A 20-year-old man has admitted stabbing a teenage boy in the back at the recent Michaelmas fair in Northcroft.

Dean Stuart Matias of Pembroke Road Newbury, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court, a couple of weeks ago.

A 19-year old woman answered bail at Newbury police station last Wednesday, and will return tomorrow, pending further enquiries.

Two other young men arrested at the time, aged 18 and 20, were released without charge.

All four were arrested after the 17-year-old boy was stabbed on October 13 in Northcroft Lane – an incident which shocked the town.

The boy has made a full recovery.

Old library update

The old library extension behind Prezzo restaurant in Cheap Street is to be flattened and turned into flats and shops. West Berkshire Council has asked itself for planning permission to demolish the 1970s extension, and replace it with shops, estate agents, and another food and drink outlet, with eight one-bedroom flats on top.

Butcher biog

Local book publisher Highdown Books is aiming high with a string of blockbuster sporting biographies in the pipeline. The Compton publisher has snapped up England footballer Terry Butcher’s own story, and aims to get 15 titles out over the next year. The firm is part of Trinity Mirror Group.

Pub boar

The Blue Boar pub at Chieveley is expanding again. Landlords at the 500-year-old inn at North Heath, also known as the Crab at Chieveley, have applied to demolish storage area, and build a new lounge area.

Mobile refit

Phone shop Mobile Phones Direct closed on Sunday for a refit. The Northbrook Street outlet is rebranding as Nokia, and will be open in time for the Christmas rush on 3G phones.

Tourist trap

Plans to move the Tourist Information Office into the former Granary tearooms in the Wharf have been revealed. The teashop owners were evicted last year, after 23 years, so West Berkshire Council could create a more impressive entrance to the museum. Plans to put new signage on the listed building have been lodged.