A SOLDIER who has just completed his pre-deployment training could be posted to Afghanistan at any time with 24 hours' notice.

Jack Hicks, 20, of Weelsby Road, Grimsby, has travelled to Croatia and Cyprus for gruelling training to prepare for his departure with the Second Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment.

And Jack said he is not bothered if he is sent to Afghanistan over Christmas because he cannot wait to "get back with the lads".

"I am excited because I could be called at any time to be deployed," he said.

"I can't wait to work as a team with all my mates.

"A lot of the Grimsby lads are already out there so it will be good to join them.

"For the past few years, I have been in constant training for my deployment.

"It has been hard work, involving a lot of walking with weights on my back.

"We don't use many vehicles so we have to carry a 50kg bag, which contains weapons and food."

Jack said he hasn't been at home for his birthday for the past three years due to being abroad training.

"I really enjoy travelling and seeing the world," he added.

Second Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment corporal Dean Tofton, 29, of Immingham, is based at the Army Careers office.

He said: "I have been in the Army for seven years and have been placed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Germany and various other places.

"I pass on information and my experiences to potential new recruits.

"As soon as they walk through the door I can tell which category they fit in, such as if they have good grades they could be a medic, or are physically fit they could make a combat role.

"There are roles for females, too, and if they're interested in joining the Army they should come along to the Freeman Street careers office."

For more information about joining the Army, phone 01472 354112 or visit www.army.mod.uk/join

Do you want to send a message to the troops this year? Post it below or e-mail newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

MARINERS season ticket holders have until 5pm today to reserve their seats for Saturday's FA Cup Second Round clash with Northampton Town.

More than 1,500 tickets have already been sold for the tie with the League Two outfit at Blundell Park (3pm).

And Cobblers fans have snapped up 150 of their tickets in the away end – as both clubs eye a Third Round meeting with a Premier League giant.

Tickets are on general sale from the ticket office or online at www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk

For all the build-up to the clash, log on to our dedicated sports website at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport

IMAGINE yourself as a social worker ...breaking the news to a "horrified" parent that they are neglecting their child.

Most parents don't realise they are causing their child harm by emotionally or physically neglecting them – but they have a role in that child's life which is to love and care for them.

As part of the Neglect Matters campaign, we have spoken to a North East Lincolnshire Council social worker.

She revealed stories about walking into "appalling" situations and "encouraging parents" to ask for help much earlier to prevent situations deteriorating.

"There isn't a simple solution to neglect as there is no prescription with each case containing different underlying causes," said the social worker who wishes not to be named.

"I have walked into dire situations such as baths full of dirty nappies, fridge doors hanging off and cat litter trays over flowing – even the pets didn't know where to go to the toilet.

"In one house, stairs were full of black bin liners and you could hardly get upstairs. The smell of some houses were horrendous and you had to take a deep breath before you stepped inside; but once you got talking to the parent, you forgot about it."

The social worker wanted to stress that they cannot just walk into homes and remove a child – they need a legal order to do so.

She describes neglect in a nutshell as "someone who doesn't care enough because neglect is about the relationship the parent has with their child."

"It's an entrenched lifestyle with poor role models and they just don't see the damage it is causing," she added.

"There has been lots of research to prove that neglect causes significant problems with brain development."

Neglect doesn't just happen to children from a poor background.

Children can be emotionally neglected too. If children are being physically neglected they are emotionally neglected too. Children and young people can all have their physical needs met but be emotionally neglected by their parent.

"Bad teeth, head lice and dirty homes is the image that most conjure up with the word neglect," she said.

"But is goes far deeper for a child and there are so many other areas the word covers.

"There are three main types of neglect; the chaotic disorganised sort, emotional and the depressed and unmotivated parent.

"As a social worker it can sometimes be difficult to underpin them, but through offering them support and advice we can."

For help and support you can contact the NSPCC helpline which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 0808 8005000. They can also be contacted by anyone for advice, or if you have concerns about a child.

You can also contact the Children's Assessment and Safeguarding Service (CASS) on 01472 32555.

WEARING a cow print onesie with make-up all over her face, a woman drunkenly brandished a Stanley knife at a shocked stranger.

Jodi Hess, 33, waved the knife at a man sitting in a car outside her home, ordering him to "pay the £30 he owed her".

Grimsby Crown Court heard that the victim was looking at his phone when Hess, who had been drinking heavily, staggered towards his car and banged on the driver's window.

He had never seen her before, and Hess went on to strike the car window, causing three chips.

She told him: "I will scratch your paintwork. I will slash your window."

The victim got out of his car and ran towards a nearby street, where his father lives.

The court heard how he phoned the police, and Hess was arrested on Tunnard Street.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said the defendant had consumed two bottles of wine, as well as vodka and sleeping pills.

She claimed she was on her way to see her grandmother when she saw the man in his car and decided to "cause fear" to him.

Mr Welch sid the victim was worried about encountering the woman again.

Hess had initially denied having a knife, but admitted she had a "drunken desire" to scare the man in the incident, on October 16.

Hess pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of a weapon.

Judge David Tremberg told Hess she is at risk of facing a prison sentence if she re-offends.

He said: "This was a most bizarre incident and you were clearly heavily intoxicated.

"So fearful was the victim, he got out of his car and you went in pursuit of him.

"You acted in a reckless and dangerous manner, and such an offence is serious.

"But this offence is not part of a pattern of offending."

Hess only has one previous conviction, dating back to 1998.

Because of this, the judge said she was at a low-risk of re-offending, adding that she has caused no trouble since the incident.

He added: "No one was physically hurt by what you did.

"Everyone usually makes one serious mistake in life, and this seems to be yours.

"You will be judged by how you respond. You have shown remorse and addressed your use of alcohol."

Hess was represented by Katya Saudek in court.

She was given a 12-month suspended sentence for 20 weeks of imprisonment.

She was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work for the community.

She incurred £165 in costs.

DAYLE Southwell was the hat-trick hero as the Mariners finally broke down Coalville's stubborn resistance last night.

The young forward netted three second-half goals to send Town into the second round of the FA Trophy – at the second attempt.

Earlier in the evening, boss Paul Hurst sprang a surprise or four with his starting line-up.

A quartet of the Mariners' Youth team were in the match-day squad, with Ellis Humble making his senior debut at centre-half, and Caine Winfarrah starting at left-back.

Their team-mates, Tom Charlesworth and Paul Walker, began on the bench.

The formation was also unexpected, as Sam Hatton joined Paddy McLaughlin and Andi Thanoj in a three-man midfield. Dayle Southwell and Joe Colbeck flanked Andy Cook up front.

It was an intriguing team selection, and an equally interesting opening to the match.

Within two minutes, Lee Miveld lashed a 25-yarder just over the home crossbar as the visitors showed they weren't about to be overawed by the occasion.

Play immediately switched to the other end, and Hatton should have done better with his close-range header following Southwell's clever nod back across goal.

That effort sailed wide, but within a minute Town went close again as Colbeck cut in from the left flank and fired narrowly over Sean Bowles' crossbar.

After seven minutes, James McKeown had to be off his line quickly to deny Saturday's Coalville scorer Jordan Hempenstall before Hatton's cross was cleared near the line by Danny Jenno at the opposite end.

The game was into its 13th minute when the lively Hatton arrowed a low drive just past the away side's post from 20 yards.

And the half-chances continued to flow, with Southwell nodding the first corner of the evening wide when he should have hit the target.

Moments later, McLaughlin turned onto his weaker right-foot, but there was nothing soft about his drive from distance which flew just too high.

As the game approached the 20-minute mark, the Ravens responded, forcing successive corners which had the home defence scrambling.

Next, it was Colbeck again, though, as his drive was deflected wide, with Southwell's effort from the resulting corner blocked short of the line.

It had been a frantic opening, but neither keeper had been called upon to make a save of note, which told its own story.

And, after a brief respite, that trend continued as Paul Bignot and Hatton fired wide of the mark.

The part-timers were next to have a pop when Ben Saunders' effort flew narrowly wide eight minutes before the break.

The quality of both sides' attacks had deteriorated as the half progressed and the opportunities dried up completely as everyone considered their choice of half-time beverage.

Remarkably, the Mariners had racked up ten shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes – all off target.

The first 'real' effort did arrive two minutes into the second period, but it was the visitors who registered it – McKeown keeping Saunders' shot out with his feet.

It was the 51st minute when Town responded as Hatton's free-kick from the left was met by Cook ten yards out, but he wastefully headed way over the bar.

It was becoming a dour, uninspiring grind, but the hosts did finally force Bowles into action in the 56th minute when Thanoj fed McLaughlin and he shot straight at the Ravens' keeper.

A far better chance followed quickly at the other end as Hempenstall squared for Kevin Charley who should have finally broken the deadlock. Instead, the Coalville midfielder sliced his shot horribly wide from ten yards out.

Some quality in the final third was desperately needed, and almost supplied as McLaughlin exchanged passes with Thanoj and smashed a fine effort inches wide.

And just as the home crowd were starting to dread 30 more minutes of extra-time on a bitterly cold evening, the Mariners went ahead.

Bignot surged along the right flank and clipped in a superb cross to the far post where Southwell took a touch before firing home from 12 yards or so.

The home side just about deserved their advantage, and almost doubled it in the 72nd minute when Southwell glided past the visiting defence and forced Bowles into a decent save.

Coalville gave Town a shock moments later when Hempenstall planted a header onto McKeown's crossbar, before Charley sliced another shot wide.

That awoke the Mariners and the game was safe 12 minutes from time when Colbeck's excellent cross from the left was headed home by that man, Southwell.

Cook had endured a frustrating evening and that continued as he raced clear and lifted his shot over the bar before seeing another effort blocked.

Sub Tom Charlesworth then tested Bowles with a drive before the resulting corner was headed off the line by Cameron Stuart.

Colbeck burst through in the inside right channel and forced Bowles into another stop in the final minute before Southwell completed his hat-trick, with the help of a deflection, a minute into injury time.

That rounded-off a pleasing night for the youngster – and ensured Town will travel to Barnet in ten days' time for the second round.

TWO security guards were injured when a shoplifter was cornered in an alleyway and attacked them, a court heard.

When Alan Murray, 29, of Dame Kendal Grove, Grimsby, discovered one of the security guards was pressing charges against him, he threatened him in his store.

Sentencing Murray to a total of 14 months in prison, Judge Mark Bury, at Grimsby Crown Court, said: "When security guards are assaulted when they are doing their job to prevent people from stealing from shops, they should not feel intimidated."

The judge said Kevin Hooper, at Marks and Spencer, and Christopher Bouch, at Wilkinsons, were "doing their duty" when they were attacked.

Murray admitted stealing two scooters from Argos, three offences of assault and one offence of threatening behaviour.

He was also in breach of a suspended sentence.

Prosecuting, Jeremy Evans said Mr Hooper and Mr Bouch were alerted over their radio links of a shoplifter who had taken two scooters from Argos at about 3pm on May 25. They both saw Murray and followed him along Pasture Street. When he realised he was being followed, the shoplifter went down an alley which was a dead end.

He threw one of the scooters over a wall before being challenged by the security guards.

They took hold of him, the court heard.

Mr Hooper was kicked in the eye and his index finger was bitten.

Mr Bouch restrained Murray, who initially agreed to be detained, claiming: "You know who I am."

But when the guard released his grip, he was kicked in the leg and headbutted.

Mr Evans told how Murray, having been granted bail, went into Wilkinson's store in The Bull Ring on May 31 and asked if the guard was pressing charges.

When he was told there would be court proceedings, Murray became abusive and made threats.

Mr Evans said Murray was subject to a three-month suspended sentence after throwing the contents of a bottle at a taxi driver in Bargate in January.

For Murray, Andrew Bailey said his client's benefits had ceased and he was evicted from his home, so resorted to the thefts.

He said since the assaults, he had sought to improve his life and cared for his children.

But Judge Bury sent Murray to jail.

PAUL Hurst paid tribute to Grimsby Town's young guns for their part in last night's FA Trophy victory over Coalville.

Six products of the Mariners' Youth system featured in the 3-0 first round win over Northern Premier League Division One South opposition.

And four of those were current Youth-teamers, as Caine Winfarrah was joined by debutant Ellis Humble and second-half substitutes Paul Walker and Tom Charlesworth.

Former trainee Dayle Southwell stole the show with a hat-trick, while Andi Thanoj also completed 90 minutes in the middle of the park.

Manager Hurst was delighted with their impact as Town progressed to the second round, where they will face Barnet on Saturday, December 14.

"It was a good victory and we ended up with four Youth team players on the pitch after starting with two – along with two others who came up through the ranks," he remarked.

"So it was a pretty young team out there, with the exception of Chris Doig and some other experience in James McKeown, Paul Bignot and Joe Colbeck.

"It was nice to see the young lads get on the pitch and show what they can do."

Explaining why so many of the Mariners' senior pros were consigned to the bench or the Main Stand at Blundell Park, Hurst added: "With all due respect to this competition, the league and FA Cup are more important and the prizes are greater.

"So while we're still in the FA Cup and pushing in the league, I just didn't feel it was worth the risk of putting out some of the lads that have been playing exceptionally well for me.

"I also wanted to take a look at some of the younger lads and give them a little taste of what it is to step up, albeit not in front of a big crowd and not against as tough opposition as we encounter week-in week-out.

"Despite that, it's still a good experience for them and a way of easing them into it.

"Well done to them all and that should give them a taste for it, although the hard work continues – whether that's training with the first-team squad or the Youth team."

FOUR hundred homes WILL be built in Humberston – to the disgust of residents who have fought hard for two years to block the controversial plans.

Keystone Developments' proposal to build a retirement village and other homes on greenfield land off Humberston Avenue has twice been refused by North East Lincolnshire's Planning Committee.

However, that decision has now been overturned by the Government following an appeal.

The outline planning application had been refused on the grounds that the development was unsustainable, would cause "severe" traffic congestion, and would result in the loss of green space when land in more "sustainable" locations was available for development.

However, Planning Inspector Richard Watson concluded that although the development would cause "limited harm", that "would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme". His conclusions were approved by Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who therefore upheld the appeal.

Nikki Hale, spokeswoman for the Save Our Fields group, which has fought the proposals since they were first announced in 2011, said: "We are bitterly disappointed with the result. It is a totally irresponsible decision.

"We are horribly congested in Humberston Avenue now and the additional weight of traffic this is going to bring is going to turn Humberston Avenue into a racetrack.

"There will be an increase in accidents, and I hate to say it, an increase in serious accidents and maybe fatalities.

"But if there is the need for housing in this town why are there so many unfinished developments?

"We are going to lose the last green open space in Humberston Avenue. It is a site of historic significance and it is going to be destroyed for housing they won't be able to sell. It's disgusting, it really is."

All three Humberston and New Waltham ward councillors also expressed their disappointment at the decision.

Councillor Steve Norton (Con) said: "I am hugely disappointed for the residents and ward councillors that have successfully fought this in the past.

"However, I have to say I'm not totally surprised.."

Councillor John Fenty (Con) said: "I'm really disappointed but the Inspector had no option to be honest. I think the council shot itself in the foot by having such high housing requirement targets."

Councillor Stephen Harness (UKIP) said: "This decision is a shame, and made by a government that knows the price of everything but the value of nothing."

Councillor Harry Hall, chairman of Humberston Parish Council, which also objected to the proposal, said: "I'm bitterly disappointed that the wishes of the people of Humberston were not upheld.

"We are a village, we are not a suburban town and the loss of our green space is going to have a big impact on us."

Keystone Developments will now have to submit an application for detailed planning permission, but no timeframe for this has yet been set.

Nick Worboys, assistant director of Keystone Developments, said: "We have always believed that this is not only a suitable site for development, but also that the details of our proposals – with the emphasis on homes for older people and the provision of land for community use – make this a scheme that will benefit the wider community.

"We recognise that some local people have had concerns about the plans and we have worked hard to mitigate these concerns in the planning process. We now look forward to working with all partners to ensure a successful development that the community can take pride in."

Jason Longhurst, head of development at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "While the authority made clear representations to support the planning committee's position, the Secretary of State has chosen to support the application following an appeal.

"The planning inspector has granted outline permission, but further details on appearance, landscaping, layout and scale will need to be submitted to the council and put out to public consultation before development begins."

A council spokesman confirmed that the authority had not been ordered to pay costs to the developer.

"ALL I want for Christmas is a pair of wellies."

That was the plea from an Immingham resident whose home was flooded due to a burst water main.

As reported, two homes in Oban Court were inundated with water that gushed from a water main in the back garden of Chris Lingard's home, where he has lived for 28 years.

The 66-year-old retired worker at the former ConocoPhillips refinery said: "There is no point in getting upset or angry with anyone.

"It has happened so I just have to get on with it.

"I'm not sure what sort of Christmas it is going to be, but I have added a pair of wellies to my list."

He was sitting at his computer when a neighbour alerted him to the torrent of water flooding through his garden at about 1pm on Monday.

A nine-inch water pipe split along a 12-metre strip flooding gardens. Mr Lingard said: "There was a 3ft gush coming up out of the ground.

"We rang for the fire brigade. They got here and started pumping it away, but they could not get it away as quickly as it was coming up.

"I rushed around and got everything lifted up off the floor."

He told how he was upset his new kitchen installed a year ago with floor level lighting had been badly damaged.

He praised the response of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Anglian Water engineers.

He said: "They have all been good guys."

The resident is now waiting for an insurance assessor to visit.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "The fire service was amazing."

She told how a chest freezer in her garage blew up due to water getting into the electrics.

The 30-year-old mum was at work when she got a call from her husband to tell her that firefighters were pumping water out of their garden.

She said: "All the residents mucked in and brought towels and buckets.

"We all just got our shoes and socks off and trousers rolled up.

"It is nice round here. Everyone looks out for one another."

Antony Innes, from Anglian Water, said: "We are very sorry to customers in Oban Court, Immingham, who have been affected by a burst water main.

"Regrettably, two homes and a handful of gardens were flooded.

"We realise this is an extremely upsetting situation for these customers and are doing what we can to help them with drying equipment and arranging for loss adjusters to assess the damage."

Water supply was returned to normal around teatime on Monday.

A ROMANIAN dog has been renamed 'Lucky', after he was rescued by a Grimsby animal lover from almost certain death.

Kathleen Reece-Brockett has paid almost £300 to have Lucky, a 16-week-old German shepherd cross border collie, transported nearly 1,800 miles to North East Lincolnshire.

The rescue is part of a huge move to save stray dogs like Lucky from Bucharest after the country's president brought in emergency legislation to allow the cull of the city's estimated 64,000 stray dogs.

Lucky had been found desperately crying next to his dead brother's body, after his mum and other siblings had all been killed.

Under the new law, stray dogs can now be put down if they are not adopted within two weeks of being captured in Bucharest.

But Kathleen found out about the situation through Facebook, and was desperate to help.

She said: "I didn't realise their plight before, but as soon as I did I wanted to do something to help prevent a terrible tragedy.

"The dog had been named Kevin by the lady who took him in in Romania and he came over in a van over the weekend with around 20 other dogs.

"I am an animal lover and couldn't bear to think about this happening."

American actor Steven Seagal is one high-profile star to have adopted a stray dog from Romania to "set a good example" following the country's change of law.

Retired Kathleen, 61, is so keen to do more that she and husband Andy are driving to Bucharest next Wednesday to take vital food and supplies out to the city's rescue centres.

They will be driving a van which is being donated to the cause before flying back.

Lucky will live with Kathleen's son Jamie, 37, and she promises he will be spoiled rotten by his new owner.

"Lucky will have a happy home now which is the best possible ending, he really is going to be spoiled," she said.

"He has been as good as gold since he arrived on Sunday, considering he had a three day trip in a van.

"I am not looking forward to the trip to Bucharest because of what I will see but I am looking forward to helping make things better.

"Many dogs are giving birth to pups and starving on the streets, at least in this country if dogs are put down it is done humanely."

Kathleen and Andy will be taking a van laden with supplies on their road trip, but are still appealing for donations of food, blankets and similar items.

Kathleen can be contacted on 07833 308926 and cash donations can be made via Paypal using the e-mail address freedom4paws@hotmail.co.uk

A STALLINGBOROUGH man who came back from the brink of financial ruin to build an international business is to feature on a Channel 4 documentary.

Steve Elwis, 56, is the owner of stock buying company Virrgo, based in Laceby.

His lucrative business caught the attention of scouts from the Channel 4 documentary series Getting Rich In The Recession, for his unusual line of work of buying and selling everything and anything.

Steve will feature in the third programme of the series, being aired tomorrow at 9pm.

The programme is entitled The Man Who Buys Anything.

Steve said: "I started out as a car dealer and I did very well from it.

"I later took on the Park Lane nightclub in Cleethorpes and was doing really well.

"But in 2001, it all went sour.

"I had overtraded myself, the bank repossessed my businesses, I had to declare bankruptcy and I was left with nothing.

"In 2002, I started buying excess stock of children's novelty party gifts when I realised just how much bankruptcy stock there is available.

"I started buying different stock and the business started growing from there.

"Now, 10 years on the business is doing great. We are trading with companies big and small who are either over-stocked or are selling up due to bankruptcy."

When Channel 4 first approached Steve in January, he jumped at the chance to get involved.

"They called me up and asked me what I knew about trading surplus stock," he explained.

"I said I could tell them whatever they needed to know.

"Filming the show was great. It was a lot of fun.

"They have called me the modern-day Del Boy because I will buy and sell anything.

"The show takes a fun look at how people are making money in the recession, but we are all serious business people.

"Thanks to the show, there has been so much media interest.

"I have just written some top business tips for The Sun newspaper, and tomorrow morning I am being interviewed on BBC Breakfast at 8am before the documentary airs at 9pm."

Steve has big plans for his business in the local area.

He said: "I work primarily in London but I have my office in Laceby.

"I have just bought a warehouse on Wilton Road, in Humberston, and from there I hope to start stock auctions for people in this area.

"I have also just set up a training school called Trading School, where I will be helping people learn how to buy and sell in business."

For more information about Virrgo, visit www.virrgo.co.uk, call 01472 232054 or e-mail info@virrgo.co.uk

IT is understood that a drunken male has been arrested on Freeman Street for assaulting another man and threatening to blow something up.

Four Police vans and two cars attended the scene near Harbour Place at 12pm today (Wednesday).

Witnesses said the man was clearly drunk and had to hold on to the railings to stay upright.

MARKET Rasen & Louth RUFC will look to maintain their winning form when they take on Kettering on Saturday.

This week marks the half-way point of the league programme – and the Red and Greens go into the clash on a high following a 22-17 win away at Ilkeston last week.

A mixture of skill, good luck and downright bloody mindedness resulted in a good victory for Rasen.

There was drama early on when Ilkeston winger Isaac Taylor appeared to be on for a simple try.

Incredibly, Taylor suffered a 'geographical malfunction' and over-ran the small dead ball area to touch down outside the field of play.

The Red and Greens made their way back up the sloping field and punished Ilkeston as they conceded their first penalty. Meehal Grint was successful with the kick.

The Elks continued with their high-tempo, game, causing Rasen to spill the ball in midfield just outside their own twenty two. Ilkeston took full advantage and number eight Simon Bennett charged down the touchline to score in the corner.

Rasen hit back when Matt Sutton forced his way over the line, following good work by Henry Spencer. Grint converted successfully.

Ilkeston stormed back when Taylor made amends for his earlier gaffe to score.

The home side now had their tails up – but they were soon undone by their own attacking ambition.

A long pass failed to reach its target and fell to the ground. Alert winger Peter Everton hacked the loose ball forward and, as he pursued his kick, the ball obligingly bounced up into his arms as he was in full stride.

After skipping through the last tackle, he crossed the whitewash to give Rasen a 15-10 half-time lead.

Rasen maintained their momentum after the break and kept Ilkeston pinned deep in their own territory.

As the ball broke loose, skipper Dave Starling was on hand to re-gather and set off on a mesmerising run that bamboozled the home defence as he made his way to the line. Grint added the conversion.

Ilkeston battled on and cut the deficit when their forwards rumbled over the line, with Bennett the scorer. Jonathan Falls landed his only successful kick of the day to bring Ilkeston within five points, with nine minutes still to play.

Rasen were forced to continue with the rearguard action – but held on until the final whistle for another win.