How many vehicles in Chester are untaxed?

You are probably aware that in some parts of Cheshire, 1 in 4 drivers do not have valid vehicle tax. And that number is getting worse with every year – indeed, data published by the Department for Transport (DfT) shows an estimated 634,000 vehicles are being used, despite their vehicle excise duty (VED) not being paid. This represents 1.6% of all vehicles in UK traffic, down from 1.8% in 2017.

While the government does not publish individual area statistics, there are grave consequences if you are buying a car as well – with the new rules, DVLA do not allow you to transfer your tax disc so you will either have to buy a new one with your new car, or risk a fine. Sites do exist that allow you to check the status of VED (and more) – for example FreeCarCheck (sample) or … Read the rest

Protect children from Online Porn Shame – Chester Bishop

The Bishop of Chester raised concerns in the House of Lords about how easy it is for children to access online pornography.

Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster was generally supportive of a motion to approve the Online Pornography (Commercial Basis) Regulations 2018 which got passed.

But he remained concerned age-verification procedures would not apply to all sites featuring pornography.

Bishop Peter, who joked that he had ended up as the church’s ‘expert on pornography’, said the harmful effects of porn had been discussed in a previous debate.

He stated: “While there was some difference over the effect of sex entertainment on grown-ups, there was virtual unanimity that youngsters should have been shielded from erotic entertainment — to the extent this could sensibly be accomplished.”

Minister Peter proceeded with: “My primary concern identifies with access to erotic entertainment on sites that don’t charge for access. … Read the rest

Priest Cleared of Sex Abuse Charges

A priest has been cleared of the sexual abuse of two boys in Bury.

Father John McCollough, 63, had been accused of preying on the youngsters while a minister at Holy Trinity Church in the 1990s.

But after a two week trial at Bolton Crown Court he was found not guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault and one charge of gross indecency.

Both youngsters, now adults, claimed he had abused them by touching them sexually on numerous occassions.

But the clergyman told the jury the alleged victims had colluded and were making the allegations to get compensation.

The jury of seven men and five women retired to consider their verdicts on Friday and returned to clear the accused of all the charges in the afternoon.

Fr McCollough is currently a priest at St Vincent’s Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.… Read the rest