Around the islands: Jail for Island Games hopeful, police chief defends Alderney raid and an ‘extinct’ cricket species discovered

Six-times champion Garry Dodd was locked up for four weeks by a judge in Guernsey’s Magistrate’s Court after he admitted assault.

The court heard how the victim was sitting in a parked vehicle in a car park in the parish of Vale when Dodd drove into an adjacent car park.

Dodd then began shouting at the man before squaring up to him nose-to-nose and headbutting him.

Advocate Clare Tee, defending, said that there had been friction between the pair after Dodd began going out with a former girlfriend of the victim.

The court heard how, before the attack happened, the victim would visit the defendant’s workplace and make derogatory comments.

Dodd had previously complained to Guernsey police about the abuse.

Advocate Tee claimed that on the day of the attack, her client had simply parked his car to buy chocolate and took the opportunity to try to resolve his problems with the victim.

‘This was not a case of drunken thuggery in the middle of the night and it will not happen again,’ she said.

Judge Philip Robey said that it had been ‘a solitary moment of madness’ but that headbutts had the potential to cause serious injury.

Guernsey police chief defends Alderney raid

GUERNSEY’S police chief travelled to Alderney this week to defend the force following criticism of its raid of a doctor’s surgery at the centre of an investigation following the deaths of four patients.

Ten police officers carried out simultaneous searches of the Eagle Medical Practice and a private address to seize records belonging to the deceased patients who were under the care of Dr Rory Lyons. The GP is currently suspended.

But some residents have claimed that the operation was ‘heavy handed’ and have also criticised the force for failing to inform the families of the patients before the searches were launched.

But Guernsey police chief Patrick Rice said the force’s response had been ‘proportionate’.

He added: ‘The police had to take decisive action to protect the community. It was a public safety issue – the highest priority in police duties.

Guernsey's police chief Patrick Rice in Alderney Picture: EMMA PINCH

‘We used specialised search officers to search two sets of premises quickly and effectively so that the operation intruded on the community for the least possible time.

‘Having to take that action does have an impact on a small community and I am acutely aware of the residents’ concerns – that is why I am here today. But our response was proportionate, considering what we had to do.’

When asked why the families had only learned about the investigation when the police arrived to carry out the raids, Mr Rice said: ‘It was not possible to inform families of the patients that their cases formed part of the operation beforehand because we had to ensure that the integrity of the police operation was maintained.’

The police chief also confirmed that the force has launched an investigation into how details of the operation were leaked to the BBC.

‘I did not take that decision lightly – but it went far beyond your average leak of information.

‘It was one of the most irresponsible I have ever come across and the source crossed a line when they put a significant police investigation at risk.’

Mole cricket not extinct

A CRICKET that was once thought to be extinct in Guernsey has been caught by an island gardener.

Fran Torode was weeding in her garden when she captured the mole cricket – which can be recognised by its distinctive shovel like limbs which they use for digging.

Three days later she spotted another mole cricket – or possibly the same one – and decided to contact La Société Guernesiaise.

‘I saw it scuttle and then I took it to the greenhouse and covered it in plastic. I last saw one 35 years ago.

Fran Torode with the mole cricket, the first recorded sighting in Guernsey since 2011

It is very exciting. I can’t believe how lucky I am to see two – or the same one twice,’ said Ms Torode, who lives in the parish of Vale.

The gardener waited to show her partner before releasing it back into the wild.

It is believed that the last reported sighting of the bug was in 2011.

Jamie Hooper, conservation officer at La Société Guernesiaise, described the sighting as a major event, and added: ‘We have had a couple of sightings over the last five years.

‘To have a positive reading and to get a photo and confirmation that they are still on the island is fantastic. We would welcome any further records to be submitted to the Guernsey Biological Records Centre.’

The last reported sighting in the UK was about a decade ago, but the insects, which are usually between 3 cm and 5 cm long, are common across continental Europe.

Indecent assault charge

A TEACHING student has received a suspended sentence after being convicted of indecently assaulting a teenage girl. Pietro Ascolese (26), who is taking a masters degree in teaching, was found guilty of assaulting a 13-year-old girl in his bedroom in Guernsey in July 2013. During a hearing in Guernsey Magistrate’s Court this week he was sentenced to three months’ jail, which was suspended for two years.

No midwives in Alderney

ALDERNEY no longer has any practising midwives. The two resident nurses at the island’s Mignot Memorial Hospital who are qualified to work as midwives cannot perform enough hours to maintain their midwifery registration. A Guernsey Health spokesman confirmed that expectant mothers would now have to visit their GP for midwifery care or book an appointment with visiting midwives from Guernsey. At least five women in Alderney are currently pregnant.

Sinking boat

A BOAT which was sinking off Herm was towed to safety by another vessel this week. The Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service were also called out and used specialist equipment to pump out the stricken boat.

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