Latest news with #Banbury
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Thames Valley PC who smelled of alcohol blamed cough medicine
A police officer who turned up to work smelling of alcohol blamed the cough mixture he said he had been "swigging" the night Darren Hall was found to be more than double the alcohol limit to work at Banbury station in October 2023 and was taken home by a Thames Valley Police (TVP) said he took the cough medicine, drunk three large glasses of wine and half a pint of homemade cider and other painkillers the night before he went to work.A panel found he had committed gross misconduct and he was given a three-year final written warning. PC Hall was found to have 33 micrograms (mg) of alcohol per 100ml of breath. TVP said the limit for its staff is 13mg per 100ml of breath. The legal driving limit is 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of Keenaghan, for TVP, said PC Hall told the force that he had been "swigging [the medicine] during the night" and did not sleep much because of a cough.A forensic toxicologist found PC Hall's "assumed drinking pattern [did] not account for the measured breath alcohol concentration".They concluded that PC Hall "must have consumed more alcohol than has been assumed".The officer, who has more than 20 years' service, admitted misconduct but denied gross panel found PC Hall was "valued in the workplace by his supervisors and his peers alike" but that the length of final written warning would "serve as a deterrent to others". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
XL bully owner admits offences after fatal attack near Banbury
A woman has admitted having two XL bullies which were dangerously out of control and killed another Roberts, 36, admitted two counts of possession of a fighting dog and two counts of allowing the dogs to be in a public place without a muzzle or lead at Oxford Magistrates' Court on of De La Warr Drive, Banbury, also admitted two counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected charges relate to an incident in which a schnoodle dog, Winnie, was killed by the two XL bullies, Kobi and Kardi, in Hanwell, near Banbury, on 26 March. Roberts' sentencing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. She will be sentenced at the magistrates' court on 18 July. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Banbury charity reveals how life-changing assistance dogs are raised
"The need is always there - not just for assistance dogs but for positive connections with dogs."Dogs for Good in Banbury, Oxfordshire, trains dogs to help people with physical disabilities, autism and charity is currently caring for Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever puppies at the very start of their journeys to become assistance Phelps, from Dogs for Good, told the BBC the charity was "involved in every step of every dog's life". The charity has its own breeding programme, through which it selects its broods and stud Phelps said volunteers look after the mothers and their puppies for the first eight weeks of their said: "During that time, our puppy team will come and visit mum and puppies to make sure that everything's progressing as it should be and that everybody's happy and everybody's safe."The characteristics that we look for in a puppy mum is calm, confident, adaptable - those really positive mothering instincts and a good all round dog that's going to be a lovely mum to her puppies."Each puppy will be with their volunteer for about 16 to 18 months until they return for formal Phelps said it was a lot for the female dogs to look after their litters, which could often be up to 12 puppies, and a week after giving birth were often ready to be "free" and "just be the pet dog again".Before they leave their mother, the puppies must be fully weaned, so that they are able to eat and drink independently. Ms Phelps said the charity was "more than a supplier of assistance dogs". "Twenty years ago we used to supply assistance dogs to physically disabled adults and children. "And we are really proud of that heritage - it is where we come from. "But, actually, it's only about 20% of the people that we connect with dogs that want an assistance dog."The charity's community dog programme, for example, involves a specially-trained dog and professional handler working together to support an individual's needs such as building self-esteem and overcoming said the charity was "broadening horizons all the time". "The need is always there, not just for assistance dogs but for positive connections with dogs," she said."That's why having a broad brush of service is so vital." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Banbury teenage animator nominated for Disney-sponsored award
An 11-year-old girl says it is "amazing" that her animation has been nominated for an award sponsored by from Mollington near Banbury, Oxfordshire, is in the running for the Into Film Awards best animation category for children aged five to Virus is based on a poem she wrote, which won the Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers competition last said she took inspiration from manga and anime as she was "very fond" of Japanese culture. "My poem is called Together But Not Together and it is about how people often think they're connected with people online ... but it's not the same as knowing someone in real life," she said."My film is about losing yourself within social media and I demonstrated this by making my protagonist lose her colour throughout the film."She said that when she had first entered the competition, she had not considered her creation would "make it through"."Knowing that it did and the panel of judges actually liked it - just them seeing it is amazing - but actually liking is one step forward, it's brilliant. "I never really thought about the fact that lots of people across the UK are going to see my film." Dulcie-Bella described her style as based off of Japanese manga and anime. "I'm very fond of anime and Japanese culture, so I took inspiration from Studio Ghibli - it is one of my favourite animation studios, they've inspired lots of stuff that I've done."The young animator said the studio's My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away were in her "top ten favourite animations"."When I kick back, relax, I often put on some anime, maybe doodle a bit while I'm watching," she added."I'm very fond of the idea of being an animator when I'm older."As my category is sponsored by Disney, it's likely that someone in those big studios will see my animation and will know me - now that I think about it, it's amazing."The awards ceremony will be held on 24 is also nominated in the Audience Choice category. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Planners applauded as Great Bourton pub conversion plans refused
A decision to refuse permission for a disused pub to be converted into homes has been applauded at a council former Bell Inn in Great Bourton, Oxfordshire, was previously owned by the Hook Norton Brewery, but it sold it to its current owner in May brewery said the building had no commercial future as a pub and its current owner stripped it of its pub fixtures, but 239 people opposed changing its District Council's planning committee was applauded by members of the public after it unanimously dismissed the change of use application for the site, near Banbury. Chris Brant, district councillor for Cropredy, Sibfords and Wroxton, said the pub had been the "beating heart" of Great said the community was "denied a fair opportunity to act" against its sale and that the planning application had caused "deep concern" and "united residents" against action group to save the pub was set up, which told the council that it believes the building, in Manor Road, is potentially financially viable as a pub Save The Bell Inn Group told Cherwell Council on Thursday that it believes it could "thrive as a profitable concern if allowed to continue as a public house". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
