Oxford News
Named duo charged after ‘knife assault’ by Oxford Ladbrokes
Thames Valley Police have charged Tyreace Crichton-Withers, aged 20, and Gordon Crichton, aged 41, both of Nunnery Close, Oxford, with one count each of Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent.
This is related to an incident at around 4.35pm on Tuesday, May 19, during which a man in his 20s suffered an injury and was treated in hospital.
READ MORE: Shocking ‘stabbing’ condemned by leaders as Oxford community scared
This happened at Blackbird Leys Close, next to Blackbird Leys Road, where a number of shops are based including Ladbrokes and a Nisa Local.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Crichton-Withers and Crichton appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court (sitting at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court) today (May 21), where Crichton was remanded in custody and Crichton-Withers was released on court bail.
“Both are due to appear at Oxford Crown Court on 19 June.
“As charges have now been made, we are unable to provide any further details while proceedings are ongoing.”
In a previous statement, police had acknowledged that a knife was involved as they looked to reassure local people, who had said they felt unsafe.
On Wednesday, May 20, Detective Sergeant Pete Warne of Oxford CID, said: “We understand that incidents involving knives are extremely concerning for the local community.
“I want to reassure residents that we are carrying out a number of fast-paced enquiries and our investigation is progressing well.”
The force added there would likely be a visible police presence in the area in the coming days.
Following the alleged attack, local workers and councillors expressed their shock.
Councillor Lubna Arshad, who is the city council member for a safer Oxford and whose ward includes Blackbird Leys Road, said she was “saddened”.
She said: “It is important to stress that this appears to have been an isolated incident, and arrests were made quickly following the police response.
“Blackbird Leys remains a strong, resilient, and close-knit community.”
Councillor Linda Smith announced there would be increased patrols in the area by police and the city council’s community safety team.
A woman, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said these sort of incidents are a “day-to-day thing” in the area.
She said: “It is always happening around here. I go to the door and ask what is happening this time.”
When asked whether an increased police presence might make her feel more at ease, she said it would not help.
READ MORE: Workers feel ‘unsafe’ in Oxford area after ‘GBH incident’
“Police do not frighten them,” she said. “If they want to do something they will do it.”
Her fellow employee added that he is “scared” when he walks back to his car at night.
Adam Esmail who works at the Region to Season store agreed.
The 39-year-old said: “We get used to it to be honest. Police presence is not unusual around here; this area has been rough for a number of years.”
A record crowd of 27,500 people descended on Hill Farm, Steventon, near Didcot, for four days of live music and dancing from an impressive bill of big name stars and up-and-coming acts.
Organisers have now finished tidying up the site, which for rest of the year is a peaceful mixed arable and dairy farm.
While always a sell-out event, this year’s festival attracted a record crowd – with families of young children making up much of the increased numbers. They joined a friendly crowd made up of everyone from enthusiastically partying teenagers to veteran artists and festival-goers and volunteers serving up treats to revellers to raise money for local charities and good causes.
They enjoyed an array of rock, pop, country and dance acts including indie-rock bands The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, The Vaccines and The Cribs.
Also playing the hallowed Truck Stage were Bobby Gillespie’s dance-rock band Primal Scream, fans’ favourite Kaiser Chiefs and The K’s. Among the best-known bands were iconic rabble-rousing rockers The Libertines who delighted the Sunday night crowd with a punchy, poetic set of familiar tunes – bandmates Carl Barât and Peter Doherty bonding over their songs having healed their much-publicised supposed rift.
The best-loved section of the festival for lovers of the Oxford music scene was the so-called Veterans and Virgins stage, which featured bands and artists who had played previous Truck Festivals along with new talent making their debut.
The stage is curated by brothers Robin and Joe Bennett of the band The Dreaming Spires, who set up the festival in 1998 as a birthday celebration for Robin – now a Green councillor on South Oxfordshire District Council.
While the brothers no longer run the whole festival, they continue to attract international and local artists to their popular stage as well as performing.
Robin, who launched his own solo act at the festival on the Sunday, said: “It has been a really good one this year. The sun has helped and everyone seems happy. We have had some great music.”
Robin was joined by charismatic Guatemalan/ Los Angeles rocker ‘Y’ on drums, guitar and vocals. He said: “It was the best one yet. It’s a great festival. You find new friends and always meet old friends – it’s like that first sip of wine. It’s Truck-tacular!”
Festival organisers said: “It’s hard to think of a Truck Festival weekend that has left us so delighted and full of joy than this one. From the moment gates opened on the Thursday, that atmosphere which makes Truck so special has shone bright and has made this year one that’s going to sit as the biggest and best Truck in festival history.
“Looking out across the festival site under stunning summer skies, we couldn’t help but feel emotional and grateful for the love and support that Truckers have showed us this year.”
A highlight was a surprise appearance by Supergrass star Gaz Coombes, from Wheatley, who joined the Oxford Symphony Orchestra as a special guest.
Fellow artist Nick Fowler, who lives near Wantage, also joined the orchestra – as well as making a number of other appearances on guitar throughout the weekend.
He said: “I have been going to Truck since 2003 and this was the best one yet. Having Gaz Coombes join the Oxford Symphony Orchestra was unbelievable – and the audience reaction was amazing. What a moment!”
Hill Farm’s Richard Binning was among those helping to feed punters at the Feel Good Food Hall, in which volunteers from charities and local good causes served everything from corn on the cob and steak sandwiches to Thai curry and macaroni cheese – with proceeds going to their respective organisations.
Richard follows in the footsteps of his farmer father, Alan, who, for many years, manned the grill with Didcot Rotary Club members, serving bacon butties, burgers and chips.
Richard joined volunteers dishing up steak sandwiches. He said: “This has been a great year. The weather makes a difference and the atmosphere has been fantastic.
“Having volunteers raising funds for good causes is what makes Truck Festival so unique. There is nothing else like it.”
David Wilson Homes’ The Pavilions, located on Bowlers Close, is now over 95 per cent sold, with just seven homes remaining.
The development offers three and four-bedroom properties designed to suit first-time buyers and growing families.
Helen Lewis, managing director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We are delighted to announce that we are over 95 per cent sold at The Pavilions and it’s the final opportunity to secure a new home in the community.”
Launched in September 2021, The Pavilions will provide a total of 148 new homes.
The project also includes more than 23 acres of green space, 49 bird and bat boxes, 325 new trees, a wetland meadow, and community allotments.
Ms Lewis added: “We’ve enjoyed great success at the development and it’s been fantastic to see the community take shape.
“We encourage anyone interested in securing a place at The Pavilions to visit our marketing suite to learn more about the properties available.”
More than £750,000 was pledged to support the local area through S106 agreements, including £300,000 for schools and early year education, £186,869 for onsite outdoor sports facilities, and a £34,230 bus infrastructure contribution.
The developer has supported the wider Banbury community through event sponsorships and donations to organisations such as Banbury Men’s Shed and The Let’s Play Project.
All remaining homes are ready to move into, with prices starting from £390,000.
Nearly £38,000 has been donated to Katharine House Hospice in north Oxfordshire over the past 18 months, thanks to recycled metals from cremations at North Oxfordshire Crematorium.
The scheme is part of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Metals Recycling Scheme, which recycles metals with family consent and donates proceeds to charity.
Vanessa Moor, site manager at North Oxfordshire Crematorium, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Katharine House Hospice through our ICCM charity partnership, recognising it as our essential local charity.
“Many people don’t realise that, with a family’s permission, metals recovered following cremation can be recycled to benefit charities supporting local communities.”
The most recent donation of £17,000 brings the total raised for the hospice to £37,982.
Ms Moor said families frequently speak highly of the care and support they have received from Katharine House.
The partnership extends beyond fundraising, with crematorium staff volunteering at the hospice’s events.
Sue Blank, corporate engagement officer at Katharine House Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to have Memoria’s continued support.
“The team at the North Oxfordshire site are a pleasure to work with and are always keen to support the hospice in any way they can, whether through volunteering, raising awareness of our work or through this fantastic recycling scheme.”
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