A THAME hair and scalp practitioner, imprisoned for sexual offences against four of his clients, has had his appeal against a three-year prison sentence rejected by the Court of Appeal.
Father of four, Praminder Mankoo, who operated from his clinic in Thame, was given a three year prison sentence for each of one count of indecent assault, and three of sexual assault, in September 2008.
He is expected to leave prison in April 2010 at the earliest.
AN appeal for witnesses has been issued this afternoon after an attempted theft in the High Street, Thame.
Thames Valley Police say that at 10.21am yesterday (3/8/09)) a woman was walking in Greyhound Walk when an Asian woman walked past her and dropped some money.
The woman heard the sound of the coins hitting the pavement but knowing that she didn?t drop them, carried on walking, turning into the High Street.
A couple of minutes later, the Asian woman approached her and said that she had dropped some money and at the same time, started opening the other woman?s handbag.
The woman realised what she was doing and grabbed her purse before the other woman could steal it.
The offender is Asian, aged between 20 and 35 years old and has long, dark hair which was tied back. She was wearing a flowing black-coloured top with a black T-shirt underneath, white trousers, UGG boots and sunglasses.
PC Darren James, investigating the incident, said: “It appears that the woman noticed the local traffic warden in the area before walking away.
“Although fortunately nothing was stolen, I would like residents to be aware that this has happened and to pay particular attention to keeping their belongings safe.
“I urge anyone who might have witnessed any suspicious activity, or have any information to help with my investigation, to get in touch.”
Anyone with information which could help the police should contact PC Darren James at Thame police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don?t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
WOULD you like to know more about what our local police officers have been doing to make Thame a safer place to live in and maintain our relatively low incidences of crime in the town?
ThameNews.Net will be meeting regularly with Thame’s Inspector, Martin Ford to find out, and this is the first of what will be a regular news bulletin of what our local police have been dealing with in the town recently.
If, after reading this bulletin, there are policing matters that you would like to comment on, feel free to email us via editor@thamenews.net.
OPERATION MAGMA
This special opereration was carried out between April and July this year, after a slight increase in ‘acquisitive’ crime in the area, which includes things like thefts from motor vehicles. As a result of a large team of plain-clothed and high-visibility officers patrolling South Oxfordshire, using stop check powers, pursuing known offenders and executing warrants at suspects? addresses, the result was a 5.3% drop in this type of offence compared to the same period last year.
Insp Martin Ford, who led the operation, said: “We are extremely pleased with the results from the operation. Our officers have been working extremely long hours to target prolific offenders and help keep levels of burglaries, robberies and auto crime low in the county.
“Our main aims were to disrupt criminal activity, arrest outstanding offenders and collect important intelligence. We want the small number of people who are responsible for most of the crime in South Oxfordshire to be aware that we are watching them.
“We want to reassure residents that we will pursue these prolific offenders until they are bought to justice. This operation has been specifically aimed to target our priority crime areas and now that the operation has finished our policing of these areas will continue.”
PATROLLING ‘HOT SPOTS’
Officers have increased visibility and patrols at local beauty spots where they have been spates of thefts from vehicles and thefts of vehicles themselves. The warning is not leave vehicles on view in vehicles including coats, which potential thieves may think are concealing valuables
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION GROUPS
Local officers have been working with the Thame Neighbourhood Action Group to tackle local concerns, including speeding which is a top issue. Officers have been out on the local roads catching speeding drivers and those who use mobile phones whilst driving and others not wearing a seat belt. Number plate recognition devices have been used to trace car registration numbers to see if they are linked to know criminals or crimes.
DOMESTIC ABUSE
A new unit has been set up locally (1 in 10 relationships involve domestic abuse at some time). Specially trained officers will meet victims in a cafe or other neutral place and offer mediation and access to support groups and other advice. Call the Helpline 0800 731 0055
COUNTRY WATCH
Our local Community Officer and Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Russell Hounslow, has been involved in threats to local water vole habitats, hare coursing and Plant thefts and is currently organising a conference for local gamekeepers. Russell reports that illegal Traveller incursions are reducing in number in the district.
CCTV
CCTV cameras continue to aid the observation and evidence collecting for crimes and other incidents that occur in the town centre, and often help directly in bringing offenders to court.
FANCY getting fit in the outdoors in Thame? Are you an early riser? Lord Williams School and Nexus Community will be hosting a new health and fitness experience for residents in the Thame area – BootCamp fitness!
The sessions are lead by local personal trainer, George Anderson and his team – www.thamepersonaltraining.co.uk
If you are serious about getting fit and in shape, call the BootCamp Hotline on:
0800 8600 895 to reserve your place.
Beginning Monday August 17, 2009
Where: Outside! Lord Williams School play grounds next to Thame Leisure Centre
When: Mondays and Thursdays 6.30 – 7.30 am
Parking and shower facilities provided by Thame Leisure Centre.
This is a Ringmaster message from Thames Valley Police. Good News/Result Message:
A 21 year old male Shane Parker, from Lockerly Road, Havant, Hants, has been arrested by Thames Valley Police Officers in relation to a series of thefts from motor vehicles across Oxfordshire and charged with theft from a vehicle in South Oxfordshire.
He appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court, on Thursday 30th July and has been remanded in custody.
MATCH REPORT: AFC WALLINGFORD 1, v THAME UNITED, August 01, 2009.
United secured a draw with landlords AFC Wallingford in a hard fought encounter at the Hithercroft Stadium last Saturday.
United started the brighter of the two sides and should have opened the scoring as early as the second minute when a pin-point cross from Stuart Barr on the right was met by a powerful header from Luke Ricketts but was well saved by the home keeper. The following twenty minutes saw AFC Wallingford gain the ascendancy with their quick attacking football and keeper Orkney needed to be alert on a number of occasions over this period. However, the next best chance fell to United, with midfielder Lawrence El-Kassir blasting a volley over the bar from 18 yards in the 28th minute. Five minutes later and striker John Mitchell did well to feed Adam Rhodes just inside the box whose square ball to Barr was met by a powerful drive just the wrong side of the post. Barr had another opportunity three minutes before the break but again saw his effort go wide.
United made a number of substitutions at half time and it was Wallingford who were quicker out of the blocks. Orkney again had to be alert in the 54th minute, doing well to push a header around the post, before United should have taken the lead when Greg Stocker drove the ball at the keeper from a wide angle, with the ricochet, albeit at high speed, being put wide by Mitchell. However, it was Wallingford who took the lead in the 70th minute. A deep corner from the right was headed back across goal where the Wallingford striker was able to comfortably score from close range. United nearly equalised a minute later when Rhodes made a good run to the by-line, passing the ball back to Mark Jones whose effort was then cleared off the line. The equaliser arrived three minutes later. Manager Mark West fed Stocker on the right whose first time cross was confidently headed beyond the keeper by Jones for his second goal in as many games. In the final ten minutes, the best chance fell to Stocker, who placed narrowly wide from an acute angle.
United travel to Buckingham Town on Tuesday evening for their final scheduled friendly before the start of the season (7;45pm kick off).
United Squad: Orkney, P.Way, G.Way, Newell, N.Rhodes, Hocking, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Barr, Ricketts, Jones, Mitchell, Barnett, Wakelin, Peverill, Bailey, Stocker, West.
1st August 2009
Photo: Thame’s scorer, Mark Jones
WITH the new season kicking off on Tuesday, Augus 10, Thame United will be looking to get off to a good start as they push for promotion to the Hellenic Premier League. United open-up with a tricky looking home tie against a Farnborough Reserves side who will be something of an unknown quantity given their emergence from the Bisley Sports side of last season.
Kick off is 7:45pm at AFC Wallingford. On the following Saturday (15th August) the magic of the FA Cup takes over, as United face Bedford at home in the Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round, 3:00pm kick off.
United will be keen to continue the form that led to a strong finish in the league last season. The majority of the squad from last year have re-signed for the forthcoming season, with experience and competition added in key positions. Lee Orkney (goalkeeper) joins from local rivals Chinnor and has impressed in pre-season, whilst the return of striker John Mitchell after a three year absence has given the side a further boost. Mitchell, a player long associated with the Club both on and off the field, is a proven goal scorer at a higher level, having successfully led the front line for United in their Southern League days. In addition, Ed Barnett joins from Chinnor to provide added competition to the defence. Combined with the odd cameo performance from manager Mark West, United look well placed to be challenging for honours this season.
1st August 2009
THE Police are appealing for information after a recent spate of burglaries in South Oxfordshire, including one in Chinnor.
On Friday (24/7/09), during the day, nine properties were broken into from Watlington, Aston Rowant, then in Spring Lane, Chinnor and on to Lower Shiplake and Stoke Row, near Henley.
There have been reports of two white men, aged around 16 to 18 years old, in the areas at the time of the burglaries. It is possible that they could have been in a small blue vehicle.
Det Sgt Frankie Jarvis, investigating the burglaries said: “I suspect that these burglaries could be linked and I?m keen to catch those responsible.
“In most of the burglaries the thieves stole mainly cash and jewellery.
“I would urge anyone who may have seen the two men or any suspicious activity in the area to contact the police.”
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact DC Boyle at Witney police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don?t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Photo: for illustrative purposes only
Dear Editor, I have used the cycle shop in Park Street since I came to live in Thame eight years ago and presented my battered, mongrel, Sturmey Archer-geared, basket-bedecked, now 30-year-old roadster for the various forms of succour provided therein.
I still prefer that bike but I also have a rather more trendy Moulton which also sometimes needs assistance. Like Mary Stiles (letters yesterday) I do not intend to take my custom elsewhere.
Norman Brand
Fanshawe Road
31/07/09
A Chinnor live music promoter and record label owner has been invited to join the team behind the very successful TopoftheOx Song competition.
Michele Pethers, who previously organised the very successful ?Profile Fest ?events at the Civic
Centre in Aylesbury and runs an indie label representing both local and national acts, has joined
TopoftheOx, originally set up to find the best song in Oxfordshire and Brighton.
The competition was such an outstanding success, that TopoftheOx are now branching out and running the competition on a national level, meaning that bands, musicians and solo artists from Bucks and Beds can also get involved this year along with the rest of the UK.
Michele joins forces with Oxford Doctorate and business entrepreneur, Mark Hussey, and young, dynamic website designer and entrepreneur, James Tromans, who is an Oxford graduate/student. Jamie had already developed a highly successful online gaming website in his late teens.
From the 1st August 2009 musicians, bands and solo artists from around the country will be able to upload their original music to www.topoftheox.co.uk
ready for the public to vote for their favourite track.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
TopoftheOx is a unique web-based weekly song chart that is generated directly by the vote of the public. At the end of the competition, the songs that have received most votes in the Metal, Rock, Pop & R&B, Alternative and Electric Charts, will win a professional re-recording of their song mastered by some of the industry ?s top names, released nationally, appear on stage at a historical and prestigious venue at a winners concert, as well as a professional promo video and photo shoot by a top respected photographer. The artist with the song
that receives most votes overall will not only have their single supported with a music video and professional photos, but also receive management, a UK tour and promotion and band merchandise giving the artist that vital lift off that could turn them into household names.
Throughout the competition, TopoftheOx will be actively promoting and offering unique opportunities to participating bands. Absolutely anyone with an original recording can enter free of charge, regardless of the recording quality.
All participants will receive national exposure and promotion. In addition, artists can list their forthcoming gigs on a unique database integrated with popular online mapping software. A song of the week will be selected and displayed on the homepage as well as a ?5 minutes of fame ? section where a new band will feature on the front page every five minutes.
The competition has the support of major industry looking out for the weekly chart toppers who may also land themselves a significant prize.
For more information visit the website or Myspace page.
Contact Details: Telephone: 01844353154 / 07779732097
Email: pr@topoftheox.co.uk
www.topoftheox.co.uk
www.myspace.com/topoftheox
photo: Sarah Warne, a previous winner of the TopoftheOx best songwriter/singer competition