Friday, January 22, 2016
Man arrested for trying to save his dogs from house fire
A Florida man was arrested on Wednesday morning after sheriff's deputies say he ignored firefighters' commands and tried to save his dogs from his burning home.
Brevard County Fire Rescue crews responded to his home in Cocoa at around 5am after someone called 911 to report the fire.
Fire investigators say they found the home was full of smoke from a fire that appeared to start in a television and spread. They say Wendell Joyner, 58, kept going inside his burning home to save his three dogs. "I got out of the house, and then I realised, 'Oh, wait a minute, my dogs are in there', " Joyner said. "So, I went back inside to look for my dogs."
Joyner says he kept getting overcome with smoke, and he had to keep coming outside to breathe.He said he saw an opportunity when he grabbed a firefighter's axe and threw it through a front window to get access to his dogs. Deputies tackled Joyner. Joyner says he was taken to a hospital for a CAT scan, and he was then taken to the Brevard County Jail, where he was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. "My defence is I was trying to save my dogs," Joyner said.
Joyner's face was bloodied by the tackle, and he asked why deputies used so much force against him while his home was burning. Brevard County sheriff's spokesman David Jacobs said his deputies suspected Joyner was intoxicated when they arrived, and they feared what he may have done with the axe if he was impaired. He says the deputies charged Joyner with two misdemeanors, when they could have charged him with a felony for picking up the firefighter's axe. "I think at the most, they should've taken me aside, and if they felt that I needed it to be in a squad car until things settled," he added.
With news video.
Fire investigators say they found the home was full of smoke from a fire that appeared to start in a television and spread. They say Wendell Joyner, 58, kept going inside his burning home to save his three dogs. "I got out of the house, and then I realised, 'Oh, wait a minute, my dogs are in there', " Joyner said. "So, I went back inside to look for my dogs."
Joyner says he kept getting overcome with smoke, and he had to keep coming outside to breathe.He said he saw an opportunity when he grabbed a firefighter's axe and threw it through a front window to get access to his dogs. Deputies tackled Joyner. Joyner says he was taken to a hospital for a CAT scan, and he was then taken to the Brevard County Jail, where he was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. "My defence is I was trying to save my dogs," Joyner said.
Joyner's face was bloodied by the tackle, and he asked why deputies used so much force against him while his home was burning. Brevard County sheriff's spokesman David Jacobs said his deputies suspected Joyner was intoxicated when they arrived, and they feared what he may have done with the axe if he was impaired. He says the deputies charged Joyner with two misdemeanors, when they could have charged him with a felony for picking up the firefighter's axe. "I think at the most, they should've taken me aside, and if they felt that I needed it to be in a squad car until things settled," he added.
With news video.
Woman accused of assaulting husband with nunchucks when he wouldn't go to bed with her
A woman from Rock Hill, South Carolina, was charged with aggravated domestic violence after assaulting her husband with nunchucks, according to Rock Hill Police.
Officers responded to a domestic incident at about 8:30pm on Sunday, according to a police report.
The victim had blood “all over him” when he answered the door, and officers saw the home was in disarray with blood on the walls. The victim said he was watching TV in the living room when Sondra Earle-Kelly, 51, “came in and asked him to go to bed with her,” the report states. Kelly, who had reportedly been taking Xanax that night, became irate when the victim said no, and began throwing ceramic figurines at him.
The victim told officers Kelly “kept coming at him, assaulting him with whatever she could pick up.” He showed officers wounds on his arms that appeared to be defensive in nature. Kelly then picked up a pair of nunchucks and began hitting him, police said. The victim said she hit him several times in the face and head. Kelly told officers she didn’t know how the apartment got into its condition or how the victim suffered his wounds.
The victim declined transportation to the hospital. Kelly showed officers several lacerations on her abdomen that appeared to be self-inflicted, police said. Kelly was taken to the emergency room for treatment, and then to the Rock Hill city jail, where she was charged with criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Kelly was released from the York County Detention Center on Monday under $15,000 bond.
The victim had blood “all over him” when he answered the door, and officers saw the home was in disarray with blood on the walls. The victim said he was watching TV in the living room when Sondra Earle-Kelly, 51, “came in and asked him to go to bed with her,” the report states. Kelly, who had reportedly been taking Xanax that night, became irate when the victim said no, and began throwing ceramic figurines at him.
The victim told officers Kelly “kept coming at him, assaulting him with whatever she could pick up.” He showed officers wounds on his arms that appeared to be defensive in nature. Kelly then picked up a pair of nunchucks and began hitting him, police said. The victim said she hit him several times in the face and head. Kelly told officers she didn’t know how the apartment got into its condition or how the victim suffered his wounds.
The victim declined transportation to the hospital. Kelly showed officers several lacerations on her abdomen that appeared to be self-inflicted, police said. Kelly was taken to the emergency room for treatment, and then to the Rock Hill city jail, where she was charged with criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Kelly was released from the York County Detention Center on Monday under $15,000 bond.
Fisherman told he should have turned on frying pan before filleting blue cod
A fisherman in New Zealand was told he could only fillet blue cod on his boat if his frying pan was on.
Frank McWatt caught four blue cod at Beatrix Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds, during the Christmas holidays.
McWatt, his wife Jo, their daughter and two grandchildren tucked into the fillets for dinner.
Jo McWatt said the family were full and put the leftover fillets in the fridge for the next day.
But their boat Savvy 2 was boarded by a Ministry for Primary Industries officer who asked to see inside the boat.
The compliance officer said McWatt was not allowed to have blue cod fillets in the fridge while at sea.
McWatt, of Christchurch, was told he had to have the frying pan on before he started filleting his catch, he said.
"You are not allowed to fillet a fish then pause before you put it in the pan."
McWatt said he initially thought the "frying pan rule" was a joke.
"I wasn't happy about it. My wife made me hold my tongue. The compliance officer said she would let us off because it was Christmas." McWatt would have faced a $250 fine for the breach. "If it had gone to court, I would have defended the case. It's bloody ridiculous. I was dumbfounded." Under MPI rules if you keep blue cod on your boat it must be in a "whole and measurable state", unless it was for immediate consumption. The regulations stopped anyone having filleted blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds because fisheries officers were unable to tell from the fillets if the fish was of a legal size. McWatt said he understood it was wrong to have the fillet in the fridge but he had every intention of eating it. "We fish just enough for a good feed." McWatt said in future he might have to make it clearer that he was going to eat the fish immediately. "I would put out cutlery and plates but they would fall off the table," he said. The rule was not conducive to family meals, he said.
"If I'm hungry at 6pm I'll have to get the wife to put the stove and the pan on. Then I'll have to fillet the fish and cook it. We have to go through the whole thing again for another member of the family. 'Sorry wife, I can't sit with you at dinner, I'm filleting my fish'." However, Ministry of Primary Industries district compliance manager Ian Bright said it was a throwaway remark and there was no such thing as the "frying pan rule". Bright said: "The officer was bringing to his attention what they considered immediate consumption. It was an analogy. It was a flippant comment taken out of context." To have blue cod in either a whole or gutted state helped fisheries officers ensure all fish caught met the minimum size limit of 33 centimetres which was important for the long term viability of the fishery, Bright said. "The new rules and regulations regarding the filleting of blue cod in Challenger (East) are designed to protect this important fishery. It is important for all individuals to be aware that the new regulations are there to ensure that it becomes a stable and sustainable fishery for all.
"All the work that MPI does is focused towards this goal and ensuring that the rules are adhered to is an important part of the overall management plan." Rural fire officer and recreational fisherman Ian Montgomery, of Okiwi Bay, said it was "plain dangerous" to put a frying pan on then leave it to fillet a fish. "We constantly say the message 'look while you are cooking'. It's asking for trouble. If you put the frying pan on and left it, the boat could go on fire." The frying pan remark was ridiculous, Montgomery said. "Immediate consumption to me is you are going to eat the fish for your next meal. He could have been having sashimi and leaving it to chill in the fridge." It would have been a different matter if the leftover fillets were frozen and packaged to be taken home, Montgomery said. He believed a fillet should be set in the fridge before it was cooked. "You cover them with glad wrap, and set it in the fridge, roll them in flour if you are going to batter them, then cook them. It's just practical cooking." Fishermen should keep the skeletons so the fish could be measured, Montgomery added.
"I wasn't happy about it. My wife made me hold my tongue. The compliance officer said she would let us off because it was Christmas." McWatt would have faced a $250 fine for the breach. "If it had gone to court, I would have defended the case. It's bloody ridiculous. I was dumbfounded." Under MPI rules if you keep blue cod on your boat it must be in a "whole and measurable state", unless it was for immediate consumption. The regulations stopped anyone having filleted blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds because fisheries officers were unable to tell from the fillets if the fish was of a legal size. McWatt said he understood it was wrong to have the fillet in the fridge but he had every intention of eating it. "We fish just enough for a good feed." McWatt said in future he might have to make it clearer that he was going to eat the fish immediately. "I would put out cutlery and plates but they would fall off the table," he said. The rule was not conducive to family meals, he said.
"If I'm hungry at 6pm I'll have to get the wife to put the stove and the pan on. Then I'll have to fillet the fish and cook it. We have to go through the whole thing again for another member of the family. 'Sorry wife, I can't sit with you at dinner, I'm filleting my fish'." However, Ministry of Primary Industries district compliance manager Ian Bright said it was a throwaway remark and there was no such thing as the "frying pan rule". Bright said: "The officer was bringing to his attention what they considered immediate consumption. It was an analogy. It was a flippant comment taken out of context." To have blue cod in either a whole or gutted state helped fisheries officers ensure all fish caught met the minimum size limit of 33 centimetres which was important for the long term viability of the fishery, Bright said. "The new rules and regulations regarding the filleting of blue cod in Challenger (East) are designed to protect this important fishery. It is important for all individuals to be aware that the new regulations are there to ensure that it becomes a stable and sustainable fishery for all.
"All the work that MPI does is focused towards this goal and ensuring that the rules are adhered to is an important part of the overall management plan." Rural fire officer and recreational fisherman Ian Montgomery, of Okiwi Bay, said it was "plain dangerous" to put a frying pan on then leave it to fillet a fish. "We constantly say the message 'look while you are cooking'. It's asking for trouble. If you put the frying pan on and left it, the boat could go on fire." The frying pan remark was ridiculous, Montgomery said. "Immediate consumption to me is you are going to eat the fish for your next meal. He could have been having sashimi and leaving it to chill in the fridge." It would have been a different matter if the leftover fillets were frozen and packaged to be taken home, Montgomery said. He believed a fillet should be set in the fridge before it was cooked. "You cover them with glad wrap, and set it in the fridge, roll them in flour if you are going to batter them, then cook them. It's just practical cooking." Fishermen should keep the skeletons so the fish could be measured, Montgomery added.
Police hunt man who headbutted vehicle's mirror
Police in Australia's Northern Territory are searching for a heavily tattooed shirtless man who headbutted the side mirror of a truck in Darwin.
The unusual incident, that occurred along the Esplanade at around 3am on January 17, was recorded on CCTV.
The video shows the man stop beside a white truck and attempt to open its door but not get access. The man then began to punch the mirror, smashing the glass.
The headbutting begins at around the 1 minute 20 second mark.
YouTube link. Facebook link. Alternative video link.
He then appears to look at the mirror, sizing it up before headbutting it. The man is described as being of caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, and of athletic build, with numerous tattoos.
The unusual incident, that occurred along the Esplanade at around 3am on January 17, was recorded on CCTV.
The video shows the man stop beside a white truck and attempt to open its door but not get access. The man then began to punch the mirror, smashing the glass.
The headbutting begins at around the 1 minute 20 second mark.
YouTube link. Facebook link. Alternative video link.
He then appears to look at the mirror, sizing it up before headbutting it. The man is described as being of caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, and of athletic build, with numerous tattoos.
Firefighter and RSPCA officer rescued sheep that had fallen into a hole
The RSPCA and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service teamed up to save a sheep which fell down a hole in Akeley on Sunday.
A man out sledging with his children spotted the ewe stuck down a deep hole. He tried to pull the shivering sheep out of the hole but couldn’t so called the RSPCA for help.
RSPCA animal collection officer Kate Wright rushed to the scene and called for help from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. Station Commander Nick Honor, who is based at HQ in Aylesbury, attended. Kate said: “Between the two of us we managed to pull her out.
“The ewe had grazed her back legs and was very cold and weak but we stayed with her for about an hour after getting her out and she eventually managed to walk over to the rest of the flock. I was able to track down an owner who attended straight away and was going to keep a close eye on her. I was very thankful to Nick, there was no way I could have got her out on my own.” The ewe is thought to have fallen down the hole overnight but despite slight grazing and being cold and muddy she was not seriously injured.
Nick said: “People traditionally think that fire and rescue services only become involved in animal rescues when cats are stuck up trees. The reality, however, is very different. Fire and rescue services have a range of specialist skills and equipment to undertake animal rescues and will assist where there is a need. In this instance, working together with the RSPCA, we were quickly and successfully able to minimise any further distress and move the sheep to a place of safety.”
RSPCA animal collection officer Kate Wright rushed to the scene and called for help from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. Station Commander Nick Honor, who is based at HQ in Aylesbury, attended. Kate said: “Between the two of us we managed to pull her out.
“The ewe had grazed her back legs and was very cold and weak but we stayed with her for about an hour after getting her out and she eventually managed to walk over to the rest of the flock. I was able to track down an owner who attended straight away and was going to keep a close eye on her. I was very thankful to Nick, there was no way I could have got her out on my own.” The ewe is thought to have fallen down the hole overnight but despite slight grazing and being cold and muddy she was not seriously injured.
Nick said: “People traditionally think that fire and rescue services only become involved in animal rescues when cats are stuck up trees. The reality, however, is very different. Fire and rescue services have a range of specialist skills and equipment to undertake animal rescues and will assist where there is a need. In this instance, working together with the RSPCA, we were quickly and successfully able to minimise any further distress and move the sheep to a place of safety.”
Couple forced to flee house fire caused by their puppy chewing a battery
A puppy has been blamed for starting a blaze in her owners' home that left them needing medical treatment.
Iain and Siobhan MacGregor fled the flames and smoke - and even went back to rescue one-year-old firestarter Bracken and their other dog, Willow.
Firefighters who put out the fire laid the blame with Bracken after they discovered the cause was a punctured lithium battery polymer battery.
Apparently Bracken had picked it up outside, taken it up to bed in the spare room and started chewing it, causing it to puncture and ignite. Mr MacGregor, 57, said: "I was on the computer downstairs and Siobhan was in the bath upstairs when suddenly she shouted down. I ran upstairs and there was thick black smoke on the ceiling and I could see flames a couple of feet high in the second bedroom, so I shut the door. The heat coming out of the room was really scary. Siobhan grabbed a sweater and jeans and we charged outside."
Firefighters arrived at the house in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, and put out the fire, which left the room gutted, after being called out shortly before noon last Wednesday. "Afterwards they found a lithium polymer battery in the spare room - I was completely puzzled as I'd never seen one before and we certainly didn't have one," said Mr MacGregor. "They think it must have fallen or been thrown into our drive or garden and Bracken picked it up, took it into the house, bit it, it started to smoke and she ran away when it burst into flames."
Mrs MacGregor, 49, was treated at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, for smoke inhalation, while her husband saw his GP this week after developing a chesty cough. He said: "We're lucky the house is Victorian - a firefighter said if it had been a modern flat, the ceilings are up to two feet lower and our heads would have been in the smoke as we tried to get out. We'd gone back to get Bracken and Willow and put them in the car. The firefighter said, 'I know which dog it was - she looks so guilty'. Bracken lives up to her name and retrieves anything. We couldn't put her in the doghouse though, because it's just what she does." Firefighters confirmed the cause of the fire to be accidental.
Apparently Bracken had picked it up outside, taken it up to bed in the spare room and started chewing it, causing it to puncture and ignite. Mr MacGregor, 57, said: "I was on the computer downstairs and Siobhan was in the bath upstairs when suddenly she shouted down. I ran upstairs and there was thick black smoke on the ceiling and I could see flames a couple of feet high in the second bedroom, so I shut the door. The heat coming out of the room was really scary. Siobhan grabbed a sweater and jeans and we charged outside."
Firefighters arrived at the house in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, and put out the fire, which left the room gutted, after being called out shortly before noon last Wednesday. "Afterwards they found a lithium polymer battery in the spare room - I was completely puzzled as I'd never seen one before and we certainly didn't have one," said Mr MacGregor. "They think it must have fallen or been thrown into our drive or garden and Bracken picked it up, took it into the house, bit it, it started to smoke and she ran away when it burst into flames."
Mrs MacGregor, 49, was treated at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, for smoke inhalation, while her husband saw his GP this week after developing a chesty cough. He said: "We're lucky the house is Victorian - a firefighter said if it had been a modern flat, the ceilings are up to two feet lower and our heads would have been in the smoke as we tried to get out. We'd gone back to get Bracken and Willow and put them in the car. The firefighter said, 'I know which dog it was - she looks so guilty'. Bracken lives up to her name and retrieves anything. We couldn't put her in the doghouse though, because it's just what she does." Firefighters confirmed the cause of the fire to be accidental.
Jilted man who dumped ex-wife's belongings outside her house fined £2,300 for fly-tipping
A man who claimed he was returning items to his ex-wife when he dumped them in her front garden has been fined for fly-tipping.
Michael Hutchinson, 72, from Skegness, Lincolnshire dumped bedding, furniture and other items outside his ex wife's property in June 2014 along with a note that read: "Some things you didn't steal." He defaced them with green paint and solvent and left them at the property in the village of Martin, Lincolnshire.
North Kesteven District Council, who received a tip-off from Mrs Hutchinson, prosecuted Mr Hutchinson for disposing of waste without a licence. Initially Hutchinson denied the charges saying he was "returning" the items but later pleaded guilty to two counts of fly-tipping before the trial at Lincoln Magistrates Court.
He was ordered to pay a £625 plus costs of £1,229.88, a victim surcharge of £63 and £400 compensation to his former partner. Councillor Richard Wright of North Kesteven District Council said: "The district council has never tolerated fly-tipping, and although Hutchinson considered himself to be returning the items, he was in fact committing an offence. We take this very seriously, and will prosecute anyone who is caught doing so."
Michael Hutchinson, 72, from Skegness, Lincolnshire dumped bedding, furniture and other items outside his ex wife's property in June 2014 along with a note that read: "Some things you didn't steal." He defaced them with green paint and solvent and left them at the property in the village of Martin, Lincolnshire.
North Kesteven District Council, who received a tip-off from Mrs Hutchinson, prosecuted Mr Hutchinson for disposing of waste without a licence. Initially Hutchinson denied the charges saying he was "returning" the items but later pleaded guilty to two counts of fly-tipping before the trial at Lincoln Magistrates Court.
He was ordered to pay a £625 plus costs of £1,229.88, a victim surcharge of £63 and £400 compensation to his former partner. Councillor Richard Wright of North Kesteven District Council said: "The district council has never tolerated fly-tipping, and although Hutchinson considered himself to be returning the items, he was in fact committing an offence. We take this very seriously, and will prosecute anyone who is caught doing so."
Buddhist monk upset after treading on an insect jailed for resulting 162-car tyre-slashing spree
A Buddhist monk who lives in a wood went on a tyre-slashing rampage because he had stepped on an insect.
Julian Glew, 45, became angry and upset because of his religious beliefs after accidentally standing on the insect.
He took out his frustration by piercing the wheels of 162 cars parked in various streets in Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire over several days last September, Beverley Magistrates Court heard.
Glew, who has lived in a tent in woods for nearly a decade, was arrested several days later following a CCTV appeal by Humberside Police.
He was sentenced to 11 weeks in prison when he appeared at court on wednesday via a video link from Hull Prison.
District Judge Fred Rutherford said: “When interviewed by police he said he was angry and wanted to take his frustration out on society without hurting people. He lives in the woods and is detached from society. He has lived that existence for 20 years and previously lived in a Buddhist monastery.” Glew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage last September. He was originally due to be sentenced on October 14, but failed to attend court. Instead, he went on the run from police for three months and was eventually arrested by officers in West Yorkshire earlier this month. In mitigation, Joanne Markham said Glew had suffered some mental health issues in the past.
Miss Markham explained accommodation had been found for him at a hostel in west Hull, following his first court appearance, but it “didn’t work for him because of how he was used to living”. Miss Markham said: “He has indicated that he feels he should go to prison for what he has done. He has no previous incidents on his record and he lives without means, not claiming any benefits.” Mr Glew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage and failing to surrender. Sentencing him to 11 weeks in prison, Judge Rutherford said: “I have noted the facts of this case, but I am still left here with someone who says he did not want to hurt anyone but went out of his way to affect 162 people by causing them massive financial inconvenience.
YouTube link.
“He targeted vehicles randomly and slashed the tyres, that is not the actions of a person who lives for a peaceful co-existence.” Inspector Joanne York, of Humberside Police, welcomed the sentence. She said: "Sentencing Julian Glew to 11 weeks in custody is good news for the residents of Pocklington and justice has been seen to be done. Vehicles were damaged over two nights in Pocklington in September 2015 which caused widespread upset and concern to the residents of Pocklington at the time. The incidents caused great inconvenience and financial loss to all those victims. Following his initial arrest in September he was bailed to appear in court but failed to attend and spent several weeks avoiding arrest. Mr Glew had left the Pocklington area after he failed to appear at court. I am very grateful to the people of Pocklington for their assistance and their support while we have carried out our investigations."
District Judge Fred Rutherford said: “When interviewed by police he said he was angry and wanted to take his frustration out on society without hurting people. He lives in the woods and is detached from society. He has lived that existence for 20 years and previously lived in a Buddhist monastery.” Glew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage last September. He was originally due to be sentenced on October 14, but failed to attend court. Instead, he went on the run from police for three months and was eventually arrested by officers in West Yorkshire earlier this month. In mitigation, Joanne Markham said Glew had suffered some mental health issues in the past.
Miss Markham explained accommodation had been found for him at a hostel in west Hull, following his first court appearance, but it “didn’t work for him because of how he was used to living”. Miss Markham said: “He has indicated that he feels he should go to prison for what he has done. He has no previous incidents on his record and he lives without means, not claiming any benefits.” Mr Glew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage and failing to surrender. Sentencing him to 11 weeks in prison, Judge Rutherford said: “I have noted the facts of this case, but I am still left here with someone who says he did not want to hurt anyone but went out of his way to affect 162 people by causing them massive financial inconvenience.
YouTube link.
“He targeted vehicles randomly and slashed the tyres, that is not the actions of a person who lives for a peaceful co-existence.” Inspector Joanne York, of Humberside Police, welcomed the sentence. She said: "Sentencing Julian Glew to 11 weeks in custody is good news for the residents of Pocklington and justice has been seen to be done. Vehicles were damaged over two nights in Pocklington in September 2015 which caused widespread upset and concern to the residents of Pocklington at the time. The incidents caused great inconvenience and financial loss to all those victims. Following his initial arrest in September he was bailed to appear in court but failed to attend and spent several weeks avoiding arrest. Mr Glew had left the Pocklington area after he failed to appear at court. I am very grateful to the people of Pocklington for their assistance and their support while we have carried out our investigations."
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