Lead theft from golf club METAL thieves stole lead from Greenock Golf Club.

The theft was discovered at the club house in Forsyth Street on Tuesday morning.

Police are probing the incident and said today will be given the area extra attention.

Sergeant Stuart Drake said: “They theft has been reported over a few days between 11pm on 30 August and 7am on Tuesday.

“A quantity of lead flashings and roof coverings were taken from the club house. We don’t have a value as yet.” Sergeant Drake said the club has been a target in the past.

He said: “The club has been subject to acts of criminal behaviour — there has been buggies stolen and fires set. We will be putting extra resources into the area to deter further incidents.”
Drug possession admitted A LARKFIELD woman has admitted being in possession of heroin.

Louise Campbell, 33, had 0.5 grams of the Class A drug while in Nairn Road, Greenock, on 13 June.

The street value of the substance recovered was between £40 and £50.

Sentence was deferred for 12 months so that Campbell, of Oxford Road, could be of good behaviour.


Councillor’s triathlon A COUNCILLOR and goalkeeper used to battling it out in the debating chamber and football field swapped that for his toughest challenge yet in aid of a Greenock hospice.

Gourock man Chris McEleny completed a tough triathlon at Gourock Pool last Sunday to help raise funds for Ardgowan Hospice.

The councillor and Port Juniors goalie has so far managed to raise in excess of £230 for the cause. He said: “Ardgowan Hospice is a magnificent place that I visited last Friday.

“It costs £8,000 a day to run the hospice and only 42 per cent of this comes from public funding. So as you can imagine support from people is invaluable.”
Dodgy ‘handyman’ failed to do work A HANDYMAN charged a Greenock resident £700 to carry out a roof repair, then failed to do the work.

Melvyn Thompson, 56, had agreed to fix the man’s garage roof in Duthie Road for an agreed amount.

Thompson was employed as a casual worker for a Gourock firm at the time of the offence, which happened between 1 and 8 August last year. He pled guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court this week, and brought the money he owed the victim with him.

Defence solicitor Fiona Gordon said: “He was unable to carry out the work in the time frame the complainer wanted. The relationship then deteriorated. He has brought £700 to the court today.” Sheriff Rajni Swanney said: “There was no excuse for you not returning the money. You have at least saved it up now and the complainer will get it back, which is a good thing.” She issued Thompson, now of Bishop Auckland in County Durham, with a £700 compensation order and fined him £400.


Busy road will be closed for works A BUSY Greenock road will be shut for three weeks to allow for water pipe works.

A temporary traffic regulation order will be in place from Wednesday 18 September until Tuesday 8 October to allow for Scottish Water upgrading work.

There will be restrictions for all vehicles on a section of Roxburgh Street between Duncan Street and Orangefield.

Diversions will be in place.

A taxi stance on Roxburgh Street will also be temporarily suspended throughout the duration of the planned works.


Fun races for all ages THERE is still time to enter the annual Kilmacolm half-marathon this Sunday.

Hundreds of runners will line the streets of the village and the surrounding countryside in the annual race, which also includes 10k and 3k events. For kids, there is a fancy dress ‘Toddle Waddle’ around the local park.

All races for the event, which is supported by the Telegraph, start at the Birkmyre Park Fitness Gym.

The Toddle Waddle begins at 9.30am, followed by the 3k at 10am.

The 10k race and half marathon begin at 11am and organisers have included an improved electronic chipped timing system.

A spokesperson said: “Inverclyde Leisure has done everything to make this an enjoyable event for the runners and the people of Inverclyde.

“We also encourage families to get involved — there’s fun for all the family with the kids Toddle Waddle race around the park.” For details, email birkmyrepark@inverclyde.gov.uk A race entry form can be downloaded from www.kilmacolmraces.com
2 arrested over disturbance TWO men from Port Glasgow were arrested following a disturbance at Cleats Bar in Kempock Street, in Gourock at 9.55pm on Saturday.

A 35-year-old has been charged with assault and an 18-year-old with breach of the peace.


Money seized from accounts to pay fines SOCIAL security fraudsters are among those in Inverclyde having money seized from their bank accounts to pay fines.

The Scottish Court Service are using their powers to get unpaid fines directly from employers or bank managers.

They are getting tough on those who continually fail to stump up the cash they were ordered to pay by courts.

In Inverclyde they have targeted those guilty of assault, drug misuse, traffic breaches or failing to have a TV licence.

Fines ranging from £45 to £270 have been clawed back from those working in various jobs, as well as those on benefits.

Scottish Court Service chief operations officer Cliff Binning said: “We will use the measures we have in place to ensure all fines are paid.

“That may mean approaching your employer or bank manager and arranging for money to be taken directly from your savings or wages.” When fines go unpaid the SCS has a range of enforcement measures in place which, in addition to deducting payment directly from wages, savings or benefits, includes clamping, seizing and ultimately selling cars.

For offenders in genuine need of assistance, the SCS can offer advice.


2 taken to IRH after flat fire TWO people were taken to hospital after a fire was started in their Gourock tenement in broad daylight.

Police said items were set on fire in a Shore Street close at 4pm on Saturday.

A 41-year-old man and 26-year-old woman from the same flat were treated at Inverclyde Royal for smoke inhalation.

The blaze damaged a door and door frame, and there was also smoke damage to the close.

The police, fire and ambulance services were called to the incident, which is being treated as wilful fire-raising.

Police inquiries are continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Ellis Anderson on 101.