THIEVES have targeted farms in the Driffield area, stealing hundreds of pounds worth of property.

Police have issued a warning to farmers to secure insecure outbuildings and to contact police if they do see anything suspicious following recent thefts from several farms in the area.

Between August 25 and October 12 an orange Husquarna chainsaw, valued at £600 was stolen from the grounds of a farm in Langtoft.

The chainsaw had been left in an insecure brick shed an was found to be missing when the owner went to use it.

It is not known who is responsible for the theft and police are asking anybody with any information to contact them on 1935486.

Farm machinery parts have been stolen from a farm yard in Wold Newton.

The theft took place between Tuesday October 2 and Tuesday October 9 when the farm site was entered and the farm house approached through the front yard.

A pair of Manitou pallet tines (fork lift attachments) which had been left outside of the farm were stolen.

Police believed that a vehicle must have been involved in the theft due to the weight of the tines.

If you have any information about this theft please contact the police on 101 quoting the crime reference number 1935135.

Between Monday October 1 and Sunday October 14 a petrol driven power washer was stolen from a farm in Atwick.

The farm was approached from the front of the site and a brick out building situated near the farm house was entered via an insecure wooden door.

A petrol driver power washed was stolen from inside the outbuilding.

Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting crime reference number 1935998.

Overnight on Sunday October 14 an electric fence cable was stolen from Burshill, Brandesburton.

Unknown person/s entered farm land at Burshill from a single track road and approached the electric fencing around the surrounding the farm.

A 12-volt battery, the electric fencing unit and three reels of electric wire were removed my cutting the excess wire at the end of the fence post.

The offender/s then made off in an unknown direction .

If you have any information on this theft please contact the police on the non-emergency number 101 and quote crime reference number 193021.

THE BEST food and drink from the area will be showcased at an awards ceremony celebrating local produce.

Deliciouslyorkshire Awards have unveiled their short-list for this year’s competition which includes Driffield’s Side Oven Bakery nominated for Best Bakery.

Four other companies in East Yorkshire rose to the challenge and made the final contenders.

Both Staal Smokehouse, Long Riston, and Dixie Kitchen, Walkington, are short listed in the best newcomer category, as well as in the best fish and seafish and best confectionery categories respectively.

Williams Farm Kitchen, Hornsea, is a finalist in the category for best retailer of local products, while Hider Foods, of Hull, are short listed in the best wholesaler/distributor category.

Judging panel chairman Elaine Lemm, a renowned food writer and former chef, said: “Never has there been a more important time to support the deliciouslyorkshire Awards; to showcase the best of food in the county.

“Food producers, the retail and hospitality industry in Yorkshire are not immune to the downturn we are currently experiencing in the UK, yet despite the tough conditions, innovation thrives and standards just keeping get higher. These are set to be the most exciting awards yet.”

This year’s winners will be announced at the Awards dinner on 25 October at the National Railway Museum, York.

Rural pubs in our region are to be given a helping hand thanks to a new scheme launched last week.

The scheme, run by rural pubs champion, Pub is The Hub, is designed to simplify the process by which pubs can expand and diversify, with help from East Riding Council’s GRANTfinder funding or the Big Lottery’s Awards for All scheme.

During the launch at the Driffield Showground last week the audience heard from a number of pub owners who had successfully adapted their businesses in very challenging times.

Ideas such as selling convenience items or hiring out meeting space have helped a number of pubs ride out the recession so far, and scheme organisers are keen to extend such practises across the region.

John Longden, chief executive for Pub is The Hub said: “If any other licensees feel that they too can provide additional services but just need encouragement to take the plunge, then I would urge them to get in touch.”

If you would like to find out more about the scheme visit www.communitychampions.org.uk or telephone 01423 546165 for more information.

Four charities in Driffield have each received a £100 donation as part of Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation’s annual giveaway – Make a Difference Week.

Throughout one week in summer Yorkshire Building Society invited customers and members of the local community to call into its Driffield agency at Jackson Robson Licence to nominate a charity they would like to see receive a £100 donation.

Thanks to those who called in and filled in a nomination form the following charities have now received a financial boost from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation: Driffield Friends of Girl Guiding; First Steps Pre-School; Yorkshire Wolds Railway Restoration Project; Royal British Legion Driffield

“Make A Difference Week has been a fantastic success, with some of our wonderful local charities and good causes receiving a nomination for support,” said Pat Dean of the Driffield agency.

“Make A Difference Week is a great opportunity for our local community to tell us about charities that are important to them and that they would like to see receive a bit of extra support in these difficult times.

“As a building society we try and support the charities and local good causes in the areas where our members live and work and I hope that theses donations will truly Make a Difference in Driffield.”

The Society’s Charitable Foundation has run the Make Difference Week giveaway for five years and in that time has given away more than £500,000 to charities across the country.

The donation to the charities in Driffield comes from Yorkshire Building Society’s innovative ‘Small Change Big Difference’ scheme. This scheme enables members to donate the pennies from their annual interest on their accounts once a year to the Charitable Foundation.

When all the pennies are added together it ensures the Charitable Foundation can continue to support good causes in communities throughout the UK.

CHANGES in council tax benefit which will have a major impact on thousands of households in the East Riding came under fire at last week’s full meeting of East Riding Council.

The council has been carrying out a consultation on the changes, which they say will result from a reduction in Government funding available to local authorities to implement a new council tax benefit scheme.

The changes will only affect working age households, as pensioners are protected, but the council says many households in the East Riding will be affected because of changes that are entirely the result of Government policy.

From April 1 next year the Government is abolishing the current benefit scheme, which helps low or no-income households to pay their council tax.

All local authorities have been required by the Government to design their own local schemes to support those who need help with their council tax.

The Government is reducing the funding available to councils to deliver the scheme, and in the East Riding funding will be reduced by at least £2.5m in 2013/2014. Savings have to be made by either cutting the support provided to working age claimants or finding savings elsewhere in the council’s budget.

The council is considering three options for a new scheme, its preferred option being the one that limits the amount of help residents can receive towards their council tax bill to 75%. This means that every working age household in the East Riding will have some council tax to pay.

The council’s Labour group told the full council meeting that the proposed reduction in council tax benefit would hit 11,525 low paid households in the county.

The Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Pat O’Neil called on the council to follow the example of Tory councils in the Prime Minister’s constituency and find the necessary savings from the council’s budget.

The Labour group’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Keith Moore, said: “These proposals are designed to hit yet again those low paid workers who are in pay freezes and are on such low pay they rely on these benefits for a living wage.”

The Conservative council Leader, Councillor Stephen Parnaby, said the authority has to make difficult decisions by reducing the amount of help people can have towards their council tax bills or by finding additional savings from elsewhere in the council budget.

He stressed that the changes to council tax benefit are entirely the result of Government policy and not anything decided locally by the authority.

The council approved an amendment by Deputy Leader Councillor Jonathan Owen that local MPs should be asked to make the Government aware of the impact of the changes on the East Riding.

The amendment said that the authority would await the results of the current consultation with residents and then ask MPs to ensure that the Government is made aware of the particular issues regarding the East Riding, in the light of figures showing the rate of increase of 65-year-olds in the East Riding is twice the national average.

“This age profile and the requirement to protect pensioners currently receiving benefit will have a disproportionate effect on the rest of our residents currently on benefits and we need to understand fully the long-term effects when coupled with other benefit reforms in the offing,” it said.

The consultation was due to end this week (October 12).

Information about the changes can be found on the council’s website at www.eastriding.gov.uk/counciltaxsupport.

As Preston pats itself on the back for the success of its spectacular 2012 Guild celebrations, it would seem the perfect time to look back over the city’s changing face.

From the area’s early role as a camping ground for travelling Roman legions to its city status award in 2002, Preston has a long and proud history.

But time and progress have transformed the old town centre with many of its older, landmark buildings either demolished or now hedged between shops and chain stores of the concrete, brick and glass variety.

John Garlington, a Prestonian and author, is helping to celebrate Guild year with the publication of a book featuring a fascinating collection of old and new colour photographs of his home city.

Preston Then & Now reproduces many photographs from the author’s own family collection, all juxtaposed with pictures of the same locations as they look today.

The result is an eye-opening snapshot of over 100 years of development and its impact on streets which were predominantly built for horse-drawn transport and pedestrians but are now dominated by ‘king car.’

The majority of the grand buildings seen on these pages were built after 1840 when wealth accumulated from the Industrial Revolution was used for civic, philanthropic and economic purposes.

The well-heeled residents lived on the fringes of the town in new suburbs like Fulwood and Ashton while lawyers, doctors and professionals moved into the smart townhouses in Avenham and the streets around Winckley Square.

The 1911 census shows that the population of Preston was just below 120,000. The majority of these people were working class and lived in low quality terraced houses mostly grouped around cotton mills and factories.

Garlington’s book takes us on a journey into their world – down the bustling town centre streets, past the magnificent, long-demolished town hall that dominated the corner of Fishergate and Birley Street and alongside the elegant and imposing facade of Miller Arcade as it looked in 1902.

We can enjoy a 1930 view of youngsters playing on the pavement in Black Bull Lane, Fulwood, then the main route to Lancaster, watch pedestrians negotiating a tram on Lancaster Road in 1910 and admire the top hats of the menfolk as they stop to wonder at an early photographing capturing for posterity the Guild Arch in Fishergate in 1862.

Full of nostalgia and revealing photographs, Preston Now & Then is a wonderful addition to local history records and a compelling glimpse of a bygone age.

(The History Press, hardback, £12.99)

Beverley Minster will again host a wedding fair later this month, following the success of a similar event earlier in the year.

Over 800 people attended the first wedding fair in February, and organisers are hoping for a similar response to the Beverley Minster Autumn Wedding Fair, which will be held on Saturday October 20, from 11am to 3pm.

The event, hailed as the largest independent wedding fair in East Yorkshire, will see around 60 exhibitors from across the area coming together to help raise much-needed funds for the Minster.

Jane Gough, from event organisers Dalton Spire Ltd, said: “We were delighted at the support we received at the February event, but have been amazed at the interest shown in the autumn event.”

“We have exhibitors coming from across the region, from as far away as Goole and York. Brides will find everything they need for their Big Day, with a good choice of suppliers, all under one roof.”

There will be two catwalk shows, showing a selection of bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and menswear. The catwalk shows will take place at 12.30pm and 2pm, with live music from a selection of wedding entertainers performing between shows.

Anyone wanting more information should contact Jane on 01964 552470 or email ask@daltonspire.co.uk.

A Beverley optometry practice has been nominated for a prestigious national award in recognition of their services to optics.

Andrew and Rogers Optometrists has been shortlisted in the ‘Community Achievement Award 2012’ category. Run by the Association of Optometrists (AOP), the awards recognise the highest levels of achievement in UK optics.

Andrew and Rogers, has been shortlisted by a selection committee for outstanding work raising awareness of optometry and eye health in the community.

Commenting on their nomination, Roger Smyth said: “We are delighted to have been selected for our work in raising awareness of dyslexia and visual stress, and for prescribing precision tinted lenses for pupils struggling to read at school and college. The work has been unbelievably rewarding”

AOP Chairman David Shannon, commented: “Last year we were delighted to bring you our first ever AOP Awards. The response we had from the profession and optical sector was outstanding.

We are proud to be able to offer a chance to celebrate the achievements of those people and organisations that give so much to the public, profession and sector. What makes these awards unique is that it is their colleagues, the readers of Optometry Today, the largest circulation optical journal in the UK that vote for the winners.

This year like last, the standard of nominations across all categories was excellent. It was no easy task for the judges to pick the shortlist. Whether you emerge as a winner, or not, we congratulate you and the contribution you have made to quality eye care.”

Roger Smyth added: “We would particularly like to thank the teaching profession in Yorkshire, for being so enthusiastic and supportive of our highlighting of dyslexia issues within education.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 18 October in Birmingham.

AN APPEAL against a council decision to refuse permission to build a wind turbine has been dismissed.

The application for appeal was made by Mr J. Nash for a proposal to build two wind turbines on farm land at Neswick Farm, Neswick, Driffield, which has previously been refused by East Riding of Yorkshire Council on January 24.

The site is within Wolds Area of Landscape Protection, which provides it with added protection.

Mr T. Cookson, an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, made an inspection on Wednesday 8 August and set down a final decision on Friday 12 October.

He said: “I judge that overall they would be prominent and intrusive and would cause significant harm to this protected landscape.

“I accept that although it is small in scale, the scheme would result in savings in emissions.

“However, on balance, having viewed the area carefully, considered the representations and assessed the details of the scheme, especially its siting, I judge that the harm this scheme would cause on this part of the Wolds Area of Landscape Protection would be sufficiently substantial to outweigh the relatively modest benefits it would bring.”

In another case, an appeal for costs following another refusal from East Riding of Yorkshire Council of an application to construct a wind turbine at Cottam Warren Farm, Driffield, was also refused.

Ralph Beevers made the application for award of costs against East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Mr Cookson, made the inspection on Wednesday 8 August and made his final decision on Friday 12 October.

He said: “I do not accept that a stance has been taken in principle against wind turbines when the evidence shows that the authority has permitted turbines in various locations in the area with some being approved contemporaneously with the refusal of the appeal scheme.

“The authority members, having considered the officers’ recommendation, decided that from their own knowledge of the area that the turbine would be visible by residents and visitors.

“They concluded that the turbine would have a detrimental impact on the wide landscape. From the evidence I find that their actions were appropriate and reasonable.”

RESIDENTS can now volunteer to be part of a new initiative to examine policing plans for the East Riding.

In November 2012, a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Humberside area will be elected by the public to oversee the work of Humberside Police.

A Police and Crime Panel for the Humberside area has been set up to scrutinise the commissioner and to promote openness in the delivery of policing services.

Community-minded individuals are invited to apply for one of two independent co-optee roles that will make up the panel.

These individuals must be able to serve a four-year term, dedicate around one day per month and be available to attend a number of meetings at various locations in the Humberside Police area. The deadline for applications is on Friday, October 26.

Applicants must be over 18 years of age and live or work in the Humberside Police area. Selection will be based on the knowledge, skills and expertise the individuals can bring.

The co-optees could have a professional background in areas such as community safety, criminal justice, victim support, or a strong track record of voluntary/community work.

For an information pack with further terms and conditions and for a copy of the application form contact Morgan Toner on (01472) 326131 or email policeandcrimepanel@nelincs.gov.uk.

An Evening with The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Defence, will take place at Sledmere House on Friday to raise funds for Tory candidates in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

MPs will be present along with the two Conservative candidates for the PCC election – Matthew Grove (Humberside)and Julia Mulligan (North Yorks).

PLANS for a fun fair at this year’s late night shopping event came under fire from East Riding councillors.

A letter, from three conservative councillors, was received by Driffield Town Council and stated the fun fair, which visits the town as part of the Christmas late night shopping provisions, would cause “severe disruption” to the town.

On Tuesday 16 October Driffield Town Council agreed unanimously to allow plans to continue as they do each year, namely with Christmas late night shopping and a fun fair.

Councillor Felicity Temple, Councillor Barbara Hall and Councillor Symon Fraser, who all represent the Driffield and Rural Ward at East Riding Council, said in their letter to Driffield Town Council: “As a late night shopping event we want is to support “shoppers” and encourage residents and visitors to the town.

“We also feel that the so called Fun Fair actually works against this aim by dissuading many due to the activities of a few unruly young people and the noise generated by the fun fair rides.

“Can we please return to a more traditional and tranquil atmosphere, where we can enjoy the seasonal singing around the Christmas Tree by our young people, without the intrusion of discordant electronic music from the rides.”

Driffield Town Councillor, David Credland, said in response: “I do not see why the Conservative group of East Riding of Yorkshire Council who have done nothing for the town should comment.

“What have the three members done for the town? So they want to stick their oar in as to why there should be a fun fair.”

Driffield Town Councillor, Steve Poessl, said: “I agreed with what David has said. We try and improve the town with what we have got and completely ignore what has been said here.”

Lancashire author Deborah Swift’s debut novel The Lady’s Slipper caused quite a stir when it was published two years ago... could her second historical adventure live up to the high expectations?

The answer most definitely is yes! The Gilded Lily, a loose prequel to her earlier book set in 17th century rural Westmorland, contains all the same exciting literary qualities that won her an army of fans.

Swift lives at Warton, near Carnforth, and the landscape of north Lancashire and south Lakeland has been a source of inspiration for her classy and compelling novels, but here she decamps to the menace and tarnished glamour of Restoration London.

Her story of two sisters on the run from crime and skulduggery in Westmorland brings the past to life with such a tangible sense of reality that one can almost smell the street middens, see the slippery cobbles and hear the rattle of a passing cart in the raw, raucous London of Charles II.

She creates a three-dimensional cast of characters, develops a plot that is alive with complex themes and imagery, and sets them free in a world of startling historical authenticity.

In 1661, 15-year-old Sadie Appleby lives a sheltered life in Westmorland with her sister and drunkard father. Shy, sensitive and conscious of a port-wine birthmark on her face which has marked her out as bearing ‘the Devil’s pawprint,’ she has been content to keep a low profile.

Her older, bolder and beautiful sister Ella has always been her greatest comfort and protector but one cold winter’s night Sadie is rudely awoken to find her life changed forever.

Ella, who is working as a housemaid for a local family, has found her employer dead and then robbed him of his valuables. Now the girls are on the run. They are heading for London where no one knows them, no one asks questions and they can lose themselves in the teeming crowds.

But the dead man’s twin brother has set out to find them. He’s filling London with posters offering a reward for the capture of the ‘Savage Sisters’ and, unknown to the girls, a dangerous game of cat and mouse is taking place amongst the dark, dank warren of streets in a city suffering a deadly, freezing winter.

Meanwhile, Ella is totally seduced by the glitter and glamour of city life and sets her sights on the flamboyant man-about-town Jay Whitgift, owner of The Gilded Lily, a beauty parlour for the wives of London’s idle rich.

But nothing in the capital is what it seems, least of all Jay Whitgift, and tensions are growing between Ella and Sadie, chiefly due to the birthmark which makes it difficult for Sadie to be seen in public.

And soon there may be nowhere to hide...

Superb dialogue, steeped in contemporary language, adds credibility and atmosphere to this compelling tale which examines the ties that bind together siblings, the consequences of greed and ambition, the fickleness of fate and women’s constant battle to survive in a man’s world.

The Gilded Lily is also a fast-paced adventure peopled with ruthless villains and feisty heroines whose exploits grab the imagination and add suspense and excitement to a historical gem.

Ms Swift’s next novel can’t come a moment too soon...

(Pan, paperback, £7.99)

A GENEROUS Driffield woman has donated almost £500 to an Alzheimer’s charity in memory of her father.

Christine Dixon, 50, lost her father Kenneth Ellis, who had suffered with the illness for six years, in August of this year.

Christine has since raised £442 for the Alzheimer’s Association by taking part in a Memory Walk at Sewerby Hall with her partner, Stephen and collecting donations for the charity at her 50th birthday party which was held at Driffield Cricket Club on August 26.

Christine said: “Alzheimer’s is a really awful disease for those suffering it and those around them, it is close to my heart and I’ll continue to keep fundraising.”

Christine has thanked all those who have donated to her cause.

MPs Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) and Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) have welcomed amended proposals from the Boundary Commission which provide continuity for the region and do not seek to ‘slice up’ the constituencies they represent as previously planned.

The new Boundary Commission proposals follow precisely the arguments put forward by both Mr Knight and Mr Stuart, who made representations arguing strongly for greater continuity and the retention of their existing constituencies.

Mr Knight, who has represented East Yorkshire since 2001, said: “To have divided up the East Riding, ignoring geographical, commercial and social ties that exist between constituencies would have been madness.

“I am delighted that the Boundary Commission has listened to our arguments.”

Mr Stuart, who has represented the Beverley and Holderness seat since 2005, added: “We both welcome this revised proposal, which means no local electoral disruption and the two seats of Beverley & Holderness and East Yorkshire are rightly to be left intact,.”

The Boundary Commission’s recommendations suggest changes to seven of the nine Parliamentary constituencies in the ‘Yorkshire and Humber Region’ with both East Yorkshire and Beverley and Holderness being kept intact.

Originally the Boundary Commission had proposed slicing East Yorkshire and Beverley and Holderness in half.

The autumn lecture programme began with a change to the published newsletter.

The Beverley Decorative and Fine Arts society should have had Anne Sebba as guest speaker telling us all about ‘Laura Ashley’ but unfortunately Anne could not make the September date. In her place, members listened to a lecture on ‘Pearls and Pomegranates, Peacocks and Pipes: The Hidden Language of Renaissance Art’ given by Shirley Smith.

Shirley is a part time lecturer in Art History for the University of East Anglia and at the Department of Continuing Education for the University of Cambridge. Her totally absorbing lecture was excellent and given in a very professional manner – with a power point presentation containing remarkable images. Shirley’s thorough knowledge of her subject – given without reference to any notes was impressive.

Her lecture educated the audience in the symbolism used in Renaissance Art. It is difficult for us to understand the full meaning of a painting from the past due to the wealth of symbolism it contains. Much of it is obscure to us today, but would have been instantly recognisable to twelth century contemporaries.

This lecture aimed to peel back the layers of Renaissance Art by deciphering the meaning of some of these symbols – spiritual, secular, virginal and vulgar – and so enable us to read these paintings as would people for whom they were intended.

Gem stones were used in paintings. Pearls for example were associated with Venus, Goddess of Love as in Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and with white or virginity as in Marcus Gheer’s ‘The Virgin Queen’. Coral could ward off evil spirits. Diamonds were a symbol of love fidelity and constancy.

All kinds of flowers were also used in symbolism. Lilies for purity, violets for humility, purple iris for grief or myrtle leaf suggesting mystical dimensions. Fruit such as the pomegranate meaning the resurrection; animals such as the serpent for evil and birds like the peacock with the all seeing eye were all put into paintings. Musical instruments were included – pipes, lute, flute, trumpet or oboe – often symbolising risky characters or behaviour! The lecture showed work from Titian, Jan Van Eyck, Hugo Van Der Goes, Holstein or Petrazzi. Anyone interested in learning more about symbolism should consult Hall’s ‘Dictionary of Symbols’.

The next meeting will be on October 17, at Willerby Manor Hotel 10am for 10.30am, where members will listen to a lecture on ‘Love and Loss: The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Art and Music’ with Lois Oliver. Anyone who wishes to attend this lecture should contact a member or membership secretary Sue Hammond on 01482 863942.

A forthcoming exhibition coming to our area is the Da Vinci ten drawings at the Ferens Art Gallery.

These have been loaned from the Royal Collection as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. They are here until January 20, 2013.

A FAMILY reunion tomorrow (Saturday October 13) will see several generations get together for the first time.

The event will be a reunion of family members of John and Hannah Bailey, who were married in St Mary’s Church in Beverley in 1864.

John was born in 1844 in Bishop Burton and Hannah (nee Potter) came from Market Weighton.

Their first home was in St Andrew Street in Beverley.

The couple had 14 children and many of their descendants will meet up for the first time at the reunion at All Saints’ Church in Nafferton.

John and Hannah had lived in Nafferton, where John was the village policeman.

The get-together has been organised by Mrs Heather Winn, who is the last member of the Bailey family still living in the village.

She believes that there are still some family members in the Cherry Burton area who she has not been able to track down.

Anyone who would like to join in the reunion can contact her on 01377 254573.

THIS is the face of ruthless rapist Graham Kelly, who could be facing more than 10 years behind bars after a vicious knife attack on a woman.

Kelly, 58, of Eastgate South, Driffield, raped the woman in a stable block – threatening to kill her and then himself.

His victim was sitting just 15ft away when a Hull Crown Court jury foreman stood up to announce he was guilty of raping her at knifepoint after stalking her for weeks.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told a jury she thought she would be stabbed.

She said: “I thought I was going to bleed to death in the stable and never see my children again.”

She said she instinctively thought of the murder of Linda Merigo, who several years ago was stabbed to death on her own doorstep in Driffield, when she saw Kelly armed with the blade.

Kelly, a former quarryman, stalked his victim to a stable block.

Clutching a sharp knife, he chillingly told her: “I am going to make love to you before I put this knife into you and kill myself.”

He had written three suicide notes and left them in his car for police to find.

He was only caught by his victim’s bravery.

Hull Crown Court heard during a four-day trial that Kelly followed the victim to her home but she had alerted a neighbour to call the police

She let Kelly in to her home and made him a drink.

“It was coffee or be killed that was my choice,” his victim told the court. “I chose coffee.

“He raped me. Afterwards I had to calm him down. I had to live and not be killed.

“I knew the police were coming. I made him a coffee.

I was thinking ‘how long does it take for my neighbour to walk home and to call the police?’

“He took his shoes off. I made a coffee and made it as long and drawn out as possible.

“I didn’t think it would take long for the police to come if a man is at a house with a knife.”

She said: “From his perspective he had no idea what he had done.

“He did not believe he was raping me. All the time the knife was on my skin.”

Kelly was astounded when the police arrived and arrested him.

He told them the woman had consented to sex and he had taken the knife only to kill himself but realised he did not have the nerve.

He had written the woman several letters and stalked her several times to a Tesco supermarket and back to her home.

He told the jury: “She wanted me.” Asked by the Crown barrister Martin Sharp: “Do you think she found you sexually irresistible?” Kelly replied: “She wanted my body. I didn’t want to have sex with her.”

Judge Mark Bury told Kelly he would not sentence him straight away as he wanted a pre-sentence report writing by the probation service.

He said he would obviously be facing a substantial period of imprisonment.

He will be sentenced in four weeks.

A LACK of funding has quashed a proposal for a new town centre cycle path.

The idea, presented to East Riding of Yorkshire Council by Driffield Town Council, was for a five kilometre route around Driffield to continue the Olympic legacy.

Part of the route was intended to travel next to the A164, a busy main road.

Mark Jessop, principle transport policy officer at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Whilst we would wish to support the Olympic legacy, the cost of constructing a new 1.4km route alonside the A164 to complete the circuit would be very significant and currently beyound our available funding.”

Mr Jessop said East Riding Council recently produced a map showing five leisure rides from Driffield.

At a meeting of Driffiled Town Council on Tuesday 16 October, Councillor Steve Poessl said: “It is funny how there is never any money when we ask. Like with Beverley Market, that gets the funding no problem.

“But as soon as Driffield Town Council comes up with an idea which everybody was pushing at the time, sorry no funding. Stand up for Driffield.”

Councillor Mark Blakeston said: “I still really really believe that it is something worth doing and one simple letter doesn’t put me off.”

Everyone at the meeting was in favour of issuing a response to the council about the refusal for funding.

A JOBLESS drug dealer has escaped with a suspended prison sentence despite admitting supplying illegal drugs to 55 customers over a period of two years.

Luke Wilson, 22, from Driffield, was so immersed in the drug culture he had hundreds of telephone calls logged in his mobile phone, of times, places and quantities of cannabis he had been supplying.

When arrested he had 10 raps of high-strength skunk cannabis worth £150. He told police he paid £250 for an one ounce selling it on for £320, making a £60 profit each time.

Police were called to Wilson’s house to a domestic dispute, but soon became suspicious about his use of cannabis.

A search revealed 16.6g of skunk cannabis in the property.

Wilson of Victoria Road, stood in the dock at Hull Crown Court on Friday October 12 after last month pleading guilty to one charge of possession of the controlled drug with intent to supply on December 7 2011.

He had also admitted a charge of supplying cannabis to others between January 1 2010 and December 1 2011.

Crown barrister Jharna Jobes said Wilson told police he had become a dealer after his addiction to cocaine and cannabis put him into debt with dealers.

She said the police accepted the scars he showed them were from beatings he had received for not paying up on time.

Because his activities were illegal he could not go to the police and report the violence.

She said: “He says he had been dealing for two years to pay off debts. He had a customer base of 55 people.

“His telephone records showed he had hundreds of calls.

“He was chasing debts up.”

She said he could have been jailed for two years.

Wilson had a conviction in 2005 for robbery where he was given a referral order and a police caution for possession of drugs in 2011.

His barrister Anil Murray told the judge: “If you are minded to pass a community sentence I have nothing more to add.”

Judge John Dowse ordered Wilson to stand as he told him he had read his pre-sentence report which said he thought he could go to prison for four years.

“You are a very lucky chap,” said Judge Dowse. “Because in many ways you deserve to go to prison.

“If the courts don’t take a serious view of someone who has been dealing in drugs for two years and has 55 customers then drugs are going to be even more rife.

“I warn you if you come back before the courts again for another drugs offence you will be going to prison.”

He gave him a 12-month suspended prison sentence.

Wilson told the judge: “It is my fault. I deserve to be punished.”

The judge also ordered he should complete 180 hours unpaid work and pay £350 costs.

The judge ordered the destruction of the drugs.