Wiltshire venues to trial drug detector
A machine that tests for drugs is set for use at pubs and clubs across Wiltshire. The Ion Track Itemiser can identify if a person has been handling drugs from class A to C, or "drug rape" substances such as GHB. A person or item of clothing is swiped and the gadget produces a reading on screen within six seconds, showing whether traces of drugs were found. The device can also test surfaces in venues. Wiltshire Police said officers would work with door staff to test people as they entered pubs and clubs. The move follows a campaign over the past few months by members of Trowbridge's Pub and Club Watch schemes to warn of the dangers of drink spiking. The Ion Track Itemiser will be on trial at venues in the north and west of the county in around six weeks. The first training sessions for the machine took place at Club Ice in Westbury on Friday. Confession adjourns murder trial A pub manager who, just hours before his trial, confessed to killing a teenage barmaid in Owston Ferry, Humberside, last year has had his case adjourned for a psychiatric and psychological reports to be compiled. Guy Beckett, 31, made the confession to his barrister, who managed to persuade the judge to adjourn the trial at Hull Crown Court last Thursday so Beckett could be examined. Beckett admitted to manslaughter but he denied murdering 18-year-old Laura Torn. He also admitted arson at the Red Lion in Owston Ferry where he was the manager. Simon Myerson, defending, said Beckett, of Burnham Square, Owston Ferry, may not have been able to admit his part in the killing earlier, due to "psycological reasons". Torn's body was found on 8 May last year, under a haystack in a field in Mission, Nottinghamshire, 11 days after she went missing after a night out at the Crooked Billet in her home town of Owston Ferry. She had been strangled. Mr Justice Curtis said he wanted the case to be concluded by 28 May. Meanwhile, Beckett has been remanded in custody. Court hears of employee's stupid' theft An assistant manager at a Newcastle pub stole thousands of pounds from the licensee before trying to flee to Brussels. David Murray, 22, pleaded guilty to theft at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Monday. The court heard how Murray, of Strawberry Gardens, Wallsend, had been left in charge of the Lochside in Heaton when host Peter Woodward went on holiday on 1 April. But Murray began to struggle with the money, finding it difficult to tally it each evening, so he panicked and stole the cash. Woodward found he was locked out of the pub when he returned because Murray had the keys. When he phoned Murray's home, his parents said their son was at work but when they phoned his mobile he told them he was at Newcastle Airport, about to board a flight to Brussels. Police arrested Murray at the airport, and he had the money in his luggage bag on the plane. The court heard how he told officers: "It was a close thing. I almost made it." Joanne Miller, defending, said: "Having been left with that situation, then having mounting problems trying to cope, [Murray] lost all sight of common sense, panicked and did a stupid thing." The court has not agreed how much was stolen. The prosecution alleges £8,966.99 Murray said it was at least £7,000. Newcastle Magistrates deferred sentence to Newcastle Crown Court. Police arrest 28 in Plymouth footie riot Violent clashes between football fans and police at a Plymouth pub on Saturday resulted in 28 arrests. More than 40 officers were called to the Noah's Ark in Courtney Street at around 5.40pm, following Plymouth Argyle's promotion after beating Queen's Park Rangers at their home ground. When officers arrived, glasses began being thrown from inside the pub. A fight then broke out between police and pub goers and the Noah's Ark was shut.
