Husband on trial for unlawful wounding

The trial of a husband on charge for ‘malicious’ attacks to his wife continued at Winchester Crown Court today.

 

Sean Quinn from Wimbledon was arrested on the 12^th March last year after allegedly attacking his wife, Alison Quinn. A statement from Mrs Quinn revealed that after a row with her then separated husband, Mr Quinn threw a high chair at her causing injury to her forehead and severe bleeding. Mr Quinn allegedly left the premises before emergency services were called.

 

Mrs Quinn currently lives in Fleet with their two children. On the night of the incident, Mr Quinn had been invited over to her property, and asked to bring supplies. Statements released by the defendant and witness were different in detail but they both confirmed there was an argument over Mr Quinn smoking on her premises. Whilst it is unclear as to who attacked whom, Mrs Quinn sustained injuries to her forehead and had seven stitches.

 

Solicitor for defence Mr Tregilgas-Davey, described Mrs Quinn’s statement as ‘sanitised’ and explained how she was reluctant to appear in court.

 

Mr Quinn denies all charges of unlawful wounding and will recieve the verdict at the end the week.

Free education for our armed forces

A new rewards scheme has finally been set up for members of the armed forces, the ministry of defence confirmed today.

Every solider, sailor and airman who has completed six years of service can receive free tuition at any University or College. An MOD source confirmed that the government are willing to fund this scheme for all members of the armed forces who wish to a gain degree, A-level or GCSE.

Defence Secretary, Des Browne will unveil the plans on Thursday and explain in full the scheme to support our over-stretched troops. This scheme will not only provide free education support for the forces but also for the spouses of veteran soldiers who were killed in action.

An MOD survey published last week confirmed that half of our servicemen are willing to quit due to the pressure of fighting major wars, with little support. Around 5000 experienced young officers are withdrawing from the troops to carry out a degree or retrain.

A spokesman for the MOD said “It is the first time there has been a co-ordinated, cross-government strategy for delivering better access to key public services and greater welfare support for our armed forces community”

Summer Term

Its been a while since my last blog, this is due to moving back and settling back home, feels very weird to not be in halls and have healthy food again! (not that that aspect was particularly missed.)

I have applied at a local magazine for work over the holiday and hopefully part time to start building my CV so fingers crossed.

Will get working on an article soon.

“Fat Sue”

Its amusing to see what happens when Journalists don’t always do their research, or get their facts straight….

Last night Katie Derham, ITV referred to the model of the painting that broke the auction records as “Fat Sue”.

Sue Tilley, the star of the Lucien Freud painting replied “I’m not really happy when you call me Fat Sue because that is not my name. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call me that thank you.”

Chris Moyles on radio one this morning mocked this and used the voice overs to create a satirical song based on ‘The Ting Tings’- that’s not my name song. It was hilarious and I will shamefully admit that Chris Moyles is growing on me.
If you can, download the pod cast for an amusing listen

Murder of young woman in Hampshire

A murder enquiry was launched yesterday, when the remains of a young women’s body was discovered.

 

A police statement confirmed that the body was of a white female in her late teens to early 30s, and was found in Drummer, Hampshire. The woman was discovered by a dog walker in the area of Wayfarers Way at 6.30am.

 

A post mortem confirmed that the woman was approximately 5ft 6ins and that her body was found burnt. The cause of death is not yet being released.

 

Detective Chief Gary O’Flaherty said “We are carrying out a wide range of enquiries to try and identify this woman and would ask anyone who may know who she is to get in touch”.

 

The police are treating the death as a murder and would like the public to get in contact if they saw anything suspicious, no matter how trivial.

 

Anyone with any information should contact the Major Crime Department at Basingstoke on 0845 045 45 45.

 

New Contractor for Hampshire’s Highways

Amey PLC has won the contract to take over as the County Council’s highway contractor today, in a deal worth £35m a year.

 

Amey won against tough competition from five other companies and will be responsible for all aspects of road and footway maintenance in Hampshire. The County Council’s executive member for environment Cllr Mel Kendal said “Amey is hugely experienced in contracts like this, and we’ll be tapping into its expertise to make sure that we get the best possible value for council taxpayers. I look forward to a long and productive partnership, and welcome them as part of our team.”

 

The new contractor’s aim, is to improve the entire highway service for everyone in Hampshire  and to form an alliance of all highway and transport providers working from the County Council. Amey’s contract will cover planned maintenance of Hampshire’s highway network outside Portsmouth and Southampton.

 

The companies director for local Government, Kunle Kolaru said “Effective road and footway maintenance can have a significant impact on the local community, improving journeys for residents and businesses; The County Council’s commitment to a collaborative approach means that this is a contract Amey is particularly pleased to have been awarded.”

 

The £35m per year deal is currently agreeed for the next seven years yet can be extended to a decade subject to performance.

Oil Strike and taps off (meant to publish yesterday but didnt work)

Grangemouth oil refinery turned its taps off in Scotland yesterday, for the first strike on site for 80 years.

The 48 hour strike saw 100 refinery workers protest over an on going dispute for their pension trust. The strike has lead to the North Sea’s largest tap turning off for the first time since the Second World War.

Despite worries of shortages across Scotland, only a few Petrol stations ran dry and had to introduce a £20 fuel ration. However emergency shipments of 65,000 tonnes of fuel were brought from ports such as Rotterdam and Gothenburg which arrived in Scotland yesterday.

Suspending oil and gas production will cost the oil industry £50m a day, losing the treasury £25m a day in revenue. With fears of the strike spreading nationally and increasing oil prices worldwide, John Hutton, the business secretary said “It is in no one’s best interests that this dispute escalates in any way, shape or form”.

Grangemouth workers insist that Ineos, a majority shareholder and the worlds third largest chemicals company, are taking private profit, and claiming that their pensions are nothing in comparison to what Ineos are offering.

The company is stated that workers are earning up to £60,000 a year plus benefits, yet Steve Mancini, a shop worker whose family works for Grangemouth insisted that the actual figure is closer to £40,000 and said “It’s very sad for everybody but our arguments are fair and just.”

Grangemouth is currently making at least £250m a year in profit and wish to increase that to £500m.

Radiobeat and original article

A-fifteen-year-old-girl was a witness at her father’s murder trial, at Winchester Crown Court today. Steven Lay from Tad-ley is on trail for the murder of Carol Reeves, ex-wife and mother to their daughter. Suspicions of Mr Lay aroused when scratch marks were found on his neck and he was in possession of a blood-stained-t-shirt. The trial continues.

A Young Girl’s Father on Trial for Her Murdered Mother

A 15 year old girl was held witness at Winchester Crown Court today, for the trial of her father, accused of murdering her mother.

The young witness from Hampshire gave a detailed report at the murder trial of her father, Steven Lay, 48 from Tadley. Mr Lay was accused of murdering his ex-wife, Carol Reeves on the 26^th May 2007.

The witness discovered her mother had been murdered when Mr Lay picked her up to take her home on the evening of the incident. On arrival, Mr Lay stated “Don’t go into the kitchen, your mother has taken a fall”. However on closer inspection, she discovered her mother wasn’t breathing and was blue with scratches on her face. Mr Lay had spent the day with Ms Reeves and they had attended Home base with the intention of working on their garden.

The young girl stated that her mother and Mr Lay had an amicable relationship after their divorce and he would frequently stay over due to his unemployment. On the week before the incident took place, Mr Lay was offered a job, and as his daughter described it, “things were looking up”. Suspicions aroused when Mr Lay attended his police interview shortly after the incident, with scratches on his face. After further investigation a t-shirt was discovered in a carrier bag that was covered in blood.

The trial continues.

Satirical Piece on Stonehenge (or attempt to add satire)

Cloned Stones down under

An Aussie Entrepreneur mocked the Stonehenge project today, when he announced he will be funding $1.4Million to make his own Faux Henge.

 

Ross Smith is the founder for the creation of ‘The Henge’, which is set to be made in Western Australia. For the past five months a team of quarry workers have been creating 6 tonne slabs made from Australian desert granite. Ross Smith said “I’ve got the money, I’ve got the time and I’ve got the land.” Unfortunately for us, the government didn’t have the same attitude.

 

After a ten year appeal for government funding was denied early last year, Wiltshire’s famous Stonehenge thought it had hit rock bottom. Two supporting organisations declined their funding to improve the facilities when the cost became unfeasible. It appears that finding financial support for the actual landmark is impossible, especially when you can fund your own ‘faux henge’.

 

America currently boasts of having four ‘Stonehenges’. Each are shaped on the historical landmark, yet made from unique resources. They are made from foam, concrete, fridges and half a dozen cars, all of which are well maintained. It is clear to see that if you add a modern touch to any monument, you can increase tourism and create more revenue. 

 

Australia’s “The Henge” is set to be built by November in time for the solstice. Mr Smith said “It’s not going to be as Stonehenge is now, a ruin, but as it was when it was built 3,000 to 1,500 BC and who’s to say in another 5,000 years it may not even be there but this Stonehenge that I’m building will be there for at least 20,000 years

 

 

 

 

 

My article on Stonehenge

Hello,

If anyone gets the chance to read this, feedback would be much appreciated. I wasnt too happy on it due to being a dull subject and trying to de-jargonise the press releases!

Hope you all have a lovely easter and get lots of chocolate!