Newshire Water crew searching for pet boa in Oveston sewers

The pet snake, named Bertie, which had escaped from its owner’s home yesterday morning, has been seen in the main sewer under London Road in Oveston.

Alec Evans, 48, of Attlee Drive, who works as a foreman for Newshire Water’s waste services department, spotted the boa while on a routine inspection of the main sewer under London Road this morning.

He said he got a huge shock when something brushed against him and he realised it was a large snake coiled round the rungs of a metal ladder with a rat halfway down its throat.

“I was still shaking when I got above ground to report what had happened and by the time I got back the snake wasn’t there.”

The eight-foot Colombian boa, owned by Brian Smith, 48, of Foxwell Road, had escaped some time before yesterday morning down the toilet of his house.

Oveston police has earlier advised all residents that they should not be alarmed by this incident because the snake was not a threat to people.

Inspector Sam Brown, of the Oveston branch of the RSPCA, said that his officers had joined the search of the sewer helping Newshire Water in hope of tracking the boa as soon as possible.

“Bertie is not a threat to people so I’m really more concerned about the snake’s survival. He’s a cold-blooded animal so I’m hoping that if he’s now fed he’ll have found somewhere to curl up.”

Further, Inspector Sam Brown said he knows the owner, who had helped the RSPCA when reptiles had been brought up to them in the past.

“I’ve spoken to him and I know this incident has come as a great shock to him. He’s very sorry for the fright Bertie gave Mr Evans.”

Pet boa on the loose in Oveston sewers

Oveston residents have been warned to look out for an eight-foot boa constrictor that escaped this morning down the toilet of its owner’s home at Foxwell Road.

The warning comes from Oveston police who said pet owners should keep their animals secure.

A spokesperson said: “It is not a danger to human but it does eat small rodents such as pet mice, rats and guinea pigs.”

Brian Smith, 43, the owner of the snake, said he realised his pet, named Bertie, was missing at breakfast time today.

“He couldn’t have got out through the door or windows so I think he must have escaped by going down the toilet.”

Oveston Police and the RSPCA are anxious to see the snake recovered as quickly as possible and anyone who spots the snake should contact the police on 02924 333111.

Possible vandalism in Yeltham Park

Dead fish has been removed from the smallest of the three ponds at Yeltham Park, Ilworth today.

“While the loss may be due to natural causes, the circumstances suggest the cause could be pollution, perhaps a deliberate act of vandalism.”

Yeltham Council is urging anyone with information to contact them on 375222.

Elderly targeted by burglars

Last night burglars have stolen cash, a mobile phone, plus a dozen of CDs and DVDs from a house on Hewitt Drive, Kirkbrook.

Kirkbrook Police has confirmed that this is a third similar incident in the area in the past two weeks.

“They appear to be picking on the homes of elderly residents, who we would urge not to confront the burglars.”

Anyone with information should contact Kirkbrook Police 321321.

Cyclist in hospital with serious head injuries

A cyclist is in a critical condition at the Ilworth General Infirmary following an accident on Upper School Road.

Ralph Wardle, 49, of Churchill Grove, was cycling to work when he got a punctured tyre, lost his balance and struck a lamppost.

Ralph Wardle is the chairmen of Ilworth Wheelers Cycling Club and a former county and national cycling champion.

Updated: Look out for pushy doorstep traders

Oxdown Council has confirmed that elderly people in the area are targeted by persistent door-to-door salesmen who offer unnecessary home appliances and insurance policies.

Department of Trade and Industry had recently launched a campaign to inform customers of their rights in such situations.

Mrs Judith Clarke, a trading standards officer with Oxdown Council, said that if you buy something for over £35, you are entitled to a cooling off period and you can cancel the contract during a seven-day period. “It is a criminal offence for a doorstep salesman not to tell you of your right to cancel and they must tell you in writing.”

Earlier this week Adrian Tomlinson, of Thames Road, Oxdown, confirmed that his 89-year-old mother had been pressured into spending £7,500 of her savings.

“It began in 2008 when a salesman from Vulcan Home Electrics knocked on her door. He got her to sign an order for an elaborate security system costing £2,800.”

The items sold to Mrs Joan Tomlinson also included two fire extinguishers plus a five-year servicing contract, a ten-year insurance policy for her television set, four electric heaters and an electric kettle.

Mr Tomlinson said the company had not broken any laws but his mother hadn’t really wanted any of the items she had bought.

When contacted, Mr Victor Dawson, managing director of Vulcan Home Electrics, said that there had been no complaints or cancellation requests made by Mrs Tomlinson. “A reference to the possibility of cancelling an order within seven days is printed on the back of all our receipts.”

Mr Dawson added that an internal investigation revealed that all sales had taken place with Mrs Tomlinson’s full agreement but the company would try and resolve the issues that had been raised by her son.

Mr Tomlinson said his mother was severely distressed following the incident. And he warned other elderly people to be careful. “There are some persistent salesmen around.”

 

Look out for pushy doorstep traders

Elderly people are warned about persistent door-to-door salesmen who offer unnecessary home appliances and insurance policies.

Mr Adrian Tomlinson, of Thames Road, Oxdown, confirmed that his 89-year-old mother had been pressured into spending £7,500 of her savings.

“It began in 2008 when a salesman from Vulcan Home Electrics knocked on her door. He got her to sign an order for an elaborate security system costing £2,800.”

The items sold to Mrs Joan Tomlinson also included two fire extinguishers, an insurance contract for her television set, four electric heaters and an electric kettle.

Mr Tomlinson said the company had not broken any laws but his mother hadn’t really wanted any of the items she had bought.

He said his mother was severely distressed following the incident. And he warned other elderly people to be careful. “There are some persistent salesmen around.”

Canoeist lucky to be alive after being trapped underwater

An RE teacher had nearly drowned following a canoe accident that occurred on Saturday morning on the River Don in Sheffield.

Mike Rowles, 28, of Angerford Way, had gone canoeing with friends Sharon Dale and Charles Windrush.

In a statement released yesterday, the South Yorkshire Police confirmed that Mr Rowles’ and Mr Windrush’s canoes had capsized whilst trying to negotiate a weir just off Bridge Road

Ms Sharon Dale, 27, of Rushdale Road, had already crossed the weir successfully and she was not aware that Mr Rowles and Mr Windrush were in trouble. “I turned back and shouted for them to hurry up.”

When she realised the two canoes behind her had capsized, Ms Dale abandoned hers and started swimming towards them. By the point she reached them, Mr Windrush had freed himself and had swum to the bank of the river.

Ms Dale managed to save Mr Rowles, who was trapped in his overturned canoe. She later said she did everything instinctively: “I am a good swimmer. I am confident in the water. I didn’t think twice, really.”

The three canoeists were eventually rescued by the firefighters and the police called on the scene. Mr Rowles was treated in hospital for concussion and Ms Dale was treated for shock and hypothermia.

Sergeant Janet Simpson of South Yorkshire police said that Mr Rowles is lucky to be alive. “If the girl hadn’t got to him, he would definitely have drowned.”

Mr Rowles was allowed home yesterday morning. His recollection of the incident is hazed and unclear: “It just all went blank and then I heard Sharon saying ‘stay with me Mike’ and I wondered what she was on about.”

He expresses his sincere gratitude to Ms Dale without whose help he would not have survived.

None of Mr Rowles and Ms Dale consider this part of the River Don to be particularly dangerous. Both of them, however, advice any future enthusiasts to never go canoeing on their own.