IN a bid to take part in online drinking craze Neknominate, a 33-year-old from Ross-on-Wye placed four fish in a pint of wine, gin, vodka, rum and lemonade, before downing it and posting the video online.

Paul Wooding, of Brampton Avenue, was given an 18-month conditional discharge this week, after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to the silvery minnow-type fish he had taken from a friend's tank.

The Neknominate craze is understood to have emerged in Australia, and Wooding's case is believed to be the fifth to come to court in Britain in connection with the phenomenon, which has also been linked with a number of deaths.

In a hearing at Hereford Magistrates' Court, it was heard how the defendant had posted a video of himself on his Facebook page, pouring various different types of alcohol into a pint glass, before placing four small fish into the glass and drinking the contents at the Golf Inn in the town.

Wooding said he had drunk about eight pints and six double gins before downing the cocktail on February 7.

An expert vet who viewed the footage said that the fish would have suffered as a result of being immersed in the alcohol and then being swallowed alive.

But after being questioned about the video, Wooding was reported as later posting on Facebook: "Some people's lives must be that sad and boring, to get any excitement they have to report me to the RSPCA for my Neknominate."

RSPCA inspector Mark Lewis, said after the hearing: "There was a deliberate decision to take these fish and swallow them as part of this irresponsible game.

"The fish suffered unnecessarily and it is simply not acceptable to treat an animal in this way purely for amusement."

Wooding was also ordered to pay £500 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

APRENTICESHIPS were the right choice for two teenagers who soon hope to become important cogs in a rapidly-growing Forest of Dean company.

The Citizen has teamed up with Mitcheldean's Versarien to launch the Forest Apprentice, which will combine education and employment for two more young people aged 16 to 21.

Dan Titmuss, 19, inset, left, the Forest Apprentice winner in 2012, was not sure what career path he wanted to follow after school but he now has high hopes of moving up the ranks within Versarien.

He said: "The Forest Apprentice popped up at a time when Versarien was just starting up and I didn't know much about the company or what I wanted to do, but I bit the bullet and applied.

"A lot of my friends went to sixth form and they have come out without a good job. But every employer wants experience and once you have been employed, that cannot be taken away. I'd recommend apprenticeships without a doubt."

Dan, from Mitch- eldean, finished his level three apprenticeship in mechanical engineering in July.

Scott Williams, 18, on the right, who also lives in Mitcheldean, was last year's Forest Apprentice winner. He said: "There are good strong mentors here and there is a lot of support. I also get the chance to earn and learn, and every day is different. Versarien is a very fast-moving company but we have a cohesive team and it has a bright future."

Forest Apprentice will combine first-class education and paid employment.

Successful applicants – who must meet either the advanced and higher level two and three apprenticeship criteria – have a rare chance to learn from a rapidly growing company which operates at the "very boundaries of science".

Neill Ricketts, chief executive of Versarien, said: "We are looking for the enthusiastic, dedicated and committed who like a challenge to join us on our journey."

Versarien has linked up with Gloucestershire College to offer the apprenticeships, which will start in March. The deadline for applications to the Citizen is Friday August 29. Call 01452 698 827 or email david.shepherd@glosmedia.co.uk. 

I HAVE to start this week's column by paying my own tribute to Will Gidman, who will be leaving us for Nottinghamshire at the end of the season.

Earlier in the season I said Will deserved an England call-up and I stand by that because his record shows he is one of the best all-rounders in the country.

Players who regularly take five-fors and score hundreds don't grow on trees, so I'm not surprised that rival counties have been looking at him.

As a team we were absolutely gutted when he sat us down at Worcester and told us he would be leaving, and he will be sorely missed.

But I can honestly say everyone wished him well. He has been an incredible player for us for four seasons and is a brilliant bloke to have in the changing room.

Now he is heading to the first division and I'm sure he will be just as successful at Trent Bridge.

It is always frustrating to see players who have developed and improved at Gloucestershire moving on, and it has happened a few times during my eight years with the club.

But there are countless examples of the same thing happening in other sports around the world and I suppose it is inevitable that different clubs operate in different ways.

I know Gloucestershire are pretty proud of their record of improving young English players, which is ultimately a good thing for the game in this country.

At least we proved in our Championship game at Worcester that we can win without Will, and it capped an excellent week for us in the two competitions we're involved in.

A 50-over win at New Road guaranteed our place in the quarter-finals, and it would be fantastic for the club to get to the semis or even the final.

Will is still a Gloucestershire player for a few more weeks and I know he is as desperate as anybody for a Lord's triumph, which would be the perfect send-off.

The four-day win was probably more unexpected for a lot of people, with Worcestershire all set to win promotion and unbeaten until we rocked up.

Along with Will we were also missing our captain Michael Klinger, but Alex Gidman led by example with the bat and our bowlers were outstanding – especially on the first morning.

Gareth Roderick also showed his class with an outstanding 98. He has a really bright future and I know he has

ambitions to play at the highest

level.

It was great to sing our victory song again and we all headed back down the M5 in good spirits, although Chris Dent almost got stranded due to a flat tyre on his car.

I saved his blushes by legging it down to the groundsman's shed and borrowing a pump, and then followed him on the motorway to make sure he got home safely.

All part of being a team player I suppose, although Denty owes me a beer!

PODIUM finishes at the next two world competitions would cap off a dream season for Commonwealth champion Vicky Holland.

Despite a niggling foot injury, the Olympic triathlete will race at the penultimate World Series leg in Stockholm on Saturday before racing in the final in Edmonton next weekend.

The former Cheltenham Harriers athlete finished in the top eight at the World Triathlon Series individual races in Cape Town and Hamburg, and won a mixed relay gold medal in the German city.

And this proved to be perfect preparation for Glasgow 2014 where Holland won bronze in the women's individual race and a gold medal in the mixed relay.

But there was no time to relax after her exertions in Glasgow; the ex Newent Community School pupil was straight back to training for the World Series.

The former Gloucester City swimmer (pictured) said: "I would like to finish the season off at the same level.

"To get my first podium in the World Series would be amazing and I hope I have more in the tank. It would be a dream year.

"But there is no pressure, a top five finish would be really great and honestly I couldn't ask for much more."

The Stockholm event is a sprint triathlon and Holland admits she is more suited to the Olympic distance that will be raced in Edmonton on August 30.

But Gloucester-born Holland knows she is lucky to be racing at all after inflammation of her plantar fasciitis stopped her running altogether earlier this year.

Not only did this make it harder for her to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, it also means that she will end her season earlier than usual to ensure she is fully recovered before her quest for Olympic qualification begins.

The 28-year-old said: "Getting into the shape I needed to for the Commonwealth Games was hard.

"But my medical team in Leeds are absolutely fantastic and they got me to the start line in the best shape possible. And I knew if I executed my race as well as I could, I would get a medal.

"I'm not sure what the plan is at the end of the season, whether I will be in a boot or have shockwave therapy again, or have injections.

"Hopefully I won't have to have surgery. But it has been at times really uncomfortable in training.

"So it's important for me now to finish the season early, address the issues I have and then go again.

"I may have won bronze in Glasgow but with Non (Stanford) and Helen (Jenkins) to come back from the same foot injury I have had, that means I am the fourth ranked Great British athlete.

"I need to step up now or else I won't be going to Rio.

"But that is a challenge and I am ready for it."

THE GANG selling crack cocaine and heroin from a Gloucester community centre have together been jailed for more than 20 years.

Ringleader Delroy McFarlane was imprisoned for 12 years after heading up the criminals dealing from the All Nations Community Centre.

Bristol Crown Court heard the gang stashed drugs in the Chase Lane club's roof space and on an embankment outside before dealing to both users and other suppliers in the car park.

McFarlane's second in command, Wensdale Johnson, a former soldier, was jailed for six years while Gilbert Samuels was sentenced to two years and Grevon McInnis for three for their lesser roles in the conspiracy.

Prosecutor Simon Rowe told the court: "All the defendants were part of a serious drugs gang, selling wholesale and retail heroin and crack cocaine.

"At the centre of the criminal activity was Delroy McFarlane.

"The drugs were hidden in gardens and overgrowth on industrial estates and in the car park outside the club.

"Drug dealers would go to the All Nations' Club in Chase Lane and another stash point in Campion Close.

"It is the crown's case that Grevon McInnis was often at the scene, seen on CCTV footage doing the running around at the request of Mr McFarlane who was the leading role in this case."

Mr Rowe told the court undercover surveillance by the police captured deals taking place in the club's car park and the gang then visiting the stash points including at disused railway lines.

On several occasions police stopped vehicles which had been seen meeting up with McInnis, 32, of Beaumont Walk in Gloucester or Samuels to discover known users or dealers with drugs on them.

The investigation eventually led to 120 police officers making a bust of the club on July 16 where officers found tubes of drugs hidden in the toilet's roof space as well as outside.

Another bust of Campion Close, near to the home of 43-year-old Samuels, uncovered a larger haul.

In total some 331.27 grams of crack and heroin, worth between £26,000 and £31,000, on the street was discovered in the busts.

The court heard McFarlane, 47, of Melbourne Street East was jailed for six years for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

The prosecutor will be seeking a serious crime prevention order against him and Johnson, 34, of Diamond Jubilee Close when all four men appear back before the court in December for a Proceeds of Crime application.

All four men were sentenced for two counts of conspiring to supply heroin and crack between January and September 2013.

Johnson was found guilty of two additional counts of possessing heroin and crack with intent to supply following a bust at his home in November that year.

Defending for McFarlane, Kevin Cobhan, said there was no evidence he was the ringleader or the 'Mr Big' of the operation. But the judge disagreed saying telephone evidence pointed to him have the leading role in the plot.

Defending for Johnson, Christopher Baur, said the father-of-two had left the Army after losing several friends in Afghanistan and was finding it difficult to "make ends meet" and sending cash home to Jamaica.

Both advocates for McInnis and Samuels, who both pleaded guilty, said they too were suffering from financial difficulties and remorseful for their parts.

The jailed men, motivated by money, paid no regard to the misery and ruined lives of those addicted to hard drugs, a judge said.

When sentencing the four men to more than 20 years in prison for their conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, Judge Michael Harrington spoke of the effect on users.

During his sentencing he told the men: "Between January 7, 2013 and September 4, 2013 the four of you conspired to supply heroin and crack cocaine, both to other drug dealers and drug users.

"People's lives have been wrecked by their addiction to class A drugs.

"You did it without any thoughts of the families' lives ruined.

"You played no thought to the misery you were causing."

"Delroy McFarlane and Wensdale Johnson you were both convicted by a jury on August 7, 2014. Despite the overwhelming evidence against you, you both choose to contest the charges and on the strength of the evidence you decided not to give evidence yourselves.

"Gilbert Samuels and Grevon McInnis to your credit you pleaded guilty. You were used by Delroy McFarlane and to a lesser extent Wensdale Johnson to directly deal with those who were purchasing the drugs.

"I conclude that the drugs that were seized, which had a street value of £26,000 represented a small portion of the drugs being dealt."

THE GANG selling crack cocaine and heroin from a Gloucester community centre have together been jailed for more than 20 years.

Ringleader Delroy McFarlane was imprisoned for 12 years after heading up the criminals dealing from the All Nations Community Centre.

Bristol Crown Court heard the gang stashed drugs in the Chase Lane club's roof space and on an embankment outside before dealing to both users and other suppliers in the car park.

McFarlane's second in command, Wensdale Johnson, a former soldier, was jailed for six years while Gilbert Samuels was sentenced to two years and Grevon McInnis for three for their lesser roles in the conspiracy.

Prosecutor Simon Rowe told the court: "All the defendants were part of a serious drugs gang, selling wholesale and retail heroin and crack cocaine.

"At the centre of the criminal activity was Delroy McFarlane.

"The drugs were hidden in gardens and overgrowth on industrial estates and in the car park outside the club.

"Drug dealers would go to the All Nations' Club in Chase Lane and another stash point in Campion Close.

"It is the crown's case that Grevon McInnis was often at the scene, seen on CCTV footage doing the running around at the request of Mr McFarlane who was the leading role in this case."

Mr Rowe told the court undercover surveillance by the police captured deals taking place in the club's car park and the gang then visiting the stash points including at disused railway lines.

On several occasions police stopped vehicles which had been seen meeting up with McInnis, 32, of Beaumont Walk in Gloucester or Samuels to discover known users or dealers with drugs on them.

The investigation eventually led to 120 police officers making a bust of the club on July 16 where officers found tubes of drugs hidden in the toilet's roof space as well as outside.

Another bust of Campion Close, near to the home of 43-year-old Samuels, uncovered a larger haul.

In total some 331.27 grams of crack and heroin, worth between £26,000 and £31,000, on the street was discovered in the busts.

The court heard McFarlane, 47, of Melbourne Street East was jailed for six years for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

The prosecutor will be seeking a serious crime prevention order against him and Johnson, 34, of Diamond Jubilee Close when all four men appear back before the court in December for a Proceeds of Crime application.

All four men were sentenced for two counts of conspiring to supply heroin and crack between January and September 2013.

Johnson was found guilty of two additional counts of possessing heroin and crack with intent to supply following a bust at his home in November that year.

Defending for McFarlane, Kevin Cobhan, said there was no evidence he was the ringleader or the 'Mr Big' of the operation. But the judge disagreed saying telephone evidence pointed to him have the leading role in the plot.

Defending for Johnson, Christopher Baur, said the father-of-two had left the Army after losing several friends in Afghanistan and was finding it difficult to "make ends meet" and sending cash home to Jamaica.

Both advocates for McInnis and Samuels, who both pleaded guilty, said they too were suffering from financial difficulties and remorseful for their parts.

The jailed men, motivated by money, paid no regard to the misery and ruined lives of those addicted to hard drugs, a judge said.

When sentencing the four men to more than 20 years in prison for their conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, Judge Michael Harrington spoke of the effect on users.

During his sentencing he told the men: "Between January 7, 2013 and September 4, 2013 the four of you conspired to supply heroin and crack cocaine, both to other drug dealers and drug users.

"People's lives have been wrecked by their addiction to class A drugs.

"You did it without any thoughts of the families' lives ruined.

"You played no thought to the misery you were causing."

"Delroy McFarlane and Wensdale Johnson you were both convicted by a jury on August 7, 2014. Despite the overwhelming evidence against you, you both choose to contest the charges and on the strength of the evidence you decided not to give evidence yourselves.

"Gilbert Samuels and Grevon McInnis to your credit you pleaded guilty. You were used by Delroy McFarlane and to a lesser extent Wensdale Johnson to directly deal with those who were purchasing the drugs.

"I conclude that the drugs that were seized, which had a street value of £26,000 represented a small portion of the drugs being dealt."

A motorcyclist has been killed in a crash with a car on the A433 this morning.

Police are in the process of identifying the man, who was involved in the crash on the section of the A-road, between Tetbury and Cirencester, near the junction of the A429.

Emergency services were sent there at around 11.56 am. The road remains closed as police officers comb the scene for evidence and motorists are being advised to find alternative routes.

Fresh faced and brimming with new ideas, teenager Byron Davis is taking his first steps into political life in Gloucester.

At 15, he is one of the younger new kids on the block hoping to make a difference in communities.

The Podsmead youngster is following in the footsteps of his dad, David Mockridge who was a Barnwood city councillor. David died when Byron was a baby, but politics is clearly in his blood.

The Severn Vale schoolboy has been getting a political taste with Labour's parliamentary candidate for Gloucester, Sophy Gardner.

"Byron contacted me about doing work experience and I was only too happy to help," she said.

"It was refreshing to come across someone so young who wanted to help out his community. I told him I didn't have an office, but that didn't put him off as he was very keen to get out into Podsmead to find out about the issues that are affecting people there."

Byron wants to see youth services in Gloucester improve.

"There was a lot of campaigning and canvassing," he said. "There are issues here that need to be looked at. There is a youth club, but is only open once a week. Children play in the street when it is closed and that is dangerous because of all the cars around.

"There is waste ground on Woodpecker Road that is supposed to be developed into a play area, but we have been waiting ages."

Byron wants to pursue his dream at university with a political degree.

Mum Michelle was shocked when her son revealed his ambition.

"Byron is very friendly and loves talking to people, but I was surprised when he said he wanted to make a career out of it," she said. "Byron wants to help people, and is always looking out for elderly people who live around here. He knows the issues facing young people and has some good ideas about how to help."

Drunken mum Jeanette Hopper left her false teeth embedded in a police sergeant's hand after she bit him while he was arresting her, a court has heard.

Police had been called to the 50-year-old's home in Highfield Road, Ruardean, after reports that she was wielding a knife and making threats to her 67 year old husband, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

When Sergeant Miles Ajinka arrived at 11pm on May 26 he saw "'an appreciable amount of blood" around her home and Hopper then appeared with dry blood on her hands.

"It was clear to the sergeant that the family in the house were in fear," said prosecutor Richard Posner. "The sergeant decided to arrest her. Her reaction was to struggle and she then bit the sergeant on the hand.

"She sunk her teeth into the ring finger of the officer's right hand. He slapped the back of her head to seek release from the bite

"As she moved her head away the false teeth she was wearing stayed embedded in his finger.

"Other officers attended and she was controlled and take into custody.

"When she was interviewed she said she had only a hazy recollection. She said the biting had been a kneejerk reaction to the handcuffs being placed on her wrist. She'd had a fracture of the wrist and it was painful."

Hopper pleaded guilty to common assault on the sergeant but denied an offence of affray. Her pleas were accepted by the prosecution.

She had made 11 previous court appearances for 23 offences, mainly of dishonesty or drink driving, the prosecutor said.

Steve Thomas, defending, said "The police had been called there on a number of occasions in the past, usually because she has taken a knife to herself.

"Usually the police go along with an ambulance. Unfortunately this sergeant had not met her before and he faced a completely different situation.

"She tried to protect her wrist because it was painful."

Recorder Nicholas Atkinson QC sentenced her to 12 months supervision.

He said it was envisaged she would receive help with her drinking from the Independence Trust and he told her he hoped her good relationship with her children would assist her in the future. She told the Recorder she and her husband had separated since the incident.

FORMER Cheltenham Town trainee Josh Egan could make his Shortwood United debut at Bridgwater Town tomorrow.

The right-sided midfield player progressed through the Whaddon Road youth ranks before moving to Bath City and then Mangotsfield United.

A one-time target for then Premier League club Blackpool, Egan has agreed a switch that will see him link up with Wood ahead of their trip to Somerset.

Joint boss Alex Sykes said that Egan is likely to be the last incoming player to Meadowbank after a summer of upheaval.

"I was looking at the team we had out last Saturday at Swindon Supermarine and thought that we had as many as six new signings in the squad," Sykes said.

"We have lost some quality with the likes of Marc Richards and Sam Avery moving on to Gloucester in a higher league and Jake Parrott leaving, but we've added quality too.

"We've got a really strong group of players and Josh will certainly add to that although it may now mean that we have to look at trimming the squad in the next couple of weeks."

Shortwood bounced back from the shock of surrendering a 3-0 lead in their 4-3 defeat at Supermarine to draw with Stratford Town at Meadowbank on Tuesday night.

Sykes was happy with the performance from his players, who reacted to the defeat in positive fashion in a 1-1 draw.

"We were looking for a response from the team and the few lads that had made mistakes in the Supermarine game and we got that," Sykes said.

"Now we need to go to Bridgwater and do the same, I know their manager Richard Fey really well and he'll have them organised and up for the fight.

Wood will be without star striker Duncan Culley for a couple of weeks after he suffered a groin strain at Swindon Supermarine, while John Cant, James Coates and James Singh all remain sidelined.