OXFORD. Lee Boden, 30, of Luther Street, Oxford, admitted stealing two cans of lager and a pot of yogurt worth £10.14 from the Co-operative in Oxford on April 28. Also admitted committing a further offence while subject to a suspended sentence
THE new president of Oxford City FC has pledged to improve facilities as the club builds on success. Florida-based finance guru Thomas Guerriero is determined to accelerate the ‘Hoops’ towards fully-fledged league status, starting with promotion
THE hidden talents of children from Witney were celebrated at a dance and arts show. The 40 all-singing all-dancing youngsters performed to a full house at Ceewood Hall in Fettiplace Road. The Find Your Talent project showcased the efforts
A MAN abseiled down hospital walls with his late wife’s ashes in his pocket to raise money for the nurses who cared for her. Ken Thornton-Jeffery, 72, braved the John Radcliffe Hospital abseil on National Nurses Day on Sunday. He joined a team
SHOPKEEPERS claim repeated demonstrations outside David Cameron’s constituency office in Witney are hitting their trade. The retailers said protestors have been holding events outside the High Street office as frequently as once a week on a range
THE HEAD of Oxfordshire County Council has apologised for not stopping the abuse of vulnerable girls in its care. Joanna Simons, chief executive since 2005, said it was “beyond comprehension” an organised gang was acting on the scale it was.
THE man who led the hunt for the Bullfinch sex attackers has today appealed for anyone else being sexually abused to come forward, telling them: We do understand, we do care, and we can help. Simon Morton, the senior investigating officer, spoke
This must be one of the most unpleasant and difficult cases Thames Valley Police have ever had to conduct. It involved the molestation, rape and torture of very underage girls, on a large scale. We are fortunate it did not include murder. It would
A GANG of men has been found guilty of grooming, drugging, raping and prostituting vulnerable children in Oxford. Seven out of nine men were convicted this afternoon by jurors at the Old Bailey on 59 charges which included child rape, sex trafficking
OXCAT (Oxford Community Against Trafficking) has just released a statement calling on more vigilance in the future. It said: The conviction today of Oxford men for trafficking teenagers across our city is a wake-up call for everybody. OXCAT
6:39pm The Nanford Guest House, where some of the crimes occurred, have refused to comment tonight 6:15pm Mohammed Karrar in his police interview
A WOMAN waiting for an operation for a painful jaw condition was stunned to be told her medical records had been lost. Diane Crook, 39, claimed she has waited since March 1 for the procedure because it could not go ahead until the records were
THOUSANDS of people visited an Oxfordshire village to see dozens of local bands play across four venues. The annual Bloxham May Festival, now in its fourth year, saw about 3,000 people descend on the north Oxfordshire village on Saturday. Despite
A FORMER Oxford University kitchen porter has been jailed for two years for being a heroin and cocaine dealer. Oluwatosin Omoniyi, who worked at Wolfson College, pleaded guilty to possession of both cocaine and heroin worth about £1,120 with intent
Josh Easterbrook hates having his hair cut. But he went one step further to raise cash in memory of a fallen Bicester soldier. Cpl Andrew Roberts of 23 Pioneer Regiment, based at St David’s Barracks, near Bicester, had been planning to propose
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Brendan Cole has offered the following advice to his Oxford counterparts: “confidence is key.” Strictly Oxford 2013 – the city’s fundraising version of the hit BBC1 show on which Mr Cole is a dance instructor – launched
Sir – The obituary appreciation of Rick Mather (April 25) should remind all Oxonians of how fortunate Oxford has been to have had Rick Mather to demonstrate the supple and beautiful ways in which contemporary architecture can fuse and infuse earlier
Sir – On May 7, solicitors acting for CPRE Oxfordshire formally lodged an application for a judicial review of the planning permission granted to Oxford University for the Port Meadow flats on Roger Dudman Way. The preparation and filing of
Sir – In reaction to your article (News analysis, April 25) about how to protect views in Oxford, your readers may be interested to know of the work which Colvin & Moggridge carried out for the City of Edinburgh, completed in 2010. Like Oxford
Sir – The recent acquisition by the Bodleian Library of a draft manuscript of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem Binsey Poplars is enthusiastically heralded on Oxford University’s website because it gives a ‘remarkable insight into how the poet crafts his
Sir – Roger Moreton wonders why Matthew Arnold wrote of ‘dreaming spires’ (Letters, May 2). When Arnold wrote of ‘dreaming spires’ it was to rhyme with ‘copse and briers’. He could have said that ‘dozing domes, were dreaming over dusty tomes’.
Sir – The row over the Castle Mill flats does not go away, and it is clear that any permanent and significant amelioration will be hugely expensive. So while the city fathers and the University debate, could I in the mean time suggest one modest
Sir – Your correspondent Joanna Dennison (Letters, May 2) has either not read very carefully my letter (April 18), or she is misrepresenting it. She seems to think that I would evaluate the effects of the university flats on the view of central
Sir – I was elected a county councillor with just 30 per cent of the popular vote cast in my favour. The electorate of North Oxford are both sophisticated in politics, and well educated, with many nuanced views on different issues and the present
Sir – Chris Koenig’s article (History Man, April 25) rather gives the impression that my book, No Particular Hurry, is devoted to Arthur Evans. In fact, he features as only one of some 30 British travellers from the Victorian and Edwardian period
Sir – Well done to Tom Bowtell for highlighting the traffic problems which will undoubtedly arise if the north-east Didcot expansion of 2,000-plus houses goes forward. (Report, May 2). Interestingly, in SODC’s latest edition of their publication
Sir – As usual Christopher Gray (that ‘Son of the Soke’, Gray Matters, May 2) got it wrong in assuming that the cry of Eric Pickles and others is for the return of the traditional counties as the main unit of local government (although this would have
NEWLY re-elected county council leader Ian Hudspeth has unveiled his new cabinet. Mr Hudspeth was re-elected upopposed this morning at the first full council meeting since the elections on May 2. He revealed a shake-up of the cabinet roles,
Sir – John Tanner in his letter on air pollution from traffic (April 11) is clearly trying to give us the impression we have nothing to worry about. However, deaths, as a result of air pollution from traffic nationally, are reported to be higher
Sir – The announcement that the UK has avoided a triple dip recession is irrelevant to growing small and medium-sized (SME) businesses, other than the political concern it creates in the media. The situation is clear and we are bouncing along the bottom
Sir – After investigating the issue of access by car to Tower Hill Cemetery, in Witney, I am pleased to be able to reassure people that parking is available for visitors without having to leave the big double car gates open at all times. By parking
Sir – At 5pm on Friday, May 3, I went to County Hall to look at the election results. The number of votes cast for each candidate was stated but no mention of the percentage of voters who had bothered to vote. I gather it was in the low 30s
Sir – May I congratulate the panel who came to Friday’s meeting at the Civic Hall in Wantage. I thought Ed Vaizey, Matthew Barber and, in particular, Julie Mabberley spoke admirably and the whole evening was well informed and constructive. On refection
CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 5 RIAAN Krynauw crashed Challow & Childrey 2nd’s bowlers to all parts on his way to an outstanding 165 not out. He was joined in big partnerships first by Brad Gates (53) and then Gareth Benger (65no) as Leighton
OXFORDSHIRE secured their future in the BDO Inter-Counties Championship Premier Division, despite a 24-12 defeat away to Glamorgan. A Devon victory would have put pressure on Oxon. However, a 26-13 loss to Essex guaranteed Oxfordshire stayed up
THE atrocious weather had a major say as much of the OCA League programme was washed out on Saturday. Only a handful of games reached a conclusion. In Division 1, Westbury came away from Chadlington with an eight-wicket win. Ben Cole (4
Sir – We welcome the lively debate taking place in the pages of your newspaper about our proposed building. We believe it is a beautiful, well-considered building but we respect the views of those who disagree. We have made strenuous efforts
Rush hour motorists had their journeys delayed yesterday due to a broken down lorry at the M40/ A34 junction. Drivers were forced to queue in all directions after the lorry blocked traffic at the A41 roundabout above the motorway at about 7am.
Cows on the line caused problems for Chiltern Railways passengers yesterday. The animals got on to the track between Haddenham and Thame at about 7.50am. Chiltern Railways said the incident caused 10-minute delays to some trains. Normal
A driver escaped unhurt when his car crashed, caught fire and rolled down an embankment. The male driver was shaken but uninjured in the accident, which happened off Hill Road, Watlington, at 8.48pm on Sunday. Fire crews were called to put
TWO men appeared before Oxford magistrates yesterday charged with manslaughter following the death of a man who fell through a roof at a farm. John Binning, 64, from Great Park Farm, Besselsleigh, and James Binning, 27, from Binnings Farm, Besselsleigh
Congratulations are in order too for 4624 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, which is set to be awarded the Freedom of the County. And not a day too soon.
CHERWELL LEAGUE Divisions 6-10 ROB Keat starred with bat and ball as Didcot 2nd defeated Wolverton Town 2nd by 94 runs in Division 6. Keat top-scored with 76 not out in Didcot’s 191-7, with Sam Couldrick adding 72 and Philip Gammage taking
OXFORD HC were equal seventh in the first England National Cup finals for under 14 girls in Nottingham. The team had three goalless draws, one of which was against eventual winners Surbiton, and lost the other.
Sir – A few years ago, I very much enjoyed reading the Age Concern column in The Oxford Times written by Mary Evans Young. I was therefore interested to see in May’s Oxfordshire Limited Edition, the interview with both Mary and Derek that focused
POLICE are still looking for an injured person after a trail of blood was found on Magdalen Bridge this morning. A police cordon around Magdalen Tower and the punt station has been lifted after police were called to reports of blood on the pavement
OFFICIALS are investigating more than 100 con letters handed in as part of ‘scam awareness’ month. Boxes have been placed in libraries and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux across the county for people to pass on their malignant mail. Oxfordshire County
SHOPPERS and traders spoke of their shock after a man plunged to his death from Carfax Tower yesterday. The 39-year-old man, who has not yet been identified, fell from the 13th century landmark shortly after it opened to tourists. Queen Street
CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 3 CERI Holmes bagged 6-27 to set up an easy win for Horspath 2nd at Bicester & North Oxford. The home side could manage only 89-9 from 43 overs in an innings interrupted by a shower. Ryan Moore top-scored with
CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 4 NEWCOMERS East Oxford pulled off an impressive seven-wicket win on their Cherwell League debut at Horley, who won every match last season in Division 5. Ali Malik (5-59) put the hosts in trouble, before Steve
Network Rail has renewed equipment at a railway crossing in Yarnton where an 85-year-old man was killed in January. It closed the Sandy Lane crossing for 24 hours on Saturday to carry out the work and an inspection.
Mark Coombes, 48, of no fixed address, has been remanded in custody after being charged with arson with intent to endanger life at The Knowl residential care home in Stert Street, Abingdon, on April 24. Coombes was remanded until July 19 at Oxford
The office of Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld has clarified the salary of his support officer. An advert for the job, which includes driving Mr Stansfeld and taking minutes at meetings, said it was a full-time role paid £19,700
Kingstone Press Championship One OXFORD RL fell to a battling 12-4 home defeat against leaders North Wales Crusaders, but still climbed to second in the table. The hosts earned a losing bonus point for finishing within 12 of Crusaders, which
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has saluted Darren Pond’s attitude after the midfielder won an awards double at the Blue Square Bet North side’s annual presentation night. The former Banbury United man, who was unable to be at the event at the Marsh
PARAMEDICS can now spend more time saving lives after solar panels were fitted to their vehicles. South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has installed the panels on 36 of its rapid response vehicles. It means the medical equipment
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a row over noise at the Oxford Castle complex. Guests staying at the Malmaison hotel in New Road have complained of the racket coming from the Living Room bar below. Oxford City Council officials are
Cycling in Oxfordshire has bumbled along for decades. The time for change is now. My involvement in cycling advocacy started about 15 years ago, when I joined an offshoot of Oxford Friends of the Earth called Cyclox. Its sage leader was Richard
I WOULD like to express my heartfelt thanks to those men working on the Islamic Studies Centre site in Marston Road who came to my aid when my border terrier dog and I were recently confronted by a very large and out of control Staffordshire bull terrier-type
I HOPE Oxford Mail readers might help me understand why it is that Oxfordshire County Council will allow Transit vans to park in the heart of this great university city but will not allow school minibuses of the same size. The county council does
CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 2 JOE Butcher claimed his maiden five-wicket haul for Abingdon Vale’s 1st XI as they started the season with a four-wicket win over Cropredy at Hales Meadow. Danny Hartley took 4-37 to rip the heart out of the visitors
I, like many others, stood by the Church of St Anthony of Padua in Headley Way to watch last week’s repatriation cortege make the final turn into the John Radcliffe Hospital. In the stopped traffic, close to the junction with the hospital, a driver
I FIND it very difficult to accept the arguments consistently put forward that this country will somehow “lose” its trade and exports to the EU if we leave, due to some complicated restrictive trading agreements. Take a look on our roads, take
HISTORY is wonderful with the benefit of hindsight (Mr Siret’s letter). So here are some alternatives from the times. The Khmer Rouge was recognised by virtually every Western government as the alternative to the communist government in Cambodia
HATS off to the newly revamped loos in Market Street. An early arrival in Oxford for a hospital appointment however, meant that even though it was 8.20am we were obliged to use the overnight loo (also revamped apparently). As usual it was absolutely
CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 1 HORSPATH were well-placed to push for an opening day victory in Division 1 when rain cut short their clash with Thame Town. Opening bowlers Patrick Foster and Will Eason had put Horspath in charge by reducing
AT May’s west area planning committee, seven speakers were allowed to share 10 minutes’ address time representing a variety of interests, urging the committee not to approve the huge Blavatnik School of Government (BSG) building in Walton Street.
County Championship Shield OXFORDSHIRE ended their campaign on a real high note by hammering Berkshire 50-10 at Oxford RFC. The victory, which featured try doubles from Grove’s Guy Nicholl and Witney’s James Monks, took Oxon off the bottom
Oxford United’s supporters’ trust declared their long-term aim of reuniting the Kassam Stadium with the football club was one step closer after becoming the first to list a ground as an asset of community value. It means OxVox must be informed
Two men who robbed a Cowley newsagent have not yet been caught. They held up Hackett’s News in Garsington Road on Thursday at 6.55am, threatening owner Gordon Hackett with a gun and stealing cash and cigarettes. Call police on101.
OXFORD United supporters have won the right to mount their own bid to buy the Kassam Stadium if it goes up for sale. OxVox, the independent Oxford United supporters’ trust, last night announced its bid to have the stadium listed as a “community
Common sense has at last prevailed and the Kassam Stadium has been declared a community asset, which means that should its owner ever choose to sell, Oxford City Council must first be told. The best possible news for fans of Oxford United, it clears
A man claiming to be an electrician stole a DVD player, cash and tobacco in a distraction burglary between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Friday, May 3, in Walton Street, Oxford. He visited the shared house and asked to check the electric points. He
BLOOD found by Magdalen Bridge has sparked a police search for an injured person this morning. A police cordon is in place around Magdalen Tower and the punt station after police were called to reports of blood on the pavement at 8.04am. Police
Didcot Town boss Gary Elkins has decided to step down from the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West club due to work commitments. Elkins, 47, who took over at the start of next season, though, will be staying with the Railwaymen
A man has been jailed for 18 months for stealing two 100-year-old commemorative coins. Luke Newell, 37, from Luther Street, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on May 7. On January 16 he gained entry to a house in Southmoor Road, Walton
A YOUNG boy screamed for his daddy to stop stabbing his mother during a vicious attack, a jury heard yesterday. During the first day of the trial of Andrew Parsons at Oxford Crown Court, Miranda Moore, prosecuting, said he attacked his wife Janee
A DAD has been jailed for 27 months after admitting cruelty to his son. Twenty six-year-old Aaron Law, of Lily Close, Bicester, was jailed for the offence at Oxford Crown Court. The offence – cruelty to a person under 16 years – took place
FOR someone who made his name pushing himself to the limit, Sir Roger Bannister certainly knows a bit about the stresses and strains on the body. The 84-year-old sprinted into the history books when he became the first person to run a mile in less
DRIVERLESS cars are unlikely to be tested on Oxfordshire’s roads for months yet, an Oxford University spokesman said. The team behind the robotic car hoping to hit the streets around the county said they welcomed recent support from the universities
CROWDS flocked to wave on hundreds of cars and their drivers parading through Wallingford’s Market Square on Sunday. Helping lead the 9th rally, celebrating the county’s car-making history, were John and Elisabeth Holland, from Reading, in the
WORLD-CLASS scientists are letting out the secrets of their laboratories tomorrow. NHS researchers at Oxford Biomedical Research Centre will be unveiling their latest work to the public at their annual open day. Among the public will be Oxford
THE surviving foundations of Oxford’s Saxon town wall will be unveiled to the public today following a series of improvements to the remains. Oxford Preservation Trust undertook the work at Oxford Castle and images have been created to accompany
THE M40 southbound was partially blocked earlier this evening because of a broken down car. The car had broken down between junction seven for Thame and junction six for Watlington at about 7.30pm.
THERE are tailbacks of around five miles on the A34 after a boat trailer overturned crashing into the central reservation. The northbound carriageway of the A34 at the Milton Interchange has been fully reopened following the collision but one
ANDREW Parsons sobbed in the dock at Oxford Crown Court as a jury was played a recording of him allegedly stabbing his wife to death. Beautician Janee Parsons, 31, died in the home the couple shared in Lucerne Avenue, Bicester, on December 1 last
FAITH leaders in Oxford have condemned child sexual exploitation as an "abhorrent and wicked crime" following the verdicts issued at the Old Bailey today. In a joint statement, the Oxford Council of Faiths and civic and community leaders, said
