Oxford News
Oxford Big Issue seller remembered for his ‘kindness’
Paul Crawford, a familiar face to many on the streets of the city where he could be spotted selling copies of the social enterprise magazine and befriending passersby, died on December 30 last year.
An inquest was held into the death of the 48-year-old man at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Thursday, April 30, which heard Mr Crawford took his own life at his home in Oxford.
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Mr Crawford’s niece, Megan Jones, said her uncle was more loved than he knew by those around him.
“Our relationship with Uncle Paul wasn’t straightforward,” Ms Jones said on behalf of herself and her sister.
“When we were little, he promised mum he would stay away from us unless he got clean, a promise he kept even when we were adults, even though we reached out.
“He was so involved with us when we were little, though, babysitting us, watching films, and always going along with whatever make-believe game we came up with, and he was always so much fun, a true Crawford trait of being a wind-up merchant.
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“What is so amazing is how, despite his traumas, he cared so much about others.
“Whether it was walking someone’s dog or doing shopping for older folks around Summertown, these ‘so Paul’ moments of kindness were his trademark.
“He listened to you and showed so many that you were loved and that you mattered.
“The world could use a lot more of that.”
The mark that the Big Issue seller left on Summertown was clear in the wake of his death, when a bench in the city neighbourhood was filled with tributes left in memory of the well-known Oxford character.
Evidence heard at the inquest suggested Mr Crawford had struggled with class A drug addiction for some time, suffered some long-term health conditions, and was finding it difficult to cope with bereavements of friends and family members.
Mr Crawford’s friend, Dan, described by his niece as ‘more like a brother’, died in early last year.
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In a statement read to the court, another friend of the deceased, Kevin Cooper, said: “We spent Christmas Day together as we were both on our own and I knew the time of year would be particularly hard for Paul.
“He had lost a close friend who he lived with in early January, and I knew Paul had never recovered from this as he would frequently tell me how much he missed him.
“Christmas was a good day. Paul was laughing and joking and playing with my dog.
“This was a shock to me. I am devastated by his death, and I think about him every day.”
The coroner concluded that Mr Crawford’s death was a suicide, and he died by hanging in his home on December 30, 2025.
He was discovered by police officers conducting a welfare check on January 1.
- Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can contact jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org.
Young Sherlock, a British mystery television series, will see Hero Fiennes Tiffin return as the titular character.
A Georgian Square in Bristol is being transformed back to the Victorian era ‘Oxford’ ahead of the filming of the second series.
The series, first aired in March this year, is inspired by Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes book series.
It was created by Matthew Parkhill and developed by Peter Harness and Guy Ritchie, who also directed two episodes.
Other main cast members returning include Dónal Finn (James Moriarty), Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, and Holly Cattle, who play Sherlock’s family members.
The series synopsis reveals: “As a 19-year-old at Oxford University, Sherlock Holmes is not yet the master detective he grows up to be.
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“He is raw and unfiltered, and he lacks discipline.
“A murder at Oxford puts Holmes’s freedom at risk, and he sets out to solve his first murder mystery that leads him to a global-level conspiracy.”
Young Sherlock received praise upon its release, and its 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes reflects that.
The critics’ consensus on the reviewing platform reads: “Young Sherlock doesn’t aim to recreate Conan Doyle’s work; rather, it takes pride in its liberal adaptation, delivering Guy Ritchie’s signature blend of precise entertainment, sly style, and ingratiating characters.”
One critic said: “Prime Video’s Young Sherlock is sensational.
“The series, which was adapted by Matthew Parkhill, remixes the beloved figure to deliver all the traits fans know and love — with more than one twist.”
Young Sherlock is available to stream now on Amazon Prime.
Traffic was halted on the major trunk motorway at about midday on Friday, August 7, because of a serious collision.
Cars were stopped and diverted before junction 10 with Ardley heading northbound on the motorway, before junction 11 with Banbury, and drivers travelling southbound were also stopped to allow an air ambulance to land.
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Cars experienced delays in excess of two hours on the northbound approach, with six miles of congestion reported, as well as significant delays on the A34 towards the Wendlebury Interchange and junction with the M40.
Thames Valley Police has been approached for more information on what happened but has not provided a response.
The motorway had reopened by about 3pm but residual delays remained for much of the afternoon.
Thames Valley Police’s rural crime taskforce, which frequently patrols the countryside across the north of Oxfordshire, have now revealed its officers were the first on the scene.
A spokesperson said they provided ‘an immediate response and support to those invovled’ and it is understood other emergency responders subsequently attended the scene.
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The officers also dealt with a stolen car in Kidlington and seized a van with no insurance whose driver had no licence.
In Chieveley, the taskforce arrested a driver on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs and driving whilst unfit through drugs, without a licence and without insurance.
It was described as a ‘proactive day highlighting the wide range of incidents Rural Crime Taskforce officers respond to across the force area’ by the team.
Environmental charity Earth Trust shared a video of the remnants of a barbecue still smouldering and surrounded by litter and burnt wood at historic chalk beech mounds the Wittenham Clumps in South Oxfordshire.
The fire, discovered on Friday, August 8, came just a day after the charity warned people about the dangers of barbecues at the green space during the extreme drought the county is facing, as ‘a single spark could develop into a wildfire’.
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A spokesperson for Earth Trust said: “The reality is that one small fire could easily burn through the whole of the Clumps and Bessie’s Field grasslands.
“It could spread into the hedgerows, damage the woodlands, and cause real, lasting harm to the archaeology of Castle Hill.
“A disposable BBQ might look harmless. A few glowing embers might seem like nothing. But in dry grassland, that is all it takes.
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“Please do not bring BBQs or light fires at the Clumps or any of our nature reserves. Take your litter home. Leave no trace.
“If you see vegetation on fire, no matter how small, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service. Do not put yourself at risk.”
People are asked to bring picnics instead, take all litter home, leave no trace on the landscape and report any signs of fire immediately to protect the iconic landscape.
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