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Issue:- Monday, 20 June 2016

Headlines and reports on this page = 5 news items. Page - 4.

Southport Restaurant Salutes Armed Forces

A local restaurant is showing its support to the Armed Forces, by offering all military personnel a free carvery, on Saturday, 25 June 2016. Toby Carvery Ainsdale, on Liverpool Road, is inviting local Armed Forces personnel to enjoy a free roast dinner, on Saturday, 25 June 2016, as a way of saying thank you for all their hard work. Armed Forces Day is a national initiative for the country to show its support to the men and women who represent the UK in the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force. Toby Carvery's offer is open to all military personnel, from serving troops and reserves to veterans and cadets, and can be claimed by downloading a voucher and presenting this along with their military ID or veteran's card. Alexandra Wheelton, general manager at Toby Carvery Ainsdale, said:- "Armed Forces Day is a brilliant opportunity to show our thanks for the work both serving and ex-military do for our country. We are proud to support our troops and can't think of a better way to thank all those involved in Southport than by giving them a roast dinner on us."

To download your Armed Forces Day voucher or to find out more about the offer, click on here.

Merseyside Clubs Join Forces for FA Girls' Football Festival

MORE than 300 girls will be descending on Merseyside to take part in the FA Girls' Football Festival at Anfield Sports and Community Centre, on Thursday, 16 June 2016, from 9:30 am to 5:15pm. The young athletes will get the amazing opportunity to meet some of the stars of the FA Women's Super League, including Liverpool Ladies FC's Satara Murray and Claudia Walker from Everton Ladies FC. Budding players from schools across the region have been invited to attend by the Liverpool County FA, to develop their skills and to see the top level female footballers in action. A huge number of games will be taking place on the day as well as a range of activities and football workshops led by staff from The FA and the Liverpool County FA.

Commenting on the opportunities festivals such as this present to participants, Satara Murray said:- "I am really excited to have been invited to attend the FA Girls Football Festival on Thursday 16th June. Since I have moved to the UK I have noticed the dramatic increase interest in women's football both on and off the pitch. Events like this provide young girls with a fantastic opportunity to be able to continue their footballing development."

This festival has been planned to complement the work the FA is doing through the:- 'We Can Play' campaign; which focuses on eradicating existing stereotypes, whilst maintaining and increasing participation across the girls' game. For more information on opportunities for female footballers in the Merseyside and Liverpool area, please visit:- LiverpoolFA.com.

Letter to the Editor:- "A question of health?"

"DEAR Editor, The European Commission provides a very handy multilingual app for mobile devices which explains the workings of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) including how to access emergency health services and use the card in each country in which it is valid. Comprehensive information is given about services in England, but visitors to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are instead directed (perhaps when they are offline and most need the information) to Internet websites. Whilst this may lead to welcome NHS savings out with England, as frustrated foreigners forsake the NHS and go private, does this show the European Commission's attitude to the Celtic Fringe or is it a failure of the UK Government to provide the correct information?" John Hein.

Editors note:- "Sadly, we cannot comment on this at this point as we do not have any information on the topic, but we would love to hear what our readers think about it. We will also try and find out more about your question as well."

Canine 'Passing Out Parade' for new Merseyside Police recruits

MERSEYSIDE Police hosted a 'Passing Out Parade' to welcome 3 of it's newest Police Dogs and their handlers, after another successful training course carried out by the force's Dogs and Mounted section. The section showed off their latest recruits' new found skills in a demonstration to visitors and presented the dogs and their proud handlers with well earned certificates to certify that the dogs are now fit for Police work. They will carry out varied tasks ranging from drug and explosive searches, pursuing offenders and maintaining public order. The parade took place at Mather Avenue Police Training Centre, and was attended by Assistance Chief Constable Ian Critchley, the families and friends of the officers, previous owners of donated dogs, and representatives of animal charities.

Inspector Tony Byrne from the Dogs and Mounted section said:- "This course has been a great success, with three dogs and their handlers passing and now ready to work on our streets. I would like to extend my thanks to members of the public and charities who have helped us recruit dogs now and in the past. They are making such a difference to keeping our streets safe, and giving these dogs a new lease of life."

Congratulating the dogs and their handlers, ACC Critchley said:- "I wish all our new recruits well in their work, which is an absolutely vital part of our day to day policing. We insist on high standards for our police dogs and handlers so to pass is a great credit to their hard work and abilities. The brilliant demonstration we have seen today showed that they are all going to be great assets to Merseyside Police."

The dogs and their handlers who 'Passed' Out at the event are:-

► Venus, a 15 month old, Malinois (Belgian Shepherd), who arrived with us from GSD Rescue Home. Venus was found as a stray dog in Manchester, and has been donated to us by Marcia Buckley Jones, from the rescue home. Venus will be working with handler PC Marc Williams.

► Yannick, a 12 month old, German Shepherd, Yannick is from Avon and Somerset Police, bred by police dog handler Alan Mallett, and will be working with handler PC Derek James.

► Stanley, a 16 month old, Malinois (Belgian Shepherd), Stanley is a gift dog kindly donated to us by Mr Jimmy Shaw from Prenton. Stanley will be working with handler PC Steve Laughton.

Merseyside and Chester Drug and Gun Gang have been Sentenced

MERSEYSIDE Police and Cheshire Constabulary have welcomed the sentences of 12 men and 1 woman, collectively for a total of 111.5 years imprisonment, for firearm and drug conspiracy Offences at Liverpool Crown Court, Tuesday, 14 June 2016.

The charges relate to the investigations into drug supply in Cheshire and four shootings between September 2014 and April 2015 in the Speke, Whiston and Huyton areas of Merseyside.

► 31 year old David McMullan, from Huyton, was sentenced to 2 life imprisonments with a minimum term of 12.5 years for conspiracy to possess firearms and arson with intent to endanger life, and 4 years for blackmail, to run concurrently

► 31 year old Paul Remedios, from Widnes, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 5 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 5 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 3 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, all to run concurrently

► 19 year old Callum Tombs, from Sutton Manor, was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms

► 33 year old Sean Smith, from Widnes, was sentenced to 6 1/2 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms

► 27 year old Scott Smith, from Widnes, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 7 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 5 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 3 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, all to run concurrently

► 31 year old Victoria Galloway, from Widnes, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 5 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 2 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, to run concurrently

► 23 year old Kieran Blair of no fixed abode was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 6 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 6 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 7 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, all to run concurrently

► 48 year old Andrew Hughes, from Widnes, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 5 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 5 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 5 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, all to run concurrently

► 26 year old Michael Loughran, from Runcorn, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis

► 25 year old Stephen McCarten, from Runcorn, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine

► 21 year old Jordan Ferns, from Widnes, was sentenced to 2 years suspended for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine

► 19 year old Tyrone Grimes, from Widnes, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for possession of a Taser, 18 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and 6 months for bringing a prohibited article into prison, to run consecutively

► 27 year old Terence O'Donnell, from Liverpool, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for assisting an offender

On April 23, 2015, a warrant was execution by Cheshire Constabulary, at a flat in Widnes, inside which an 'Aladdin's Cave' was discovered, including three firearms and drugs paraphernalia. A detailed forensic search was carried out at the property and numerous items were seized; this provided detectives with strong evidence that the flat was being used by an OCG for the supply of controlled drugs; and storage of a number of powerful weapons and viable ammunition.

Following forensic examination it was established that of the weapons recovered; a Glock, a Browning self loading pistol and a St Etienne French revolver; the Glock had been used in 4 drive by shootings in Merseyside, and the St Etienne revolver in 1 of these shootings.

► The 1st shooting took place in Eastern Avenue, Speke, on 23 September 2014. 2 offenders arrived in the road on a scrambler bike at around 1.30pm and fired shots towards a man in the street, resulting in damage to a house.

► The 2nd incident happened in Blundells Lane, Whiston, on 13 January, 2015. At around 8.00pm, a man was shot and injured as he walked along the road. He was taken to Whiston Hospital and found to have a bullet entry and exit wound over his right shoulder blade.

► The 3rd incident happened in Lincombe Road, Huyton, on 11 March 2015. On this occasion, 2 men received gunshot wounds outside a house on Lincombe Road.

► The 4th shooting took place on Copperwood Drive in Whiston, on 10 April, 2015, after a chase involving occupants of an Audi firing shots at a VW Passat, which left a passenger of the VW Passat with serious injuries. The victim's life was saved but he was left with a severed spine and is now paralysed from the chest down.

David McMullan had also denied an offence of arson following an incident at Penmann Crescent, Halewood on 18 April, 2015. McMullan had already pleaded guilty to an offence of blackmail against a relative of the occupants of the address targeted in the arson attack.

Scott Smith, Kieran Blair and Andrew Hughes had previously admitted conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Tivendale from Merseyside Police Matrix Major Crime Unit said:- "We are pleased that this reckless organised crime group has been removed from our streets for the foreseeable future. We have seen again that criminals who use firearms are throwing away their life and destroying that of others. The sentencing demonstrates just how strongly we will deal with those involved in gun crime and drug supply, and should strongly deter those who are considering this path of criminality. Serious and organised crime remains a priority for Merseyside Police, and we will continue to take positive action against those who blight our communities. Information from the public is vital and we will continue to act on all that we receive. My message to those engaged in organised crime is clear: we know who you are, we can see where you are operating, and we will come knocking."

Chief Inspector Mike Evans from Cheshire Constabulary said:- "Today, members of an organised crime gang that brought misery, fear and intimidation to the streets of Widnes and Liverpool have collectively been jailed for a total of more than 110 years. The sentences handed down reflect the severity of their crimes and the significant impact that their behaviour had on local people. A property in Widnes was used as the 'safehouse' for the gang; it was here that they stored the firearms used in the shootings in Merseyside along with cash and other items. They brought their criminal activities to the streets of Widnes and often carried out their drug related activity in public places during the day and night with blatant disregard for anyone else. It became clear that the OCG was controlling drug distribution in Widnes. It was a significant drug dealing enterprise, who believed they were above the law and untouchable; now they are paying the ultimate price for their criminal activity."

Chief Inspector Evans added:- "A dedicated team of officers from both Cheshire and Merseyside Police have spent hours securing evidence, searching for witnesses and painstakingly analysing exhibits as part of this complex case to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. Cheshire Constabulary is committed to tackling organised crime. We will not tolerate those who choose to come into Cheshire believing it is an easy target; be warned as it is only a matter of time before we catch up with you. Organised crime blights local communities and residents can rest assured that our efforts will continue. The successful conclusion of this case has resulted in a number of dangerous individuals being taken off the streets for a very long time."

Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, David Keane, said:- "Having seen the threat posed by organised criminal gangs to our communities, I'd like to congratulate Chief Inspector Evans and his team for this excellent outcome. Removing these sorts of people from our communities, and our streets, will send a strong message to other criminal gangs that live, or operate, in Cheshire, that this Police Force will bring you to justice."

Anyone with information in relation to Merseyside gun crime is asked to contact the MSOC Guncrime hotline on:- 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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