Reading

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an attempted robbery in Reading last night (23/1).

At just after 8pm, a 21-year-old man was walking home from Coronation Square along an alleyway to Ashampstead Road and Hatford Road, Reading when a white man ran past him, with two black men chasing him.

As the man reached his own front garden in Brunel Road, someone grabbed him around the neck from behind. The Reading victim managed to shake him off and banged on his front door. The offender was then joined by four other black men in the victim’s front garden, who all began punching the victim, before one of them pulled a black firearm from his pocket and demanded the victim’s belongings. The victim stated he didn’t have anything with him, and the victim’s mother then came to the front door. All the men left the garden and walked off.

Nothing was stolen in the Reading incident. The victim sustained bruising to his ear.

Det Sgt Andy Beeney, investigating the Reading incident, said: “Fortunately the victim was not badly injured in this incident, however he was left very shaken.

“We do not know whether this was an imitation firearm or not at this stage and are keen to track down the people responsible. We are especially keen to speak to the white youth the victim saw being chased just before he was attacked.

“Anyone who saw the group or has any information about the incident, please contact us via the non-emergency number, 101.”

If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Inconsiderate Reading dog walkers who fail to clean up their pets mess will be targeted this week as part of a council blitz.

A footpath that runs between two schools – Geoffrey Field School and Christ the King Schools in Whitley – will be the focus of the Reading enforcement blitz after complaints by walkers and the two local schools.

Dog mess regularly left along the footpath is a growing problem, with children regularly walking dog mess into the school buildings as a result.

Each year thousands of complaints are received by local authorities nationally about dog mess. While the majority of owners are responsible and pick up after their dog, a careless few are still giving dog owners a bad name. And locally Reading Borough Council’s recent ‘We Need To Talk’ consultation showed one of the major areas Reading residents wanted strong action on were anti-social dog walkers who failed to clean up after their pets.

Next Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th of January, Reading Council enforcement officers will be positioned along the footpath in Whitley, both before the school day begins and after school, to target inconsiderate dog walkers. Any dog mess left behind will be sprayed pink to highlight the problem and fines of £75 will be issued if necessary.

The Council’s Streetcare Team is contacting the schools to ask if children can design posters which can then be placed along the footpath fence to help educate dog walkers.

Paul Gittings, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Environment and Climate Change, said: “It is not a surprise that the recent ‘We Need to Talk’ consultation showed dog mess up as one of people’s major bugbears. We as councillors regularly receive complaints about it. I hope this small initiative in Whitley can be replicated elsewhere in the borough and will help to educate some inconsiderate dog walkers about how important it is to clean up after their pets.”

Reading Borough Council

Joint Reading CPS and TVP press release

A young woman and two men found guilty of sex offences against a 16-year-old Reading girl have been sentenced today (19/1).

Amber Roderick, aged 19, of no fixed abode, Joseph Lawrence, aged 29, from Oxford Road, Reading, and Patrick Maughan, aged 26, from Sun Street, Reading, appeared at Reading Crown Court today and were sentenced to an indeterminate prison sentence (due to being deemed a dangerous offender), seven-years imprisonment, and six-years imprisonment respectively. All three were also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

At Reading Crown Court on 6 October 2011, Roderick pleaded not guilty to assault by penetration and causing a person to engage in sexual activity, Lawrence pleaded not guilty to rape, and Maughan pleaded not guilty to attempted rape and rape. They were all found guilty of their respective offences, by a jury on 9 December 2011 after a two-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

The court heard that on 3 April 2011, the 16-year-old victim (now 17) was taken, with her consent, to an address in Reading by Maughan in his van. She had arranged to meet Roderick at the address, but found there were a number of other men present, including Lawrence. The trio gave the victim alcohol and subjected her to an ordeal of sexual abuse, during which she was threatened by Lawrence with a knife and raped by him. Maughan attempted to rape her, and when he was unable to do so, with the aid and encouragement of Roderick, he raped her orally. Roderick also sexually assaulted the victim.

The court was told that on a couple of occasions the Reading victim tried to ring for help and tried to seek refuge in the bathroom before eventually escaping.

Victoria Griffiths, Senior Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “These were horrendous offences committed and encouraged by a supposed friend. The use of force upon the 16-year-old girl and the fact there were a number of people involved, increases the severity and seriousness of these offences.

“Roderick was an 18-year-old girl at the time of the offence and was on licence for very serious sexual offences committed when she was just 15, in Cardiff.

“In this case, Roderick appeared to be the ringleader. She befriended the 16-year-old girl in Reading and lured her to the address she was staying at and where Lawrence and other men were present.

“The CPS takes all allegations of rape seriously and has specialist rape prosecutors who have expertise in dealing with sexual offences cases. We work with the police and the courts to ensure that victims are given the best possible support.

“Cases of rape and other serious sexual offences can be extremely difficult to prosecute. Such cases need to be dealt with very sensitively.

“The sentences given today recognise the severity of the offences and the vulnerability of the victim. We will continue to vigorously prosecute offenders who target young and vulnerable victims.

“I hope that today’s sentences provide the victim with some measure of justice that will help her put this terrible episode behind her and move forward in her life.”

Detective Constable Russell Prentice, of Thames Valley Police, said: “I am really pleased with the result of the trial and the sentence. I hope the outcome will help the young victim begin to put some closure to what happened. My colleagues and I have completed a lot of detailed work when investigating this sensitive and complicated case and worked closely with the CPS and their specialist rape prosecutors.

“Thames Valley Police takes all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously. We have specially trained officers available 24 hours a day to manage the needs of people reporting crimes of this nature and now have two Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCS) called Solace Centres to provide specialist facilities including medical care, counseling, sexual health services and provisions to gather evidence.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Local Reading parents are being invited to two public meetings later this month to give their views and help shape the future of after school club services for their children.

Reading Borough Council fully understands just how valuable a lifeline after school clubs are for working parents who have come to rely on the provision to allow them to earn whilst ensuring their children are well cared for.

However, at the present time after school clubs based at East Reading and Coley are losing money due to low take-up levels among parents. This position is unsustainable for the Council and council tax payers in the difficult economic conditions.

The Reading Council is therefore planning to embark on a significant push to raise awareness of existing after school clubs in the areas, with a view to increasing the number of parents taking advantage of the valuable services on offer.

As part of that push, as many parents as possible are being encouraged to attend two separate up-and-coming public meetings, so they can tell the Council what would work best for them in terms of after school club provision. As users and potential users of the after school club service, the Council is also very keen to hear from parents themselves about any ideas they may on the most effective way to get more parents to sign up to the clubs.

For parents who are attending the East Reading After School Club – based at Newtown School – and other East Reading children who attend St Johns C of E Primary School, a public meeting is scheduled on Monday January 23 at East Reading After School club (based in Newtown School) at 6pm.

And for parents whose children currently attend Coley After School Club – based at Coley Community Centre – as well as Coley Primary School and Southcote Primary schools, a public meeting will be held in the main school hall of St Mary’s and All Saints School on Monday January 30th, also from 6pm.

The public meetings are open to all and will include the opportunity for questions and thoughts from the public audience. They will be chaired by John Ennis, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education and Children’s Services.

Reading Cllr Ennis said: “We have already said we are fully committed to the provision of after school clubs, both in East Reading and Coley, but we need to find a way to make them more attractive to working parents who live in the area and whose children attend local schools. These public meetings are about engaging with local parents and getting their ideas on how to do this. In my experience some of the best ideas often come from parents and the schools themselves. We are in the process of inviting parents, via their schools, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to come along on the nights.”

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is currently investigating the report of a rape of a 17-year-old girl in Reading.

The girl was walking home some time around 6.30am on Saturday (14/1), when she was approached by an unknown man in Oxford Road, Reading who started talking to her and walking with her.

As they have walked along Elgar Road, the man has raped the girl before leaving the scene.

This incident was only reported to police yesterday (17/1).

The Reading man is described as black, 5ft 9ins, of medium to large build, in his late twenties and with a chubby face. He was wearing dark-coloured clothing.

Det Sgt Ashley Hannibal said: “I would like to speak to anyone who may have seen this man in the Oxford Road or Elgar Road area, who may be able to provide us with any information regarding his movements.

“I am also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the girl and man together, or anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in this area at this time.

“We are working closely with the local neighbourhood policing team and they will be carrying out reassurance patrols of the area and speaking to any local residents who may have any concerns.

“I would urge anyone that has any information in connection to this matter to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should contact Reading Det Sgt Hannibal via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

A landlord is to pay £2,125 in fines and £1,815 costs to Reading Borough Council after admitting he failed to keep a property in East Reading in a fit state for tenants.

Mohammed Mir, 41, of Cumberland Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to 16 offences relating to a house he owns in Eastern Avenue, which he rented out to nine tenants.

Mr Mir appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court to face charges under Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006, on January 4th, 2012.

Officers from Reading Borough Council’s environmental health team went out to visit the property following a complaint from one of the tenants and found the house in a poor state of repair and the garden full of rubbish.

The prosecution follows a similar case in Bracknell, where Mr Mir was recently found guilty of eight similar offences relating to another property he owns in Bracknell Forest.

The property in East Reading is currently vacant and Mr Mir has been told by the Council that works need to be carried out before it can be re-occupied.

Rachel Eden, lead councillor for Reading housing and neighbourhoods, said: “Everyone deserves a decent home. The Council works very well with local landlords and good landlords have an important role to play in working together to deliver decent homes for Reading’s residents. However, the Council will continue to act against the minority of landlords who do not take their responsibilities seriously and to take enforcement action where we need to in order to ensure that residents live in accommodation that is fit to live in.”

Reading Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a lorry driver died in a fatal collision in a service road at Apex Plaza near Reading railway station last night (15/1).

The driver, a 69-year-old man from Redhill, Surrey, was out of his lorry cab coupling it to a trailer when the incident happened at 11.55pm.

Sgt Jim Upton, of the Reading Road Death Investigation Team, said: “Our investigation is at an early stage and we have yet to establish the full circumstances. However, we believe that the lorry rolled forward while the driver was coupling the trailer to the tractor unit and that he was struck by his lorry as he attempted to get back into the cab.

“The driver was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital but sadly died.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any other information which may assist police with their investigation is asked to contact PC Samantha Allen from the Road Death Investigation Team at Three Mile Cross Roads Policing base via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

An evening of reflection to remember victims of the Holocaust is to take place at the Reading Civic Centre on January 25th.

The theme for the Reading event asks us all to ’Speak Up, Speak Out’.

This year’s Reading guest speaker is Holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller. Freddie was born into a cultured Viennese family in 1921.

When the Germans entered Austria, he fled west. He joined the French Resistance, but was betrayed to the authorities by a spurned lover. The French police handed him to the Gestapo and he was sent by cattle truck to a concentration camp. As the allies advanced, Freddie went on a number of death-marches from one concentration camp to another.

His optimism and determination to live saved him. His parents perished, but his two brothers had escaped to the U.S.A. Freddie married an English woman and became a successful businessman.

The Holocaust Memorial Day event has been organised by Reading Borough Council and Reading Council For Racial Equality. It is supported by Reading Hebrew Congregation, Reading Faith Forum, Reading Refugee Support Group, Zimbabwean Community in Reading, Reading Post and Valpee Printing Company.

Councillor Jo Lovelock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, who will be speaking at the event, said: “It is so important to remember the horrors of the Holocaust and remind ourselves that we must renew our determination to resist oppression today. There are still too many examples of dictatorship and war crimes In far too many places around the world.”

Harish Raichura from RCRE, said: “The recent trial regarding the murder of Stephen Lawrence highlighted why we must continue to undertake activities that promote public engagement and education because racial hatred and religious intolerance continue to be a fact of life in 21st Century Britain. Events commemorating the Holocaust helps us understand the difficulties victims of extreme hatred had to endure in the hope that we can learn from them, foster good community (and individual) relations that will enable us to work towards a better society.”

A candle-lighting ceremony will take place on the night and entry to the service, which begins at 6.30pm, is free.

For more information, call Victor Koroma from Reading Council for Racial Equality on (0118) 951 0279 or victor@rcre.co.uk

Reading Borough Council

A Reading man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of conspiring to supply cocaine.

Lincoln Crooks, aged 54, of Cambrian Way, Calcot, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court today (12/1).

On Sunday 10 July 2011, officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) intercepted a Parcel Force package addressed to a property in Tilehurst, Reading. The package had originated in California and when examined by UKBA officers it was found to contain a large quantity of cocaine.

Thames Valley Police, in conjunction with UKBA, arrested Lincoln Crooks and Gillian Hope, aged 36, from Shilling Close, Tilehurst, for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The drugs were forensically examined and contained 1kg of cocaine with a purity of 82 per cent. Reduced in purity for street level sale the drugs were valued at £113,000 to £800,000.

Reading House searches of both their premises provided a large body of evidence including further drugs, a large quantity of cash, foreign currency and jewellery.

Hope was found not guilty of supplying class A drugs at Reading Crown Court on January 3. Crooks denied the offence but was found guilty on Tuesday (10/1).

Det Con John Denard, who investigated the incident, said: “Mr Crooks exuded the impression from the outset that he was above the law and has successfully been proven wrong.

“I hope the sentence handed to Crooks today serves as a warning to others involved in the supply of illegal drugs.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Reading

Voluntary and community groups across Reading are set to benefit from an increase in funding from Reading Borough Council over the coming year.

Despite the difficult economic climate, in Reading the Council plans to continue to increase money going towards the voluntary and community sector from a budgeted £12,596,403 million in the current year, to £12,637,584 in financial year 2012/13.

Reading has always maintained a strong voluntary sector and the proposed increase in funding is in recognition of the significant benefits voluntary and community groups bring to communities across Reading, and in helping the Council to tackle key issues in the town.

Bet Tickner, Lead Councillor for Public Engagement and Health, said: “Once again Reading is supporting the vital work of the voluntary sector, at a time when families, the elderly and disabled and young people are all going through hard times. Continuing to work in partnership will be our way forward.”

The proposed total funding pot for 2012/13 is made up of direct grants to voluntary groups and revenue contracts with community organisations.

Direct grants of £1.5 million underpin the work of many of Reading’s local voluntary organisations, including Reading Citizens Advice Bureau and the Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit, which provide advice and support for people who are struggling with debt and whose services have become even more important in the current economic conditions.

Reading Council for Racial Equality will be provided with transitional funding while they carry out a consultation with a view to forming a new local organisation to bring together, represent and support the work of all local groups working on equalities issues and community cohesion. *(see notes to editors).

In 2011/ 12 there was a significant shift in the way Reading Borough Council commissioned services from grants to contracts with the voluntary sector, and there is projected expenditure of £10.8 million on contracts – in addition to the £1.5m expenditure on grants – planned in 2012/2013.

The change provided opportunities for new services to be tendered in 2011/12 to provide the best possible value for council tax payers money. These have included for example the Family Support and Youth Counselling services, for which both open tenders were awarded to voluntary organisations. New funding for the Active Ageing programme enabled Age UK to continue to deliver a vital service for local residents.

Plans for 2012/2013 include opportunities for service providers to bid for funding for:

- Preventative services for older people, following a series of pilot projects which tested out new approaches
- Carers services
- Timebank service (whereby residents can give time to help their community and then receive help back when they may need it)
- Re-investment into substance mis-use support services and mental health

There will also be bidding opportunities for short breaks/ respite for children with disabilities. This will be restricted to voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations.

Local groups involved in culture and sport will continue to access a £74,000 grants pot for projects planned for the year of the Olympics and for the wide range of related events and activities planned to take place in the town.

Local groups will also benefit from the easy access community grants pot of £25,000 to encourage neighbourhood and grassroots activity where participation is the key. This will help groups organise or take part in regular local events such as Carnival, Children’s Festival, Waterfest, Pride, Asian Arts, Holocaust Memorial Day, East Reading Festival, Oxford Road Fun Day, Caversham Festival, Climate Week, Reading Rescue and Black History Month, as well as take part in environmental activities, or simply set up a new group or project. GLOBE groups are now included in this easy application process.

In addition a funding pot of £100,000 has been set aside by the Council to fund capital projects for the voluntary and community sector in Reading. This fund has already proved popular in helping voluntary organisations make improvements to heating systems, replace windows, install security systems and improve car parking facilities for a support centre for children with learning disabilities.

Reading Borough Council has confirmed its continued support of £220,000 in 2012/2013 to bring the Central Club back into community use, working in close collaboration with the Reading African and Caribbean Community Association. The Association is still seeking matched funding support for this venture.

An additional £384,049 is also provided in the form of low cost accommodation for local groups.

The proposed new funding opportunities for voluntary and community groups across Reading will go to Cabinet on Monday January 16th for discussion and approval.

Reading Borough Council