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Lottery boost for Whitehaven
by Samantha Parker
Whitehaven's Market Place will be regenerated as part of a £2.2m project. The Heritage Lottery Fund has pledged £650,000.
Read the full storyScottish Alcohol Bill goes through
MSPs have voted to back plans for minimum pricing. It means Scotland will become the first part of the UK to set a floor price for alcohol of 50p per unit.
Ministers say the policy - which is aimed at tackling drink fuelled violence and health problems - will be ditched after six years if it doesn't work.
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Workington Assault: E-Fit released
Police have released an e-fit of a man they are seeking in connection with an assault which occurred on Monday 21st may, shortly after 7:30 pm.
A woman stopped her car to offer help at a lay-by between Stainburn and Brigham in the direction of Cockermouth after being flagged down by a man.
The man got into her car pulled her hair and ordered her to go to Workington, When they got to the Stainburn roundabout the man left. Apart form the shock of the incident the female was otherwise uninjured.
The man is described as approximately 20 years old, 5 ft 9" tall, slim build with short dark hair wearing black trousers and a black jacket with a hood. The victim said he did not have a local accent.
DCI Keith Capstick, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victim and we would appeal for anyone who recognizes the man in this e-fit, or who saw a man fitting this description in the Brigham area or later in the Stainburn area sometime between 7:45 pm and 8:10 pm.
He has somehow got to the lay-by in the first place and someone may have seen him or given him a lift before the incident. "If you think this is you, then please contact us so we can eliminate you from our enquiries.
"The victim was trying to be a good Samaritan by helping someone who she thought needed assistance. This is an isolated incident and we do not want the public to feel unsafe, but we urge caution when stopping for anyone who you don't know."
Mother escapes jail
A mother who fell asleep after getting drunk leaving her baby to fall from a window has escaped jail. Carlisle magistrates court heard how on April 16 a neighbour living in Eldred Street, Carlisle, saw the youngster “dangling” from the upstairs window.
Running towards the house he “expected to find a dead child” . However the baby suffered suspected hairline fractures to its jaw and cheekbone and facial cuts. Paramedics failed to raise the mother, police broke in and found Jennifer Mary Carlton asleep upstairs, 4 times over the drink drive limit.
Carlton is now living with her mother and the baby is with it's father. Sobbing throughout the hearing Carlton was handed a 60 day sentence suspended for two years. She was also given a community supervision order, told to attend an alcohol treatment programs and pay £85 costs.
Duke presents posthumous award
Duke of Kent has presented Mrs Myrna Robertson and her son John Robertson witha posthumous certificate of service for the late John Robertson, former crewmember, mechanic and deputy launching authority to commemorate 43 years ofservice with Kippford lifeboat in Kirkcudbright.
New pro-wrestling school
A new pro-wrestling school has opened in Dumfries.
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Shafiea Ahmed trial: latest from Chester Crown Court
Shafilea Ahmed's sister's told a court her death had haunted her and she talked to police because she felt she was being forced down the same path with an arranged marriage.
Alesha Ahmed says she got three men to stage a robbery at the family home in Warrington in 2010 when her parents wouldn't give her money for University. She said she
– Alesha Ahmed"snapped. It was just hard living the way they wanted me to, or living on my own. Both were a struggle"
She was arrested after the robbery and has pleaded guilty. Soon after she gave a statement to police saying her mother and father murdered Shafilea by suffocating her in 2003.
Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed deny murder. When questioned about why she has made the claim after all these years she siad:
"I think at that point I was really suffering with the family (and) the build-up to the robbery.
"It all got too much, and to be honest I think it was a relief more than anything to be able to tell someone finally."
"I think it was not until I went to uni I saw how wrong family life was.
"When you get used to something, it becomes normal and that's when I saw it wasn't normal, really.
"I think what happened to my sister was wrong but because it's your parents you think it's normal because you still love them.
– Alesha Ahmed"I think at uni I did feel the way my sister had - you want to fit in with everyone else but you are still being forced to live in a different way.
"I think that's what made me crack."
Child grooming warning
Police have thwarted a suspected grooming crime after a 13-year-old girl from the Scottish Borders arranged to meet a man in London after chatting to him online.Police intercepted the girl at Kings cross station after a joint intelligence led operation with Lotian and Borders police and the Met.
No arrests have yet been made regarding the incident which happened on Friday, May 4, but police are working on the theory the man had been grooming the girl for sex.
The case has resulted in reminder warnings to parents over the dangers of the Internet.
MSP John Lamont said:
– John Lamont MSP"While the Internet is a fantastic resource that everyone should have access to, it can also pose a danger to our children, especially in incidents of adults attempting to groom them.
In this instance had it not been for police intervention it might have been too late and this is a stark warning that we must always strive to do more to protect our young people.It should be made clear in schools that under no circumstances should children become involved with strangers over the Internet or arrange to meet up with them."
Scottish Borders Council said they were aware of the incident and added that they regularly emphasised to primary and secondary schoolchildren the importance of staying safe on-line.Yvonne McCracken, head of schools services, said:
– Yvonne McCracken"They also provide various opportunities for parents to learn how to support their children to use the Internet safely.We have a comprehensive Internet safety policy which applies to all staff, parents and pupils during school time.Of course, the Internet offers a wide range of educational benefits both within school time and at home but we cannot over-emphasise the importance of being cautious online, especially when communicating with people you don't know."
– Lothian and Borders Police"We are investigating after a 13-year-old girl from the Scottish Borders was stopped by officers travelling to England where she was due to meet an individual whom she had been contacting online. Enquiries are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding this matter. Our communities are reminded never to give out personal information over the Internet and to take the utmost care when corresponding with people they do not know personally.
Shafilea Ahmed's murder trial latest:
Giving evidence Alesha Ahmed says she was presented with suitors for arranged marriage.
– Alesha Ahmed"I was going down the path of my sister...it was a lot of pressure"
Asked why she got three men to rob her family home Alesha Ahmed says
– Alesha Ahmed"I absolutely snapped it was just hard living the way they wanted me to"