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Sunday, January 03, 2010
Prisoner trying to flee has to be rescued after he is stuck in bars of cell
He was presumably hoping to kick of 2010 a free man on the run but it seems he forgot to meticulously plan his escape route.
Prisoner Roberto Carrillo attempted to flee his cell in a Mexican jail in Valle Hermoso on New Year's Eve.
The 42-year-old tried to squeeze himself between the gap between the roof of the prison and the bars of his cell.
But instead of sneaking through, he ended up completely stuck and hanging upside down.
He was forced to call for help and laughing guards came to his aid and cut him free using a chain saw - before locking him up once again.
A source at the jail said: 'If he'd had a brain, it could have been embarrassing.'
Prisoner Roberto Carrillo attempted to flee his cell in a Mexican jail in Valle Hermoso on New Year's Eve.
The 42-year-old tried to squeeze himself between the gap between the roof of the prison and the bars of his cell.
But instead of sneaking through, he ended up completely stuck and hanging upside down.
He was forced to call for help and laughing guards came to his aid and cut him free using a chain saw - before locking him up once again.
A source at the jail said: 'If he'd had a brain, it could have been embarrassing.'
Experts baffled as San Francisco's sea lions suddenly quit town
The famous sea lions of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf have disappeared after 20 years - leaving experts baffled as to why.
Last month, Pier 39 groaned under the weight of some 1,500 of the animals. But now all but a few have swum off bringing to an end a two-decade long sojourn - and one of the world's smelliest tourist attractions.
The first bull sea lions arrived in late 1989, but the animals began to depart in November. Officials hope the departure is only temporary - as a 20th anniversary party had been planned for 15 January.
Marine experts suspect that the animals originally came to Fisherman's Wharf chasing their favourite food - sardines and anchovies. And they suspect that is why they have gone.
Although the hunt for food seems the likeliest reason for their disappearance, experts admit it is a mystery.
One more outlandish theory is that their departure is the sign of an imminent earthquake.
Last month, Pier 39 groaned under the weight of some 1,500 of the animals. But now all but a few have swum off bringing to an end a two-decade long sojourn - and one of the world's smelliest tourist attractions.
The first bull sea lions arrived in late 1989, but the animals began to depart in November. Officials hope the departure is only temporary - as a 20th anniversary party had been planned for 15 January.
Marine experts suspect that the animals originally came to Fisherman's Wharf chasing their favourite food - sardines and anchovies. And they suspect that is why they have gone.
Although the hunt for food seems the likeliest reason for their disappearance, experts admit it is a mystery.
One more outlandish theory is that their departure is the sign of an imminent earthquake.
Irish atheists challenge blasphemy law
An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website.
Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court.
The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI.
The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros (£22,000; $35,000).
The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs. The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January.
Atheist Ireland responded by publishing 25 quotes it considers anti-religious on its website.
Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court.
The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI.
The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros (£22,000; $35,000).
The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs. The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January.
Atheist Ireland responded by publishing 25 quotes it considers anti-religious on its website.
Pedal-powered submarine to go on the market
A pedal-powered submarine capable of diving up to 30 metres has been developed by a Russian company. The craft can be powered by two people with no specialist training and moves at about walking pace.
The pedallers sit side by side in the craft, most of which is made from a special acrylic glass. Its designers say this will give occupants "spectacular underwater views".
Apart from two sets of pedals, controls are limited to a steering wheel and a few buttons to make operating the submarine as simple as possible.
The sub was developed by Russian company called Marine Innovative Technologies Ltd (MIT) and is expected to cost £50,000 pounds although prices could drop to around £15,000 for bulk buyers.
MIT expect to sell to private buyers as well as companies hiring out the subs to tourists in popular resorts.
At 11ft long and 6ft 6in wide it is possible to transport the craft on the back of a car trailer. MIT will also offer a model with a low-power electric drive unit as well.
There are more photos here.
The pedallers sit side by side in the craft, most of which is made from a special acrylic glass. Its designers say this will give occupants "spectacular underwater views".
Apart from two sets of pedals, controls are limited to a steering wheel and a few buttons to make operating the submarine as simple as possible.
The sub was developed by Russian company called Marine Innovative Technologies Ltd (MIT) and is expected to cost £50,000 pounds although prices could drop to around £15,000 for bulk buyers.
MIT expect to sell to private buyers as well as companies hiring out the subs to tourists in popular resorts.
At 11ft long and 6ft 6in wide it is possible to transport the craft on the back of a car trailer. MIT will also offer a model with a low-power electric drive unit as well.
There are more photos here.
Britain wants Australia to keep British criminals
Two hundred years ago its worst citizens were transported to the other side of the world, creating Australia in the process - now cash-strapped Britain wants its former colony to again keep its criminals. In the past 12 months, dozens of British-born paedophiles, rapists and career criminals - many aged in their late 50s and 60s - were deported to the UK after finishing their sentences in Australian jails, despite having lived most of their lives in Australia.
Among them was notorious paedophile Raymond Horne, who had to be given a police escort through Heathrow Airport amid British outrage over his forced return from Queensland. UK campaigners fear that a lack of connection to their former homeland, including no support base of family and friends, makes the serial offenders more likely to reoffend.
A British Government report revealed it costs an estimated $100,000 a year to watch and house each deported "foreign" individual. Now a number of high-profile and influential welfare groups and charities are set to mount a campaign to have laws changed. Privately many British MPs agree and a parliamentary debate on the issue is expected soon. Australia last year jettisoned more than 60 criminals to countries of origin, mostly the UK and New Zealand.
UK child welfare campaigner Shy Keenan said while offenders had court-backed restrictions in Australia that would have them back behind bars if breached, once they were deported to the UK the ability to restrict their actions was limited.
She called on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to raise the issue with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd.
"It's just not fair, Australia," she said. "In law they do belong here, in essence they are British citizens, but whether they are morally or ethically British is another argument. In law Australia has now found a way to kick them back to us."
Among them was notorious paedophile Raymond Horne, who had to be given a police escort through Heathrow Airport amid British outrage over his forced return from Queensland. UK campaigners fear that a lack of connection to their former homeland, including no support base of family and friends, makes the serial offenders more likely to reoffend.
A British Government report revealed it costs an estimated $100,000 a year to watch and house each deported "foreign" individual. Now a number of high-profile and influential welfare groups and charities are set to mount a campaign to have laws changed. Privately many British MPs agree and a parliamentary debate on the issue is expected soon. Australia last year jettisoned more than 60 criminals to countries of origin, mostly the UK and New Zealand.
UK child welfare campaigner Shy Keenan said while offenders had court-backed restrictions in Australia that would have them back behind bars if breached, once they were deported to the UK the ability to restrict their actions was limited.
She called on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to raise the issue with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd.
"It's just not fair, Australia," she said. "In law they do belong here, in essence they are British citizens, but whether they are morally or ethically British is another argument. In law Australia has now found a way to kick them back to us."
Scotland's ugliest dog seeks a new home
An animal charity appealed for a home for what has been dubbed Scotland's ugliest dog.
Marble, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was found roaming the streets of Greenock, near Glasgow, after having apparently been abandoned.
Staff at the Scottish SPCA re-homing centre in Glasgow think it was abandoned because it is getting too old to have puppies.
Marbles is struggling to find a new home because it is passed over in favour of prettier animals. It has a skin infection that has left scabs on its stomach and chest, has different coloured eyes and unusually pink ears and nose.
But staff at the centre said Marbles has a lovely personality and would make the perfect pet.
Kennel assistant Alan Grant said: "She's a very biddable wee dog, she's very easy to handle and she's never given us any problems."
Marble, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was found roaming the streets of Greenock, near Glasgow, after having apparently been abandoned.
Staff at the Scottish SPCA re-homing centre in Glasgow think it was abandoned because it is getting too old to have puppies.
Marbles is struggling to find a new home because it is passed over in favour of prettier animals. It has a skin infection that has left scabs on its stomach and chest, has different coloured eyes and unusually pink ears and nose.
But staff at the centre said Marbles has a lovely personality and would make the perfect pet.
Kennel assistant Alan Grant said: "She's a very biddable wee dog, she's very easy to handle and she's never given us any problems."
£15 extra on car fines to help victims of domestic violence and sex attacks
Drivers who are found guilty of minor motoring offences face a £15 surcharge to help victims of domestic violence and other violent crime. Details of the new tax were slipped out before Christmas in a Parliamentary answer. The “victims’ surcharge” will be added to fixed penalty tickets given out by police.
Anyone who breaks parking regulations, contravenes a stop sign or speeds will be forced to pay the penalty. It could also be levied when a vehicle has dirty windows. Ministers say that they want to extend the payment to all types of fixed penalties. At present, only errant motorists who are fined in court for more serious offences are liable to pay the surcharge.
In the Parliamentary reply, Claire Ward, the Justice Minister, said: “It is government policy that, where possible, offenders should contribute to victims’ services as part of their reparation. Provisions were therefore included in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 providing for a surcharge to be payable on criminal convictions, penalty notices for disorder and on fixed penalty notices for road traffic offences where the offences are persistent and serious.
“The victim surcharge has been applied initially only to fines imposed in magistrates and Crown Courts at a rate of £15. We intend to add the surcharge to other disposals as soon as it becomes feasible. Proceeds raised from the surcharge provide a ring-fenced source of funding for a wide variety of organisations providing non-financial support to victims and witnesses of crime.”
Under the new regime, the minimum fine of £60 for speeding or not wearing a seat belt would rise to £75. And a “penalty notice for disorder” for drunkeness, criminal damage and shoplifting would increase from £80 to £95. Many motoring offences would attract the new levy. These include having a tyre with insufficient tread and having windscreen wipers which fail to conform to regulations.
Matthew Elliott, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “If the Treasury wants to raise money from the courts, it should be more honest and call this surcharge a ‘justice tax’. By calling it a ‘victims’ surcharge’ and applying it to minor motoring offences and parking tickets where there are clearly no victims, the Government is making a mockery of the tax system. This is clearly another stealth tax designed to plug Britain’s huge debt.”
Anyone who breaks parking regulations, contravenes a stop sign or speeds will be forced to pay the penalty. It could also be levied when a vehicle has dirty windows. Ministers say that they want to extend the payment to all types of fixed penalties. At present, only errant motorists who are fined in court for more serious offences are liable to pay the surcharge.
In the Parliamentary reply, Claire Ward, the Justice Minister, said: “It is government policy that, where possible, offenders should contribute to victims’ services as part of their reparation. Provisions were therefore included in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 providing for a surcharge to be payable on criminal convictions, penalty notices for disorder and on fixed penalty notices for road traffic offences where the offences are persistent and serious.
“The victim surcharge has been applied initially only to fines imposed in magistrates and Crown Courts at a rate of £15. We intend to add the surcharge to other disposals as soon as it becomes feasible. Proceeds raised from the surcharge provide a ring-fenced source of funding for a wide variety of organisations providing non-financial support to victims and witnesses of crime.”
Under the new regime, the minimum fine of £60 for speeding or not wearing a seat belt would rise to £75. And a “penalty notice for disorder” for drunkeness, criminal damage and shoplifting would increase from £80 to £95. Many motoring offences would attract the new levy. These include having a tyre with insufficient tread and having windscreen wipers which fail to conform to regulations.
Matthew Elliott, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “If the Treasury wants to raise money from the courts, it should be more honest and call this surcharge a ‘justice tax’. By calling it a ‘victims’ surcharge’ and applying it to minor motoring offences and parking tickets where there are clearly no victims, the Government is making a mockery of the tax system. This is clearly another stealth tax designed to plug Britain’s huge debt.”
Road sweeper given parking ticket for picking up broken bottle
A road cleaner was given a £70 parking ticket for stopping his sweeping machine for a minute to pick up a broken bottle.
Justin Wickett, 22, stopped to pick up the jagged glass thinking someone could step on it and hurt themselves.
In doing so, he parked his road sweeper for some 60 seconds in a vacant disabled parking bay in St Austell, Cornwall.
But in that time a council parking attendant spotted the vehicle and wrote out a £70 parking ticket.
Mr Wickett said: "I explained I was moving the glass because someone could cut themselves but he was only interested in my machine.
"I was not blocking anyone or causing an obstruction. Obviously he wasn't in the Christmas spirit." Ironically, both ultimately work for Cornwall Council, although Mr Wickett does so through a contracted company.
Justin Wickett, 22, stopped to pick up the jagged glass thinking someone could step on it and hurt themselves.
In doing so, he parked his road sweeper for some 60 seconds in a vacant disabled parking bay in St Austell, Cornwall.
But in that time a council parking attendant spotted the vehicle and wrote out a £70 parking ticket.
Mr Wickett said: "I explained I was moving the glass because someone could cut themselves but he was only interested in my machine.
"I was not blocking anyone or causing an obstruction. Obviously he wasn't in the Christmas spirit." Ironically, both ultimately work for Cornwall Council, although Mr Wickett does so through a contracted company.
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