and we are here to make sure it stays that way. We have gained a vast amount of specialist resources for this operation from various parts of the force.
“But it will still be business as usual in the towns, which will still have the same number of officers ensuring their neighbourhoods are just as safe.”
During the campaign, shoppers will also be given advice about how to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
January deadline looms for energy performance certificates on commercial properties
OWNERS of commercial properties in Thurrock need to obtain a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (CEPC) by January.
Research undertaken by Countrywide Energy Assessors indicates that many owners of commercial properties are not aware that they will soon need to obtain the certificate for any property that they intend to offer for sale or to let.
CEPC’s have been required on actual sales or lettings of commercial properties since April for some larger properties, but from the beginning of January 2009 a certificate will be needed at the point any property is placed on the market.
The requirement is part of the government’s policy to reduce energy consumption and help the battle against climate change.
Local Countrywide Qualified Commercial Energy Assessors Stephen Norton FRICS Dip NDEA or David Cook FRICS DipNDEA can be contacted on 0208 5033701 or by email stephen.norton@cwsurveyors.co.uk or david.cook@cwsurveyors.co.uk.
Research undertaken by Countrywide Energy Assessors indicates that many owners of commercial properties are not aware that they will soon need to obtain the certificate for any property that they intend to offer for sale or to let.
CEPC’s have been required on actual sales or lettings of commercial properties since April for some larger properties, but from the beginning of January 2009 a certificate will be needed at the point any property is placed on the market.
The requirement is part of the government’s policy to reduce energy consumption and help the battle against climate change.
Local Countrywide Qualified Commercial Energy Assessors Stephen Norton FRICS Dip NDEA or David Cook FRICS DipNDEA can be contacted on 0208 5033701 or by email stephen.norton@cwsurveyors.co.uk or david.cook@cwsurveyors.co.uk.
Art students join Royal Opera House designers in making sets for new production
ARTISTIC students from the Grays School Media Arts College have been busy working on sets with designers from the Royal Opera House.BTEC Art and Design students are designing a real working set for “The Voices of the Future” project due to be premiered in March 2009.
The students have been given the brand new opera, written for primary school children from Kent, and have been tasked with the exciting prospect of designing for the project.
Head of Art at the Hathaway Road-based school, Serena McKenzie, said: “We have given our students real vocational experience, something that can excite and challenge the students, but something that they can use the experience of in later life.
“To have the Royal Opera House as one of your clients on your CV at any age is a designers dream.”
The students are due to hand over the designs at a special exchange on Monday December 8 at the Covent Garden venue, when they will meet the young performers and watch a rehearsal of the project, before watching a special schools performance of Hansel and Gretel
Expert witness claims baby Jack's injuries could not have resulted from natural causes
THE CHRONIC brain injuries which killed a three-month-old baby could not have resulted from natural causes, an expert medical witness claimed.
Joanne Mallinder, 37, is accused of murdering her son Jack, by hitting his head on a solid surface at their home in Falcon Avenue, Grays.
He suffered severe internal bleeding causing the brain damage, along with fractures to his arm, shoulder, thigh bone, knee and right ankle. These were allegedly caused by Mallinder.
The jury at Basildon Crown Court heard evidence from Professor Peter Clayton, who has been a child consultant at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital since 1987.
The doctor checked over Baby Jack on February 16, 2006, after he was rushed to intensive care at the London hospital.
Stephen Harvey QC, prosecuting, asked him whether there was any evidence the internal bleeding and fractured bones could have been caused by natural genetic disorders.
Professor Clayton said: “There was no evidence of a disorder that could have led to bleeding into the brain or render the bones brittle.”
Jack never recovered full consciousness after allegedly suffering brain damage at the hands of his mother, three days before he was checked out by Professor Clayton.
He died 13 months later.
Mallinder, now of Leicester Road, Tilbury, denies murder.
The trial continues.
Joanne Mallinder, 37, is accused of murdering her son Jack, by hitting his head on a solid surface at their home in Falcon Avenue, Grays.
He suffered severe internal bleeding causing the brain damage, along with fractures to his arm, shoulder, thigh bone, knee and right ankle. These were allegedly caused by Mallinder.
The jury at Basildon Crown Court heard evidence from Professor Peter Clayton, who has been a child consultant at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital since 1987.
The doctor checked over Baby Jack on February 16, 2006, after he was rushed to intensive care at the London hospital.
Stephen Harvey QC, prosecuting, asked him whether there was any evidence the internal bleeding and fractured bones could have been caused by natural genetic disorders.
Professor Clayton said: “There was no evidence of a disorder that could have led to bleeding into the brain or render the bones brittle.”
Jack never recovered full consciousness after allegedly suffering brain damage at the hands of his mother, three days before he was checked out by Professor Clayton.
He died 13 months later.
Mallinder, now of Leicester Road, Tilbury, denies murder.
The trial continues.
Union pledges to fight job cuts in Grays
UNIONS representing workers at the tax office in Crown Road, Grays, have condemned a decision to close it and pledged to work to overturn the decision.
Public and Commercial Services Union South East Essex branch secretary, Fiona Staff claimed: “Services are already suffering in the Revenue and Customs service with a drive to axe 25,000 jobs and close over 200 offices, leading to backlogs of post and reports that the department can only chase up those who owe £20,000 or more in tax due to a lack of resources.
“17,000 jobs have already been cut since March 2004 and we fear that skilled and experienced staff will effectively be forced out of a job.
"We are deeply concerned that the ability to collect revenues and provide tax advice to the public and local businesses would be further undermined by the closure.”
Deputy branch Secretary, Andy Lord, added: “Customs and Revenue are trying to claim that no one will be losing their jobs but for most of the staff here the work is being moved elsewhere and there is no other Offices that they can easily travel to with alternative work available.
“That looks like losing their jobs to us and we are going to fight to retain these jobs in Grays.”
Public and Commercial Services Union South East Essex branch secretary, Fiona Staff claimed: “Services are already suffering in the Revenue and Customs service with a drive to axe 25,000 jobs and close over 200 offices, leading to backlogs of post and reports that the department can only chase up those who owe £20,000 or more in tax due to a lack of resources.
“17,000 jobs have already been cut since March 2004 and we fear that skilled and experienced staff will effectively be forced out of a job.
"We are deeply concerned that the ability to collect revenues and provide tax advice to the public and local businesses would be further undermined by the closure.”
Deputy branch Secretary, Andy Lord, added: “Customs and Revenue are trying to claim that no one will be losing their jobs but for most of the staff here the work is being moved elsewhere and there is no other Offices that they can easily travel to with alternative work available.
“That looks like losing their jobs to us and we are going to fight to retain these jobs in Grays.”
Mature students take a trip down the information super highway
A THURROCK school has been offering ICT sessions to mature students in a bid to promote lifelong learning.The Grays School Media Arts College has played host to students from the Thurrock group, University of the “Third Age” (U3A).
The students, who are all over 60, attended the after school hours sessions and learnt a range of skills depending on previous experience.
U3A organiser, Maggie Whitbread, said: “Our students were very grateful, some of them just needed the confidence to know they wouldn’t break the PC by using it, whereas others wanted more advanced skills like website design and video/picture editing.”
The course was divided into three levels of experience, beginners, intermediate and advanced, with over 70 students attending the nine week course.
Further sessions are planned for next year.
The workshops were provided as part of an ongoing community programme supported by the schools specialist college status.
Jealous police officer attacked lover court hears
A married police sergeant attacked the inspector he was having an affair with because he was jealous about a previous relationship she had with a "high-ranking" officer, a court heard today.
Prosecutors told a jury at Basildon Crown Court Detective Sergeant Adrian Ramdat, 40, formerly of Chafford Hundred became "obsessed" about Inspector Amanda Lowe's previous relationship.
Jurors heard that three officers were members of the City of London Police.
The name of the high-ranking officer was not revealed.
Ramdat, whose address cannot be published for legal reasons, denies twice assaulting Ms Lowe at her Chafford Hundred home during the summer of 2007.
The trial continues
Prosecutors told a jury at Basildon Crown Court Detective Sergeant Adrian Ramdat, 40, formerly of Chafford Hundred became "obsessed" about Inspector Amanda Lowe's previous relationship.
Jurors heard that three officers were members of the City of London Police.
The name of the high-ranking officer was not revealed.
Ramdat, whose address cannot be published for legal reasons, denies twice assaulting Ms Lowe at her Chafford Hundred home during the summer of 2007.
The trial continues
Thurrock man, Dean Smith, santa fun run for stillborn daughter
A THURROCK man will take part in a charity fun run in memory of his stillborn daughter who died 21 years ago.
Dean Smith, 38, of Kings Street, Stanford-le-Hope, is getting into the festive spirit in memory of daughter, Laura, who would be celebrating her 21st birthday in February.
On Sunday December 7 2008, Dean will be dressing up as Santa to take part in the 5k Santa Run in Greenwich Park, London, to raise awareness of stillbirth and raise funds towards research to help prevent stillbirths in the future.
Dean said: “My wife, Maria works for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity and when she told me that 50 people would be running in Santa suits to raise funds for their Why17? Campaign, it was definitely a case of count me in.
“Incredibly 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every single day in the UK, and although we lost Laura over 20 years ago, the pain doesn’t go away.
“In those days you were pretty much left on your own to deal with your loss, but thankfully, with organisations such as Sands, things are very different now.”
To find out more, please visit Dean’s Just Giving Pages at www.justgiving.com/deanosmith4laura or www.why17.org.
Dean Smith, 38, of Kings Street, Stanford-le-Hope, is getting into the festive spirit in memory of daughter, Laura, who would be celebrating her 21st birthday in February.
On Sunday December 7 2008, Dean will be dressing up as Santa to take part in the 5k Santa Run in Greenwich Park, London, to raise awareness of stillbirth and raise funds towards research to help prevent stillbirths in the future.
Dean said: “My wife, Maria works for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity and when she told me that 50 people would be running in Santa suits to raise funds for their Why17? Campaign, it was definitely a case of count me in.
“Incredibly 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every single day in the UK, and although we lost Laura over 20 years ago, the pain doesn’t go away.
“In those days you were pretty much left on your own to deal with your loss, but thankfully, with organisations such as Sands, things are very different now.”
To find out more, please visit Dean’s Just Giving Pages at www.justgiving.com/deanosmith4laura or www.why17.org.
Classical diva will sing carols at Lakeside
CLASSICAL singer Eleanor Purcell who is known as the White Van Diva will be at Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock on Friday December 12.
Eleanor, who is from Hertfordshire will be singing a mixture of well known traditional and popular Christmas songs and carols as well as original material from 6pm onwards.
She said: “I love performing live and am keen to raise my profile in an attempt to bring classical music and opera to a wider audience.”
There will be a collection for Cancer Research.
Eleanor, who is from Hertfordshire will be singing a mixture of well known traditional and popular Christmas songs and carols as well as original material from 6pm onwards.
She said: “I love performing live and am keen to raise my profile in an attempt to bring classical music and opera to a wider audience.”
There will be a collection for Cancer Research.
New campaign to help scouts learn about dangers of railway crime
SCOUTS in Grays are to learn about the dangers of railway crime in a new campaign launched by The Scout Association and Serco today.
The new Cub Scout Personal Safety badge is being launched across Britain to educate young people, their families, and the wider community about the importance of safety at train stations, and the dangers of trespassing on the railway.
The announcement comes as new data from the British Transport Police (BTP) reveals Grays as number three in a list of the 10 areas worst affected by rail crime in Britain over the past year.
A total of 59 rail offences were reported by the BTP between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008.
These offences include stone throwing, railway trespass and obstructing the railway without intent.
The majority of the rail crime incidents reported have been caused by young people either carrying out criminal acts – or who are unaware of the dangers.
A Personal Safety badge resources pack has been developed to help Cub Scout leaders in Grays demonstrate how to be safe and responsible on and around railways.
The pack is endorsed by British Transport Police and includes a number of activities and information around: Understanding rail warning signs, electricity dangers on railway, reporting railway crime, personal safety while travelling by rail and planning a rail journey.
The new Cub Scout Personal Safety badge is being launched across Britain to educate young people, their families, and the wider community about the importance of safety at train stations, and the dangers of trespassing on the railway.
The announcement comes as new data from the British Transport Police (BTP) reveals Grays as number three in a list of the 10 areas worst affected by rail crime in Britain over the past year.
A total of 59 rail offences were reported by the BTP between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008.
These offences include stone throwing, railway trespass and obstructing the railway without intent.
The majority of the rail crime incidents reported have been caused by young people either carrying out criminal acts – or who are unaware of the dangers.
A Personal Safety badge resources pack has been developed to help Cub Scout leaders in Grays demonstrate how to be safe and responsible on and around railways.
The pack is endorsed by British Transport Police and includes a number of activities and information around: Understanding rail warning signs, electricity dangers on railway, reporting railway crime, personal safety while travelling by rail and planning a rail journey.
Green light for £53m new hospital in Grays
A NEW community hospital in Thurrock costing £53 million has been given the go-ahead.
East of England NHS - the strategic health authority responsible for deciding future healthcare needs in the region - has approvedplans submitted by NHS South West Essex.
East of England NHS agreed that current community hospital and healthcare facilities in Thurrock restricted patient choice and were not capable of meeting future population pressures.
The hospital will be located on land on the northern fringe of Grays town centre. Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation has assumed responsibility for site assembly. Some of the land has already been purchased and the Corporation is in negotiation with other land owners to secure the whole site.
Barbara Stuttle, deputy chief executive of South West Essex Primary Care Trust said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to develop 21st Century healthcare facilities which will enable us to provide high quality services to the population of Thurrock.
"This will become the flagship for modern healthcare in a modern facility provided by excellent staff.”
Tom Gardiner, director of delivery at the Development Corporation said: “A new health facility in Grays will make a massive contribution towards the development corporation’s goal of providing modern community infrastructure for the people of Thurrock. "The site will provide a superb location and with appropriate development will make a significant visual statement at the northern gateway to the town.”
Plans for the hospital were originally put forward in 2006 and were updated by the Primary care Trust in July 2008. It is expected include diagnostic services such X-ray, ultrasound and phlebotomy. There will also a community walk-in and minor injury unit, sexual health service, outpatient services, endoscopy, women and children’s services, intermediate and rehabilitation care as well as dental and pharmacy services.
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East of England NHS - the strategic health authority responsible for deciding future healthcare needs in the region - has approvedplans submitted by NHS South West Essex.
East of England NHS agreed that current community hospital and healthcare facilities in Thurrock restricted patient choice and were not capable of meeting future population pressures.
The hospital will be located on land on the northern fringe of Grays town centre. Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation has assumed responsibility for site assembly. Some of the land has already been purchased and the Corporation is in negotiation with other land owners to secure the whole site.
Barbara Stuttle, deputy chief executive of South West Essex Primary Care Trust said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to develop 21st Century healthcare facilities which will enable us to provide high quality services to the population of Thurrock.
"This will become the flagship for modern healthcare in a modern facility provided by excellent staff.”
Tom Gardiner, director of delivery at the Development Corporation said: “A new health facility in Grays will make a massive contribution towards the development corporation’s goal of providing modern community infrastructure for the people of Thurrock. "The site will provide a superb location and with appropriate development will make a significant visual statement at the northern gateway to the town.”
Plans for the hospital were originally put forward in 2006 and were updated by the Primary care Trust in July 2008. It is expected include diagnostic services such X-ray, ultrasound and phlebotomy. There will also a community walk-in and minor injury unit, sexual health service, outpatient services, endoscopy, women and children’s services, intermediate and rehabilitation care as well as dental and pharmacy services.
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Top domestic violence cop accused of attacking lover
A DOMESTIC violence cop violently assaulted and threatened to kill his lover because he couldn't get over her previous affair with a high ranking officer, a court heart yesterday.Det Sgt Adrian Ramdat, 40, first met Insp Amanda Lowe, who were both serving officers with the City of London police, during a detective training course in April last year.
Ramdat left his wife and two children and moved into Ms Lowe's home in Carew Close, Chafford Hundred, just two weeks later.
John Caudle, prosecution counsel, told the jury at Basildon Crown Court how their relationship became increasingly turbulent and eventually erupted in violence after Ms Lowe told Ramdat about her former affair with a detective chief superintendent.
Mr Caudle said: "She did not think it would be a problem because that relationship had ended before she started seeing Ramdat.
"Unfortunately it transpired that Ramdat was a possessive person who became obsessive with Amanda's previous relationship and he had a big issue with the fact he was a detective sergeant whereas her previous boyfriend had been a very high ranking officer."
In the months leading up to the first alleged attack on July 7 last year, Ramdat would frequently fly into a rage and storm out of their home following arguments over her ex-lover and at one point he made her delete his number from her phone and throw away belongings he had left behind.
Ramdat, who headed up the City of London Police's domestic violence unit before he was suspended following the allegations, also verbally abused her calling her a "slag", and claimed her ex-lover was making his life difficult a work.
But she would always forgive him after calmed down, returned and apologised for his behaviour.
Mr Caudle said: "Ramdat would call Amanda telling her she was a slag and she was disgusting and he kept pointing out to Amanda that he was the second married man she had been with."
He was also jealous that she would meet her colleague Det Insp Roy West for breakfast on occasions and accused her of being chatted up by all the men she worked with and said all they wanted to do was sleep with her.
At one point Ramdat cornered Ms Lowe and grabbed her by the throat before screaming in her face during another argument over her ex-partner.
Mr Caudle said: "She was so scared. She had never seen this level of violence in Ramdat before and she thought Ramdat was going to hit her. "
On the day of the first alleged attack Mr Caudle said another row broke out over her previous relationship and Ramdat became so angry he pushed her down on the bed before picking her up and throwing her back on to the bed and holding his hand over her mouth.
Mr Caudle said: "He pushed her on to a bed with his hand over her mouth so she was unable to breath.
"He would then relax his grip over her mouth so she could breath and then reapplied pressure so she could not breath.
"Then Ramdat realised she may have actually stopped breathing so he went and got her asthma inhaler and gave it to her."
For three hours Ramdat, during which he threatened to ruin her work life and hurt her mother and brother, he ignored her pleas to leave the flat.
Mr Caudle said: "He said he was used to being nasty to people and he knew what to do.
"He also told Amanda she should not underestimate him."
Despite her ordeal and the fact she was left with marks to her arm, Amanda took him back.
Ramdat is alleged to have "completely lost it" again on August 30 last year when he grabbed Ms Lowe by the throat and squeezed it as he pushed her up against the wall.
Mr Caudle said: "She thought she was going to die. She said she was more frightened than she had ever been in her life."
He eventually go but when she tried to escape he grabbed her by the throat again and pushed her back on to the bed.
At one stage during the alleged attack she fell to the ground and broke her ankle.
Ms Lowe, who secretly called her friend who alerted police, was then repeatedly threatened by Ramdat, who told her: "If you tell anyone I will come back and kill you. I will kill you."
The alleged victim was so terrified of Ramdat she didn't give his name to police straight away.
Ramdat was arrested the following day and when he was questioned about the first alleged attack he claimed she had assaulted him during a booze fuelled argument.
In relation to the second allegation he said he was so concerned about Ms Lowe's mental state after she barricaded herself in her bedroom, he forced his way into the room. And while he was in the room she fell and broke her ankle while assaulting him.
Ramdat denies one count of assault by beating and one count of assault.
The trial continues.
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