Youths cause misery

THE case of a man who attacked a shop assistant as she tried to stop him from taking a £6.99 bottle of vodka has been adjourned again.

Jonathan Rayfield had pleaded guilty to the assault on Susan Frost at Quick Save Supermarket in Birstall.

Ms Frost was working behind the counter at the Low Lane convenience store on January 16 when Rayfield approached and asked for a bottle of Glen’s vodka. She retrieved the bottle and held it up but the 31-year-old reached forward over the counter, grabbed hold of the bottle and pulled it towards him.

There was a tussle and she stumbled as he pushed her in the chest before fleeing with the alcohol.

Magistrates were told that Rayfield, of Rose Terrace in Birstall, needs an assessment by a specialist probation officer due to his serious mental health issues.

Magistrates adjourned his sentencing until March 28 and banned him from going to the store in the meantime. A GANG of up to 50 youths have been terrorising residents and workers in Heckmondwike.

West Yorkshire Police are cracking down on illegal behaviour in the area after an increasing number of reports over the past few weeks.

Reports have involved criminal damage, racial abuse, public order and fighting.

They have also involved antisocial behaviour, including jumping in front of moving vehicles, blocking shop doorways, throwing stock around and spitting at staff.

Officers from Batley & Spen’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) arrested three people on Friday night and handed out 10 dispersal orders, which involves a 48-hour ban from the area.

Officers have also identified approximately 40 of those involved.

The crackdown involved a series of plain-clothed and high-visibility patrols in the town centre and is continuing with visits to parents, warning letters and interviewing those who are identified for crime reports.

NPT Sgt Chris Field said in a statement: “We will not tolerate large groups of youths causing a nuisance and interfering with the local community going about their business.

“These operations will continue until we are satisfied that the community is no longer affected by their behaviour.”