Click for bigger.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Korean man gets married to a pillow
A Korean man has married his dakimaura, a.k.a. a body pillow with a Japanese anime girl drawn on it.
The girl depicted on the newlywed pillow is Fate Testarossa from the anime Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
A Korean news outlet covered the wedding day. Footage shows the man taking his body pillow to a theme park, where they ride roller coasters and a carousel.
Later, they go out to dinner, where he orders two dishes of pasta.
Everywhere they go, passersby laugh, point and whisper.
Finally, he sports a tuxedo and stuffs Testarossa into a wedding dress for the marriage ceremony.
The girl depicted on the newlywed pillow is Fate Testarossa from the anime Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
A Korean news outlet covered the wedding day. Footage shows the man taking his body pillow to a theme park, where they ride roller coasters and a carousel.
Later, they go out to dinner, where he orders two dishes of pasta.
Everywhere they go, passersby laugh, point and whisper.
Finally, he sports a tuxedo and stuffs Testarossa into a wedding dress for the marriage ceremony.
Driving while shaving private parts causes accident
As authorities nationwide warn motorists of the dangers of driving while texting, Florida Keys law enforcement officers add a new caution: Don't try to shave your privates, either. Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday at Mile Marker 21 on Cudjoe Key was caused by a 37-year-old woman driver who was shaving her bikini area while her ex-husband took the wheel from the passenger seat.
"She said she was meeting her boyfriend in Key West and wanted to be ready for the visit," Trooper Gary Dunick said. "If I wasn't there, I wouldn't have believed it. About 10 years ago I stopped a guy in the exact same spot ... who had three or four syringes sticking out of his arm. It was just surreal and I thought, 'Nothing will ever beat this.' Well, this takes it."
Photo from here.
If that weren't enough, Megan Mariah Barnes was not supposed to be driving and her 1995 Ford Thunderbird was not supposed to be on the road.
The day before the wreck, Barnes was convicted in an Upper Keys court of DUI with a prior and driving with a suspended license, said Monroe County Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne. Barnes was ordered to impound her car, and her driver's license was revoked for five years, after which time she must have a Breathalyzer ignition interlock device on any vehicle she drives, Dunne said. Barnes also was sentenced to nine months' probation.
"She said she was meeting her boyfriend in Key West and wanted to be ready for the visit," Trooper Gary Dunick said. "If I wasn't there, I wouldn't have believed it. About 10 years ago I stopped a guy in the exact same spot ... who had three or four syringes sticking out of his arm. It was just surreal and I thought, 'Nothing will ever beat this.' Well, this takes it."
Photo from here.
If that weren't enough, Megan Mariah Barnes was not supposed to be driving and her 1995 Ford Thunderbird was not supposed to be on the road.
The day before the wreck, Barnes was convicted in an Upper Keys court of DUI with a prior and driving with a suspended license, said Monroe County Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne. Barnes was ordered to impound her car, and her driver's license was revoked for five years, after which time she must have a Breathalyzer ignition interlock device on any vehicle she drives, Dunne said. Barnes also was sentenced to nine months' probation.
Masked gunmen rob poker tournament at Berlin hotel
Armed robbers have stormed a luxury hotel in central Berlin where a poker tournament was taking place.
One report said the gang - armed with assault rifles and hand grenades - made off with the tournament jackpot of 800,000 euros ($1.1m; £726,000).
Several people were injured in the ensuing panic, although none of them seriously.
About 1,000 poker players are taking part in the five-day tournament.
"Several masked, armed individuals entered the Grand Hyatt Hotel and fled with a haul of money," police spokeswoman Heidi Vogt said.
Officials said most of the injuries were caused by panic. The tournament - organised by the European Poker Tour (EPT) - resumed about four hours after the attack.
One report said the gang - armed with assault rifles and hand grenades - made off with the tournament jackpot of 800,000 euros ($1.1m; £726,000).
Several people were injured in the ensuing panic, although none of them seriously.
About 1,000 poker players are taking part in the five-day tournament.
"Several masked, armed individuals entered the Grand Hyatt Hotel and fled with a haul of money," police spokeswoman Heidi Vogt said.
Officials said most of the injuries were caused by panic. The tournament - organised by the European Poker Tour (EPT) - resumed about four hours after the attack.
Woman attacks deputy with breast milk
An Owensboro woman is in trouble after officers say she used a rather unusual technique to assault a jailer.
According to the Daviess County, Kentucky, Detention Center, Toni Tramel was picked up Thursday on charges of public intoxication.
As part of the process to book her into the jail, Tramel was sent into a room with a female jailer to change from her street clothes to jail clothes.
The jailer says while the inmate was changing, Tramel took off her bra and squeezed her breast, causing a stream of milk to hit the jailer in the face and the neck.
A release from the jail says the officer was able to "decontaminate herself" and "clean the bio-hazard off her."
Tramel now faces charges of assault on a police officer.
With news video.
According to the Daviess County, Kentucky, Detention Center, Toni Tramel was picked up Thursday on charges of public intoxication.
As part of the process to book her into the jail, Tramel was sent into a room with a female jailer to change from her street clothes to jail clothes.
The jailer says while the inmate was changing, Tramel took off her bra and squeezed her breast, causing a stream of milk to hit the jailer in the face and the neck.
A release from the jail says the officer was able to "decontaminate herself" and "clean the bio-hazard off her."
Tramel now faces charges of assault on a police officer.
With news video.
CBS sued for broadcasting man's penis surgery
Claiming the producers of the CBS show "The Doctors" broadcast his surgery to remove "pearly penile papules" from his penis without his consent, a 21-year-old Minneapolis man is suing. Tyler Bowling said he suffered "relentless embarrassment and harassment" after the show aired on national TV.
Bowling seeks punitive damages for privacy invasion, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, emotional distress and misappropriate of his likeness.
Bowling claims that he was offered the $4,500 procedure for no charge by cosmetic surgeon Dr. William Groff for agreeing to "discuss his condition" on "The Doctors." After flying to Los Angeles on the same day, the producers of the show told him the show would be broadcast on CBS. Bowling said he expressed reservations. The doctor's secretary assured him that only doctors and medical students watch the show. He claims she did not mention the 200-person audience.
In the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Bowling states that only after being examined and having his penis anesthetized by Groff did he hesitantly agree to be on video and signed release forms. He said Groff had decided to move forward with the procedure before meeting with him.
Pearly penile papules are harmless, non-contagious bumps on the penis, which slightly resemble white head pimples. The episode of "The Doctors" was about people confronting their embarrassing maladies, which were treatable. Other segments of the show focused on passing gas, bulging belly buttons and "shocking smiles."
In front of the audience on the show, Bowling says he froze after being confronted by a letter that he didn't write about how embarrassed he was about the problems on his penis. On the show, he claimed this was a problem he has known he had since he was 11 years old.
Bowling seeks punitive damages for privacy invasion, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, emotional distress and misappropriate of his likeness.
Bowling claims that he was offered the $4,500 procedure for no charge by cosmetic surgeon Dr. William Groff for agreeing to "discuss his condition" on "The Doctors." After flying to Los Angeles on the same day, the producers of the show told him the show would be broadcast on CBS. Bowling said he expressed reservations. The doctor's secretary assured him that only doctors and medical students watch the show. He claims she did not mention the 200-person audience.
In the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Bowling states that only after being examined and having his penis anesthetized by Groff did he hesitantly agree to be on video and signed release forms. He said Groff had decided to move forward with the procedure before meeting with him.
Pearly penile papules are harmless, non-contagious bumps on the penis, which slightly resemble white head pimples. The episode of "The Doctors" was about people confronting their embarrassing maladies, which were treatable. Other segments of the show focused on passing gas, bulging belly buttons and "shocking smiles."
In front of the audience on the show, Bowling says he froze after being confronted by a letter that he didn't write about how embarrassed he was about the problems on his penis. On the show, he claimed this was a problem he has known he had since he was 11 years old.
German police discover loud and strange noise is vibrator
A woman in Germany phoned police after hearing "suspicious noises" in her flat, but much to her embarrassment officers found the source was a vibrator, authorities said on Friday.
The noise was so loud and strange, even over the telephone, that police in Bochum in western Germany decided to send a patrol car around to the "scene of the crime", a statement said.
"Daringly, and with the occupier's permission, one of the officers opened the drawer of a wardrobe where the noise was coming from.
"Underneath some clothes he found a very personal, battery-operated object which had obviously switched itself on ... The tenant's face abruptly changed colour." Police then "wished her a nice evening and left".
The noise was so loud and strange, even over the telephone, that police in Bochum in western Germany decided to send a patrol car around to the "scene of the crime", a statement said.
"Daringly, and with the occupier's permission, one of the officers opened the drawer of a wardrobe where the noise was coming from.
"Underneath some clothes he found a very personal, battery-operated object which had obviously switched itself on ... The tenant's face abruptly changed colour." Police then "wished her a nice evening and left".
Man sued Canadian airline for not looking at his scrotum
A Westmount resident's lawsuit against Air Transat, for failure to provide him with appropriated medical attention during a flight, was dismissed in small claims court this past Tuesday. His illness? Sudden and mysterious bleeding in the area between his legs.
The curious incident occurred February 15, 2008 during a flight from Montreal to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Marcel Cote was comfortably seated in business class an hour after takeoff when, for some unknown reason, he felt enough discomfort to make an emergency visit to the washroom, where he discovered spots of blood on his body.
In a panic, Cote asked for the help of a flight attendant, who quickly came to his side. When the passenger noticed that the agent was female, he asked to be assisted by a male attendant because the bleeding seemed to be coming from his genital area. When the male attendant came to him, Cote then asked to be closely examined so that the exact nature of the problem can be determined. The employee declined, giving him absorbent paper instead. Indignant and distressed, Cote quickly expressed his wish to see a doctor.
Before supplying him with sanitary towels, the members of the flight crew told him they would contact a physician if the illness was grave enough. On arriving in Puerto Vallarta three hours later, Mr. Cote met with a travel agent he knew and she took him to the hospital in a taxi. He was examined by a doctor who determined Cote had a ruptured vein near his scrotum. Three stitches were needed to close the wound.
Cote sued Air Transat and the employees on the flight that day, accusing them of failing to provide appropriate medical assistance, seeking damages of $8,000 for the anguish he suffered as a result of their neglect. But judge Michele Pauze rejected Cote's case.
In her decision, she said she agreed with arguments offered by Air Transat representative Chantal Chlala, who explained to the court that flight attendants do not have the right to examine passengers, and even less to make a diagnosis. "It was not incumbent upon a flight attendant to conduct the medical examination of a passenger, a measure reserved for the medical profession."
The curious incident occurred February 15, 2008 during a flight from Montreal to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Marcel Cote was comfortably seated in business class an hour after takeoff when, for some unknown reason, he felt enough discomfort to make an emergency visit to the washroom, where he discovered spots of blood on his body.
In a panic, Cote asked for the help of a flight attendant, who quickly came to his side. When the passenger noticed that the agent was female, he asked to be assisted by a male attendant because the bleeding seemed to be coming from his genital area. When the male attendant came to him, Cote then asked to be closely examined so that the exact nature of the problem can be determined. The employee declined, giving him absorbent paper instead. Indignant and distressed, Cote quickly expressed his wish to see a doctor.
Before supplying him with sanitary towels, the members of the flight crew told him they would contact a physician if the illness was grave enough. On arriving in Puerto Vallarta three hours later, Mr. Cote met with a travel agent he knew and she took him to the hospital in a taxi. He was examined by a doctor who determined Cote had a ruptured vein near his scrotum. Three stitches were needed to close the wound.
Cote sued Air Transat and the employees on the flight that day, accusing them of failing to provide appropriate medical assistance, seeking damages of $8,000 for the anguish he suffered as a result of their neglect. But judge Michele Pauze rejected Cote's case.
In her decision, she said she agreed with arguments offered by Air Transat representative Chantal Chlala, who explained to the court that flight attendants do not have the right to examine passengers, and even less to make a diagnosis. "It was not incumbent upon a flight attendant to conduct the medical examination of a passenger, a measure reserved for the medical profession."
Artist tries to capture a city’s many faces
Jason Polan knows that he has set himself an impossible task. For the past two years the young artist from Michigan has been trying to sketch all 8,363,710 people in New York. When he recently passed 8,300 pen portraits he held a celebratory party. It was entitled “The One-Tenth of One Percent Event”.
Sitting pen in hand outside a coffee shop in SoHo, New York, he said: “If I had been scared by the idea of finishing the project, I don’t think I would ever have started it. It would just have been too daunting.”
Sketching every day on street corners and in fast-food restaurants, museums and the occasional baseball game, he is now nearing the 10,000 mark. “It’s a project I’m getting enjoyment out of as I go along. I know I am not going to finish but I am willing to work on it for ever.”
Mr Polan says that he is getting faster. It usually takes him less than two minutes to complete a sketch and he can do dozens a day.
Jason's blog.
Sitting pen in hand outside a coffee shop in SoHo, New York, he said: “If I had been scared by the idea of finishing the project, I don’t think I would ever have started it. It would just have been too daunting.”
Sketching every day on street corners and in fast-food restaurants, museums and the occasional baseball game, he is now nearing the 10,000 mark. “It’s a project I’m getting enjoyment out of as I go along. I know I am not going to finish but I am willing to work on it for ever.”
Mr Polan says that he is getting faster. It usually takes him less than two minutes to complete a sketch and he can do dozens a day.
Jason's blog.
Chinese granny buried alive by property developers
A 70-year-old Chinese grandmother in the central province of Hubei was beaten and buried alive by property developers eager to get their hands on her land. Wang Cuyun was attempting to prevent a demolition team from knocking down her house when she was allegedly beaten by a worker with a wooden stick and then pushed into a ditch that had been dug around the property.
A bulldozer then covered Mrs Wang with earth, burying her alive. By the time her relatives dug her up, she was dead. The incident occurred last Wednesday in Maodian village in Huangpi district. With house prices rocketing across the country, developers often team up with local governments to force homeowners out of their property, according to a recent report by Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), an NGO based in Hong Kong.
It is not possible to refuse an eviction in China, since the government technically owns all the land. Chinese law also does not require developers to agree a compensation fee before they demolish a property.
The government has said it is aware of the growing, and often middle-class, anger against forced evictions, and is currently drafting new regulations that will protect homeowners. In particular, the government has said that property developers must not force residents out of their homes by beating them or cutting off the water and electricity supply.
But in Mrs Wang's case, three policemen helped supervise the demolition team while she was being buried, but did not intervene to protect her. Local residents tore off the police officers's badges in scuffles afterwards.
Chen Xiao, Mrs Wang's son, moved his mother's body to the main road nearby to protest against the killing and thousands of locals soon crowded the scene to demand an explanation. One neighbour, who remained unnamed, said that the policemen had "stood around, acting like it was none of their business".
A bulldozer then covered Mrs Wang with earth, burying her alive. By the time her relatives dug her up, she was dead. The incident occurred last Wednesday in Maodian village in Huangpi district. With house prices rocketing across the country, developers often team up with local governments to force homeowners out of their property, according to a recent report by Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), an NGO based in Hong Kong.
It is not possible to refuse an eviction in China, since the government technically owns all the land. Chinese law also does not require developers to agree a compensation fee before they demolish a property.
The government has said it is aware of the growing, and often middle-class, anger against forced evictions, and is currently drafting new regulations that will protect homeowners. In particular, the government has said that property developers must not force residents out of their homes by beating them or cutting off the water and electricity supply.
But in Mrs Wang's case, three policemen helped supervise the demolition team while she was being buried, but did not intervene to protect her. Local residents tore off the police officers's badges in scuffles afterwards.
Chen Xiao, Mrs Wang's son, moved his mother's body to the main road nearby to protest against the killing and thousands of locals soon crowded the scene to demand an explanation. One neighbour, who remained unnamed, said that the policemen had "stood around, acting like it was none of their business".
Boy, 12, 'buys £30m worth of luxury Dubai property'
The 12-year-old son of the Azerbaijan president has gone on a multi-million pound property spending spree, buying up a series of luxury Dubai waterfront mansions.
Heydar Aliyev, the son of Ilham Aliyev, the oil-rich country’s president, allegedly spent almost £30 million (US$44 million) on nine waterfront mansions in the southern Gulf emirate earlier this year, reports said.
The boy, who was 11 at the time, made the purchase in the Palm Jumeirah development over two weeks. Heydar’s name and his date of birth appeared on Dubai Land Department records.
The details listed on the property records were the same as those of the son of the former Soviet Republic’s president, whose annual salary is about £150,000 ($228,000). The purchases are about the equivalent to 10,000 years' worth of salary for the average citizen of the country.
Industry sources with knowledge of the transactions said the purchases were made by a buyer representing Azerbaijan's ruling family, with the properties paid for “upfront”.
It remains unclear whether the boy was given the property as a gift or how he could have bought into the development, after officials in Baku, the country’s capital, refused to comment on the claims. "I have no comment on anything. I am stopping this talk. Goodbye," Azer Gasimov, the president's spokesman said.
Heydar Aliyev, the son of Ilham Aliyev, the oil-rich country’s president, allegedly spent almost £30 million (US$44 million) on nine waterfront mansions in the southern Gulf emirate earlier this year, reports said.
The boy, who was 11 at the time, made the purchase in the Palm Jumeirah development over two weeks. Heydar’s name and his date of birth appeared on Dubai Land Department records.
The details listed on the property records were the same as those of the son of the former Soviet Republic’s president, whose annual salary is about £150,000 ($228,000). The purchases are about the equivalent to 10,000 years' worth of salary for the average citizen of the country.
Industry sources with knowledge of the transactions said the purchases were made by a buyer representing Azerbaijan's ruling family, with the properties paid for “upfront”.
It remains unclear whether the boy was given the property as a gift or how he could have bought into the development, after officials in Baku, the country’s capital, refused to comment on the claims. "I have no comment on anything. I am stopping this talk. Goodbye," Azer Gasimov, the president's spokesman said.
Catholic school has issue with child's lesbian parents
Some parents are considering pulling their children out of a Catholic preschool after the school told a family a student could not return because the parents are homosexual. A meeting was held to discuss the issue at Wesley Chapel in Boulder, Colorado, on Friday evening.
"This could be one of those moments where the community is holding a mirror up to the church for it to take a look at its policy and reconsider what they've been doing," Wesley Chapel Pastor Roger Wolsey said.
Teachers at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School were told about the situation earlier this week. Staff members say they were told a student would not be allowed to re-enroll because of his or her parents' sexual orientation. The Denver Archdiocese says the student's parents are two women and their homosexual relationship violates the school's beliefs and policy. "They're entitled to do what they want," Wolsey said. "And I would respect them no matter what they decide. [But] I think a lot of churches are doing a lot of soul searching right now."
In a statement the Archdiocese said, "Homosexual couples living together as a couple are in disaccord with Catholic teaching." According to the Archdiocese, parents who enroll their kids at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School are expected to follow the Catholic Church's beliefs.
"No person shall be admitted as a student in any Catholic school unless that person and his/her parent(s) subscribe to the school's philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school and Archdiocese," the statement said.
Because this student's parents are homosexual, the Archdiocese says they were in clear violation of the school's policy. Legal analysts say the Archdiocese is within its rights.
With news video.
"This could be one of those moments where the community is holding a mirror up to the church for it to take a look at its policy and reconsider what they've been doing," Wesley Chapel Pastor Roger Wolsey said.
Teachers at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School were told about the situation earlier this week. Staff members say they were told a student would not be allowed to re-enroll because of his or her parents' sexual orientation. The Denver Archdiocese says the student's parents are two women and their homosexual relationship violates the school's beliefs and policy. "They're entitled to do what they want," Wolsey said. "And I would respect them no matter what they decide. [But] I think a lot of churches are doing a lot of soul searching right now."
In a statement the Archdiocese said, "Homosexual couples living together as a couple are in disaccord with Catholic teaching." According to the Archdiocese, parents who enroll their kids at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School are expected to follow the Catholic Church's beliefs.
"No person shall be admitted as a student in any Catholic school unless that person and his/her parent(s) subscribe to the school's philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school and Archdiocese," the statement said.
Because this student's parents are homosexual, the Archdiocese says they were in clear violation of the school's policy. Legal analysts say the Archdiocese is within its rights.
With news video.
Football fan who shouted 'pikey' at player cleared of racial abuse
A football fan who shouted the word "pikey" at a player during a heated match has been cleared of racial abuse.
Millwall supporter Gary O'Neill walked free after magistrates heard that fans of rivals Gillingham had adopted the derogatory term for gipsy travellers.
The 49-year-old kitchen fitter yesterday branded the decision to charge him a "huge waste of time and money".
Photo from here.
O'Neill, from Maidstone, Kent, was arrested after his team lost 2-0 in a League One clash last September. He had shouted to a player who writhed in pain on the ground from a heavy tackle to "get up you pikey". O'Neill was kept in a cell for six hours before being charged.
His solicitor showed JPs in Chatham, Kent, a Gillingham supporter's blue T-shirt bearing the phrase "Pure Pikey". He said the word was often chanted on the team's terraces in a self-mocking way.
O'Neill, a Millwall fan for 30 years who once played for Gillingham's youth team, said after the case: "I saw one of the magistrates shake his head. The whole thing was ridiculous and a huge waste of money."
Millwall supporter Gary O'Neill walked free after magistrates heard that fans of rivals Gillingham had adopted the derogatory term for gipsy travellers.
The 49-year-old kitchen fitter yesterday branded the decision to charge him a "huge waste of time and money".
Photo from here.
O'Neill, from Maidstone, Kent, was arrested after his team lost 2-0 in a League One clash last September. He had shouted to a player who writhed in pain on the ground from a heavy tackle to "get up you pikey". O'Neill was kept in a cell for six hours before being charged.
His solicitor showed JPs in Chatham, Kent, a Gillingham supporter's blue T-shirt bearing the phrase "Pure Pikey". He said the word was often chanted on the team's terraces in a self-mocking way.
O'Neill, a Millwall fan for 30 years who once played for Gillingham's youth team, said after the case: "I saw one of the magistrates shake his head. The whole thing was ridiculous and a huge waste of money."
Pensioner refused sofa refund due to 'stains from cholesterol medication'
A pensioner was refused a refund on his £1,500 sofa after staff blamed dark stains on the leather on his cholesterol medication which 'seeped out of his hair'.
Paul Hepburn, 70, and wife Pat spent their savings on the brown couch but within months were shocked to find it was covered in small round marks.
The couple complained to furniture chain Harveys but they were adamant it wasn't covered under guarantee because of Paul's medical condition.
Photo from here.
Paul suffers from high blood pressure and his doctor had placed him on a course of cholesterol-lowering drugs, Simvastatin and Terazosin. Harveys claimed the medication had seeped out of his body through his hair. They said because the damage was "caused by the customer" his warranty was invalid.
Paul, of Abbotskerswell near Newton Abbot, Devon, said: "It is just ridiculous. We were told that our doctor should have warned us, but why would I tell him I was buying a leather sofa? They certainly didn't warn me in the shop."
A Harveys spokesman said: "Some medications speed up the process. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done as it is caused by the customer, though not their fault."
Paul Hepburn, 70, and wife Pat spent their savings on the brown couch but within months were shocked to find it was covered in small round marks.
The couple complained to furniture chain Harveys but they were adamant it wasn't covered under guarantee because of Paul's medical condition.
Photo from here.
Paul suffers from high blood pressure and his doctor had placed him on a course of cholesterol-lowering drugs, Simvastatin and Terazosin. Harveys claimed the medication had seeped out of his body through his hair. They said because the damage was "caused by the customer" his warranty was invalid.
Paul, of Abbotskerswell near Newton Abbot, Devon, said: "It is just ridiculous. We were told that our doctor should have warned us, but why would I tell him I was buying a leather sofa? They certainly didn't warn me in the shop."
A Harveys spokesman said: "Some medications speed up the process. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done as it is caused by the customer, though not their fault."
Teenager 'plied with cider by police to make him admit more crimes'
A teenager was allegedly plied with cider by detectives to make him admit to crimes he did not commit.
Sean Wall, 17, was taken to a police station and offered alcohol before being questioned over 11 burglaries, it was claimed.
But the plan backfired when it was discovered that he was already behind bars when five of the raids took place.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the claims after Sean told his solicitor he had been given cider and tests then showed he was over the drink drive limit.
Officers were accused of twice taking the teenager on drives around an area he is banned from entering by an anti-social behaviour order.
They allegedly bought him two, two-litre bottles of Strongbow and cigarettes - and promised him a takeaway and a trip to see his mother Angela.
There's a news video here.
Sean Wall, 17, was taken to a police station and offered alcohol before being questioned over 11 burglaries, it was claimed.
But the plan backfired when it was discovered that he was already behind bars when five of the raids took place.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the claims after Sean told his solicitor he had been given cider and tests then showed he was over the drink drive limit.
Officers were accused of twice taking the teenager on drives around an area he is banned from entering by an anti-social behaviour order.
They allegedly bought him two, two-litre bottles of Strongbow and cigarettes - and promised him a takeaway and a trip to see his mother Angela.
There's a news video here.
Older cars at a Devon council could be charged double
A Devon council is considering plans to charge staff with older cars a higher rate for parking.
Teignbridge District Council is proposing to scrap free car parking at its Newton Abbot headquarters.
In its place will be a two-tier charge, with cars made before January 2001 charged £1 a day and other cars charged at 50p a day.
Unions say it is unfair on lower-paid staff who earn less and cannot afford newer cars.
Teignbridge District Council is proposing to scrap free car parking at its Newton Abbot headquarters.
In its place will be a two-tier charge, with cars made before January 2001 charged £1 a day and other cars charged at 50p a day.
Unions say it is unfair on lower-paid staff who earn less and cannot afford newer cars.
Health and safety stops mum buying kids' scissors
A mother has spoken of her astonishment after a shop refused to sell her a pair of children's scissors because they were not sure she would supervise her daughter using them at home. Nadine Martin was with her three-year-old buying art materials in WH Smith, North Street, Chichester, for some wet-weather activities last week. They selected various items including a pair of brightly-coloured chunky plastic scissors.
At the till, her daughter put the scissors on the counter but the assistant said that because she had put them on the counter, it raised the issue of supervision. Mrs Martin said she was flabbergasted by the remark. "When we were in the queue my daughter said to me 'can I give the lady the scissors?' and I said it was fine, but when we got there the woman said 'will you be supervising her?'
"I said 'sorry?' and she said there was a problem because my daughter had put the scissors on the counter. She called over another woman and she said it was company policy that because she had put them on the counter it called into question whether she would be supervised using them and said I wouldn't be able to buy them." Mrs Martin, who had £25 of stationery in her basket, was asked whether she wanted to still buy the rest of the items but she declined. "I can't believe a parent can't buy plastic scissors. They were clearly labelled and had '3+' on them"
A spokeswoman for WH Smith said in this case the rules may have been taken a little too far. "Customer safety is of paramount importance to us and to that end we insist our staff complete regular training updates to remind them of their obligations both legally and in accordance with our own policies," she said. "On this occasion a staff member may have been a little over-zealous in their interpretation of that training and we apologise for any inconvenience or embarrassment that may have caused."
At the till, her daughter put the scissors on the counter but the assistant said that because she had put them on the counter, it raised the issue of supervision. Mrs Martin said she was flabbergasted by the remark. "When we were in the queue my daughter said to me 'can I give the lady the scissors?' and I said it was fine, but when we got there the woman said 'will you be supervising her?'
"I said 'sorry?' and she said there was a problem because my daughter had put the scissors on the counter. She called over another woman and she said it was company policy that because she had put them on the counter it called into question whether she would be supervised using them and said I wouldn't be able to buy them." Mrs Martin, who had £25 of stationery in her basket, was asked whether she wanted to still buy the rest of the items but she declined. "I can't believe a parent can't buy plastic scissors. They were clearly labelled and had '3+' on them"
A spokeswoman for WH Smith said in this case the rules may have been taken a little too far. "Customer safety is of paramount importance to us and to that end we insist our staff complete regular training updates to remind them of their obligations both legally and in accordance with our own policies," she said. "On this occasion a staff member may have been a little over-zealous in their interpretation of that training and we apologise for any inconvenience or embarrassment that may have caused."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)