Slough

A man who was arrested from an address in Slough, not far from where he had committed two burglaries, has been jailed.

Mark Thompson, aged 47, of Granville Avenue, Slough, was sentenced to two years after pleading guilty to one count of burglary.

Thompson also admitted to police during interview that he had committed a second burglary at a neighbouring house on the same day (27/10) asking for the offence to be taken into consideration (TIC).

On Thursday 27 October this year, a resident from Elliman Avenue, Slough, returned home at around 9pm to discover they had been burgled. Broken glass was found inside the house where a brick had been used to smash a downstairs window, and spots of blood were found in a bedroom upstairs and a laptop, worth around £850, was stolen.

On Thursday 10 November, Thompson was arrested from an address in Elliman Avenue, Slough, after police received specific information to say that he was staying there.

A warrant for his arrest had been issued after a sample of blood taken from the scene of the burglary by Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO) matched that of Thompson’s.

When officers initially knocked at the front door to arrest the 47-year-old, he was seen at the rear of the Slough property attempting to climb out of a window. However, his attempts to make off from police failed and he was subsequently arrested by police.

Det Con Jon Chandler, from local CID Slough, said: “I am pleased with the sentencing which reflects the seriousness of committing burglary.

“Burglary remains a number one priority for police in Slough and we will continue to do all we can to bring those responsible for similar offences to justice.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council is once again asking motorists to Think! this Christmas when getting behind the wheel.

Alcohol, drugs, tiredness and using mobiles are all factors which could change Slough people’s lives forever.

Every year, Slough council, along with its partners Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, speak to pupils and young people to tell them about the effects of dangerous driving, either under the influence or due to carelessness.

The council’s recent Safe Drive Stay Alive event at The Hexagon in Reading and The Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, saw more than 800 sixth-form pupils attend from Slough schools and colleges.

Approximately 13,000 pupils in total attended Thames Valley wide.

A short promotional video has now been produced and put on YouTube after the extremely hard-hitting event.

The events feature a film which is stopped at various points as real people come on stage to tell their true stories.

These include the police, fire and ambulance service, A&E doctors and road safety officers. But the two hardest hitting parts is when a mother of a young man who died in a collision comes on to the stage against a backdrop of son’s photos to tell her tragic story.

Secondly, a young man called Anton, who is a double amputee having lost both legs in a collision, comes on stage.

Keith Beasley, road safety officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “These events really make people think about the consequences of getting behind the wheel and not driving properly. Whenever we show the videos and have the people come on stage, you can hear a pin drop.

“We all have a choice when we get behind the wheel, and hopefully the choice of the young people watching this video will be to adhere to the Highway Code, not drink or take drugs before driving and to be aware of those around them on the roads.

“It is never a good time to lose a loved one due to carelessness of others or themselves, but Christmas really does hit it home, when everyone should be celebrating together, not grieving.”

Councillor James Swindlehurst, Commissioner for Slough neighbourhoods and renewal said: “Raising awareness among new drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while tired or distracted, is a very worthy message and I’m pleased so many young people across Berkshire have seen this film.

“I hope young people who have seen this will take away the lessons from this film and have an enjoyable, but most of all, safe, Christmas and New Year.”

Slough Borough Council.

Interserve have saved the day after lights on the spectacular Slough Christmas tree in the town square stopped working, possibly costing the council hundreds of pounds to fix.

Slough council’s contractors swiftly moved into action by mending the lights for free this week, after the cable was pulled from the connection, rendering them broken.

Unfortunately, the lights had been tampered with, but now the cable has been replaced and secured even more, with Interserve checking everyday to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Lynsey Hellewell, events coordinator for Slough Borough Council, said: “We are so grateful to Interserve for fixing the lights and checking the tree everyday. It would have cost hundreds of pounds of tax payer’s money to mend the lights, which really makes the tree look spectacular.

“This is the first time in many years we’ve had a real fir tree in the town square, so it was really disappointing when the lights stopped working. Now it’s all back to normal, so shoppers can once again enjoy the tree in all it’s Christmas glory.”

Slough Borough Council

A Slough failed asylum seeker has been jailed for 14 months after he was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining £20,559 in benefit money and possessing false documentation.

Mohamed Chenoun, a 36 year old Algerian national, of Fraunchies Court, Slough, was convicted after pleading guilty to five offences at Reading Crown Court on December 12, relating to;

Using a false identity document to claim Slough housing and council tax benefit between 4/12/06 and the 28/11/11.
Possessing a false French identity document with intent.
Possessing a false Italian identity documents without reasonable excuse.

Officers from Slough Borough Council, Thames Valley Police and the Department for Work and Pensions visited Chenoun’s home on December 1, where he was arrested on suspicion of fraudulently claiming benefits using false French identity documents in the name of Olivier Marc Arnaud.

A subsequent search of the property revealed he also possessed Italian identity documents in another false name of Luca De Carlo.

Chenoun appeared in front of a district judge at Slough Magistrates Court the following day, where he was remanded in custody and his case referred to Reading Crown Court.

At Reading Crown Court on December 12, following his early guilty pleas to all counts on the indictment, Chenoun was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment.

Chenoun had been residing in the UK illegally having had a claim for asylum refused in 1999. UKBA are aware of the situation and it is hoped Chenoun will be deported after serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for Slough Borough Council, said: “This was a fantastic outcome to a very serious crime. Not only did the man falsely claim thousands of pounds, but was also a failed asylum seeker and used false ID to obtain hard working council tax payers money.

“This case also shows how working in partnership with the police and DWP can help bring criminals to justice.”

Slough Commissioner for opportunity and skills, Cllr Fiza Matloob, added: “This particular case displays an elaborate attempt to falsely claim large amounts of benefits, and by working as part of a multi-agency approach the council has helped to bring this individual to justice.

“The council will not tolerate individuals fraudulently claiming benefits to which they are not entitled and this prosecution shows that people will not get away with it.”

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a woman was attacked and robbed by two men in Slough on Friday (9/12).

The 24-year-old victim was walking home from work at about 6pm when she became aware of two men following her outside Tower House flats in Burlington Avenue, Slough. When she turned into The Crescent, one man grabbed her, pinned her to the floor and put his elbow across her mouth to stop her screaming. The other man emptied her bag and went through her coat pockets. They took an iPhone, headphones and cash before running off towards Burlington Avenue.

The Slough offenders are described as being in their early twenties, around 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins and sounded as though they were Eastern European. The first man was wearing a light grey hooded top under a black leather jacket. The second man had short spiky black hair and was also wearing a black leather jacket.

Designated investigator Richard Lamburn of Slough CID said: “The victim was very traumatised by this and tried to shout out but couldn’t. The entrance to Tower House flats is often busy with people congregating there and we would like to speak to anyone who was at the entrance of Tower House flats at the time and may have seen two men following the victim.”

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Richard Lamburn via the non-emergency number 101, or if they prefer they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

An innovative public-private partnership is set to improve transactional services for Slough Borough Council, delivering £26.5m savings over the next ten years and bringing new business into the town.

The Slough partnership with global business process outsourcing group arvato will see £3.8m being invested into transforming services such as revenues and benefits, payroll, finance services, HR and logistics services. The partnership will go live on 2nd April 2012.

Under the agreement, staff from four service areas within Slough Borough Council will transfer to arvato on their current terms. The services will be delivered through the creation of the Thames Valley Transactional Service Centre – a shared service hub, which will not only support the council’s services, but will also offer transactional solutions to a wider range of private and public sector organisations, creating employment opportunities for Slough.

arvato has also guaranteed the creation of 100 apprentice positions, who will be trained to NVQ Level 2 in contact centres.

Councillor Rob Anderson, Leader of Slough Borough Council said: “The council is committed to protecting front line services, looking for innovative ways to save money and drive efficiencies. arvato has a long and successful track record of delivering this type of partnership project – both in the UK and internationally, across the public and private sectors. Our collaboration represents an innovative approach that will safeguard local jobs, maintain high service levels, and secure new investment into the local economy, as well as providing our staff with a fantastic opportunity to develop their careers.”

Rainer Majcen, managing director, public sector, arvato UK & Ireland said: “Our approach to enhancing services and achieving cost savings is based on investment – in infrastructure, technology and people – and a fundamental belief in collaboration.

“Slough is a strategic location for our business, and we believe the joint development of the shared service with the council is an important move forward in how public sector organisations can start to take the lead in delivering service excellence.”

arvato is one of the world’s leading business process outsourcing companies with over 50 years’ experience in the sector. As well as providing services to councils such as Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, its customers include international brands and businesses such as Microsoft, Land Rover and Astra Zeneca.

Slough Borough Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witness after a teenager was robbed in Slough yesterday (11/12).

At about 3pm, the 17-year-old boy was in the Queensmere Centre, Slough when he was approached by two men, who punched him in the face and searched his pockets. They stole a black BlackBerry Curve 9300 and the boy’s wallet, which contained £20, his driving licence and bank card.

The victim sustained a cut to his lip in the incident.

Slough PC Natasha Gidda, investigating the incident, said: “This incident took place in a busy shopping centre in clear view of other members of the public. Due to the amount of people in the centre, I believe someone witnessed the robbery.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time that witnessed the incident.”

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact PC Gidda at Slough Local CID via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 101. Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police, or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council officers from the private sector housing team and planning met with Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, on November 23 to explain how they have been tackling unscrupulous landlords who rent outbuildings as sleeping accommodation.

During the two hour meeting, representatives from Ealing and Newham councils also attended, due to their areas having similar problems.

Keith Ford, private sector housing, said: “As we have been dealing with this problem in the Slough borough for so long, we were in a position to suggest a number of solutions to help eliminate the confusion and ambiguity surrounding the planning legislation of people renting outbuildings as accommodation.

“We suggested that a possible change to the current planning legislation needs to be made. This would not just help councils but also landlords, householders and tenants. We can only hope that the minister will take positive action based on the solutions we suggested.”

Slough Borough Council has worked extensively with landlords in the borough to talk about renting outbuildings, commonly known as sheds with beds, with many being closed down and returned to storage space.

Slough Borough Council

A 27-year-old man has been charged with GBH after a man was stabbed at Farnham, Slough, on Saturday (26/11).

Jasvir Gill, aged 27, of Birch Grove, Slough was charged on Sunday (27/11).

The charge follows the incident at an address in Birch Grove just before 9pm. The Slough victim, a 26-year-old man, suffered knife wounds to his hands and abdomen. He was taken to Wexham Park Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

Gill appeared before Slough Magistrates Court on Monday (28/11). He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on 8 March 2012.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council’s investigations team, along with Jobcentre plus, have successfully prosecuted a father and son-in-law for fraudulently claiming benefits totalling £71,679.

Mr Shailesh Panchal, of Orchard Avenue, Slough, 50, and his father-in-law, Mr Narayanbhai Patel, of Shackleton Road, 77, appeared at Reading Crown Court in April 2011 and pleaded guilty to five counts of dishonesty relating to benefit claims made over several years.

Panchal falsely claimed income support, jobseekers allowance and council tax benefits after failing to declare ownership of two Slough properties. One of which was occupied by his father-in-law who then claimed benefits after telling officials that his landlord was not related to him. This enabled Panchal to have his mortgage paid for by tax payers.

As a result of his deception, Panchal was paid a total of £1,832.73 for council tax benefit, £3,109.21 for income support and job seekers allowance, and £66,737.10 in respect of housing benefit to his father-in-law.

Mr Patel was convicted of dishonesty.

On August 19, 2011, Reading Crown Court awarded a confiscation order against Mr Panchal in the sum of £105,000, together with costs. The Order represents the total value of criminal benefit obtained by Mr Panchal through his activities.

Following the payment of £105,000 by Mr Panchal, he was sentenced on November 11 to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years and given 250 hours community service.

Head of Slough corporate investigations for Slough Borough Council, Christopher Lamsdell, said: “This behaviour is not acceptable to us or the vast majority of law-abiding citizens in Slough. We will always seek to prosecute this sort of criminal activity and to recover the stolen benefits.

“This case should be a warning to anyone thinking about fraudulently claiming benefits. They will be caught.”

Councillor Fiza Matloob, commissioner for opportunity and skills, said: “Fraudulently claiming benefits is behaviour which will not be tolerated by the council.

“Benefits are available for those who really need them and fraudulently claiming is effectively theft from tax payers, so this is not a victimless crime.

“The council will continue to deal robustly with those who commit fraud and prosecute those who are found to be in the wrong.”

Slough Borough Council