Arrested man was jailed
for previous attack
by David Skentelbery
A MAN arrested at Warrington following the murder of a 22-year-old woman has served time in prison following a previous attack on her.
The 31-year-old is in hospital with a wound to his hand sustained before his arrest. Police officers are at his bedside.
He was arrested at a house in Venns Road, Orford, Warrington after a major police search. Another man with him was also arrested.
But it is understood the 31-year-old was jailed for four and-a-half years in January for inflicting grievous bodily harm on the woman ? his former partner, Nicola Sutton ? last year.
He should have served 18 months to be followed by a three-year supervision order on his release. But in fact he was released after serving just 27 weeks of the sentence.
Ms Sutton’s body was found at a house on Whittlewood Close, Birchwood in the early hours of Tuesday morning after emergency services were called to the scene.
She had suffered a stab wound and was found to be dead on arrival at hospital. A post mortem examination subsequently confirmed she died from multiple stab wounds.
A major police search was launched for the 31-year-old, who was subsequently arrested at Orford. Another man, aged 29, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
He has subsequently been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Police said the dead woman lived in the Birchwood area, but not at the house where she was found.
It is understood the stabbing may be related to an argument at the nearby Poacher public house earlier on.
Police will only confirm that a 31-year-old man has been arrested.
Detectives are still appealing for information about the circumstances surrounding the woman?s death and anyone who can help should call them on 0845 458 0000.
Omega plan threatens
“total gridlock” – warning
by David Skentelbery
A COUNCILLOR has warned of ?total gridlock? in North West Warrington if plans for the first two faces of the giant Omega development go ahead in their present form.
Coun David Earl says there would be unprecedented congestion during periods of high traffic flow on the M62.
He said: “The original intentions for Omega were, and still are, laudable. But good intentions are not enough. It is said that ‘The road to Hell is paved with good intentions’ and, if this scheme goes ahead as presented, that is just what local residents and Warrington in general will get – roads to and from Hell.” A planning application for Phases 1 and 2 of Omega will go before a special meeting of Warrington?s development control committee in the near future.
Planning officers are recommending it be approved ? despite the borough?s own highways department say it cannot support the proposals.
Coun Earl,who represents the Westbrook area, said: “I do not wish to be a ‘NIMBY’ on this matter and would support any reasonable schemes to bring further employment to Westbrook and the borough.
? However, I am totally amazed at the impracticality of some of the proposals included in this document.
“In the highways Impact and mitigation section, the Highways Agency stress that the implications of introducing access control measures to the M62 are unknown, but the developers are suggesting that, during peak flow periods on the M62, traffic signals would be activated to prevent vehicles from joining the motorway.
?Thus in the worst case scenario unprecedented congestion would occur on local roads in an area which already suffers serious congestion in the rush hour.
” I doubt if residents of Westbrook, Whittle Hall and Great Sankey are even aware of this and other contentious proposals in this report. While some general consultation took place in 2003 and 2005, detailed proposals of this nature were not easily identified in the process. Indeed the council’s own highways department find the current application unacceptable”.
Coun Earl says he believes introducing access restrictions will deter companies from moving to the area at all, undermining the whole purpose of the Omega development.
He says existing roads were designed in the late 1970s with a 20-year ?design horizon? up to the late 1990s.
?The intention was that all main highways and feeder roads would be upgraded once housing and employment sites were in place. However, due to lack of funding from central government and the New Town Corporation, this has not occurred.
?Yet the Omega developers, which include English Partnerships – the trading name for the New Towns Commission – want to build further developments but are not prepared to make sufficient funds available to ease the traffic situation.”
Fishing for funds
by Gary Skentelbery
AN annual fishing competition in memory of tragic Warrington youngster Shannon Bradshaw proved to be the biggest open match event on the Bridgewater Canal for more than 15 years.
Thanks to the support of Warrington Anglers Association the Shannon Bradshaw Memorial Trophy event raised more than ?500 for the Trust Fund set up by Shannon’s family.
The seven-year-old from Great Sankey died four years ago after her brave fight against a rare bone marrow condition, aplastic anaemia, captured the hearts of the nation. The Trust has already raised more than ?20,000 for children suffering from life threatening diseases.
Her parents Alan and Patti presented the trophies at Stockton Heath Royal British Legion following a highly successful event.
Shannon died after a heart-rending search for someone with matching bone marrow which featured on television and in the national press. More than 6,000 volunteered to be tested and eventually a perfect match was found. But by then she was too poorly to receive the life-saving bone marrow and a few days later she died.
After suffering the trauma of losing their daughter, Patti and Alan decided to set up the trust to help other children and their families in similar situations.
The couple praised the efforts of John Fleming and Billy Tasker for organising the fishing event and Frank Lythgoe from Warrington Anglers for arranging use of the canal without peg fees and donating raffle prizes.
Plans are now in the pipeline for organising a junior competition next year. Anyone who would like to take part can call John on 07761965515 or Billy on 07989559743.
The Trust’s next charity event takes place on October 21 at Tetley Walkers club with solo artist Mell Russel, comedian Jimmy Brightand the full monty, (a tribute band). Tickets are ?6 with lots of fantastic raffle prizes and a disco.
Sewage works hitch
causes smell problem
by staff reporter
A MECHANICAL problem at Warrington?s Sankey Bridges sewage works has sparked complaints of severe smell problems over a wide area of the borough.
Residents of the Wilderspool area, Lower Walton and Stockton Heath complained of odour problems.
Householder Dave Fance said: ?The smell was terrible earlier this week and it is not the first time. There have been a couple of incidents at Sankey Bridges in recent months which have resulted in smell problems.
?It is not uncommon to be able to smell the sewage works from Stockton Heath and even Walton Gardens.?
A spokeswoman for United Utilities said: ?We did have a minor mechanical problem at the plant last week which may have given rise to odours. But we have identified the problem and it is being resolved.
?We believe the situation is already improving.
Sixty real ales
will be on offer
by Lesley Wilkinson
VISITORS to a charity beer festival at the Parr Hall, Warrington, have the opportunity to try some of the 60 cask real ales on offer.
The 10th annual Oktoberfest, organised by the Rotary Club of Warrington, runs from Thursday October 12 to Saturday October 14.
Businesses are being sought to sponsor a barrel of beer to help raise mon
ey. All funds raised by the event will go towards Rotary and local charities.
As well of a range of cask beers to try, there will also be a variety of bottle beers and real ciders.
Music will be provided by three bands, Beer for Breakfast, Lazy River Jazz and No Stamp Required.
Opening times are Thursday and Friday, 5.30pm to 11.30pm, and Saturday 12 noon to 4.00pm, and 7.00pm to 11.30pm.
Entry is ?5, which includes the first pint and a souvenir glass.
Further details are available on the website www.warrington.rotary.site.org
A chance to quiz
police chiefs
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington will have the chance to put their views on police matters when two Cheshire Constabulary chiefs are on-line live.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy and Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse will be live on the Force website www.cheshire.police.uk from midday on Monday, October 2 to answer questions on policing from members of the public.
People in Warrington should have received a copy of the annual report from the two organisations, “Your Policing.” It features information on the progress of Neighbourhood Policing, changes to custody, and what is being done to address serious organised crime and the threat of terrorism.
Anyone interested in questioning the pair should log onto the website and follow the link at the top of the front page. Answers to questions will start appearing from 12noon on the day.
The session marks the beginning of National Customer Service Week and police are keen to receive questions on their call handling, issues concerning victims and witnesses and opening hours.
Car fire
A FIRE which completely destroyed a car in Fothergill Street, Howley, Warrington early today is being investigated by police and fire service experts.
