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Cold-calling conman from Bestwood avoids jail

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Cold-calling conman from Bestwood avoids jail

A Bestwood man has avoided jail despite swindling £291,000 out of customers for unnecessary housing repairs.

Gareth Bryan, 34, of Lytham Gardens, in Bestwood and Martin Jacks, 35, of Wellesley Crescent, Broxtowe were today sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to a total of two years in jail – but suspended for two years.

Both admitted to three counts of fraudulent trading under companies called Premier Roof Coatings, Premier Wall and Drive Coatings and PRC Home Improvements.

Bryan also admitted to money laundering and concealing criminal property.

The total value of the fraud involving these companies through their activities is estimated at around £1.18m.

The criminals ruthlessly targeted vulnerable people for unnecessary or shoddy building work. They often went door-to-door, claiming that they had been working on a neighbour’s property and had noticed an issue with the house, roof or driveway.

However as work was being carried out victims noticed that the men did not have the proper tools or materials to carry out tasks such as cementing repairs, did not use appropriate safety equipment and had caused damage to their property

Cllr Alice Grice, Community Safety Committee Vice-Chairman at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This is another significant coup by the National Trading Standards Scambuster Team East Midlands which helps to protect vulnerable people in our communities from this sort of crime.

“Some of the victims’ accounts are quite harrowing and we are very pleased that we have been able to bring these men to justice and send another clear message that we will always investigate this sort of crime.

“People should be very wary of buying anything on the doorstep, and should check the firm is reputable and if in doubt always say no.”

Wheelchair-bound couple Valerie Watson, 62, and Raymond Fairgrieve, 72, were among the victims targeted by Bryan and Jacks. The couple handed over £1,100 in cash after the men knocked on the door in summer 2014 to say they were working on a neighbour’s property, and could repaint the roof of their bungalow, remove the moss and mend loose tiles.

Following the completion of the works, Valerie and Raymond had the roof inspected by an independent expert who said that roof tiles had actually been loosened, the painting was not completed properly and there was still moss on the roof.

Valerie said: “We were furious but there was nothing we could do as they had demanded cash and we took them at their word they would do a good job.

“They clearly targeted elderly and vulnerable people and we would never trust anyone again. We are very pleased that the county council’s trading standards have been able to take court action against them. What they did to us was unforgiveable.”

Warning to Gedling borough residents after fake police scam call asking for money

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Warning to Gedling borough residents after fake police scam call asking for money

A fraudster posing as a police officer yesterday cheated a person in Nottingham out of thousands of pounds in cash.

Now people in Gedling borough are being told to remain vigilant as police warn that the gang carrying out the fraud are still operating in the area.

The victim was contacted by criminals who claimed to be police officers from the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad.

They were told that he there had been fraudulent activity on his bank account and that he needed to withdraw several thousand pounds in cash and give it to a courier in order to help catch the ‘criminals’.

A courier took thousands of pounds from the victim and he was told to withdraw more money.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “This is a type of fraud that has been used up and down the country and it is apparent that a gang is active in Nottingham at the moment.

“Police will never ask you to hand over money, bank cards or PIN numbers.

“If someone identifies themselves as a police officer to you in person, ask to see their identification. You can check their details by calling 101 and asking the operator to confirm the officer’s details.

“No genuine officer will ever refuse to show you ID or refuse to let you confirm their identity.

They added: “If you are not sure that a person at your doorstep is a police officer close your door and call 999.

If you think that you have been targeted by a person on the phone claiming to be a police officer hang up and report it by calling 101 or online at actionfraud.police.uk

Mapperley social group goes from strength-to-strength

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Mapperley social group goes from strength-to-strength

A Mapperley social club that brings retired and semi-retired people together to learn new skills and socialise has attracted over 100 members in just three months.

Mapperley and District University of the Third Age (U3A) members take part in educational, creative and leisure activities in the company of others. No qualifications are needed and none are given.

The first University of the Third Age was founded back in 1982 and is a self-help organisation.

The Mapperley and District branch began life in March 2016 when a launch meeting was held to see if there was sufficient interest to form a new U3A.

Over 100 people attended so it a committee was set up and the group has since gone from strength-to- strength. As well as having a healthy membership, 13 interest groups have now also been established.

A spokesman for the group said: “A Steering Committee was formed and in April we held our inaugural meeting and began to sign up members. Now, two months in, we already have 104 members and fully expect that Mapperley and District U3A will be a thriving and successful U3A.”

People looking to join can attend the next general meeting which takes place on Thursday, June 23, at Mapperley Plains Social Club, on Plains Road, at 10am.

Check out their website for more details http://u3asites.org.uk/mapperley/ or find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/u3amapperley/

Mapperley & District U3A: Welcome

Let U3A membership add another dimension to your life. If you are retired or semi-retired you can take part in educational, creative and leisure activities in the company of others. No qualifications are needed and none are given.The University of the Third Age was founded in 1982 and is a self-help organisation. Its groups come together to develop new skills and interests on a primarily social basis.

 

No prospect of traffic-calming measures for Carlton road says council

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No prospect of traffic-calming measures for Carlton road says council

A local council says it has no plans to install traffic-calming measures in a Carlton road despite residents claiming it’s an accident black spot because of speeding.

Nottinghamshire County Council said only “three reported injury accidents” had taken place in the past three years and it doesn’t warrant them spending some of their limited budget on traffic-calming measures in Prospect Road.

Fresh calls for action were made by residents yesterday after a car left the road and ended up on a driveway.

People living in the street told Gedling Eye that accidents are happening on an almost monthly basis and they feared that soon someone could be killed.

Maxine Payne, who lives on Prospect Road, said: “It’s a nightmare. People speed up this road and there are accidents all the time. Someone is going to get killed. What If someone had been walking around that corner tonight?

But council chiefs today said that motorists need to be responsible for sticking to speed limits.

Paula Johnson, senior highways liaison officer for Nottingham County Council, told Gedling Eye: “While the County Council shares residents’ concerns with regard to speeding traffic, the speed limit is not a target and it is down to motorists to drive at a reasonable speed according to the road and surrounding conditions,

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Cycle path improvements ‘wheelie’ great for Colwick Park users

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Cycle path improvements ‘wheelie’ great for Colwick Park users

A £7,000 scheme to improve Colwick Park for cyclists, walkers and runners has now been completed.

The work was completed as part of Nottingham City Council’s Cycle City Ambition Programme which has a commitment to making the city’s green spaces more accessible.

One of the park’s main cycle paths has been resurfaced to provide a more stable and attractive surface. More than 60 tons of crushed limestone was added to the existing surface to remove pot holes and repair erosion.

Councillor Nick McDonald Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “The Cycle City Ambition Programme is looking to improve facilities for cyclists across the city, whether people cycle to commute to work, exercise or just for fun. That is why it is important to join up green spaces to the network and make them better for cyclists.

“Colwick Park is popular for recreational cyclists and is also used by walkers and runners – on Saturdays there are typically more than 200 parkrun UK runners in the park.

The pathway improvements will make the park more enjoyable for cyclists and all park users.”

For more information please visit the Cycle Ambition website – http://transport2.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/cycle/

“Someone is going to get killed!”

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“Someone is going to get killed!”

Residents in Carlton have spoken of their fears and frustrations after another accident took place in their road earlier tonight (14).

People living in Prospect Road say they have suffered a stream of incidents over the past few months with vehicles regularly coming off the road and crashing into buildings, fencing and other objects.

Maxine Payne is one of the residents calling on the authorities to take action.

She told Gedling Eye: “It’s a nightmare. People speed up this road and there are accidents all the time. Someone is going to get killed. What If someone had  been walking around that corner tonight?

“I’m really fed up with it. All the residents are around here are. Every month there is an accident.”

MASH: Residents in Prospect Road come out into the street after a car hit a tree earlier (PICTURE: Maxine Payne)
SMASH: Residents in Prospect Road come out into the street after a car hit a tree earlier (PICTURE: Maxine Payne)

She added: “We tried to get something done years ago and some additional signs were put up but it’s not enough.

 “It’s really worrying as my daughter walked round that corner earlier. During the day there are a lot of school children around we are really fearful of somebody being killed. People have been seriously injured in accidents on that corner.”

MP Vernon Coaker told Gedling Eye he’d contacted Nottinghamshire County Council  to see what could be done.

He said: “I know this junction and how difficult it can be to see clearly because of parked vehicles, and the speed of traffic down Prospect Road means it is particularly dangerous.

“I have asked the County Council, who are responsible for traffic calming measures, to take another look at the junction and the accident record for the area to see what can be done.”

Flash flooding hits parts of Gedling borough…again!

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Flash flooding hits parts of Gedling borough…again!

Parts of Gedling borough were again been hit by flash floods yesterday afternoon just days after the area was deluged in water following heavy rainfall on Friday.

Gedling Eye readers from Netherfield and Colwick sent us their pictures showing how the flooding was affecting their neighbourhoods.

Bourne Street and Dunstan Street in Netherfield were badly hit; Vale Road and Fist Avenue in Colwick were two areas that also suffered badly.

Readers also reported that Morrisons on Victoria Retail Park was closed to the public after parts of the roof came down after being affected by flood water. It has since reopened.

See a selection of pictures submitted to us below…

FLOODING: Victoria Road at the junction with Bourne Mews is badly affected
FLOODING: Victoria Road at the junction with Bourne Mews is badly affected (PIC: Gedling Eye)

 

FLOODING: First Avenue in Colwick (Picture courtesy of Millie Holland)
FLOODING: First Avenue in Colwick (Picture courtesy of Millie Holland)

 

FLOODING: Kappler Close in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Louise Lindley)
FLOODING: Kappler Close in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Louise Lindley)

 

FLOODING: Water on First Avenue (Picture courtesy of Sarah Clipsham)
FLOODING: Water on First Avenue (Picture courtesy of Sarah Clipsham)

 

FLOODING: Dustan Street in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Abi Hallam)
FLOODING: Dunstan Street in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Abi Hallam)

 

FLOODING: The bottom end of Bourne Street is flooded again (Picture courtesy of Adele Sarno)
FLOODING: The bottom end of Bourne Street is flooded again (Picture courtesy of Adele Sarno)

 

Chandos Street in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Sam Hobson)
FLOODING: Chandos Street in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Sam Hobson)

 

FLOODING: Wallet Street in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Hannah Louise)
FLOODING: Wallet Street in Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Hannah Louise)

 

FLOODING: A back garden on Bourne Street, Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Adele Sarno)
FLOODING: A back garden on Bourne Street, Netherfield (Picture courtesy of Adele Sarno)

 

FLOODING: Rectory Road in Colwick (Picture courtesy of Alison Nunn)
FLOODING: Rectory Road in Colwick (Picture courtesy of Alison Nunn)

 

FLOODING: Vale Road in Colwick (Picture courtesy of Lisa Hibbert)
FLOODING: Vale Road in Colwick (Picture courtesy of Lisa Hibbert)

Got a flood pic we can publish? Email it to us news@gedlingeye.co.uk or tag us in a social media post

Borough businesses urged to bid for share of £6m county growth fund

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Borough businesses urged to bid for share of £6m county growth fund

Businesses across Gedling borough are being invited to bid for a share of a £6m fund to boost economic growth and create jobs in the county.

So far, around £2.35m of the Nottinghamshire Economic Development Capital Fund (NEDCF) has been awarded to 19 companies – including one from Colwick.

The money has helped firms awarded cash create 269 new jobs and 27 apprenticeships, safeguard a further 446 posts and lever in £17.3m in additional investment from banks, other public funds and businesses.

Now businesses are being invited to apply for the remaining £3.5m available.

Grants of between £20,000 and £250,000 are available for firms to invest in capital projects if they can provide evidence to show they will create or secure sustainable jobs.

Goodman metal works in Colwick is one of the firms who successfully secured funding after submitting a bid.

The company, which was set-up in 1964, specialise in large metal work fabrications up to 25 tonnes.

They received £178,000 which they used to increase production capacity through additional workshop and office space, refurbishment and purchase of new capital equipment to support steel fabrications.

The investment will create 12 new jobs and four apprenticeships.

Councillor Diana Meale, chair of Economic Development Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council – which created and oversees the NEDCF – said: “Creating jobs and growth in Nottinghamshire is a priority for the County Council, so I’m delighted with the progress made through the fund so far and look forward to it supporting more growth and job creation in the near future.

“With more than half the fund still available, we’re already well on the way to our target of creating 550 new jobs and have already surpassed our aim of safeguarding a further 350 posts.

Full details about the fund, criteria and application forms are now available from the County Council’s website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/capitalfund

Patients begin search for new GPs after closure of Carlton medical centre

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Patients begin search for new GPs after closure of Carlton medical centre

Patients in Carlton and surrounding areas were today looking elsewhere for medical care after a surgery was unexpectedly closed by inspectors.

Over 4,000 patients will now be signing up to see GPs at other surgeries in the area after being informed that The Willows Medical Centre was being temporarily closed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

A patient from Netherfield who didn’t want to be named told Gedling Eye: “I spoke to the doctor on Thursday over the phone. He sorted out a repeat prescription that I was meant to pick up today (Monday). He has always been really helpful.

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SCAM ALERT: Businesses in Gedling borough warned about latest counterfeit cheque con

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SCAM ALERT: Businesses in Gedling borough warned about latest counterfeit cheque con

Businesses in the borough are being warned by police to be on the alert if a customer requests to pay for goods by cheque following a huge increase in counterfeits.

Police say counterfeit cheque crime has risen by 84% in recent months and a new scam doing the rounds could leave local business owners considerably out of pocket

Businesses falling for the scam have received cheques from a customer for a higher value than the amount expected for the goods sold to them.

The sender has then been quick to request that the owner of the business refund the difference by bank transfer or a money transfer service.

Once the “refund” has been transferred, the business owner has attempted to cash the cheque only to discover it’s fraudulent and no funds are ever transferred to their account.

A spokesman for the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau said: “The average amount requested to be refunded is £1,818. The highest amount recorded was over £80,000.

“The suspects have used pressure tactics to persuade victims to refund the amounts immediately prior to the cheques clearing.”

Police are warning people to be cautious of cheque payments where the amount is higher than expected.

The spokesman added: “Refuse to provide the refund until the correct balance is received or wait until the cheque has cleared before refunding the difference.

“Always contact the bank on a trusted number found on their website or correspondence that is known to be authentic to confirm whether the cheque has cleared.”

If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

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