Crime

CONCERNS are growing for a 39-year-old who has been missing for more than a month.

Police believe Marcus Dawson, who lives in St Albans and went missing on February 10, could be in the Rickmansworth or Uxbridge area.

A FORMER teacher has been jailed for five years for five counts of indecent assault on boys under the age of 14.

Michael Cole, 45, of Gwent, Wales, had fought what was later described as 'overwhelming evidence' that he abused the boys at St Martin's School in Moor Park Road, Northwood, while he was a teacher there between 1988-91.

But an Isleworth Crown Court jury took just 31 minutes to decide that he was lying and was guilty of five indecent assaults on his former pupils.

THIEVES stole two plants from a communal garden at an address in Springwell Avenue, Rickmansworth.

The plants are believed to have been taken between 4pm last Thursday (4) and 9.30am on Friday.

Anyone with information should call 0845 3300222.

A 12-year-old boy from the Rickmansworth area has been bailed by police until April 15 in connection with a series of shed break-ins in Maple Cross.

The boy was arrested with a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, who have both been reprimanded, after six sheds were targeted behind Pollards, near Long Croft Road, leaving one badly damaged on February 16.

No further action has been taken against a 15-year-old boy who was also alleged to be involved.

A MAN charged with possessing an offensive weapon in public has been remanded on unconditional bail.

Edward Christopher McDonagh, 21, of Green Lane, Northwood, is accused of having a lock knife in Breakspear Road, Ruislip on January 28.

He has yet to enter a plea and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on April 12 for committal to crown court.

ARREST warrants have been issued for two women who failed to appear in court for alleged non-payment of council tax.

Denise Rose Biddy and Jessica Coker, both of Northwood Way, Northwood, were due to attend Uxbridge Magistrates' Court yesterday (2).

Mrs Biddy has been charged with non-payment of £8,585.36 while Miss Coker is said to owe £2,285.93.

VANDALS targeted a van in Longcroft Road, Maple Cross between 3pm last Friday (26) and 4pm on Saturday.

Offenders damaged the rear driver's side wing mirror of a silver Vauxhall Astra van.

Anyone with information should call 0845 3300222.

Thieves stole decorative rope attached to a boat moored at Batchworth Lock Canal Centre in Church Street, Rickmansworth.

The rope is believed to have been stolen between midday last Friday (26) and midday on Saturday (27). Anyone with information should call 0845 3300222.

A HEROIN addict who nearly severed a policewoman's fingers after lashing out while in custody has been spared a prison sentence.

Vincent Brian Brown, 49, of Harrison Close, Northwood, was suffering from withdrawal symptoms after going 'cold turkey' for three days, Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard last Thursday (25).

A MINI digger is believed to have been deliberately set alight by arsonists on remote farmland in Maple Cross last Saturday (27).

The machine, thought to belong to the land owner, was ablaze at the field in Hornhill Road.

A team of fire fighters from Rickmansworth rushed to the scene at 12.33am and extinguished the blaze using hose reels.

The digger was completely destroyed but no one is believed to have been injured.