Hired guman sent
down for 10 years
by court reporter
A ?HIRED gunman? who shot an innocent man at point blank range has been jailed for 10 years at Warrington Crown Court.
Police have praised a number of ?courageous individuals? who gave evidence to help secure a conviction, despite believing they might be harmed if they assisted police.
Paul Whiting, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garry Hartley and possessing a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and will be subject to indeterminate public protection provisions.
The court was told that on Thursday March 8 at 7.30pm families at Padgate where shocked to hear a gunshot.
Garry Hartley, 32, from St Helens had been visiting a friend at his home in Vulcan Close. While at his friend’s home there was a knock on the door. Garry answered the door and was faced with a man, armed with a gun, who shot him in the leg at point blank range before fleeing. Garry received a wound to his leg and was taken by ambulance to Warrington Hospital, where he was detained for treatment. He has since recovered.
Police believed Garry was not the intended victim, but was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he answered the door the gunman assumed he was the home owner – the intended target – and shot him.
The weapon used in the attack was later recovered by police at Whiting?s home in Runcorn.
Detective Inspector Jo Miller of Cheshire Police Major Investigation Team (FMIT) said: “This was a difficult enquiry. We had to establish the motivation for an apparently random attack.
“During the investigation we needed to speak with certain individuals who felt they might be threatened if they helped the police.
“We were able to reassure and support these people to enable Paul Whiting to be charged and brought before the court.”
She added: “These are courageous individuals who have assisted in bringing a dangerous man to justice.”
Inspector Derek Lockie of Warrington police said: “We want to reassure the public that offences of this nature are extremely rare in the area.
“We hope this particular case sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate this type of crime in Warrington.
“We would urge any members of the public who have any information about this type of crime to come forward and talk to us.”
Residents test new
water saving devices
by James Parr
A GROUP of Warrington residents are the first in the North West to tap into the latest water-saving device.
Householders from Great Sankey are helping water company United Utilities with a research project that could pave the way for other homeowners across the region to save cash and help the environment.
A ?75,000 trial involves installing 500 water efficient devices in homes across Great Sankey to measure just how effective they are.
The devices include a revolutionary low flow showerhead, which reduces the amount of power and water the shower uses by mixing the flow of water with air.
Other devices include a dual flush conversion device, which allows a single flush toilet to be converted in to a dual flush, and a Save-a-Flush bag, which stores up to a litre of water every time someone flushes.
Water Resources Strategy manager for United Utilities Ben Nadel said: “We wrote to 5,000 customers in Great Sankey and had around 500 volunteers come forward to help with the research, which is a really encouraging take-up rate.
“We have been installing the appliances over the last two months and the results will be assessed at the end of the year.
If the initiative is successful, we will be looking at extending it to a bigger project in 2009.
Ultimately it may lead to us offering free or subsidised water-saving devices for all our customers.?
Technical director for Mouchel, who are installing the devices, Brendan McAndrew added: “Each fitting, which includes an audit and questionnaire, takes no more than 45 minutes to complete. It’s a very simple task which results in significant long-term water savings. United Utilities’ pro-active investment in this trial is a good example of a water company placing value in its key commodity.”
This project is part of United Utilities ?2.9 billion investment to improve water and wastewater services across the North West between 2005 and 2010.
Would-be chefs go to
battle in the kitchen
by James Parr
UP and coming master chefs from schools across Warrington have been doing battle in the kitchens of Warrington Collegiate.
Teenagers from Culcheth, Penketh, Woolston and William Beamont high schools competed in the first round of national competition Future Chefs at the Winwick Road Campus.
Warrington Collegiate’s catering lecturer Gary Butcher spent a day with the teenagers helping them prepare a variety of dishes for the judges Carl Stenson, head chef of the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, and Dave Dobie, chef at Piccolinos restaurant in Stockton Heath.
Eventually, Ryan Cartledge, 14, from Penketh High School, won the competition for his presentation skills and calmness under pressure.
For his impressive efforts, Ryan was offered the chance to work in the kitchens of the Park Royal Hotel for a day by judge Carl.
The competition is designed to open up all opportunities to people who want to pursue a career in the catering industry.
Head of hospitality at the Collegiate, Lesley Wilson said: “The contest gives young people a fantastic insight into the skills needed to become a professional chef. It was great to have two leading Warrington chefs involved as judges.”
Residents lose fight
for security gates
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS of a plush housing estate at Lymm, near Warrington, have lost a planning battle for the right to seal off their homes with electronically-controlled gates.
Housholders at Rectory Gardens, off Rectory Lane, claimed they were plagued by gangs of youths who congregated in the nearby village centre.
When borough planners refused permission for the gates, residents went to appeal – but a Government-appointed inspector has ruled against them.
He said the site was in a conservation area with an intimate, traditional character. The scheme would appear as an over–blown and defensive barrier, sitting uncomfortably in this understated historical context.
He said: “Given the distance from the village centre, I remain unconvinced incidents described by residents, which may from time to time cause a degree of irritation and inconvenience, are so serious that the proposed development is the only way of dealing with them.”
A borough council spokesman added: “The desire to enclose and secure small groups of residential property has emerged as an issue on a couple of occasions in the recent past. Planning permission has been granted in one case but that site was located outside a conservation area.”
Confiscated alcohol to
go to “worthy causes”
by James Parr
ALCOHOL seized from underage drinkers in Culcheth could be given to ?worthy causes.?
Police say they have seized ?vast amounts? of alcohol in recent weeks ? so much they believe it should be given to worthy causes rather than simply poured away as in the past.
Local officers believe they are now winning the war on young drinkers, Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council was told.
Drink has been seized from young people congregating in various parts of the village.
Both the police and parish council are looking for suggestions of causes to give the alcohol to.
Anyone who would like to suggest a suitable cause should contact parish clerk Mrs Sandra Barker on 01925 765 133 or at [email protected]
Firms get advice on
disabled access
by James Parr
BUSINESSES in Warrington are getting a helping hand in employing disabled
people as an Access to Work event will be held at the International Business Centre.
Nick Woodward from Jobcentre Plus will be the guest speaker and will inform businesses what practical elements they have to implement when employing a disabled person.
The event will explain how Access to Work can help, show how grants are available to cover the additional costs and provide a full list of useful contacts.
Taking place on December 20, the business lunch will be open to all businesses, with no admission charge.
To book a place at the International Business Centre Westbrook contact John Balshaw on 01925 240 064, or e-mail [email protected]
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 8, 15 and 16. There was no winner so the jackpot prize will be rolled over to next week. Two ?25 consolation prizes were awarded to hospital staff.
Yuletide fair
A YULETIDE fair is being held at St Benedict’s Church Hall tomorrow (Saturday) when a wide range of gifts will be on sale from stalls and there will be a chance of winning tombola prizes. Doors open at noon.
Plans withdrawn
PLANS for a two-storey office building with 12 parking spaces in Common Lane, Culcheth, near Warrington have been withdrawn by the applicant.
Candlelight service
THE annual Candlelight Service for parents who have lost a child will be held at St Elphin’s Parish Church, Warrington on Monday, December 3. Details are available on 01925 246880.
