A PRIEST has returned to work after being accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

Francis Moran had been withdrawn from St Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, in Brook Road, Thornton Heath, since his arrest in September 2012.

He was questioned about allegations made by a man, in his 30s, about alleged abuse in his early teens but, in July 2013, Canon Moran was told he would face no further action as there was insufficient evidence.

The Archdiocese of Southwark conducted its own investigation while the priest remained away from St Andrew's.

He returned to church life over the summer and, when approached by the Advertiser this week, said he had decided not to speak publicly about what had happened.

"I've been back for a while now and I'm settled in," he said. "I just want to move on." 

The Archdiocese has yet to comment.

A DRIVER who left his passenger with "catastrophic" life changing injuries after losing control of his car has been handed a three year jail sentence.

Ferdinand Page, of Vanguard Close, West Croydon, was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and disqualified from driving for three years at Southwark Crown Court on September 2.

Kelvin Walker, his passenger, was left paralysed from the breast bone down after the crash on Streatham High Road in Lambeth on 28 December 2012.

The court heard how Page, 31, sped off and drove at "excessive speed" as traffic lights turned green after a police car pulled alongside him.

He lost control of the vehicle, crashed through the central reservation, hitting several trees, and drove into a parked lorry.

Page climbed free through the car window leaving Mr Walker trapped but police arrived moments later and started emergency first aid which saved his life.

London Fire Brigade cut him free from the vehicle and he was taken to St George's hospital by paramedics, while Page was arrested at the scene.

PC Rebecca Adams, from Brixton CPU said: "This incident had a devastating effect not only on Kelvin, but also on his young family.

"Page attempted to flee, leaving Kelvin trapped. Despite life-changing injuries, Kelvin has been an inspiration in the face of horrific adversity. He has maintained a positive outlook and hopes to regain some use of his limbs.

"The offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving came into force shortly before this incident. Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of Page's contemptible actions which remain unexplained."

POLICE are still looking for the driver of a car which they believe deliberately hit a clubber in South Norwood last Sunday (August 31).

A man, 31, was left with potentially life-changing injuries including a fractured skull after he was hit in Whitehorse Lane after leaving Crystals nightclub.

Detectives believe the car was a light-coloured Hyundai Amica car with a registration number of W431 BHK.

The victim and his friends were walking along the road when a car is said to have driven at speed behind them, mounted the pavement and struck the victim before driving off in the direction of South Norwood Hill.

Police have not been able to establish or contact the registered keeper of the vehicle and are asking for the public's assistance to trace the vehicle.

The car has links to Eltham, Anerley and Enfield and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who has seen the vehicle, knows where it is or who owns it.

Detective Constable Lorna Sillet, from Croydon CID, who is investigating the incident, said: "The victim was left with very serious injuries and sustained a fractured skull as a result of this incident.

"We're determined to identify and find those responsible and we're asking the public for their help in locating this vehicle.

"Please get in touch if you've seen it in the past few days, or if you know where it is. We'd also ask any garages in the London and south-east area to contact us if they've carried out, or had requests for repair work on a vehicle matching this description since Sunday."

THE case against a Thornton Heath vicar accused of conducting the most sham marriages in British legal history is due to be outlined as his trial today.

Reverend Nathan Ntege, 55, is alleged to have presided over 492 weddings over a 15-month period at St Jude's with St Aiden's Church, in Thornton Heath, as part of an illegal immigration ring. 

He is standing trial at Inner London Crown Court with Brian Miller, 81, a verger at church, Maudlyn Riviere, 67, Galina Petkova, 51, Georgia  Forteath, 34, Innocent Odoh, 34, and Angela Pelachie, 54. 

A jury was sworn in yesterday (Monday) after potential jurors were asked if they had any connection with the UK Border Agency, the Diocese of Southwark, St Jude's with St Aiden's or St John's Church in Waterloo. 

Ntege, who wore his dog collar in the dock, is charged with 14 immigration offences relating to marriages at the Church of St Jude's and St Aidan's in Thornton Road.

He also faces a charge of fraud in relation to £69,498 of marriage fees he allegedly failed to pay to the Diocese of Southwark. 

Petkova is alleged to have acted as a "fixer" for a number of weddings, as well as allegedly being married in one of the ceremonies herself. 

The charges follow an investigation by the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) South London Criminal and Financial Investigation Unit.

Ntege was originally arrested on suspicion of conducting sham marriages on June 4, 2011.

The church was searched as part of the investigation, the Diocese of Southwark and Church of England were informed and Miller was arrested on November 17.

The prosecution is expected to open its case at 10am today (Tuesday).

Ntege, of Dunheaved Road North, Thornton Heath, denies 14 charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law and one of fraud by abuse of position between January 15, 2007, and May 31, 2011.

Riviere, of Lucerne Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon, faces 15 charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law.

Miller, of Owl Close, South Croydon, denies seven charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law.

Petkova, of Shrubbery Road, Enfield, North London, denies seven of the same charges.

Forteath, of South Norwood, South London, faces two charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law.

Pelachie, of Florida Road, Croydon, denies one count of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law and another of deception in relation to UK immigration law between 20 April 2010 and 10 January 2011.

Odoh, of Brownhill Road, Lewisham, southeast London, faces a charge of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law and another of deception in relation to UK immigration law between 18 May 2011 and 29 February 2012.

AN ARMED robber made off with cash from a bookmaker's in Coulsdon just two weeks after it opened.

The man, armed with a handgun, threatened a member of staff at Coral in Chipstead Valley Road on Friday afternoon (September 5), before stealing cash from the tills and escaping at around 3.50pm.

A police spokesman described the suspect as a black man, approximately 5ft 7ins tall, wearing a black hooded top with Adidas stripes down the arms, grey jogging bottoms and a white mask covering his face.

He said: "Detectives from the Met's Flying Squad are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made at this stage.

"Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident should call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

The Coral bookmaker's opened in the town centre on September 15, exactly two weeks before the robbery.

A spokeswoman for Coral declined to comment for "security purposes".

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to extinguish plans for an incinerator on the borders of Croydon and Sutton have scored an early victory ahead of October's high court battle.

The Stop the Incinerator Campaign's preparations for next month's judicial review hit a dead end over the summer when their legal team were refused complete access to the full 25-year contract.

Instead, the documents provided by Sutton Council were redacted, at odds with the duty of disclosure both sides agreed to ahead of the hearing.

It took Deighton Pierce Glynn, solicitors representing the campaigners, to successfully apply for a High Court order to finally obtain the unedited files.

Shasha Khan, the campaigner heading the legal challenge, said: "Arguably, the contract is integrally linked to the granting of planning permission for the incinerator.

"Indeed Mr Justice Collins, when granting permission for the judicial review, observed that the possible conflict of interest for Sutton Council, both the planning authority and waste partner, 'is all too obvious'.

"When making this observation he was of course referring to the fact that the contract had been signed before planning permission had been granted."

Four councils - Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Merton - have signed a contract with waste firm Viridor to build and operate an incinerator in Beddington Lane.

If built, the plant - dubbed an 'energy recovery facility' will burn around 275,000 tonnes of rubbish each year to create energy.

Campaigners claim the incinerator poses serious health risks and argue Sutton Council did not follow proper policies when approving the plan.

In June they were granted permission for a judicial review of the decision by a judge who agreed the case was "arguable" and that there could have been a conflict of interests between Sutton and Viridor.

The case is due to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice on October 8 and 9.

When the Advertiser approached Sutton Council about the redacted contract the authority issued the same response as it had when the review was granted - it welcomes the judicial review because it believes planning regulations were followed.

Mr Khan continues to raise money for the legal costs of the judicial review, which could run up to £35,000.

A fundraising lunch will take place at The Alchemist Restaurant, in Croydon, on September 28.

Entry costs £10 and more details can be found at www.stoptheincinerator.co.uk.

A CYCLIST involved in a collision with a car in South Croydon was taken to hospital this morning.

The rider, believed to be in his fifties, was treated for injuries to his head and knee by paramedics and taken to Croydon University Hospital. The injuries were not life-threatening, according to London Ambulance Service.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at about 9am this morning to Brighton Road at the junction with Haling Road to reports of a collision between a car and cyclist. London Ambulance crews attended the incident."

He added Haling Road was closed while Police investigated the incident and said "it was too early to say" whether any action would be taken against the driver, who was unhurt.

A VICAR in Thornton Heath presided over a "conveyor belt" of sham marriages where brides queued for up to nine weddings a day, a court has heard.

Reverend Nathan Ntege, 55, is accused of conducting 492 ceremonies over a 15-month period at the Church of St Jude's and St Aidan's in Thornton Road.

The court heard that Ntege was the "lynchpin" of a group responsible for abuse of the immigration system on an "industrial scale". 

Couples would wait their turn at the back of the church as brides changed into their wedding dresses in the garden, sometimes even sharing the same dress, Inner London Crown Court was told.

One woman could barely fit into her gown and the jury was shown wedding snaps of her underwear bulging out, it is said.

Ntege, originally from Uganda but now living in Croydon, also pocketed around £70,000 in wedding fees owed to the Diocese of Southwark, it is said.

He allegedly helped hundreds of illegal immigrants get into the country by marrying them to EU nationals in illegal ceremonies at the "no questions asked" church.

Church verger Brian Miller, 81, and secretary Maudlyn Riviere, 67, are accused of taking part in the scam by organising the weddings and recording bogus details on the marriage certificates.

Galina Petkova, 51, and Georgia Forteath, 34, were both married in the ceremonies themselves, acted as 'fixers' and helped the illegal immigrants to lie on their application forms, it is claimed.

Innocent Odoh, 34, and Angela Pelachie, 54, also came into the country under false marriages but were arrested after immigration officers became suspicious of their circumstances, it is said.

Odoh did not know his wife's birthday, the names and ages of her children or where she lived, the court heard.

Prosecutor Edward Lucas said immigration officers became suspicious about the number of weddings at the church, which rocketed from six a year to six a day and with nine booked for the same date on one occasion.

"Attention was drawn to this parish church due to the inordinate number of weddings taking place at the church, presided over in the most part by Rev Ntege," he said.

"The Crown asserts that many of these weddings were bogus or sham.

"There were of course some legitimate weddings, it would have been more of a surprise if there were not.

"The weddings were neither conducted correctly or legally and their sole purpose was to facilitate industrial scale abuse of the system of immigration control in the UK.

"Many involved European Economic Area (EEA) nationals marrying non-EEA nationals, the latter had either no leave at all to be in the UK, no legal status or whose leave had expired or was about to expire.

"They were mainly Bulgarian nationals sourced by the fixers.

"The non-EEA citizens could seek to stay in the UK as the spouse of a national.

"The number of marriages cannot have taken place at this single church by coincidence.

"Persons wishing to go through with these bogus or sham marriages were introduced specifically to this church because it was a no questions asked church.

"The Rev Ntege was integral to this process because without him there would have been no weddings at the church.

"He was the lynchpin, a vital part of this enterprise, he conducted the marriages in full knowledge of the fact that they were bogus."

Ntege also pocketed more than £69,000 in wedding fees as most of the ceremonies were paid for in cash, it is said.

"It's more than just a coincidence that during the same period he transferred £55,560 to Uganda," Mr Lucas told the jury.

On one occasion there were nine weddings booked for one day and brides would queue out the door waiting for their turn, the court heard.

Women would change in and out of their wedding dresses in the church or garden outside and couples had never met each other before the big day, it is said.

"The weddings themselves were somewhat farcical," Mr Lucas said.

"Brides would share the same wedding dressed and queue up at the back of the church, waiting to be married.

"One witness said that he often saw women getting changed into dresses inside the church or in the church garden.

"False addresses were routinely recorded and weddings were conducted with few or no guests," Mr Lucas said.

"They were processed by Ntege and his team like a conveyor belt.

"It was a complete sham and they knew it."

Miller was present at a number of the bogus weddings to 'give them some legitimacy' Mr Lucas told the court.

"He knew full well that the weddings were entirely bogus," he added.

"Mr Miller was to say that the marriages were 'technically correct but morally bankrupt'.

"He knew that these marriages were for convenience and that their sole purpose was to obtain status for non-EEA nationals in the UK.

"Riviere was the church secretary and had a key role in liaising with participants, collecting cash and recording entirely bogus details on the certificates.

"She was also present at many of the weddings.

'She and Miller were part of a team processing and run it an inordinate number of sham marriages."

Petkova and Forteath acted as fixers sourcing foreign nationals and lying on immigration application forms, it is claimed.

"They helped arrange the weddings and maintain genuine marriage on the forms,' Mr Lucas said.

"They both appear on marriage certificates in ceremonies at St Jude's.

"Their role was pivotal because without them there would be no non-EEA citizens."

He added: "The individuals involved were totally unknown to each other prior to the weddings.

"This was wide-spread abuse of the system of immigration control of illegal foreign nationals in the UK."

Ntege and his gang continued to carry out the conspiracy even after warnings from the Archdeacon of Southwark and immigration officers, the court heard.

"There can be no doubt that Ntege, Miller and Riviere were aware of the concerns about the numbers of marriages with foreign nationals taking place at St Jude's," Mr Lucas said.

"They knew these were not marriages of love but of convenience and whose only purpose was for one of the participants to remain in the UK."

The charges follow an investigation by the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) South London Criminal and Financial Investigation Unit.

Ntege was originally arrested on suspicion of conducting sham marriages on June 4, 2011.

The church was searched as part of the investigation, the Diocese of Southwark and Church of England were informed and Miller was arrested on November 17.

Ntege, of Dunheaved Road North, Thornton Heath, Croydon, denies 14 charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law and one of fraud by abuse of position between 15 January 2007 and 31 May 2011.

Riviere, of Lucerne Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon, faces 15 charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law.

Miller, of Owl Close, South Croydon, denies seven charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law.

Petkova, of Shrubbery Road, Enfield, North London, denies seven of the same charges.

Forteath, of South Norwood, faces two charges of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law.

Pelachie, of Florida Road, Croydon, denies one count of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law and another of deception in relation to UK immigration law between 20 April 2010 and 10 January 2011.

Odoh, of Brownhill Road, Lewisham, southeast London, faces a charge of commissioning a breach of UK immigration law and another of deception in relation to UK immigration law between 18 May 2011 and 29 February 2012. 

The trial continues. 

FOOTGOLFERS took to the fairways to try and beat Crystal Palace legend Mark Bright in Addington on Sunday – but the former pro emerged triumphant.

Bright, 52, staged his first Challenge Brighty event at Addington Court, in Featherbed Lane, and had promised a signed Eagles' shirt to anyone who could beat his score.

But the former Sheffield Wednesday striker was able to keep his ink dry as he shot a total of 60 (five under par) around the 18-hole course.

He was beaten by the course's director of golf Paul Oliver, who shot a course record of 54 but did not compete in the challenge.

Mr Oliver said: "It was a great event and for Brighty to win his own event was great. One lad shot 61 and was just one shot behind Brighty.

"He's very good and he's had a bit of practice so he knows not to do anything too flashy."

There were 17 competitors in the event with the scores posted ranging from 61 to 88 and two of the challengers even managed holes in one.

Bright joined each group for a few holes although Mr Oliver's hopes for a future event are somewhat ambitious.

He said: "It was good, Mark played a few holes with each group which was good because it brought some fresh banter to it.

"We said we want to hold Challenge Messi next time but obviously that might be a bit difficult so we'll probably do another Challenge Brighty."

OUR Crystal Palace columnist ALEX WHITE thinks the international break came at a good time for the Eagles, but he continues to be angered by the absence of certain names from the England squad...

I THINK the international break will be a blessing in disguise for Neil Warnock and the squad. The players that haven't travelled to join their national teams got a chance to work with Neil for an extra week and start to make the transition into his beliefs. 

From what I've heard from inside the camp, the squad have had a great week and are really enjoying the new regime already which will certainly make us Palace folk sleep easier at night. The break has allowed the likes of Zaha and Johnson re-integrate into the squad and get used to their new/old surroundings. Granted players like Doyle and McArthur haven't had time to train with the club but still got game time under their name and will be fit and raring to go come the weekend. 

The break also allowed time for Scott Dann to regain full fitness and Chamkah to begin his return from injury. Fortunately Captain Fantastic Mile Jedinak led the Soceroos in London vs South Africa, so we have an advantage of limited travelling. It will also allow the club to focus on clearing the ranks a little with players such as Garvan, Kebe and Ramage expected to depart on loan.

The squad selection of our very own national team backed up my previous articles calling for the likes of Joel Ward, Jason Puncheon and Scott Dann deserving a call up for their country. There is very little point me ranting about it again because the selection ignorance and arrogance won't change in this country and that's why we are decades behind the best national team.

An example is that Callum Chambers gets picked for England, nothing against Chambers – I like him but he has played 24 professional games and gets a call up. If he was still playing at Southampton there is no chance he would have been put in that squad. This is one of many examples of big club favouritism.

It seems strange to be calling the next match a must win but a result against relegation rivals Burnley would certainly be a signal of intent. With the transfer window over and a vastly improved squad, I think we have every reason to be positive. 

I also think the return of Warnock, Johnson and Zaha to Selhurst will certainly help lift the place, not that it takes much to lift the loudest fans in the league! 

Stand-up comic and TV star Omid Djalili is coming to Croydon as part of his latest tour. Here, James Rampton talks to the funnyman about audiences, relationships and his appearance on Splash!...

Is stand-up your first love?

I've done lots of different things and enjoyed them but stand-up, when it goes well – it often doesn't – is definitely a love. There's something deeply satisfying about a good gig.

I'm not often happy with myself as an actor. I get upset when I see myself acting on screen, mostly because of the way I look.

But as a stand-up it's always a bonus if you look heavy or awkward or damaged…in my case it helps in fact.

Do you feel fired up on stage?

Not really fired up, but sometimes I am genuinely upset when a show is over. I would love to go on all night… in a way I understand Ken Dodd who famously starts at 8pm and sometimes finishes at 2am. My problem is I just don't have the material.

So I usually just take the feeling of loss and disappointment off with me when I say goodnight and drive home alone in the dark thinking of the good times and how I can say more next time and say it better.

Is your relationship with the audience important?

Most comedians are sensitive to audience reaction. Generally speaking, comics like people. Stand-up is basically one person talking to many people.

If you're not too nervous about speaking and saying what's on your mind in a one on one then that openness is what you need on stage. It's important not to be too hung up about what people think of you. Finding a comedy voice can take years though.

What themes will you be addressing in the new show?

Growing older. We all struggle with it. As Dave Allen once said, 'I enjoy getting older. I have to because there's no choice'.

When you hit your forties you understand life better, but at the same time your body is more prone to fail. So you have to find a way of joining your received wisdom with physical prowess.

A lot of men who hit 40 try to do things that make them feel more alive because they want to prove themselves.

That's why I did Splash! I wanted to do something out of the box, stretch my courage and prove I was still a young man at heart even though my bits were dropping off.

What else will you be discussing?

Relationships. I think I've maybe come to understand the secret to them now.

I know when a woman gets married, she has to learn to forgive her man from day one. Because men are idiots.

You also address the subject of celebrity in this show…

Yes. I talk about the fact that when you become a celebrity, or in fact in any line of work where you feel you are important, there is a period when you become an arse. It happens to everyone.

You start believing your own hype and behave foolishly. A more eloquent way would be to describe it as becoming "a plaything of the ignorant".

Am I right your act has become less overly political these days?

I don't feel the same pressure to talk about things in the news any more. On Twitter, comics feel they constantly have to comment on things that are trending and put their oar in.

But nowadays if everyone is talking about fracking I'll just talk about Peters and Lee (1970's singing duo).

Is there such a thing as an archetypal comedian's mentality?

Erm… not really. But most comedians I know do have a filter missing.

They usually 'go for the gag', even if it's at the expense of total social humiliation, but they still do it because they know it'll be great story they can tell later (or even use on stage).

It's almost as if comics need to be loved and talked about more than being respected.

Stories circulate amongst comedians about who did what and when and stories are told with such relish, they almost become myth.

Are you happy with where your career is?

Well… I think in life you have to count your blessings otherwise you'll never be happy.

But I haven't worked out the reason why I'm overweight yet, and I really shouldn't be. It's an issue that takes precedence, so forgive me for not really answering your question.

Omid Djalili's show, Iranalamadingdong, comes to Fairfield Halls on Saturday, October 11, from 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £25, from the box office, 020 8688 9291, or online at www.fairfield.co.uk

A seven-year-old has had her hair cut off to make wigs for children who have lost their hair because of cancer.

Anaika Barot, from Purley, had hair down to her hips before Sunday when she had 14 inches of it cut off. She has also raised over £1000 for the Little Princess Trust, who give free, real-hair wigs to boys and girls who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Each wig needs at least seven inches of hair and costs £350, so Anaika has donated enough to make two wigs.

She had her hair cut by a family friend in the Windmill pub in South Croydon, where her parents are landlords.

She said: "I was scared to be in front of all the people but I wasn't nervous to cut my hair. I was excited even when it wasn't time I wanted to do it that instant.

"I'm happy because I cut it for children with cancer and my mum thinks it's a perfect style for me. Now I can style my hair by myself because it was very knotty.

"I'm helping someone because if I just cut my hair normally it wouldn't go to anyone it wouldn't help anyone but me and there's nothing wrong with me.

"It makes me feel to cry for good and it makes me very happy."

Around 50 of Anaika's friends and family and regular customers at the pub came to watch her have her hair chopped.

She put up posters and set up a table in the pub to encourage people to sponsor her, and they watched a video about the Little Princess Trust before the haircut.

Her mum Dipti Barot said: "It was brilliant she was on top of the moon. There was a really good atmosphere and the customers were tearing up, she was brilliant and the rest of us were going to pieces. I can't put in to words how I am of her.

Now Anaika hopes to be able to meet or write a letter to the child who receives the wig made from her hair.

VIOLENCE, drug-taking and out of control dogs were among the problems Jairani Jasmin subjected her neighbours to.

Their misery is now at an end after the 32-year-old's house was boarded up following court action by the council and police.

Jasmin was described by neighbours as a "quiet person who kept herself to herself" when she first moved into her home in Milton Road, Broad Green, two and a half years ago. She went on to make her neighbours' lives a nightmare.

Magistrates granted the authorities a 'closure order' last Thursday (September 4) which means her house has been shut off and no one can enter for three months.

Witnesses told the court of a series of incidents which left them tormented, short of sleep and, on some occasions, unable to go to work due to stress.

One neighbours said the council tenant had visitors at all hours of the night and that they would get drunk and take drugs.

"I know this," the witness said, "because they would have arguments about who took what drugs and people would swear at her when they were leaving the property."

Others described violent arguments between Jasmine and her partner, Keith Galvin.

One argument ended with Galvin being arrested and taken away in a police van. He was later issued with a non-molestation order preventing him from contacting Jasmine or entering Milton Road.

In April last year, Jasmin signed an acceptable behaviour contract and was warned that breaching the agreement could result in court action.

She was interviewed by council officers, who reiterated what would happen, but on each occasion she insisted she would deal with the problems.

Possession notices were served on Jasmin in January and March of this year but incidents between the couple continued.

Mark Watson, the council's cabinet member for safety and justice, said: "This is a truly horrendous case which made life little short of a misery for the neighbours of Jairani Jasmin.

"As a responsible landlord with a duty of care to all its tenants, Croydon Council simply will not stand for such awful and sustained antisocial behaviour.

"People should be aware that we will act in such cases and, if there is no evidence of improved behaviour, will seek the ultimate sanction of seeking possession of the property."

COLUMNIST and Crystal Palace fan ALISDAIR KEMP wonders whether Crystal Palace really needed to sign James McArthur...

James McArthur's signing – though mooted somewhat beforehand - was a real deadline day surprise for me. 

Not only was it with a view to covering a position in which I felt we were already overly furnished; it calls into question the roles and opportunities that will now be afforded to Joe Ledley and Marouane Chamakh. Assuming McArthur is a starter that is: the reported price tag would suggest this is the case.

This column is certainly not intended as a melancholic critique of McArthur's talents. His technical ability and range of passing will be an asset, particularly as he looks to thread the ball forward quickly for us to break. A slight concern would be his lack of strength and pace; his positioning will have to be spot on to compensate for this. Moreover, one may question exactly why he was not picked up immediately following Wigan's relegation. However, a player of his ability can only enhance the team.

Anyway, with Joe Ledley, Mile Jedinak, Adlene Guedioura, Barry Bannan, Jonny Williams, Joel Ward and Stuart O'Keefe all capable of occupying one of the two holding midfield berths, signing an additional left-back and a striker whose presence in the squad could be more than just ceremonial, would have made more sense to me.

Ledley and Jedinak made the positions their own last season. Jedinak, being the captain, will naturally retain his place. This then begs the question of whether Neil Warnock sees McArthur in a deeper role (Ledley's) or a more advanced one – in which case Marouane Chamakh will be sweating over his involvement.

Omitting Chamakh would be to remove our sole creative presence through the middle, not to mention a proven goal threat and an ability to conjure a moment of magic from nothing.

Dispensing with Ledley would deprive us of a combative midfield presence and a player whom I would tip as a potential Player of the Year. He has shown but a glimpse thus far of the qualities he demonstrated while at Celtic – including in games in which he more than matched the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. I hope to see more technical ability on his part this season and a more significant attacking contribution.

Irrespective of this selection conundrum, one might assume that for matches against more elite opposition, in which we look to stay compact and possession is at a premium, McArthur and Jedinak will play deep with Ledley in front of them behind the striker. Such a line-up fills me with more confidence than the alternative involving Chamakh, as McArthur will look to play it safe more often than not and allow us to retain possession at least briefly – as well as being more defensively astute.

McArthur's talents cannot be questioned – but his suitability for our line-up can. For my part, the box-to-box, inspirational input of Ledley and the edge-of-your-seat wizardry of Chamakh would better serve our needs at the moment.

FIREFIGHTERS rescued a toddler who inadvertently locked himself in his mother's car in Broad Green this morning.

The boy, who was around 3 or 4 years old, was trapped alone in the car in Canterbury Road for around half an hour after pressing the lock with the keys still inside at around 11am.

But the quick-thinking crew from Norbury fire station managed to unlock the vehicle with a coat hanger to reunite mother with son.

One crew member told the Advertiser: "The kid must have locked the mum out and she was quite worried, but we were able to get him out fairly quickly."

COUNCIL leader Tony Newman has announced an independent inquiry into his predecessor's secret £10,000 pay rise.

Cllr Mike Fisher stepped down as leader of the Conservative group on Saturday after the Advertiser revealed he had claimed an extra £10,000 in allowances for 2013/14.

The Shirley councillor said he had claimed the money "in the interests of my family" after several years of "a reduction in real terms year on year" in his allowances.

He apologised for failing to inform the public.

The pay rise had been recommended by an independent body in 2010/11 and although the then Conservative cabinet declined it at the time, they expressly included a clause that would allow them to claim back pay at a later date.

While it is not thought that Cllr Fisher broke any law or regulation by asking for the increase in January this year, Cllr Newman has set up an inquiry to investigate the matter.

It will be chaired by former teacher Anne Smith, the principal of John Ruskin College until 1999, and the independent chairman of the council's Standards Committee.

The inquiry is expected to present its recommendations to the council by November.

Cllr Newman said: "This inquiry is not about members' allowances per se. It is about asking the fundamental question: 'How was the former leader of the council able to take £11,000 of public money without informing the public?"

"We have a duty to the public – the people who pay our wages – to ask these very legitimate questions.

"As a new administration we have already made significant and much needed changes to the constitution. This includes changing the members allowance scheme at the first business meeting of the full council.

"In short, we are a council that takes openness and transparency extremely seriously, and, I'm pleased to sat, that after consulting with colleagues, members' allowances will now be published monthly."

Four other Conservative councillors - O'Connell, Vidhi Mohan, Steve Hollands and former Waddon councillor Simon Hoar - admitted inquiring about claiming allowances retrospectively.

In a joint statement released on Saturday the four said they now accepted that claiming the money would have been "completely inappropriate".

Cllr Tim Pollard, currently deputy leader, is expected to succeed Cllr Fisher as the leader of the Conservative group in Croydon. 

A CROYDON van driver has ticked the top item off his bucket list after making it through the first round of X-Factor auditions to sing in Wembley Arena.

Ben Haenow wowed judges on last Saturday's show with his rendition of Bill Withers' classic Ain't No Sunshine, with Simon Cowell saying he was surprised Ben hadn't already been given a record deal.

"It's unbelievable," Ben said. "It's really surreal and hasn't sunk in yet, things like this don't really happen to people like me."

All four X-Factor judges voted to send the 29-year-old from Shirley through to the next round of auditions at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

"To sing to people in a massive stadium, that's it for me," he said. "Even if it doesn't go any further that's ticking off the top thing I'd like to do in my life."

Ben has sung in bands since he was 15, busking and going to jam nights in Croydon. In 2006 he became front man for rock and roll band the Lost Audio which he was in with his brother, Alex.

But after years of touring the country Alex developed a condition that affected his hearing and they had to stop gigging.

This was when Ben decided to enter the X-Factor.

"The X-Factor isn't something I had been looking to do because I had been in a band since I was younger," he said.

"That was something I put my heart and soul into for all those years. He [Alex] had to stop and because he was the guitarist in the band it was difficult for me to carry on.

"So the time sort of felt right to go for it."

Ben said it has been hard going alone but that his family have always been very supportive. He watched last week's programme at home with a group of family and friends.

"It's something me and my brother have always wanted to do together and I found that hard sometimes," he said. "But he's really supportive. He's over the moon for me at the moment and there never would be any ill feelings.

"And my mum's been there since day one. We used to practice at home so she's probably sick to death of it.

"My granddad passed away a few years ago and used to come to our gigs too even though he was quite old. He used to put his hands over his ears, I hope because the music was too loud not because it was bad!"

Ben said that he chose his rendition of Ain't No Sunshine because he was able to put his own style into it, which he hopes to do again in the next round.

"It has to be something I can get my own stamp on because you only get a few minutes," he said.

And Ben said that it was nice to get such good feedback from the show's judges after years of singing.

"To hear what they said to me was like a dream," he said. "I couldn't have wished to get any better. It was nice to get those comments from people in the industry."