Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire boy accused of supporting IS appears in court
The teenager, from Didcot, is suspected of sharing IS propaganda on terrorist attacks in Paris as well as footage of battlefield explosions and killings.
It is said he had 17 knives, including machetes, in his bedroom when the home was raided by counter terrorism police on March 12.
READ MORE: Teenage Oxfordshire boy charged with terrorism offences
The boy, who has converted to Islam as a teenager, is said to have had swords and a knuckleduster in his possession, as well as homemade explosives.
He faces seven terrorism charges, including over the alleged possession of a suicide bomb vest.
The boy has also been charged with refusing to give police access to his phone while in custody after his arrest.
He appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, and Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded him into custody in secure accommodation designed for youth defendants.
Through his lawyer, the boy indicated not guilty pleas to all eight charges against him.
READ MORE: Oxford United posts net loss of £17.5m for financial year
According to the charges, it is said he sent a video “containing footage of Islamic State and attacks in Paris” to his cousin in November last year, and the following month shared a “battlefield video containing footage of Islamic state”.
On arrest, he is accused of possessing IS magazine Inspire 1, a document called 100 Deadly Skills, a suicide vest, a selection of knives and swords, and “homemade improvised explosive devices”.
The boy is due to appear at the Old Bailey for a further hearing on April 17.
The charges follow an investigation by counter terrorism policing for the South East.
READ MORE: Oxford University bids to become major US research centre
It includes two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication, contrary to section two of the Terrorism Act 2006 and three counts of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism, contrary to section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
He also faces two counts of possessing material that may be of use for terrorist purposes, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and failure to comply with a notice issued under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000, contrary to section 53 of RIPA.
The boy, who was first arrested on Thursday, March 12, and charged by counter terrorism police on Wednesday evening, March 18, cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age.
Cherwell District Council is working alongside Banbury Town Council and the Quays Consortium to prepare a formal expression of interest for the new national competition, which aims to celebrate the cultural and heritage contributions of towns across the country.
David Hingley, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “I’m proud to confirm that alongside our partners we will be submitting an expression of interest for Banbury to be recognised as the UK Town of Culture 2028.
“This competition is our opportunity to show the rich, diverse and historic heritage that makes Banbury so special and unique, and to leave a lasting legacy for the future.
“From our outdoor market, thriving community initiatives, popular festivals, grassroots arts and wellbeing projects, to youth sporting programmes, culture is already at the heart of Banbury, and this bid will help us shine a spotlight on the town, its people and its stories.”
The UK Town of Culture 2028 winner will receive £3 million to deliver a six-month programme of cultural events and activities.
Banbury’s expression of interest will showcase its distinct identity and outline how the programme could broaden resident engagement, increase access to arts and heritage, and involve communities in shaping the design and legacy of the programme.
The council is engaging with partners such as Banbury Museum, The Mill Arts Centre, cultural organisations, businesses, and community groups to strengthen the bid and realise the town’s cultural ambitions.
Helen & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill children and their families, launched its revamped clothing store on March 12.
The updated shop was opened by BBC Radio Oxford presenter Adam Ball and joins the charity’s refurbished homeware shop, which reopened last September and occupies the other half of the unit.
Baljit Dhindsa, head of retail at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are delighted to unveil the refurbished space, which has been thoughtfully redesigned to create a brighter, more modern shopping environment while continuing our commitment to sustainability.
“The new layout allows us to showcase an even wider selection of clothing and accessories, with improved displays and more space on the shop floor.
“We have also enhanced accessibility within the shop, including adding an additional accessible fitting room to ensure a comfortable experience for all our customers.”
The reimagined boutique-style shop features a contemporary, urban-inspired design with vintage touches and improved backroom facilities, allowing for increased donations and more efficient sorting.
Proceeds from the store directly support Helen & Douglas House’s hospice care in Oxford and in people’s homes.
Ms Dhindsa said: “When you buy something from our shop for £5, this could pay for arts and crafts materials for local terminally ill children to make Mother’s Day cards whilst staying at the hospice in Oxford.
“Our spring collection is now in store so do pop in to checkout our great range of clothing and accessories and take a look at the wonderful transformation of our shop.”
Cotswold Wildlife Park was established by John Heyworth on the Bradwell Grove Estate and opened on Good Friday, March 27, 1970.
It began with 341 animals and has since grown to house more than 1,500 animals across 250 species.
A spokesperson for Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 56 wonderful years of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and we’d like to thank our visitors for their loyal support over the years.
“We must thank them for all their support for more than half a century.”
From its early days on a shoestring budget, the park has expanded to include giraffes, which arrived in 2010 for its 40th anniversary, and rhinos such as D’ora, named during its golden jubilee year in 2020.
George the Aldabra giant tortoise is the park’s oldest and only original resident.
To mark the 50th anniversary, keepers made him a special cake during the lockdown.
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Student Life2 weeks agoThe independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoCrash partially blocks A40 and causes severe Oxfordshire traffic