Barnsley News

Mistakes That Freed a Killer

Wednesday, 14 May 2008 10:26
A VIOLENT wife-beater given bail despite appeals to keep him locked up walked free and within weeks murdered her. Handyman Robert Lee brutally stabbed and beat his wife Jane to death in what police yesterday called a “public execution”. He had been released from custody just six weeks earlier following a fierce domestic spat during which he squeezed her neck, screaming he was going to kill her. He only stopped when she fell unconscious. Concerned neighbours phoned police but when officers arrived they arrested 51-year-old Mrs Lee instead after he told them she was drunk. It was only when she came to at the police station that officers realised the extent of her injuries. A hospital medic who examined the mother-of-two said the strangulation marks were the worst injuries of their type she had seen in 12 years.
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Campaign For Tree To Be Cut Down

Tuesday, 13 May 2008 10:22
A HEARTBROKEN mum today paid tribute to her "beautiful daughter" - killed when her car collided with a tree which had already claimed the life of another motorist. Ann Skipp fought back tears as she described Debbie Porter as a "wonderful daughter and mother" who would put herself out for anyone. She died when she lost control of her Suzuki Vitara 4x4 on the A628 between Silkstone and Dodworth, Barnsley, and collided with a tree last December. Debbie suffered a fractured skull on impact, and died later at Barnsley District General Hospital. Today Ann said she wanted the tree to be cut down. "It's already taken two lives so it would be good if we could save someone else's in the future," she said. "Debbie was a beautiful daughter and a wonderful mother. She was loving and caring and bubbly."
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Police Investigate Local Brawl

Monday, 12 May 2008 13:33

Police are investigating an incident of disorder in which 40 to 50 youths were fighting on playing fields close to the Belmont Avenue area of Smithies, Barnsley.

The fighting is believed to have been a pre-arranged fight between two local schools in the area. As a result of the fighting, 13 youths have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and there may be further arrests as police enquiries are still on going.

One youth received a cut to his head and another youth received a possible broken arm.

All those arrested have received police bail until 6 July 2008 while police enquiries continue.

Source: South Yorkshire Police

New Bus Service For Hospital

Monday, 12 May 2008 05:21

A NEW bus service from the Denby Dale area to Barnsley is to be introduced for a trial period.

The new route – to Barnsley hospital – follows a successful Christmas bus scheme and will be jointly financed by Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire’s public transport authority Metro.

Clr Elaine Ward, who proposed the scheme, said: “I have received dozens of representations from people who cannot access the hospital services at Barnsley, and this is causing them great inconvenience. I hope local people will take this opportunity to use the new service.”