Crime

The safer gardening project is seeking equipment to tame pensioners' gardens in a bid to cut crime.

Chairman of the Harrow Crime Prevention Panel Ross Simpson said: "We found that burglars target overgrown gardens, so we work with Age Concern to maintain their gardens."

Any gardening equipment is welcome from trimmers to mowers. For more information call Ross Simpson on 020 8424 0203.

By Ian Proctor

Squatters were feared to have been trapped in an "inferno" that broke out in a vacant pub in South Harrow this morning (Friday).

The blaze has destroyed the inside of The Matrix in Alexandra Avenue that closed several months ago, and the junction of Eastcote Lane and Alexandra Avenue remains closed off.

A 55-year-old South Harrow man appeared before magistrates yesterday (Thursday) accused of two counts of sexually assaulting a boy under the age of 13 by touching.

Keith Clack, of Coles Crescent, had a first hearing at Harrow Magistrates' Court, Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow.

He is due to appear again at the court on September 18 for committal to crown court.

By David Baker

Blast victim John Pearson appeared in court today (Thursday) accused of causing the Rayners Lane explosion which left him with severe burns.

The 35-year-old, who is recuperating with his father and step-mother in St Albans, Herts, appear before Harrow Magistrates' Court charged with arson recklessly endangering life.

By Ian Proctor

Blast victim John Pearson has been formally accused of causing the Rayners Lane explosion which left him with severe burns.

The 35-year-old, who is recuperating with his father and step-mother in St Albans, Herts, is scheduled to appear before Harrow Magistrates' Court on Thursday (31) charged with arson recklessly endangering life.

A pizza delivery driver was robbed at knifepoint in Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane, on Saturday (31). Two men, one holding a six-inch knife, threatened the 27-year-old and demanded a pizza. Both are described as black and around 17 years old.

By David Baker

A South Harrow man feared his home had been struck by lightning after a stolen car stormed through his front garden - landing inches from his living room.
Kenneth Poulton was enjoying his breakfast early on Friday (30) morning last week when the silver Vauxhall Astra ploughed through his fence at his home in Kingsley Road, South Harrow.
The driver narrowly escaped plunging through the front of the house because Mr Poulton's raised lawn helped jolt the car to a halt.
The car was then abandoned and the driver fled the scene.
Mr Poulton said: "At first I thought my house was struck by lightning the noise was so loud but it was just as surprising when I looked out the window to see a car sprawled across my driveway.
"Usually I park my car there but I had left it on the road because my gardener was using the space for his car. Fortunately he had left just before the stolen car came smashing through the gate. It's a miracle no one was hurt.
"He must have been driving fairly fast to get on to my front garden because it is about two foot off the ground."
Mr Poulton now fears he will have to fork out as much as £2,000 to repair his garden because he cannot claim on insurance.
The 65 year-old added: "I only retired a couple of months ago and it's typical that something like this happened when money is a bit tighter.
"It wasn't the greatest of retirement gifts and unsurprisingly the driver was uninsured so it looks like it's going to set me back a bit."
Harrow Police confirmed the silver Vauxhall Astra was stolen from a 22-year-old man in Eastcote Road, Pinner, earlier that day and the driver had ploughed through Mr Poulton's garden whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Police arrested 29-year-old Lawrence John on Friday (30) and charged him with driving while unfit through drinking, driving without third party insurance and aggravated vehicle taking.

A Harrow man has been arrested after a man died following a fight on the hard shoulder of the M1.

Two vehicles were seen jostling for position before pulling over on to the hard shoulder after junction 11, at 7.30am on Thursday last week (22).

Toby Cooke, 25, from Luton, received a blow to the head and died four days later.

The 43-year-old man from Harrow was arrested on Tuesday and is being questioned.

Anyone with information can call Bedfordshire Police on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Tara Brady

Pools of blood stained a kebab shop floor on Saturday (May 10) after two men were stabbed by a gang of thugs armed with broken bottles and belts.

A vintage car was stolen from an 82-year-old woman's house in East Towers, Pinner, between 10.30pm on Saturday and 2.40am on Sunday.