‘Celebrating 19 Years of Community Focus and a Bright Future Ahead’

Hereford Voice, the trusted local news platform founded in 2007 by Colin James, will shortly be acquired by Clarke Media & Investments Limited for a substantial, undisclosed sum, with the sale due to be completed this week, marking an exciting new chapter for the publication.

For nearly two decades, Hereford Voice has championed the community, from long-term efforts cleaning the Duck Pond and clearing rubbish, to thinning trees and bushes along the Great Western Way. Colin also successfully campaigned for CCTV along the route, recently enhanced with additional cameras on the bridge overlooking the A465 Belmont Road, providing reassurance and safety for local residents.

Over a decade ago, Colin worked closely with local takeaways, West Mercia Police, Hereford City Council and Herefordshire Council to lift late-night food restrictions, alongside countless grassroots initiatives, including litter picking, cleaning bus shelters, and supporting local businesses and charities.

Colin James will be stepping down as sole director, passing leadership to Tim Clarke, who brings an ambitious vision for growth. Tim is a local businessman and entrepreneur. Clarke Media and Investments Ltd is a Herefordshire based company with an online vision for Hereford Voice.

Tim said;

“I am looking forward to the next chapter for Hereford Voice Ltd and would like to thank Colin for his extensive knowledge and guidance. I also look forward to working closely with him over the coming weeks as we move through this exciting transition.”

Colin will remain involved behind the scenes and said;

“I would like to sincerely thank the people of Herefordshire for their incredible support over the past 19 years”. “Hereford Voice has always been about serving the community, and I am confident it will continue to grow and thrive under Clarke Media & Investments Ltd. I look forward to supporting Tim and his team through the transition and seeing the publication move forward into its next chapter.”

In addition, Colin and Tim will honour all existing clients, maintaining their current advertising placements and agreed pricing.

The acquisition also includes Old Hereford Pics, the largest independent archive of historic Hereford images, as well as Hereford Voice’s live webcam network, now streaming from three locations across the city. With several exciting developments on the horizon, Hereford Voice remains committed to its mission of delivering trusted, community-focused news for Herefordshire businesses and residents.

We have a full press conference scheduled for January at The Green Dragon Hotel - Hereford, where more details will be announced

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, was in the county last Friday. His aim was to understand health and wellbeing in rural areas and small towns – and how Herefordshire is working to support population health.

Sir Chris’ findings will help inform his forthcoming CMO’s Annual Report, which this year will be themed around health in rural areas and small towns. England’s CMOs have published an annual report for over 150 years and they are considered to be a cornerstone of public health assessment and policy advice to the government. Previous reports have focused on topics such as health in cities, in an ageing society, coastal communities and the impacts of air pollution on health.

The visit was hosted by Herefordshire Council’s Director of Public Health, Zoe Clifford. Following meetings with Paul Walker (Chief Executive), Councillor Jonathan Lester (Leader) and strategic health and care leaders at the council’s offices in Plough Lane, Hereford, Sir Chris was taken to Ledbury. Here he visited Ledbury Food Bank and heard about how the Talk Community Hub based there provides a wide range of support for local residents. This includes money management and housing advice as well as significant partnership working to support some of the community’s most vulnerable groups.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, visits Ledbury Foodbank

Later, Sir Chris was taken to Ledbury Rugby Club where representatives from some of Herefordshire’s key voluntary and community organisations were assembled, including Halo Leisure, Turning Point, We Are Farming Minds and Stride Active. This was an opportunity for Sir Chris to find out about all the important work the organisations are undertaking, as well as to hear how they adapt their services for our dispersed rural population.

Finally, Sir Chris returned to our Plough Lane offices to participate in a Q&A session with the council’s wider Public Health team.

Zoe Clifford, Director of Public Health at Herefordshire Council, said:

It was wonderful to welcome the CMO to Herefordshire and to have the opportunity to showcase some of the exceptional work we are doing here to address the health and care needs of our diverse, rural population. We all know and appreciate the beauty of our rural environment, but we are also fully aware of some of the challenges that rurality brings. We are sure that Sir Chris will have taken away some great examples of what can be achieved and hope he is inspired by all he has seen and heard.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said:

It was a pleasure to visit Herefordshire and hear about the important public health work happening across the county. Delivering services in remote and rural communities is a challenge, but I was struck by the excellent examples of partnership working showcased throughout the day. I am grateful to the public health team and wider colleagues for their efforts in making the visit possible.

A gang of seven robbers were handed a total of 82 years in prison on Friday (12 December) for a vicious robbery at an address in Hereford last year.

His Honour Judge Lockhart sitting at Worcester Crown Court sentenced the seven, who carried out the violent attack in a converted music studio in a loft of an address in the Whitecross area in April 2024, as follows: -

• Cadaine July, 18, of Manor Street, Stoke-on-Trent, pled guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – eight years six months.
• Jahmya Farrell, 18, of Fieldfare Way, Coventry, pled guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – eight years six months.
• Esa Hussain, 19 of Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 11 years.
• Ethan Powell, 19, of Eskdale Close, Worcester, pled not guilty and was convicted of grievous bodily harm and robbery – 11 years (13 years total as the judge also sentenced him for a separate possession with intent to supply class A drugs – cocaine offence).
• Musa Hussain, 20, of Oxford Street, Rugby, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 16 years. (20 years in total for separate charges including offences of possession of a bladed article and violent disorder).
• Caleb Barnes, 20, of Aylesbury Crescent, Birmingham, pled not guilty and was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm – 14 years.
• Acaree Crossgill, 20, of Mere Road, Birmingham, pled not guilty to robbery and grievous bodily harm - 13 years.
• An eighth defendant, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to be sentenced on 12 January 2026.

On 4 April 2024, eight defendants carried out a pre-planned robbery at the music studio after travelling there by train from Birmingham.

The victim was held at knifepoint by Musa Hussain while July punched him to the face and the others assaulted him. July and Powell were later found in possession of the some of the stolen property.

The victim fought back to protect members of his family, wrestling on the stairs with Cosgill who had a zombie knife. In the process he was smashed over the head with a glass by Farrell, sustaining lacerations to his head.

They fled the scene while the victim’s mother took him to A&E with an arterial bleed. He was left with two permanent scars to his head and mental health issues because of the attack, so is facing a lengthy recovery.

Police officers, who were in the area at the time as they were looking for a missing person, witnessed them fleeing and were quickly in pursuit.

🐾 Police Dog Fury helped colleagues find July hiding in a bush, Farrell lay under a car and Powell hidden in a wooded area.

Five of them – July, Esa Hussain, Musa Hussain, Powell and Farrell - were arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Police enquiries, including a review of CCTV footage, identified the others and they were arrested and charged later.

The gang stole items including a Canada Goose coat, Apple MacBook, £800 in cash, two designer bags and two designer beanie hats.

Examination of their phones showed the robbery to be planned, and the victim stated four or five of them were in possession of zombie knives. A knife sheath was located that had Crossgill’s DNA on it.

Detective Constable Lia Williams of Hereford CID said: “We are pleased to get lengthy sentences for this knife-carrying gang who travelled into our city to carry what was a planned violent robbery on their victim to steal high value items.

“Knives have no place on our streets. Carrying them can have devastating consequences and those who carry them can expect to feel the full force of the law.”

The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has partnered with the British Army to launch a new Autonomous Systems engineering degree, aimed at accelerating the development of advanced technical skills aligned with defence and wider industry needs.

Delivered through NMITE’s integrated, challenge-led pedagogy, the programme leads to a Master’s in Engineering in three years, producing engineers with applied expertise in drone and autonomous technologies. The approach reflects industry demand for graduates who can operate across disciplines and transition quickly from education to deployment.

The degree places strong emphasis on the dual-use potential of drone technologies, preparing graduates to contribute across defence, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics and humanitarian sectors. It further strengthens NMITE’s role in developing domestic engineering capability and supporting regional economic growth.

James Newby, President and CEO of NMITE, said:

“This partnership demonstrates NMITE’s unique ability to move quickly to meet national skills needs. We are proud to be shaping this innovative new degree in Autonomous Systems, one that will not only serve defence priorities but also unlock enormous civilian and humanitarian benefits.”

NMITE works with more than 80 industry partners and has delivered over 90 modules to date, positioning it as a fast-growing model for applied engineering education in the UK.

Two men have been charged with drug dealing offences relating to Hereford and have appeared in court.

Clive Symonds, 37, of Emperor Way, Holmer, Hereford, was charged with possession with intent to supply a class A drug – cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B – cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of criminal property.

Anthony Anderson, 51, of Sandown Drive, Hereford, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Symonds and Anderson appeared before Kidderminster Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 9 December) and were bailed with conditions.

They will next appear before Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

Following a recent fly-tipping report from a member of the public, Herefordshire Council’s Principal Enforcement Officer took swift action to attend a site on a Public Right of Way in Checkley, east Hereford.

Items fly-tipped on a Public Right of Way in Checkley

On arrival, the Officer found three single mattresses, a large amount of bathroom material, wooden tiles, cardboard and other rubbish. There was also some asbestos in the waste, which led the Officer to request urgent attention from the Community Protection team to remove the items within 24 hours.

The waste was dumped in this rural location in mid-November under cover of darkness, either side of a public bridleway. Despite a thorough investigation by our enforcement officers, no evidence has so far been found to link the rubbish to those responsible. Any members of the public who have any information on this incident are urged to email: prow@herefordshire.gov.uk

Councillor Dan Hurcomb, Cabinet Member for Local Engagement and Community Resilience at Herefordshire Council, said:

This was a despicable act and we are disappointed that so far we have been unable to find out who is responsible. However, we will pursue any new lines of enquiry with the aim of securing the evidence we need to bring about a prosecution.

Herefordshire is a beautiful county with spectacular countryside, tranquil landscapes and awe-inspiring views. Fly-tipping spoils this for all of us and will not be tolerated. Those responsible should be aware that we will take robust enforcement action against anyone who fly-tips in the county – including the use of resources such as CCTV cameras – to bring them to justice.

Recent cases of successful fly-tipping prosecutions undertaken by council enforcement officers include a husband and wife who were fined over £1,500 for dumping a caravan in a beauty spot near Ross-on-Wye, and a Bromyard woman who was ordered to pay nearly £1,000 for long-standing waste and anti-social issues.

Thanks to funding from the Government’s Libraries Improvement Fund and fundraising by library Friends’ groups, customers at six Herefordshire libraries now have access to tablet computers free of charge!

The tablets have been funded for use by customers at Hereford, Ross, Leominster, Ledbury, Kington and Colwall libraries. They are free of charge for use in the libraries on production of your library card and are in addition to the existing PC (personal computer) service. You must be a member of the library to use the tablets, but joining is quick and easy and can be done online or at any of our libraries.

An additional set of tablets has been purchased to enable outreach work at all library sites. These will provide enhanced opportunities for us to work with partners such as the DWP, Youth Employment Hub, Age UK and Healthy Lifestyles Service.

Councillor Harry Bramer, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets at Herefordshire Council, said:

Having these tablets available in our libraries and for outreach work helps to improve digital access and enables us to offer a wider programme of creative and digital activity with partners. We are confident that this will lead to an increased number and diversity of users and more people being supported to be more digitally self-sufficient.

Jon Chedgzoy, Libraries and Archives Manager at Herefordshire Council, added:

We are very grateful to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports for providing this funding and also to the Friends of Ross Library, Friends of Leominster Library and Ledbury Library Development Group for their additional fund-raising efforts. The tablets are now ready and waiting and our team are really looking forward to supporting members in their use.

Construction work has begun today (Monday, November 24) to deliver a package of transformative travel improvements on Holme Lacy Road, in Hereford.

David Noblett, Regional Operations Director, Cambrensis and Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure

Councillors and officers visited the site to officially mark the start of works being delivered as part of a £19.9 million investment from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The Holme Lacy Road scheme will bring significant benefits to residents, businesses, and commuters by improving safety, accessibility, and traffic flow along a key route into the city.

Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “These improvements will make a real difference to everyone who uses Holme Lacy Road, whether by car, bike or on foot.

“We’re delivering better surfaces, safer crossings and more space for walking and cycling, giving people the choice to travel in a way that best suits them.”

The scheme will upgrade the stretch of Holme Lacy Road from Oak Crescent to the Thorn Business Park junction, with a comprehensive set of improvements including:

▪️Resurfaced carriageways for a smoother and more reliable drive

▪️Safer pedestrian crossings to support walking and local access

▪️Raised tables and high friction surfacing to reduce vehicle speeds

▪️Dedicated cycle lanes and quiet zones for cyclists

▪️Widened shared spaces for cyclists and pedestrians

▪️A new signalised junction at Holme Lacy Road/Chestnut Drive/Hoarwithy Road to improve traffic management

▪️A shuttle system for vehicles at the railway bridge to ease congestion and give pedestrians and cyclists more space

Councillor Price said: “The scheme will enhance travel choices to Skylon Park, the Hereford Enterprise Zone and the wider Rotherwas area, a key location for employment and growth in the city.

“Holme Lacy Road will become the spinal route for cycling to the south of the river linking in with other routes to ensure movement is possible in all directions allowing safe passage from the residential zones to the employment zones and in towards the town.”

Work will be completed in phases to minimise disruption with the full scheme expected to be complete by next winter.

Plans have been submitted to Herefordshire Council for the 'Proposed shop fit out and installation of replacement signage' at the unit formally occupied by Mother Natures Goodies, on the corner of St Peter's Street and Commercial Street.

𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗦

Ramsdens Financial Limited ("Ramsdens") has branches located on high streets throughout Northern England, Southern England, Scotland and Wales and offers a range of services.

Nearly all of the branches have the appearance of a jewellers but also contain bank style counters that provide a mix of financial services.

At the jewellery counters and displays you can view and buy new and second hand jewellery at great value.

In the bank style financial area you can get your travel money for your holiday, arrange a pawnbroking loan or sell your unwanted jewellery.

The first Ramsdens branch opened in 1987 in Stockton-on-Tees and since then we have been trusted by over 1 million people to provide a simple solution to meet their needs.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁!

Hereford Voice have supported this fabulous event since it began and we’re excited to announce the return of the incredible local event this Christmas season: The Hereford Christmas Tractor Run promises to be spectacular celebrations of festive spirit, community, and charitable giving. 🚜

✨ Hereford Christmas Tractor Run
📅 Saturday, December 20th

Get ready for a festive convoy of brilliantly decorated tractors as they light up the streets of Hereford. Expect a dazzling display that’s sure to bring joy to all ages!

Routes: Keep an eye out for route details to be announced soon – these routes will allow you to enjoy the best views of these stunning vehicles in action!

🌟 A Community-Focused Event
The Hereford Christmas Tractor Runs have become much-loved fixtures in the local holiday calendar. This fabulous event we have supported since it began has raised thousands ££££'s for charity, highlighting the powerful impact that such community-driven events can have. With hundreds of spectators lining the streets, the atmosphere is always vibrant, fun, and family-friendly.

The involvement of local businesses, farmers, and families in decorating the tractors adds a unique personal touch that truly embodies the Christmas spirit. These events are not just about seeing the spectacular display of lights and festive décor—they’re also about giving back to those who need it most.

🎄 Why Participate?
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Christmas Tractor Runs offer a fantastic opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones. It’s an event that welcomes people of all ages to come together, enjoy the festive displays, and take part in the broader spirit of giving during the holiday season.

💫 Get Involved!
If you’re interested in taking part—whether by decorating a tractor or helping with event organization—reach out to the event coordinators. Every year, more families, groups, and businesses get involved, making the event even more special.

🚜 Details | When Farmers Do Christmas
Let’s make this year’s Christmas Tractor Run bigger and better than ever before! Keep your eyes peeled for the route details, and get ready to spread the festive cheer! 🚜✨🎄

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁!

📸 Just Jon Simpson

#Hereford | #ChristmasTractorRun | #HerefordChristmasRun | #FestiveFun | #CommunitySpirit | #CharityEvent | #Herefordshire

Ross-on-Wye Town Council is pleased to confirm that the official Twinning Agreement between Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch, Ukraine will be formally signed on Friday 5th December at 3pm.

This historic signing marks the beginning of a long and supportive partnership between our two towns built on solidarity, collaboration and a shared commitment to recovery and resilience.  The partnership aims to promote cultural understanding, friendship and the celebration of shared heritage between the communities of Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch.

The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Linden Delves, said: “I am delighted to be signing the twinning agreement between Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch in Ukraine.  The agreement will strengthen the cultural ties between our towns and demonstrates our support for, and solidarity with, the people of Ovruch”

The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Linden Delves and the Chairman of Ovruch, Korud Ivan Yaroslavovych, will take part in an online signing ceremony to commemorate this special occasion.

Herefordshire Councils Cabinet is today set to sign off the proposed new Local Transport Plan, which sets out a clear strategy and priorities to improve the county’s transport network for everyone who lives, works in, and visits Herefordshire.

The plan will then go to the full Council for final approval at its meeting on 5 December 2025.

The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is designed to give local people more travel options and quicker journeys, whether driving, using public transport, walking, cycling or wheeling.

It covers a wide range of new developments over coming years across the county including Hereford’s Western Bypass; new walking and cycling routes; upgraded train stations and bus stops, and more frequent services; additional electric vehicle chargers; targeted traffic calming and road safety investments, and much more.

Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure, said:

“We’re committed to building a better transport network that gives people more choice about how they travel, and makes their journey times quicker.

“This Plan sets out the path to a more sustainable, accessible, efficient and resilient network, connecting every corner of our county and meeting the evolving needs of our residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s about improving people’s quality of life, boosting our economy, and will be a cornerstone to building an exciting future for Herefordshire.”

A series of action plans set out both major capital infrastructure developments and innovative local projects. It follows consultation with more than 500 local people and organisations.

The LTP’s key areas of focus are to improve transport in:

• Hereford city: the county’s largest urban centre, where congestion is highest and the potential for sustainable travel is greatest
• Market towns and rural areas: home to around 70% of the population, where challenges including dependency on using cars, and limited public transport
• The county-wide Transport Network: underpinning infrastructure that enables us to get around, including highways, rail, freight, and digital connectivity

The Plan sets out five main objectives, to:

• Support a thriving and prosperous economy for Herefordshire.
• Give people more choices and opportunity for Active Travel, helping improve health and wellbeing
• Tackle climate change: protecting and enhancing our natural and built environment
• Improve accessibility and inclusion, so everyone has the choice to travel how they want
• Make travel across the county safe and secure

The full Local Transport Plan and a short summary guide will be published when the document is fully approved by Herefordshire Council at its meeting on Friday 5 December 2025.

I have created an online petition to turn off the traffic lights at the Asda junction in Hereford (Where the A465 meets the A49) as the traffic flows much better when they are off!!
if you agree, please sign the petition below.

Click Here To Sign The NEW Petition 

(Please ALL sign the new petition as the original council petition has since been removed from their website)

This will only take you a minute, Do It today!!

West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision in Herefordshire yesterday evening (Saturday 8 November).

The collision happened around 5:30pm on the C1125, between Hereford and Sutton St Nicholas when a grey VW Polo, black BMW 1 series and grey Mazda 6 collided.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man in his 80s who was driving the VW Polo, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.

We would like to hear from anyone who saw, or who has dashcam footage, of the collision itself or the vehicles in the minutes before.

In particular, we would like to hear from the driver of a Tesla who we believe could be a key witness of the grey VW Polo minutes before the collision.

Please email sciusouth@westmercia.police.uk and quote reference number 00342_i of the 8 November.

The restaurant located at Hereford Retail Park, Newtown Road

Hereford is now closed with the independent unit in SouthWye remains open.

DC London Pie, the firm running Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in restaurants under a franchise deal, appointed administrators from corporate finance firm FTI on Monday.

Pizza Hut is restructuring and will shut 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites

American hospitality giant Yum! Brands, which owns the global Pizza Hut business, said it has now bought the UK restaurant operation in a pre-pack administration deal, saving 64 sites.

Here are the locations of Pizza Hut restaurants set for closure:

Dine In restaurant locations

• Ashton, Lancashire
• Beckton, London
• Bolton, Lancashire
• Bournemouth, Dorset
• Bradford Vicar Lane, West Yorkshire
• Brighton Marina, East Sussex
• Bristol, Avon
• Cardiff, South Glamorgan
• Carlisle, Cumbria
• Chatham, Kent
• Clacton, Essex
• Cortonwood, South Yorkshire
• Crawley, West Sussex
• Cribbs Causeway, Avon
• Croydon, Surrey
• Dudley, West Midlands
• Dundee, Dundee
• Durham City, County Durham
• Eastbourne, East Sussex
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Edinburgh Fountain Park
• Edinburgh Kinnaird Park
• Enfield, Middlesex
• Falkirk, Scotland
• Feltham, Middlesex
• Finchley Lido, London
• Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
• Greenwich, London
• Grimsby, Lincolnshire
• Hartlepool, Cleveland
• Hayes, Middlesex
• Hereford, Herefordshire
• Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
• Hull, East Yorkshire
• Inverness, Scotland
• Kettering, Northamptonshire
• Kidderminster, Worcestershire
• Lancaster, Lancashire
• Leeds Colton Mill, West Yorkshire
• Leeds Kirkstall Road, West Yorkshire
• Leeds White Rose, West Yorkshire
• Liverpool, Merseyside
• Llanelli, Dyfed
• Lowestoft, Suffolk
• Manchester Fort, Lancashire
• Middlesbrough, Cleveland
• Norwich, Norfolk
• Oldham, Lancashire
• Portsmouth, Hampshire
• Preston, Lancashire
• Reading Gate, Berkshire
• Rhyl, Clwyd
• Rochdale, Lancashire
• Romford, Essex
• Russell Square, London
• Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
• Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• Silverlink, Tyne & Wear
• Solihull, West Midlands
• St Helens, Merseyside
• Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
• Thanet, Kent
• Tower Park, Dorset
• Truro, Cornwall
• Urmston, Lancashire
• Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
• Wigan, Lancashire
• Yeovil, Somerset

Delivery site locations

• Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
• Bletchley, Milton Keynes
• Coventry North, West Midlands
• Coventry West, West Midlands
• Dunstable, Bedfordshire
• Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
• Rugby, Warwickshire
• Uxbridge, Middlesex
• Wolverton, Milton Keynes

'Should Have Gone To Specsavers' 🤓

Photo courtesy of Chris Powell

On a serious note, a UPS Van has made contact with Specsavers unit in Ledbury. Fire crews from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are currently dealing with this incident.

There are no reports of any injuries thankfully.

A rapist who preyed on a woman he met in a nightclub has today (Friday 17 October) been sentenced at court to eight years.

Twana Azize, 29, of College Road, Hereford, was sentenced for the attack which took place in Hereford city centre in the early hours of a Sunday morning in May this year. He met his victim in a nightclub in the city.

Azize was found guilty of rape at Worcester Crown Court on 22 August. Today he was sentenced to eight years and further ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Azize took advantage of the woman, isolating her from friends at the club before preventing her from getting a taxi home. He then led her away from the taxi rank and raped her in a secluded street away from members of the public.

The victim managed to get a taxi home and reported the incident. Azize was then arrested following a CCTV trawl and subsequent searches by police.

Despite denying the offences, forensic examination of his clothes supported evidence leading to the charge.

Detective Constable James Smith of Hereford Reactive CID said: “We are pleased to get justice today with this custodial sentence for Azize - a sexual predator who belongs behind bars.

“Azize preyed on a woman who was on a night out with friends, taking advantage of her and forcibly preventing her from getting home safely so he could rape and attack her.

“We know the sentencing will not remove the memory of this awful incident for his victim, but we hope it may help her to start to move on in her life.

“We hope today’s result shows we will always listen to anyone who has concerns about or has been a victim of rape or sexual abuse and prosecute where appropriate, and that it may encourage anyone who has suffered similar abuse to come forward and speak to us.

“We will always take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Azize.”

You can report sexual offences and rape on West Mercia Police Website and Always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org