Latest news with #Nicholls
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey man threatened to 'slit retired neighbour's throat'
Callum Jones, 19, of Bryn Mor Terrace, Holyhead, was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Caernarfon Crown Court today (June 5). He had previously admitted making threats to kill, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Prosecutor John Wyn Williams said Jones and the woman, who cannot be named, had consensual sex in a baby changing room at public toilets in Holyhead last November, in what was the first time they had met. Prior to this, they had been exchanging messages, including Jones sending her a picture of a gun he said had, which he wanted to use to shoot her then-partner with. Not longer after they met, he showed her the gun, which was, in fact, a BB gun resembling a Glock 17 pistol. This happened while Jones was on police bail, having been arrested for threatening to kill another man, Clifford Nicholls, about six weeks earlier. Jones lived near to Mr Nicholls, and had been talking to him about finding a tool to fix his bicycle when Mr Nicholls noticed he was carrying a knife. When Mr Nicholls commented on the knife, Jones told him: 'I'll slit your throat' while still carrying it. The defendant left the scene, but then returned, telling Mr Nicholls: 'I'll bring six of my mates to kill you.' Mr Nicholls, who is retired, said he was 'absolutely terrified' by this incident, and was left under the genuine impression that he was going to be killed. He said he has since been worried about leaving his own home, ensures his doors are locked every night, and has considered moving house. Representing Jones, who had no previous convictions, Dafydd Roberts said he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 'traits of autism'. But he said Jones 'wishes to rehabilitate himself, and is motivated to do so'. Sending him to prison would, Mr Roberts said, cause his mental health to 'spiral'. He added: 'Punishment and rehabilitation can be achieved far more positively by the imposition of a suspended sentence, with unpaid work requirements and an exclusion zone.' Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts told Jones that carrying a knife was a 'very silly thing to do', and that he had left Mr Nicholls 'understandably very frightened'. But he deemed him capable of rehabilitation, and ordered him to complete 200 hours' unpaid work and 25 days' rehabilitation activity as part of his suspended sentence. Jones will also be subject to a three-month 'trail monitoring' period, while 10-year restraining orders were made to protect Mr Nicholls and the woman. A deprivation order was made in respect of the BB gun.
TTG
28-05-2025
- Business
- TTG
Attraction World names new chief as Nicholls and Mahoney depart
The shake-up at the top sees the former chief financial officer take on the top job after joining AWG only last year. AWG's chief commercial officer Justin Mahoney has also departed. Dipak Jogia, chair of AWG and managing partner at investors Highmore Group, said: 'Joe has made a transformative impact on the business with his disciplined approach and his ability to execute on strategic initiatives. We have been incredibly impressed with his strong leadership skills, and confident in his ability to guide the company through its next phase of growth.' Hyland added: 'I'm honoured to lead Attraction World Group at such an exciting time. Our team is passionate about connecting people to unforgettable experiences, and we're committed to delivering even greater value to our partners and customers around the world.' Nicholls left after nearly six years with the business along with Mahoney. AWG said Hyland and Isabel Beckermann, chief operating officer, would 'lead AWG into its next phase of growth'. Nicholls did not detail his plans, but in a statement said: 'For now, I'm taking some time to welcome our new baby and focus on my growing family before diving into the next challenge.' Mahoney also did not disclose his reasons for leaving but added: 'I'm excited to explore new opportunities where I can continue to drive commercial growth, innovation and transformation.' Nicholls led AWG through the pandemic. 'The last six years have been both a personal and professional test, but my values have kept me focused and I leave proud of the business and the people who continue to shape it," he added. "The experiences industry is, for the first time, becoming a central part of the customer journey and it's an incredibly exciting time. I'm confident the cornerstones are now in place for AWG to continue evolving and scaling globally.' Mahoney is credited with widening AWG's distribution partnerships. 'It's been a fantastic journey, and I'm proud of the impact we've made, from redefining our product offering to strengthening key partner relationships," he said. "AWG is positioned for long-term success, and I'm grateful to have contributed to that momentum.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Military veterans of US' 'toxic soup' Uzbekistan base fighting for proper care 20 years after its shutter
At the former Soviet base-turned-CIA black site and U.S. military base in Uzbekistan, researchers knew early on danger lingered not just from the enemy but from the ground itself. Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, known as K2, was a launchpad for U.S. operations into Afghanistan after 9/11. But for thousands of American troops who served there, it may have been a death sentence. Matthew "Nick" Nicholls, an Army environmental technician and preventive medicine specialist, was part of an early team that assessed the environmental hazards at K2. "It is probably the most toxic soup of chemicals that any service member has ever been exposed to," Nicholls told Fox News Digital. Yellowcake uranium oozed from the ground. Jet fuel and volatile chemicals from decaying Soviet rocket bunkers polluted the soil and air. Dangerous fumes hung over the base like the fog of forgotten war. Nicholls and his team warned commanders, providing recommendations like laying down gravel to suppress toxic dust and restrictions on how long personnel could work in high-risk zones. Some precautions were taken, others weren't. Read On The Fox News App "People that I am friends with are actively dying from cancer right now," Nicholls said. "These are weird ontologies that are striking down people who are very young, people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, in the prime of their life." K2 veterans have reported a disturbing trend of rare and aggressive cancers, reproductive organ diseases, osteoarthritis and sudden, unexplained deaths. Victim Speaks Out After Navy Denies Fuel-contaminated Water Caused Injuries: 'Affected In Nearly Every Way' "These are not the cancers that young people normally get," Nicholls said. "Their stories are not really able to be told. That's the tragedy of it." "These people went there right after 9/11 to avenge the deaths of those who were murdered," Nicholls said. "Yet we had this launching pad in Uzbekistan that was left in such derelict condition by the Soviets." Between 2001 and 2005, more than 15,000 U.S. service members passed through K2. Thousands more served as contractors. Many now find themselves struggling to get adequate medical care or recognition from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA recognizes such veterans "may have encountered several hazardous exposures," and the Department of Defense conducted an initial study to look at cancer outcomes. But that study was based only on a few cases of each type of cancer and should not be viewed as "definitive evidence of an association with service at K-2," the VA says. But a spokesperson for Rep. Mark Green said he does not believe these studies were enough, that they did not take the full extent of contamination into account and did not appropriately inform occupants of the base of their exposure risk or account for the full range of diseases that can result from toxic exposures. "That is why Rep. Green's NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) amendment calls for a new, fully rigorous epidemiological study to cover these blind spots," the spokesperson said. "There are too many unknowns to call it a case closed." Fox News Digital has reached out to the VA for comment. Green, R-Tenn., and Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., introduced a provision in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Pentagon to complete a study on K2 exposure within 180 days. Four years later, that study remains unfinished. "This is unjust," Green told Fox News Digital. "There were repeated warnings that service members were being exposed to toxins, and yet their health and safety were ignored by Pentagon leadership of that day." In a letter first obtained by Fox News Digital that went out late Friday, Green is pressing the Pentagon to complete the long-overdue study, a step he argues is essential to ensure K2 veterans receive the care they deserve. "Because this study has yet to be completed (as far as Congress is aware), many K2 veterans are still waiting to receive much needed care," he wrote. "This is unjust. There were repeated warnings at Camp Stronghold Freedom that servicemembers (sic) were being exposed to toxins, and yet their health and safety were ignored by the Pentagon leadership of that day." The Pentagon told Fox News Digital it would respond to Green privately. 'Like A Car Crash': Navy Fighter Pilot Describes Brain Injury Phenomenon Now At Center Of Congressional Probe In 2024, the VA moved to expand access to disability for K2 veterans and lower the burden of proof for the veterans to link their illnesses to their service. But advocates say it wasn't enough. "The VA is dragging its feet," Green said. "I think it really purely comes down to cost. I get that the VA wants to be judicious, but my God, the numbers here are so convincing. This is long past due." Green has also introduced new legislation requiring the VA to formally recognize links between K2 toxic exposure and diseases like cancer, ensuring affected veterans qualify for care and benefits. Toxins at K2 included petrochemicals, volatile organic compounds, depleted uranium, burn pits and tetrachlorethylene, all chemicals associated with long-term health risks. But K2 veterans are not specifically named in the PACT Act, which expanded coverage for other toxic exposures like Agent Orange and burn pits. Green, a physician and Army veteran, sees disturbing echoes of past delays. Click To Get The Fox News App "Bureaucrats come and go, and bureaucrats have their own agendas," he said. "I want to make sure that it's written in stone and that these guys are not forgotten."Original article source: Military veterans of US' 'toxic soup' Uzbekistan base fighting for proper care 20 years after its shutter
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tiny item baked by Aussie students brings species back from the brink
Small rock-like biscuits — hundreds of which were moulded and baked by eager students — have helped bring a critically-endangered Aussie species bank from the brink. The 'interesting' idea came about after the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires destroyed known mountain pygmy-possum habitats in the north of NSW's iconic Kosciuszko National Park. The marsupial's main food source, bogong moths, had started to decline prior to the catastrophic event, but the blaze decimated the winged creature's population, leaving the remaining 700 pygmy-possums in a vulnerable position. 'They're omnivores, so they eat insects, seeds and berries, so all of that vegetation was scorched through their habitat,' Dan Nicholls, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Discovery Coordinator, told Yahoo News on Friday. 'But associated with that, of course, is the insect life that's attracted to those plants." Mountain pygmy-possums live deep in rocky boulder fields where there is little vegetation, meaning many were protected from the heat. 'We knew they'd survived at these several sites, but we knew also that there'd be no food for them for a long time," he said. Winter warning to Aussie residents after surprising discovery in fireplace Rare victory in fight to protect iconic and critically endangered Aussie species Hidden camera captures adorable moment with rare marsupial Concerned, experts contacted other wildlife groups for help, specifically Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary, which had created a biscuit recipe to feed its mountain pygmy-possum breeding program. NPWS purchased bags of the prepped mix, which 'arguably is as delicious as eating moths', and placed numerous 30-40g cubed treats in feeders that were lowered into the rocky boulder fields. They were baked by NPWS staff and volunteers, as well as curious students at Berridale, Cooma, Adaminaby and Jindabyne schools in the Snowy Mountains who asked how they could help. The biscuits are made up of macadamia nuts, meal worms and a mix of oils, minerals and nutrients, Nicholls said. The program ran for three years but is not currently underway. 'By then the environment had recovered enough so the animals could look after themselves,' Nicholls told Yahoo. However it seems to have been very successful, with a recent survey revealing a record 107 mountain pygmy-possums at a single site. 'It was a really successful response to this disturbance. Without that action, it's highly likely that those populations would have taken much, much longer to recover. They're small populations at these sites anyway, we're not talking hundreds of animals. We're talking 10s of animals.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Stalker bombarded Sussex Police chief with abusive social media posts for years
A self-declared 'X-oholic' has been jailed after he stalked a female police chief. Internet creep Jason Nicholls bombarded Sussex Police's Jo Shiner with hundreds of abusive social media posts over the course of two years. On Twitter, now X, Nicholls shared hundreds of posts, memes, mock-up images and videos criticising the chief constable's work. The 55-year-old started a 'Twitter soap' called 'Shiner Street' which detailed the 'ups and downs' of her force and created a wanted poster with her face on for 'crimes against policing'. Admitting his stalking, Nicholls said his social media 'addiction' has 'dominated' his life for over a decade as he tried to chase the 'instant dopamine rush' which came with posting online. He claimed to be the UK's 'first registered X-oholic' and says he now hopes to help others like him whose online lives have become 'unmanageable'. Now, Nicholls has been jailed for 15 weeks and has been slapped with a restraining order against CC Shiner. The order bans Nicholls from contacting CC Shiner, tagging her in posts online and also bans him from contacting Sussex Police unless there is a genuine emergency or to report a crime. While he was awaiting sentence at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, Nicholls breached his bail conditions by sending emails to police. Read more: At sentencing, magistrates told Nicholls he showed a 'flagrant disregard' for CC Shiner and that a 'significant degree' of planning went into his mock-up images on social media. Jason Nicholls (Image: Andrew Croft/Solent News) It was heard that Nicholls, from East Cowes, Isle of Wight, stalked CC Shiner from October 2022 to August of this year. He sent the constable a 'great deal' of online communications to her personal X account and email address, among others. Nicholls alleged there was 'corruption' within the force and suggested police were 'not investigating a matter reported by the defendant'. He used his social media account to 'vent his anger' towards the constable, the court heard. He also contacted media outlets including BBC Radio Sussex, falsely telling them CC Shiner had been 'arrested'. He also created a poster which joked that she was 'separated at birth' with Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses. Prosecutors said there was a 'large number of posts' which were 'distressing' to CC Shiner and she was 'professionally embarrassed'. Nicholls admitted one count of stalking without fear and distress and two counts of breaching bail conditions. When he appeared at court and admitted stalking last year, Nicholls took the unusual step of producing a statement about his so-called social media addiction. It said: "I am an X-oholic—blind to risk or consequence, I have lost control of my online life, impulsively chasing the instant dopamine rush of likes, shares, and replies through an overwhelming flood of posts, memes, and satirical videos. "Today, I've hit rock bottom, but I'm ready to take his first steps toward recovery." Nicholls said he 'turned to X' to cope with 'genuine distress' relating to an issue caused by a fostering assessment with East Sussex County Council that went 'disastrously wrong'. "But things quickly spiralled out of control," it continued. "For me - who has ADHD, which makes me especially susceptible to addictive behaviour - Elon Musk's free-speech platform X became like a high-street fixed-odds gambling machine, offering a quick, seductive, and psychologically numbing high." Nicholls apologised to CC Shiner and Sussex Police and asked for 'forgiveness and understanding' relating to the 'addiction that has dominated my life over the past decade'. "I deeply appreciate the difficult and vital role the police play and regret that my actions crossed the line," he continued. "Above all, I am here to ask the court for support in breaking free from this overwhelming compulsion. "I may be the UK's first registered X-oholic, but I won't be the last." The father said X has 'transformed how people in the UK air their problems, challenge people in power, and catch up on the news'. "Now Donald Trump is back in the White House, I fear my addiction will only worsen," he continued. "Today, this court has an opportunity to show national leadership in acknowledging that something has to be done to help X-oholics like me live a normal life." At Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, Nicholls was jailed for 15 weeks, given a restraining order, and ordered to pay £239 in costs.
