Murder suspect found
hanged in prison cell
by David Skentelbery
THE man charged with the murder of 22-year-old Nicola Sutton has escaped justice.
Barry Stone, 31, of Knutsford Road, Warrington, has been found hanged in a cell at Leeds Prison.
He had been due to appear at Chester Crown Court on December 22.
Nicola was Stone?s ex-girl friend and had suffered violence at his hands before.
He was jailed for four and-a-half years in January this year for inflicting grievous bodily harm on her. He should have served 18 months, followed by a three-year supervision order on his release. But in fact he was released after serving just 27 weeks of the sentence.
Nicola’s body was found at a house on Whittlewood Close, Birchwood in the early hours of Tuesday September 26 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 major police search was launched for Stone, who was subsequently arrested at a house in Venns Road, Orford. He was taken to hospital with a wound to his hand sustained before his arrest. Police stood guard at his bedside until he was discharged from hospital.
It is understood Stone may have seen Nicola on the Monday evening at the nearby Poacher public house.
Nicola?s funeral took place at St Wilfrid?s Church, Grappenhall last month when, at the request of her family, hundreds of people turned out wearing pink
The former Bridgewater High School pupil was carried into church in a pink coffin and, after the service, was buried in the graveyard at the church.
Council committed
to market’s future
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs remain upbeat about the long-term future of Warrington Market.
Although a ?150,000 plan to boost the market in the short term has been approved, they are to continue investigations to try and sustain and develop the market in the long term in the face increased competition from superstores, out-of-town retailers and the internet.
This was made clear at a meeting of the council?s executive board.
Coun Fiona Bruce (pictured) executive members for Value for Money said: ?The market and the market traders make an important contribution to the town.? She revealed that more than ?1 million had been spent on improvements to the market over the last six years.
Surveys had shown that many people valued the market. More than 70 per cent of market shoppers visited at least once a week and believed prices and range of goods was good.
Sixty two per cent of traders are over 45 and 69 per cent of them live in Warrington. Forty two per cent of shoppers are aged 31-60.
Early in the New Year, free parking for market customers will be tried on a temporary basis one day a week, following suggestions from traders.
Stallholders themselves will monitor the trial to see if trade increases on the day of the free parking.
There will also be improved signage inside the market, upgrades to market entrances and the bridge to the market car park, refurbishment of the women?s toilets.
But councillors recognise that more wide-ranging improvements are needed in the long term.
Warrington Market has operated continuously for 751 years, although the present building is only 32 years old. It currently houses 130 traders, occupying 256 stalls and employs about 600 people.
But in common with other markets it has been hit in recent years by superstores, out-of-town shopping centres and the internet. It currently has 43 vacant stalls, compared to 25 last year and only 14 in 2004.
It made a profit of ?143,000 for the council last year compared with ?231,000 the previous year.
This year?s profit is forecast to be around ?120,000 ? about ?20,000 lower than expected because of vacant stalls.
Town’s oldest scout
troop looking for funding
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON’S oldest scout troop is urgently looking for ?140,000 funding for new premises after their Helsby Street HQ was condemned earlier this year.
Members of the 13th Warrington Troop, who are currently using temporary premises at St John’s Mission, are now the last remaining scout troop based in the town centre.
Roofing problems at Helsby Street resulted in the building being condemned and only last week vandals attempted to burn down the premises which is still being used for storage.
Scout leader Debbie Appleton, who is masterminding the fundraising operation, joined members of the troop to raise fund at Warrington Market’s Victorian Day with a “hook a duck” stall.
She said: “We are the oldest scout troop in Warrington and the only one left in the town centre,” she said.
“At one time it looked like we would have to close down but we have now turned things around and have 40 active members.
“We need to find new premises and estimate we require around ?140,000.”
Any one who can help out can contact Debbie 01925 490572.
Meanwhile the Victorian Day was a huge success helping local community groups raise their profile in the town.
X-Factor comes to town
TELEVISION’S X-Factor came to Warrington when Cinnamon Brow Community Theatre played host to an evening of youth musical talent.
And The Mayor of Warrington Coun Linda Dirir and her Consort Allin Dirir took on the role of TV’s Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell according to organisers.
The theatre, in collaboration with GLR Productions, produced the Warrington All New Talent Musical Event for the second time, repeating the success of 2004.
The heats took place over nine months and the 12 finalists competed for a prize package consisting of a song written for them, the chance to have it produced together with a pop video.
George Greenall, project co-ordinator, said: “We felt that all the finalists deserved recognition for making it to the final 12 and therefore the Mayor presented each and everyone of them with medals as a mark of their achievements.”
Winner of the 8-12 year old category was Chantelle Croxford, 11, from St. Winifreds School. Runner up was Ashley Haines, 12, from Great Sankey High School.
Winner of the 13-18 year old category was Emma Lawrence,14, a member of the Jacqueline Chadwick Academy. Runner up was Kirsten Done, 14, of Thomas Boteler High School.
Fire crews break
into blaze house
by staff reporter
FIRE crews broke in through the front of a smoke-filled house at Warrington – as the occupants escaped through the back.
The blaze was at a terraced house in Longford Street, Warrington. An unattended grill pan burst into flames and caused extensive damage in the kitchen and smokelogging throughout the rest of the property.
A young couple and their baby escaped from the rear of the house, unaware that the fire brigade were at the front door. As a result, firefighters had to smash the front door in.
No-one was hurt – but a fire service spokesman commented: “It is always best to meet us at the front of the house where possible. It could have saved a few minutes and resulted in less damage.”
Cemetery memorials
come under scrutiny
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN INSPECTION of memorials in Warrington?s cemeteries and graveyards is being carried out – and those that are unsafe will be cordoned off or laid flat for safety.
The borough council’s Bereavement Services department is carrying out inspections as part of its year-long safety monitoring and officers are reassuring residents that there is no need for concern.
Officers have several options depending on the condition of an unsafe memorial – they may be cordoned off or as a last resort laid flat.
The team will contact grave owners where possible, but anyone with a memorial who may have moved in recent years is asked to contact the team.
Members of the public using the cemeteries are being asked to keep to the paths and s
igns advising people of the inspections are being displayed in all cemeteries.
Angela Dunn, bereavement services manager, said: “It is important for us to carry out this inspection as unsafe memorials are a danger to the public. There are examples from the across the country of people being seriously injured and even killed as a result of memorials falling on them and we do not want that happening in Warrington.
“We do realise that some people may be upset by this inspection and that it may cause inconvenience but I would like to ensure people that the team will take the utmost care when inspecting memorials.”
Festive season can be
a time of violence
by Lesley Wilkinson
FOR most people Christmas is a time of fun, but a Warrington charity warns that for others there is an increased risk of domestic abuse.
And to help those affected by the increased risk, The Relationship Centre, has extended its domestic abuse helpline to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The centre reports that one in four women and one in seven men will experience some form of domestic violence during their lifetime, and that Christmas is a time of increased risk.
Director of services Pam Arnold said: “Too many people are killed by their current or former partners as a result of domestic abuse and its effects on the perpetrator and the sufferer. Such problems get worse at Christmas when levels of stress, alcohol and debt increase, causing domestic abuse to reach a peak.
Christmas is a particularly difficult time in some families, even when everything is going well, if we are honest.
“But if you live in an abusive family, those tensions can reach fever pitch. Many women and men are making up their minds right about now whether to put themselves or their families through another Christmas like the last one.”
She said it takes an average of 35 incidents before a person will seek help, and the charity wants to encourage more people to seek help earlier.
The helpline, run in conjunction with Halton Domestic Abuse Forum, is on 0800 783 9636 at any time.
Man rescued
from river
by staff reporter
A DRUNKEN man was rescued from the River Mersey at Warrington.
Fire crews using rescue lines pulled the man to safety as he floundered around in fast flowing currents at Bridge Foot.
The man – who smelled strongly of drink – was taken to hospital.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “He was lucky. He was wandering around on the mudbanks and in the water, which was flowing very quickly at the time. He could easily have been swept away.”
