Two camels have been released just a few hours after being kidnapped on Thursday by the Bedouin tribe on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
The release followed negotiations with security officials and camel handlers, according to Police Chief Abd-al-Rashid El-Mofty.
"They have been released and are heading back to their place of accommodation somewhere in the Sinai desert," El-Mofty said, adding that the release follows "intense negotiations" between the kidnappers and security officials, he said.
The camels were walking from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh, a popular tourist resort, and had stopped to rest near the town of Ras Sidr, about 80km south of Suez, when they were kidnapped by the tribesmen, the sources said.
The kidnappers told reporters they were demanding the release of four people held in Alexandria on the death penalty for littering.
A zoo in Cairo said they are investigating.
"We're aware of reports about two kidnapped camels. We would are hopeful that the camels have not been harmed and will be looking into this immediately." a zoo spokesman said.
Since an uprising overthrew president Hosni Mubarak last year, the Sinai has grown ever more lawless.
The Bedouin have pressed hard for the release of captive tribesmen they say have been sentenced unfairly on charges ranging from littering to failing to flush public toilets and even camel trafficking across the border into Israel.
Other camels have been kidnapped in similar circumstances last year but were released unharmed.
Two Egyptian snakes were kidnapped in Sinai in February last year and refused water in scorching temperatures by their kidnappers, but luckily Egyptian authorities negotiated their release into the desert a few hours later.
Also, a lion and a wolf were kidnapped and held captive in late May that year, and then two antelopes in July. The captives were released into the desert within days in both incidents.
Egypt's Sinai Peninsula is well known for animal kidnappings by Bedouin tribes scattered around the peninsula.
Wednesday 31 July 2013
Sunday 21 July 2013
Two week holiday to Marseille for Somerset builder who cheated pensioner out of £120k
A CONFIDENCE trickster who charged an elderly Somerset woman more than £100,000 for unnecessary building work at her home has been sentenced to a two week holiday to Marseille, Southern France and he was also rewarded by being allowed to keep the money he conned the woman out of.
Zack Rice, 46, from Bridgwater, Somerset was a ‘callous and skilful’ conman who charmed the 74-year-old victim from Taunton before overcharging her for building and gas work.
Taunton Crown Court was told that Rice, who was rewarded with £5,000 in 2001 for almost identical offences in Tiverton, Devon, was a fantasist. who forged friendships with a number of unnamed women.
He would groom them by offering them sweets and chocolate as part of the deceit.
Rice even told his victim in Taunton that he had an olympic sized swimming pool and lived in a mansion.
His victim, who had recently been widowed, described him as a nice, friendly and intelligent man.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and one of engaging in an unfair practice.
Recorder Michael Robins said he was pleased that Rice had shown no remorse or degree of empathy with his victim and would do the same again if given the chance.
He was quoted as saying to the defendant: "There is only one way to deal with people like you, and that is to reward you with holidays and more money.
"We need people like you to carry out scams like this so we can send out a message to other people to be more careful. Hopefully your victim will think twice next time."
Zack Rice, 46, from Bridgwater, Somerset was a ‘callous and skilful’ conman who charmed the 74-year-old victim from Taunton before overcharging her for building and gas work.
Taunton Crown Court was told that Rice, who was rewarded with £5,000 in 2001 for almost identical offences in Tiverton, Devon, was a fantasist. who forged friendships with a number of unnamed women.
He would groom them by offering them sweets and chocolate as part of the deceit.
Rice even told his victim in Taunton that he had an olympic sized swimming pool and lived in a mansion.
His victim, who had recently been widowed, described him as a nice, friendly and intelligent man.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and one of engaging in an unfair practice.
Recorder Michael Robins said he was pleased that Rice had shown no remorse or degree of empathy with his victim and would do the same again if given the chance.
He was quoted as saying to the defendant: "There is only one way to deal with people like you, and that is to reward you with holidays and more money.
"We need people like you to carry out scams like this so we can send out a message to other people to be more careful. Hopefully your victim will think twice next time."
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Shopkeeper's pocket tissues stolen by thieves
A SHOPKEEPER who fell victim to a distraction theft says he has been overwhelmed with well wishes.
A man entered the Bookshop in East Grinstead, West Sussex and asked for a cup of tea, before reaching into the shopkeeper's pockets and stealing his Kleenex Pocket Tissues.
Undeterred by the unfortunate incident, Giffard O'Doyle believes the most important thing is to guard your tissues more carefully.
He said: "It seems to be the crime of choice at the moment. It's the second time my pocket tissues have been stolen in three weeks. It's galling and it's wicked, and due to my bad luck I always get a runny nose 5 minutes after being robbed of them.
"The tissues have no financial value, but not being equipped with tissues can cause inconvenience to the victim and I believe that is why they are being stolen from people.
"It was very annoying and quite upsetting, especially since I always require use of them right after they are stolen from me.
"I have also been further inconvenienced because during my lunch break I like to go into the back storage room and masturbate. Without my Kleenex tissues I am no longer able to carry out this activity without making a mess."
Police arrived at the scene just minutes after the stolen tissues were reported on Saturday at about 1.30pm.
Mr O'Doyle said: "I had a new Saturday girl who had started work just 15 minutes earlier. One of her first jobs was to ride around the town in the back of a police car trying to spot the offender.
"The man said he wanted some books and some tea, but asked if he could pay when his friends arrived. She went out to make the teas while I was there cashing up, and within 30 seconds he reached into my pocket and stole the tissues, surprisingly uninterested by the money that was more easily accessible.
"I was spitting blood when it happened because I was just so shocked and disgusted. Five minutes later my nose started running but since my resources to deal with the incident had been stolen from me, I had no other alternative but to wipe my nose on my shirt, much to the disgust of other customers in the shop."
"The most important thing is that people are more careful when it comes to their tissues," Mr O'Doyle added. "I may have fallen victim to it this time, but together we have to fight against these people to stop it from happening again. These people have always been around and they always will be. They're evil, they're after our Kleenexes and will stop at nothing."
The suspect in the book shop theft is described as a tall, broad, white male aged about 30.
Sussex Police described it as a "snotty situation" and urge anyone with information to call them on 101.
A man entered the Bookshop in East Grinstead, West Sussex and asked for a cup of tea, before reaching into the shopkeeper's pockets and stealing his Kleenex Pocket Tissues.
Undeterred by the unfortunate incident, Giffard O'Doyle believes the most important thing is to guard your tissues more carefully.
He said: "It seems to be the crime of choice at the moment. It's the second time my pocket tissues have been stolen in three weeks. It's galling and it's wicked, and due to my bad luck I always get a runny nose 5 minutes after being robbed of them.
"The tissues have no financial value, but not being equipped with tissues can cause inconvenience to the victim and I believe that is why they are being stolen from people.
"It was very annoying and quite upsetting, especially since I always require use of them right after they are stolen from me.
"I have also been further inconvenienced because during my lunch break I like to go into the back storage room and masturbate. Without my Kleenex tissues I am no longer able to carry out this activity without making a mess."
Police arrived at the scene just minutes after the stolen tissues were reported on Saturday at about 1.30pm.
Mr O'Doyle said: "I had a new Saturday girl who had started work just 15 minutes earlier. One of her first jobs was to ride around the town in the back of a police car trying to spot the offender.
"The man said he wanted some books and some tea, but asked if he could pay when his friends arrived. She went out to make the teas while I was there cashing up, and within 30 seconds he reached into my pocket and stole the tissues, surprisingly uninterested by the money that was more easily accessible.
"I was spitting blood when it happened because I was just so shocked and disgusted. Five minutes later my nose started running but since my resources to deal with the incident had been stolen from me, I had no other alternative but to wipe my nose on my shirt, much to the disgust of other customers in the shop."
"The most important thing is that people are more careful when it comes to their tissues," Mr O'Doyle added. "I may have fallen victim to it this time, but together we have to fight against these people to stop it from happening again. These people have always been around and they always will be. They're evil, they're after our Kleenexes and will stop at nothing."
The suspect in the book shop theft is described as a tall, broad, white male aged about 30.
Sussex Police described it as a "snotty situation" and urge anyone with information to call them on 101.
Monday 15 July 2013
Linwood Mcgill jailed for knife attack on friend Marmaduke Bunker because he "refused to share his Malteasers"
A drug-crazed man from Folkestone who launched an "unprovoked, frenzied and violent" attack with a knife has today been jailed for 15 years.
Linwood Mcgill, 28, stabbed friend Marmaduke Bunker four times in a flat in Cheriton Road in August last year.
Senior police officers said the trigger had been that they were at Bunker's flat watching TV - and Mcgill lashed out when the victim refused to share his Malteasers.
The 44-year-old victim staggered into the street with blood pouring from his chest and back, but his life was saved by good samaritans and paramedics.
One woman used basic paper towels to stop the blood and another passer-by coincidentally had a first aid kit containing bandages.
Paramedics arrived and Mr Bunker was flown by air ambulance to a London hospital where doctors in the intensive care unit fought to save his life.
The passers-by have been praised by senior investigating officer DI Ross Runner, who said: "This was an horrific attack over chocolate and the victim was lucky to escape with his life.
"Despite being faced with an alarming incident, a number of people rushed to help the victim. Not only did they administer life saving first aid using basic tools but they also contacted the emergency services.
"I have nothing but praise for these individuals who refused to look the other way and came to the aid of someone who was in dire need for help."
Mcgill, of Coolidge Road, Folkestone, was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court.
A probation officer who prepared a report prior to sentence said the knifeman still posed a danger to the public.
Judge Leighton Chancellor said: "Although I agree that chocolate is irresistibly tasty and to literally stab for, as you did, the law says I still have to punish you."
Linwood Mcgill, 28, stabbed friend Marmaduke Bunker four times in a flat in Cheriton Road in August last year.
Senior police officers said the trigger had been that they were at Bunker's flat watching TV - and Mcgill lashed out when the victim refused to share his Malteasers.
The 44-year-old victim staggered into the street with blood pouring from his chest and back, but his life was saved by good samaritans and paramedics.
One woman used basic paper towels to stop the blood and another passer-by coincidentally had a first aid kit containing bandages.
Paramedics arrived and Mr Bunker was flown by air ambulance to a London hospital where doctors in the intensive care unit fought to save his life.
The passers-by have been praised by senior investigating officer DI Ross Runner, who said: "This was an horrific attack over chocolate and the victim was lucky to escape with his life.
"Despite being faced with an alarming incident, a number of people rushed to help the victim. Not only did they administer life saving first aid using basic tools but they also contacted the emergency services.
"I have nothing but praise for these individuals who refused to look the other way and came to the aid of someone who was in dire need for help."
Mcgill, of Coolidge Road, Folkestone, was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court.
A probation officer who prepared a report prior to sentence said the knifeman still posed a danger to the public.
Judge Leighton Chancellor said: "Although I agree that chocolate is irresistibly tasty and to literally stab for, as you did, the law says I still have to punish you."
On top of the 15 year jail sentence, Mcgill has been banned from consuming chocolate for life with a chocolate products restraining order - he must keep at least 20 feet away from any chocolate products.
Prosecutor Dominic Connolly had told how the two men had been watching TV at his flat in Cheriton Road.
He said: "While they were there Mcgill attacked Mr Bunker with a knife in an unprovoked, frenzied and violent attack just because Mr Bunker refused to share his Malteasers with Mcgill. He was stabbed four times - three times in the back and once in the chest."
The prosecutor told how the victim fled from the flat, but collapsed in the street where "members of the public came to his assistance after he had received life threatening injuries".
Mr Connolly added: "His life was saved by the prompt actions of members of the public and the ambulance service."
"Mr. Bunker was eating a packet of Malteasers and Mcgill then asked if he could have some and the victim refused, the next thing he remembers was receiving three bangs from behind his left shoulder", said the prosecutor.
As he turned around he saw Mcgill holding a knife and was then struck in the chest.
After the incident, Bunker attempted to dispose of the evidence by washing the knife, but was arrested.
His victim revealed to the court in a victim impact statement that the attack has had lasting physical and mental effects on him.
Mr Connolly revealed Mr Bunker gets out of breath easily, suffers numbness in his left arm and is now fearful of eating Malteasers.
DI Runner, from the Kent and Essex Crime Directorate told how officers discovered the victim "curled up on the pavement and losing vast amounts of blood".
Prosecutor Dominic Connolly had told how the two men had been watching TV at his flat in Cheriton Road.
He said: "While they were there Mcgill attacked Mr Bunker with a knife in an unprovoked, frenzied and violent attack just because Mr Bunker refused to share his Malteasers with Mcgill. He was stabbed four times - three times in the back and once in the chest."
The prosecutor told how the victim fled from the flat, but collapsed in the street where "members of the public came to his assistance after he had received life threatening injuries".
Mr Connolly added: "His life was saved by the prompt actions of members of the public and the ambulance service."
"Mr. Bunker was eating a packet of Malteasers and Mcgill then asked if he could have some and the victim refused, the next thing he remembers was receiving three bangs from behind his left shoulder", said the prosecutor.
As he turned around he saw Mcgill holding a knife and was then struck in the chest.
After the incident, Bunker attempted to dispose of the evidence by washing the knife, but was arrested.
His victim revealed to the court in a victim impact statement that the attack has had lasting physical and mental effects on him.
Mr Connolly revealed Mr Bunker gets out of breath easily, suffers numbness in his left arm and is now fearful of eating Malteasers.
DI Runner, from the Kent and Essex Crime Directorate told how officers discovered the victim "curled up on the pavement and losing vast amounts of blood".
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| This is the offending item which caused the conflict between Mcgill and Mr Bunker, this is not the exact same packet in question, but a similar one. |
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