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MBE for Royal Navy officer with 'remarkable spirit'
A Portsmouth born Royal Navy officer has received an MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace, for promoting ‘a remarkable spirit de corps’.
Commander Chris Channing now works for the Military Aviation Authority at the Ministry of Defence in London but was awarded a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his time in charge of 771 Naval Air Squadron in Culdrose.
According to Chris’s citation, his performance as commanding officer of 771 was ‘exemplary’.
He was described as ‘rising to every challenge’ and during his time in charge, the Squadron’s Sea King helicopters flew over 500 Search and Rescue sorties.
Sunny spells and thundery showers - Latest weather
Heavy showers with the risk of thundery downpours today. It will brighten up for many this afternoon but feel fresher than recent days.
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Jury due out in teacher trial
A jury is set to retire to consider its verdict in the case of a teacher who allegedly abducted an East Sussex schoolgirl to France. Jeremy Forrest, 30, denies child abduction. His trial at Lewes Crown Court has heard that the pupil was 15 when she started a sexual relationship with Forrest.
Richard Barton, prosecuting, said Forrest's actions were an abuse of trust and he had not acted with the consent of the girl's parents.
He added that Forrest could be labelled a paedophile who groomed the vulnerable teenager.
Ronald Jaffa, defending, said the teenager was "desperate and suicidal" and Forrest went with her to prevent her coming to harm.
Teenager threatened with knife in Dover
Kent police are appealing for witnesses following reports of a teenager with a knife in Dover. A 17-year-old said he was threatened with the weapon by a group of young people near a bus stop before managing to run away and alert police. It happened on Saturday 8 June.
The group consisted of four young people, all described as white and in their early to mid-teens.
One male member of the group is described as approximately 16-years-old, wearing a red and black bobble hat, grey jumper, and tracksuit bottoms.
A second boy is described as around 14-years-old, shorter than the first male, with short ginger hair.
Two girls were also in the group – one described as around 15-years-old and of large build while the second is described as approximately 14-years old, of medium build.
Ladies arrive for day two of the Royal Ascot
Young girl turned down university for apprenticeship
Nicol Dower from Sittingbourne, says she had the chance to go to university but turned it down in favour of a career as an electrician. She's now working as an apprentice for a firm at Iwade, and will be going into schools and colleges to promote the scheme.
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Campaign for more female apprentices
A Kent training charity is launching a national campaign to persuade women that they can have a good career in the building industry. JTL say they hope their Apprentice Ambassador Initiative will inspire more young women to become craft apprentices.
Union J to perform in Margate
The band Union J, have announced they will perform at a concert in Kent this December, ahead of their first headline tour.
The band, comprising Josh Cuthbert, Jamie ‘JJ’ Hamblett, James ‘Jaymi’ Hensley and George Shelley, became a four-piece during the X Factor series when then soloist Shelley joined with the others, to form Union J.
They signed a record deal with Sony Music in January for their debut single, Carry You, which was released earlier this month.
The concert will take place at the Margate Winter Gardens on Tuesday 10 December.
Police appeal for witnesses to A27 accident in Sussex
Sussex Police are appealing for anyone with information about an accident involving two cars on the A27 at Sompting on Sunday 16th June 2013.
The collision happened just after 1pm. A blue Peugeot 206 and a silver Nissan Qashai collided near Lyons Farm. Neither of the drivers was injured.
Anyone who witnessed the accident is being asked to contact the police on 101 quoting serial 638 of 16/6.
Man arrested on suspicion of Newbury murder
Police are questioning a man about the discovery of a man's body in Berkshire. The victim had been assaulted and had suffered stab wounds. He was found in a property on the Nightingale Estate in Newbury on Wednesday 19th June 2013. A forty-one year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Thames Valley Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hunter can be contacted on the 24-hour non-emergency number 101.
Alternately, anyone with information can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
– Det Ch Insp Ian Hunter, Thames Valley Police“A thorough search of the area lead to the arrest of the suspect who is now in police custody. I would like to reassure the public that we believe this to be an isolated incident.”
– Supt Robin Rickard, LPA Commander - West Berkshire“We would like to thank the public for their cooperation during our investigation. Incidents such as these, while rare, can be distressing and disruptive to the local community.
“Our neighbourhood policing teams will be carrying out extra patrols in the area to address any concerns residents may have a provide reassurance.”
