March 2010

Football

Scunthorpe Telegraph Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Winteringham missed out on the chance to go top of division one when they lost with the last kick of the game in a 3-2 defeat at Queen Bess.

John Cunningham equalised for the visitors before half-time and David Moulds did the same again after the break as Bess twice took the lead.

Winteringham were reduced to 10 men when Connor Sturman saw red.

Lee Moulds thought he had won the game for them in the dying minutes, but his effort was ruled out and, to add insult to injury, Bess went straight up the other end and scored.

£180,000 to revamp play areas

Scunthorpe Telegraph Thursday, March 18th, 2010

FIVE play areas in North Lincolnshire are set to benefit from a massive £180,000 cash injection to pay for new equipment.

As reported, North Lincolnshire Council has pledged to spend £1.1-million creating 23 new play areas as part of the council's Playbuilder project.

The next round of successful bidders who have secured a share of the cash include:

Winterton - Marmion Drive play area

Crowle and Ealand Town Council - Manor Park

Burringham - Burringham Playing Field

Keadby - Millennium Green

Winteringham - Winteringham Playing Field

Last month four areas, which had already secured a share of the cash, were officially opened.

Cllr Ron Stewart, of Crowle and Ealand Town Council, said: "I feel absolutely delighted that we have been chosen, we have put a lot of work into the application to the council.

"This is tremendous news on top of the market place development."

Police question three over suspected mephedrone deaths

Two men and youth of 17 remain in custody in connection with deaths of Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith

Robert Booth and Matthew Weaver Guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 17 March 2010

Humberside Police said they believed the drug mephedrone had contributed to the deaths of Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, pictured, who had been out drinking together in Scunthorpe until the early hours of 15 March 2010. Photograph: Humberside Police/PA

Two men and a 17-year-old youth continued to be questioned today over the death of two teenagers who are believed to have taken the legal drug mephedrone, as more details about their fatal night out emerged.

Humberside police said they believed the drug had contributed to the deaths of Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, who had been out drinking together in Scunthorpe until the early hours of Monday.

A 26-year-old man, a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth have been arrested and remain in custody.

Smith was a promising chef at the £100-a-head Winteringham Fields restaurant in North Lincolnshire. Wainwright was an apprentice welder who once worked as a pot-washer at the restaurant.

The night out began at a village pub close to the restaurant as Smith and a group of his colleagues celebrated a successful Mother's Day dinner service. Four of the group then went on to Scunthorpe's Love nightclub.

Colin McGurran, Smith's boss at Winteringham Fields, told the Guardian that Smith was offered mephedrone and went outside to see the person who had it. He went missing shortly after that.

Wainwright stayed with the group and made it home, waking up in his own bed at 9am, feeling ill. When his mother went to check on him at noon, he was dead, according to McGurran. Smith was not a drug user, McGurran said, and was a dedicated chef who would routinely finish work at 1am and be back in the kitchen at 8am.

"Nick got separated from a bunch of them when someone offered him something," he said. "He popped outside to meet the fella. The others were oblivious and were looking for Nick, but couldn't find him. He wasn't there so they assumed he had gone home."

Police found his body at a flat in Scunthorpe after his mother, Elaine, had raised the alarm that he was missing.

"It has been devastating," said McGurran. "We go on holiday together as a team and live together at the staff house. Service yesterday was very hard indeed. It seems he has taken this once and paid the price."

Smith's father, retired firefighter Tony, told the Sun: "We don't know much about what happened but we think he's been taking this drug on a night out.

"I don't want him to be labelled a druggie, because he wasn't. He was just on a night out with friends, a normal, caring, hard-working lad."

Teenagers who died after taking mephedrone were not ‘typical druggies’

Andrew Norfolk, Times Online Thursday 18th March 2010

Family and friends of the two teenagers who died after taking mephedrone insisted yesterday that both were strongly opposed to the use of illegal drugs.

Nicholas Smith, 19, a talented chef, and Louis Wainwright, 18, a keen rugby player, were found dead at separate addresses on Monday after a night out with friends.

Residents of the north Lincolnshire village of Winteringham, where Mr Wainwright lived and Mr Smith worked, insisted that neither remotely fitted the image of “a typical druggie”.

On Sunday at 6pm, Mr Smith and his boss, Colin McGurran, and other staff at the Winteringham Fields restaurant met for a few drinks in the village pub, the Ferry Boat. There, Mr Smith met Mr Wainwright, who had been playing rugby, and they, with two more staff from the restaurant, decided to go clubbing in Scunthorpe. Mr Wainwright was found dead in bed at his home in Winteringham at noon the following day. A few hours later Mr Smith’s body was discovered at an address in Scunthorpe.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out yesterday, with the results expected today. The full results of toxicology tests are not expected for some weeks and police said it was not possible to establish the extent to which mephedrone was a factor.

Four young men are under arrest on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug, and six people have had hospital tests after police urged anyone in the area who had taken mephedrone to seek medical attention.

Mr McGurran said of Mr Smith: “It looks like he’s made one bad mistake and he’s paid heavily for it.”

Family tributes to 'drug death' teenagers

Peterborough Evening Telegraph Thursday March 18 2010

The families of two teenagers who police believe died after taking a legal high in North Lincolnshire have paid tribute to the pair.

It is believed mephedrone contributed to the death of Louis Wainwright, 18, who was found dead on Monday at his home in Low Burgage, Winteringham, near Scunthorpe. His father, Andrew, described his son as having "the heart of a lion".

The family of his friend, Nick Smith, 19, of Winterton, North Lincs, who also died on Monday after taking the drug, said he was a "dearly loved son and brother" whose future had been "tragically cut short".

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Oliver, of Humberside Police, read out the statements of both families at a news conference in Scunthorpe this afternoon.

Reading a statement from Mr Wainwright's mother, Jacqui, he said: "Louis was such a fun-loving and caring boy who would do anything for his family and friends.

"He had a fantastic personality, he was always somebody who made people laugh and was a popular lad. Louis was working hard towards a career in engineering. He loved his job and worked very hard."

Mrs Wainwright added: "The family are completely devastated by our loss. He was such a lovely boy, he was loved by many people."

Mr Smith's family also released a tribute to him through police. It said: "Nick was a dearly loved and precious son and brother who brought joy into the lives of all who met him.

"He was a hard-working, normal boy, training as a chef, with a bright future in front of him, which has been tragically cut short. He was fun-loving, with a wonderful sense of humour, which will sadly be missed by all who knew him.

Three arrested over suspected mephedrone deaths
Drug has become increasingly popular among young club goers despite fears about side-effects

Peter Walker The Guardian, Wednesday 17 March 2010

Police have arrested three people following the deaths of two teenagers who are believed to have taken mephedrone, a legal drug which gives users a similar experience to ecstasy or cocaine.

Humberside police said last night that men aged 26 and 20 and a 17-year-old boy were in custody in connection with an investigation into the case of Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19.

The teenagers are believed to have been drinking together in Scunthorpe until the early hours of Tuesday morning. Wainwright was found dead at his home in Winteringham, North Lincolnshire, later that day. Several hours later, police found Smith dead at his home in Scunthorpe.

One of the arrested men was treated in hospital after also apparently taking the drug, known as "meow meow" or "M-cat", which has become increasingly popular among young club goers despite fears about side-effects that can include nose bleeds, joint pains, paranoia, heart palpitations, insomnia and memory problems.

Detective chief inspector Mark Oliver said: "We have information to suggest these deaths are linked to M-cat. We would encourage anyone who may have taken the drug or knows somebody who has taken the drug to attend a local hospital as a matter of urgency.

"Anyone who knows somebody who has possession of the drug, we would encourage them to either hand it in to a local police station or dispose of the substance and contact Humberside police."

Police investigating the deaths found empty mephedrone packets and packages marked "herbal highs" when they searched a property, the force said.

The drug, which comes in the form of a powder, tablets, crystals or liquid, is often sold via the internet, where it can be marketed as plant food, another name for the substance. Health and drug workers and police have become increasingly concerned at its use but are unable to do anything as it remains legal.

In December, Jersey banned the substance, making it a class C drug. Authorities on Guernsey said they were considering classifying mephedrone as class A.

The Home Office has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to look into whether a nationwide ban is needed.

Grieving Dad's Drug Warning

By ALASTAIR TAYLOR The Sun Wednesday 17th March 2010

HEARTBROKEN dad Tony Smith last night begged youngsters to stay away from meow meow, saying: "I don't want this drug to kill any more kids."
Grieving Tony spoke out after son Nick, 19, and his pal Louis Wainwright, 18, died after taking the "legal high" drug on a night out.

Police urged anyone else who may have taken the drug - real name mephedrone - to go to hospital immediately.

A man and a woman were discharged from hospital after check-ups, while three others were being examined by medics last night.

Nick, a talented chef, and welder Louis went out clubbing with pals in Scunthorpe, Lincs, on Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday.

Police were called to Louis's home in the nearby village of Winteringham on Monday lunchtime after he collapsed and died.

Caring

Four hours later they were called to a flat in Scunthorpe after friends found Nick dead.

Officers believe both lads had taken meow meow, known locally as M-CAT, and also had access to heroin substitute methadone which they used to bring them down from the high of mephedrone.

Nick's dad wept as he urged youngsters to avoid the drug.

Retired firefighter Tony, 54, said: "We don't know much about what happened but we think he's been taking this drug on a night out.

Dangers ... mephedrone

"I don't want him to be labelled a druggie because he wasn't. He was just on a night out with friends enjoying himself, a normal, caring, hard-working lad.

"I just don't want any other family to go through this or any other kids to die because of this. He was 19 for God's sake."

Nick - who lived in Winteringham with his dad and mum Elaine, 50, a nurse - had a twin sister Holly and student brother Matt, 21.

Family friend Tony Granger said: "Nick always went out on Sunday nights because he had Mondays off. He had such a promising career in front of him."

Louis, thought to have a girlfriend, lived with his family just yards from the upmarket Winteringham Fields restaurant where Nick worked.

Three people were arrested yesterday as police launched an investigation into the lads' deaths.

Two men aged 20 and 26 and a youth of 17 were last night in custody waiting to be questioned.

Officers who searched a property found packages marked "herbal highs" and empty mephedrone packets. Police chiefs urged anyone in possession of mephedrone to destroy it or hand it in.

Det Chief Insp Mark Oliver said: "We need to get the message across that this drug is dangerous and you may die if you take it."

Last September Luke Cowan, 17, from Newport, Isle of Wight, died after taking pills containing mephedrone at a music festival. A woman of 49 died after taking the drug in Dunfermline, Scotland, in January, while an 18-year-old in Durham tore off his own scrotum as he hallucinated for 18 hours.

Labour MP Helen Goodman wants a ban after five youngsters in her Co Durham constituency suffered serious reactions to the drug.

She said: "As long as it remains legal young people are more likely to use it and police are less able to tackle the problem." The Government is still deciding whether to ban mephedrone, which is used legitimately in plant fertiliser. The substance has already been outlawed in several countries including Sweden, Norway and Israel.

The Home Office says it is waiting for a report from the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs

Tributes paid to teen 'drug' death victims

Scunthorpe Telegraph Tuesday 16th March 2010

TRIBUTES are beginning to pour in for two teenage boys, thought to have died after taking legal drug methadrone.

Police are yet to officially identify the tragic youngsters, but they have been named locally as Louis Wainwright, 19, from Winteringham and Nicholas Smith, 19, from Winterton.

An online book of condolences has been set up in Louis' name, while both the boys' Facebook pages are full of loving comments from heartbroken friends and family.

Both were popular members of the community and former pupils of Winterton Comprehensive School, with Nicholas going on to join John Leggott College.

One moving message left by friend Jade Wright on Nicholas' page reads: "Everyone will miss you very much Nick, I guess god was jealous and took you back.

"Party in heaven! Watch out angels he's a smoothie, proper ladies' man. My love to all the family."

Another written by Charlotte Evison reads: "Oh my word, I cannot believe this has happened to the most lovely guy I know.

"(You'll) always be remembered Nick. Love you."

Other contributions include a music video featuring a much loved song by pop star Lemar as well as dozens of references to good times shared.

Louis' page is similarly packed with pages of happy memories, while friends have also set up a page dedicated to the keen rugby player's memory.

Photos and videos have been contributed and the group already has 449 members.

A tribute by Lianne Calder reads: "RIP Louis, sleep well.

"Such a shock, you are going to be missed."

Another by Natasha Burke reads: "So tragic for someone so young to be gone.

"Thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved Louis and of course the family. RIP."

If you knew the teenagers and would like to pay tribute to them, you can either leave a message below or contact newsdesk on 01724 273131

Arrests after teenage M-CAT users die in Lincolnshire

BBC 16 Mar 2010

Police said the boys had been out drinking on Monday
Police are investigating the deaths of two teenagers in North Lincolnshire who are thought to have taken the legal drug mephedrone.
Louis Wainwright, 18, from Winteringham and 19-year-old Nicolas Smith from Winterton both died on Monday.
Police said the boys had taken the drug known locally as M-CAT, which appeared to have contributed to their deaths.
Det Ch Insp Mark Oliver said two men had been arrested in connection with incident.
Mr Oliver said both teenagers had been out drinking in Scunthorpe until the early hours on Monday.
Police said Mr Wainwright was then pronounced dead at his home address on Low Burgage at 1200 GMT.

 We would encourage anyone who may have taken the drug or knows somebody who has taken the drug to attend a local hospital as a matter of urgency 
Det Ch Insp Mark Oliver
Just after 1620 GMT, officers received a call about the death of Mr Smith at an address in Redbourne Street, Scunthorpe.
Post-mortem examinations are being carried out.
Mr Oliver said anyone who had been out with the pair on Monday and also taken the drug should got to hospital "as a matter of urgency".
He said: "Humberside Police is currently carrying out investigations into the deaths of Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith.
"From our investigations we have information to suggest these deaths are linked to M-CAT.
"We would encourage anyone who may have taken the drug or knows somebody who has taken the drug to attend a local hospital as a matter of urgency."
One of the arrested men is currently in hospital and is thought to have taken the drug.
Police said a woman was also undergoing medical examinations.
The substance, which has become popular on the UK club scene in recent months, is legal in the UK but is subject to a Government safety probe.
Its side-effects are said to include psychosis, palpitations, burning throat, nose bleeds and insomnia.

Police investigate deaths of two teens linked to mephedrone
Police were investigating the deaths of two teenagers who are thought to have taken the legal drug mephedrone.
 
Daily Telegraph 16 Mar 2010

Humberside Police said one of the pair, who were both 19, died at his home address in Winterton, North Lincolnshire, while the other died at an address in Scunthorpe.
Officers were called in connection with the first death at noon on Monday and in connection with the second one at 4.22pm the same afternoon.
Authorities on the Channel Island of Guernsey are considering classifying the ''legal high'' stimulant mephedrone, which is also known as ''miaow miaow'' or ''plant food'', as a Class A drug.
The substance, which has become popular on the UK club scene in recent months, is legal in the UK but is subject to a Government safety probe.
Its side-effects are said include psychosis, weight loss and insomnia, and drug officials on Guernsey said they are looking at ''proactive'' action.
Island authorities are conducting their own research into the drug's effects.
The UK Government has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to carry out an assessment.

Police investigate deaths of two teens linked to mephedrone
Police issued a new warning about the dangers of mephedrone after two teenagers died after taking the legal drug, which is increasingly popular with young people.
 
By Nick Britten Daily Telegraph 16 Mar 2010
Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith, both 19, took mephedrone, commonly known as "miaow miaow", during a night out clubbing. Two men have been arrested in relation to the incident.
The drug, which is a fertiliser, is becoming increasingly popular with clubbers because it is legal and easy to buy.
 
The two were out with friends in the early hours on Monday in their home town of Scunthorpe, Lincs, before collapsing.
Detectives fear they were killed by a rogue or contaminated batch and have warned anyone who with the group or at the same venues and who has taken the drug recently to go to hospital to have themselves checked out.
At least two others are believed to have fallen ill. Their alleged supplier is also in hospital, where he is under arrest, after it is believed he took some, and another woman was also admitted for examination.
The two men were arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs. It is understood that the dead teenagers also had access to the illegal drug methadone which is often taken to bring people down from the high of MCAT.
The legal drug mephedrone is known by a variety of names, including “MCAT”, “miaow miaow” and “4-MMC”, and is illegal in other countries. Humberside Police said they believe the drug contributed to the boys’ deaths.
Found in a white/yellowish powder, it is usually snorted but can also be found in pill and capsule format and costs as little as £4 a gram.
Side effects include headaches, palpitations, nausea, high blood pressure, burning throat, nose bleeds and purple joints especially knees and hands.
Officers were called to Mr Wainwright’s home in the village of Winteringham around noon on Monday. He was pronounced dead there.
They received another call at 4.22pm in connection with the death of Mr Smith at an address in Scunthorpe.
Both bodies have been transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary for post-mortem examinations to be carried out.
Tony Smith, Mr Smith’s father, warned youngsters about the dangers of the drug.
Mr Smith, whose family live in a remote farmhouse in Winterton, said his son was a promising chef who had attended catering college and worked at the upmarket Winteringham Fields restaurant near his home.
Mr Smith, a retired fireman, said: “We don't know much about what has happened but we think he has been taking this drug on the night out. We won't find out exactly what has happened for a few weeks.
“I don't want him to be labelled a druggie because he wasn't. He was just on a night out with friends enjoying himself, a normal, caring, hard-working lad.
“I just don't want any other family to go through this or any other kids to die because of this. He was 19 for God's sake.”
Nicholas Smith lived with his father and mother Elaine, a 50-year-old nurse. He had a twin sister Holly and 21-year-old brother Matt who are both students.
Tony Granger, 45, a family friend, said: “This has come as a total shock. Tony and Elaine are real pillars of the community. The important message we want to really get out is the dangers of this drug and would urge other youngsters to turn it down if offered. It is absolutely vital this message gets out."
Mr Wainwright lived in a large cottage in Winteringham very close to Winteringham Fields. His family were too upset to speak.
Senior Investigation Officer, Mark Oliver, said: "From our investigations we have information to suggest these deaths are linked to MCAT.
“We would encourage anyone who may have taken the drug or knows somebody who has taken the drug to attend a local hospital as a matter of urgency.
“Anyone who knows somebody who has possession of the drug we would encourage them to either hand it in to a local police station or dispose of the substance as soon as possible and contact Humberside Police.”
In November, a 14-year-old girl, Gabrielle Price, from Worthing, Sussex, died after allegedly taking the drug.
Last week it emerged that a secondary school in north west Leicestershire has seen 180 pupils skip classes after taking the drug, the equivalent of more than two a day since December.

Friends die within hours of taking legal drug mephedrone

By CHRIS BROOKE Daily Mail 16th March 2010

Two teenage friends who died within hours of each other are believed to have taken the new 'legal high' drug Mephedrone, police have said.
Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, are thought to have taken the controversial drug during a night out together on Sunday, and died the following day.
Experts are currently investigating the effects of Mephedrone, sometimes nicknamed Meow or M-CAT, to advise the Government on whether to ban it.

Police confirmed the drug 'appears to have contributed to their death'.
They said they have arrested three men on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs.
A 26-year-old, a 20-year-old and a 17-year-old are in custody waiting to be questioned. Officers also appealed to anyone who has taken the drug to see a doctor 'as a matter of urgency'.
The teenagers went out clubbing into the early hours of Monday.

Police and paramedics were called to Mr Wainwright's home in Winteringham, near Scunthorpe, at noon on Monday where the teenager, who worked for an engineering company, was pronounced dead.
Mr Smith, who was a restaurant chef and lived in the nearby village of Winterton, was found dead at an address in Scunthorpe shortly after 4pm.
Both were taken to the Hull Royal Infirmary for post-mortem examinations.
A woman has also been admitted to hospital, and one of the men arrested is also receiving treatment after apparently taking the drug himself.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Oliver said: 'From our investigations we have information to suggest these deaths are linked to M-CAT. We need to get the message across that this drug is dangerous and you may die if you take it.'
Mephedrone, also known as 'MC', '4MMC' or 'Plant Fertiliser', is usually found in a white/yellowish powder and snorted or taken as a pill.
It is cheap and widely available over the internet. Imported originally from China, the synthetic drug is believed to have entered the UK in 2008 and has swept through the club scene.
However, side effects include convulsions, breathing problems, nose bleeds, depression, psychosis and, in extreme cases, death.
Mr Smith's father, Tony, 54, a retired firefighter, said: 'We don't know much about what has happened but we think he has been taking this drug on the night out.
'I don't want him to be labelled a druggie. He was just on a night out with friends enjoying himself, a normal, caring, hard-working lad.'

Bill of the Week

City AM Monday, 1st March 2010

With a successful bonus season showing all the right numbers on their calculators, six lucky City accountants celebrated with a long, long lunch at renowned fine restaurant Winteringham Fields in North Lincolnshire.
Leaving the stresses of London behind them, the hungry team took a mid-morning train – apparently eschewing the standard tea and sausage rolls en route to leave room for a more satisfactory six-course £79 “menu surprise”. All that travelling must have left them with quite a thirst though. The drinks bill included a bottle of vintage Krug 1990 (£345), a £300 Chateau D’Yquem 1999, a £165 Puligny-Montrachet and a £1150 bottle of Chateau le Tache 1992.

Triple cup setback for Winteringham

Scunthorpe Telegraph Thursday 4th March 2010

WINTERINGHAM suffered their third cup quarter-final defeat of the season when they bowed out of the Fallen Hero Sunday League's challenge cup at home to arch rivals Pepperells.

They were pipped 3-2 after battling back from 3-0 down early in the second half.

The village side had problems raising a team and had to call on three players who had turned out for their reserves in the morning.

In an evenly-balanced first half, Pepperells made them pay for two defensive mistakes with Kirk Shrimpton and Jack Muldoon both scoring from close range.

Chris Wood made it 3-0 after the interval with Winteringham appealing for offside.

 
But a brilliant penalty save from Rick Watson then seemed to inspire the home side.

They soon pulled a goal back with a powerful header from Lee Markham.

And Markham scored a second moments later when he picked out the top corner with a right footed strike from just inside the penalty area. Winteringham then ran out of time as they searched for an equaliser.