A CARE worker racked up a bill of more than £1,000 by using a resident’s bank account to pay for an adult website, a court heard.

At a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, February 21, Worthing Magistrates’ Court heard Thomas Hond, of Lansdowne Place, Worthing, had “abused” his position of trust by using Ivan Pope’s card details to pay for an adult website.

For the full story, including the sentence, read this week’s Worthing Herald, which is available on February 23.

]]> 1.3548887 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing_flat_fire_caused_by_electrical_fault_1_3549254

FIREFIGHTERS attended a flat fire in Grand Avenue, Worthing, this morning (Wednesday, February 22).

Worthing fire crews were called to the ground-floor flat at 11.30am after reports of smoke billowing from the windows.

Four firefighters forced entry into the property, where they put out a small fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault with the internet router.

The flat suffered 10 per cent fire damage and substantial smoke damage, however no-one was injured in the incident.

]]> 1.3549254 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:05:22 +0000 http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/find_it_and_qype_take_down_thousands_of_fake_reviews_1_3548803

Advertiser’s announcement

AN online business directory has hit out at unethically placed listings and reviews in the West Sussex area.

Find It, powered by Qype, Europe’s leading consumer reviews site, has cut thousands of misleading or malicious reviews from its 13.5 million online listings.

Taking a tough stance on third parties who abuse online reviews, Find It and Qype have taken down over two thousand fake reviews in the last month. Around three per cent of new reviews have been deleted since the partnership declared war on unethical listings.

With a new review appearing every 30 seconds on everything from hostels and tourist attractions to hairdressers and minicab companies, Find It and Qype have implemented a continuous campaign to keep the directory clean and ensure all business listings and reviews for West Sussex are accurate and fair.

Find It, powered by Qype, is committed to stopping people who use its listings for financial gain, and aims to stamp out biased or unreliable reviews.

“Find It is the number one source for trusted local reviews and listings, and working with Qype we want to ensure every single listing is independent and impartial,” said Andy Prior, digital product manager at Johnston Press.

Find it, powered by Qype, gives immediate access to over two million independent reviews on everything from quirky cafés and clubs to plumbers and primary schools. Covering 166,000 locations worldwide, including thousands of real reviews on the best places to go in West Sussex, Find it powered by Qype is an indispensable guide for locals, at home or away.

ALL feedback on this column, whether negative or positive, is good, so my thanks go to Mr Bill Geddes of Lansdowne Road for taking the time and trouble to write to the Herald with some observations on the content of this column.

However, there are a number of points brought up in his letter that require both a reply and some clarification.

Mr Geddes accusing me of having a go at immigrants, describing them as “strangers in the town”. Given the fact that in 1801 Worthing had a population of 2,151 and now has in excess of 100,000 people living here, most of our forefathers were once newcomers to the town.

As a proud Worthing resident, I, like everyone else, welcome new people to the town of all races, colours and creeds. My point which perhaps Mr Geddes only partly alludes to is the fact that recent social housing projects in the town have not taken existing Worthing residents off the housing list but have instead seen other boroughs, primarily from London, sending their existing tenants, predominantly while, I hasten to add, to occupy the new properties. My point was, should we not reduce our own housing list first, rather than importing other tenants from other councils?

Mr Geddes describes the “appalling government’s strategy” over the benefit system. If he thinks that capping a single households benefits at £26,000 net (£35,000 gross) is wrong then we clearly will have to agree to differ.

How many pensioners in Worthing, who have worked hard and paid into the system all of their lives, get an income from the state on this level?

Paying out that kind of money for basically doing nothing almost destroys the basic work ethic for future generations. Thankfully, I know of a lot of people with families who would rather work all week for an income less than the proposed benefit cap, because: a) they want to work. b) they want to give their children the aforementioned work ethic.

Mr Geddes goes on about my view of denying people the right of having a television or something to sit on, which is again a little wide of the mark. My actual point was that when ITV Daybreak went to a long-time claimant’s house who said they would struggle on £26,000 a year, they had the plasma screen TV and the nice sofa from one of the high street shops, which does make you wonder about the whole concept of the benefits system. What message does that ultimately send out to the people who do work?

He talks about an increase in beggars, which is certainly something I would not want to see; in fact, I support the Worthing Churches Homeless Projects, who do a superb job eradicating a very serious problem.

Mr Geddes finishes by saying I would have us believe the underclass will eventually bleed this country dry.

If you have a number of people who do nothing, yet draw money from the system, and they are followed by another generation with the same ethic, with so many taking out rather than putting in, the coffers will run dry, regardless of how much the rest of us put in.

Mr Geddes is entitled to his opinion, as am I, but clearly on this occasion our views are poles apart.

SCHOOLCHILDREN from Worthing have been getting their hands messy with some patriotic creativity.

Lyndhurst First School is one of six schools in Worthing who have signed up to take part in a community art project to make decorative bunting for the diamond jubilee party on Worthing promenade in June.

The project has been organised by Worthing-based community arts company Creating Waves, in a bid to create enough bunting to stretch from Splash Point to Heene Road.

Co-owner of Creating Waves, Nadia Chalk, said: “We want this to be a real community effort and to encourage as many people to join in with the jubilee celebrations as possible. The children at Lyndhurst absolutely loved it.”

The children decorated a selection of triangle and rectangle-shaped bunting flags with their own jubilee-themed designs using predominantly red, white and blue paint.

Nadia said she was pleased with how much thought the children had put into their designs.

“It was clear the children had gone home and asked their parents what the jubilee was about,” she said. “As a result they came up with some really original designs.”

The project has already created 200 metres of bunting, but there are still another 1,000 metres to go before the required stretch of artwork will be complete.

Nadia said: “It seems like a lot, but I’m confident we’ll get there. We’ve had a brilliant response so far and the bunting is looking fantastic.”

For more information, visit www.creativewaves.co.uk.

THE Herald and Gazette series is again teaming up with Shoreham Airshow to help raise money for RAFA.

With plans for this year’s airshow, set to take place on September 1 and 2, already well underway, editor Colin Channon, reporter Sheena Campbell and managing director Karl Dimmock met organisers last week.

Once again, we are selling tickets and helping to promote the show, with the theme for this year being 100 Years of the RAF Central Flying School.

Acting airshow organiser, Derek Harber, said: “It is nice to welcome, once again, Johnston Press as our major media sponsor for the airshow.

“This will be their fourth year and it has now developed into an excellent working relationship helping to promote the RAFA Wings Appeal.

“To date, Shoreham has given nearly £1.7million to RAFA.”

This year’s airshow will see a lot more action on the ground, with a one-hour break in the flying displays to allow visitors to explore everything the airshow has to offer.

Press officer John Periam said: “It is important we look at ways to improve the Shoreham Airshow.

“A dedicated flying committee will be more involved in selecting the air displays, covering all aspects of aviation history.

“Military vehicles will be high on the list, also giving the public a chance to see them in action.”

Anyone who would like more information on the airshow can visit www.shorehamairshow.co.uk or call 01273 441545.

AS many day centres across the country face closure, an independent charity in Worthing has managed to open one.

On Friday, Worthing and District Scope celebrated the official opening of its new centre in Birkdale Road, Durrington.

The ribbon was cut by 90-year-old fund-raiser, MBE JP Dorothy Till and Worthing youth mayor Liam Mills.

Dorothy, of Richmond Road, said: “After 25 years of fund-raising for the group it’s an honour to open such a beautiful building, and it’s so well equipped.

“When we started out we had disabled children sitting in old tyres, and now we have this.”

The Worthing Steyne Rotary Club also attended to donate three cherry blossom trees to the centre, after building work meant some trees had to be cut down.

Having to cut down the trees caused big problems in the planning stages of the development, but Rotary club president Jim Farley said the club was more than happy to help.

He said: “We have had a long association with Scope and that’s why we were there to plant the first tree for them.”

The charity purchased the building for £220,000 in April, 2011, when it realised there was a calling for day centres.

When the charity bought the building it was just one room with no windows and “nowhere to make a cup of tea”.

Vice-president of the board of trustees Valerie Sutton said: “We have been looking to extend as we know social services are closing a lot of these types of things.

“Originally, we were not going to spend more than £200,000, so we knew this was a big gamble, but now it has been a success I suspect we will be looking at the next project, maybe purchasing a shop.”

The centre will cater for up to 20 disabled people, with one member of staff to every four people, but the charity assures it will welcome any volunteers or people looking for work experience.

Worthing and District Scope chief executive Pauline Fox said: “We have opened a service with no support other than our own.

“Worthing Scope has paid for this centre lock, stock and barrel, without having to pay a fund-raiser £40,000 a year.”

FIREFIGHTERS in West Sussex are reminding chip lovers to be vigilant as part of National Chip Week (February 20 to 26).

Almost 60 per cent of all accidental house fires in West Sussex are started in the kitchen, with the majority caused by unattended or careless cooking. Leaving a chip pan unattended for even a short time can have disastrous results as the oil can easily overheat and ignite. A simple switch from the pan to the oven or a temperature controlled deep-fat fryer can help prevent the worst.

Community risk reduction officer, Jackie Boyle, said: “I’m sure chips will be on many people’s menus during National Chip Week. People assume that cooking chips in a pan of hot oil is a thing of the past, but we know from the incidents our crews attend that it’s still popular. Last month a lady in Crawley sustained serious burns attempting to tackle a chip pan fire which shows just how dangerous it can be.

“We’d recommend oven chips as a safer and healthier option, but if people do choose to fry then please ensure you stand by your pan - don’t be tempted to leave it unattended. If you are unlucky enough to have a chip pan fire, please don’t try and tackle it yourself, especially not with water, it could put your life in serious danger.”

Tips on frying safely:

. Most kitchen fires occur when people leave things unattended. Don’t get distracted while cooking, if you are called away from the cooker take pans off the heat

. Never fill a chip pan (or other deep-fat fryer) more than one-third full of oil

. Consider using a thermostatically controlled deep-fat fryer - this will ensure that the fat does not get too hot

. Test it Tuesday – fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home and don’t forget that weekly test!

If a pan catches fire:

. Don’t move it – it is likely to be extremely hot

. Turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so – but never lean over a pan to reach the controls

. Don’t use water on a chip pan fire – the water reacts with the oil creating a potentially lethal fireball

. Don’t use a fire extinguisher on a pan of oil – the force of the extinguisher can spread the fire

. If you have put the fire out, leave the pan to cool completely.

ARUNDEL folk club organiser Chris Davis is helping to stage a special concert, with a mother’s song for her autistic son certain to be among the highlights.

Chris, who runs the Willows Folk Club at Arundel Football Club, has teamed up with Claire Booth, of Worthing, to hold the event in aid of the National Autistic Society.

Claire has three boys aged between two and six.

Middle son Jude, aged four and a half, has been diagnosed with autism.

The concert is on Saturday, March 10 at St Mary’s Church Hall in Goring and tickets are available from Claire at {mailto:clbooth@hotmail.co.uk|clbooth@hotmail.co.uk} or 07790 511054.

Chris said: “It features Claire and me, and a number of superb special guests, for an evening of acoustic rock, pop, folk and country.

“The tickets are £5 each, and 100 per cent of all profits will be going to the National Autistic Society.

“For me, this is one of the most important projects I’ve ever been involved in and something that really means a lot to me on a personal level.”

Claire captured her efforts to communicate with Jude in the song Jude’s Lullaby, which can be listened to via Claire’s ReverbNation page {http://www.reverbnation.com/clairebooth|www.reverbnation.com/clairebooth}.

She said: “We found out he was autistic when he was a couple of years old.

“He is just in his own little world most of the time.”

ACCLAIMED author Phil Earle gave around 300 students at Durrington High School a lesson in writing.

Phil visited the school to talk about his latest book Saving Daisy, a moving story following the life of Daisy Houghton, who first featured in his critically acclaimed debut Being Billy.

The book is currently being read by the school’s student book club and is nominated for many national book awards.

Sally Baker, the school’s learning resources area manager, said: “Phil’s passion for his vocation is evident and our students were so enthused that even reluctant readers bought copies of his books and have developed their reading skills since his visit.

“Not every story in life has a happy ending, Phil’s books reflect this, but they do help their protagonists find a better way of being, and an ability to see some hope on the horizon.

“In the wake of so many real-life drama books flying off the shelves, Phil Earle’s gritty modern realism should be recommended reading for all troubled teens – finally giving some of their fears and anger a credible voice and helping them realise their true strength in the face of adversity.”

AFTER 23 years of supporting families of children born with a cleft lip or palate, Gill Foan is passing the torch.

Gill is the chairperson for the Sussex branch of the charity CLAPA, the representative organisation for all people with and affected by a cleft lip and/or palate in the UK.

The charity provides a support network within the community, so parents of children born with a cleft lip or palate can meet for reassurance, advice and social events.

Gill, 52, of Brooklands Avenue, Worthing, said parents can leave hospital feeling lost after giving birth to a baby with a cleft lip, and need the support so they may give the best care possible to their child.

“As a parent, you can think ‘What have I done wrong?’,” she said.

“It is very difficult to talk about these things with people who have no experience of cleft lip palate conditions.

“Especially in the early stages, and when the children go for various operations to help correct it.

“It’s good to be able to speak to someone who has been through it.”

A cleft lip or palate develops during early pregnancy, when separate areas of the face develop individually and then join together.

If some parts do not join properly, the result is a cleft, the type and severity of which can vary.

Babies born with a cleft lip or palate can have problems feeding, may have affected speech and can suffer problems with their hearing.

CLAPA Sussex raises money to buy bottles to give to hospitals in the area, as well as donating money to speech therapy units.

Gill knows exactly what support parents need, as she has been through the experience herself.

Her son Ryan, now 23, was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, which had not been picked up until he was born.

“It was difficult at the time because it was unexpected,” she said.

“Ryan had to be fed through a squeezy bottle with a lamb’s teat on the end. But his cleft lip was part of him, and we actually felt strange about it when he had his first operation to have it repaired.”

Ryan went on to have another six operations to repair his palate, but was born without a sense of smell, which he will never have.

Gill said she became the chair of CLAPA because she wanted to help others like herself.

“I know how appreciative I was of help from others,” she said.

“So I wanted to be there for other parents, too. However, I have been here a long time and it is time for me to step down and let a new face step in.”

Paula Tyler has also chosen to step down after working alongside Gill for the past 11 years.

The 43-year-old mum, of Manor Road, Upper Beeding, got involved with CLAPA after her daughter Gemma was born with a soft cleft palate.

Paula said: “Because Gemma does not have a cleft lip, we did not realise she had a soft cleft palate.

“I was worried because she wouldn’t feed and it was only when a nurse picked her up when she was crying and saw the hole in the roof of her mouth we realised.”

Paula could only feed Gemma using a cup and spoon.

“It was a bit of a nightmare trying to feed a newborn baby with only a spoon and a cup,” she said.

“But then CLAPA rang us when they heard we had a baby with a soft cleft palate, and provided us with a bottle with a lamb’s teat.

“Then we never looked back.”

Gemma, now 11, had an operation at six months to repair her palate, and lives a completely normal life – even playing both the clarinet and the saxophone.

Paula said she found the support CLAPA gave to her when Gemma was born invaluable, and got more involved with the charity to give something back.

“Being born with a cleft lip or palate is more common than you think,” she said.

“If your baby is affected you can feel quite alone, and you really appreciate the support of others around you. My 11 years at CLAPA have been wonderful, but it’s time to let someone else take over, and I hope they will enjoy the experience as much as I have.”

For more information on joining CLAPA Sussex, contact Gill on 01903 502868 or CLAPA chief executive Sue Carroll on 020 7833 4883.

A Pulborough man has been charged with affray, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and two bladed articles.

Shane Elliott, 29, from Arun Court, Pulborough, was charged after an incident in Lower Steet, Pulborough, where a police car was damaged.

He was approached by police after a call from a concerned member of the public at 2.20pm on Sunday (February 19) afternoon.

When police arrived he attacked the police car with a snooker cue, knocking off the wing mirrors and causing extensive damage to the bodywork as well as head butting and cracking the windscreen.

Officers were able to subdue the man by using captor spray and he was arrested.

PC David Quayle said: “We had been called because the man seemed in distress. We did what we could to contain the situation and are relieved that no one was injured although the damage to the police car was extensive.”

Elliott is due to appear before Mid Sussex Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, February 21).

A MAN had to be cut out of his car after he collided with another vehicle outside Northbrook College this morning (Tuesday, February 21).

Three fire crews attended to the accident, which occurred between two cars at the junction of Broadwater Road and Carnegie Road, at 7.15am.

Firefighters cut the roof off one car to release the trapped male driver, after he was complaining of severe neck pains.

The driver was carried out of the vehicle with the use of a spinal board, and was taken to Worthing Hospital as a precaution. His injuries are not life-threatening.

The second driver escaped the accident with only a few cuts and bruises.

Broadwater Road has now been fully cleared, after firefighters left the scene after around 30 minutes.