Latest news with #Gurkha
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tragic reason why mum went into restaurant toilet and lay dead for three days
Mum-of-two Sabrina Lyttle, 47, lay dead inside a disabled toilet at a hotel in Blackpool - with staff finally calling the police after noticing her body through the keyhole three days later A woman who lay dead in a locked restaurant toilet for three days may have gone inside to 'keep warm', an inquest has heard. Mum -of-two Sabrina Lyttle, 47, was found lifeless inside a disabled cubicle at the Gurkha Hotel Pub and Restaurant in Blackpool, almost 48 hours after she was last seen entering it. Staff only realised something was wrong when they looked through the keyhole and noticed a body. Police forced open the door on November 30 and found a crack pipe on the floor next to her, along with a magazine, a carrier bag and some Bakewell cherry tarts. Detective Inspector Liam Davy, who investigated the death, told the hearing: 'My hypothesis at the time was she possibly entered the toilet to keep warm and that her death was caused by the drugs or because of a medical episode. There was no evidence of outside involvement.' Sabrina had likely died shortly after entering the toilet on the evening of November 28. She had recently served three weeks of an eight-week prison sentence for theft and was known to have struggled with drug use. Toxicology results showed cocaine, Valium, methadone and a small amount of alcohol in her system. According to consultant forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, her body showed no signs of serious illness but he warned that her reduced drug tolerance following prison could have contributed to her death. 'It is really difficult to tell because it all depends on her tolerance to these drugs,' he told the court. 'A period in prison - even one as short as this - and the non use of a drug like cocaine can see tolerance levels decrease extremely rapidly.' Sabrina's family wept in court as they learned of the details. Her daughter Jade Casey, 27, and mother Christine, 68, said they were still unsure why she had gone into the toilet that night. Friend Erika Zazzu, who set up a GoFundMe appeal in her memory, described her as 'a person who was in pain and who dealt with that pain as best she could.', as well as a loving mum to two daughters. Staff from the Gurkha restaurant attended the inquest but did not give evidence. At the time of her death, the restaurant said they believed she must have picked the lock to get into the toilet, which they claimed is only cleaned after use - and had not been used again until she was found.
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mother, 47, who lay dead in disabled toilet for nearly three days 'went inside cubicle to keep warm' after being released from prison, inquest told
A woman found dead inside a restaurant toilet after almost three days is believed to have entered the cubicle to try to keep warm, an inquest heard. Sabrina Lyttle, 47, probably died shortly after entering the disabled facility at 8.38 on the evening of November 28 last year, a coroner was told. She was not discovered until November 30, when alarmed staff looked through the keyhole and saw a body, the court was told. Police were called to the Gurkha Hotel Pub and Restaurant in Blackpool, Lancashire and forced entry only to discover she was already dead. There was no evidence that she had been attacked or that someone else was involved. Her family wept as the inquest in the seaside town today heard that Sabrina was a prolific drug user who had just served three weeks of an eight-week prison sentence for theft. A crack pipe was found on the toilet floor beside her and blood tests revealed she had cocaine, Valium, methadone and a small amount of alcohol in her system. She was said to have lived a "chaotic" lifestyle although she was loved by many people who tried to help her. Consultant forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said her body showed no signs of any serious illness. He believed the methadone might have affected her lung capacity, while the cocaine might have caused her heart to fail. He said: 'It is really difficult to tell because it all depends on her tolerance to these drugs. 'A period in prison - even one as short as this - and the non use of a drug like cocaine can see tolerance levels decrease extremely rapidly.' Det Insp Liam Davy, who carried out the initial enquires into the death, said he had known Sabrina since his days as an officer in the beat. He revealed that alongside the crack pipe was a carrier bag in which there was a magazine and some Bakewell cherry tarts. DI Davy said: 'My hypothesis at the time was she possibly entered the toilet to keep warm and that her death was caused by the drugs or because of a medical episode. 'There was no evidence of outside involvement.' The inquest heard there were several agencies dealing with vulnerable people like Sabrina - Blackpool Horizon, Lancashire Women and Changing Futures - who all tried to help her. She was even met at the prison gates when she was freed on November 27th, the day before she is believed to have died. Accommodation had been arranged for her at a Blackpool hotel and she had further appointments to try and help her overcome her addiction problems. Coroner Margaret Taylor - who described Sabrina as 'a popular and likeable woman despite her problems' - recorded a verdict of death by mixed drug toxicity. She told Sabrina's family: 'If we apply common sense it would seem she died shortly after going into the toilet because there is no evidence she tried to come out. 'I understand your concerns but there is a very high possibility that nothing could have been done to save her even if she was found earlier.' More than £1,300 was raised online, with the money going towards Sabrina's funeral costs as well as the drug and alcohol support service Horizon Staff from the Gurkha attended the inquest but left immediately after it was over and did not give evidence. At the time of Sabrina's death, a spokesman for the restaurant told reporters she must have broken into the toilet by picking the lock. They said all the toilets were cleaned regularly but the disabled facility was only cleaned after it had been used and no one asked to use it until the day Sabrina's body was found. Sabrina's daughter Jade Casey, 27, previously told how Sabrina was discovered dead at the Gurkha Buffet Restaurant, Hotel and Bar in Blackpool, Lancashire. She and Sabrina's mother Christine, 68, say they are unsure why she went into the toilet. Her friend Erika Zazzu, who set up a GoFundMe online appeal on the family's behalf, described Sabrina as 'a person who was in pain and who dealt with that pain as best she could', as well as a loving mother to two daughters. Erika also told how Sabrina 'struggled with addiction throughout her life' and was only released from jail on November 27 before her body was found three days later. A GoFundMe appeal raised more than £1,300, with money going towards Sabrina's funeral as well as drug and alcohol support service Horizon. Erika wrote: 'Despite the many mistakes Sabrina made in her life, she was a mother, a daughter, a sister, and more. 'She was a person, a person who was in pain and dealt with that pain as best as she could. Sabrina took pride in knowing her greatest achievements were her two daughters, whom she adored and tried to get better for.' She described how Jade had spoken to her mother three weeks before her death, telling how Sabrina was 'determined to get sober again'. Erika wrote: 'Sabrina told Jade how much she loved her, and Jade held onto hope that this time things might change. Tragically, Sabrina didn't get better in time. 'Sabrina struggled with addiction throughout her life. She fought hard, but sadly, she lost her battle this week at the young age of 47. 'Although she faced many challenges and made many mistakes during her addiction, Sabrina didn't deserve to pass away the way she did. 'She fought hard for years but unfortunately her body was tired of fighting.' Erika said in her GoFundMe appeal how Jade wanted to honour her mother with 'the compassion and respect that was often missing during her lifetime and give her the funeral she deserves'. She added: 'Jade also hopes to donate a portion of the funds to Horizon, a drug and alcohol support service that supported Sabrina over the years in her fight against addiction and will be doing a collection for the service at the funeral.' Jade told how 'heartbroken' she felt, knowing her mother was in the restaurant's disabled toilet while people there were eating and drinking. She said: 'The police have told us that customers were complaining that they couldn't get into the toilet, but they assumed something had happened with the lock. They then opened up the disabled toilet and found her on the Saturday morning. 'I'm angry because she could have been found sooner, they should have done the usual toilet checks. It's heartbreaking because we know she was left in the cold, on her own. 'I know she was dead but it's the fact she was there while people were eating and drinking. 'We don't know the cause of death yet but there's part of us that thought she might have been struggling and needed help and then could have been saved.' Jade said that CCTV footage showed Sabrina entering the restaurant on November 28 last year and going into the disabled toilet. She said that they 'aren't sure' why she decided to go into the restaurant but police said that there were no drugs present Jade said: 'There weren't any drugs at the scene and CCTV footage showed her entering the building on the Thursday. 'We think she broke into the disabled toilet - we think she picked the lock to get in so she didn't have to ask for a key. 'We aren't sure of the circumstances of why she went in, it could have been to get warm because she had been released from prison the day before.' Jade, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, also paid tribute to her mother - hailing her as a 'really nice person' who was 'funny and kind'. Jade added: 'She suffered with addiction and she was in and out of homelessness for the last 25 years but she was a really nice person. She was funny and she was kind.' And in a Facebook tribute addressing her mother, Jade wrote: 'Despite what anyone might think they know about you, you were intelligent, you made everyone laugh, and you had a good heart and beautiful soul buried beneath all the trauma and addiction. Jade Casey, 27, posted this tribute to her mother Sabrina Lyttle on Facebook 'The drugs stripped you of all of the good parts and only left the bad for a long time but I know how hard you fought, for years, you fought so hard mum, but in the end the battle was too fierce.' After the tragedy, The Gurkha Restaurant, Hotel and Bar issued a statement , saying: 'On Thursday 28th November 2024 at 8.34pm, a non-customer member of the public entered the premises and asked to use the toilets. 'As the restaurant had already closed for the evening, directions to the pub toilets, which are in a separate area of the building, were given. 'Staff in the pub provided further directions to the general pub toilets and did not issue access to the disabled toilet. 'Access to the separate and locked disabled toilet is gained via staff as the facility cannot be opened with a RADAR key. 'The male and female toilets are deep-cleaned every morning and checked throughout the day, with the disabled toilet checked after every authorised use and cleaned as required, due to infrequent use. 'Access to the disabled toilet was not requested until Friday evening around 10pm. 'The staff with the assistance of other helpful pub customers were unable to unlock the door and as access had not been granted for the past 24 hours, it was reported as a maintenance issue to management. 'The following day on Saturday before opening, management was unable to gain access using all secure keys and removing the locking mechanism before alerting the police. 'We are aware of public posts that are full of information that is not correct, and we believe the speculations have not contributed positively to anyone affected, including the grieving family, the dedicated Gurkha staff and the community of Blackpool.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh in 5 years! Force Motors shares deliver jackpot returns with zero analyst coverage
Live Events 3 Pillars of Force Motors' Success Premium OEM Partnerships Future Growth Drivers Is Force Motors Stock Too Expensive? Key Risks to Monitor Long-Term Structural Story (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel A little-known smallcap stock with no analyst coverage, barely 1% mutual fund holding, and next to no investor outreach has silently turned into a 20-bagger. Shares of Pune-based Force Motors , best known for its sturdy Travellers , rugged Gurkhas, and engine assembly lines for BMW and Mercedes-Benz , have surged a mind-bending 1,868% over five years, transforming a ₹1 lakh investment into a near-₹20 lakh company's exit from low-margin tractors and strategic thrust on original equipment manufacturing ( OEM ) for luxury marques like BMW and Mercedes-Benz mark a decisive pivot toward higher-quality earnings. In just the past year, the stock is up 117%, fueled by rising demand in shared mobility and last-mile delivery Global's Aakanksha Chopra points out that the stock's re-rating has been backed by a sharp operational turnaround, strategic realignment of its business model, and disciplined capital transformation is evident in the numbers. From FY22 to FY25, revenue surged from ₹3,240 crore to ₹8,072 crore, representing nearly 2.5x growth. "Net profit swung from losses to over ₹800 crore, driven by operating leverage, a premium product mix, and strong execution," Chopra noted. "EBITDA margins expanded to 14%, and ROCE improved to approximately 25%, highlighting a high-quality earnings profile."The momentum shows no signs of abating. In Q1 FY26 alone, Force Motors reported a 22% year-on-year rise in consolidated revenue to ₹2,297 crore, according to Kalp Jain, Research Analyst at INVasset PMS. "Operating performance was even stronger — EBITDA jumped 33% to ₹332 crore, pushing margins to 14.4%. Net profit surged 52% YoY to ₹176 crore."Sunny Agrawal, Head - Fundamental Research at SBI Securities , highlights the operational drivers: "26% volume growth in the UV segment in 1QFY26 for Force Motors. Sales/EBITDA/PAT up by 22%/32%/52% YoY to Rs 2297/323/176 cr."The strong performance stems from "strong response to the Urbania utility vehicle which has emerged as a leading choice for employee transportation and short haul tourist travel along with the Traveller," Agrawal Jonagadla, smallcase Manager and Founder of Quantace Research, identifies three key drivers behind Force Motors' 20-bagger run: "A structural step-up in profitability — Q1 FY26 net profit leapt 52% YoY to ₹176 cr on a 14.4% EBITDA margin, the fourth straight quarter above 14%."The second pillar is order visibility. "A 2,978-unit Gurkha contract for the Indian defence forces secures c. ₹1,000 cr revenue over FY26-27," Jonagadla noted. Agrawal confirms: "Company won an order from Defence Ministry for supplying 2,978 Gurkha vehicles in Mar'25."The third pillar involves "sticky, high-margin engine outsourcing for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, underscored by the 100,000-th BMW powertrain rolled out in June 2025," according to company's transformation from a traditional commercial vehicle player to a sophisticated OEM partner has been remarkable. "The company's premium engine assembly partnership with BMW and Mercedes-Benz has scaled meaningfully and now contributes a significant share of revenue with higher realizations," Chopra elaborates on this strategic shift: "Once seen as a modest player in the light commercial vehicle segment, Force Motors has reinvented itself. It now operates across multi-utility vans, niche off-roaders like the Gurkha, and most critically, supplies engines and axles to marquee global OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW through dedicated manufacturing facilities."In FY25, Force Motors clocked ₹8,128 crore in revenue and ₹800 crore in net profit, doubling its bottom line from the previous year. Its return on equity (RoE) stood at 25.6%, while return on capital employed (RoCE) hovered around 25%, both signaling a capital-efficient business built for longevity, analysts balance sheet strength is equally impressive. "A leaner balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio under 0.3x now provides ample headroom for growth investments," Chopra noted. Jain adds: "The company is net debt-free, with a strong liquidity position and prudent working capital management."Looking ahead, the company is positioning itself for emerging opportunities. "Force Motors has begun investing in next-generation EV platforms in the LCV segment, offering strategic optionality in a decarbonizing auto landscape," Chopra sees additional upside potential: "Upside may come from scaling Urbania exports, electrified last-mile vans and the Rolls-Royce JV genset opportunity—segments where consensus models still embed conservative volumes."However, the spectacular run has pushed valuations to demanding levels. "The stock trades at 31.0x FY26E P/E, which appears to be fair valued and one round rerating is completed," cautioned Agrawal from SBI echoes the valuation concern: "At ~29 × trailing earnings, the market is pricing uninterrupted double-digit margins and 25%+ ROCE continuity."Jain takes a measured view: "The company currently trades at a P/E of ~26x trailing earnings — a valuation that assumes continued momentum. Sustaining margins amid rising input costs, managing export volatility, and ensuring consistent order flow from OEMs will be critical in validating this premium."Despite the impressive trajectory, analysts identify several risks. Jonagadla warns of "lumpy defence delivery and cost overruns; OEM partners potentially in-housing engines as they electrify; fragile exports—shipments fell 78% YoY in March–April 2025 even as domestic CV sales rose; and cash-flow drag from the ambitious EV capex."Agrawal points to information constraints: "As much information is not available (due to lack of any investor deck, mgmt interaction, concall etc), going forward, the street will keenly track monthly sales volume to understand the growth trajectory of the company."Despite near-term risks, analysts remain constructive on the long-term outlook. "While the stock's sharp re-rating now embeds elevated expectations, long-term earnings visibility remains intact," Chopra said. "Consensus estimates indicate an EPS CAGR of 25 to 30 percent over FY24 to FY27."Jain concludes: "Force Motors exemplifies what a silent compounder looks like before it captures the limelight. The company has quietly stitched together a compelling narrative — one of operational transformation, financial discipline, and market trust. For long-term investors, this is no longer a forgotten name from the commercial vehicle sector — it's a blueprint for India's next-generation manufacturing success."As Force Motors continues its remarkable journey from an overlooked smallcap to a multi-bagger phenomenon, the key question remains whether the company can sustain its operational excellence while justifying the premium valuations that its success story has commanded.: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Airline catering firm fined £2.4million after former Gurkha, 60, was crushed to death by their forklift truck
An airline catering firm has been fined more than £2.4million for causing the death of a former Gurkha who was crushed by a forklift truck. Kumar Limbu, 60, suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene on April 11 2023 when he was struck from behind by the vehicle as he loaded it with goods. DO & CO Event and Airline Catering Limited has now been prosecuted for serious health and safety breaches after Hounslow Council's Commercial Health and Safety Team undertook legal action. Mr Limbu had been working for the company through an employment agency at a depot where cabin meals are prepared and packed for passenger planes that operate out of nearby Heathrow Airport. The firm pleaded guilty to two health and safety offences at the court in April before being sentenced last month. In addition to a fine of £2.45 million, the firm was also ordered to pay £47,091 in legal costs after pleading guilty to two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the driver's vision was obstructed by the load his truck was carrying. At the time of the incident, the court heard there were no clear markings showing pedestrian and vehicle zones, no physical barriers between these zones, and no speed limit signs or site rules displayed at the entrance. Mr Limbu's daughter, Smriti Limbu, 32, said: 'Our beloved head of family Kumar Limbu had gone to do his work on a normal day but never came back home due to his employer's negligence' Staff were also not required to comply with any safety demarcations between pedestrian and vehicle areas. Mr Limbu's daughter, Smriti Limbu, 32, said: 'Our beloved head of family Kumar Limbu had gone to do his work on a normal day but never came back home due to his employer's negligence. 'This has had a severe effect on us as a family - we lost a caring husband, lovely Dad and our charm of family. 'With the efforts of Hounslow's health and safety investigation, we feel very pleased to hear the outcome and we feel like justice has been served. 'We, as a family, had believed from the beginning that there were so many health and safety breaches from his work which resulted in such a tragic incident that took our lovely Dad away from us. 'My mum still hasn't come out of this trauma, and she thinks my dad has gone to work, and will return. Her eyes are full of tears, and she is waiting for her husband. This news of justice has given her strength and belief in our system.' A former member of the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, Kumar had served in the British Army for 15 years, before settling in the UK with his wife and two children in 2007. A trained lorry driver, he had worked at the airline catering firm for several years before the fatal accident. Speaking to MailOnline after his death, his widow Sarda Rai, 55, said: 'I'm heartbroken. I have lost the love of my life. We have spent the past 34 years together and now he is gone. 'When he went off to work, my husband said 'good-bye, see you later', but he never came home. I still expect him to walk through the door. But that's never going to happen. 'Every day I am dying inside with grief.' Councillor Raghwinder Siddhu, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer and Experience and Enforcement at Hounslow Council, said: 'This sad case highlights the devastating consequences of inadequate workplace safety measures and underscores the importance of robust health and safety procedures in high-risk environments. 'I'd like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of our team who have worked diligently to deliver this prosecution over many months. 'This is vital work which holds unsafe workplaces to account and will help safeguard against future tragedies. 'While I welcome the result of last week's hearing, it's important to remember that no fine can bring back a much-loved husband and father and respected colleague and my thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Limbu.' Do & Co has been approached for comment.
Powys County Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Gurkha veterans in Powys face 'shockingly low' pensions
Calls have been made to improve the conditions for retired Gurkha veterans in Powys who are being forced to live on pensions below the living wage. Calls have been made to address the injustice facing Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997, many of whom now live in communities Powys, but are being forced to survive on 'shockingly low pensions, far below the UK's national living wage'. MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick met Gurkha veterans demonstrating in Westminster and has now submitted an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on the Government to end this discrimination, gaining cross-party support. Despite fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with British soldiers in every major conflict for over 200 years, Gurkhas who left the British Army before 1 July 1997 are still trapped on the outdated Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS). The Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) assumed that Gurkhas would return to Nepal after their service in the British Army and not settle in the UK. As a result, it pays far less than the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) given to British soldiers, despite Gurkhas performing the same job. Today, many of these veterans, now settled in the UK, are living in poverty, including in Brecon and the surrounding areas, where they and their families have been part of the local community for generations. 'It is unacceptable that Gurkha soldiers who served before 1997 and put their lives on the line for our country have been denied equal pensions, leaving many in poverty here in the UK, including in communities such as Brecon, where Gurkha veterans and their families have made an enduring contribution," said Mr Chadwick. 'I will continue to stand against this injustice and use my voice in Parliament to fight for all Gurkhas, regardless of the date of retirement, to be granted full access to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme on an equal footing. 'I have already submitted a Parliamentary Early Day Motion on the issue with cross-party support and hope to take the issue up directly with Ministers at the earliest opportunity.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Mr Chadwick has also written to the Veterans Minister to request a meeting to discuss the issue in more detail. In his letter he said: 'These individuals served Britain with bravery, professionalism, and loyalty. They fought alongside British soldiers in the same conflicts, under the same conditions, but continue to be denied equal recognition in retirement.
