FENLAND: Council calls for new community centre to replace college

COUNCIL CALLS FOR NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE TO REPLACE COLLEGE

WISBECH: Demolition of the Isle College campus in Wisbech to make way for housing could lead to a serious loss of amenities, says the town council.

They are worried that applications for housing on both the Isle site and adjoining College of Anglia site in Ramnoth Road could lead to over development.

Coupled with additional housing already agreed, the town council is calling for a new community centre to replace the college hall being demolished.

It says any permission should be conditional on adequate provision of GP surgeries, primary, junior and senior school places.

The council reported: "Members are very concerned regarding the loss of amenity facilities. Wisbech has no other large hall which can accommodate up to 300 people and it is wished that any planning permission be conditional on the replacement of the large hall, an amenity for the people of Wisbech."

PLEA IN TRACING MOVEMENTS OF WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN RIVER

MARCH: A plea has gone out to help trace the movements of a March woman who was found dead in a river.

Fenland Coroner's Office say they currently dealing with the death of Linda Sutcliffe, 62, of 215 Creek Road, March who was found dead in the Old River Nene at March on Saturday April 5.

Linda, who lived alone, was a well known local figure and was often seen cycling around the town on her electric cycle. She was also a member and regular attendee of the Trinity Church in High Street, March.

A coroner's office spokesman said: "She was last seen by family members on Thursday April 3, 2008 but we would like to trace her movements on the last two days of her life, specifically Friday April 4 and April 5.

"We would like to hear from anyone who spoke with Linda, or can provide any information.

"All calls will be treated with the strictest confidence. If you can help please contact the coroner's officer on 01354 606507."

ADMINISTRATORS APPOINTED TO WELSH COMPANY OWNED BY FENMARC

FENLAND: Administrators have been appointed to a Welsh company which was taken over by March-based vegetable preparation specialists Fenmarc.

Managers at the Wrexham plant which was formerly known as PannKrisp Ltd announced last week that 64 jobs would be lost. However, Ian Brown and William Dawson of Deloitte have now been appointed joint administrators.

The company employs 190 people and supplies a range of freshly prepared ready meals to supermarket chains. It was taken over two years ago in a deal which it hoped would secure its future.

Ian Brown said: "Our appointment follows a difficult trading period and rising commodity costs, as a result of which the directors concluded that the Company could not continue to trade in its current form.

"After discussions with customers, suppliers and employees it is my intention to allow the Company to continue to trade in the short term to determine whether a buyer for the business can be found."

MAN URINATED AND WAS SICK IN POLICE STATION DETENTION CELL

WISBECH: Drunken James Peterson urinated on a police cell floor and then stuck his fingers down his throat until he was sick, a court heard.

He caused so much mess that it cost more than £100 to clean, and on Tuesday he admitted causing damage to the male detention cell at Wisbech police station.

The court heard that Peterson had earlier been escorted away from his home address, because his partner claimed to have been threatened.

He collected two bags of clothing before he left, and swore at his partner and neighbours as he was taken away.

Peterson, 30, of Horseshoe Terrace, Wisbech, admitted using threatening behaviour and causing criminal damage on March 31.

"I didn't hit anyone, it was just me being drunk, saying words," he said. "I have got to go to Drinksense, and get some tablets that make me sick if I drink alcohol," he added.

Peterson was fined a total of £200 and must pay £101.31 compensation, £60 costs and a £15 surcharge.

WOMAN DREW BLOOD WHEN SHE BIT PENSIONER'S HAND, COURT HEARD

WISBECH: Fifty-year-old Katherine Dixon drew blood when she sank her teeth into a pensioner's hand, after he told her to leave his bike alone.

Dixon had already let the air out of John Mulqueen's bicycle tyre, and had knocked the bike over outside Terry's Burger Bar on Wisbech Market Place.

"She grabbed him by the face and scratched his right cheek, causing bleeding," Fenland magistrates were told by prosecutor Sylvia Cundell.

"He tried to push her away, and she grabbed his arm and bit him on the left hand, causing a puncture wound that bled.

Dixon, of Wellington Terrace, Wisbech, admitted assault and causing £8 worth of damage to Mr Mulqueen's bicycle on April 1.

Solicitor Ben Pearson said there was a relationship between Dixon's drinking and her bi-polar disorder.

Regarding the assault, he said: "Mr Mulqueen was trying to restrain her, after she scratched his face. He had his arm round her, his hand was near her mouth and she bit him."

Sentencing was adjourned for four weeks.

TREES CUT DOWN IN BEER GARDEN WITHOUT BREWERY'S PERMISSION

WISBECH: Trees have been cut down in the beer garden of an unoccupied pub in Wisbech.

Two 30ft high trees have been cut down at The Bowling Green, in Lynn Road, without permission of the brewery.

It took place some time between Sunday, March 30 and Wednesday, April 9.

PC Mick Graves, who is investigating, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who can help with narrowing down the time frame when these trees were felled, or anyone who can tell me who did this.

"It amounts to criminal damage as the owners of the brewery did not give their permission for these trees to come down.

"Please get in touch if you can help with this."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Graves at Wisbech Police Station on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

TRACTOR DAMAGED AND TOOLS STOLEN FROM FARMLAND

LEVERINGTON: Damage has been caused to a tractor and tools were stolen from farmland in Leverington.

A lock was smashed by offenders who entered farm premises in Ringers Lane, before committing the damage and stealing garden tools.

The incident took place between 8am and 2.15pm on Saturday, April 12.

PC Mick Graves, who is investigating, said: "This has been a distressing crime for the victim involved.

"If you know anything about this, please contact me."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Graves at Wisbech Police Station on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

CHANCE FOR RESIDENTS TO MEET THEIR PCSO AT SURGERY

CHATTERIS: People living in Chatteris are being given the opportunity to meet their local PCSO at a police surgery.

The surgery will take place between 10am and noon on Saturday (April 19) at the Co-op in Bridge Street.

Residents will get the chance to discuss any issues they may have and get crime prevention advice from PCSO Angie Wilson.

PCSO Wilson said: "This is a great opportunity for people in the area to discuss the issues facing them and the areas they would like to see their local officers tackling.

"It would be great to see as many residents there as possible to let them know the work being carried out in the area to reduce crime.