Three jailed for murder
of young father-to-be
by court reporter
TWO brothers found guilty of the murder of a 22-year-old Warrington man have been jailed for a minimum of 13 years each.
A 16-year-old boy who had earlier admitted murdering the man was jailed was 10-and-a-half years.
The judge at Chester Crown Court also lifted an order prohibiting the naming of the juvenile.
He is Billy Jones, of Mendip Avenue, Orford, Warrington.
All three defendants ? Jones and brothers Colin, 19 and David, 21, Algie, have now been convicted of murdering Michael Theaker, of Festival Avenue, Orford, on January 24.
At the time of his death, Michael was waiting to become a father and his girl friend, Shelly, has subsequently given birth to a girl, Ellie May.
The court heard that Michael had been out socialising with friends in Warrington and boarded a bus to return home to Orford.
They sat towards the rear of the bus and Jones and the Algie brothers also got on the bus. They became abusive toward Michael and his friends.
In Hallfields Road, they all got off the bus and a fight broke out. Michael was punched in the head, falling to the floor, where he was further attacked, kicked, punched and stamped upon repeatedly.
Two men passing by saw Michael being kicked repeatedly about the head and body and stopped and tried to intervene. One tried to shield Michael from further blows and the other, physically restrained one of the defendants.
Eventually the three defendants walked away, boasting of their exploits. Michael was then assisted to a nearby pharmacy, where members of staff helped him.
A few minutes later, as Michael was walking home along Smith Drive with his friends, he collapsed and never regained consciousness. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital with a suspected head injury. Five days later, on Monday 30th January he died from head injuries in the Intensive Care Unit of Warrington Hospital.
Colin Algie and Jones were arrested on the same day as the attack; David Algie was arrested in the early hours of the following day. They were at first charged with assault, but were later charged with the murder after Michael?s death.
Detective Inspector David Blood, leading the investigation said: “The verdict of the jury highlights the vicious nature of this alcohol fuelled attack, which left a baby without a father and a family without a son. This was a ferocious attack against Michael, whilst he was lying unable to defend himself on the ground. More chilling is the callousness of the defendants, who left the scene, congratulating each other on their exploits.?
Jo Parsons, the CPS lawyer in charge of this case said: “As we approach Christmas and the anniversary of Michael’s death our thoughts are with his family. We hope that it will bring some comfort to them that the three men responsible for his brutal murder have been brought to justice. Violence of this nature will not be tolerated in today’s society. We hope this successful prosecution sends a clear message out to all those who, fuelled by alcohol, chose to engage in acts of violence.”
Village drug fears
allayed by council
by Lesley Wilkinson
FEARS that drugs are rife in bars at Stockton Heath have been allayed.
Members of the parish council were told that reports of a police raid on two premises referred, in fact to a drugs awareness activity organised by the police at The Viper Lounge and the 101 Bar.
Chairman Coun Celia Jordan (pictured)said she had attended the event.
“It was not a drugs raid – just a high profile police presence with a sniffer dog,” she said.
Coun Jordan said everyone present had to walk past the dog to check for drugs. At 11.20pm the dog indicated it had found something and one person was asked to go to the police station.
Police Community Support office Peter Crellin said there was another operation on a second night when three men were stopped. They were not found to have drugs so it was assumed they had been in contact with drugs earlier in the evening.
He said the sessions would be held regularly in the village’s pubs and bars.
Coun Jordan said: “I was very impressed by the event. I hope this allays people’s fears about drugs in the village.”
College helps firms look
to a greener future
by Mark Hemmings
BUDDING engineers of the future from Warrington?s Priestley College have been given a rare opportunity to work with professionals.
Joining AMEC and Fiddlers Ferry, students are doing their bit as part of the college’s flourishing Engineering Education Scheme.
AMEC is a global leader in project management and engineering services, while Fiddlers Ferry is part of the Scottish and Southern Energy group and produces electricity by burning coal its Widnes Road plant in Cuerdley.
The AMEC students, Jonathan Hughes, Nicholas Hughes, Michael Lomax, Sam McGarry and Rebecca Pennington are involved in producing a solution to the problems associated with the transportation of sewage sludge within a waste incineration plant.
The Fiddlers Ferry team have been going green too as students Anthony Lawton, Martin Raffel, Jakub Stefula and Emily Williams have been looking at ways of saving energy in the administration block on the Widnes Road site.
Their project involves looking at alternative renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal to replace electricity within the block. This project is part of the company’s overall ethos of becoming greener.
Science tutor Alan Durbin said: “Although both projects are still in the early stages, great progress has already been made. There is no quick fix to either as this is a year-long piece of work.”
John Rowe, engineer from Fiddlers Ferry said: “Our company originally approached the college to get involved in this exciting project. So far, the students have responded well to the task in hand and I look forward to supporting them as they continue to work on their final solutions.”
Parish council backs
school demolition plan
by Lesley Wilkinson
CONTROVERSIAL new plans to demolish Stockton Heath Primary School – which went on show at a special meeting of the parish council – have been approved by the parish council.
In an unusual step Stockton Heath Parish Council held an additional meeting for one hour before its usual monthly meeting, just to consider the application.
New plans were on display for the public to view.
The application by the Director of Children’s Services at Warrington Borough Council is for the proposed demolition of existing school buildings and replacement with new school buildings, including temporary mobile classrooms during the construction period, at the school in Egerton Street.
Parish councillors voted in favour by nine votes to three. They said there was no planning reason why the application should not proceed, but requested a satisfactory “travel plan” to ensure safe routes for pedestrians to the school.
Members of the action group campaigning to save the existing school buildings were present at the meeting and voiced their opposition to the scheme.
Witnesses sought
after street attack
by John Hendon
POLICE are seeking witness of a vicious attack on a 39-year-old man as he walked along Poplars Avenue, Orford, Warrington.
A youth aged 17 has been arrested in connection with the incident, but detectives are still anxious to speak to anyone who saw what happened.
The 39-year-old was walking along Poplars Avenue in the early hours of Sunday (December 10) when he suffered the attack.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital with serious injuries.
Any who witnessed the attack is asked to call police on 01244 613835.
Motorists warned of
impending “cold snap”
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON motorists are being warned not to be lulled into a false sense of security this fest
ive season.
December’s weather has been particularly mild but forecasters are predicting a cold snap towards the end of the month and, with many people travelling to see their families at Christmas, this could spell trouble for the unprepared driver.
PC Nick Woodcock of the Road Policing Unit said: “A potential change in weather conditions highlights the need for motorists to be one step ahead when planning journeys, particularly if that journey is lengthy or takes a route through exposed and sparsely populated areas.
“Responsible drivers will be fully prepared, will have checked their route and consulted local sources of weather information.”
The overriding message coming from Cheshire Constabulary is be prepared and plan your journey.
Sgt Yvonne Williams, who investigates serious and fatal collisions in the Northern Area of the force said: “An important part of staying safe on the roads during the winter months is driving in accordance with the conditions.
“Before and during each journey assess the conditions and ensure your driving is suitable. Slow down, give extra time and space for breaking and, from the outset, allow extra time for the journey as a whole.
Village “safer”
due to camera
by staff reporter
STOCKTON Heath should be a little safer thanks to the operation of a CCTV camera in the village.
Coun Graham Roughsedge said he had done an inspection visit to check the operation of the camera.
“The pictures from the camera are very clear. You are well able to see anything that goes on in all the main roads of the village,” he said.
