Latest news with #BBCKent
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
CCTV 'pivotal' in raising endangered snow leopard
An animal sanctuary has said that CCTV cameras are "absolutely pivotal" to their work as animal conservationists. The Big Cat Sanctuary, in Smarden, Kent, is dedicated to the conservation and rescue of cats. The sanctuary welcomed its latest arrival of an endangered snow leopard cub, nicknamed 'Little Lady', on 10 May. Curator Briony Smith told the BBC that CCTV "allows us to monitor the mothers, monitor the cubs, but also give them a bit of distance and not get too involved". Ms Smith acknowledged that a new cub was "just so cute" but explained that it was important people didn't lose sight of the work that they do. 'Little Lady's' mother, Laila, has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's wider European breeding programme. As well as monitoring new cubs through cameras, keepers and trainers at the sanctuary work closely with the cats to build the trust necessary for medical procedures. Laila's primary trainer Simon Jackaman has worked with her for seven years and even built an ultrasound table for the snow leopard. Mr Jackaman said he completed "mock scans" with Laila leading up to the pregnancy to get her used to human contact. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. The sanctuary is hoping that the new cub will be out in its enclosure in August, following essential vaccinations. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Endangered snow leopard born at animal sanctuary Ukrainian lions to start journey to UK sanctuary Cat sanctuary meets target to rescue Ukraine lions The Big Cat Sanctuary
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tony Hudgell's birth mother to be freed from prison
The birth mother of Tony Hudgell, who injured him so badly as a baby his legs had to be amputated, is to be released from prison. In 2018 Tony's birth parents Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Tony was adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell, from Kent, and has since raised millions of pounds for charity through a series of challenges. A spokesperson for the parole board confirmed a panel had directed that Simpson be released following an oral hearing. Both Simpson and Smith had denied assaulting, ill treating or neglecting their child. Mrs Hudgell posted on social media criticising the release. She said: "Tony has life long injuries every day he suffers due to her hands." In 2024, Tony, from West Malling, underwent surgery to be fitted for new prosthetics to allow him to walk without crutches. He has received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse. The parole board spokesperson said decisions were "solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community". They added: "A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims." Hundreds of pages of evidence and reports would have been read in the lead up to an oral hearing, they said. They also said evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority," they added. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "This was a horrific crime that saw Tony Hudgell mercilessly tortured by his birth parents and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones. "Now that the independent parole board has directed her release, Jody Simpson will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Campaigning boy has life-changing surgery Double-amputee 'over the moon' to be Chelsea mascot Queen Camilla hosts boy who missed garden party Mum's anger over child cruelty registry decision Tony Hudgell Foundation
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Murder charges after boy, 4, dies in crash
Two men have been charged with murder following a crash in Kent in which a four-year-old boy died. A man was left in a critical condition and a one-year-old girl suffered minor injuries in the crash involving two grey Ford Ranger pickup trucks in New Barn Road, Southfleet, on Sunday. Patrick Maughan, 53 and Owen Maughan, 27, both from Hill Rise, Darenth, were charged with murder on Wednesday. The pair, who are understood to be father and son, are related to the dead child. The boy was travelling in the same vehicle as the injured 24-year-old man and baby. Both men have also been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and attempted wounding with intent relating to the two people injured. They are due to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information is urged to contact Kent Police. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Two arrested after four-year-old dies in crash Kent Police
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
University head steps down 'by mutual agreement'
The University for the Creative Arts has announced its vice-chancellor is stepping down. The university, which has campuses and facilities in Canterbury and Maidstone in Kent and Epsom and Farnham in Surrey, said in a statement Prof Jane Roscoe had left "by mutual consent" on 30 May. The role will be filled temporarily by deputy vice-chancellor Melanie Gray and chief operating officer Mark Ellul. Prof Roscoe, who joined from the University of Greenwich in February 2024, also acted as the university's president. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. University helps to build Jane Austen AI character University plan to boost Surrey's gaming sector Dame Zandra Rhodes' work to be digitally archived Banksy to be made honorary professor New arts degrees for Medway after UCA site closure University for the Creative Arts
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arrests as stolen WW1 plaque found in scrapyard
Two men have been arrested following the theft of two WW1 plaques from a Kent war memorial, police have said. Two military memorial plaques disappeared from the grounds of Christ Church Luton in Chatham between 22:00 BST on Friday and 10:00 on Saturday. Kent Police said one of the plaques was recovered from a scrapyard in Essex on Wednesday. The force said it has arrested a 26-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, both from the Dartford area. Christ Church Luton's priest in charge, the Reverend Andrea Leonard, told BBC Radio Kent on Thursday that she remains hopeful the other plaque will be found. She said: "Hats off to the person, who wants to obviously remain anonymous, but who had the integrity to phone the police and say 'I've got something here that you want'. "He actually spoke to me and he said he looked at the list and thought 'those poor lads that gave everything, they don't deserve this'." Kent Police said it is trying to find the second plaque and appealed for anyone with information about the missing plaques to get in touch. The plaques commemorate 163 people from the Chatham area who died in WW1 and each weigh 93kg. The memorial, which has been in place for 105 years, is "priceless" to the parish and relatives of the soldiers, Ms Leonard said. She believes there has not yet been time for the still-missing plaque to be melted down, but that they will find a suitable replacement if they have to as "it just wouldn't be right" to a have a memorial with names missing. "It was terrible when we discovered that they were gone," she said. "We just could not believe it because it's not only the church, it's the whole wider community." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Military memorial plaques stolen from churchyard Kent Police
