
Man and woman mauled by ‘Bully-type dog' in horror attack at home as cops seize three pets
A MAN and a woman were mauled by a "Bully-type dog" in a horror attack at a home — with police confirming they have seized three dogs from the scene.
The man, in his 30s, and the woman, in her 20s, suffered serious injuries after a horrific dog attack in Blackpool on Havelock Street, at 2.38am on June 15.
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Both individuals were rushed to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Police have seized the bully-type dog involved in the vicious attack, along with two other dogs that were at the scene.
It comes after a
Mum Victoria Hewitt was at home with her two children, aged eight and four, as well as an 11-year-old friend of the kids when family pet Karma suddenly flipped.
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A knock at the door resulted in the dog acting in a "very aggressive and violent way" and she "went" for the eight-year-old, a court heard.
During the incident in Costessey, Norfolk, Hewitt, 42, tried to distract the animal with some ham but it didn't work, prosecutor Chris Youell said.
Instead, Karma began attacking the child as the other two screamed, before it targeted them too, reports
The girls ran for the door and were all bitten before Hewitt managed to wrestle the dog away.
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The eight-year-old managed to flee upstairs with her toddler brother, aged two, who was in his cot during the attack on March 7 last year.
A neighbour helped Hewitt restrain Karma and held her on the floor, telling everyone to get out.
When cops arrived on the scene, the mum screamed at them to "shoot the dog".
The three girls suffered bite and puncture wounds which needed medical treatment.
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The eight-year-old had "significant" injuries, including a deep wound down to the bone on her arm, the court heard.
The dog had previously belonged to an ex partner of Hewitt's who had left it with her.
Which dog breeds are banned in the UK?
THERE are specific regulations in place that prohibit certain dog breeds from being owned or bred in the UK.
THERE are specific regulations in place that prohibit certain dog breeds from being owned or bred in the UK.
So what are the
Which dog breeds are illegal in the UK?
People tend to think of large, vicious dogs when they imagine being bitten by one.
But the truth is that many types of dogs are known to bite humans, whether provoked or not.
However, it's important to remember that just because a breed tends to bite humans, that doesn't mean that they all do.
British law determines five breeds of dog are illegal to own, breed, sell or give away.
These are an XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
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The horrific dog attack took place on Havelock Street, Blackpool, at 2.38am on June 15
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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ukrainian TV chef reveals her mum's heartbreaking last act before being forced out of family home by Russian invaders
MUM and Dad had a good life. Their house was by a bank of the river Dnipro in the south of Ukraine. Huge golden sunflower fields stretching as far as the eye can see, as hot as the Mediterranean, and just a 50-mile drive from Advertisement 8 Olia Hercules, pictured at home in London, reveals her Ukrainian family's plight in her memoir Credit: Olivia West 8 Olia's parents, Petro and Olga, drove for days to escape the Russian invasion Credit: Olia Hercules They planted an orchard and Dad dug out a pond that he filled with carp and sturgeon. I would visit with my British husband Joe and our children at least twice a year, the last time being August 2021. There are photos of my big extended family having a barbecue on There is a video of my Joe laughing with my dad, brother and cousins, my father telling Ukrainian dad jokes using a mixture of broken English and expressive gestures. He is such a good actor. Advertisement Just six months later he would use those acting skills again. But this time it wasn't a family comedy but a scene straight out of an apocalyptic movie. My mum and dad were escaping as 'If the Russians stop you,' I said, 'Pretend to be an idiot. Do not argue, do not show emotion.' Advertisement The Russians drove their tanks into Kakhovka on the first day of the invasion on February 22, 2022. My parents and other locals went to protest every day in the centre of town. But eventually the invaders started shooting into the crowd. Torture chambers Then my dad received a phone call. A man with a sharp Russian accent demanded that he give up the keys to his and mum's businesses (Mum ran a small B&B in town). The Russian barked: 'We also know that your son joined the Ukrainian Territorial Army. Tell him to put down his arms, or else.' Advertisement Dad — headstrong and courageous as he is — completely ignored my instructions and said something like: 'Over my dead body.' The Russian made it clear that he should be careful what he wished for. I freaked out when Mum told me this and urged them to leave. We have all seen reports that the Russians set up special 'basements' all over the occupied regions. Advertisement 8 For basements, read torture chambers. I wish I was exaggerating, but I am not. People started disappearing in My own brother, Sasha, was defending Kyiv with other ex-civilians — people from all walks of life. In his regiment there was a baker, an IT guy, an actor and a builder. Advertisement Sasha later told me how they were stuck on one side of the river Irpin near They were lucky, my brother told me — the weather and Only a few months ago, Sasha admitted to me that shrapnel had grazed against his thigh. Not everyone was so lucky. At home in London, I was freaking out. Strong Roots OLIA HERCULES is a London-based chef and writer who was born in Kakhovka in southern Ukraine. She has published four cookbooks and this week releases a memoir, Strong Roots: A Ukrainian Family Story Of War, Exile and Hope. A regular on TV's Saturday Kitchen, she co-founded #CookForUkraine – a global initiative to raise money for the war-torn country. Parents under occupation, brother in Irpin, and then the news about what happened in Bucha, very close to where my brother was located. Advertisement I lost my mind and shouted down the phone to my mum for them to leave until they finally relented. They grabbed two suitcases — one with clothes, another with family photographs, letters and Mum's hand-stitched embroideries. They dug any valuables they had into the ground, in case they would return in the future, and they drove. Advertisement But not before my mum scrubbed the whole house until it shined. It was one of the most heartbreaking things for me to hear — and for my mum to tell — how she tidied up her house before they left, imagining how a Russian woman might move into it and remark on how tidy everything was. 8 Petro at a yard in Ukraine with the tractor he is converting into a minesweeper Credit: Olia Hercules 8 Olia's dad in the kitchen with her eldest son Sasha Credit: Olia Hercules Ukrainians take huge pride in keeping their homes cosy and beautiful. Just like here in the UK, our home is our castle. Advertisement My other family and friends followed them a day later. They had to break through 19 Russian checkpoints and witnessed craters as big as the moon's, left by artillery and missiles. Mum and Dad drove for five days through They went to stay with my cousins in Berlin. But within the first two months, Dad decided he couldn't do it. 'I will die from inaction and depression here, Olia. I am going back,' he told me. Mum was so broken, she did not go with him. She said she could not imagine living in Ukraine while Kakhovka was occupied, while Russians lived in her home. Advertisement Planning to reunite To explain the severity of their separation, my mum and dad met at primary school. They are both 67 and they had known each other for 60 years already, and been married for 50. My dad is in Ukraine now, and Kakhovka is still occupied by the Russians. It is a ghost town and is pummelled by Russians on a regular basis (they use old Soviet launchers that are not exactly precise, so when they try to shoot at a town on the front line, it can fall anywhere). Advertisement When Russia invaded, mum and dad went into town every day to protest. Eventually the invaders started shooting the crowd Olia Hercules After careful reconnaissance and making sure that it was safe to do so, the Ukrainian army hit it and destroyed the tanks, along with my dad's warehouse. I am sure Dad is heartbroken about his life's work being turned into rubble, but he told me he had no regrets. He is now with his sister and nephew in another unoccupied region of Ukraine. Ukraine is now the most mined country in the world, so Dad is using his engineering skills to convert an old tractor into a driverless minesweeper. Mum is still in Berlin, but she is planning to reunite with Dad next year. Advertisement She has accepted they may have lost their home forever, and started entertaining the idea to start anew in another part of Ukraine. 8 Olia, back left, cuddling Sasha at a family dinner Credit: Olia Hercules 8 Ingredients for a delicious spread Credit: Olia Hercules This is because, unlike in the 1990s after independence, Ukrainians do not want to live elsewhere. Everyone just wants to be back home. My parents want to be within their community, speaking their own language. Advertisement They crave the south Ukrainian sunshine, they want to dig around in their garden, they want us to visit them there, to clink glasses and eat delicious food, and to tell silly jokes. For my youngest Wilfred, five, and my older son Sasha, 13, to run around and gorge themselves on massive peaches. It's because of this love — love of a country that people like my dad and mum worked so hard to build — that I know we will not stop fighting. As English author G.K. Chesterton said: 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' Advertisement But you don't need to be a soldier to fight. My weapon is my pen and my ability to translate our human experience to people in the UK through my cookbooks, which are full of snippets of my family history and now, hopefully, through the family memoir I have written. Rebuild and flourish It has been incredible to receive so much support, because people knew me and trusted me. Within a week of the war starting, I had been able to raise enough money to supply ballistic vests and helmets, boots and even ballistic underwear, and to get it delivered just a day before my brother and 105 people in his regiment went into battle. I will never forget this generosity of the British, the post-war spirit and the Keep Calm And Carry On philosophy which is so keenly adopted by everyone in Advertisement War news fatigue is real — I get it. It is not easy to keep looking at the horrific news, at the distressing headlines. But with 'peace talks' looming, I hope people do not forget that what the media call 'territories' are not faceless dots on the map. They are places that still hold our homes, our memories and our people. Not everyone was able to leave like my parents did. Advertisement I have plenty of friends and family who had to stay behind, to look after the 'unmovable' — the elderly or ill parents or even neighbours. People started disappearing. My brother was defending Kyiv. My father's life was threatened. Mass graves, all manner of horrors. I lost my mind and shouted down the phone for them to leave Olia Hercules If those areas are given to Russia, the war will not cease for them. Like other places that One thing my parents and my grandparents taught me was to never give up, and to never give up hope. I will be honest, it has been very up and down. But even on the lowest day I know that Ukrainians will never relent, and will never give up the fight, and the hope that we will return, rebuild and flourish. Advertisement As my late grandmother used to say: 'Always look at the roots. If the roots are strong, it doesn't matter if the wind blows off the pretty petals. 'If the roots are strong, it doesn't matter if a storm breaks the fragile stem. 'It will all grow back again.' Strong Roots: A Ukrainian Family Story Of War, Exile And Hope, by Olia Hercules, is out on Thursday. 8 Strong Roots: A Ukrainian Family Story Of War, Exile And Hope, by Olia Hercules, is out on Thursday Advertisement


Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Suzanne Harrington: 'Terrorist-adjacent', hilarious, galvanising, inspirational Kneecap
At a moment where that Chinese curse — may you live in interesting times — is taking itself far too literally, we could all do with a fat slap of levity. I'm pinning my hopes on Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh when he shows up at Westminster magistrates court this Wednesday on terror charges. I'm hoping he'll ask for a translator, like he did while playing a version of himself in the Kneecap film. That life will imitate art, and he will not speak a single word of English during this nonsensical waste of Liam's time and taxpayers' cash. Because really... terror charges? A surreal idea, like something dreamed up by Flann O'Brien and Franz Kafka after sharing a pot of peyote tea. These charges do not include any actual terrorism — no bombing of schools and hospitals, vaporising ambulances, starving and murdering tens of thousands of civilians — but centre on the alleged handling of a banned flag indoors last November. Touching a rectangle of fabric. Briefly. Kneecap, who have asked supporters to gather outside the London court building on the day, describe this moment of British power-flexing theatrics as 'political policing', a 'carnival of distraction'. Goliath, as ever, punching down; Daithí readying his sling. Because if the British government wants a carnival, it could not have cast better players. Kneecap know all about performance, situationism, absurdism. They themselves are fearless theatre. Imagine then this life-imitating-art scenario, where Liam Óg speaks only Irish in court. Imagine how funny that would be, how utterly, brilliantly comedic, how richly satisfying. The spluttering, the outrage, the apoplexy. The hilarity. The glee. And yes, it's a lot to ask a 27-year-old facing the wrath of the British establishment doing their best to intimidate, to derail his career, but tá bualain ar an bhuach. (And yes, of course I had to google that. I can't speak Irish; unlike Peig Sayers, Kneecap are the first people who have ever inspired me to look up any Irish words. Don't hate me if it reads like a badly translated menu). Celtic fans unveil a banner that reads "Free Palestine" and "Kneecap Abu" during the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday May 24, 2025. PA Photo. That's why the establishment wants to squash Kneecap, cancel them, restrict their movement — because they inspire. They galvanise. Like those enormous peaceful marches for Palestine that regularly bring central London to a halt but are never reported by the BBC or other major British media (turnout for the last one on May 17 was 500,000-600,000) — Kneecap, along with a handful of other vocal critics, are doing what the British government is not: loudly calling out atrocities. They're being labelled as terrorist-adjacent for their trouble, as they provide a focus for people appalled at the genocide, appalled at the complicity of the US and Britain. Along with the marches, along with other musicians such as Fontaines and Macklemore, they are providing an unofficial form of anger management. It must be infuriating therefore for those keen to shut them up to see how the more Kneecap hold their nerve, hold their principles ('If it comes down to awards or breaking America by sacrificing what you believe in, then America can go fuck itself') the bigger they get. Cancelled from a Scottish festival that caved to 'safety concerns', they sold out an alternative venue in seconds. Glastonbury refused to cancel them. And in September, they play their biggest venue to date — Wembley Arena. The cancelling is not going well. I'm off to google the Irish for 'fight the power'. Read More Film Reviews: How to Train Your Dragon makes superb use of Northern Irish scenery


The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I watched pitiful Soham killer Ian Huntley sob like a baby after going undercover in jail… how his arrogant mask slipped
WHITE as a ghost, overweight and sobbing uncontrollably, this was a side of Ian Huntley the cocky child killer never wanted anyone to see. And as David McGee wheeled the Advertisement 11 Soham killer Ian Huntley was convicted of double murder in 2003 Credit: PA:Press Association 11 Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both 10, were murdered by the monster 11 Huntley's girlfriend Maxine Carr was convicted of perverting the course of justice Credit: Reuters 11 Huntley was held at Woodhill prison while awaiting trial Credit: The Times As part of a shocking investigation into the lax security of Britain's jails, the former investigative reporter had landed a job as an officer at Advertisement At the time the all-male Category A jail in Buckinghamshire held 650 prisoners. It had housed hostage taker Charles Bronson, And just two weeks into his new role, David found himself left in sole charge of one of Britain's most notorious killers. The previous year, former school caretaker Huntley had Languishing in a Woodhill prison cell awaiting his trial for double murder at the Old Bailey, the brute was on suicide watch and needed to be monitored round the clock. Advertisement Incredibly, that duty fell to David, who grew to know Huntley's "arrogant" and "slimy" character first-hand over a number of intimate encounters. Now, as part of The Sun's new true crime series, Meeting a Monster, which sees those who have met the UK's most infamous criminals reveal their darkest secrets, the former journalist recalls their incredible meetings. One occasion still sticks vividly in his mind: when he was tasked with escorting the killer to a visit with his distraught parents, Kevin and Linda, which saw his egotistical mask well and truly slip. Having driven Huntley to and from the visitors' suite in a golf buggy, David recalls him sobbing hysterically after the dramatic reunion. Soham killer Ian Huntley makes chilling comment during interview with Maxine Carr which helps snare him in Channel 5 thriller Maxine He tells The Sun: 'I was in the room while he spoke with his parents, and although I was not close enough to hear what they were saying, it was clear his parents were very upset too. Advertisement 'By the time they left they were absolutely wrecked. I put my hand on Huntley's shoulder to steer him back to the buggy. "It was only a distance of about 100 yards back to his cell but I was told he had to be driven both ways. 'He was bawling his eyes out, the meeting had clearly been deeply traumatising for him. "Afterwards it took him quite a while to settle down. It was an astonishing day.' Chilling first meeting Using his real name and passport, which clearly stated he was a journalist, David incredibly still landed the job at Woodhill and worked there undercover for four months. Advertisement When asked for references, he named his wife and mother - but nobody bothered to check. After some rudimentary training, in the spring of 2003, he was able to smuggle in a digital camera - which he concealed inside a personal organiser. His role involved guarding prisoners and ferrying them to and from court. He had access to keys for handcuffs, cell doors and the escape hatch in prison vans - meaning he could have freed inmates, passed drugs or weapons to them or even attacked them. 11 Huntley and Carr joined the hunt for Holly and Jessica in a brazen bid to cover their tracks Credit: BBC Advertisement 11 They were tried at the Old Bailey Credit: Sian Francis More than two decades later, David can still remember the moment he first came face-to-face with Huntley, known behind bars as Prisoner JG5778. Left alone with the Soham killer, David snapped a photograph of him slumped in his cell. They spent hours chatting together about football, running, and playing games of chess through the bars of his cell. 'I was shocked and amazed,' said David. 'I remember the day very clearly. I had just a fortnight's experience as a fully fledged warder and here I was doing one of the most vital jobs in the prison. Advertisement 'When I first saw Huntley in the Health Care Centre where he was based my mouth went dry. 'I could see he was alone at the end of the corridor, his cell was at the end of a row of three and the others were kept empty. 'Huntley and his watcher were doing a crossword. I heard my colleague say a clue out loud: 'It's five letters and ends in stem.' Huntley was bawling his eyes out, the meeting had clearly been deeply traumatising for him David McGee 'I suggested 'brain' and it turned out to be right. I heard Huntley say from his cell: 'He's smart isn't he?' 'He seemed pale, overweight and had bags under his eyes. He was wearing a burgundy sweatshirt, trousers and a pair of trainers. Advertisement 'I said: 'Hello, how are you doing?' In a soft quiet voice he simply answered: 'All right.' 'We talked about soccer and when he rolled up a cigarette I cadged one off him, which is against prison rules. 'I was involved in a number of conversations with Huntley covering a wide variety of subjects." He adds: "We were close enough to share a chess board, our hands touched as we moved the pieces and I looked closely into his eyes. "That was chilling." Advertisement 11 Huntley was quizzed by cops after Holly and Jessica went missing Credit: Mirrorpix 11 A police officer stands watch outside Huntley's home during a search Credit: Alamy Guarding Huntley was a popular duty at the jail as warders would get overtime, called Extra Gratuity Payments. Later, on May 7, David found himself guarding the killer alone again, this time for five hours. He said: 'Even though I was a raw rookie, I was on a rota to mind him after I was allowed to place my name on the overtime list of warders needed to man his round the clock suicide watch. Advertisement "He asked me lots of questions and was actively engaged in conversation. I think he liked me and wanted me to like him. "He wanted to know about my partner, and said he preferred blonde women. He was deluded. I found him quite slimy and I'm sure he believed he would get away with his vile crimes "He was really interested in the fact that I had recently run the London marathon, and said he was very impressed with the time I finished it in. 'I had to bat away his questions because I'd been trained not to engage with the prisoners, but that did not seem to stop him. 'He never mentioned anything about the crimes he was accused of. Advertisement "It was clear he was trying to be matey because that would have served him well, although there were other moments when he was tetchy and prickly but fortunately there were bars between us.' Prisoner perks Huntley's cell was painted pale yellow and was adorned with cards sent from his fiancée Each week he would buy two pouches of Golden Virginia tobacco, Rizla cigarette papers, matches, Rich Tea biscuits and UHT milk. Outside the cell was a TV screen with a Playstation on top of it, and the wires to the handheld console were passed through the bars so Huntley could play video games. He was holed up next to the prison gym and would occasionally ask to use the rowing machine. Advertisement Looking back on the extraordinary time they spent together, David adds: "I definitely got a sense of his arrogance, he thought he was smarter than everyone else. 'At that time, before his trial, he had not admitted his involvement in killing the girls or shown any remorse. "He was deluded. I found him quite slimy and I'm sure he believed he would get away with his vile crimes. 11 Huntley was on 24 hour suicide watch as he awaited trial Credit: PA:Press Association 11 The spot where the schoolgirls' bodies were found near Lakenheath, Suffolk Advertisement 11 The boot of Huntley's red Ford Fiesta that he used to transport the bodies Credit: Reuters "He struck me as incredibly manipulative, and I could see how he would be able to intellectually dominate young children or someone he perceived to be intellectually inferior or impressionable - like his partner Maxine. Clearly she was not the brightest spark. 'All I could do was listen to him, and he was more than happy to talk to me. 'Of course I would have loved to ask him questions but I was not there for that, I was only there as a consequence of the poor security." When the photograph David had taken of Huntley in his cell was published, the scandal sparked a Home Office investigation into the shambolic security at the prison. Advertisement Prison industry groups said underfunding and staff shortages could have led to the apparent security blunder. David faced two charges under the 1952 Prisons Act in relation to the digital camera he had used, which flouted a rule prohibiting the taking in of items to the prison without authorisation. But he was later cleared when Milton Keynes Magistrates Court dismissed the case against him and all charges were dropped. Who are the UK's worst serial killers? THE UK's most prolific serial killer was actually a doctor. Here's a rundown of the worst offenders in the UK. After his death Jonathan Balls was accused of poisoning at least 22 people between 1824 and 1845. Amelia Sach and Annie Walters became known as the Finchley Baby Farmers after killing at least 20 babies between 1900 and 1902. The pair became the first women to be hanged at Holloway Prison on February 3, 1903. William Burke and William Hare killed 16 people and sold their bodies.