Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Search on for vandals who decapitated dragon
Who has slain the dragon of Allen Saxe Park? The city of Arlington, Texas, wants to find the dragon slayer, but not to offer thanks for a job well done.
City officials are looking for the vandals that chopped off the head of Nessie, the beloved smiling dragon at the park's playground on the night of June 12.
In essence, they slashed Nessie's throat and stole her head. The city says the cost to fix the damage is estimated at $5,000.
There are no surveillance cameras, so neighbours are being questioned to see if anybody saw a car or heard a commotion. Anyone with information should contact Arlington Police.
With news video.
City officials are looking for the vandals that chopped off the head of Nessie, the beloved smiling dragon at the park's playground on the night of June 12.
In essence, they slashed Nessie's throat and stole her head. The city says the cost to fix the damage is estimated at $5,000.
There are no surveillance cameras, so neighbours are being questioned to see if anybody saw a car or heard a commotion. Anyone with information should contact Arlington Police.
With news video.
Tree top toilets cause problems for residents
Some describe the small town of Austin, Arkansas, as the perfect place to live, but recently, a few unwanted decorations are making one neighbourhood the last place anyone wants to move to. Homes in the Shadow Creek Subdivision in Austin range in price from $150,000 to $300,000. It's a quiet, new development, but over the last few months a rather bold display is stirring a lot of conversation. "A lot of questions, people wanting to know what's going on. Initial reaction was it was kind of funny. They've been up there since about the middle of March," said one Shadow Creek neighbour, Anthony Fible.
Two toilets and a few spray painted signs promising that a trailer park is coming to the area soon hang high above the fence line at the end of Hudson Branch Drive in Austin. "We are hoping it hasn't affected the property values, but we know for sure it's affected some sales," said Fible. Anthony Fible said the display has drawn a lot of attention, and since there is no trailer park coming soon, neighbours and potential buyers in the new development are puzzled. "We haven't had any trouble from the individual. He hasn't caused any other problems. He hasn't said or made any kind of threatening statements. We don't even know who he is. We just know it's an individual living on the property behind me, and he's posted the signs," explained Fible.
"Who is going to buy a house where you see signs about a trailer park coming soon? It borderlines harassment. However, if you own property you can do with the property as you please," said Lonoke County Sheriff John Stoley. Stoley said it all started with a disagreement between a property owner and the developer building homes adjacent to his land. What exactly upset the property owner is still a mystery, but in March, he placed two toilets on two approximately 20-foot poles and nailed spray-painted signs to his trees facing the developer's property with the words "Trailer Park Coming Soon." Though neighbours claim they can't sell their homes due to the unattractive new displays, toilets in trees are not illegal.
YouTube link.
"This is the city limits here. Where the signs are is in the county, and there is no ordinances prohibiting signs in the county on a property. It's not threatening. It's nothing criminal at this time," Stoley stated. "It's petty. Whatever his argument is with one individual or the property developer, he can take it up with that individual. Affecting the neighbours that haven't done anything to him, we would just appreciate it if he would take the signs down," added Fible. The man who allegedly posted the signs and the toilets, identified as Dennis, did not wish to speak. As for the developer, Moore & Moore, they also did not wish to comment due to ongoing litigation with the property owner. The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office said they have asked the property owner to take down the signs and toilets, but he refused.
Two toilets and a few spray painted signs promising that a trailer park is coming to the area soon hang high above the fence line at the end of Hudson Branch Drive in Austin. "We are hoping it hasn't affected the property values, but we know for sure it's affected some sales," said Fible. Anthony Fible said the display has drawn a lot of attention, and since there is no trailer park coming soon, neighbours and potential buyers in the new development are puzzled. "We haven't had any trouble from the individual. He hasn't caused any other problems. He hasn't said or made any kind of threatening statements. We don't even know who he is. We just know it's an individual living on the property behind me, and he's posted the signs," explained Fible.
"Who is going to buy a house where you see signs about a trailer park coming soon? It borderlines harassment. However, if you own property you can do with the property as you please," said Lonoke County Sheriff John Stoley. Stoley said it all started with a disagreement between a property owner and the developer building homes adjacent to his land. What exactly upset the property owner is still a mystery, but in March, he placed two toilets on two approximately 20-foot poles and nailed spray-painted signs to his trees facing the developer's property with the words "Trailer Park Coming Soon." Though neighbours claim they can't sell their homes due to the unattractive new displays, toilets in trees are not illegal.
YouTube link.
"This is the city limits here. Where the signs are is in the county, and there is no ordinances prohibiting signs in the county on a property. It's not threatening. It's nothing criminal at this time," Stoley stated. "It's petty. Whatever his argument is with one individual or the property developer, he can take it up with that individual. Affecting the neighbours that haven't done anything to him, we would just appreciate it if he would take the signs down," added Fible. The man who allegedly posted the signs and the toilets, identified as Dennis, did not wish to speak. As for the developer, Moore & Moore, they also did not wish to comment due to ongoing litigation with the property owner. The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office said they have asked the property owner to take down the signs and toilets, but he refused.
Man with severed hands accused of stabbing his father
A man who Sheriff’s Deputies in Shasta County, California, found with his hands severed is accused of stabbing his father multiple times.
Shasta County Deputies reported arriving at a Redding home and finding two subjects with visible injuries.
One man, Gregory Alan Dunn, 59, appeared to have been stabbed multiple times. Deputies suspect the other man, Dunn’s son, Jason, stabbed him during a verbal altercation.
But somehow, for some unknown reason or method, detectives say Jason George Dunn had injuries consistent with having his hands severed at the wrists. Both father and son were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Shasta County Deputies reported arriving at a Redding home and finding two subjects with visible injuries.
One man, Gregory Alan Dunn, 59, appeared to have been stabbed multiple times. Deputies suspect the other man, Dunn’s son, Jason, stabbed him during a verbal altercation.
But somehow, for some unknown reason or method, detectives say Jason George Dunn had injuries consistent with having his hands severed at the wrists. Both father and son were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Man asked to be jailed rather than continue with court-ordered alcohol ban
An Australian man asked to be jailed for three months rather than continue his court-ordered ban to not drink alcohol for two years. Milo Manu Felix Wild, 22, asked to be sent to jail because he was depressed that he had to stay at home rather than socialising with friends in pubs and clubs. Magistrate John O'Neill said it was "extraordinary" that Wild thought his life "was not worth living without alcohol."
Wild had been banned from drinking alcohol for assault and behaving in an indecent manner on Anzac Day last year when he pushed over four port-a-loos, exposed himself and threw his own urine at rangers at Litchfield National Park. He was sentenced on November 23 to three months' jail to be suspended for two years during which time he had to be of good behaviour and not drink alcohol.
Wild was already on a 12-month pub ban for disorderly behaviour at Darwin Ski Club. Police Prosecutor Julie O'Neill told Darwin Magistrates Court that Wild was seen by officers drinking alcohol at Duck's Nuts on Mitchell St on Saturday night. Sergeant O'Neill said when police asked Wild what he was doing in the pub he said: "I did nothing f------ wrong."
Wild's lawyer Georgia McMaster said he would choose jail over the alcohol restrictions. "(He said) in Darwin people of his generation go out and have a good time on the weekend and drink," Ms McMaster said. Magistrate John Neill questioned that: "There is nothing to do in Darwin for a strong, healthy young man except to drink?" Ms McMaster said Wild had completed alcohol management courses. She said Wild had lost his job as a car salesman for his Anzac Day antics last year.
Wild had been banned from drinking alcohol for assault and behaving in an indecent manner on Anzac Day last year when he pushed over four port-a-loos, exposed himself and threw his own urine at rangers at Litchfield National Park. He was sentenced on November 23 to three months' jail to be suspended for two years during which time he had to be of good behaviour and not drink alcohol.
Wild was already on a 12-month pub ban for disorderly behaviour at Darwin Ski Club. Police Prosecutor Julie O'Neill told Darwin Magistrates Court that Wild was seen by officers drinking alcohol at Duck's Nuts on Mitchell St on Saturday night. Sergeant O'Neill said when police asked Wild what he was doing in the pub he said: "I did nothing f------ wrong."
Wild's lawyer Georgia McMaster said he would choose jail over the alcohol restrictions. "(He said) in Darwin people of his generation go out and have a good time on the weekend and drink," Ms McMaster said. Magistrate John Neill questioned that: "There is nothing to do in Darwin for a strong, healthy young man except to drink?" Ms McMaster said Wild had completed alcohol management courses. She said Wild had lost his job as a car salesman for his Anzac Day antics last year.
Baby elephant rescued from well in Thailand
Residents of a village in Thailand found an unexpected baby elephant in their well on Sunday.
The one-month-old elephant had been separated from its herd as it moved through the Phayao Province region.
The animal then somehow got trapped in the deep well where the villagers found her scared and desperate to get out.
YouTube link. Original YouTube upload.
The villagers called a local animal rescue organization who came out armed with a backhoe. The group was able to carve out a pathway for the elephant who then ran to freedom.
The one-month-old elephant had been separated from its herd as it moved through the Phayao Province region.
The animal then somehow got trapped in the deep well where the villagers found her scared and desperate to get out.
YouTube link. Original YouTube upload.
The villagers called a local animal rescue organization who came out armed with a backhoe. The group was able to carve out a pathway for the elephant who then ran to freedom.
Council seize busker's guitar after noise nuisance complaints
A busker in Oxford city centre has had his guitar confiscated after a series of complaints about the noise he makes. Environmental health officers seized a guitar and amplifier from James Ludlow, who is also known as Marrion Cobraretti, on June 3.
The action came after the council received 19 complaints since January about Mr Ludlow’s performances in Cornmarket Street. Mr Ludlow received his first verbal warning from council officers on January 21. He was given two further warnings in February before being issued a written warning advising him of the enforcement action.
In response to a complaint on March 28 and after officers witnessed him causing a noise nuisance, he was issued with an abatement notice under the environmental protection act 1990 and advised that a breach of the notice could result in confiscation.
Further breaches were witnessed on April 12 and June 3, when his equipment was confiscated. Under the noise nuisance legislation the Council also has the power to prosecute Mr Ludlow for breach of the abatement notice.
The action came after the council received 19 complaints since January about Mr Ludlow’s performances in Cornmarket Street. Mr Ludlow received his first verbal warning from council officers on January 21. He was given two further warnings in February before being issued a written warning advising him of the enforcement action.
In response to a complaint on March 28 and after officers witnessed him causing a noise nuisance, he was issued with an abatement notice under the environmental protection act 1990 and advised that a breach of the notice could result in confiscation.
Further breaches were witnessed on April 12 and June 3, when his equipment was confiscated. Under the noise nuisance legislation the Council also has the power to prosecute Mr Ludlow for breach of the abatement notice.
Pet shop fish tank thief caught when he returned to buy goldfish
A thief who stole a fish tank from a pet store was caught when he returned to buy a goldfish. When staff at Pets at Home on Westgate Retail Park in Wakefield, Yorkshire, asked hapless Nigel Darren Ball which type of tank he had, Ball pointed to one near the shelf he stole from.
He then filled out his name and address and was arrested later. Ball, 52, of Peacock, Wakefield, told police: “I went to buy some goldfish but had to fill out a form with my details on it. That’s what got me.” Wakefield magistrates heard how Ball went to the store at 5.10pm on May 29 and stole a large hexagonal fish tank while no one was looking.
Prosecutor Rory Byrne said: “As brazen as anything he lifted the fish tank off the shelf, as big as it is, and simply walked out of the store. Some sight it must have been, he walks from the retail park holding an umbrella and a fish tank, and walks as far as the Peacock Estate. No one saw it at the time.”
The court heard how a £50 fish tank was later missing. Staff then checked CCTV and realised there had been a theft. Ball admitted theft. Mike Devlin, mitigating, said Ball had earlier dropped and smashed his children’s fish tank while cleaning it. He went looking for a replacement but saw how much they cost and ended up stealing one. Sentencing was adjourned until next month.
He then filled out his name and address and was arrested later. Ball, 52, of Peacock, Wakefield, told police: “I went to buy some goldfish but had to fill out a form with my details on it. That’s what got me.” Wakefield magistrates heard how Ball went to the store at 5.10pm on May 29 and stole a large hexagonal fish tank while no one was looking.
Prosecutor Rory Byrne said: “As brazen as anything he lifted the fish tank off the shelf, as big as it is, and simply walked out of the store. Some sight it must have been, he walks from the retail park holding an umbrella and a fish tank, and walks as far as the Peacock Estate. No one saw it at the time.”
The court heard how a £50 fish tank was later missing. Staff then checked CCTV and realised there had been a theft. Ball admitted theft. Mike Devlin, mitigating, said Ball had earlier dropped and smashed his children’s fish tank while cleaning it. He went looking for a replacement but saw how much they cost and ended up stealing one. Sentencing was adjourned until next month.
Lamb that had ears hacked off given hat to stop him getting earache - Update
A newborn lamb who had his ears hacked in a vicious attack has been nursed back to full health thanks to a specially made hat which stops him getting earache. Farmer Val Gunn, 71, made the protective headpiece for eight-week old Nelson after he was attacked at Highthorn Farm, East Leake, Nottinghamshire.
But since the attack the little lamb has been fitted with a cotton bonnet, which fastens around his neck to protect him from the elements. Nelson has now fully recovered from his ordeal and been saved from the chop after Val and husband Kenneth, 73, took him in as a pet. He now lives with the couple at their country farmhouse.
Mrs Gunn said they decided to get Nelson the headwear after he suffered sunstroke two weeks ago. She said: “Where his ears were, especially one side, it’s really pink and delicate so we wanted something to protect him from the elements. He could get all sorts of damage from the weather because the ears form a lot of protection. He got sunstroke a couple of weeks ago and that is why we got him the hat.
“I wouldn’t like him to have earache – the poor little soul’s suffered enough, with what has been done to him. He seems quite a happy little chappy, which he certainly deserves. But as he keeps getting bigger we will have to make him more and more hats.” They RSPCA said it was still investigating the May 17 incident and has appealed for any witnesses to contact them.
Previously.
But since the attack the little lamb has been fitted with a cotton bonnet, which fastens around his neck to protect him from the elements. Nelson has now fully recovered from his ordeal and been saved from the chop after Val and husband Kenneth, 73, took him in as a pet. He now lives with the couple at their country farmhouse.
Mrs Gunn said they decided to get Nelson the headwear after he suffered sunstroke two weeks ago. She said: “Where his ears were, especially one side, it’s really pink and delicate so we wanted something to protect him from the elements. He could get all sorts of damage from the weather because the ears form a lot of protection. He got sunstroke a couple of weeks ago and that is why we got him the hat.
“I wouldn’t like him to have earache – the poor little soul’s suffered enough, with what has been done to him. He seems quite a happy little chappy, which he certainly deserves. But as he keeps getting bigger we will have to make him more and more hats.” They RSPCA said it was still investigating the May 17 incident and has appealed for any witnesses to contact them.
Previously.
Sheep-eating killer plant is ready to bloom
A sheep-eating plant is set to bloom over the next few days in a Surrey garden. In its natural habitat of the Andes, the 3m-tall Puya chilensis snares the animals in its razor-sharp spines, leaving them to perish and decay at its base – like a bag of fertiliser.
Very few specimens have been known to flower in the UK, causing much excitement over the enormous neon bright, greeny-yellow flowers that it produces, with giant blooms containing enough nectar for a person to drink.
The plant is also increasingly rare in its native Chile, where shepherds set them alight to protect their flocks.
Cara Smith, from the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden, where the plant is growing, said: “We keep it well fed with liquid fertiliser, as feeding it on its natural diet might prove a bit problematic.”
Very few specimens have been known to flower in the UK, causing much excitement over the enormous neon bright, greeny-yellow flowers that it produces, with giant blooms containing enough nectar for a person to drink.
The plant is also increasingly rare in its native Chile, where shepherds set them alight to protect their flocks.
Cara Smith, from the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden, where the plant is growing, said: “We keep it well fed with liquid fertiliser, as feeding it on its natural diet might prove a bit problematic.”
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Mother heartbroken after son in wheelchair left to the side in class photo
Anne Belanger was heartbroken when she discovered her son had been placed off to the side in his class photo. “I couldn’t comprehend how the photographer could look through the lens and think that this was good composition . . . this just boggled the mind,” she said. In the photo, the class is arranged in three rows, with the teacher standing on the left.
To the far right is 7-year-old son Miles Ambridge. He’s leaning from his wheelchair, an empty space separating him from his classmates. “Being picked on and being set aside is horrendous and this was what was happening,” said Belanger, of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Looking at the photo, she said questioned why nothing was done or discussed in trying to include Miles in the picture. “The only alternative seemed to be to set him aside,” Belanger said.
She said that being in a wheelchair comes with an additional set of challenges for Miles, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 13 months, a genetic disease that attacks nerve cells in the spinal cord. Miles’ father Don Ambridge, who saw the photo first, was disgusted and appalled and demanded that Herbert Spencer Elementary School ask the company to retake the picture. Belanger said discrimination is still a daily reality for people with disabilities and she wanted to shed light on the stigma surrounding it.
“This was not a malicious act, I don’t think it was done on purpose. I just don’t think there was any rational thinking behind it,” Belanger said. Miles’ parents have opted not to show the photo to their son. Belanger said Miles is “aware that he’s different, he’s aware that he’s in a wheelchair” and they were trying their best not to hurt his feelings. A spokesman for the school could not be reached for comment.
To the far right is 7-year-old son Miles Ambridge. He’s leaning from his wheelchair, an empty space separating him from his classmates. “Being picked on and being set aside is horrendous and this was what was happening,” said Belanger, of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Looking at the photo, she said questioned why nothing was done or discussed in trying to include Miles in the picture. “The only alternative seemed to be to set him aside,” Belanger said.
She said that being in a wheelchair comes with an additional set of challenges for Miles, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 13 months, a genetic disease that attacks nerve cells in the spinal cord. Miles’ father Don Ambridge, who saw the photo first, was disgusted and appalled and demanded that Herbert Spencer Elementary School ask the company to retake the picture. Belanger said discrimination is still a daily reality for people with disabilities and she wanted to shed light on the stigma surrounding it.
“This was not a malicious act, I don’t think it was done on purpose. I just don’t think there was any rational thinking behind it,” Belanger said. Miles’ parents have opted not to show the photo to their son. Belanger said Miles is “aware that he’s different, he’s aware that he’s in a wheelchair” and they were trying their best not to hurt his feelings. A spokesman for the school could not be reached for comment.
Tow truck driver dispute led to one smacking other on head with shovel
A tow truck driver is nursing an injury to the back of his head after another tow truck driver swung a shovel at him. Bud DeBoer, 30, had arrived at a three car crash on the northbound lanes of the Mount Henry Bridge in Perth, Australia, at about 1.30pm on Saturday when an argument erupted.
The men were allegedly arguing about who had the right to tow which cars away when Mr DeBoer decided to walk away. “The next minute I got hit on the back of the head with a shovel,” he said. Mr Boer, who works for his family’s towing company, Lightning Towing, captured the dramatic moments on his on-board dash camera.
The footage shows the fellow driver swing the shovel from behind his shoulder towards the 30-year-old’s head. “You can see there’s no hesitation at all, it’s just whack,” he said. “I’m not claiming to be ‘Mr Innocent’, but I sure as heck never pushed him, never hit him, never spat at him or anything but as soon as I turned around and told him to go away, he’s spun around and belted me across the back of the head, full pelt with the shovel,”
YouTube link.
Mr De Boer said. “If it had been a few inches to the left or right, who knows what could have happened, I may not have been here,” he said. Mr DeBoer has two lacerations about 3cm long in the back of his head. “You don’t expect to go out to a job and … for someone to hit you with a shovel from behind.” The other driver said Mr DeBoer had threatened him and his wife with violence. The incident has been reported to police.
The men were allegedly arguing about who had the right to tow which cars away when Mr DeBoer decided to walk away. “The next minute I got hit on the back of the head with a shovel,” he said. Mr Boer, who works for his family’s towing company, Lightning Towing, captured the dramatic moments on his on-board dash camera.
The footage shows the fellow driver swing the shovel from behind his shoulder towards the 30-year-old’s head. “You can see there’s no hesitation at all, it’s just whack,” he said. “I’m not claiming to be ‘Mr Innocent’, but I sure as heck never pushed him, never hit him, never spat at him or anything but as soon as I turned around and told him to go away, he’s spun around and belted me across the back of the head, full pelt with the shovel,”
YouTube link.
Mr De Boer said. “If it had been a few inches to the left or right, who knows what could have happened, I may not have been here,” he said. Mr DeBoer has two lacerations about 3cm long in the back of his head. “You don’t expect to go out to a job and … for someone to hit you with a shovel from behind.” The other driver said Mr DeBoer had threatened him and his wife with violence. The incident has been reported to police.
Australian hockey team unimpressed as New Zealand national anthem played ahead of match
It's being described as "that awkward anthem moment" and it certainly didn't help Australia's men's hockey team at the Hockey World League.
The Kookaburras were waiting for the Australian anthem ahead of their opening Hockey World League match with Belgium in the Netherlands last week when the Maori verse of 'God Defend New Zealand' begins playing instead of 'Advance Australia Fair'.
YouTube link.
Some of the players laughed and others shook their heads, while the commentator said: "I think you'll find that's the anthem for New Zealand. You have to see the funny side sometimes."
The anthem was stopped before the end of the Maori verse and a stadium announcer apologized for the gaffe. "This was the New Zealand national anthem," he says. "We will restart, our apologies guys." The Kookaburras went on to lose to Belgium 3-1.
The Kookaburras were waiting for the Australian anthem ahead of their opening Hockey World League match with Belgium in the Netherlands last week when the Maori verse of 'God Defend New Zealand' begins playing instead of 'Advance Australia Fair'.
YouTube link.
Some of the players laughed and others shook their heads, while the commentator said: "I think you'll find that's the anthem for New Zealand. You have to see the funny side sometimes."
The anthem was stopped before the end of the Maori verse and a stadium announcer apologized for the gaffe. "This was the New Zealand national anthem," he says. "We will restart, our apologies guys." The Kookaburras went on to lose to Belgium 3-1.
Little and large owls make an odd couple
A male great grey owl and the pint-sized long-eared owl have become inseparable
since they began sharing a nest at a wildlife park in Goldau,
Germany.
The junior partner - at 12 inches tall - is just half the size of its landlord and doesn't even seem to be put off by the fact that he has share the nest with a full time mate and several chicks too.
Vet Martin Wehrle: "A great grey owl would normally see this sort of owl as a snack. Normally a long eared owl would be too scared to go anywhere near them," he added. But observers say he has been accepted completely as one of the family.
Wehrle added: "They all get on very well together and we think the two grey owls must have accepted the long eared owl as a chick because they even try to feed it from time to time."
The junior partner - at 12 inches tall - is just half the size of its landlord and doesn't even seem to be put off by the fact that he has share the nest with a full time mate and several chicks too.
Vet Martin Wehrle: "A great grey owl would normally see this sort of owl as a snack. Normally a long eared owl would be too scared to go anywhere near them," he added. But observers say he has been accepted completely as one of the family.
Wehrle added: "They all get on very well together and we think the two grey owls must have accepted the long eared owl as a chick because they even try to feed it from time to time."
Road rage Conservative councillor called driver an arsehole before telling him to drop dead
A district councillor has apologised after
calling another driver an arsehole then telling him "drop dead." Florence Newell, 73, a Conservative member of Fenland District Council, was
caught on camera in March, Cambs. She said she regretted her language but that the other driver had been at
fault for refusing to give way.
"I shouldn't have said it but I was angry. I don't usually use language like that," she said. Mrs Newell chairs the council's corporate governance committee and represents Slade Lode ward in Chatteris. She is also a member and former chairman of Chatteris Town Council. The incident happened as Mrs Newell's Renault came head-to-head with a Ford car in March, on Wednesday.
Mrs Newell was driving and her husband Keith, 83, was in the passenger seat. In the video, shot from the driver's seat of the Ford, neither car moves for a few seconds and then Mrs Newell pulls slowly past. As she passed she called the other driver an arsehole through her open car window, adding: "I'll tell you straight - drop dead, mate."
YouTube link.
Mrs Newell said: "I did use a rather rude word. I've got grandchildren and I don't think they would want to hear it. It just came out." She said she was angry because the other driver refused to wait at an obstruction on his side of the road. "In my opinion, I was not in the wrong," she added. A Fenland District Council spokesman said it had received no complaints about Mrs Newell's behaviour and had no comment.
"I shouldn't have said it but I was angry. I don't usually use language like that," she said. Mrs Newell chairs the council's corporate governance committee and represents Slade Lode ward in Chatteris. She is also a member and former chairman of Chatteris Town Council. The incident happened as Mrs Newell's Renault came head-to-head with a Ford car in March, on Wednesday.
Mrs Newell was driving and her husband Keith, 83, was in the passenger seat. In the video, shot from the driver's seat of the Ford, neither car moves for a few seconds and then Mrs Newell pulls slowly past. As she passed she called the other driver an arsehole through her open car window, adding: "I'll tell you straight - drop dead, mate."
YouTube link.
Mrs Newell said: "I did use a rather rude word. I've got grandchildren and I don't think they would want to hear it. It just came out." She said she was angry because the other driver refused to wait at an obstruction on his side of the road. "In my opinion, I was not in the wrong," she added. A Fenland District Council spokesman said it had received no complaints about Mrs Newell's behaviour and had no comment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)