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Mansion found abandoned with 'lights still running' after millionaire disappeared
Mansion found abandoned with 'lights still running' after millionaire disappeared

Daily Mirror

timea day ago

  • Automotive
  • Daily Mirror

Mansion found abandoned with 'lights still running' after millionaire disappeared

A valuable property just a stone's throw from London has stood empty for at least a decade, with two luxury cars left abandoned alongside dozens of personal items An eerily-deserted mansion in the south-east of England is being slowly reclaimed by nature – even as lamps left by the former occupants are still alight inside. ‌ Colin Hodson, who filmed inside the property for his Bearded Explorer YouTube channel, has visited many abandoned buildings over the years but tells The Mirror 'it was a very strange one' indeed. ‌ The luxury home on the outskirts of London was once owned by a former RAF officer turned wealthy oil company executive. And it would still look as if the occupants had just stepped out of the room – were it not for the tendrils of ivy snaking through every window and door. ‌ Urban explorer Colin says he has 'heard a few stories' about why the property was suddenly abandoned, but the definitive answer is hard to determine. Certainly there must be a very strong reason why the house – which must be worth well over £1,000,000 – has stood empty for so many years. Not only are the lights, and burglar alarms, still powered but a classic BMW 3 Series stands in the house's driveway. ‌ 'That is a very desirable little car there,' commented Colin, who is known to be something of a petrolhead. 'Hopefully it can be saved one day.' Later on in his tour of the abandoned mansion, Colin comes across an even more astounding find: a pristine Jaguar XK8: 'I cannot believe this is in here, this is crazy,' he said. A little research revealed that the car was originally registered in 2001, and its MOT ran out in 2014. Colin added: 'It currently has 19,000 miles on it, so I don't think this car has been used a lot at all.' While it's probably not worth much more than £15,000, it adds to the overall mystery of the house that someone would leave this car untouched for so long. ‌ Food in the kitchen cupboard bears sell-by dates of around a decade ago, and the wealth of personal items and covetable furniture still in place suggests that while rats and mice may have scampered through the various rooms there is no sign of vandalism. One of the reasons that Colin takes care not to mention the specific locations of his various finds is that he does't want to encourage less responsible individuals to find and damage the properties. ‌ While Colin is careful to leave every site as he finds it, not all content creators are as respectful. Detective Sergeant Kelle Westwood, of North Worcestershire Proactive CID, points out: 'The rising trend of 'urban explorers' on social media brings with it the risk of prosecution to those caught entering private premises illegally and/or without permission.' ‌ DS Westwood reminds urban explorers to be mindful of the law, and to take sensible precautions regarding their own safety, as well as the safety of others. The walls of the mansion are decorated with framed prints suggesting that whoever lived in this beautiful home, they were exceptionally well-travelled. There is also a unique collection of souvenirs containing the first drop of oil from sites that the former homeowner had supervised around the world. There's also a framed $75,000,000 (£55m) oil contract that must have represented one of the most significant deals the executive made. While the former owners may well have been wealthy enough to own multiple properties, the sad state of this particularly valuable Home Counties mansion remains something of a mystery.

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined
Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

Western Telegraph

time2 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Western Telegraph

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

New data has revealed a surge in car cloning in the UK over the past five years, with motoring experts warning the crisis is now spiralling. Criminals typically use cloned plates to commit further crimes, including stealing fuel from petrol stations, evading tolls or fleeing the scenes of accidents. As a result, it is the innocent drivers who have had their number plates cloned who end up with fines, insurance claims, or letters from the police. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Valuation specialists at one of the UK's leading car-buying platforms, say the crime is not only damaging innocent motorists' finances and reputations, but also undermining trust in vehicle ownership systems. The experts said: 'Car cloning is fast becoming one of the most distressing issues facing ordinary drivers. 'The worst part is how quickly this issue can snowball. One cloned plate can lead to police letters, insurance claims, even blacklisting from fuel stations – all to someone who's done nothing wrong." also warned that cloning disproportionately affects drivers who own high-demand cars such as German makes or premium SUVs – which are frequently cloned by criminals looking to avoid detection. They said: 'We'd advise drivers of popular models like the BMW 3 Series, VW Golf, or Mercedes GLA to be especially cautious. 'These are among the most commonly cloned vehicles because they're everywhere – and that makes it easier for a cloned version to blend in." These are the best ways to keep yourself safe from car cloning: Reporting any lost or stolen number plates immediately Using anti-theft number plate screws Regularly checking their vehicle record on the DVLA website Keeping a log of any unusual fines or driving correspondence When buying or selling a car, it's crucial to check for anything that seems off – including mismatched documents, suspicious plate bolts, or unusual recent traffic fines. Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined
Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

Leader Live

time4 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Leader Live

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

New data has revealed a surge in car cloning in the UK over the past five years, with motoring experts warning the crisis is now spiralling. Criminals typically use cloned plates to commit further crimes, including stealing fuel from petrol stations, evading tolls or fleeing the scenes of accidents. As a result, it is the innocent drivers who have had their number plates cloned who end up with fines, insurance claims, or letters from the police. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Valuation specialists at one of the UK's leading car-buying platforms, say the crime is not only damaging innocent motorists' finances and reputations, but also undermining trust in vehicle ownership systems. The experts said: 'Car cloning is fast becoming one of the most distressing issues facing ordinary drivers. 'The worst part is how quickly this issue can snowball. One cloned plate can lead to police letters, insurance claims, even blacklisting from fuel stations – all to someone who's done nothing wrong." also warned that cloning disproportionately affects drivers who own high-demand cars such as German makes or premium SUVs – which are frequently cloned by criminals looking to avoid detection. They said: 'We'd advise drivers of popular models like the BMW 3 Series, VW Golf, or Mercedes GLA to be especially cautious. 'These are among the most commonly cloned vehicles because they're everywhere – and that makes it easier for a cloned version to blend in." These are the best ways to keep yourself safe from car cloning: When buying or selling a car, it's crucial to check for anything that seems off – including mismatched documents, suspicious plate bolts, or unusual recent traffic fines. Here are some other common speed camera myths: No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined
Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

North Wales Chronicle

time4 days ago

  • Automotive
  • North Wales Chronicle

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

New data has revealed a surge in car cloning in the UK over the past five years, with motoring experts warning the crisis is now spiralling. Criminals typically use cloned plates to commit further crimes, including stealing fuel from petrol stations, evading tolls or fleeing the scenes of accidents. As a result, it is the innocent drivers who have had their number plates cloned who end up with fines, insurance claims, or letters from the police. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Valuation specialists at one of the UK's leading car-buying platforms, say the crime is not only damaging innocent motorists' finances and reputations, but also undermining trust in vehicle ownership systems. The experts said: 'Car cloning is fast becoming one of the most distressing issues facing ordinary drivers. 'The worst part is how quickly this issue can snowball. One cloned plate can lead to police letters, insurance claims, even blacklisting from fuel stations – all to someone who's done nothing wrong." also warned that cloning disproportionately affects drivers who own high-demand cars such as German makes or premium SUVs – which are frequently cloned by criminals looking to avoid detection. They said: 'We'd advise drivers of popular models like the BMW 3 Series, VW Golf, or Mercedes GLA to be especially cautious. 'These are among the most commonly cloned vehicles because they're everywhere – and that makes it easier for a cloned version to blend in." These are the best ways to keep yourself safe from car cloning: When buying or selling a car, it's crucial to check for anything that seems off – including mismatched documents, suspicious plate bolts, or unusual recent traffic fines. Here are some other common speed camera myths: No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined
Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

Glasgow Times

time4 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Glasgow Times

Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined

New data has revealed a surge in car cloning in the UK over the past five years, with motoring experts warning the crisis is now spiralling. Criminals typically use cloned plates to commit further crimes, including stealing fuel from petrol stations, evading tolls or fleeing the scenes of accidents. As a result, it is the innocent drivers who have had their number plates cloned who end up with fines, insurance claims, or letters from the police. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Valuation specialists at one of the UK's leading car-buying platforms, say the crime is not only damaging innocent motorists' finances and reputations, but also undermining trust in vehicle ownership systems. The experts said: 'Car cloning is fast becoming one of the most distressing issues facing ordinary drivers. 'The worst part is how quickly this issue can snowball. One cloned plate can lead to police letters, insurance claims, even blacklisting from fuel stations – all to someone who's done nothing wrong." also warned that cloning disproportionately affects drivers who own high-demand cars such as German makes or premium SUVs – which are frequently cloned by criminals looking to avoid detection. They said: 'We'd advise drivers of popular models like the BMW 3 Series, VW Golf, or Mercedes GLA to be especially cautious. 'These are among the most commonly cloned vehicles because they're everywhere – and that makes it easier for a cloned version to blend in." These are the best ways to keep yourself safe from car cloning: Reporting any lost or stolen number plates immediately Using anti-theft number plate screws Regularly checking their vehicle record on the DVLA website Keeping a log of any unusual fines or driving correspondence When buying or selling a car, it's crucial to check for anything that seems off – including mismatched documents, suspicious plate bolts, or unusual recent traffic fines. Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.

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