Author: Blake Foster

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Gary Wade, 56, was discovered on May 15 in Aldersbrook Lane. He had been killed by a commonly-prescribed antidepressant medication, said senior coroner Graeme Irvine. Mr Irvine opened an inquest into Mr Wade’s death at East London Coroner’s Court, Walthamstow, on Monday, July 7. He said the case had been referred to him by the Metropolitan Police Service. “They had attended at Mr Wade’s address due to concerns made about Mr Wade’s welfare,” he said. “The premises were broken into by the police, having developed a concern for the safety of Mr Wade.” Mr Irvine said: “He had been dead for…

Amithraz Balgobin, 36, allegedly attacked Amaratial Mistry at the property on Churchmore Road in Streatham on Friday, July 4. Paramedics were called to his home at around 1pm and found Mr Mistry with a number of injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene in Churchmore Road. Balgobin was arrested nearby and charged on Sunday with murder and possession of Class A and B drugs. On Wednesday, the defendant, of Woodbourne Avenue, Lambeth, appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from Thameside prison. He spoke only to confirm his identity before Judge Simon Mayo KC set a timetable for his case.…

Mohammad Sagar, owner of Stack & Sizzle, previously told the Recorder that he aimed to open the new restaurant on July 6 or 7 but has had to delay the first day of business. He previously explained that his “focus was on quality” and a large contributor to guaranteeing quality was by using fresh and locally sourced products. Speaking to the Recorder this morning (July 9), he said: “We want to source our ingredients fresh and good quality. “We want fresh chicken, fresh beef and other produce from local sources and some of these supplies have been disrupted and delayed. “I…

Abacus Belsize Primary School, part of the Anthem Schools Trust and temporarily based at the Jubilee Waterside Centre in Camley Street, was visited by the education watchdog in June. Inspectors described it as an inclusive school with a “superb” atmosphere and “warm and nurturing” relationships between staff and pupils. The report praised the school for fostering a respectful, engaged, and caring environment, stating: “Pupils enjoy coming to this inclusive school”. The school earned top ‘outstanding’ ratings for its early years provision, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school’s quality of education was rated ‘good’. Inspectors highlighted the school’s “ambitious…

Police were called to High Road, Epping, yesterday (July 8) at 5.20pm to reports of a person acting inappropriately. Officers arrived and arrested the man, 38, and he remains in custody. Essex Police has said: “Although our investigation is in its early stages, the behaviour which had been reported has now ceased and we’re not looking for anyone else at this stage.” Additional officers were in the area during the rest of the evening following the incident. A spokesperson said: “We know incidents such as this can clearly cause concern among the public.” The force added: “We’d also like to…

The Community Schools Trust, which runs several schools including Forest Gate Community School and Cumberland Community School, received the community trust of the year award at the MAT Excellence Awards. The trust was recognised for its work in transforming the lives of young people through education, mentorship, and support services, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It also oversees The Excelsior Academy, Waterside Academy, and Haggerston School in Hackney. Simon Elliott, trust chief executive, said: “This award is not just a celebration of our results, but a tribute to the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students,…

Their uniforms, photographs and wartime memorabilia are on show at the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, ahead of next month’s 80th anniversary of the end of the war on VJ Day. It has been organised by women’s military local historian Kim Smith, from Rainham. “The role of women at war should never be forgotten,” Kim said. “Women made a major contribution which freed up men to join the armed forces and bring total victory against the enemy.” The stories include women pilots in the Air Transport Auxiliary, who ferried aircraft from the factories to front-line airfields, as well as those in the…

Plans were approved last September for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which runs the Wimbledon Championships, to build 38 tennis courts and an 8,000-seater stadium on the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, nearly tripling its site. Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) has fiercely opposed the scheme and crowdfunded £200,000 to bring the judicial review against the Greater London Authority (GLA) approval of it, which it claims was unlawful because the GLA failed to properly take into account key redevelopment restrictions on the land. The GLA and AELTC dispute that the restrictions exist, and argue the decision to approve the…

Lowlands Recreation Ground, located next to Harrow-on-the-Hill Station, is set to get new lights as part of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy funding awarded to Greenhill ward. The application for funding was approved after a petition with more than 230 signatures was submitted to Harrow Council complaining about the park’s safety at night. Students at Harrow College had raised concerns of increasing levels of antisocial behaviour and harassment. They, alongside school staff and residents, have been campaigning to get measures installed to reduce the number of incidents taking place within the grounds. Harrow College Principal, Clive Hodge, said: “Concerned about safety…