Thursday, September 27, 2012
Jockey rides on air during race fall
Apprentice jockey Dean McWhinney was photographed riding on air at the Sunshine Coast races in Australia on Sunday after being dislodged by his mount in the straight.
McWhinney had a "lucky" escape after his mount, Sir Knox, veered left sharply in the straight, leaving the jockey spilling into the air and landing among the rest of the field.
Onlookers at the racecourse near Caloundra were relieved when horse and rider escaped relatively unharmed, as they had the bulk of the field behind them when the incident occurred.
"I basically stayed where I was and the horse tried to get to the outside fence," McWhinney said. McWhinney, 21, escaped with a sore knee and a few aching muscles.
McWhinney had a "lucky" escape after his mount, Sir Knox, veered left sharply in the straight, leaving the jockey spilling into the air and landing among the rest of the field.
Onlookers at the racecourse near Caloundra were relieved when horse and rider escaped relatively unharmed, as they had the bulk of the field behind them when the incident occurred.
"I basically stayed where I was and the horse tried to get to the outside fence," McWhinney said. McWhinney, 21, escaped with a sore knee and a few aching muscles.
Man stopped on suspicion of DUI claimed the squirrel in his shirt was eating him
Authorities in Florida call this one for the stranger than fiction file: A driver stopped on Saturday night on suspicion of driving under the influence claimed the squirrel in his shirt was eating him. According to an arrest report, Warren Michael III produced the squirrel to show the deputy.
The report says Michael also had a strong odour of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot and glassy eyes, flushed face and slurred speech. Clay County deputies say they were responding to a report of a pickup truck driving erratically just before 9 p.m. When they caught up with Michael's pickup, it was weaving, drifting off the road into the grass, nearly hitting a parked car, and over the centre line, according to the report.
Once stopped, the deputy said, Michael could not find his driver's licence or registration, and while looking, dropped most of the items he was holding. "I had the defendant secure the squirrel and then exit the vehicle," the deputy wrote. The report said Michael swayed while performing a field sobriety test and had a hard time maintaining his balance or standing on one foot.
Video link.
After Michael's arrest, the pickup and squirrel were released to Michael's girlfriend, who said she told him he shouldn't be driving, but he "does what he wants anyway." Breath tests done at the Clay County jail found blood-alcohol levels of .145 and .156 - nearly double the legal limit. Michael was charged with DUI, driving without a seat belt, and given a warning for driving a vehicle in unsafe condition.
The report says Michael also had a strong odour of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot and glassy eyes, flushed face and slurred speech. Clay County deputies say they were responding to a report of a pickup truck driving erratically just before 9 p.m. When they caught up with Michael's pickup, it was weaving, drifting off the road into the grass, nearly hitting a parked car, and over the centre line, according to the report.
Once stopped, the deputy said, Michael could not find his driver's licence or registration, and while looking, dropped most of the items he was holding. "I had the defendant secure the squirrel and then exit the vehicle," the deputy wrote. The report said Michael swayed while performing a field sobriety test and had a hard time maintaining his balance or standing on one foot.
Video link.
After Michael's arrest, the pickup and squirrel were released to Michael's girlfriend, who said she told him he shouldn't be driving, but he "does what he wants anyway." Breath tests done at the Clay County jail found blood-alcohol levels of .145 and .156 - nearly double the legal limit. Michael was charged with DUI, driving without a seat belt, and given a warning for driving a vehicle in unsafe condition.
Hong Kong billionaire offers any man £40 million marriage bounty to make his lesbian daughter their wife
One of Hong Kong's wealthiest men has placed a "marriage bounty" on his lesbian daughter's head, offering nearly £40 million ($65 million) to the man who successfully woos her.
Property magnate Cecil Chao Sze-tsung announced the HK$500 million reward this week after reports that his 33-year-old daughter Gigi Chao, a University of Manchester graduate, had married her long-term female partner in France. "I don't mind whether he is rich or poor. The important thing is that he is generous and kind-hearted," Mr Chao said, describing reports about his daughter's marriage as "false".
Mr Chao claimed he hoped to help the successful suitor kick-start a business. He said the prize money was "an inducement to attract someone who has the talent but not the capital to start his own business.""Gigi is a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work," he added. Ms Chao, however, married Sean Eav, her girlfriend of seven years, in France on April 4.
Mr Chao's controversial move to recruit a husband for his lesbian daughter appeared to contradict a description Ms Chao gave of her father in a 2007 interview. "My father took a hands-off approach in parenting. I see him as a friend more than a father," she told HK Magazine. "My parents never pressure me with high expectations." Mr Chao denied he would force his daughter to marry a man against her will.
Property magnate Cecil Chao Sze-tsung announced the HK$500 million reward this week after reports that his 33-year-old daughter Gigi Chao, a University of Manchester graduate, had married her long-term female partner in France. "I don't mind whether he is rich or poor. The important thing is that he is generous and kind-hearted," Mr Chao said, describing reports about his daughter's marriage as "false".
Mr Chao claimed he hoped to help the successful suitor kick-start a business. He said the prize money was "an inducement to attract someone who has the talent but not the capital to start his own business.""Gigi is a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work," he added. Ms Chao, however, married Sean Eav, her girlfriend of seven years, in France on April 4.
Mr Chao's controversial move to recruit a husband for his lesbian daughter appeared to contradict a description Ms Chao gave of her father in a 2007 interview. "My father took a hands-off approach in parenting. I see him as a friend more than a father," she told HK Magazine. "My parents never pressure me with high expectations." Mr Chao denied he would force his daughter to marry a man against her will.
Short South Korean man arrested for stealing high-heeled shoes
A South Korean man, upset by women whose footwear made them taller than him, has been arrested for stealing high-heeled shoes and dumping them in local parks, police said on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old, identified only by his surname Lee, had stolen dozens of pairs of high heels from schools, restaurants and homes in his neighbourhood in the southern city of Busan in recent months.
We'd first looked into the possibility of sexual perversion," a spokesman at Busan Yeongdo police station said. "But Lee said he did it because he didn't like women wearing heels to look taller than him when he's so short," the spokesman said.
Lee, who stands 165 centimetres (5 feet 5 inches) tall, was caught because he made the mistake of repeatedly dumping a number of shoes in one particular park that was monitored by CCTV cameras. Koreans take off their shoes when entering homes and some restaurants. The footwear is usually stored in open shelving at the entrance.
The 24-year-old, identified only by his surname Lee, had stolen dozens of pairs of high heels from schools, restaurants and homes in his neighbourhood in the southern city of Busan in recent months.
We'd first looked into the possibility of sexual perversion," a spokesman at Busan Yeongdo police station said. "But Lee said he did it because he didn't like women wearing heels to look taller than him when he's so short," the spokesman said.
Lee, who stands 165 centimetres (5 feet 5 inches) tall, was caught because he made the mistake of repeatedly dumping a number of shoes in one particular park that was monitored by CCTV cameras. Koreans take off their shoes when entering homes and some restaurants. The footwear is usually stored in open shelving at the entrance.
Tiger killed by poachers inside Indian zoo
A tigress was killed and hacked into pieces in her enclosure by poachers at Itanagar zoo in India's north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh .
The poachers broke in and killed the six-year-old tigress between 8 pm and 10 pm on Monday night taking advantage of the absence of the three guards on duty. The guards had gone for their dinner and found the hacked tigress carcass in the enclosure.
"The poachers cut the tigress into pieces but could not take them away as the guards had returned," Zoo chief Zoram Dopum said. He also said the animal was among the six big cats in the zoo. The post-mortem was done on Tuesday and a report was lodged at Itanagar police station.
An investigation is underway to catch the culprits, he said, adding the forest department was also initiating a separate departmental inquiry into the matter. Itanagar zoo, 8 km from the town and established in 1987, is spread over 250 hectares.
The poachers broke in and killed the six-year-old tigress between 8 pm and 10 pm on Monday night taking advantage of the absence of the three guards on duty. The guards had gone for their dinner and found the hacked tigress carcass in the enclosure.
"The poachers cut the tigress into pieces but could not take them away as the guards had returned," Zoo chief Zoram Dopum said. He also said the animal was among the six big cats in the zoo. The post-mortem was done on Tuesday and a report was lodged at Itanagar police station.
An investigation is underway to catch the culprits, he said, adding the forest department was also initiating a separate departmental inquiry into the matter. Itanagar zoo, 8 km from the town and established in 1987, is spread over 250 hectares.
Man allegedly shot friend dead while trying to cure victim's hiccups
A soldier trying to scare another soldier out of hiccups shot his comrade in the face, killing him, authorities said on Tuesday. Both soldiers, joined by a third man, were drinking alcohol and watching football at the time of the Sunday night incident.
"The victim had the hiccups. The suspect pulled out a gun to scare him in order to stop the hiccups," said spokesman Carroll Smith of the Killeen, Texas, Police Department. Pfc. Patrick Edward Myers, 27, was charged on Tuesday with manslaughter, and Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin set his bond at $1 million.
Killed was Pfc. Isaac Lawrence Young, 22, of Ash Grove, Missouri, a motor transport operator at the Army base. Young entered active duty in May 2011 and arrived at Fort Hood in October 2011. Myers is a soldier at the base, as was Young at the time of his death, said Fort Hood spokesman Chris Haug.
Police responded to a shooting shortly after 10 p.m. and found a man shot in the face and two other men at the residence. Myers allegedly "produced a handgun and while handling it in an unsafe manner, discharged the handgun striking the victim in the face," police said. Young was pronounced dead during the ambulance transport to Skylark Field, where he had been scheduled for an airlift to a hospital.
"The victim had the hiccups. The suspect pulled out a gun to scare him in order to stop the hiccups," said spokesman Carroll Smith of the Killeen, Texas, Police Department. Pfc. Patrick Edward Myers, 27, was charged on Tuesday with manslaughter, and Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin set his bond at $1 million.
Killed was Pfc. Isaac Lawrence Young, 22, of Ash Grove, Missouri, a motor transport operator at the Army base. Young entered active duty in May 2011 and arrived at Fort Hood in October 2011. Myers is a soldier at the base, as was Young at the time of his death, said Fort Hood spokesman Chris Haug.
Police responded to a shooting shortly after 10 p.m. and found a man shot in the face and two other men at the residence. Myers allegedly "produced a handgun and while handling it in an unsafe manner, discharged the handgun striking the victim in the face," police said. Young was pronounced dead during the ambulance transport to Skylark Field, where he had been scheduled for an airlift to a hospital.
Speeding mother had three children and dog in boot of car
A woman and her boyfriend are facing a host of felony charges after troopers found the duo speeding down a Washington State highway with three young children and a dog in the trunk of their car. A trooper first noticed the car on Sunday just before 11 a.m. The car, a 2007 Nissan Sentra, was going 77 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to trooper Keith Leary. The trooper hit his lights, but he said it took roughly a half mile for the car to pull over.
Once stopped, the trooper said he immediately smelled marijuana in the car. The driver, 28-year-old Anna Boyle, of Woodinville, Washington, allegedly said she "just took a few hits earlier." The trooper said both Boyle and her passenger, 27-year-old Aaron Johnston, appeared very nervous. Boyle gave the trooper permission to search the car, and he soon found evidence of methamphetamine and heroin, as well as drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs. "Glass pipes, tin foil, spoons with heroin residue," Leary said.
While he was searching the car, the trooper said he heard a "thumping sound" coming from the trunk. A second trooper saw the top of the trunk move, and when he opened the hatch he was shocked to see three young children and a dog. The kids - an 8-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old boy - allegedly told the troopers they hadn't eaten since the previous night. After helping the kids out of the trunk, the troopers began questioning Boyle. She said the kids, who are hers, "crawled back there" from the back seat, according to Leary.
Trooper say the car was packed with various items, including a snowboard, a guitar and various bags of miscellaneous items. There were no child seats in the car. Troopers arrested Boyle and Johnston and booked them into Snohomish County Jail on drug charges. The prosecutor will decide if they're charged for keeping the kids in the trunk. Child Protective Services now have the children and the dog. "Our heart goes out to the kids that are not with their mom right now, but hopefully they are in a place where they are being taken care of, they are being fed," Leary said.
With news video.
Once stopped, the trooper said he immediately smelled marijuana in the car. The driver, 28-year-old Anna Boyle, of Woodinville, Washington, allegedly said she "just took a few hits earlier." The trooper said both Boyle and her passenger, 27-year-old Aaron Johnston, appeared very nervous. Boyle gave the trooper permission to search the car, and he soon found evidence of methamphetamine and heroin, as well as drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs. "Glass pipes, tin foil, spoons with heroin residue," Leary said.
While he was searching the car, the trooper said he heard a "thumping sound" coming from the trunk. A second trooper saw the top of the trunk move, and when he opened the hatch he was shocked to see three young children and a dog. The kids - an 8-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old boy - allegedly told the troopers they hadn't eaten since the previous night. After helping the kids out of the trunk, the troopers began questioning Boyle. She said the kids, who are hers, "crawled back there" from the back seat, according to Leary.
Trooper say the car was packed with various items, including a snowboard, a guitar and various bags of miscellaneous items. There were no child seats in the car. Troopers arrested Boyle and Johnston and booked them into Snohomish County Jail on drug charges. The prosecutor will decide if they're charged for keeping the kids in the trunk. Child Protective Services now have the children and the dog. "Our heart goes out to the kids that are not with their mom right now, but hopefully they are in a place where they are being taken care of, they are being fed," Leary said.
With news video.
Little girl's message in a bottle travelled 10,000 miles from England to Australia
A four-year-old girl from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was shocked to receive a reply all the way from Australia after throwing a message in a bottle into the sea. Jasmine Hudson was on a family holiday in Bournemouth when she threw the bottle from the pier on the 10th April 2012. Jasmine received a kit from her grandparents, and wrote a message including her name, age, address and where she had thrown the bottle into the sea.
She hoped it would reach her Aunt Jodie who lives in Guernsey, but four months later she received a letter in the post from a woman who found the message in a bottle as she walked along Largs Bay Beach, South Australia. The woman who found the message was a grandmother called Barbara Richards who was taking a stroll along the beach with her brother. She wrote to Jasmine to tell her she had found her message.
“Dear Jasmine,
As fate would have it we have been introduced to each other by your message in a bottle, Bournemouth Pier looks very interesting. I searched online on the computer to find out what I could, yes the pier exists and yes your address was there too. Your message in a bottle took five months to float up on Largs Bay Beach in South Australia.
My name is Barbara. My brother Colin and I were walking along the beach for some exercise collecting shells and reminiscing about our childhood when I saw your little bottle. I scooped it up and we drove home with it where we opened it. I must share with you that I was so excited to find a message in a bottle. I hope my note finds you well and brings you joy to know it has landed safely into my hands on the 13th of September 2012. If you would like to communicate I am also on Facebook or just write and let me know you received my note. Until then I wish you well, stay safe.
Yours Truly Barbara Richards
Jasmine and her Mum Louise had forgotten about the message in a bottle, until they were surprised by the letter in the post. Jasmine is now writing a special letter back to Barbara and they are planning to talk on Skype to one another. Jasmine says that she plans to send another message in a bottle soon and would quite like a reply from Brazil this time.
With short video at the bottom of the page.
She hoped it would reach her Aunt Jodie who lives in Guernsey, but four months later she received a letter in the post from a woman who found the message in a bottle as she walked along Largs Bay Beach, South Australia. The woman who found the message was a grandmother called Barbara Richards who was taking a stroll along the beach with her brother. She wrote to Jasmine to tell her she had found her message.
“Dear Jasmine,
As fate would have it we have been introduced to each other by your message in a bottle, Bournemouth Pier looks very interesting. I searched online on the computer to find out what I could, yes the pier exists and yes your address was there too. Your message in a bottle took five months to float up on Largs Bay Beach in South Australia.
My name is Barbara. My brother Colin and I were walking along the beach for some exercise collecting shells and reminiscing about our childhood when I saw your little bottle. I scooped it up and we drove home with it where we opened it. I must share with you that I was so excited to find a message in a bottle. I hope my note finds you well and brings you joy to know it has landed safely into my hands on the 13th of September 2012. If you would like to communicate I am also on Facebook or just write and let me know you received my note. Until then I wish you well, stay safe.
Yours Truly Barbara Richards
Jasmine and her Mum Louise had forgotten about the message in a bottle, until they were surprised by the letter in the post. Jasmine is now writing a special letter back to Barbara and they are planning to talk on Skype to one another. Jasmine says that she plans to send another message in a bottle soon and would quite like a reply from Brazil this time.
With short video at the bottom of the page.
Priest bans yoga from church hall for 'being incompatible with Catholic faith'
A priest has banned yoga from a church hall because the class was "not compatible" with the Catholic faith. Instructor Cori Withell from Hampshire said her yoga and pilates classes at St Edmund's Church building in Southampton were cancelled with 10 days to go. Ms Withell, from Eastleigh, said the church accepted the booking two months ago and she paid £180.
She was called later and told that yoga was "from another religion", so she could not have the hall. A separate pilates class she had booked was also cancelled. Ms Withell said she did not use meditation in her classes, just exercises. Father John Chandler said that the hall had to be used for Catholic activities, and he banned it because it was advertised as "spiritual yoga".
Fr Chandler said the church was "misled" by Ms Withell's booking because he said at first the hall was booked for pilates and then he found out it was also for spiritual yoga. He said: "Yoga is a Hindu spiritual exercise. Being a Catholic church we have to promote the gospel, and that's what we use our premises for. We did say that yoga could not take place. It's the fact that it's a different religious practice going on in a Catholic church. It's not compatible. We are not saying that yoga is bad or wrong."
The ban is not Catholic Church policy and decisions are left to the discretion of individual priests. A spokesman for Portsmouth Catholic Diocese said: "It's not possible for Catholic premises to be used for non-Christian activities, and there is a dilemma with yoga as it can be seen as Hindu meditation or as relaxation. There is no national policy on this and the decision is for each priest." Ravindra Parmar, president of the Vedic Society Hindu Temple of Southampton, said yoga was "a form of exercise" and "not a religious type of activity". He added people were welcome to practice yoga exercises at the temple.
She was called later and told that yoga was "from another religion", so she could not have the hall. A separate pilates class she had booked was also cancelled. Ms Withell said she did not use meditation in her classes, just exercises. Father John Chandler said that the hall had to be used for Catholic activities, and he banned it because it was advertised as "spiritual yoga".
Fr Chandler said the church was "misled" by Ms Withell's booking because he said at first the hall was booked for pilates and then he found out it was also for spiritual yoga. He said: "Yoga is a Hindu spiritual exercise. Being a Catholic church we have to promote the gospel, and that's what we use our premises for. We did say that yoga could not take place. It's the fact that it's a different religious practice going on in a Catholic church. It's not compatible. We are not saying that yoga is bad or wrong."
The ban is not Catholic Church policy and decisions are left to the discretion of individual priests. A spokesman for Portsmouth Catholic Diocese said: "It's not possible for Catholic premises to be used for non-Christian activities, and there is a dilemma with yoga as it can be seen as Hindu meditation or as relaxation. There is no national policy on this and the decision is for each priest." Ravindra Parmar, president of the Vedic Society Hindu Temple of Southampton, said yoga was "a form of exercise" and "not a religious type of activity". He added people were welcome to practice yoga exercises at the temple.
Dog saved elderly owner from drowning in mud in Lassie-type rescue
Toby, a seven-year-old Lhasa Apso, proved he was man’s best friend when he came to the rescue of his 81-year-old owner Derek Ramsden. Mr Ramsden was on holiday in Wales with his wife, Ada, 71, and their dogs Toby and Bruno, an 18-year-old Staffie Cross. He was walking the dogs in a wooded area of the Brynowen Holiday Park, Borth, Aberystwyth, when he slipped. Mr Ramsden, of Halifax, West Yorks., lost his footing by a bridge over a stream and plunged into thick mud.
“I managed to get hold of a railing on the bridge. It was frightening. I could not get out and you can’t hold your grip for long at my age,” he said. Mr Ramsden feared tumbling down banking and the possible consequences. Bruno wandered off but Toby realised his owner was in difficulties and sped off to raise the alarm. He ran a quarter-of-a-mile past bushes and apartments to reach the security office which was manned.
Toby barked anxiously and staff knew there was a problem and followed Toby back to the incident scene. The dog led the way and kept stopping for helpers to catch up.“Toby is dedicated to both of us and I think he is a hero,” said Mr Ramsden,. Mrs Ramsden said her husband had been missing an hour and she grew concerned and set off in search of him. She then came across him flanked by park staff who had pulled him to safety. “He was covered in mud from head to foot. If he had let go he could have slipped down further. Toby saved him.” she said. Mr Ramsden suffered bruising to his back.
Park maintenance manager Ben Thompson had earlier seen Mr Ramsden and the dogs setting off and told how he and his colleague Martin Riley came to the resuce. “It had been raining and the ground was slippy. The dog knew what it was doing. It ran past apartments through bushes and alerted security,” he said. Toby barked for attention and moved towards where he came from so staff followed. Mr Thompson added: “The dog was leading the way and without the dog we would not have known he was there. That dog certainly has something about it.” When staff reached Mr Ramsden they were able to pull him out and walk him to safety. Mr and Mrs Ramsden will shortly be giving Toby his reward - another caravan park holiday in Filey.
“I managed to get hold of a railing on the bridge. It was frightening. I could not get out and you can’t hold your grip for long at my age,” he said. Mr Ramsden feared tumbling down banking and the possible consequences. Bruno wandered off but Toby realised his owner was in difficulties and sped off to raise the alarm. He ran a quarter-of-a-mile past bushes and apartments to reach the security office which was manned.
Toby barked anxiously and staff knew there was a problem and followed Toby back to the incident scene. The dog led the way and kept stopping for helpers to catch up.“Toby is dedicated to both of us and I think he is a hero,” said Mr Ramsden,. Mrs Ramsden said her husband had been missing an hour and she grew concerned and set off in search of him. She then came across him flanked by park staff who had pulled him to safety. “He was covered in mud from head to foot. If he had let go he could have slipped down further. Toby saved him.” she said. Mr Ramsden suffered bruising to his back.
Park maintenance manager Ben Thompson had earlier seen Mr Ramsden and the dogs setting off and told how he and his colleague Martin Riley came to the resuce. “It had been raining and the ground was slippy. The dog knew what it was doing. It ran past apartments through bushes and alerted security,” he said. Toby barked for attention and moved towards where he came from so staff followed. Mr Thompson added: “The dog was leading the way and without the dog we would not have known he was there. That dog certainly has something about it.” When staff reached Mr Ramsden they were able to pull him out and walk him to safety. Mr and Mrs Ramsden will shortly be giving Toby his reward - another caravan park holiday in Filey.
Primary school headmistress writes to parents asking them to desist from drug dealing and smoking cannabis outside school gates
Parents were caught allegedly doing drug deals and smoking pot as they dropped their children off at Longview Primary School in Liverpool. Police are now probing the “disturbing incidents” witnessed in view of young pupils attending the school in Huyton. One brazen person was seen buying drugs from a car outside the school just after lunchtime while another school run mum was spotted apparently smoking cannabis at 9am – the start of the school day.
Amanda Casey, headteacher of the 300-plus pupil school which caters for children aged three upwards, sent off a letter making an impassioned plea for the “minority” of parents responsible to “put the reputation of our school and the children’s needs first”. Flagging up the incidents she wrote: “On one occasion a parent was seen apparently buying drugs from a car at around 1.15pm and at another time a mother appeared to be smoking cannabis at 9am. The fact that both of these events took place very close to our school, when there are children around, causes me a great deal of concern.”
She adds in her letter: “It is the responsibility of everyone at Longview to ensure that the environment both in and around the school is one which is both safe and makes our children feel proud.” Parents expressed their anger at the “irresponsible adults” they accused of setting the wrong example to impressionable children. One dad said: “I am shocked at what’s gone on and the parents should be ashamed turning up to school and doing drugs in front of the children.
"If they are smoking drugs at the school gates I worry about what sort of home life their children will have.” A Knowsley council spokesman said: “The school received reports of alleged drug activity taking place close to the school. This information has been passed on to the appropriate agencies. The welfare and safety of our pupils is our priority and prompt action was taken. Whilst incidents of this nature are extremely rare they are taken very seriously.” Police have said they would be working with the school and urged witnesses to shop those “engaging in drugs activity”.
Amanda Casey, headteacher of the 300-plus pupil school which caters for children aged three upwards, sent off a letter making an impassioned plea for the “minority” of parents responsible to “put the reputation of our school and the children’s needs first”. Flagging up the incidents she wrote: “On one occasion a parent was seen apparently buying drugs from a car at around 1.15pm and at another time a mother appeared to be smoking cannabis at 9am. The fact that both of these events took place very close to our school, when there are children around, causes me a great deal of concern.”
She adds in her letter: “It is the responsibility of everyone at Longview to ensure that the environment both in and around the school is one which is both safe and makes our children feel proud.” Parents expressed their anger at the “irresponsible adults” they accused of setting the wrong example to impressionable children. One dad said: “I am shocked at what’s gone on and the parents should be ashamed turning up to school and doing drugs in front of the children.
"If they are smoking drugs at the school gates I worry about what sort of home life their children will have.” A Knowsley council spokesman said: “The school received reports of alleged drug activity taking place close to the school. This information has been passed on to the appropriate agencies. The welfare and safety of our pupils is our priority and prompt action was taken. Whilst incidents of this nature are extremely rare they are taken very seriously.” Police have said they would be working with the school and urged witnesses to shop those “engaging in drugs activity”.
Cocaine-addicted millionaire jailed over drugs and guns
A Scottish property tycoon who snorted so much cocaine that his nose collapsed has been jailed for possessing the drug and a hoard of illegal guns. Police stopped Jamie Brown in his £120,000 Bentley Continental convertible and found high-purity cocaine stashed in the car’s air vents and collapsible roof. A search of the exclusive Hurst House Hotel in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, Wales, where Brown, 45, had been staying revealed more cocaine.
In all, around £5000 worth of the drug was recovered. Police also found two handguns – a James Bond style 9mm semi-automatic Walther PP1 and a Russian 9mm Tula Tokarev – as well as a rifle and ammunition. Glaswegian Brown admitted cocaine and gun possession and was sentenced to five years. Swansea Crown Court heard that Brown made so much money in the property business that he was able to retire aged just 36 and move to Portugal.
But in the nine years since, his “massive” addiction to cocaine had destroyed his face and ruined his life. Prosecutor Craig Jones said Brown was introduced to cocaine in Portugal. He took it every day, using cash from his business career to feed his habit. Brown developed a dangerous heart condition, and his face collapsed in on itself as the cocaine ate away at cartilage in his nose.
His drug use also left him paranoid. And after a cousin of his was murdered by a four-strong gang at a hotel, he began to fear for his safety and acquired his arsenal of guns. Brown’s counsel, John Hipkin, told the court: “He developed a massive cocaine addiction funded by legitimate means. He has suffered health issues, some cosmetic and some, like his cardiac condition, life- threatening. He’ll never return to that form of lifestyle again.”
In all, around £5000 worth of the drug was recovered. Police also found two handguns – a James Bond style 9mm semi-automatic Walther PP1 and a Russian 9mm Tula Tokarev – as well as a rifle and ammunition. Glaswegian Brown admitted cocaine and gun possession and was sentenced to five years. Swansea Crown Court heard that Brown made so much money in the property business that he was able to retire aged just 36 and move to Portugal.
But in the nine years since, his “massive” addiction to cocaine had destroyed his face and ruined his life. Prosecutor Craig Jones said Brown was introduced to cocaine in Portugal. He took it every day, using cash from his business career to feed his habit. Brown developed a dangerous heart condition, and his face collapsed in on itself as the cocaine ate away at cartilage in his nose.
His drug use also left him paranoid. And after a cousin of his was murdered by a four-strong gang at a hotel, he began to fear for his safety and acquired his arsenal of guns. Brown’s counsel, John Hipkin, told the court: “He developed a massive cocaine addiction funded by legitimate means. He has suffered health issues, some cosmetic and some, like his cardiac condition, life- threatening. He’ll never return to that form of lifestyle again.”
Man with stockings over head caught performing sex act on himself is now losing his sight
A man who was wearing stockings over his head and committing a sex act in public when spotted by police, said he was “excited” after a disco the previous night. Rafal Ciesielski (35) was arrested after CID officers at Spalding Police Station in Lincolnshire spotted him in a car park at about 1pm on Sunday, August 12. Ciesielski, who has suffered sight problems since the incident, claimed his drink may have been spiked as he has little memory of the incident.
Edward Johnson, prosecuting, said the police officer who spotted Ciesielski at first thought he was urinating. He looked back “and saw he was wearing a pair of ladies’ stockings pulled down over his head and face” and committing a sex act on himself. Mr Johnson continued: “Another officer also saw what was going on. “Both officers were shocked and disgusted by what they saw and found the behaviour outrageous and totally unacceptable.”
When arrested, Ciesielski removed the stockings from his head, sniffed them and placed them nearby. Mr Johnson said: “His final comments after his admissions were ‘I am just sorry, it won’t happen again. I don’t know why this happened. I was under the influence of alcohol and maybe this happened because I was so excited after the disco. I am really ashamed’.” Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said: “The defendant is completely unable to explain his bizarre behaviour.
“He was substantially under the influence of alcohol. He wonders whether someone spiked his drinks – this actually happened in the middle of the day and the last thing he could remember the night before was being in a club. He is incredibly ashamed and embarrassed.” Miss Stevens said Ciesielski has suffered “a severe loss of vision” in the last month and been referred for an MRI scan. The sight problem means he cannot drive or operate forklifts at work, although he still works in a local fruit factory. Ciesielski, of Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, admitted outraging public decency when he appeared at Spalding Magistrates’ Court. He was given a 130-hour work order along with 12 months’ supervision by probation.
Edward Johnson, prosecuting, said the police officer who spotted Ciesielski at first thought he was urinating. He looked back “and saw he was wearing a pair of ladies’ stockings pulled down over his head and face” and committing a sex act on himself. Mr Johnson continued: “Another officer also saw what was going on. “Both officers were shocked and disgusted by what they saw and found the behaviour outrageous and totally unacceptable.”
When arrested, Ciesielski removed the stockings from his head, sniffed them and placed them nearby. Mr Johnson said: “His final comments after his admissions were ‘I am just sorry, it won’t happen again. I don’t know why this happened. I was under the influence of alcohol and maybe this happened because I was so excited after the disco. I am really ashamed’.” Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said: “The defendant is completely unable to explain his bizarre behaviour.
“He was substantially under the influence of alcohol. He wonders whether someone spiked his drinks – this actually happened in the middle of the day and the last thing he could remember the night before was being in a club. He is incredibly ashamed and embarrassed.” Miss Stevens said Ciesielski has suffered “a severe loss of vision” in the last month and been referred for an MRI scan. The sight problem means he cannot drive or operate forklifts at work, although he still works in a local fruit factory. Ciesielski, of Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, admitted outraging public decency when he appeared at Spalding Magistrates’ Court. He was given a 130-hour work order along with 12 months’ supervision by probation.
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