Latest news with #Holywell
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Ex-Warwickshire Police officer sentenced for harassment
A former police officer has been sentenced to a community order for harassing his ex-partner and breaking the terms of a restraining Whitehurst, 54, who served as a detective sergeant in the Warwickshire Police force had previously been sentenced to 18 weeks in jail after admitting attacking court at the time heard Holly - not her real name - had felt imprisoned in her own breaking the terms of the restraining order banning him from contacting her, Whitehurst was given an 18-month community order with probation at Mold Magistrates' Court on Friday. Whitehurst was ordered not to contact his ex-partner or her family directly, via social media or a third party, but 16 days later searched for her online. Appearing at his trial in Mold last month, the court heard Whitehurst, from Holywell in north Wales, accessed Holly's LinkedIn gave evidence and said that she had received a notification that her ex-partner had clicked on to her profile and that of her had started a new job, and her profile detailed the company she worked for and in which areas she would be working. "I was absolutely horrified and petrified," Holly told the court."Paul Whitehurst went to prison for assaulting me. The thought that he'd come out of prison and was still infatuated with me was terrifying."There's a restraining order stopping him from going to where I live but what is there to stop him coming to where I work.""I now have to have colleagues walk with me through the car park and to the station."Whitehurst told the court he had been checking that the jobs he was looking to apply for were not in the same business park as Holly."If I'd wanted to message her I'd have messaged her," he said."I was being diligent by checking where she worked." As part of his community order, Whitehurst is required to complete 26 court accredited programmes with probation,180 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He is also required to pay £650 to the prosecution and a £114 victim compensation was not awarded, on the grounds that his ex-partner did not want contact. Warwickshire Police Crime and Commissioner said the force did not so far have grounds to make an application to force Whitehurst to forfeit his pension. Holly is not the only woman to report being harassed by Whitehurst.'I felt a prisoner at hands of my police abuser'Charlotte Smith had previously complained to Warwickshire Police about Whitehurst's said she was stalked and harassed by him over a two-and-a-half-year period after ending their brief relationship in 2021, but was told there was not enough evidence to charge him. Ms Smith said she had more than 30 videos recorded of Whitehurst being outside her house."He would literally appear out of nowhere. It would feel like somebody was watching me," she said."He felt like he was above the law and he felt like he could do whatever he wanted to do."Warwickshire Police held a gross misconduct hearing into the former officer's behaviour in May 2024 which found he would have been dismissed had he not retired a month force has not commented following the latest sentencing.
Leader Live
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Cup glory is the main aim for Airbus and Holywell sides
And Warren has more than obliged in his debut season for the Wingmakers in Cymru North where he ended up the league's top scorer with 24 goals in 27 games. 'When I signed the manager said the lads will create chances and I just want you to score them,' said Warren. 'He insisted that he wanted nothing else from me, just scoring goals!' After goals galore during his days at Alyn Park, Warren hasn't looked out of place in the higher league. 'To be honest, I wasn't surprised that I'd score a lot this season because you can see what a good team we are,' added the striker. 'There's more finer details in Cymru North than there were in the Ardal League but I've always thought I'd gets goals. But there's more expectation at this level.' Whether Warren gets the chance to add to his tally in tomorrow's final showdown with Holywell Town remains to be seen. He didn't feature in the early round wins over Hawarden Rangers and Lex XI but started last month's thrilling semi-final shoot-out win against Corwen. 'The young lads have been given the chance in this competition and they got us to the final,' added Warren, whose side finished runners-up to Colwyn Bay but lifted both Cymru Cups. 'We had 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds in the side that beat Corwen. 'But Holywell is a big game, there's a bit of rivalry and the North East Wales FA Cup is something Airbus has never won before. 'The home game against Holywell in the league was a bit of a weird one. We battered them 8-3 and then we lost 2-1 away.' Holywell boss Johnny Haseldin wants to continue the habit of picking up silverware each season. The Wellmen claimed the Cymru North title in 2024, 12 months after they lifted the North East Wales FA Cup. While Airbus have had a busy spell of matches, Holywell's last run out was their 3-2 semi-final win over Mold Alex on April 17. 'We have got to make sure we look after ourselves and prepare as best we can,' said Haseldin. 'We spoke about it in training. We know the odds are against us, but we're not a team that looks for excuses. We want to go there and win it. 'At the start of the year, a cup and third place in the league was realistic and we have done that as a minimum. It's roll our sleeves up time.' Haseldin is keen to end the campaign on a high for everyone associated with the club. He added: 'Not just for the players, but for our brilliant supporters, who follow us through thick and thin.' What a season it has turned out to be for Airbus - and boss Allen is targeting a trophy treble. The Wingmakers have recovered from just missing out on the Cymru North title by claiming the Cymru North Cup and all-Wales Cymru Cup over recent weeks and Allen has praised his players for their efforts. He told the club's website: 'Extremely proud of the group this year and I include the lads from the development squad too who have stepped up. 'The aims we set out to achieve for this season have nearly all happened and, yes, the disappointment of not being promoted is difficult, it also spurs you on to achieve it when we resume for pre-season and I'm sure others in the group think the same too. 'As for this game Saturday, it's another final we are in and we want to win and get another piece of silverware for ourselves and the club. 'A completely different type of opponent that we are aware of and what they will bring to the game. But, yes, looking forward to the game.'
Observer
26-04-2025
- General
- Observer
British ELT pioneer revives ‘Keep Writing' series for Arab learners
MUSCAT, APRIL 26 At the 29th Muscat International Book Fair, Richard Harrison, a veteran author and English Language Teaching (ELT) pioneer, returns with a refreshed version of his acclaimed New Keep Writing 1 and 2 series. Represented by UAE-based Blackstone and Holywell, Richard promotes the books, continuing a legacy that began over three decades ago in the Sultanate of Oman. 'Writing remains one of the hardest skills to teach — and to learn,' Richard says. 'But when approached step by step, even the most reluctant students can grow confident. That was my goal with Keep Writing and it still is.' Originally conceived in the 1980s while Richard taught in Oman, Keep Writing was first published by Longman in 1989 and quickly became a bestseller across the Middle East. The course was designed to address the specific writing challenges faced by Arab learners, filling a gap in educational materials at the time. Now, New Keep Writing has been reimagined by Richard's own imprint, Canford Publishing. The books, printed in Oman by Mazoon Printing, feature local illustrations by Ali al Hinai; and Octagon Design and Services, strengthening Richard's deep ties to the country. 'As both a teacher and a publisher, I've always believed in the power of local references and culturally relevant themes in learning materials,' Richard says. Richard Harrison is represented at the Muscat Book Fair by UAE-based Blackstone and Holywell The series focuses on foundational writing skills like punctuation, sentence structure and paragraph development. Themes familiar to students in the Arab world — such as family, work, hobbies, shopping malls, transport and food — are used to make the course relatable. This structured, step-by-step approach has been a key reason for its success. The books are particularly helpful for elementary and intermediate learners. 'In the early stages, students need guidelines or 'scaffolding' to support their writing,' Richard explains. 'The emphasis on accuracy — punctuation, capitalisation and spelling — helps students build confidence. The feedback I've received shows that this approach works.' Khalid bin Mohammed al Abri, Assistant Director for Language Programmes at the University of Nizwa, states, 'Richard's books have greatly improved our students' writing skills. His approach makes it easier for them to meet academic writing requirements.' Richard's commitment to Oman continues in this revised edition. Alongside the Omani-based illustrations, the books offer students a chance to engage with culturally relevant content. 'Oman has been central to my professional life,' Richard reflects. 'It's where my writing journey began and where it continues.' In a world increasingly dominated by digital learning tools, Richard remains a strong advocate for printed textbooks. 'Despite the rise of digital formats, students and teachers are returning to print. Physical books offer a focused, tactile learning experience that digital resources often lack.' Richard's 'New Keep Writing 1 and 2' series is an essential resource for learners of English in the Arab world. With its structured approach and culturally relevant themes, it continues to empower students, helping them develop strong writing skills and build confidence in their communication.
