WOMAN PUNCHED HER ATTACKER AFTER HE GRABBED HER MARCH: Police in March are hunting the attacker who struck out at a woman walking along a local footpath. The man approached the woman on a footpath near to Wisbech Road and said hello sexy before grabbin

WOMAN PUNCHED HER ATTACKER AFTER HE GRABBED HER

MARCH: Police in March are hunting the attacker who struck out at a woman walking along a local footpath.

The man approached the woman on a footpath near to Wisbech Road and said 'hello sexy' before grabbing her arm.

However the woman then punched the man in the house and he ran off.

The incident happened at around 11.30pm on March 23.

HUGE AMOUNTS OF POWER TOOLS STOLEN FROM FIRM

WISBECH: Thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen from a business in Wisbech.

The theft happened Thursday (March 27) between 6pm and 8pm at a business premises in Nene Parade. Thieves broke into the property and stole a number of power tools, including a number of nail guns.

DC Jon Ward said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the Nene Parade area last night and notice suspicious activity around the Port of Wisbech premises.

"It is likely that the thieves would have used a vehicle, did you see anyone loading a number of power tools in the area?"

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

BIG BOOST FOR FENLAND HOTEL

WHITTLESEY: A Whittlesey hotel is set to be expanded if planners reject opposition from a town council and accept their officers' recommendation for approval.

The Falcon Hotel in Whittlesey wants to convert 9c Market Street into five extra bedrooms to cope with increased demand at the seven bedroom hotel.

Planners say the extra rooms will boost tourism at the Grade II listed 16th century coaching inn but the town council believes five bedrooms are too many.

"The hotel should remain in its current form," the town council will tell Fenland District Council Planning Committee next Wednesday.

However planning officer Hamish Laird says there would be "minimal changes to the appearance of the buildings and there is no justification for a refusal of planning."

TOWN EYESORE SET TO BECOME SITE FOR NEW FLATS

WISBECH: Vacant land presently secured by steel fencing and with "an unkempt appearance" is ideal for six flats, says a report to planners.

Sheila Black, planning officer, is recommending Fenland District Council Planning Committee approve the application by C B Renovations for land east and fronting Orange Grove, 10 Norfolk Street, Wisbech.

"It is considered the style of building reflects the Victorian element of the town and the scale reflects the adjoining development," says Ms Black.

The proposal "will enhance this part of the Wisbech Conservation area and should be supported," she says.

Town councillors feel the flats would be an over development and say they have concerns over "the positioning and camouflaging of the number of waste bins that would be required."

VAN TORCHED IN BREAK IN AT WISBECH FIRM

WISBECH: A van was torched, and a trailer and battery were stolen, in a break-in at a yard in Boleness Road, Wisbech, overnight on March 24.

Locks and a chain on the gate to the business premises were forced by offenders, who set fire to a Volkswagen LT35 van. It caused damage to a second LT35 van.

A Blue Line twin-wheel trailer, its contents and a 24-volt fork lift battery were also stolen.

WARRANT ISSUED AFTER MAN FAILED TO APPEAR

WISBECH: A warrant was issued for the arrest of Wisbech man Lee Smith when he failed to appear before Fenland magistrates for sentencing.

Smith, 42, of Mill Close, has been convicted of driving a Jaguar Sovereign without insurance or a licence, and failing to stop at a red traffic light.

A TOUCH OF LUXURY SET FOR FENLAND VILLAGE

MANEA: Six luxury homes - all with five bedrooms - are to be built in the former gardens of 21 and 27 School Lane, Manea. Planners are being recommended next week to approve the plans which already have outline consent.

The parish council believes the size of the homes "could be overbearing in a village location."

POLICE PROBE RAID ON FENLAND FARM

GUYHIRN: Several thousands of pounds worth of agricultural equipment has been stolen from a farm in Guyhirn.

The theft happened between 4pm on Wednesday March 19 and 8am on Thursday March 20 at a farm in Thorney Road.

Equipment stolen includes:

* A large bale spike

* A roller, painted yellow

* Tractor weights, painted yellow

* A combine sift made of heavy metal, painted yellow

PC Sarah Sleaford, who is investigating, said: "I would appeal to anyone who has any information regarding this theft.

"I would also like to hear from anyone who thinks they may have been offered the equipment since the theft."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Sleaford at Wisbech Police Station on 0845 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

LETTER OF THE DAY: MARSHLAND MEETING

I READ your article about wind turbines that Marshland St James Parish Council is holding an open forum on 7th April. Any reader would think it is an open forum specifically about wind turbines.

In fact, it's the Annual Parish Assembly, held by law between the 1st April and 1st June each year.

We invite village organisations to come along and report on what they have done during the preceding year, as well as hearing a report from the Parish Council, school governors and our local Borough and County Councillors.

We have invited nine village organisations, including FLAT, to take some ten minutes each reporting to the parishioners who attend, so we will no doubt hear something about wind turbines.

After the reports, there will be an open forum on any issue that parishioners want to raise.

Jack Bantoft

Chair of Marshland St James Parish Council