Hammer attack victim
savaged by dogs!
by Lesley Wilkinson
A MAN was subjected to a vicious attack by an offender with a claw hammer and two large rottweiler-type dogs as he walked down a Warrington street last Friday evening (June 8).
Passers-by had to intervene as one of the dogs locked itself onto the man’s arm, and the owner would not call it off. The victim was rushed to Warrington Hospital where he was treated for multiple injuries.
The incident occurred at about 8.20pm as a 27-year-old man walked along Valiant Close, Padgate.
He was approached by a white male, aged about 35 of medium build, about 5ft 8/10in, with short dark brown or black hair, wearing a striped t-shirt, white shorts and black trainers.
As the offender, who had two large rottweiler-type dogs, approached the victim he had his right hand behind his back. He pulled his hand out to reveal a claw hammer and attacked the victim hitting him on the back of the head and his shoulder.
He then commanded the dogs to attack the man, biting him all over his body. One of the dogs sank its teeth into the victim’s right forearm drawing a “considerable amount” of blood.
The dog held on for some time and members of the public who had noticed what had happened, called for the offender to release the dogs.
The offender called the dogs away, and then walked off towards Valiant Close and Vulcan Close.
The victim was taken to Warrington Hospital where he was treated for two large cuts on his head which required stitches and bruising and swelling to his head.
He was also treated for multiple scratches and bites to his upper body and legs, and a large bite wound on his forearm.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward or for anyone who recognises the offender, to contact PC Alex Reeves at Risley on 0845 458 0000.
Celebrity album?s
sell out success!
by Gary Skentelbery
A SPECIAL edition of ITV’s Challenge Anneka featuring Claire House Children’s Hospice helping produce an album made by a children’s choir has proved to be a sell out success.
After meeting the Anneka Rice challenge of producing the album “Over the Rainbow,” in aid of the Association of Children?s Hospices (ACH), sales have exceeded all expectations and is currently the highest selling album in the UK! The CD features many famous names including McFly, Jermaine Jackson and Duncan James, and a choir of amazing children who use children?s hospices throughout the UK.
Katherine Alexander, one of children in the fantastic Rainbow choir featured on the album and in the programme, and who uses Claire House Children?s Hospice Service said, ?I had the time of my life in London taking part in the challenge. It was great to be able to meet other children, but the best bit was meeting some fantastic celebrities and getting their autographs! And now I can tell my friends that I?m on a No. 1 Album ? how fantastic is that!?
Tony Alexander, Katherine?s father said, ?This is a dream come true for Katherine. It?s fantastic for us to have her featuring on a number one album ? we are all really proud of her. She has been working so hard at school and is just sitting 10 GCSE exams at Wirral Grammar so this couldn?t have happened at a better time.?
Virgin, HMV, Woolworths and Play have all sold out of the CD. Woolworths sold ten copies every minute following the programme in a record breaking performance by a charity CD, outselling artists such as Amy Winehouse and Paul McCartney.
?We are very excited by the public?s phenomenal response to the Challenge Anneka programme,? said Janet Croker, Claire House Head of Fundraising. ?The money from sales of Over the Rainbow will be shared between children?s hospices all over the UK, who desperately need funds to continue their vital work for children who will not live to reach adulthood and their families.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has bought the CD, and encourage those who haven?t already to do so today – enjoy some great music and make a difference to Claire House, your local children?s hospice service.? Claire House Children’s Hospice cares for youngsters from across the North West, including Warrington and also provides respite care and counselling for their families.
Warrington-Worldwide readers inspired by the work of the hospice can make donations online via our charity of the year website at http://www.justgiving.com/warrington-worldwide
New park and ride
boost for DAD
by Lesley Wilkinson
A NEW Park and Ride service will mean easier access for people attending the popular Disability Awareness Day (DAD) at Walton Hall, Warrington, on Sunday July 8.
The relocated and bigger free fully accessible Park and Ride service will be based at the Wilderspool Park, off Greenalls Lane, off the A49 Wilderspool Causeway adjacent to Morrison’s supermarket.
It will be well signposted and is available to anybody attending DAD.
The first bus from Wilderspool Park will be 9.30am and then every 15 minutes. The last bus will leave Walton Gardens at 5.40pm and the gates at Wilderspool Park will be locked at 6.00pm.
Further details are available by calling 01925 240064.
Also on the day a free bus service will operate from the new Warrington Bus Interchange, using one of the new low level access buses.
The first bus will leave the bus station at 10.00am and then every 30 minutes. Return journeys will be quarter past and quarter to the hour, every hour, with the last bus leaving the Walton Arms bus stop at 5.45pm.
People in Warrington are being urged to raise money for their favourite charity and join “The Pulse” sponsored walk, starting at 12noon outside Walton Hall on DAD. All walkers will receive a certificate and medal on completion.
A cash prize of ?200 for the team and ?50 for the individual raising the most sponsorship money will be awarded, with trophies presented at a later date. Registration is ?5 for individuals and ?15 for teams (maximum four people). Registration forms are available from www.disabilityawarenessday.co.uk
Police hunt for
pub raiders
by Gary Skentelbery
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an aggravated burglary at the Swan public house at Winwick, near Warrington after a 25-year-old barman was dragged from the premises late at night by two men wearing balaclavas.
The victim was bound and gagged and repeatedly assaulted, suffering bruising and swelling to the face, as the two assailants demanded to know information about the pub’s safe.
The two attackers, both believed to be aged around 20 and with local accents, then entered the pub and forced another member of staff to open the safe before escaping with a quantity of cash.
A third man is believed to have been involved waiting in a getaway car outside.
Lib Dems attack
college budget cuts
by Lesley Wilkinson
LOCAL politicians in Warrington have joined the protest against proposed ?1 million budget cuts at Warrington Collegiate.
Lib Dems are adding their voice to the “public outcry” against the cuts which could cost 50 jobs at the college and mean an end to courses for “hundreds of vulnerable students with learning disabilities and mental health problems”.
Party workers criticise Government claims that not enough of the students in the courses find employment afterwards, and say that staff say the positives for students are immense.
Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Dr. Jo Crotty said: “The focus should not be on what Warrington Collegiate does to help the job numbers, but rather what it is doing for the students. For a younger person with a learning disability these courses could change their life.”
Shopping centre
evacuated again!
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON’s Golden Square shopping centre was evacuated for the second time in two days.
Alarms went off and security shutters came down as hundreds of shoppers had to leave the premises during the second evacuation in the space of just 24 hours.
Beware of bogus
callers warning
by John Hendon
PEOPLE living in South Warrington are being warned by police to be extra vigilant following a spate of bogus callers in the area.
During the past few months a number of incidents have been reported and residents are being advised to be on their guard.
Police Community Support Officer Simon Martindale said that men posing as officials from a variety of organisations have tried to gain access to properties in the area. He advised people to check the identification of unexpected callers, before allowing them into their home.
He said: “If someone knocks on your door then you should use the door chain and ask to see their identification. If you are unsure ask for the identity card, which will always have the telephone number of the company and ring them and verify their identity.
“People should not be afraid to challenge these people if they are worried about their identity and a genuine visitor will not mind.”
He warned that callers are generally armed with “plausible” excuses to gain access to homes and try to take advantage of residents by putting them on the spot on their own doorsteps.
He said they often working in groups, and that one member of the team calls at an address and distracts the occupier whilst other offenders enter the property via the open front door and search rooms for cash and valuables.
Fire crews tackle
former pet shop blaze
by Lesley Wilkinson
THREE fire engines tackled a blaze in a former pet shop in Warrington on Sunday evening.
They were called to the premises in Sankey Bridges, after fire alarms went off. No one was injured and the blaze was quickly controlled.
The building was well alight when crews arrived and officers used full breathing apparatus and two hose reels to control the blaze.
The fire gripped the ground floor and first floor of the building, and spread to the ground floor of the adjacent shop.
It is believed the blaze was started because of an electrical fault.
