A WOMAN’S body has been found in Toll Bar today.
It is believed the body was discovered near to Bentley Community Woodland off Askern Road at about noon.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said that a formal identification has not yet taken place.
There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances, she added.
Last week, detectives launched an appeal after concerns for missing woman Tracey Smith, of Laburnham Place, Bentley.
THERE will be a slight increase in council tax this year after councillors approved the figure this afternoon.
As levels charged by the council remained frozen, it was announced there would be a rise because of South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service precepts.
However, Coun Mark Thompson said the borough’s tax was still one of the lowest in the country during the approval at a full council meeting held in the Mansion House.
The total council tax for Doncaster residents is £1,301.80 in 2012/13 compared to the previous £1,294.21 in 2010/11 for a Band D property.
Police has increased from £132.33 in 2011/12 to £137.55 in 2012/13.
Fire announced a rise from £60.17 to £62.54.
All 48 councillors unanimously voted in favour of the overall figure.
A MEXBOROUGH man has been accused of being part of a global computer hacking group and is facing prosecution by the FBI and Scotland Yard.
Ryan Ackroyd, from Oak Road, was charged on both sides of the Atlantic this week with being involved in an elite hacking organisation known as Lulz Security or LulzSec.
The 25-year-old could face extradition to the US and up to 10 years in prison.
he 25-year-old could face extradition to the US and up to 10 years in prison.
Ackroyd was one of a group of people charged in a federal court in New York.
He also faces separate charges by the Metropolitan Police, following their own investigation into alleged criminal activity of the so-called “hacktivist” group.
Ackroyd is accused of helping to identify weaknesses in targets’ computer systems and breaking down their security to gain confidential information.
He also faces extradition to the US and under American law could face a maximum of 10 years in prison.
No-one was in at the Ackroyd family home when the Times called yesterday morning. But residents described him as a “lovely lad” and claimed he is a former Mexborough School pupil.
The collection of LulzSec hackers have previously claimed responsibility for a variety of cyber attacks on big companies such as Sony and on government agencies including the CIA and FBI.
Swoops on the outfit involved law enforcement agencies in the US and UK.
Ackroyd is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on March 16 charged with two counts of conspiracy relating to the use of computers contrary to Section 1 of the Criminal Law Act.
A 17-year-old youth from South London was also charged with the same offence.
Two other men – Ryan Cleary, 19, from Essex, and Jake Davis, 18, from Shetland – have previously been charged with a number of offences under the Criminal Law and Computer Misuse acts in relation to the same inquiry.
Davis is one of the men also charged in the US.
A sixth person, New Yorker Hector Xavier Monsegur, had previously pleaded guilty for his part in the hacking ring and turned informant.
US court papers claim Monsegur was the ringleader and one of the world’s most wanted computer vandals, known in the hacking underworld as “Sabu.”
Authorities said the hacking group led a campaign of deeds against business and government organisations in America and around the world, resulting in the theft of confidential information, the defacing of websites and attacks that temporarily put victims out of business.
Their activities allegedly included attacks on cyber-security firms and the posting of a fake story that murdered rapper Tupac Shakur was alive in New Zealand.
Monsegur was charged with conspiracy to engage in computer hacking, among other offences. He had pleaded guilty on August 15.
US court papers said he was a member of three hacking groups “responsible for multiple cyber attacks on the computer systems of various businesses and governments in the United States and throughout the world.”
multi-million pound plans for a link road from the M18 towards Doncaster’s airport have been backed by residents, say council chiefs.
More than 400 people attended a series of events which took place during February - and, of the 211 completed questionnaires, 93 per cent of people supported the plans.
The public consultation looked at the planned Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme, which will see a new link road from junction three of the motorway.
From there it will take a route north of Rossington, initially as a dual carriageway, before changing to a single carriageway road to Parrots Corner on the A638.
Traffic will then have to use existing roads to finish the journey to the airport.
Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, said he was pleased with the findings of the consultation.
He said: “It was important residents had the opportunity to find out about FARRRS and the new link road so I am delighted there was such a big turnout and overwhelming support for the scheme.
“FARRRS is a regionally significant scheme which will deliver enormous economic benefits for Doncaster.
“It is pleasing the vast majority of people can see how they, and the town, will be far better off by having this new access route to the motorway network.”
Originally the road was due to stretch to the Finningley terminal.
Feedback from the days will now form part of the planning process set to be submitted in the spring. FARRRS could be open by early 2014.
street charity collectors are being warned they are not welcome in Doncaster.
Doncaster Council is the latest to make its feelings on charity muggers - known as ‘chuggers’ - clear following a nationwide crackdown as authorities finally respond to growing public anger.
Mayor Peter Davies said: “In my experience, chuggers often harass people trying to go about their business.
“Some put pressure on people to sign up for things they don’t actually want to. I do not want to encourage chuggers on the streets of Doncaster.”
Gloucester become the latest city to ban the charity street fundraisers after numerous complaints that they were “intimidating” shoppers.
To date 41 councils have enlisted the help of The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association in an attempt to limit, or ban collectors from the high street.
Another 18 authorities are in talks with PFRA with the intention of cracking down on those who pressure shoppers to make donations on the spot.
But a Doncaster Council spokesman said the authority could not use legislation to enforce any ban and it could only discourage chuggers from operating on the borough’s streets.
Ben Radford, 48, of St Helen’s Road, Belle Vue, said: “These chuggers are becoming a real nuisance in Doncaster.
“Last week whilst walking the short distance from the Market Place to the Frenchgate Centre I was waylaid, harassed would be a better word, by no less than six chuggers, four of which operated for the same organisation.”
Mr Radford is calling for Doncaster Council to take action by stopping the chuggers operation in the town centre or limited the days in which they operate.
He added: “Even if you try to ignore them, they will call out to you or even step in front of you which is actually quite intimidating, even for me and I’m a fully grown man. It must be very frightening for an elderly person.”
A CLUBBER required several stitches in his mouth after he was attacked on a night by a man wearing a pot on his hand.
A 43-year-old man was leaving Mood in Priory Walk when he was punched by a fellow reveller.
Police believe the incident as an “unprovoked attack”.
Officers want to trace the offender. He was white, aged between 25 and 30, around 6ft tall, of medium build with short brown hair. He was wearing checked shirt and is believed to have had a pot and a metal brace on his right hand.
The assault happened at around 2.30am on Sunday, February 12, but police have only just released details.
Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 504 of February 12 with information.
A MAN had to put out his own garage last night after it caught fire.
The blaze began accidentally at a property along Bawtry Road in Hatfield Woodhouse, a fire spokesman said.
Firefighters from Thorne and Doncaster were sent out to the incident just before 11pm, however when they arrived the owner had already extinguished the flames.
It is understood no major damage was caused to the garage.
NORTH Lincolnshire Council (NLC) is “seriously reviewing” proposals to annexe rural land between two Isle villages.
The council was criticised by residents on Upperthorpe, Westwoodside, after announcing its Article Four (1) Historic Landscape Direction 2012 (Haxey and Westwoodside).
Article Four proposed ‘annexing’ a large section of rural land between the two villages, designating the area as having Special Historic Landscape Interest.
The aim was to preserve historic land, such as the Haxey Hood Field, but residents claimed there had been a lack of consultation by the council.
There were also fears private gardens would be affected by the proposals with planning permission needed for minor alterations such as sheds and fences.
A public meeting took place last week at Westwoodside Playing Fields Pavilion to discuss the contentious issue.
This was attended by Axholme South ward councillors William Eckhardt and Ron Allcock and approximately 60 people.
Resident Andrew McLeod said: “NLC certainly got the message that this aspect of their plans for protecting the landscape, and their minimal consultation approach to implementing them, are not acceptable to the community.”
A NLC spokesman said: “In light of residents concerns, we are now seriously reviewing these proposals ahead of a report being presented to councillors for decision.”
The Policy for Markets in North Lincolnshire explains how people can apply to hold their own market, fair or other special event.
It sets out what they need to do to make sure events are safe and enjoyable for visitors, traders and the local community.
Under the policy a market is defined as five or more stalls or pitches where items are sold. This includes stalls which are held as part of events and fairs and also events such as car boot sales.
Organisers of charity and not for profit events will not have to pay any fees and council staff will help with filling in application forms.
Axholme North ward councillor John Briggs is North Lincolnshire Council deputy leader and cabinet member for asset and estate management, sport, leisure and culture.
He said: “Markets play a vital role in the local economy and we want to see more of them in North Lincolnshire.
“We have some marvellous public open spaces in our town centres, such as the redeveloped Crowle Market Place and Scunthorpe’s Church Square, and I want to see more people using them to their full potential.
“We want to build on their success and create high quality events that are accessible, safe and complementary to existing businesses.”
The new policy has been drawn up following extensive consultation with market organisations, town and parish councils and other organisations.
It is subject to the council’s formal decision making process and is set to be run as a pilot scheme from April 1 with a review after six months.
For more information call the Tourism and Town Centres Team on 01652 631500 or e-mail newmarkets@northlincs.gov.uk.
Application forms will soon be available on the council website at www.northlincs.gov.uk.
There will be a selection of autographed football shirts from teams including Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe United, Manchester United and Southampton.
Speedway star Tai Woffinden has also donated a signed T-shirt and there are framed pictures of former super middleweight boxing champion, Joe Calzaghe.
The auction has been organised by West Butterwick man Ian Rusling to raise funds for the Jack Marshall Brain Tumour Fund.
The Bottesford youngster was just four when he was diagnosed with a tumour and sadly passed away two years later.
Ian’s own brother, Melvyn, also died following a brain tumour, at the age of 21, and he was determined to raise funds for a related cause, using his sporting connections.
Ian, a steward at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park, said: “I’ve met quite a few people at the ground and got Everton manager David Moyes to sign a shirt.
“Paul Scholes has also donated a shirt, as has ex-Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins.”
The auction will be held at Keadby Working Men’s Club on Saturday, March 17, at 8pm.
Admission is free of charge but Jack Marshall wristbands can be bought for £1.
SHOP workers in Mexborough High Street donned costumes for a special fundraiser in aid of injured soldiers.
Staff at The Money Shop turned up dressed as pirates, an injured soldier and leprechauns last Friday and Saturday to raise money for the Help For Heroes charity.
They organised a tom bola and raffle and managed to raise £198 for the cause.
Kids who visited the shop also got to try their hand at gold panning as staff had laid out buckets filled with water, sand and fake gold deposits.
Store manager Nicola Parker, 30, said: “We had a lot of fun dressing up and the people of Mexborough really got behind us.
“We also had a lot of donations for prizes from shops around the town and the market traders which we were very grateful for.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us, they really did make it a worthwhile event.
“We raised far more than I expected and the money will go to a great cause.”
Help For Heroes is the chosen charity for The Money Shop, which operates 450 stores nationwide.
The company hopes to raise a grand total of £250, 000 for the charity, which provides help to injured servicemen and women.
Staff at the Mexborough store are planning another fundraiser in May.
TWO teenagers have become the latest recruits at an award-winning party tent and gazebo supplier.
Paige Adamson and Leanne Mace have joined the team at Manvers-based Gala Tent Ltd as apprentice event specialists.
Both aged 18 and from Rotherham, they will be joining a double award-winning team.
The firm took home the Business Growth Award and managing director Jason Mace was named Entrepreneur of the Year for Barnsley and Rotherham in 2011.
As part of their new roles, Paige and Leanne will complete a six month business administration apprenticeship at the LifeSkills Centre in Rotherham.
The day release programme will see them work four days at Gala Tent and a day on their course at the centre.
Mr Mace said: “The initial five apprentices have restored my faith in today’s youth and the future of our economy as they have proven to be a very fast moving and diligent group of individuals. Employing more was simply a no brainer.”
After the initial six months, they will have gained a qualification equivalent to five GCSEs with the opportunity to stay on as a full time employee.
AN OFSTED report has praised Mexborough School for making “good progress” - just a year after being placed into special measures.
The school was in such turmoil last year that Doncaster Council decided to suspend governors’ powers and take control of operations.
This came after Ofsted inspectors ruled students make poor progress because “teaching, the curriculum, and care, guidance and support are all inadequate.”
But staff and pupils were celebrating this week after a glowing Ofsted report, praising the school for making improvements in a number of areas.
Ofsted inspector Jan Bennett visited the school in February and noted the progress students are making is “accellerating” and a high number are expected to gain A* to C grades in English and Maths.
Pupils are also better behaved and “more respectful” to each other and adults.
The inspector praised staff and said: “Good teaching now outweighs that which is satisfactory by a significant margin.”
The headteacher, Mirjam Buhler-Willey, and her management team were commended for “driving improvements at a well-judged pace.”
Pupil attendance has improved, but is still below average, the report said.
In a letter to parents, Ms Buhler-Willey said: “We are pleased with the judgements but are not complacent recognising that there is still a considerable way to go before we can say that the improvements made are sustained and embedded.
“Even more importantly, that a cultural change has been achieved such that all adults who work together for the benefit of young people – parents, staff and other professionals - have the highest expectations of students and an unshakeable belief that all students at Mexborough School can achieve and deserve the very best we can give them.”
She added that the school hopes to be moved out of special measures before February 2013.
The school is set to become an academy in September 2012.
The wife of a senior police officer has been jailed for embezzling from her employers when she racked up debts of £40,000.
Kerry Mouzer took more than £10,000 belonging to a client of the Doncaster accountancy firm where she worked as a secretary, which she admitted ‘frittering away’.
The judge at Doncaster Crown Court, Peter Kelson QC, described it as a difficult case because of the impact on the defendant’s family but said guidelines dictated she should be jailed.
Her lawyer, Richard Jepson, had argued for his client to undertake unpaid community work but she was jailed for eight months for fraud, which she had admitted.
The court was told Bernard Lister & Co in Wood Street, wanted to continue employing Mouzer and her victim had forgiven her.
“I fully accept that you will never trouble the courts again. You are a thoroughly decent woman in every other respect and I know a sentence of imprisonment will impact savagely on your family,” the judge said.
Mouzer, 42, of Bawtry, had worked for Listers for 17 years and was entrusted with managing clients’ tax affairs, said Philip Evans, prosecuting.
James Riley, the proprietor of Belle Vue Trucking, who had difficult with numbers, signed blank cheques for his accountants to pay his tax.
But three cheques were made out to Mouzer’s account, two for £5,500 and £5,000, which were both paid, and a third for £5,000 which was queried by Mr Riley’s bank.
When Mr Riley confronted the defendant she tried to convince him the tax had been paid and then told her employer she had paid his tax with her credit card and the cheques were to reimburse herself.
But she admitted her crime to police and the £10,500 was repaid with a loan from her family.
Richard Jepson, mitigating said her husband, an inspector in Sheffield, was ignorant of the fraud and that the couple had to remortgage their house.
police are still reviewing footage of an illegal horse race on hit TV show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding to decide whether to press charges.
No arrests have currently been made since the clip of traveller Ambrose racing along a public road near Moorends was aired on the Channel 4 programme.
During nail biting clips from the episode the horse and trap riders were seen swerving out of the way of oncoming vehicles, including a HGV on the public highway.
Police arrived on the scene after complaints from the public, but the travellers - who had been betting on the race - denied they had been racing.
The show tells how illegal road racing attracts crowds of up to 100 people.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “Police are currently making inquiries and viewing the footage with a view of determining whether sufficient evidence exists to pursue a prosecution.”
TWO people suspected of stealing a van were found hiding in a field by the police helicopter team.
The air team was called out just after midnight on Saturday, and found the pair within three minutes of arriving over Bentley.
The van was later found abandoned.
A BOOK of Condolence has been opened at Rotherham Minster in remembrance of the six soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan last week.
The Mayor of Rotherham, Rawmarsh Councillor Shaun Wright, went to the Minster to sign the book.
Five of the soldiers who died belonged to the Third Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. In 2009, The Yorkshire Regiment was presented with the Freedom of the Borough of Rotherham for its service and to recognise the strong historic connections with Rotherham and with South Yorkshire. Freedom grants the regiment rights to march through the borough with ‘colours flying, bayonets fixed and drums beating’, according to tradition.
The Vicar of Rotherham, Canon David Bliss, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and friends of those affected by this tragic loss.”
The inquest of a Rawmarsh soldier who died in July 2010 while serving in Afghanistan, took place only weeks ago at Rotherham.
James Leverett died as the result of an explosion that blew up the army vehicle in which he was travelling.
His name features on a plaque at Rawmarsh War Memorial, and his family has consistently fundraised for both Help for Heroes and the Royal Dragoon Guards regiment with which he served.
A fundraising show has been organised by James’ mother, Sharon Leverett, at the Star pub, Rawmarsh, on April 28.
The second Rawmarsh Got Talent show will include slots for children during the afternoon with an adult competition in the evening. Acts can range from song and dance to comedy or novelty. Contact Hayley on 01709 712010 for details.
The family of Tiffany Lound, James Leverett’s bereaved partner and mother of his son, recently presented the proceeds of a sponsored walk to the Royal Dragoon Guards, at York.
FACEBOOK bullies in the Dearne are straining police resources, it has been revealed.
A mass of allegations that stem from comments made on social networking site Facebook, are troubling cops who cover Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe and Bolton.
A Thurnscoe crime and safety group was told that up to a dozen complaints a week are made to the Dearne SNT team, with every officer conducting at least one probe in to Facebook bullying at any one time.
For the full story, read this week’s South Yorkshire Times.
AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy has appeared in court at Rotherham, charged with arson.
The youngster, who can not be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty at the Youth Court to starting an all-night West Melton barn fire on March 1.
The overnight blaze caused about £50,000 worth of damage to stock and the building.
The boy was bailed under conditions that included a curfew, and will appear at court again later this month.
Sue Bushell will be saying farewell to customers and staff at Epworth’s Tiny Teapot Cafe on March 24, after more than six years running the business.
The cafe has been a High Street concern for 18 years but Mrs Bushell’s landlord, Russell Bassindale, has called time on their arrangement.
Mrs Bushell admits no formal lease exists between herself and Mr Bassindale but she now fears for her own future and that of her six staff.
The 47-year-old widow claims a lease agreement did actually elapse in 2008 when her husband, Kevin, died of a brain tumour.
“The lease ran out four years ago when my husband died and I just wasn’t in a fit state of mind to renegotiate another one,” explained Mrs Bushell.
“Mr Bassinadale is quite within his rights to give me one month’s notice and last October I was given six month’s notice and must vacate the premises by March 24.”
Mrs Bushell claims the issue only came to a head when she contacted Mr Bassindale to highlight repairs which needed carying out, including a lintel in the cellar.
“The place needs major repair work,” she added. “He’s asked me to leave so he can make the repairs and he wants it for his own use.
“I’m very angry but I have no leg to stand on because I have no lease. It’s reduced me to tears.
“I have six staff who will lose their jobs, although one has found another job, but the rest are hanging on until the bitter end. The staff are all upset and I don’t know what I will do.
“Our customers are very loyal and one woman who I told nearly burst into tears.
“I’m looking for other premises in the surrounding villages but they’re just not right, Epworth is where we want to be.”
Mr Bassindale’s solicitor, Mark Dickinson, told the Bells/Advertiser that Mrs Bushell was not given notice to vacate the Tiny Teapot because of any issues relating to repairs.
He added: “The tenant of this property was advised prior to taking the tenancy back in November 2005 that the landlord would require the return of the property to him at the earliest appropriate time.
“The law requires an amount of compensation to be paid for ending a business tenancy and the landlord intends to comply with regards to his legal obligations in all respects.”