| Assault case against ex-chief moved
ATTLEBORO - The criminal domestic case against retired Attleboro Police Chief Roland Sabourin has been transferred to Fall River District Court to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest with local court officials.Attleboro District Court Judge Gregory L. Phillips said he asked that the case be transferred to dispel any potential for an appearance of conflict. Sabourin, 59, is a longtime city police chief and police officer for 32 years who is familiar with local court officials and employees. The transfer was approved by the state Trial Court administration, but no date for a continuance in Fall River has been determined, court officials said.Sabourin, who retired in 2002, was arrested Sept. 26 on charges of assault, resisting arrest and uttering threats stemming from an argument with his wife at their South Attleboro home.Treatment completedHe pleaded innocent and was ordered to under alcohol treatment at a private rehabilitation center on Cape Cod, which his lawyer, Robert Ovoian of Attleboro, said Sabourin has successfully completed.As a condition of his release, Sabourin must also regularly report to the probation department and undergo random drug and alcohol tests.His wife, Sara, obtained a restraining order after the alleged incident, claimed a history of physical and mental abuse, as well as alcohol abuse by her husband.Before leaving court Friday, Sabourin said, "I'm anxious for redemption and my hope is that I can reconcile this with my wife."Sabourin is accused of coming home drunk and threatening to kill his wife during an argument.He allegedly struggled with a police officer while the officer tried to handcuff him, according to court records.
Health & support calendar
Southcoast Blood Bank: Off the main lobby in St. Luke's Hospital. Walk-ins accepted 8 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Friday, until 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Donors should be in good health, at least 18 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not recently taken drugs or alcohol, and have doctor's permission if over 70 years of age. For an appointment, call (508) 961-5320 or visit www.southcoast.org/bloodbank/. 101 Page St., New Bedford. Acushnet Council on Aging: Offers a Daily Contact Plan as a preventive safety measure for local shut-ins and resident seniors. Also, free blood pressure clinic for Acushnet residents ages 65 and older, 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays. (508) 998-0280. South Main Street, Acushnet. HealthFirst Family Care Center: Financial counseling available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Research Body Calls For More Government Intervention To Tackle Public Health Problems, UK
A report by the well respected Nuffield Council on Bioethics concludes that the Government and industry are not doing enough to prevent binge drinking or obesity and should promote healthy lifestyles through stricter measures and deterrents.
The authors, a group of doctors, lawyers, philosophers and other experts, argue that the much maligned "nanny state" should be replaced by a new, more sensitive idea of "stewardship".
The council, which considers ethical questions raised by advances in medical research, looked at alcohol, obesity, smoking, infectious disease and fluoridation of water.
Lord Krebs, who chaired the report committee, said yesterday: "People often reject the idea of a nanny state but the Government has a duty to look after the health of everyone and sometimes that means guiding or restricting our choices."
The central concept of stewardship differed from the nanny state by being "more sensitive to the balances between public good and individual freedom," he said.
Autopsy: Gotbaum died from asphyxia by hanging
The Maricopa County medical examiner report said that 45-year-old Carol Anne Gotbaum died from asphyxia by hanging while in police custody at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Sept. 28.
The report also says Gotbaum was acutely intoxicated on alcohol and prescription drugs when she died in a police holding room at the airport. .
‘This isn’t a job for people who love success...’
MARY Newman regularly deals with alcoholics, drug addicts and witnesses violence in her job. But she's not a policewoman, court worker or probation officer, who might expect to encounter what most of society would dub "undesirables". Instead, she works at Cardiff's dedicated refuge for the homeless, the Huggard Centre in Butetown, Cardiff, offering a sleeping bag and a pillow to people who have nowhere else to bed down. At 72 and with her work last week receiving royal recognition, Mary has no intention of retiring. She said today: "I've always enjoyed working with the clients. They're interesting, there's a story behind everybody. Hopefully, after we've worked with them, some succeed in getting their lives together again." Speaking in the living room of her home in Chapelwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, which is filled with videos and pictures of her large family, Mary explained why few people could cope working with the homeless.
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