A drink driver who rammed a police car in Redhill has been jailed.

21 year-old James Rowson was twice the legal limit when he had driven from Kent to Merstham last month.  A member of the public called police after witnessing the vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the road in Caterham.

An officer then followed Rowson after witnessing a similar incident in Chaldon.  It was in Redhill where the driver attempted to join the A23.  The officer has blocked the exit with the patrol car and at this point Rowson rammed the vehicle.  He also drove at the officer when she exited her vehicle to make the arrest.

A police dog located Rowson in the undergrowth alongside the M23 after he ran from the scene.

Rowson pleaded guilty to drink driving, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence, and assault.  He was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison, banned from driving for a year, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100 and a criminal courts charge of £90.

A former Surrey Police Inspector has been charged with eight offences relating to indecent images of children.

The 43 year-old was stationed in Reigate at the time of his arrest.

An investigation was carried out by Sussex Police at the request of Surrey Police.

It is not believed any police equipment was used for the alleged offences and images are not thought to be of local children.

Crawley Borough Council has taken steps aimed at preventing office space from being converted into housing.

During a meeting on July 8th the Cabinet approved ‘non-immediate Article 4 Directions’ for Manor Royal, meaning developers would need full planning permission to change the use of buildings in the Business District.
This move is an attempt to maintain the location as an area of economic generation.

A valuable handbag has been stolen from a parked vehicle in Horsham.

The suspect reached into the white Volkswagen van in Carfax last Thursday through an open window and took the light brown Gucci bag.  He then made his getaway on foot past the old Waitrose supermarket.

The owners were packing away a market stall at the time.

A 28 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

St Catherine’s Hospice and St Albans Church are two of a number of voluntary and community organisations which have been awarded grants from West Crawley County Local Committee.

The Community Initiative Funding and Prevention and Wellbeing Grants total over £20,000 for the year ahead.

The money will be used for projects which promote social contact, exercise, and educational activities.