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Thursday, December 01, 2011
Angry Indian snake charmer lets loose poisonous snakes in government office
An angry snake charmer in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has let loose dozens of snakes in a government office, sparking chaos and panic. Hakkul, of Lara village in Basti district, dumped the snakes, including a number of cobras, at the land revenue office in Harraiya town on Tuesday. Many of the frightened villagers and officials ran out of the office, while others climbed on top of tables.
No-one was bitten or injured but the snakes are yet to be caught. Mr Hakkul is usually called in whenever a snake is spotted in the area and he has saved many lives over the years, local journalist Mazhar Azad said. Mr Hakkul has petitioned various government offices over the years demanding a plot of land where he can "conserve" his snakes. Mr Azad said Mr Hakkul had even petitioned the president.
Mr Hakkul says his request has been cleared by senior authorities, but the local officials keep delaying it. On Tuesday, Mr Hakkul went to the Tehsil [revenue] office with a group of supporters and emptied out his bags containing poisonous snakes. "Snakes were climbing up the tables and chairs. The office was full, there were nearly 100 officials and clerks and many more visitors," Mr Azad said.
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"There was total chaos for several hours. Some people started taking photos with their telephone cameras, others brought out sheets to try to cover the snakes. Some came with sticks and wanted to beat up Hakkul." Mr Azad said Mr Hakkul and his men escaped in the confusion and are yet to be caught. So are the snakes who are still hiding in the building.
No-one was bitten or injured but the snakes are yet to be caught. Mr Hakkul is usually called in whenever a snake is spotted in the area and he has saved many lives over the years, local journalist Mazhar Azad said. Mr Hakkul has petitioned various government offices over the years demanding a plot of land where he can "conserve" his snakes. Mr Azad said Mr Hakkul had even petitioned the president.
Mr Hakkul says his request has been cleared by senior authorities, but the local officials keep delaying it. On Tuesday, Mr Hakkul went to the Tehsil [revenue] office with a group of supporters and emptied out his bags containing poisonous snakes. "Snakes were climbing up the tables and chairs. The office was full, there were nearly 100 officials and clerks and many more visitors," Mr Azad said.
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"There was total chaos for several hours. Some people started taking photos with their telephone cameras, others brought out sheets to try to cover the snakes. Some came with sticks and wanted to beat up Hakkul." Mr Azad said Mr Hakkul and his men escaped in the confusion and are yet to be caught. So are the snakes who are still hiding in the building.
Police officer shot and killed dog after 'it accidentally dialled 911'
A Bradenton man is upset that a Manatee County Sheriff's Sergeant shot his dog. Ozzie was a 1-year-old bull mastiff and pit bull mix. "I don't think drawing a gun and shooting my dog was the right thing to do," said dog owner Joe Viviani. The shooting happened on Sunday morning. Viviani says he wasn't home. He says his mother was at his house with Ozzie and his other dog, when the trouble began. "The dog somehow jumped on the couch when she got here and dialled the phone," said Viviani. "It must've been to 911."
Manatee Sheriff's Office Spokesman Dave Bristow says the department isn't convinced one of the dogs called 911, but dispatchers did receive a hang-up call from the residence. "They're claiming that the dog actually called 911. That sounds a little far fetched," said Bristow. Regardless, officers respond to every 911 hang-up call. They can be dangerous because officers never know what to expect. Sgt. Will Kelley responded to the call.
Viviani's mother opened the door, trying to keep the two dogs inside the house. But 65 pound Ozzie got out. That's where the two sides of the story part ways. "One of them kept coming at the deputy and eventually the deputy had to shoot the dog," said Bristow, adding that the dog was aggressive and not backing down. Viviani says he doesn't believe his dog would behave that way. "They were puppies. They were jumping, and happy, and sniffing around," he said. "And then, I guess, he got scared and shot the one dog."
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The shooting created an uproar. Now, St. Pete officers will be trained to deal with dog encounters by keeping their distance and using catch poles instead of guns. "Unless a dog presents a threat to a human being of death or great bodily harm, officers are not going to be authorized to use their weapons," explained St. Pete Police Chief Chuck Harmon. Viviani says it didn't have to happen. "They have pepper spray. They have a taser," he said. "I don't know why his first things was to draw a gun and shoot my dog right in the head at point blank range." Bristow says based on the department's preliminary investigation, Sgt. Kelley did what he was supposed to do.
Manatee Sheriff's Office Spokesman Dave Bristow says the department isn't convinced one of the dogs called 911, but dispatchers did receive a hang-up call from the residence. "They're claiming that the dog actually called 911. That sounds a little far fetched," said Bristow. Regardless, officers respond to every 911 hang-up call. They can be dangerous because officers never know what to expect. Sgt. Will Kelley responded to the call.
Viviani's mother opened the door, trying to keep the two dogs inside the house. But 65 pound Ozzie got out. That's where the two sides of the story part ways. "One of them kept coming at the deputy and eventually the deputy had to shoot the dog," said Bristow, adding that the dog was aggressive and not backing down. Viviani says he doesn't believe his dog would behave that way. "They were puppies. They were jumping, and happy, and sniffing around," he said. "And then, I guess, he got scared and shot the one dog."
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The shooting created an uproar. Now, St. Pete officers will be trained to deal with dog encounters by keeping their distance and using catch poles instead of guns. "Unless a dog presents a threat to a human being of death or great bodily harm, officers are not going to be authorized to use their weapons," explained St. Pete Police Chief Chuck Harmon. Viviani says it didn't have to happen. "They have pepper spray. They have a taser," he said. "I don't know why his first things was to draw a gun and shoot my dog right in the head at point blank range." Bristow says based on the department's preliminary investigation, Sgt. Kelley did what he was supposed to do.
Rare albino flesh-eating snail found in New Zealand
A rare white-bodied giant snail has been found by members of the Waimea Tramping Club in Kahurangi National Park. The rare albino giant Powelliphanta hochstetteri hochstetteri snail, a "fascinating find", was spotted in the Flora Stream area during a tramping club party's recent trip, a Department of Conservation spokesperson said.
The snail had its characteristic golden brown-spiralled shell but with a body that was a glowing white rather than the usual deep black colour. Motueka resident Bill Brough, who has seen quite a number of Powelliphanta snails in his tramps, was one of three people to see the remarkable snail, he said. "Our group had seen three or four snails already that morning as it had rained and they’d come out in the wet conditions.
"Then I saw the white snail and went 'wow'. We were excited to see it, knowing how extraordinary it was." Mr Brough said no patterning was apparent on the albino snail he saw which he described as being "off-white like Milky Bar white chocolate in colour". Department of Conservation Powelliphanta expert Kath Walker said it was only the second instance of an albino Powelliphanta snail she had come across, in more than 30 years studying the native snails.
Powelliphanta snails, found only in New Zealand, are the giants of the snail world with striking spiralled shells in an array of colours and patterns. They are carnivores, their favourite prey being earthworms but they also eat slugs. The white snail grows up to 80mm across. The species is endangered due to predation by introduced pests.
The snail had its characteristic golden brown-spiralled shell but with a body that was a glowing white rather than the usual deep black colour. Motueka resident Bill Brough, who has seen quite a number of Powelliphanta snails in his tramps, was one of three people to see the remarkable snail, he said. "Our group had seen three or four snails already that morning as it had rained and they’d come out in the wet conditions.
"Then I saw the white snail and went 'wow'. We were excited to see it, knowing how extraordinary it was." Mr Brough said no patterning was apparent on the albino snail he saw which he described as being "off-white like Milky Bar white chocolate in colour". Department of Conservation Powelliphanta expert Kath Walker said it was only the second instance of an albino Powelliphanta snail she had come across, in more than 30 years studying the native snails.
Powelliphanta snails, found only in New Zealand, are the giants of the snail world with striking spiralled shells in an array of colours and patterns. They are carnivores, their favourite prey being earthworms but they also eat slugs. The white snail grows up to 80mm across. The species is endangered due to predation by introduced pests.
Meanwhile in Auckland, New Zealand
A new campaign was recently launched to help alleviate tagging on buses.
Anyone with a suspected marker pen in their trousers is now being closely monitored.
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Anyone with a suspected marker pen in their trousers is now being closely monitored.
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Over-protective dad wades into on-field rugby brawl
Parents often cheer their children on from the sidelines at sporting events but Imanol Harinordoquy's father took his enthusiasm a little too far when he ran onto the pitch and tried to punch a Bayonne player during the Basque derby. Lucien Harinordoquy raced onto the pitch during Tuesday's Top 14 clash, after his France international son had clashed with a pair of Bayonne players, and attempted to punch one of them - Jean-Jo Marmouyet - in the face. Before he was able to make contact with Marmouyet, however, Harinordoquy snr was tackled by Bayonne fly-half Benjamin Boyet.
"I tackled him because he was attacking one of my team mates," Boyet said. "I put him to the ground and (Biarritz hooker) Benoit August told me to stop, because it was Imanol's father." Bayonne president Michel Cacouault was apoplectic after the incident and has threatened to file a complaint, branding the incident "unacceptable". Cacouault has said he will seek to ascertain what Bayonne can do "legally" over the incident, which occurred in the sixth minute of his side's 21-19 defeat.
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Christian Gajan, Bayonne's director of rugby, was also outraged by Harinordoquy snr's behaviour. "I find his behaviour deplorable, that he came onto the pitch to defend his son by boxing with Marmouyet at the beginning of the match," he said. "You could have been forgiven for thinking it was a youth match between two local villages. It was a scandalous episode." Harinordoquy jnr, who is known as one of the toughest players in the sport and is a veteran of three World Cups, has chosen not to comment.
The president of France's National Rugby League, Pierre-Yves Revol, has described the incident as "a first in professional rugby" and that his organisation will conduct an investigation, prompting Lucien Harinordoquy to apologise for his behaviour. "My apologies to the Aguilera crowd - Bayonne and Biarritz spectators, to both teams and their staff, to the French League and Federation as well as to the world of rugby in general," he said. "I was under pressure and, for other reasons, I lost control. I regret my behaviour."
"I tackled him because he was attacking one of my team mates," Boyet said. "I put him to the ground and (Biarritz hooker) Benoit August told me to stop, because it was Imanol's father." Bayonne president Michel Cacouault was apoplectic after the incident and has threatened to file a complaint, branding the incident "unacceptable". Cacouault has said he will seek to ascertain what Bayonne can do "legally" over the incident, which occurred in the sixth minute of his side's 21-19 defeat.
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Christian Gajan, Bayonne's director of rugby, was also outraged by Harinordoquy snr's behaviour. "I find his behaviour deplorable, that he came onto the pitch to defend his son by boxing with Marmouyet at the beginning of the match," he said. "You could have been forgiven for thinking it was a youth match between two local villages. It was a scandalous episode." Harinordoquy jnr, who is known as one of the toughest players in the sport and is a veteran of three World Cups, has chosen not to comment.
The president of France's National Rugby League, Pierre-Yves Revol, has described the incident as "a first in professional rugby" and that his organisation will conduct an investigation, prompting Lucien Harinordoquy to apologise for his behaviour. "My apologies to the Aguilera crowd - Bayonne and Biarritz spectators, to both teams and their staff, to the French League and Federation as well as to the world of rugby in general," he said. "I was under pressure and, for other reasons, I lost control. I regret my behaviour."
Dad shot dead daughter he mistook for burglar
A father-of-three has shot dead his own daughter after mistaking her for a burglar. Wealthy Leonardo Alonso, 52, thought he had gunned down an intruder after firing at a figure moving towards him in the darkness. But after he switched on the lights in his sitting room, he discovered the victim was his 24-year-old journalist daughter, Federica. The tragedy came just a month after burglars targeted the family home in an expensive neighbourhood of the Uruguayan capital Montevideo.
Three armed men attacked Federica as she returned to the house late at night and forced her inside before tying up her father and brother and taking cash and valuables. The victim's brother, also called Leonardo, had complained on his Twitter page about the lack of security and had proposed on Facebook the idea for a protest march to call for more police action shortly before the tragedy which took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
Their father is thought to have bought the handgun that killed his daughter soon after the October 30 robbery. He is now recovering after being treated for shock in hospital. He told the police he had gone outside with his weapon after hearing noises coming from the garden and ordering his family upstairs. He fired the gun after hearing his wife scream and rushing back into the living room to see a person he thought was an intruder moving towards him.
Tragic Federica died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. She was engaged to the son of Juan Pedro Penarol, president of leading Uruguayan football team Penarol. Gustavo Guidobono, director of a local association fighting to control the use of guns, said: "This tragedy shows weapons are for police, not people. Many people who possess guns are not properly prepared and we have these terrible consequences," he said.
Three armed men attacked Federica as she returned to the house late at night and forced her inside before tying up her father and brother and taking cash and valuables. The victim's brother, also called Leonardo, had complained on his Twitter page about the lack of security and had proposed on Facebook the idea for a protest march to call for more police action shortly before the tragedy which took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
Their father is thought to have bought the handgun that killed his daughter soon after the October 30 robbery. He is now recovering after being treated for shock in hospital. He told the police he had gone outside with his weapon after hearing noises coming from the garden and ordering his family upstairs. He fired the gun after hearing his wife scream and rushing back into the living room to see a person he thought was an intruder moving towards him.
Tragic Federica died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. She was engaged to the son of Juan Pedro Penarol, president of leading Uruguayan football team Penarol. Gustavo Guidobono, director of a local association fighting to control the use of guns, said: "This tragedy shows weapons are for police, not people. Many people who possess guns are not properly prepared and we have these terrible consequences," he said.
Accused arsonist tells police he's a sex toy engineer
A man arrested by Oklahoma City police on an arson complaint after a fire at a laundry business boasted his feet were “certified weapons” and claimed a long list of occupations, including mixed martial artist and sex toy designer. Thomas Ackerman, 24, was arrested Nov. 18 on an arson complaint after a woman who showed up to close the 66 Laundry, 3634 NW 39, found him inside the burning business. Firefighters told police Ackerman apparently started the fire about 11:30 p.m.
A woman who came to lock the business about 11 p.m. reportedly found Ackerman inside. He told her he was finishing his laundry. The woman said she would return in 15 minutes, according to a police report. The woman said she lit a cigarette for Ackerman before leaving. When she returned, the door was locked and the building was on fire.
The woman's husband, who was working across the street, unlocked the door and found Ackerman in the back of the business, the report stated. The man said he attempted to get Ackerman to leave, but he refused. The man then went outside and waited for firefighters to arrive. When police arrived, Ackerman said he wanted to be put in leg shackles for their safety because his feet “were certified weapons in Nevada.”
He also claimed to hold seven college degrees and said he worked as an architectural engineer, truck driver, mixed martial artist, travelling disc jockey, phlebotomist, stuntman and sex toy engineer. Ackerman said he worked on the three most recent “Spider-Man” movies and used his engineering expertise to design the Green Goblin's hoverboard. Ackerman is being held in the Oklahoma County jail.
A woman who came to lock the business about 11 p.m. reportedly found Ackerman inside. He told her he was finishing his laundry. The woman said she would return in 15 minutes, according to a police report. The woman said she lit a cigarette for Ackerman before leaving. When she returned, the door was locked and the building was on fire.
The woman's husband, who was working across the street, unlocked the door and found Ackerman in the back of the business, the report stated. The man said he attempted to get Ackerman to leave, but he refused. The man then went outside and waited for firefighters to arrive. When police arrived, Ackerman said he wanted to be put in leg shackles for their safety because his feet “were certified weapons in Nevada.”
He also claimed to hold seven college degrees and said he worked as an architectural engineer, truck driver, mixed martial artist, travelling disc jockey, phlebotomist, stuntman and sex toy engineer. Ackerman said he worked on the three most recent “Spider-Man” movies and used his engineering expertise to design the Green Goblin's hoverboard. Ackerman is being held in the Oklahoma County jail.
Man accused of severing own hand given bail
A district court yesterday ordered a Taiwanese man, who is suspected of severing his own hand in China to cash in on insurance money, be released on bail. A Shilin District Prosecutors’ Office spokesman said that after interrogating suspect Hu Chi-yang, prosecutors decided to recommend that Hu be freed on bail of NT$700,000 (£15,000, $21,000). Prosecutors said they were convinced Hu could not tamper with witness statements because he did not have any accomplices in the case and they said they felt he was not a flight risk because he has been barred from leaving the country.
However, when Hu said he had no money, prosecutors asked the court that he remain in detention. The court disagreed, ruling that he be released on NT$150,000 (£3,300, $4,000) bail. Hu’s daughter, Hu Yi-ling, told a press conference on Nov. 8 that half of her father’s left hand was severed during a visit to Putian in Fujian Province, China, on Nov. 4, when three robbers attacked him and took his ring and watch. However, it was later revealed that Hu bought insurance policies worth NT$31 million (£660,000, $1,000,000) from two insurers in Taiwan before going to China on Nov. 3, and other evidence has since emerged that have raised suspicions that he cut off his hand to collect a hefty insurance payment.
When questioned by the Criminal Investigation Bureau on Monday, Hu said repeatedly “I forget what happened” or “I am not clear” when asked to give details concerning the incident. However, he insisted that his hand was severed by robbers rather than being self inflicted. The bureau said the severed hand and the knife that was allegedly used in the incident were still in China. If necessary, it would ask Chinese authorities to provide other evidence under a cross-strait agreement on judicial cooperation, it said.
The Putian Public Security Bureau in Fujian described Hu’s wound on Monday as “self-mutilation,” saying there was no scuffle at the scene, the cut was extremely clean and Hu’s blood collected at the crime scene was found to contain anesthetic. In addition, the owner of a knife shop is said to have identified Hu as the man who bought the meat cleaver that was retrieved nearby and which was stained with Hu’s blood. At a press conference yesterday, Hu said: “This was absolutely not self-inflicted.”
However, when Hu said he had no money, prosecutors asked the court that he remain in detention. The court disagreed, ruling that he be released on NT$150,000 (£3,300, $4,000) bail. Hu’s daughter, Hu Yi-ling, told a press conference on Nov. 8 that half of her father’s left hand was severed during a visit to Putian in Fujian Province, China, on Nov. 4, when three robbers attacked him and took his ring and watch. However, it was later revealed that Hu bought insurance policies worth NT$31 million (£660,000, $1,000,000) from two insurers in Taiwan before going to China on Nov. 3, and other evidence has since emerged that have raised suspicions that he cut off his hand to collect a hefty insurance payment.
When questioned by the Criminal Investigation Bureau on Monday, Hu said repeatedly “I forget what happened” or “I am not clear” when asked to give details concerning the incident. However, he insisted that his hand was severed by robbers rather than being self inflicted. The bureau said the severed hand and the knife that was allegedly used in the incident were still in China. If necessary, it would ask Chinese authorities to provide other evidence under a cross-strait agreement on judicial cooperation, it said.
The Putian Public Security Bureau in Fujian described Hu’s wound on Monday as “self-mutilation,” saying there was no scuffle at the scene, the cut was extremely clean and Hu’s blood collected at the crime scene was found to contain anesthetic. In addition, the owner of a knife shop is said to have identified Hu as the man who bought the meat cleaver that was retrieved nearby and which was stained with Hu’s blood. At a press conference yesterday, Hu said: “This was absolutely not self-inflicted.”
Female prisoner who put ice cube down fellow inmate's top ordered to pay $18,750 compensation
A woman prisoner in Australia who put an ice cube down the top of another inmate and grabbed her breast has been ordered to pay more than $18,000 in criminal compensation. In the District Court in Brisbane, Judge Wally Tutt found the victim, who can't be named, had suffered a psychological injury due to an assault by the other prisoner.
The victim claimed criminal compensation for "mental or nervous shock" and "adverse impacts" she allegedly sustained between November 1, and November 19, 2007 at the Brisbane Womens Correctional Centre at Wacol. The other prisoner, who also can't be named, pleaded guilty in 2009 of two charges of common assault arising out of the incidents.
The court heard the woman placed an ice cube down the front of the victim's top and then reached down inside the clothing, grabbing her left breast. In the second offence the pair were in the residential area when the woman walked up to the victim from behind and placed her walking stick between the victim's thighs, touching her genital region.
On sentence the prosecution accepted he offences were an attempt to humiliate the victim and did not have any sexual overtones. After reviewing psychiatric reports Judge Tutt found the victim had suffered a major depressive disorder and other psychological problems as a result. Judge Tutt said while the offences did not have sexual overtones they had adverse effect on the victim. He ordered criminal compensation at $18,750.
The victim claimed criminal compensation for "mental or nervous shock" and "adverse impacts" she allegedly sustained between November 1, and November 19, 2007 at the Brisbane Womens Correctional Centre at Wacol. The other prisoner, who also can't be named, pleaded guilty in 2009 of two charges of common assault arising out of the incidents.
The court heard the woman placed an ice cube down the front of the victim's top and then reached down inside the clothing, grabbing her left breast. In the second offence the pair were in the residential area when the woman walked up to the victim from behind and placed her walking stick between the victim's thighs, touching her genital region.
On sentence the prosecution accepted he offences were an attempt to humiliate the victim and did not have any sexual overtones. After reviewing psychiatric reports Judge Tutt found the victim had suffered a major depressive disorder and other psychological problems as a result. Judge Tutt said while the offences did not have sexual overtones they had adverse effect on the victim. He ordered criminal compensation at $18,750.
BMW showroom forced to provide umbrellas against seagull bombardment
A BMW showroom was forced to provide umbrellas to customers because of an "aerial bombardment" from seagulls attracted to a nearby waste site. The gulls have been blamed for peppering the cars and customers with droppings, dive-bombing staff and even dropping leftover chicken carcasses. The problem has got so bad, bosses at the Vines dealership in Guildford, Surrey, are now handing customers brollies and telling them to beware of the gulls.
Workers at the showroom say they get 'splattered like a dalmatian' if they stand about too long in the forecourt, which is right next to a waste transfer station where rubbish is taken before being sent to landfill sites. Mark Hollands, the principal dealer at Vines, said the waste site - managed by SITA on behalf of Surrey County Council - is making life a misery and is costing them thousands extra to clean and repair cars.
He said that dustcarts dump their loads at the site at least three times a day and that this is now attracting up to 100 gulls at a time who scavenge on the leftover grub. He said: "We have to warn our customers to use umbrellas when they are out on the forecourt. If you don't run to the showroom from your car, you will look like a dalmatian.
"We have had chicken carcasses and tea bags dropped on our forecourt. Chicken carcasses, dropped from a great height, will dent the cars. The worst thing is that bird poo eats the paint work. It has acid in it, and if you let it lie on the cars too long it will damage the paint." He said that the reason for the birds being attracted to the site is that the rubbish has been left uncovered for the past month - whereas previously workers at the site had ensured all waste was fully hidden from gulls.
Workers at the showroom say they get 'splattered like a dalmatian' if they stand about too long in the forecourt, which is right next to a waste transfer station where rubbish is taken before being sent to landfill sites. Mark Hollands, the principal dealer at Vines, said the waste site - managed by SITA on behalf of Surrey County Council - is making life a misery and is costing them thousands extra to clean and repair cars.
He said that dustcarts dump their loads at the site at least three times a day and that this is now attracting up to 100 gulls at a time who scavenge on the leftover grub. He said: "We have to warn our customers to use umbrellas when they are out on the forecourt. If you don't run to the showroom from your car, you will look like a dalmatian.
"We have had chicken carcasses and tea bags dropped on our forecourt. Chicken carcasses, dropped from a great height, will dent the cars. The worst thing is that bird poo eats the paint work. It has acid in it, and if you let it lie on the cars too long it will damage the paint." He said that the reason for the birds being attracted to the site is that the rubbish has been left uncovered for the past month - whereas previously workers at the site had ensured all waste was fully hidden from gulls.
Primary school pupils go home in tears from bird-watching trip that turned out to be a shoot
A headteacher is under fire for sending a class of 10-year-old primary school children on an outing - to see ducks being shot. Distressed pupils from Ashbeach Primary School in Ramsey St Mary's, Cambridgeshire, burst into tears when they saw the birds downed and then scooped up by gun dogs. Many of the youngsters thought they were going to enjoy a day of bird watching after a letter was sent home with no mention of shooting, or guns. The permission letter sent home to parents only referred to ''wildfowlers'' - a term among the shooting community referring to hunting ducks and geese. Parents have blasted the school for taking them into an environment of guns and bullets.
Headteacher Shirley Stapleton admitted the outing is an ''annual trip'' which helps pupils make "informed decisions" about country pursuits. Ray Poolman, 49, of Ramsey, said his daughter came home in floods of tears after spending the day watching the Ely and District Wildfowlers Association shoot. "She (my daughter) thought she was going to a bird watching place but it turns out it was a shoot," he said. ''My daughter came home absolutely distraught and in floods of tears. She thought she was going to a bird-watching place. I was absolutely unaware that it was a shoot - otherwise she wouldn't have been there. There's no way it's an educational trip. It shouldn't have been arranged by teachers in school time. I can't believe they put children in that environment. What if something had gone wrong?''
But when he confronted the headteacher he was told the hunt had been "rural and normal". The letter sent home by the school told parents their children would watch a ''flight'' at Welney Marshes, near Ely. But Mr Poolman said: ''I have since spoken to some of my friends who go shooting and they told me that 'flight' means 'shoot'. I thought the kids would be watching the birds coming into roost or migrating. Ramsey might be rural but we have a Tesco - people don't need to walk around killing animals to survive any more. It shouldn't have been in school time and there most certainly should have had a very detailed description of what was going to be seen so we could make an informed decision.
''Mrs Stapleton argued that we had agreed to it because we'd had a letter but it doesn't say they were going to take my child where they are shooting birds. They allowed children to witness the death of an animal.'' Headteacher Mrs Stapleton said the girl's distress was ''questionable''. In a statement she added: ''This is an annual trip which has taken place for several years. It is not compulsory - it is entirely up to individuals and parents must return a signed permission slip before their child can go. Following a class discussion about the visit, a letter was sent home to explain that children would find out more about wildfowling, the conservation of the landscape and the dogs and equipment used. The letter sent home before the trip made it clear that wildfowling was involved.''
Headteacher Shirley Stapleton admitted the outing is an ''annual trip'' which helps pupils make "informed decisions" about country pursuits. Ray Poolman, 49, of Ramsey, said his daughter came home in floods of tears after spending the day watching the Ely and District Wildfowlers Association shoot. "She (my daughter) thought she was going to a bird watching place but it turns out it was a shoot," he said. ''My daughter came home absolutely distraught and in floods of tears. She thought she was going to a bird-watching place. I was absolutely unaware that it was a shoot - otherwise she wouldn't have been there. There's no way it's an educational trip. It shouldn't have been arranged by teachers in school time. I can't believe they put children in that environment. What if something had gone wrong?''
But when he confronted the headteacher he was told the hunt had been "rural and normal". The letter sent home by the school told parents their children would watch a ''flight'' at Welney Marshes, near Ely. But Mr Poolman said: ''I have since spoken to some of my friends who go shooting and they told me that 'flight' means 'shoot'. I thought the kids would be watching the birds coming into roost or migrating. Ramsey might be rural but we have a Tesco - people don't need to walk around killing animals to survive any more. It shouldn't have been in school time and there most certainly should have had a very detailed description of what was going to be seen so we could make an informed decision.
''Mrs Stapleton argued that we had agreed to it because we'd had a letter but it doesn't say they were going to take my child where they are shooting birds. They allowed children to witness the death of an animal.'' Headteacher Mrs Stapleton said the girl's distress was ''questionable''. In a statement she added: ''This is an annual trip which has taken place for several years. It is not compulsory - it is entirely up to individuals and parents must return a signed permission slip before their child can go. Following a class discussion about the visit, a letter was sent home to explain that children would find out more about wildfowling, the conservation of the landscape and the dogs and equipment used. The letter sent home before the trip made it clear that wildfowling was involved.''
Superstitious drink-driver was spooked by magpie
A superstitious drink-driver who was spooked by a magpie crashed into a police van starting a blaze which shut the road. Deborah Ellis said she was distracted by the bird which was flying alongside her car. She clipped the kerb and then crashed into the on-coming van. Both vehicles caught fire and the Mold to Wrexham Road was closed at Pontblyddyn for some time after the smash on November 14. Ellis, 50, of Ffordd Trem y Foel in Mold, admitted she was three and a half times the drink drive limit at the wheel of her Vauxhall Corsa. She was found to have 121 microgrammes of alcohol in her breath, compared to the legal limit of 35.
Prosecutor Matthew Ellis told Flintshire magistrates that Ellis was driving along the A541 towards Mold when her car clipped the kerb. It moved across the road and collided with a police civilian vehicle being driven in the opposite direction. Such was the nature of the collision that both vehicles caught fire and the fire service attended in order to douse the flames. The defendant provided a positive breathtest at the scene, was arrested and taken to Wrexham custody where she provided the alcohol reading of 121 microgrammes.
Interviewed, she said that she looked out of a side window and saw a magpie. That attracted her attention and she drifted across the road. Phillip Lloyd-Jones, defending, said his client was superstitious, her attention was attracted by the magpie which resulted in her clipping the kerb and losing control of her vehicle. That resulted in a collision with the on-coming police van. Ellis was a lady of no previous convictions who had co-operated fully with the investigation and pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. Thankfully no one had been seriously injured. The other driver escaped with shock and she was treated for minor injuries.
Mr Lloyd-Jones said that his client had been under considerable strain. She had been dismissed from her employment which she believed was unfair and it was currently the subject of an industrial tribunal. The impact of the tribunal proceedings led her to drink to excess and she had already referred herself to the counselling service CAIS which was on-going. That pre-dated the accident, he said. She was banned from driving for two years and placed on a 12 month community order under which she must carry out 150 hours unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £85 costs.
Prosecutor Matthew Ellis told Flintshire magistrates that Ellis was driving along the A541 towards Mold when her car clipped the kerb. It moved across the road and collided with a police civilian vehicle being driven in the opposite direction. Such was the nature of the collision that both vehicles caught fire and the fire service attended in order to douse the flames. The defendant provided a positive breathtest at the scene, was arrested and taken to Wrexham custody where she provided the alcohol reading of 121 microgrammes.
Interviewed, she said that she looked out of a side window and saw a magpie. That attracted her attention and she drifted across the road. Phillip Lloyd-Jones, defending, said his client was superstitious, her attention was attracted by the magpie which resulted in her clipping the kerb and losing control of her vehicle. That resulted in a collision with the on-coming police van. Ellis was a lady of no previous convictions who had co-operated fully with the investigation and pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. Thankfully no one had been seriously injured. The other driver escaped with shock and she was treated for minor injuries.
Mr Lloyd-Jones said that his client had been under considerable strain. She had been dismissed from her employment which she believed was unfair and it was currently the subject of an industrial tribunal. The impact of the tribunal proceedings led her to drink to excess and she had already referred herself to the counselling service CAIS which was on-going. That pre-dated the accident, he said. She was banned from driving for two years and placed on a 12 month community order under which she must carry out 150 hours unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £85 costs.
12-hour rescue of pregnant cat from recycling bin turns out to be stuffed toy
When passers-by heard meowing coming from inside a clothes recycling bin their first thought was to get help as quickly as possible. Especially as it was feared the trapped cat could be missing pet Puss-Puss, who may have been struggling to get out as she was pregnant. Firefighters were even called to the clothes bank recycling centre on Anglesey, North Wales, as part of the 12-hour effort to rescue the trapped animal. In the end it had needed engineers with cutting equipment to slice through the steel - but all they discovered inside was a battery-operated toy.
The alarm was raised when a woman passerby heard meowing from the steel recycling units in the village of Moelfre on Anglesey. A heavily pregnant cat called Puss-Puss was missing in the village for days - and it was believed she was stranded inside the clothes bin. Villagers tried to free the animal as the meow sounds continued from inside. But the locks had been tampered with - and they were unable to open the clothes bank to reach the cat. The fire service, the RSPCA and bin operators all failed to open the bin as the meowing carried on.
Villagers set off to find food to put inside the bin for the cat. With concerns for the pregnant cat growing the bin was transported 18 miles to specialist engineering firm K Owen in Llanrhyddlad. Engineers used a steel saw to cut their way into the bin. Owner Kelvin Owen said: ‘Once we got into the bin we heard the meow again, it sounded just like a cat and we all started to carefully search the bags. Then I found a bag of toys and picked out a toy cat. I said: ‘It couldn't be this could it?’
‘It wasn't making any noise and I asked if I could cut it open to investigate. As I held it, it went off, meow, meow, mystery solved! The lads were in stitches, it was such a laugh.’ Would-be rescuer Jasmine Hazelhurst, from Anglesey Pets, said: ‘I did feel embarrassed when they pulled out the stuffed cat. But I am also proud at the way everyone rallied around to save the cat. Local people did so much to save the cat and it shows what community spirit there is. We feared finding a dead cat in the clothes bank so to find a stuffed toy was a relief.’ Puss Puss is still missing.
The alarm was raised when a woman passerby heard meowing from the steel recycling units in the village of Moelfre on Anglesey. A heavily pregnant cat called Puss-Puss was missing in the village for days - and it was believed she was stranded inside the clothes bin. Villagers tried to free the animal as the meow sounds continued from inside. But the locks had been tampered with - and they were unable to open the clothes bank to reach the cat. The fire service, the RSPCA and bin operators all failed to open the bin as the meowing carried on.
Villagers set off to find food to put inside the bin for the cat. With concerns for the pregnant cat growing the bin was transported 18 miles to specialist engineering firm K Owen in Llanrhyddlad. Engineers used a steel saw to cut their way into the bin. Owner Kelvin Owen said: ‘Once we got into the bin we heard the meow again, it sounded just like a cat and we all started to carefully search the bags. Then I found a bag of toys and picked out a toy cat. I said: ‘It couldn't be this could it?’
‘It wasn't making any noise and I asked if I could cut it open to investigate. As I held it, it went off, meow, meow, mystery solved! The lads were in stitches, it was such a laugh.’ Would-be rescuer Jasmine Hazelhurst, from Anglesey Pets, said: ‘I did feel embarrassed when they pulled out the stuffed cat. But I am also proud at the way everyone rallied around to save the cat. Local people did so much to save the cat and it shows what community spirit there is. We feared finding a dead cat in the clothes bank so to find a stuffed toy was a relief.’ Puss Puss is still missing.
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