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Friday, January 27, 2012
This is a pink fairy armadillo
They're an endangered species and I'm not sure this one should have been removed from its natural habitat.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
Man accused in bizarre murder-for-hire plot planned to put blame on cat
A convict with a conscience helped the feds unravel a murder-for-hire plot that involved a carjacking and electrocution by cat, according to federal court records.
It also included the suspect's ex-stripper wife being used as bait.
Brett L. Nash, 45, of 43 Shirlwin Drive in Granite City, was arraigned in federal court on Tuesday on charges of interference of commerce by threats of violence. Charges state he recruited an unidentified friend to "help in robbing an old man" who Nash intended to lure with his wife, carjack, hold hostage while the victim wrote cheques and then murder.
Nash planned to put the victim in a Jacuzzi and electrocute him by throwing in a radio, court records state. They planned to toss the cat in the water to make it appear the cat knocked in the radio. The plot came apart when Nash's unnamed friend told FBI agent Nick Manns that "he did not want the intended victim killed."
Full story here.
It also included the suspect's ex-stripper wife being used as bait.
Brett L. Nash, 45, of 43 Shirlwin Drive in Granite City, was arraigned in federal court on Tuesday on charges of interference of commerce by threats of violence. Charges state he recruited an unidentified friend to "help in robbing an old man" who Nash intended to lure with his wife, carjack, hold hostage while the victim wrote cheques and then murder.
Nash planned to put the victim in a Jacuzzi and electrocute him by throwing in a radio, court records state. They planned to toss the cat in the water to make it appear the cat knocked in the radio. The plot came apart when Nash's unnamed friend told FBI agent Nick Manns that "he did not want the intended victim killed."
Full story here.
Indonesian man arrested for kicking woman he thought was a ghost
A 38-year-old Indonesian security guard has been charged with assault after kicking a 20-year-old woman in the face after mistaking her for a predatory ghost. The guard was on duty in Bandung, Java, when "suddenly a figure, who was sitting on the floor and clad in white with hair covering the face, moved slowly in a weird way toward the elevator".
The guard "sensed a threat to himself and the others in the elevator" and kicked the ghost to the floor "so that everyone ... could run and save themselves," the security officer's lawyer said. But guard Sunarya's seemingly noble deeds have landed him more punishment than accolades, as the "ghost" turned out to be the 20-year-old daughter of a coal businessman who was in the hotel playing a "ghost trick" for a friend's birthday. She was later hospitalised for a bruised face and broken tooth.
Sunarya now faces charges of assaulting the girl, who was dressed as suster ngesot, a "crawling nurse ghost". The Indonesian archipelago, while predominantly Muslim, is strongly influenced by spiritual and supernatural myths from its Malay, Hindu and Buddhist heritage. Common ghost sightings often refer to floating female figures dressed in white, with long hair and, sometimes, long fingernails.
As one reader, following Sunarya's story, wrote to the Jakarta Post: "Sunarya should receive a medal, or at least be showered with honours, for acting so courageously in facing what he initially thought was a real ghost." But the security officer remains modest. "I have a wife and two little children, I hope everything will be fine," he told reporters. "I just did my job as a security guard."
The guard "sensed a threat to himself and the others in the elevator" and kicked the ghost to the floor "so that everyone ... could run and save themselves," the security officer's lawyer said. But guard Sunarya's seemingly noble deeds have landed him more punishment than accolades, as the "ghost" turned out to be the 20-year-old daughter of a coal businessman who was in the hotel playing a "ghost trick" for a friend's birthday. She was later hospitalised for a bruised face and broken tooth.
Sunarya now faces charges of assaulting the girl, who was dressed as suster ngesot, a "crawling nurse ghost". The Indonesian archipelago, while predominantly Muslim, is strongly influenced by spiritual and supernatural myths from its Malay, Hindu and Buddhist heritage. Common ghost sightings often refer to floating female figures dressed in white, with long hair and, sometimes, long fingernails.
As one reader, following Sunarya's story, wrote to the Jakarta Post: "Sunarya should receive a medal, or at least be showered with honours, for acting so courageously in facing what he initially thought was a real ghost." But the security officer remains modest. "I have a wife and two little children, I hope everything will be fine," he told reporters. "I just did my job as a security guard."
Hermaphrodite six-legged lamb born in Georgia
A Georgian farmer has proudly showed off the latest addition to his menagerie of livestock, a hermaphrodite lamb with six legs and a big appetite.
The wondrous birth happened in Velistsikhe, Georgia. Abadzhanov explained the birth had caused chatter amongst locals and his peers.
YouTube link.
He said: 'I have been asking the other shepherds, but none of them remember such a case.
'There were three-legged lambs, one-eyed, but not six-legged, bisexual one. The lamb eats well, but moves with difficulty.'
The wondrous birth happened in Velistsikhe, Georgia. Abadzhanov explained the birth had caused chatter amongst locals and his peers.
YouTube link.
He said: 'I have been asking the other shepherds, but none of them remember such a case.
'There were three-legged lambs, one-eyed, but not six-legged, bisexual one. The lamb eats well, but moves with difficulty.'
Thief smashes window of unlocked car and steals woman's teeth
Police are trying to find the thief who made off with a woman's false teeth during a series of vehicle break-ins in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.
Police said they believe the thief hit 17 cars in two nights, including one that had Kathy Saunoras' teeth inside.
Saunoras said her car was unlocked but her window was smashed anyway. The dentures were the only thing taken, and she said it will cost her $500 to replace them.
"They took my teeth, nothing else. They took my teeth," said Saunoras. "It's costing me money and they didn't get anything out of my car except my teeth. I'm looking at $350 for my window and $500 to replace my dentures they took."
With news video.
Police said they believe the thief hit 17 cars in two nights, including one that had Kathy Saunoras' teeth inside.
Saunoras said her car was unlocked but her window was smashed anyway. The dentures were the only thing taken, and she said it will cost her $500 to replace them.
"They took my teeth, nothing else. They took my teeth," said Saunoras. "It's costing me money and they didn't get anything out of my car except my teeth. I'm looking at $350 for my window and $500 to replace my dentures they took."
With news video.
Woman stayed in crashed car for a week just yards from help because she was told 'not to leave vehicle if stranded'
A Texas woman who drove her rental car into a muddy pond in Idaho spent a week in the stranded vehicle before going to ask for help. Lynn S. Keesler, a Houston resident, said she survived on peanut butter M&Ms and water inside her car while it was stuck.
The 61-year-old had thought she saw a river she had to cross to reach a hotel in Burley, Idaho, but the body of water turned out to be a dairy's wastewater pond. Keesler tried to drive around it but got stuck in mud in the pond.
She later told police she stayed inside the car because she had been told not to leave her vehicle if it became stranded. She flashed her headlights throughout the first night until the battery went dead. She finally left the car Sunday, Jan. 22, when the water level began to rise in the pond and went to a nearby house for help.
Keesler thought she had only been stranded for three to five days, according to a Cassia County Sheriff's Department report, but a deputy said he had given her directions to the hotel on Jan. 15. She was examined by paramedics but declined to go to the hospital, claiming she only needed "a warm bed and a bath."
With news video.
The 61-year-old had thought she saw a river she had to cross to reach a hotel in Burley, Idaho, but the body of water turned out to be a dairy's wastewater pond. Keesler tried to drive around it but got stuck in mud in the pond.
She later told police she stayed inside the car because she had been told not to leave her vehicle if it became stranded. She flashed her headlights throughout the first night until the battery went dead. She finally left the car Sunday, Jan. 22, when the water level began to rise in the pond and went to a nearby house for help.
Keesler thought she had only been stranded for three to five days, according to a Cassia County Sheriff's Department report, but a deputy said he had given her directions to the hotel on Jan. 15. She was examined by paramedics but declined to go to the hospital, claiming she only needed "a warm bed and a bath."
With news video.
Chinese women brave broken bottles to become bodyguards
Female bodyguards are proving to be big business in China. They may generally be smaller than their male counterparts, but are in increasing demand as a sign of growing prosperity in the country.
Chen Yongqing, the manager of Beijing's Tianjiao Special Guard and Security Consultant Company, says the fact that around 30 per cent of China's millionaires are women is fuelling demand.
"In China, the market for male bodyguards is growing steadily. However, a social and market preference for female bodyguards has increased since last year. Many female entrepreneurs, celebrities and pop stars, as well as their family members, children and parents, all need female bodyguards for protection," he said.
YouTube link.
The recruits have to endure, amongst other trials, having bottles smashed over their heads to test endurance.
Chen Yongqing, the manager of Beijing's Tianjiao Special Guard and Security Consultant Company, says the fact that around 30 per cent of China's millionaires are women is fuelling demand.
"In China, the market for male bodyguards is growing steadily. However, a social and market preference for female bodyguards has increased since last year. Many female entrepreneurs, celebrities and pop stars, as well as their family members, children and parents, all need female bodyguards for protection," he said.
YouTube link.
The recruits have to endure, amongst other trials, having bottles smashed over their heads to test endurance.
Switzerland's 'Dementiaville' designed to mirror the past
Its detractors may end up dubbing it "Dementiaville", but Switzerland is brushing aside a debate raging among geriatric-care experts with plans to build a mock-1950s village catering exclusively for elderly sufferers of Alzheimer's and other debilitating mental illnesses. The newly approved €20m (£17m) housing project is to be built next to the Swiss village of Wiedlisbach near Bern and will provide sheltered accommodation and care for 150 elderly dementia patients in 23 purpose-built 1950s-style houses. The homes will be deliberately designed to recreate the atmosphere of times past.
The scheme's promoters said there will be no closed doors and residents will be free to move about. To reinforce an atmosphere of normality, the carers will dress as gardeners, hairdressers and shop assistants. The only catch is that Wiedlisbach's inhabitants will not be allowed to leave the village. A similar pioneering, yet controversial, approach to geriatric mental care is already under way in Holland, where the Hogewey nursing home for dementia sufferers was set up in an Amsterdam suburb in 2009. Its residents pay €5,000 a month to live in a world of carefully staged illusion.
Markus Vögtlin, the Swiss entrepreneur behind the Wiedlisbach scheme, visited Hogewey before launching his own project and is full of enthusiasm for the Dutch approach. "People with dementia are often restless and aggressive, but at Hogewey they were relaxed and content," Mr Vögtlin said. He said that his plan to house dementia sufferers in 1950s-style houses with front gardens was designed to increase patients' sense of security. He said they had difficulty remembering what was happening at present but usually had firm memories of the past. "Such an environment makes them feel comfortable. I call it travelling back in time," he said.
Switzerland, like the rest of Europe, is struggling to cope with an elderly and growing population of dementia sufferers. There are 107,000 elderly people afflicted with mental illness and that figure is expected to double over the next 20 years. Yet not all geriatric-care specialists are convinced that creating an illusory world is the right approach. Michael Schmieder, director of Switzerland's Sonnweid home that caters to 150 resident dementia patients, said he opposed the idea of creating an illusory 1950s-era atmosphere. "The very notion is an attempt to fake the normality that people with dementia don't have," he said. But Switzerland's Alzheimer's Association, which promotes a variety of schemes to help sufferers from the disease, said it supports the project. Its spokesman, Birgitta Martensson, denied that it was creating a ghetto for the mentally ill. "Different types of care programmes are needed because the illness has different stages," she said. "A dementia village is a good solution for people in advanced stages of the disease."
The scheme's promoters said there will be no closed doors and residents will be free to move about. To reinforce an atmosphere of normality, the carers will dress as gardeners, hairdressers and shop assistants. The only catch is that Wiedlisbach's inhabitants will not be allowed to leave the village. A similar pioneering, yet controversial, approach to geriatric mental care is already under way in Holland, where the Hogewey nursing home for dementia sufferers was set up in an Amsterdam suburb in 2009. Its residents pay €5,000 a month to live in a world of carefully staged illusion.
Markus Vögtlin, the Swiss entrepreneur behind the Wiedlisbach scheme, visited Hogewey before launching his own project and is full of enthusiasm for the Dutch approach. "People with dementia are often restless and aggressive, but at Hogewey they were relaxed and content," Mr Vögtlin said. He said that his plan to house dementia sufferers in 1950s-style houses with front gardens was designed to increase patients' sense of security. He said they had difficulty remembering what was happening at present but usually had firm memories of the past. "Such an environment makes them feel comfortable. I call it travelling back in time," he said.
Switzerland, like the rest of Europe, is struggling to cope with an elderly and growing population of dementia sufferers. There are 107,000 elderly people afflicted with mental illness and that figure is expected to double over the next 20 years. Yet not all geriatric-care specialists are convinced that creating an illusory world is the right approach. Michael Schmieder, director of Switzerland's Sonnweid home that caters to 150 resident dementia patients, said he opposed the idea of creating an illusory 1950s-era atmosphere. "The very notion is an attempt to fake the normality that people with dementia don't have," he said. But Switzerland's Alzheimer's Association, which promotes a variety of schemes to help sufferers from the disease, said it supports the project. Its spokesman, Birgitta Martensson, denied that it was creating a ghetto for the mentally ill. "Different types of care programmes are needed because the illness has different stages," she said. "A dementia village is a good solution for people in advanced stages of the disease."
Doll 'protesters' present small problem for Russian police
Russian police don't take kindly to opposition protesters – even if they're 5cm high and made of plastic. Police in the Siberian city of Barnaul have asked prosecutors to investigate the legality of a recent protest that saw dozens of small dolls – teddy bears, Lego men, South Park figurines – arranged to mimic a protest, complete with signs reading: "I'm for clean elections" and "A thief should sit in jail, not in the Kremlin".
"Political opposition forces are using new technologies to carry out public events – using toys with placards at mini-protests," Andrei Mulintsev, the city's deputy police chief, said at a press conference this week, according to local media. "In our opinion, this is still an unsanctioned public event." Activists set up the display after authorities repeatedly rejected their request to hold a sanctioned demonstration of the kind held in Moscow to protest disputed parliamentary elections results and Vladimir Putin's expected return to the presidency in a March vote.
Passersby admired the display with giggles, but police took it more seriously, examining its details and writing down each placard. "The authorities' attempt to limit citizens' rights to express their position has become absurd," said Lyudmila Alexandrova, a 26-year-old graduate student and protest organiser. "We wanted to hyperbolise this attempt and show the absurdity and farce of officials' struggle with their own people."
The activists in Barnaul say they have no choice but to adopt creative measures. Local authorities have refused to issue approval for opposition protests since 10 December, the first nationwide day of protest in Russia. Around 2,000 people turned out in Barnaul that day, an unprecedented number for the small city. Police have tried to pressure them into shutting down the doll protests, organisers said. "They tried to tell us our event was illegal – they even said that to put toys in the snow, we had to rent it from the city authorities," Alexandrova said.
There's a photo gallery here.
"Political opposition forces are using new technologies to carry out public events – using toys with placards at mini-protests," Andrei Mulintsev, the city's deputy police chief, said at a press conference this week, according to local media. "In our opinion, this is still an unsanctioned public event." Activists set up the display after authorities repeatedly rejected their request to hold a sanctioned demonstration of the kind held in Moscow to protest disputed parliamentary elections results and Vladimir Putin's expected return to the presidency in a March vote.
Passersby admired the display with giggles, but police took it more seriously, examining its details and writing down each placard. "The authorities' attempt to limit citizens' rights to express their position has become absurd," said Lyudmila Alexandrova, a 26-year-old graduate student and protest organiser. "We wanted to hyperbolise this attempt and show the absurdity and farce of officials' struggle with their own people."
The activists in Barnaul say they have no choice but to adopt creative measures. Local authorities have refused to issue approval for opposition protests since 10 December, the first nationwide day of protest in Russia. Around 2,000 people turned out in Barnaul that day, an unprecedented number for the small city. Police have tried to pressure them into shutting down the doll protests, organisers said. "They tried to tell us our event was illegal – they even said that to put toys in the snow, we had to rent it from the city authorities," Alexandrova said.
There's a photo gallery here.
Dublin dole office bans people wearing pyjamas
A social welfare office in Dublin has banned interviewees from wearing pyjamas.
A notice has appeared at Damastown social welfare office which warns claimants that "pyjamas are not regarded as appropriate attire when attending Community Welfare Service at these offices".
It is believed the decision was made after a number of people complained.
A notice has appeared at Damastown social welfare office which warns claimants that "pyjamas are not regarded as appropriate attire when attending Community Welfare Service at these offices".
It is believed the decision was made after a number of people complained.
Radio Times forced to apologise after soldier has his private on parade
A Royal Marine has prompted the Radio Times into apologising after he went commando for a photo shoot. The unknown soldier had his penis on parade as he posed with 42 Commando comrades for an article promoting forthcoming Channel 5 documentary Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan.
The article was printed before the marine's prank was spotted, with RT staff only realising the over-exposure in this week's edition when a reader tipped them off. The reader wrote: 'I know that British soldiers serving in Afghanistan are well equipped, but seeing the roll call of Royal Marines gives the expression a whole new meaning.'
Click for bigger.
The magazine quickly published an apology on its website, publishing a censored version of the photograph with a red x over the area in question. 'We apologise for any upset caused to readers by the rogue member of 42 Commando,' said editor Ben Preston.
A spokeswoman for the Radio Times added: 'The unnamed marine is, like the rest of his unit, posing for the photograph dressed only in shorts. What we took to be the marine's finger proved, on closer inspection, to be another part of his anatomy.' A naval spokesman said: 'We apologise for any offence caused by this private photograph that was not intended for publication.'
The article was printed before the marine's prank was spotted, with RT staff only realising the over-exposure in this week's edition when a reader tipped them off. The reader wrote: 'I know that British soldiers serving in Afghanistan are well equipped, but seeing the roll call of Royal Marines gives the expression a whole new meaning.'
Click for bigger.
The magazine quickly published an apology on its website, publishing a censored version of the photograph with a red x over the area in question. 'We apologise for any upset caused to readers by the rogue member of 42 Commando,' said editor Ben Preston.
A spokeswoman for the Radio Times added: 'The unnamed marine is, like the rest of his unit, posing for the photograph dressed only in shorts. What we took to be the marine's finger proved, on closer inspection, to be another part of his anatomy.' A naval spokesman said: 'We apologise for any offence caused by this private photograph that was not intended for publication.'
Bidders fight to own Homer Simpson-shaped glue blob
Christopher Herbert says he could not believe it when Simpsons fans started bidding for his bit of dried glue that bears a resemblance to Homer Simpson. The blob of dried glue, that can be said to bear a vague resemblance to the famous cartoon character, has attracted bids of over £50,000 at eBay.
After finding the item whilst clearing out his stationery cupboard, London-based seller Christopher Herbert listed the object online after his girlfriend noticed it shared some of Homer's distinctive features including his large eyes and oval-shaped head.
Putting it up for sale more out of fun than expectation, Mr Herbert started the bidding at just 99p. It has since increased to almost £55,000 after 53 bids with the auction due to close on Monday.
YouTube link.
In his listing, Mr Herbert describes the peculiar item as the 'missing piece' in any Simpsons fan's collection and states its origins as "made naturally by an overflowing tube of Uhu glue!" The 36-year-old Londoner, said: "I've never actually sold anything on it [eBay] before, so I thought I'd just stick it on for a bit of a joke to be honest. I didn't think anyone would actually bid for an old bit of dried glue, even one that looks like Homer Simpson.
After finding the item whilst clearing out his stationery cupboard, London-based seller Christopher Herbert listed the object online after his girlfriend noticed it shared some of Homer's distinctive features including his large eyes and oval-shaped head.
Putting it up for sale more out of fun than expectation, Mr Herbert started the bidding at just 99p. It has since increased to almost £55,000 after 53 bids with the auction due to close on Monday.
YouTube link.
In his listing, Mr Herbert describes the peculiar item as the 'missing piece' in any Simpsons fan's collection and states its origins as "made naturally by an overflowing tube of Uhu glue!" The 36-year-old Londoner, said: "I've never actually sold anything on it [eBay] before, so I thought I'd just stick it on for a bit of a joke to be honest. I didn't think anyone would actually bid for an old bit of dried glue, even one that looks like Homer Simpson.
Hero Labradoodle sounds the alarm after owner’s 40ft ravine plunge in real life Lassie story
Hero hound Monty saved his injured owner's life by dashing half a mile to a pub to raise the alarm. Maurice Holder, 73, had been taking pet labradoodle Monty for a walk along a tidal river when the ground suddenly gave way and he plunged 40ft towards the water.
Photos from SWNS.
The pensioner was knocked unconscious and broke six ribs. He woke up to the sound of Monty barking at him. Maurice said: "When I woke up the tide had come in up to my chest and I was bleeding from my head. Monty was sat next to me."
The grandad — who has owned Monty for 11 years — struggled up the bank of the River Camel, near Bodmin, Cornwall, before collapsing. Monty then dashed to the Borough Arms pub where he barked until he attracted the attention of a local and led him to the scene.
Maurice, from Newquay, was rushed to hospital and treated for head injuries, broken ribs and cuts and bruises. He was later told his accident could have proved fatal if Monty had not got help to him in time. He said: "Monty is the perfect pet. He isn't the best behaved but he's loyal — and that's what matters."
Photos from SWNS.
The pensioner was knocked unconscious and broke six ribs. He woke up to the sound of Monty barking at him. Maurice said: "When I woke up the tide had come in up to my chest and I was bleeding from my head. Monty was sat next to me."
The grandad — who has owned Monty for 11 years — struggled up the bank of the River Camel, near Bodmin, Cornwall, before collapsing. Monty then dashed to the Borough Arms pub where he barked until he attracted the attention of a local and led him to the scene.
Maurice, from Newquay, was rushed to hospital and treated for head injuries, broken ribs and cuts and bruises. He was later told his accident could have proved fatal if Monty had not got help to him in time. He said: "Monty is the perfect pet. He isn't the best behaved but he's loyal — and that's what matters."
Uninsured man had 11 people in Audi A4, including 4 children in the boot
A Leicester driver has been banned from the roads for a year after being caught driving with 11 people in his car – including four in the boot. Leicester magistrates banned Zoltan Lakatos and gave him 14 days to pay £1,325 in fines and costs after hearing of his overloaded Audi A4 saloon. Six of the passengers were children – including the four in the boot. When Lakatos, 38, of Martin Street, Belgrave, was interviewed by police, he was told of the importance of securing young children in the car.
Lakatos, through a Hungarian interpreter, replied: "It doesn't matter, they are only children." Prosecutor Ian Johnson told the court how Lakatos was stopped at 10.30am in St Nicholas Circle in Leicester city centre on June 18 last year with four people in the boot and another five in the back seat. Lakatos was in the driver's seat and there was a 49-year-old woman alongside him in the front passenger seat. The four people in the boot – who were lying on top of each other – were an 11-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.
Mr Johnson said the five people in the back seat were a 65-year-old man, a 49-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman, a three-year-old and a nine-month-old infant. Lakatos, who did not attend court, was found guilty in his absence of using a motor vehicle to carry passengers in such a way as to create a danger of injury to them. Mr Johnson said: "There were 11 people in that vehicle – and to add insult to injury it was not covered by any form of insurance." Lakatos was also found guilty in his absence of not having any insurance.
Chairman of the bench Simon Edwards said using a motor vehicle and causing danger to passengers would normally be a lower level fine, but because of the aggravating circumstances due to the fact that there was no insurance and due to the number of persons carried, they were going to give a higher level fine. He was able to fine Lakatos the higher amount of £700 with £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. Mr Edwards said: "Because the offence is so serious we are going to impose a 12-month discretionary driving ban." He also fined Lakatos £525 for driving without insurance.*
*I have to say that had Mr Lakatos insured this car, I strongly suspect it would have cost him considerably more than £525 per annum. Probably more than the £1,325 he was fined in total. So in that respect he's probably saved himself some money.
Lakatos, through a Hungarian interpreter, replied: "It doesn't matter, they are only children." Prosecutor Ian Johnson told the court how Lakatos was stopped at 10.30am in St Nicholas Circle in Leicester city centre on June 18 last year with four people in the boot and another five in the back seat. Lakatos was in the driver's seat and there was a 49-year-old woman alongside him in the front passenger seat. The four people in the boot – who were lying on top of each other – were an 11-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.
Mr Johnson said the five people in the back seat were a 65-year-old man, a 49-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman, a three-year-old and a nine-month-old infant. Lakatos, who did not attend court, was found guilty in his absence of using a motor vehicle to carry passengers in such a way as to create a danger of injury to them. Mr Johnson said: "There were 11 people in that vehicle – and to add insult to injury it was not covered by any form of insurance." Lakatos was also found guilty in his absence of not having any insurance.
Chairman of the bench Simon Edwards said using a motor vehicle and causing danger to passengers would normally be a lower level fine, but because of the aggravating circumstances due to the fact that there was no insurance and due to the number of persons carried, they were going to give a higher level fine. He was able to fine Lakatos the higher amount of £700 with £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. Mr Edwards said: "Because the offence is so serious we are going to impose a 12-month discretionary driving ban." He also fined Lakatos £525 for driving without insurance.*
*I have to say that had Mr Lakatos insured this car, I strongly suspect it would have cost him considerably more than £525 per annum. Probably more than the £1,325 he was fined in total. So in that respect he's probably saved himself some money.
Town has entire market stolen by thieves
Thieves have stolen a market from a Derbyshire town. About 60 stalls used at Ashbourne Market were taken from the Mayfield Road depot overnight, along with a strimmer and a leaf-blower.
Police said the raiders had stolen two trailers with the stalls inside. One of the trailers was found at Darley Moor. Derbyshire Dales District Council's Jim Fearn said the Thursday market was open as normal with traders using their own makeshift stalls.
He said: "The traders are operating out of the back of vans, using trestle tables and some even have their goods on the floor. "We're obviously not charging them today." Mr Fearn said the thieves broke through a locked gate to get into the compound and then smashed their way into the depot building on site.
He said he thought the raiders were more interested in the trailers themselves, worth an estimated £6,000 each, than the market equipment inside. The trailer was recovered at 08:25 GMT after a farmer reported it dumped on her driveway.
Police said the raiders had stolen two trailers with the stalls inside. One of the trailers was found at Darley Moor. Derbyshire Dales District Council's Jim Fearn said the Thursday market was open as normal with traders using their own makeshift stalls.
He said: "The traders are operating out of the back of vans, using trestle tables and some even have their goods on the floor. "We're obviously not charging them today." Mr Fearn said the thieves broke through a locked gate to get into the compound and then smashed their way into the depot building on site.
He said he thought the raiders were more interested in the trailers themselves, worth an estimated £6,000 each, than the market equipment inside. The trailer was recovered at 08:25 GMT after a farmer reported it dumped on her driveway.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
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