A care worker from Thame with a drugs problem, and who took an elderly resident’s bank card and used it to withdraw money, has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Windmill Place care home, Thame
Abigail Smith, 35, of Thame Park Road, Thame, had pleaded guilty back on June 22, to fraud by abuse of position at Windmill Place care home for the elderly in Thame.
Oxford Crown Court heard on Monday (29/06) that Smith had made multiple cash withdrawals from the account of Margaret Surgey, an elderly resident who had suffered a stroke and was beginning to suffer dementia.
The fraud amounted to a total of £4,982.84 and was discovered after a Department for Work and Pensions direct debit for Ms Surgey was returned due to a lack of funds in the account.
Smith was apparently held in high esteem by colleagues but according to her Defence lawyer, had been fighting a cocaine habit and the effects of having had an abortion. She was given an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered todo 100 hours of unpaid work. The judge also ordered that Smith attend a drug rehabilitation Centre and placed on a 12 month Supervision Order.
Confiscation proceedings to recover the stolen money have been put in place.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information following an attempted burglary in Thame.
Between 2.20pm and 4pm yesterday (1/7), an attempt was made to gain entry to a property in Onslow Drive.
It is believed offender(s) attempted to gain entry by forcing the front door handle. No entry was gained.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, please call the police on the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101.
Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
HUNDREDS of local people took advantage of the unexpected good weather for this year’s Thame Duck Race, after a torrential day at Thame Carnival the day before.
Lining the riverbank, they watched as around 2000 rubber ducks were launched from Thame Bridge to start the race. They were then able to follow the ducks down river to the finish, where duck numbers 447, 1327 and 101 were the first three across the line.
Captain Duck oversaw proceedings with his floating tribute to pallets, whilst Pirate Peter rigged beer barrels to a tin bath to try and stay dry – both failed to avoid the perils of the deep! The pirates helped the ducks along their way and entertained the crowd with a mixture of terrible jokes and collapsing watercraft!
Tim Lancaster, Chairman of Thame Round Table, commented: “The Duck Race is always a highlight of the year for our members to run. Numerous local groups sell the tickets and then receive proceeds to benefit their group or charity – over £3600 was raised this year.
“We nominated SeeSaw, a local charity which provides grief support to young people, to benefit from sales made by our members and on the race weekend, and are delighted to have passed them a donation of over £900. We owe them our thanks too, for the support they are giving the family of one of our members whose daughter Megan died this year – Megan was always in the centre of everything we did and we dedicated this year’s race to her and her family.
“We would also like to thank all the friends of Thame Round Table, including the Fire Service, Peach Pubs and Helpful Hirings, who helped us to stage this event.”
THIS coming Saturday (July 4), Thame Leisure Centre is hosting a ‘Be Inspired’ family open day to encourage families and friends to try new sports.
image courtesy of frialator.co.uk
The event kicks off with free activities from midday to 5pm and aims to encourage the whole family to stay healthy and learn news ways to exercise, with taster sessions available for all age groups and abilities.
Activities at the centre, which is run by GLL, the charitable social enterprise that runs leisure centres across the UK under its brand name Better, include the Mega class. The class offers participants the chance to try two studio classes that take place at the centre – body pump and body combat – rolled into one mega work out.
For those looking to enjoy a different high energy work out, there is the chance to try Studio Cycling for the first time, with a class starting at 1.30pm. Those looking for a low impact exercise option can enjoy the centre’s Pilates and Tai Chi sessions, also starting at 1.30pm.
The swimming pool will be open for all to use and there will be free swim school assessments for children aged 6 months and over. Little ones aged 6 months and over can also enjoy the free soft play area that will run from 12pm to 4pm.
THAME Town Cricket Club’s first team moved further clear at the top of the Cherwell League Division One on Saturday, after beating Wolverton at Church Meadow.
Hassam Mushtaq
Captain Mike Higgs won the toss and did not hesitate to bat on a beautiful day. Early wickets left Thame 82 for 4 with only Will Sutcliffe (31) making a real start, however steady contributions from the middle order took the home team up to 205 all out in their last over. Hassam Mushtaq top scored with 40, and N. Shahzad took 5-58 for the visitors.
In response, Wolverton started quickly, taking 46 from the first seven overs, but then the wickets began to fall, as Thame built up the pressure. Lachlan and McPhee picked up a wicket each, before the guile of spin twins Higgs (3-38) and Mushtaq (5-35) slowly picked away at the Wolverton team, who were never in the game. Thame got the last wicket when the score was 150 in the 32nd over, to leave the side unbeaten this season.
Thame travel to Long Marston on Saturday, July 4.
THAME’s Second XI, who play in Cherwell League Division Five, were less successful losing away at Long Marston where the home side scored 205 for 8 in their 53 overs. Chris Penny took 3 for 48 off 17, and Sam Nicholls 3 for 30, with 3 catches in the deep for Ben Warwick.
However fielding in the hot sun took its toll as when Thame batted they were 97 all out in 30.3 overs. Only Warwick, Luke McStay and Chris Penny reached double figures.
THE Third XI, who play in Cherwell League Division Nine, lost at home to O & B Nondescripts by 4 wickets, despite more runs for Ian Chapple.
THE Rotary Club of Thame has today said ‘Thank you’ to the communities of Thame and neighbouring villages for their support for Rotary’s fund-raising events, including the Thame Swimathon, the Thame Art Show and the Charity Movie Night.
Rotary spokesman, Marius Ciortan, said: “Thanks to the communities’ support, the club, which has been under the leadership of Linda Emery as President of the Rotary Club of Thame, was able to donate £7,000 to charity at a ceremony held at the Spread Eagle in Thame on Wednesday, June 24, to mark the end of the Rotary Year 2014-2015. The major beneficiaries included good local causes like Thame Skate Park Project, TCC2, and Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers.”
Linda Emery with the Thame Skate Park team. Photo: Ross Dike
Marius continued: “During the ceremony representatives from the three beneficiaries outlined the way the money received will be spent. The donation towards the Thame Skate Park will make a contribution towards covering the costs for a new structure constructed from ‘free-form’ concrete which will not only provide a better surface for wheel-based sports, but will also reduce noise and maintenance, but should last upwards of 50 years. By helping the Thame Skate Park Project the Rotary Club of Thame really has contributed to make sure this vital community amenity remains in place for the existing users and also for the generations to come.”
Marius added: “Thame Children’s Choir (TCC2) were extremely grateful for the very generous donation by the Rotary Club of Thame. They hope it will enable them to expand their activities in the coming season, giving the children the chance to perform in new places such as the Player’s Theatre, to learn with inspirational guest tutors, and to continue providing bursaries for children who would otherwise not be able to join this thriving, high-quality children’s choir
“Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers will have several options for spending Thame Rotary’s donation. They are hoping to purchase camera traps for wildlife monitoring, a detector for surveying moths and bats, a microscope and equipment to carry out a hydrological survey of the area. This is important – as Cuttle Brook is part of the flood plain in the area of Thame.
“To continue and to expand our fundraising activities in the months and years to come, we are looking for even more support from the local community. We are welcoming new members from the local communities of Thame, Chinnor, Long Crendon and neighbouring villages, who can join our world of fun, fellowship and fundraising.”
To learn more about Thame Rotary or to express an interest in joining, visit: thame.rotary1090.org
HENRY Bell, from Thame Swimming Club, swam the Henley Classic Open Water Event yesterday, June 29, taking the Bronze medal in the Junior Category with a time of 31.58 minutes – a whopping seven minutes faster than his time last year.
Henry Bell (Right)
The regatta course is 2.1 kilometres in length and because of the boats preparing for the races later in the week the race needed to be swum early. This meant Henry was up at 3am and in the water ready for the off at 4.45am.
A squad of other Thame Swimming Club members was in action last weekend at the Milton Keynes Swim Club End of Season Open Meet. Ian Blyth coached and encouraged the team the whole weekend, assisted by Lucy North with the swimmers putting in some impressive swims.
The gala hosted Grand Finals for the 100m Free, with Ella Simms and Laura Nobes qualifying for the girls and Harry Block and Hallam Cozier qualifying for the boys. Helen Williams, Thame Swimming Club’s Communication manager, was there. She said: “The finals created a great atmosphere with everyone cheering wildly … especially when Harry Block took home the first place!
“Massive personal bests were achieved by the following swimmers, all of whom should be congratulated.”
Hazel Randall: 400 Free (30 + seconds)
Oscar North: 200 Back (30+ seconds)
Kate Collins: 200 Breast (40+ seconds)
Elizabeth Humphreys: 400 IM (30+ seconds)
Sam White: 400 Free (40+ seconds)
Lucy Block: 200 Back (16+ seconds)
Helen added: “A big thank you also to Brian Pridmore, Paul Williams, Michele Block, Sherri Cozier and Angie Day who along with Ian Blyth gave up their Father’s Day to be poolside. Thanks also to Rachel Humphreys, Mark Simms and Wendy Randall for officiating on the Saturday too.”
Notable winners were Rory Pridmore who achieved medals in all three of his races and to Harry Block, Ella Simms and Elliot Riley-Brown who achieved medals in all but one of their races.
THAMES Valley Police is re-appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in which a Buckinghamshire teacher died.
The late Mairead Mary Boucherat
The collision, which involved a black Nissan Qashqai and cyclist, 54 year-old Mairead Mary Boucherat, happened on the B4009, Tring Hill, Aston Clinton, near to the junction of Upper Icknield Way, at about 10.30am on Saturday, May 30, 2015.
The driver of the Nissan was uninjured but the Police would specifically like to locate the driver of a grey pick-up vehicle, similar to a Nissan or a Toyota, who may have witnessed the incident.
Investigating officer, PC Kelly Hobson of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Bicester, said: “I would like to re-appeal to anyone who may have any information about this collision to come forward and speak to police by calling 101.
“I would particularly like to locate the driver of a grey pick-up vehicle, similar to a Nissan or a Toyota, who may have witnessed the incident. The driver of this vehicle might have vital information that can assist our investigation.
“If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”
SHOWERY rain during the CPM sponsored Thame 10K on Sunday (28/06), failed to dampen the enthusiasm and determination of the hundreds of runners who had trained so hard for the event.
The fastest man over the finish line was Karl Spielman of Midhurst Milers (No 237 – third from the front in image), who covered the distance in a time of 33.18.
The fastest woman was Sophie Carter of Belgrave Harriers, with a time of 36.58. The fastest Thame Runner member was James Ort who came in with a time of 38.53, just over a minute behind Boot Camp’s George Anderson’s time of 37.53.
THAME based commercial vehicle manufacturer, Kubota, has recently delivered a vehicle specially designed for fighting rural crime, to Thames Valley Police – the first force in the country to use this rugged all-terrain vehicle.
A Kubota vehicle very similar to that delivered to Thames Valley Police, pictured taking part in the recent Thame carnival (Image edited to resemble TVP livery – just for fun!)
The high-performance Kubota RTVX900, which costs about £10,000, is designed to transport officers to areas that were previously impossible to access.
AFTER an arson attack gutted its headquarters in Crowmarch back in January, Oxfordshire District Council will be moving to its new HQ at Milton Park, Milton, near Abingdon.
For more information about the new location and how to get there, visit the website: LINK HERE
THAME Town Council is to consider reversing a decision taken by the previous administration to end monthly drop-in sessions for the public to talk to councillors about any problems or querries. Cllr Mary Stiles, who suggested the change, is to meet with the Town Clerk to come up with a format and rota for councillors.
AFTER some discussion about the format and who should be included in the formation of a Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Group, Thame Town Council has allocated the task of coming up with an acceptable balance of town councillors, Residents’ groups and others to be included in what will be a monitoring group, to make sure the policies in the Neighbourhood Plan are followed through and adhered to.
Cllrs Mike Dyer and Bob Austin are to work with Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, to come up with a suitable Terms of Reference and potential sources of membership, to take back to the full council. The town council will have the final say on what comes out of the group.
FRAUDSTERS are targeting classified advertisement websites like AutoTrader to advertise vehicles for sale. Buyers are then contacting these ‘sellers’ to find out more about the vehicles and are being told to pay for them via ‘Apple Pay’. In this case the fraudsters are not using the genuine Apple Pay service and potential victims pay money directly to bank accounts in control of the fraudsters. Individuals receive emails claiming to be from Apple Pay with a web link to a cloned website with false terms and conditions of the ‘escrow’ service. Any money remitted to the fraudsters is then unrecoverable and the vehicles are not delivered.
To protect yourself, always meet sellers face to face.
Smith was apparently held in high esteem by colleagues but according to her Defence lawyer, had been fighting a cocaine habit and the effects of having had an abortion. She was given an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered todo 100 hours of unpaid work. The judge also ordered that Smith attend a drug rehabilitation Centre and placed on a 12 month Supervision Order.
