Sunday, July 26, 2009
Blind dog plays catch
Riddle is a 10 month old pure bred border collie. He was born with no eyes. He sees neither light nor shadow.
Janitor admits repeatedly urinating on chair
Details have emerged in the case of a custodian at the Clark County government building charged with urinating on a court clerk's chair – an incident that was caught on tape. The Clark County Sheriff's Office said the video is now considered evidence, so they can't release it until Stephen Thompson's guilt or innocence is proved in court. Two of the people who watched the video said they've never seen anything like it before.
When Mark Van Glider, the building director, started receiving complaints from the circuit clerk's office nine weeks ago about an unusual substance turning up on one of the clerk's chairs, he didn't think it was strange, at first. "The first two or three times, we had someone clean it up and then it got to be so often that after the fourth time we started investigating pretty hard," he said. "We had a local contractor come in and put a hidden camera above her desk."
The strange substance turned up again for a fifth time Wednesday morning. Van Glider described what he saw after watching the video tape with the prosecutor and detectives. "We saw Steve Thompson, a second shift employee, urinating on the chair and then trying to wipe it clean with a paper towel," he said.
"I've been a prosecutor for 25 years and we've had our share of unusual perversion," said Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Stewart. "This is the first time I've ever had a case where our defendant allegedly victimized somebody by urinating on somebody's property. I understand it's not rape, robbery, burglary or murder, but it's pretty disgusting and it's got most people here at the courthouse here upset."
Detectives arrested Thompson when he turned up to work on Wednesday afternoon. Thompson was charged with two counts of attempted battery by bodily waste since the clerk never sat down in the chair and the urine never touched her.
Stewart said since the clerk is an employee of the Clerk Circuit Court, the crime committed against her is considered a felony, which carries a possible sentence of six months to three years for each count.
With news video.
When Mark Van Glider, the building director, started receiving complaints from the circuit clerk's office nine weeks ago about an unusual substance turning up on one of the clerk's chairs, he didn't think it was strange, at first. "The first two or three times, we had someone clean it up and then it got to be so often that after the fourth time we started investigating pretty hard," he said. "We had a local contractor come in and put a hidden camera above her desk."
The strange substance turned up again for a fifth time Wednesday morning. Van Glider described what he saw after watching the video tape with the prosecutor and detectives. "We saw Steve Thompson, a second shift employee, urinating on the chair and then trying to wipe it clean with a paper towel," he said.
"I've been a prosecutor for 25 years and we've had our share of unusual perversion," said Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Stewart. "This is the first time I've ever had a case where our defendant allegedly victimized somebody by urinating on somebody's property. I understand it's not rape, robbery, burglary or murder, but it's pretty disgusting and it's got most people here at the courthouse here upset."
Detectives arrested Thompson when he turned up to work on Wednesday afternoon. Thompson was charged with two counts of attempted battery by bodily waste since the clerk never sat down in the chair and the urine never touched her.
Stewart said since the clerk is an employee of the Clerk Circuit Court, the crime committed against her is considered a felony, which carries a possible sentence of six months to three years for each count.
With news video.
Outrage over risque T- shirt slogans
Child advocates have slammed a risque range of baby clothes that created a storm of controversy in Australia and are now on sale in New Zealand.
The T-shirts and suits are on sale in Australian chain Cotton On Kids' 17 Kiwi stores and feature slogans including "I'm a tits man", "The condom broke", "I'm living proof my mum is easy" and "Mummy likes it on top".
Family groups and child psychologists in Australia said they sexualised children and called for them to be withdrawn.
National Council of Women of New Zealand president Elizabeth Bang agreed and said the slogans were "awful".
"We've noticed more and more of this and we think it's time it stopped. There's quite a lot of research showing the sexualisation of children can be harmful to their mental and physical health."
Moyna Fletcher, of anti-child abuse trust CPS, said the clothing exploits children for adults' entertainment. Clinical psychologist April Trenberth, who works with child sex abuse victims, said the range seemed "cute" and "harmless", but was actually "insidious and dangerous".
The T-shirts and suits are on sale in Australian chain Cotton On Kids' 17 Kiwi stores and feature slogans including "I'm a tits man", "The condom broke", "I'm living proof my mum is easy" and "Mummy likes it on top".
Family groups and child psychologists in Australia said they sexualised children and called for them to be withdrawn.
National Council of Women of New Zealand president Elizabeth Bang agreed and said the slogans were "awful".
"We've noticed more and more of this and we think it's time it stopped. There's quite a lot of research showing the sexualisation of children can be harmful to their mental and physical health."
Moyna Fletcher, of anti-child abuse trust CPS, said the clothing exploits children for adults' entertainment. Clinical psychologist April Trenberth, who works with child sex abuse victims, said the range seemed "cute" and "harmless", but was actually "insidious and dangerous".
Indian school for rogue monkeys
Wildlife officials in India plan to build a special school to improve the behaviour of delinquent monkeys. They say the aim is to target monkeys that pose a serious threat to people in the state of Punjab. Officials say monkeys are a growing menace in Punjab as the animals move into towns and cities looking for food.
The state government has asked India's Central Zoo Authority for funds to build the country's first monkey rescue and rehabilitation centre. Punjab has more than 65,000 wild monkeys. As more and more forests disappear, they are increasingly encroaching into human settlements, say experts. Many of the animals now live in towns and villages and it is not uncommon for them to attack humans as they forage for food.
The problem of rogue monkeys is particularly severe in towns close to India's north-western border with Pakistan. Officials accuse them of a variety of bad behaviour from terrorising children, snatching food from people and destroying property. Macaque monkeys routinely destroy TV antennae, tear down clothes-lines and damage parked scooters and motorcycles.
The proposed new monkey school will take in the "worst offenders" and put them through a crash course in good manners. "We have proposed a composite facility where scientific methods will be employed to change and alter the social habits of the monkeys," Mr Luna said. Wildlife officials hope to reduce aggression and train the monkeys to be more like the wild animals they originally were.
It is hoped that the school will eventually become a temporary home for up to 100 rogue monkeys. It will begin with 15-20 animals complete with a quarantine area and a veterinary hospital.
The monkey rehabilitation centre is planned as an extension to a mini zoo near the city of Patiala, in a thickly forested area that was once the royal hunting grounds of the princely state of Patiala. It replaces an earlier - now defunct - holding facility or "jail" for rogue monkeys also located at the site several years ago.
The state government has asked India's Central Zoo Authority for funds to build the country's first monkey rescue and rehabilitation centre. Punjab has more than 65,000 wild monkeys. As more and more forests disappear, they are increasingly encroaching into human settlements, say experts. Many of the animals now live in towns and villages and it is not uncommon for them to attack humans as they forage for food.
The problem of rogue monkeys is particularly severe in towns close to India's north-western border with Pakistan. Officials accuse them of a variety of bad behaviour from terrorising children, snatching food from people and destroying property. Macaque monkeys routinely destroy TV antennae, tear down clothes-lines and damage parked scooters and motorcycles.
The proposed new monkey school will take in the "worst offenders" and put them through a crash course in good manners. "We have proposed a composite facility where scientific methods will be employed to change and alter the social habits of the monkeys," Mr Luna said. Wildlife officials hope to reduce aggression and train the monkeys to be more like the wild animals they originally were.
It is hoped that the school will eventually become a temporary home for up to 100 rogue monkeys. It will begin with 15-20 animals complete with a quarantine area and a veterinary hospital.
The monkey rehabilitation centre is planned as an extension to a mini zoo near the city of Patiala, in a thickly forested area that was once the royal hunting grounds of the princely state of Patiala. It replaces an earlier - now defunct - holding facility or "jail" for rogue monkeys also located at the site several years ago.
Hearing-impaired girl finds strength in injured dolphin
A Rowlett girl who struggled for acceptance found hope and strength in a surprising place. When 10-year-old McKenna McGough met Winter the dolphin, it was love at first sight. "I thought since she just loves me, and I love her, we could talk to each other often and see each other," McKenna said.
Winter was an unlikely source of encouragement for a girl who always felt different. "Lots of my friends didn't have hearing aids, and it made me feel really uncomfortable about it," she said.
Born hearing-impaired, McKenna was always embarrassed to wear her hearing aid or to talk about her condition with others. But two years ago, a trip down to Clearwater, Fla., changed her whole world.
"It did surprise me how she was just relaxed and just loving on me," said McKenna of the first time she swam in the pool with Winter. In Winter, McKenna found strength in a little dolphin without a tail - she was crippled after an accident involving a crab trap. "She's not so shy to show her stump, so why should I be shy to show my hearing aid?" McKenna said.
Her mother, Stacy, said it was amazing to see how her daughter's attitude changed. "It was a big blessing, because after we saw her for the first time, McKenna started wearing her hearing aid. She started talking to people openly about what was wrong," Stacy McGough said.
McKenna has seen Winter six times in the last two years, and she looks forward to many more visits. She's even had a chance to watch Winter's trainers fit the dolphin with a prosthetic tail. After McKenna met Winter, she wanted to know everything about the dolphin. She's even decided she wants to be Winter's trainer when she grows up. "I want to give back to Winter because of all the things she's done to help me," McKenna said.
There's a charming news video here.
Winter was an unlikely source of encouragement for a girl who always felt different. "Lots of my friends didn't have hearing aids, and it made me feel really uncomfortable about it," she said.
Born hearing-impaired, McKenna was always embarrassed to wear her hearing aid or to talk about her condition with others. But two years ago, a trip down to Clearwater, Fla., changed her whole world.
"It did surprise me how she was just relaxed and just loving on me," said McKenna of the first time she swam in the pool with Winter. In Winter, McKenna found strength in a little dolphin without a tail - she was crippled after an accident involving a crab trap. "She's not so shy to show her stump, so why should I be shy to show my hearing aid?" McKenna said.
Her mother, Stacy, said it was amazing to see how her daughter's attitude changed. "It was a big blessing, because after we saw her for the first time, McKenna started wearing her hearing aid. She started talking to people openly about what was wrong," Stacy McGough said.
McKenna has seen Winter six times in the last two years, and she looks forward to many more visits. She's even had a chance to watch Winter's trainers fit the dolphin with a prosthetic tail. After McKenna met Winter, she wanted to know everything about the dolphin. She's even decided she wants to be Winter's trainer when she grows up. "I want to give back to Winter because of all the things she's done to help me," McKenna said.
There's a charming news video here.
150 dogs found dead in freezers at home
Police on Friday found about 150 dead dogs packed in freezers in the basement of a Michigan house littered with faeces and trash where more than 110 live dogs, mostly Chihuahuas, were rescued this week.
Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said the 56-year-old man found on Wednesday in the suburban Detroit home with the animals may have been living with an increasing number of dogs for up to three or four years. The house was in complete disarray, very cluttered and, with 100-plus dogs running around in there, very filthy," he said.
A criminal investigation was under way at the two-story brick home, Haddad said. He said the case could be forwarded to prosecutors for possible animal-cruelty charges. Haddad said 112 live dogs had been removed from the home as of Friday, and police believe about five more may be hiding inside. He declined to release details about the breed of the dead dogs.
The man living in the house was taken to a local hospital for observation. He had no health insurance and a mental impairment that stemmed from rubella as a child, and had lived for years alone in the home after his parents retired to Florida, said lawyer James G. Schmier, who was acting as a family spokesman. "I think this is a very human story of a guy who had some very severe mental issues," Schmier said.
Neighbours in the past had complained of an odour at the Dearborn home, which had a neatly cut lawn and manicured bushes. But this week was the first time officials got inside, and crews needed masks to breathe.
Trash was piled from floor to ceiling in places, and faeces and urine was throughout the home. Forty-two ailing and feces-covered dogs were rescued on Wednesday. Crews returned on Thursday and found more than 60 dogs, and about 10 more were rescued Friday, police said.
Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said the 56-year-old man found on Wednesday in the suburban Detroit home with the animals may have been living with an increasing number of dogs for up to three or four years. The house was in complete disarray, very cluttered and, with 100-plus dogs running around in there, very filthy," he said.
A criminal investigation was under way at the two-story brick home, Haddad said. He said the case could be forwarded to prosecutors for possible animal-cruelty charges. Haddad said 112 live dogs had been removed from the home as of Friday, and police believe about five more may be hiding inside. He declined to release details about the breed of the dead dogs.
The man living in the house was taken to a local hospital for observation. He had no health insurance and a mental impairment that stemmed from rubella as a child, and had lived for years alone in the home after his parents retired to Florida, said lawyer James G. Schmier, who was acting as a family spokesman. "I think this is a very human story of a guy who had some very severe mental issues," Schmier said.
Neighbours in the past had complained of an odour at the Dearborn home, which had a neatly cut lawn and manicured bushes. But this week was the first time officials got inside, and crews needed masks to breathe.
Trash was piled from floor to ceiling in places, and faeces and urine was throughout the home. Forty-two ailing and feces-covered dogs were rescued on Wednesday. Crews returned on Thursday and found more than 60 dogs, and about 10 more were rescued Friday, police said.
Australian prisoner gets supervised sex and drugs in plea deal
It's almost too fanciful to be true: a prisoner is picked up from jail and taken for a drive by police officers through the suburbs on Brisbane's southside.
He's handed a list of unsolved break-and-enters, perhaps as many as 300. He reads the details: how entry was gained, what was taken, the time the crime was committed.
And he's told that he needs to admit to at least 20 to make his reward worthwhile.
According to evidence given by the prisoner to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, police then collected his girlfriend and delivered her to Morningside police station.
It was there where they engaged in sex and the prisoner injected himself with drugs his girlfriend brought.
The prisoner, called RI appeared in the scathing report into police released this week.
He's handed a list of unsolved break-and-enters, perhaps as many as 300. He reads the details: how entry was gained, what was taken, the time the crime was committed.
And he's told that he needs to admit to at least 20 to make his reward worthwhile.
According to evidence given by the prisoner to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, police then collected his girlfriend and delivered her to Morningside police station.
It was there where they engaged in sex and the prisoner injected himself with drugs his girlfriend brought.
The prisoner, called RI appeared in the scathing report into police released this week.
Drink-drive killer sentenced to death
A drink driver who crashed into and killed four people has been sentenced to death in China. Sun Weiming was found guilty of endangering public safety after speeding in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, last December. The 30-year-old reportedly struck four other cars, killing four people and seriously injuring another. He was also driving without a licence.
It is the first time in China that a person has been given the death penalty for endangering public safety by drink driving. China imposes capital punishment more than any other country.
Amnesty International reported earlier this year that China put at least 1,718 people to death in 2008. The penalty is used even for non-violent crimes, like corruption or tax evasion.
Photo from here.
Sun told the court he would appeal and begged the judge for a chance to start a new life. "At the time of the accident, I was completely dazed from drinking and completely unaware and I did not intentionally cross the double line (into oncoming traffic)," he was quoted as saying.
The judge as said Sun's decision to drive without a licence showed his contempt for traffic regulations. The fact that he was fleeing a crash when the fatal collision occurred also showed he was acting intentionally, the judge said.
Sun had drunk "large quantities" of a strong Chinese spirit at a relative's lunchtime birthday party on the day of the accident, Tianfu said. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.13, or 135.8 milligrams of alcohol per 100mls of blood. China's legal limit is 0.08.
It is the first time in China that a person has been given the death penalty for endangering public safety by drink driving. China imposes capital punishment more than any other country.
Amnesty International reported earlier this year that China put at least 1,718 people to death in 2008. The penalty is used even for non-violent crimes, like corruption or tax evasion.
Photo from here.
Sun told the court he would appeal and begged the judge for a chance to start a new life. "At the time of the accident, I was completely dazed from drinking and completely unaware and I did not intentionally cross the double line (into oncoming traffic)," he was quoted as saying.
The judge as said Sun's decision to drive without a licence showed his contempt for traffic regulations. The fact that he was fleeing a crash when the fatal collision occurred also showed he was acting intentionally, the judge said.
Sun had drunk "large quantities" of a strong Chinese spirit at a relative's lunchtime birthday party on the day of the accident, Tianfu said. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.13, or 135.8 milligrams of alcohol per 100mls of blood. China's legal limit is 0.08.
Two toddlers shoot siblings in US
Two young children have been shot by their siblings in the space of 24 hours in the United States.
In Las Vegas, a two-year-old girl was in a critical condition after being shot by her four-year-old brother at their home, police said. In South Carolina, a four-year-old boy was shot in the stomach by his three-year-old brother after the little boy found a gun. The injured boy was expected to make a full recovery, police said.
The incident in Las Vegas happened on Thursday night after the girl's brother found a loaded 9mm handgun inside their home. It went off while he was holding it, hitting his sister in her torso.
According to police, the father was home at the time and the gun appears to have been improperly secured. The shooting involving the two brothers happened in Gray Court, South Carolina, also on Thursday night. They and their father were staying at the home of a family friend.
Laurens County Sheriff Ricky Chastain said it appeared the younger boy found the gun under a bed and accidentally shot his brother. The injured boy was flown to hospital, where he underwent surgery, he said. No charges have been filed in relation to either case.
The two incidents come less than a week after a five-year-old boy died after shooting himself in the head. He had found a handgun inside his father's vehicle outside a Las Vegas pharmacy. The father in that case has been charged with child endangerment.
In Las Vegas, a two-year-old girl was in a critical condition after being shot by her four-year-old brother at their home, police said. In South Carolina, a four-year-old boy was shot in the stomach by his three-year-old brother after the little boy found a gun. The injured boy was expected to make a full recovery, police said.
The incident in Las Vegas happened on Thursday night after the girl's brother found a loaded 9mm handgun inside their home. It went off while he was holding it, hitting his sister in her torso.
According to police, the father was home at the time and the gun appears to have been improperly secured. The shooting involving the two brothers happened in Gray Court, South Carolina, also on Thursday night. They and their father were staying at the home of a family friend.
Laurens County Sheriff Ricky Chastain said it appeared the younger boy found the gun under a bed and accidentally shot his brother. The injured boy was flown to hospital, where he underwent surgery, he said. No charges have been filed in relation to either case.
The two incidents come less than a week after a five-year-old boy died after shooting himself in the head. He had found a handgun inside his father's vehicle outside a Las Vegas pharmacy. The father in that case has been charged with child endangerment.
Germans can now grab poolside chairs even earlier
Sunbed-stealing Germans are now grabbing their poolside recliners before they've even left home.
Travel giant Thomas Cook is offering holidaymakers from the country famous for taking prime spots the chance to reserve it in advance.
And Europe's second largest travel company has been swamped with requests.
Germans are famous around Europe for rising early to reserve recliners near the pool with their towels, and then going back to bed or eating a lengthy breakfast.
But they can now stake their claim at nine hotels in Turkey, Egypt and the Canary Islands - for a small fee.
Mathias Brandes, head of communications at Thomas Cook in Germany, said the offer is only available to people travelling from Germany though.
Travel giant Thomas Cook is offering holidaymakers from the country famous for taking prime spots the chance to reserve it in advance.
And Europe's second largest travel company has been swamped with requests.
Germans are famous around Europe for rising early to reserve recliners near the pool with their towels, and then going back to bed or eating a lengthy breakfast.
But they can now stake their claim at nine hotels in Turkey, Egypt and the Canary Islands - for a small fee.
Mathias Brandes, head of communications at Thomas Cook in Germany, said the offer is only available to people travelling from Germany though.
Catacombs may be used to store bodies of swine flu victims
A city council is considering using 19th century catacombs to store the bodies of swine flu victims if the outbreak worsens, it was confirmed today.
Exeter city council has identified the empty underground burial chambers, currently used as a tourist attraction, as a potential mortuary.
A council spokesman said the plan would be implemented if the crematorium and cemeteries could not keep up with funeral demands.
"We have some empty catacombs in an old cemetery in the city," he said. "These are 19th century underground burial chambers which are normally a tourist attraction. They can, however, be safely used for their original purpose and allow us to temporarily store bodies in the remote possibility that the need should arise."
So far at least 31 people have died in the UK after contracting the virus. Yesterday, the World Health Organisation said 800 people had now died worldwide from the H1N1 virus and as many as 2 billion people could eventually be infected.
Doctors have warned that NHS intensive care wards could be overwhelmed by severely ill swine flu patients if infection rates climb rapidly.
Exeter city council has identified the empty underground burial chambers, currently used as a tourist attraction, as a potential mortuary.
A council spokesman said the plan would be implemented if the crematorium and cemeteries could not keep up with funeral demands.
"We have some empty catacombs in an old cemetery in the city," he said. "These are 19th century underground burial chambers which are normally a tourist attraction. They can, however, be safely used for their original purpose and allow us to temporarily store bodies in the remote possibility that the need should arise."
So far at least 31 people have died in the UK after contracting the virus. Yesterday, the World Health Organisation said 800 people had now died worldwide from the H1N1 virus and as many as 2 billion people could eventually be infected.
Doctors have warned that NHS intensive care wards could be overwhelmed by severely ill swine flu patients if infection rates climb rapidly.
False breast and glass eye just some of property left in rented homes
An antique dentist's chair equipped with extraction tools is not the usual thing a landlord or lettings agent expects to find left behind in an average rental property.
But there it was, at the end of the tenancy, after the tenant had packed up and left the house for good.
And according to Belvoir, Britain's biggest lettings specialist, which has an office in Whalley, that is just one of the many bizarre items found in properties across the UK.
"There's been the usual crop of dumped hi-fi systems and scrapped Playstations," said Mike Goddard, at Belvoir, "but then comes the bizarre stuff – and every now and again we hear of a new surprise.
"Usually tenants are no trouble and the transition between one tenant leaving and another inhabiting the property is smooth, but sometimes when a property is cleared out it is the letting agents and landlords who have to deal with the leftovers."
Other bizarre leftovers include:
• A Christmas tree beautifully decorated in the middle of August, featuring a glass eye as one of the decorations
• A fish tank with two very bemused goldfish, left in the middle of the dining room floor
• A montage of page three models that covered the entire upstairs of a property
• A stuffed sparrow hawk mounted on a plinth
• Two surf boards used as "saloon style" doors to get in and out of the kitchen
• A box of 24 out-of-date tins of lager with a fishing rod, kite and false breast
• An external door mounted on bricks and used as a coffee table
• A wardrobe full of brand new women's clothes, shoes, jewellery and make-up
"Some items were even left as gifts for the landlord," said Mr Goddard. "One tenant left pickled eggs because he wanted to say thank you and thought the landlord would like them!"
But there it was, at the end of the tenancy, after the tenant had packed up and left the house for good.
And according to Belvoir, Britain's biggest lettings specialist, which has an office in Whalley, that is just one of the many bizarre items found in properties across the UK.
"There's been the usual crop of dumped hi-fi systems and scrapped Playstations," said Mike Goddard, at Belvoir, "but then comes the bizarre stuff – and every now and again we hear of a new surprise.
"Usually tenants are no trouble and the transition between one tenant leaving and another inhabiting the property is smooth, but sometimes when a property is cleared out it is the letting agents and landlords who have to deal with the leftovers."
Other bizarre leftovers include:
• A Christmas tree beautifully decorated in the middle of August, featuring a glass eye as one of the decorations
• A fish tank with two very bemused goldfish, left in the middle of the dining room floor
• A montage of page three models that covered the entire upstairs of a property
• A stuffed sparrow hawk mounted on a plinth
• Two surf boards used as "saloon style" doors to get in and out of the kitchen
• A box of 24 out-of-date tins of lager with a fishing rod, kite and false breast
• An external door mounted on bricks and used as a coffee table
• A wardrobe full of brand new women's clothes, shoes, jewellery and make-up
"Some items were even left as gifts for the landlord," said Mr Goddard. "One tenant left pickled eggs because he wanted to say thank you and thought the landlord would like them!"
Breastfeeding mothers pose for provocative calendar
This brave group of new mothers have posed for a daring new calendar promoting the joys of breastfeeding. The women struck a variety of provocative poses to prove that new mothers could still be "young, trendy and sexy" and that breast feeding was healthy and nothing to be ashamed of.
One photograph shows a half-naked couple embracing with their newborn baby at the breast. Another features a pregnant woman breastfeeding her four-year-old daughter after a bath. And one shows a pretty brunette in a revealing bra putting on make-up while breastfeeding her son.
Rosie Evans, 28, organised the calendar in aid of the Warwickshire-based support group Rugby Breastfeeding Cafe, which offers advice and support for new mothers. The social worker and counsellor said she wanted to break the taboo surrounding breastfeeding, and show new mums that they could still feel attractive. She said: "We wanted to challenge views people might have about breastfeeding.
"It can get a very bad press and some women feel like they shouldn't breastfeed in public. But breast milk is liquid gold and there is nothing wrong with doing so. I hope this calendar shows how empowering it can be and tell people about it. It shows that you can be young, trendy and sexy and still be a breastfeeding mum. It also shows that mums can enjoy breastfeeding, that mums can breastfeed for as long as they and their children like. That's why the women in some of the pictures feel sexy about it."
The Rugby Breastfeeding Cafe – who promotes breastmilk smoothies on their website – hope the calendar will be displayed in GPs surgeries, shops, restaurants and schools. Rosie said: "The more normalised breastfeeding becomes the better it will be for mothers.
"It is a perfectly natural and beautiful part of motherhood and should be celebrated." The calendar goes on sale in September and will cost between £8 and £10.
One photograph shows a half-naked couple embracing with their newborn baby at the breast. Another features a pregnant woman breastfeeding her four-year-old daughter after a bath. And one shows a pretty brunette in a revealing bra putting on make-up while breastfeeding her son.
Rosie Evans, 28, organised the calendar in aid of the Warwickshire-based support group Rugby Breastfeeding Cafe, which offers advice and support for new mothers. The social worker and counsellor said she wanted to break the taboo surrounding breastfeeding, and show new mums that they could still feel attractive. She said: "We wanted to challenge views people might have about breastfeeding.
"It can get a very bad press and some women feel like they shouldn't breastfeed in public. But breast milk is liquid gold and there is nothing wrong with doing so. I hope this calendar shows how empowering it can be and tell people about it. It shows that you can be young, trendy and sexy and still be a breastfeeding mum. It also shows that mums can enjoy breastfeeding, that mums can breastfeed for as long as they and their children like. That's why the women in some of the pictures feel sexy about it."
The Rugby Breastfeeding Cafe – who promotes breastmilk smoothies on their website – hope the calendar will be displayed in GPs surgeries, shops, restaurants and schools. Rosie said: "The more normalised breastfeeding becomes the better it will be for mothers.
"It is a perfectly natural and beautiful part of motherhood and should be celebrated." The calendar goes on sale in September and will cost between £8 and £10.
Concerns over fines by 'bouncers'
New police-style powers being given to civilians could create a third-tier police force, magistrates have warned. Powers introduced in autumn 2008 mean over 1,400 people can issue penalty notices and instant fines for offences from dog fouling to public disorder.
The Magistrates' Association in England and Wales is concerned about bouncers and private security staff having access to the police database. The Home Office says those using the powers have been vetted and trained.
Private security firms employ staff to guard buildings and manage entry into nightclubs. Under the new scheme bouncers and security staff will have the authority to stop cars for checking and issue fines and penalty notices.
The powers are granted by chief constables, and those who are accredited must undergo vetting and training and wear badges and uniforms approved by their local police force. Because tickets are not issued to those with criminal records, as such cases are dealt with through the courts, accredited staff must check the Police National Computer.
John Howson, deputy chairman of the Magistrates' Association of England and Wales, said that he was concerned about this. "We don't think it is appropriate for these people to have that access," he said.
Mr Howson added that the scheme creates a "third-tier" force below police and community support officers.
The Magistrates' Association in England and Wales is concerned about bouncers and private security staff having access to the police database. The Home Office says those using the powers have been vetted and trained.
Private security firms employ staff to guard buildings and manage entry into nightclubs. Under the new scheme bouncers and security staff will have the authority to stop cars for checking and issue fines and penalty notices.
The powers are granted by chief constables, and those who are accredited must undergo vetting and training and wear badges and uniforms approved by their local police force. Because tickets are not issued to those with criminal records, as such cases are dealt with through the courts, accredited staff must check the Police National Computer.
John Howson, deputy chairman of the Magistrates' Association of England and Wales, said that he was concerned about this. "We don't think it is appropriate for these people to have that access," he said.
Mr Howson added that the scheme creates a "third-tier" force below police and community support officers.
Armed police raid innocent mum's home and suggest brandy to calm her nerves
A single mum is recovering from a terrifying ordeal after armed police wrongly smashed in her front door while she was giving her young son a bath upstairs. Innocent Rachel Whitmarsh was ordered out of the Poole property while her boy, Jordan, aged six, was left frightened and alone in the bathtub.
Officers, who were hunting an escaped convict in the botched raid, smashed in an outer door, then screamed for her to open the second door leading up to her flat in Ashley Road, Parkstone. “Afterwards I was shaking, crying, scared out of my life. I’m quite a strong person but I’m still too scared to go back to the flat, and my son definitely won’t go back,” said Rachel.
The shocked 29-year-old, who works for Poole council and as a school dinner lady, is now staying with family in nearby Alderney. She is also worried the man police were searching for might come back.
“They showed me a photograph and asked if I knew this man, but wouldn’t say anything more than he was an escaped prisoner who lived at this address two years before. Police won’t tell me what he’s done. What if he comes back here?” She said of Tuesday’s 10pm raid: “I was giving Jordan a bath. “The problem with my flat is, it is quite high up and I couldn’t hear the main front door – they said they’d been knocking for 15 minutes.
“After they kicked this in, I heard them at the second door shouting, ‘Police, open up or we’ll break the door down.’ “They just pushed past me and ran into the flat – they were armed, so I was scared.” After the officers were convinced the flat was clean, they made sure the door was secure and left.
Rachel said: “They told me to have a stiff brandy and just left. Police shouldn’t be able to go around acting like this – no real aftercare or nothing.”
Officers, who were hunting an escaped convict in the botched raid, smashed in an outer door, then screamed for her to open the second door leading up to her flat in Ashley Road, Parkstone. “Afterwards I was shaking, crying, scared out of my life. I’m quite a strong person but I’m still too scared to go back to the flat, and my son definitely won’t go back,” said Rachel.
The shocked 29-year-old, who works for Poole council and as a school dinner lady, is now staying with family in nearby Alderney. She is also worried the man police were searching for might come back.
“They showed me a photograph and asked if I knew this man, but wouldn’t say anything more than he was an escaped prisoner who lived at this address two years before. Police won’t tell me what he’s done. What if he comes back here?” She said of Tuesday’s 10pm raid: “I was giving Jordan a bath. “The problem with my flat is, it is quite high up and I couldn’t hear the main front door – they said they’d been knocking for 15 minutes.
“After they kicked this in, I heard them at the second door shouting, ‘Police, open up or we’ll break the door down.’ “They just pushed past me and ran into the flat – they were armed, so I was scared.” After the officers were convinced the flat was clean, they made sure the door was secure and left.
Rachel said: “They told me to have a stiff brandy and just left. Police shouldn’t be able to go around acting like this – no real aftercare or nothing.”
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