Real estate investment trust Essex Property Trust has purchased two development projects from Avant Housing totaling 463 apartments at Folsom and Fifth streets in San Francisco’s South of Market enclave.
The projects, at 260 Fifth St. and 900 Folsom St., are both in the very early stages of construction, with work having started on the Folsom Street project and a summer groundbreaking scheduled for the Fifth Street development. They have a combined estimated completed value of $250 million. The sale price was not disclosed.
Palo Alto-based Essex Property Trust has hired Avant to manage construction of the projects, which are slated for completion by early 2014.
Avant Housing LLC, a real estate development partnership between AGI Capital, TMG Partners and CalPERS , is also currently building 194 units at 1880 Mission St.
All three projects were designed to appeal to the young tech workers flooding into the city and will feature bike repair shops and dog walking areas.
“Today’s announcement represents the culmination of a long-term effort to develop quality apartment projects in the highly desirable, supply-constrained San Francisco market,” said Avant’s Eric Tao. “Essex understands and supports the community-driven ideals of these projects and, together with Avant, we are committed to fulfilling the development goals of the neighborhood.”
John D. Eudy, executive vice president of development for Essex, said the company was “pleased to be entering the robust South of Market area here in San Francisco.” “This is a healthy and strategically positioned property both for the needs of the City, as well as for our investment portfolio,” said Eudy.
Mary Ann King, president, and Brett Betzler, director, Moran & Company’s California office represented the seller. The price was not disclosed.
J.K. Dineen covers real estate for the San Francisco Business Times.
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Sussex League round up: Horsham back to winning ways - wscountytimes.co.uk
Horsham recorded a comfportable win in the Sussex Premier League on Saturday, as Roffey suffered a first defeat of the season.
Current Champions Hastings Priory continue to lead after enjoying their fifth outright win of the season.
Preston Nomads, champions for the previous three seasons lie in second place, they, too, have won five games. Third placed Roffey suffered their first defeat of the season at home to East Grinstead.
Horsham enjoyed a comfortable win at home to Bexhill to consolidate fourth place whilst the battle at the bottom saw Eastbourne win for the first time this season in their away game at Worthing.
Another fine innings from Kirk Werners set up Hastings for a convincing home win against Chichester. The young Sussex all-rounder made 109 not out as Hastings were dismissed for 195.
John Morgan made 38 as Aussie Adam Zampa grabbed 4 for 78.
Morgan then stepped up with the ball to take 7 for 38 and with Werners taking 3 for 16 the visitors crashed to 59 all out.
Joe Gatting used his day off from county duties to whack a 63 ball century to take Preston Nomads to victory by four wickets at home to Brighton and Hove.
Brighton were bowled out for 198 despite 76 from Craig Young and 31 from Tim Jarvis, Carl Simon taking 5 for 39.
Gatting then hit 106 despite being dropped a costly three times. Rob Wakeford added 35 not out as Chris Liddle and Matt Wood each took two wickets.
Another Sussex youngster proved the match winner for East Grinstead at Roffey.
Will Adkin carried his bat for 86 not out as Grinstead made 176 for 6 facing a Roffey score of 175 for 6 declared.
For Roffey Michael Norris made 44 and Christ Plaister 32 as Craig Fowle took 4 for 62.
Adkin was dropped twice early in his innings but played a mature innings to see his side home despite drizzle and poor light for much of the time.
Andy McGorian and Stuart Whittingham each took two wickets for the home side.
Bexhill are finding life in the Premier League a tough battle after their promotion last year.
At Horsham they were dismissed for 138 despite 31 from skipper Malcolm Johnson and 26 from Tom Powell. Two leg spinners did the damage, Michael Munday taking 3 for 39 and Will Beer 2 for 21.
In reply Horsham cruised to 142 for 2 in just 25 overs as James Johnson made 60 not out and John Burroughs 40.
The Sussex success story continued as Luke Wells made 130 for Eastbourne at Worthing to take his side to their first win of the season.
Eastbourne looked in trouble at 30 for 3 but Aaron Mullins (55) joined Wells to rebuild the innings, Luke Vinter took 3 for 55 for Worthing.
Worthing then tumbled to 112 all out as Ed Giddins took 4 for 28.
Three Bridges continue to lead the Second Division by 21 points despite being held to a draw at Findon.
Bridges were dismissed for 168 as Jack Metters took 4 for 31.
Mick Demetriou then held the Findon innings together as they reached stumps at 132 for 8, he made 76.
Glynde, who finished third last season, are currently in second place following a six wicket win at Haywards Heath who they bowled out for 145.
In that total Ollie Graham top scored with 32 as Dale Tranter took 3 for 62.
Glynde them moved smoothly to 146 for 4 with 49 from Dominic Shepheard and 35 not out from Ollie Bailey.
St James’s lie third following their draw at Cuckfield where the home side made 209 with a hard hit 48 from Jamie Newson as George Taylor took 5 for 42.
In the visitors’ 189 for 8 Adam Davies made 31 as Ebrel Erwee took 4 for 60.
Ifield found it very easy at home to Sidley who they bowled out for just 122. Sam Steel was top scorer, he made 25 as Dan Groves took 3 for 36.
Raza Alli with 51 not out and Jovan Nel (53) took the home side to victory by nine wickets at 123 for 1.
Goring made short work of dismissing Pulborough for just 94 as Ellis Woolley took 4 for 19 and Matt Keen 4 for 34.
The home side then won by five wickets at 85 for 5 with 27 from Dan Pitham, Kuldeep Rawat took 3 for 43.
All league positions in Division 3 West remain unchanged after each the top five beat one of the bottom five.
Middleton’s Brandon Hanley enjoyed a fine all round game top scoring with 69 in their 218-9. Ben Hansford added 56 whilst Slinfold’s Guy Thorne took 4-68.
In reply Slinfold were blown away for just 50 as Hanley’s 4-28 was surpassed by Tom Davies who took 6-17.
Bognor remain second just three points behind after an equally resounding victory at home to Wisborough Green. The visitors were bowled out for just 89 with Elliott Clarke making 45 as Bognor won by 7 wickets.
Billingshurst also scored a maximum after a 4 wicket success at Arundel. Arundel’s 149 was marked by Dhanushka Mitipolaarachchi snaring 5-30 and Mike Burroughs 50 not out led them to victory.
Stirlands remain fourth after a 131 run win at Littlehampton. Sean Heather (129) also scored a personal fourth (century in succession) and, as last week was ably supported by Will Gubbins with 73 not out.
Stirlands declared on 241-4 and bowled out Littlehampton for 110 with Chris May taking 3-11.
The result left Littlehampton pointless from the game and rooted at the foot of the table.
Steyning won a relatively low scoring game at Pagham making just 144. Pagham however were knocked over for just 92 after 6-37 from Matheesha Ranasinghe.
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Sam Faiers and Joey Essex plotting third TOWIE spin-off show - Metro.co.uk
The recently reunited Essex couple were spotted at the W Hotel in London talking over a new show, The Sun reports, in a bid to increase their celebrity credentials beyond TOWIE.
'Sam and Joey were talking about how they were going to do their own spin-off show and how they'd love it to be on ITV2,' a source revealed.
'Joey said he thought Sam would be perfect starring in her own show, and that people would finally get to see her funny side.'
The pair would follow former TOWIE co-stars Amy Childs and Harry Derbidge, who secured their own reality show on Channel 5, and Mark Wright whose Hollywood Nights vehicle is currently airing on ITV2.
The insider added to The Sun that Faiers has reservations over 'coming across as stupid' in the spin-off, but that the couple 'both seem very excited' about the idea.
Joey's manager refused to confirm the existence of a new TOWIE show, but hinted that Essex is looking for new opportunities, saying: 'There is nothing official being discussed yet and there are no plans for Joey to go anywhere at the minute. But the guys may chat about ideas they have.'
Faiers and Essex may want to exercise caution with regards to leaving the show, with TOWIE regular Kirk Norcross having all but disappeared after exiting to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.
Source: www.metro.co.uk
Beware of love at first site - deccanchronicle.com
Divorcees and widows beware! With his fake profiles posted on popular matrimonial sites, 26-year-old Aamir Khan targeted divorcees and widows and was able to cheat many of them in the last two years.
The latest victim was a Chennai-based BPO worker who complained to the city cyber crime officials that Khan cheated her and stole her money as well.
According to the police, Khan, a divorcee himself, used to introduce himself as a senior professional in an IT firm or employee of a reputed corporate house with a hefty monthly package.
A senior cyber crime official told Deccan Chronicle, “We are collecting more details from Khan on the number of women he cheated.
Every year, we receive at least five complaints about cheating through matrimonial sites. All details posted on the site might not be true. The applicants should check the authenticity of the profiles.”
The officer said that Chakravarthy from Villupuram was recently arrested for cheating 16 women via matrimonial sites.
The cyber crime department has decided to conduct awareness camps in city colleges in the coming months. “We organised a series of awareness events in trade fairs, exhibitions and many public places last year.
We will arrange sessions in city colleges now about fake profiles on matrimonial sites. It’s high time net users were aware of the possible dangers in the virtual world,” said the official.
Mr S.N. Ravichandran of Cyber Society of India Forum said, “There was a recent incident in Erode where a miscreant read through the profile of a groom on a matrimonial site and checked out his likes and dislikes on his facebook page.
He then approached the youth’s parents, claiming to be a priest, with ‘supernatural knowledge’ about their son.
He convinced them that they should immediately perform a pooja for their son’s well-being. When the parents were engaged in the pooja, the fake priest stole all the valuables from the house and fled.”
“Matrimonial site users should first cross-check the address, the firm where the person is employed and ensure that the details are genuine by contacting his/her family,” he cautioned.
Rules of engagement by bharathmatrimony
Jumping the gun while surfing for potential life partners on matrimonial websites, is bound to land you in a sticky situation.
As with any other contact made through a chatroom or social networking website, a netizen should exercise caution before getting personal with strangers they come across on matrimonial sites.
“We have nearly three lakh people registering on our website every month. While our staff can only make the basic enquiries and verify the details posted by users over telephone, we cannot keep track of every profile,” says Murugavel Janakiraman, CEO and founder of Bharathmatrimony.com. He lays down three golden rules for women registered on any matrimonial website.
Rule #1 Cut the Cash
“There should be absolutely no exchange of money before marriage,” says Mr Murugavel. “The person may sound very nice, he may have even promised to marry you..
But the minute he asks you for money, or a loan, it is a clear sign that he is a conman,” stresses Mr Murugavel, urging women not to fall for common excuses such as “I am coming from the US and I lost my wallet at the airport, please send me some money,” or “My mother is hospitalized, I need some cash urgently”
Rule#2—No hanky-panky
“A man and woman who get acquainted through a matrimonial site should not indulge in a physical relationship before marriage,” says Mr Murugavel, pointing out that sticking to traditional values of abstinence until your wedding night, may save a lot of pain.
“No matter how decent or genuine the prospective groom may be, there is no need to start getting physical. If the man runs away or breaks off the wedding, the woman will be left in the lurch, feeling violated and cheated,” he warns.
Rule# 3—Meet the parents
“Get the family involved, keep your parents informed about your every move,” Mr Murugavel says.
In many of the cases reported, the victims have gone ahead and met the ‘bridegrooms’ by themselves, started affairs with them or given them money, without their parents’ knowledge or approval.
“While a matrimonial service or website is just the first touchpoint, it is best if the families continue the process of ‘fixing’ the wedding, traditionally. Like in the old days, the parents could meet first and talk it over, before taking the next step. The family is the best security against con artists,” he advises.
Getting married the arranged way is safer
The traditional practice of arranging marriages, in which elders in the family play a major role, is time tested in cementing the bondage.
But for the draconian greed for dowry, arranged marriage is far too safe and does not fix the onus on any individual but makes it a collective responsibility at crisis time, say those into arranged marriage for decades.
“The age-old practice of enquiring about the background of the prosperous bride or groom to be, by visiting their offices or houses, enables one to ascertain the character of the suitable boy or girl and also their parents,” says Mohan, who has recently married off his teacher son to a teacher bride.
But then there is a scientific element to arranged marriages. The horoscopes of the bride or groom help to ascertain the matrimonial compatibility and this is verified by the parents of both the sides, he says.
“Well, so long as the horoscopes are not tampered before tallying, relationships will not turn sour in post-married life,” he adds.
“Finding a suitable ‘match’ for the ‘girl’ or ‘boy’ is not an easy task. Though astrological compatibility is also a must, enquiries and conversation during the official ‘seeing’ of the ‘girl’ in her parents’ presence, helps to understand the persons far better,” says J. Subrahmanyam and adds that arranged marriages continue to thrive even today.
“Though I am physically handicapped, my mumbling that the girl whom I have ‘seen’ had some patches on her face, was overheard by her father. Just about a fortnight before my marriage, he had ensured his daughter undergo plastic surgery, much to my surprise,” says N. Ravi, president of Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Welfare Association.
Despite the changing lifestyles, arranged marriages continue to hold good, he says and adds that “arranged marriage is an institution surviving on love and trust”.
Love marriages that last longer hinge upon the patronage from the parents.
Source: www.deccanchronicle.com
Matrimonial Attorney Jeffery Leving Discusses Fathers’ Rights and How to Be a Good Divorced Dad - PRLog (free press release)
Tune in this Wednesday, June 20th at 8:50AM (CST) as Matrimonial Attorney Jeffery M. Leving (http://www.dadsrights.com)
How to Be a Good Divorced Dad garnered praise from President Barack Obama and an endorsement from Francis Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago who said, “This is a pain-filled book that offers good advice about how to preserve a family born of a marriage that has failed. It’s a book that is, unfortunately, more and more needed.”
The book offers insights about legal system trends and other factors that dismantle father-child relationships. It is filled with stories showing how fathers have struggled to save and protect their relationships with their children.
How to Be a Good Divorced Dad is currently available at bookstores, libraries and in the Amazon Kindle Store online at http://amazon.com/
About the Author:
Jeffery M. Leving was named one of “America’s Best Lawyers” by Forbes Radio. He authored two previous groundbreaking books: Fathers’ Rights and Divorce Wars and co-authored the Illinois Joint-Custody.
Leving was recently honored in Resolution No. 995 by the Illinois House of Representatives for his “forward-thinking initiatives in the field of law and father’s rights” and Leving “serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois.”
For more information contact Jennifer Whiteside at (312) 296-3666.
Source: www.prlog.org
Woman police officer was FOUR TIMES over the limit when she crashed MG sports car on seafront - Daily Mail
- WPC Tracy Watts admitted drink-driving and was warned she faces jail
- Crashed car in Southend, Essex, after downing bottle of vodka
By James White
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Drink-drive crash: Tracy Watts was four times over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed her sports car
A police officer is facing jail after she admitted crashing a sports car while four times over the drink-drive limit after binge drinking on a bottle of vodka.
Tracy Watts was arrested after crashing her MG TF into a bollard along Southend seafront, Essex, while heavily drunk.
Watts admitted she had drunk a bottle of vodka when questioned by cops at the scene of the early evening crash.
The 31-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court today wearing a black suit, white blouse and sky blue jumper.
She hung her head as she appeared in the dock and pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink-driving.
Watts, who worked as a WPC for City of London Police, was warned she faces up to six months in jail when sentenced.
Lead magistrate Roger Harbidge said: 'This makes for very disturbing reading and it is only good fortune you did not injure anyone else.
'You must understand a custodial sentence is very likely in this case.'
Watts will now have to wait to discover her fate while a full probation report is prepared.
The court heard how Watts collided with a bollard along Eastern Esplanade, in Southend, at around 7.15pm on March 26 this year.
Police and an ambulance rushed to the scene where Watts admitted to officers from Essex Police that she had consumed a bottle of vodka before the crash.
No other people were injured and Watts was rushed to a local hospital and a blood sample was taken.
She recorded a blood-alcohol level of 320mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - four times over the UK drink-drive limit of 80mcg per 100ml.
Watts, from Shoeburyness, Essex, resigned from her role as a City of London police officer less than a fortnight after the crash.
Crash site: The seafront in Southend, Essex, where Tracy Watts crashed her car in March. Today she admitted drink-driving and warned she faces jail
Miss Bo-Eun Jung, mitigating, said her client had underlying drink problems and was working to deal with them.
She told the court: 'My client has underlying psychological and alcohol problems which are being looked at.'
Watts was given unconditional bail and received an interim banning order meaning she is disqualified from driving until the outcome of the case.
She is due to be sentenced at Southend Magistrates’ Court later this year.
Sporty: A 2002 MG TF car similar to the one driven by the Tracy Watts when she was arrested
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Tobacco investments to be reconsidered by Norfolk and Essex councils - BBC News
Two councils in the East region are to reconsider multi-million pound pension fund investments in tobacco before they take a lead role in NHS anti-smoking campaigns in 2013.
The move comes after a BBC Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request showed councils across the region have invested more than £167m in tobacco.
Norfolk has invested £25.9m while Essex has invested £9.1m.
The two councils have said they would now review their investments.
Derek Murphy, Conservative leader of Norfolk County Council and chair of the pension fund committee, said: "What I've got to do is get the best deal possible for the people who receive a local government pension from Norfolk.
Review planned"This information is of interest to us as come next April public health in Norfolk becomes a County Council responsibility.
"We have invested billions of pounds worth of money, having said that - now it (the FOIA findings) has been discovered I think it's a duty to review whether that's the right thing to do."
David Finch, Conservative deputy leader of Essex County Council said: "The fact we only have £9.1m of our pension fund in tobacco-related products is minimal, but I think we need to decide if it's appropriate we have any investment in tobacco-related products.
"My own view is the amount we have in tobacco industries may be just a moment in time and we should go and reinvest in something else."
Martin Dockrell, director of research and policy at anti-smoking group Ash, told the BBC: "From 2013, local councils will have responsibility for leading local efforts to reduce the burden of death and disease from smoking, yet many of them are the largest tobacco shareholders in the area."
Mr Dockrell added that ethical investment rules meant fund managers were permitted to say they would only "invest in tobacco when they can prove that there is no other investment that can match the value".
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Sussex Cricket League round-up - littlehamptongazette.co.uk
CURRENT champions Hastings Priory continue to lead the Sussex Premier League after enjoying their fifth outright win of the season.
Preston Nomads, champions for the previous three seasons lie in second place, they, too, have won five games. Third-placed Roffey suffered their first defeat of the season at home to East Grinstead.
Horsham enjoyed a comfortable win at home to Bexhill to consolidate fourth place whilst the battle at the bottom saw Eastbourne win for the first time this season in their away game at Worthing.
Another fine innings from Kirk Werners set up Hastings for a convincing home win against Chichester. The young Sussex all-rounder made 109 not out as Hastings were dismissed for 195.
John Morgan made 38 as Aussie Adam Zampa grabbed 4 for 78.
Morgan then stepped up with the ball to take 7 for 38 and with Werners taking 3 for 16 the visitors crashed to 59 all out.
Joe Gatting used his day off from county duties to whack a 63-ball century to take Preston Nomads to victory by four wickets at home to Brighton and Hove.
Brighton were bowled out for 198 despite 76 from Craig Young and 31 from Tim Jarvis, Carl Simon taking 5 for 39.
Gatting then hit 106 despite being dropped a costly three times. Rob Wakeford added 35 not out as Chris Liddle and Matt Wood each took two wickets.
Another Sussex youngster proved the match winner for East Grinstead at Roffey.
Will Adkin carried his bat for 86 not out as Grinstead made 176 for 6 facing a Roffey score of 175 for 6 declared.
For Roffey, Michael Norris made 44 and Christ Plaister 32 as Craig Fowle took 4 for 62.
Adkin was dropped twice early in his innings but played a mature innings to see his side home despite drizzle and poor light for much of the time.
Andy McGorian and Stuart Whittingham each took two wickets for the home side.
Bexhill are finding life in the Premier League a tough battle after their promotion last year.
At Horsham they were dismissed for 138 despite 31 from skipper Malcolm Johnson and 26 from Tom Powell. Two leg spinners did the damage, Michael Munday taking 3 for 39 and Will Beer 2 for 21.
In reply, Horsham cruised to 142 for 2 in just 25 overs as James Johnson made 60 not out and John Burroughs 40.
The Sussex success story continued as Luke Wells made 130 for Eastbourne at Worthing to take his side to their first win of the season.
Eastbourne looked in trouble at 30 for 3 but Aaron Mullins (55) joined Wells to rebuild the innings, Luke Vinter took 3 for 55 for Worthing.
Worthing then tumbled to 112 all out as Ed Giddins took 4 for 28.
Three Bridges continue to lead Division 2 by 21 points despite being held to a draw at Findon.
Bridges were dismissed for 168 as Jack Metters took 4 for 31.
Mick Demetriou then held the Findon innings together as they reached stumps at 132 for 8, he made 76.
Glynde, who finished third last season, are currently in second place following a six wicket win at Haywards Heath who they bowled out for 145.
In that total Ollie Graham top scored with 32 as Dale Tranter took 3 for 62.
Glynde them moved smoothly to 146 for 4 with 49 from Dominic Shepheard and 35 not out from Ollie Bailey.
St James’s lie third following their draw at Cuckfield where the home side made 209 with a hard hit 48 from Jamie Newson as George Taylor took 5 for 42.
In the visitors’ 189 for 8 Adam Davies made 31 as Ebrel Erwee took 4 for 60.
Ifield found it very easy at home to Sidley who they bowled out for just 122. Sam Steel was top scorer, he made 25 as Dan Groves took 3 for 36.
Raza Alli with 51 not out and Jovan Nel (53) took the home side to victory by nine wickets at 123 for 1.
Goring made short work of dismissing Pulborough for just 94 as Ellis Woolley took 4 for 19 and Matt Keen 4 for 34.
The home side then won by five wickets at 85 for 5 with 27 from Dan Pitham, Kuldeep Rawat took 3 for 43.
All league positions in Division 3 West remain unchanged after each of the top five beat one of the bottom five.
Middleton’s Brandon Hanley enjoyed a fine all round game top scoring with 69 in their 218-9. Ben Hansford added 56 whilst Slinfold’s Guy Thorne took 4-68.
In reply, Slinfold were blown away for just 50 as Hanley’s 4-28 was surpassed by Tom Davies who took 6-17.
Bognor remain second just three points behind after an equally resounding victory at home to Wisborough Green. The visitors were bowled out for just 89 with Elliott Clarke making 45 as Bognor won by seven wickets.
Billingshurst also scored a maximum after a four-wicket success at Arundel. Arundel’s 149 was marked by Dhanushka Mitipolaarachchi snaring 5-30 and Mike Burroughs 50 not out led them to victory.
Stirlands remain fourth after a 131-run win at Littlehampton. Sean Heather (129) also scored a personal fourth (century in succession) and, as last week was ably supported by Will Gubbins with 73 not out.
Stirlands declared on 241-4 and bowled out Littlehampton for 110 with Chris May taking 3-11.
The result left Littlehampton pointless from the game and rooted at the foot of the table.
Steyning won a relatively low scoring game at Pagham making just 144. Pagham however were knocked over for just 92 after 6-37 from Matheesha Ranasinghe.
Source: www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk
Sussex-based Rolls-Royce report record year (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex-based Rolls-Royce report record year
8:32am Monday 18th June 2012 in News By Ben James
SUSSEX-based Rolls-Royce has reported a record year thanks to the demand for luxury cars in China.
The company, based on the Goodwood Estate, near Chichester, sold 3,538 cars worldwide last year - 30% more than in 2010.
The figure tops the previous record of 3,347 in 1978.
China overtook the US as the car-maker's biggest market as the country's wealthier classes grow and demand for luxury goods rises.
The successful year comes as the British car industry is showing promising signs.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed car production rose 42% in May to 141,146, its highest level since 2004.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Sussex burglar meets victims in prison to say sorry - eastbourneherald.co.uk
A PROLIFIC burglar, who targeted homes in Eastbourne and was jailed for seven years, has met some of his victims in prison to apologise for his crimes.
Barrie Williamson, 49, was caught in January this year after an intensive police investigation and an appeal on the BBC Crimewatch programme.
In April, Williamson was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court, after pleadeding guilty to four dwelling burglaries in Eastbourne, Hove, Worthing and Seaford in October last year.
The court also took into consideration his admission of a further 39 burglary offences from September last year to January, including six in Eastbourne, two in Seaford and one in Bexhill. Williamson struck at homes in Sussex, as well as in Lancashire, Dorset, Nottinghamshire, Kent, and Norfolk where he took jewellery and cash.
Now, Williamson has met four of his victims, who travelled to Coldiingley Prison in Surrey.
Victims of one of the Sussex burglaries, a husband and wife who do not wish to be named, said; “We found the conference very interesting and an extremely valuable and worthwhile experience.
“Barrie Williamson was not our idea of a stereotypical burglar. He remembered all of the details of the crimes involving all present at the conference and emotions ran high at times on all sides.
“At the end of what was a mentally draining experience, we had probably got all of our anger out of our systems and replaced it with a genuine hope that he would have the determination,support and opportunity to lead a law-abiding life on his release.”
After his sentencing at Lewes Crown Court, officers from the Sussex Police Priority Crime Team visited Williamson in prison where he expressed remorse for his offences and asked if he could say sorry to at least some of his victims. Sussex Police then set up its second Restorative Justice conference to be held in a prison, working with the prison governor, staff and Probation.
Restorative Justice is a forum when police arrange for victims to meet offenders to talk about the crimes that have been committed against them. It takes place after conviction and sentence usually takes place in a prison where the offender is serving his or her sentence.
The RJ process is unique within the criminal justice system since it is a voluntary process and the offender receives no rewards or other incentive to take part. It is based on the principle that those who have been involved in the crime are best place talk about it and look at ways in which the offender may be able to explain and atone for the harm that has been caused.
The victims can ask unanswered questions, with the view of gaining closure and for the offender to stop re-offending.
Source: www.eastbourneherald.co.uk
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