Gloucester Citizen Latest Trusted Stories Feed

A UNIVERSITY graduate alleged to have tried to stab a policeman thought it was okay because the whole world was an alien computer simulation, a court heard. Christopher Leyshon, 28, of Ashmead Road, Cinderford – thought the officers were computer graphics and not real and was deemed to be "very mentally ill" by a consultant psychiatrist. He tried to jump out of a moving car because he thought his death was timed to coincide with the birth of his sister's baby and therefore he would be fine, defending barrister Ray Tulley said. Gloucester Crown Court heard he also wanted to cut off the head of the family cat because he believed that cats knew what was going on and had control over events. Consultant psychiatrist Dr John Sandford told a jury Leyshon suffered severe schizophrenia and lost contact with reality. After preparing four separate reports on the defendant, who has a degree in computer design, he said, in answer to questions from Mr Tulley: "His illness involves suffering from psychosis – a loss of contact with reality. "When the incident occurred he either did not know the nature or the quality of the act or if he did know he did not know that it was wrong. "Regarding the defendant's use of cannabis even without the use of the drug there was a significant risk of him developing the symptoms of schizophrenia." The court heard Leyshon started to develop strange and unusual ideas. He thought there was going to be an invasion of the body-snatchers, people could hear his thoughts and life was a computer simulation. "His is a classic case of severe schizophrenia and has delusional ideas and acts on these delusional beliefs," said Dr Sandford. "He is very mentally ill." Leyshon's mum Elaine Morgan called police to her home in Field Court Gardens, Quedgeley, because she feared her son might stab the family cat. When officers arrived they tried to talk to Leyshon outside but he locked himself in the house. But when he emerged he was holding a 12-inch kitchen knife above his head with both hands and he stabbed out at PC Dawkins, it was alleged. The trial continues.

University graduate accused of attempting to stab policeman 'thought world was alien computer simulation'

Unemployment has fallen for the fourth month in a row in Gloucestershire.
The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month dropped in all six of the county's districts.
Cheltenham saw the biggest decrease, with 175 fewer claiming the unemployment benefit in June compared to May, while Gloucester followed with a fall of 159.
Victoria Maddock, director of county-based Expectations! Recruitment Services, said the positive figures were a result of growing businesses but there was still a "major shortage" of skilled candidates.
She said: "The continuous fall in unemployment, for the fourth month in a row, is proof that businesses are continuing to grow following the recession. Employers need to make their minds up quickly about candidates that they are considering otherwise they may face losing them to possible competitors.
"There are fewer people looking for jobs. This could be because they are happy in their current role, meaning employers are seeing an increase in staff retention.
"There is still a major shortage of skilled candidates which is being intensified due to employers hiring additional staff, more proof that businesses are growing following the recession."
The figures district by district are: Cheltenham 1,266, down 175; Cotswolds 417, down 42; Forest of Dean 770, down 45; Gloucester 2,231, down 159; Stroud 774, down 83; and Tewkesbury 711, down 117.
David Owen, chief executive of GFirst LEP, said the figures were a "great sign" for the county and added to the Government's recent commitment to invest £62.5million into the county, which includes a Growth Deal and is set to create 34,000 jobs here.
"I'm excited for the economy of Gloucestershire to see this continuing trend in the decline of unemployment figures," he said.
"Following the recent boost to the Gloucestershire economy with the Growth Deal announcement, this increase in employment has a positive impact on individuals and is a great sign that the Gloucestershire economy is ripe for further growth."
Meanwhile, the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell again across the South West, down 36,300 compared to the previous month.

Unemployment falls for fourth month in a row in Gloucestershire

Jealous ex-boyfriend Asher Maslin will spend a minimum of 24 years behind bars for the "merciless killing" of hairdresser, Hollie Gazzard. A packed Gloucester Crown Court heard yesterday how the 22-year-old of Benhall Gardens in Cheltenham, sold his DVD player in order to buy a knife, hours before he stabbed Hollie to death. The attack in front of colleagues and customers at Fringe Benefits and La Bella Beauty salon took place just days after she had made complaints to the police against Maslin, who was sending her threatening text messages and had stolen her bank card. An Indpendent Police Complaints Commission is investigating and has already issued misconduct notices to two officers and a call handler in connection with ther case. Gloucester Crown Court heard the former Chosen Hill schoolgirl, from Churchdown, had dated Maslin for a year and broke up with him four days before the stabbing. Prosecutor Stephen Mooney said Hollie was considering getting an injunction out against Maslin in the run up to her death after he had previously tried to strangle and kick her. The rejection led to Maslin stealing her bank cards and emptying her account of £300 before going on a crack cocaine binge and sending her abusive text messages – even threatening to throw acid in her face. While Maslin bought the knife Hollie was telling customer, Elma Rogers, how she wanted a restraining order. Mr Mooney said following Hollie's complaints to the police, officers had tried to arrest him but could not find him. On February 18, Maslin walked into the Southgate Street salon. When he refused to leave her co-worker and friend Sian Pryslak, dialled 999 and customer Mark Moyer attempted to step in after he punched the hairdresser. Part of the investigation centred around CCTV footage taken from around the city. In the footage, released by Gloucestershire Constabulary Maslin is seen selling his DVD player and buying a knife from Wilkinsons.

But Maslin, a former Churchdown School pupil, got out the knife and stabbed Hollie 14 times. Mr Mooney said it was a "brutal and sustained" attack. He told the court: "There was a significant degree of planning and premeditation. It was committed in a public place in front of a number of innocent bystanders. This was a case where the defendant had the intention to kill rather than cause grievous bodily harm." Peter Blair QC, defending, said nothing he said was intended by Maslin, or his family, to diminish the magnitude of his actions that day. He said: "The purchase of the knife was motivated by his paranoid fear of coming under attack himself." He told the court Maslin suffered from emotional instability and a personality disorder and doctors had described him as narcissistic and with paranoia brought on by the illicit substances he had been taking. In a letter to the judge Maslin said: "I know no words I can say will ever take away the pain I have caused through taking the life of a special person and I wish I could take that back." Mr Justice Teare told Maslin he would spend 24 years in jail before parole would be considered. He told Maslin: "You have denied that the knife was purchased to harm Hollie, but because you believed your life was in danger. "I am unable to believe that. Your text messages and walking to her place of work shows you had hostile intentions. "The number of stab wounds on a defenceless young woman shows this was a merciless killing." Chloe Gazzard brought much of the court room to tears explaining the impact of her big sister's death. She described Maslin's actions as evil and said she had not come to terms with never seeing Hollie again. She said: "Hollie will never be forgotten and any sentence will never bring her back. "The past few months have seemed like the longest of my life. "Hollie was, and still is, my best friend." Hollie's dad Nick said: "We came to this court today to see justice done for our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, auntie and wonderful sister, Hollie. "We had no expectations but total faith that the judge would do the right thing by Hollie and ensure the outcome would reflect the horrendous actions of a cowardly individual. "We feel like the length of sentence handed down today means we have finally received justice for Hollie. "We would also like to thank our family and friends and the Gloucester community at large for their kind words, caring thoughts and continued support."

Jealous, narcissistic and neurotic - Asher Maslin begins 24 year sentence for murdering Hollie Gazzard

PEOPLE in Gloucestershire have been advised to stay indoors after forecasters have warned that much of the country would be hotter than Barbados during a two day heat wave. The Met Office issued a Level Two alert, triggered when temperatures are predicted to reach between 28C and 32C today and tomorrow. Temperatures are predicated not to dip below 15C and 18C at night. Public health officials said they were particularly concerned about Muslims fasting for Ramadan. Hospitals and care homes have been put on alert for an increase in admissions with health and social services staff on standby to contact the ill and vulnerable. Dr Paul Cosford, of Public Health England, told the Daily Telegraph: "While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable, such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses. "Many members of the Muslim community may be fasting during the current period of Ramadan. During hot weather it's important to balance food and fluid intake between fasts and especially to drink enough water." The heatwave period is expected to begin on Thursday and temperatures are forecast to climb to about 89F (32C) by Friday. Records show 300 people were killed by a four-day heatwave which peaked at 32C in July 2009.

PARKING expansion plans are building a head of steam at Lydney Station after the town secured £1million to improve its transport strategy. Negotiations between councils and Network Rail continue over the expansion of what has been described as a cramped station. The town has also secured government funding for the Lydney Transport Strategy, which the station is a key part of. Mark Harper, Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean, said: "For too long, the railway station car park has been overcrowded and in need of expansion. I have been working on resolving this problem for a number of years. "I am glad now, working together, our district and county councils, with Network Rail, have found a possible solution to this ongoing problem." The station is seen as a key link from the Forest of Dean, on the Gloucester and Newport line and further afield. Councillor Brian Thomas, deputy mayor of Lydney, said the town's transport strategy was to improve the flow of traffic, reduce congestion and improve air quality. He said greater parking at the station may encourage more people to use public transport. He said: "Lydney has been referred to as the gateway to the Forest of Dean with access to the main line and if we want to bring tourists in then the railway is the good way of doing it." Will Windsor Clive, cabinet member for transport planning at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We are on the verge of signing a deal that would secure the expansion of Lydney Train Station car park by extending onto nearby land. This is great news for the people of Lydney and I am delighted that we have been able to play a part in finding a solution here. "It's been clear for some time that demand for car parking at Lydney Station is far greater than what is currently available. Our plan is to work with the Forest of Dean District Council and Lydney Town Council to address that problem, encourage greater use of the train service at Lydney and in turn support the local economy."

Full steam ahead for expansions plans at the

HEART attack victims have improved chances of survival now lifesaving equipment is being rolled out across a Forest of Dean village. Defibrillators – devices which send electrical pulses to stimulate a heart into beating – have been installed at various locations in St Briavels. The public is being trained on how to use the equipment in the event of an emergency as ambulance response times to rural areas are generally much slower than in towns and cities. Councillor Piers Chivers, vice-chairman of St Briavels Parish Council, said: "Certainly a couple of years ago people have collapsed and have died on the spot but like other rural locations we are a good 10 minutes from the nearest ambulance. "South West Ambulance Service has donated two to us because they say they can't get to rural locations as quickly as they need to. "Frankly people have got only minutes to get to one (a defibrillator) so we are trying to spread out the coverage of them." So far, defibrillators have been installed in vandal-proof cabinets at Lindors Hotel, the pavilion at the playing fields in Coleford Road, the village Assembly Rooms and another will soon be fixed at a location yet to be decided. Defibrillators cost in excess of £2,000 and the parish council has received donations in order for the equipment to be rolled out. A number of first aid courses, including training on how to use the devices, are being held in the community and councillor Chivers said he has been "staggered by the response" to them so far. In the event of an emergency a first responder will call 999 and they will be given a code to release the defibrillator. Once it is strapped on to a casualty's chest, it provides step by step instructions. Melanie Glanville, a spokesman for the South West Ambulance Trust, said a number of devices are being given to communities across Gloucestershire in an attempt to boost survival rates. The trust aims to attend life-threatening emergencies within eight minutes. She said: "Cardiac arrests do not take any notice of age or fitness and it is important these are accessible, by the community and especially in the more rural areas, because the first few minutes are absolutely critical and a response can make the difference between life and death." The trust covers almost 10,000 square miles and serves a resident population of 5.3million people, with an estimated annual influx of more than 17.5million visitors.

New defibrillators are hoped will save lives in Forest of Dean village

IAIN Balshaw has hailed best mate Mike Tindall as a player you would go to war with. The Gloucester centre confirmed his retirement from professional rugby yesterday, just days after fellow England World Cup winner Balshaw hung up his own boots. The star duo played together at both Bath and Gloucester, as well as with the Red Rose upon their chests, and have been close friends since they were teenagers. And Balshaw, who has spent the last six years at Biarritz Olympique, has paid a glowing tribute to the 35-year-old, a player he regards as one of the very best warriors in the game. Balshaw said: "Mike has had a huge impact on the English game from when we first started. "Everyone talks about him being big and bulldozing over players but he was fantastic in defence, he had a fabulous kicking game and his leadership skills were second to none. "But more than anything if you were to pick a team he was a guy that would be there. "If there was a guy you were to go to war with it would be him. It was the likes of Phil de Glanville and Tinds that put their body on the line. "His all-round characteristics as a man are just fabulous. "We have been best mates since we were 16, he is someone you can turn to in a time of trouble, I got on with him extremely well and lived with him in Bath. He's my best mate. "Around the changing room he is a leader, he's good craic and if there's a few beers going around he is the man getting stuck in – I'm sure there will be few more now we have both finished." Tindall wanted to carry on playing professional rugby but was only willing to do so wearing his beloved cherry and white. He was not offered that opportunity by new director of rugby David Humphreys and Balshaw, who was Tindall's best man when he married Zara Phillips in 2011, admits it would have been difficult to take. But he is confident that Tindall's illustrious playing career, royal connections and celebrity status will ensure he has plenty of opportunities in the future, with punditry slots his first port of call. "We spoke over the weekend and he said it was going to happen in the next few days so I wish I had had waited. "It's a huge decision for him to make and it's more so when you're not forced to retire through injury. He had a fantastic season last year, I know he really wanted to carry on this year and stay at Gloucester. "That wasn't to be and he will miss it but he's made the decision and has to look forward to what lies ahead. "Seventeen seasons is a long old time playing professional sport and if he really wanted to carry on he would have done so, it would have been a tough decision to make but he's made it. "I'm sure that through rugby a lot of doors will open for him. But at the moment I'm sure he will take a few months to sit back and weigh up what he will do in the future. "He's got Mia to look after at the moment while Zara is eventing so I'm sure he will be quite happy being a house husband, doing the ironing and putting on the marigolds!" The confirmation of Balshaw's retirement last week was a far more straightforward decision following a painstaking, and ultimately unsuccessful, 16 month period of rehabilitation for a knee injury. But Balshaw will be eternally grateful for the opportunities rugby has given him and he is now looking forward to toasting a pair of stellar careers with his old pal. He added: "It was a little bit easier for me, I have not played for16 months, I have had that time to get over it and to prepare for it. "It's was a difficult decision because I love playing rugby, for 17 years I have loved doing it every day and it's still difficult but I am fortunate to play for that long. "There are a lot of players who get injured early on in their careers and play just two or three season but to last 17 years I count myself very lucky. "I have been lucky enough to travel the world, meet people, make friends and I'm very thankful for what rugby has given me. "Now I'm going to do the same as Mike, it's quite hot down here in the south of France so I'm going to take a couple of months out, relax with the family, go on holiday and see what happens later in the year." Balshaw's sentiments have been echoed by Tindall's midfield partner from the World Cup, Will Greenwood (inset). He added: "It's strange as eventually all the boys from 2003 head over the hill and quit playing. "We had such a good spirit and bond that we're all still great pals and I'm excited for the next chapter in Mike's career. "Whatever he does I know he will be absolutely fantastic. "He was a complete warrior of a man who I was privileged enough to stand alongside. "He has been pigeon holed as a crash ball man, a contact man, but he probably kicked better than Jonny Wilkinson in the World Cup final, in terms of tactics and territory and his speed was underrated. "People talk about that World Cup and Jonny, Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio but the impact Mike had on the team, and the success, can never been underestimated. "He was a complete and utter warrior and someone you want to stand alongside in the game of all games. "He's such a gentleman off the pitch, he's making an incredible father, is a top man and one of those guys who are loyal to the end."

You would go to war with Mike Tindall - Iain Balshaw

THE rising stars of dressage put on a dazzling display at this year's hugely successful Hartpury international Festival of Dressage. Record entries saw 300 riders from 19 nations compete in more than 40 dressage and para-dressage classes over five days of outstanding equestrian sport. World number one, Charlotte Dujardin from Newent, lit up the opening day's proceedings. She rode a stunning test on Barolo to take top spot with 74.30 per cent in the Corse Lawn Hotel FEI Prix St Georges 1a. On the same day, Dujardin's Great Britain team-mate, Michael Eilberg won the Corse Lawn PSG 1b with 73.68 per cent on the fabulous Farouche and he claimed another win in the Baileys Horse Feeds FEI Intermediate II on Woodlander Dornroeschen. The para-dressage took centre stage on the second day with a full line-up of Great Britain's Paralympians taking the team crown ahead of Canada, Brazil and France. In the FEI Para Individual Championship Grade 1a, Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 put in a stunning test to take first place on 77.870. Sophie Wells took the top two spots in the Grade IV before finishing in sixth place in an able-bodied international dressage class. London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, Hartpury's own Equine Academy coach Carl Hester opened his winning account on the second day riding Fine Time 13 in the Le Mieux Grand Prix on. He also rode Nip Tuck to victory in the Grand Prix event and the pairing put in another impeccable performance to take the honours in the Cushionbed FEI CDI Grand Prix Special on the final day. Dane Anders Dahl managed an incredible four Festival wins, taking top spot in the FEI CDI Prix St Georges, the CDI3* Dressage Deluxe FEI CDI Intermediate I and the Andrew Bowens FEI CDI Intermediate I Freestyle on Selten HW as well as riding Wie-Atlantico de Ymas into top spot on the Gala Evening in the Superflex FEI CDI3* Grand Prix freestyle. It has also been a fabulous festival for Gloucestershire's dressage stars. While Hester and Dujardin stole some of the headlines, talented riders Daniel Greenwood and Lauren Wollen finished in the top two in the Shearwater PIDH Five-year-old competition, Callum Whitworth won the Four-year-old section and Lucy Cartwright won the Lovington Ice Advanced 100 in the Premier League. Greenwood also won the Shearwater Young Horse Five-year-old Championships and fellow county rising star, Callum Whitworth, won the Four-year-old Championships. Hayley Watson Greaves won the Baileys Horse Feeds FEI Premier League Grand Prix Freestyle with former Hartpury student Stef Eardley in third place. Another county rider, Charles Hutton, also had an excellent Festival – finishing second behind the outstanding Dahl in the Andrew Bowens and in the Dressage Deluxe, while Gloucestershire's Christian Landolt was pipped by the indomitable Michael Eilberg in the FEI Prix St Georges Class 1b. Rosie Scott-Ward, director of equine at Hartpury, said: "With record entries and so many people following all the action on social media as well as coming through the gates, this year's Festival was our biggest and best yet. "There were so many spectacular performances from riders and teams from all over the world over five days of outstanding equestrian sport – the standard of competition was incredibly high. "While the best of Britain's dressage and para-dressage riders have undoubtedly wowed the crowds, including Gloucestershire's established up and coming dressage stars, it has truly been an international occasion. "The support of our sponsors is crucial to the continued success of the Festival and a big thank you goes to them as well as to all the Hartpury staff and students who gave up so much of their time and worked so hard."

Dressage stars dazzle at Hartpury

Drivers should expect some delays on the M5 northbound this evening, following a road traffic collision near the Michaelwood Services. Lane two and three are currently blocked. More details to follow.

Delays on the M5 northbound following a collision

Starting primary school can be a daunting prospect for children and parents, but for a small group of cheeky chappies in Barnwood it will be business as usual. All 13 pre-schoolers from Barnwood Playgroup will be moving to Barnwood CofE Primary School from September Parent Anna Godden said: "Both my children love it at Barnwood playgroup. Every week there are always lots of different activities to do. My children are always bringing home some different creations they have made at the playgroup. The organisers always have topical activities on the art table." Barnwood Playgroup meets in Barnwood CofE Primary School hall on Friday mornings during term time. Clare Ferrett manager of the playgroup said: "Some of these children have played together in our fun, friendly and well established playgroup since they were two years old and now they are starting another part of their journey together. We will miss them."

A group of pre-schoolers all join the same primary school in Barnwood

HERO police officer Andy Wood has spoken of the relief he felt after reviving a man he found slumped in a park. PC Wood, who lives in Gloucester, found the man losing consciousness on his mobility scooter in Springbank Road, Cheltenham. The 60-year-old was barely breathing when 34-year-old PC Wood arrived with colleague PC Austin Myrie. PC Wood, who had been on his way to a burglary in Hester's Way, was in his car when he saw two people frantically trying to revive the man. He rushed over to help, laying the man flat on the ground before radioing for help. PC Myrie answered the call and rushed to the scene to assist. By this time the man had stopped breathing and the two officers worked frantically to keep him alive, giving him CPR. PC Wood said: "We started doing chest compressions to try to get him breathing again. A firearms team then showed up with a defibrillator and assisted with shocks to his chest. I had never been so glad to see them. "When the paramedics arrived, he had started breathing again. I think the ambulance service took about four to five minutes, but it felt a lot longer than that. "I suppose even though we are trained in CPR, it seemed to go on for an age. It was an absolute relief to see him start breathing again and taken to hospital. I hope he gets well soon." The man was taken to Cheltenham General Hospital's intensive care unit and is now recovering. For PC Wood, who has been in the force for more than 14 years, the incident on Monday afternoon was not a new experience. He has been called into action to give CPR three times before, but on each occasion the patient was too critically ill to survive. He said: "None of them were ever successful but this one was. It is an overwhelming experience, really. It hasn't quite sunk in yet. But I'm sure anyone who knows CPR would have done exactly the same thing." He is now urging more people to pick up life-saving techniques, and said: "It's such a vital skill to have. You never know when you might need it, and you can help save a life." Sarah Owston, from the South West Ambulance Service, said: "The crews wanted to pass on their thanks and commendation. The officers carried out excellent CPR and no doubt kept this patient alive until they arrived and were able to take over." Inspector Kevin Roseblade, Gloucestershire police's head of tri-force collision investigation, said: "Although all police officers are trained to deal with incidents such as this, it is a different matter when they are confronted with real life events. Their training, calm approach and professional behaviour has resulted in them saving this man's life."

Gloucester PC urges others to learn first aid after saving man's life

MORE than 17,000 lightning strikes pummelled the UK in 24 hours from 9am on Thursday. Met Office spokesman Laura Young said more is likely on Friday night too, leading into a very damp Saturday. So damp, in fact, that Gloucester is on an amber warning - meaning people need to be prepared for disruption. "It means people need to gather as much information as they can from us, from the media, and take sensible decisions about what they're doing," said Laura. "You could be seeing disruption to comunications if lightning strikes and poor visibility on the roads - which is likely to come on very suddenly." The storms of Friday night came about from a 'Spanish plume', she said, where contintental hot air has got sucked up above the UK, causing friction against colder air. It meant 17,437 lightning strikes in 24 hours across the country - but that's not an 'unprecedented number', Laura said. The worst weather on Saturday is likely to be in the early morning and late evening, although downpours are forecast most of the day. Sunday is better but still not completely clear of rain.

Amber weather warning for Gloucester after 17,000 lightning strikes hit UK

A SCHIZOPHRENIC university graduate who tried to stab a police officer outside his Quedgeley home has been found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. A jury of eight men and four women took just under five hours to reach a majority 10-2 verdict against Christopher Leyshon at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday. The 29-year-old Cambridge University computer design graduate, who lived with his mother and brother at Field Court Gardens, remained impassive as the foreman of the jury announced the verdict. The Honourable Mr Justice Teare confirmed that Leyshon will remain in Fromeside secure mental hospital, where he has been for nine months, until he is sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday. The incident happened just after 7am on September 10 last year, after Leyshon's mother Elaine Morgan called the police because her son's condition had deteriorated and he had threatened to stab the family cat with a pair of scissors. "When the officers arrived the mother was outside the house and she told them that her son suffered from mental health problems and needed help. She wanted him sectioned," said prosecuting barrister Kannan Siwa. PC Edward Dawkins told the court during the week-long trial: "When we arrived at the address I approached the front door and the defendant was standing there and he asked his mother what was going on. He said 'everything is fine, I don't need to speak to you' and then he went back inside the house. "I went towards the door, which he shut and locked but I said again that he should come outside so that we could speak. "He told me that it was all over and he did not want to speak to me but I told him that unless he opened the door we would have to force entry. "He said 'you're going to smash the door down aren't you' and then I saw him go down the hallway and I knew he was not happy and I believed he went to get a knife. Then he came out holding a large kitchen knife above his head with both hands and tried to stab me. "I fell over backwards and the knife caught me on the side of the nose and my chin and tore my body armour in the chest area." Mr Siwa said: "Fortunately the injuries were minor as the body armour saved the officer from potentially fatal injury and items such as pens in the officer's pocket also deflected the knife." In evidence 29-year-old Leyshon said he only meant to frighten the officers. In the weeks leading up to the incident Leyshon admitted he had become very delusional and had lost touch with reality. He believed that aliens were in control and the whole world was a computer simulation.

Guilty verdict on Quedgeley man 'who thought world was a computer stimulation' for attempting to stab police officer

A woman has been fined for assaulting her husband - by throwing toast at him and smearing butter on his face. Julie Evans, 45, admitted grabbing a handful of Clover and rubbing it over him during a breakfast bust-up over their crumbling marriage. She also admitted assault by pouring water on husband James as he slept the previous day. But she was cleared of actual bodily harm by splitting his ear and leaving him needing 13 stitches following the toast and butter attack. A court heard how the incidents came last July as the couple's marriage ended after 15 years together. James, a 40 year-old project manager, told magistrates: "I came into the kitchen for breakfast and said 'good morning'. "She threw the toast at me. It hit me in the chest and fell off. "I laughed so she grabbed a handful of butter and smeared it all over my face. "I tried to rub the butter on her back to make her laugh. I tried to make it playful. "I went to get the butter out my hair when she grabbed me by the throat she was choking me." He added that he put his hand under his wife's chin to make her let go. He said he thought she was tugging his hair but could not tell because he has multiple sclerosis which affects his sense of touch. He continued: "She reached behind me to get a cup off the shelf and tried to hit me over the head. "I stopped her. Somehow she ended up on the floor. "My leg twitched because of the MS and I think I caught her with my foot." At this point the couple's 14-year-old daughter entered the kitchen of the house in Drybrook, nr Cinderford, and Mr Evans noticed blood on the floor. "I went to the bathroom upstairs to wash the butter off my face and noticed my ear was flapping in the wind. It was in two halves and hanging on by the skin," Mr Evans said. "I don't know how it got like that. I can't remember."

Woman fined for smearing handful of Clover in husband's face

SEAFOOD, 'shipwrecked' cocktails and homemade produce are the unique selling points of The Tall Ships pub near the Docks. The Southgate Street pub was taken over by Pat and Tim Nelmes 16 years ago and they have since transformed the boozer into a favourite for boaters, students and tourists from across the world. It is jointly a pub and a restaurant and offers a fish of the day, prawn cocktails, crabs and lobster, along with a selection of real ales and cocktails. Also available are homemade chutneys and soda bread, and all food is locally sourced. Pat said: "We often get customers leaving us food they've grown themselves, which we're really grateful for. People bring in herbs for us to make pesto, and I turned up one afternoon to find a big bag of apples at the door. "I think local produce is the trend now. It's the fashion for people who know their food." A real point of pride for Pat and Tim is the pub's Urban Menus, which offer three courses of local produce and seafood for £9. They say that these meals are fully booked for a month in advance. "The hot crab thermidor is also selling really well," said Pat. "We get all sorts of people here trying it who want an excellent meal and to enjoy their time in the Quays and in Gloucester. "We get loads of locals and office workers, and it's quite popular with students. But we also get Russians, Germans, French and Spanish tourists who love the seafood." Away from the restaurant area, The Tall Ships also boasts a pub area with a pool table, old pictures of Gloucester and a boat lining the ceiling which was donated to the pub around 20 years ago. The pub's real ale selection boats Swordfish, 6X and Horizon. It also offers 'shipwrecked' drinks offers including cocktails, lagers and sangria. The grade II listed building, which was once named The British Flag, is also due for a renovation of its exterior in September. It is a pub which has grown up with the renovation of the Gloucester Quays. Pat said: "We were just holding everything together until about 2009, but now the pub is coming into its own. It was only when the outlet shopping centre opened that things have picked up." Pat and Tim's background is mainly in the kitchen, working in hospitality in Birmingham and Bristol before deciding to move to Gloucester for a place they could call their own. "We were looking for a place with the potential to grow, and there was something about the pub and the area that drew us here," said Pat. "Gloucester is a place that is growing all the time, whereas a town like Cheltenham has always stayed the same. "We're very hands-on, because now pub managers have to have their finger on everything to ensure the smooth running of the place. We like to make sure are customers are satisfied."

'Shipwrecked' cocktails and seafood rocking the boat at The Tall Ships

POWER issues are being cited as the latest delay to solving poor broadband speeds in Coopers Edge. The estate near Brockworth suffers from poor download speeds which are typically stuck at 1MB per second. Residents in the area say that working from home, accessing the internet and downloading files is very difficult. Broadband providers BT had told residents to expect an upgrade this week, but dreams of a high speed connection were dashed as they were not able to find a suitable power supply. In January residents formed a group named Coopers Edge Fibre Upgrade Campaign to lobby for the connection they crave. James Scott, co-founder of the campaign, said: "It's pretty slow progress, but I'm hopeful that we'll have our connection within six months. BT keep giving us dates for the upgrade but there's always some issue that gets in the way. "It's really affecting residents who work from home and people who run web companies. It's a struggle to download anything and around three hours is needed to upload a three minute video." The campaign group, which has almost 900 followers on Facebook and Twitter, said BT has continually pushed connection dates back several times. Paul Kerton, an animator who works from home, said: "It's very frustrating because the slow connection means that I'm not as productive as I should be. "It's frustrating that BT keep holding the date back. It makes me think twice about ever using them again." Edward Buxton, Brockworth Parish councillor, said: "The problem is dissuading people from moving to an already under-occupied housing estate. The housing market is unstable enough and this problem doesn't help." Emma Tennant, a spokesman for BT Openreach, said: "We have come up against a number of unforeseen challenges when trying to site and power the new street-side cabinet that is required to connect people in this particular part of Coopers Edge onto the new fibre optic network. "Engineers have been exploring a number of different options and have been working hard to come up with the right solution. As a result, we hope to have the fibre cabinet 'live', and ready to take orders, before the end of the year."

Power issues halting Coopers Edge fibre upgrade campaign

GREAT British Bake Off champion Frances Quinn visited Gloucester to taste the work of budding cake makers. Frances helped to judge the free competition at the Gloucester Quays yesterday, which saw Victoria sponge and cupcake entries from bakers across the county. She was joined at the judging panel by qualified Women's Institute cake judge Sarah Baldwin, former Harrods cake designer Xavier Pelloux, co-founder of Cheltenham's Daffodil Restaurant Fiona Stephens and Citizen editor Jenny Eastwood. The event was part of the 'Taste of Gloucestershire' Day, which paid homage to the delicacies of the area. It kicked off the Gloucester Quays Food Festival, to be held throughout the weekend. Frances, who won the BBC show last year and has since visited cake competitions across the country, said: "The bakers in the competition have been a really high calibre, and events like this in Gloucester help to promote that. "I'm a big fan of keeping cakes traditional and these entries were really baked well. "It's amazing that there has been a resurgence in baking and that more children are getting inspired to take it up. More people are coming up from the younger generations and they're interested in expanding their knowledge on food." John and Julia House, from Taynton Farm Foods, won the sponge cake competition, securing first and second place respectively. Julia was unable to pick up her prize as she was busy "milking cows." Caroline Telford, from Dursley, won one of the cupcake competitions. Her mother, Tracey Pritchard, said: "We're very proud of her for winning especially since she loves cooking."

Great British Bake Off winner rates Gloucestershire cake makers

Mike Tindall reckons Nick Walshe is the perfect successor as Gloucester backs coach. The England World Cup winner took up the role of player-coach last season and had been assisting Nigel Davies with the backs But following Davies' dismissal in May, Tindall failed to secure a new contract and former England Under-20s boss Walshe will instead take up the reins of the Cherry and Whites star-studded backline. Tindall played alongside Walshe at Bath and has been blown away by his achievements at the Junior World Championships where England secured successive titles. Now he has backed the former scrum-half to unlock the talent in Gloucester's much vaunted backs division. He said: "What he's done, to win back-to-back Junior World Cups, is a phenomenal achievement and he probably needs a different challenge now. "He can tick that box and move on to the Premiership coaching the older guys. It will be a challenge but he has the right building blocks to go on and do well. "He knows a few of the guys, it will be different challenge for him, with different characters in a senior team but we will wait and see. He obviously has to have something to have done as well as he has. "He can unleash that potential – you only have to look at what you're bringing in." Gloucester have bolstered the backs with nine new signings including headline hitters James Hook and Greig Laidlaw. The international duo have a wealth of experience and boast 107 caps between them - plus all-important 80 per cent strike-rates from the tee. And Tindall is confident that Gloucester now have the right blend of youth and experience to fire on all cylinders. He added: "There's a lot more balance to the back line with the likes of Laidlaw, Hook, Steve McColl. "You've got to give Cooky (Rob Cook) a bit of rest every now and then, as he just grinds away and is a brilliant player. But we have a more depth in backline with more balance to it that can work in our favour. "You look at last season's line-up - Dan Robson, Freddie (Burns) Billy (Twelvetrees), Henry (Trinder), Jonny (May), (Charlie) Sharples and Cooky – you haven't got an old experienced head in there if Sinbad (James Simpson-Daniel), Jimmy (Cowan) or I weren' t playing. "There will be a nice balance next year."

Mike Tindall gives Nick Walshe his Royal seal of approval

For the second successive night Gloucestershire was battered by huge storms with powerful lightning strikes reported. Dramatic pictures of the lightning have been taken across the county, following on from some dramatic storms from the night before. A severe weather warning for rain has been put in place by the Met Office for the rest of the day, with "significant flooding" possible. Flood alerts are in place for the River Lyd and Cinderford Brook in the Forest of Dean, as well as rivers in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Gloucester. The storm was the second to take place in successive nights following one in the early hours on Friday morning.

Thunderstorms and flooding across Gloucestershire after second successive night of storms

THE WET and stormy weather has had its impact on weekend events with some cancelled and flooding reported across the region. A British mountain boarding event set to take place at Bugsboarding at Maisemore has been postponed due to the wet weather. Summer Sound, which was scheduled to take place in Gloucester this afternoon, was cancelled and then moved indoors to Guildhall. The start to Stroud County Show has been delayed while a man hole cover has blown open outside the Gloucester Quays Food Festival. Flood alerts are in place for the River Lyd and Cinderford Brook in the Forest of Dean, as well as rivers in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Gloucester. St Oswalds Road in Gloucester has been closed due to flooding between the retail park roundabout and Priory Road Junction. A burst water main affected the water supply of hundreds of homes in Gloucester, and fire crews attended 20 weather related incidents in Gloucestershire last night. A severe weather warning for rain has been put in place by the Met Office for the rest of the day, with "significant flooding" possible. Adverse weather conditions meant today's Summer Sound Festival in the park had to be cancelled – but now the event will be staged at Gloucester Guildhall today instead. The city centre venue has stepped in at the 11th hour to stage the event, which features the likes of Little Comets, The Sunshine Underground and The Xcerts. However, the capacity at the Guildhall is only 400 so at 1pm the first 400 people to the venue will be permitted entrance. Thereafter entry will be on a one in, one out basis. Dan Charles, programming and marketing manager at Gloucester Guildhall, is part of the Guildhall team who organises Summer Sound. He said: "We were hugely disappointed to have had to cancel the event in the park. We, like everyone else, were really looking forward to the event, but safety has to come first. "However, we have now made a decision to move the event into Gloucester Guildhall so not to disappoint people. Our capacity at the venue is only 400, somewhat lower than the 10,000 capacity of the park, so sadly not everyone will be able to attend. "Doors will open at 1pm when the first 400 people will get free access to the event. Then it will be a 'one in, one out' policy for the rest of the day. "We are currently in discussions with all the acts that were scheduled to perform and news on what the lineup will be will follow." Keep an eye on www.facebook.com/summersounduk and on Twitter @summersounduk for regular updates on news and timings. AJ Watkins, who was involved in organising the event at Bugsboarding said: "We have had torrential rain and for safety reasons, we have had to postpone. We will look to run it again in mid-September. "I have never seen so much water running down the tracks." Several hundred homes also had problems with their water supply due to a burst water main. Some residents reported a complete loss of their supply and others suffering from low pressure and discoloured water. Severn Trent Water say that most of the homes affected should be reconnected by now after receiving up to 50 calls today. They are advising residents who are still experiencing discoloured water to run the tap for 20 minutes for it to clear. Sarah O'Cane, spokesman for Severn Trent Water, said: "Customers on a water meter will not be charged for this if they keep a record of how long it takes for the sediment to clear. "We're really sorry and we know how difficult it is to be without water, particularly at the weekend. We urge anyone with problems with their water supply to give us a call."

Weekend washout: wet weather causes flooding and sees events postponed