A man collapsed and died in the street despite efforts by paramedics to save him.
It happened at the junction of Greenfields Way and Clements Lane, Haverhill, just after noon on Monday (November 28).
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said they were called at 12.01pm with reports that a man in his 60s had suffered cardiac arrest. Paramedics went to the scene and attempted to give the man CPR, but he was declared dead at the scene.
A spokesman for Suffolk Police confirmed that the death had occurred, but said there were no suspicious circumstances.
A police inspector has criticised the lenient sentence handed out to a youth involved in an incident in which one of his officers was seriously injured.
PC Michael Potter was hurt while trying to break up a fight outside the Bell pub in High Street, Haverhill, last month. He is not expected to be fit for work again until at least February after badly dislocating his shoulder.
Chay Allen, 19, of Eden Road, Haverhill, was originally charged with assaulting PC Potter and PC Richard Oldroyd, whose hand was injured in the same incident. However, when he appeared at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court last Friday, both assault charges were withdrawn by the prosecution.
Allen pleaded guilty to alternative charges of obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty and resisting arrest, as well as a public order offence.
Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order for all the offences, with a condition that he completes 100 hours of unpaid work for the community.
He was ordered to pay £50 costs, but no compensation order was made.
Haverhill’s sector commander Inspector Peter Ferrie said he was surprised to learn that the assault charges had been dropped and was unhappy with the outcome.
He said: “I am extremely disappointed with the sentence. In my opinion it in no way tallies with the seriousness of the injury suffered by PC Potter.
“I believe that the sentence sends out the wrong message to people. They should be in no doubt that we will deal firmly with anyone we find committing offences in the High Street.
“ We will continue to deal robustly with any offences connected to the night-time economy and drinking in the town centre. We will be putting extra officers in to the town centre area every weekend over the Christmas and New Year period. We will deal very firmly with anyone offending in the town centre.
* Daniel Dale, 21, of Glemsford Place, Haverhill, is due to appear at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court on December 13 facing two charges of assaults on police officers and one public order offence in Haverhill on Saturday, November 12.
Councillors Anne Gower and Karen Richardson will be holding a surgery at Haverhill Library on Saturday, between 10am and noon.
They invite residents to join them for a chat about local issues.
An armed robber struck at a newsagent this morning, police have revealed.
The man entered the shop on Primrose Hill, Haverhill, just before 6am. (Thursday, Dec 1).
The man, who had a knife, demanded money from staff and a small amount of cash was handed over. He then left the shop and ran in the direction of Cleves Road.
The attacker is described around 5ft 8ins, with a black scarf around his face, a black Adidas hooded top with three red stripes on the sleeves from the shoulders to the cuffs.
He was also wearing a grey hooded top underneath this with a black and white pattern on it, black tracksuit bottoms and red socks tucked into black trainers.
Officers including a dog unit have been searching the area but are also appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to get in contact.
If you have any information in relation to this incident please call Bury St Edmunds CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A mother and daughter have been convicted of beating up a woman outside a primary school.
Carol Sloan, 57, and her daughter Katie, 29, had denied launching a violent attack but were found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court.
Charlene Mansfield was attacked in Camps Road, Haverhill, on November 17 last year. She had been on her way to collect her son from Place Farm Primary School when she found her way blocked by Carol and Katie Sloan.
Giving evidence, Ms Mansfield said Carol Sloan punched her, pulled off her hat, pulled her earrings out of her ears and clawed at her face with her fingernails.
Katie Sloan then joined in and they repeatedly kicked her as she lay on the ground.
The attack only ended when another mother intervened, said Ms Mansfield. Another woman walked with her to the school office where she was given medical attention.
Ms Mansfield said she had black eyes, scratches to her face, soft tissue injuries from being kicked in the head, whiplash and torn earlobes.
Carol Sloan, of Broadcroft Crescent, Haverhill, had claimed that Ms Mansfield had made offensive remarks about her disabled son Glen, 29, and she had only wanted to speak to her to explain the situation.
Ms Mansfield denied making any remarks. In her evidence, Carol Sloan alleged that Ms Mansfield had aimed a punch at her and in trying to fend her off she had accidentally caught a thumb in Ms Mansfield’s earring, which pulled off.
She said: “I had no other physical contact with Charlene. I don’t know how she sustained the cuts and bruises that she did.”
Katie Sloan, of Castle Walk, Haverhill, claimed she had been acting in self defence when she first tried to slap Ms Mansfield and then, while her glasses were dislodged, lashed out, striking her on the chin, causing Ms Mansfield to fall to the ground.
Both Carol and Katie Sloan denied kicking Ms Mansfield. During the trial the jury heard from social services staff who witnessed the incident from nearby offices and other parents.
The pair were released on bail until they return to court in December to be sentenced.
Plans for a new research park which could create 1,000 new jobs have been unanimously approved by councillors.
Members of St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s development control committee visited the 30-acre site on the outskirts of Haverhill for a site inspection before debating the plan today (Thursday, November 24).
Concerns were raised about access to the site and whether it could add to traffic congestion on the A1307, but councillors were persuaded that traffic management plans for the site would prevent this.
Nic Rumsey, adirector of Carisbrooke Investments, which now has approval for a research park, a hotel, pub, creche, business units and up to 150 homes at Hancett End, said he was delighted with the decision.
He said: “Thisis the culmination of four years’ hard work, but now the really hard part begins to get the investment to make the dream a reality. I am confident the park can become an intergral part of Haverhill’s future prosperty.”
For more details and reaction, see next Thursday’s Weekly News.
A £40,000 project to find out how shoppers want to see Haverhill town centre improved has been launched.
A retail guru and his team of experts have been brought in to work on the project, called Destination Haverhill.
A week-long survey is being launched today and organisers want as many shoppers as possible to share their wish list for the town.
Prof Andrew Fearne, of Kent Business School, an expert in developing customer loyalty through effective marketing, merchandising and business planning, is helping to create a model for improving Haverhill’s shopping experience.
Prof Fearne said: “The survey is crucial in understanding what potential shoppers want from Haverhill shops.
“We have a head start with valuable findings from research undertaken last year, but this is not a repeat, it breaks new ground. So I hope that as many people as possible complete the questionnaire.
“The results will be used to establish a regular flow of information for retailers, and also provide master classes in retailing skills for independent traders and create a fast track to the high street for new retailers.”
The survey is available in shops and public buildings in Haverhill, including Haverhill Leisure Centre, and at www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/destinationhaverhill
Cllr Anne Gower, St Edmundsbury Borough Council cabinet member for Haverhill, said: “We did research last year which showed us that Haverhill didn’t rate highly with the occasional visitor.
“Because of that, we are delighted to be working with Prof Fearne, a recognised retail specialist, who is helping us develop a shopping identity for the town and to make it somewhere people want to come for their shopping experience.
“To plan the future of town centre shopping we need your help – so please fill in the survey and let us have the information we need to make a real difference.”
Shoppers are being invited to have their say as a retail guru and his team of experts look at how Haverhill town centre can be improved.
A week-long survey is being conducted from tomorrow (Thursday, November 24) until Friday, December 2 – and as many shoppers as possible are needed to share their wishlist for the town.
Prof Andrew Fearne of Kent Business School, an expert in developing customer loyalty through effective marketing, merchandising and business planning, is helping to create a model for improving Haverhill’s shopping scene.
The £40,000 project commissioned by St Edmundsbury Borough Council, called Destin-ation Haverhill, relies on finding out what shoppers want.
Professor Fearne said: “We have a head start with valuable findings from research under-taken last year, but this is not a repeat, it breaks new ground. So I hope that as many people as possible complete the questionnaire. The results will be used to establish a regular flow of information for retailers, and also provide masterclasses in retailing skills for independent traders and create a fast track to the high street for new retailers.”
The survey is available in shops and public buildings in Haverhill, including Haverhill Leisure Centre, and on line at www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/destinationhaverhill.
Cllr Anne Gower, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cabinet member for Haverhill, said: “We did research last year which showed Haverhill didn’t rate highly with the occasional visitor.
“To plan the future of town centre shopping we need your help – so please fill in the survey and let us have the information we need to make a real difference.”
Vandals climbed on to a flat roof to get into the back of a shop, took paperwork from inside and threw it over a wall.
Police, who have only just informed the News, are appealing for information about the incident, which happened on Monday, November 14, between 5.30pm and 8.15pm in High Street, Haverhill.
After climbing on to the roof at the rear of the shop, the offenders forced open a window, and then the paperwork was pulled through bars and searched through.
A group of youths were heard talking in the area at the time and the paperwork was then thrown over a wall.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and saw anyone searching through paperwork, or who knows the name of the offenders.
Contact Suffolk Police on 101.
Pupils at a newly created academy attended a ceremony at the Emirates Stadium in London after their school was nominated for a national award.
The students from Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill watched as presenter Moira Stuart announced winners in 22 categories covering a range of areas in education. Their school did not win, but was commended in the Outstanding Progress award for secondary schools, which went to Bethnal Green Technology College, London.
The Education Business awards they attended, sponsored by ETeach, recognise successful schools and projects that demonstrate how the dedication of teaching and management staff, coupled with sound investment, have delivered better learning environments.
Samuel Ward was one of only four schools short-listed for the award.