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Brit among three facing death penalty in £300k Bali coke smuggling plot is all smiles after foul-mouthed court rant

Brit among three facing death penalty in £300k Bali coke smuggling plot is all smiles after foul-mouthed court rant

Scottish Sun4 days ago

In February, Float laughed and mugged for the cameras when Indonesian police paraded him and two other Brits before the media following their arrests
STILL SMILING Brit among three facing death penalty in £300k Bali coke smuggling plot is all smiles after foul-mouthed court rant
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A BRIT facing the death penalty accused of a £300,000 coke smuggling plot was all smiles as he faced a court in Bali.
And Phineas Float told journalists to 'f**k off', as he was led to face drug trafficking charges.
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Phineas Float smiles as he faced a court in Bali
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British nationals, from left, Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer, and Lisa Stocker are escorted by security officers before the start of their trial hearing
Credit: AP
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(L-R) Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer and Lisa Stocker of Britian sit inside a court room for their trial
Credit: EPA
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Collyer, 37, (left) and Float (right) can be seen grinning at local media
Float, 31, arrived in a prison van at Denpasar Central Court in Bali with his wrists shackled and wearing an orange prison vest.
He hurled abuse at the press while being walked to a holding cell.
In February, Float laughed and mugged for the cameras when Indonesian police paraded him and two other Brits before the media following their arrests.
He and his Brit co-accused, Jon Collyer 37 and Lisa Stocker, 39, both of Gillingham, Kent, are charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine with a value of £300,000 and disguised as Angel Delights into Bali on February 1.
Stocker and Collyer allegedly brought the drugs into Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport via Doha airport in Qatar.
The pair was arrested at the airport when security officials discovered suspicious items in their suitcase during a random x-ray.
Police claim that airport security seized 994.56g of cocaine in a sealed blue plastic Angel Delight packets in Collyer's suitcase.
Cops allege that more cocaine was found in Stocker's bag.
Float was expected to meet Collyer and Stocker at the airport.
Collyer and Stocker are being tried together and Float separately, although the trio appeared together in Denpasar central court today.
Brit 'drug mule' Charlotte May Lee, 21, tears up as cops wheel £1.2m kush haul into court she 'didn't know was in case'
White sitting inside the court, Float joked and smiled at Collyer while Stocker was visibly upset.
The three Brits face death by firing squad if they are found guilty of the offence under Indonesia's tough anti-drug laws.
The future of the trio will be decided by three judges, since Indonesia does not have a jury system.
Article 113 of Indonesia narcotics law states that anyone who imports or distributes is subject to the death penalty.
The three have been held in Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison and it has been reported that Float has gotten into fights with other inmates.
Prison authorities threatened him with being thrown into the feared 'rat cell' isolation over an alleged recent brawl with another inmate.
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Phineas Float of Britain arrives for his trial at the Denpasar district court
Credit: EPA
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British nationals, from left, Jonathan Collyer, Lisa Stocker, and Phineas Float who are accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram of cocaine
Credit: AP

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When Bindweed flowers in UK and how to kill and remove it
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When Bindweed flowers in UK and how to kill and remove it

Bindweed is one of the common plants that can flower and cause problems in your garden. While it may look pretty, it has been described by experts as "rampant" and can "quickly smother other plants in your garden". Here is all to know about Bindweed, including what it looks like, when it flowers in the UK, if it is poisonous and how to remove it. Bindweed is a UK native wildflower, and while it can be beneficial to wildlife, its spreading roots and twining stems can cause issues in gardens. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) highlights two types of common Bindweed, namely Hedge bindweed and Field Bindweed. Hedge Bindweed has heart-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers. These are "usually white but can also be pale pink with a white centre and five white stripes". "After flowering, rounded capsules form, each containing up to four oval-shaped brown seeds," the RHS adds. Hedge Bindweed has heart-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers (Image: Getty Images) Field Bindweed is described as "smaller and less vigorous", and has oval to arrow-shaped, grey-green leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers that are often pale pink, but can also be pink with a white centre and stripes, or plain white. Wildlife Trusts notes that Bindweed typically flowers between June and September. Despite Bindweed stems typically dying back in autumn, the root system remains and will be "ready to produce new shoots in spring". Nick Wood is a horticulture expert at online garden centre Gardening Express. He has issued a warning to Brits as we come into the seasons when Bindweed typically flowers. Arvensis: refers to plants typically found in, or associated with, fields or cultivated areas. From the Latin 'arvum' meaning field. Field Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis. Leaves to 5cm, alternate with basal lobes. Flowers trumpet-shaped, white or pink and white, 1-3cm across. He said: "Bindweed might look pretty with its delicate flowers and heart-shaped leaves, but don't be fooled - it's a rampant twining vine that can quickly smother other plants in your garden. "Hedge bindweed is the real culprit here, with its fast-growing, climbing stems that can wrap around and strangle anything in their path. "Field bindweed is less aggressive, but it's still a persistent problem, especially in open soil where it can spread rapidly. "While it's a native wildflower, its aggressive growth and spreading roots can quickly take over gardens and other natural areas, which is why it's incredibly invasive in the UK. Mr Wood added that while there is "no specific law directly addressing bindweed in the UK", Brits "all have a legal duty to manage invasive plants to prevent them from spreading and causing harm to neighbouring properties". The RHS adds that while you do not need to remove Bindweed from your garden, it can spread to other plants, so controlling it is key. Bindweed in Mid June with its Beautiful White Flowers Bindweed, also known as Convolvulus arvensis, is a common weed that produces beautiful white flowers during the summer months, including mid-June. Despite its attractive appearance, bindweed is considered an invasive plant that can be problematic in gardens and agricultural fields. #bindweed It said: "If left to grow in a wildlife corner or less-cultivated area, or through a mature hedge, it will boost the variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. "Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems. biodiversity of your garden and gives you a chance to enjoy its attractive flowers. "It is, however, a good idea to control the spread of hedge and field bindweed as they are both capable of outcompeting and smothering other plants." 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Meet Ukraine's special ops unit wiping out Putin's war machine from bomber blitz to £3bn bridge… & what they'll hit next
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Meet Ukraine's special ops unit wiping out Putin's war machine from bomber blitz to £3bn bridge… & what they'll hit next

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DEEP behind enemy lines, Ukraine's special ops unit marked a turning point in modern warfare after drones blitzed Vladimir Putin's prized bombers beyond repair. Ukraine's Security Service - the SBU - is wiping out the Russian tyrant's war machine with stunning success. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 14 Ukraine destroyed a third of Putin's strategic bomber fleet in Operation Spiderweb 14 Ukraine hit Belaya Air Base in Russia's Irkutsk region, deep in Siberia 14 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting with the head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) Vasyl Malyuk in Kyiv 14 On Sunday, the SBU's Operation Spiderweb destroyed a third of Putin's nuclear bomber fleet. It set a new high point for Ukraine's spies - showing incredible ingenuity, reach, and coordination inside a hostile country. The SBU, led by Vasyl Malyuk, carried out the attack and has proved itself to be one of the best agencies in the world. Over the three years of the war, the SBU has repeatedly assassinated commanders, bombed key sites, and attacked Putin's beloved bridge in Crimea. Despite Russia being larger, stronger, and holding the cards at the start of the war - it is Ukraine who has carried out a string of daring sabotage attacks. Experts told The Sun why they think Ukraine and the SBU has been able to pull off these attacks - and what they could strike next. Best spies in Europe Former MI6 intelligence officer Matthew Dunn said Spiderweb showed the SBU were the best spies in Europe. He said: "Being an intelligence officer, there's no static, fixed rule book about what one does." One question the world has been left asking is how Ukraine managed to get the drones inside Russia. The bestselling spy novelist and podcast host at SafeHouse Productions said there is no clear answer. Putin plotting 'final killer offensive' to WIN Ukraine war despite Russian losses nearing 1 MILLION He said: "The commanders involved in this at high level, they would have been very open-minded about how to get these drones into the country." Dunn said SBU spies could have smuggled drones over the border on foot, via parachute, or even a raft - whatever was the safest and easiest way. He said: "The intelligence operation and the officers involved would have been as creative as possible. "The issue is, the more people you involve... the higher the risk of compromise. "Sometimes with these kind of things, risky and daring as they can be, sometimes simplicity is the answer." 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The tyrant built the span after he annexed Crimea in 2014 and it is key for linking the peninsular with Russia. But to Ukraine it represents Putin's imperialism. A sabotage attack in October 2022 saw Ukraine cause part of the span to collapse after spies placed a bomb on a truck. 14 Ukraine bombed Putin's beloved bridge in 2022 Credit: AP 14 A helicopter drops water to extinguish fuel tanks ablaze on the Kerch bridge following the blast Credit: Reuters 14 Russia arrested five of its own citizens as well as three others and accused them of organising the attack. But it's not just human intelligence the SBU deals with - they have attacked the bridge several other times with sea-based drones. Known as Sea Baby drones, the water-based vehicles have caused havoc to Russia. Two Sea Baby's packed with 850kg of explosives each tore apart a section of the stretch in 2023. Why have Ukraine spies beat Russians? Ambassador John Herbst - who was Washington DC's man in the country between 2003 and 2006 - said Ukraine's spies had been allowed to innovate. In Russia, decision-making is centralised and bureaucratic but in Ukraine officers are given more freedom, he said. Herbst said: "Ukrainian ingenuity has been a regular feature of this war, not to mention the fact that they not only surprised Putin, but they surprised the entire US. "It's very clear that the Ukrainians are operating pretty easily and exceptionally, effectively across Russia." But Herbst said as much as cultural differences mattered - so did similarities. One factor benefiting Ukraine is how familiar they are with Russia - having been a member of the Soviet Union. Their cultural links and shared history meant that Ukrainian spies know how to work inside Russia, deal with Russian civilians, and understand the army. He said: "This is the flip side of something the entire world has been talking about since Ukraine emerged as an independent country, which is the fact that the Russians have had great success in planting agents in Ukrainian intelligence agencies and co-opting those agencies. "Parts of the Ukrainian elite were junior partners [in the Soviet elite] which gave Ukrainian great insight, better insight than we have, into how the Soviet Union operated, and how Russia still operates."

Police released my abusive ex – hours later he burned down my house as I slept but that wasn't the biggest tragedy
Police released my abusive ex – hours later he burned down my house as I slept but that wasn't the biggest tragedy

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

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Police released my abusive ex – hours later he burned down my house as I slept but that wasn't the biggest tragedy

Louise Simpson sobbed after the devastating loss of her dog and much more TRAGIC LOSS Police released my abusive ex – hours later he burned down my house as I slept but that wasn't the biggest tragedy Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Louise Simpson walks past the family home where she raised her son it isn't nostalgia that she feels but despair. It was the sight of one of the most harrowing events of her life and one that saw Louise lose not only dozens of sentimental memories but also her beloved pet dog. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Louise Simpson was devastated when she lost her beloved dog Peggy in the house fire caused by her ex Credit: Supplied 8 Adrian West was arrested hours earlier for smashing her doorbell camera with a rock but was released Credit: SWNS 8 West burnt down the home where Louise had lived for decades and raised her son Credit: SWNS Her violent ex, Adrian West, who was caught attacking her home on her doorbell camera returned hours after being released by police to burn it down as she slept. West had subjected Louise to months of violent attacks including strangling, punching and kicking. She finally kicked him out of her house in Crawley, Sussex, but the 61-year-old returned and smashed her doorbell camera using a rock. Louise, 53, called the police and West spent a night in the cells before being released without charge the following day. But later that day he returned to the property and started a fire in the porch which quickly engulfed the house. Louise - who was taking a nap at the time - was woken by neighbours and scrambled to escape as her bedroom was filled with thick black smoke. But her beloved British Bulldog Peggy was frozen in terror under the bed - and Louise was forced to abandon her in order to save her own life. West has now been jailed for six years after pleading guilty to arson and a string of assaults on Louise. She is now campaigning for a change in the law to consider companion animals as sentient beings rather than property as they are currently seen. Reliving the arrest, Louise says: 'The police came out and arrested him. Danielle Secker bravely shares her story of horrific domestic abuse "I was sobbing, saying: 'Whatever happens, I just don't want him to be able to come near me again'. So he was kept in custody overnight. 'They called me about 10.45am the next morning and said that he was going to be released with no further action. 'I said: 'Well, what do I do? He's going to come back.' And they said they can't do anything unless he does something more. "They genuinely seemed to be more worried about how abusive he'd been to the arresting officers the day before.' Louise called police on September 13 last year when a drunk West tried to smash her door and Ring doorbell camera with a rock. She wouldn't open the door and called the police. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and held overnight at a local police station. Louise was told they could not take further action because she had not signed the witness statement she had provided. She says: "At the time I didn't particularly want to get him in too much trouble, I thought he isn't getting any younger and all I wanted was for him to just leave me alone. 8 Horrifying before and after photos show the extent of the damage Credit: SWNS 8 Louise was offered new accomodation but she is determined to return to her old home Credit: SWNS 8 West has now been jailed for six years after pleading guilty to arson and a string of assaults on Louise Credit: SWNS "I asked the police that whatever happened could they please just warn him about coming back to my house again" Fearing that West would return to her house the following day, she blocked the front door with a toolbox and stockpiled food for a few days. She was 'shattered' and laid down for a nap. A heavy sleeper, she awoke at 3.16pm to her neighbours raising the alarm that her house was on fire. For about four or five days, I couldn't eat. I just laid on the sofa Louise Simpson Fire forensics later told Louise they believe he used white spirit as an accelerant. Three-year-old Peggy hid under the bed and was too heavy for Louise to drag her out. "If she decided she wasn't going to move, you could not move her," Louise says. "I was desperately trying, but I couldn't breathe, so I ran down the stairs.' Louise was able to pull the toolbox out of the way but once outside she ran back in in a second attempt to rescue Peggy. "I was trying to cover my mouth with my hands and putting my T-shirt over my mouth but because the smoke was so thick I couldn't breathe,' she says. 'My neighbours were all telling me to get out.' Firefighters rescued Peggy from the house but were unable to resuscitate her. Louise stayed with her son Connor, 28, after the fire. Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night 0808 2000 247 Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse. She says: 'For about four or five days, I couldn't eat. I just laid on the sofa. I didn't wash, didn't brush my teeth. 'I was just crying non-stop, I couldn't take it all in.' She now stays between her Connor's house and a friend's in nearby Crawley. The council offered her alternative accommodation but she would prefer to move back into her house once it is repaired in about a year. She says: 'I've lived in that home for 28 years. I raised my son there. I've got good memories there as well.' Her possessions suffered fire, smoke or water damage. Peggy's life was given as much value as a bookcase Louise Simpson Louise lost personal photos, her mum's ashes, a hairbrush which had her mum's hair still in it, an elephant made for her by her daughter-in-law out of her mum's clothes and Connor's baby clothes she was saving for her grandchildren. West, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to arson with intent, criminal damage, non-fatal strangulation, common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm on May 2. He was sentenced to six years and three months in jail. Louise is upset that Peggy's death was not considered in the sentencing. She wants offenders to be punished for killing companion animals like dogs and cats. She adds: 'Peggy's life was given as much value as a bookcase. 'She was my absolute world. 'What I used to go through with him, she was the one constant that was there by my side; my best friend.' A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "West was arrested on 13 September 2024 on suspicion of criminal damage and spent the night in custody. 'He was released without charge as the victim did not wish to sign a statement at the time." The Ministry of Justice says it has no plans to change the law. To sign her petition, click here 8 The mum is staying with her son Connor while she waits for repairs on her home Credit: Supplied

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