Latest news with #Worcestershire
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Brit backpacker ‘who mowed down dad on e-scooter following six-hour pub session' appears in court as she faces 20 years
THE Brit backpacker accused of killing a dad-of-two after crashing into him on an e-scooter after an alleged six-hour pub session has appeared in court. Alicia Kemp, 25, was charged over the horror smash that left 51-year-old Thanh Phan with fatal head injuries in June. 4 4 The psychology graduate from Redditch, Worcestershire, is accused of striking Mr Phan from behind while speeding down a footpath in Perth with a friend on board as a passenger. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital but tragically died of a brain bleed days later. The Brit had been drinking for six hours before the crash, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. Kemp was charged with dangerous driving causing death under the influence of alcohol, as well as dangerous driving causing bodily harm under the influence of alcohol. The 25-year-old, who is yet to enter a plea, appeared on Tuesday at Perth Magistrates' Court on video, court officials said. Kemp was denied bail at a hearing in June. She was remanded in custody in Australia until her case returns to court on 11 August for legal argument. Prosecutors previously said Kemp had a blood alcohol content of 0.158 when she 'careered into his back' at up to 25km/h as the dad stood at a crossing on a Saturday night in June. The court heard walkers had to 'take evasive action' to avoid Kemp's 'inexplicably dangerous' riding, which was captured on CCTV. Her 26-year-old passenger also suffered a fractured skull and broken nose. Moment Brits including woman are beaten and kicked by Turkish 'Mad Boys' bouncers in row over bill and 'insulting flag' Kemp, who was in Australia on a four-month tourist visa with her partner, had been working at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub in Perth. She had been drinking with a friend from 2.30pm - who was kicked out of a bar for being too drunk - before they hired the e-scooter just before 8.30pm. Her bail bid was rejected after a magistrate ruled she posed too great a flight risk. The magistrate said: "It's a very difficult decision for the court to make. The temptation might be that [she] won't return. "I can't manage that risk." Phan's devastated family described him as a 'beloved husband, father-of-two, brother, and dear friend', and are now calling for a crackdown on e-scooter safety laws. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said in a statement. In a statement released through police, Phan's grieving family pleaded for privacy and called on authorities to tighten e-scooter hire regulations. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk,' they said. The charge of dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. And under Western Australian law, e-scooter riders have to wear a helmet, be sober, carry no passengers and be over 16 years old.
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Shame Rapids form did not come sooner
Worcestershire Rapids all-rounder Ethan Brookes says it is a shame the side's current good form in the T20 Blast did not come earlier in the race to qualify for the six-wicket victory over Leicestershire Foxes at New Road was the Rapids' third win in their past four games but still sees them needing to win their last match in the North Group to stand any chance of making the knock-out who struck an unbeaten 56 off just 28 balls to steer Worcestershire home, said there was a tinge of frustration about the past few results."On the one side the lads are going to take a lot of pleasure and pride from it but if we'd have done that a lot earlier in the tournament it would've been a lot nicer," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester."We can still qualify if we can put in a good performance in on Thursday so we'll see where we're at." Brookes' match-winning half-century on Sunday was supported by a career-best unbeaten 18 off 12 balls from Henry 22-year-old was playing only his fourth T20 game, 48 hours after signing a new two-year contract with the club."I'm really pleased he's staying," Brookes, who last month also penned a new deal, said."I think he'll be a great talent. It's still early in his T20 career but he's got all the shots, he's a real talent."I just think he needs the confidence in himself that he's good enough to play and this standard because he is." 'We want to put ourselves in the hat' That final fixture takes place at New Road on Thursday against Nottinghamshire Outlaws [17:30 BST] with the Rapids, four points points off the top four, needing to win and hope results involving the Bears and Durham - who have two games remaining - go their losing to Worcestershire, Leicestershire are still a threat as they are level on points with the Rapids but have two games to play. The Foxes take on Durham at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday [18:30 BST].Although the 2018 Blast champions' chances of a seventh quarter-final appearances are slim, Brookes says the way they've played in seeing off Northants, Derbyshire and the Foxes - with a 23-run defeat by the Bears the only loss in the four games - gives them hope."It can go your way one day and not go your way the other, so that's T20 cricket," Brookes said."But if we can string performances together like we have in the last games - I know we lost the other night [to the Bears] but we were pretty close - you know, the confidence is high."We want to put ourselves in the hat for the top four. "A win might get us there along with other results and if we can win it will help us take confidence into the next block of games."
BBC News
14 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
West Midlands Safari Park welcomes red panda cub twins
Red panda cub twins have been born at a safari park in a milestone moment for the endangered species, keepers had been suspected at West Midlands Safari Park that mum Mei Lin was having twins on 16 June, when staff heard squeaks from a nest box.A few days later, keepers confirmed there were two cubs, when she was seen moving one to a different next box before going back to collect the Sewell, head keeper at the Worcestershire park, said the team was "absolutely thrilled", adding the births were "incredibly special", not just for them, but for the wider conservation of the species. She said it is thought the wild population has less than 10,000 individuals, adding that every successful birth helped to secure a future for red Sewell said: "Although it is still early days, we look forward to sharing their journey with our visitors as they grow." 'Truly magical' Keepers will monitor the cubs and Mei Lin from a safe distance for the next few weeks, so that she can adapt to becoming a will not be clear whether the cubs are male or female until they are about 16 weeks old and start to venture out of the nest boxes and, at which point keepers will choose their names. One park visitor said they had caught a glimpse of the cubs."Not only did we get to see the red pandas, but we also caught the first glimpses of the new cubs, which was truly magical," Mari Mascarenhas, a GP from Perth in Western Australia, said after taking her daughter to the park. Keepers said the park had been enjoying a "baby boom" this year, with the birth of tiger cub triplets, an Indian rhino calf, lion cub triplets, barasingha fawn and blesbok calves. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Worcestershire's Malvern Hills Trust should be abolished, says councillor
Calls to abolish a trust that protects and manages the Malvern Hills, and replace it with a national park, have come from a Worcestershire councillor Richard Udall said the Malvern Hills Bill, which proposes changes to the way the trust is governed, is not fit for was speaking as Worcestershire County Council voted to oppose the bill in its current Councillor Adrian Hardman told the full council: "The Malvern Hills Trust is outdated, misplaced and irrelevant to the real needs of Malvern Hills. It needs to go." But trust chief executive Deborah Fox said the organisation wanted to modernise its governance. Trust 'outdated' The council has concerns over a number of extended powers proposed in the bill, including the installation of cattlegrids and closure of Councillor Adrian Hardman told the full council: "The [trust] board in its current form does need some reform and I'm keen the council doesn't stand in its way."But he added: "If you're putting in cattlegrids then you'll need fences – and that goes against the aims of the original bill."Udall said: "The bill is not supported by local residents."We should be petitioning the government for the abolition of the Malvern Hills Trust and its replacement with a new national park, which would be directly elected, accountable and therefore much more transparent.' Ms Fox said: "The Malvern Hills Trust is here to care for the hills and commons. The trust is trying to update and modernise its governance."The trust was established by an Act of Parliament and any major changes in our governance require a new act."She said she welcomed anyone with questions to attend one of the drop-in events in July and Fox added: "We want to give people an opportunity to have their questions answered and learn more about how the bill will allow us to operate more effectively." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Hollywood's next biggest legends revealed – from Margot Robbie to Zendaya
TOM Holland, Margot Robbie and Zendaya are on the way to the top of the Hollywood hot spot - according to Brits. Barbie star Margot and her fellow actors are set to become the next huge Hollywood legends - movie goers have predicted. 8 8 8 8 Oppenheimer actress Florence Pugh and Willy Wonka star Timothee Chalamet came in fourth and fifth place respectively. Elvis Presley biopic star Austin Butler featured high in the list, followed by Sydney Sweeney and former Queen's Gambit star Anya-Taylor Joy. The research was commissioned by Compare the Market in a poll of 2,000 adults, which also revealed 51 per cent of Brits think the UK deserves an iconic film landmark - like the 'Hollywood' sign in LA. The price comparison app created a huge replica of the world-famous sign - in Hollywood, Worcestershire. A spokesperson said: "For ten years, we've been helping the nation beat the midweek slump and make saving simples with 2-for-1 cinema tickets on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. 'And what better way to celebrate than by bringing a little slice of Hollywood to the UK's own Hollywood? 'The public's response, and even the message from Hollywood itself, shows how much people still love the magic of the movies.' Cinema nostalgia is on the rise with 51 per cent of 25-34 year olds saying recent cult movie sequels have been a hit. Around two thirds (68 per cent) of the same age group go to the cinema more now than ever. The research discovered that 48 per cent of Brits go on 'autopilot' during the week - with 55 per cent desperate for humpday entertainment. Hollywood's Pay Gap: Top Earners Revealed! More than four in 10 (44 per cent) rarely go out during the week, but 41 per cent are 'actively looking' for things to do. Steve Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, added: 'It's not every day you see the Hollywood sign pop up halfway across the world - let alone in another place called Hollywood. 'We're thrilled to see our iconic sign reimagined in Worcestershire and proud to share a little piece of Hollywood with our friends in the UK.' Down-to-earth actress Margot recently admitted she loves traipsing round London looking for ghouls. The Aussie, 34, revealed she gets spooked at The London Dungeon — but is too old for her former nightclub haunts. Margot, who was at Glastonbury last month with husband Tom Ackerley, revealed she no longer goes to her favourite London club Infernos in Clapham, where she used to live. She said at the Pilton Palais cinema: 'I'm 34 and I don't think they'd let me in. "They would be like, 'No go away old lady'. "Our roommate has a 99-year ban.' 8 8 8
