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Crystal Palace youngster Jake Gray given chance to impress Tony Pulis

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CRYSTAL Palace youngster Jake Gray has been given the chance to shine in front of Tony Pulis on the club's pre-season camp in Austria. The 18-year-old has been a standout performer for the U18 and U21 sides, but now he will be doing all he can to show Pulis what he's capable of for the first team. Along with Gray, Hiram Boateng and Jerome Williams have also flown out to Austria to train with the seniors. Boateng has already played for the first team, most notably against Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup during the last two seasons. Williams played for Palace's first team in the Capital One Cup defeat at Bristol City last August.

Crystal Palace youngster Jake Gray given chance to impress Tony Pulis


Man, 40, charged with kidnap and assault after police shoot dog in Seneca Road, Thornton Heath

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A MAN arrested following an incident during which police shot and killed a dog has been charged with kidnap, assault and GBH. Police were called to reports that a woman has been assaulted in Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, at 11.10pm on July 10. When they went to a house in nearby Seneca Road to arrest the suspect, they were confronted by a pit bull-type dog. Scotland Yard said officers tried to restrain the dog but it was subsequently shot and killed by a firearms officer. A separate officer suffered a minor injury when he was hit by a ricochet after shots were fired, the Advertiser understands. The incident is being investigated by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards and has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Stephen Bennett, 40, of Seneca Road, was charged on July 11 with assault by penetration, kidnap and GBH with intent. He appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court the following day and was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on July 25.

Man, 40, charged with kidnap and assault after police shoot dog in Seneca Road, Thornton Heath

Croydon schoolboy Daniel Spargo-Mabbs died after buying ecstasy from 'scruffy' man on bike

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A SCHOOLBOY died after taking ecstasy at an illegal rave bought from a "scruffy" man on a bike, a court has heard. Ryan Kirk, 21, allegedly sold the drug to a group of teenagers behind warehouses in Croydon. Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, 16, collapsed after taking the party-drug at the unlicensed event in Hayes, west London, on January 18. The teenager, a pupil at Archbishop Tenison's School in Croydon, died at King's College Hospital two days later. A toxicology report showed traces of MDMA in Mr Spargo-Mabbs' blood, Isleworth Crown Court heard. Jurors were told Daniel and some friends, all aged between 15 and 17, set out for the rave on January 17. Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, said: "The group of young men made a bad decision that they would get themselves some ecstasy and indeed did request it over the phone. "You will hear in the backdrop of this deal that one of the young men died as a result of taking that ecstasy. "You are here to deliberate on one question only - whether or not this defendant, this young man, was the person who delivered those drugs on January 17 and whether he had supplied Class A and Class B drugs in the past. "That is really what this case is about." A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reason, rang a drug dealer called "Shampz" and ordered 2.5 grammes of MDMA. The schoolboys pooled their funds to raise £80 for the drugs, with Daniel paying £20, the jurors were told. They waited behind warehouses around 10 minutes walk from Arena tram stop in Croydon. A "pale, skinny and scruffy" young man cycled up to them and handed over three bags of white power in plastic snap bags decorated with blue stars. "The prosecution's case is that the young man who delivered the drugs on that day is Ryan Kirk," said Mr Silcott. Jurors heard "Shampz", whose real name is Nicqueel Pitrora, 18, of London Road, Croydon, has pleaded guilty to a charge of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. A 15-year-old schoolboy who bought the drugs with Daniel said he hard about Pitrora through friends at Trinity School in Croydon. He said: "The boy on the bike was 17 to 18 years of age, he was a light shade of white, he was very skinny...he was wearing a red hoodie, he had his hood up and was scruffy." The boy who arranged the deal later told the court he was only 80 per cent sure the dealer was Kirk. The friends later poured the party drug into bottles containing 100ml of water and drank it in stages on the way to the rave. Daniel bought a 500ml bottle and drank it all in one go after being admitted into the former cotton factory in Pump Lane, Hayes. Another member of the group said: "I think he drank all his bottle in one once we got into the rave. "After Dan drank his bottle he took off his shirt. "He was talking a lot more than he usually does, what he was saying did make sense and he was talking a lot about his girlfriend. "After a while we started dancing." Daniel lost consciousness hours later and died in hospital. Kirk, of Puffin Close, Beckenham, denies being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs on January 17. He also denies supplying Class A drugs between January 2013 and 16 January 2014, and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs over the same period. The trial continues.

Croydon schoolboy Daniel Spargo-Mabbs died after buying ecstasy from 'scruffy' man on bike

Family of brain-damaged girl hit by car campaigning for change in the law

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THE family of a schoolgirl who suffered devastating brain injuries when she was hit by a car crossing the road say they will campaign to change the law after the driver was banned for four years. Amin Aminullah, from South Croydon, drove straight through a red light at a pedestrian crossing on Selsdon Park Road on New Year's Day, hitting 17-year-old schoolgirl Miriam Parker as she crossed the road. Miriam's family were initially told by surgeons it was unlikely she would survive, but she battled through three operations and is due to finally return home on Monday, after having learnt to talk, walk and eat again. The promising Archbishop Tenison's student, now 18, was due to go to university this year to study nursing, and even received acceptance letters while she was in intensive care at St. George's Hospital in Tooting. Aminullah, a chef who lives in South Croydon, was banned from driving for four years and fined £1,400 by District Judge Peter Greenfield at Croydon Magistrates this morning (Tuesday) after he earlier admitted the charge of careless driving. Prosecutor Eka Ike told the court the Crown Prosecution Service had considered a more serious charge of dangerous driving, but decided there was not a realistic prospect of conviction. She also read statements from Miriam's mother Davina and sisters Loren and Kirsty, detailing the trauma they had suffered as a result of the collision and the impact it had had on their family. Kirsty described it as "the most horrific experience of my life". A song written by Miriam since the accident about her experiences was also read aloud to the court. Though he pleaded guilty to the charge of careless driving, Aminullah maintained the light was green before he hit Miriam shortly before 9pm. A letter was read to the court on his behalf, in which he said: "I feel sad about that person and her injuries and as a good human being and as a family guy I understand how painful it is and pray for her recovery." Admitting he could only sentence Aminullah, 41, for the charge to which he had pleaded guilty, Judge Greenfield said he found it difficult to reconcile Aminullah's remorse, with the fact he contested whether the light was red, as he was shifting part of the blame to Miriam. He said: "You went across the crossing on a red light when you should have stopped. It seems to me it's not far off dangerous driving." Speaking after the proceedings Miriam's mother Davina, was pleased Aminullah had been banned, but said there was a gap in the law. "I'm pleased that he's got a ban, but disappointed that he wasn't up for dangerous driving and having heard the judge, I think he was actually disappointed that it wasn't a dangerous driving offence. "We're still aiming to campaign for a change in the law." Davina added that she believes Miriam will need care for the rest of her life. Miriam is due to return to her family home in Carshalton on Monday, but the family will have to move as the house is not suitable for her. Acting Detective Inspector Mick Woollard, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Catford, said: "On 1 January, 2014, the standard of driving by Mr Aminullah fell below that of a competent and careful driver leading to a collision causing terrible injuries to the victim. The consequences of the collision have been emphasised to the court. "There is an unfortunate gap in the law that does not allow a charge of causing serious injury by careless driving, which would have been more appropriate in this case."

Family of brain-damaged girl hit by car campaigning for change in the law

Police search Croydon and surrounding areas for Kent woman missing since Sunday

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POLICE are searching the borders of Croydon and Bromley for a missing woman. Jane Sylvia Dale, 40, failed to return home to Maritime Gate, in Gravesend, Kent, on Sunday (July 13) after travelling to Croydon by car at about 2pm. She was reported missing at 4.30pm the following day following growing concerns for her welfare. Ms Dale has links to the Croydon area, the Met said. The police helicopter is assisting with the search and officers are reportedly going door to door on the border of the two boroughs. She is described as a white woman, 5ft 9 tall, of medium build with dark brown shoulder length hair and brown eyes. She is believed to have been wearing blue Adidas trainers, knee length denim jean shorts, a blue/grey zip up jacket and had a black top or short sleeved white top underneath, and might have been wearing glasses. Anyone who has seen Miss Dale or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call Kent Police on 101 quoting 14-1119.

Police search Croydon and surrounding areas for Kent woman missing since Sunday

I turned down other Premier League clubs to stay at Crystal Palace, says striker Marouane Chamakh

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CRYSTAL Palace striker Marouane Chamakh has revealed he turned down offers from "three or four" other Premier League clubs before signing a two-year deal at Selhurst Park. The Moroccan's contract ran out at the end of June but the both parties continued to negotiate a deal. And the former Arsenal man, who flourished under boss Tony Pulis last season, can clearly see something special is being built in SE25 – and he wants to be part of it. "I had many other offers, including three or four from other teams in England, but I really wanted to stay with Crystal Palace," Chamakh told www.cpfc.co.uk at the club's training base in Austria. "I said before, my first choice was always to stay here, that's why I was waiting to sign for the club. "I could have signed for another team months ago, but I did not want that because I'm really happy here. "I really like the atmosphere around the place and I enjoy working with the players." "I enjoyed myself more last season than I have for a long time because I feel good around the players and the new staff. I am so happy to continue being a part of that group. I really wanted that." "We had a good season last year and we will do everything we can to do the same again this season for everybody – for us and for the fans."

I turned down other Premier League clubs to stay at Crystal Palace, says striker Marouane Chamakh

Man in hospital after Land Rover crashes into railings and overturns in Coulsdon

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A MAN was taken to hospital as a priority after his Land Rover crashed into railings and overturned in Coulsdon last night (Tuesday). Fire crews were called to Stoats Nest Road at about 11.45pm to reports of a vehicle crashing through street furniture. When crews from Croydon, Wallington and Purley fire stations arrived, they found the vehicle on its side, with the male passenger, reported to be in his 50s, still in his seat. There were no other vehicles involved. He was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting by London Ambulance Service as a priority with arm and leg injuries. Purley fire station's watch manager John Thompson said it was a complicated job because they had to cut the top of the car off. Firefighters were at the scene for approximately an hour and a half.

Man in hospital after Land Rover crashes into railings and overturns in Coulsdon

Thornton Heath man charged with murder of Afyon Saint-Hilaire, 22, in Downham, Bromley

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A THORNTON Heath man has been charged with the murder of a 22-year-old man in Downham on Sunday (July 13). Afyon Saint-Hilaire, 22, was found in Coniston Road, Downham, Bromley, at approximately 8.54pm on Sunday suffering from what are believed to be stab injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.43pm. Police were called after reports of a fight outside McDonald's in Old Bromley Road and Mr Saint-Hilaire, of Bromley, was found after crashing his car in Coniston Road. A post-mortem examination held at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough gave cause of death as shock and haemorrhage and a stab wound to the leg. The murder is not being treated as gang-related. Lance Slowley, 23, of Broughton Road, Thornton Heath, Marcus El-Alfy, 18, of Vincent Close, Bromley and Jordache Smith-Challis, 19, of Bentons Rise, West Norwood, have all been charged with murder and conspiracy to rob. They have been remanded in custody to appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court today.

Thornton Heath man charged with murder of Afyon Saint-Hilaire, 22, in Downham, Bromley


Surrey's Roy and Ansari nominated for breakthrough player award

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SURREY duo Jason Roy and Zafar Ansari are up for the County Championship breakthrough player award, which was won in 2013 by team-mate Rory Burns. Roy and Ansari are on a list of ten rising young stars nominated for the award, which will soon be reduced to a shortlist of five before being put to a public vote. A panel of five judges including former England captain Mike Gatting and ECB performance director David Parsons will then select five players to form the shortlist, before voting is opened in August. The ten nominated for the award, which was won by Joe Root in 2012, are: Zafar Ansari (Surrey) Alex Lees (Yorkshire) Craig Overton (Somerset) Sam Hain (Warwickshire) Ben Cox (Worcestershire) Adam Riley (Kent) Jason Roy (Surrey) Reece Topley (Essex) Lewis Gregory (Somerset) Will Tavaré (Gloucestershire)

Surrey's Roy and Ansari nominated for breakthrough player award

Man accused of selling ecstasy to schoolboy Daniel Spargo-Mabbs claims he was 'playing X-Box' at the time

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A MAN accused of selling ecstasy to a schoolboy who later collapsed and died denied the offence and said he was at home playing X-Box at the time. Ryan Kirk, 21, is accused of selling 2.5 grammes of the party-drug on a red mountain bike to five schoolboys aged between 15 and 17. Daniel Spargo-Mabbs collapsed after taking the party drug at an illegal rave in a factory in Hayes on January 18, Isleworth Crown Court heard. The teenager, a pupil at Archbishop Tenison's School, died at King's College Hospital two days later. Daniel and some friends had pooled their cash to buy the MDMA before attending the rave. The boys had walked around 10 minutes from Arena tram stop in Woodside and waited outside some warehouses in the area. After collecting the illegal powder from a "scruffy" man on a bike, the boys headed to the rave on January 17. Kirk told the court he had stayed at home playing X-Box on the night Daniel was sold the killer drug. He claimed he had not ridden a bike since he was "16 or 17". "I think I look stupid on a bike, I'm pretty lanky," he told jurors. The mountain bike belonged to his best friend but was usually unchained outside Kirk's house and could be used by anyone, jurors heard. He said he had a 'big argument' with his sister after arriving home at around 4am on January 17. "When I got home I had an argument with my sister and I was pretty annoyed. "It was actually over something stupid - over socks or something stupid like that," he said. Kirk claimed he shut himself in his room and played the games Fifa and Call of Duty until the early hours of the morning. Four days later he was arrested at a party in his neighbour's home. Police had raided the bedroom he shared with 18-year-old brother Lou Kirk and found £850 worth of cannabis, electronic scales and plastic snap bags. The skunk weed was found in Lou's chest of drawers - Kirk said he knew nothing about the drugs. "I genuinely thought I had nothing to worry about, I thought I would be interviewed and then go home," he said. "I never dealt any drugs to anybody. "Around 10 hours later they pulled me out of the cell and I went to the front desk, they said I was being bailed for the cannabis in the room and they said I was being charged with Class A drugs - that is when they first told me that someone had died." In police interview, Kirk had claimed he was buying dog food and cigarettes for his mum from Tescos in Elmers End around the time the fatal deal was struck. He told the court he had his "days mixed up and insisted "I've never given anyone drugs". The prosecution claim the dealer was Ryan Kirk after a 16-year-old boy who arranged the for the drugs picked him out of an identity parade. But the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he was only 80 per cent sure Kirk was the man he met that evening after making an arrangement with a dealer named "Shampz". Jurors heard heard "Shampz", real name Nicqueel Pitrora, 18, of London Road, Croydon, has pleaded guilty to supplying Class A drugs. Pitrora is said to be good friends with Kirk's brother, but he was not picked out during the identity procedure. Kirk, of Puffin Close, Beckenham, Kent, denies supplying Class A drugs on January 17. He also denies being supplying Class A drugs between 1 January 2013 and 16 January 1 2014 and supplying Class B drugs over the same period. The trial continues.

Man accused of selling ecstasy to schoolboy Daniel Spargo-Mabbs claims he was 'playing X-Box' at the time

Police searching for missing woman say she was last seen in Purley

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POLICE searching for a missing woman on the borders of Croydon and Bromley say she was last seen in Purley. Jane Sylvia Dale, 40, was seen in the town at 5.45pm on Sunday (July 13). Her car, a silver Ford Focus was found locked and empty in Norheads Lane, Biggin Hill. It is believed to have been parked there from around 7pm that evening. She had failed to return home to Maritime Gate, in Gravesend, Kent after travelling to Croydon by car at about 2pm. She was reported missing at 4.30pm the following day following growing concerns for her welfare. The mother of three is described as a white woman, 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, with straight, dark brown shoulder length hair, which may be worn in a ponytail, and brown eyes. She is believed to have been wearing blue Adidas trainers, knee length denim jean shorts, a blue/grey zip up jacket and had a black top or short sleeved white top underneath, and might have been wearing glasses. Detective Inspector Ivan Beasley, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "It is out of character for Jane to go missing and her family are very concerned for her welfare. "We have specialised teams searching for Jane but would urge anybody with any information or anyone who has seen her to call us on 101, quoting reference 14-1119. "Even information that may seem insignificant can provide us with a valuable lead so please come forward."

Police searching for missing woman say she was last seen in Purley

Academy in Croydon refuses to pay staff who taught revision classes over Easter holiday

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AN ACADEMY is refusing to pay staff who taught revision classes over the Easter holiday. Five teachers at Winterbourne Boys' Academy, in Thornton Heath, gave up a week of the school break to help pupils with their studies, for which they thought they would be paid £500. However, Platanos Trust, the organisation which runs the academy, has refused to pay them because the revision sessions were organised before it took over the school at the start of April. It claims the responsibility lies with Croydon Council, but the authority says Platanos is liable. The matter is being pursued by solicitors from the NUT. The dispute follows strike action at the school on three consecutive weeks, with staff walking out in a row over lesson observations. The NUT says staff have been subjected to "punitive" assessments on an almost daily basis, with little to no feedback. Platanos argues the measures are necessary to improve teaching at the school which was placed into special measures by Ofsted in October 2012. On Tuesday, union members picketed Platanos Academy, the trust's parent school in Lambeth. They called on representatives from Platanos to reopen negotiations, but left empty handed. Winterbourne Junior Boys School became a Platanos academy on April 1. From April 7 to 11 - the first week of the Easter holiday - five teachers did five days of revision classes. When the money did not appear in their April or May pay cheques they were told to contact the local authority, which said the responsibility lay with Platanos. The NUT became involved and issued a solicitor's letter to the trust. Platanos replied that claims it was liable were "patently untrue" and suggested the staff contact the school's former executive head teacher Tony Ahmet. The Advertiser approached Platanos Trust for a comment. None was forthcoming, though a consultant representing the organisation sent our office a copy of letter it had sent to the NUT, which named the teachers affected by the dispute. Dave Harvey, secretary of Croydon NUT, said: "As this matter is in the hands of NUT solicitors, I am unable to comment." A council spokesman said: "Winterbourne became part of the Platanos Trust on 1 April, prior to the school Easter holidays. The council is, therefore, not liable for the costs incurred during the Easter break."

Academy in Croydon refuses to pay staff who taught revision classes over Easter holiday

Lerone Boye, murderer of New Addington teenager, says escape from mental health unit was 'best three months of my life'

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THE convicted murderer of a New Addington teenager who went on the run from a mental health unit said his escape had been the "best three months of my life". Lerone Boye, 28, of no fixed address, absconded from the John Howard Centre last October while serving 28 years for the murder of Kelvin Chibueze, 17, in Ilford in 2011. He was found on January 21 this year hiding under a bed in Chigwell, Essex, and pleaded guilty to being unlawfully at large on Wednesday (July 16) at Snaresbrook Crown Court as his trial began. When asked by officers if his escape had been worth it, Boye replied: "Best three months of my life." Dean Ablakwa, 29, of Enfield, a social therapist at the John Howard Centre, in Homerton, was acquitted of conspiracy to assist an offender escape from lawful custody. On October 16 Mr Ablakwa was asked to escort another patient to reception for approved unescorted community leave but took Boye at the same time without asking permission or alerting more senior staff. When in the airlock area near the door, Boye appeared to bend down as the other patient legitimately signed himself out before Boye pushed the patient away and made his escape. Boye had been part of a group who stabbed and chased Kelvin as a fight broke out outside a club in Ilford, leaving him to die in a car park after he collapsed. Boye will be sentenced at a later date.

Lerone Boye, murderer of New Addington teenager, says escape from mental health unit was 'best three months of my life'

GAK Graz 1-13 Crystal Palace: Eagles smash Austrian part-timers

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CRYSTAL Palace kicked off their pre-season campaign with a stunning 13-1 victory against GAK Graz in Austria on Wednesday evening. Stephen Dobbie grabbed four goals, while Jonny Williams and Glenn Murray scored braces. Youngster Jake Gray also got himself on the scoresheet. At the Kalsdorf Stadium, boss Tony Pulis started with Wayne Hennessey in goal, while Glenn Murray and Dwight Gayle were given a chance up front together. It took just four minutes for Palace to take the lead when a whipped-in corner was headed upwards and back into the mixer, before Joe Ledley prodded home from close range. The Eagles doubled their lead shortly after when Yannick Bolasie converted a penalty with ease after he was fouled. It was soon number three on 18 minutes when Murray found the back of the net. Hennessey was given something to do after 33 minutes when he saved a shot comfortably straight at him, before Murray helped himself to his second of the evening with Palace's fourth. Hennessey was on hand to tip a long range effort around the post, before the Eagles grabbed a fifth when Jerome Thomas raced on to find the bottom corner. Pulis made wholesale changes at the break, with the likes of Paddy McCarthy, Jonny Williams, Marouane Chamakh, Stephen Dobbie, Jake Gray, Hiram Boateng, Stuart O'Keefe, Peter Ramage and Jose Campana getting a run out. Fans who may have been expecting another easy 45 minutes were given something to think about when the hosts grabbed a goal back to huge applause through Laurent Sacher shortly into the second period. But then it did become extremely easy. Jonny Williams looked lively with a couple of chances before delivering a low ball across the box. And then what was to come next was nothing less than spectacular from Dobbie, who scored a hat-trick in the space of five minutes to put Palace into a 8-1 lead. It was soon number nine when Gray found the net for Palace, before Chamakh got himself on the scoresheet with Palace's tenth of the night. Williams grabbed Palace's 11th, before the impressive Dobbie scored his fourth with another cool finish. He nearly got a fifth, only for the home goalkeeper to make a fine save to everyone's surprise. Williams then finished off the rout with his second of the night to end the scoring and send the travelling Palace fans extremely happy. Money well spent in their minds, indeed. Palace first half: Hennessey, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Jerome Williams, Bolasie, Bannan, Ledley, Thomas, Murray, Gayle. Palace second half: Kettings, Hunt, Ramage, McCarthy, Boateng, O'Keefe, Campana, Gray, Jonny Williams, Dobbie, Chamakh.

GAK Graz 1-13 Crystal Palace: Eagles smash Austrian part-timers

Second Thornton Heath man charged with murder of young father Afyon Saint-Hilaire in Downham, Bromley

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A SECOND man from Thornton Heath has been charged with the murder of a 22-year-old father from Downham. Vishal Deowram, 18, of Wharfedale Gardens, was arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to rob yesterday (Wednesday). Yesterday Lance Slowley, 23, of Broughton Road, Thornton Heath, Marcus El-Alfy, 18, of Vincent Close, Bromley and Jordache Smith-Challis, 19, of Bentons Rise, West Norwood, appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court also charged with murder and conspiracy to rob. Afyon Saint-Hilaire, 22, was found in Coniston Road, Downham, Bromley, at approximately 8.54pm on Sunday suffering from what are believed to be stab injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.43pm. Police were called after reports of a fight outside McDonald's in Old Bromley Road and Mr Saint-Hilaire, of Bromley, was found after crashing his car in Coniston Road. A post-mortem examination held at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough gave cause of death as shock and haemorrhage and a stab wound to the leg. The murder is not being treated as gang-related.

Second Thornton Heath man charged with murder of young father Afyon Saint-Hilaire in Downham, Bromley


Crystal Palace boss: Attitude was first class in 13-1 victory

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Tony Pulis says his players enjoyed playing football again after an extremely tough few days of training in Austria. Following the 13-1 trouncing of minnows GAK Graz on Wednesday evening, Pulis was delighted with the fitness of his players and hailed them for their hard work. Hill runs, bikes rides and sprints has been on the agenda since their arrival, and it paid dividends come kick-off. The boss told the Palace website www.cpfc.co.uk: "They've worked hard this week. Their attitude and approach to the work that we've put in front of them has been absolutely first class. "It's nice they've gone out there and not messed around. They've got their heads down and they've done it properly, which you'd expect from this group. "It wasn't really about the result, it was about the players putting in the effort. "The lads worked hard this morning, they've worked hard for a week, so they'll have been pleased to get the ball out and get playing football again. "Our lads are physically very, very fit and that showed. The longer the game went on the more opportunities and chances we got."

Crystal Palace boss: Attitude was first class in 13-1 victory

It's up to Tony Pulis on my Crystal Palace future, says forward

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STEPHEN Dobbie was very happy to score four goals for Crystal Palace against GAK Graz on Wednesday night but knows he still faces a difficult task in gaining regular football next season. The attacker spent the last campaign on loan at Blackpool and has been linked with moves away from Selhurst Park. With Marouane Chamakh, Glenn Murray and Dwight Gayle also vying for starting places – and the possibility of another striker arriving – Dobbie knows he has to keep working hard to convince boss Tony Pulis. "I won't get carried away," the 31-year-old told www.cpfc.co.uk. "It was our first game against an Austrian local team, so I'll take it for what it is, train as hard as I can and see what the manager thinks after that. "Obviously the final decision is up to him, but I'll just keep working hard, as I've done this week, and see what happens. "It was a good performance, a professional performance from the lads. This week was all about fitness and getting confidence for tougher games so the boys will take that into the trip to America next week. "To go and get that amount of goals and see the strikers hit the net is always important."

It's up to Tony Pulis on my Crystal Palace future, says forward

Crystal Palace fan Q&A: This could be Jonny Williams' year

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In the build-up to the new Premier League season, the Advertiser has spoken to a number of our newspaper and website columnists to get their views on the new campaign. This week, we have Alex White, who believes this could be Jonny Williams' year at Palace. The fixtures have been unveiled. Which one(s) did you look out for first? I think you look to the London derbies and Newcastle is always a cracking day out.Which away fixture are you most looking forward to? I am quite excited for QPR away; it's been a few years since we have visited there and is always a good laugh.And what was your best away day experience last season? Aston Villa certainly had all the drama but to beat West Ham and confirm survival was a sensational emotion.How do you think Leicester City, Burnley and QPR will do next season? They will struggle in an extremely tough division. QPR and Leicester will spend big but I can still see at least two of those three facing the drop.Which Palace player(s) are you most excited about for the new season? I think with KG leaving and Pulis contemplating a style change I think it really could be Jonny Williams' year. Dwight Gayle will look to continue good form too.Are you going to any pre-season matches, first team and/or U21 games? I will look to see a few friendlies but unfortunately not travelling to the USA.Where can the Eagles finish next season – can you finish higher than 11th? We are going to be a tough side to predict for next season. Most people don't know what to expect but I would be chuffed with safety again, I wouldn't want to be plagued with the second season syndrome. Which positions does Tony Pulis need to strengthen in, and why? Defensively we need two left backs and you'd probably look for a striker and two midfielders for bulk. Do you have an eye on any particular players you'd like to see sign for Palace? Yes, a few who haven't been mentioned I think some fantastic acquisitions would be a double swoop for Wigan pair Callum McManaman and James McArthur.

Crystal Palace fan Q&A: This could be Jonny Williams' year

Do Crystal Palace have a player called Joniesta? Sky Sports News seem to think so

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CRYSTAL Palace thumped Austrian minnows GAK Graz 13-1 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night, and the list of goalscorers seemed to bamboozle a few people. Count Sky Sports News as one of those, who believe a player called 'Joniesta' scored Palace's 13th goal of the evening. Of course, they are referring to Academy product and the much-loved Jonny Williams. The 20-year-old has always said that Barcelona and Spain playmaker Andres Iniesta is one of idols - and has been dubbed 'Joniesta' as a result due to their similar style of play. Williams scored in the second half on Wednesday - and that was spelt correctly by Sky Sports - before the satellite channel somehow came up with another name for his second. The screengrab image from one Palace fan has caused frenzy among fellow Eagles supporters.

Do Crystal Palace have a player called Joniesta? Sky Sports News seem to think so

Firefighters tackle 'grass fire' at Cane Hill through the night

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FIREFIGHTERS spent hours tackling a grass fire at Cane Hill last night and into the early hours of this morning (Thursday). A pile of logs, 40m by 10m was destroyed by the fire, though no-one was injured. Crews from Purley, Croydon, Wallington, Mitcham and Norbury were called to the blaze near Coulsdon at 9.35pm yesterday. They had the fire under control by 2am today, but crew are still at the scene, damping down remaining hot spots. A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: "The Brigade was called at 2135 and the fire was under control at 0206. "Crews remain at the scene damping down remaining hot spots of fire. "The cause of the fire is under investigation."

Firefighters tackle 'grass fire' at Cane Hill through the night

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