Prolific drug dealers from The Meadows were spotted on CCTV

December 12, 2013, 10:10 pm

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TWO drug dealers, who police say were "prolific" in The Meadows, have been jailed for a total of 12 years.

Liam Campbell, 24, of Woolmer Road, and Steven Ward, 28, of Lammas Gardens, were arrested after a crackdown on drug dealing in the area.

They were both sentenced to six years prison following a five-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

The court was told how the men were caught after police had carried out patrols of The Meadows.

During the day Police Community Support Officers spotted Ward and Campbell acting suspiciously on CCTV.

They were seen walking up and down alleyways, making phone calls and talking to drugs users.

They alerted plain-clothed officers, who arrested them and searched them.

Campbell had 19 "wraps" of drugs hidden on his body – five of heroin and 14 of crack cocaine.

Keys to a car owned by Ward were seized and a search of the vehicle uncovered a further 66 wraps, 33 of heroin and 33 of crack cocaine.

The pair were arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine between January and May this year.

They denied the charges but were convicted by a jury.

Detective Constable Marvyn Johnson of Operation Vanguard, which tackles drug crime in Notts, said: "The pair were prolific offenders and so this result will go a long way to halting the drug supply in The Meadows and wider area.

"To those who get involved in drugs we have one message for you: we won't tolerate it and we will catch you."

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The sound of Notts in BBC Radio Nottingham advert

December 13, 2013, 12:15 am

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A RADIO station is taking on high street shops and supermarkets after creating its own Christmas TV advert.

BBC Radio Nottingham has created the film which showcases the journey of a lonely snowman searching for the perfect radio station for the festive period.

The film features Andy Whitaker, who wanted to find out how to make an iconic advert like the ones being aired for Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Sainsbury's.

The breakfast show presenter said: "It's been loads of fun putting together a Nottinghamshire Christmas TV advert.

"The film shows a great range of iconic Nottinghamshire places and demonstrates the talent in the local creative industries who have worked with us to produce it.

"I hope when you see it you will want to share it with your friends and really spread the message of a Nottinghamshire Christmas."

The film which is just over a minute long follows the snowman's journey on a tram, at Nottingham Castle and even skating on the ice rink in the Old Market Square before reaching the radio station's studio.

Nottingham Trent University students, past and present, from the university's props and the multimedia departments, worked with the station to create the film.

Course leader Jools Ayodeji said: "There were nine of us working on the project altogether and we are all really pleased with the results.

"It was a fantastic opportunity for the students and it really is crucial that they get work experience like this because it improves their employability.

"We actually started the project about five weeks ago and the students that helped, did it all in their own time."

The song The Power Of Love was used in the video and vocals were provided by rising Nottingham star Sabrina Sandhu with Nina Smith providing backing vocals.

Sabrina, 19, of Sherwood Rise, said: "When I was asked to do it I was so excited and went and recorded it the next day.

"This will be the first time my voice has been on anything like this.

"I am massively excited about the project and really hope it does well.

"I really hope the video goes viral and as many people see it as possible.

"It is such a lovely film for a lovely city."

The advert was shown on BBC1 yesterday morning.

Two people rescued after house fire in Syderstone Walk, Arnold

December 13, 2013, 12:18 am

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TWO people had to be rescued by firefighters after a blaze at an Arnold home. The fire broke out at about 3am on Friday morning in Syderstone Walk. Crews from Arnold, Carlton and Stockhill fire stations attended and rescued two people from the house. They put out the fire using hose reels and drove out smoke using a special ventilation fan. Neither of the two people rescued are thought to have been seriously hurt.

Nottingham will host a top level women's tennis tournament from 2015

December 13, 2013, 1:36 am

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THERE will be a WTA Tour event in Nottingham in 2015, the WTA have confirmed. With a third week added to the grass-court season between the French Open and Wimbledon from 2015, Nottingham will join Birmingham and Eastbourne on the main tour. Currently the city holds back-to-back tournaments on the second-tier ITF circuit. Philip Brook, chairman of the All England Club, said: "The creation of a three-week gap between Roland Garros and Wimbledon will establish a longer and more significant grass-court season within the international tennis calendar. "In addition to the added entertainment potential for fans, this will have the substantial benefit of building a grass-court tournament structure of genuine substance and, critically, of allowing the players more time to rest and recover from Roland Garros and then to prepare for the Championships. "I wish to thank the WTA and all the parties concerned for their commitment and support in bringing this exciting prospect to fruition from 2015."

Women's Aid criticise Notts Police for 'rape poem'

December 13, 2013, 1:38 am

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NOTTS Police have come under fire for a poem which a women's group says trivialises rape. Women's Aid have urged Notts Police to remove the poem entitled "The Nightmare Before Christmas" from their website. The poem was written based on the accounts and victims and attackers. It is based loosely on the festive rhyme The Night Before Christmas and focuses on the consequences of rape The poem reads: "It was the night before Christmas when all through the house, "Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, "Until she stumbled in, a mess, all lipstick and hair, She had been attacked but wasn't sure how or where." Cathy Saunders from the Nottingham branch of Women's Aid said the poem was a disgrace and should be withdrawn. Ms Saunders reportedly said: "I'm quite appalled that the authorities thought this would have the desired effect on the perpetrators and it does tend to trivialise rape and the effects on the victims." Chris Cutland, former chief executive of Women's Aid and now deputy Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner defended the campaign. She said: "The intention is to draw attention to the male perpetrators of rape not to trivialise rape or sexual violence in any way. "I feel the work raise awareness oft this hideous crime is a positive move and should be viewed in that light. "I am glad the police have taken the trouble to focus on the perpetrator and not the victim." Notts Police have said it was aimed at those who could potentially carry out an attack. Notts Police superintendent Helen Chamberlain, Head of Public Protection said: "Issuing safety messages for people who are out enjoying Christmas festivities is a valuable way of helping to protect , in the main women and girls from sexual attacks. "However, sometimes, constantly reiterating these messages can make women feel that they are at fault if they are attacked because they didn't look after themselves enough. "We want women to know that if they are raped or sexually assaulted, they are not to blame." Superintendent Chamberlain added the poem had been written in an attempt to combat the attitudes of attackers. She added: "Our message to men is that it's not acceptable to take advantage of a woman because she has had a drink or is being sociable. And women shouldn't have to tolerate or be forced to guard themselves from predatory behaviour." "If a woman has had something to drink or is talking to you, sharing a lift with you, it doesn't necessarily mean she is consenting to any sexual contact."

Australia v England, day one Ashes report: England ultimately frustrated

December 13, 2013, 2:27 am

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ENGLAND threatened to sneak back into the Ashes series at the WACA, but Steve Smith's second Test century bailed out Australia. Smith (103 not out) combined with the in-form Brad Haddin (55) to rescue the hosts from 143 for five and help them close a searingly hot first day of this third Test on 326 for six, after Michael Clarke chose to bat first. A sixth-wicket stand of 124 took the sting out of England, and Smith consolidated for a chanceless 173-ball century which he completed with a trademark front-foot pull off Ben Stokes for his 13th four. Notts' Graeme Swann previously had a hand in three of the first four wickets as Australia made plenty of their own trouble, despite a combative 60 from opener David Warner. But just when it seemed Australia might have opened the door an inch or so, Smith and Haddin took responsibility to make sure it was barely ajar by stumps. There was no onus on the hosts to make the pace on a typically quick and bouncy pitch here, from 2-0 up with three to play. Yet as Australia's top order sought to dominate, they shot themselves in the foot with some poor strokes. England struck early, in unexpected circumstances, when James Anderson's speed and accuracy ran out Chris Rogers. From 13 for one, Warner kept the pressure on with some fierce driving among his eight fours as well as one dismissive six over long on off Tim Bresnan. But Shane Watson and Clarke both contributed to their own downfall, and even more so Warner and George Bailey after lunch. Rogers clipped Stuart Broad off his legs for the first four of the match, and next ball glanced fine for another to set the frenetic tempo here. That was as good as it got for him, because an attempted sharp single next ball did not account for the athleticism of Anderson. Rogers' dive was in vain, after Anderson moved quickly to his left and transferred to his right hand for a direct hit at the non-striker's end. It was a bonus wicket, and so too was that of Watson – who tried to drive the previously expensive Broad but instead speared an edge high to Swann at second slip. Clarke soon appeared in ominous form but left many of the big shots to Warner – who brought up their 50 stand and Australia's hundred with that back-foot six off Bresnan. The introduction of Swann, however, for one over before lunch brought England the wicket they craved most. Trying to milk a single into the leg side, Clarke chipped low to the off-spinner's standard man at short midwicket. Alastair Cook was the catcher, winning the first exchange between the two captains in their 100th Test. Warner completed his 57-ball 50 soon after lunch, and Smith got off the mark from the 16th delivery he faced when he was up the wicket to deposit Swann into the Lillee Marsh Stand for six. But a lame shot from Warner presented Michael Carberry with an unmissable catch at point off Swann, and then Cook's decision to immediately replace the off-spinner with Broad paid off when Bailey ducked two bouncers but took on a third and holed out to a tumbling Kevin Pietersen at deep square leg. Both Smith and new batsman Haddin mishooked Bresnan but got away with it on their way to twin 50s either side of tea, as England began to flag in the heat. Smith's was full of on-side fluency, while Haddin profited mostly on the other side of the wicket. Both struck the ball well down the ground, and it was with an inside-out off-driven boundary up the pitch to Swann that Smith took the stand into three figures. When Haddin miscued Bresnan off the back foot over cover but evaded the fielders, it seemed England were running out of luck as well as ideas. But they dug in to dry up the scoring rate, and were rewarded when Haddin went after a short ball from Stokes and managed only to lob a simple catch to midwicket. They still could not shift Smith – and when Mitchell Johnson dominated another half-century partnership, day one of a match England must win was destined to end without significant advantage.

Five in court charged in connection with suspected taxi driver stabbing in Clifton

December 13, 2013, 3:02 am

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FIVE people have been charged in connection with a suspected stabbing of a taxi driver. Cornelius Duggan, 24, of Hartness Road, Clifton; Craig Grocock, 24, of Valley Road, Carlton; and Lance Reid, 35, of Elford Rise, Sneinton, were charged with wounding with intent and conspiracy to commit robbery. Kirsty Miller, 24, of Cherhill Close, Clifton; and Leon Fuller, 26, of Ladysmith Street, Sneinton, have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. All five appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court this morning. Duggan, Grocock and Reid were all remanded in custody. Miller and Fuller were given bail. They are all due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, January 2. The victim, a 33-year-old man, remains in hospital, following the incident in Cherhill Close, Clifton, at around 7.15pm on Wednesday.

Police drugs dog searches Queen Elizabeth's Academy in Mansfield

December 13, 2013, 3:07 am

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A POLICE drugs dog searched a Mansfield academy this morning. Officers were called to Queen Elizabeth's Academy in Chesterfield Road South at 9am this morning to search the building. At the request of the school a drugs dog was employed. No drugs were found and no arrests were made. Parents and carers were notified of the search by the academy. Neighbourhood beat manager for Mansfield Police Sergeant Andy Downie said: "It is commendable that the school has approached us to tackle the issue of drugs. "Too often we deal with youngsters who have had their lives ruined by illegal substances. "By taking this proactive approach we can help educate youngsters about the dangers of drugs and show the tough stance taken by our communities." Academy principal Mike Smith said: "The academy has a zero tolerance policy around illegal substances being carried or used by any young person. "The academy is working very closely with the police to stamp out the use of drugs within the local community and to show we will not tolerate our young people being supplied with illegal substances."

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Hoffwatch: David Hasselhoff enjoys a curry feast at Nottingham restaurant Mogal-E-Azam

December 13, 2013, 3:35 am

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DAVID Hasselhoff popped out for a cheeky curry last night at Goldsmith Street's Mogal-E-Azam Indian restaurant. The Hoff, who is currently starring in Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal, visited the city centre eatery with Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts. The curry-mad couple told restaurant manager Sheikh Assab (pictured) to order them a selection of his finest dishes. For starters they had kastoori king prawn, chicken nawabi and some onion bhajis. The hungry pair then continued their feast with portions of chicken makani, chicken tikka masala, lamb balti, rice and naan bread followed by a dessert of Indian pistachio kulfi. Mr Assab said the Hoff and Hayley happily posed for pictures with the other excited diners. He added: "Mr Knight Rider said it was the best Indian he had had and would be coming back in tomorrow with his daughter. "He also invited me to come see him in his show." Earlier in the day fellow shopper Sarah Lou Thursfield spotted the Hoff in the Swarovski shop in the Victoria Centre. Tweet your pictures of the Hoff to @Nottingham_Post with the hashtag #hoffwatch.

Nottingham Rugby club get their kit off for saucy calendar

December 13, 2013, 3:39 am

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IT may be chilly outside but that hasn't stopped the Nottingham Rugby team turning up the heat with a new cheeky calendar. With only a few well-positioned rugby balls to spare their blushes the squad, including team captain Brent Wilson, took to the playing fields at Meadow Lane for the saucy shoot - wearing only their team socks and ties. Known to their fans as the Green and Whites, the lads narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership league this year after they finished a respectable second in the Green King IPA Championship League. Club operations director Chris Simon hopes that sales of the calendar will raise some much-needed funds for the club. He said: "As with a lot of clubs it can sometimes be a struggle to stay afloat so the proceeds from the calendar with enable us to keep as high and dry as we can. "Money will be used for equipment and just the club in general meaning that we can continue to compete at as high a level as we can." The cheeky calendar has become somewhat of an annual Christmas tradition for the lads now and it seems they need little persuasion to get their kit off. Chris said: "Pretty much all the squad took part. "They aren't shy lads and for some of them I think it's the highlight of their year." Nottingham Rugby's next match with be against Ealing Trail Finders as part of The Big Day Out. Tickets prices begin at £5 for adults and £1 for kids and booking is essential via: www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk or from the club shop.

'I was raped by a Notts police officer at the age of 14'

December 13, 2013, 3:42 am

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A WOMAN who claims she was raped by a Notts police officer as a teenager is renewing her fight for justice 33 years after the alleged attack.

Michelle Noble, 47, says the officer pounced on her in her own bedroom in 1980, when she was 14.

She has now waived her lifetime legal right to anonymity under sex offences law in the hope that speaking out will help other victims to come forward.

The officer faced a Notts Police disciplinary hearing in 1981 and left his job, but has never been charged.

Now Michelle, a mother-of-four, is lobbying the force to reopen the case after thousands of other alleged victims of child sex abuse came forward nationally following the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Michelle told the Post: "It's been 30-plus years of suffering.

"I know he's never been held accountable – for me it's now time to stand up and I will do whatever I can do."

Michelle, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, was arrested in a case of mistaken identity in December 1980. She says an officer drove her home and found the house empty after he escorted her in. She alleges he then raped her on her bed.

"I froze when I heard him coming up to my room," she said. "He came in and told me what I needed – I did exactly as he said.

"He didn't really say much. I didn't know what else to do."

The attack only stopped "after a few minutes" she said, when the officer heard her father enter the house. He discovered the officer in her bedroom, and complained to the force. "Immediately afterwards I was in shock," she said. "I think I was just stunned."

The family's complaint led to a disciplinary hearing for the officer in 1981, in which Michelle gave evidence.

A Notts Police spokeswoman said records showed the officer was found guilty of "discreditable conduct" – although there are no records to show what this was for – before resigning.

No charges were ever brought after prosecutors at the time said there was insufficient evidence.

Michelle added: "I was so traumatised. Afterwards I had no faith left in people protecting me."

Michelle's call for her case to be reopened has been backed by her MP, Gloria De Piero, who said: "Her bravery is humbling and I hope that she will now get the answers that she's waited for, for far too many years.

"Time does not diminish the horror of such a serious crime and Michelle deserves justice."

Ms De Piero also urged anyone with information about the case to contact Notts Police on 101 or her constituency office, if they prefer.

Detective Superintendent Jackie Alexander, head of the force's professional standards directorate, said it could be "very difficult" for the force and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to determine whether historic cases such as this were dealt with correctly or not – with no new evidence and original evidence and paperwork no longer available.

But she added that the force was planning to meet the CPS "to discuss the matter of a review further".

She said: "The public must be able to have high levels of trust and confidence in those they turn to at times of need, and when they are at their most vulnerable.

"I would like to reassure the public that when we do receive allegations of serious, or even criminal breaches of that trust, we do take those reports seriously and conduct an effective investigation."

All allegations are taken seriously by the force, regardless of how long ago incidents are said to have happened, she added.

Two people rescued from Arnold fire 'had only just moved in'

December 13, 2013, 4:23 am

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TWO people rescued from an Arnold house fire in the early hours of this morning had only just bought the property, neighbours said. Firefighters were called to the end-of-terrace home in Syderstone Walk at around 3.17am. Two people were rescued from the blaze and were not seriously hurt. An investigation is underway but a spokeswoman for Notts Fire and Rescue Service said the fire is thought to have started due to an electrical fault. Simon Husbands, 33, who lives in Oulton Close, said he saw fire crews going in. He said: "My girlfriend first noticed - I looked outside and saw the fire engines were there. "I've got no clue what caused it but I'm glad they are ok. It's a nice quiet area and people keep themselves to themselves, nothing like this normally happens." This morning a wooden board was nailed across a hole in the front door where firefighters had apparently smashed their way in. From the outside the house appeared otherwise intact. Chris Thompson, 55, said he knew of a family who had only moved out of the house a week ago. He said: "I was only talking to the previous family last Friday as they moved out, and then on Saturday new people were moving in. "I didn't even realise there had been a fire until this morning and didn't hear a thing. I'm pleased they are alright." Another neighbour also said whoever was living there had only moved in a week ago having bought the house. Notts Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews from Arnold, Carlton and Stockhill fire stations attended. Firefighters put out the fire using hose reels and drove out smoke using a special ventilation fan.

Couple make first booking for same-sex wedding in Notts

December 13, 2013, 5:43 am

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THE first same-sex marriage booking has been made in Notts. Eleanor Plumstead and Ruth Harris couldn't wait to take advantage of a change to the law allowing gay and lesbian couples to get married. The law comes into force on March 29 next year, with Eleanor and Ruth set to tie the knot on Saturday, August 9. Eleanor, 23, said: "We were very happy when we heard the Government were changing the law. "It came a lot sooner than we had been expecting. We were already looking to get married and now we can't wait for the big day." The couple, of Mansfield, will marry at the town's register office. They hope to follow the ceremony with a celebration in a church before a reception at the nearby 281 Restaurant and Rooms. They met in August 2011 and got engaged a year later. Until March, gay and lesbian couples can have civil partnership ceremonies but are unable to get married. Eleanor, who is studying English literature with the Open University, has long campaigned for the law change. She said: "I've done a lot of online campaigning, for example on Facebook. "I have put pictures up of brides, some heterosexual and some lesbian, and asked people if they can spot the difference. "We have waited for the law to change so we could get married as it is what we both preferred rather than a civil partnership ceremony." Ruth, 31, who is studying theology at St John's College in Nottingham, said: "We jumped for joy when we heard the law had been changed. "We weren't sure when it would come into effect but they said summer 2014 – that's when we started planning for August. "We have sent out save the date cards, and we are very excited." The county council has been holding civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples at its registration office and premises approved by the authority since they were introduced in 2005. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act became law in July this year. Helen Scaman, corr from the county council's registration service, said: "Now that we know the date that same-sex marriage ceremonies can take place from, we can now take bookings which is really exciting and it is a truly historic occasion. "Couples who are already in a civil partnership are also able to have a marriage ceremony and we will continue to offer partnership ceremonies if couples would prefer this option to mark their relationship."

Eleven years for thugs who rendered man disabled

December 13, 2013, 6:00 am

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Gareth McCluskey's and Javal McDonald's attack on a man was "disgraceful", a judge said today. The pair received five-and-half years each at Nottingham Crown Court for attacking Steven Winfield in Whitemoor on July 28, 2010. They both admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Judge Andrew Hamilton told them it was a disgraceful assault and that they absolutely pummeled their victim. "You rendered him effectively disabled and he can no longer walk. All this was done when he was sitting on his settee." McCluskey, 28, of Vale Road, Colwick, said to Mr Winfield, who he had known for many years, "what have you been saying about my mum?" Both men then dived on Mr Winfield while he was still sat on his sofa. Mr Winfield tried to fight them off but one threw a heavy ornamental elephant at him, then he was punched and hit on his body and head. One of the men overpowered him in a headlock, he was dragged to the floor and further punched and kicked. Mr Winfield remembered a constant pounding away at his head and body, and felt one of them trying to strangle him. McDonald said "kill him and don't let him up" and McCluskey said "hold his head up and I'll scalp him". Blood was pouring from Mr Winfield's face and head and he could not see properly during his 15-minute ordeal. After the men fled, he went to hospital for treatment to bruising and swelling to his eyes. Three days later four lower fractures were found to his vertebrae. The court heard the attack could have exacerbated a previous, underlying back condition. Experts believed he would have recovered from this attack in 12 to 18 months. Mr Winfield, a painter and decorator, has been unable to work since. McDonald, 24, of Whitechapel Street, Basford, had previous convictions for affray, while McCluskey had been before the courts for drink-driving, disorderly behaviour and burglary. Gregor Purcell, mitigating for McDonald, said the attack was an outburst of anger and no weapons were used. Adrian Langdale, for McCluskey, said his client had turned his life around and had treatment for an alcohol addiction.

Patients 'concerned' that surgeon linked to outbreak of deadly bug could start operating again

December 13, 2013, 9:06 am

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RELATIVES of family members who died after being infected with a deadly bug that was transmitted into them by a surgeon, have vented their dismay at the news that the medic could be allowed to start operating again. John Chen Lui Lu found himself at the centre of a media frenzy in 2010 after it was revealed that he infected patients with a staphylococcus epidermidis infection during heart surgery at the hospital's Trent Cardiac Centre at the City Hospital. There were 11 patients who contracted the bug and five died. It was never revealed at the inquest how the infection was spread, but the then Notts coroner, Dr Nigel Chapman, criticised Nottingham's hospitals for not recognising the infection quickly enough. The inquest heard the infection could have been spotted almost two months earlier, and one operation – which led to the patient being infected and dying – might not have needed to have taken place at all. The connection was finally noticed by microbiologist Tim Boswell and Mr Lu was stopped from operating. Concerned families contacted their solicitors after reading about the news of his possible return to operating in the in Post, which was the first to report the update. David Tyson, 68, who contracted the infection after undergoing a heart valve replacement by Mr Lu in June 2009, says he is appalled that the surgeon could be allowed to operate again. The father-of-two, from Nottingham, said: "After hearing the evidence at the inquest, I had understood that Mr Lu's career as a surgeon was over as it was difficult to see how he could carry out operations in the future without the risk of a reoccurrence, so we simply cannot understand what has now changed. "What makes matters worse is the fact that we had to find out from newspaper reports that the Trust was considering Mr Lu's return to performing surgery, rather than being contacted by the Trust directly, which clearly would have been the courteous thing to do considering what we have been through. "I only received a letter from Dr Stephen Fowlie, the Trust's Medical Director, a week after reading a story in the press where they state that they have taken on board a number of recommendations and a re-entry programme for Mr Lu to return to surgery. "However, I have not been provided with any details about what these are. This letter was the first communication I have received about any progress since 2010, despite the letter saying that patients were involved in the process. "This provides us with no reassurance that lessons have been learned as we simply do not know specific details about why it is deemed acceptable for Mr Lu to begin operating again. I am concerned that other patients may be at risk and I believe patients deserve clear reassurance about how they will be kept safe. I therefore call on the Trust to make public the reports and recommendations that they are relying on in relation to their recent decisions." Denise Edwards, the daughter of another of Mr Lu's patients, Dennis Mills, also from Nottingham, who died as a result of the infection in December 2009 at the age of 82, was shocked when she read the news about the possibility of Mr Lu returning to surgery. She said, "I have not been provided with any evidence that supports that Mr Lu is safe to re-commence cardiac surgery. I have also not been provided with details of what lessons have been learned following the outbreak and how the Trust would ensure that such a situation can never be allowed to occur again. "I lived through the trauma and distress of seeing my father, who was a fit and active man before having his surgery, slowly deteriorating and eventually dying as a result of the infection. Not only did I lose my father, but my elderly mother lost her husband of 56 years. "I fail to understand how the Trust can maintain that they are protecting patient safety, when patient safety was so severely compromised during the outbreak of infection that affected Mr Lu's patients. Surely, when there is still no definitive explanation as to how the bacteria transferred from Mr Lu to his patients, it is too much of a risk to patient safety for Mr Lu to be able to return to surgery. Patients and their relatives should never have to go through this nightmare again." Laura Barlow, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who led the legal action against the Trust, added: "Given the fact that some of Mr Lu's patients suffered significant life-long injuries, and others lost their lives, we would expect the Trust to communicate transparently exactly what evidence they have which concludes it is safe for Mr Lu to return to performing operations. Peter Homa, chief executive of the hospitals trust, said: "We commissioned an independent review by one of the country's eminent endocarditis experts to consider all of the evidence associated with the prosthetic valve endocarditis outbreak at our hospital in 2008/09 and to advise on the clinical risk of the surgeon's return to operating. "This report was reviewed by two further authoritative expert microbiologists. "As a result of and in line with recommendations made in these investigations and associated reports we implemented changes to strengthen our procedures to ensure patient safety, which remains our highest priority. "We have carefully developed a re-entry programme and this has been shared with the surgeon and his advisors for consideration. "Ongoing input has been provided into this re-entry programme by his professional society. We have also had in-depth discussions with a representative patient group with regards to this re-entry programme. The programme is yet to be agreed. "The Trust has always intended to communicate the detail of this to patients and families once the terms of re-entry are agreed and before the surgeon returns to work undertaking surgery. "The surgeon continues to work clinically at our hospital doing non-surgical post-operative and outpatient work. We will keep our community and patients informed in the near future regarding the outcome of the re-entry process in addition to the experts' conclusions and recommendations."

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Carlton Town player comes out of coma

December 13, 2013, 9:28 am

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THE striker of a local football club is said to be making a good recovery after suffering head injuries in an incident which took place in the Lace Market. Carlton Town player Julian Topliss was seriously injured in Broadway at around 4am on November 23. The 26-year-old was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre where he remains. A statement from Carlton Town posted on the club's website states: "Carlton Town are delighted to announce that their striker Julian Topliss is making progress in hospital after coming out of a coma in recent days." The club says Mr Topliss has regained consciousness and is now eating and drinking normally and working with specialists on the road to recovery. Club manager Les McJannet said: "Everyone at the club was distraught at hearing what had happened to Julian, who is one of the most popular players ever to pull on the shirt, a regular in the side and a hero in last years' Cup Final. "Before this terrible incident, Julian had been injured but had just given us the good news that his injury was not as bad as first thought and he was hoping to be back before the end of the season. "He even turned up at most games despite being injured, such was his dedication and we are delighted to hear that he is making progress." The club has received messages of support from fans and other members of the footballing community. Club chairman Mick Garton said: "We would like to thank the players, supporters and officials of others clubs who have been in touch with individuals at the club with their good wishes and we would like to thank his family for their regular updates. "We continue to pray for his wellbeing and hope to have more good news in due course." A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: "Two men, a 22-year-old and a 23-year-old, have been arrested in connection with an assault in Broadway, in the Lace Market, which happened in the early hours of November 23."

Nottingham Forest captain Luke Chambers bracing for frosty reception at City Ground today

December 14, 2013, 1:10 am

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FORMER Nottingham Forest skipper Luke Chambers says he is bracing himself for another "rough" reception from the Reds fans today. The 28-year-old defender returns to the City Ground for the second time since leaving on a free transfer to join Ipswich in July last year. Despite the fact Chambers made over 200 appearances for Forest in over five years with the club, he received a frosty reception from the home crowd when the Tractor Boys visited back in March. It all dates back to a game in February 2012 against Coventry when the players were booed off at half-time at the City Ground, following a dire first half. With the Reds and the Sky Blues struggling at the wrong end of the table, it was a big game for both and the hosts came out after the break to win 2-0 with goals from Garath McCleary and Robbie Findley. And, after that game, Chambers turned his attention on the Forest fans. "Whatever happens, if they support Forest, if they come in and are that negative, it is going to cause problems on the pitch," he said at the time. "For me, when you are in the hole, people need to stick together. Supporters didn't support us in the first half. We went in at half-time at 0-0 and we got booed off the pitch. When you are down in the rut we are in, that is not going to help anyone. It is not what you want to be hearing." Chambers was given a hard time by fans nine months ago during the 1-0 win for Forest and is expecting nothing different this afternoon. "I think it will be a bit rough, like last season," he said. "When I was there a few of my words were twisted. I was hung out to dry a little bit, but I'll always have good memories of playing for Forest. "I know I'll probably be in for a bit of stick, but I take that as a compliment." Reflecting on the comments he made after that match, Chambers added: "We were playing a team that were down at the bottom with us. It was 0-0 at half-time and individuals were getting slaughtered. "As captain I didn't want to individually hammer the fans, but that's what it got portrayed as. All I was doing was asking people to get behind the team." Asked if he will celebrate if he scores today, Chambers said: "We'll see what happens, it depends what sort of reception I get!"

On-loan striker Callum Ball can't wait for start at Notts County

December 14, 2013, 1:24 am

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CALLUM Ball is itching for his first start for Notts County. The Derby County striker, 21, has made two sub appearances for the Magpies since arriving at Meadow Lane on loan deadline day two weeks ago. And he is hoping he's impressed boss Shaun Derry enough to get the nod in attack against Colchester United in League One today (3pm). Derry has a big decision to make between Ball and Danny Haynes up front unless he switches to a two-man attack and plays both of them against the U's. Haynes was the club's big summer signing, but has not scored since the end of October, and while Derry has been impressed with everything apart from the end product from the 25-year-old he must be tempted to throw Ball in for his full debut after he came on and did well against Gillingham seven days ago and was unlucky not to score in a 3-1 win for Notts. "It's been hard to get in the side because they've been playing so well, but I came on last Saturday and did all right so hopefully I'm in with a shout of starting (today)," said Ball, who was at Nottingham Forest for a year when he was eight before moving to Derby. "I did think I'd have played more because that is what I thought the agreement was, but looking at how they've been playing, the strikers have been doing well. "I know they've not been scoring, but they've been playing well, so it's tough to bring someone in and just chuck them straight in there. "He's brought me on in the last two games, which I think I've done all right in, so hopefully now I'm pushing for a start." And having seen the chances the likes of leading scorer Callum McGregor, Jack Grealish and Jamal Campbell-Ryce have created in the last couple of games, Ball is confident he can score the goals to help fire the Magpies off the bottom of the table and to safety. "You know one thing and that's they're going to put the ball in the box for a striker and that's where you want the ball to go, so hopefully if I start I'll be in the right place at the right time to get a few goals," he added. Notts fans will be hoping he can score a few goals too because that has been one of their biggest problems this season, even though they scored three times against the Gills in their last game – McGregor netting twice to take his tally to ten and Grealish scoring the first goal of his career. That victory has halved the gap to safety for the Magpies from six points to just three points and they could even lift themselves out of the relegation zone if they beat Colchester and other results go their way. Ball says beating Gillingham to move within striking distance of safety has given everyone at the club a big lift. "There's a lot of difference," he said. "When you're losing, even if you're playing well, it gets you down, but there has been a good buzz in training and no one can wait for the next game. "Hopefully we'll get more wins." "In this league three points is nothing," he added. "If we win this game we could probably be out the bottom four and then next weekend we've got Bristol City who are down there as well so these next two games are big six-pointers for us really." Ball says it's been easy for him to settle in at Notts because Derby team-mate Kieron Freeman is also on loan with Notts and he knows captain Dean Leacock and David Bell. "I went to Torquay at the start of the season and didn't know anyone so it was hard and it was a long way from home, but coming here it's local and I know a few of the lads so it's been easy to settle in," he said. And he insists the Magpies being bottom of the table did not make him hesitate in his decision to join the club. "When I was at Coventry last year I played against them and I think they were up in sixth or seventh then," he said. "They were a great side then and I know they still play football, which is a good thing. "I was shocked when I saw they were at the bottom of the league. "I didn't think they'd be down there with some of the players they've got." Everyone hopes they won't be down there for much longer.

Coroner quashes family worries on ovary drug in Nottingham student's death

December 14, 2013, 1:41 am

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A CORONER said there was no evidence that a drug being taken by a student to treat an ovary condition could have made her feel suicidal. Emily Barrington, 20, was in her second year studying sociology at the University of Nottingham when she was found dead in her room in a shared house in Lenton on Sunday, February 3. Toxicology results were consistent with an overdose of beta-blockers and aspirin. The cause of death was metabolic acidosis – the kidneys could not get rid of acid build-up. Recording her conclusions, Dr Liz Didcock, assistant coroner for Notts, gave a narrative verdict. She told the inquest yesterday how Emily had experienced life events she found upsetting – the separation of her parents, and the death of her infant brother and her grandmother. She had been experiencing anxiety symptoms and friends had encouraged her to see a counsellor. During this time, Emily was using a contraceptive to treat polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition affecting the ovaries. Her mother, Susie Barrington, Googled the contraceptive drug after a friend's daughter become depressed and said she found disturbing online reports about young women becoming depressed and suicidal. Emily's medication was changed by her doctor, and she was taking beta blockers and an anti-depressant. Concern had been raised at the inquest by Emily's family that the contraception she was originally taking and the anti-depressant caused her suicidal intention. The coroner said she had carefully considered this and could not find any reliable evidence to substantiate the "hypothesis". In December 2012 and January 2013 Emily appeared to improve, the coroner said. She was planning a party, looking for a house for the following year at university and planning a holiday. On the morning of her death she was looking at overdose and suicide methods on her laptop. The coroner said: "I cannot be clear that it was Emily's intention to take her own life. There is no evidence that corroborates suicide intention, no previous attempt at self-harm, no farewell letters, a diary or social media messages." Dr Didcock concluded: "I cannot be sure beyond reasonable doubt that Emily intended the consequences of her actions. I extend my sincere condolences to her family, many of whom are here, her extended family, and all her friends."

Bond baddie Jaws helps Vicky to save toothy wildlife

December 14, 2013, 1:49 am

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CARE assistant Victoria Harwood is hoping to raise funds to save endangered species – by drawing animals. The 36-year-old, from Barton in Fabis, has written and illustrated a new children's book aimed at three to seven-year-olds. But she is hoping three celebrity-signed copies will appeal to parents or grandparents who are fans of Star Wars, James Bond, Doctor Who and a host of other cinema and television stars. It has taken Victoria three years to achieve her goal to publish 'Bush-Hog Tails: a-A Very Bushy Tale', about the adventures and mishaps of the creature she has created in charcoal and crayon. The famous signatures include Richard Kiel, who played James Bond villain Jaws, and actress and singer Toyah Willcox. Actors from Game of Thrones, Batman, Rules of Engagement and Benidorm willingly gave their autographs, as did Anna Karen, who played Olive in On The Buses, and Likely Lad Rodney Bewes. The books are currently being auctioned on eBay and the money raised will be donated to Our Disappearing Planet, a charity which strives to save endangered animals and their habitats. "If this works well then I would like to try to help other different wildlife charities too. I would like to help whales and dolphins and tigers," said Victoria. When actress Patricia Franklin, from the Carry on Films, Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, signed Victoria's book she made a special request. "She asked if I could try to help the rhinos," said Victoria. She has had 100 copies printed – a process which began with a major challenge for her fiance Simon Walker, who had to scan the original charcoal sketches without smudging the artwork for the publisher. Victoria, who hopes the book could turn into a series, added: "I always used to enjoy drawing Disney and cartoon characters for my boys but they are 16 and 18 now so I had no one to draw for any more. "This has all been very hard work but well worth it if we can help animals." Bush-Hog Tails is available priced £4.99 at www.nottinghambooks.co.uk and the Bookcase in Lowdham.