A scorned husband enlisted the help of his estranged son to kill the Russian wife he fell in love with over the internet, a court has heard. Steven Hellewell, 50, of Gorse Close, in Tadworth, appeared at Guildford Crown Court today, June 27, where
A popular garage owner is getting ready to rumble after he was served notice to vacate his site. Richard Hough, who runs Autoclutch Garage, which is situated opposite Norwood Junction, has been fighting to keep his garage for more than 11 years
Croydon Council spent £3m more than it budgeted for in the last 12 months, thanks in part to a reliance on agency staff, it has been revealed. Community care packages and wages accounted for the bulk of the overspend, revealed in the authority's
Neal Ardley has admitted he does not know whether Seb Brown's future lies at AFC Wimbledon. Brown began last season as the Dons' number one under Terry Brown but fell out of favour when Ardley took over the management reins and spent time on loan
The sound of sizzling and the smell of fresh food hung in the air in South Croydon on Sunday at the return of the South End Food Festival. A diverse range of international grub was up for grabs alongside cookery demonstrations, a food market, music
by Matt Woosnam As Crystal Palace decide on which category they will apply for this season, academy director Gary Issott has fired a warning about the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). Speaking to SportsDirect News, Issott warned
The reigning Wimbledon ladies champion Serena Williams believes that the Great Britain starlet Laura Robson has all the qualities of a top player and can go further than breaking into the top 10. After cruising through her second round clash against
The leader of Kingston Council has defended its u-turn over closing Oceana but admitted residents will feel disappointed. The council faced criticism after it emerged a behind-the-scenes deal had been cut to allow the club to stay open. Council
For the first time ever, shoppers were able to watch all the action for free as big screen and deck chairs were set up in the town centre. Dozens of passers-by settled down to watch British number one Andy Murray as he comfortably beat German Benjamin
A 28-year-old woman who was found dead in a churchyard in Twickenham this week has been identified. Julia Ratajczyk, of Carlton Drive, Putney, was found by a passerby on Tuesday morning in the graveyard of St Mary’s Parish Church in Church Lane
The demolition has begun of the house where Tia Sharp was murdered – with builders saying they felt sick as they destroyed the loft where her body was found. 12-year-old Tia, from Pollards Hill was killed by her grandmother’s partner at his home
An extra £200m is to be rolled out nationwide to help troubled families, thanks to the success of a Wandsworth Council initiative. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles made the funding announcement
Images of eight people wanted by Merton Police have been released in a bid to track them down. Among those wanted are John Birtle and Mark Birtles who have both been on the run for the last decade since failing to appear at Kingston Crown Court
Carshalton Boys Sports College is celebrating a glowing Ofsted inspection. Following a recent unannounced inspection the school was judged to be good overall with inspectors commenting on the “superb facilities” and “visionary leadership” provided
Two thirds of marriages in England and Wales are now civil ceremonies Since the 1960s, the proportion of marriages in England and Wales that are religious ceremonies has decreased and the proportion of marriages that are civil ceremonies has increased
We have to continue pointing out the negativities attached to the proposed incinerator for Beddington Lane because so much depends on the outcome. I am aware Viridor has no intention to sort waste before it is burnt when it arrives by lorry at
Multi-million pound plans to transform Sutton's skyline with three huge developments were given the green light last night. The plans include one to build Sutton's tallest tower, another to remove a hated eyesore and one described as "the ugliest
A Marks and Spencer store is celebrating its 100th anniversary of trading. Marks and Spencer, in Putney High Street, Putney, is marking the occasion with three days of celebrations. Staff will be dressed in replica period costumes, with activities
After years covering sport across the UK, acting sports editor Tim Ashton is enjoying his first Wimbledon Championships. When the sweaty hordes of the mass sporting press descend on any global event, you can guarantee two things. First, there
Marcus Bean says: "I'm a big fan of salads, if I have a chef on trial at the pub I asked them to make me a salad and see how creative they can be! This is the same, beef with the sweet honey dressing, fresh radishes and lovely red cherry tomatoes.
Thousands of pounds worth of designer goods have been seized in a car boot sale raid. Two car boot sellers are being investigated and two more have been warned after 23 pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses, MAC, YSL, Chanel and Christian Dior make-up and
A 'malicious' arson attack in a back garden caused £12,000 worth of damage on Monday. Patio doors and a pile of railway sleepers were set alight in the rear garden of a property in Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne. A accelerant is thought to
A stroke survivor left paralysed down one half of her body has won an award for her work volunteering to help support others. Lynn Scarth, from Mitcham, was presented with her award at the Stoke Association’s annual Life After Stroke Awards at
It is only a month after Crystal Palace’s promotion victory at Wembley and season tickets are already running out for the coming season. Almost 14,000 fans have snapped up season tickets for the Eagles’ Premier League campaign, with an average
Eight recycling bins have been stolen from Carshalton South and Clockhouse. Police are appealing for witnesses after eight green metal wheelie bins were stolen from The Mount, Grove Lane, sometime between 18-20 June. Thieves have created
Croydon bin collection workers have cancelled their three-day strike next week. Walk-outs were due to take place on July 2, 3 and 4 but they have now been postponed while the union Unite continue to negotiate a better pay deal. The union is
Cotswold Outdoor and The Wandsworth Guardian want you to get out and about and capture a scene of outdoor adventure right here in the borough. Outdoor clothing company Cotswold opened a new store in Southside, Wandsworth on June 15 and to mark
Merton Council has more than £100m stashed in reserve funds, after banking more than £20m against a backdrop of cuts during the last financial year. Figures published as part of an external audit of the council show Merton added £20.9 million to
Dear Sir, In the present financial climate and with the coalition working to bring good cheer locally and nationally, I feel a roll of honour should be up to recognise our local MPs and elected councillors for their commitment to local issues.
A popular primary school will become one of the largest in the country after Sutton Council forces it to expand to combat a school place crisis. Avenue Primary School, in Sutton, is set to become a super-sized primary school with 932 pupils even
Shooshh nightclub is launching a new Saturday night. Shooshh, which hosted Wilifried Zaha's Crystal Palace FC promotion party last month, is looking to attract a crowd aged in their 20s and 30s to its Persuasion night. Playing house, commercial
More than £100,000 was raised for Woking and Sam Beare Hospices when hundreds took part in the annual midnight walk at Mercedes-Benz World. Pink was the colour of choice for this year’s walk, with a sea of ladies donning signature owl logo T-shirts
A £230,000 a year GP was at his home in Norfolk when he should have been on duty 125 miles away in Croydon, a tribunal heard. Dr Ravi Sondhi, 52, abused his position as financial director of the Croydon Doctors on Call (Croydoc) and took £100,000
A teacher once crowned the UK's Teacher of the Year has retired after 41 years working in Croydon schools. Jenny Butcher qualified as a teacher in 1972 and has taught thousands of pupils from across the borough since starting her career at Selhurst
Staff from Waitrose met the Princess Alice Hospice team and helped plant 16 cherry trees last week. The trees were donated as part of the company’s 75th anniversary celebrations, with each store given money to use as a donation to a nearby charity
A special flag was raised outside Taberner House on Monday to celebrate the beginning of Armed Forces Week. Croydon Mayor Councillor Yvette Hopley raised the flag as a symbol of Croydon's commitment to the Armed Forces and the community covenant
The owner of a fast food takeaway in Putney has had his application to stay open until 5am rejected. During Tuesday nights meeting of the licensing sub-committee, Wandsworth councillors turned down a request which would have allowed the What a
The Vicar of Baghdad whose life is under constant threat will speak about his reconciliation work in Leatherhead on Sunday. Canon Andrew White leads Iraq’s only Anglican church, which is regularly bombed, and many of his staff have been killed.
Juniors and veterans of Moslesey Boat Club will row 40 miles to raise money towards a new community rowing tank. The club, which has Olympians and World Cup champions as members, will participate in the event on Saturday, July 13. The rowers
Two people arrested after a man was found dead at a house in Weybridge have been released on bail. A woman in her 40s and a man in his 20s were arrested after a 25-year-old man was found dead at a house in Thames Street at about 5am on Sunday,
An award in memory of councillor Frances Moseley has been presented to the founder of Alpha Road residents’ association. Derrick Johnson, 69, ex-chairman of the Kingston Federation of Residents, the award for lifetime achievement in a ceremony
Youngsters got up close and personal with reptiles. Cheam Common Schools held their annual summer fair in Kingsmead Avenue on Saturday, where they could meet live crocodiles, snakes, and a tortoise. Richard Cooke holding a Spectacled Caiman
The main parties have named their candidates for next month’s Beverley ward by-election. The seat was vacated by former Liberal Democrat Kingston Council leader Derek Osbourne, who resigned after being arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent
