Drunken youths ‘tarnishing’ Ottery’s Pixie Day fears

Teens vomiting in the street and lying in the road on June 19 were “horrible” scenes that stuck in the mind of a town Councillor after an impeccably organised event

Late-night teens vomiting in the street and lying in the road on June 19 were “horrible” scenes that stuck in the mind of Councillor Paul Lewis after an impeccably organised day and evening of fun.

“It’s a great shame Pixie Day is being scarred by youngsters abusing it as a reason to get drunk,” Cllr Lewis told colleagues and police at a full council meeting last week. “A super event is being tarnished by older children in the evenings,” he said, “I saw youngsters doing things I didn’t want to see youngsters doing.”

Cllr Lewis said he witnessed teens being sick in Winters Lane and others lying in the street they were so intoxicated.

The Herald reported last month how the successful Pixie Day event was marred by late-night anti-social behaviour and violence.

Police dealt with three assaults and a group of late night louts caused mayhem.

Organisers said clean-up efforts were hampered by a group of yobs, one of whom jumped on a moving car’s bonnet and others set fire to a skip.

PCSO Maria Clapp said the event had been great during the day, but reported assaults and anti-social behaviour were disappointing.

Councillor Roger Giles questioned where booze had come from. He said he helped man the bar in the Land of Canaan ad there was no way anyone under age had been served there.