POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed his genitals to a woman at a tram stop near the Croydon/Sutton border.

The man is said to have exposed his genitals to a 27-year-old near Beddington Lane tram stop, in Beddington Lane on Thursday, January 15 at approximately 9pm.

She had made her way about 100 yards south of the A236 Croydon Road when the incident happened.

She ran home and the suspect was not seen again.

He is described as white, aged 20-24, about 5ft 10n tall and of slim build. He had light hair and dark casual clothes.

If you can help, contact Sutton Police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

POLICE have released images of a missing teenage girl believed to be in Croydon and a man she may have met.

Sasha Green, 16, was last seen in Shinfield, Reading, on Saturday (January 17) morning.

It is believed she may have travelled to the Croydon area from Reading train station on Saturday night.

Thames Valley Police are hoping someone might recognise the man from the train station.

Sasha is 5ft 6in tall, of medium build and has shoulder length dark hair.

Detective Constable Nicola Slater, from Reading police station, said: "We are increasingly concerned for Sasha's welfare as it has been a few days since she was last seen.

"After looking at CCTV images, we would like to speak to this man as we believe he may have information about her whereabouts.

"If you recognise him, or Sasha, then please contact us immediately as we just want to ensure her safety.

"And Sasha, if you see this, please call us or let a family member or friend know where you are. You're not in any trouble, we just want to make sure you're safe."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting URN 1469 of 17/1.

Crystal Palace look set to be boosted by the availability of Marouane Chamakh in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Eagles' striker has missed the last six weeks with a hamstring injury but returned to full training last week.

Chamakh faces stiff competition for a starting place against Dwight Gayle, Yaya Sanogo, Fraizer Campbell and Glenn Murray at Southampton.

LONDON Ambulance Service has apologised to a man whose partner died from a heart attack waiting for an ambulance that took over an hour to reach her.

Monica Lewis, 57, who lived with partner Harry Smith off Lower Addiscombe Road, reportedly had an epileptic fit in the early hours of Friday morning.

But two ambulances sent to treat her were redirected to other "higher priority" calls, before one finally reached her an hour and ten minutes after the original plea for help.

Mr Smith and Ms Lewis's home is a ten minute drive from Croydon University Hospital.

A London Ambulance Service (LAS) spokeswoman said: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mr Smith.

"We are very sorry that we were unable to send an ambulance response any sooner."

She confirmed a ambulance was called to the address at 12.29am on Friday (January 16) to reports of a person feeling unwell.

But, because the caller said the patient was "conscious and breathing", an ambulance sent to treat her was cancelled "to be available to respond to a higher priority incident".

A second ambulance later sent to the scene was diverted to a patient reported to be suffering from heart problems which LAS believed to be a higher priority call.

At 1.16am LAS called to check on Ms Lewis and upgraded her to a higher priority. Another ambulance was sent to treat her but did not arrive for 23 minutes, more than hour after Mr Smith's first call.

When paramedics finally reached Ms Lewis they discovered she suffered a heart attack.

The LAS spokeswoman said: "On arrival the patient was in cardiac arrest, despite extensive efforts from our staff to resuscitate her, sadly she died at the scene."

LAS, which said it was experiencing "severe pressure" at the time, missed two response time targets getting to Ms Lewis.

When the first call was made Ms Lewis's condition was classified as a 'C2' priority, meaning an ambulance should have reached her within 30 minutes. This target was missed because the ambulance had to go to a higher priority call.

When LAS phoned Ms Lewis at 1.16am they upgraded to a 'red call', the highest priority. Government targets state ambulances should reach red calls within eight minutes 75 per cent of the time, but on this occasion one did not reach Ms Lewis for 23 minutes.

Figures published last month show that only 54 per cent of ambulances on a red call – which includes cardiac arrest and traumatic injuries – in Croydon met this target.

LAS blamed a rise in calls in Croydon and a nationwide shortage of paramedics for the failing.

Crystal Palace target Rudy Gestede will be named in Blackburn Rovers' squad to face Swansea City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

That's the view of Rovers boss Gary Bowyer, who left the Benin international striker out of his plans last weekend against Wigan Athletic.

"There's no further developments as we speak, he goes into the squad for Saturday," the manager has been quoted.

"Unless anything changes before then he's focused on having an involvement against Swansea.

"It's not his fault that people don't meet the valuation of him by our owners, all he can do is get ready for the game.

"The owners have a valuation on where the player sits and until that's met, he won't be going anywhere."

Blackburn want £6m for the striker, who has scored 12 goals so far this season. Palace are understood to have had a £3.5m bid rejected. 

JULIAN Speroni says it was an "easy choice" to pick Dundee as his testimonial opponents at the end of the season on May 26.

The custodian's first testimonial event of the year was a huge success on Tuesday evening at Fairfield Halls, conducting an exclusive Question and Answer session in the Ashcroft Theatre in front of 750 fans.

Dundee brought Speroni to the United Kingdom in 2001, and following a move to Selhurst Park in 2004, he certainly hasn't looked back, cementing his legendary status in Palace folklore.

"For me, it was always going to be Dundee," he said. "We had different ideas in the committee meetings but I always wanted Dundee.

"It makes sense because they were the ones who opened the door for me to come to Europe and start my career.

"I was a young kid with little experience and they gave me the chance and the opportunity.

"I can't thank them enough for that so when I had to choose who I wanted, it was an easy choice."

For the full interview with Speroni on his testimonial match, don't miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser.

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Palace travel to Southampton on Saturday for a fascinating fourth round FA Cup tie and will have the backing of 3,000 travelling Eagles fans at a sell-out St Mary's.

Saints are 3/5 to make it through to the next phase in 90 minutes, Palace 11/2 and the draw is 3/1.

Saints are 4/11 to qualify for the next round with Palace 5/2.

Palace are 15/4 Draw No Bet at BetVictor but the recommendation is the 11/8 for the Eagles to either win or draw at St Mary's.

Dwight Gayle is 10/1 to score the opening goal and Palace are 33/1 to, again, win from behind.

When you think the Eagles have beaten Everton, Liverpool, Spurs and Burnley from behind already this term, that 33/1 quote might be a shade too big.

Alan Pardew may not want a replay but he will be delighted if Palace are still in the draw for the fifth round on Monday evening.

The Eagles are currently 100/1 to lift the trophy at Wembley – and they are likely to be half that price if they avoid defeat at St Mary's.

For all your football odds check out BetVictor.com.

THE big brother of Thornton Heath teenager Ashdon Muirhead has made a second video in memory of the 14-year-old.

Emmanuel Marshalleck, a rapper from Thornton Heath known as Eaze, has written song Be Free with his group Money Never Sleeps (MNS) urging people to "be themselves".

The 19-year-old's little sister, known to friends as Ashdon Jazz, died on November 15 last year. There were suggestions at the time that she had been bullied.

Emmanuel said: "The song is about being free, being yourself. Social media makes everyone compete with each other. People forget to be themselves a lot."

The video shows Emmanuel with fellow MNS rappers Realo and Chubbz gathered at Pollards Hill with Ashdon and Emmanuel's friends. They lit candles and wore R.I.P Ashdon t-shirts.

Emmanuel said: "Ashdon would have loved it, to have seen so many of her friends and mine."

He also paid tribute to Ashdon in another video featuring footage from her funeral released two weeks ago. The teenager said music has helped him deal with the months since Ashdon's death.

"It's given me a way to get things off my chest," said Emmanuel.

The siblings mum, Patricia Hewitt, features briefly in the video which at the time of writing had over 7000 views on YouTube.

Emmanuel said Ashdon's family have been touched by the support they have received since Ashdon's death.

They are raising money for anti-bullying charity Kidscape. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/AshdonJazz

Warning: this video contains content that some people may find offensive.

POLICE are appealing for information about a missing New Addington teenager.

Ronnie Lee Ward, 15, was last seen leaving his home in the estate at 2.40pm today.

Police say it is out of character for him to go missing and his family is desperate for news that he is safe and well.

He is 5ft tall, of slim build, with blue eyes and brown hair worn in a short 'messy' style.

He was wearing a grey and black puffer jacket with a black Puma tracksuit.

Anyone who has seen Ronnie or has information concerning his whereabouts should contact Croydon Police Missing Persons Unit by dialing 101.

A LITTLE girl has been reunited with her pet chihuahua three days after thieves stole the tiny dog from the back of her dad's van. 

Five-year-old Isabella Buckle got her pet pooch Pixie back on Wednesday, after thieves snatched her while he was shopping on Monday. 

However, police spotted the missing puppy wandering near a park in Wimbledon on Wednesday afternoon.

A quick call to dad Matt later, and Pixie was back in Isabella's arms at the family's home in Selsdon.

Isabella's mum, Nicola Martinelli, 34, said she and her daughter 'screamed' with happiness on hearing the news Pixie would return home.

She said: "Matt phoned me and said 'put Isabella on' – I didn't know she'd been found, he didn't tell me, and then she started screaming, saying 'Daddy's got her! Daddy's got her!'

"So I screamed and snatched the phone back!"

And she put the find down to the extensive online attention the story has received.

The family set up a @FindPixie Twitter account, and their story was shared by thousands of people on Facebook.

"The police think it's because it's been so hyped on the internet that she's been returned," she said.

"I can't believe how many people have followed us – I'm just replying to everyone now! It's been amazing.

"They honestly think she was too risky to handle, and the thieves wouldn't be able to sell her on."

Nicola added that in all the excitement of being reunited with her best friend, Isabella is now actually missing something else – her front tooth.

The couple also have two sons, 12-year-old Joshua and two-year-old Freddie.

The thieves broke into Matt's van in Purley Tesco car park while he went to get lunch at 1.30pm on Monday.

Matt, a mobile mechanic, returned to find smashed glass with Pixie missing and the other family dog, boxer Duke, bloodied and traumatised.

And Nicola said Duke had his "old spark" as he was reunited with his miniature companion.

"Duke was also there to pick her up – there was a lot of sniffing," she said. "They're just brilliant together. When he got home he was rolling on the floor, like he had his old spark back.

"And Pixie was running up and down his body. They're tails are wagging again, that's for sure!"

"The dogs are known around Selsdon as little and large because he's so big and she's so tiny. They're best friends."

"It's been unbelievable, and I'm actually still shocked at how quickly and crazy it took off. A big thanks to everybody - I don't think we would have got it back if it wasn't for people sharing the story."

Police presents

WHEN police officers learned of Isabella's loss, they decided to try to cheer her up.

PCs Charlotte Kempton and Lucy Palmer from Selsdon and Ballards safer neighbourhood team organised a whip round among local officers and they visited Isabella on Wednesday before school to take her gifts including a colouring set and a bracelet-making kit.

PC Kempton said: "Isabella was been left heartbroken that her dog Pixie has been stolen, so we wanted to try and cheer her up and got her a few small gifts that we delivered this morning before she went to school."

Crystal Palace midfielder Stuart O'Keefe is a target for Millwall, according to News At Den.

The engine-roomer could miss out on the Eagles' 25-man squad when it is named at the start of February by Alan Pardew.

The only appearance O'Keefe has made under the manager was at Dover Athletic in the FA Cup on January 4.

The player was set for a loan move to Charlton in November but the move fell through after the Addicks decided on Arsenal's Francis Coquelin instead.

Should O'Keefe make the move to The Den, he will reunite was boss Ian Holloway following their time at Selhurst Park.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies 2-0 Crystal Palace Ladies

After another dire performance, Crystal Palace Ladies were dumped out of the Surrey County Cup 2-0 by an AFC Wimbledon side with more desire and determination.

Palace started the game slowly with Wimbledon getting plenty of players behind the ball and using the long ball to put the lady Eagles under pressure.

After 15 minutes, Wimbledon grabbed the opener when they won a corner on the left, and although Sarah Jones won the header, the ball dropped for the Dons striker to toe poke the ball past Sam Saint.

Palace got back into the game and had a good amount of possession but their final ball was woeful and they created very little from open play.

They were also unlucky from a couple of corners when Nicha Dyett got to the ball first but headed off target.

The second half was much the same with Palace pushing more and more players forward but to no avail as the Wimbledon defence stood strong.

Abi Igbavboa and Roschelle Shakes both had shots saved by the keeper and Mary Onianwa fired wide, but as the time ebbed away Palace ran out of ideas and it was no surprise when the Dons scored a second.

A long punt forward found a Dons player, who raced cleared and finished well past Saint to make sure they progressed to the next stage of the Surrey County Cup. 

CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni says he will respect Alan Pardew's decision if the manager decides play Wayne Hennessey at Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Hennessey has been used in the previous cup games in the past year, with the last coming in the previous FA Cup round at Dover Athletic.

That trend could be continued on the south coast – but Speroni doesn't want to settle for a weekend off.

"Obviously managers tend to make changes for FA Cup matches - I don't even know if I'll be playing," he admitted to the Advertiser.

"Wayne played in the last match at Dover, so I'm not sure what the manager is going to do.

"I want to play every game – footballers, we're not happy watching from the side.

"It's the manager's decision and I will respect that."

Looking towards the game itself, Speroni believes both clubs will make limited changes in front of a sell-out crowd at St Mary's Stadium.

But in four weeks since the clubs last met in the Premier League, Pardew has replaced Neil Warnock and the Eagles are flying again.

"A lot has changed, it is another important match and it will be tough obviously," said Speroni.

"They are playing really, really well this season. But that's why we want to be at this level, we want to play those teams every week.

"We are looking forward to it. It's not like a midweek match, it's a Saturday, so I expect both clubs to have strong teams out."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

A 15-YEAR-OLD from New Addington reported as missing yesterday afternoon has "turned up" safe and well. 

Ronnie Lee Ward had last been seen leaving his home in the estate at 2.40pm on Wednesday, prompting a police appeal. 

A Met Police spokesman confirmed he had "turned up safe and well" later that evening. 

NOISY neighbours beware – the folks next door can now digitally measure and report exactly how much of a nuisance your racket is creating.

A new feature launched this week on the council's My Croydon app enables users to take and report a decibel reading of noise.

The feature is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice, said the app would make it easier for residents to report noise complaints and for the council to respond.

"I live in a densely packed area so I'm certainly aware that noise is an issue," he said.

"I just thought it would be very useful for people to people if they could get some sort of measurement of what is a nuisance and what is not a nuisance, that's where the idea for the app came from."

The app, developed in-house by the council, also differentiates between times of day, to distinguish when noises will be more of a nuisance – like in the middle of the night.

The council has legal powers to deal with unreasonable noise, including music, parties, alarms, construction and DIY, and receives about 4,000 noise complaints a year.

Cllr Watson said he thought the new feature wouldn't necessarily lead to an increase or decrease in complaints, but it had the potential to help prosecutions.

"I think the quality of the reporting will go up and we will be able to deal with the reports a lot better.

"We won't necessarily be able to use the app in prosecutions obviously because we'd need our own evidence as well.

"But if people can keep a record of the noise and a record of the loudness of the noise, then that will aid us in the prosecution further down the line."

The My Croydon app can be downloaded to smartphones or tablets from the Google Play store or Apple's App store.

The council has said it will welcome any feedback from users of the app, particularly those using the new noise reporting feature.

E-mail myaccount@croydon. gov.uk

CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew refused to give any clues as to whether the club were close to signing anyone in the current transfer window at his weekly press conference today.

The Eagles have been strongly linked – and believed to be the only club that has bid for Rudy Gestede of Blackburn Rovers – along with Swansea City left-back Neil Taylor.

And when asked for an update on Gestede in particular, Pardew was in the dark over whether the move was happening.

"Not that I'm aware of (any latest with a deal)," he said.

"I think we've enquired on about three, four or five different players whether they're available – that's really where we're at.

"The chairman is pursuing some lines of enquiry in the right manner, in the way it should be conducted. Unfortunately not in front of the press!

"I'm not going to talk about other players at other clubs. I don't think that's fair."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Crystal Palace are believed to have agreed an initial £1.25m deal with Bolton Wanderers for Lee Chung-Yong.

According to Bolton fansite Lion of Vienna Suite, they have informed by a "trusted source" that a fee has been agreed and it could rise to £2.5m.

Chung-Yong recently returned from the Asia Cup tournament early due to injury, but Palace have been linked with the attacking midfielder for the past month.

ALAN Pardew says Palace's loan winger Wilfried Zaha "has a lot going for him" and believes he has been given a chance to shine back at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles manager has tipped the 22-year-old to get back into the England squad – but only if he fulfils his potential with the attributes required in the Premier League.

Zaha played a big role in last weekend's 3-2 win at Burnley, impressing out on the right in particular.

And Pardew has played down any suggestion that Palace could make his loan signing a permanent one – yet.

"I'm not sure about that option (of making it permanent this month)," said the boss.

"What I do know is that he's a player that needs to get his career on the move again.

"He's had a decent couple of games, made an impact and he needs to build on that. I think that is where he's at.

"He's a talent that needs to nail down a permanent position here, whether he's on loan or permanent but I've been very pleased with what I've seen so far.

"He certainly has got the ability. I have worked with players who have fantastic technical ability for the Premier League but have only ever played in League One.

"All the attributes, you need to have the power, strength, the mental and technical quality to become a Premier League player.

"Wilfried has got a lot going for him and he has the potential to have an impact on the international stage at some point.

"I think the opportunities at Man United have been limited and that's been a problem. That's been a problem particular at the top four clubs.

"Wilf is one of the lucky ones that he has a platform to play."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

CRYSTAL Palace head to Southampton in the FA Cup with a full strength squad this weekend.

Marouane Chamakh returned to full training at the end of last week and hasn't had any problems with his hamstring this week.

The Moroccan looks set to be included in boss Alan Pardew's squad, with only Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak absent due to their involvement in tournaments abroad.

"We have got everyone fit, that's good news there apart from the two guys away on international duty," said the manager.

"He's trained well this week and he will travel.

"I've not seen him much. I remember the Liverpool game last season at home, and everyone tells me he plays a great role for the team.

"I am looking forward to seeing that at some stage."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

RESIDENTS on a Croydon estate are being denied access to a £2 million community and sports hall because of a dispute between a school and the council.

Quest Academy wants to run the facilities, built alongside its new school building, and open them up for community use.

The council, which says it will not have the money to operate the centre itself until April at the earliest, has told the school it does not have the required experience.

Pip Burley, Quest's chairman of governors, described the claim as "absurd" and insisted the academy "has a much better chance of making it work" than if it is outsourced to a private company.

He explained that when the rebuild was being drawn up both sides agreed the sports centre would be run by the school, only for the authority to redraw the boundaries at the eleventh hour.

Nathan Elvery, the council's chief executive, later told Mr Burley the plans had changed after the authority received legal advice saying the management of the facility could not be handed over without going to competitive tender, a contract the school was unlikely to win because it lacked experience in running leisure facilities.

Quest has used the sports centre for PE lessons since the new building in Farnborough Avenue, Selsdon, opened in September, but is unable to make it available to the wider community.

Mr Burley says the school is willing to take on the estimated £100,000 yearly cost of running the facilities, but the council turned the offer down.

"To say we don't have enough experience is absurd," said Mr Burley. "It's not rocket science. You just need to put in a manager who knows what he is doing. You don't need to bring in a private company.

"What we are saying is lease us the sports centre and we will run it at no cost to the rate-payer.

"I believe we stand a lot better chance of making this work than Croydon does as a commercial operation.

"We're not in an antagonistic relationship with the council over this. We're in disagreement and believe our idea is better than theirs."

Monks Hill Over 50s Club is among the groups stuck in the middle of the disagreement. The club was told it could use the hall as its new home after Edgecombe Community Centre was knocked down. It has only been able to continue its weekly meeting thanks to the generosity of nearby St Francis Church.

Margaret Sharp, 74, who runs the club, said: "The council is letting an expensive new building go unused by the public when there are groups, like ours, which would love to use it."

Andy Stranack, a Heathfield councillor, has called on the school and council to find a solution.

"I'm concerned because the Over 50s Club and other groups are growing increasingly frustrated that they can't use what should be a great community facility," he said.

"I want to work with all parties to come up with a compromise as quickly as possible. It seems idiotic to have a £2 million building the community can't use."

Croydon Council said it was "eager" open up the sports centre to public use and was working toward an opening date of

"This allows time to ensure the centre will be run at the best possible standard and the facilities are set up correctly, with the welfare of the centre users an absolute priority," a spokesman said. "In the meantime focus groups and open days will be held to ensure community needs are met."