Murder inquiry after
attack victim dies
by David Skentelbery
A MURDER inquiry has been launched at Warrington after an 18-year-old youth died in hospital.
Police are appealing for witnesses of an attack in Horsemarket Street, in the early hours of Saturday morning in which the youth suffered serious head injuries.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital in a critical condition and has since died.
A 19-year-old youth has been arrested in connection with the attack and is due to appear before the town’s magistrates this morning charged with assault.
Police say they are still anxious to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident in Horsemarket Street, which occurred around 3am on Saturday.
In particular, they would like to speak to two young women who are believed to have gone to the assistance of the injured youth.
Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 01244 350000 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
College boss is
toughest head
by Gary Skentelbery
COLLEGE boss Paul Hafren may be a “gentle giant” with his students but he is a master of self defence after winning a national martial arts competition.
Standing at 6ft 4in and weighing in at 15 ? stone Paul, principal at Warrington Collegiate, has been named as the UK’s Tae Kwon Do champion.
Keep-fit fan Paul, 49, who also enjoys racing up mountains and ski-ing when not running the Collegiate, fought off more than 30 people to win two gold medals and one silver in the veteran’s section of the Global Tae Kwon Do UK National Championship in Stratford Upon Avon.
He battled his way through three disciplines to pick up the trophies. “I competed in the self defence, sparring and destruction competitions”, said Paul.
“I had to perform a self-defence routine, fight my opponents and in the destruction discipline smash blocks of wood with my hands and feet!”
He says it was working at the Collegiate that encouraged him to enter the tournament and turned him into the UK’s toughest head.
“At the Collegiate we believe that people should always aim higher and continually raise their aspirations. By entering this competition I was certainly doing this, I never thought I would do so well!”
Paul attends martial arts classes twice a week. He also combines this with regular trips to the gym to make sure he is in peak condition.
“Tae Kwon Do has been great for keeping me fit and strong. I like being the student and learning from someone without being in charge. Being head of the Collegiate is great and I love my job -Tae Kwon Do is just the icing on the cake for me,” he said.
Old fire station to
become food shop
by David Skentelbery
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to convert an old fire station into a hot food shop has been given the go-ahead by Warrington planners.
The scheme to change the use of the disused Stockton Heath fire station in London Road was hotly opposed by nearby residents and by Stockton Heath Parish Council.
But the borough council’s development control committee voted to allow the scheme – subject to conditions that it not be used for a restaurant or takeaway shop.
Members of the committee visited the site before reaching their decision.
The committee was told a two-storey extension would be added at the front and a twin-gabled first floor extension would project over the rear car park.
A two-storey extension to the London Road frontage would project three metres. A twin-gabled first-floor extension would project over the rear car park.
Residents claimed the scheme would result in an inappropriate over-development of the site. The frontage would be over-bearing and damaging to the street scene while the rear extension would have an impact on East Avenue and residents’ homes.
Extra traffic and parking would add to the problems and there would be an increase in smells, noise, litter, car doors slamming, anti-social behaviour and deliveries at unsocial hours.
Pop guru’s lecture
inspired media student
by Paul Saville
A LECTURE from Warrington-based pop guru, Pete Waterman inspired James Kelly to achieve a 2.1 in Media (Television Production) with Business Management and Information Technology.
The 22-year-old, who studied the three-year course at the Warrington Campus of the University of Chester, said: “I really enjoyed Pete Waterman’s lecture because as a business man he deserves some respect. His achievement is even more remarkable when you consider how little he started with.”
Pete, who is famed for creating household names out of acts such as, Kylie Minogue, Steps and Rick Astley, was invited to talk about his life in music after he received an Honorary Doctorate in music from the University last year.
James, from Westbrook, admitted he had been sceptical before the lecture, because of the impresario’s pop background, and his role on Pop Idol, but said he had found the lecture “quite inspirational.” During his degree course, James had the opportunity to work on a feature film called “Under the Mud” while on a nine-week work placement at Hurricane films in Liverpool.
“It was a working-class comedy, and seemed to have similar feel to Channel 4’s Shameless. It was great fun and my job as a runner meant I was responsible for making sure production ran smoothly”, James said.
Valuable experience was also gained from TV production lecturers at Warrington.
“They became like friends by the end, and because they still work in TV production means they are good contacts too”, he said.
The Warrington student also liked the campus’s intimate feel, where he enjoyed many memorable events.
One such occasion was when a French jazz band, who had earlier in the evening played at the Student Union bar, went on to play in James’s student house.
James said: “It was a surreal experience; we had these random guys, who had come over from France, playing double-bass in our kitchen!” James, who currently works for Libra Television, plans to move to Manchester, where he will concentrate on the performance side of music by promoting the four bands of which he is currently a member, with a series of gigs.
He is also keen to pursue areas of media in which he has gained skills in, including television production, web design as well as music production. “I feel I have a lot to offer. One of the reasons I did the television production course was to be able to say ‘yes’ to more opportunities that come my way”.
Woman of 94 robbed
by bogus workman
by Terry Johnson
POLICE at Warrington are warning pensioners to take special care when confronted by unexpected callers to their homes.
The advice to be vigilant follows a robbery when a 94-year-old woman had her purse taken.
A “workman” aged around 20 called at the woman’s home and told her he was replacing a rear fence. While he was at the back of the property, the occupant was distracted by a visitor to her door.
Later she discovered that her purse and cash had been taken in a sneak burglary.
Police urge the elderly to insist on checking unknown callers’ ID – and if in doubt to contact them.
Prison visitors
get health advice
by staff reporter
A SERIES of events at the visitor centre at Warrington Risley Prison has enabled the families of prisoners to receive advice on health issues.
People attending were able to ask questions and learn more about local services they can access.
The events included: National Smile Week, Child Safety Week and Fruity Friday, which is part of Cancer Prevention Week.
Using art and stories, children were encouraged to learn more about looking after their teeth, keeping safe and healthy eating.
Families were given an opportunity to taste different fruits – and fruit raffle raised money for cancer prevention week. Visitors were also encouraged to pass on these positiv
e health messages to the family member or friend they were visiting.
Katie Roberts, Warrington PCT’s health improvement specialist: for prisons said: “It’s been great that families have been given the chance to gain a greater awareness of many things that can impact on our long term health and safety. It’s very important to get these messages across to children so they can go on to make informed choices later in their lives and it is very powerful when the family are learning together. We hope to continue to promote positive health messages in this way.” Visitors centre manager Sheila Glover said: “We are really pleased to be taking part in these national events to increase awareness of family issues and stimulate effort to respond to problems affecting them.”
Police warn of
summer burglars
by staff reporter
HOT weather burglars who strike while householders are sunbathing or enjoying barbecues in their gardens have left behind a trail of heartache in Warrington.
The thieves have entered homes in Padgate, Fearnhead and Birchwood through open windows….and left with handbags, purses, wallets and car keys.
Detective Constable Mick Gee, who is investigating the crimes, said: “These are opportunist thieves who notice windows left open for long periods. Together with unlocked doors, they are providing easy access for sneak thieves.
“Burglaries have been committed while people have been in their back gardens, leaving their windows and doors insecure.”
DC Gee advised: “A few moments thought can prevent the heartache of having your home broken into”.
Witnesses sought
after road crash
by staff reporter
POLICE are seeking witnesses after a collision between a red and white motor scooter and a car on the A574 at Birchwood, Warrington.
The scooter driver, a 23-year-old local man, suffered a broken leg and a broken wrist and was taken to hospital.
The collision took place in Birchwood Way, near its junction with Daten Avenue, opposite Trinity Court.
Anyone who witnesses the accident is asked to contact PC Andrew Hunt on 01244 613813.
Man rescued from
smoke-filled flat
by staff reporter
A MAN was rescued from a flat at Padgate, Warrington after fire broke out in the kitchen.
Firefighters had to break into the flat in Jerby Court after a neighbour reported hearing a smoke alarm sounding.
They found the occupier had fallen asleep after putting a pan of fat on the cooker. A smoke alarm had activated but did not arouse the occupier.
The flat was filled with dense smoke and fire crews wearing breathing apparatus carried the man out. He was taken to hospital
In another incident, vandals set fire to letters in the hall way of a flat in Bewsey Street, Warrington.
The blaze ignited carpet and skirting boards but the flames did not spread. Police are investigating.
