A man has been jailed for six years after admitting to two rapes of the same woman.
Patrick Gallagher, 29, of Enfield Close, Houghton Regis, pleaded guilty to the two attacks in August and November 2019.
In the first incident Gallagher continued to rape the victim even after she repeatedly told him to stop, while on the second occasion she woke up to find Gallagher raping her.
Immediately after the second incident the victim called a friend to stay in her home as Gallagher refused to leave.
A victim impact statement read out in court said the victim had suffered significant trauma as a result of the incidents, which continues to this day.
At Luton Crown Court Thursday, Gallagher was sentenced to three years in prison for the first offence and six years for the second. The sentences will be served at the same time.
DC Hayley Carroll, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said: “Gallagher’s behaviour is absolutely despicable.
“He has committed the worst kind of sexual abuse for his own gratification, with no care or empathy for the victim in this case. I am glad he will be serving a lengthy prison sentence.
“Rape is a vile crime. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with victims and give them as much support as we possibly can, regardless of where and when the offences took place.
“I know it can be so difficult, but please – if someone has abused you, or you know someone who has been abused, please come forward and start your journey to get justice. We’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Bedfordshire Police has a significant focus on tackling perpetrators of male violence against women and girls (MVAWG), and is working with other organisations to support and improve women’s safety across the county.
Victims of rape and sexual assault can receive support and guidance from Bedfordshire Police and partner agencies, including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP), as well as support through the criminal investigation process.
Reports of sexual assault, even if non-recent, can be made to the police by calling 101 or online.
You can also contact the SARC Emerald Centre by visiting the website, emailing info@emeraldcentre.org or calling 01234 897052.
Grant Palmer Limited, Bedfordshire's family-owned bus company since 1999, launched a new direct busway service for residents in the Bidwell West development.
From 28th March 2022, the new "Hi" service operated 7 days a week, with an hourly service Monday to Saturday and a two-hourly service on Sundays and Bank Holidays. This innovative service had been developed in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council to provide a service from Houghton Regis North to Dunstable and Luton via the guided busway. The service was funded by housing developer funding.
The guided busway provided smooth and comfortable journeys with congestion-busting relief for customers- avoiding Luton's busiest roads by using the longest urban guideway in the world.
Customers could benefit from capped weekly and monthly travel- a week's bus travel was capped at £14.00 when paying using a contactless card. The Grant Palmer app had bus times, journey planning, and live bus tracking to give customers reassurance and up-to-the-minute information.
Thomas Manship, Executive Assistant for Grant Palmer Ltd, said, "Our current network of busway services has been extremely popular- indeed since 2016 we grew passenger numbers by 300%. Our simple approach of clean buses, friendly drivers, and punctual service accelerated our reputation as the busway's premier operator.
"We have proudly operated on the Luton and Dunstable guided busway since its opening in 2013. Our new busway service will provide connections to education, leisure, and healthcare for our customers in Houghton Regis. We couldn't wait to say Hi and meet our new customers."
The new bus service used Section 106 developer contribution money, and Central Bedfordshire Council awarded the new service contract to Grant Palmer, a long-standing bus service provider across Central Bedfordshire.
Councillor Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services, said at the time, "We are thrilled to provide a new bus service to the residents in the north of Houghton Regis.
"Public transport is an important service to many people, and despite the impact the pandemic had on passenger numbers, we remain committed to prioritizing bus services and new routes across Central Bedfordshire."
A worrying message from a concerned local resident on the social media platform Nextdoor prompted us to seek answers from Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC).
The message stated, "There seems to be runoff or pollution in a stream near the Blue Waters wood area. I walk my dog in this area and I've noticed an increase in strange orange runoff and often oil in the water. It's such a shame to see this place suffering from pollution and waste being dumped around. I believe this area used to be a landfill site before it was filled in and planted with trees as a natural site. Perhaps the runoff is coming from underground?"
Blue Waters Woodland is a site maintained by the Central Bedfordshire Council Countryside team. It was indeed used as a landfill site in the past. However, since then, it has been transformed into a re-wilded area with the growth of trees and the establishment of pathways.
There is a concrete path that was previously used by refuse vehicles, which leads from Bedford Road in Houghton Regis to the woodland.
On 12th April 2022, CBC stated, "Our consultant and site operators have investigated the culvert and its surroundings to determine the source of the discharge. They believe it is iron oxide (rust) and is originating from metals within the landfill. However, they have assessed it as non-hazardous and seems to be contained to that specific part of the culvert.
"This Friday, we have scheduled contractors to perform jetting on the pipework to clear any deposits."
About Blue Waters
Originally the site was dug to extract chalk for the cement industry. Afterwards, a lake formed in the base of the pit. The deep blue colour of the water, a result of suspended particles of clay and chalk, gave the site its name, 'Blue Waters' .
In 2010 several enhancements were made to Blue Waters Woodland and Plaiters Way to improve the area for local residents and wildlife. Newly surfaced pathways and signs were installed to provide information and year-round access. You will also find several benches and natural play features as you explore the site.
Some tree management works were carried out to open up the new glades within the woodland. There are more than 11 different tree species including Alder, Beech, Wild Cherry and Hazel. Visiting birds include Blackbird, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Robin, Wren, Blue and Great Tits, as well as endangered varieties like Song Thrush, Starling and Bullfinch.
Visitors used to be able to see Fox, Muntjac, Hedgehog and Rabbit, although, with the nearby growth in house building, these may not be so prevalent now.
Tips for Dog Owners Visiting Blue Waters
Never let your dog out of sight.
Don't let your dog chase wildlife.
Always clear up after your dog - There are dog bins provided. If you do see dog dirt, use a stick to flick it into the undergrowth, out of the path of human walkers, where it will quickly decompose.
Local Councillors have toured All Saints View (ASV) with Vistry Partnerships Project Manager, Mark Doyle.
Vistry Partnerships has a £33m contract with Central Bedfordshire Council to build the independent living development between the High Street and Clarke's Way in Houghton Regis.
When completed, the development will include 168 one and two-bedroomed apartments, as well as community space, a restaurant, retail opportunities and care and reablement facilities.
The Red House
The site of the adjacent Red House building (Grade II listed) is also included in the overall scheme and steps will be taken to preserve it. See the listing on Historic England website.
Why demolish Red House Court?
The demolition of Red House Court (RHC), a neighbouring sheltered housing scheme, was to take place. Residents from RHC were due to move into the Phase 1 completed building.
When the ASV scheme was first conceived it was explained to councillors by CBC housing officers that specifications for this building purpose had moved on since RHC was constructed, and that demolition and re-build were more cost-effective than refurbishment.
A spokesperson for Central Bedfordshire Council was today unable to confirm when demolition will begin but thought it unlikely to be within the next month, but confirmed, “All residents who wished to move from Red House Court to All Saints View have now moved to their new apartments and are settling in, getting to know the building, and using the facilities.”
Apartments at Red House Court overlooking The Green to be demolished to make way for ASV Phase 2 building works.
Councillor's Tour
Members of the Houghton Regis Town Partnership (a committee made up of Houghton Regis Town Councillors, and CBC councillors for Houghton Regis), toured the site late last week (top picture).
After the tour, Cllr Susan Goodchild told us, “I was pleased that we were given this opportunity. The key things for me were the importance of being a good neighbour to local residents as there is likely to be some disruption in particular construction traffic, noise and pollution. A spokesman for Vistry Partnerships explained the sprinkling system that will be in place to address the dust.
“Safeguards around the play area were a concern, the constructors would have liked yellow lines to be in place but this cannot happen as it will require public consultation. They intend to place some low barriers to prevent children from running into the road.
“I mentioned that I had received notification that Clarkes Way and the road leading to Houghton Hall are also due to be resurfaced between June - September 2022. These works will now need to be rescheduled. I am in communication with CBC with regard to this.
“I raised a concern with regard to parking, learning from some of the lessons in Phase 1, we were assured that construction workers will be informed every day about the need to use the former Netto Site, which Vistry has leased from Morrisons.
“I asked about the timescale of the project, it is due to be completed by December 2023. I suggested that Vistry liaises with the Town Council about the Events which take place on The Green, especially the Carnival, the fair and the circus as this attracts a high footfall of people and cars. I was assured that they will liaise with the Town Clerk.
“I want to do all that I can to support the residents as I appreciate the challenges that residents will have to face.
“I was keen that they liaise with Habitang as we have many disabled residents living in the area and I need to be assured that they will be able to gain access to the town centre in a safe way. The footpath in front of Red House Court and the path at the side leading to the Memorial Stone will remain open.
“Vistry will need to be in touch with Royal Mail to relocate the post box. Vistry asked if it was still used, and I explained that it was. I was very grateful to be given the opportunity to share my concerns and learn about the process and timescales. Well worth making time to take up the opportunity.”
Cllr Yvonne Farrell added, "That's about it. We were told how the demolition. I asked where all the rubble would go? Except for certain materials it will all be recycled into the foundations etc. It will be taken down in bite-size pieces. The team will be keeping us informed on progress."
Vistry Partnerships has written to nearby residents about the next Phases of work at All Saints View, reproduced below:
Dear Resident,
Let me start by thanking you all for your patience throughout the construction stage of Phase 1 at All Saints View. This is by far the most enjoyable project that I have been involved in to date and I can only attribute this to the good relationships that have been built with local residents and business owners. I hope we have not caused too much disruption to your day to day lives and hope to be able to be in a position to share news of who will be moving into the commercial units that will soon be opening.
Phase 1 of the development is now complete and residents from Red House Court are now settling into their new apartments at All Saints View and enjoying all the facilities the building has to offer.
Now that Red House Court is empty we are swiftly progressing the planning stages of the demolition to Red House Court and the start of construction of Phase 2. As of Monday 11 April 2022, we will be progressing with securing the site be erecting a full timber hoarding and disconnection of all the utilities. This is to ensure that whilst the building is not occupied, it will reduce the risk of any antisocial behaviour.
I would like once more to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding during the construction of the All Saint View development. I will of course provide more details information about the demolition of Red House Court as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely
Mark Doyle, Project Manager, Vistry Partnerships East Midlands
Councillor Objects to Project Manager
Cllr Pat Hamill (Tithe Farm CBC councillor)
commented on Facebook (comments reproduced with permission), last week “ I decided to make a stand against Vistry’s Project Manager who was showing councillors around today, by objecting to his presence.
“He was responsible for ensuring in Phase 1 that parking was controlled and did not inconvenience our residents when in fact the opposite happened and his Netto Car Park rented for his contractors remained half empty because they were parking in the Peel Street Car Park. I managed to get this car park freed up for resident use which has worked perfectly. When phase 2 starts let’s hope this project manager exercises more control so the residents of Clarke’s Way and nearby roads are not inconvenienced further.
“I will be keeping a close eye on this build. Having confronted this project manager face to face on your behalf before I hope that this will not be necessary in the future. The officers have assured me that they will keep me updated and I will ensure that I will be ready to act should our residents be taken for granted again.”
Planning Approval
Planning Approval for the development was granted in November 2016. The original working title for the project was 'Houghton Regis Central' which some thought sounded like the name of a train station, but the final name was decided through public consultation and it became 'All Saints View'.
Central Bedfordshire Council wrote in 2022 to residents at Churchfield Road suggesting that the road be made one-way only.
Parking and negotiating the road had been made more difficult through the years since the road was built due to the growth of car ownership.
The Council had been asked to consider making the road one-way, and wrote to residents in an "informal manner to gauge feeling before progressing further".
The proposals were described as:
Churchfield Road — entry at its southern junction with Tithe Farm Road, travelling southwest past All Saints Road, north-west past Dellmont Road, Hillside and Thorn View Road, north-west past Dell Road and finally exiting at its northernmost junction with Tithe Farm Road (opposite No. 72) – vehicles permitted to travel in that direction only.
Vehicles will be permitted to enter at the junction with Tithe Farm Road (opposite No. 64) but only for a distance of approximately 17 metres at which point they will be diverted north around the large- circular island between Churchfield Road and Tithe Farm Road.
Dellmont Road – this will remain two-way.
'No Waiting at Any Time' Restrictions - a whole series of parking restrictions were proposed.
Have Your Say
The Council invited responses by 7 April 2022.
Any proposal, if implemented, would impact trade and other vehicles that use the road, as well as residents that live there.
BACKGROUND
A resident said, “[The Council] signed this off on 17 March according to the notice, but the letters didn't get to residents until yesterday [24 March] - with the deadline for comments on 07 April, and even then not everyone affected has got a letter. I haven't, and the turning circle is opposite me! Now everyone will park outside my house instead, cos I don't have lines, or a drop kerb.”
In 2019, Steve Searle commented on Facebook, “Car owners were a minority when the estates were designed and built, but society has changed within an environment with fixed boundaries.
You can't just tell people to "Have less cars" because all the dynamics work against that notion, mainly because employment and shopping are no longer within walking distance like they used to be.
Until then we have to make the best of it, how about installing "grasscrete" type paving until a better solution is found.”
In 2016, Peter Baker commented on Facebook, “I live on Churchfield Road and live at the top of the grass bank. Parking gets worse every year. Road needs to be wider with more parking available to people [who] live there and it needs to be turned into a 1-way street and a 20mph zone. The emergency services have trouble getting up Churchfield and bin trucks struggle every week. Something needs to be done ASAP.”
Also, in 2016, Gill Zubricki wrote, “I agree about the parking in Churchfield Road. We have no chance of parking when we get home from work. The grass is ruined by the cars that have to park on the banks so why don't the Council just cut into the bottom of the bank to give parking both sides of the street.”
Maxine Mangan in 2016 wrote, “It's not surprising that parking is a nightmare. Nowadays each house has 2 maybe 3 cars and many people also bring work vehicles home. A few years ago the council wanted to make Churchfield Road one way but residents objected.”
In 2012 town councillor R. Shimmin was on-site during thin surfacing works on Churchfield Road and questioned contractors regarding material going down on the road surface. The contractor advised that in winter 'you wouldn't want to drive down the hill, it will be like an ice rink'. Cllr Shimmin then requested that some anti-skid also be put down to prevent accidents and advised a colleague that he felt the wrong material was being used for the road surface if the contractors believed the surface would be unsafe in winter. 16/10/12 . A comment was subsequently added to Highway Reports 17/10/2012 "The antiskid will be unnecessary on this type of surface. It will take two weeks minimum to embed properly. After this period we are happy to take a look. Thank you".
Query on Publication of this Consultation
This is an "informal consultation" - at the time of writing there is nothing on CBC website, but if there ever is it would be published, linked to their consultation page.
