A controversial bail hostel that housed serial sex attacker Paul Robson was being defended today by a former criminal who claims his life changed after a stay there, writes Mark Templeton. George Stratford, 59, said his life of crime ended after just
AFC Wallingford 4, Sandhurst Tn 1 Pete Bryan scored twice as Wallingford opened their account in the Combined Counties Premier Division last night. Bryan struck with a looping header after six minutes, and while the visitors equalised through Dave Bridger
Andy Beal bagged 14 dolls, including a six, for Blackbird Leys SC as they beat Highfield A 2-1 in Premier/Section 1 of the Morrells Oxford and District League despite only having seven men. Pete Rampton clanged off 13 dolls for Cricketers A in their 2
Thame Utd 4, Wealdstone 0 MARK West hit a sparkling hat-trick as Thame United turned on the style to open their account in Ryman League Division 1 at Windmill Stadium last night. With centre back Mark Avery having to go off injured after just five minutes
Oxford City triple jumper Michelle Johansen produced a lifetime best while competing for Oxfordshire in the South of England Inter-Counties Championships at the Barnet Copthall Stadium, Hendon. She recorded a mark of 11.50m with her opening jump which
Shop owner David Eggleton was jailed for eight months for stocking his businesses with stolen goods from burglaries. Eggleton, 42, of Gainsborough Road, Henley, was convicted by a jury of four counts of handling stolen goods. He was found not guilty of
Business drivers are most at risk from driver fatigue, says the AA, which is calling for employers to be more aware of the dangers that their staff face on the road, writes David Duffy. Responding to the launch of a Government campaign to increase awareness
Bridge Motors in Banbury has been named as part of the exclusive dealer network for Vauxhall's stunning new VX220 roadster, which is due to reach showrooms in November, writes David Duffy. Just one model of Vauxhall's exciting new two-seater is available
Theatregoers have until the end of the week to catch Creation Theatre Company's splendid production of Alice in Wonderland which has been delighting audiences in the open- air setting of Magdalen College School grounds since mid-July, writes Nick Evans
Headington looked set to reach the last eight of the English Bowling Association National Fours at Worthing yesterday before opponents March Conservatives from Cambridgeshire fought back for a 24-16 victory. David Crane, Rod Foster, Roy Pyniger and Barry
Online motorcycle company BikeNet said it would be valued at 15m when it floats on the stock exchange this week, writes David Duffy. The group, which was founded five years ago to provide information to motorcycle enthusiasts, will see its shares valued
Vandals who attacked a children's playground have been condemned as mindless, writes Tim Hughes. Members of Wantage Town Council were left fuming after 250 damage was caused to a rubberised safety surface at the town's Chestnut play area. Part of the
Plans for the leisure complex at Oxford United's new ground have been submitted to the city council, writes Mark Templeton. The planning de partment has received an application to build a leisure centre, nine-screen cinema and 26-lane bowling alley. The
A borrowed helicopter providing Oxfordshire's life-saving air ambulance service is out of action because it was not considered to be of the same standard as the original aircraft. Talks are set to get under way with contractors over the Squirrel helicopter
MP Shaun Woodward has flatly denied claims that he is looking for a new Labour seat, writes John Chipperfield. Reports from the Midlands suggested that the MP for Witney, who defected from the Tories last year, would be selected to fight the West Bromwich
West Oxfordshire could apply for European money to combat declining rural services in the area, writes David Horne. The district council is preparing its case for a share of 64m earmarked for schemes in England and Wales. The money is part of a European
A motorcyclist was clocked doing 135mph by a speed camera the highest-ever recorded in Oxfordshire according to police. An undercover police operation took place along the A4260, between Kidlington and Hopcrofts Holt, after allegations of reckless riding
By Jon Murray DENIS Smith reverted to a tracksuit manager to help inspire his team to their first win of the season. The Oxford United boss decided he needed a younger-looking, more vigorous touchline approach and the trick worked as his team earned a
Wednesday, August 23: Holiday Roadshow: New Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton under Wychwood, 10am-4pm. For children aged eight to 13, cost 6. Art Competition: Saxon Tower, St Michael at the Northgate, Oxford. Competition open to visitors aged 16 years and under
Alchester's Andy Bayley undertook one of the ultimate athletic challenges by tackling the 'Iron Man' triathlon. Organised by the Black Country triathletes from Wolverhampton, the 'High 5 Longest Day Triathlon' consisted of three phases of competition.
Headington Roadrunners enjoyed a clean sweep of the team prizes in the annual Burnham Beeches Half Marathon at Farnham. Katharine LaFrance took four minutes off her previous best time for the distance to take the third senior women's prize. Malcolm Bayer
Denis Smith reverted to a tracksuit manager to help inspire his team to their first win of the season, writes Jon Murray. The Oxford United boss decided he needed a younger-looking, more vigorous touchline approach and the trick worked as his team earned
The west Oxfordshire villages of Stanton Harcourt and Sutton have set up a website, with pages on wildlife, the environment and local history, as well as notice-boards.
Internet company boss Michael Williams, who resigned as chief executive of Eynsham-based Freecom.net, left the company with more than 500,000 after selling shares, writes Sarah Parker. The company will be renamed Systems Union Group and Paul Coleman,
The new Almera Tino, Nissan's new compact people carrier, has won class honours in the Auto Express Safety Test 2000, writes David Duffy. Fifty of the top selling cars in the UK were tested for their braking performance in wet and dry conditions and on
Land Rover is looking forward to a repeat performance of rising sales in September backed by recently announced price cuts and the introduction of new Freelander models, writes David Duffy. Sales figures recently released for July revealed Land Rover
Your guide to the future Mitsubishi has just announced the introduction of its new DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) navigation system as an optional accessory on the new Shogun which went on sale at the beginning of May. The system improves upon previous
IT was a very hard-working performance. The midfield worked well, the defence was strong, with Richardson having another good game, and Richard Knight was awesome. If he plays like that, he might not be around too long. Wolves got a lot of shots and crosses
People who fail to turn up for their hospital or GP appointments are costing lives as well as millions of pounds each year. Figures released by Oxfordshire Health Authority show that a total of 140,000 people failed to keep appointments in the Oxford
Thieves finding cars more difficult to steal are turning their attention to motorcycles and scooters, writes John Gilbride. Edmund King, RAC Foundation executive director, said: Owning a motorcycle or scooter leaves the rider more vulnerable to vehicle
A new partnership agreement has been struck between Thames Water and its recognised trade unions, writes David Duffy. All 5,200 employees were asked to take part in a referendum on the introduction of the new arrangements, and 71 per cent returned their
Oxfordshire's leading law firms are among those listed in the latest edition of the Legal 500, writes Sarah Parker. Known as the lawyer's bible, the publication lists the top 500 UK commercial law firms and barristers' chambers specialising in different
Internet company boss Michael Williams, who resigned as chief executive of Eynsham-based Freecom.net, left the company with more than 500,000 after selling shares, writes Sarah Parker. The company will be renamed Systems Union Group and Paul Coleman,
Police have blamed warm summer weather for a wave of petty crime. Officers investigating cases of theft and vandalism in Wantage last weekend have linked the crimes to high temperatures and August sunshine. Police were called to the Baptist Church in
An award-winning minor injuries unit has received a further pat on the back from its patients, writes David Horne. The unit, based at the Witney's community hospital, won third place in this year's Nye Bevan Awards to recognise excellence in the NHS.
A near-fatal accident involving an American tourist has led to calls to block off a path across a dual carriageway, writes Alison Bartlett. Vincent Heying, 64, of Chicago, was hit by a truck in the fast lane of the A34 southbound carriageway on Friday
Little Sam, the Nepalese girl taken to heart by readers of the Oxford Mail's sister paper, the Witney Gazette, has finally had her operation, writes David Horne. The youngster was given surgery for a serious jaw condition at London's world-famous Great
