No 977
Wednesday 5th February 2014
55p
Free entry for kids this half term Two tokens to collect Local arrests lead to CONSTRUCTION drug supply charges CHARITY HELPS EX-CONS REBUILD LIVES DETECTIVES have charged four people with drug supply offences in Blythe Bridge and nearby Stone. The arrests were made in August 2013 after warrants were executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act as part of the force’s ongoing Operation Nemesis initiative. Staci Holder, 29, and Lee Poynter, 30, both of Green Close, Blythe Bridge, were
charged with conspiring to supply class A drugs - cocaine. Grant Holder, 30, of Wedgwood Avenue, Stone, and Lee Ward, 24, of Wedgewood Avenue, Stone, were also both charged with conspiring to supply class A drugs - cocaine and conspiring to supply class B drugs - cannabis resin. All four have been released on bail to appear before Magistrates at Newcastle on Thursday 20th February.
Former prisoner shuns life of crime to help others FOLLOWING a seven year stint behind bars, an exoffender is now working hard to assist other local prisoners as they leave prison and reintegrate with the local community. After a difficult start in life, Simon Edwards of Meir was left facing a seven year prison sentence for armed robbery. His formative years had been extremely turbulant and unstable, much of which was spent in and out of various care settings with intermittent contact with his biological parents. This tough start in life had left him feeling confused and
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Simon is pictured here working from The Bethel Chapel in Cheadle.
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Wednesday 5th February 2014
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Something fishy going on this half term
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Local drug dealer jailed A DRUG dealer from Uttoxeter was one of two men jailed for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. 28 year old Mark Edward Groombridge from Rose Cottage in Hockley Road, Uttoxeter; and 23 year old Hethan Hall, from The Pastures, Rosliston Road in Walton-on-Trent, Swadlincote pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court on 14th November 2013. They appeared at the same court on Friday where they were sentenced. Groombridge was jailed for a total of three years and 10 months (40 months for drug offences and six months for driving offences). Hall was jailed for a total of four years (40 months for drug offences and eight months for driving offences). Following months of detailed investigations, under the force’s on-going Operation Nemesis to tackle drug dealers and bring them to justice, the men were arrested on 19th July last year. Police attempted to stop Groombridge as he was driving along Uttoxeter Road in Hatton. He eventually stopped but then tried to make off again by reversing at speed and doing a U-turn. He also
threw a package into a field which was found to contain 27.4 grams of cocaine. Hall also refused to stop for police when he drove off from a hotel. He drove for 10.5 kilometres at high speed but was arrested at his home address. Hall’s fingerprints were found on the recovered package that Groombridge had thrown into a field. After a search of nearby stables, a bag was also seized which contained a lunch box, a knife and a set of digital scales. All of the items were found to have traces of cocaine as well as Hall’s fingerprints. Analysis of text messages on Groombridge’s phone showed he had been organising and controlling distribution of controlled drugs for six months before his arrest. Detective Inspector Phil Duffy, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, told the Times and Echo: “These individuals were engaged in selling drugs in Staffordshire. I hope today’s result will reassure our communities that we are listening to them and taking action against drug dealers. “We continue our commitment
to tackle those who seek to profit from other people’s misery. Information we receive from the public is imperative to the success of these operations.” Another part of Operation Nemesis is encouraging people addicted to drugs and alcohol to seek help and make positive changes to live a healthy and crime-free life. DI Duffy added: “We will continue to take a tough stance on criminals involved in drugs and related anti-social behaviour. Our communities need and should feel safe and we will do our utmost to protect you and your families. “You could make a real difference and help us to get more drug dealers off our streets. The police are not alone in the battle against drugs. We appreciate and act on the public’s help who give us information direct or through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously. “With your support we will continue to bring those involved in this serious criminal activity to justice. You may think your concern about a person, suspicious vehicles or activity is insignificant, but that information could be a
vital piece in the jigsaw.” Anyone with information about drug dealing can call the police on Tel. 101. Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on Tel. 0800 111 555, or go on line at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
DID you know that snakes and lizards make up the largest number of different reptiles? This is just one of the interesting, fun facts that kids can learn about during Kids’ Holiday Pet Club at Pets at Home in Uttoxeter this half term. Pets at Home colleagues will be on hand to share their knowledge on all things fishy or scaled, teaching children how to care for reptiles in a responsible but fun and interactive way. Children taking part will learn all about different types of fish and reptiles as well as information and advice any budding pet owner needs to know before taking on the responsibility of a pet, such as what they eat, how to feed them and how each of them have their own unique needs. From freshwater and tropical fish, to bearded dragons and leopard geckos, the children of
Uttoxeter will get to meet and greet the ‘stars’ of the workshop. Store manager, Kim Ingham, told the Times and Echo: “Fish and reptiles make extremely rewarding pets, especially for older children. The free workshops are a chance for the young pet lovers of Uttoxeter to engage with our colleagues who will be able to offer tips and advice on pet care, whilst making the workshops fun and interactive.” After completing the workshops, each child will receive a certificate and sticker, along with a pet promise card where they make their pledge to look after any pet they have according to the five welfare needs. To find out when Kids’ Holiday Pet Club workshops will take place at Pets at Home in Uttoxeter, please contact the store team.
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• Morning Coffees • Daytime Menu • New Evening Tapas Menu Daily Bistro Specials Hunter Public•House, Saverley Green, S-O-T, Staffs, ST11 9QX www.gandhisaverley.com
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Est. 1896
No 6586
Wednesday 5th February 2014
55p
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HORSE KILLED IN CRASH Rider WITH LORRY campaigns for rural drivers to slow down A HEARTBROKEN horse rider has made an earnest plea to local motorists to drive with caution in the countryside after her dearly loved horse died as a result of a road accident. Experienced horse rider Sarah Derbyshire of Winnothdale near Cheadle was enjoying a morning ride with a neighbour at the end of last week when disaster struck. “I had hacked out from home to pick up a girl I ride with. We were just riding up the bank in Hollington Road towards Rakeway Road - not far from the chapel - last Thursday when I heard a vehicle coming. “I could tell from the sound of the engine that it was travelling at speed and I said to my friend to get on the grass verge, but there was barely room for us both. “It all happened so quickly and before I knew what was happening there was a very loud bang as we collided with a flat bed lorry.
“Somehow I managed to stay on my horse but he set off galloping down the bank. It was a massive impact and although he hadn’t collapsed or broken a leg I knew something bad had happened. “When horses are scared they are fuelled on adrenaline and it must have been this that helped him gallop away. “I saw three men get out of the lorry and take a look at the damage caused to the vehicle. Not one of them came over. “I managed to get my horse to stop and took him to the nearest farm from where I called the vets and he was taken to Nantwich Equine Hospital.” Sarah’s 12 year old pedigree horse - named Porter - had suffered a massive haematoma cause by the impact. Once at the specialist veterinary hospital staff worked hard to thicken and clot his blood to prevent the internal bleeding from escalating. 39 year old Sarah added: “He was up and down on Thursday but on Friday
morning they said he had picked up during the night and was doing ok. “Sadly when we got there on Friday afternoon he had taken a
turn for the worse and passed away shortly after due to massive internal injuries.”
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GANDHI FREE DELIVERY OVER £10 (WITHIN 3 MILES) 15% DISCOUNT - COLLECTION ONLY
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www.gandhisaverley.com
T. 01782 385 282 Open Sun-Thurs 5pm-11pm & Fri-Sat 5pm-11.30pm We accept all major debit/credit cards
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WIDE RANGE OF STOVES, FIREPLACES & FIRES ON LIVE DISPLAY
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FREE FITTING WITH THIS ADVERT
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