Warning to women
after two sex attacks
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are warning women not to walk out alone at night following two sex attacks in less than 36 hours.
A 17-year-old girl was attacked in the Hardwick Grange area of Woolston and a 23-year-old woman was attacked on a bus travelling between Earlestown and Warrington.
Neither were seriously hurt but both were left badly shocked.
A police spokesman said: ?We are doing everything we can to catch these offenders. Extra police patrols are operating.
?But we would advise women not to walk out alone at night.?
The 17-year-old was attacked as she walked from Stockton Heath to Woolston in the early hours of yesterday (Monday).
She was in the Hardwick Grange area when a man, who had apparently been hiding in bushes, jumped out and grabbed her. He was wielding two knives.
The man, who was wearing a grey hooded top, dragged the girl into the bushes and sexually assaulted her before making off.
Police say it is believed the girl had walked along Kingsway, Manchester Road and Halls Lane en route to Woolston. They are anxious to speak to anyone who saw her, particularly a man aged about 40 and wearing overalls, who gave her directions.
The other offence occurred on Saturday evening. A 23-year-old women was travelling by bus from Earlestown to Warrington. She got on the 420 bus at Earlestown bus station and a man got on after her and sat immediately behind her.
He started a conversation and then move to sit next to her. He then indecently assaulted her before getting off the bus in Winwick Road. She stayed on the bus to bus station.
The offender is described as middle aged, with white hair, 6ft tall and wearing a leather coat and jeans.
Police are appealing for witnesses of this incident. Anyone who can help should call DC Ian Hampson on 0845 458 0000.
Winning model
nearly quit!
by Gary Skentelbery
A YOUNG model who is celebrating after being crowned “Miss Warrington” almost quit the cat walk!
Holly Ikin, aged 20 from Culcheth took the title at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton near Warrington, after a last minute change of heart about entering the competition.
Holly, a student at Manchester University, who featured on warrington-worldwide last week after winning the competition, explained: “I was all set to give up my modelling career to concentrate on my studies. But I had a last minute change of heart and I am glad I did now!”
She already has a number of titles on the beauty queen circuit and is currently the Miss Hawaiian Tropic GB winner after coming out on top in the competition held in Antigua last year and is also Miss England Earth after representing England in the “Miss Earth” competition in the Philippines – the third largest contest in the world behind “Miss World” and “Miss Universe”.
But she had been set to give up her modelling career to concentrate on her English studies at Manchester University.
Holly added: “There has been a lot of controversy about girls from out of the area entering Miss Warrington so it was important for me that I am from Warrington and truly representing my town.
“I hope to be able to do something to promote Warrington and go on to win the Miss England contest. I’m Warrington born and bred and am very proud of the town.”
Holly was sponsored by Warrington town centre hair and beauty salon JAKATA.
“I also personally selected JAKATA, a local salon, to fully prepare me for the contest – I really believe I couldn’t have done it without them!”
Meanwhile Holly intends to carry on with her studies leading, hopefully, to a degree.
Teacher struck off for
faking students’ work
by our correspondent
A WARRINGTON teacher who faked students? coursework in an attempt to improve their marks has been struck off for 12 months.
He was discovered after colleagues grew suspicious about his pupils? perfect coursework.
Nicholas Mangnall, a computing teacher at Penketh High School, was dismissed after the offences came to light. He had been at the school for 20 years.
The General Teaching Council has decided he should be removed from the teaching register and barred from teaching for 12 months.
They had been told he heavily embellished work due to be seen by external examiners and in some instances passed off his own work as that of his students.
Mr Mangnall was also found guilty of failing to ensure coursework was handed in on time and was of an appropriate standard.
He was dismissed two years ago when this came to light.
In its judgement, the General Teaching Council?s disciplinary panel said: ?In our opinion he has failed to maintain the standards of honesty expected of members of the profession.
?He has seriously prejudiced the education and developments of those pupils entrusted to his care and has brought the professional into dispute.?
Mr Mangnall has the right to appeal against the decision to the High Court. He was not present at the disciplinary hearing in Birmingham.
[Residents gear up for
clinical waste plant fight
by David Skentelbery
WORRIED residents are gearing up for a last, desperate attempt to block plans for a multi-million ? hospital waste processing plant on land off Winwick Road, Warrington.
A public inquiry is to be held at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on March 27 to decide whether the scheme can go ahead. It is expected to last four days.
Residents of the Orford, Longford, Bewsey and Dallam areas ? who claim the development will be only 160 yards from hundreds of houses ? have set up a working group to co-ordinate opposition to the scheme.
They are holding two public meetings to give residents an opportunity to put forward their views.
These will be at St Margaret?s Church Hall, School Road, Orford on Tuesday March 20 and St Mark?s Church,, Longshaw Street, Dallam the following day. Both meetings will start at 6.30pm.
Residents’ objections were based on health fears although the applicants say the plant will involve state-of-the-art, environment friendly technology.
Orford councillor Mike Hannon said: ?We set up a working group to plan our strategy to oppose the scheme. The public meetings are to give all local residents a chance to have some input.?
Some residents have expressed anger that the inquiry has been called shortly before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend because they believe many people will be away on holiday.
If built, the plant would handle up to 10,000 tonnes a year of clinical waste from hospitals, clinics, dental surgeries, vets, etc across the North West.
Plans for larger project have already been approved following a public inquiry two years ago.
But development has never been able to take place because the borough council refused to sell part of the site which is in council ownership.
The current proposal has been scaled down so it can be accommodated on part of the site which is privately owned.
Borough planners originally refused permission because of potential traffic problems in an area of the town already suffering from severe congestion.
Students get a taste
of the Big Apple
PERFORMING arts students from Warrington?s Priestley College enjoyed a five-day Study experience in New York.
A total of 22 students took part in the trip which offered them a unique opportunity to explore their drama and dance skills in the most iconic of modern day performance locations.
During the course of an action packed stay the students worked with the New Dance Group over two days in facilities more commonly reserved for the casts of hit shows such as Chicago, The Producers and Phantom of the Opera.
This allowed them the opportunity to pick up hints and tips from industry professionals and their stay was further enriched with a workshop and tour at the famous Alvin Ailey Performing Arts School, which was of p
articular benefit to the dance students in the group.
The highlight of the trip for many took place when the group were able to take in Broadway shows ?Wicked? inspired by the story of The Wizard of Oz and the dance spectacular ?A Chorus Line? both of which have been playing to packed houses and rave reviews.
Meanwhile the group was also able to do the normal tourist type things which included visiting the Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Rockerfella Plaza and Hard Rock Caf?.
Sarah Mawson, head of Performing Arts, said: ?The temperatures were absolutely freezing but everybody made the most of their time in New York. Students wishing to pursue careers at the highest level in professional performance now have an idea of what it may take to get to the top having been fully immersed in the life and times of modern day Broadway.?
Man, 23, charged
after raid on Co-op
by court reporter
A 23-year-old Liverpool man has appeared before magistrates at Warrington, charged in connection with an alleged robbery at a Co-op store in the town.
The man, from Halewood, was remanded in custody, charged with affray, assault and attempted theft.
Police still seeking two other men who fled following the raid on the store in Warrington Road, Penketh last Thursday.
Meanwhile, police are still searching for a gunman after a man was shot in the leg in Vulcan Close, Padgate, last week.
During this incident, a second man, aged 37 was arrested on suspicion of drug related offences. But after being questioned by detectives he was released without being charged.
Police are anxious to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or have any information about it. Anyone who can help is asked to call the major incident squad on 0845 458 0000.
Green bins – the
first sign of spring!
by staff reporter
IT?S the first sign of spring ? Warrington Borough Council has resumed in kerbside garden waste recycling service.
The fortnightly service, suspended during the winter months, is back to enable householders to recycle grass cuttings, garden prunings, old plants and flowers, leaves, hedge and shrub trimmings and tree cuttings.
Stickers notifying householders of the date to put their green bin out will be stuck to bins presented for collection from today (Tuesday). The council is also offering composters from as little as ?8.
Green bin collections have significantly increased Warrington’s recycling rate and the council is aiming to recycle 30 per cent.
Coun Graham Welborn, the council?s executive member for Safer and Greener Communities, said: “We had a tremendous response by residents to this service when it began in the spring last year and we are hoping for even greater use this year.
“Warrington residents have really embraced recycling which is very encouraging and I hope they continue to do so. It’s vital that we reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill and the green bin recycling is jus one of the many ways we can do this.”
More information about green, blue and refuse collections and other ways of recycling can be obtained from the council?s customer information line on 01925 443000 or by visiting the website at www.warrington.gov.uk/wastemanagement
