Latest news with #Fearn
1News
7 days ago
- 1News
Australian Customs make prickly find in lingerie package
A woman has been caught red-handed after Australian customs officers made a prickly discovery when opening packages purporting to contain lingerie and shoes. Kirsten Mae Fearn pleaded guilty to 14 biosecurity charges at Brisbane Magistrates Court in July after she repeatedly imported illegal plants to sell online. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers cottoned on to the scheme after packages arrived in Sydney via air cargo from Hong Kong between February 2021 and March 2024. The packages were declared to contain lingerie and shoes but when they were opened, biosecurity officers found 57 cacti and succulents. Investigators then found another 50 illegal succulents at Fearn's Brisbane home nursery. ADVERTISEMENT Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said Fearn was repeatedly warned about the behaviour but she continued the illegal activity. "The department elected to deal with this via criminal prosecution because of the seriousness of the matter," Saunders said. "Our biosecurity laws are vital to the health of Australia's economy and environment. "Those who risk Australia's environment by deliberately trying to bypass our strict requirements will be caught and face the consequences." A succulent found at Kirsten Mae Fearn's home nursery. (Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) During court proceedings, Fearn admitted to the ongoing illegal false declarations and importation of the plants, which she intended to sell online through her business. She faced a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail and a AU$600,000 (NZ$658,693) fine. ADVERTISEMENT After pleading guilty on July 25, Fearn was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and released immediately on a Recognisance Release Order, meaning she was required to agree to certain court conditions. Saunders said this should serve as a warning to prevent others from importing biosecurity threats at Australian borders or in mailrooms. "Australia has an enviable biosecurity record," she said. "We protect this through education and targeted regulation. We all need to play our part in keeping Australia safe."
7NEWS
12-08-2025
- 7NEWS
Prickly find in Brisbane woman's imported lingerie package
A woman has been caught red-handed after customs officers made a prickly discovery when opening packages purporting to contain lingerie and shoes. Kirsten Mae Fearn pleaded guilty to 14 biosecurity charges at Brisbane Magistrates Court in July after she repeatedly imported illegal plants to sell online. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers cottoned on to the scheme after packages arrived in Sydney via air cargo from Hong Kong between February 2021 and March 2024. The packages were declared to contain lingerie and shoes — but when they were opened, biosecurity officers found 57 cacti and succulents. Investigators then found another 50 illegal succulents at Fearn's Brisbane home nursery. Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said Fearn was repeatedly warned about the behaviour but she continued the illegal activity. 'The department elected to deal with this via criminal prosecution because of the seriousness of the matter,' Saunders said. 'Our biosecurity laws are vital to the health of Australia's economy and environment. 'Those who risk Australia's environment by deliberately trying to bypass our strict requirements will be caught and face the consequences.' During court proceedings, Fearn admitted to the ongoing illegal false declarations and importation of the plants, which she intended to sell online through her business. She faced a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail and a $600,000 fine. After pleading guilty on July 25, Fearn was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and released immediately on a Recognisance Release Order, meaning she was required to agree to certain court conditions. Saunders said this should serve as a warning to prevent others from importing biosecurity threats at Australian borders or in mailrooms. 'Australia has an enviable biosecurity record,' she said. 'We protect this through education and targeted regulation. We all need to play our part in keeping Australia safe.'
Perth Now
12-08-2025
- Perth Now
Customs make prickly find in lingerie package
A woman has been caught red-handed after customs officers made a prickly discovery when opening packages purporting to contain lingerie and shoes. Kirsten Mae Fearn pleaded guilty to 14 biosecurity charges at Brisbane Magistrates Court in July after she repeatedly imported illegal plants to sell online. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers cottoned on to the scheme after packages arrived in Sydney via air cargo from Hong Kong between February 2021 and March 2024. The packages were declared to contain lingerie and shoes but when they were opened, biosecurity officers found 57 cacti and succulents. Investigators then found another 50 illegal succulents at Fearn's Brisbane home nursery. Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said Fearn was repeatedly warned about the behaviour but she continued the illegal activity. "The department elected to deal with this via criminal prosecution because of the seriousness of the matter," Ms Saunders said. "Our biosecurity laws are vital to the health of Australia's economy and environment. "Those who risk Australia's environment by deliberately trying to bypass our strict requirements will be caught and face the consequences." During court proceedings, Fearn admitted to the ongoing illegal false declarations and importation of the plants, which she intended to sell online through her business. She faced a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail and a $600,000 fine. After pleading guilty on July 25, Fearn was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and released immediately on a Recognisance Release Order, meaning she was required to agree to certain court conditions. Ms Saunders said this should serve as a warning to prevent others from importing biosecurity threats at Australian borders or in mailrooms. "Australia has an enviable biosecurity record," she said. "We protect this through education and targeted regulation. We all need to play our part in keeping Australia safe."
Scotsman
02-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Don't be a nuisance or you could pay the price
Don't let your use of land interfere with others' enjoyment Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A recent report concerning an 80-year-old resident from Hampshire, who was ordered to pay over £3,000 in court costs due to persistent crowing from his cockerel, offers a timely reminder of the reach of nuisance law. While this case involved a rural setting, the principles apply just as sharply to our expanding cities. As live-work spaces, entertainment venues, and multi-purpose buildings become more common, developers must navigate the legal challenges posed by nuisance, especially regarding how one person's use of land can interfere with another's enjoyment of theirs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In Scotland, nuisance is defined as something that materially interferes with the use or enjoyment of land. Not every inconvenience qualifies, however. To be actionable, the interference must be plus quam tolerabile - more than tolerable. Courts assess this by considering the severity, duration, and context of the disturbance, including the character of the neighbourhood. Noise, odours, and dust are among the most common triggers, with noise complaints leading the pack. Nightclubs, bars, outdoor cafes and gyms can all create disturbances, especially in mixed- use areas. The law considers not only the volume of the noise but also timing, frequency, and the nature of the surrounding environment. What might be acceptable in a bustling high street could cross the line in a quieter residential area, particularly late at night. Developers can mitigate risk by incorporating measures such as soundproofing, operational limits, and better communication with neighbouring residents. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While some residents may accept a degree of disruption, persistent or excessive interference still opens the door to legal challenge. Visual intrusion is another growing concern in urban settings. While less intuitive than noise, it can be just as intrusive. The UK Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Fearn v Tate Gallery broke new ground by recognising that a public viewing platform overlooking residential flats amounted to a nuisance, due to the significant loss of privacy. Although decided under English law, the case is likely to influence future decisions in Scotland, where similar legal principles apply. The court's reasoning emphasised not just the physical act of overlooking but the emotional impact of being observed in one's private home, marking a subtle but significant evolution in how nuisance is understood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Multi-use developments, where residential and commercial uses coexist, present their own challenges. While residents may expect more ambient activity, they still retain the right to reasonable enjoyment of their property. Developers must weigh long-term implications at the design stage and consider how layouts, materials and usage patterns will impact those living nearby. Liability can rest with developers if poor design contributes to the nuisance, or with occupiers if their activities cause the disruption. Anticipating these risks is essential. Even where planning permission or landlord consent is granted for a change of use does not immunise developers or occupiers from nuisance claims. Legal exposure depends on the actual impact on neighbours. The test remains whether the resulting interference is reasonable for the location. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ultimately, the law of nuisance exists to balance competing interests. As Fearn v Tate highlights, courts are willing to adapt longstanding doctrines to contemporary urban realities. For developers, that means designing with empathy, engaging early with stakeholders, and anticipating potential points of friction. Doing so not only minimises legal risk but also fosters better urban coexistence.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Newark church restoration project faces £600,000 tax blow
A historical church has said it faces a £600,000 shortfall on a major restoration project because of recent changes to tax I-listed St Mary Magdalene in Newark is undergoing £4m of repairs and refits to enhance its role as a community church began the project expecting to be able to reclaim a substantial portion of the cost of VAT through the government's Listed Places of Worship Grant project leaders said a new £25,000 cap on claims had left them "scrabbling" to make up the difference. The government said it had taken the "difficult" decision to introduce the cap due to financial Fearn, church warden and project lead, said: "We are lobbying furiously to try and persuade the government what they have done is thoughtless and in our case, we think, cruel."We are mid-contract, and the rug has been pulled from under our feet."We are scrabbling around now to work out how we can fill that gap but of course a public appeal to pay £600,000 of VAT doesn't really have legs."Parts of the building, on Church Walk, date back to the 12th Century and its 236 feet (72 m) high spire is believed to be the fifth highest in church also functions as a community space, hosting toddler groups, youth hangouts, a community cafe, library group, flowers festivals and regular is also currently on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register and is currently closed until November 2025 for the renovations. Church rector Chris Lion said: "In overall government spending terms, the amount of money needed to solve this problem is tiny but for the churches involved it is huge and we don't have an easy answer as to what we do without it."The government said it expected 94% of claims to be unaffected by the new cap.A Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: "Listed places of worship are important to faith communities and provide a range of services to the wider public. "Many of them are architecturally and historically significant."This is why the government has extended the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme until 31 March 2026. "
