Latest news with #Weymouth
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Bibby Stockholm asylum seeker's chilling words before sexually assaulting teenage girl
AN ASYLUM seeker on the Bibby Stockholm sexually assaulted a teen girl after saying "I've never been this close to a white woman". Moffat Konofilia, who travelled 10,000 miles from the Solomon Islands, tried to kiss the terrified 17-year-old as she sat on Weymouth seafront in Dorset. 2 The ex-footballer, 48, told her he was on holiday - but in fact he lived on the controversial migrant barge moored at nearby Portland. The girl said Konofilia commented on the colour of her skin and said he had 'never been this close to a white woman' which made her feel uncomfortable. She began secretly recording their conversation and was heard saying 'no, no' as Konofilia tried to kiss her on the mouth before apologising. The victim left to walk home and Konofilia tried to follow her but she managed to lose him down an alleyway. After the sexual assault the girl called a friend crying and asked them to meet her. She reported the incident to police the next day. The migrant, who had played for Solomon Islands national team, said he had taken the bus into the Dorset seaside town and bought beers to drink on the beach 'as he often did'. When interviewed by police he said the girl told him she was 18 and that he wanted to help her. He claimed he had not kissed her but had put an arm around her to comfort her and she had pulled away. He denied kissing her or following her when she left. Konofilia was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by magistrates in Poole. Shock moment cops DRIVE INTO protester while under siege from yobs as chaos erupts over small boat migrant 'sex assault' Sentencing was adjourned for reports and he was released on bail. He now lives at Quadrant Hall in Coventry, a former university halls that was converted to house 100 asylum seekers. Although he speaks English, he said his first language is Pijin, a common language in the Solomon Islands. At a previous court hearing he said he had two interviews for his asylum claim which depended on the outcome of this case. The Solomon Islands are the seventh furthest country from the UK and there are currently no specific visas for Solomon Islanders to enter the UK to seek asylum. Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are the primary destinations for asylum seekers from the Solomon Islands. 2
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Migrant who sexually assaulted 17-year-old had ‘never been so close to a white woman'
An asylum seeker convicted of assaulting a teenage girl on a beach told her he had 'never been this close to a white woman'. Moffat Konofilia who travelled 10,000 miles to the UK from the Solomon Islands was staying on the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge in Portland, Dorset, in December 2023 when he carried out the offence on the nearby Weymouth seafront. The 48-year-old sat next to the 17-year-old girl on the beach and began talking to her. The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said Konofilia commented on the colour of her skin and said he had 'never been this close to a white woman', which made her feel uncomfortable. He told her he was in Weymouth on holiday but in fact he lived on the barge that is moored at Portland Port, a court was told. He had taken the bus into Weymouth and bought beers to drink on the beach, 'as he often did'. The girl began secretly recording their conversation and was heard saying 'no, no' as Konofilia tried to kiss her on the mouth before apologising. The victim left to walk home and Konofilia tried to follow her but she managed to lose him down an alleyway, the court was told. The girl reported the incident to the authorities the next day. When Konofilia was interviewed by police he said the girl told him she was 18 and that he wanted to help her. He claimed he had not kissed her but had put an arm around her to comfort her and she had pulled away. He denied kissing her or following her when she left. Konofilia, a former footballer for the Solomon Islands national team, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by magistrates in Poole. Sentencing was adjourned for reports and he was released on bail. He now resides at Quadrant Hall in Coventry, which is a former university accommodation hall that was converted to house 100 asylum seekers. Although he speaks English, he said his first language was Pijin, a common language in the Solomon Islands. At a previous court hearing, he said he had two interviews for his asylum claim which depended on the outcome of this case. The Solomon Islands are the seventh-furthest country from the UK and there are currently no specific visas for Solomon Islanders to enter the UK to seek asylum. Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are the primary destinations for asylum seekers from the Solomon Islands.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
The UK coastal town up in arms over sea rafts removal
Protesters in Weymouth have demonstrated against the sudden removal of two floating sea rafts from Greenhill Beach, which had been present for over 80 years. Weymouth Town Council removed the rafts due to safety concerns, specifically that they created blind spots for RNLI lifeguards, and because their insurance providers could no longer offer cover. Local residents, including Jade O'Brien who initiated a petition, argue that the rafts are vital for community leisure and encouraging children's water confidence, despite the council's safety claims. Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition demanding the rafts' return, though the council has denied that the removal was a cost-cutting measure. The council has stated its commitment to working with partners and seeking advice to find a way to safely return the rafts to the sea as soon as possible, while adhering to health and safety obligations.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Swimmers protest after Weymouth's ‘beloved' sea rafts removed over health and safety fears
Protesters have taken to the sea in Weymouth over the sudden removal of the 'beloved' floating sea rafts – which had been in place for over 80 years – over health and safety concerns. The town council removed the two platforms due to safety concerns around blind spots to the RNLI lifeguards on duty, but the move has been accused of being a 'cost-cutting measure'. Local residents have taken to the waters to protest against their removal and demand their return as soon as possible. Jade O'Brien, who launched a petition to the council, said: 'For over 40 years the rafts have stood in these waters, providing safe recreation and cherished experiences for generations. ' Weymouth town council decided to remove these beloved rafts, citing safety concerns of blind spots to the lifeguard on duty. 'However, incidents have been rare, and Greenhill Beach has consistently maintained a strong safety record. It doesn't make sense.' She continued: 'The rafts not only signify leisure but are integral to our community. They encourage children to exercise, learn to swim, and develop water confidence. 'By removing them, we are not only subtracting an element of enjoyment but also diminishing the vitality of Greenhill Beach.' Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition to restore the rafts, while the council have denied it forms part of a cost-cutting move. In a statement on their website, they said that the council had been informed on 10 July that RNLI would not include a platform or pontoon as part of their primary or secondary areas of operation, and so the rafts would not be considered as part of their immediate responsibilities. This was due to them creating a 'blind spot for the lifeguards which operate from the beach and therefore pose a risk to members of the public'. As a result, the council's insurance providers confirmed they were unable to offer cover in the event of claim for incident or accident. A spokesperson for the council said: 'We remain committed to trying to find a way to get the rafts returned to Greenhill Beach. To do this we will continue to work with our partners and take advice on how we can achieve this. 'Our goal is to get the rafts back out in the sea as soon as possible, whilst ensuring that the council's legal health and safety obligations are met.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Dorset nurse who lied about care instructions struck off
A community nurse who lied after she completed a patient visit alone when she was told to do it with another colleague has been struck Gould, who worked in Weymouth and Portland, Dorset, was told by a manager in a patient's clinical notes that two colleagues should carry out the person's collar care in July she said she did not check those notes, completed the visit herself and accepted she had doctored the document that said she must visit with another nurse.A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel said her "premeditated and systematic deception" was "fundamentally incompatible" with staying on its register. Ms Gould's supervisor initially worried they had made a "serious mistake" by failing to tell her in the notes that the collar care should have been done by two Ms Gould covered up those details in pictures of the notes that she sent to her panel found had Ms Gould sent the original document as it was written, her failure to carry out the visit with another colleague "would have been immediately obvious".Though it found she caused no harm to the patient, it said her actions were a "significant departure" from the standards expected. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
