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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Death row dog in jailbreak from council pound
A dog hunt is under way on the streets of Casino, Australia, after a daring break-out from the Richmond Valley pound sometime on Sunday night. A one-eyed, tan-coloured Jack Russell-cross named Kyber is now on the loose after busting through a cement brick wall to make his escape – but it is suspected the six-year-old male dog may have had an accomplice on the outside.
“They broke through the wall with something similar to a sledge hammer,” Richmond Valley Council manager of environmental health and regulatory control Peter Cotterill said. “Someone went to a lot of trouble.”
The serial offender had been picked up by rangers before and was on death row at the time of his break-out after having been incarcerated for three weeks. Dogs are normally euthanised or rehoused after two weeks. The dog had accrued about $400 worth of fees during his imprisonment, at $17 per day for feed and board, plus a $40 release fee.
Police and council rangers are calling on Kyber, or anyone who may be holding him, to come forward. Kyber has been microchipped and his name has now been added to the companion animals register as a stolen dog.
“They broke through the wall with something similar to a sledge hammer,” Richmond Valley Council manager of environmental health and regulatory control Peter Cotterill said. “Someone went to a lot of trouble.”
The serial offender had been picked up by rangers before and was on death row at the time of his break-out after having been incarcerated for three weeks. Dogs are normally euthanised or rehoused after two weeks. The dog had accrued about $400 worth of fees during his imprisonment, at $17 per day for feed and board, plus a $40 release fee.
Police and council rangers are calling on Kyber, or anyone who may be holding him, to come forward. Kyber has been microchipped and his name has now been added to the companion animals register as a stolen dog.
Three people killed, 37 injured as spectators storm bullfight in Colombia
A Colombian tradition turned tragic on Sunday when a bullfight spun out of control, leaving three people dead and at least 37 injured. The local bullfight in the Andean community of Sabanalarga is known as the "corraleja", bringing together bulls and local residents in a party-like atmosphere.
Sunday's event, however, took a violent turn as onlookers spilled into the ring and found themselves being chased and gored by bulls. A 20-year-old man was killed during the event, but the other two fatalities, both men in their forties, occurred in the hospital as a result of their injuries.
Doctor Jaime de la Hoz treated one of the victims. "The others who were injured had been penetrated at the level of their abdomen and their thorax. The one with the thorax had to be sent to another facility, and the one with the abdominal injury was treated here," he said.
Sabanalarga mayor, Carlos Roca, said this particular corraleja turned tragic due to drunkenness among the participants, but he did not say if any measures would be taken to avoid such incidents in the future.
Sunday's event, however, took a violent turn as onlookers spilled into the ring and found themselves being chased and gored by bulls. A 20-year-old man was killed during the event, but the other two fatalities, both men in their forties, occurred in the hospital as a result of their injuries.
Doctor Jaime de la Hoz treated one of the victims. "The others who were injured had been penetrated at the level of their abdomen and their thorax. The one with the thorax had to be sent to another facility, and the one with the abdominal injury was treated here," he said.
Sabanalarga mayor, Carlos Roca, said this particular corraleja turned tragic due to drunkenness among the participants, but he did not say if any measures would be taken to avoid such incidents in the future.
Stockholm hotel slammed for sex toys in rooms
A trendy Stockholm hotel which offers its guests complimentary sex toys in their rooms has been criticised by police for "glorifying" the sex trade. Berns Hotel in central Stockholm decided to expand the range of items included in the room price from the standard coffee and tea, minibar drinks, and bedside bible, to include sex toys such as handcuffs, stay ups and a vibrator.
But the unorthodox move has not met the approval of the authorities. "The hotel is trying to glorify something that we are working to de-glorify," said Tom Eckerling from Stockholm police. The hotel has no plans to change its minibar assortment however and reported that the response has been positive from guests, which it claims is made up of a chic fashion, art and music clientèle.
But the hotel said that they try to take into account the needs of different groups and usually remove the items from hotel rooms used by families with children, for example. Stockholm police have for some time been working closely together with the city's hotels to try to stamp out prostitution.
Berns Hotel has for example taken the initiative of removing adult film channels after starting a cooperation with Ecpat, which works to stamp out child prostitution. Despite the criticism over the innovative assortment, neither Eckerling, nor Berns Hotel reception manager Andreas L'Estrade, expect the sex toys to attract prostitution. "There is nothing ugly with sex, that is something that we want to show," he said.
But the unorthodox move has not met the approval of the authorities. "The hotel is trying to glorify something that we are working to de-glorify," said Tom Eckerling from Stockholm police. The hotel has no plans to change its minibar assortment however and reported that the response has been positive from guests, which it claims is made up of a chic fashion, art and music clientèle.
But the hotel said that they try to take into account the needs of different groups and usually remove the items from hotel rooms used by families with children, for example. Stockholm police have for some time been working closely together with the city's hotels to try to stamp out prostitution.
Berns Hotel has for example taken the initiative of removing adult film channels after starting a cooperation with Ecpat, which works to stamp out child prostitution. Despite the criticism over the innovative assortment, neither Eckerling, nor Berns Hotel reception manager Andreas L'Estrade, expect the sex toys to attract prostitution. "There is nothing ugly with sex, that is something that we want to show," he said.
Jury acquits man in costume of flashing large fake penis
A jury on Friday acquitted a 22-year-old man accused of exposing himself in front of a school bus filled with DeLand High School honour students, finding the act was a prank gone wrong. James Richmond did not expose his genitals as police, prosecutors and angry parents said he did, the jury found. Instead, he used a Halloween costume that featured a large fake penis he said was intended to get a laugh. It was a joke no one found funny. Richmond, an engaged utility worker from Sanford, erupted in tears of joy when the verdict was announced. He faced 30 years in prison if convicted of lewd and lascivious exposure in front of the two 14-year-old boys who saw what they thought was a real penis. Richmond, who was arrested in November 2008, also faced being labelled a sex offender for the rest of his life.
"We are thrilled," defence lawyer Aaron Delgado said after the not-guilty verdict was announced in Circuit Judge James Clayton's courtroom. Prosecutor Ryan Will opened his case Thursday by telling the jury of three women and three men that the evidence would show Richmond to be "a sexual deviant." Will said that between Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, Richmond repeatedly drove past the DeLand High School bus on its route in DeBary. "He would expose himself to the people on the bus," Will said. "And he would masturbate for his own gratification." An appellate court earlier this year ruled it was legal for a Hernando County man to put a sex toy "resembling a penis" into his mouth in front of a 7-year-old child.
With that precedent in mind, prosecutor Will conceded that in order for Richmond to be convicted of a crime, he would have to prove the two boys saw a real penis. The boys, whose names are not being published because of the nature of the crime, were among 50 high-achieving students who were on the bus for DeLand High's International Baccalaureate and engineering programs. Each of the two boys testified that on more than one occasion, they saw the man in the dark Volkswagon Jetta drive up and appear smiling and rubbing his genitals. Will criticized the defense lawyers' story that Richmond was simply using a costume he'd worn to Halloween parties as a joke. The defence lawyers showed jurors pictures snapped of Richmond wearing the costume - given to him by a co-worker who said it was made by a 90-year-old woman - weeks before his arrest.
"Just because Mr. Richmond owns a device that appears to be real," Will said. "There is zero evidence that the costume was in the car." The boys, Will said, were outraged by Richmond's act, and wanted to see him punished. During his closing argument, Will asked the jury "not to laugh at Richmond's joke." Delgado reinforced the key thought that led to the jury's decision. Richmond, he said, was guilty of nothing more than a bad joke. "We have the Halloween costume; we have testimony that Jim got a lot of attention wearing it at Halloween parties," Delgado said. "No one is laughing; it's clearly not funny."
"We are thrilled," defence lawyer Aaron Delgado said after the not-guilty verdict was announced in Circuit Judge James Clayton's courtroom. Prosecutor Ryan Will opened his case Thursday by telling the jury of three women and three men that the evidence would show Richmond to be "a sexual deviant." Will said that between Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, Richmond repeatedly drove past the DeLand High School bus on its route in DeBary. "He would expose himself to the people on the bus," Will said. "And he would masturbate for his own gratification." An appellate court earlier this year ruled it was legal for a Hernando County man to put a sex toy "resembling a penis" into his mouth in front of a 7-year-old child.
With that precedent in mind, prosecutor Will conceded that in order for Richmond to be convicted of a crime, he would have to prove the two boys saw a real penis. The boys, whose names are not being published because of the nature of the crime, were among 50 high-achieving students who were on the bus for DeLand High's International Baccalaureate and engineering programs. Each of the two boys testified that on more than one occasion, they saw the man in the dark Volkswagon Jetta drive up and appear smiling and rubbing his genitals. Will criticized the defense lawyers' story that Richmond was simply using a costume he'd worn to Halloween parties as a joke. The defence lawyers showed jurors pictures snapped of Richmond wearing the costume - given to him by a co-worker who said it was made by a 90-year-old woman - weeks before his arrest.
"Just because Mr. Richmond owns a device that appears to be real," Will said. "There is zero evidence that the costume was in the car." The boys, Will said, were outraged by Richmond's act, and wanted to see him punished. During his closing argument, Will asked the jury "not to laugh at Richmond's joke." Delgado reinforced the key thought that led to the jury's decision. Richmond, he said, was guilty of nothing more than a bad joke. "We have the Halloween costume; we have testimony that Jim got a lot of attention wearing it at Halloween parties," Delgado said. "No one is laughing; it's clearly not funny."
Months after winning $1M in lottery, man wins $2M
Who said lightning doesn't strike twice? That person never met 57-year-old Ernest Pullen, who became the first Missouri Lottery player in history to win $1 million or more on a Scratchers ticket more than once.
Pullen won his first million-dollar prize on a "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" Scratchers ticket in June. He purchased the $2 million winning "Mega MONOPOLY" Scratchers ticket on September 17.
Pullen, who moved from Pevely to Bonne Terre after his first lottery win, said he dreamed of winning yet again. "All the numbers I dreamed about, and all my lucky numbers, were on the card," he said, referring to his Mega MONOPOLY winning ticket.
Pullen and his wife have opted to take the cash payment for both wins. He will receive a $1.3 million payment before taxes for the latest win. But Pullen does not think he'll win a third time. "My wife said she's winning the next time," he said.
Pullen won his first million-dollar prize on a "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" Scratchers ticket in June. He purchased the $2 million winning "Mega MONOPOLY" Scratchers ticket on September 17.
Pullen, who moved from Pevely to Bonne Terre after his first lottery win, said he dreamed of winning yet again. "All the numbers I dreamed about, and all my lucky numbers, were on the card," he said, referring to his Mega MONOPOLY winning ticket.
Pullen and his wife have opted to take the cash payment for both wins. He will receive a $1.3 million payment before taxes for the latest win. But Pullen does not think he'll win a third time. "My wife said she's winning the next time," he said.
75 brawl during birthday party for 3-year-old girl
The princess birthday cake for a 3-year-old girl was one of the few things left untouched after a brawl that police said involved 75 people at a hall in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio. Some 150 people were at a party at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall in Elmwood Place when the fight started early on Tuesday. Seven police jurisdictions were called in to quell the fighting. "When (first responding) officers arrived there, it was a pretty intense fight going on inside," Elmwood Place Police Chief William Peskin said. "They actually had to wait until they got backup there in order to make entry because there were so many people throwing bottles and chairs, so they had to actually wait."
Police said the hall was being rented out and the fraternal organization's membership was not involved. "We got caught up in a family feud," Eagles member David Frost said on Tuesday night, referring to the group that rented the Eagles' hall for the party. "We're embarrassed by this." Members cleaned up the shards of glass and damaged chairs and a table on Tuesday, said Frost, adding that his organization may revisit its policies on rentals.
The party organizers brought their own alcohol, he said. "I hate to see anybody get hurt," Frost added. The fight apparently broke out between the birthday girl's father and her mother's boyfriend, police said. Police charged the girl's 26-year-old father with disorderly conduct. Four others possibly face charges in the fracas.
Fifteen people were injured in the melee, with at least five hospitalized, including one person who required surgery to the eye due to a cut from a beer bottle, police said. Police said beer bottles were the primary weapons used in the bloody melee. One person in the back threw as many bottles as he could find, Peskin said. A total of 20 officers responded to the scene, where nearly 30 children were in attendance.
There's a longer news video here.
Police said the hall was being rented out and the fraternal organization's membership was not involved. "We got caught up in a family feud," Eagles member David Frost said on Tuesday night, referring to the group that rented the Eagles' hall for the party. "We're embarrassed by this." Members cleaned up the shards of glass and damaged chairs and a table on Tuesday, said Frost, adding that his organization may revisit its policies on rentals.
The party organizers brought their own alcohol, he said. "I hate to see anybody get hurt," Frost added. The fight apparently broke out between the birthday girl's father and her mother's boyfriend, police said. Police charged the girl's 26-year-old father with disorderly conduct. Four others possibly face charges in the fracas.
Fifteen people were injured in the melee, with at least five hospitalized, including one person who required surgery to the eye due to a cut from a beer bottle, police said. Police said beer bottles were the primary weapons used in the bloody melee. One person in the back threw as many bottles as he could find, Peskin said. A total of 20 officers responded to the scene, where nearly 30 children were in attendance.
There's a longer news video here.
Man survives air conditioner falling 6 storeys onto his head
An air conditioner plunged from a building and slammed onto a man who was just walking below in Manhattan on Tuesday morning. Tony Franzese, 67, was walking his dog at around 8:30 a.m. as he did every morning. That’s when an air conditioner fell out of a 6th floor window at 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street and landed on an awning — apparently bouncing off and hitting Franzese in the head.
Franzese suffered a severe head laceration and was taken to Bellevue Hospital. Carmen Barreto lived in the building for 38 years said her son helped clean blood off the victim. “He was very upset and nervous. He said ‘Ma, the air conditioner fall down onto the head’ and I said ‘My God he must be dead’,” she explained.
“He sits here with the dog. He has a little glass of wine. He’s friends with the owner of the place here, and he’s a very nice man,” said resident Rachel Costa. “I heard the crash, like the boom bam bam…I looked over and see the air conditioner rolling and the guy like stumbling trying to get up .. and he went to try and get his dog .. he was more concerned about the dog than anything,” witness Rashaan Betts said.
One tenant told Morgan that the resident in question told her, in his words, “the window just flew open.” Inspectors for the city’s Department of Buildings found that the air conditioner was not supported properly. A violation was issued to the owner of the building — Zenon Chernyk — for failing to properly maintain the building. Chernyck was told to make sure all air conditioning units were immediately secured with metal brackets or the units would be removed.
With two news videos.
Franzese suffered a severe head laceration and was taken to Bellevue Hospital. Carmen Barreto lived in the building for 38 years said her son helped clean blood off the victim. “He was very upset and nervous. He said ‘Ma, the air conditioner fall down onto the head’ and I said ‘My God he must be dead’,” she explained.
“He sits here with the dog. He has a little glass of wine. He’s friends with the owner of the place here, and he’s a very nice man,” said resident Rachel Costa. “I heard the crash, like the boom bam bam…I looked over and see the air conditioner rolling and the guy like stumbling trying to get up .. and he went to try and get his dog .. he was more concerned about the dog than anything,” witness Rashaan Betts said.
One tenant told Morgan that the resident in question told her, in his words, “the window just flew open.” Inspectors for the city’s Department of Buildings found that the air conditioner was not supported properly. A violation was issued to the owner of the building — Zenon Chernyk — for failing to properly maintain the building. Chernyck was told to make sure all air conditioning units were immediately secured with metal brackets or the units would be removed.
With two news videos.
Canadian man hears noise, grabs rifle, but stumbles and shoots family cat
Residents of a Red Deer neighbourhood escaped injury when a neighbour accidentally fired a rifle inside his home, but the stray bullet killed his family's cat. It happened at 6:15 a.m. on Sunday on McCullough Crescent on Red Deer's south side.
Police have laid firearms charges against the man. Investigators said the accused was inside his house and loaded a rifle after hearing what he believed was a suspicious noise in the home. The RCMP said the man stumbled while walking through the house, inadvertently pulling the trigger and firing a shot that fatally wounded the family cat, which was in another room.
The bullet continued through an exterior wall of the house before hitting a neighbouring home. Investigators said the bullet missed the man's wife and children, residents living in a basement suite, as well as people in the neighbouring house.
Although police said alcohol played a role in the incident, they didn't elaborate on what led the man to arm himself. Daryl Brownell, 31, has been charged with careless use of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 13.
Police have laid firearms charges against the man. Investigators said the accused was inside his house and loaded a rifle after hearing what he believed was a suspicious noise in the home. The RCMP said the man stumbled while walking through the house, inadvertently pulling the trigger and firing a shot that fatally wounded the family cat, which was in another room.
The bullet continued through an exterior wall of the house before hitting a neighbouring home. Investigators said the bullet missed the man's wife and children, residents living in a basement suite, as well as people in the neighbouring house.
Although police said alcohol played a role in the incident, they didn't elaborate on what led the man to arm himself. Daryl Brownell, 31, has been charged with careless use of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 13.
German shepherd accepts lamb as his own
They say a dog is a man's best friend, but in this case it is a lamb's best friend. Snowdrop the lamb and Quanto the dog were brought together in New Zealand at a time of chaos. Born in the midst of one of Southland's heaviest snowfalls on September 19, Snowdrop is lucky to be alive.
Otatara resident Brogan Campbell said when the lamb was born at her grandparents in Tisbury, she brought it inside out of the snow in a hypothermic state. While the lamb warmed up in front of the fire, the household pet, a 5-year-old male german shepherd, cared for the lamb, cleaning her and treating her like his own, Miss Campbell said.
When the lamb was back on her feet, she was taken outside to her mother who rejected her instantly, most likely because of the dog's smell, Miss Campbell said. "Her mum rejected her so she got hypothermia again and had to be brought back from the brink of death."
The dog took the lamb under his wing, and they followed each other like they were joined at the hip, she said. "Quanto thinks he is the lamb's mother and Snowdrop is quite happy to accept that as well." The unusual pair will be together for a while longer until the lamb could handle it back in the paddock, she said.
Otatara resident Brogan Campbell said when the lamb was born at her grandparents in Tisbury, she brought it inside out of the snow in a hypothermic state. While the lamb warmed up in front of the fire, the household pet, a 5-year-old male german shepherd, cared for the lamb, cleaning her and treating her like his own, Miss Campbell said.
When the lamb was back on her feet, she was taken outside to her mother who rejected her instantly, most likely because of the dog's smell, Miss Campbell said. "Her mum rejected her so she got hypothermia again and had to be brought back from the brink of death."
The dog took the lamb under his wing, and they followed each other like they were joined at the hip, she said. "Quanto thinks he is the lamb's mother and Snowdrop is quite happy to accept that as well." The unusual pair will be together for a while longer until the lamb could handle it back in the paddock, she said.
'Toxic bank' truck driven at Irish parliament gates
A 41-year-old man has been arrested after a cement truck was driven up to the gates of the Irish parliament in Dublin on Wednesday morning. The words "Anglo Toxic Bank" were written on the mixer, while its number plate said "bankrupt".
Anglo Irish Bank has become synonymous with the banking crash in the Irish Republic, requiring a government bail-out of billions of euros. The truck was removed at about 0930 BST. A police spokesperson said the man was being questioned on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
A spokesperson for the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, said: "Access arrangements are now back to normal and there will be no disruption to the proceedings or workings of the Houses Oireachtas today." Fine Gael TD, Fergus O'Dowd, who had just arrived for work at Leinster House when the incident happened described it as a "very serious incident". "As I understand it, at least one Garda (Irish police officer) or more had to jump out of the way of this truck," he said.
"If it happened to have been later in the morning, staff could have been killed, the public could have been killed. As I understand it, this person may have carried out an action like this somewhere else. I think the key point is, that it was an unusual and exceptional circumstance."
Anglo Irish Bank has become synonymous with the banking crash in the Irish Republic, requiring a government bail-out of billions of euros. The truck was removed at about 0930 BST. A police spokesperson said the man was being questioned on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
A spokesperson for the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, said: "Access arrangements are now back to normal and there will be no disruption to the proceedings or workings of the Houses Oireachtas today." Fine Gael TD, Fergus O'Dowd, who had just arrived for work at Leinster House when the incident happened described it as a "very serious incident". "As I understand it, at least one Garda (Irish police officer) or more had to jump out of the way of this truck," he said.
"If it happened to have been later in the morning, staff could have been killed, the public could have been killed. As I understand it, this person may have carried out an action like this somewhere else. I think the key point is, that it was an unusual and exceptional circumstance."
Duo wear Borat-style mankinis to climb Britain's three highest mountains
Two squaddies almost froze their Borats off when they climbed the Three Peaks – wearing nothing but mankinis. Pals Jon Hodgson, 37, and Andy Watt, 42, braved temperatures of minus 12 degrees with windchill to complete their mad-cap challenge. But they posed in their garish green mankinis at the summits of the highest mountains in the UK. Jon, a corporal with Military Provost Guard Service, said: ”The worst part was the chafing.
”We wore the same mankini for all three mountains so they took some serious punishment. I got through quite a lot of Vaseline to stay comfortable and my knees are sheer agony now.” Jon decided to take part in the challenge to raise money for people like his son, Jack, 12, who suffers from Usher syndrome – a genetic disorder causing victims to go deaf and blind. Jon and Andy, who has a daughter Molly, 16, who also has Usher syndrome, started their challenge in the early hours of Saturday morning when they climbed Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland.
They completed the 1,344m (4,409ft) in five hours and 40 minutes before driving for seven hours to Cumbria to take on Scafell Pike. And they took four hours and 20 minutes to climb 978m (3,208ft) to reach the top of England’s highest mountain. Jon said: ”It was pretty windy going up Scafell and at the top the temperature with the windchill was minus 12. Despite this we still stripped off and posed in our mankinis. It was so cold I went numb, all over.”
And the pair took just two hours to climb 1,085m (3,560ft) to the top of Snowdon in Wales to complete the challenge. Jon, from Gainsborough, Lincs., and Andy, from Maidenhead, Berks., both wore layers over their mankinis for the ascent but stripped off to their underwear for the final approach to each summit. Andy said: ”We can both proudly say we’ve climbed the three peaks wearing mankinis and as Borat would say, ‘is nice!’.” The pair hope to raise £8,000 for charity Sense, which helps deaf and blind people in the UK.
Jon's page. Andy's page.
”We wore the same mankini for all three mountains so they took some serious punishment. I got through quite a lot of Vaseline to stay comfortable and my knees are sheer agony now.” Jon decided to take part in the challenge to raise money for people like his son, Jack, 12, who suffers from Usher syndrome – a genetic disorder causing victims to go deaf and blind. Jon and Andy, who has a daughter Molly, 16, who also has Usher syndrome, started their challenge in the early hours of Saturday morning when they climbed Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland.
They completed the 1,344m (4,409ft) in five hours and 40 minutes before driving for seven hours to Cumbria to take on Scafell Pike. And they took four hours and 20 minutes to climb 978m (3,208ft) to reach the top of England’s highest mountain. Jon said: ”It was pretty windy going up Scafell and at the top the temperature with the windchill was minus 12. Despite this we still stripped off and posed in our mankinis. It was so cold I went numb, all over.”
And the pair took just two hours to climb 1,085m (3,560ft) to the top of Snowdon in Wales to complete the challenge. Jon, from Gainsborough, Lincs., and Andy, from Maidenhead, Berks., both wore layers over their mankinis for the ascent but stripped off to their underwear for the final approach to each summit. Andy said: ”We can both proudly say we’ve climbed the three peaks wearing mankinis and as Borat would say, ‘is nice!’.” The pair hope to raise £8,000 for charity Sense, which helps deaf and blind people in the UK.
Jon's page. Andy's page.
Tourism bosses in 'another fine mess'
Tourism bosses made a 'fine mess' by printing 50,000 copies of a brochure claiming comedian Stan Laurel was born in their county. County Durham tourism office claimed he was born in Bishop Auckland when in fact he was born Ulverston, Cumbria. Bosses have now apologised for the blunder but said they cannot correct the mistake on the leaflet and map because of funding restrictions.
Depending on stocks and funding, an updated version will not be reproduced until around autumn next year. The leaflet says: "Bet you didn't know that Bishop Auckland was the birthplace of Arthur Stanley Jefferson, better known as Stan Laurel." Stan has a bronze statue in Bishop Auckland town centre celebrating the fact he lived there in early life after leaving Ulverston as a child, where he had been born in 1890. Stan, who became famous as one half of comedy double act Laurel and Hardy with Oliver Hardy, moved to America in 1910.
A copy of Stan's birth certificate proving his Ulverston heritage is displayed in the Laurel and Hardy Museum. Craig Wilson, Visit County Durham marketing manager, said it was an honest mistake, and added: "It seems that urban myth has perpetuated an error in the Bishop Auckland town visitor map. Stan Laurel was baptised at St Peter's Church and schooled at King James Grammar in Bishop Auckland.
"His parents also ran the local theatre, but he was of course born in Ulverston. I guess Bishop Auckland is as proud of its connections with Stan as Ulverston is passionate about it being his birthplace. We're obviously both trying to lay claim to some of the Laurel and Hardy magic. Hopefully this will allow us to make it clearer about Stan's early years and allow both Ulverston and Bishop Auckland to share some of Stan's limelight."
Depending on stocks and funding, an updated version will not be reproduced until around autumn next year. The leaflet says: "Bet you didn't know that Bishop Auckland was the birthplace of Arthur Stanley Jefferson, better known as Stan Laurel." Stan has a bronze statue in Bishop Auckland town centre celebrating the fact he lived there in early life after leaving Ulverston as a child, where he had been born in 1890. Stan, who became famous as one half of comedy double act Laurel and Hardy with Oliver Hardy, moved to America in 1910.
A copy of Stan's birth certificate proving his Ulverston heritage is displayed in the Laurel and Hardy Museum. Craig Wilson, Visit County Durham marketing manager, said it was an honest mistake, and added: "It seems that urban myth has perpetuated an error in the Bishop Auckland town visitor map. Stan Laurel was baptised at St Peter's Church and schooled at King James Grammar in Bishop Auckland.
"His parents also ran the local theatre, but he was of course born in Ulverston. I guess Bishop Auckland is as proud of its connections with Stan as Ulverston is passionate about it being his birthplace. We're obviously both trying to lay claim to some of the Laurel and Hardy magic. Hopefully this will allow us to make it clearer about Stan's early years and allow both Ulverston and Bishop Auckland to share some of Stan's limelight."
Police hunt fat female who battered fish and chip shop worker
Police are hunting this overweight woman who got so angry waiting for her fish and chips she punched a takeaway worker in the face. The fat female became irate after she was told she had to wait just five minutes for her fried meal at the chip shop in Paignton, Devon. She was so incensed she tried to grab her money back from the til and then swung a fierce left hook at stunned worker Stephen May, 20.
The tubby customer – thought to be a holidaymaker – then marched out of the shop empty handed. Stephen’s dad, Adrian, 50, who owns the chippie, says his son wasn’t hurt after being punched on the night of September 2. He said the woman had lashed out seconds after arguing with his wife Jayne, 48, when she explained her meal would be five minutes.
Adrian said: ”The woman, who we think was a holidaymaker, had argued with my wife about waiting five minutes for her meal. She then said she wanted her money back and went behind the counter where she tried to open the till. Stephen didn’t know about the exchange between my wife and he customer. He told the woman to stop what she was doing and get away from the till – and that’s when she hit him.
”He was shocked and shaken more than anything else. She left without the takeaway and the money. I think she knew she had been in the wrong.” A police spokesman added: ”We would like to speak to the woman in connection with an assault in which the fish and chip shop man was punched in the face. She tried to open the till without any luck.”
The tubby customer – thought to be a holidaymaker – then marched out of the shop empty handed. Stephen’s dad, Adrian, 50, who owns the chippie, says his son wasn’t hurt after being punched on the night of September 2. He said the woman had lashed out seconds after arguing with his wife Jayne, 48, when she explained her meal would be five minutes.
Adrian said: ”The woman, who we think was a holidaymaker, had argued with my wife about waiting five minutes for her meal. She then said she wanted her money back and went behind the counter where she tried to open the till. Stephen didn’t know about the exchange between my wife and he customer. He told the woman to stop what she was doing and get away from the till – and that’s when she hit him.
”He was shocked and shaken more than anything else. She left without the takeaway and the money. I think she knew she had been in the wrong.” A police spokesman added: ”We would like to speak to the woman in connection with an assault in which the fish and chip shop man was punched in the face. She tried to open the till without any luck.”
Man died after downing pint of vodka in four seconds
A young man died after a drinking session in which he downed a pint of vodka in four seconds, an inquest heard. The grieving family of the “popular” Teesside man in the “prime of his life” warned others about the dangers of binge drinking. Richard Davies, 29, of Lincoln Place, Thornaby, was left “paralytic” after drinking with friends in the early hours of January 16 this year.
An inquest at Teesside Coroner’s Court heard that, at the end of the night, Mr Davies drank a pint of vodka in just four seconds - despite an attempt by his best friend to take the glass off him. Clare said: “When we were told what had happened we were all just so shocked. We couldn’t believe it - we still can’t. Richard was not an alcoholic and just liked going out on a weekend - like most young lads.
He was put to bed in a recovery position but never woke up. He died of acute alcohol poisoning. Mr Davies’ brother Michael, 35, and sister Clare, 32, both from Thornaby, speaking after the hearing yesterday, said more people needed to know about the dangers of binge drinking. “So many people do what he does and more young people need to be aware of the dangers, especially children who drink on the street. You just never think that it can kill, but what has happened to Richard is proof that it does.”
Dr Jan Lowe, a pathologist at the University Hospital of North Tees, told the inquest that the equivalent of 13 pints of beer was found in his blood when he died. He said he believed Mr Davies had died from acute alcohol poisoning. Deputy Teesside Coroner Anthony Eastwood said Mr Davies was “a young man in the prime of his life” who simply “enjoyed a social life with his friends”. He recorded a verdict of misadventure.
An inquest at Teesside Coroner’s Court heard that, at the end of the night, Mr Davies drank a pint of vodka in just four seconds - despite an attempt by his best friend to take the glass off him. Clare said: “When we were told what had happened we were all just so shocked. We couldn’t believe it - we still can’t. Richard was not an alcoholic and just liked going out on a weekend - like most young lads.
He was put to bed in a recovery position but never woke up. He died of acute alcohol poisoning. Mr Davies’ brother Michael, 35, and sister Clare, 32, both from Thornaby, speaking after the hearing yesterday, said more people needed to know about the dangers of binge drinking. “So many people do what he does and more young people need to be aware of the dangers, especially children who drink on the street. You just never think that it can kill, but what has happened to Richard is proof that it does.”
Dr Jan Lowe, a pathologist at the University Hospital of North Tees, told the inquest that the equivalent of 13 pints of beer was found in his blood when he died. He said he believed Mr Davies had died from acute alcohol poisoning. Deputy Teesside Coroner Anthony Eastwood said Mr Davies was “a young man in the prime of his life” who simply “enjoyed a social life with his friends”. He recorded a verdict of misadventure.
Woman ‘posed as man for six-year fling’
A 25-year-old woman has appeared in court accused of tricking two women into sexual contact - by pretending to be a man. Samantha Brooks is alleged to have kept up the pretence with one of her alleged victims for a period lasting six years.
Ms Brooks made no plea or declaration when she appeared in private at Perth Sheriff Court to face two charges of obtaining sex by fraud. It is alleged that on various occasions between 1 January 2004 and 31 December last year she obtained sexual relations by fraud at an address in Bridge of Earn, Perthshire.
She is charged with pretending to one young woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - that she was a man called Lee Brooks. Ms Brooks, from West Drayton in Middlesex, is then alleged to have induced the woman to consent repeatedly to sexual contact.
A second charge alleges that between 15 and 20 September this year, at an address in Perth, she duped a second woman into having sexual relations with her. Ms Brooks is accused of again pretending to be a man, before persuading the woman to consent repeatedly to sexual contact. She was was remanded in custody to Cornton Vale prison.
Ms Brooks made no plea or declaration when she appeared in private at Perth Sheriff Court to face two charges of obtaining sex by fraud. It is alleged that on various occasions between 1 January 2004 and 31 December last year she obtained sexual relations by fraud at an address in Bridge of Earn, Perthshire.
She is charged with pretending to one young woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - that she was a man called Lee Brooks. Ms Brooks, from West Drayton in Middlesex, is then alleged to have induced the woman to consent repeatedly to sexual contact.
A second charge alleges that between 15 and 20 September this year, at an address in Perth, she duped a second woman into having sexual relations with her. Ms Brooks is accused of again pretending to be a man, before persuading the woman to consent repeatedly to sexual contact. She was was remanded in custody to Cornton Vale prison.
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