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TATTOOIST LOSES FIGHT AGAINST LEUKAEMIA
Well known Wigan tattoo artist Colin Fitzgerald who had premises on Library Street, finally lost his brave fight against leukaemia last week.
The 32 year old father of four died peacefully at his home on Humber Place, Norley Hall, surrounded by his family.
Just a few weeks before his death Colin had arranged a concert at a local Labour club to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and friends think it was his way of saying goodbye.
In a tribute to her husband, wife Lynn told how Colin had battled with leukaemia for five years and a last ditch attempt was made to find a suitable bone marrow donor in late October. Six weeks later when Colin was told there was no hope of his survival, he set about organising the concert and so many of his friends turned up to support him.
Lynn said, "Colin never gave up. The concert was arranged very quickly because he knew time was running out. He wanted to do what he could while he had the strength. He was a wonderful husband, a very caring father and loved talking to people."
Colin's mum, Pat said, "I have lost a wonderful son. I am so proud of him. He fought to the end."
Before his death Colin said he was grateful to local papers for carrying the story, scotching rumours that he was suffering from AIDS because of his work in the tattoo world. His shop is currently being run by friends.
A spokesman for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust said, "Colin was an exceptional and brave man. Many people told that their life was nearing it's end may have given up. But not Colin, he really threw himself into the fund-raising concert which raised over £2,000."
Colin's funeral took place on Tuesday 14th December at St Edward's Church, Newtown, followed by cremation at Wigan.
POLICE ISSUE INTERNET WARNING
Perverts in Wigan who access child porn on the Internet will be weeded out and punished.
That is the warning from police in Greater Manchester following a massive six-month investigation which saw several arrests and hundreds of
pounds worth of computer equipment seized up and down the country.
The force's Obscene Publications Unit were behind the operation and
they have warned people in Wigan who possess and distribute pornographic images of children through the Internet they will be hunted down.
Supt Peter Driver, head of the investigation said, "There are those who think they have the cloak of anonymity by using the Internet, but we
will pursue them wherever they are."
The Obscene Publications Unit recently discovered that 20,000 images of sexual abuse had been
downloaded in the Wigan area in just seven months.
SIX YEAR OLD IN ECSTASY PILL SCARE
A six year old girl who swallowed what is believed to be an ecstasy tablet she picked up from the floor of a Wigan pub is recovering in hospital. Danielle Pye suffered "adverse" effect from the drug and was detained in hospital for tests. She was in the Pavilion public house in Billinge with her barmaid mother, Amanda, on Saturday night.
It is understood she wandered off from the side of the bar when her mother's attention was briefly diverted and found some tablets on the floor. She swallowed one and bit into another before she complained that the "sweets" were bitter.
Her mother called an ambulance immediately and both were taken to nearby Whiston hospital.
The youngster is now recovering from her ordeal and police are appealing for pub customers to come forward with information, in confidence. Regulars are also being questioned.
Detective Sgt Mike Noon, heading the investigation, said forensic tests were being carried out on the tablets but early indications suggested they were some kind of ecstasy. Officers wre doing all they could to assist the girls relatives, who were 'devastated'. Mr Noon said he had never heard of any one so young taking ecstasy.
The pub itself is no stranger to controversy. When it was the George and Dragon, it was the home of Ian Simms, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Helen McCourt. Although Helen's body has never been, during the trial it was stated that Simms attacked Helen in the pub and then took her body away in the boot of his car.
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