New Milton Advertiser 25th December 2020

Friday 25th December 2020 · 9 News

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Jail for man over lockdown attack

Rider banned over drugs RIDING a motorcycle with excess levels of two types of drugs in his system cost a New Milton man his licence for 18 months. Jack Fry (22), of Gore Road, pleaded guilty to having traces of cocaine and cannabis while riding a Su- zuki bike on Boxing Day last year. He also admitted not having insurance or a licence at the time. Southampton magistrates fined Fry £700 and ordered he pay £70 court costs. Vital funds given to Salvation Army CHRISTCHURCH Rotary Club provided a festive £500 boost to the local Salva- tion Army towards its work supporting disadvantaged people. Club president Chris McClaverty handed over the cheque to Major Teresa Ever- ett, of the Salvation Army Christchurch Corps, in a so- cially distanced presentation. “The problems confront- ing the Salvation Army have Fees frozen for commoners THE prices commoners pay for turning out their animals on the New Forest have been frozen for next year. The decision taken by the verderers at their November online meeting means mark- ing fees for the Forest and commons in 2021 will stay at the same level as they have since 2012. Costs range from £24 per pony, donkey or cow on the Forest down to £2 for a pig on the commons. grown rather than dimin- ished during the pandemic, and we therefore wanted to provide the Christchurch corps with a donation of £500 in good time for Christmas,” he said.

Apprenticeships open for national park rangers A New Forest NPA ranger at the Ashurst wild play site

Thug stamped on pregnant girlfriend and bit mum’s face

to return to hospital two weeks after the attack for treatment as her concussion had caused complications. In a victim statement Ms Bassett told Ackers: “I never want to see you again,” add- ing the defendant had “killed” their chance to be a family. Diane, who told the court she had “never been as petri- fied and as scared in my life”, suffered severe bruising and a dislocated finger as well as the facial injury. The court heard Ackers had a history of violence against Ms Bassett. At the time of the April offences, he was the subject of a court order which banned him from seeing her. Defence barrister Nick Rob- inson detailed the defendant’s “difficult” upbringing. He had witnessed abuse and dysfunc- tion from a young age, the court heard, and was taken into care at 11 years old by so- cial services. Mr Robinson said it was a classic case of the sins of a step-parent being revisited by Ackers. His client struggled to love or trust anyone and was a vulnerable young man who needed guidance and was re- morseful, the court was told. DC Leila Whittle, of Bour- nemouth CID, said after the hearing it was a “truly horrific and terrifying incident”, add- ing: “Nobody deserves to be violently assaulted and I hope this case demonstrates we are committed to protecting vic- tims who are sadly exposed to this type of behaviour. “Dorset Police takes domes- tic abuse extremely seriously and we will do everything we can to support victims and se- cure justice for violent offend- ers. “I would like to take this op- portunity to reach out to any- one suffering from domestic abuse during the festive period and reassure you that we are here for you and will investi- gate any report made to us.”

BY JON WALLER

A GRANT to encourage young people to take up a career car- ing for the environment has helped the national park au- thority to offer two ranger ap- prenticeships next year. The NPA will also employ a project officer in the Forest to support youth enterprises, thanks to a £65,000 grant from the national Green Recovery challenge fund, which is aimed at inspiring the next generation to become involved in protect- ing habitats. Gillie Molland, the NPA’s lead ranger, said the new apprentice rangers would follow six that have already been trained by the authority and partners. She said: “We are thrilled to be extending the successful ap- prentice rangers’ schemes. We will offer two environmental conservation paid apprentice- ships.” The fund is aimed at kick-starting environmental re- newal whilst boosting a range of jobs in England as well as training, volunteering roles, res- idential and outdoor learning experiences. This year the project will prioritise young people from BAME groups – black, Asian

and minority ethnic – as well as from disadvantaged back- grounds and coastal communi- ties. Helen Robinson, lead ed- ucation and youth officer for the NPA, added: “The newly appointed project officer will seek to bridge a connection to nature and sense of place for young people in local commu- nities by creating public nature sites in residential areas both inside and outside the bounda- ry of the national park. “It is vitally important that young people have access to nature, many of whom faced lockdown without gardens or access to green spaces. “Using our strong connec- tions with parish and town councils and involving young people in the design and cre- ation of these spaces, our aim is to enable more young peo- ple than ever before to access, enjoy and learn about the special qualities of our national park.” The National Lottery Her- itage Fund, on behalf of Defra, awarded the Green Recovery scheme £2.5m which is given out to a variety of not-for-profit education providers.

A BURTON man has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after he was branded a “dan- gerous offender” who poses a risk to women. Owen Ackers (23) launched a shocking attack during the first lockdown in which he ren - dered his pregnant girlfriend unconscious and repeatedly stamped on her. He also punched his mother before biting off a piece of her face, scarring her for life. He appeared for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court where Judge Robert Pawson noted a probation assessment said there was a “high risk” of Ackers reoffending, and that he required intervention to change his attitude towards women and relationships. While Ackers claimed he was “remorseful”, the judge caught him in the dock mouthing ob- scenities at his now ex-partner Sapphire Bassett. Judge Pawson gave Ackers a prison term of eight-and-a- half years and ordered that whenever he is released he will be subject to further stringent monitoring for 18 months. “I am giving you an extend- ed sentence in order to protect the public and, in particular, women in the future,” Judge Pawson said. It means Ackers will not be released within the sentence until he convinces a parole board it is safe for him to be back on the streets. Also, if he were to reoffend again he would be recalled to prison. Ackers appeared before the court having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two charges of causing Ms Bassett and his mother grievous bodily harm with intent. Prosecutor Susan Cavender

Owen Ackers was given an extended jail term

said Ackers carried out a “sav- age” 30-minute attack on 21st April where he was living at his mother’s home in Lineside, having drunk vodka and taken cocaine. It started when his mother, Diane Ackers, tried to take a bottle of vodka from her drunk- en son. He punched her in the face and chased her upstairs into the bathroom. When Ms Bassett grabbed him, he attacked her, pulling out clumps of her hair and pushed her on the floor, stamp - ing repeatedly on her head, shoulders and chest. When Diane tried to stop

Ackers he turned on her, punching her and biting her between her eyebrows so hard he removed a “chunk of her flesh” which he spat out. Ackers shouted that he thought Ms Bassett was dead and screamed at his mother: “You’ve f***ed up my life so now I’m going to f*** up yours”, Ms Cavender said. When police arrived at the home, Ackers jumped shirtless out of the first-floor bathroom window. Both women were rushed to hospital. Ms Bassett, who has since given birth without prob- lems, suffered bruising and had

Lynx, wolves and beavers ‘not welcome’ in Forest

VERDERERS have dispelled concerns about whether wolves could ever be introduced to the New Forest. Commoner Mike Eccles raised the issue in a light-heart- ed presentment at the Novem- ber online meeting of the Ver- derers’ Court following media reports of plans for rewilding in Exmoor National Park.

Mr Eccles said: “I would hope the introduction in the Forest of lynx, wolves and any other gifts of beavers from the Prime Min- ister would not be considered as, if they were, our rights would be affected!” He was assured such a project was not “likely to be necessary” as the New Forest already has a wide variety of flora and fauna.

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

BIGGESTUKVACCINEROLL-OUTBRINGSHOPEOF ABRIGHTERANDBETTERFUTUREFORALLOFUS

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‘FEARVIRUS MORETHAN INJECTION’

Retired actress and teacher Sue Herdman will “most certainly” have the vaccine “as soon as they call me”. Says the 81 year-old: “I aman aged person, classed as vulnerable. I think the knowledge of having the vaccine will instil faith inme. It spells hope. That means a great deal to all of us.” And her advice to anyone offered the vaccine – “go for it”. Sue, who “hasn’t coped well with the second lockdown”, added: “Life may gradually return to a semblance of normality oncemore. “COVID, and the fear it brings, makes prisoners of us all – if not in the confines of our own home, in the fear it breeds.” ‘THEVACCINE SPELLSHOPE TOME’

Retired Advice NI debt adviser Adam Harbinson believes the vaccine “is little short of miraculous”. Apart fromconcerns for his family, the 73 year-oldmisses the freedomof visiting the theatre and cinema as well as dining out. He welcomed the news of the vaccine saying: “The best that most of us expectedwas that we would have a vaccine in a couple of years. “ And now the first vaccine is being rolled out across the UK. “Perhaps themain the obvious benefit of protecting us from the dreaded disease, is that it infuses a sense of hope into an otherwise hopeless environment.” ‘IT’S LITTLE SHORTOF MIRACULOUS’ benefit forme and society, apart from

Kit Gow’s advice to anyone fearful of having the vaccine is “the fear of contracting the virus must be greater than having the injection”. The 83 year-old trained at Dunfermline College of Physical Education, andwas a student in Aberdeen during the Asian Flu pandemic of 1957. “Mymainmemory of that was taking medication and food to those lying in bed. “Most of those in the residence were affected,” she recalls. Commenting on the lockdown, she continued: “My really big miss is seeing the family althoughwe speak and email. “I will have the vaccine as soon as it is offered.”

VIRUSVACCINATIONS: Innoculations have begun for elderly patients and care staff.

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n The UKGovernment invested £88million into research and development. n So far 357million free vaccine doses have been purchased for UK citizens.