Isle of Wight News- #IW NEWS Isle of Wight Gazette

Three people have been taken to St Mary’s Hospital by the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service with minor injuries this evening following a police chase involving three vehicles at Vectis Road in East Cowes.

Retained fire crews and one appliance from East Cowes were called shortly after 19.30 this evening to carry out scene safety at the road traffic incident.

Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s Watch Manager Melvin Richards said “Scene safety was carried out by the crew this evening by disconnecting the batteries and making sure the vehicles were safe. A foam wash down was implemented to clean up oil that had spilt from the vehicles onto the road surface.

It is believed that a car failed to stop for Police and made off from the scene - More information to follow.

Check back for more details and photographs shortly.

An evil mum and her teenage boyfriend were spared prison on Friday (February 25) after using the social networking website ‘Facebook’ to post a photograph of the women’s two-year-old son trapped in a tumble dryer.

Using the caption of ‘OMG, found my son in the drier! LMAO’, 21-year-old Katie Parker posted the photograph of her son, George, on her profile after her boyfriend, 17-year-old Oiliver Smith, placed him in the potentially deadly appliance. Fortunately the machine was not switched on at the time.

After seeing Parker’s neglect to her son on the profile, George’s father contacted police with the disturbing information which led to an investigation into the incident.

The couple from Ryde, Isle of Wight stated they were influenced by the ITV television programme ‘You’ve been framed’, in which children are often featured in funny or strange situations.

Roger Fruen, prosecuting, said “The publication of the photographs on Facebook was an aggravating factor. If it were to encourage other people to do this, it could lead to a fatality of a child.’

Judge Andrew Barnett said “This is not a long, heart-rending saga of neglect, but a ridiculously irresponsible moment of madness.

“Bearing in mind how dangerous these machines can be it could have ended in a ghastly tragedy. Mercifully, the machine was not switched on or both of you would be facing a much more serious charge.

“It was appalling to photograph the child and spread it around, it beggars belief that people can behave like this. You both richly deserve to go to prison immediately but, mercifully, this moment of appalling irresponsibility was short lived and there was no lasting harm to the toddler.

“If those charged with looking after children misbehave, they will rightly feel the displeasure of the court and public horror at their actions.”

The pair were both charged at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday with ill-treating a child – an offence which they had admitted at an earlier hearing. Parker received a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years, as well as an 18-month supervision order.

Smith, a student at the Isle of Wight College, received a two-year Youth Rehabilitation Order with the Wessex Youth Offending Team, and a three month curfew.

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Callous driver James Daniel Slater, 33, from Worthing, West Sussex, has been jailed following a fatal hit and run collision that took the life of graphic designer Henry Martin Minns, 19, and seriously injured a 20-year-old woman, on September 12 last year.

At Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday (February 18), Judge Ian Pearson sentenced Slater to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed drink drive limit on Mersley Down Road near Newport, Isle of Wight.

Henry Minns, from Penryn, Cornwall was walking along the road after leaving the Bestival music festival shortly after midnight on Sunday September 12 2010 with a 20-year-old women from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Both were hit from behind by James Slater, who was behind the wheel of a silver Ford Focus.

Police arrested Slater at 1.25am and took him into custody at Newport Police Station for questioning. Slater provided a breath test reading of 71, more than double the legal limit. He was charged following a three-month investigation in December 2010 to appear in court.

The 20-year-old woman from Shropshire, who received injuries to her legs and head, managed to summon assistance from a passing motorist. Security staff, police and ambulance crews at the adjacent Bestival music festival were at the scene rapidly. Despite attempts by several people, including paramedics and police, to resuscitate Mr Minns, he was subsequently pronounced dead at hospital.
Officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU), Dog Support Unit and Targeted Patrol teams (TPT) worked together with other emergency services and security staff to bring the collision scene under control and secure evidence. Information was received quickly from another motorist about the crashed Ford Focus, leading to the search for and arrest of Mr Slater.

Senior Investigating Officer Inspector Martin Goodall of Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit said “Our thoughts remain with the family of Henry Minns after his life was tragically ended in a collision on our roads. This case was a challenge for the police officers and staff from other agencies who had to act with both speed and skill on a main road at night outside one of the year’s biggest and busiest entertainment events.

“Credit must go to PC Martin Norman of the Shanklin Roads Policing Unit who assisted the ambulance crews in attempting to resuscitate Mr Minns, and then performed a crucial role in controlling a chaotic collision scene.

“I would like to thank paramedics, firefighters, Bestival organisers, site staff and members of the public for their assistance during the delicate aftermath of this tragedy.”

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Newport - Isle of Wight

Traffic chaos has been brought to Newport for the second time this morning (February 22) following a car blaze outside Medina High School on Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Emergency services, including retained firefighters from Newport, responded to reports of a car fire shortly after 8.05am. The car, believed to be an old Fiat 500, has been totally destoryed by the fire.

Traffic heading into Newport is reported to be queing back past the Texaco garage at the top of Lushington Hill, Wootton.

This incident comes after a Road Traffic Collision on the opposite side of Newport closed the A3020 Blackwater Road shortly after 7.50am.

Both incidents have brought traffic chaos to Newport and the surrounding areas, and motorists are advised to find alternative routes.

Police have closed the A3020 Blackwater Road in both directions following a collision, which has brought traffic chaos to the Newport area this morning (February 22).

Emergency services, including three appliances from Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, were called shortly after 7.50am to reports of a two car collision, believed to have involved a small hatchback and a commercial van.

One appliance is still in attendance on outskirts of Newport carrying out scene safety checks.

No one was serious injured in the collision.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes into Newport.

Residents from both Newchurch and Ashey have decided the three most important issues for the police and community safety partner agencies to tackle in the areas.

The Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods team hosted a meeting of the newly formed Local Action Group (LAG) for the community during January 2011. The LAG consists of members of the public who live and work in the Ashey and Newchurch policing beat area.

The group recommended that youth provision should be a priority to encourage more facilities and positive activities for local young people.

An increase in high visibility patrols around Newchurch Primary School was suggested as a priority to deal with concerns about traffic congestion and the behaviour of motorists around the start and end of the school day.

Double white line road markings and ‘Give Way’ signs were requested to reinforce safety on Mersley Down Road near the junctions with Knighton Shute and Lime Kiln Shute, which is a notorious black spot for accidents.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Katy Berry of the Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “We’re pleased with the interest shown by people in telling us about the issues that matter most to the community.

“Safer Neighbourhoods teams are dedicated to providing an excellent service by having an active presence in every area of the island. Police work alongside partner agencies to take action in response to residents’ priorities.

Regular meetings of the Local Action Group will take place in future so the public is kept informed about our progress in tackling these priorities. We always welcome the involvement of more residents to make sure they feel part of the policing that’s keeping their community safe.”

Daniel Clarke, deputy member of the UK Youth Parliament said: “Local Action Groups are a great opportunity for youths to get involved in their local community, and to get views of young people across. Also in my local area (Newchurch, Winford, Havenstreet and Ashey) myself as a youth managed to get improved youth provisions on the Winford estate as a priority to tackle anti-social behaviour in that area.

“It shows that young people getting involved can make a real difference to their local community.”

For more information about the Local Action Group (LAG), please contact the Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods team at Ryde Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing [email protected]

Canines catching criminals and firefighters rescuing road crash casualties were among a showcase of skills on display at Saturday’s Partners Against Crime held at Medina Leisure Centre, which attracted an estimated 700 people.

Members of the public were invited to meet senior leaders from the Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership, and to experience live exhibitions from more than 30 organisations that work together on the Island.

The Community Safety Partnership combines the expertise of emergency services and related agencies. These include major organisations such as the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire Constabulary, NHS Isle of Wight, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, the Hampshire Probation Trust, the Wessex Youth Offending Team, Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Isle of Wight, and the Island¹s Rural Community Council (RCC).

The purpose of the event was to encourage greater public participation in crime prevention and community safety campaigns.

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Two shops based in Newport have become the first on the Island to be banned from selling alcohol for a 48 hour period under licensing laws.

Gunville Stores in Gunville, and Seaclose Stores in Fairlee Road, both failed two test purchase exercises in which they both served alcohol to an underage girl on 21 October 2010 and 17 January 2011 respectively. The girls who took part in the two test purchase exercises were aged 15 and 16.

Under the law, the shop owners could accept the order not to sell alcohol or face possible prosecution.

Both outlets are forbidden from selling alcohol to anyone between 1700 on Friday 18 February until 1700 on Sunday 20 February.

Barry Abraham, the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member responsible for community safety, said “The local authority, in particular our Trading Standards team, work closely with the police to ensure shops abide by the law when it comes to selling age-restricted products.

“For any shop to fail a test purchase exercise is serious, but for two shops to fail twice within a couple of months is simply unacceptable and it leaves the authorities no choice but to take action.

“Selling alcohol to underage people can lead to anti social behaviour and I would hope using powers available to the authorities to prevent shops from selling alcohol for a weekend period gives the message that we and the police will not hesitate to use the necessary powers to stamp this kind of problem out.”

Sergeant Mark Voller from Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight Licensing Unit said “Because alcohol is harmful to young people, police are determined to enforce the law regarding sale to anyone under 18. Whilst retailers must have policies to prevent such sales, we have again found it possible for young people to buy alcohol in local shops, which is clearly unacceptable.

“We stress, once again, that shop staff cannot rely on guesswork and intuition, but must require, and check carefully, customer ID to avoid making illegal sales. These latest repeat failures were disappointing, but I am assured by the licensees concerned that they are doing everything possible to prevent such sales in the future.

“These closures have been timed to coincide with the start of the school half term holiday, a time when some young people may be tempted to buy alcohol. We want to send a clear message to retailers, and to would-be underage drinkers, that the laws regarding alcohol and young people are being strictly enforced. Anyone under 18 who attempts to buy alcohol, or who is repeatedly found in possession of it, will commit an offence and may face prosecution.”

Regular test purchase operations are carried out across the Island and both staff and shop owners who serve age-restricted products are given an on-the-spot fine.

As well as the prospect of being banned from selling products for a set period, shops and other businesses selling age restricted products could ultimately lose their trading license, should they be caught breaking the law.

Following a tradition dating back to the 19^th century, Osborne House in East Cowes is set to play a part in April’s Royal Wedding, when Kate Middleton walks down the aisle to marry the future King of England, Prince William.

Known as a the ‘herb of love’, a fragrant sprig of myrtle, which features star-like flowers, will be picked from Queen Victoria’s personal garden at Osborne House, Isle of Wight and will be incorporated into Miss Middleton’s wedding bouquet.

The tradition started after Queen Victoria planted the sprig of myrtle at her rural retreat on the Island after her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Since that time, all royal brides from Queen Victoria’s family have carried a sprig cut to the altar, from the exact tree planted 171 years ago.

Originally the myrtle was placed in the bridal wreath for the wedding ceremony and then later planted in the bride’s garden. Myth followed the tradition and it was often believed that if the sprig did not strike, the bridesmaid who planted the myrtle would remain an old maid. Fortunately for them, myrtle roots and is grown easily.

The name herb of love comes from Hebrew times, when myrtle was seen as a sign of marriage. This theme was followed into the Victorian era, when it often symbolised fidelity, good luck and was an emblem of everlasting love.

After a bouquet went missing at the then-Princess Elizabeth’s marriage to Prince Phillip in 1947, three identical bouquets are created as a precaution and for ease of use. This was exampled at Princess Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, when three different bouquets were used at the dress rehearsal, the ceremony and for the official photographs.

Following the ceremony, which is to be held at Westminster Abbey on April 29, Miss Middleton’s bouquet will be taken to the grave of the Unknown Warrior, a tradition that began in 1923 with Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother).

East Cowes fire fighters braved the risk of a huge gas explosion when they where called to a house in Yarbrough Road, East Cowes in the early of hours of this morning (Sunday).

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus help to lead a family of four to safety after their carbon monoxide alarmed started to sound.

Retained fire crews from East Cowes Fire Station were alerted by the couple just after 1.20am.

The property had become filled with carbon monoxide gas, believed to be coming from a faulty boiler unit.

Fire fighters cut off of the gas supply in the property. Crews then ventilated the house with a large fan. Southern Gas networks also attended the incident and engineers are carrying out further investigations.

The family, a couple in their 40′s and two young children where unharmed in the incident.

Duty officer for Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service Mark Deacon said “The incident underlined the vital importance for property owners to have a carbon monoxide detector fitted as well as a smoke alarm.

“Known as the silent killer, the gas is invisible, has no odour and is deadly if inhaled in sufficient quantity.”

A couple where left without power after massive power surge hit their St Lawrence home in the hours of this morning (Sunday February 13).

The surge hit Blake Cottage on Woolverton Road just after 1230am. The surge lasted about two minutes’ and sparks flew from the mains cable in the owners garage.

The retired couple alerted the Isle of Wight Fire service who sent two fire appliances from Sandown and Newport after sparks flew and smoke billowed from the electric meter and cable.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the garage and isolated the supply.

Engineers from Scottish and Southern arrived an hour later to carry out of emergency repairs and to reconnect the supply to the property.

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The Footprint Trust launched its Cemetery Warden scheme over a year ago and to date 17 keen local people have been trained. The project, which covers the whole island, has been made possible, thanks to support from Heritage Lottery funded West Wight Landscape Partnership.

Those wishing to train and become Cemetery Wardens have an interest in nature conservation, the landscape, heritage and the community – and the scheme brings together these diverse concerns.

The Trust is to hold an open evening to introduce the initiative at The Parish Hall, Victoria Road, Freshwater on Friday 8^th April at 7pm. All those who have already expressed an interest are invited along with an open invitation to other would-be recruits.

“Cemetery Wardens act as ambassadors for burial grounds, seeking to inform, educate and involve the local community and working with the owners of the site. They will work with other interested individuals and groups to assist in looking after the local burial ground”, said Ray Harrington-Vail of the Trust.

There is to be an all day free training event on Saturday 27^th August for the new recruits. This scheme covers all burial grounds, including municipal cemeteries and churchyards, subject to the owner’s permission.

The scheme welcomes people of all faiths, or none, to take part in this on going project. All those completing this free training course will be volunteers of the Footprint Trust and insured by them. The scheme will work with other groups that have an interest in ecology, heritage and conservation.

If you have an interest in burial grounds please contact the Footprint Trust for more details or find the leaflet in your local library. [email protected] Tel; 01983 82-22-82.

The ‘Tornados’, the Island’s under-18 ice hockey team, made the trip to East London to play the high flying Lee Valley Lions last Sunday. With the Coles brothers missing, Kurtis Thompson was an extra player, making his first away trip with the team.

Those who played last season knew what they were going to be up against in this game. The scores last season were around the 28-30 mark to the Lee Valley’s advantage. This season, Lee Valley dominate the statistics tables with most goals scored and top scorer. It was going to be an uphill battle.

The game started out in much the same way that the previous seasons matches had- with a goal after thirteen seconds. It’s fair to say that the Tornados do take a bit of time to get into a game on the road, and Lee Valley took immediate advantage of that. The opening goal was scored by Elliot Greene, the league’s leading scorer by some distance. He would be a constant threat all night, and is a talent to watch for the future.

Read the full story in next week’s eGazette

A project to ensure the long-term preservation and display of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s historic collection of locomotives, carriages and other rolling stock has been given the green light from The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Isle of Wight Railway Company Ltd has been awarded a £35,000 development grant to progress the plans for its ‘Changing Trains’ Project.

This first-round pass* means that they can now progress to the second stage of the HLF application process and they have up to two years to submit more detailed plans and apply for a full grant of £929,600 from HLF for the project.

Read the full story in next week’s eGazette