New Milton Advertiser 27th Nov 2020

Friday 27th November 2020 · 11

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Roundabout brawl after online beer row

Man admits £21k property theft A MAN admitted trespass- ing at a New Milton home and stealing £21,000 worth of property. Michael Sadler (27), of Ringwood Road, Walkford, took the items after entering a house in Lake Grove Road, Southampton magistrates heard. The Bench granted the defendant unconditional bail to appear at the city’s crown court on 14th December for sentence. Beach hut prices frozen until 2022 BEACH hut tenants across Christchurch, Highcliffe and Mudeford have had their prices frozen until 2022. BCP Council agreed to the halt in part due to a tempo- rary tax relief to councils from the Chancellor to help with Covid-19 pressures. The relief will allow further invest - ment in the seafront to help maintain and improve visitor services. Cllr Mohan Iyengar, BCP’s cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture, said the move was “welcome and necessary”. Ban and fine for drink-driver A MARCHWOOD motorist who drove while more than twice the alcohol limit has been banned from the roads. Peter Copland (55), of St Contest Way, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Southamp - ton magistrates. As well as a 17-month disqualification, the Bench fined the defendant £120 and ordered he pay £119 costs. Animal accidents ONE traffic incident involv - ing a New Forest Pony was reported to the verderers last week, near Bramshaw. The accident occurred at around 6pm on the Friday on the B3078 between Telegraph and Black Gutter. Agister Mike Lovell attended but the animal could not be located.

Father-to-be given suspended jail term over assault in town

The Christmas tree festival began in 2015

Axe swings on town Christmas tree festival

BY JON WALLER

A SOCIAL media spat over lager escalated into an organ- ised brawl on a Fordingbridge roundabout in which a cage fighter was hit with a golf club. Victim Caidan Emsley suf - fered a fractured jaw when he squared off against father-to-be Luke Self, Southampton Crown Court heard. It was told how Mr Emsley gained the upper hand before he was hit with a golf club and then kicked and punched. The violence was sparked by an exchange earlier that after - noon when Self, of Elm Cres - cent, Hythe, and two of his friends – who were drinking – posted a picture of a non-alco - holic pint on Facebook. A subsequent exchange be- tween Self and Mr Emsley, in - volving the merits of Foster’s lager, descended into threats. By 11pm Self and his two friends had got someone to drive them to Fordingbridge for the fight, which was seen by neighbours in overlooking flats. Judge Richard Onslow said it was clear from the evidence Mr Emsley quickly “got the better” of Self, before the victim was hit from behind with a golf club. Witnesses described how Mr Emsley adopted a “defen - sive” position as he was then punched and kicked by “at least two people”. When police arrived at the

MAGISTRATES jailed a wom - an who committed a long list of offences including assault, criminal damage and shoplift - ing. Tayah Haynes (29), of Charles Road in Christchurch, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman by beating, damaging two doors belonging to another victim, and stealing a pair of wine bot - tles from a BP petrol station in Christchurch. Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard the offences put the defendant in breach of two LYMINGTON’S popular Christ - mas tree festival has been can - celled after volunteers decided the second lockdown made it impossible to organise. The St Thomas’s Church Christmas Tree Festival has gone from strength to strength since its inception six years ago, involving dozens of local busi - nesses, youth organisations and charities who each sponsor and decorate a tree. It had been due to take place next week but a disappointed festival committee chair, Daph - ne Johnson, told the A&T: “We were very hopeful that we would be able to go ahead this year with all the necessary so- cial distancing in place. “However, when the second national lockdown was an- nounced we quickly realised it would be impossible for us to open on Friday 4th December as planned, just two days after the end of the lockdown. “The five-day festival has grown to be hugely popular, attracting large numbers of visitors and we were also con-

suspended sentences, one im - posed in July 2019 for battery against a woman and another in October of that year for assault of another woman and theft. Haynes was also subject to a conditional discharge given by the court in February for shop - lifting. Activating the suspended sentence, magistrates slammed the defendant for her “flagrant disregard for court orders”. She was jailed for 24 weeks and or - dered to pay £207 compensa - tion. cerned hosting a large event like this was an unnecessary risk to the community.” The festival began in 2015 as an initiative to raise money to fix the landmark cupola atop St Thomas’s Church. It now involves an army of volunteers who help out with everything from baking cakes and serving refreshments, to decorating the trees and wel- coming visitors. Daphne continued: “The fes - tival attracts sponsorship from local charities, businesses and individuals who buy a tree to decorate and the unique and original style of decoration of - ten promotes their work. “Many of the trees are then sold on at the end to the general public and the monies returned to the charity or passed on to benefit the Friends of St Thom - as’s Church.” The Christmas tree festival committee now plans to install a large tree in the nave of the church for visitors to attach personal messages and prayers. Visit wwwlymingtonchurch.org

Luke Self was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court

scene they found the victim, who had staggered a short dis- tance away, conscious “but not making much sense”, the judge added. The court heard Mr Emsley changed his mind after initially supporting the prosecution. He had provided a victim statement detailing how he would have to give up cage fighting because of the injuries he suffered, including a frac - tured jaw and swollen right eye. Self and the other two men were charged over the attack, which they denied. At a trial, Self was found guilty by a jury of one count of grievous bodily harm. Defending 25-year-old Self, barrister Tom Hoarder pleaded with the judge to spare his cli - ent an immediate prison term.

Self ’s girlfriend was pregnant with their first child, due in March, he revealed, adding she was “absolutely furious” with him. The defendant worked for his father’s car recovery business, handling the paperwork and advertising side. Because of the firm’s reliance on its promotion online, if Self went to prison its very existence would be threat- ened, Mr Hoarder claimed. Acknowledging it was an “unacceptable incident”, Mr Hoarder said it “quickly went beyond what Self had envis - aged at the outset”, and Self had been “egged on”. Mr Hoarder pointed out Self was the only one of the trio not to have previous convictions, and it was “utterly out of char - acter”.

Handing down sentence, Judge Onslow said he could not be sure Self was the person who wielded the golf club. But he noted that in police interview Self had denied any involve - ment whatsoever, which he branded “stupid lies”. However, the judge said ulti - mately he was “just persuaded” to suspended Self ’s two-year prison term for the same peri - od. He ordered the defendant to do 30 days of rehabilitation, 150 hours of unpaid work in the community and to pay Mr Ems- ley £1,000 compensation. Judge Onslow warned him to comply with the order and re- served any breaches to himself. He told the defendant: “Put a foot wrong in the next two years and you will be straight inside.”

Woman jailed for string of offences

A little goes a long way as castle launches picture contest

AN appreciation of the little things in life is the theme as Highcliffe Castle urges people to get snappy for its annual photography competition. Adjustments forced by the pandemic have inspired the challenge of entrants being asked to capture what is impor-

tant to themand the little things they have learnt to appreciate. A panel of experts will choose the winners after the deadline on Monday 7th December from the age categories 5-11, 12-16, 17-25, and 26 and over. For the first time, people will be able to vote for their favour -

ite image online in the Public Choice Award. Cllr Mohan Iyengar, BCP Council cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture, said: “This photography com - petition, celebrating what makes us all smile, will be a great reminder for everyone to

enjoy the simple things in life over the coming months.” Local companies have donat- ed prizes, and the winning pho - tographs will be displayed at the castle or online in February 2021. For more information visit www.highcliffecastle.co.uk/pho tographic-competition-2021

THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A PAID-FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT

UKGOVERNMENTOFFERINGEXTRASUPPORT TOSTAFFANDFIRMSDURINGWINTERMONTHS

UKGovernment ChancellorRishi Sunakhas announcedextrameasures to supportworkers and businesses throughoutwinter, including a furlough scheme extensionpaying 80per cent of staffwages.

announced billions of pounds of further support, including moremoney for self- employedworkers. The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme support will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80 per cent of average trading profits, up to amaximum of £7,500. Guaranteed funding for the UK’s devolved administrations has been raised by £2 billion to £16 billion. n More details at www.gov.uk

The UKGovernment has pledged billions of pounds more to helpworkers and businesses throughout winter. The furlough scheme, extended across the UK until the end of March, pays 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500 a month. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme subsidises the wages of people who cannot

do their jobs because their workplace is closed or there is no longer enoughwork. As part of the revised scheme – lasting until March 31, to be reviewed at the end of January –- anyone made redundant on or after September 23 2020may be able to be rehired and returned to furlough. The Chancellor also

The UKGovernment’s newhelp package provides a “lifeline” according to anEnglish recruitment firm’sMD. “It will certainly ease pressure aswe head towards Christmas and into the newyear,” saidKDRecruitment’s Kelly Dunn, continuing to use Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. “These lifelines are vital to help businesses. Knowing a company’s biggest outgoing (payroll) is paid by the government will allow businesses to focus on their plans for 2021 and how to bounce back better. These extensions will mean the difference between businesses closing for good or now being able to look to the future and surviving this pandemic.” HELP PACKAGE ‘IS ALIFELINE’

Owners of aNorthern Ireland baby product manufacturer, already benefitting fromthe UKGovernment’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and grants, hailed the latest measures as “positive”. “More security for many until March,” said SineadMurphy, who owns Newtownards- based Shnugglewith husbandAdam. The firmfurloughed five staff froma 16-strong team. “We took everythingwe could get our hands on really,” continued Sinead. “For thosewho have themeans to survive until spring, this extensionwill give some peace ofmind, meaning they can protect jobs and hopefully begin to rebuild their businesses in the near future.” EXTENSION ‘TOPROTECT JOBS’

Scottish trampoline parkbosses are jumping for joy at theUKGovern- ment’s announcement of continuedCoronavirus JobRetentionScheme support. “The furlough scheme has beengreat,” con- firmedJulieMackenzie, owner of SkylineTram- polinePark, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, “and the business rates breakwas huge forus.” She explained: “That is a £7,400amonthbill forus, whichwewon’t pay till the endof Janu- ary.” Alsowelcomed isVAT deferral payment plan spreaduntilMarch. “I feel optimistic,” added Julie, whosebusiness reopened to enjoy an Octoberhalf-termboost, and is nowable to fur- lough sixof 25workers while offering other staff morework. ‘RATES BREAKHUGE FORUS’

The continued Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme support has put a spring in the step of aWelsh sockmanufacturers boasting VIP clientele. “It will make a big difference becausewe are traditionally quieter in the spring. “Getting this furlough moneymeanswe don’t have to let anyone go,” saidChris Jones, owner of Corgi luxury sock store, inAmmanford, SouthWales. “Otherwisewe’d lose skills.We can’t afford to lose anybody,” continued the business bosswhose skilled workforce numbers 60, andwhose customers include Prince Charles and actor Daniel Radcliffe. Also applying for a Business Resilience Grant, he added: “I feel really positive.” ‘WEWON’T LETANYONE GO’

THEUKGOVERNMENT ALSOANNOUNCED: n VAT deferral payments spread until March n Bounce Back Loans top-ups n Extension to home- owners’ mortgage payment holiday n Cash grants of up to £3,000 permonth for closed businesses n Up to £500million council funding to support local public health response n Extending government-backed loan schemes and Future Fund to January

EXTRAMEASURES: UKGovernment Chancellor Rishi Sunak.