A PENSIONER will face trial accused of historic child sex offences against two boys in Crawley in the 1960s.

Arthur Blackman, 71, appeared at Hove Crown Court last Friday to answer two charges.

Blackman, who now lives in south London, pleaded not guilty to a count of buggery of a boy between the age of five and eight.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at some point between January 1, 1961 and January 1, 1964 in Crawley.

He also denied a charge of gross indecency against another boy, who was under the age of 14, during the same period of time.

Tanya Ossack, defending, said: "This case is all about identification.

"There were two men by the name of Arthur in the Scout movement at the time.

"What is in question is whether these young men have made a mistake about which Arthur it was."

The charges result from an investigation by detectives from the Sussex Police protecting vulnerable people branch after information was received by police for the first time in 2012.

Blackman has not lived or worked in Crawley since the late 1960s. He lived and worked in Bedford between 1970 and 1974, and has lived in London since then.

Up to 2009 Blackman was involved in the running of a community bus for 11 to 18-year-olds, in Waddon, Croydon.

The bus was equipped with computers, a PlayStation, tuck shop, and ran arts and craft activities.

Blackman was released on conditional bail. The condition is that he does not contact his alleged victims or any prosecution witnesses. He is next due to appear at the same court for trial on December 1.

A PROLIFIC beggar has gained such notoriety for the specific sum of money he almost always asks Crawley residents for that he has become known as "The 60p Man".

The man, whose identity police do not appear to know, is regularly seen patrolling the High Street, The Boulevard, Crawley train station and Crawley Leisure Park looking for gullible victims.

But he has also been witnessed pleading for money in neighbourhoods including Broadfield and Bewbush.

He often has a sob story – with a favourite being that he needs the money to get to Redhill or Purley as he has been kicked out by his girlfriend.

But residents who say they know him allege that the stories are all bogus and that any money he is given is actually likely to be spent on drugs.

Sightings of The 60p Man have been regularly posted on the Spotted: Crawley Facebook page over the last few weeks, where debate has raged on whether he deserves sympathy or scorn.

But despite the fact that he seems to be begging on a daily basis, with hundreds of people having seemingly been approached, Sussex Police have only received one complaint about him in the last three weeks.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The man was reported to have been asking for 60p in the High Street at 1.06am on Sunday, April 20."

Begging is illegal and the police are urging people to report him when they encounter him, not least so he can receive help, if needed.

West Green resident Donna Lucas contacted the British Transport Police after being asked for 60p by the man, who is often on a bike, on three consecutive evenings two weeks ago.

"Literally it was Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, at slightly different times," the 33-year-old explained.

"On the third night I said 'can you stop asking me?'"

Ms Lucas ended up having a conversation with him.

"On Sunday I said no," she said. "But on Monday he was saying he was trying to get a train to Purley.

"He said he had money, but not enough. I almost said, but I bit my tongue, 'why don't you buy a ticket and cycle the rest of the way?'"

Ms Lucas reported the beggar to the British Transport Police on the Tuesday.

She said: "When I saw him on Tuesday night I said 'you have been reported – you shouldn't be here'.

"He then said to me that he was homeless and needed money – I said he didn't look homeless as I had seen him in different clothes, and he was always on a bike.

"People have said to me that they always see him.

"It seems strange that it's always 60p. And he doesn't then go and buy a train ticket."

Nine other Crawley residents reported on the Crawley News Facebook page that they had been approached by The 60p Man.

Lauren Graham said: "He usually hangs around The Punch Bowl (pub in the High Street), just outside the garden and peers through the bars asking people sitting outside for 60p to get the train back to Redhill.

"I actually gave him 60p the first time he asked; I felt sorry for him, but then when he approached me the following week I questioned him and he cycled off laughing."

Sussex Police's Inspector Matt Webb wants people to report instances of begging.

He explained: "Not only is begging a real nuisance, it is against the law."

A British Transport Police spokesman said that officers visited Crawley train station after receiving reports that The 60p Man was there on Tuesday two weeks ago.

He said: "British Transport Police officers carried out a search of the area, but couldn't find a man matching the description."

Non-emergency crimes can be reported to Sussex Police by calling 101.

The latest sighting appears to have been on Sunday evening when he was spotted at Crawley Leisure Park.

Have you been approached by The 60p Man? What do you think should be done about his begging? E-mail your views to editor@crawleynews.co.uk

AN INDOOR market for traders selling handmade products launched at the Civic Hall on Saturday.

An estimated 15 stallholders selling a range of distinctive goods set up stalls at the Civic Makery, which has been booked in at the town centre venue until April 2015.

Tracy Squires and her business Scentsy were on hand to offer her scented toys, and John McAlea and Haydn Earle were there, representing Tilgate Bakery.

And entrepreneur Cheryl Jones, who set up her business Hubble and Bubble from her home in Oatlands, Gossops Green, a year ago, sold soaps and bath salts.

Mrs Jones, 53, appeared in the Crawley News last August in a report about her hopes of setting up an indoor market in vacant retail space in the town centre.

After the article she started working with Elaine Sayers, of St Mary's Drive, Pound Hill, to start the Civic Makery.

"For a long time I have thought the people in Crawley would respond to a market centred on traders from the town," Mrs Sayers, who is running the indoor market with her husband Darren, told the Crawley News last week.

"People want to support local small businesses, given the chance. I have sent out 70 forms to different traders so there are a lot of businesses out there."

THE family of an autistic boy raised almost £1,000 towards the specialist pre-school they are opening in Crawley.

The Jayden-Cruz Autism Pre-school will be opening in the town later this year and will provide early help for very young children diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

Jo-Ann D'Costa Manuel and Wayne Manuel have named the pre-school after their five-year-old son who was diagnosed with autism almost three years ago.

On April 26 the family held a fundraising event for the pre-school at Virgin Active in Crawley Leisure Park.

The event was attended by about 600 people and included a raffle, cupcake sales, hair and beauty treatments, a special zumba class and activities to keep the children entertained.

Mrs D'Costa Manuel said: "We raised just under £1,000 but more importantly we spread lots of autism awareness and information. We have supervisors and therapists across the UK, Europe and even Brazil express their interest in working at the school."

The parents will be directors of the pre-school when it opens.

The school will use applied behaviour analysis (ABA) methods and will cater for young children from the age of diagnosis (the youngest children tend to be diagnosed at about 18 months old) through to primary school age.

For more information and to register on the waiting list for the pre-school visit www.facebook.com/thejayden cruzpreschool or e-mail jo@thejaydencruzpreschool.co.uk

SERGIO TORRES admitted he had a lump in his throat on Saturday as he said farewell to Crawley Town after four years at the club.

The midfielder tweeted before Saturday's game against Bristol City that it was to be his last as a Reds player after the club elected not to renew his contract, but Torres was unable to play a part in the match because he broke his wrist in Tuesday's game against Carlisle United.

And the fans' favourite says manager John Gregory did offer him the chance to make one final appearance.

"The wrist is still a bit sore and I think I'll need to see the doctor again this week to maybe get the cast changed," Torres explained. "I couldn't believe my luck because it was in the last few seconds of the game on Tuesday night that I broke it.

"The manager asked me if I wanted to come on for the last few minutes on Saturday, but I preferred to finish how I did – I think I played well on Tuesday."

And Torres admitted he was overwhelmed by the response from Crawley fans after he confirmed his exit.

"It's been emotional," he explained. "Before the game on Saturday I had quite a few fans thank me for everything I had done and wish me good luck. I had a lump in my throat the whole day.

"After the game I spoke to more people in Redz Bar; it was a proud day. And I couldn't believe how many fans tweeted me. I don't think you realise how much you are appreciated. I don't know why they all like me so much, maybe it was that goal against Derby?"

Torres says he will take some great memories away from his years at Crawley – including watching the club grow from a non-league side to an established League One club, but is hopeful he might return one day.

"I had three unbelievable years and then the last one, which wasn't quite as good," he admitted, "The goal against Derby is a great memory, and walking out at Old Trafford, and the two promotions. I've got good memories of the club, and being one of the longest-serving players, along with Dannie Bulman, means I've been able to watch the club grow.

"I might be back one day. Maybe as a coach or a manager, or if another manager comes he might even want me to play."

THE manager of one of the town's busiest bars is concerned that he will lose business as a result of work on a gas main that is set to start in the High Street next week.

Cristian Pierri, who has been in charge of the Octopvs Bar on the High Street for six years, fears the business could lose as much as £4,000 because of the work.

Southern Gas plans to reinforce the existing gas main on the High Street, between Ifield Road and Orchard Street, starting on Monday, May 12. The work should take about 12 weeks.

"My concerns are for my business and the other businesses that have outside areas, which are a very important part of the High Street economy," he explained.

"Southern Gas have chosen the wrong time of year to do the work. Summer in England doesn't last long and it will be very uncomfortable for us without the outside area.

"The two issues are a loss of money and second there is a safety issue – every day we are open until 2am and people will have been enjoying a drink.

"The road will be mutilated in a terrible way and the trench that is being dug will affect the look and feel of our outside area.

"And it could be unsafe."

Southern Gas hand-delivered letters about the work to some businesses on the High Street, but Mr Pierri, 41, said Octopvs did not receive one.

The letter said there will be "no interruption to individual property supplies" of gas and shops and businesses will be able to "remain open".

Hannah Brett, a spokeswoman from Southern Gas, explained that the work will progress along the High Street in small sections from Ifield Road toward Orchard Street.

But Mr Pierri says that if trenches are dug outside the bar even for a week or two, it could lose between £3,000 and £4,000.

Octopvs opens at 5.30pm every day and Mr Pierri, who lives in West Green, had been hoping to start opening the bar earlier.

"Southern Gas have said they will fence off the trenches with metal netting," he added.

"But I worry because it's a trench and hundreds of people, and in a week thousands of people, come to the bar.

"They have a drink and when some people have a drink they can be stupid. The door staff do a good job but I hope that the netting is safe enough."

Ms Brett said the work is to ensure a "continued safe and reliable gas supply to the town centre".

"We will be doing everything we can to minimise the impact of our essential works," she explained.

"We have planned our project in close collaboration with West Sussex County Council and we will continue to work with the local authorities and local community, including business owners, throughout the course of the project to ensure this project causes as little disruption as possible."

YOUNGSTERS followed in the footsteps of their Crawley Town heroes at a football tournament at the Checkatrade.com Stadium on Monday.

The friendly competition was organised purely as a fun way to raise money for the Crawley Town Supporters' Alliance (CTSA) community scheme, which funds football coaching sessions and equipment for children around the area.

Fundraiser Owen Pickering organised the day with Furngate FC manager Ian Wall. "It was really good," he said. "We had to make it a friendly tournament to get FA backing, otherwise we would have had to organise ambulances because it becomes an official event.

"This was the first year but it would be nice to do it again."

The under-11s tournament featured two teams from Crawley Panthers and one each from Furngate FC, TD Shipley, Crawley Down FC and Crawley United. There was also an adult tournament, which featured supporters' groups from West Ham, Gillingham and Coventry as well as Crawley Town.

A special match then took place between Crawley's Diego Garcian community and a team which included two "princes" from Sealand, a tiny "principality" off the coast of Essex which consists solely of a concrete structure in the middle of the sea.

About 450 Diego Garcians turned out to support their team, which won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Mr Pickering, 50, of Collingwood Road, Maidenbower, added: "It was a really good game actually, and the Diego Garcians can make some noise. We could do with them at Crawley games."

MEN in Crawley are being encouraged to run around Tilgate Park showing off their pants.

The request from two female friends isn't, though, due to any desire to check out the best male legs in town.

It has actually for a fundraiser called the Y Front Run.

The idea came from Jo Brazier and Hollie Chant, who wanted to offer men something similar to the hugely popular Race for Life events – which are for women only.

Jo explained: "I started it with my friend Hollie to raise awareness of men's cancers after a Race for Life in Hastings.

"Afterwards we heard men say 'there's nothing similar for us'. We thought we'd make them put their money where their mouth was.

"So we launched the Y Front Run last year in Hastings with 120 men."

The event raised more than £4,000 for charity, and its success has led to a Y Front Run tour, which starts in Crawley next week.

Similar five-kilometre runs will then be held in Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Eastbourne, Worthing and Hastings.

The Y Front Run aims to raise funds to combat prostate, testicular and penile cancer, with the Crawley race raising funds for Cancer Research UK, Balls to Cancer and St Catherine's Hospice.

"The response to the run has been brilliant," said Jo, who lives in Hastings. "I have family who live in Crawley and my grandad died in St Catherine's Hospice."

Fundraisers can dress how they like on the day – in fancy dress or in sports gear, as long as they have a pair of pants over their clothes.

Jo added: "At the first event we had Superman, Spiderman, and there were men who had their company logo on their bottoms. Like women do Race for Life in their pink bras, men can do it in their pants."

The event will also have a serious side, as it will encourage men with concerns they could have cancer to get medical help.

Jo added: "We want men to stop becoming embarrassed and if they think they have symptoms to get them checked out."

The Crawley Y Front Run takes place in Tilgate Park next Wednesday at 6.30pm.

To register for the event e-mail y-front-run-crawley@hotmail.co.uk

A COURT has ordered that psychiatric reports be compiled on a man accused of stabbing a doctor in the leg while he was at work in his surgery.

Joseph Cocks appeared at Hove Crown Court last Friday (May 2) for a plea and case management hearing. Cocks, from Bashford Way, in Worth, is charged with unlawful and malicious wounding, attempted wounding with intent, criminal damage to a window, affray and two charges of threatening a person with a knife.

Police were called to Pound Hill Surgery, in Crawley Lane, last December after a report of a man being in possession of a knife.

A doctor at the surgery had sustained a puncture wound to his lower leg but did not require hospital treatment.

Officers arrested a man at the premises who surrendered immediately when a Taser device was pointed at him.

It was not necessary for officers to discharge it.

George Hepburne-Scott, defending, said: "This is a very serious allegation, alleging Section 18 (wounding with intent) in a doctor's surgery.

"The defendant was clearly mentally unwell at the time. Before the incident he said to the GP 'I think I am mad' and that he was 'hearing voices'."

Judge Richard Hayward ordered a psychiatric report to be compiled on the 23-year-old before a plea hearing is held.

Cocks was remanded in custody until he is next due to appear in court on May 30.