Outrage as 15 thugs attack gritter driver

Outrages as 15 thugs attack gritter Outrages as 15 thugs attack gritter

A MAN who was helping keep drivers safe on treacherous roads during heavy snow, was set upon by a gang of yobs in Poole in a “shocking and disgraceful” attack.

Gary Fooks was driving a Poole Council gritter in hilly Herbert Avenue, trying to keep the road open on Friday lunchtime, when his 18-tonne vehicle came under attack.

“A group of young lads were throwing snowballs at the lorry, I didn’t think anything of it,” said Gary, 34, a father of three from Sturminster Marshall.

But then he heard a ‘tinging’ sound as other objects were hurled at the vehicle, perhaps stones or coins he thinks.

“I stopped, I thought they were climbing on the lorry,” he said.

“With a snowplough attached to the front of a heavy vehicle, he was wary of driving on and causing injury.

He was immediately surrounded by around 15 youths, some swearing at him and he was attacked from behind, hit and punched and struck in the chest, by seven or eight of the yobs.

“They were no older than 17, that’s the worst thing,” he said.

He was left battered and bruised by the attack, which ended when a car stopped nearby and disturbed them.

Gary, who has worked for the council for 18 years, had driven through the snow from his home at Sturminster Marshall to the Hatch Pond Depot at Poole, to take the gritter out.

“We were trying to keep the public safe. What about our safety? I was lucky none of them had a knife,” he said.

Shaun Robson, head of environmental and consumer protection, Borough of Poole, described the event as “both shocking and disgraceful”.

He said: “The driver and his colleagues were tackling extremely challenging weather conditions with the purpose of making our roads safe and accessible for the community.

“The equipment they use is potentially dangerous and staff were applying skill and care to ensure that no one was at risk.

“To be assaulted whilst carrying out those duties is completely unacceptable.

“It is a sad day when an experienced and committed public servant can no longer carry out his work safely and with the support of the whole community,” he said.

Dorset Police are investigating the incident which took place around 12.15pm and the council is supporting their enquiries.

A police spokesman has appealed for any witnesses to contact them on 101 or free and anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Comments(109)

snake hips says...
8:58am Thu 24 Jan 13

Look at the area, am I suprised?

skydriver says...
8:58am Thu 24 Jan 13

Sadly Poole does seem to have more thay it's fair share of low life, trouble is the courts are powerless to really act. In my view an example should be made of them, and their families , Name and Shame, best idea .

rayc says...
9:05am Thu 24 Jan 13

The Government were proudly boasting yesterday that vandalism and anti social behaviour had fallen. They were not sure why that was but the concensus amongt commentators was that people had given up reporting it.
If these suspects are caught was is the likelyhood they will appear in court on an assault charge?

ABCD1 says...
9:13am Thu 24 Jan 13

Having watched the programme on TV last night 'Death Row' with Trevor McDonald, it makes you realise just how poor our punishments are for crime in this country and it is no wonder people continue to commit crime!

Simple solution, introduce proper punishment, don't just give criminals a warnings, when we say 'a life sentence' we should mean it!

Tripod says...
9:18am Thu 24 Jan 13

Simple answer: any area where things like this happen, stop gritting the affected roads; same with Buses being attached, rubbish collection etc. it won't take long for people to get the message and drive-out the ret@rds.

nonnisrevenge says...
9:18am Thu 24 Jan 13

Morons of the highest order; a group attack against a single person is one of the most cowardly forms of violence. Mind you, if you took the combined intelligence of that group of feral rats and multiplied it by a thousand then they might have enough sense to tie their shoe laces, that’s if they didn't drool all over themselves first.

Arthur Maureen says...
9:26am Thu 24 Jan 13

Oooooh those yobs!

scrumpyjack says...
9:27am Thu 24 Jan 13

skydriver wrote:
Sadly Poole does seem to have more thay it's fair share of low life, trouble is the courts are powerless to really act. In my view an example should be made of them, and their families , Name and Shame, best idea .
Actually I think the best idea is do them for affray and sennd them down for 3 years.

Start sending a little message out.

Lucky Rich says...
9:30am Thu 24 Jan 13

Round them up & get them to grit there area by hand .......& give Gary the pleasure of being in charge of them.......

The Liberal says...
9:52am Thu 24 Jan 13

Tripod wrote:
Simple answer: any area where things like this happen, stop gritting the affected roads; same with Buses being attached, rubbish collection etc. it won't take long for people to get the message and drive-out the ret@rds.
That might work for a residential road (if they actually grit them in the first place), but Herbert Avenue is a busy main road also used by many people who don't live in that area. Why should they all suffer because of a few yobs?

speedy231278 says...
9:52am Thu 24 Jan 13

If it was in Poole, why is the picture of a gritter on Richmond Hill in Bourenmouth?

afcb-mark says...
10:34am Thu 24 Jan 13

speedy231278 wrote:
If it was in Poole, why is the picture of a gritter on Richmond Hill in Bourenmouth?
Doh! It's simply a picture of a gritter. Hope they find the low life big brave brats. I wonder if they would be so brave if they were on their own.

spryte67 says...
10:50am Thu 24 Jan 13

Unacceptable behaviour against a council employee going about his work. Dregs of society complete morons!!

Buddles says...
10:57am Thu 24 Jan 13

Bring back the stocks! Place the stocks on a public recreation ground. Charge,say, £1-5 for a container of rotting fruit and fish heads and throw at the little scrotes. Humiliating? You bet! Money raised can go to Victim Support.

Rednax says...
11:10am Thu 24 Jan 13

For (Gary) Fooks sake....

TD61 says...
11:36am Thu 24 Jan 13

skydriver wrote:
Sadly Poole does seem to have more thay it's fair share of low life, trouble is the courts are powerless to really act. In my view an example should be made of them, and their families , Name and Shame, best idea .
Sadly, I doubt either they or their families would feel any shame about it - they don't have enough brain power for that, let alone morals.

My husband used to drives buses and buses were regularly attacked in that area, as were the drivers, but no one ever gets caught because even if someone did witness it, they are very unlikely to come forward and say so for fear of reprisals.

Feral youths dragging themselves up on the streets, while their parents sit at home watching their mates on Jeremy Kyle, seems to be how certain members of society live these days and this lot are no exception.

Roband65 says...
11:48am Thu 24 Jan 13

Unfortunately these are the kind of kids the schools are churning out not helped by the poor parenting and the glamourisation of violence !

Kiki1973 says...
11:57am Thu 24 Jan 13

I don't want to sound like an old fuddy duddy (I'm only 39!), but did we have these issues when National Service was around? What about a revised form, where *every* kid does a year of National Service, not necesasarily miltary in nature, after school, before heading out to continue the rest of their lives (hopefully as people who understand the concept of community)? There has to be some way to engender responsibility and respect, surely?

joncon says...
12:04pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Tripod wrote:
Simple answer: any area where things like this happen, stop gritting the affected roads; same with Buses being attached, rubbish collection etc. it won't take long for people to get the message and drive-out the ret@rds.
Considering how often we get snow in this area that's not really much of a threat

mike in florida says...
12:04pm Thu 24 Jan 13

name and shame them
they will targeted just like turner in jail
scum kids,grow up,be normal

Sovietobserver says...
12:06pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Where in society would these young people get their influences from ?
When we as a nation invaded Iraq ?
When we let our politicians steal from us and get away with it ?
When our media is corrupt and available to hire to the big money ?
When the morals of every TV show and film is about making money and screw anyone who gets in the way ?
When our sports stars are racist, irresponsible, greedy and still worshipped ?
When our football clubs are owned by foreign criminals ?
When the justice system can send a boy to prison for years for stealing a bottle of water in the riots, yet rich paedophiles are allowed to die in peace ?
It's all very well trying to imply that todays youth are feral but they are moulded by the society they see when growing up.
So ask yourselves.
1. What can I do to be better than society around me ?
2.Is my political apathy and moronic obsession with sports people / celebrities helping my children grow up as well rounded individuals ?

John T says...
12:10pm Thu 24 Jan 13

speedy231278 wrote:
If it was in Poole, why is the picture of a gritter on Richmond Hill in Bourenmouth?
You don't expect a member of staff from Echo Towers to be able to find their way to Herbert Avenue with their geographic knowledge, do you?
The Echo's specialist subject is history, as illustrated by their publicising this incident nearly a week after it took place!

Ebb Tide says...
12:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13

It is hoped that Mr Fooks recovers strongly and understands how much his efforts are respected and valued by people at large, notwithstanding the idiocy of 'the Herbert Avenue Fifteen'.

I do know of someone who was mugged and never managed to regain his health. He is sadly missed.

It is hoped The Echo will keep us informed about the recovery of Mr Fooks, as well as the success the police have in bringing his assailants to justice.

Beach Balls says...
12:16pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I was travelling towards Tower Park on Herbert Avenue about an hour before. I encountered two separate groups of school-age kids bombarding cars with snow. One of the younger boys was using a snow shovel to pick up snow and throw it on cars' windscreens as they passed.

On my return journey these kids were now hiding in an alley pelting snowballs at anything that passed them.

Meanwhile my kids were building snowmen and drinking hot chocolate. Their friends in the north of the county had more snow so they built giant snowmen and igloo's.

All of these kids had the same conditions yet some choose to attack a totally innocent workman. They are the scum that successive governments have failed to deal with. Locking them up is absolutely no use - that won't change them for the better. They need to learn how to be a human being and have respect - something that their parents have clearly failed to do.

I believe that National Service is the only answer.

mattys says...
12:17pm Thu 24 Jan 13

No doubt that is the work of the upstanding "Bourne Estate Boiz". Utter scum. Luckily Poole has it better than a lot of places in terms of vermin like this, though obviously that does not dimish the seriousness of incidents like this when they do occur, however rare comparatively to the majority of places.

CockleKate says...
12:39pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Just as well that Gary didn't defend himself; the police would have soon banged him up for assault because they were only 17.

nobbjockie says...
12:55pm Thu 24 Jan 13

snake hips wrote:
Look at the area, am I suprised?
Yes just look at the area....why are you not surprised!!

wilkiemini says...
12:55pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Herbert avenue is turning into a no-go area.....I'm a nurse and we see a lot of clients here (lots of sheltered housing) you would not believe what goes on!

We had staff racially abused and spat at at the bus stop near tesco express

Another member of staff was punched in the head by two teens as she waked past them on stanfield road!

Whist sat in my car I watch two lads go in and out of gardens stealing bikes and tools......the police were called on each occasion.... Was anyone ever arrested .....not one!

It's horrible, no respect no law and order avoid the area at all costs!

l'anglais says...
12:56pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Wolf pack mentality.
Call up the Rossmore Hunt and their beagles,sorry mongrels.
Tally ho!!

nobbjockie says...
12:57pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I have just got off the phone from my mate in Turkey.....he just told me that his 18 yr old son has just gone off to do his 6 months national service in the army.......what on earth are we waiting for!!!

noggath says...
1:02pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I had enough Turkey Xmas to keep me going for a year
thank you very much

goatty says...
1:16pm Thu 24 Jan 13

To start with these kids should have been at school, and not having the day off because some limp wristed teachers decides that the snow is dangerous to children's health!
Secondly how about some deterrents. Send the yobs away for 3 years and see if their yobbo mates are quick to follow
Thirdly, this is an outcome of the broken society we live in. No respect and no values. Kids have no respect for teachers, police or parents anymore because of the Human Rights Act that labour introduced. Kids that go to college are immediately taught what an employer can and cannot do before anything else is taught. What respect is there when 14 year olds get pregnant for a 'laugh', knowing that a flat and benefits will be provided? If you want kids you should have enough money to look after them, no benefits, no flats and be over 18 to start with.
What a sick country we live in

Pablo23 says...
1:23pm Thu 24 Jan 13

speedy231278 wrote:
If it was in Poole, why is the picture of a gritter on Richmond Hill in Bourenmouth?
Its a stock/library photo of a gritter for those who may not know what one is.

Surely you realise this?

Or do you want the Echo to constantly
put a disclaimer against their photo's?
"Picture does not represent the actual event in the story" etc?

Jeepers.

l'anglais says...
1:24pm Thu 24 Jan 13

nobbjockie wrote:
I have just got off the phone from my mate in Turkey.....he just told me that his 18 yr old son has just gone off to do his 6 months national service in the army.......what on earth are we waiting for!!!
Education is what we're waiting.

Parental education, not pass the buck onto teachers and some outdated notion that national service is the answer.

There is a reason why Turks have national service, they have viable threats to the border.

Unless the picts are about to embark on a southward march, I think we're OK for the time being.

Dont drop litter says...
1:30pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Sovietobserver wrote:
Where in society would these young people get their influences from ?
When we as a nation invaded Iraq ?
When we let our politicians steal from us and get away with it ?
When our media is corrupt and available to hire to the big money ?
When the morals of every TV show and film is about making money and screw anyone who gets in the way ?
When our sports stars are racist, irresponsible, greedy and still worshipped ?
When our football clubs are owned by foreign criminals ?
When the justice system can send a boy to prison for years for stealing a bottle of water in the riots, yet rich paedophiles are allowed to die in peace ?
It's all very well trying to imply that todays youth are feral but they are moulded by the society they see when growing up.
So ask yourselves.
1. What can I do to be better than society around me ?
2.Is my political apathy and moronic obsession with sports people / celebrities helping my children grow up as well rounded individuals ?
Not one of the items in your list of 'influences' is relevant nor a valid reason for a bunch of feral rats throwing rocks at a gritter lorry.
It's the same as those idiots who throw petrol bombs at ambulances or bricks are fire engines. The only reason thy do it is because they want to be infamous, to be a badass, or a Gangsta.
That has nothing to do with our Government invading Iraq, Afganistan or wherever else. It has nothing to do with sprots stars being Racists or anything else you happended to mention.
What it is caused by is a complete lack of morals and complete disrespect for everyone and everything around them. They grew up in a society of scroungers who don't take responsiblility for thier actions - and that even includes thier decision to have children. That is their influence.
The only people who can be blamed for this is their parents. Discipline starts at home. Good parents install respect; for others, for authority, for the Police and the law. Even if I thought I'd get away with commiting a crime, I still wouldn't do it out of respect and knowing it was wrong. Why, because that is the way I was brought up!

speedy231278 says...
1:35pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Another thing.... note the lack of plough on the gritter, and wonder why the roads became covered...

speedy231278 says...
1:38pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Pablo23 wrote:
speedy231278 wrote:
If it was in Poole, why is the picture of a gritter on Richmond Hill in Bourenmouth?
Its a stock/library photo of a gritter for those who may not know what one is.

Surely you realise this?

Or do you want the Echo to constantly
put a disclaimer against their photo's?
"Picture does not represent the actual event in the story" etc?

Jeepers.
So if someone fell off of Bournemouth Pier and drowned, you'd expect to see a pic of Boscombe Pier, Blackpool, Southend (if it hasn't burned down again), etc...?

Or, perhaps someone is in the news and they publish a photo of a different person? After all, if we're not bothering about accuracy in pictures... Having said that, half the time there's no accuracy in the articles...!

noggath says...
1:52pm Thu 24 Jan 13

what use is an army
with only 6 soldiers
the rest are over here

retry69 says...
1:53pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Sovietobserver wrote:
Where in society would these young people get their influences from ?
When we as a nation invaded Iraq ?
When we let our politicians steal from us and get away with it ?
When our media is corrupt and available to hire to the big money ?
When the morals of every TV show and film is about making money and screw anyone who gets in the way ?
When our sports stars are racist, irresponsible, greedy and still worshipped ?
When our football clubs are owned by foreign criminals ?
When the justice system can send a boy to prison for years for stealing a bottle of water in the riots, yet rich paedophiles are allowed to die in peace ?
It's all very well trying to imply that todays youth are feral but they are moulded by the society they see when growing up.
So ask yourselves.
1. What can I do to be better than society around me ?
2.Is my political apathy and moronic obsession with sports people / celebrities helping my children grow up as well rounded individuals ?
That comment needed to be only one sentence long,they are influenced by their parents,end of!

Baysider says...
1:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13

This must really, really grate with the usual bunch of council haters that hang around on here. I'm sure if you try hard enough you'll be able to find some way to blame poor old Gary and/or the local authority though so apply yourselves.

Seriously, posters on here might want to remember this sort of thing the next time they start slagging council workers off as assaults on public sector staff are far more frequent than you probably realise.

Baysider says...
1:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13

This must really, really grate with the usual bunch of council haters that hang around on here. I'm sure if you try hard enough you'll be able to find some way to blame poor old Gary and/or the local authority though so apply yourselves.

Seriously, posters on here might want to remember this sort of thing the next time they start slagging council workers off as assaults on public sector staff are far more frequent than you probably realise.

LBUZZ CHERRY says...
2:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Soviet Observer - don't agree with all of them, but as soon as this country stops fawning and idolising no mark idiots who are turned into 'celebrities' it will be a better place.

Celebrity culture IS NOT a bit of fun. It fuels the 'something for nothing - screw everyone else' attitude.

Lord Spring says...
2:11pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Kiki1973 wrote:
I don't want to sound like an old fuddy duddy (I'm only 39!), but did we have these issues when National Service was around? What about a revised form, where *every* kid does a year of National Service, not necesasarily miltary in nature, after school, before heading out to continue the rest of their lives (hopefully as people who understand the concept of community)? There has to be some way to engender responsibility and respect, surely?
The Krays did National Service most of it Shepton Mallett Glasshouse and where then kicked out

abc100 says...
2:20pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I know someone who also had a run in along Herbert avenue with a group of about 15 youths at around this time, throwing snow balls etc, when she wound down the window they surrounded her car and started rocking it about while making very unpleasant remarks of a violent sexual nature, she has now contacted the police. Lets wait and see what they do

Couchy125 says...
2:34pm Thu 24 Jan 13

If the police manage to track down the idiots responsible for this. And there family's are living in council accommodation. Throw the lot of them out on the street and run them out of town. And don't let them settle in bournemouth. Because I don't want the scum on my door step. I would suggest gather the lot up and pit them in a field. Build a 10 ft fence round them and tell them to get on with it. Like the rats they are.

Couchy125 says...
2:36pm Thu 24 Jan 13

abc100 wrote:
I know someone who also had a run in along Herbert avenue with a group of about 15 youths at around this time, throwing snow balls etc, when she wound down the window they surrounded her car and started rocking it about while making very unpleasant remarks of a violent sexual nature, she has now contacted the police. Lets wait and see what they do
She should have run the numb nut idiots over.

rayc says...
2:37pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Kiki1973 wrote:
I don't want to sound like an old fuddy duddy (I'm only 39!), but did we have these issues when National Service was around? What about a revised form, where *every* kid does a year of National Service, not necesasarily miltary in nature, after school, before heading out to continue the rest of their lives (hopefully as people who understand the concept of community)? There has to be some way to engender responsibility and respect, surely?
We certainly did have these issues when National Service was around. Look up the service record of the Kray twins.

nonnisrevenge says...
2:40pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Anybody esle aware that Christchurch & Boscombe may be on the verge of losing their police stations???

BIGTONE says...
2:40pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Ferrel retards down there.

scrumpyjack says...
2:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Baysider wrote:
This must really, really grate with the usual bunch of council haters that hang around on here. I'm sure if you try hard enough you'll be able to find some way to blame poor old Gary and/or the local authority though so apply yourselves.

Seriously, posters on here might want to remember this sort of thing the next time they start slagging council workers off as assaults on public sector staff are far more frequent than you probably realise.
Whoa there this a gritter not a bandwagon.

Bournesouthmouth Downpokes says...
2:46pm Thu 24 Jan 13

nonnisrevenge wrote:
Anybody esle aware that Christchurch & Boscombe may be on the verge of losing their police stations???
I hope not!

And with regards to the story I am disgusted, but not surprised. The youth of today in the UK have no morals whatsoever! This type of thing is unheard of in more civilized cultures where people have respect for their community and enjoy where they live in their neighbourhood.

Scumbags the lot of 'em!

abc100 says...
3:01pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Couchy125 wrote:
abc100 wrote: I know someone who also had a run in along Herbert avenue with a group of about 15 youths at around this time, throwing snow balls etc, when she wound down the window they surrounded her car and started rocking it about while making very unpleasant remarks of a violent sexual nature, she has now contacted the police. Lets wait and see what they do
She should have run the numb nut idiots over.
Think she tried but she just kept wheel spinning!!!! Sorry shouldn't joke

Yankee1 says...
3:04pm Thu 24 Jan 13

skydriver wrote:
Sadly Poole does seem to have more thay it's fair share of low life, trouble is the courts are powerless to really act. In my view an example should be made of them, and their families , Name and Shame, best idea .
Wasn't that the point of ASBOs, which Teresa May wants to abolish?

Yankee1 says...
3:08pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Kiki1973 wrote:
I don't want to sound like an old fuddy duddy (I'm only 39!), but did we have these issues when National Service was around? What about a revised form, where *every* kid does a year of National Service, not necesasarily miltary in nature, after school, before heading out to continue the rest of their lives (hopefully as people who understand the concept of community)? There has to be some way to engender responsibility and respect, surely?
With the shortage of job opportunities for school leavers, your idea makes eminent sense.

HRH of Boscombe says...
3:16pm Thu 24 Jan 13

All products of our communist benefit system. Bring back the workhouses for this scum and their feral families.

cycletourer says...
3:17pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Remember when i was about twelve years old (1985)ish,me and a friend threw two snowballs at a van on Columbia Road.The driver caught us in Walton Road and By the scruff of the neck banged our heads together telling us how stupid we were and how we could have caused an accident.We were sent on our way feeling very sheepish and quite ashamed at what we did.That was the end of it
.Of cause we could have raised hell and the poor man would have been dragged through every court in the country.We knew what we did was not clever because we were taught right from wrong by our parents and in Schools.Can you imagine how hard done by those youths would have felt in if they had been put in their place in this way.The parents would have been screaming for 'compensation, for their little Darlings.So glad i had my childhood then and not now.

Dibbles2 says...
3:46pm Thu 24 Jan 13

nobbjockie wrote:
I have just got off the phone from my mate in Turkey.....he just told me that his 18 yr old son has just gone off to do his 6 months national service in the army.......what on earth are we waiting for!!!
You want this type of person protecting our country? Put the decent soldier out of a job and fill their spaces with thugs?

davidhaz says...
4:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13

always makes me laugh at how the echo prints a one sided story. It should just stick to the facts. Saying there was a violent incident. As far as we know the driver was abusive or pushy with his driving when some kids wouldn't move in time. It's like these stories of some poor innocent guy getting beaten up up by "thugs" in bournemouth square suggesting he was an angel and did nothing to provoke the "attack" Obviously there's no excuse for violence apart from self defense but sometimes people should just learn to shut there mouths and not think they can say what they want in the hope the "thug" will not attack them. More common sense is needed - people need to understand it's quite easy for these thugs to get away with these attacks as cctv and the police are equally useless!!

isaacworthington says...
4:17pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Maybe they thought he was Gary Glitter not Gary the Gritter...

spooki says...
4:30pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Tripod wrote:
Simple answer: any area where things like this happen, stop gritting the affected roads; same with Buses being attached, rubbish collection etc. it won't take long for people to get the message and drive-out the ret@rds.
Why should the majority of residents have to suffer because of one bunch of idiots? When they stopped buses round Townsend so many people were stuck as they rely on buses to get out. Cars can't get out anywhere if the roads are icy so everyone gets to stay at home all day. Thanks a lot for that brilliant idea!

spooki says...
4:34pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Sovietobserver wrote:
Where in society would these young people get their influences from ?
When we as a nation invaded Iraq ?
When we let our politicians steal from us and get away with it ?
When our media is corrupt and available to hire to the big money ?
When the morals of every TV show and film is about making money and screw anyone who gets in the way ?
When our sports stars are racist, irresponsible, greedy and still worshipped ?
When our football clubs are owned by foreign criminals ?
When the justice system can send a boy to prison for years for stealing a bottle of water in the riots, yet rich paedophiles are allowed to die in peace ?
It's all very well trying to imply that todays youth are feral but they are moulded by the society they see when growing up.
So ask yourselves.
1. What can I do to be better than society around me ?
2.Is my political apathy and moronic obsession with sports people / celebrities helping my children grow up as well rounded individuals ?
1) I consider myself a decent human being thanks.
2) I couldn't give a monkeys about the so-called celebrities and sports people.

Don't insult people who are in no way 'moronic' and their children, whom you know nothing about.

spooki says...
4:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13

These silly children should have been at school yes, but what difference does the time make? If this is their idea of fun they would have chosen any time to do it. I feel sorry for Mr Fooks (sorry about the name too) as he was only doing his job which was to try and help everyone else. I don't think he should have got out of the vehicle though.
The fact that "he was attacked from behind" shows exactly what type of idiots were involved - cowards with nothing better to do and no brains to think of anything.

BH1 loyal says...
4:49pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Herbert avenue is becoming a no-go zone lol that made me laugh, would have to be one of the nicest no-go zones in the whole of britain.

jacko225 says...
5:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13

"I hope not!

And with regards to the story I am disgusted, but not surprised. The youth of today in the UK have no morals whatsoever! This type of thing is unheard of in more civilized cultures where people have respect for their community and enjoy where they live in their neighbourhood.

Scumbags the lot of 'em!"

Thanks for that. I really appreciate being grouped with a bunch of scumbags who attack people doing their job. Not all youths are like that. Stop. Generalising.

(And before someone says I'm defending the youths in this article - I am not. What they did was wrong and they should be punished for it.)

GAHmusic says...
5:36pm Thu 24 Jan 13

mattys wrote:
No doubt that is the work of the upstanding "Bourne Estate Boiz". Utter scum. Luckily Poole has it better than a lot of places in terms of vermin like this, though obviously that does not dimish the seriousness of incidents like this when they do occur, however rare comparatively to the majority of places.
Yes I've heard of them, about as tough as custard attacking easy victims, scaring women, I bet they even steal candy from babies, they wouldn't last 5 minutes in a war zone with real men.

Dibbles2 says...
5:38pm Thu 24 Jan 13

with the power of social media post this article to your facebook and ask your friends to share. Give the little runts nowhere to hide. Im sure they will have bragged about it on facebook or twitter!

GAHmusic says...
5:40pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I agree Jacko, these individuals were scum but far from the "youth of today" all being uneducated, benefit scrounging, disrespectful thugs at 46 I have been pleasantly surprised to find a lot more pleasant, respectful, well educated, thoughtful and conciderate young people today than when I was young

vicarinatutu says...
5:59pm Thu 24 Jan 13

No doubt these yobs came from St Aldhelm's Academy which I note was closed on Friday. The behaviour of the pupils from that place around Herbert Avenue is worse than when it was Kemp Welch.It seems to be the dumping ground for all the Parkstone hooligans.

APC303 says...
7:08pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Each and every one of their legs should be broken.

Sagacity says...
7:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13

The fact that this story has made the Echo headlines shows how rare this sort of incident is in Poole. In many parts of the country, particularly in inner city areas, this item of news would not even make a small column of an inside page because similar things are happening so often.

Letcommonsenseprevail says...
7:23pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Can't be the same Gary Fookes I used to play rugby with 'cos he would have beaten the little scamps to within an inch of their lives and sent them home with their tails between their legs. Our problems started when a) National Service was halted, b) caning at schools was banned and c) parents were banned from smacking their naughty kids. I hope you flat-soled shoe wearing, leather-elbowed jacket, Guardian reading liberalists are all happy with the sorry state you've left the country in.........

Ebb Tide says...
7:37pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Letcommonsenseprevai
l
wrote:
Can't be the same Gary Fookes I used to play rugby with 'cos he would have beaten the little scamps to within an inch of their lives and sent them home with their tails between their legs. Our problems started when a) National Service was halted, b) caning at schools was banned and c) parents were banned from smacking their naughty kids. I hope you flat-soled shoe wearing, leather-elbowed jacket, Guardian reading liberalists are all happy with the sorry state you've left the country in.........
Oh dear, oh dear ! Was I banned from smacking my children for their naughtiness ?

Ebb Tide says...
7:39pm Thu 24 Jan 13

tramp_about_town wrote:
Well it wouldn't surprise me if they were just having a bit of fun chucking snowballs around and Gary the Grumpy Gritter bloke didn't like it and gave them a mouthful. I am sure if he had asked them politely to stop they would have done. No respect for the youth these days.
Of course !! Distracting drivers coping with challenging conditions is entirely a minor playful issue.

High Treason says...
7:46pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Why waste time and money investigating this. If caught they will get a telling off and a few hours community work. It will not alter their attitude one iota. But if we gave them a good whipping it would be guaranteed they would never do it again.

noggath says...
7:49pm Thu 24 Jan 13

A youth thew a snowball at me last night.
it nearly missed me, it could have blinded me. luckily it hit me on my wellie boot.

Ebb Tide says...
7:54pm Thu 24 Jan 13

tramp_about_town wrote:
Ebb Tide wrote:
tramp_about_town wrote:
Well it wouldn't surprise me if they were just having a bit of fun chucking snowballs around and Gary the Grumpy Gritter bloke didn't like it and gave them a mouthful. I am sure if he had asked them politely to stop they would have done. No respect for the youth these days.
Of course !! Distracting drivers coping with challenging conditions is entirely a minor playful issue.
Exactly. We shouldn't be denying kids a bit of fun when we get snow.
Especially when a large and heavy motorised vehicle could get out of control !!

tramp_about_town says...
8:02pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Ebb Tide wrote:
tramp_about_town wrote:
Ebb Tide wrote:
tramp_about_town wrote:
Well it wouldn't surprise me if they were just having a bit of fun chucking snowballs around and Gary the Grumpy Gritter bloke didn't like it and gave them a mouthful. I am sure if he had asked them politely to stop they would have done. No respect for the youth these days.
Of course !! Distracting drivers coping with challenging conditions is entirely a minor playful issue.
Exactly. We shouldn't be denying kids a bit of fun when we get snow.
Especially when a large and heavy motorised vehicle could get out of control !!
I'm sure the big heavy gritter is capable of absorbing the impact of a snowball. It's just kids being kids. People moan when kids spend all day in front of a TV and now moan when they are outside having a bit of fun. Can't win these days.

Alistair's Dad says...
8:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13

If the driver was the same one who drove along Magna road, well above the speed limit, showering pedestrians in filthy slush he got what he deserved!

davidhaz says...
8:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13

to all you old **** saying "this never used to happen when I twer a lad" etc etc YES it clearly did! We just hear about it more now. It's like violence in town centers - people are always saying it didn't used to be like this well sorry but it used to be worse.... Town center violence dropped massively in the 80's when cctv started. It's all a matter of record. The difference is we now have a press that jumps on everything and sensationalizes every story because they are trying to A. sell papers and B. shape public opinion...... and we let them brainwash us like a bunch of little sheep

sea poole says...
8:36pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Alistair's Dad- Glad you used the word 'if'. He got what he deserved? Physically attacked? Are you sure YOU'RE a Dad...?

bourne free says...
8:43pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Buddles wrote:
Bring back the stocks! Place the stocks on a public recreation ground. Charge,say, £1-5 for a container of rotting fruit and fish heads and throw at the little scrotes. Humiliating? You bet! Money raised can go to Victim Support.
If they did it in the local high street it would probally bring the crowds in !

GAHmusic says...
9:31pm Thu 24 Jan 13

davidhaz wrote:
to all you old **** saying "this never used to happen when I twer a lad" etc etc YES it clearly did! We just hear about it more now. It's like violence in town centers - people are always saying it didn't used to be like this well sorry but it used to be worse.... Town center violence dropped massively in the 80's when cctv started. It's all a matter of record. The difference is we now have a press that jumps on everything and sensationalizes every story because they are trying to A. sell papers and B. shape public opinion...... and we let them brainwash us like a bunch of little sheep
I have to agree with David its more a case of the medias ability to very quickly spread news and a tendancy to over hype what once would have not made the news, I remember fighting with gangs down town fighting rival school gangs, more pub brawls than I care to remember and serious no go areas

Letcommonsenseprevail says...
10:45pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Ebb Tide wrote:
Letcommonsenseprevai

l
wrote:
Can't be the same Gary Fookes I used to play rugby with 'cos he would have beaten the little scamps to within an inch of their lives and sent them home with their tails between their legs. Our problems started when a) National Service was halted, b) caning at schools was banned and c) parents were banned from smacking their naughty kids. I hope you flat-soled shoe wearing, leather-elbowed jacket, Guardian reading liberalists are all happy with the sorry state you've left the country in.........
Oh dear, oh dear ! Was I banned from smacking my children for their naughtiness ?
Well, smarty-pants, since you've asked, yes you were - when it was made illegal to smack your children anywhere than on the buttock, or hard enough to leave a mark lasting longer than 3 minutes. Indeed, any smack can be considered common assault, against which charges could be brought by the child if it so wishes. You asked.......

guisselle says...
4:18am Fri 25 Jan 13

vicarinatutu wrote:
No doubt these yobs came from St Aldhelm's Academy which I note was closed on Friday. The behaviour of the pupils from that place around Herbert Avenue is worse than when it was Kemp Welch.It seems to be the dumping ground for all the Parkstone hooligans.
Down with this sort of thing I say!
Feel sorry for the teachers and the
headmistress!

guisselle says...
5:37am Fri 25 Jan 13

vicarinatutu wrote:
No doubt these yobs came from St Aldhelm's Academy which I note was closed on Friday. The behaviour of the pupils from that place around Herbert Avenue is worse than when it was Kemp Welch.It seems to be the dumping ground for all the Parkstone hooligans.
I don't think Poole High is much better
either! I blame Michael Gove!

Apb1964 says...
7:52am Fri 25 Jan 13

Sadly you have to look at the area, in a word Poole glad I moved away from there years ago and moved to a better area, Bournemouth!

Lord Spring says...
8:24am Fri 25 Jan 13

Apb1964 wrote:
Sadly you have to look at the area, in a word Poole glad I moved away from there years ago and moved to a better area, Bournemouth!
Go on tell us you moved from Sandbanks to Boscombe

boyerboy says...
9:29am Fri 25 Jan 13

I experienced a similar problem two years ago,quite close to this attack. Yobs threw snowballs at my car( I didn`t realise initially they were snow balls) and consequently swerved...as this was dangerous i stopped to let them know how dangerous their "fun" could be...I was surrounded by them and got in my car and drove off....I reported it to the police( dangerous/intimidati
on etc ) and gave a description , some 40 minutes later a PCSO answered my 999 call( PCSO`s are not allowed to answer a 999 call) by that time it was too late and I was not impressed.Consequent
ly I made a complaint.....strang
ely some weeks later i was actually stopped by the Police for an alleged traffic violation - coincidence ?it does make you wonder.........

Ebb Tide says...
10:22am Fri 25 Jan 13

Letcommonsenseprevai
l
wrote:
Ebb Tide wrote:
Letcommonsenseprevai


l
wrote:
Can't be the same Gary Fookes I used to play rugby with 'cos he would have beaten the little scamps to within an inch of their lives and sent them home with their tails between their legs. Our problems started when a) National Service was halted, b) caning at schools was banned and c) parents were banned from smacking their naughty kids. I hope you flat-soled shoe wearing, leather-elbowed jacket, Guardian reading liberalists are all happy with the sorry state you've left the country in.........
Oh dear, oh dear ! Was I banned from smacking my children for their naughtiness ?
Well, smarty-pants, since you've asked, yes you were - when it was made illegal to smack your children anywhere than on the buttock, or hard enough to leave a mark lasting longer than 3 minutes. Indeed, any smack can be considered common assault, against which charges could be brought by the child if it so wishes. You asked.......
What a relief - thank you. I did have my stop watch with me and the time limit was not breached.

Wesoblind says...
10:27am Fri 25 Jan 13

Its the parents nothing more nothing less!!!!!!!!

Why did nobody stop to help sooner?

You get punished more in this country for going 5 mph over the speed limit than beating seven shades of turd out of someone!!!!!

noggath says...
12:25pm Fri 25 Jan 13

These fine youths are our future road sweepers, gritters and refuse collectors also toilet cleaners, so give them a break shame they threw snowballs though, very naughty.

Dorset Logic says...
12:52pm Fri 25 Jan 13

That area is all the gypo's they moved off of Canford Heath years ago. Don't worry they will never have Jack and thats their punishment so sod them.

guisselle says...
2:11pm Fri 25 Jan 13

GAHmusic wrote:
I agree Jacko, these individuals were scum but far from the "youth of today" all being uneducated, benefit scrounging, disrespectful thugs at 46 I have been pleasantly surprised to find a lot more pleasant, respectful, well educated, thoughtful and conciderate young people today than when I was young
Thank you, a positive comment about
our young people many of whom are
either studying hard to go to Uni or
working at their chosen career.
Life is so much more competitive now
and some of the youth fall through
the net.

guisselle says...
2:21pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Lord Spring wrote:
Apb1964 wrote:
Sadly you have to look at the area, in a word Poole glad I moved away from there years ago and moved to a better area, Bournemouth!
Go on tell us you moved from Sandbanks to Boscombe
Ha ha ha! What about Bridport or
Dorchester there are other areas apart
from Boscombe and Bournemouth.
You just gotta look at the bigger picture,
there are a lot in Russell-cotes museum!

guisselle says...
2:25pm Fri 25 Jan 13

noggath wrote:
These fine youths are our future road sweepers, gritters and refuse collectors also toilet cleaners, so give them a break shame they threw snowballs though, very naughty.
I agree some one has to do the mucky
hard graft jobs and we can't all be
teachers or professors!

guisselle says...
2:29pm Fri 25 Jan 13

vicarinatutu wrote:
No doubt these yobs came from St Aldhelm's Academy which I note was closed on Friday. The behaviour of the pupils from that place around Herbert Avenue is worse than when it was Kemp Welch.It seems to be the dumping ground for all the Parkstone hooligans.
Naughty vicar more tea? I hear that
David Cameron is visiting St Aldhelms
Academy that'll scare them!

Nickolai says...
2:56pm Fri 25 Jan 13

nonnisrevenge wrote:
Morons of the highest order; a group attack against a single person is one of the most cowardly forms of violence. Mind you, if you took the combined intelligence of that group of feral rats and multiplied it by a thousand then they might have enough sense to tie their shoe laces, that’s if they didn't drool all over themselves first.
To paraphrase RJ Fletcher - head of Channel 8 in UHF !

Marvellous.

LordLilliput says...
3:47pm Fri 25 Jan 13

isaacworthington wrote:
Maybe they thought he was Gary Glitter not Gary the Gritter...
Haha, very good..

skydriver says...
4:06pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Crime figures falling...........do
n't the police consider this a crime, in their eyes only low level, did they bother to send someone to look into the matter?. ....Im not referring to the rank and file policemen/women on the streets I refer to those who manage them, and government for taking money away from these departments .Still NO 10 is well guarded, that's the important thing!!

yesitsmeagain says...
6:07am Sat 26 Jan 13

I rang the police @ 10.45 and they were aware of them throwing snowballs at cars in that area . looks like nothing got done about it .

Ebb Tide says...
10:41am Sat 26 Jan 13

Any news of Mr Fooks yet ?.

I wouldn't want to be responsible for driving safely (especially in adverse weather conditions) whilst people were deliberately distracting me and whilst 'others' found it funny or even acceptable.

Looks like 'yesitsmeagain' tried to be responsible by contacting the authorities - what about the reactions of the other responsible witnesses ? Police need plenty of feedback from us..

stevobath says...
1:51pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Tripod wrote:
Simple answer: any area where things like this happen, stop gritting the affected roads; same with Buses being attached, rubbish collection etc. it won't take long for people to get the message and drive-out the ret@rds.
So the majority of normal law abiding decent people suffer because of a few thugs?

stevobath says...
1:56pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Kiki1973 wrote:
I don't want to sound like an old fuddy duddy (I'm only 39!), but did we have these issues when National Service was around? What about a revised form, where *every* kid does a year of National Service, not necesasarily miltary in nature, after school, before heading out to continue the rest of their lives (hopefully as people who understand the concept of community)? There has to be some way to engender responsibility and respect, surely?
Definately worth considering.Problem is getting someone in power with the B@lls to actually act on these type of ideas.

stevobath says...
2:12pm Sat 26 Jan 13

retry69 wrote:
Sovietobserver wrote:
Where in society would these young people get their influences from ?
When we as a nation invaded Iraq ?
When we let our politicians steal from us and get away with it ?
When our media is corrupt and available to hire to the big money ?
When the morals of every TV show and film is about making money and screw anyone who gets in the way ?
When our sports stars are racist, irresponsible, greedy and still worshipped ?
When our football clubs are owned by foreign criminals ?
When the justice system can send a boy to prison for years for stealing a bottle of water in the riots, yet rich paedophiles are allowed to die in peace ?
It's all very well trying to imply that todays youth are feral but they are moulded by the society they see when growing up.
So ask yourselves.
1. What can I do to be better than society around me ?
2.Is my political apathy and moronic obsession with sports people / celebrities helping my children grow up as well rounded individuals ?
That comment needed to be only one sentence long,they are influenced by their parents,end of!
So nothing else influences people?

All the studies done showing media,music etc having an effect on someone are all wrong then?

Gang mentality has a massive effect on youngsters.I bet if these kids were on their own, theyd not even bothered to throw snowballs.
Thing I find disturbing is not throwing snowballs but attacking the poor guy.

Before anyone moans Im not condoning throwing snowballs at vehicles its just something that will always happen..When it snowed for a period of time when I was at school in the early 80s,kids done the same thing.The difference was they didnt go attacking mob handed, when someone told them to stop.

retry69 says...
2:31pm Sat 26 Jan 13

stevobath wrote:
retry69 wrote:
Sovietobserver wrote:
Where in society would these young people get their influences from ?
When we as a nation invaded Iraq ?
When we let our politicians steal from us and get away with it ?
When our media is corrupt and available to hire to the big money ?
When the morals of every TV show and film is about making money and screw anyone who gets in the way ?
When our sports stars are racist, irresponsible, greedy and still worshipped ?
When our football clubs are owned by foreign criminals ?
When the justice system can send a boy to prison for years for stealing a bottle of water in the riots, yet rich paedophiles are allowed to die in peace ?
It's all very well trying to imply that todays youth are feral but they are moulded by the society they see when growing up.
So ask yourselves.
1. What can I do to be better than society around me ?
2.Is my political apathy and moronic obsession with sports people / celebrities helping my children grow up as well rounded individuals ?
That comment needed to be only one sentence long,they are influenced by their parents,end of!
So nothing else influences people?

All the studies done showing media,music etc having an effect on someone are all wrong then?

Gang mentality has a massive effect on youngsters.I bet if these kids were on their own, theyd not even bothered to throw snowballs.
Thing I find disturbing is not throwing snowballs but attacking the poor guy.

Before anyone moans Im not condoning throwing snowballs at vehicles its just something that will always happen..When it snowed for a period of time when I was at school in the early 80s,kids done the same thing.The difference was they didnt go attacking mob handed, when someone told them to stop.
Yeah we all know your story stevo who wrote the music to throw snowballs by?

WTFRUON says...
7:48am Tue 29 Jan 13

.WTFRUON

No respect and no values. Kids have no respect for teachers, police or parents anymore because of the Human Rights Act that labour introduced. Kids that go to college are immediately taught what an employer can and cannot do before anything else is taught. What respect is there when 14 year olds get pregnant for a 'laugh', knowing that a flat and benefits will be provided?

WTFRUON

guisselle says...
11:37am Tue 29 Jan 13

We have an unequal education system
in some parts of Dorset. Look at the
system Corfe Hills comprehensive is
a popular over-subscribed school.
Lytchett Minster also and St Edwards,
all comprehensives, and of course the
two Grammar schools.

guisselle says...
11:41am Tue 29 Jan 13

Sagacity wrote:
The fact that this story has made the Echo headlines shows how rare this sort of incident is in Poole. In many parts of the country, particularly in inner city areas, this item of news would not even make a small column of an inside page because similar things are happening so often.
Pearls of wisdom indeed!

guisselle says...
11:49am Tue 29 Jan 13

vicarinatutu wrote:
No doubt these yobs came from St Aldhelm's Academy which I note was closed on Friday. The behaviour of the pupils from that place around Herbert Avenue is worse than when it was Kemp Welch.It seems to be the dumping ground for all the Parkstone hooligans.
Its not fair to lump all Parkstonians
together and judge them! What about
Ashley Cross that's Parkstone and a
nice area, maybe they should close
this school and build it elsewhere in
Branksome Park, a comprehensive!
To be fair the head-teacher at St
Aldhelm's has worked extremely hard
to improve academic results.

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