Archive

  • Child porn pervert jailed

    A former teacher has been jailed for downloading child porn on his work computer. David Roberts, 48, had stored more than 600 pictures and films of children - including one image at the highest level of abuse. Roberts, who was employed by Brighton and

  • Burglary spree couple jailed

    A heartless couple stole from six people's homes in one day. Houses in Lewes, Peacehaven and Rottingdean were targeted by the thieves, a court heard. Carrie Turner, 39, knocked on the front door and distracted the owner while Daniel Murray, 33, who

  • Beachy Head suicides halved

    The number of suicides at Beachy Head has more than halved during 2006. In the past 12 months seven people committed suicide by throwing themselves off the cliff in Eastbourne, compared to 15 people in 2002, 17 in 2003, 22 in 2004 and 26 in 2005.

  • School was warned of bullying problem

    Tragic Ben Vodden's school was warned about its bullying problem in its latest Government inspection. Ben, from Andrews Lane, Southwater, hanged himself in his bedroom after allegedly suffering weeks of hell at the hands of bullies at Tanbridge House

  • Hell's chef turns fire on restaurant

    He was credited with transforming the down-at-heel soul food shack into one of the success stories of the decade. Now Gordon Ramsay has roasted Momma Cherri and made mincemeat of her staff. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares shot the Soul Food Shack to fame

  • Callous thieves raid charity

    Thieves snatched tools worth more than £2,500 from a garage owned by a charity which offers a lifeline to the elderly. For more than four decades, the volunteers of The Bluebird Society for the Disabled have given pensioners in Brighton and Hove the

  • Oxbridge 'too snobby'

    A lack of inside knowledge and expectations of snobbery hold state-school students back when it comes to applying to Oxford and Cambridge. Those are some of the views held by the principals of the two schools with the highest successful admissions rates

  • Gay partners' first anniversary

    One of the first couples in Great Britain to have a civil partnership ceremony have celebrated their first anniversary. John Maguire and Laurence Scott-Mackay enjoyed a special meal in Brighton to mark the day. They were the first couple in Scotland

  • Teenager pays compensation to man he battered with baton

    A teenager has been ordered to pay compensation to a man he assualted with a baton. Adam Burgess was left with severe bruising after he was beaten by Aaron Harvey outside a pub. Harvey, 18, attacked the victim after he saw him "eyeing up" his girlfriend

  • Chaplaincy team praised for reduction in Beachy Head suicides

    The number of suicides at Beachy Head has fallen dramatically this year. In the last 12 months, seven people have committed suicide by throwing themselves off the spot in Eastbourne compared to 15 people in 2002, 17 in 2003, 22 in 2004 and 26 in 2005

  • Bus marshal plea to stop bullying

    Parents are demanding that dedicated, uniformed marshals ride on school buses to stamp out bullying and fighting. They have reacted with anger and dismay at the death of 11-year-old Ben Vodden, of Andrews Lane, Southwater, who hanged himself

  • Sir Richard warns of Olympic transport chaos

    Sir Richard Branson has warned of a transport catastrophe at the 2012 Olympics if the Gatwick Express train service is axed. He said that without it tens of thousands of visitors would be forced to use cars or taxis to reach the Olympic Stadium

  • Jobless snapper gets pictures to customers

    A photographer who lost her job when her company went bust put aside her own problems to ensure customers got their portraits for Christmas. Mother-of-two Rachel Gillingham rescued 60 family pictures, many of them Christmas presents, from the Olan

  • Motorist drives into packed bar

    A mother and her young child were lucky to escape with their lives after the woman's car ploughed into the front of a packed bar. Customers dived for cover as the white Rover smashed into the wall of the Atlas Lounge in Western Road, Hove, at 7pm

  • Woman's road rage attack during school run

    Two women were involved in a road rage attack outside a school. Stunned parents looked on as a woman hurled abuse and grabbed another mother around the neck outside Telscombe Cliffs School in Central Avenue North, Peacehaven. The victim had reversed

  • Scots celebrate first ‘gay wedding’ anniversary

    One of the first couples in Britain to have a gay wedding' will remember their ceremony of union today. John Maguire and Laurence Scott-Mackay were the first couple to become civil partners in Scotland after 14 years together. Their ceremony was held

  • Road closed as man threatens to jump from viaduct

    Police were called to reports of a drunken man threatening to jump off a railway viaduct. Officers attended the incident at the railway viaduct above Lewes Road, Brighton, at 3.40am today (Wednesday December 20). On arrival, the man became abusive and

  • The Zutons, dome Concert Hall, Brighton

    "You could do with getting a bit more involved Brighton," complained frontman David McCabe. While The Zutons thrashed about on stage, saxophones blaring, cow bells gonking and tambourines smashing, the crowd appeared... "bovvered". A security

  • Christmas Concert, Dome Concert Hall, Brighton

    Even a cynical old atheist like me can get a little misty-eyed at this time of year, especially at the treble solo opening of the carol Once in Royal David's City. And Brighton Festival Chorus' (BFC) annual Christmas Concert was a bit like that

  • Steeleye Span, Hove Centre, Hove

    'Tis the season to be jolly... but apparently not for folkrock legends Steeleye Span. Delving into a repertoire stretching back 37 years, as well as showcasing material from their new album Bloody Men, they presented tales of murder, curses, execution

  • Lewes ready for Trophy challenge

    Ian Simpemba believes Lewes should go to Oxford tonight full of confidence. Simpemba is one of the few Lewes players with experience of playing at the Kassam Stadium. And the 23-year-old insists the Rooks can cause an upset against the Conference

  • Smith’s big guns will face Rooks

    Lewes boss Steven King has told Conference leaders Oxford United: "We don't fear you." Rooks are poised to name an unchanged line-up as they take on Jim Smith's side in tonight's FA Trophy replay at the Kassam Stadium. King said: "It will be

  • Set up your own social enterprise

    A new training programme to encourage the growth of social enterprises has been launched. Social enterprises are businesses that reinvest their profits to deliver lasting social and environmental benefits. Well-known social enterprises include

  • Free speech means we must be free to offend

    Your editorial on the prosecution of 75-year-old Councillor Peter Willows (The Argus, December 14) was spot on. I have never met him but it seems his crass comments must at least partly reflect his age. After all, society regarded gay people very

  • We should have a little more perspective

    With reference to the article "Magician slapped autistic boy's face" (The Argus, December 15), Lynn Thomas has performed as a magician at the Unemployed Centre's Christmas party for children of the unemployed for more than 20 years. There has not

  • We can’t afford this kind of pride

    In a culture which strongly emphasises personal rights and empowerment, it comes as no surprise that very little attention is paid to pride. Pride may or may not be a cardinal sin but it is certainly one of our gravest follies. Right now, the

  • Gehry's eyesore

    On the whole, I am for as much new building as possible to bring house prices down. Similarly, I favour the redevelopment of the King Alfred but deplore the overdevelopment necessary to fund Frank Gehry's extravaganza where the norms of verticality

  • Right to speak

    I have been following the Peter Willows saga with interest, mainly because of the direct threat to freedom of speech. As I understand it, Peter Willows made a bigoted comment in a private conversation at a private function. This was overheard by

  • Not a waste at all

    Peter Willow's Tory supporters cannot have it both ways (The Argus, December 13). As the self-styled party of law and order, the Conservative Party usually supports the police and courts in their work fighting crime. Suddenly, when a case is against

  • A good resolution

    There is antisocial behaviour in Saltdean - but it is not always due to irresponsible parents. All of Saltdean needs the visible presence of uniformed policemen and policewomen and active traffic wardens, daily. Now, there's a New Year resolution

  • Addiction costs more than a cure

    Your front page report on drugs refers to getting addicts into treatment and central Government funding (The Argus, December 1). Unfortunately, while drug users may be in touch with the NHS and drug treatment services, they do not necessarily

  • Thank Tesco for our pretty road barrier

    In response to Trevor Pateman, regarding the finishing-off of the closure end of Vallance Road (Letters, December 9), as a nearby resident, I warmly welcome it. Without the closure, there would have been a staggered four-way junction with the entrance

  • Don’t think that

    I cannot see any useful purpose was served in taking ex-Councillor Willows to court. It is obvious what he said was totally unacceptable, based on prejudice and ignorance, and cannot be condoned. In my personal view, such statements should be

  • Stale news

    The out-of-date food your reporter bought (The Argus, December 6) was not a one-off. I shop at the marina every other week and a couple of months ago I found some pancakes I had picked up to buy were a day out-of-date. When I went back two weeks

  • Let them eat

    How much happier I would have been if the headline had read: "Panto throws nut-free sweets" (The Argus, December 13). It would have been more positive and raise public awareness of nut allergy and support the work of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Sufferers

  • Missing Gardner

    I wish to express my gratitude to the Gardner Centre for so many years of eclectic theatre and dance which couldn't be found elsewhere in Brighton in a single venue. I knew I'd be able to park and I'd get a good seat, no matter where in the auditorium

  • Fears over post office closures

    Small businesses have claimed post office closures will create carnage on Sussex high streets. Peter Archer, regional chairman of the Federation of Small Business, said the planned closures were "simply not on". He said: "Small businesses pay

  • Nursery with three storeys for children

    A team of education and childcare consultants have bought a nursery in Worthing for £1.4 million. Linda Thornton, Pat Brunton and Martin Pace, who sold his chain of six London nurseries in 2005, have bought the former Westerfields nursery in

  • Nursery with three storeys for children

    A team of education and childcare consultants have bought a nursery in Worthing for £1.4 million. Linda Thornton, Pat Brunton and Martin Pace, who sold his chain of six London nurseries in 2005, have bought the former Westerfields nursery in

  • Moving tributes to dedicated fireman

    The family of a retired fire officer killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory yesterday paid tribute to a "man of honour" at his funeral. More than a thousand mourners gathered to pay their respects to dedicated support officer Brian Wembridge,

  • Police driver in crash admits he jumped red light

    A police van careered towards drinkers outside a pub after it was involved in a crash, a court was told yesterday. The smash happened after Sergeant Richard Siggs went through a red light as he answered an emergency call. The van hit a Ford Focus carrying

  • Homeless shelter in funding crisis

    A homeless shelter which helps some of the most needy people in Sussex could close within months because of a funding crisis. The Christian Care Association's St Martin's Day Centre in West Street, Bognor, has relied on lottery funding for the last

  • Hero of Helmand to receive Military Cross

    In Afghanistan's troubled Helmand Province, coalition forces learn to expect the unexpected. But when Flight Lieutenant Matt Carter went to a Christmas drinks party after his eventful six-month tour had finished he was taken completely by surprise. The

  • Police investigate player's injuries

    A police investigation has been launched after a rugby player was stamped on during a match. Richard Badcock's facial injury was so severe he needed emergency dental work after studs from an opposing player's boots became embedded in his jaw. Mr Badcock

  • Safety fears as pier stays open during Fatboy gig

    Safety fears were expressed after it was announced the Palace Pier in Brighton will stay open while Fatboy Slim's New Year's beach party takes place less than 400m away. The pier will be open for business as usual on January 1 despite concerns it will

  • 'Tis the season to get stuck in traffic jams

    Heavy road congestion is expected over Christmas as families across Sussex hit the road to overcome the severe rail disruption which was announced last week. The Argus reported how people faced a nightmare journey on the Brighton to London mainline

  • Thieves take collection from church

    Thieves stole more than £400 collected for a children's charity during a Christmas carol event . About 700 pupils, teachers and parents from St Christopher's School in Hove attended nearby All Saints Church for the annual service on Friday. After

  • Cheeky Girl in 'love at first sight'

    One half of the Cheeky Girls, Gabriela Irimia, said her relationship with flamboyant politician Lembit Opik was "love at first sight". The 24-year-old pop star, from Rye, near Hastings, said she was very happy and looking for a long relationship

  • Elderly are deserting city

    Pensioners are leaving Brighton and Hove in their thousands, cashing in on rising house prices and leaving a city increasingly oriented towards the young and tourists, a council report has revealed. And, according to current trends, the Office

  • Killer must serve at least 15 years

    A violent thug who killed the mother of his daughter as they rowed over contact must serve at least 15 years behind bars, a top judge has ruled. Steven Foster Gander, of Linden Close, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court in September

  • Advent calendar is streets ahead

    Neighbours have got into the festive spirit by creating a real-life Advent calendar in their street. Every year in the run up to Christmas, residents in St Nicholas Road in Brighton decorate their windows and unveil one every day up until Christmas

  • Demonstrators say not to waste recycling factory

    Villagers waved placards and chanted slogans at a demonstration against a proposed new waste recycling factory. Residents from Chiddingly, near Hailsham, protested outside the Woodland Centre in Whitesmith yesterday. County waste contractor Veolia