Click for bigger.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Las Vegas death ray hotel leaves guests badly burnt
Holidaymakers at a new hotel in Las Vegas have been left with severe sunburn after the building's windows reflected 'death rays' onto certain areas around the pool. The Vdara hotel has a concave shape which reflects the blistering Nevada sun from its all-glass front and directly onto sections of the swimming pool area below. The result has left some guests with burns from the powerful rays and even plastic bags have been recorded as melting in the heat.
Chicago attorney Bill Pintas felt the power of the dangerous ray first hand last week. 'It felt like I had a chemical burn. I couldn't imagine why my head was burning,' he said. 'Within 30 seconds, the back of my legs were burning. My first though was, 'Jesus, they destroyed the ozone layer!'
Gordon Absher, a spokesman for MGM Resorts, which owns the Vdara hotel, said they was aware of the issue and designers were working with resort staff to come up with a solution. In fact it is claimed that the designers foresaw the issue with the reflecting sun but thought they had solved it by installing a high-tech film on the south-facing panes of glass. However, Mr Absher, conceded it had not been enough and some of the guests had suffered as a result.
Don't miss this informative video.
One hotel employee said the building's design causes the sunshine to be diverted 'like a magnifying glass that shines down' over a space of about 10 by 15 feet as the poolside. And as the Earth rotates, the spot moves across the pool area. The 'death ray' can increase temperatures by around 20 degrees. While the designers work on fixing the problem, the hotel is looking at getting some larger, and crucially, thicker umbrellas to provide better shade for guests.
Chicago attorney Bill Pintas felt the power of the dangerous ray first hand last week. 'It felt like I had a chemical burn. I couldn't imagine why my head was burning,' he said. 'Within 30 seconds, the back of my legs were burning. My first though was, 'Jesus, they destroyed the ozone layer!'
Gordon Absher, a spokesman for MGM Resorts, which owns the Vdara hotel, said they was aware of the issue and designers were working with resort staff to come up with a solution. In fact it is claimed that the designers foresaw the issue with the reflecting sun but thought they had solved it by installing a high-tech film on the south-facing panes of glass. However, Mr Absher, conceded it had not been enough and some of the guests had suffered as a result.
Don't miss this informative video.
One hotel employee said the building's design causes the sunshine to be diverted 'like a magnifying glass that shines down' over a space of about 10 by 15 feet as the poolside. And as the Earth rotates, the spot moves across the pool area. The 'death ray' can increase temperatures by around 20 degrees. While the designers work on fixing the problem, the hotel is looking at getting some larger, and crucially, thicker umbrellas to provide better shade for guests.
Horny ghost called Kevin spooks Australian housewife
A Northern Territory woman is convinced a horny ghost is haunting her home. Jennifer Mills-Young claims the ghost, named Kevin, once tried to drag her out of bed in the middle of the night. "I was asleep," she said. "I woke up when someone grabbed my wrist. I though, 'Hmmm, hubby wants a bit of romance', when I suddenly remembered he wasn't even at home."
Mrs Mills-Young said she could feel the hand around her wrist trying to pull her up and out of bed. "The moment I opened my eyes, the grip was gone and the room was empty. I yelled at Kevin that he was not welcome in my bedroom and that he couldn't come into bed with me. I told him to f*** off and to close the door behind him. A moment later I saw how the bedroom door slowly was closed. I jumped up and locked it - not that it makes much of a difference when you're dealing with a ghost."
Ms Mills-Young, her husband Geoff and two children, now aged 19 and 20, are convinced the ghost is lurking in their home in Durack, Palmerston. She said the family felt "something wasn't right" as soon as they moved into the house two years ago. "My daughter suddenly felt uncomfortable - she said someone was in her room," Mrs Mills- Young said. "My daughter believed she had seen my son Aaron sneak out of the back door in the middle of the night. She said she saw this tall black shadow standing at the door - but at the time Aaron was hiding behind the computer desk."
Mr Mills-Young said he had been haunted by the shadow of the ghost. "I saw someone walking past our back door inside our yard which I had locked," he said. "I jumped up and ran to the door to see what this guy was doing in our yard - and he just vanished." Mrs Mills-Young said she was the "worst sceptic" when it came to ghosts.
Mrs Mills-Young said she could feel the hand around her wrist trying to pull her up and out of bed. "The moment I opened my eyes, the grip was gone and the room was empty. I yelled at Kevin that he was not welcome in my bedroom and that he couldn't come into bed with me. I told him to f*** off and to close the door behind him. A moment later I saw how the bedroom door slowly was closed. I jumped up and locked it - not that it makes much of a difference when you're dealing with a ghost."
Ms Mills-Young, her husband Geoff and two children, now aged 19 and 20, are convinced the ghost is lurking in their home in Durack, Palmerston. She said the family felt "something wasn't right" as soon as they moved into the house two years ago. "My daughter suddenly felt uncomfortable - she said someone was in her room," Mrs Mills- Young said. "My daughter believed she had seen my son Aaron sneak out of the back door in the middle of the night. She said she saw this tall black shadow standing at the door - but at the time Aaron was hiding behind the computer desk."
Mr Mills-Young said he had been haunted by the shadow of the ghost. "I saw someone walking past our back door inside our yard which I had locked," he said. "I jumped up and ran to the door to see what this guy was doing in our yard - and he just vanished." Mrs Mills-Young said she was the "worst sceptic" when it came to ghosts.
Two-legged pig learns to walk
A pig which can walk on two legs has become a local celebrity in China. The 10-month-old porker is known by villagers as "Zhu Jianqiang" (Strong-willed Pig) after it was born with only two front legs and learned to balance on them well enough to walk. According to its owner, Wang Xihai, it was one of nine piglets born in a litter this January.
He said: "My wife asked me to dump it but I refused as it's a life. I thought I should give it a chance to survive and unexpectedly it survived healthy." Several days after its birth Wang decided to train the two-legged piglet to walk by lifting it up by its tail.
He said: "I trained her for a while each day. After 30 days she can now walk upside down quite well." Wang said since the birth of the pig, which currently weighs 50kg (110lbs), his home has been besieged by visitors.
A circus even offered to buy for the pig for a large sum but Wang refused to sell. He said "She proved to us that no matter what form life is it should continue to live on. I won't sell it no matter how much the offer is."
Here there's video of another two-legged pig, born in The Philippines last year.
He said: "My wife asked me to dump it but I refused as it's a life. I thought I should give it a chance to survive and unexpectedly it survived healthy." Several days after its birth Wang decided to train the two-legged piglet to walk by lifting it up by its tail.
He said: "I trained her for a while each day. After 30 days she can now walk upside down quite well." Wang said since the birth of the pig, which currently weighs 50kg (110lbs), his home has been besieged by visitors.
A circus even offered to buy for the pig for a large sum but Wang refused to sell. He said "She proved to us that no matter what form life is it should continue to live on. I won't sell it no matter how much the offer is."
Here there's video of another two-legged pig, born in The Philippines last year.
Intercourse judge hands out condoms hidden in acorns
A judge from the US village of intercourse has been charged - after handing out condoms hidden inside acorns.
Isaac Stoltzfus, 58, was charged with disorderly conduct after two women complained to police. He was reportedly handing out hollowed out acorns containing condoms to passers-by outside the state capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"An individual was handing out acorns to some women who were offended when they discovered the contents in the acorn included a condom," said Edward Myslewicz, a spokesman for the Department of General Services.
Police say Stoltzfus, who lives and works in Intercourse, told them it was a joke. He could be fined or disciplined by the state's Judicial Conduct Board. Intercourse is a popular destination for tourists because of its location in Pennsylvania's Amish country. The movie Witness was filmed there.
There's a news video here.
Isaac Stoltzfus, 58, was charged with disorderly conduct after two women complained to police. He was reportedly handing out hollowed out acorns containing condoms to passers-by outside the state capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"An individual was handing out acorns to some women who were offended when they discovered the contents in the acorn included a condom," said Edward Myslewicz, a spokesman for the Department of General Services.
Police say Stoltzfus, who lives and works in Intercourse, told them it was a joke. He could be fined or disciplined by the state's Judicial Conduct Board. Intercourse is a popular destination for tourists because of its location in Pennsylvania's Amish country. The movie Witness was filmed there.
There's a news video here.
Commonwealth Games medical chief Tarun Garg ill with typhoid
The chief medical officer for the crisis-stricken Delhi Commonwealth Games has been struck down with a suspected case of typhoid. The news that Tarun Garg is on sick leave was the latest setback for an event already blighted by rampant corruption, allegations that safety certificates for several stadiums have been forged and scathing criticism of uninhabitable athletes’ lodgings.
In the run-up to the $3 billion Games health fears have mostly centred on a serious outbreak of dengue fever, an excruciatingly painful and potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease. Hundreds of fresh cases are being confirmed in Delhi daily by private clinics, but are not being reported by the authorities, it was revealed last week. It has also been reported that only two of the 11 medical centres created for the Games are in operation and most of the 3000 CCTV cameras covering the event are malfunctioning.
At the centrepiece Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium a woman collapsed during rehearsals for the opening ceremony, but her stretcher could not fit into a stadium lift to take her to a medical team on the first floor. “She had to be rushed to the medical room on the first floor but the stretcher did not fit inside the lift. The ambulance stationed outside the stadium could not reach in time.”
Meanwhile, three days before the opening ceremony, which will be attended by Prince Charles, Indian officials admitted that the CCTV system at the stadium was faulty. “Some of these pictures have made us dizzy and many of the cameras are also aimed at non-sensitive areas. One camera was blocked by a wall,” one said.
In the run-up to the $3 billion Games health fears have mostly centred on a serious outbreak of dengue fever, an excruciatingly painful and potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease. Hundreds of fresh cases are being confirmed in Delhi daily by private clinics, but are not being reported by the authorities, it was revealed last week. It has also been reported that only two of the 11 medical centres created for the Games are in operation and most of the 3000 CCTV cameras covering the event are malfunctioning.
At the centrepiece Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium a woman collapsed during rehearsals for the opening ceremony, but her stretcher could not fit into a stadium lift to take her to a medical team on the first floor. “She had to be rushed to the medical room on the first floor but the stretcher did not fit inside the lift. The ambulance stationed outside the stadium could not reach in time.”
Meanwhile, three days before the opening ceremony, which will be attended by Prince Charles, Indian officials admitted that the CCTV system at the stadium was faulty. “Some of these pictures have made us dizzy and many of the cameras are also aimed at non-sensitive areas. One camera was blocked by a wall,” one said.
Gardener loses fingers trying to kill moles
A foolish Upper Austrian angered by moles digging up his garden has lost two fingers when a bizarre DIY stunt to kill them went disastrously wrong.
The 34-year-old Aspach resident taped a pipe to the exhaust of his petrol-guzzling lawnmower and rammed the other end into the alley under a molehill to gas the animals.
When the infuriated hobby gardener noticed that one of the moles tried to escape through the gap between the ground and the mower, he tried to grab it – and had two fingers chopped off his right hand by the rotating blades.
Local officials said the man was hospitalised in a clinic in Ried im Innkreis following the incident which occurred on Monday, but did not make clear whether surgeons managed to sew the fingers back on.
The 34-year-old Aspach resident taped a pipe to the exhaust of his petrol-guzzling lawnmower and rammed the other end into the alley under a molehill to gas the animals.
When the infuriated hobby gardener noticed that one of the moles tried to escape through the gap between the ground and the mower, he tried to grab it – and had two fingers chopped off his right hand by the rotating blades.
Local officials said the man was hospitalised in a clinic in Ried im Innkreis following the incident which occurred on Monday, but did not make clear whether surgeons managed to sew the fingers back on.
French thieves steal entire Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard
Thieves in France have broken into a vineyard and stolen an entire crop of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, say police. They struck in Villeneuve-les-Beziers on Sunday night, taking advantage of a full moon and using a harvesting machine to seize 30 tonnes of the crop.
Farmer Roland Cavaille said similar crimes had taken place before in the Languedoc-Roussillon, one of France's best-known wine growing regions. He said the theft amounted to a year's work and about 15,000 euro (£12,900). "They used a harvesting machine to gather grapes. This means there was no need to have lots of people, two people would have been enough," Mr Cavaille said.
"The area was quite isolated, it is a a few kilometres from the village and near a river. So the thieves were able to work safely." One witness reported hearing engine noises in the early hours of the morning and police have been examining footprints left at the scene, said the newspaper. But Mr Cavaille said the thieves were clearly professionals who could easily sell on the grapes.
He said there had been a similar grape theft had been reported in the area four years ago and that another complaint had also been filed this year. While his vineyard was insured, it did not cover the loss of the grapes themselves. Mr Cavaille said he had no idea who had taken the grapes but that he was angered and surprised by the theft, as he believed there was a "degree of solidarity" between winemakers.
Video.
Farmer Roland Cavaille said similar crimes had taken place before in the Languedoc-Roussillon, one of France's best-known wine growing regions. He said the theft amounted to a year's work and about 15,000 euro (£12,900). "They used a harvesting machine to gather grapes. This means there was no need to have lots of people, two people would have been enough," Mr Cavaille said.
"The area was quite isolated, it is a a few kilometres from the village and near a river. So the thieves were able to work safely." One witness reported hearing engine noises in the early hours of the morning and police have been examining footprints left at the scene, said the newspaper. But Mr Cavaille said the thieves were clearly professionals who could easily sell on the grapes.
He said there had been a similar grape theft had been reported in the area four years ago and that another complaint had also been filed this year. While his vineyard was insured, it did not cover the loss of the grapes themselves. Mr Cavaille said he had no idea who had taken the grapes but that he was angered and surprised by the theft, as he believed there was a "degree of solidarity" between winemakers.
Video.
Lord Jesus Christ cast out of library for bad behaviour
The Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown has taken the unusual step of banning local artist Lord Jesus Christ III from the public facility in response to what they called recurring bad behaviour. The order issued by the Library Board of Trustees warns Jesus Christ will be subject to criminal charges if he appears in the library again. Jesus Christ said Tuesday he has contacted a lawyer and is planning to sue the public library for discrimination. Interviewed, Jesus Christ said that all he can conclude is he is being targeted by the library because of who he is.
“I’m black, I’m transsexual and my name is Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. The 50-year-old Detroit native some years ago had his name legally changed to Lord Jesus Christ III. In an interview with the Republican in May, he said he changed his name because God told him to do it. He has dreadlocks that go past his waist and is commonly seen around town wearing womens clothing. At the time of this interview, Jesus Christ was wearing heels, a mini skirt and a halter top.
Library director Owen Maloney said the library does not care how Jesus Christ dresses, but it does care how he acts inside the facility. “It was his behaviour in the library that was off-putting,” he said. “He was very needy.” He said Jesus is always asking staff at the desk and other patrons for tissues, pencils or other things. “Often times he would try to put himself in the personal space of others,” he said. If someone was at the desk talking to the librarian, Jesus Christ would cut in front of the person and begin asking the librarian questions, Maloney said. “He was very rude.”
Maloney said he talked to Jesus Christ several times about his manners, and he would be fine for a day or two and then it would start all over again. “We did the best we could. The library is not a place we want to kick people out of,” he said. Asked how many people have been banned in his 21 years as director, Maloney said - “Lord Jesus Christ is the first and I suppose I’m going to burn in hell because of it.”
“I’m black, I’m transsexual and my name is Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. The 50-year-old Detroit native some years ago had his name legally changed to Lord Jesus Christ III. In an interview with the Republican in May, he said he changed his name because God told him to do it. He has dreadlocks that go past his waist and is commonly seen around town wearing womens clothing. At the time of this interview, Jesus Christ was wearing heels, a mini skirt and a halter top.
Library director Owen Maloney said the library does not care how Jesus Christ dresses, but it does care how he acts inside the facility. “It was his behaviour in the library that was off-putting,” he said. “He was very needy.” He said Jesus is always asking staff at the desk and other patrons for tissues, pencils or other things. “Often times he would try to put himself in the personal space of others,” he said. If someone was at the desk talking to the librarian, Jesus Christ would cut in front of the person and begin asking the librarian questions, Maloney said. “He was very rude.”
Maloney said he talked to Jesus Christ several times about his manners, and he would be fine for a day or two and then it would start all over again. “We did the best we could. The library is not a place we want to kick people out of,” he said. Asked how many people have been banned in his 21 years as director, Maloney said - “Lord Jesus Christ is the first and I suppose I’m going to burn in hell because of it.”
Brain haemorrhage turns binge drinking man into calm, cross-stitching teetotaller
A heavy drinker who was regularly verbally abusive has been transformed into a teetotal perfect husband after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Ken Merryweather used to go out on all-night drink binges before returning home to row with his long-suffering girlfriend Tracey. But the 44-year-old's personality was completely transformed after he was struck down by the life threatening condition. The change was so striking that Tracey even agreed to marry him.
"There was no way I would've married him before but he has totally gone the other way," she said. Ken, of Hadfield, Glossop, said that although the haemorrhage had caused him several problems, he was glad it had made him "a nicer guy to be around". "I used to be so verbally abusive - especially after a few pints," he said. "When I used to work I used to go straight to the pub and not get in until 2 to 3am in the morning."
He added: "There are things I can't do now but there are other things I can - I can cross-stitch and I do an awful lot of sewing and cooking." Just hours before Ken was struck down by the brain injury, he had been drinking heavily on one of his typical evenings out. The next morning Tracey, 47, found him collapsed on floor. He had stopped breathing and Tracey had to resuscitate him.
Ken said: "I lost 50 to 70% of my memory, I had to learn to walk and talk again. I asked if it was down to the alcohol and the doctors said no. It was basically just a time bomb ticking. I don't touch a drop now. Tracey says it's turned me into a better person." Tracey added: "They do say that out of those who survive from a haemorrhage, eight out of 10 relationships go down the pan because people change but I've always said that he couldn't have got any worse."
"There was no way I would've married him before but he has totally gone the other way," she said. Ken, of Hadfield, Glossop, said that although the haemorrhage had caused him several problems, he was glad it had made him "a nicer guy to be around". "I used to be so verbally abusive - especially after a few pints," he said. "When I used to work I used to go straight to the pub and not get in until 2 to 3am in the morning."
He added: "There are things I can't do now but there are other things I can - I can cross-stitch and I do an awful lot of sewing and cooking." Just hours before Ken was struck down by the brain injury, he had been drinking heavily on one of his typical evenings out. The next morning Tracey, 47, found him collapsed on floor. He had stopped breathing and Tracey had to resuscitate him.
Ken said: "I lost 50 to 70% of my memory, I had to learn to walk and talk again. I asked if it was down to the alcohol and the doctors said no. It was basically just a time bomb ticking. I don't touch a drop now. Tracey says it's turned me into a better person." Tracey added: "They do say that out of those who survive from a haemorrhage, eight out of 10 relationships go down the pan because people change but I've always said that he couldn't have got any worse."
100mph driver who attempted suicide being sued for £200,000
A driver who smashed his car into a brand new £200million shopping centre in a failed suicide bid is being sued for more than £200,000 for the damage he caused. Depressed James Williams, 25, drove his Ford Puma into Cabot Circus in Bristol at up to 100mph – shattering the largest shop window in Europe. Amazingly, he survived the crash because a passing doctor administered first aid but has been left with a permanent limp from his injuries.
James, from Stoke Gifford, Bristol, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing criminal damage and was jailed for 21 months in July last year. After being released from prison he is now being sued for £213,115.76 by the Bristol Alliance Partnership, which owns Cabot Circus – which opened just months before the crash.
This includes £115,000 for replacing wrecked windows, £50,000 for temporary support and consultants’ fees of £40,000. The damage to the window of House of Fraser took months to be repaired due to the sheer size of the three bespoke toughened glass panels. A High Court Writ states the accident and subsequent damage were a result of his negligence including driving dangerously and permitting his vehicle to collide with an obvious hazard.
Tabitha Cave, head of the health and safety team at lawyers Veale Wasbrough Vizards, which are based in Bristol, said the costs could get even higher for James. She said: ”If the owners of Cabot Circus are successful with their claim against Mr Williams, then they will be entitled to seek payment of their legal costs, in addition to compensation for the repairs. Mr Williams is likely to be able to claim an indemnity for both from his insurers, even though the claim relates to his criminal behaviour.”
James, from Stoke Gifford, Bristol, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing criminal damage and was jailed for 21 months in July last year. After being released from prison he is now being sued for £213,115.76 by the Bristol Alliance Partnership, which owns Cabot Circus – which opened just months before the crash.
This includes £115,000 for replacing wrecked windows, £50,000 for temporary support and consultants’ fees of £40,000. The damage to the window of House of Fraser took months to be repaired due to the sheer size of the three bespoke toughened glass panels. A High Court Writ states the accident and subsequent damage were a result of his negligence including driving dangerously and permitting his vehicle to collide with an obvious hazard.
Tabitha Cave, head of the health and safety team at lawyers Veale Wasbrough Vizards, which are based in Bristol, said the costs could get even higher for James. She said: ”If the owners of Cabot Circus are successful with their claim against Mr Williams, then they will be entitled to seek payment of their legal costs, in addition to compensation for the repairs. Mr Williams is likely to be able to claim an indemnity for both from his insurers, even though the claim relates to his criminal behaviour.”
Council considers using bulls to stop 'doggers'
A council is considering using a herd of bulls to deter drivers stopping at a lay-by for casual sex. Surrey County Council chiefs have discussed packing a field with cattle after a spate of complaints about outdoor public sex. More than 300 residents of Puttenham have written to the council complaining that a field near the Hog’s Back lay-by on the A31 was 'being used for all kinds of sexual activity night and day’ by doggers. They said that children at the Puttenham Church of England Infant School can see the couples from the playground and demanded the council 'do something about it’.
Surrey County Council, however, refused to shut the lay-by and Hog’s Back Cafe down saying it would be 'unfair on legitimate visitors’, but discussed various tactics to stop doggers congregating at the site – including putting bulls in the field. Campaigner Jules Perkins said she was 'devastated’ when the council said it would not close the lay-by, adding: “It’s scary that the general public is beholden to people like this. They just didn’t seem to have much idea about the issue and we are utterly disappointed with the decision not to close the lay-by.” Speaking about the idea of putting bulls into the field to deter the doggers, Mrs Perkins said: “I have to say that some of the comments from the cabinet were quite frightening, such as the suggestion to put bulls in the field. What a ridiculous idea.”
Local Sarah Green, 32, said today: “How the council can sit there with straight faces and suggest putting a herd of bulls in a field to stop people having sex in it is almost too ridiculous to contemplate. There are more than 300 people behind closing the lay-by and the council has just ignored our very genuine concerns and come up with a suggestion which can only be described as moronic. Do they really think a bunch of perverts are going to be put off by a few bulls in a field? It will probably make them even more excited.”
Leader of the council Dr Andrew Povey said: “The cabinet is not convinced that closing the lay-by would solve this problem.” He admitted there had been several 'mad ideas’ to solve the dogging problem, including cops walking their police dogs in the area, but said the idea of putting livestock – particularly bulls – into the field was 'viable’ He said: “Someone also said there could be livestock in those fields. This seems to me to be a perfectly viable option.” A decision on how to deal with the doggers is set to be taken later this year by Surrey County Council chiefs.
Surrey County Council, however, refused to shut the lay-by and Hog’s Back Cafe down saying it would be 'unfair on legitimate visitors’, but discussed various tactics to stop doggers congregating at the site – including putting bulls in the field. Campaigner Jules Perkins said she was 'devastated’ when the council said it would not close the lay-by, adding: “It’s scary that the general public is beholden to people like this. They just didn’t seem to have much idea about the issue and we are utterly disappointed with the decision not to close the lay-by.” Speaking about the idea of putting bulls into the field to deter the doggers, Mrs Perkins said: “I have to say that some of the comments from the cabinet were quite frightening, such as the suggestion to put bulls in the field. What a ridiculous idea.”
Local Sarah Green, 32, said today: “How the council can sit there with straight faces and suggest putting a herd of bulls in a field to stop people having sex in it is almost too ridiculous to contemplate. There are more than 300 people behind closing the lay-by and the council has just ignored our very genuine concerns and come up with a suggestion which can only be described as moronic. Do they really think a bunch of perverts are going to be put off by a few bulls in a field? It will probably make them even more excited.”
Leader of the council Dr Andrew Povey said: “The cabinet is not convinced that closing the lay-by would solve this problem.” He admitted there had been several 'mad ideas’ to solve the dogging problem, including cops walking their police dogs in the area, but said the idea of putting livestock – particularly bulls – into the field was 'viable’ He said: “Someone also said there could be livestock in those fields. This seems to me to be a perfectly viable option.” A decision on how to deal with the doggers is set to be taken later this year by Surrey County Council chiefs.
Police chase metal thief on horse and cart
A metal thief who was caught red-handed led police officers on a frantic chase around the streets of the Black Country – on a horse and cart. Paul Halls reached speeds of 20mph as his horse galloped through Coalpool in Walsall. Police chased after the cart with their sirens blazing and blue lights flashing. The 20-year-old yesterday appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court, where he was fined £50 after admitting the unusual charge of driving a carriage namely horse and cart furiously to the obstruction, annoyance and danger of the residents.
Halls, of Warner Road, Coalpool, was caught trying to steal two metal gates worth £1,369 from land belonging Walsall Housing Group on July 7. Residents living near to the scene in Beddowes Road, Ryecroft, called the police, who saw Halls trying to load the gates on to the cart with two other men. Mr Peter Smedley, prosecuting, said the defendant “hoofed it” after being caught in the act by police. The main chase took place along Oswin Road, Coalpool.
In court, Halls was also given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to attempted theft. Magistrates heard it was his first conviction. Nigel Ford, defending, said: “He was out in a field with the horse which is common in the Coalpool area when he was approached by two people who asked him to help with loading. Without asking too many questions Halls agreed do it.”
Halls was charged under the little-known Town Police Clauses Act 1847 for the horse and cart offence. Chairman of the bench Mr Michael Kearns ordered him to pay costs of £85 and victims’ surcharge £15. “This is an unusual case, but we have to take this seriously as we are seeing a spate of metal thefts in this area,” Mr Kearns said.
Halls, of Warner Road, Coalpool, was caught trying to steal two metal gates worth £1,369 from land belonging Walsall Housing Group on July 7. Residents living near to the scene in Beddowes Road, Ryecroft, called the police, who saw Halls trying to load the gates on to the cart with two other men. Mr Peter Smedley, prosecuting, said the defendant “hoofed it” after being caught in the act by police. The main chase took place along Oswin Road, Coalpool.
In court, Halls was also given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to attempted theft. Magistrates heard it was his first conviction. Nigel Ford, defending, said: “He was out in a field with the horse which is common in the Coalpool area when he was approached by two people who asked him to help with loading. Without asking too many questions Halls agreed do it.”
Halls was charged under the little-known Town Police Clauses Act 1847 for the horse and cart offence. Chairman of the bench Mr Michael Kearns ordered him to pay costs of £85 and victims’ surcharge £15. “This is an unusual case, but we have to take this seriously as we are seeing a spate of metal thefts in this area,” Mr Kearns said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)