Friday, October 30, 2009

TWO MEN JAILED FOR VICIOUS PLATFORM ATTACK

TWO men from Coventry have been jailed for 12 months after kicking a man unconscious on a platform at Birmingham’s New Street station.

Andrew O’Reilly, of Allesley Park, and Marc Turner, of Wyken, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday October 23.

They were charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm after the vicious attack on a 32-year-old.

The court heard how the pair, who both pleaded guilty, kicked their victim in the head while waiting for a train home at about 11pm on April 10 earlier this year.

O’Reilly, aged 28, and Turner, aged 24, had also assaulted the man in the station toilets minutes earlier, the court heard.

The pair fled on a Coventry-bound train after they were chased by rail staff and a passenger who witnessed the attack on the platform.

As part of the investigation, British Transport Police (BTP) issued CCTV images of the attackers, who members of the public identified as O’Reilly and Turner.

BTP officers later arrested and charged O’Reilly and Turner with GBH after they admitted during interview that they had carried out the attack.

The victim spent the night at Birmingham’s City Hospital where he was treated for cuts to his face and bruised ribs before being released the next day.

He is still receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

Andrew O’Reilly and Marc Turner were both jailed for 12 months.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Graham Moss said: “This was a particularly violent and unprovoked attack on someone who was just trying to catch his train home.”

Thursday, October 29, 2009

GOLDING DINES AT ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT AFTER WINNING A Q MUSIC AWARD

The Specials legend Lynval Golding celebrated scooping the prestigious Q Inspiration Award by tucking in to an all-you-can-eat buffet in Coventry.
The 58-year-old was presented with the gong by Back to Black singer Amy Winehouse at the star-studded Q awards ceremony in London last week.
But, rather than celebrate the achievement in a top restaurant in the capital, he chose to rush back to Coventry for an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The 2-Tone star tucked into a £7.99 meal at the Taybarns restaurant in Walsgrave, with his glistening trophy by his side.
He had shunned the after-show party on Monday to satisfy his hunger in his home city.
Lynval said: “As soon as Amy gave us the award I shot off. I didn’t hang around for the party.
“We were all starving and wanted to get back here for the buffet. We’re in here all the time – we live only round the corner.”
Mark McMenemy, Taybarns Coventry general manager, said: “We are delighted that such a musical legend chose to celebrate with us and it just goes to show that we really do offer something for everyone here at Taybarns.”
The Q Awards are the UK’s annual music awards, which have been held since 1990 and are run by the music magazine Q.

ESCAPE BAR RE-OPENS

ESCAPE bar in Coventry’s city centre will be opening its doors again tomorrow, three months after they suddenly closed.

The award-winning venue, in Hales Street, closed unexpectedly in July and bailiffs were called in after the owners fell into financial difficulties.

A new management group has taken over the running of the leased venue, which forms part of the Old Fire Station complex, off Millennium Place.

Troy Linehan, who was the bar’s general manager before it closed, returns as the venue’s co-manager.

He said: “Escape bar was really popular and everyone was surprised to see it close, so it will be nice to get it back up and running again.

“There won’t be any major changes to how it used to be.

“The only difference is the new management.

“It will still be all about the bands and live music. It will be like going back in time and it never closed.

“If anything, the bar will go up a gear with more entertainment.”

Mr Linehan will share the managerial responsibility with Liz Wilson-King, former manager of The Cottage, in Earlsdon.

When the bar ceased trading, bailiffs posted a notice on the door to inform the owners they entered the premises on behalf of the landlord. The bar’s unexpected closure came as a shock to city revellers, but the previous owners admitted the bar was too costly to run.

Mr Linehan is certain Escape will be a success.

He said: “I am very confident it will work because of the amount of people who demanded it was reopened.

“There’s been huge support for it and an online petition.

“We’re in the lead-up to the festive season and hopefully Escape will be everyone’s first point of call again when they’re on a night out in the city centre.”

Escape, which opened in the Old Fire Station in 2006, was named best bar in Coventry in the Best Bar None awards 2007.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

URNS WITH PARENTS' ASHES STOLEN

THOUGHTLESS thieves took off with two urns carrying the ashes of the homeowner’s parents.

The burglars overlooked credit cards and a Rolex watch during a burglary at Radford home on Thursday October 22.

Intruders broke into the house between 7pm and 9pm, ignored obvious valuables such as a wallet lying on a coffee table, but went for the wooden urns that were stored in the 54-year-old resident’s bedroom.

The baffled homeowner said: “I can’t believe someone would deliberately take a stranger’s ashes. Both urns featured a tribute plaque that included the date when each of my parents died, so the contents should have been apparent.”

The urns were later discovered by Coventry police officers during a search of nearby Holbrook Park.

It’s thought the thieves, who stole two mobile phones, a Nokia 6600 and a Sony Ericsson P9101and tins of loose change, may have mistakenly believed the weighty urns were used to collect pound coins.

The victim added: “Obviously the urns are very precious to me, so it was upsetting to find they’d been taken.

“The officers went to the trouble of calling out local undertakers so that the remains could be gathered respectfully.

“I’m grateful they dealt with a delicate situation like this in such a compassionate way.”

Sergeant Jerome Moran, of the Radford Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “This was a particularly callous, insensitive crime, and hopefully someone will have seen the thieves and come forward with information or a description.”

Anyone who may have spotted the thieves in the Holbrook or Radford areas on Thursday evening should call Stoney Stanton Road Police Station on 0845 113 5000.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

POSSIBLE PARKING FEES SCRAPPED AT HOSPITAL

LABOUR has promised to abolish hospital parking fees if they win the next general election.

But the ins-and-outs of the policy have not yet been ironed out, leaving users of Coventry’s University Hospital confused.

At the party’s Brighton conference, the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham, promised that hospital car parking charges would be abolished and phased out completely over the next three years under a future Labour government.

Initially, it would mean free parking permits would be provided for all hospital inpatients. But there hasn’t been any further guidance.

Coventry north west MP Geoffrey Robinson has campaigned against hospital parking fees, claiming they are a “tax on the sick”.

He added: “I have campaigned for years on this issue, so naturally I am delighted with this announcement.

“I’ve written to MP Andy Burnham to find out the fine detail on this and what it means in terms of timescales for our University Hospital.

“It is a big step and a good one too. It is targeting inpatients who have visitors coming in and out so for them a permit will be worthwhile.

“We have to tackle one step so I am not sure what the situation is with outpatients and staff, but this is all very encouraging.

“I’m not sure how quickly it will be implemented.”

The scheme is expected to cost £140million a year but is unclear where funds will be raised.

University Hospital, in Walsgrave, has a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) agreement with ISS Mediclean, which runs and maintains the carpark.

Earlier this year, the hospital was named as the second-highest hospital car park earner in the country, raking in £2.7million in one year.

A University Hospital spokesman said: “There are 1,200 beds at this hospital and if everyone of those patients was given a permit then there wouldn’t be enough spaces for outpatients and staff to park.

“There hasn’t been any indication over what will happen to them and at the moment there isn’t much more we can say on the matter.

“ISS Mediclean are the parking contractors and we don’t know what is written in the contract.”

n What do you think? Write to
us or email timesletters@mrn.
co.uk.

COV COPS TO GET TASERS

FRONTLINE police officers in Coventry have been given 50,000-volt Taser guns.

The devices, which deliver a powerful electric shock that temporarily paralyses targets, will be used by officers from West Midlands Police’s Operational Support Unit (OSU).

Previously the devices had been reserved for use by specialist firearms officers.

The change follows a Home Office trial which ended in November last year.

The force’s OSU was specially formed to provide a reserve of officers to respond quickly at times of public disorder.

Taser guns have been used 93 times by firearm officers in the West Midlands since 2004.

The device uses an electrical current to temporarily affect the control of a suspect’s muscles, allowing police to make an arrest.

WOMAN'S NIGHT OUT ENDS IN SERIOUS ATTACK

A WOMAN was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured skull after she was attacked following a night out.

The 44-year-old victim suffered serious head injuries in an incident at an address in Coundon on Sunday October 4.

As part of the inquiry police are trying to trace the driver of a silver Vectra car who was flagged down on Holyhead Road, near to the Texaco garage between 7.15am and 7.45am by a male and then gave the man a lift, dropping him off a short distance away.

Officers believe the driver may have important information to help the inquiry and should contact detectives at Little Park Street police station.

The victim remains in hospital where her condition was described as “serious but stable”.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with wounding, rape and robbery and was due to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on Tuesday October 6.

ROBBERY SUSPECTS ARRESTED

A MAN needed hospital treatment after he was robbed of his mobile phone.

The 21-year-old victim was walking alone along Lower Ford Street, in Hillfields, at around 3am on Tuesday October 6, when he was approached by four men.

The gang struck him on the head with an unknown weapon, and then took his mobile phone, leaving him with minor cuts to his face, and concussion.

He was taken to University Hospital, in Walsgrave, for further treatment.

Police sealed off Lower Ford Street, between Hood Street and Raglan Street, so forensic officers could carry out routine tests.

Four men were arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with the incident.

METRO HALT

PLANS to bring a Metro Bar and Grill to Belgrade Plaza in Coventry city centre have been delayed.

The chain insists it still plans to occupy one of several bar and restaurant units to serve the development, but said it won’t be occupying the site in the short-term.

Other chains such as Pizza Express are expected to open soon.

HARMONY HOOD

THE MUSICAL dream on the X Factor may be over for Harmony Hood, but the city band is now concentrating on releasing their first single.

The Coventry quartet was given the boot on Sunday’s ITV show, as judges picked 12 acts to go through to the live finals.

The R’n’ B group were sent home by Louis Walsh, after a trip to an Italian villa at Lake Como, where he judged their final performances.

It comes a week after the Coventry foursome were given a reprieve – and a second shot at the big finals. They were thrust back in to the competition after girl group Tru Colourz were disqualified when a member was found to be under the show’s age limit.

Unfortunately, there is no second call-back for the city band.

Charlie Healy, a former pupil of Stoke Park School, said: “The support we’ve had from Coventry has been amazing.

“So many people have told us we should still be on the show, and that’s really encouraging.

“I am disappointed we didn’t get through. We feel hard done by. Vocally we were
definitely in the top three, if not the best, out of the groups, but at the end of the day it was Louis’ choice.”

The group, made up of Charlie, Ryan ‘Toke’n’ Stilwell, both 23, Abbee Pule, 18 and Yanique Byrne, 19, are enjoying publicity after their stint on the ITV show.

Charlie added: “The last few days have been crazy. We’ve been on GMTV, and were even backed by Chris Moyles on Radio 1.

“We will be turning on the Christmas lights in Stratford, and want to switch Coventry’s Christmas lights on.

“Our first single, called Lights Down Low, will be available to buy on itunes in mid-
December.”

But Ryan, who also appeared on Britain’s Got Talent as part of the Kombat Breakers, said that he is not disappointed.

He told the Times: “I’m feeling fantastic after the whole X-Factor experience. I’m not disappointed with our performance, we gave it all we got, and did well.

“Our first single is a rock, R’n’ B, and
clubhouse mix. It’s best described as pure
Harmony Hood, and will be out soon.”

MEET NEW CHIEF CONSTABLE

COVENTRY residents will get the chance to meet the new Chief Constable of West Midlands Police this Saturday.

Newly-appointed Chris Sims will be joined by neighbourhood officer PC Chris Burnham to patrol Foleshill Road, starting near the Blue Ribbon roundabout, from 10.30am to 12.30pm on October 10.

Chief Constable Sims wants to meet and greet locals informally to hear their views on policing.

He said: “Although I’ve served the West Midlands as an officer earlier in my career, I’m keen to get out and about and get a feel for how communities are developing and learn more about the specific issues they face.

“I can’t do that by sitting in an office at police headquarters.

“I want to meet and speak to as many local people as possible, to hear first-hand what policing is like for them and to find out how the service we are delivering is being received.”

For more information visit www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/stoneystantonroad.

SPATE OF BURGLARIES

DETECTIVES are chasing a group of men who have carried out a string of burglaries and robberies across the region, starting in Coventry.

West Midlands Police have released CCTV images of a group of men believed to have been involved in a string of incidents from Coventry to Cannock and Wolverhampton.

The series of events began when a house in Woodway Lane, in Wood End, was burgled overnight on July 23.

A silver Mercedes C180 Coupe car, registration LT52 CPX was stolen.

The vehicle was then seen travelling north along the M6 at around 2.30am on July 24, heading towards the Black Country.

Four days later the car visited a petrol station in Bilston before the driver left failing to pay for his fuel.

A week later the same vehicle was then used in a house burglary in Cannock.

A number of items were stolen, including bank debit cards.

These cards were then fraudulently used at retail outlets in the Fordhouses and Fallings Park in Wolverhampton.

Detective sergeant Dave Roxburgh, of Stoney Stanton Road police station, said: “We have tracked these offenders across the region where they have committed a variety of offences.

“It is unusual for the same offenders to carry out crimes across such a wide area, which suggests a certain amount of local knowledge, and we urge anyone who recognises the men involved, or may know the whereabouts of the car, to call us.”

Anyone with information is urged to call CID at Stoney Stanton Road on 0845 113 5000 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ARTY-FOLK

IN celebration of World Mental Health Day a Coventry charity has launched a new website offering art work.

Arty-Folks, based in the Artspace Studios, in Lower Holyhead Road, city centre, is a self-help group that offers art workshops to adults with mental health concerns.

The group meets every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and has launched its website www.arty-folks.co.uk to coincide with World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on Saturday October 10.

Arty-Folks received funding from the Heart of England Community Foundation to develop their website, which includes a gallery of art work such as paintings, jewellery, sculptures and ceramics, created by members.

For more information on Arty-Folks call 024 7641 4740.

PATTISON REUNION

PUPILS of Pattison College are celebrating the school’s 60th anniversary and its founder Betty Pattison’s 90th birthday.

Betty, also known as Miss Pat, and her daughter joint principal and head teacher, Elizabeth McConnell, are welcoming past pupils, parents and staff, to an anniversary sinner.

The event takes place at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday October 17.

Lord Mayor Councillor Jack Harrison and the Lady Mayoress will also be attending the dinner and dance evening.

Tickets for the reunion are available from the school at £35 each.

For more information call the school on 024 7645 5031 or email pattison.college@ntlworld.com.

CAUGHT RED HANDED

A CASH box that was stolen outside a bank left a trail of red dye as the robber fled the scene.

The incident occurred at around 3.20pm on Monday October 5.

A security guard was leaving the Allied Irish Bank, in Eaton Road, when he was approached by a man who threatened him, before stealing a cash box and drove off in a purple Cherokee Jeep.

A security mechanism was activated in the cash box covering the cash in red dye.

The offender made off onto the Coventry ring road where the vehicle was seen with red dye coming from it.

The vehicle was later abandoned in Sandpiper Road, Aldermans Green.

The offender is described as a white male in his 20s with short, dark brown hair.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery or anyone with information is urged to call Little Park Street police station on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.