Archive
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Man charged over double murder
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman and her son at a house in Banbury. Michael Kelly, of Hatch Road, in Swindon, has been charged with the murder of Sally Ann Cox, 43, and Martin Faulkner, 22, both of Mold Crescent, in Banbury. Police
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County courts to close
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly confirmed today that Didcot, Bicester and Witney magistrates’ courts will be among the 93 in England and Wales to close. There were 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts previously earmarked for closure
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Abingdon fire tackled
Fire crews were called to a flat in St Helen’s Mews, Abingdon, today after coal in a storage cupboard caught alight. Ten firefighters tackled the small fire outside a first-floor flat off West St Helen’s Street at 7.45am. The fire started accidentally
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Youth worker to help young women
SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council has funded a youth worker for Didcot, to get young people aged from 11 to 18 off the streets and away from antisocial behaviour. Karen Williams is now working for Didcot Train, a charity for young people who are homeless
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Football teams petition against parking charges
MEMBERS of a football club are fighting plans for new charges at a car park that parents use when youngsters play. Summertown Stars Football Club use Cutteslowe Car Park on Harbord Road, which is currently free to use. But Oxford City Council, in attempts
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Jericho set for multi-million pound development
Jericho could soon be home to a new public square, with shops, cafes and a new community centre looking out onto the canal. The ambitious plans are detailed in a multi-million pound proposal that has just been unveiled by a city community group
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CD will be a Christmas cracker
CHILDREN at a Bicester school got a taste of a pop star’s life when they spent a day in a recording studio. All 360 pupils at Southwold Primary School, in Holm Square, Bicester, let their voice be heard when they recorded a CD full of Christmas tunes
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 5.55 BMW 5300 Electrocomponents 265 Nationwide Accident Repair 96.5 Oxford Biomedica 6 Oxford Catalysts 60 Oxford Instruments 726.5 Reed Elsevier 526.25 RM 153.5 RPS Group 237 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Man charged with burglary
A man from Oxford has been charged with burglary and driving while disqualified. Peter Gaughan, 26, of Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys, has been charged with burglary, aggravated theft of a vehicle, failing to provide a specimen, driving whilst disqualified
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Woman injured in Oxford Hill crash
A woman had to be cut free from the taxi she was driving after a collision with a double-decker bus in Witney on Monday. The woman, who was in her 60s, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with suspected facial and leg injuries. Another
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Cinderella is a laugh a minute
HERE is my prescription for the perfect Christmas. But be warned, like some medicines, it could prove addictive... Simply enjoy once a week, if you can, with mulled wine (or cola if you’re a child), mix it up with some screaming, shouting,
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 5.55 BMW 5319 Electrocomponents 264.7 Nationwide Accident Repair 96.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.9 Oxford Catalysts 59.75 Oxford Instruments 685 Reed Elsevier 525.25 RM 153 RPS Group 235.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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THOMPSON MURDER: Justice done at last
IT was the word Vikki Thompson’s family had waited 15 years to hear: ‘Guilty’. Mark Weston, 35, was yesterday convicted of murdering Mrs Thompson in Ascott-under-Wychwood in 1995. They have been long and painful years for the family.
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THOMPSON MURDER: Blood on boot trapped killer
THIS is the blood-stained boot that meant Mark Weston could not get away with murder twice. The 35-year-old odd-job man was yesterday convicted of killing Vikki Thompson in west Oxfordshire in 1995. He had previously been acquitted of the mother-of-two
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COMMENT: A family's strength and pain
IT IS impossible to imagine the turbulent emotions that the Thompson family must be feeling today. On the one hand they must be relieved that the killer of Vikki Thompson has at last been found guilty and sent to prison. On the other, one can only
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THOMPSON MURDER: Harassment campaign followed acquittal
MARK Weston was originally cleared of murder within an hour, but his desire to get revenge lasted years. The odd-job man, who continued to live in Ascott-under-Wychwood until his rearrest last October, attempted to sue police for wrongful arrest
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Bus driver attacked in Wallingford
Police today appealed for information after a racially aggravated assault on a bus driver in Wallingford. At about 2.40am on Saturday, police said a white man verbally abused a bus driver that had stopped in Market Place. He then grabbed the driver’s
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Man sentenced after M40 death crash
A 55-year-old man from Oxfordshire has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting causing death by careless driving. Anthony Reilly, of Littlemore, appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday for sentencing in connection with a collision
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RUGBY UNION: Oxford beaten
Southern Counties North Oxford could not build on a good start as they lost 38-12 at home to Newbury Stags. The hosts took the lead with a try from Jack Cousins, but Stags’ stronger pack started to dominate almost every scrum. Newbury earned a 12
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RUGBY UNION: Spencer is the star
BB&O round-up A man-of-the-match display from captain Dan Spencer helped Bicester beat Drifters 25-5 in the Premier Division. The skipper (pictured) scored two tries and kicked eight points as hosts Bicester produced easily their best performance of
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DARTS: Oxon youth edged out
Oxfordshire's youth team lost 11-6 to Essex in a more closely fought match than the scoreline would suggest. The under 18 men’s team lost 6-3 with their wins coming from Jordan Bumpass, Mark Burns and man-of -the-match Stephen Wright with an 18.22 average
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CRICKET: Oxon Under 19s triumph in a thriller
Oxfordshire Under 19s posted a thrilling one-wicket victory off the last ball against an ACT Select XI in Canberra yesterday. Another switch of ground was required due to the wet weather in the Australian capital, and with long grass in the
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FOOTBALL: Barcelos handed chance to shine
Oxford City boss Mike Ford says young striker Felipe Barcelos can go out and express himself when he starts for the first time against Slough Town in tonight’s Red Insure Cup second-round tie at Court Place Farm. Barcelos was set to make his full debut
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RACING: Longsdon lifted as Rey sparkles
Rey Nacarado struck at the second time of asking over fences for Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon with victory at Plumpton on Monday. The five-year-old, ridden by Felix de Giles, came home four lengths clear of Rebel Melody in a handicap chase
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Man robbed in Headington
Police are appealing for information after a robbery in Headington. A 42-year-old man was walking down Cuckoo Lane and was at the junction with Pullens Lane when the incident happened. He was approached by three young men who threatened him and demanded
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Police look at driver error following M40 Oxford Tube coach crash
POLICE have revealed they are investigating the possibility driver error was the cause of an Oxford Tube coach crash which saw 17 people treated in hospital. The double-decker overturned on an M40 slip road at junction seven near Thame on Saturday night
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RUGBY UNION: Payne off as Henley fall
National 2 South Henley Hawks had No 8 Matt Payne sent off as they lost 41-16 at leaders Ealing. Payne was red-carded for careless use of the boot at the end of the first half. Full back James Comben kicked Henley ahead with a second-minute penalty
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Man smashed bookies' gaming machine
THIS man was so unhappy after losing his money in a gaming machine, he vandalised it. The attack, at Ladbrokes in London Road, Headington, means he is behind the door of day 14 in the Oxford Mail’s Badvent Calendar. Every day in the
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RUGBY UNION: Bulls buoyed in defeat
Midlands 1 West Banbury Bulls were quick to draw positives from their 39-8 defeat at third-placed Bournville. But Bulls, who gave a debut to flanker Will Oldham, could not convert their good pressure into points. They fell behind
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Taxi driver injured after collision with bus
A woman was cut free from a taxi she was driving after a collision with a double-decker bus in Witney yesterday. The woman, in her 60s, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with suspected facial and leg injuries. Another three people on board the
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Police used Taser to subdue knifeman
A MAN had to be subdued with a police stun gun after wielding knives in an Oxford pub. Paul Udall had been drinking at the Holly Bush, in Osney Island, when he went into the kitchen and grabbed a pair of blades. Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday the
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HOCKEY: Hawks dish out 10-1 hammering
Oxford Hawks finished their 2010 Men's South League Premier Division 2 fixtures in style with a 10-1 thrashing of Barnes. Table-topping Hawks started in confident fashion and within the first five minutes, Nick Ferraby started the rout. The home side
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Ask the Vet: Puppy weighs much less than others
Q My grandma’s pups are six-weeks-old and one of them has twice passed worms within 20 minutes of each other. After passing the worms the puppy falls asleep. The puppy weighs much less than the other pups and has done since it was born. It has been wormed
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Right to expect a fight
CONSERVATIVE county council leader Keith Mitchell is right to expect a fight as the full impact of his party’s savage cuts becomes clear. As he knows, there’s no need for the Government to be quite so severe – £4.7bn could be raised each year from introducing
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A bad example
It’s a funny old world. If, as a teacher, I were to hit a teenage student I should rightly expect to be drummed out of the profession and probably sued for damages. The same would apply in any caring profession, regardless of the provocation. How strange
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Ken unbalanced
I SINCERELY believe that Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is unbalanced and is urgently in need of a psychiatrist – scrap minimum sentences for murderers is his latest outburst. Step down now Ken, before they carry you off to the nearest funny farm. DAVID
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Badvent surprise
OH please, Oxford Mail, put me out of my misery! Do tell me what number on your Badvent calendar leader of Oxfordshire Count Council Keith Mitchell will appear behind – or should I make an educated guess? CHRIS BOSWELL, Williamson Way, Rose Hill
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Not the answer
Libraries are an essential feature of a civilised society. Keith Mitchell (Yesterday’s Oxford Mail ViewPoints) does not seem to understand their contribution to the well-being of the residents of Oxfordshire, in his glib suggestion that they can largely
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HOCKEY: Banbury narrow the gap on leaders Witney
Banbury closed the gap at the top of Division 3A in the Women's South Clubs League with a thrilling 3-2 win at leaders Witney. Some tough indoor training during the cold snap paid an early dividend for Banbury when Hayley Nunneley made it 1-0. Witney
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RUGBY UNION: Newman doubles up for Quins
National 3 South West Oxford Harlequins ran in six tries to hammer visiting Cheltenham 40-14. Flanker Ryan Newman led the way with a brace as Quins shone for three-quarters of the game. Cheltenham hit back with two converted tries
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On Yer Bike: Imagine things after Christmas
Be patient with me. There’s a point to all this. I’d just got back from a brisk morning workout on my mountain bike as the bin men were passing my house. They’d carefully left unemptied about a third of the recycling bins outside my neighbours’ houses
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Help sign petition
A friend in Headington has told me that it is a waste of time trying to save Oxfordshire’s libraries. I don’t like that sort of defeatism. I believe that when something unacceptable happens, it is a duty to protest. Anybody who does not is acquiescing
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Sixth-formers need our support as well
WITHOUT being able to go into detail, my son was left in huge debt by the dishonesty of someone he loved and trusted. He was also left with three daughters to bring up alone as well as trying to keep a full-time job. It has taken him many years of
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DARTS: Florence Park go storming on
Florence Park Com-munity Centre A maintained their hot pace at the top of the Ladies Premier League with a 6-3 victory at home to Butchers Arms. Clare Bywaters gave Park the lead when she beat Sue Poyser, but the visitors levelled as Maggie
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Police apologise for quizzing schoolboy
POLICE last night apologised for pulling a boy out of a school lesson and questioning him about a planned protest without his parents being there. Nicky Wishart, 12, above, was questioned by a police officer after he set up a group on the website
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Police quiz man over Banbury double killings
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a mother and son were found dead following an axe attack in their Banbury home. The bodies of Sally Cox, 43, and her 21-year-old son Martin Faulkner were discovered by police at about 6.45am yesterday
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Rose Hill Primary School is most improved in England
AN OXFORD school has hauled itself out of special measures to become the most improved primary in England. In 2008, Rose Hill Primary School had been failed by standards watchdog Ofsted, and fewer than a fifth of 11-year-olds reached the expected level
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RUGBY UNION: Rally seals derby spoils
Wallingford 20, Witney 19 A strong second-half display earned Wallingford an unexpected victory in this scrappy South West 1 East derby at the Hithercroft. A last-minute try and conversion gave Witney a losing bonus point, but Wallingford were more
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RUGBY UNION: Moran praises tackle count
Wallingford director of rugby Martin Moran was delighted with his side’s defensive effort against Witney. He said: “I think the scoreline was a little bit flattering in the end. “That wasn’t the best Witney have played, but credit to us, we stopped
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DARTS: Hedman defeated in semis
Oxfordshire's Deta Hedman failed to add a third Masters title to her tally when she lost in the semi-finals of the Zuiderduin Masters in Holland. The reigning English and British Masters champion, Hedman overcame Sharon Prins 4-0 to reach the last
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Arctic blast set to bring snow
An Arctic blast is expected to bring more snow and bitterly cold weather to the UK this week, with forecasters predicting temperatures could plunge as low as minus 10C (14F). Cold winds from the north look set to bring a band of rain and high
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'More driving the morning after'
The number of motorists driving after drinking excessively the night before is on the increase, a new survey said. As many as 38% of drivers and motorcyclists said they had taken to the road after a heavy night's drinking, compared with only 28%
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First grants for electric cars
The Government has announced the first nine electric cars for which drivers will be eligible for a 25% Whitehall-paid grant. Five more regions that will be installing recharging points were also announced by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.
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Man held over double 'axe killing'
A man was today being questioned by police on suspicion of killing a mother and son in their Banbury home. Neighbours said the victims - named locally as Sally Cox, 43, and Martin Faulkner, 22 - were hacked to death with an axe The woman's teenage
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Green gets a chance to impress
Matt Green gets the chance to force his way back into Oxford United manager Chris Wilder’s thoughts when he plays for the reserves at Watford in the totesport.com Combination today (2pm). The striker has not started a game for United since they bowed
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Care staff face jobs cull
HUNDREDS of county council care staff are set to be axed after the authority announced plans to end the service to save £2.5m. Oxfordshire County Council said its home support, meals, laundry and night care services, which are provided to 600 older people
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Thames Water calls for patience as leaks follow big freeze
THAMES Water has called for customers’ “help and patience” as it tackles nearly four times the normal number of burst pipes due to freezing temperatures. At this time of year the company normally expects to get 75 new leaks reported a day across its
