Oxford News
Oxford woman in shopping centre ban for prolific bike theft
Charlotte Pauling, 39, of Bonar Road, Headington, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence and a criminal behaviour order at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 10.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of bicycle theft, driving without insurance, breaching a closure order, and 10 breaches of a community protection notice.
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Charlotte Pauling, 39, of Bonar Road (Image: TVP)
The offences were committed in and around Templars Square Shopping Centre between February 26 and May 21 this year.
PC Greg Pankhurst, of the East Oxford and Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This sentence, and specifically the criminal behaviour order, has been secured to protect the community from a prolific offender whose repeated bicycle thefts have had a significant impact on members of the public around Templars Square.
“She has been given numerous opportunities to engage with support services and previous interventions which I have issued to her, but her offending has continued.”
Inside Templars Square shopping centre
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The criminal behaviour order includes a five-year ban from Templars Square Shopping Centre and the surrounding area, and requires Pauling to register all pedal cycles in her possession with Thames Valley Police.
PC Pankhurst added: “This order places clear restrictions on her, including a five-year exclusion from Templars Square and the surrounding area and a requirement to register all pedal cycles with Thames Valley Police, helping to prevent further offending and reduce the harm she has caused to the local community.”
She was arrested on May 21 and charged the following day.
Oxford News
Bake Off’s Prue Leith scared for son’s life amid murder probe
Dame Prue, who lives in Moreton-in-Marsh just over the Oxfordshire border, is most famous for judging Channel 4 show The Great British Bake Off, appearing alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood for nine series.
The 86-year-old joined the series in 2017, replacing Henley resident Dame Mary Berry when it moved from the BBC, but in January this year announced she was bowing out of the Bake Off.
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Even so, she has continued to be featured in the media, with her latest appearance concerning her son Danny Kruger, an MP for Reform UK.
Speaking to Times Radio this week, Dame Prue said she was “worrying” about him in the wake of the death of Ann Widdecombe.
Danny Kruger MP (Image: Victoria Jones/PA)
Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday, July 9, at her home in Devon with police having since arrested a 28-year-old man in Rotherham on suspicion of her murder.
The former Conservative minister joined Reform UK in 2019, the same party that Mr Kruger defected to in September 2025, with the party since pushing for more money to be spent on security for MPs.
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Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Prue said: “I haven’t even rung him [her son] up about it because I don’t want him…having to add to the worry the fact that his mother is worrying.”
She added: “Honestly, I think the government will do everything it can to protect MPs and there are dangers in every walk of life and this is one that MPs have to have in the back of their minds.
“But I think it is scary.”
Oxford News
Oxfordshire future in in limbo as major decision due
The national government’s reorganisation of local authorities is set to see a new unitary council or councils created – abolishing those which currently run Oxfordshire, its city and districts.
To meet its own timetable for the change, the Government must announce its decision tomorrow, Thursday, July 16.
It had been suggested by the county highway repairs boss and former leader Liz Leffman that the choice would have been shared today, July 15.
(Image: Oxfordshire County Council)
However, at the time of writing, this has not been revealed.
A spokesperson for the city council said they had “not heard anything” on the choice, concluding that it will therefore be shared tomorrow.
There are three options on the table for the authority or authorities which will replace Oxfordshire’s councils in April 2028.
These are for one, two or three new unitary councils – the options for multiple authorities would also include West Berkshire.
Rumours from Westminster that the Labour government will choose to go with the Labour-run Oxford City Council’s proposal for local government reorganisation – Calum Miller, the Lib Dem MP for Bicester and Woodstock, told Parliament that people in his constituency are “concerned” about this.
He was questioning the English devolution minister, Alison McGovern, who said she is “sticking to” a process already set out by the Government and that announcements will be made “this week”.
Oxford News
England vs Argentina: Oxford couple divided over World Cup
Matthew Newman and Romina Ledesma, who have been together for five years and live in Little Milton, will be backing different sides as England face Argentina in a high-stakes match on the world stage.
Mr Newman, a passionate England supporter, said: “There is a lot of history between the two countries, inside and outside of football and it’s the first time I will have watched a game between the two – even better that it’s on the world stage in a semi-final of the World Cup.”
His partner, from Argentina, is just as excited.
Romi said: “It will be Leo’s first time against England so it’s a very important game for Argentina tonight as well.”
The pair have been teasing each other since the start of the tournament, fully aware that a clash between their teams was always a possibility.
Matt, who works in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said they have exchanged ‘lots of small jokes here and there’, with “the occasional ‘It’s coming home’ mid-conversation and chats about what I’ll be doing when we win.”.
Ms Ledesma added: “We were joking about playing against each other in this World Cup at some point, but we didn’t expect that to happen, and suddenly… here we are!
“We have been teasing each other match by match, but not just each other but also with our Argentinians and English friends.”
Despite their playful rivalry, the couple agree that watching the game together might not be the best idea this time.
Matt said: “We decided it’s probably not best to watch together, especially considering it would be a little odd going together to a place full of English supporters and Romi is there on her own supporting Argentina.”
Romi said she will watch the game with her Argentinian friends.
She said: “I will be watching it with my Argentinian friends at their house, which will be super fun! I feel it would be a bit awkward watching it in any bar/pub being an Argentinian supporter.”
Football holds deep personal meaning for both fans, each convinced of their team’s chances.
Matt said: “We’ve come so close to winning things in the past couple of years, and I really do think that this time we can go all the way.
“Jude is in the form of his life and can always count on Kane to bag a goal when we need one.”
Yet Romi is equally optimistic about Argentina’s prospects.
She said: “As Argentinians, we are passionate people, and that passion shows in the way we support our teams.
“Whether it’s football, hockey, polo, Formula 1, basketball, or any other sport, we always give our full support to the athletes no matter the result.”
Each has their own score prediction, adding extra anticipation to the evening.
Matt predicts a 3-1 win for England whilst Romi reckons it will be 4-2 Argentina.
He said: “I think we have too much pace on the wings for Argentina and they play such a high line – but wouldn’t be surprised if they got a goal first – as they have players with great quality.”
Romi expects a high-scoring win for her team.
She said: “Argentina have been giving us small heart attacks in the last few matches, but I feel tonight they will be pressing and playing hard from the start.”
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