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Wednesday12th November 2003
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Brutal Sexual Assault

Shortly before this attack, another female was indecently assaulted in the same area. A man who was coming from the direction of Coronation Road assaulted the woman. The woman was an older female who managed to deter the attacker. Police would not like to speculate that the two attacks are connected, but they must also accept that there is a strong possibility that they may be, as both attacks happened around the same time and in the same area.

Police are looking for anyone who was in the area around 1.30 - 3.30 a.m. to come forward and tell the police if they saw anyone acting suspiciously, or if they know someone who came home in the early hours of the morning in a suspicious, disheveled state.

The police are currently following all lines of enquiry and are very keen to hear from anyone in the area. Even if they think that their information may be irrelevant, it may provide the Police with a significant part of the jigsaw that will help the police find out who this man is.

The sixteen-year-old girl has been left traumatized and badly injured. Police are very concerned and want to get this person who attacked her arrested as soon as possible. The area has been searched by the technical support group and Police will be making door to door enquiries in the next week. Police are following all lines of enquiries to make sure that this man is caught. However, information from the public could give them that vital information they need. People have come forward with information and Police are currently following up what they have been told. Those who think they can help can contact police either at Carrick Police Station on 90650222 or anonymously on crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Police would in no way want to panic the Carrickfergus population, as a ‘stranger rape’ like this is rare for Carrickfergus, but they would like females in the area to be extra vigilant and be aware of their personal safety.

Police Ask For Vigilance
Crime Prevention Officer, John Kiley, is available to give any advice to women in the area who may be concerned for their safety. General advice advocates the common sense approach:
You will be safest in bright, well-lit areas
If on a night out, make sure and pre-book taxis, or if walking home, make sure that you do not walk home alone
Carry a mobile phone and always let someone know where you are and where you are going
A booklet is available on request from the police called ‘Be safe, Be Secure: Your Practical Guide to Crime Reduction’.

It contains practical advice about various issues; protecting your household and property, looking after your vehicle and guides on personal safety.

If anyone would like a copy of the booklet or any advice on safety issues, they can contact Constable John Kiley, Crime Prevention Officer at Carrickfergus Police Station on 9025 9621

Explosive Penalties for Carrickfergus Firework Dealer

At a court hearing on the 6th July at Antrim County Court, Baxter was ordered to destroy five and a half tonnes of the supplies.

Local Councillor Billy Hamilton believes that Baxter should have been hit with harsh penalties, and stated:

“The penalties handed out may put others off importing fireworks. The whole firework situation needs to be revisited and only licensed displays done on a communal basis should be allowed.”

New Tesco store to create up to 130 jobs

Representatives from Tesco gave a presentation at Monday nights council meeting in which it was announced that the creation of a new Tesco store at Minorca Place would create up to 130 new jobs.

Gywnneth Cockcroft, Tesco Corporate Affairs and Alywyn Riddell, Planning Consultant told the Council about the benefits that this new Tesco would bring to the borough.

Ms. Cockcroft said that Tesco would be making a major multi million pound investment in Carrickfergus. All 220 existing staff at Tesco in the De Courcy Centre will be transferred to the new store, which will also need additional staff.

A plan for the store showed that Tesco will be building a high quality modern store with a spacious car park for 537 cars and ease of access to residential areas and the town Centre.

Tesco have also proposed to include a six-pump petrol pump station and two further retail units for major stores.

Although it is not known which tenants will move into these units, Tesco was sure that the addition of two extra retail units would ensure this new development as a site that will rival that of Abbey Retail Park. Ms. Cockcroft pointed out, that many people from Carrickfergus travel to the Tesco at abbey, and that the creation of this new store will mean more locals will shop at home.

Tesco hope that the development will encourage revitalization and regeneration of the Town Centre, which will act as an encouragement to other investors.

Welcomed
The councillors welcomed the proposed plans. Cllr. Jim Brown commented:
“I would welcome the potential development in Carrickfergus and I recognise the stamp of faith the borough.”

Cllr. Brown also raised some additional issues about how the new Tesco would be linked to the town. Ms. Cockcroft assured him that they would be working with Translink to ensure that the store would be accessible by bus. Cllr. Brown also referred to the ‘£64 million dollar question’, who would inhabit the old Tesco store at the De Courcy Centre?

The reply was that it was as yet unknown who would take over, but Tesco would be very keen to help find a suitable retailer. Ms. Cockcroft announced that successful retailers had been found in the past when Tesco moved out to expand.

The example given was the Lisburn Bow Street Mall. When Tesco moved from there to the Bentram Road store, T.K Maxx moved in. Both stores have since been very popular and successful and an asset to Lisburn.

Alderman David Hilditch also raised the question of opening hours and whether or not the store would be opened 24 hours.

Tesco replied that it was not yet known, and were currently looking at all the options available and were still in consultation.

Cllr. Neeson also addressed the issue of road safety and it’s relation to the nearby St. Nicholas high school. Neeson suggested that Tesco meet with the School chairman and the board of governors to discuss the issue of road safety, to which Tesco agreed.

The meeting ended on an optimistic note, with Tesco promising that the development will serve as a major investment for the area. Although it is unknown how long it will take to gain planning permission and to build the development, Ms. Cockcroft commented that it might take at least two years to complete the development.

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