IT has been a very busy year for police officers in Andover and the emergency services have had their work cut out.
With lots going on there has been plenty of crime to keep us at the Advertiser busy reporting on.
We have taken a look at some of the incidents and court cases that shocked residents in Andover the most in 2023.
READ MORE: Former owner of The Crown in Upton Dave Watts sentenced
1. Woman charged with murder of Andover man
The body of Stuart Maxwell Crocker, 62, was found just before midday on Wednesday, June 28, in New Street, Andover.
Winter Swan-Miller, 36, of no fixed abode, has been charged with the murder of Mr Crocker.
On Wednesday, October 11, Swan-Miller appeared at Winchester Crown Court where she entered a plea of not guilty.
At the same court on Friday, December 15, a trial date was set for May 13, next year.
2. Charity minibus stolen for a second time
The vehicle belonging to Youth Options, a Hampshire charity that works with children and young people to help them achieve a better future, was stolen.
A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary at the time told the Advertiser the bus was stolen sometime between Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20 from The Scott Centre Pre School.
It came as a shock to the community because the minibus was a key part of the charity’s work providing transportation for the children to access childcare and engage in activities.
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One of its buses was also stolen last year and later found dumped in the New Forest after it was set on fire.
3. Fire destroys old building
Firefighters were called to the former Anton Laundry building, in Marlborough Street, at around 3pm on Saturday, May 27.
Crews from Andover, St Mary's and Dorset and Wiltshire battled the fire for close to three hours.
The community were left shocked and concerned about the incident.
The cause of the fire hasn't been revealed but it is not the first time that the building has been affected by a fire, in 2015 and 2009 it was targeted in arson attacks.
4. Huge warehouse fire
The fire started in The Dormy House, a furniture, wallpaper and textiles business, in Walworth Business Park, around 9am on Monday, March 13.
More than 100 firefighters from multiple crews rushed to the scene to battle the blaze, with some still on the scene on March 14, more than 24 hours later.
Photos taken at the scene by our reporter showed the utter devastation.
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