Sportsway Cafe Gets One-Day Suspension for License Violation

Sexual misconduct prompts selectmen to shut down bar Jan. 25.

Due to an incident of sexual misconduct at Sportsway Cafe, the local bar will be facing a one-day liquor license suspension next month. On Feb. 10, Norton Police Department received a report from a female Wheaton College student that she was sexually assaulted while at the Sportsway Café earlier that month. The victim stated to police that on Feb. 2, she was at the bar with friends when she was sexually assaulted by Paul Panaikas, an employee of the establishment. He was working at the time of the incident. Panaikas said that the 21-year-old woman initiated sex with him. Panaikas was arrested and charged with one count of rape and one count of indecent assault and battery of a person over the age of 14. He was released on $2,500 cash bail …

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Wheaton College Students Report Drinks Drugged at Local Bar

Sportsway Cafe under investigation.

Two girls say they were drugged at a local bar this weekend, according to Wheaton Public Safety and Norton Police Department. The incident was reported Friday, Nov. 16, when the two Wheaton College students reported suspicions of their drinks being tampered with at Sportsway Cafe. “They alleged that on previous separate occasions they had experienced blackouts with no recollection of any events transpiring after they assumed alcohol while at the establishment,” said Norton Police Lieutenant Todd Jackson. “On both occasions the students reported they were escorted back to campus by friends.” Wheaton Public Safety issued a safety alert regarding alcohol consumption to staff and students. It reminded the college community to pour or serve …

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Reported Violent Crimes Increase in Norton

The FBI's annual crime report shows an increase from 2010 to 2011 in reported violent crimes in Norton.

More violent crimes were reported in Norton in 2011 than were reported in 2010, according to statistics released this week by the FBI. The number reported last year was seven, while three were reported in 2010.  The FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report includes information submitted by local law enforcement agencies. The information is compiled and released to the public in the fall of the year that follows the reported year.  Violent crimes include murder and non-negligent manslaughter (willful, non-negligent killing of one human being by another, according to the FBI's website), forcible rape (including attempts and "assaults to commit rape"), robbery and aggravated assault. The Uniform Crime Report also features property crimes, which …

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Aggravated Rape Charge Against Former Southeastern Athlete overturned

Alex French was charged with aggravated rape of a then-17-year-old Norton girl Jan. 10, 2004.

Sportsway Cafe Employee Charged With Raping a Wheaton Student

The following information was supplied by the Norton Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

On Feb. 10, Norton Police received a report from a female Wheaton College student that she was sexually assaulted while at the Sportsway Café, 57 W. Main St., Norton.  The victim stated to police that on Feb. 2, she was at the Sportsway Café with friends when she was sexually assaulted by an employee of the establishment.  The employee was working at the time of the incident.  After an investigation by Norton police detectives, an arrest warrant was obtained through the Attleboro District Court for Paul Panaikas, 38, of Bay Street, Taunton. Panaikas was placed under arrest this morning in Easton by Norton police and transported to Norton Police Department. He was then transported to the Attleboro District Court for arraignment.  Panaikas …

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