News in Brief July 2008
Murder suspects charged
Eleven people have been charged with the murder of 16-year-old David Nowak in Stoke Newington in December.
He was stabbed to death following a mass brawl during a birthday party at a community centre in Shacklewell Road.
David was found injured by police officers called to Farleigh Road, in Stoke Newington, and died soon after in hospital. Three other people were also stabbed but successfully treated at hospital.
The young men accused of killing him are aged between 15 and 21. Those over 18 were named as: Eric Sackey, 20, of Mayfield Close, E8; Dolovan Barzey, 18, of Evergreen Square, E8; Castro Paris, 18, of Verney Gardens, Chadwell Heath; Courtney Bramble, 18, of Beehive Close, E8; Marlon Cyrus, 19, of Farleigh Road, N16; and Gavin Goupall, 21, of Collins Court, Forest Road, E8.
A 15-year-old, three 16-year-olds, and a 17-year-old, all from the Hackney area who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also charged with murder. A 16-year-old from the N9 area was charged with two counts of attempted murder. The group also face other charges including violent disorder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
All were remanded in custody to appear before Thames magistrate’s court later this month. A 17-year-old male has been rebailed to return to an East London police station on 27 August.
Following the charges on 16 July, a police spokesman said:
“We recognise it has been difficult for people to come forward, but we are still appealing for any witnesses to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3775; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Speaking of charity
Local charities are set to benefit from nearly £10,000 raised by the former Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Faizullah Khan. City and Hackney Mind, St Joseph’s Hospice, and Age Concern Hackney all received cheques of £3,189 at a ceremony on 7 July.
The money was raised during his year in office from 2007 to 2008. Cllr Khan said: “I would like to thank everyone who donated to my chosen charities. We greatly value the work of volunteers, which is essential for those who need it – volunteering is life beyond your life.”
The money was raised by a variety of means, including donations from residents, businesses and Council staff, and fundraising events such as the annual Speaker’s Quiz.
Pier-less nights here to stay
Pier One Nightspot has lost a bid to re-open. Thames Magistrates Court dismissed an appeal by the Kingsland High Street club, which was shut last November.
Last year the Council’s Noise Pollution team sought a review of the venue’s licence because of on-going problems with noise and anti-social behaviour from revellers, which was supported by police and local residents.
The Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee heard evidence from police of serious incidents associated with the premises – including a mass brawl outside – and revoked the licence. A review hearing in January upheld the decision, and a subsequent appeal by Pier One was dismissed on 1 July. One local resident said: “The closure means an incredible relief to us all – now we can sleep in peace and not worry about the safety of our children and ourselves.”
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, added:
“Since the closure, police have recorded a significant drop in anti-social behaviour in the area. The Council and police would much prefer that licensees work with us to create a safe and enjoyable environment for their patrons, without causing any disturbance to local residents.”
Wheely useful lockers
Lugging your bike up the stairs of a high-rise block could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new scheme.
Frampton Park in Homerton now has bike lockers across the estate offering safe and convenient storage for cyclists.
The 56 galvanised steel units are available for residents to rent at affordable prices. The scheme, which was the idea of local people, is funded by Transport for London (TfL) and run by Hackney Homes.
Resident and keen cyclist, Junior Carter, said: “I didn’t consider a locker until I saw them being installed and realised how good they are. My bike will be safe now without having the inconvenience of keeping it in my flat”.
Mum-of-three, Rotna Begum, added: “My children don’t have bikes because I didn’t have anywhere to keep them. I will now buy them bikes so they can have fun and be active.”
At the launch earlier this month, residents were able to get keys for their own locker, along with a goody bag from the Council’s Streetscene department and Safer Neighbourhoods team, full of stuff to help them travel safely and conveniently by bike.
Terry Edwards, Hackney Homes board member and chair of the Frampton Park Tenants and Residents Association, added: “The lockers certainly improve the appearance of the estates and are much safer than having bikes chained to the railings.”
Dalston diversion update
Major roadworks in Dalston to allow the extension of the East London line to Highbury and Islington will begin on 19 July for around 10 months.
Transport for London needs to replace a Victorian road bridge that runs above the new line, so will put traffic restrictions on Dalston Lane between the junctions of Queensbridge Road and Kingsland Road, which may lead to some delays.
Phase one of the restrictions will close the southern footpath and retain two-lane, two-way traffic with a northern footpath in place for pedestrians. This will last for around four months.
Phase two will start in mid-November. It will see traffic reduced to one-way eastbound with the northern footpath retained. Westbound traffic, including buses, will be diverted from Dalston Lane along Queensbridge Road, Richmond Road and Kingsland Road. This will last for two months.
Phase three will see two-way traffic restored with the southern footpath reinstated and the northern footpath closed. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2009. The work will allow the East London line to connect with Highbury and Islington via Canonbury in 2011.
To help bus passengers safely cross Dalston Lane by using an existing pelican crossing, the bus stop near Beechwood Road will temporarily be moved east to near Laurel Street. It is expected to return to its current location next March.
Old news to be
Hackney Today has been sent to the future.
The paper was placed in a ceremonial time capsule by the Council’s Corporate Director for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration Fiona Fletcher-Smith, to celebrate an affordable housing scheme in Wenlock Street, by Genesis Housing Group.
Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, was also at the event. She said: “This represents a wonderful example of how Hackney is making a real difference in providing all-affordable homes in the very heart of London.”
Cllr Jamie Carswell, Deputy Mayor of Hackney also spoke at the event. He said: “We need to ensure our services are working together to meet the housing needs of families.
“It is a credit to Genesis’ co-ordinated approach on the project that this development is really taking shape and making a difference to residents in the area. It’s great to see how many people have contributed to the time capsule.”
Genesis is working with Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association on the scheme. Work started in March 2007 and it is expected to be complete by May 2009.
Delivering on collection
Hackney has the most improved Council Tax collection rates in London – and the second most improved in the country.
The Council collected 92.4 per cent of what it was owed for homes in 2007/08, up 1.9 percentage points on the previous year’s figure of 90.5 per cent, and the highest increase in the capital.
Cllr Jamie Carswell, Deputy Mayor of Hackney, said:
“Making sure the Council is high-performing and efficient is an important priority for the for the Council.
“This is a great illustration of how the Council is improving, and improving its services for residents.”
The collection of the borough’s business rates (NNDR) also saw a boost, up to 99.3 per cent from 98.4 per cent in the same period, the joint third highest rate in London.
Local Government Minister John Healey said: “Collection of council tax continues beyond the year in which it is due, and I urge councils not to let up the pressure, but to continue their good work on chasing arrears and make further improvements to their collection rates. It is only fair that everyone pays what they owe.”
For more information visit: the Council Tax page, email: council.tax@hackney.gov.uk or call: 020 8356 3154.
Ace day for children
Lucky primary school children were served the chance to be coached by world tennis number three Novak Djokovic.Youngsters from Lauriston, William Patten, Jubilee and St Paul’s with St Michael’s primary schools took part in the skills session on the South bank, SE1.
Novak took time out of his Wimbledon preparations to join children from the five host boroughs for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to encourage them to participate in more sport.
The event was organised by Adidas, Tier One sponsor of the 2012 Games, which also announced its pledge to put a 625sq metre community multi-sport area into each of the host boroughs after the Beijing 2008 Games.
Serving on the up
Hackney girl and British number one Anne Keovathong made it through to the second round of the Wimbledon ladies singles.
After beating American Vania King she made a valiant effort against defending champion Venus Williams, losing 7-5 6-2.
Anne, 24, a former pupil at Kingsland Secondary School, E8, lives with her parents in Amhurst Road. She is the first British woman since 1998 to gain automatic entry to Wimbledon.
Page updated: 5 Aug 2008