MAN FACING SEX CHARGES SENT FOR TRIAL AT CROWN COURT GUYHIRN: A 42-year-old Guyhirn man facing three sex charges has been sent for trial before Cambridge Crown Court. Martin Cooper, of Chapelfields Road, is alleged to have sexually penetrated a 14-

MAN FACING SEX CHARGES SENT FOR TRIAL AT CROWN COURT

GUYHIRN: A 42-year-old Guyhirn man facing three sex charges has been sent for trial before Cambridge Crown Court.

Martin Cooper, of Chapelfields Road, is alleged to have sexually penetrated a 14-year-old girl without her consent between January 1 and 15.

He also faces two charges of sexual touching. It is alleged he intentionally touched a 14-year-old girl, on one occasion on or before November 1 last year, and again between November 1 and December 25 last year.

Cooper was given conditional bail by Fenland magistrates on Wednesday, and is due before the court in Cambridge on Monday (April 7).

ASSAULTED SECURITY OFFICERS AWARDED COMPENSATION

WISBECH: Two security officers working at Tesco in Wisbech were awarded £25 compensation by magistrates this week, after a shoplifter admitted assaulting them.

Charles Quinn had stolen nearly £100 worth of booze from the store as a dare before pushing Marrion Matthews and Beverly May in a bid to escape.

Quinn had cut security tags off six bottles of spirits, and was walking out of the store when the officers tried to stop him. A bottle of drink fell to the floor and smashed during the incident.

Appearing at Wisbech courthouse on Wednesday, 54-year-old Quinn, of Sunnyway, Newcastle, admitted two charges of assault, and theft.

"I am thoroughly ashamed of my behaviour," he said. He was fined £50 for theft, and must also pay £12.98 compensation, £43 costs, and a £15 surcharge.

GARAGE SHUTS UP SHOP AFTER 27 YEARS

CHATTERIS: A garage based in Chatteris for more than 25 years has shut up shop.

Royale Tyres closed after running from the old bus depot in Bridge Street for 27 years.

Business owner, Bobby Jink blamed a poor economy and people using the internet to buy spares cheaper, for the demise of the garage.

The building and equipment will be put up for sale.

ROW OF CARS DAMAGED OVER WEEKEND

DODDINGTON: Wing mirrors were broken on four cars parked along New Road, Doddington.

The damage - caused to a blue Honda Jazz, a green Vauxhall Astra, a grey Ford Focus and a blue Seat Ibiza - happened between 5.30pm on Friday (March 28) and 6.20am the following day.

PC Justin Bielawski, investigating, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen this damage take place.

"There are two pubs nearby and it's possible people would still have been in the area at the time the damage was caused."

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

TWO FIRES THE LATEST INCIDENTS AT BUSINESSMAN'S HOME

MARSHLAND: Two fires within three days are the latest incidents on properties of a Fenland businessman behind a consortium bidding for 19 wind turbines.

Rod Herbert has suffered a car fire at his home and an aircraft fire at his Marshland airfield.

Investigators discovered his four-wheel drive Mercedes accidently caught fire while outside his West Walton home.

Two days later arsonists attacked a Piper Cherokee plane worth £35,000 at the airfield.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk police on 0845 4564567.

OPERATIC SOCIETY'S PANTO JUDGED BEST PANTO OF 2007

WISBECH: Wisbech Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society's 2006 panto Pinocchio has been named last year's best pantomime in Fenland and Norfolk.

It has been awarded the Best Pantomime of 2007 award in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association's East District 4 North division, which covers March, King's Lynn, Hunstanton and Swaffham.

The society will be presented with an award at the NODA East weekend on April 19-20. The show will also be considered for the Smart Cup, for the best overall production.

NODA is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK, with a membership of about 2500 groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK.

• The society is busy rehearsing for it's next production, The Boyfriend, which will be performed from May 27-31 at the Thomas Clarkson Community College.

An offer to buy two tickets and get a third free, runs until April 21, and tickets are selling fast.

To buy tickets, call 07776 318309, 01945 870393 or 01945 582758.

METAL STOLEN IN WAREHOUSE BREAK-IN

WHITTLESEY: Police are appealing for information to a warehouse burglary at Kingsland Farm in March Road, Whittlesey.

Overnight Tuesday insecure warehouses were entered and electric cables were stolen.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.