News Report Archive
27th August 2000
News reports from Wigan Observer, Wigan Reporter and Wigan Evening Post

PERVERT ASSAULTS FOUR YEAR-OLD IN WIGAN LOO

A four year-old boy was sexually assaulted in a Wigan town centre toilet as his unsuspecting mother waited outside.
Police have launched a manhunt for the pervert who molested the youngster when he went into the conveniences on Hindley Walk in the Galleries shopping centre.
The boy, who has not been named, had run on ahead of his mother to relieve himself. But when he failed to return after several minutes she asked a male passer-by to go in and look for him.
At first he could not be seen but after the boy's name was shouted out, he emerged alone from a cubicle.
His mother began leading him away and it was only as they walked that the boy revealed why he had been so long.
Horrified, the mother ran back to the lavatories but by then the molester had gone.
It is now assumed that he was still in the toilet cubicle when the youngster was called out.
The assault took place around noon on Wednesday lunchtime when the centre was packed with shoppers.
Detectives have appealed for anyone seeing suspicious behaviour in the area of Hindley Walk and any men or boys who used the convenience around the time of the attack to come forward.
They are also studying CCTV footage taken on the day by the town centre cameras and have issued a description of the man given to them by his young victim.
He is described as white, aged between 25 and 35, 5ft 5ins to 6ft tall, of slim build with dark hair, wearing dark coloured clothing and shoes.
Det Insp Steve Crimmins of Wigan CID said, "This was a distressing incident for both the young boy and his mother. the Galleries were bustling at the timeof the assault so there would be many potential witnesses around."
Of course, we especially need to speak to anyone who used the Hindley Walk men's conveniences at around noon on Wednesday- they may well have seen the suspect."
Anyone with information should contact Det Con Mick Johnson on 0161 856 7145.

11TH MEMBER OF DRUGS GANG JAILED.

The eleventh man in a massive drug selling operation has been jailed for four months by a judge.(See August 13th news)
Michael Cunningham could not be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court last week with his co-accused as his barrister was unavailable.
Cunningham of London Close Marsh Green, admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamines. He admitted that he acted as lookout and occasionally assisted people into a house in Hunter Road Marsh Green where amphetamine was sold.
Last week ten men were sentenced to a total of more than 13 years in jail for their part in supplying amphetamine.
As part of Operation Guadeloupe, police watched the house in Hunter Road in May and June of last year. They recorded 2,500 visits to the house, the majority of which were related to buying amphetamine, known as 'speed' to users.
The police told the court that drug dealing was taking place on a prolific scale and that an address in Harrow Road Marsh Green was used as a safe house to store pure amphetamine with a potential street value of between £82,000 and £420,000.

SOAP STARS TO MEET WARRIORS

Wigan RL stars will lace up their boots just hours after their clash with Bradford- to play football against a team of soap stars!
A number of the warriors first team regulars will take the field to play an all-star celebrity line up headed by soccer legend Frank Worthington and including small screen stars from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
Among the actors who have already been pencilled in for the Bank Holiday Monday clash are Ben Freeman, who plays Scott Windsor in Emmerdale, Nick Pickard, alias Hollyoaks' Tony Hutchinson and Corrie duo Steven Arnold aka Ashley Peacock and Michael Le Vell who plays Kevin Webster.
They are all expected to be named in a celebrity side to face a Wigan RL team which includes Mick Cassidy, Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson, Steve Renouf, Kris Radlinski and Gary Connolly.
The game is the showcase attraction at a family fun day at Orrell RU's Edge Hall Road ground, which has been organised as part of second row forward Mick Cassidy's testimonial.
Event organiser Barbara Thompson said, "We are hoping quite a lot of people will turn up if the weather is good.
"Wigan have the Bradford game the night before but I am sure they will be alright. Steve Hampson is also playing for the Wigan team and Gary Connolly is the goalkeeper."
As well as the football game, children will be able to take part in a touch rugby competition from 11.30am, and there will be other attractions such as a bouncy castle, stalls and face painting.
There will also be a tug of war contest from 12.15pm and organisers are hoping a bumper crowd will turn out for the fun day.
Barbara said, "It promises to be a really good day. We want to attract families to the event, but there are a lot of things for adults as well- we had a fashion show last week so hopefully this will be just as successful."
The event starts at 11am, while the football game which is being refereed by Super League whistle blower, Bob Connolly, kicks off at 1pm. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children.

HAT TRICK FOR PROUD PARENTS

Two's company, three's a crowd....and proud parents Tina and Barry Evans are certainly going to make sure that Wigan Latics' youngest triplet fans will be part of the top team's future crowd.
Tina, 31, scored her own hat-trick when she gave birth to triplets Charly-Dee, Katie Alice and Reece William Barry on June 24th.
And although they are only eight weeks old, their mum and dad are already making plans to take them to their first Wigan match.
Barry, 43, who has been supporting the Latics since his childhood, and now works as a steward at the stadium, is keen to see his young family follow in his footsteps.
Already parents to two year-old Bethany, the Evans' saw their family double in size when the triplets arrived and, despite only having one son, Barry has high hopes that a few of his children will go on to play football for his favourite team.
He said, "Reece could play for Latics and the little girls could play for Latics ladies team. At the moment I'd say Reece and Charly-Dee are the most lively of the triplets. They wake up at the same time, but we always have to wake up little Katie Alice."
The family will be taking advantage of the club's family stand at the first opportunity they get. Tina said, "Wigan are a great team, they've come a long way in recent years. We'll take the triplets to a match as soon as we're able to. At the moment though, it's a bit difficult. I haven't got enough hands!"

'NASTY ATTACK AT BOAR'S HEAD

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an 18 year-old woman was grabbed from behind and assaulted.
The teenager, who was attacked as she walked home at 3am, following a night out with her friends, has been left traumatised by her ordeal.
The incident happened as the woman, who does not want to be named, was walking down Wigan Lane on Monday. She was alone and close to the Boar's Head pub after a night out with friends when she was suddenly grabbed from behind and assaulted by a man.
Her attacker is described as a white male, of stocky build with dark hair.
The victim managed to eventually push the man away and ran off. She was not badly hurt but has been left badly shaken.
Detectives at Wigan CID have described the incident as a 'nasty attack' and they are now urging witnesses to come forward with information. They are appealing to anyone who saw the victim, who is described as 5ft 4ins tall with blond hair and wearing dark blue jeans and a beige strapless top, to come forward.
Det Inps Steve Crimmins said, "This is a particularly nasty attack on a young girl who was walking home after a night out with friends. She was attacked from behind and was left very badly shaken.
"We are very keen to trace the person responsible and consider this nasty attack as very serious.
"We are urging any witnesses to come forward with information. If you saw the attack or saw a man fitting the description acting suspiciously in the area at the time, do not hesitate to contact the police."
If you have any information about the incident contact DC Ann Clement at Wigan CID on 0161 856 7151.

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