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freeword - EST. 1972
ISSUE 909 NOVEMBER 16 2009
PHOTO: MEGAN MASTERS
PHOTO: NATALIA POPOVA
FREE
Thrill of the chase Student wrestles thief to the ground after robbery Megan Masters Reporter Cardiff University student Ross Burns put known burglar Anthony Pearce behind bars earlier this month, after catching him stealing from his house on Rhymney Street. early hours of August 11, Ross Burns, 20 (pictured right), caught sight of Pearce, 25, walking out of his front door. Running to his bedroom, Ross saw that his phone and wallet had disappeared, and his laptop was nowhere to be seen. Instead of dialing 999, Ross reacted on the spur of the moment, deciding to head out in pursuit of the thief. “I was just thinking of my laptop at the time,” said Ross. “It seemed like the only thing to do.” With no particular plan in mind, Ross jogged along the streets of Cabefore finding two men, one of whom he believed to be the thief, chatting on a railway bridge. Suspicions confirmed, he lingered to see the thief and friend head off in
the opposite direction. As Pearce stopped to chat once more near The Woodville pub, Ross burst from the shadows yelling, “Give me my f***ing laptop back.” The thief and his friend ran desperately, discarding their loot as they fled. Hanging back to see where his precious possessions landed, Ross let the burglar slow before tackling him behind the Union. Blows were exchanged before Pearce submitted and Ross dragged him to Mamas’ Kebabs on Salisbury Road to seek aid. The police were called and they arrested Pearce at the scene. The next day, Ross and his housemate Chris Fussel retraced their steps from the night before, recovering all the items except for a driving licence. Even the cash that was stolen was recovered from Pearce’s pocket at the police station. Pearce pleaded guilty on October 19 to two counts of burglary of dwelling and assault with intent to resist arrest. On November 4, Judge Christopher Vosper QC sentenced Pearce to 22 months in prison on top of a six
month sentence he is already serving for another conviction. According to defence lawyer James Evans, though, Pearce is “not a lost cause [and he] expressed genuine remorse” for his crimes. When asked what he thought of Ross’ actions, overseeing police officer, DC McLean told ! rhydd: “I admire Ross’ actions. Without them, given that there was no forensic evidence in this case, it is possible that Pearce would not have been caught. Ross’ prompt actions led to this arrest.” “It’s a cracking result,” said McLean. “I’ll personally be seeking recognition for Ross via senior officers and the court.” Ross, however, claims that all thanks go to his laptop: “Had I not thought he’d taken my laptop, I probably wouldn’t have bothered, but
I’m glad I did.” DC McLean stressed that this is not an example everyone should follow: “I would not advise persons in these circumstances to behave this way. Usually we would strongly advise anyone to call 999 in case the thieves are carrying weapons.’
Any rape victims should come forward, say police Ceri Isfryn News Editor
A recent spate of rumours about sexual assaults in the Cathays area has prompted the police to urge any victims to come forward immediately. To date, police have received no reports of incidents, butt speculation about sexual assaults in the area has been rife, with several stories circulating about girls being raped whilst walking alone at night. “Obviously following the incidents that occurred in the Glamorgan University halls of residence we anticipated that there would be an increase in speculation about similar incidents,” said Cardiff’s Student Liaison Officer, PC Bob Keohane. “To date, we have received no reports of similar events happening in the Cathays area, but we’d urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault of any kind to come forward immediately,” he continued. One Cardiff University student, who wished to remain anonymous, insists that the speculations are more than just hearsay, claiming that her friend has been a victim of sexual assault within recent weeks. “My friend was recently assaulted in the Cathays area, but for obvious reasons of privacy I don’t want to divulge details about the incident. These attacks aren’t just hearsay - they are real,” she maintains. Two other students have approached gair rhydd independently about what is believed to be the same incident claiming that that the rumours are true, but that the victim may not have contacted the police. Fears were raised about poor security at halls of residences after a Glamorgan University student was raped in a friend’s bedroom during her first few weeks at university. The 18-year-old woman was threatened with a knife before on-campus secuirty. Following the incident, which occurred at a Glamorgan University halls of residence in September, fears about security were heightened. Detectives believe that a man who claimed to have accidentally entered the wrong flat may have been involved. Despite these concerns, less than three weeks after the incident, a reporter from Red Dragon FM managed to wander around Talybont North for nearly an hour without being questioned. continued on page 3 >>