
Travellers in 20 caravans ‘break in to cricket pitch and lob ROCKS at passers by' leaving locals furious
Plymstock
Cricket
Club in Plymouth, Devon, says the collection of Travellers gained access to their green on July 28 before setting up camp with 20 caravans.
Advertisement
4
20 caravans 'broke into' a cricket club in Plymouth and parked up on the green earlier this week
Credit: SWNS
4
Tire markings have visibly scarred the cricket green
Credit: SWNS
4
The club has also claimed that members of the Travellers have 'thrown rocks' at people walking past
Credit: SWNS
The club has claimed that members of the group have been "throwing rocks" at people walking by and has warned locals to "stay clear and stay safe".
On top of this, Plymstock Cricket Club has had to cancel fixtures after the vans were parked on the pitch.
Lee Garlick captured drone footage of the tyre-markings that have scarred the green after the unauthorised encampment was started.
The club says it has been forced to cancel everything going on "for the foreseeable
future
", meaning its tennis and football teams have also been affected.
Advertisement
Read More on UK News
Plymstock Cricket Club posted on social media saying that a "group of Travellers" had broken into the pitch on 28 July and were throwing rocks at people.
The statement read: "Unfortunately our pitch has been broken onto and we now have a group of travellers setting up camp.
"Do no approach the ground as they have been throwing rocks at people. Everyone stay clear and stay safe."
Lee, who visited the club on Wednesday to obtain footage, said: "I just went down to get footage, as I have done with other travelling sites before.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Latest
"See what the state of the ground is like, how many are there, that sort of stuff.
"I parked up in the car park and launched my drone."
We're trapped in tiny village after travellers BULLDOZED field for caravan camp
He explained how a group of kids came over to him to ask what he was doing while filming.
After informing them, they went to get an older group of kids, who Lee reckons were teenagers, who then began asking why he was flying over and filming them.
Advertisement
Lee said: "I again, explained and informed them of the law and I was entitled to do what I was doing.
"They didn't like this and told me to f*** off and stay away before something happens.
"There were some cars going in and out of the encampment that were shouting out the window as they were exiting the car park, telling me to f*** off and to go play with your toy somewhere else.
"I don't intimidate easily, so I stayed, finished what I was doing and then left."
Advertisement
The club told the
They added that this was going to be "a massive step backwards" for the club.
Plymstock Cricket Club said they had contacted the council and their local MP.
They added: "We hope that they can be moved on soon as this is a very active sports facility used by many in the community."
Advertisement
In a statement,
Devon
and
Cornwall
Police said: "We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Dean Cross, Plymstock and are liaising with the council in relation to this.
"Officers have attended the site and engaged with the group."
4
Caravans parked on the green at the club
Credit: SWNS

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Little girl, 4, hit & killed while walking on pavement after Eid celebrations – as careless driver, 23, pleads guilty
A FOUR-year-old girl was tragically killed after a careless driver, 23, ploughed into the pavement. Mayar Yahia was struck down on a Birmingham street while walking with her family after celebrating Eid. 5 Mayar Yahia, 4, was killed last year in the Birmingham crash Credit: SWNS 5 The little girl's father paid a heartbreaking tribute Credit: BPM 5 Javonnie Tavener will be sentenced at a later date Credit: West Midlands Police Horror unfolded on April 14 last year when He ploughed into the little girl, her mother Sara, and their neighbour on Upper Highgate Street. She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives Mayar's grieving father Paramedics tragically pronounced the tot dead at the scene, while Sara and her friend were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Three other pedestrians were also hurt in the crash. Read More Cops later detained and charged 23-year-old Tavener with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving. He pleaded guilty to all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday this week. The defendant has been remanded in custody while awaiting a sentencing date. In a statement, released via West Midlands Police at the time of her death, Mayar's grieving father said words failed to capture his grief. Most read in The Sun He said: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating loss of our cherished daughter, Mayar. "She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. Three pedestrians injured by falling rubble as van crashes through multi-storey car park wall in UK city centre "Among all, she held a special place in my heart. "Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss. "However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family, and friends. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have stood by our side, offering your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time." Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from WMP'S serious collision investigation unit, said: "Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her. "She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid. 'Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events. 'I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences." The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads. It will stop traffic from reaching a stretch of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park. 5 The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads Credit: Better Streets for Birmingham 5 The scene of the collision on Upper Highgate Street last April Credit: BPM


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Pensioner, 76, in court today charged with child cruelty offences after eight kids & adult ‘poisoned' at summer camp
A PENSIONER charged with "child cruelty offences" at a summer camp is set to appear in court today. Eight children and one adult 8 Jonathon Ruben, 76, was charged with child cruelty offences 8 The eight children were all boys aged between eight and 11 Credit: PA 8 The pensioner will appear in court today Credit: SWNS Police arrested and charged Jonathon Ruben, 76, following the horror on Sunday. He was remanded into custody and will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court today. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Jonathon Ruben, from Nottingham, was charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at the summer camp between July 25 and July 29. Ill treatment of a child can carry a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Read More The pensioner was originally arrested on Monday evening at a pub on suspicion of administering poison or a noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy. Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of a 76-year-old man with child cruelty offences following a police investigation into a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire. "This decision has been made after reviewing a file of evidence from Leicestershire Police. "Jonathon Ruben will be charged with three offences of wilful ill treatment of a child relating to three boys. Most read in The Sun "This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected." It comes after total of eight children - who were all boys aged between eight and 11 - were taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged. 76-year-old charged with 'child cruelty offences' after eight kids & adult fell sick at summer camp One adult was also taken to hospital as a precaution and was also discharged. "Distressed" parents were reportedly unable to see their kids "for hours" as they were taken to a makeshift triage centre nearby. One witness reported seeing parents "screaming" at officers as they demanded to see their kids. A resident who lives near the hall said: 'It was pretty chaotic, with emergency workers running around everywhere. 8 Ill treatment of a child can carry a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment Credit: SWNS 8 Police arrested the pensioner on Monday Credit: SWNS 8 The lodge is owned by Christian charity the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, which provides holiday clubs Credit: SWNS "I saw a few children in tears as they walked into the hall. It's like every parent's worst nightmare." Leicestershire Police has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who have launched a probe. It comes as officers admitted it received a report on Sunday of children feeling unwell but did not visit the camp until Monday. The lodge is owned by Christian charity the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, which provides holiday clubs. An IOPC spokesperson said: "We received a conduct referral on Tuesday (July 29) from Leicestershire Police relating to their handling of concerns passed to them over the wellbeing of a group of children. "Our assessment team has examined all available evidence and concluded the matter should be independently investigated by the IOPC. "The investigation will look at whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour - namely a failure to carry out duties and responsibilities - that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police's response to what was later declared a critical incident." 8 Jonathon Ruben was charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys Credit: SWNS 8 Leicestershire Police has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Credit: SWNS


The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Pensioner, 76, charged with ‘child cruelty offences' after eight kids & adult ‘poisoned' at summer camp
A PENSIONER has been charged with "child cruelty offences" at a summer camp after eight kids and one adult were rushed to hospital. The victims were enjoying the summer holidays at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire when they reported feeling ill. Advertisement 5 Jonathon Ruben, 76, was arrested by cops and has now been charged with child cruelty offences 5 Eight children and one adult were taken to hospital while at a summer camp Credit: SWNS 5 Cops at the scene in Leicestershire Credit: SWNS Police arrested Jonathon Ruben, 76, following the horror on Sunday and he has now been charged. The pensioner was charged with three offences of "wilful ill treatment of a child" relating to three boys. Ruben has been remanded into custody and will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court tomorrow. Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of a 76-year-old man with child cruelty offences following a police investigation into a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire. Advertisement Read More in UK News "This decision has been made after reviewing a file of evidence from Leicestershire Police. 'Jonathon Ruben, will be charged with three offences of wilful ill treatment of a child relating to three boys. He will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday, 1 August. 'This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected. 'We would like to remind all concerned that there are now active criminal proceedings against Mr Ruben, and he has the right to a fair trial. There must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that may in any way prejudice these proceedings." Advertisement Most read in The Sun Officers and the East Midlands Ambulance Service - including an air ambulance - swarmed the Christian camp on Monday. "Distressed" parents were reportedly unable to see their kids "for hours" as they were taken to a makeshift triage centre nearby. One witness reported seeing parents "screaming" at officers as they demanded to see their kids. A total of eight children - who were all boys aged between eight and 11 - were taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged. Advertisement One adult was also taken to hospital as a precaution and was also discharged, said cops. A resident who lives near the hall said: 'It was pretty chaotic, with emergency workers running around everywhere. "I saw a few children in tears as they walked into the hall. It's like every parent's worst nightmare." Leicester Police has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who have launched a probe. Advertisement It comes as officers admitted it received a report on Sunday of children feeling unwell but did not visit the camp until Monday. The lodge is owned by Christian charity the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, which provides holiday clubs. An IOPC spokesperson said: "We received a conduct referral on Tuesday (July 29) from Leicestershire Police relating to their handling of concerns passed to them over the wellbeing of a group of children. "Our assessment team has examined all available evidence and concluded the matter should be independently investigated by the IOPC. Advertisement "The investigation will look at whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour - namely a failure to carry out duties and responsibilities - that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police's response to what was later declared a critical incident." 5 Police have charged a pensioner with murder Credit: PA 5 The horror unfolded on Sunday Credit: PA