IMAGE RELEASED AFTER SANDIACRE ROBBERY

Officers who are investigating a robbery at a Sandiacre convenience store, have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident. The incident happened at around 6.40am on 17th December when a man entered the store in Stanton Road and threatened the shop assistant before leaving with a quantity of cigarettes. He is described as around 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build and was wearing all black clothing. Since that time officers have been following several lines of enquiry, but are now looking to the public to help them identify the person pictured.

Detective Constable Matthew Ward, said, “We appreciate that this is not the clearest image and that the person’s face is not visible, however we do believe that someone may recognise the clothing as belonging to someone they know. The jacket and jogging bottoms are North Face branded and the logo can just about be seen in this image. Does someone you know own similar clothing and have a similar build? Were they in the Sandiacre area around this time? If you have any information which could assist with our enquiries, please contact me via the details below.”

·         Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

·         Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

·        Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

·         Phone – call us on 101.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

WHERES LULU

Where is she? Well Lulu is still nowhere, I am thinking of renaming the column, Theres Lulu, still in her pyjamas and counting beans out of boredom, it’s not quite as catchy but quite true.

Fabulous news has surfaced about a brand new micro pub opening up at the old Rowell’s on the High Street. The former haberdashery still has branches in Eastwood and Stapleford but the Long Eaton store closed in June 2019, after over 100 years trading at the site, due to the owner Bob Marshall wanting to retire, he was the third generation of his family starting with his great Uncle in 1913 to run the shop which opened previously as Derby Drapery. The little Aladdin’s cave was full of useful trinkets, curtains and clothing, as I heard it put before ‘if ya can’t find it head to Rowell’s’.

The blow to the oldest store in the town came after Swann Menswear also sold up in 2019 after 111 years trading; formerly at High Road then the Market Place since 1981 the two shops are a sad passing of the town’s history. The three floor menswear shop is now a convenience store and Rowell’s is set to be a micro pub after a £50,000 makeover, however the shop is said to need it as cupboards have been eaten by damp and the property needs bringing up to modern standards.

The property is now owned by Martin Edwards and a partner, and to be run by his son Tyrell, of course all work is underway but the actual opening date is going to be whenever the lockdown and tier systems allow he quoted to a local news source it may be June.

I am happy that they are keeping the two long counters, with dating back to 1879 the counter is heaped in history, it was actually in the first Rowell’s shop which opened in Bath Street Ilkeston in 1865 and quickly became a staple shop in every Derbyshire town. The original store was a drapers shop and burnt down, the Field family who ran the shop, had two daughters who married into the Rowell’s family and it is from here the brand was born.

I never actually thought I would see the day the shop was sold, its lay out always reminded me very fondly of the Two Ronnie’s sketch, Four Candles, and as a teenager I would always giggle at the sign ‘Visit Rowell’s rug passage’, immature but everyone needs a giggle.

The building no doubt needs plenty of work, rewiring and the windows have been broken numerous times over the years, the news that it is to be used and not sit empty is welcome I hope they preserve the shops past with a name that hints at its history, I suggest Bobbins, the name has been used before for Corner Pin I believe..

Social media news sites quoted Tyrell of saying "We want it to be a hub for the community. We were talking about putting things on for elderly people in the week such as a bingo session or an old film. I hate the thought of people being lonely. I want to be open for everyone. We'd like to have live music as well."

Without the masses of towels and undergarments hanging everywhere the shop is actually quite large with 128 sq metres floor space plenty of room for seating and live music, I cannot wait to see the finished micro pub and am looking forward to giving a full report as soon as we are able to.

That’s all for this issue, stay safe, stay home and don’t get too bored!! 

 

MAN CHARGED WITH STAPLEFORD MURDER

A man was formally charged on January 25th in connection with a fatal stabbing of a teenage boy on Boxing Day. Jake Rollinson, of Hickings Lane, Stapleford, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court and has now been charged with murder. The 20-year-old has also been charged with perverting the course of justice and was remanded in custody. Joe Whitchurch, 16, suffered fatal stab wounds at an address in Hickings Lane, Stapleford, shortly before 5.30am on Saturday 26th December. Lorna Richardson, 25, of Blake Road, Stapleford, also appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice and has been granted conditional bail. Both Rollinson and Richardson denied the charges and are due to appear in court on Friday 12th March 2021. Detective Inspector Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We now have a formal murder charge after this was upgraded from attempted murder. Since Boxing Day, Detectives have been working hard to understand the events that led to Joe’s death, and the investigation continues.”

LONG EATON MAN JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES

Long Eaton man has been jailed for committing a catalogue of sexual offences against young girls. Ryan Chadwick, of College Street, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 21st January and was handed a 16-year prison term for committing offences against three girls.

At a prior hearing the 23-year-old had pleaded guilty to several counts of assault by penetration and sexual activity with a child, two counts of inciting a child into sexual activity, two counts of attempted rape of a child, and paying for the sexual services of a child.

The court heard how Chadwick began speaking to a young teenager on Snapchat in February 2020 and offered her money for sex. He then met up with the girl and had sex with her on two occasions.

In May 2020 he sexually assaulted another girl under the age of 13, and twice attempted to rape her.

Shortly after this he had sex with a third, underage girl on two occasions.

The offences took place in Long Eaton.

As well as the jail term, of which he must serve a minimum of two thirds, Chadwick was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. This prohibits him from having any contact with any girl under the age of 16, amongst other conditions.

He was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life and has been banned from ever working with children.

Detective Constable Claire McKeown, who lead the investigation said:

“I cannot give praise enough to the three girls in this case, who came forward and bravely spoke about their individual ordeals at the hands of Chadwick.

“This sentencing reflects the seriousness of Chadwick’s crimes, for which he showed no remorse, and I am hopeful that it will give some closure to each of the girls whose lives have been turned upside down as a result.

“My message to anyone reading this who may have also suffered sexual assault or abuse, whether now or in the past, is please speak to someone. There is help available, whether you wish to involve the police or not.

“If you do feel able to contact us, we will always listen, investigate and support you through the process.”

If you have been affected by a similar crime, whether recent or non-recent, and would like some support you can contact SV2 – a Derbyshire based organisation who support victims of sexual violence.

Online www.sv2.org.uk or via their advice line 01773 746 115 (open 7 days a week 8am – 5pm).

You can contact Sv2 regardless of whether you wish to report an incident to police.

If you do wish to report something to us, you can do so via the following contact methods.

·         Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

·         Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

·         Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

·         Phone – call us on 101.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

GARDEN WASTE COLLECTIONS

Garden waste collections are to resume in the borough soon meaning that brown bins can no longer be used for dry mixed recycling. In Ilkeston and the north of the borough garden waste collections resume the week of February 22nd and, in Long Eaton and the south of the borough collections start again the week of Monday March 1st. Brown bins can be used for dry recycling – paper, glass, cardboard, tins and plastic - in Ilkeston areas for the last time the week of February 8 and in Long Eaton areas the week of February 15th. Dry mixed recycling can then only be put in blue bins, brown bins with a blue lid and green bags.

Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment at Erewash Borough Council, said:

“Every year residents can use their brown bins for dry recycling during the winter months. We would like to remind people that this is due to come to an end shortly and they can once again start using their brown bins for garden waste.”

More information on refuse and recycling collections can be found at erewash.gov.uk