Doofus Of The Day #42

One of Britain’s dumbest has been caught on camera, stealing from an unmarked police car – for the third time. James Milsom, 21, was filmed breaking into the vehicle, just six weeks after he was released from prison for stealing a sat nav from another unmarked police car. The pictures revealed it took him only… Continue reading Doofus Of The Day #42

Hidden treasure

Police in London are busy sorting through a treasure-trove of discoveries. Detectives have found six suitcases packed with gold dust worth £8 million and more than £30 million in cash during raids on three safe deposit centres in some of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods. Last night Scotland Yard said the recovery of such an astonishing… Continue reading Hidden treasure

When liberal laws try to trump religious conscience

There’s a huge fuss going on in England at present over the impact of the Equality Act on adoptions. The law insists that there be no discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of ‘goods and services’. In most countries, that doesn’t include the provision of adoption services: but in the UK,… Continue reading When liberal laws try to trump religious conscience

What’s it like to live under a police state?

I’ve been asked that question by a couple of correspondents after posting yesterday about China’s all-seeing eye, and the danger that something similar will come to our shores as well. I have some personal experience of what untrammeled police power can mean. I lived in South Africa right through the social unrest (in reality a… Continue reading What’s it like to live under a police state?

China’s all-seeing eye – coming to America?

There’s a very interesting – and very worrying – article in Rolling Stone about China’s surveillance of everyone in its society. American commentators like CNN’s Jack Cafferty dismiss the Chinese as “the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years.” But nobody told the people of Shenzhen, who are busily… Continue reading China’s all-seeing eye – coming to America?

Marriage annulled on the grounds of non-virginity

There’s a legal storm brewing in France. The French government said it will appeal a court decision to grant a marriage annulment to a Muslim on the grounds his wife lied about her virginity, after the verdict sparked a public uproar. Justice Minister Rachida Dati has asked state prosecutors to file an appeal against the… Continue reading Marriage annulled on the grounds of non-virginity

Wrongful conviction – and a belated pardon for a wrongful execution

Two stories of wrongful conviction hit the news today. In Chicago, a man convicted of rape fourteen years ago has been cleared by DNA evidence. DNA tests have exonerated a South Side man who has served nearly 14 years in prison in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl who was attacked in the fall… Continue reading Wrongful conviction – and a belated pardon for a wrongful execution

Oops!

The police at Narita airport, Japan, are rather red-faced at the moment. According to the BBC: An unwitting passenger arriving at Japan’s Narita airport has received 142g of cannabis after a customs test went awry, officials say. A customs officer hid a package of the banned substance in a side pocket of a randomly chosen… Continue reading Oops!