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Top cop denies claims body cameras will 'undermine trust' in the police

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MAKE sure you smile the next time you see a police officer in Croydon – as you may be on camera.

Police have been showing off their new body-worn video cameras, delivered last week as part of a pilot scheme by the Met.

Response teams, who deal with urgent 999 calls, are wearing the cameras and recording footage to be used in police investigations.

Civil liberties groups have expressed concerns that they will encroach on people's privacy.

Emma Carr, deputy director of Big Brother Watch, said the cameras had "the potential to seriously undermine trust between the police and members of the community".

But the police insist the cameras will only be switched on when necessary, and that they will tell the public they are being recorded "as soon as practical".

The cameras will mainly be used in incidents involving domestic violence or public order, where video evidence can prove invaluable for convictions, but also for interactions with the police which have caused distrust in the past, such as during the use of controversial stop and search powers.

Croydon is one of ten London boroughs piloting the scheme, thought to be the largest in the world. The findings of the year-long pilot will then be evaluated by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the College of Policing before a decision on whether to roll out the cameras across the Met force area is made.

New Croydon borough commander Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant said the cameras would help him see how his officers interact with the public.

"They give me the opportunity to identify where my officers are doing well and where they're not doing so well," he said.

"They will also help show the difficult situations that officers have to go and deal with."

South London Commander Simon Letchford hoped the cameras would increase public confidence and strengthen the fight against crime.

He said: "There are some fantastic opportunities through technology to help us improve our policing service to Londoners and I see body-worn video at the forefront of this.

"Video can show an event in a light that would be almost impossible to get across just writing it down on paper."

Top cop denies claims body cameras will 'undermine trust' in the police


Pavement cyclists to be hit with £50 fines in new police crackdown

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CYCLISTS have reacted angrily to warnings they face fines if caught riding on the pavement around the Crystal Palace Triangle.

Dozens of responses condemning the idea have followed a Tweet from Police Sergeant Diane Hill of the Crystal Palace Triangle Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

She tweeted : "WARNING – We are going to start issuing tickets for cycling on the pavement which will mean £50 fine. Please don't do it and spread the word."

Sgt Hill said the response she had received had surprised her, as the rights of pedestrians seemed to have been forgotten.

She told the Advertiser: "I felt some of the responses on Twitter were inappropriate – one suggested I had the morals of a chimpanzee which I didn't find particularly helpful."

One said: "Great. So clearly rape, child abuse, street violence, FGM and dangerous driving are all sorted then."

Another said: "Shame on you targeting vulnerable road users on some of the most dangerous roads in London"

And: "Please get a sense of perspective. This is not a police priority by any stretch of the imagination."

Sgt Hill said the decision to warn cyclists was a response to concerns raised by the Crystal Palace ward panel, a joint venture between residents and the police.

Elderly people to whom she had spoken had also said they were worried by pavement cyclists.

The issue was first raised by the ward panel in January and since then has been a priority, although so far only one fine has been issued.

The Highway Act states clearly it is an offence to ride or drive on the footpath and offenders are liable to a penalty fine.

The furore against the policy, Sgt Hill said, had only come after she posted her tweet a fortnight ago.

She said problems were caused by cyclists riding on what are narrow pavements in the Triangle and, in particular, those cycling on Westow Hill against the one-way system, rather than going the correct way round on the road.

Sgt Hill added that officers were using their discretion, asking cyclists to move on to the road or push their bike.

She said: "We will continue to use discretion, as I believe this is fundamental to all police work.

"I would rather not have to issue cyclists with a fine for this and my tweet was aimed to act as a deterrent to cyclists who might otherwise think about cycling on the pavements in the area."

She added: "I am a cyclist myself and I fully appreciate the difficulties associated with cycling in and around London, but ultimately pavements are meant for pedestrians and we will continue to ensure this is the case in Crystal Palace."

Community activist and keen cyclist Robert Gibson feels the crackdown is a little over the top.

He said: "I have been cycling around the Triangle a lot recently and I have not noticed a problem with cyclists on the pavement.

"But illegal double parking and congestion make it problematic for cyclists on the roads and will do so until there are proper cycle lanes.

"I don't condone cycling on the pavement but I think there are more important issues the police should be concentrating on."

Pavement cyclists to be hit with £50 fines in new police crackdown

Witness saw baby being 'beaten by staff member' at Shirley Oaks

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A WOMAN who was at Shirley Oaks Children's Home in the early 1970s claims she witnessed a six-month-old baby being beaten by a member of staff.

More allegations of abuse at the Lambeth Council-run home emerged this week as a result of the Advertiser's ongoing investigation.

Joanne Davies, 51, from Sutton, was placed at the home in the early 1970s and spent a few years there.

She said although she never witnessed or heard of sexual abuse during her time, she recalled seeing an horrific incident during her stay.

"I was the eldest in my house," she said.

"We had a family of children staying because their mother had killed one of their siblings. But I remember seeing this six-month-old baby being beaten repeatedly by the man in charge of our house.

"I went and told someone and all that was done was the man was moved to another house which we used to walk past every day.

"I have no idea what must have gone on in there."

Abuse at Shirley Oaks was investigated between 1998 and 2003 as part of Operation Middleton which looked at sexual and physical abuse allegations at Lambeth care homes between 1975 and 1994.

Ms Davies supports the call of the other victims the Advertiser has spoken to reopen the investigation properly and said she was disappointed with Operation Middleton.

She also said the abuse was clearly widespread and felt the operation was too focused on specific allegation.

Ms Davies said: "I was mad. When Operation Middleton was going on I got in touch and said they shouldn't just be focused on what went on in the swimming pool – there were 34 different houses in the place, there was a lot more to look at.

"The woman took my contact details but never got back in touch. When I read the Advertiser last week, I was so shocked."

When she attempted to gain access to her file in 2000, Ms Davies was denied access until the Freedom of Information Act was passed in 2001 – although the file was said to contain limited information.

Alex Wheatle, whose account of the sexual abuse he suffered when at Shirley Oaks made national headlines, told the Advertiser this week he did not want to go "tit-for-tat" with Gerry Coll, 53, who co-authored a book on the history of Shirley Oaks and who disputes Mr Wheatle's claim that sexual abuse was rife within the home.

"For the last eight years, nothing has really happened. There are still a lot of questions which need answering," Mr Wheatle said.

"I have said what I have to say about this, I don't really want to talk about it much more."

The police investigation into the abuse at Lambeth's children's homes is still ongoing as Operation Trinity. Two men and a woman were arrested as part of the operation last year and are the most recent arrests.

One man has been charged but the offences do not relate to Shirley Oaks.

Anyone who wishes to report an allegation of past sexual abuse is urged to contact specially trained police officers on 020 7161 0500.

Witness saw baby being 'beaten by staff member' at Shirley Oaks

Thug jailed after savage bottle attack at West Norwood station that left victim scarred for life

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A thug has been jailed for six years after a 'horrifying' bottle attack left his victim scarred for life. Akeem Finlay, 24, along with two unknown men, barged through the barriers at West Norwood railway station at 6.45pm on September 6 2011, Blackfriars Crown Court heard. The jury were also told how the trio attacked their 20-year-old victim as he sat waiting for a train, thrusting a bottle in his face, leaving him with permanent scarring. As the three attackers fled the station, Finlay vomited, and this DNA evidence proved crucial in bringing him to justice, the court was told. Finlay, of Morris Court, the Waldons, had denied grievous bodily harm with intent at his four-day trial, which concluded yesterday. He was initially arrested by police in March 2013. The court also heard there was a billion-to-one chance DNA from the vomit was not Finlay's. Detective Constable Ostin Elkins, who led the investigation, said: "This has been a complex investigation which has involved a lot of good police work. "I would like to pay tribute to the officers involved. "Finlay subjected his victim to a horrifying attack which has left him with permanent scars, yet he failed to admit any responsibility for his actions. "I hope the sentence will provide him with the opportunity to reflect on his crime."

Thug jailed after savage bottle attack at West Norwood station that left victim scarred for life

Crystal Palace take extended look at former QPR and Portsmouth defender Sam Magri

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SAM Magri has been on trial with Crystal Palace's Development Squad in recent weeks and it looks like the Eagles are set to take an extended look at the centre-back. The pre-season friendly against Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday appeared to be Magri's final chance of making an impression, but the former Portsmouth and QPR man is now set to feature against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday and in the newly-arranged fixture at Bromley on Tuesday. "It's just ongoing with Sam," Palace Academy boss Gary Issott told the Advertiser. "A lot of trialists have come and gone in the time we've been back but Sam is still here. "He's going to make it a tough decision for us but at the minute there is no final comment on him. "We're looking to give everyone 90 minutes now. We play Fulham next Friday after Bromley on Tuesday. "We have the link with Mark Goldberg at Bromley and they wanted a game and we've done our best to help. "We could actually do with that game because it will give players 90 minutes if they don't play at Forest Green. "It's important they play Tuesday. After Fulham, we start our new season around ten days after that."

Crystal Palace take extended look at former QPR and Portsmouth defender Sam Magri

Nicqueel Pitrora jailed for five years for part in drug deal that led to death of Croydon rave teen

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THE teenager who supplied the drugs that killed 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs has been jailed for five years. Nicqueel Pitrora was handed the sentence at Isleworth Crown Court this morning. He had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of supplying MDMA, one count of supplying cannabis and possession of cannabis. The court heard how Daniel died three days after taking MDMA supplied by Pitrora at an illegal rave at a factory in Hayes, West London on January 17 this year. Daniel and a group of friends bought the drugs from another man, but Pitrora, known as 'Shampz' had set up the deal. Daniel's mother Fiona fought back tears as she read an emotional statement to the court detailing how her son's death left a hole "worse than a gaping wound". In mitigation for Pitrora, Steven Bailey said it was impossible to be sure Daniel had not taken more ecstasy at the rave and they may have caused his death. But judge Martin Edmunds was satisfied the drugs Daniel and his friends had been given were "without doubt the cause of his death". Superintendent Des Rock said: "I'm pleased with the sentence that has been handed down today. Pitrora has only shown remorse at the last moment for his actions. He will now spend time in prison where I hope that he will reflect on the devastation that he has caused. "This is an extremely sad and tragic case which has had a profound effect on Daniel's parents, brother and wider family. They have attended court and have had to sit and hear the details that led to Daniel's death. Throughout this process they have continued to conduct themselves with the upmost dignity. "Pitrora was very much responsible for coordinating the drugs deal and with such overwhelming evidence against him he had no choice but to plead guilty. This is of some comfort to Daniel's family but they are still grieving his untimely death. "Daniel had his whole life ahead of him and when he set out that evening his family would have no idea of the tragedy that was about to happen. Daniel's death should serve as a warning to other young people, there can be very serious consequences if you do decide to take drugs. A good night out is not worth someone's life. "Raves can be dangerous places. These events have no security staff, no medics; they have little concern for the number of people present and are usually held in unsafe properties. Don't put yourself and your friends at risk. "I hope that this sentence will serve as a deterrent to those who insist on pushing harmful drugs on our streets. We will relentlessly pursue you and put you before the courts."

Nicqueel Pitrora jailed for five years for part in drug deal that led to death of Croydon rave teen

Crystal Palace snap up former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland

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BREDE Hangeland has said he wants to play at Selhurst Park in front of Eagles fans "as soon as possible" after completing his move to the club today (Friday). Hangeland, 33, has penned a one-year deal after leaving Fulham on a free transfer and could make his debut as early as tomorrow in the pre-season clash with Brentford. The towering Norwegian said: " I'm absolutely delighted. All the things I've heard about this club – the manager, the players, the staff – it's all been good things and I've seen that for myself this morning. "I'm delighted to be here. I look forward to helping out and doing the best I can for this club. "All the people I spoke to told me that's what's going on at Crystal Palace and I really wanted to be a part of that. "It's a traditional club with a big following. I thought the atmosphere here was fantastic and obviously the fans had a lot to be happy about come the end of the season. "If we can do something similar to that this season, that would be great. I'm really looking forward to playing in front of those fans as soon as possible." Hangeland notched up more than 270 appearances with Fulham during six-and-a-half years with the club, including in the 2010 Europa League final defeat to Atletico Madrid. He also had 91 caps for the Norway national team and is currently the captain of that side.

Crystal Palace snap up former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland

YUMMY MUMMY: An open letter to the Keyboard Warriors

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OUR columnist Veronica Madden (aka: Wannabe Yummy) has taken some stick in recent weeks, from some of the more critical readers of the Advertiser website.

Here, she writes an open letter, in response to the barbs…

IN THE spirit of motherliness and with love , I write this column in tribute to the tireless effort some online readers have put into slating me recently.

Now alongside writing this column, believe it or not, writing open letters is not my main profession.. But here goes it.

As in the main you hide behind 'uber cool' handle names, I shall collectively address you as brave 'Keyboard Warriors' - hopefully this is to your liking.

You are correct.

Yes, I am not in fact a journalist or a scholar. Nor so far as I am aware have ever claimed to be. My grammar can be appalling I can only justify this by the fact that I write so late at night. Alongside, being pretty thick obviously.

Once upon a time I may have dreamt of a glamorous career in journalism. Exposing the bad, highlighting the good, all that jazz. I could have even been good at it, aside from my illiteracy I was given a talent from birth. I could draw blood from a stone - let alone inner secrets from humans; frankly I'm pretty damn amazing.

Alas it was not to be. That boat passed when I decided education would not pave my way and earning money would. Am I ashamed that I didn't stick to my books? No way. Had I done so who knows what other individual you talented Keyboard Warriors would have filled your time complaining about and insulting.

In fact, you could say thanks to my thick yummy skin (read into that what you will) I may have actually saved some other poor more vulnerable soul the discomfort of your attacks.

I'll be honest, reading through the comments did make me feel a little upset - disheartened even.

Haha, but not for the reasons you brave Keyboard Warriors would have liked.

The venom towards my physical appearance made me laugh, seriously, I believe yumminess lies in the eye of the beholder.

Thankfully not just yours.

The fact that as a (relatively) 'normal' woman I had done staged photographs four months after giving birth to my youngest, not looking very comfortable, not beautiful and probably holding an expression easily confused with being in pain is something I myself laughed at as soon as I saw the proofs. But you know what, I told the paper to go ahead and use them. Taking myself too seriously would make for a pretty dull existence in my opinion

Sorry I'm forgetting myself - you Keyboard Warriors couldn't care less about my opinion. Yet you're still intent on reading my column?

Bizarre.

There are plenty of things I don't like to see/read/watch or associate myself with so amazingly I make the massive decision.......not to.

Lucky for you Warriors, something I do like (a guilty pleasure) is debating with the small minded. I love watching foolish, unfulfilled, ill-informed individuals dig themselves into a hole. Eventually they will either need my help to get out or disappear down their dark holes for eternity.

So just to reassure you wonderful Keyboard Warriors, your impact on me is marked. I think of you often, I actually worry.

I worry that if it wasn't me who would it be? My daughter? Someone else's daughter? Or simply someone else online that you have decided shouldn't have oxygen or should crawl away and die.

I warn my children about people like you.

I dissuade my friends from talking to people like you.

And openly, above all, I question people like you.

I ask why you don't contribute something better to your community paper.

I ponder how your angry fingers must ache from all that effort.

If hating me has become your hobby, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do when I'm laughing with my real life friends at the intensity of your distain.

I know your fingers are twitching so I will leave it there. Be strong Keyboard Warriors, and maybe next week just give my column a miss.

Xxx

YUMMY MUMMY: An open letter to the Keyboard Warriors


Transfer talk: Crystal Palace set to sign former Fulham defender

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CRYSTAL Palace are on the verge of signing former Fulham captain Brede Hangeland, according to reports. The 33-year-old was released by the Cottagers following their relegation from the Premier League and it was understood that he was in talks with Hull City. However, the Daily Mail is reporting that Palace have won the race to sign the Norwegian defender, with the tall centre-back now set to stay in London.

Transfer talk: Crystal Palace set to sign former Fulham defender

Parents of tragic rave teen Daniel Spargo-Mabbs issue emotional statement after judge sentences Nicqueel Pitrora to five years behind bars

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The following is a statement issued by Fiona and Tim Spargo-Mabbs, where they tell of the 'gaping hole' left by their son Daniel's death. The emotional account predicts a long and difficult road ahead after their son made 'one bad decision' on the night of January 17...

"Daniel was an incredible boy, and an incredible son, who we loved with all our hearts, who made a very bad decision on 17 January.

"Over the course of the next three days in January we had to watch him slowly die, as the drug he had taken caused everything inside him to stop functioning. We would willingly have given our lives in place of his if we could, and when Daniel died a part of us also died.

"As a family with a massive gaping hole now in our centre, we're slowly trying to rebuild our lives into whatever our 'new normal' will be but we've barely begun and have a long and very hard road ahead of us.

"As you know, Nicqueel Pitrora has pleaded guilty to the part he played in Dan's death, and the court has decided that the charges against Ryan Kirk cannot be upheld. What we do know is that somebody hand the drugs over on the 17 January and they know that they did this. What we've always hoped for from this trial is that justice would be done, and that the people responsible for supplying the drug that killed our son, would be found guilty of this by the court.

"Much more than that, our biggest hope and prayer has always been that those responsible would through this process connect their actions with their consequences, that their hearts and minds would be changed by this, and that they wouldn't waste the rest of their lives continuing to supply drugs and playing their part in the damage, destruction and death of other people's children.

"We believe very strongly that Dan is safe with God, and that we will be with him again one day and this does bring hope. But the despair remains in having to walk through each day of the rest of our lives without him, because of this one bad decision.

"The person who supplied this drug has choices remaining to them and the rest of their lives in which to make them, and we will continue to pray that they choose to use them for good.

"Before we try to tell you about the impact of losing Daniel, we need to try to tell you about the impact of having Daniel in our lives. Words are deeply inadequate for both tasks, but are all we have.

"Dan used to make me a cup of coffee every morning. He used to chat to me while I got ready for work and he got ready for school, sitting in the bathroom while I did my make-up, following me around to finish telling me something, or asking what I thought about something. Before he died he'd kept buying us all cream eggs in his personal quest to find the cheapest deal. It was always three for something, so he ate one himself, and gave one each to Tim and to me. We kept the last one he'd given us on the windowsill for months.

"He had a very strong sense of justice, of right and wrong, and a very big, generous heart and conscience. He ran little errands for the elderly ladies on his paper round. He was a member of Amnesty International. He walked barefoot from Croydon to central London to raise awareness of the plight of children in the developing world unable to afford shoes. Shortly before he died, he'd been accepted as a bone marrow donor. He was very disappointed to find he was unable to give blood until he was 18. He carried an organ donor card in his wallet, but of course his organs were no use to anyone by the end. Dan was the one who'd always be happy to help out, especially with practical things, checking the tyre pressure on the car, fixing the dodgy fence, fiddling with cables behind the new blueray player. He liked a challenge.

"He was well and widely loved at school by both pupils and staff, and was overwhelmingly voted Prom King in summer 2013. Dan was ridiculously funny; he was quirky, curious, intelligent, engaging, charming, infuriating, loving and infinitely, enduringly lovable. He was an enormous, dynamic, enriching and life-affirming presence in our lives. Perhaps it was his curiosity and desire to experience all that life had to offer, that led to him making this one fatal mistake. I don't know that we'll ever know. But it was just one, very bad decision; A first and last time.

"He was our son, and we love him, and would have given our lives in place of his. The drug that Niqueel Pitrora supplied on 17 January caused Dan's body temperature to rise to 42 degrees. Each of his internal organs and systems stopped functioning in turn over the next few hours, and by the time he was transferred to Kings College Hospital that Saturday afternoon, his lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and circulatory system had all failed. We sat with him over the next two days and watched him slowly die.

"He never regained consciousness, but we talked to him, held his hand, stroked his hair, rubbed his shoulders to try to get them warm. We found out after he'd died that he'd almost certainly suffered damage to his brain because his oxygen levels were so low when paramedics reached him, and they were unable to intubate immediately because the MDMA had caused his jaw to lock shut. At Kings he was on a ventilator, kidney dialysis, continuous bloods and fluids to try to raise his blood pressure and help his heart to begin to work better, and there were so many drains and monitors and machines it was difficult to get too close to him, but we did what we could. Because his liver wasn't functioning his blood wouldn't clot, and so wherever they'd had to put tubes in was continually bleeding. They'd put plugs up his nostrils where there were tubes, but the blood still seeped out slowly all the time. His eyes weren't quite closed, and so they had to stick blue gel pads over them to stop them drying out.

"He had to have emergency surgery to save his legs a few hours after he was taken into intensive care at Hillingdon, because pressure accumulating in his muscles meant the circulation was dangerously limited. On two further occasions they considered whether amputating his legs would improve his circulation, but both times it was decided that there was too much else wrong for it to make the difference needed.

"By the final morning, the circulation in his legs and arms had been so reduced as a side effect of the last drug left to them to try, that his legs and arms had already died, there was no surgical option, and they had no choice but to switch the life support off. It took just twenty minutes for him to die. We were all with him. I was holding his face, because it was all I could really hold that was still living. After the beeps on the machine got slower, and then did the continual beep, to tell us his heart had stopped, I just couldn't let go of his face, because I knew when I did it would go cold, and then it wouldn't be warm again. I held him for what seemed like ages. But then I had to let go. At that point our lives fell apart completely. We're slowly trying to rebuild them into whatever our 'new normal' will be, but we've barely begun and have a very long and hard road ahead of us.

"Physically, we are both taking tablets to help us sleep, but I still struggle to get off to sleep, to let go of each day. I hold out against closing my eyes, knowing when I open them another day will have gone, taking me further away from when Dan was still here. The sleep I have is troubled and unhappy. I often wake up with my jaw clenched. And so I experience profound exhaustion. The stress has caused me to lose a significant amount of weight. I've cracked a tooth because of clenching my teeth so hard when I sleep. Tim is on anti-depressants. I'm receiving counselling.

"When people talk about having an aching heart, having a broken heart, I'd always assumed this was metaphorical. I didn't know that it would be an actual physical pain. In terms of work, my job is to manage a team of about fifty managers and teachers in Croydon Council's adult education service. On top of this full time job, I also chair a national network of family learning managers, and was leading on two national projects in January. When Dan died, I was unable to function at all, or to work at all for over three months. I've been on a phased return for more than three months now, but have made no progress, am still unable to focus for more than an hour in a day, two at most, sometimes only twenty minutes, and some days I'm unable to do anything because I can't stop crying or get off the sofa. I can only attempt very low-level tasks. My head is still so full trying to process and make sense of this thing that makes no sense, that I can't put it anywhere else for very long. Tim has managed better with getting back to work, but still struggles so much some days that he has to leave early, and every day gets home totally spent and exhausted.

"Jacob, Daniel's older brother, was meant to be going back to Kent University the weekend Daniel was in intensive care, for the start of his second term of his first year studying history. Consequently he missed the first four weeks of term, and struggled when he went back with concentration and focus. He got almost straight Firsts in his first term assessments, but hasn't managed to repeat this since Daniel died. He knows he copes by distracting himself, by pretending it hasn't happened, by thinking about other things, or going for a long bike ride. Sometimes this doesn't work though, the reality of losing his brother hits him, and he breaks down. In most of the photos we have of them when they were smaller, over many years, Jacob has his arm around the shoulders of his little brother, and both have identical smiles. He is now an only child.

"The impact beyond Daniel's immediate family has also been profound, and like a tsunami rather than a ripple effect, reaching far beyond family and close friends to the wider community. Our parents, our extended families, Daniel's closest friends, his girlfriend of over two years, his very wide circle of other friends at school and church, his school community, our church community, our friends and colleagues. Too much and too many to be able to account for. His loss is far-reaching.

"I still can't believe that this has happened. How can someone so full of life be there, and then just not be there? From time to time the reality of it comes into focus, briefly, like glimpsing something in the corner of my eye, and it's so unimaginably awful that I honestly think it'll destroy me completely, and I have to look away again. The rest of the time it remains hazy, as if I have a vague memory of a lovely dream I had once, where I had a lovely son called Daniel. Or as if this present reality is a dream, a horrible dream, but I'll wake up sometime and get my real life back, where I have two lovely sons, a job I love, and all is well. But this haziness I hate as well as the unbearable reality, because in it any clear sense of the real Daniel is lost. It feels like a double robbery, losing Dan in reality and in my head, which is all I now have. But to have a sense of the real Dan back, brings with it the awful knowledge that he's gone. There is nowhere to rest.

"When you become a mother, from the first moment you know you're expecting a child, your identity, your energies, your focus are on that new little being, and such a massive part of who you then are, is being that person's mum, and is pouring an infinite quantity of love into that person. I still have all that for Dan, but don't know what I do with it now. I don't know who I am, what's left of me, now that I can't be Daniel's mum. And how can someone who has been such a massive part of me for more than sixteen years, as his mother - how can he not be here anymore, when I still am? What do I do with this love, this energy, this focus, this massive part of my identity? It's like having a limb ripped off without an anaesthetic. It's like having an enormous gaping open wound. And it's not like either of these things. It's so, so much worse. I would choose either of these things over losing my son. And this is the rest of my life on this earth.

"I believe very strongly that Dan is safe with God, and that I will be with him again one day, and this does bring hope. But the despair remains in having to walk through each day of the rest of my life without him, because of this one bad decision. Our prayer for Nicqueel is that he will be able to connect his actions with the consequences, that he will be changed by this, and that he won't waste the rest of his life continuing to do what he did that led to our son dying. Dan's life ended on 20 January, and part of us also died then, but he has all the rest of his life ahead of him. He can choose to do good with this life, and that's our prayer."

Parents of tragic rave teen Daniel Spargo-Mabbs issue emotional statement after judge sentences Nicqueel Pitrora to five years behind bars

LOOKING BACK: Croydon cult hero Paper Jack

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Paper Jack was the son of a businessman who became a well-known figure in Croydon in the early 20th century for his quirk of only dressing in newspaper. Jack, real name Arthur Preece, died after being knocked down and killed by a car in Waddon in 1935, but his legacy in the town lives on. Here are a few images celebrating the life and lasting legacy of Paper Jack...

LOOKING BACK: Croydon cult hero Paper Jack

Crystal Palace supremo rules out guaranteed position for star

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THERE will be no sentiment when it comes to who starts in goal for Crystal Palace this season, with the final decision falling in the hands of boss Tony Pulis. That's the view of co-chairman Steve Parish, who is hoping last season's Player of the Year Julian Speroni can keep up his level of performance. Wayne Hennessey is pushing for a starting position this season and played the first half of Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Brentford. However, Speroni's name could be heard from the Palace fans at Griffin Park following the decision to start with the Wales international instead. The new campaign starts in less than two weeks' time at Arsenal and both goalkeepers will have to be at the top of their game in the final pre-season match against Augsburg. "We'll have to wait and see, that's up to how people perform and the manager," Parish told the Advertiser. "Everyone knows their position has no guarantees, football is a tough, tough world. "Julian has got confidence in his ability and he's always proved himself to any manager he's had. "I am sure he will be doing everything he can to make sure he's a first team regular like he did last year. "In the end there's only one man who decides that and that's Tony."Follow your Crystal Palace reporter on Twitter @MR_LWMedia and the Advertiser sports desk @AdvertiserSport for news, interviews and matchday tweets.

Crystal Palace supremo rules out guaranteed position for star

East Croydon office block could become 112 new homes

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A CROYDON businessman is looking to embark on a third venture to turn empty office blocks in Croydon into homes.

Dr Anwar Ansari, managing director of AA Homes and Housing, has put in a permitted development application to Croydon Council, stating his plans to convert the empty eight-storey Exchange Court office block in Bedford Park into 112 flats.

The move comes on top of two other schemes he already has in the pipeline, to provide 100 homes in two empty office buildings at 12-14 and 5 Sydenham Road.

Dr Ansari said he owned the two buildings and was presently in the process of finalising the purchase of Exchange Court.

He said the plans for Exchange Court were at a very early stage but he was looking to provide one-bedroom apartments.

Dr Ansari said he was aware of the recent debate at Croydon Council at which members unanimously opposed the Government legislation which allowed empty offices to be turned into homes without planning permission.

Councillors expressed concerns they had no control over the size of homes provided nor on whether the developments contained affordable houses.

They were also worried losing offices in the town centre could have a negative effect on jobs.

But Dr Ansari said while ideally he would like to see the blocks demolished to make way for new housing developments with larger homes, the banks were not interested in financing that kind of operation.

He said: "We are bringing homes into buildings which have not been leasable for many years.

"There is a shortage of housing in Croydon and providing some homes is better than providing none."

Dr Ansari added that AA Homes and Housing would be concentrating on providing homes for rent in Exchange Court and he might be looking at some of them being used for social rental.

That decision, he said, would be dictated by market conditions at the time.

East Croydon office block could become 112 new homes

Transfer Talk: £3m offer for Crystal Palace striker from Reading rejected

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Crystal Palace have turned down a £3m bid from Reading for striker Glenn Murray, according to The Sun. TalkSPORT also reported on the offer this morning on their radio show. The Royals tabled their offer for the 30-year-old, who has been in fine form this pre-season, but the Eagles want to give Murray full season in the top flight following a serious injury. Palace have plenty of strikers on their books at present, and Murray looks set to compete for a starting place against Fraizer Campbell, Marouane Chamakh, Dwight Gayle and Stephen Dobbie. Dobbie, however, has been linked with a move away in the last couple of weeks.

Transfer Talk: £3m offer for Crystal Palace striker from Reading rejected

Croydon man arrested on suspicion of GBH after Brixton assault

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POLICE have arrested a 20-year-old man from Croydon in connection with a serious assault in Brixton on Sunday. Detectives from Scotland Yard's gang unit, Trident, are appealing for witnesses and information about the assault, which took place in Brixton Road at 11.50pm. A 21-year-old man with serious head injuries was found near McDonalds when officers arrived at the scene. He remains in a critical condition in a South London hospital. The 20-year-old was arrested on suspicion of GBH, while a second man, 22, from Tower Hamlets was arrested on suspicion of the same offence. DS Ewan Robertson, of Trident's South Reactive Team, said: "At 11.50pm Brixton Road was extremely busy with traffic and pedestrians. "It is believed that this incident would have been witnessed by a large number of people. I am appealing for witnesses who may have been present at the time the incident took place to contact police. "I would like to reassure any potential witnesses who may be worried about making contact with police that Trident has extensive expertise in protecting witnesses." Anyone with any information can call 0208 247 4554, or remain anonymous through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Croydon man arrested on suspicion of GBH after Brixton assault


STEVE REED: Why austerity is hitting women hardest

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IN HIS latest column, Croydon North MP Steve Reed explains why he thinks women are being hit hardest in the current economic climate... WOMEN continue to suffer more than men from the Government's austerity policies and inequality in society. A new TUC report shows that women earn, on average, £5,000 a year less than men, and that women have borne the brunt of Government funding cuts over recent years. The Government has targeted cuts on local services where seven out of ten employees are women, leading to higher levels of female redundancies. Cuts to services like older people's care, childcare and playgroups force a greater burden of responsibility onto women, who are left to plug the gaps. Women's pay has been hit hard, since women are more likely to be working in low-paid employment such as cleaning, catering, caring or administration, where pay is falling in real terms. Skyrocketing energy bills, the Government's VAT increase and soaring rents all put pressure on household bills, which are often managed by women. It's a tragic fact that times of economic stress bring an increase in domestic violence against women and children, and sadly that's what we've seen in Croydon and across the rest of the country. If the image of the last great recession in the 1980s was an unemployed coal miner or steel worker, then the image of the recent recession is a woman struggling to cope with low pay, rising bills and growing demands to care for young children and older relatives. The Government simply can't keep putting women under pressure in this way, but perhaps it's not surprising that's what they've done, when you thank that three-quarters of the most senior ministers under this Government are men.

STEVE REED: Why austerity is hitting women hardest

Gary Issott wants to see lots of Crystal Palace fans at Bromley

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CRYSTAL Palace Development boss Gary Issott is set to unleash the likes of Jake Gray, Ryan Inniss, Hiram Boateng, Sullay KaiKai and Reise Allassani against Bromley on Tuesday evening. A Palace U21 side make the short trip to Hayes Lane, but it's understood no first teamers will be involved. However, the likes of Owen Garvan and Stephen Dobbie may make appearances. Gray and Boateng have been involved with the first team on tour to Austria and the USA recently, but neither got game time on Saturday at Brentford. "All the first team played at the weekend so it's going to be predominantly an U21s squad at Bromley," Issott told the Advertiser. "The manager certainly wanted the first team squad members to play 90 minutes so it was a good experience for the younger lads to be on the bench and around him at Brentford. "And the lads at Forest Green were in and around the likes of Brede Hangeland and Fraizer Campbell. "All in all, it was a worthwhile weekend and some positive outcomes. I don't think there were any injuries either. "All the lads who didn't get a chance on Saturday will get a chance to play at Bromley." Inniss will be given a chance to step up his comeback from a hamstring injury in a game that Issott hopes to see a lot of Palace fans at. The game was only arranged last week, and with it being a local game, it's a good chance to have a healthy crowd in attendance. "Ryan Inniss, we're still nursing him back slowly from injury, so hopefully he'll look to come through his first 45 minutes," said Issott. "That will be another step forward in trying to get him full match fitness. Jake (Gray) and Hiram (Boateng) will be part of the game too. "Over the course of three or four days, a lot of players have got 90 minutes under their belts. "The younger players have learned off the senior players in their movement and play but also how they conduct themselves off the pitch. "So far, the U21s have been unbeaten in pre-season so far so they have a good chance tonight to continue that. "It's another local game, where hopefully Bromley can get a reasonable gate. It helps them as a local club and they will prove tough opposition for us. "It's going to plan, all the players are getting minutes." The game at Hayes Lane against Mark Goldberg's side kicks off at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 for adults or half price for season ticket holders before 7pm. Seniors, students and U16s are £5, while a family ticket (one adult and two children) is £15. Supporters can pay on the turnstiles from 6.15pm.

Gary Issott wants to see lots of Crystal Palace fans at Bromley

Mile Jedinak's hat-trick delight for new Crystal Palace signing

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MILE Jedinak believes Saturday's hat-trick for new signing Fraizer Campell would have helped calm any "nerves" the striker may have had after joining Crystal Palace. Campbell grabbed three goals inside the opening 29 minutes against Forest Green Rovers and is now set to be part of the squad which travels to Augsburg this weekend. "We heard news of his hat-trick after the game – it's great for him to start settling in straight away," skipper Jedinak told the Advertiser. "I am sure he was buzzing. He's done well, he's come in, he'd only had one session with us beforehand. "I hope we get him settled down straight away and I am sure the goals calmed any nerves."

Mile Jedinak's hat-trick delight for new Crystal Palace signing

Choc horror! Tesco launches urgent probe into confectionery catastrophe

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TESCO has launched an urgent investigation after its staff apparently confused milk chocolate with white chocolate.

Sweet-toothed shopper Shannen Doherty (@shan_lou_doh) went to purchase a bar of chocolatey goodness from the shelf labelled 'milk chocolate' at the Tesco Express in Lower Addiscombe Road.

But when she returned home, she found the bar was more Milkybar than Dairy Milk.

She tweeted Tesco's official Twitter account: "Err @Tesco I think your staff need chocolate training! #definitelynotmilkchocolate #milkchocolatedoesnotmeanitsthecolourofmilk free cookies?"

Tesco was quick to reply to avoid the blunder becoming a serious PR gaffe and said they would look into the situation.

Ceri, who was manning the Tesco Twitter account, told Shannen later: "I have fed this back to the store so that it can be addressed. I hope this helps."

It has not been clarified whether Shannen will receive any chomp-ensation for the mishap.

Choc horror! Tesco launches urgent probe into confectionery catastrophe

Lights out in Croydon to remember the First World War heroes

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A SINGLE candle was lit in the foyer of Croydon's town hall on Monday to remember the 2,245 servicemen and civilians from Croydon who lost their lives in the First World War.

The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, who was joined by around 100 guests including veterans and present-day armed forces members and representatives of the community and the council.

As part of the national moment of commemoration, the candle was extinguished at 11pm, the time war was declared 100 years before.

The national Lights Out commemoration focused on the words of Sir Edward Grey, the then Foreign Secretary, who said on the eve of the war "The lamps are going out all over Europe, we won't see them lit again in our lifetime."

The Mayor said the large turnout at the event was a positive remembrance of the impact of the First World War on Croydon and its people.

It has, she said, brought about major changes in Croydon.

It saw the start of industrialisation on the Purley Way and new a new role for women which saw them taking on jobs like driving Croydon's trams.

She said: "This commemoration is a reflection on the great sacrifices that people from Croydon made 100 years ago."

A service of commemoration also took place at St Mary's Church in Addington on Monday, which was followed by a vigil at the war memorial outside the church in Addington Village Road.

The service was attended by descendants of the Chappell family which sent eight brothers to the war, seven of whom survived.

At 11pm a muffled bell struck 22 times to commemorate the servicemen whose names are on the memorial.

Ruth Chapman from St Mary's said: "I have never seen the church so full. The service an amazing and very special event.

"We went out to the memorial for 11pm and the commemoration there with the muffled bells was very sombre but very fitting."

Lights out in Croydon to remember the First World War heroes

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