EDITOR'S CHOICE READER VIEWS Mayor's final message; well known cat killed ...readers say what they think WORTH VALLEY NEWS ‘Superhead’ Martin is all set to take on another challenging role KNIGHTS OUT Cullingworth comedians pull the other one MEMORY LANE Handsome structure was rebuilt AIRE VALLEY NEWS Mayor offers thanks to colleagues CARTOONS View our Hambone, every day! Or view our Honeyball! GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Two arrested over burglary 2 Family left to mourn as search starts for burglar 3 Jailed drug dealer has £33,000 assets seized 4 Dealer’s £250 drug stash leads to custody 5 Ten residents at care home are given two weeks to find new accommodation 6 Sex claims man stays in custody 7 Couple say ‘I do’ to 1940s wedding plan 8 Look-out left prints at scene 9 ‘Black magic’ led to cricket-bat murder 10 ‘Embarrassing’ increase in complaints against councillors Today | 7 Days 1 Parents’ shock as school takes thumb scans 2 Councillor accused in washing line row 3 Group set to offer guidance for women

Comment | Read Comments (4)

Joanne Heseltine's daughter Leah hurt her neck after cycling into Cllr John Weller's washing line at the rear of his home

A parish councillor has sparked a neighbourhood row after a 10-year-old cyclist was injured by his washing line.

Leah Heseltine was cycling in the alleyway behind the houses, in Elmsley Street, at Steeton, when she was caught under her chin by wires and knocked to the floor.

Her mother, Joanne Heseltine, said: "Leah has a ligature mark around her neck, it is painful and sore. Thankfully, she is breathing OK or I would have taken her to hospital but she is still very distressed."

Steeton-with-Eastburn parish councillor John Weller, who lives in the street, hangs the washing lines from the back of his yard to the wall across the back road.

But Mrs Heseltine claims these are not used to dry washing and are instead aimed at preventing people from using the alleyway.

She said: "At the time of Leah's accident they were suspended approximately 3ft from the ground and he puts them up to stop children playing down there." When the concerned mother called at Cllr Weller's house to report the incident and ask for the wires to be taken down, she claims that his wife told her the alleyway was private property and children should not be playing there.

Cllr Weller said: "Kids shouldn't have been playing out at that time at a young age. It is dusk then and if they are small they shouldn't have been out.

"We have to leave the back of that street open for access for emergency vehicles and the bin men but that is like my back garden, it is my property.

"If they want kids they should look after them and make sure they are aware of where they can go.

"They should be playing on their own back street, not on my garden, I own that land."

Cllr Weller claims that his washing lines are usually around 6ft high to hang washing on and on the day of the incident he said children must have lowered them.

But Mrs Heseltine disputes this and says the washing lines are often just 3ft from the ground.

She said: "He has moved the washing lines up now but they will come back down again. I asked him if he could please take them down but he said it is private property and to mind my own business.

"It is not right that there is something there that can cause injury to children. He should be wary of them, he is our councillor.

"I don't encourage my daughter to play behind there but it is where the children play and she was just following her friends.

"It is still dangerous for the other children."

The washing lines are currently 6ft from the ground and Mrs Heseltine says that Leah is recovering and has been told not to play down the back alley of Elmsley Street again.

9:10am Thursday 1st May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment