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

Two Isle of Wight businesspeople suspected of attempting to defraud around £200,000 of income tax were arrested last Thursday morning by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) criminal investigators.

Officers arrested a 47 year old man in East Cowes and a 59 year old woman in Ryde, Isle of Wight, on Thursday 19 May. They have been bailed until 25 November 2011.

HM Revenue & Customs spokesman Bob Gaiger said: “HMRC take attempts of tax fraud seriously and will not hesitate to investigate those who ultimately rob the exchequer of public funds. Anyone with information about individuals who may be involved in tax fraud can contact the Customs’ Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Two residential properties were searched and investigations are ongoing.

Hampshire Constabulary’s force-wide roll-out of mobile data has now gone live across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With the purchase of more than 160 Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) agreed by Hampshire Police Authority, the new equipment is being fitted to the constabulary fleet, of which 90 per cent is located in Hampshire, with 10 per cent on the Isle of Wight.

Training for the constabulary’s response officers commenced earlier this month, with positive feedback received from those that are already using the new equipment within their communities, ranging from Basingstoke and Andover to Southampton and Portsmouth.

Once an officer has been supplied with the necessary IT skills, they will then be able to access the key functions that are normally found on a station-based computer terminal from their vehicles.

The use of the fully-portable devices will increase police visibility within communities as officers will have access to live briefing information, enabling them to be in the right place at the right time to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The additional access to live information from force databases will also keep officers better informed when making decisions to protect residents.

Members of the public who interact with the police will also experience officers entering vital data straight to the force’s database and carrying out enquiries on laptops, while situated in a residential or commercial environment.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “Evidence from trials has shown that access to mobile data dramatically reduces a police officer’s dependency on a police station.

“As a result, residents in Hampshire will be seeing a lot more of their police officers in their communities over the coming months.”

Jacqui Rayment, chair of Hampshire Police Authority, said: “We are very pleased to enable officers to be more visible to our local communities by undertaking work out in the field that would previously have had to be carried out at a station.”

A murderous pub landlord, who fled to the Isle of Wight after killing his partner and stashing her body in a freezer has today been found guilty of her murder.

Michael Tucker, from Snettisham, Norfolk, shot his long term partner Rebecca Thorpe, 28, whilst she was in the bath at The Compasses Inn pub, which they ran together.

Tucker, 50, left her body in the hot water for at least two days in March 2010, before moving her decomposing body into an out-house.

The court heard today how Tucker was running out of explanations for the disappearance of Ms Thorpe, and how he fled to the Isle of Wight.

He was arrested after being tracked down to the Bernay Hotel in Sandown, where he registered under a false identity.

Following a week-long trial at Norwich Crown Court, the jury returned their verdict after just 45 minutes of deliberation.

Mr Tucker was sentenced this morning (Tuesday) to a life sentence, of which he will serve a minimum of 26 years.

Luxury, low cost coach operator, Greyhound UK, has announced it is to run special services for festival goers in June.

The Isle of Wight Festival, to be held from 10th to the 12th June, is one of the most popular events in the UK attracting more than 65,000 visitors each year. In order to cater for the increased demand Greyhound will be operating extra services between London Victoria and Southsea on Friday 10 June and Monday 13 June.

Passengers will be able to travel to the Isle of Wight direct thanks to Greyhound’s partnership with Hovertravel, who’s hovercrafts provide the fastest link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. Inclusive coach and hovercraft tickets are available from just £21.

Sarah Bew, Revenue Manager from Greyhound UK, said: “For over a year Greyhound and our partners, Hovertravel, have been providing seamless, low cost, luxury services between central London and the Isle of Wight. The services have proved extremely popular in both directions.”

She added: “We’ve added extra services for the Isle of Wight Festival weekend, but we are encouraging customers to book now at www.greyhounduk.com. Our services will sell out very quickly.”

Loretta Lale, Commercial & Marketing Manager of Hovertravel said: “Hovertravel is a firm favourite for thepeople travelling to Isle of Wight Festival weekend and we expect even greater numbers this year. Our partnership with Greyhound offers festival goers any easy way to get from central London to the Island.”

Greyhound offers unrivalled product and service quality. Onboard features include leather seating, free wi-fi, power sockets, air-conditioning and complimentary newspapers. Greyhound coaches have 41 seats rather than the 50 or so typically operated by other coach companies meaning 20% more leg room for customers.

A returning ice show spectacular, ‘Ice Party Champions’, will be skating into the Isle of Wight Planet Ice rink this again this summer following last years successful sell out show.

Three performances, showcasing an impressive line-up of celebrity and champion ice skaters, promise a fantastic mix of ice skating and all-round family entertainment.

Winner of ‘Dancing on Ice 2007’, Kyran Bracken, will compere the event and perform alongside radio 1 DJ and 2011 ‘Dancing on Ice’ contestant (comedy) Dave Vitty. Dave will be skating alongside other celebrities and Dancing on Ice professionals yet to be confirmed, 8 times British Champion Steven Cousins and 3 times British Champion John Harmer.

The show will also be directed by Steven Cousins and will feature a host of amateur ice skating champions and local winning skaters, providing an incredible spectacle of top class skating and a must-see show during the summer holiday.

The Ice Party Champions summer extravaganza skates into the Isle of Wight on 2^nd September 2011 for two night performances and a Sunday Matinee show.

The show is also being sponsored this year by Wightlink who provide a fantastic passenger, car and freight service to the Island, Kerry Jackson, Marketing manager for Wightlink said “Wightlink are delighted to be sponsoring Ice Party Champions at Planet Ice in September and we look forward to welcoming these ice stars to the Island”

‘Dancing on Ice 2007’ winner, Kyran Bracken MBE, said “Selling the show out last year in the Isle Of Wight was fantastic and we were aware that some people were unable to get tickets to see the show, so Planet Ice and I decided we would come back this year and perform 3 shows, The relationship we formed with Planet Ice and their fantastic venue last year made this decision very easy to make. Also I am delighted that local ferry service Wightlink sponsoring the show this year”

Planet Ice spokesperson, Heath Rhodes, commented ‘We are absolutely delighted that the show is here for a second year. The response from both local people and from the mainland was overwhelming last year with so many people asking that we do it again.’

Tickets are on public sale from Monday 23^rd May 2011 at 9:00am from the box office at the Isle of Wight on 01983 615155, Ticket prices start from £13 for adults and £9 for children. With limited shows at each venue and last years sell out show, it is advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information on all of our shows, please visit www.icepartychampions.co.uk

Show dates:

Isle of Wight

2^st September 2011 at 7.30pm

3^rd September 2011 at 7:30pm

4^th September 2011 at 2.30pm

Please contact the box offices for tickets:

Isle of Wight – 01983 615155

Business entrepreneur and star of BBC 1′s ‘The Apprentice’, Lord Alan Sugar, made a flying visit to the Isle of Wight on Saturday (May 21).

At the controls of his own ‘Cirrus’ single prop aeroplane, Lord Sugar flew into Bembridge Airport shortly before 12pm for a spot of lunch with friends.

Sugar, ranked 89th in the Sunday Times’ Rich List, paid a £12 landing fee for himself and two passengers.

When asked if he had had a nice flight to the Island, Sugar simply did not respond.

After admiring the views of Bembridge from outside the Propeller Inn pub, Lord Sugar returned to his plane and took off shortly after 2pm.

This was not without an idealistic photograph of Lord Sugar at the controls of his 310 horsepower pride and joy (see homepage).

Pictures: Bright Wight Images

Passengers on Red Funnel’s high-speed service between Southampton and West Cowes were unexpectedly delayed this evening after a fault developed on one of its high-speed craft.

The 18.45pm Red Jet sailing from Southampton was almost back to port at West Cowes when the crew on-board realised that a booster had failed, meaning the vessel could not dock successfully.

Making its way back to Southampton, the Red Jet and its angry passengers had a lengthy 30 minute wait while a tug was brought in to push the faulty craft into the dockside at the vehicle ferry terminal landing.

Thankfully, all passengers affected were transferred onto the 20.45pm sailing, however this was also delayed due to weather conditions in the Solent.

Engineers managed to fix the faulty booster and the craft was put back into operation for the slightly delayed crossing.

A spokesperson for Red Funnel get in touch with The Gazette today (Monday 23rd) to issue the following statement…

‘Red Funnel apologises for any inconvenience caused to passengers on the 18.45 Red Jet service from Southampton to Cowes on Sunday 22 May. A technical fault was reported with the starboard engine of the Red Jet, meaning it was unable to safely dock in Cowes, especially due to high winds. The safety of customers and staff is paramount to Red Funnel and so the Red Jet returned to Southampton, where it could dock safely, and passengers were put on a specially arranged service to Cowes at 20.30. The fault was rectified shortly afterwards and no further services have been impacted.’

Cowes RNLI lifeboat dashed across the Solent yesterday (Saturday) afternoon to go to the aid of a 37 foot ocean racer, brought to a sudden halt in the western Solent because of one small yellow buoy.

The Gunshot, on passage from Chichester to Beaulieu with five people on board, radioed Solent coastguards that they appeared to have been fouled by a rope attached to a buoy at Bourne Gap, off Hampshire’s Stanswood Bay.

When the lifeboat, with Richard O’Callaghan at the helm, arrived on the scene two crewmen, Patrick Moreton and Steve Price, went into the sea to try to free the rope, which seemed to have become caught on the propeller or rudder.

As the lifeboat began towing the yacht the line finally broke free; it was, no longer, however, was it attached to its buoy which was retrieved by the yacht crew. Although the Gunshot was able to proceed under its own power, as a precaution the lifeboat provided an escort as far as the entrance to Beaulieu River.

Motorists were advised to avoid the Morrisions supermarket area of Lake this lunchtime (Friday) after a young male suffered serious injuries after parting from his motorcycle.

The incident happened on the notorious Morrisons roundabout on Newport Road, Lake shortly before 12pm today.

Officers from Shanklin’s Roads Policing Unit closed the road while the motorcycle was recovered and the incident was investigated. Traffic was once again flowing around an hour later.

Emergency services were called to the scene, but thankfully an ambulance was only a few cars away in the building traffic.

Witnesses saw the motorcyclist laying motionless in the road, before he was taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment.

It is not believed any other vehicles were involved.

First for Island news

Specialist Police officers from the mainland are set to continue for a third day in the search for the possible remains of missing Islander Damien Nettles.

The 14-year-old case of Damien Nettles was brought back into the media spotlight on Monday after Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police arrested 5 men on suspicion of murder, four of which are from the Island. The fifth person arrested is a 39-year-old man from the Gravesend area of Kent.

Damien Nettles went missing in November 1996 after a night out with friends in the centre of Cowes.

Hampshire Constabulary sealed off a marshland area underneath the railway bridge on the Newport to Cowes cyclepath near to Stag Lane, Newport on Thursday morning.

This new development has grabbed the national media’s attention, with film crews, photographers and radio journalists descending to the scene.

An Island family are warning others about the danger of throwing sticks to your dog after nearly losing their beloved family pet, Penny, in a freak accident.

While walking at St Catherine’s Lighthouse, dog owner Hayley Reed threw a stick for Penny to catch, but unfortunately Penny became impaled on the stick as it dug into the ground.

Hayley explained to The Gazette: “When she ran for the stick she unfortunately ran at it too hard, it stuck in the ground and ripped all of her throat lining from the force of it, as well as dislocating a tongue bone.

“We were told by the vet, Matthew Twitchett, that she had done extensive damage and would need emergency surgery to remove the bits of wood and stitch her throat back together.”

Vets operated on Penny for over 6 hours, but even then she wasn’t out of the woods. Penny had a feeding tube inserted into her neck so that Hayley and her parents could inject liquidised food – Penny’s only way of eating.

Thankfully, a week following the near-fatal accident, Penny slowly began to lick water and liquidised food more and more and made steady progress.

Now that Penny has fully recovered, the family have started their own campaign to ask people to consider the implications of throwing sticks for their dogs.

“It’s such a normal thing to do I don’t think people realise the dangers”, commented Hayley.

She continued “This seemingly harmless game cost my family over £2000 in vets bills, but thankfully we had insurance to cover such an event.

Reader’s can join the Facebook group to help raise awareness about the dangers of stick throwing by searching for the group name ‘Throwing sticks could kill your dog’.

This May 21^st and 22^nd, Jazz on the Meadow kicks off the Island’s festival season at Ventnor Botanic Garden. This week organisers Blunt Events have announced a brand new act for Saturday adding to the already impressive lineup featuring Claire Martin and James Taylor Quartet.

The multi award winning Tensheds will perform on Saturday 21^st May, bringing his unique brand of boogie and balladry to Ventnor Botanic Garden’s beautiful meadow. The performance will be the culmination of Tensheds’ Crazy Beautiful tour, which has travelled the length and breadth of Europe promoting his album of the same name. ‘Crazy Beautiful’ the album has received rave reviews across the board, rated 4/5 by Uncut Magazine, and was described as ‘exceptional’ by Mojo, whilst Tensheds has been racking up the miles on the road performing at such eclectic venues as the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival and Vladimir Palace, St Petersburg. Along the way, he has also picked up the World Record for the Most Gigs in 24 Hours.

Blunt Events spokesman Roni Blunt commented, “Getting Tensheds to perform at Jazz on the Meadow is a real coup for us. The lineup for Saturday 21^st is already dripping with raw talent but we just had to take the opportunity to squeeze in a bit more. Couple Saturday’s lineup to the incredible show we’re going to be treated to from DJ Yoda and the rest of the bill on Sunday 22^nd, and we’re in for an amazing weekend!”

Blunt Events are also working in collaboration with Island music college Platform One to provide a new and exciting opening to the event which will be a one-time-only performance including students, Platform One tutors and some special surprises.

Joining the bill on Sunday 22^nd will be Island-based band Paper Romance. The band are no strangers to performing at high profile events having performed on the Isle of Wight Festival Mainstage in 2010. Roni Blunt added: “When you have a headliner as innovative as DJ Yoda it makes perfect sense to look for some younger up-and-coming acts to support, and Paper Romance are exactly what we were looking for. We’re thrilled to have them perform on our ‘Twist on Jazz’ Sunday”.

“We always do something a little different with our events”, added Roni Blunt. “Jazz on the Meadow is no exception. We have a special celebrity appearing on the Saturday as host for the day who has been really supportive of the concept of Jazz on the Meadow and is a huge jazz fan, and many many more surprises and exciting unexpected performances and appearances throughout the weekend. It’s going to be a party weekend, and really is not to be missed.”

A principal contractor has today been fined after a worker suffered serious head injuries when he fell through a loading platform.

On 18 September 2006, 21-year-old Kevin Cleightonhills of Bembridge, Isle of Wight, was attempting to push a boat on to a purpose-designed loading platform at Bembridge Marine on Embankment Road. As he was doing so, a panel in the floor of the platform moved and opened a gap, causing him to fall nearly 3.5 metres and leaving him with severe head injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the number of clips used to hold the floor panels in place was fewer than that recommended by British Standards on walkways and stair treads, and that there was no other means of preventing the panels from moving sideways.

The principal contractor, Malcolm Ely, formerly from Osborne Heights, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, at Portsmouth Crown Court. He was fined £2,250 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Tracey Cartwright said: ”This incident has left Mr Cleightonhills with life-changing injuries.

“As the design and build contractor for this project Mr Ely should have ensured effective co-ordination and communication by all those involved in this project.

“The judge was correct when he said Mr Ely was not competent to provide a design and build service to Bembridge Marine, his incompetence contributed to the sorry series of events which led to the catastrophic injures of Mr Cleightonhills.”

Island Police have today made a fresh appeal for information after a man was arrested over an alleged assault on a woman in Wootton Bridge, Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

A 47-year-old woman from Sandown reported that she was assaulted by a man she did not know in the car park of the Sloop Inn pub in Mill Square.

During the shocking assault, the woman received injuries to her legs, back and neck, none of which are life threatening.

The unnamed woman was driving a silver Volkswagen Passat when she and her partner were involved in an argument with another man who was driving a gold Skoda.

The argument and assault are alleged to have taken place at approximately 6pm on Wednesday April 13 2011.

A 46-year-old man from Waterlooville, Hampshire was arrested on April 30 on suspicion of common assault and was bailed until July 17, pending further enquiries.

Investigating officer PC James Senior of the Isle of Wight’s Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT) said: “It’s alleged an assault took place during a dispute over a car park space outside the Sloop Inn. We know the pub and its car park were busy with other customers at the time. I’m appealing for anyone who was in the area at around 6pm on Wednesday, April 13 to contact police if they saw or heard an argument and assault or if they have any information about what happened.”

Please contact PC James Senior at Shanklin Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/contact/message_officer.htm.

From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Cowes’ RNLI lifeboat raced to the aid of a yacht that was drifting into the main shipping channel in the Solent yesterday evening (Saturday).

The 35 foot sloop ‘Chianti’ had been on passage from Chichester to Falmouth, crewed by a man and a teenage boy. With no wind, a growing flood tide and poor visibility because of fine rain and fading light, off Ryde Sands, they turned to their engine to make headway through the Solent, only to find the engine would not work.

As the yacht drifted helplessly in the gloomy conditions into the channel used by cruise liners and other shipping, they made an urgent call for help to Solent coastguard.

Cowes lifeboat, with Scott Armiger at the helm, managed to quickly locate the yacht despite the poor visibility. A lifeboat crew member was put aboard and the yacht was taken in tow.

It was finally moored safely alongside Trinity Wharf at Cowes.

The whole rescue operation took over two hours.

Organisers of the multi award-winning Bestival have today announced that they are planning to do something a bit special to help cash-strapped Island residents.

Whilst the organisers have said that any Islanders looking to attend the UK’s hottest summer music festival (officially voted the UK’s Best Major Music Festival in 2010) should not hang about as tickets for this year’s Robin Hill based event are “flying out”, they are planning to make things a little easier on local residents by announcing a very special Bestival 2011 ‘Islander Day‘ deal.

A strictly limited number of Bestival 2011 tickets will go on-sale at selected outlets on Saturday 7^th May at face value – ie minus all commission, booking fees, postage charges etc. This represents a saving of approx £9.00 per ticket and also means that Islanders will have their Bestival tickets in their hands straightaway (and not have to wait on tickets arriving in the post at a later date).

Islander Day tickets will only be available in person from the following 4 local outlets on a first come, first served basis…

The Island Wine Company
16A Pier St
Ventnor

Harwoods
St James’ Square
Yarmouth

Robin Hill Country Park

The White Hart Inn
Havenstreet

Any remaining tickets available at these outlets after 7^th May will be available with a £5.00 commission fee.

Bestival organiser Rob da Bank said today: “Having just spent a month on the officially sunniest spot in the UK (and come away very inspired), I’m glad that we can give a little back to the Isle of Wight population with this offer. Roll up, roll up… and get in quick”.

Bestival 2011 takes place at Robin Hill Country Park between 8 – 11 September and already boasts the line-up of the summer – over 300 great acts spread across a mighty 15 stages, including The Cure (exclusive European appearance), Pendulum, PJ Harvey, Primal Scream, Brian Wilson, Magnetic Man, Crystal Castles, Public Enemy, Robyn, Kelis, Fatboy Slim, Noah & The Whale, The Village People, Groove Armada and a very special Sunday night headliner still to be announced.

Volunteer crews from Bembridge Lifeboat station were called out shortly after 8.45pm this evening to a drifting boat that was causing alarm in Bembridge.

The Tamar-class lifeboat and it’s crew received reports that a small boat, situated at the entrance to Bembridge Harbour, was drifting uncontrollably out to sea.

Upon arrival, it was clear that the unattended boat was anchored to a chain, however it was causing obstruction to the harbour for other sailors.

After safely moving the boat to a more suitable location within the perimeters of the harbour, Bembridge lifeboat returned the short distance to base ready for their next shout.

The Natwest Island Games soccer fixtures are to be re-drawn after it was realised that the rules were broken in the original draw held this morning (Thursday).

Previously published fixtures, which saw Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney in tough groups, have been scrapped. The new draw will be made tomorrow (Friday).

The technical committee for the NatWest Island Games had raised issues on the football draw carried out this morning with the Isle of Wight FA and Games Organising Committee.

Under the rules, the groups for the round-robin stage have to be equal numbers and the first draw saw three groups of four and one group of three. Now there will be three groups of five which means that the winning team face the prospect of playing six games on consecutive days.

Check back tomorrow for the newly drawn fixtures.

Volunteer crew members from Bembridge RNLI lifeboat station are preparing to welcome aboard world-famous, record-breaking sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur this weekend, to escort her to a ceremony where she will be a special guest.

The crew are all set to transport Dame Ellen, who broke the world record in 2005 for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, to Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, where she will open a new marina belonging to the club.

Bembridge volunteer crew will man a Tamar class lifeboat to collect Dame Ellen from Trinity Landing in Cowes at 11.30am on Saturday morning and take her to the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club marina.

The marina is just yards from where Cowes RNLI lifeboat station is currently based, although this is set to change when a £1M public appeal is complete and Cowes moves to a new location in the old Custom House building near the harbour entrance.

The event is a genuine honour for the RNLI on the Isle of Wight, given that Dame Ellen is synonymous with the sea. She has also pledged support for the RNLI on several occasions.

Richard Weeks, Deputy Divisional Inspector for the RNLI, said: ‘This is a real honour for our volunteer lifeboat crew. Dame Ellen is famous the world over and it should be a pleasure for them to escort her to the new marina at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club”.

The new marina at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club features a total of 38 berths. The new development offers a much bigger and more open launching basin to accommodate sailing events hosted by the club. It features improved access for disabled sailors, better facilities for boat launching, and host of environmental improvements, such as a deck made from recycled material and low energy LED lighting.

The new marina has been funded solely by The Crown Estate, and will be leased back to the club over a 25-year period on affordable terms.

Richard continued: “As someone who has sailed solo around the world, Dame Ellen knows exactly how much pleasure the sea can bring, but also how it can prove very dangerous if not respected and if the right precautions are not taken. Although she will only be aboard our lifeboat a relatively short time, we welcome the opportunity to escort her to the marina ceremony and continue the good relationship the RNLI charity has with her”.

The lifeboat will remain alongside the marina for the duration of the marina opening ceremony where guests will be welcome to tour the lifeboat and hear first hand from volunteers what they do and how they save lives at sea.

Island Police cordoned off an area of Sandown this afternoon after a man threatened to throw himself from cliffs.

Emergency services were called shortly before 4pm to Battery Gardens, Sandown after reports that a man was acting suspiciously near to the cliff edge.

Officers discovered upon arrival a man that was in a distressed state and that was threatening to jump from the cliff top to his death.

Coastguard Rescue teams from Bembridge were called in to assist Police in their efforts to secure the man’s life.

Talbolt Road and Battery Gardens were closed for approximately an hour.

Thankfully, talks with the man were successful and he was safely brought back from the cliff edge.