Meridian Crime News

Police are searching for a man who carried out an unprovoked attack on a boy. The thirteen-year-old was approached last Friday and was asked to hand over his mobile phone. The boy was punched several times causing a bloody nose and a black eye. The incident happened in the Winton, Bournemouth.

“This was an unprovoked attack on a young boy who has suffered some nasty injuries.

“This has obviously been a rather traumatic experience for him.

“The offender is described as a white man, aged around 20, approximately five feet nine inches tall and with light brown skin.

“He was wearing a dark coloured body warmer with a grey hood attached.

“I urge anyone who witnessed this incident, and anyone who may have information about the offender to call police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident number 22:458 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• UK
• Bournemouth
• crime

The story of one of Canterbury's former archbishops is to be etched onto glass. St Alphege was martyred a thousand years ago after the Danes invaded and stormed Canterbury. A new memorial is planned for the church in Whitstable which bears his name.

Twelve, one metre-high glass panes are to be etched with the key events in the saint's life and death.

In his report David Johns spoke to Rachel Webbley, Vicar of St Alphege Church; Sonia McNally, the artist; Hilary Powell, a medieval historian; and Jon Scott, a jogger who is one of the models featuring in the artwork.

• UK
• Religion
• St Alphege

A 97-year-old man from Hampshire has had his mobility scooter stolen. Thieves took the machine from the home of Henry Hayes in Hythe. He says he needs it to help him care for his wife, and that without it, he can’t even get to the shops.

Our reporter Juliette Fletcher spoke to Mr Hayes, and PC Bridget Stone from Hampshire Police.

• UK
• Crime
• Hampshire Police

A man from Gillingham has been charged with the murder of Paul Scott, 43, from Gillingham.

Twenty-one-year-old Robert Alderman of Canadian Avenue was charged with murder this morning. He is due to appear before Medway Magistrates Court.

• UK
• Crime
• Paul Scott

This is the moment that Nicola Edgington was arrested after murdering an innocent stranger and attacking another woman.

• UK
• Crime
• stabbing

The first witness in the trial of nine men accused of running a child prostitution ring in Oxford took to the stand today. The woman, now in her 20s, told the Old Bailey that she was plied with drugs and alcohol.

The men face 51 charges - and are accused of grooming and assaulting girls between 2004 - and last year. They deny the charges. From London, Kate Bunkall sends this.

• UK
• Crime
• Oxfordshire

Police in Southampton are appealing for witnesses to an attack on a bus driver during an attempted robbery.

The incident took place on Friday morning in Meggeson Avenue, Southampton. The driver's bus was being pelted with snowballs by a group of around 30 youths.

About five of the group forced their way onto the bus, assaulted the 45-year-old driver and attempted unsuccessfully to take his bag.

The driver was punched in the face and repeatedly pelted with snowballs. The youths are believed to be aged between 15 and 17. They wore black hooded coats.

Local people went to the driver’s assistance, and the youths fled towards shops in Meggeson Avenue. The driver suffered minor injuries.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to DC Jackson at Bitterne on 101.

• UK
• Crime

A 32-year-old man from Bulgaria has been arrested and bailed, after Border Force officers seized approximately three and a half tonnes of cannabis at Newhaven.

The drugs have an estimated street value of £10.5million pounds. The haul was discovered on Wednesday 16th January after officers stopped and searched a Spanish registered lorry which had arrived on a ferry from Dieppe. The investigation continues.

Border Force officers work round the clock, using the latest technology, sniffer dogs and their own expertise to stay one step ahead of those involved in the illegal drugs trade. Those who engage in illegal drug smuggling should be in no doubt that they will be targeted and brought to justice."

• UK
• Crime
• UK Border Agency

Dorset Police have released CCTV images of three men who may have vital information about an assault outside a bank in Bournemouth. A 20-year-old man was punched in the face by a stranger at about 3.30am on Sunday in front of the Barclays branch on Old Christchurch Road.

The victim was rendered unconscious. It transpired he had sustained a fractured skull and had bleeding on the brain. Detective Constable Matthew Manners, from Bournemouth CID said that the police want to speak to the men in the cctv images:

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, and anyone with any information about those responsible, to contact police as soon as possible.

“I would urge the three men pictured – and anyone who recognises them – to contact me, in confidence, urgently.

“Around thirty minutes prior to this incident, a 21-year-old Dorchester man was allegedly assaulted also on Old Christchurch Road.

“The victim sustained severe bruising and cuts to his head and face.

“A 23-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested and released on bail in relation to this earlier alleged incident, and continues to help police with their enquiries.”

• UK
• Dorset Police
• Bournemouth