Newbury Weekly News - May 11th 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Suspended prison term for sex pest Failed asylum seeker facesdeportation aftergroping women

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Thousands turned outtowatch thecarnival parade in2015

A SEX pest who pawed and propositioned women shop- pers is a failed asylum seeker avoiding deportation. The 23-year-old former Newbury College student told police he targeted the women because he was “desperate for sex”. Hawkar Shwani has been given a deportation order and fired from his job operating a kebab van in Newbury town centre. But the Home Office will only act if he was sent to prison, Read- ing magistrates heard on Tues- day, May 9. Maddy Charlesworth, prose- cuting, said Mr Shwani, formerly of Florence Gardens, Thatcham, but who now lives in Fifth Road, Newbury, groped his first victim as she shopped in Tesco in Pinchington Lane, Newbury. She added: “He was spoken to by security staff – the woman was quite shaken by the inci- dent.” Mr Shwani then targeted a woman in nearby Boots, touch- ing her bottom. Ms Chaddleworth said: “She spun round and asked what he thought he was doing. “He apologised, but seconds later she felt further contact, this time more of a grab to her bottom.” The woman shouted: “Get your hands off me”, the court heard, but Mr Shwani insisted: “Just talk to me”, before proposi- tioning her, mentioning a sex act

kebab van in Newbury while his asylum applications were processed, the court heard. But his bid to stay was rejected and all subsequent appeals failed, said Mr Slinn. He said his client was remorse- ful, and added: “An immediate custodial sentence would very likely result in him being deported immediately.” A probation officer told the court that, because of Mr Shwani’s status as an illegal immigrant, a sex offender’s treatment programme was not an option. She added: “Because of his status we’re unable to offer inter- vention in the community. “A deportation notice has been served on him and I asked the Home Office why he’s still in this country – he can’t claim benefits, has no work and no funds. “They said if he receives an immediate prison sentence they will complete the deportation.” Mr Shwani lost his job at the kebab van when authorities informed his employer, the court heard. Presiding magistrate Brenda Harding told Mr Shwani: “These were very unpleasant incidents that will have had a quite profound effect on your victims. “But we understand the posi- tion you’re in.” The bench imposed a 16-week prison sentence, but suspended it for 12 months. Mr Shwani was also ordered to pay a statutory victim services surcharge of £115.

he wanted to carry out. Ms Chaddleworth said the woman was “shocked, embar- rassed and humiliated”. CCTV footage later showed Mr Shwani circling the aisle and masturbating through his cloth- ing, magistrates were told. In interview, Shwani apolo- gised, admitted his actions and explained he was “desperate for sex”, said Ms Chaddleworth. Mr Shwani admitted two counts of sexual assault on April 13. Robert Slinn, defending, said his client had risked his life to smuggle his way into Britain from Iraq seven years ago in the back of a lorry. He was enrolled in a Newbury College course and worked at a Report by JOHNGARVEY email john.gar vey@newbur ynews.co.uk twitter @johng_nwn

Join in Newbury Carnival parade

wind through Bartholomew and Northbrook Streets to the Clock Tower, ending at Victoria Park. The theme for this year’s carni- val is Myth and Legend and Ms Walker said: “We had lots of fun deciding on the parade theme from the brilliant ideas given to us. “We hope that everyone will feel inspired to enter with all sorts of great ideas around the theme of Myths and Legends, which, in addition to the tradi- tional meaning, may include someone or something that can be described as a legend too.” Recent entries for this year’s parade include PALS (Partners for Active Leisure Scheme), Whitelands Park Primary School, Once the paddle gates have been installed, there will be a 20p charge to use the facility – 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p pieces will be accepted, but no change will be given. Newbury Town Council has confirmed that the 20p charge will go towards the maintenance and cleaning of the toilets. The cost of the turnstiles is thought to be in the region of

a 1967 Dennis RS Fire Appliance with water tender, Newbury and District Agricultural Society and a clown called Rainbow. Newbury Royal British Legion, winners of the Best Community Group Entry in 2015, are also returning with their 2017 entry of Music Legends The carnival and fete, from noon to 6pm, will include rides and activities for all ages, a wide range of food and refreshment stalls, trade stands, many local groups, charities and arts and crafts. Admission is also free. For more information and to book a spot go to www.newburycar- nival.info or email hello@ newburycarnival.info £10,000 (to be covered by West Berkshire Council) and is expected to bring in around £5,520 each year. The town council took over the running of the toilets from West Berkshire Council last year as the district council struggled to slash millions of pounds from its budget owing to the unprece- dented government cuts in 2016.

NEWBURY Carnival Parade now has more than 30 entries from local clubs, groups, chari- ties, businesses and schools. More groups or individuals are invited to join the parade – and it’s completely free. Project manager Ruth Walker said, “We are well over half way there already which is fabulous, but we are keen to welcome even more local groups to join us. “We would particularly welcome anything musical for the parade, such as marching bands or a walk- ing choir, as music is always a special feature of Newbury Carni- val, as is anything that is fun or completely different of course.” The Carnival Parade will leave Pound Street at 2pm and will THOSE looking to spend a penny in Newbury will have to pay 20p for the privilege with work to install turnstiles at the Wharf public toilets set to get underway later this month. Newbury Town Council will be installing the paddle gates between May 22 and 23. The toilets will remain open during this time.

20p charge to spend a penny

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Thesewerevery unpleasant incidents thatwillhavehad aquiteprofound effectonyour victims

TO celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Newbury Weekly News we are giving away £10,000 this year for local good causes – with every pound match-funded by the Greenham Common Trust. We have now picked a shortlist of 15 charities registered with The Good Exchange (www.thegood- exchange.com) and we will reveal who they are in next week’s paper. We will then Shortlist of 15 for £20,000 giveaway

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ask our readers to select the charities they think most deserve the money by filling in a voting form printed in the paper over the coming 10 weeks.” With the

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matched funding from Greenham Common Trust, the good cause with the most votes will get £10,000, the organisation in second place will receive £6,000 and the one in the third place will be given £4,000. Newbury Weekly News editor Andy Murrill said: “Congratulations to the 15 charities that have made it on to our shortlist and we hope our readers really get behind them by voting for their favourites.” The Good Exchange is a new fundraising plat- form which brings together organisations and institutions offering grants to those local charita- ble projects seeking funding, through auto- matching criteria. As a fundraising platform, The Good Exchange is unique as it brings together public donations, fundraising activities and institutional grants.

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