FIVE YOUTHS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEYWAY ASSAULT

Four teenagers and a 12 year old have been arrested on suspicion of assault after a video was posted online showing a boy being punched and kicked in an alleyway. The incident took place in an alleyway near the Tappers Harker pub in Long Eaton, at about 3.40pm on July 1st. A 14-year-old boy was punched in the face and kicked several times by a group of youths. The attack was filmed on a mobile phone and uploaded to social media, where it has since been widely shared.

Today, five males aged between 12 to 17 years old were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in police custody. Inspector Jim Thompson, who is in charge of policing in Long Eaton, said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would like to reassure people that we are dealing with it robustly. Since the video was shared, there has been an air of tension in the community and I would ask that members of the public leave it to us to investigate the matter. Out of respect to the privacy of the victim, I would also ask that people stop sharing the video online and remove any posts they’ve already made on social media.”

If you have any information which may assist with police enquiries, please get in touch using one of the following non-emergency contact methods. Please quote the reference number 18000309007 and the name of the officer in the case PC Catherine Nightingale in any correspondence. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.

Facebook – send police a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

Twitter – direct message the police contact centre on @DerPolContact

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

Phone – call 101.

REMEMBERING CHILWELL EXPLOSION

Women workers with 6inch howitzer shells at Chilwell, July 1917

Research into a shell filling factory in Chilwell which saw a huge explosion in 1918, killing 134 workers, has been carried out by a volunteer at Erewash Museum who grew up in the village. Volunteer Marian Dean, 70, has written ‘Remembering the Chilwell Explosion of 1918 and the Canary Girls’ after she developed a fascination with the First World War factory, which she says haunted her as a child. Marian lived in Chilwell from the late 1940s to the late 1960s, before moving back to the village 50 years later. After stumbling across a book called Canary Girls of Chilwell, her fascination with the factory began. The women gained the name ‘Canary Girls’ because the chemicals they were working with led to discolouration of the skin and their hair turned green. During the First World War thousands of women, including many from Erewash, worked at National Shell Filling Factory No.6 Chilwell. The site later became Chilwell Ordnance Depot and is now partly occupied by Chetwynd Barracks. Marian, said:

 

Mass grave at St Marys
Attenborough

“I look out over Hobgoblin Wood from our kitchen window every day and often reflect on the chaos, horror and tragic events of that terrible, unforgotten day. Certain road names nearby are named after some of those who lost their lives that day, July 1, 1918, which I personally think is a wonderfully fitting tribute to the workers and story of the National Shell Filling Factory No.6 Chilwell.”

The Chilwell explosion on 1st July was one of Britain's worst wartime disasters involving an explosion and saw the biggest loss of life (134 killed) incurred during a single explosion during the entire First World War. One victim was Charlotte Herrdidge, 53, who lived at Severn's Yard, High Street, Ilkeston. Councillor Mike Wallis, Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“This is a fascinating part of local history and we are grateful to Marian for taking her time to carry out this research. I’m sure many people will find it incredibly interesting.”

A video of Marian speaking about her research is available on our Facebook page. Her work is available to read at the museum.

FORMER POLICE OFFICER JAILED

A former Nottinghamshire Police officer was jailed on Thursday 5th July 2018 after pleading guilty to non-recent sexual offences. Anthony Critchley, 66, of Sandby Court, Chilwell, was charged with six counts of indecent assault on a child and one of committing a gross act of indecency towards a child. The offences were committed whilst off-duty in the early 1970s against three boys in their early teens. Nottingham Crown Court heard how Critchley abused the boys at Attenborough Nature Reserve and other locations during the 1970s. Critchley, who retired from the Force in 2001, was jailed for 28 months, was made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

 

UKIP IN THE DOCK

Two members of UKIP who stood in the Derbyshire County Council elections appeared at Derby Crown Court this week for a pre-trial review hearing ahead of a trial in September. They have been charged with election fraud. It is alleged that John Geehan and Terry Calladine forged signatures on nomination forms when they stood in the 2017 local elections. Calladine, 56, of Lime Grove, Long Eaton, received 213 votes when he stood in Ilkeston South in last year’s election. The seat was won by Labours John Frudd.

Geehan, 71, of Margaret Avenue, Ilkeston, stood in Ilkeston West, which was won by by the Tory Tony King. He received 237 votes.

The trial is expected to last five days. They were given unconditional bail.  

CHILWELL ROBBER ARRESTED

A 32-year-old man has been remanded in custody after being charged with robbery in connection with an armed robbery in Chilwell last month. Gregory Martin of no fixed address was charged this evening with robbery, following the incident at Bramcote Lane Stores in Bramcote Lane, just before 6am on 24th June 2018. He attacked the shop keeper with a metal bar. He further threatened him with a scalpel, shouting ‘give me the money’. He left the store with the victim’s mobile phone. The shop keeper was taken to hospital for treatment for serious head injuries and injuries to his hands but was subsequently discharged. He was due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates Court last Saturday morning.

MAN CHARGED WITH ACTON ROAD BURGLARY

Police have charged a man in connection with four burglaries in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Martin Brown, 23, of Anslow Avenue, Nottingham, has been remanded in custody to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 18th July 2018.

The charges relate to burglaries in Wollaton Road, Beeston, between 12th and 15th April 2018, in Hetley Road, Beeston, on 28th May 2018, Haddon Crescent, Chilwell, between 16th and 19th June 2018 and in Acton Road, Long Eaton, on 18th June 2018.

Brown is also charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, relating to offences on 12th June 2018.

 

NEW MAYOR OF EREWASH

The new Mayor of Erewash is Councillor Chris Corbett, who was formally elected to the role for the 2018/19 civic year during Erewash Borough Council’s annual meeting last night (17 May). Councillor Corbett has represented the Wilsthorpe Ward on the borough council since 1999 and was Leader of the Council from 2007 to 2017, when he stepped down to take up the role of Deputy Mayor. He also serves on Sawley Parish Council.

During his mayoral year, Councillor Corbett will be supported by his wife Linda and has chosen to support two local charities during his term of office – the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Erewash Voluntary Action (Community Volunteer Service). Councillor Corbett, together with his wife Linda, is looking forward to representing the residents of Erewash over the next year:

 

"We are thrilled and honoured to be Mayor and Mayoress of our wonderful borough for the 2018/19 civic year and look forward to meeting the many kind-hearted residents who work so tirelessly to help others as well as contributing to the rich community spirit of our towns and villages. We are also keen to help and encourage new and existing businesses and to promote economic regeneration throughout Erewash.”

Councillor Corbett was brought up in Sandiacre and enjoyed a 30-year career in banking that saw him work in Yorkshire and Scotland before returning to Erewash when he took early retirement. He is a life member of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association, having been at its first public meeting in 1968 and was a founder member of Sandiacre and Stapleford Round Table 981. He is now a member of Long Eaton Rotary Club.

Councillor Corbett and Linda have known each other for over 50 years and were married at St Helen’s Church in Stapleford. They have two sons and four grandsons.

In their spare time they enjoy travelling and socialising with their friends and family.

Deacon Terry Street, of Trinity Methodist Church, Long Eaton, will be the Mayor’s Chaplain during his year in office. The new Deputy Mayor of Erewash is Councillor Sue Beardsley, who represents the Little Hallam Ward.

SUSPECTED GBH AT LONG EATON PROPERTY

Police were called to a house in Stanley Street just after 3.15am on Tuesday 22nd May. They found an injured man who was taken to hospital. Police cordoned off the house and pavement and could be seen collecting evidence. A 23 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. The mans injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

FREE BIKE MARKING EVENT

Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood Team are joining forces with Erewash Community Safer Partnership to offer residents an opportunity to have their pedal cycles security marked free of charge. The half-term events are being held in two separate locations next week on Tuesday, May 29th. Sergeant Damien Shannon, who is in charge of the Safer Neighbourhood team, said: “It is great to be working in partnership with Erewash Borough Council’s safety partnership on this event. Security marking of bikes is important as it primarily acts as a visible deterrent to would-be thieves and secondly it makes it easier for the bike to be found, returned to its rightful owner and helps to secure a successful prosecution against thieves.”

 

The teams will be at West Park, Long Eaton between 10am and 12 midday and then at the Draycott Muga between 1pm and 3pm.

MAN ROBBED OF HIS CAR

Police are appealing for information after a man was robbed of his car in Long Eaton.The incident occurred around midnight on the morning of Saturday, May 5th, a man parked his white Vauxhall Astra near a cash machine in Grasmere Road and left the key in the ignition while he withdrew cash. He was suddenly approached from behind by two men. One man asked him for money while the other stood next to his car. The two men then got into the victim’s car and drove off.

He has described the man who asked for cash as 5ft 7ins tall, slim and wearing black clothing with a hood up. He wore a bandana across his face. The other man is white, of a larger build and wore a dark, baggy coat and jogging bottoms. Both men were in their early to mid-20s.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call police staff investigator Katie Carter on 101, quoting reference 18000203311. Alternatively, send her a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website. You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.