Tragic toddler drowned
in place of fun
by Lesley Wilkinson
A PLACE of “fun and enjoyment” led to the tragic death of an inquisitive toddler who drowned in a family swimming pool, an inquest heard yesterday, Tuesday.
Maisie Osborne, aged 20 months, had probably toddled off “exploring” the family garden when she fell into the pool, the Warrington inquest was told.
Shop keeper Martin Osborne and his wife Sharon, a teacher, of Dam Lane, Rixton, Warrington, listened in tears as they recounted the events leading to the fateful day last summer.
The inquest heard Maisie had been colouring in her playroom late one afternoon, while her father kept an eye on her as he watched television in the next room. She found the French doors in her room open, probably left open by builders working on the family home. She took a walk into the garden, without her father noticing, and the accident occurred.
Mr Osborne told the inquest that workmen were in the house on July 12, when the accident happened, dealing with a damp problem.
He said Maisie had been reluctant to agree to sit with him, preferring to play in the next room. She was described as “quite an inquisitive child” who had just started walking a few months earlier.
“I saw her in the room just about 10 minutes before the accident,” he said>
He then found her at about 5.15pm floating in the swimming pool. He had gone out of the house to check the swimming pool pump.
He saw the French doors, in the room where Maisie had been were open, and realised she must have slipped out of the house.
Mr Osborne said the builders, who had been in and out of the house all day before leaving at 4.30pm, must have left the doors unsecured. He added that it was just a couple of steps from the doors to the pool.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Coroner, Mr Nicholas Rheinberg said: “Maisie was happy playing and colouring in the room adjacent to where her father was watching television and keeping an eye on his daughter.”
He said internally there was only one way out of the room, which would have meant her passing her father. He said “unfortunately” the French doors had been left unsecured, by the builders.
“She had only been left by herself for a short period, but that would have been enough for her to go through the French doors, said Mr Rheinberg.
“Maisie had showed an interest in the swimming pool and it had been a place of fun and enjoyment in the past,” he added.
He gave a verdict of accidental death.
Sky’s the limit for
college girl Samantha
by John Hendon
A WARRINGTON girl who wants to become an airline pilot has just made her first solo flight – before she has even learned to drive a car!
Samantha Smythe, 18, of Stockton Heath, a student at Priestley College, Warrington made the flight as part of her training for the Private Pilots Licence at Shropshire Aero Club.
The A level student is studying Spanish, Psychology and Business Studies and started her flying training as part of the Potential Officers and Aviation course at the college.
Samantha travels to the airfield, near Wem, for training most Sundays in all weathers and at all times of the year.
She has to find time during the week to study for her Civil Aviation Authority ground school examinations alongside her college commitments, meaning her organisational skills have come to the fore.
Her first solo flight is a major milestone in her ambition to making flying a career and Samantha is now looking forward to completing her full Private Pilots Licence, which will include a cross-country flight of 150 miles and two stop offs at other airfields.
She said: “I really love my flying and everyone at Shropshire Aero club is so friendly and supportive.
“I really do hope that more young ladies will aim to learn to fly and apply for courses in aviation. At one of my recent exams, I was the only female in a room of over 60 candidates. You do face the inevitable wisecracks when you start to fly but the male pilots are now my strongest supporters and friends.”
Samantha now proudly wears her “Silver Wings” awarded to pilots following their first solo flight and looks forward with anticipation to the day of her graduation as a full commercial pilot.
Shafilea murder: two
more people arrested
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have arrested two more people in connection with the murder of Warrington teenager Shafilea Ahmed.
A woman of 54 and a man aged 30, both from Bradford, were arrested and questioned at Warrington Police on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the court of justice.
Both were later freed on bail to appear at the police station again on December 15.
Last month, police arrested five people from the Bradford area on suspicion of attempting to pervert the court of justice. A man in his 60s, three men in their 30s and a woman in her early 20s were all subsequently released without charge. They were all members of Shafilea’s family.
It is now 13 months since Shafilea disappeared from her home in Liverpool Road, Great Sankey.
Her badly decomposed body was discovered in April at Sedgwick, near Kendal in Cumbria. Forensic tests have so far failed to establish the cause of death.
But police are satisfied she was murdered – in fact they were convinced within days of her disappearance that she had been unlawfully killed.
In February, 2003, she had visited Pakistan for a family wedding and, it is understood, was introduced to a would-be suitor. She is believed to have turned him down and, while still abroad, apparently swallowed bleach as a protest. This seriously damaged her throat.
In early December police, revealed they had found poems or song lyrics written by Shafilea which spoke of her bringing “shame” on her family and wishing she were dead.
Shortly before Christmas, detectives arrested Shafilea’s parents on suspicion of kidnap. They were bailed pending further inquiries.
But in February, the couple’s solicitor, Milton Firman, said they “strenuously” denied any involvement in the death.
They were released from their bail in July and indicated they might sue the police. The following week they put up a reward of ?5,000 to catch their daughter’s killer.
A celebration of
town twinning
by staff reporter
A CELEBRATION of town twinning and friendships across the water is under way as Warrington plays host to some very special visitors from its twin towns Nachod, in the Czech Republic, and Hilden, in Germany.
More than 20 young people with learning disabilities are taking in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of Warrington and the North West of England as part of Creative Days 2004 – friendship through changes.
The young visitors are enjoying a week of fun-filled activities, organised by Warrington Borough Council’s communication’s team.
The week began with a special welcome meal with the pupils from Green Lane Special School, members and representatives from the council at the Peace Centre.
There are sports activities in Great Sankey, a visit to the Wheels For All project in Manchester, a civic reception at the Town Hall with the Mayor, Coun Edward Lafferty and French lessons at Green Lane Special School.
Discos, a visit to the Warrington at Leisure exhibition at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, a cheese and beans feast in Golden Square and, drama and music at Pyramid make the week a memorable one for the young visitors.
The youngsters are staying at the Peace Centre and activities have been planned to keep them entertained and to help them experience some true Warrington hospitality!
Coun Lafferty, said: “It is always a wonderful thing when we discover ways in which to unite people and Creative Days is an ideal example of how it can work. Building friendships with people from our twin towns and overcoming the language and cultural differences is a great gift and a huge step
towards understanding and appreciating the value of other cultures and lifestyles.”
Residents get a chance
to see road repair plans
by staff reporter
AN open day is being held in Culcheth, near Warrington today (Wednesday) to give residents and business the chance to view plans for major road maintenance works, due to start in the village in the next two weeks.
Culcheth Youth Centre, Church Lane, Culcheth will be open from 2pm to 7pm where members of the public can see for themselves a display of the earthworks, drainage and other roadworks due to take place on B5207 Common Lane (between Twiss Green Lane and A57 Warrington Road).
Officers from the council will also be on hand to answer any questions.
Although the start of the major roadworks is not yet set in stone, officers are hopeful work could start early in October, possibly as early as the second or third week of the month.
Carried out by Manchester-based Bethell Construction Ltd, the works are programmed to take around 12 weeks to complete and will involve earthworks, drainage works, full reconstruction of some parts of the road and footways, new kerbs and markings and better street lighting. The works will be carried out in sections to minimise disruption.
Residents will shortly receive a letter giving them details of the schemes and diversion routes for traffic – as well as an invite to the public exhibition.
Phil Johnson, Assistant Director for Transportation, said: “We will be doing our best to ensure that we keep any impact or disruption these essential works cause to a minimum. The involvement of the local community and our response to their comments will be fundamental to that. However, we apologise in advance if people experience problems.
“We would urge residents or businesses to come to the open day at Culcheth Youth Centre and see these plans for themselves – that way we can answer any questions they may have and finalise our plans more considerately.
“Throughout the works, we will be committed to maintaining access for all residents and businesses in and around the area. We are planning to bring in a pass system, so that we can manage access and ensure that legitimate residents and business owners and workers can have access to their homes and businesses.”
Other arrangements have also been made for people using public transport.
Motor traders aim to
raise their profile
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of Warrington Trading Standards Approved Motor Trader scheme are embarking on their own publicity “drive” to boost awareness about their organisation.
Working alongside Trading Standards, the Approved Motor Trader scheme is raising its profile locally through roundabout sponsorship after snapping up a prime town centre spot.
Around 50,000 motorists will pass the newly sponsored sign, based on St Mary’s Green roundabout – the junction of Buttermarket Street with the A49 – in the town centre every day.
Featuring the organisation’s new eye-catching image and branding, the high profile sign gives the scheme’s website address and telephone number – on which people can get information on members of the scheme and the services they offer.
There are a total of 23 members of the Approved Motor Traders Scheme. All have been vetted by Trading Standards and have to meet tough targets and service standards.
Coun Mike Hannon, the borough council’s executive member for community and well being said: “This new initiative is aimed at raising the profile and awareness of the Approved Motor Trader scheme, which is such a fantastic example of partnership working between the council and the motor trade industry in Warrington. Not only does it help to promote the scheme but it also serves to reinforce its commitment to the local community.”
For a list of members and details – or information on joining the scheme – telephone 01925 442678 or visit www.AMTwarrington.co.uk
Man found with
drugs worth ?1m
by staff reporter
A MAN arrested on the M62 at Warrington was found to be in possession of heroin with an estimated street value of more than ?1 million.
The 34-year-old from Mersey is being quizzed by drug squad detectives at Warrington.
He was stopped driving a Toyota Carina on the M62 west bound carriageway at Croft.
Police said a search of his home had later revealed a pistol and ammunition.
