Train services out of London Victoria are ‘highly disrupted’ this evening following an earlier failure of the electricity supply.

The incident is having considerable impact on Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, according to Southern Rail.

The disruption follows an earlier failure of the electricity supply between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.

All lines are now open but train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed by up to 45 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected to continue until 9pm.

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from October 5 to 11, 2018.

Mark Neal, 50, of Ashurst Drive, Goring, was fined £1,000 and must pay £100 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over 70mph on the A27 Salthill Road, Chichester, on October 25, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 21 days.

Ian Hogg, 46, of Northend Close, Petworth, was fined £40 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over 70mph on the A27 Mill Lane bridge, Westbourne, on November 28, 2017. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Carolyn Brice, 53, of Dalloway Road, Arundel, was fined £66 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over 70mph on the A27 Shoreham bypass on December 16, 2017. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

Jack Court, 24, of Mulberry Court, East Street, Selsey, was given a community order with sexual offending behaviour programme requirement and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting making a category B indecent photograph of a child between January 1, 2015, and August 1, 2017; and making 812 category C images of a child between January 1, 2015, and August 1, 2017. A sexual harm prevention order was made and he must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Nebee Eskandari, 27, of Christy Close, Dilton Road, Stone Cross, was fined £50 and given a community order with Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting stealing two Braun shavers, four Clearblue fertility monitors and eight XLS tablets, worth a total of £1,719.94, from Boots, Chichester, on July 2, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs. He also admitted breaching a conditional discharge order, no action taken.

James Wood, 35, of Crouch Cross Lane, Boxgrove, was fined £30 and must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching supervision requirements following release from prison by failing to keep in touch with his supervisor since August 2, 2018, and failing to attend scheduled appointments on March 6, March 13 and September 13, 2018.

Oliver Booth, 23, of Middleton Gardens, Tangmere, was fined £600 and must pay £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (68mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) on the A29 Shripney on September 22, 2018. He must pay £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Josh Boultwood, 26, c/o Rochester Street, Brighton, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 60 hours’ unpaid work after admitting stealing goods worth £439.96 from Boots, Chichester, on June 11, 2018; stealing goods worth £339.97 from Boots, Chichester, on May 28, 2018; stealing goods worth £343.96 from Boots, Burgess Hill, on June 11, 2018; and stealing two Oral B toothbrushes worth £199.98 from Superdrug, Lewes, on April 29, 2018. He must pay a total of £539.95 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Michael Cadwell, 73, of Shipton Green, Itchenor, was fined £265 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £150 costs, after admitting failing to provide a specimen for analysis when required at Chichester Police Station on July 7, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Yvonne Smith, 57, of Van Dyck Place, Bognor Regis, was fined £500 and given a community order with four-week curfew, electronically monitored, from 7pm to 7am daily, after admitting dishonestly failing to promptly notify the DWP of a change in circumstances, namely capital over the limit, affecting Employment Support Allowance between March 18, 2013, and April 3, 2017. She must pay £50 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Jacek Koczwara, 47, of Bradshaw Road, Chichester, was discharged conditionally for six months after admitting assault by beating in West Ashling on July 22, 2018. He was fined £285 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (75mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Broyle Road, Chichester, on July 22, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Daniel Ryan, 25, of Lockgate Road, Sidlesham Common, was given a community order with four-month curfew, electronically monitored, from 7pm to 7am, after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to imply immediate violence would be used or provoke the immediate use of unlawful violence in Chichester on May 27, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £250 costs.

Tim Gordon, 39, of Oakwood, Chichester, was fined £1,057 and must pay £105 victim surcharge, £150 costs, after being found guilty of driving over 70mph on the A27 Westbourne on November 28, 2017. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

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A young mum from Goring who lied about having cancer and faked bank statements so she could steal more than £130,000 from her loving family has been jailed.

Asha Dawes, 22, took so much from her grandparents behind their backs that they were left ‘skeletal’ and stranded in Spain, Hove Crown Court heard today.

She broke down and cried in the dock as she heard heart-breaking statements from the members of her family that she had betrayed.

UPDATE: Detective says Goring mum’s cancer lies and £130,000 theft were ‘devastating’ for her family

Dawes, of Nelson Road in Goring, pleaded guilty to defrauding the grandparents who had adopted her and her aunt and uncle out of £132,585.49, the court heard.

Prosecutor Natasha Dardashti said: “The defendant over a period of time spread a web of lies, claiming to have cancer, claiming to have a large medical payout.

“She created fake documents and sent false bank records to support her story.”

The prosecutor said Dawes told her family she was dying of cancer.

They gave her £5,000 to pay for experimental treatment in America – treatment that did not exist, the court heard.

Ms Dardashti told the court that the fraud figure on the indictment against Dawes was £132,585.49, though the theft may have been ‘slightly less than that’ in reality.

A statement from Dawes’ grandmother Shirley Pinder, who raised Dawes with her husband John, was read out in court.

She said: “I have been absolutely destroyed. I do not want to go out the front door.

“I loved Asha as a daughter and it is really hard to understand that for years she has manipulated us.

“I do not know how long she has treated us as something to just use and dispose of.”

Mrs Pinder described how Dawes had spun lies about their son Gary so that they suspected him of being involved in crime.

“Asha told me she was going to die within months. I believed her.

“I fought for her. I protected her.

“She was our little angel but everything she was doing to help us was to make it easier to steal from us.”

In his statement, her husband John Pinder, said: “Asha lived with us from the age of ten years old. We brought her up as if she was our own daughter.”

Mr Pinder told the court how she encouraged him and his wife Shirley to sell their home and move to Spain, and then stole from them.

“We became aware that there was an issue, money had been removed from our account.

“We didn’t even have enough money to fund our return flight from Spain.

“I want to see Asha go to prison. That is the only way she will learn her lesson.”

In a statement on behalf of himself and his wife, Dawes’ uncle Nicholas Young said they are ‘absolutely devastated’.

He added: “What Asha has done will echo for the rest of our lives and after.

“She used our dreams against us.

“She led us blindfolded to the edge and then she pushed us in.”

Mr Young described how Dawes had borrowed a large sum of money from them and gone on to encourage them to sell their house and move to Portugal.

All the while, he said, she knew she would not be able to pay them back.

He told the court how when he had seen Dawes’ grandparents in Spain they were ‘skeletal’ and did not have anything to eat.

Mr young added: “Although we have managed to save our home we cannot afford the repairs it needs.

“The approaching winter will be cold, wet and unpleasant.

“We blame ourselves for believing her lies.”

Defence counsel Charlotte Morrish said: “This is an extremely emotional hearing for everybody involved.

“I can’t give a satisfactory answer as to where the money has gone.”

She told the court how Dawes was worried about what would happen to her three-year-old son.

But Miss Morrish added: “It is her that has put her son in the position that he is in.

“She will have to live with the consequences of her actions.”

She asked that Dawes be given full credit for her guilty pleas, and that her previous good character be taken into account.

Sentencing Dawes, judge Shani Barnes said: “I have rarely heard such devastating victim impact statements.

“I have seldom read the extraordinary lengths you went to garner control of them financially, emotionally and to have left such a wake of devastation in your path.

“Whilst your mother and father had their own difficulties they [your grandparents] took you in and gave you all the love in the world they could muster.

“Taking this money from these people has left them devastated and homeless and destitute.

“It is irreparable.”

Judge Barnes took into account Dawes’ guilty plea.

She sentenced her for four years for each offence, to run at the same time.

A confiscation order in the sum of £1 was made, meaning that if she acquires any assets in the future the court seek to claim money back.

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Errors by three different Rocks players gave Invicta a 3-1 interval lead and it got worse when the visitors converted a SEVEN-YARD free-kick to go 4-1 up midway through the second period.

Jimmy Muitt and Tommy Scutt scored in each half for the hosts but it was a night Jack Pearce, Robbie Blake and their players will want to forget in a hurry.

It was the Rocks's first defeat in the league 11 games into the campaign and they will be anxious to bounce back when they host Margate on Saturday. They remain third in the table.

Bognor went into the game knowing a win would take them top but taking nothing for granted against a Folkestone team looking to end a run of four straight defeats.

Jimmy Wild was on the bench after making a surprise return to the club more than a season after leaving. Before the game Muitt and Harvey Whyte were jointly named players of the month for September.

The Rocks were quickly on to the attack and Joe Tomlinson and Mason Walsh linked up in the second minute but an offside flag went up.

But the Rocks were stunned to concede the opening goal in the fourth minute as a loose pass inside their own half by Tommy Block gifted possession to Ade Yusuff, who played a one-two with Kane Rowland and ran on to fire low beneath Dan Lincoln's dive.

Bognor tried to carry on as they'd started after the setback and a corner led to some desperate defending in the Invicta box. Muitt rifled a shot only just high and wide after another quick Bognor attack. Muitt was played in on goal by a Whyte pass on 12 minutes but the keeper advanced quickly and blocked his low shot.

The Rocks levelled on 21 minutes when Muitt was in the right place to volley in from only a yard or so out – and it was Walsh who made the goal. The winger seized on a poor backpass to go one on one with keeper Tim Roberts. Although his shot was saved he got to the rebound and curled it against the bar from a tight angle – with Muitt on hand to slam it home.

Bognor had not heeded the earlier warnings at the back and almost conceded a second within a minute of their equaliser. Then they were straight on to the attack and Walsh fired a cross beyond three Rocks players in the box. There was another scare for Lincoln when Sam Hasler curled a 25-yard free-kick only just wide.

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FA Trophy opponents are revealed

Lethbridge and Walsh fire Rocks to Tonbridge triumph

Bognor had the ball in the net again but Lethbridge was offside as he took a Tomlinson pass in his stride and finished well. Kieran McCann threatened to put the Rocks 2-1 behind on 35 minutes when he beat his man and curled a shot goalwards from the angle of the penalty box, but it was high and wide.

Then Lethbridge got on the end of a long ball but poked his shot just wide as the keeper came out to meet him. But an error by Lincoln led to Invicta retaking the lead on 37 minutes when Rowland seized on hesitation at the back to slide it under the keeper and in.

Within two minutes it was 3-1 when Folkestone were awarded a throw that should have been Bognor's and again the Rocks struggled to clear, with a backwards header by Chad Field falling to Yussuf, who converted from close in.

The Rocks were shellshocked and as they tried to get back into it, McCann was booked for a lunge on Muitt. There were shouts for a Rocks free-kick on the edge of the box when a Walsh ball into the six-yard box hit a defender's hand but the referee ignored home pleas.

HT 1-3

The Rocks didn't start the second half well and Doug Tuck went into the book for a foul on Rowland, again after the home team had looked brittle in their own half. Then Yussuf was close to his hat-trick with a volley that Lincoln was relieved to see go over.

Tommy Scutt replaced Block five minutes into the second half. A mazy Walsh run ended in a one-two with Davies that saw the winger go down in the box but the referee was having none of any claims for a penalty. Whyte blazed over from the rebound when his own shot was saved by Roberts after an incisive move by the home side.

There was another penalty call as Davies went flying running on to a ball into the box but again the ref was unmoved. Whyte almost connected with a wicked free-kick whipped in by Davies and soon another wave of home pressure petered out. Hasler was booked after cudely halting a Walsh charge down the Rocks left on 68 minutes.

Whyte stole possession as Bognor became increasingly desperate in their search for a goal but when he released Lethbridge the Pompey youngster ended up shooting horribly off target.

It was 4-1 on 73 minutes in farcical circumstances. Yussuf ran through looking for his hat-trick and when a defender touched the ball back to Lincoln the keeper had little choice but to fall on to the ball – giving Invicta an indirect free-kick seven yards from goal. Their first attempt was booted clear by Lincoln apparently after a Folkestone player had touched it, but the referee ordered a retake – to the Rocks' disgust – nd Hasler lashed it into the roof of the net.

The crowd came to life on 81 minutes when sub Scutt converted Lethbridge's cross after Davies and Muitt worked the ball into space down the right. Soon Whyte sniffed a chance of a third goal for the Rocks but he was denied by Roberts.

Folkestone replaced Rowland with Johan Ter Horst with six minutes to go. To their credit Bognor did keep going until the end and Tomlinson was only a foot or so off target with a left-footed free-kick from 25 yards.

It wasn't to be their night and if ever you needed evidence of how football's highs can quickly turn into lows, the way Bognor went from the euphoria of winning at Tonbridge to this poor defeat provides it.

Rocks: Lincoln, Calvin Davies, Tomlinson, Tuck, Field, Dandy, Whyte, Block, Lethbridge, Muitt, Walsh. Subs: Scutt, McCormick, Osborne, Wild, Carroll.

Folkestone: Roberts, Vincent, O'Mara, Newman, Callum Davies, Dolan, Hasler, Everitt, Rowland, Yusuff, McCann. Subs: Ter-Horst, Draycott, Paxman, Madden, Shaw.

Att - 508

Ref: Robert Ablitt (Fareham)

It was a night to forget for Bognor as their unbeaten league start ended at the hands of Folkestone - but coach Robbie Blake said it was important to keep things in context.

He said he was hopeful the poor defensive performance was a one-off and that the young team would bounce back at home to Margate on Saturday.

Blake's full post-match interview can be seen in the interview, above

Rocks 2 Folkestone 4
Wild's back at the Lane
Young forwards fire Rocks to Tonbridge win
Get all the latest from Nyewood Lane in the Bognor Observer on Thursday

The morning rush-hour is seeing congestion buiolding up on the main roads across Sussex.

On the A22 there is queueing traffic on the Boship Roundabout northbound from Diplocks Way to A267.

There is slow traffic on the A2025 South Street at Roberts Road in the construction area. Temporary traffic lights are in operation.

The A27 is experiencing slow traffic on Lyminster Road westbound at A284 (Crossbush Junction).

And in the west of the county the A259 is experiencing slow traffic on Bognor Road eestbound from B2144 Drayton Lane to the A27 Chichester Bypass. Traffic is slow moving into Chichester.

There is queueing traffic on the A280 eastbound from Longfurlong Lane to A24 Findon Bypass.

there is also queueing traffic on the A24 Warren Road eastbound from A27 Crockhurst Hill (Offington Corner) to A27 Grove Lodge Roundabout (Grove Lodge Roundabout).

And on the A27 there is congestion on the Fishbourne Roundabout both ways from A285 (Portfield Roundabout) to A259 (Fishbourne Roundabout).

People affected by blood cancer were welcomed at the launch of a new support group.

The Worthing Haematology Support Group has been set up by Leukaemia Care, a national charity providing advice and support to anybody affected by blood cancer.

The first meeting was held at The Chatsworth Hotel in Worthing on Tuesday afternoon.

Nickey Bate, who co-ordinates support groups for Leukaemia Care, said: “This new support group is a great opportunity for patients and their loved ones to meet others in a similar situation.

“We’re looking forward to the ongoing development of the Worthing support group.”

The group is open to anyone affected by blood cancer across West Sussex. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 13, from 3pm to 4.30pm.

To find out more, call the helpline on 08088 010 444, or visit www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and-information/support-for-you/find-a-support-group/worthing-haematology-support-group

St Barnabas House hospice trekkers are heading to the Himalayas

Ride for Romania supports Arun Youth Projects’ young leaders

Author Robyn Hollingworth’s talk on dementia gives Cruse Bereavement Care volunteers great insight

Amid interest from PSG, Manchester United will prioritise tying down David De Gea to a new long-term contract. It is thought the Red Devils have made significant progress with new deals for Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial says the London Evening Standard.

And Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso has revealed he will sign a new contract with the club "in the coming days". Here is today's Rumour Mill.

The former home of artist Edward Burne-Jones, whose work will be on show at the Tate next week, is up for sale with an asking price of £1.5 million.

Aubrey House in Rottingdean was originally bought by Burne-Jones as a holiday home by the sea where he created some of his famous works in the 19th century.

He was one of the last pre-Raphaelites, who produced works depicting classical heroes, Biblical angels and Arthurian knights across stained glass, embroidery, painting, jewellery and more.

His first solo show at the Tate Britain since 1933 will be opening on October 24, showing more than 150 pieces from his career.

The home was then passed on to his granddaughter, novelist Angela Thirkell, and bought in 1923 by National Velvet novelist Enid Bagnold and her husband.

Elizabeth Taylor also stayed in the house while filming the film version of National Velvet.

The Aubrey House has five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and landscaped gardens and a heated indoor swimming pool.

Estate agents Mishon Welton said it has an asking pice of £1.5 million.

To find out more, visit: https://mishonwelton.com/property/the-green-rottingdean-brighton-bn2-7ha/

City keeper Jordan Matthews may have been the hero of the night with his shoot-out save, but it was the referee who dominated this cup tie.

The match officials made an already-dour cup tie worse with a series of breaks in play that spoilt the match as a spectacle.

With the visitors topping the league table, and Pagham unbeaten in the league, the scene was been set for a pulsating cup tie. Take nothing away from Chichester City, who easily showed why they are where they are, and who should have wrapped the game up long before the final whistle.

Pagham for their part were grateful to yet another masterful display from James Binfield, who time and time again saved them.

The game started well for the Lions, Andy Chick and Callum Overton keeping Matthews busy, with Ben Pashley putting in a decent shift at the back for Chichester.

See Roger Smith's pictures from the game in the slideshow, above

That the first booking didn't appear until 24 minutes in was a surprise to some. Countless free-kicks even by then had both benches speaking their minds about the refereeing. Linden Miller was the unlucky receipient of the first of many bookings.

The visitors' Kieran Hartley and Kaleem Hailham were a handful, Pagham's back line not given a moment's peace.

After the break, George Cody replaced Miller, whilst Steve Herbert came on for Dave Herbert for Chichester. Cody lasted all of five minutes before a hefty tackle left him with a shoulder injury that bought Scott Murfin into the fray.

With Murfin one of the players facing their old side on the night, the atmosphere was turned up a notch. Former Lion Terrell Lewis had a good chance, shooting acros the Pagham goal. Callum Overton was also close on more than one occasion for Pagham.

A fracas just after the hour followed a clash in midfield. George Gaskin and City's Tiago Andrade were shown yellow cards. Gaskin could have scored a few minutes later, skewing a shot just wide of the upright.

Matthews' mistimed clearance almost let Pagham in with the opening goal. Ryan Cox's booking a few minutes later may have been followed by a second yellow after a clash with Lewis. In spite of protests from the City contingent, the referee perhaps sensibly treated it as a 50/50 ball, but then rather confusingly awarded the free-kick Pagham's way.

More bookings followed, and it wasn't until time added on that a real chance appeared as Murfin's deflected shot from a corner forced City to head the ball off the line.

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Two minutes into extra time Overton's great run and pass to Murfin deserved more than being cleared for a corner. Chichester had chances themselves, and a top-class save from Binfield denied them.

The second period of extra time began with Cox shooting just over the bar. Matthews followed this with a timely punch to rob the Lions of a goal before controversy with five minutes left. Chichester City were awarded a spot-kick and up stepped Andrade to break Pagham's resolve, only for the ball to sail over the bar.

Overton bothered Matthews one more time before the shootout took place. All went well with the first five spot-kicks for both sides when up stepped Hailham to tuck away City's sixth. All the pressure was on Cox, but Matthews got down to his left to save his effort, triggering mass celebrations and a pitch invasion from the Chichester bench.

Pagham: Binfield, Williams, Cox, Davidson, Wiggans, Horncastle, Humphries (Van Driel 67), Chick, Gaskin, Overton, Miller (Cody 45 (Murfin 54)). Subs: Hendrick, Ashurst

Chichester: Matthews, Lewis, Hartley, Axell, Cody (Andrade 39), Pashley, Ndlovu (Iordache 79), D Herbert (Herbert 45), Jones, Hutchings, Haitham. Subs: Anders, Dolcetti

Trump beat Robin Hull 4-1 with a top break of 104 to set up a last 64 match with Zhao Xintong.

World number five Trump hasn’t won a ranking title for over a year but hopes he is coming into form.

“I played some good stuff in spells, we both struggled a bit,” said 29-year-old Trump. “I feel as if my scoring is coming back. For me it’s about enjoying my snooker, practising hard and trying to learn from some of the other top players while they are still around.”

Higgins beat Li Yuan 4-1 with top runs of 75 and 88 to set up a second round match with Nigel Bond.

“I have been struggling this season and that was probably as well as I have played,” said Higgins, who was runner-up to Mark Selby at the recent China Championship. “I haven’t been practising or playing well since the start of the season. I was surprised that I got to the final in China because my play was terrible. I can try to win matches this week and build a bit of momentum and confidence.”

Highlight of the day was a 147 for Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the first frame of his 4-1 win over Soheil Vahedi, earning him a possible £17,000 bonus. Read more on that story here.

European Masters champion Jimmy Robertson kept his momentum going with a 4-1 win over Michael Holt, making breaks of 81, 71 and 68.

“I’m on a bit of a roll at the moment and full of confidence,” said Bexhill’s Robertson. “I played really well tonight. I know a lot of people in this area, when I was growing up I was playing in clubs all over Sussex. Quite a few people are here to support me.”

Veteran Jimmy White scored an impressive 4-2 win over China’s Lyu Haotian. That made it back-to-back wins for 56-year-old White as he beat Fergal O’Brien in last week’s International Championship qualifiers. Today, the Whirlwind fired breaks of 81, 74 and 63.

World number nine Kyren Wilson became the only top-16 ranked player to lose in the first round as he went down 4-3 to Thailand’s Sunny Akani. From 3-1 down, Akani took the last three frames with top runs of 78 and 62.

Luca Brecel top scored with 109 in a 4-0 win over Niu Zhuang while Mark Allen beat Anthony Hamilton 4-2 with a top break of 91. Jack Lisowski came from 2-1 down to beat Fergal O’Brien 4-2.

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Householders across West Sussex are being urged to check if their water pipes could potentially be harmful.

With more than two-thirds of homeowners not knowing if their water is supplied through potentially harmful lead water pipes, WaterSafe, the UK register for approved plumbers, is urging everyone to ‘take the scratch test’.

A recent survey of 2,000 homeowners by WaterSafe revealed 68% don’t know if they have potentially harmful lead water pipes in their property.

Water used for drinking and cooking which has been supplied through lead pipes can lead to a build-up of lead in the body.

This can be bad for health – especially for babies and children, whose development can be affected.

A further 53% of homeowners don’t know that it’s their responsibility to replace lead pipes they find in their home, should they choose to replace them with copper or plastic ones approved for tap water.

Julie Spinks, director of WaterSafe, said: “We’re asking property owners to do one thing during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 21-27) – check your homes and business premises for lead water pipes, especially if you have an older property.

“It’s quite simple – find the water pipe where it enters your home, which is usually in a kitchen cupboard or under the stairs.

“Lead pipes are normally dull grey and soft and if you scrape the surface gently with a coin you’ll see shiny silver-coloured metal underneath. It’s quite distinct from copper or plastic. If the pipes are painted just scrape the paint off too.”

The use of lead in plumbing has been banned in the UK for more than 25 years, so it’s houses built before 1970 which are most likely to have lead pipes.

Homeowners who find they do have lead pipes should contact their water supplier who can test the levels of lead in the drinking water and offer advice on replacing them.

WaterSafe recommends employing an approved plumber from its UK register to replace pipes, as they are fully qualified in the water supply regulations and are promoted by water companies to keep drinking water safe in homes. Find local, approved plumbers using a postcode search at watersafe.org.uk.

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The hard work of students at the University of Chichester will be celebrated as it holds more of its graduation ceremonies.

And they will be joined by some familiar faces from the world of sport and music.

The graduates and their families will fill Chichester Cathedral on Thursday, October 18 and Friday, October 19 for the ceremonies which the university’s vice-chancellor Jane Longmore signals a new chapter for the students.

She said: “Graduation is rightly seen as a celebration of achievement and the triumphant end of an important phase in our students’ lives.

“I hope that this ceremony will also mark a beginning, in that they will take with them not just happy memories of their time at Chichester but a quest for knowledge and the gift of friendship that will last a lifetime.”

Three honorary graduates will also be joining the students at the ceremonies.

Chi-chi Nwanoku, a passionate advocate of the importance of music in students’ lives, is to be made an Honorary Doctor of Music.

She is the founder, artistic and executive director of Chineke! - Europe’s first professional orchestra of majority Black and Minority Ethnic musicians and regularly presents for BBC Radio 3, Radio 4, and guests for BBC Proms Extra.

Meanwhile former England international footballer and manager Hope Powell will be made an Honorary Doctor of Sport.

Hope, currently the women’s first-team manager of Brighton and Hove Albion, won 66 caps for England as a player and managed the team for 162 games, including at the 2012 Olympic Games.

In 2003, she became the first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence: the highest coaching qualification available.

The final honorary recipient also comes from the world of sport with Formula One’s Michael ‘Herbie’ Blash being made an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration.

Herbie Blash has been one of the major architects of F1 and is a well-respected figure in the F1 community. He was the FIA deputy race director at Formula One races from late 1995 until he stepped down at the end of the 2016 season.

Herbie started working in Formula One in 1965 with RRC Walker Racing as a mechanic before joining the Lotus team in 1968. In 1973, he became the team manager for Brabham where he worked alongside owner Bernie Ecclestone and designer Gordon Murray. His time at the team oversaw the world championship wins of Nelson Piquet in 1981 and 1983.

He continued as team manager until 1988 but left the team when it was sold by Bernie Ecclestone.

A full list of the graduates can be found in the Chichester Observer series dates October 18, 2019.

Chichester University students celebrated their graduation at Chichester Festival Theatre: https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/chichester-university-students-to-celebrate-their-graduation-1-8638680

A detective who helped bring a Goring mum who conned her loving relatives out of more than £130,000 to justice has said her actions were ‘devastating’.

Asha Dawes, 22, of Nelson Road, lied about having cancer and faked bank statements so she could steal more than £130,000 from her loving family has been jailed, Hove Crown Court heard yesterday. Click here to read the full story.

Detective Constable Noel Simmonds said: “One of the saddest parts of this investigation was that even after Shirley and John discovered Asha stole the proceeds of their house sale, they were still looking for the money Asha claimed she had moved into a high-interest savings account.

“They loved her, trusted her and they could not believe that she had taken so much for so long. It was several days after Asha’s arrest that they realised she had stolen the money for the savings account too.

“One thing that comes across from the emails with the fake solicitors is that John and Shirley’s main concern through all of this was Asha’s welfare.

“Asha was aware of that loyalty and compassion, aware of the horrific impact on their health and psychological wellbeing but still continued to spend the money she stole from them on luxury goods.”

Members of Asha’s family were in court yesterday, where judge Shani Barnes jailed her for four years.

DC Simmonds continued: “Asha’s actions had a devastating impact on Shirley and John, as well as her great aunt and great uncle, an impact that will likely continue for the rest of their lives.

“The sentence passed provides a degree of recognition, validation, and closure that was previously denied to them, but they find no comfort in the imprisonment of a loved one.”

Goodwood is in the frame for three honours in the Racecourse Association Showcase awards.

The awards celebrate excellence and innovation in racecourse customer experience. The finalists were decided after a day of intense voting and decision-making from the panel of six independent judges.

A winner in each category, as well as an overall champion cacecourse, will be decided at the RCA’s annual marquee Showcase and Awards event at Aintree Racecourse, the reigning showcase champions, on November 8.

The list of finalists across the ten categories covers 25 racecourses in total. Hamilton Park and Royal Windsor lead the way with four nominations each, while Ascot, Beverley, Goodwood, Newbury, Newmarket, Sandown Park and Uttoxeter have three each.

Racecourses named as finalists in two or more categories are invited to submit an entry for champion racecourse.

Caroline Davies, the RCA’s racecourse services director, said: “It is one of the most exciting times of year to see the Showcase submissions go before the judges. We were thrilled to see the number of racecourses engage with the Awards increase this year which shows the care and attention given to enhancing the raceday experience.

“The diversity amongst the finalists demonstrates both the quality and variety of the experience on offer across all our racecourses. Congratulations to all of our finalists – to be nominated as such is a great achievement in itself. The countdown to Aintree on November 8 is now on to see who will join our esteemed list of winners.”

Rain dampens end of a vintage season
Changing of the guard for Goodwood owners
In the Best Campaign category, Goodwood is nominated for the Magnolia Cup, the successful funuidraising annual ladies’ race which nets about £200,000 a year for charity. Goodwood are up against Aintree, Cartmel, Pontefract and Worcester.

In the Love of the Sport category, Goodwood is shortlisted for its ‘Recognising the Commitment of Racing Staff’ campaign and is in competition with Market Rasen, Newton Abbot, Sandown Park and Thirsk.

In the operational excellence category, goodwood is a contender for its Richmond Enclosure improvements and is up against Doncaster, Hamilton Park, Newbury and Royal Windsor.

Goodwood racecourse manager Alex Eade said: “Just to have been nominated as finalists in three categories is a huge achievement for the team and recognises the effort that everyone has put in throughout the season.

“The Magnolia Cup was an enormous success and it is fantastic that the race has been shortlisted for Best Campaign.

“The new Champagne Bar was a huge undertaking, but the end result is breath-taking and finishes the improvements we have made to the Richmond Enclosure, so it is great that the judges selected this work for Operational Excellence.

“Love the Sport is always a very tough category to be nominated for, so we are particularly pleased that the work we have done to recognise the commitment of racing staff has been shortlisted.”

The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed crews responded to a call yesterday (Tuesday, October 16) that a man had collapsed in Selsey High Street at about 12.25pm.

The man, who required resuscitation, was treated before being taken to St Richard's Hospital in a serious condition, the ambulance service said.

A spokesman for SECAmb said: "I understand bystanders commenced CPR and used a public defibrillator prior to our arrival.

"We would like to thank everyone who helped the gentleman prior to the arrival of our crews. We are always very grateful for any assistance provided prior to our arrival and their quick thinking and actions were vital."

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Plaistow residents feel like they are ‘living in the shadow of a ticking time bomb’ as administrators of Crouchland Farm were given more time to fully decommission the site.

The controversial anaerobic digestion plant based at the farm, in Rickmans Lane, was shut down last year after administrators were appointed.

This followed decisions by a planning inspector to dismiss appeals against both enforcement notices from Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council’s refusal to grant retrospective permission for expansion of operations.

Due to the scale of the decommissioning project the district council has received a request to extend the compliance period specified in the enforcement notices from May 2019 to May 2021.

This was approved by CDC’s planning committee today (Wednesday October 17).

The discussion focused around lagoon three, which is storing digestate produced by the anaerobic digestion plant.

While this can normally be spread on fields as fertiliser during the summer months but first its composition has to be fully established.

It is currently covered as the lagoon is still producing gas.

Dave Jordan, speaking in objection, said they wanted the site decommissioned quickly but safely as per the inspector’s ruling, but said they were ‘shocked’ to read the Environment Agency’s assessment.

He added: “It makes us feel we are living in the shadow of a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment.”

He asked if councillors were confident decommissioning could be achieved within two years and whether officers had seen a detailed decommissioning plan.

An officers’ report explained how the time extension was being sought because the administrators advised they would not be in a position to continue in their position if there was a risk of criminal liability through either unsafe decommissioning of the site or by being unable to complete the requirements of the enforcement notices by May 2019.

Sara Burrell, chairman of Ifold and Plaistow Parish Council, said: “Over the last six years we have learnt to be very wary. We are surprised at the undue haste to achieve an extension.

“We believe it’s reasonable to ask why this sudden urgent rush coupled with a veiled threat to abandon 53,000 cubic metres of potentially toxic waste.”

She asked if a six-month rolling deadline with regular updates would be a better way of proceeding.

Janet Duncton (Con, Petworth) said: “I do not want to tie their [the administrators’] hands to something that can’t be achieved and we are stuck holding the baby at the end of the day.”

She added: “I would like to see it sorted out ASAP and ASAP means two years. I would like to give them that opportunity to prove they are honourable people.”

Richard Plowman (LDem, Chichester West) added: “It seems a great deal of progress has been made admittedly not as quickly as we would have liked.

“If we are too draconian we could be having to pick up the bill for this.”

Environment Agency officers explained that the digestate from lagoon three could not be spread on land during winter as it could be washed off and pollute water courses and may need to be pre-treated.

An alternative to send it to landfill could cost as much as £10m.

Michael Turner, an area manager at the Environment Agency, described how the lagoon was being inspected regularly adding: “We do not believe it’s hazardous waste but there are hazards that come with the waste.”

Bob Hayes (Con, Southbourne), chairman of the committee, said: “I would rather give the two years and get it done properly rather than rush it. The risk for me is not worth it.”

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Reports of suspicious activity in Walberton led to a police car pursuit and helicopter search last night (Monday), Sussex Police have confirmed.

Police said officers were called to a report of suspicious activity at a building site in Yapton Lane at about 11.57pm.

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended and located a van in the area, which was followed and failed to stop.

"Following a short pursuit it crashed into a tree in Westergate Street, Westergate, and a man decamped from the vehicle and was detained."

A National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was then called to assist in a search for another suspect, believed to be 'garden hopping' in the area, according to police.

However, police confirmed there was 'no trace' and enquiries were 'ongoing to locate the second suspect'.

The spokesman added: "The van was seized for forensics and a number of building materials – believed to have been stolen from the site – were recovered.

"A 20-year-old man from Bognor Regis, arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, theft by finding, and two counts of dangerous driving, has been released under investigation pending further enquiries."

An ice rink is ‘what Chichester needs this Christmas’ according to the attraction’s promoters as it was given the green light by councillors.

The rink would be housed in a marquee with a cafe, changing facilities and skate hire facility on land south west of the Guildhall.

Proposals also include seven festive food and drink concession stalls.

It is due to run from late November to early January.

A planning application for a change of use for the land was delegated to officers for approval by Chichester District Council’s planning committee today (Wednesday October 17) on the chairman’s casting vote.

This means that at the end of the consultation period if no new significant material considerations are raised and no objection is received from Historic England the plans would get the final go ahead.

Members were split about the positives of an ice rink such as the economic benefits for the city centre balanced against the impact on nearby residents and on the park itself.

Edward White of S3K, the company behind the proposals, said they would continue to work with officers to resolve noise issues and mitigate any impact on residents.

He said: “This is what Chichester needs for Christmas and it’s not our intention to cause upset or concern to anybody.”

He added: “We are really delighted with the committee’s decision today and look forward to working with the planning department to overcome the issues raised and to bring a wonderful family experience to Chichester this Christmas”

During the meeting Guy Knight, who lives in St Martin’s Square, raised concerns about the 24/7 impact of noise from the power generator, while other objectors talked about general disturbance to residents from activities at the ice rink, parking and the long-term effect of the structures on the park’s grass and soil.

Meanwhile disturbance from recent events in Priory Park had left residents with a ‘total lack of faith and confidence’ in the council to minimise disruption.

Richard Plowman, chairman of Friends of Priory Park, asked if the park was a suitable place for a commercial operation.

He said if the plans went ahead whether they would have decide whether the park remained ‘a place of peace and tranquillity that we all know and love’.

Adrian Moss (LDem, Fishbourne) added: “We need to support things like the ice rink, we need to get people to visit Chichester, but we have chosen the wrong location.”

The ice rink was backed by Colin Hicks from Chichester BID, while Mr White described how it was a family attraction, music would be controlled, they would have security on site at all times and a number of noise mitigation measures.

Jane Kilby (Con, Chichester East) said: “I personally see this as a one-year trial subject to a lot of work being done by officers to mitigate the problems that have been mentioned.”

Tricia Tull (Con, Sidlesham) added: “We are only talking about a segment of the park. It was given to the public for recreation and enjoyment.”

Officers explained how the applicant had agreed to move the generator and plant equipment to the eastern side of the marquee, further away from residential dwellings.

They described how ground conditions was a consideration which carried little planning weight and suggested a city centre location was desirable to attract shoppers to Chichester.

But Graeme Barrett (Ind, West Wittering) said: “I think it’s a good idea to have an ice rink in the area. However the location is inappropriate. I think the location is too close to residential properties.”

Julie Tassell (Con, Funtington) added: “I simply can’t support this application. I think the idea of an ice rink is a great idea but it’s totally in the wrong place for it.”

As the committee was tied five votes to five, the casting vote was left to committee chairman Bob Hayes (Con, Southbourne) who signalled his support for the scheme.

Afterwards he said: “I shall be ensuring they adhere to the conditions that are set out very clearly.”

A Goring mum who lied about having cancer and stole £130,000 from her loving family has been branded ‘selfish’ and ‘absolutely horrible’.

Asha Dawes, 22, of Nelson Road, took so much from her grandparents behind their backs that they were left ‘skeletal’ and stranded in Spain, Hove Crown Court heard yesterday. Click here to read the original story.

Since the story was published last night, members of the public have taken to social media to express their horror at Dawes’ crimes.

Writing on our Facebook page, Sue Goble Lancaster said: “What a nasty, selfish, evil woman.

“How could she make her family think she had cancer and let them lose their home for her?

“Hope she gets everything dhe deserves and pays her family back.”

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Claire Cook commented: “Just read this and am lost for words!

“How anyone can lie about having cancer I will never know.”

Tim Kimber said it was ‘absolutely horrible’.

Kath Banner commented: “There is no sentence long enough to compensate the poor people for the anguish and heartache this awful woman has put them through.

“I hope they can rebuild their lives. Sadly the money has gone but they have each other.”