...I'm bored of this now. I think I proved my point though. Read more...
Thursday 20 December 2007
New train timetable causes headache for commuters in Sussex
By Katya Mira
New train timetables are causing a nightmare for commuters travelling to work.
The new service introduced by Southern Trains on December 9 follows the withdrawal of the South West Trains (SWT) Basingstoke to Brighton service.
It aims to streamline and improve services to Southampton and Portsmouth and only reduce those used by a small number of people.
But people travelling towards Brighton from smaller stations between Chichester and Worthing say they are suffering from reduced service at peak commuting times.
Many of those who use the train daily from villages such as Goring, Fishbourne, Bosham, Nutbourne and Amberley say the changes mean their trains are less frequent, they have to wait up to an hour-and-a-half for a connecting train on some services and some stations are being missed out altogether.
Angry train users said that the changes are making travelling to work by train almost impossible. Some have even said they are considering moving home to cope with the timetable changes.
Anne Hill, who lives in Bury, near Amberley, does not drive and says commuting to Brighton has been hell since the new timetables were introduced.
She said the journey used to take her an hour in the morning and in the evening but now she had nearly an extra half hour added onto her inward journey and to wait an hour and a half for the connecting service home.
She said she had been getting lifts home so far but would not be able to rely on them all the time so did not know how she was going to cope.
Ms Hill said: "They are trying to get people to Southampton quicker but not considering people in the Arun Valley.
"How many go all the way from Brighton to Southampton on a daily basis? They need to be looking after their commuters as well.
"We have less trains and the connection times are terrible and so many of us are having problems. One woman I spoke to the other day said the train no longer stopped where she lives at Fishbourne so she was going to have to move.
"It is putting people's jobs on the line.
"When I first saw the timetables it ruined my weekend thinking about how I was going to survive and I am still unsure how I am going to be able to continue doing my job."
Chris Burchell, managing director of Southern Trains, maintained the cuts only affect a small number of people.
He said: "Overall this is great news for Brighton.
ìCommuters and leisure travellers will see big improvements in journey time and frequency.î "A lot of time and thought has gone into re-designing our services and rail users in Brighton will clearly benefit.
"There have been some reductions but these are on services used by smaller numbers of passengers. We sympathise with passengers on these routes but have done our best to ensure an improved or equal service for the vast majority. We hope the changes will encourage people who may not previously have used the railway to give our trains a try."
Are you affected by the new timetables? Call Katya Mira on 01273 544545 or leave your comments below.
Read more...Pedestrian hit by lorry in Worthing
By Ruth Lumley
An elderly pedestrian has suffered serious injuries after being knocked over by a lorry.
The man was outside Swandean Hospital in Arundel Road on the A27 in Worthing, at 11.15am today, when he was knocked over by a light-coloured, medium-sized, curtain-sided goods vehicle, which failed to stop. The victim was taken to Worthing Hospital.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Malling.
Read more...Drugs gang jailed for 86 years
Six members of a gang which plotted to flood bars and clubs in Sussex with millions of pounds of cocaine have today been jailed for a total of 86 years.
High-living mastermind Lubia Ram, 47, was given 20 years for his part in the conspiracy to smuggle cocaine worth £5million from South America.
Ram, of Delfont Close, Crawley, put up £70,000 and plotted with Oscar Salas-Weslke to buy the Class A drug in Peru.
Salas-weslke, 54, of East Park, Crawley, flew three times to his native Peru to set up the importation.
The unemployed chef hid bullets of almost 100 per cent pure cocaine in 35mm film canisters and posted them to to safe addresses in Crawley and Brighton.
He was jailed for 22 years today at the end of a four-month trial at Hove Crown Court.
Moves are underway to deport him to Peru to continue serving his sentence there.
His son Nathan Chapman-Salas, 28, acted as their "gopher".
He sent Ram's money to his father in Peru and collected the drugs when they arrived in Sussex.
Chapman-Sallas, 28, of Innes Road, Horsham, a father-of-three, was sent to prison for 15 years.
Bouncer and former judo champion Richard Casella, described as Ram's "muscle", provided safe addresses for the drugs to be sent to.
They included those of his brother and a former girlfriend.
Casella,43, of Hophurst Drive, Crawley, was jailed for 12 years.
Self-confessed crack-cocaine addict Trevor Bodwen also provided a safe address for the drugs to be sent to.
Bowden, 38, of Clive Way, Crawley, was given ten years behind bars yesterday.
Julian Fernandez, 25, accepted packages drugs at his home in Railey Road, Crawley.
The student and part-time waiter was the only one who admitted his role in the conspiracy.
He offered to give evidence against Salas-Weslke in the hope of receiving a lighter sentence but prosecutors refused the deal.
Fernandez is today starting a seven-year sentence for his part in the conspiracy.
The plot failed after German customs officers intercepted three consignments of drugs posted from Peru between July and October last year.
They tipped off Sussex Police and the near 100 per cent pure cocaine was removed.
Detective Constable Peter Stapleton posed as a postman to see who accepted the dummy packages at addresses in Crawley.
The court heard Ram put up £70,000 to buy the cocaine which sells at £2,000 a kilo in Peru.
It is estimated that the 35kg his money would have bought would have sold on the streets of Sussex for £5million.
Judge Guy Anthony told them: "You Salas-Weselke and Ram were the two central brains. Neither has expressed the slightest remorse.
"Chapman-Salas you played a very significant role, acting as middle-man.
"You were more than happy to assist in this enterprise in the expectation of significant profits.
"It was you who put Fabio de Palma in peril of being convicted and you who involved Bowden.
"Richard Casella, you embarked on the scheme with greater enthusiasm than some of the others.
"You provided the addresses of your own brother and your then girlfriend for Ram to use.
"On the jury's verdict you got your brother into serious trouble through no fault of his own."
Detective Sergeant Tony Pike, who led the investigation, said he was pleased with the sentences.
He said: "They are deterent sentences and will be seen as such.
"This is a clear warning to people not to deal drugs in Susex."
Detective Constable Stuart Black added: "We have taken out Oscar Salas-Weslke who was the head of purchasing in Peru.
"We have taken out Ram, the head in this country of financing the operation.
"We have taken out Nathan Chapman-Salas, the head in this country of distribution.
"We have taken out Richard Casella who, in our belief, was the main muscle behind those three.
"We have managed to convict four major people within this organised crime group.
"Although three importations were stopped we are convinced others got through."
Three other men who also stood trial were found not guilty.
They were businessman Russell Lawrence, 49, of Maidenbower Place, Crawley, Richard Casella's brother Paul, 44, of Capricorn Close, Crawley, and Fabio de Palma,30, of Albany Road, Crawley.
Ram, who wore expensive jewellery including a £6,000 Rolex watch and a £1,200 diamond ring now faces a financial investigation.
He drove flash cars which included a £90,000 Mercedes AMG sports saloon with a personalised RAM number plate.
The jury heard how he boasted he was a millionaire, wore designer clothes and drank £80-a-bottle champagne in Crawley night clubs.
All his property could now be confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act at a hearing to be fixed next year.
Read more...Brighton man went on £38,000 spree with stolen credit card
By Ali Cridland
A con artist who went on a spending spree with a stolen credit card has been jailed.
Paul Manning, 29, spent thousands of pounds on luxury hotels, fine restaurants and champagne.
Within weeks he spent more than £38,000.
At Lewes Crown Court Manning, who has a long history of dishonest behaviour, was sent to prison for 30 months.
He was convicted by a jury at a trial last month of stealing a credit card from his friend Jonathan Day.
He admitted 17 offences of obtaining three other credit cards dishonestly and using credit cards by deception.
He asked for 104 similar offences to be taken into consideration.
The court heard as well as living the high life Manning also withdrew cash using the cards to pay the deposit on a rented flat and spent thousands on electrical goods and furniture for his new home.
During his spree he stayed at top hotels in Brighton, including the Thistle, the Hilton Metropole and The Grand.
Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, told the court Manning, of Whippingham Road, Brighton, ran up debts of totalling £38,274.61 before his arrest.
He stole the card in May 2006 and was arrested in July that year.
The court heard he has served jail sentences in the past for deception, burglary and handling stolen goods.
Julian Dale, defending, said Manning suffered from depression and became ill after splitting from his partner in March 2006.
He said: "By the summer he found himself without accommodation, suffering from severe depression and to his shame indulging in the sort of criminal behaviour he had committed in the past.
"He is absolutely determined he will not go back to this sort of behaviour."
Read more...Off-licences ban sales of booze in Storrington
By Andy Whelan
Off-licences have banned the sale of alcohol to under 21s in a bid to crack down on underage drinking.
Shops have agreed stop selling drink to young people without valid proof of age to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.
The scheme has been launched in Storrington, near Horsham, which has high levels of underage drinking.
Police and ambulance crews have backed the scheme because they have been inundated with calls relating to teenage boozing.
If it is successful and helps alleviate the pressure on emergency services it could be introduced across West Sussex.
All five licenced shops in the village have banned selling booze to youngsters, including a Co-op, Tesco Express and Sainsbury's store.
Police have asked all the shops to take part because officers have found older people have been buying alcohol for their younger friends.
Licensees agreed to the scheme after they were approached by Horsham district crime and disorder reduction partnership.
The partnership is made up of various organisations including Horsham District Council and the emergency services.
Council community safety officer Greg Charman said: "When talking to the members of the partnership Storrington continued to crop up as being a problem area, especially on a Friday and Saturday night.
"The number of incidents was disproportionate to the number of people who lived there.
"It was showing a high level of complaints from members of the public who were complaining about antisocial behaviour.
"We spoke to police officers and licensees and we agreed the main driving force behind the problems was alcohol.
"It will protect people of other generations and also the young people themselves who are often picked up by police and ambulance crews."
The trial period will last for two months over the festive period and emergency service statistics will then be reviewed.
Posters will be displayed inside and outside participating stores warning shoppers of the new policy.
The poster will also inform customers of the fines for buying booze for minors and will remind them it is breaking the law.
Neighbourhood Specialist Team Sergeant Darren Lillywhite of Sussex Police said: "I hope we can look forward to a dramatic improvement in crime and antisocial behaviour.
"Underage alcohol purchasing is a serious problem and we hope that addressing it in this way will discourage any young people from using fake identities or proxy purchasing where an older person purchases alcohol for underage friends."
Peter England, the administration manager of the World of Wines in High Street, Storrington, backs the scheme.
He said branches in Henfield and Steyning have also banned selling booze to under 21s.
Mr England said: "We are fully supportive of anything which will help reduce underage drinking.
"We don't get many youngsters in here because we are a wine merchant but we can see the problems in the town.
"We are happy to do anything we can to help reduce those problems."
Will banning under 21s from buying booze solve antisocial problems? Tell us what you think below.
For more information about crime in your area visit the local information section of this website.
Read more...Stolen jumpers turn up on eBay
By Katya Mira
Cashmere sweaters stolen from a family business have been found by one of its customers on eBay.
More than £35,000 worth of goods were taken from clothing firm Woolovers, based in Haywards Heath, at the beginning of the month.
Crooks swiped 800 sweaters and 500 tops on two occasions a few days apart and what had seemed like a bumper Christmas for the company began to look bleak.
But after founder Mark Shenton sent an email round to their regular customers asking them to keep an eye out for the speciality clothes, all labelled with company name, he was pleasantly surprised to get a reply.
One customer told him he had spotted some of the clothing, all still labelled with the Woolovers logo, on internet marketplace eBay.
Mr Shenton passed the information on to the police who retrieved 140 of the tops from an address in East London. A 28-year-old woman from the area was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
She was released on police bail without charge and was told to return to a police station on January 11.
Mr Shenton said: "It is almost farcical that it was just sitting there on eBay.
"It still had the company's branding all over it and everything - you think they would at least cut the labels out.
"But we are really over the moon - it is a great start to getting some of our stock back.
"I wonder how much more stolen goods end up there on internet sites for all to see.
"Hopefully this will be the tip of the iceberg and will lead to the recovery of more of the stock.
"What really warmed our hearts was the way people were so in the mood for helping and wrote in to tell us about the eBay thing.
"It was nice to have that support."
The gang of thieves first escaped with 800 items on November 27 after breaking into a parish hall in Essex where they were being stored for a sale. Three days later the criminals broke into a Woolovers lorry parked outside the company headquarters at Bolney Grange Industrial Estate and grabbed another 500 tops.
The mail order business has achieved record sales this year but Mr Shenton said the thefts at the busiest time of year were a serious concern.
He said he was concerned the firm was being specifically targeted by professional criminals after the two separate incidents so close to each other in time but far apart in place.
Read more...Christmas lights row in ho-ho-Hove
As Christmas decorations go they are among the most flamboyant you could ever expect to see.
Eddy's Takeaway in Sackville Road, Hove, has covered its entire shop in the amazing flashing festive lights, including trees, snowmen and rooftop decorations.
It has cost Christmas-mad owner George Shakir thousands of pounds and drawn praise from the shop's hundreds of regular customers.
Mr Shakir said: "We love it, it really gets us all in the festive spirit and the customers seem to enjoy it too.
"It takes ages to put it all up but when you stand back and take a look, it looks brilliant."
But despite the dazzling display, some people living near the shop have complained that the decorations are over the top.
Kim Sayers, 54, from Sackville Road, said: "At night, when the lights get switched on, they beam straight through my window and makes it difficult for me to get to sleep.
"Luckily I have some really thick curtains which just about blocks them out.
"But for anyone who hasn't it's probably a big problem. I'm all for the Christmas spirit - I love this time of year.
"But that is a bit over the top."
Another resident, Sharon Carter, 32, also from Sackville Road, said: "I like the lights but there are too many of them.
"We all love a bit of festive cheer but when it intrudes right into your living room every night there is a limit to how far that will stretch.
"Don't get me wrong, I go into Eddy's quite a bit and my husband does too.
"I think I'll ask them next time to tone it down a bit."
However Eddy's regular Tony Shapiro, from the nearby Old Shoreham Road, said: "How can you moan about it? Anyone that does is a Scrooge in my book.
"It brighten's up the place and really gets you in the festive spirit. They do a great bit of grub too so you can't really go wrong."
Mr Shakir has been putting up the lights for a number of years with the display growing each time as his collection of decorations grows.
He said he has no plans to tone them down but said he would try and consider neighbours' concerns in the future.
There are no specific laws governing the use of Christmas lights on properties.
But environmental health inspectors can order their removal if deemed to be too bright, or a hazard to passing motorists or pedestrians.
Are the lights too much or do they give the area a festive feel? Tell us what you think below.
Read more...Maternity unit axed in Eastbourne
By Siobhan Ryan
Campaigners have vowed to fight all the way after health managers today approved plans to downgrade a hospital maternity unit.
Members of the East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) spent three hours discussing the controversial proposals at a meeting in Uckfield this morning.
Members of the joint board were heckled throughout the meeting. Campaigners shouted 'sham' and 'farce'.
At one point the chairman Charles Everett warned the meeting could be held in secret because of the constant disruptions.
They agreed to accept a recommendation by PCTs chief executive Nick Yeo to allow the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards to keep full maternity services while downgrading those at Eastbourne.
The Conquest will also become the home of the special care baby unit.
Tens of thousands of people including medics, midwives, GPs and residents opposed the plans during a public consultation held earlier this year.
Opponents fear lives could be put at risk by making mothers needing specialised birthing facilities travel 20 miles from Eastbourne to Hastings.
They said full services should be kept at both hospitals.
Campaigners, including local MPs, were out in force this morning with around 50 people packed into Uckfield's Civic Centre to hear the debate.
Members of the Save the DGH and Hands Off the Conquest campaign both condemned the decision made.
Members of the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority board are this afternoon expected to approve the PCT's decision.
For more information about health in your area visit the local information section of this website.
How will the decision affect you? Tell us your stories below or call Siobhan Ryan on 01273 732254.
Read more...Wind turbine ripped down by vandals in Climping
Thieves pulled down a wind turbine from the county's first wind-powered school in a bid to steal its metal for scrap.
The 30ft turbine, at Climping St Mary's School near Littlehampton, was found by teachers on the ground.
The securing bolts of the £35,000 structure had been removed and ropes had been tied to it in one corner of the school's playing field.
Tools, including three large wrenches, were found nearby.
Police believe the aim was either to strip it of copper and other metals that could be re-sold or that the attack was wan act of vandalism.
The damage is expected to cost up to £25,000 to fix.
The tools have been sent away for forensic tests.
Headteacher Janet Llewelyn said: "A group of staff arrived at school at the same time on Wednesday and found the turbine lying on the ground.
"It was a very sorry sight.
"Tools were left nearby and we know it hadn't blown down as it was secured with bolts used to hold up pylons.
"The whole thing was just so dangerous. A rope that had been tied to a tree to lower it to the ground had snapped, sending it crashing down. Someone could have been killed.
"The children are devastated. One boy had been out all lunchtime looking for clues."
Pupils reacted angrily to the news that someone had tried to steal their turbine, which is a beacon of the school's green credentials.
Kayleigh Puttock, ten, said: "I think it's very sad because when it's up we like to jump over the shadows of the blades."
Tommy Cushway, ten, said he hoped police caught whoever was responsible and "locked them up".
He said: "When it was up the turbine made me feel good because I knew we were protecting the environment but now it's down I feel sad.
"I hope the police catch these people and lock them up. They should be told that it's wrong to wreck other people's property."
A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said the aim was to get the turbine, which was insured, up and running again as soon as possible.
The turbine was officially opened in September 2005 and was the first to be installed at a West Sussex school.
In its brief life its three 2.75-metre blades generated 15,000 kw hours of energy - one-third of the school's electricity account and generated a surplus which has been re-sold back to the National Grid.
A panel inside the school showed the running tally of how much had been generated.
PC Peter Childs of Sussex Police said: "It's soul-destroying to see the turbine damaged in this way because the school were very proud of it.
"It's either sheer vandalism, which I doubt, or they were after the copper inside the turbine which is not worth much compared with the amount of damage caused.
"It's always sad when people attack schools as these are our children who come in and see it."
Anyone with information should call PC Childs at Arundel police station on 0845 6070999.
For more information about crime in your area visit the local information section of this website.
Read more...Record numbers head abroad for Christmas
Around 6,000 passengers are expected to jet abroad from Gatwick airport this Christmas.
Spain's Canary Islands are high on the list of destinations of those travelling overseas during the festive period, travel association Abta said.
Egypt, Goa and Dubai are also proving popular, while many skiers are heading for the slopes in France, Austria and Italy.
Top city-break destinations include Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York.
Abta said the busiest day for overseas travel will be Saturday, followed by December 30 when people head off for New Year's Eve celebrations abroad.
Abta president Justin Fleming said: "This is always a peak time for travel as people make the most of the bank holidays and once again there are a record number travelling."
The Highways Agency is suspending roadworks on a number of motorway and major A-road sites in England over the holiday period, but roadworks remain on some key routes, including the M1 and M25, for safety reasons.
It is estimated that tomorrow will be the busiest day on the roads, with 3pm the peak time.
The RAC has forecast that rising fuel prices will mean a reduction in road usage this Christmas. But even so, the organisation is predicting that 18 million cars will be on the road today, four million on Christmas Day and about 16 million on December 27 and 28.
Talk of milder weather has prompted bookmakers to cut the odds on a White Christmas.
Paul Mott, of the Press Association's weather company MeteoGroup, said: "Anyone who's put money on a White Christmas is unlikely to win anything. We're not expecting snow on the day and it's actually likely to be a lot milder than of late."
He added that while Saturday could see rain coming in from the west, milder weather was expected on Christmas Eve with temperatures reaching as high as 9-10C (48-50F).
Read more...Teacher who's made history
An award winning history teacher will retire this week after teaching almost 6,000 children at a school in more than 34 years.
Greg Hetherton moved from London to take his first teaching job at Portslade Community College in 1973 and has stayed there ever since.
Tomorrow he will spend his last day at the school in his role as head of humanities before taking early retirement at 57.
Mr Hetherton said: "In one sense I'm chuffed to bits to have reached retirement. It will be a nice feeling not to have to come in on the first day of next term.
"On the other hand I will be sad as hell to leave. I love teaching and I'll miss a lot of people here."
In 2005 Mr Hetherton was named teacher of the year at The Argus Achievement Awards.
He was nominated by pupils and colleagues who said he was brilliant at communicating his love for his subject.
He has become well established as a historical author during his three decades in Portslade and has had a number of textbooks published, including several about the First World War.
He said he planned to pursue several projects in his retirement and publishing would be one of them.
His wife, who is deputy head at Downlands Community School in Hassocks, will continue with her job. The couple have two teenage children.
Mr Hetherton said he had lost count of the number of pupils at Portslade whose parents he had also taught.
He said: "It has been quite funny sitting on the bus on the way into town and having 45-year-olds sit down next to me and say, Hello, Sir.' "But as far as I know I have not taught three generations of the same family yet."
He said one of the proudest moments of his career was when a former pupil won a place at Cambridge University and later appeared on television in the final of Mastermind.
His funniest memory was when he was arrested on the touchline while coaching at a school football game.
Mr Hetherton explained: "The ball got kicked into a neighbour's garden and I sent a lad off to get it.
"Unfortunately, he broke their fence in the process and they called the police.
"When they turned up they asked to know who had done it and I said I was responsible so they carted me off in a police car."
After an apology to the neighbour and a promise to repair the fence, the drama blew over.
He added: "The thing I'll remember most about this place will be the kids. I've taught between 5,000 and 6,000 and there are so many who stand out."
For more information about education in your area visit, www.theargus.co.uk/localinfo Read more...Baby seat may have saved toddler
By Andy Whelan
A baby seat may have saved the life of a three-year-old toddler.
A mother suffered injuries to her hand and face after her Vauxhall Vectra overturned on Tuesday.
She lost control of the car in Keysford Lane in Horsted Keynes in freezing conditions.
The woman was taken by Air Ambulance to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and her toddler followed her by ambulance.
Were you the mum involved in the accident?
Contact the newsdesk on 01273 544519.
Read more...Police appeal after biker dies in Eastbourne
A motorcyclist died after his bike crashed into traffic lights along the A259 at Eastbourne at around 1.40am today.
The rider, believed to be a 23-year-old Eastbourne man, was travelling east along the dual carriageway.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Haywards Heath Road Policing Unit on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Bayfield.
Read more...Newsreader's wife reveals how drink led to downfall
 |
| Judy Mitchell today |
As he first told it, Ed Mitchell's fall from grace was simple.
After losing his high-flying job as a presenter for the American CNBC channel, his credit card debts spiralled out of control, putting such pressure on his 25-year marriage that it broke down.
He lost his family, his home, and eventually found himself living in a seafront shelter in Hove.
It was only then, Ed said, that he turned to alcohol to numb the pain.
But as his family are only too aware, alcohol and gambling played a far more fundamental role in his riches to rags tale.
Ed met his wife Judy in Hong Kong in 1975, and in the early days they were blissfully happy together.
"I was madly in love with him," she said. "He had this mop of beautiful, blond curls.
"We had a similar sense of humour and always knew what the other was thinking, and he had this beautiful voice, like honey."
Ed worked as a business journalist, first for the BBC and then ITN, and was a doting father to their children Alexandra and Freddie, now both in their twenties.
It was only when Ed was offered a new job in Zurich in 1990 that his drinking started to escalate.
He has admitted since that he would begin drinking at 8am after his night shifts had ended, and friends dropped away after he became paralytic at parties.
He still managed to maintain a sober facade for the camera, and after the Zurich station folded was able to obtain a job with CNBC in 1995.
However, his drinking continued, and two years later he went into rehab at The Priory.
He stayed dry for ten months - "a magical, wonderful time" said his family. Soon he was back to his old ways, and when CNBC paid him off in 2000 his alcoholism became week-long binges.
Judy discovered he had run up enormous debts on 25 credit cards, much of it on gambling.
At the end of 2003 the family sold their seafront house in Hove and purchased a much smaller property in Portslade.
Judy did all she could to maintain calm in the house, hauling him out of pubs and betting shops, ridding the house of alcohol and throwing away the little bottles of vodka hidden in his jacket pockets.
It was no use. He'd disappear for days at a time, then stagger home drunk and become verbally abusive if she asked where he had been.
Ed would get into accidents, be turfed off trains, pretend he was off to buy a paper but then buy a quarter bottle of vodka and sit in a walled garden at the park to drink it.
The length of time between binges became shorter and shorter, and when he was too sick to drink any more he would get the DTs, curl up on the floor and vomit, suffer hallucinations and stomach cramps.
Eventually "survival instinct" kicked in and Judy sought a divorce last year.
She is aware Ed stayed with his mother in Lancing during this year - who was also forced to kick him out despite her best efforts - but has had little contact with him since.
It was a "bolt from the blue" to see his story in The Argus last week, she said.
She felt his decision to talk publicly - and not at all honestly - about his position showed little thought for the effect it would have on his family.
She said: "One just has to remember that he is very ill and still in denial. He does not accept he has done wrong and no offer of accommodation or job will help him until he gives up alcohol.
"He has fallen in with dubious characters, fellow drinkers who have probably taken advantage of him and encouraged him to spend what was left on his credit cards, but he obviously hasn't sunk low enough to realise this yet.
"No one would be doing him any favour by taking him in. He needs to make that brave decision and face up to life without alcohol.
"He should forget about the book and perhaps consider publishing a weekly diary of his recovery in a newspaper, and with public interest and encouragement behind him, he might actually stick with it and rebuild his life and career. I wish him well."
Since speaking to The Argus last week, Ed has been inundated with offers of help from old friends and strangers touched by his story.
He has also had a great deal of interest from national newspapers, magazines and TV companies - so much so he has engaged a PR consultant.
Last night she told The Argus Ed was staying "with friends" and was considering offers of work - and finally has admitted his wife's version of events is the true one.
Read more...Industrial disputes threaten seasonal air travel
Ballots for strike action among thousands of workers at airports and Virgin Atlantic airline in separate disputes over pay and pensions end today, bringing the threat of travel chaos a step closer.
More than 5,000 firefighters, security, maintenance, administrative and clerical staff at BAA's seven airports, including Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow, have been voting on whether to take industrial action in protest at the closure of the final salary pension scheme to new workers.
Unite, which represents the workers, is confident of a vote in favour of strikes, which would lead to the threat of action in the new year.
Voting ends today and the result is expected to be announced tomorrow.
Brendan Gold, Unite national officer, said: "BAA has just posted profits of over £500 million and the Spanish owners Ferrovial have seen their profits rise by nearly 60 per cent. It is clear that the pension scheme is financially sound, and should be left alone."
Mr Gold said BAA and Ferrovial should understand that the workforce has lost trust in them. Not allowing new employees to join the company's final-salary pension scheme after December 1 was viewed as being the first step in the axing of the whole scheme for everyone.
The strike ballot covers Unite members at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
In the event of a "yes" vote the union will have 28 days to take any action, and is required to give seven days' notice of any walkout.
The union warned that if industrial action does take place, it is "inevitable" that airports affected will be closed.
BAA said it regretted the union's threat of industrial action, describing it as unnecessary.
A spokesman said: "BAA has given clear and unequivocal assurances that existing employees will not be affected by the end of the final-salary pension scheme and that its replacement for new employees will be of the highest quality.
"During the past few weeks we have offered to give more detailed assurances to union representatives. We believe the way to resolve this is through negotiation."
Meanwhile more than 3,000 cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic have been voting on whether to take industrial action over pay.
The airline said it had offered a two-year deal worth 8.3 per cent on basic pay.
Lyell Strambi, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin said: "Virgin Atlantic does value its many employees who have built the airline's excellent reputation for customer service and we know our cabin crew would not want to damage that reputation."
Read more...Care of woman, 92, 'far from satisfactory'
An elderly woman was left starving and in pain in a hospital bed for four days with a broken leg.
Doris Richards, 92, suffered a fall while at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham, fracturing her right femur.
She was transferred to the Royal Sussex County Hospital the following day but it was another four days until she was properly treated because her operation was repeatedly cancelled.
Each day she was included on the trauma operation lists, Mrs Richards, a former cook, was given nothing to eat and only allowed fluids by intravenous drip.
The day after she was transferred to Brighton she was not even included on the list but was still classed as "nil by mouth" due to an administrative error.
She was eventually operated on but died soon after from a blood clot in her lung, among other symptoms.
The hospital's handling of the treatment of Mrs Richards was described by Sherree Fagge, one of the hospital's managers, as "far from satisfactory".
She went on to say lessons had been learned and the trauma lists system had been improved.
An inquest in Brighton was told Mrs Richards, from Brighton, was first admitted to the Royal Sussex in April after suffering a stroke.
On May 2 she was transferred to Southlands Hospital for rehabilitation.
On the night of May 4, Mrs Richards got out of bed at about 10.30pm and went to speak to nurse Christine Gillings.
Ms Gillings said Mrs Richards then walked to an adjacent room.
The inquest heard she lost her balance while in the unoccupied room and fell to the floor. Ward sister Sarah Bucktownsing told the inquest that at first Mrs Richards had not complained of any pain and said she and her colleagues could find no evidence of any injury.
It wasn't until the next morning that Mrs Richards, who had slept through the night, complained of pain in her right leg.
A bedside X-ray revealed a fracture and Mrs Richards was transferred to the Royal Sussex. It was five days until she was successfully operated on.
Pathologist David Wright, who carried out a post-mortem examination, found Mrs Richards died from a blocked artery, deep vein thrombosis, a fractured leg and a stroke.
Hilary Martin, one of Mrs Richards' two daughters, said: "Mum was a feisty woman who knew her own mind and was very independent but at the same time she was very loving and caring with her family.
"I am happy with the care she received in hospital and would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who treated her."
Brighton and Hove deputy coroner John Hooper said: "Doris Richards died on the second day after surgery for repair of a hip fracture.
"The surgery was carried out on the fifth day after a fall while in hospital for rehabilitation following a stroke."
Read more...Parking staff to strike over party
Parking attendants will go out on strike after bosses cancelled their Christmas party and bonuses.
About 120 staff plan to walk out on January 5 in Brighton and Hove, creating fears of a parking free-for-all as Saturday shoppers head to the sales.
NCP Services, which patrols the streets on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, told staff it could not afford the cost of a party or an annual bonus - usually a £25 Argos voucher for each year of service with the firm.
But the GMB union, which represents NCP attendants and support staff, said this was ludicrous and criticised the "Scrooge-like" firm.
Now a ballot of members has revealed 86 per cent in favour of all-out strike action and almost all staff in favour of at least some action short of a strike.
GMB organiser Rachel Lyons said: "The result of the ballot shows NCP's attempts to cancel Christmas have been met with a resolute response from our members.
"While NCP allege the removal of the Christmas bonus and party are down to cost, savings made through cutting a minimal reward for staff doing a difficult and challenging job are quite clearly not worth having.
"NCP's management have not contacted us to discuss the dispute believing staff would not vote for action. This result shows our members are more determined than NCP give them credit for and their message is clear - this is a principle worth standing up for and we will not be bullied."
NCP is owned by private equity firm 3i whose owners made £235 million profit earlier in the year through a partial sale of the business.
The attendants had originally planned to start the three-day strike this weekend to coincide with the Christmas rush, for maximum disruption.
It is believed two days of non-strike action will now take place on January 4 and 6, during which time attendants will walk the streets but not issue any tickets.
Tim Cowen, of NCP Services, said: "We are disappointed at the result.
"We will be talking to all the staff at staff committees across Britain in January to seek their views about how they would like the money previously spent at Christmas to be distributed in 2008.
"We have a good relationship with the GMB and look forward to their views on the subject.
"We hope they do not take industrial action but if they do we have a contingency plan in place to ensure we deliver the same level of service to Brighton and Hove, to ensure that parking continues to be managed effectively."
Read more...New blow for Omar
Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Deghayes has been freed from prison but faces a fresh battle to be reunited with his family.
After more than five years locked in a cell without being charged or tried for a crime, Mr Deghayes flew home tonight.
But it then emerged that Spain had asked the Government to extradite Mr Deghayes along with a second man brought back from Guantanamo Bay to face further questions on the continent over allegations of terrorism.
And tonight Mr Deghayes' relatives in Brighton were in turmoil as they tried to find out whether they would get to see their loved one after all.
Brother Abubaker Deghayes said: "We're very disappointed with the way things have turned out.
"The family expected him to be home either tonight or early tomorrow morning.
"We'll have to see where the legal process now takes us."
Mr Deghayes, a law student and Libyan national, had lived in Brighton for 16 years before he was arrested, allegedly by bounty hunters, in Pakistan in 2002.
He was transferred to the notorious US jail in Cuba months later.
Mr Deghayes left Guantanamo today and flew to Luton Airport with two other British citizens, Jamil el-Banna and Abdenour Samuer, on board a chartered aircraft.
The men were accompanied by officers from the Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism unit as well as uniformed officers requested by the Foreign Office.
They arrived at around 7pm and Mr Deghayes and Mr Samuer were arrested under the Terrorism Act and taken to Paddington Green police station in London where they were questioned by detectives.
Mr Deghayes' family - mother Zohra, brothers Abubaker and Taher and sister Amani - were waiting expectantly at the family home in Arundel Drive, Saltdean, in the hope he would be released.
It is thought Omar's six-year-old son Suleiman and his wife Maryam will return from Pakistan next week.
The Home Office said each of the released prisoners will now have their immigration status reviewed "immediately".
After the release of the trio from Guantanamo Bay Clive Stafford-Smith, from human rights group Reprieve, had spoken of his delight the men were being sent back to Britain.
He said: "It's fantastic news - the best. The fact that he will be home for Eid, the biggest Muslim festival of the year, is just brilliant.
"We've agreed completely to the security measures required by the UK. We aren't free to discuss what they are but we have nothing to hide.
"Omar trained as a lawyer.
"He'd be one now if he hadn't been languishing in Guantanamo for five, almost six years. As for the people of Brighton, I think it's fantastic what they've done for Omar."
The Argus has campaigned for Omar Deghayes's release for more than three years.
Save Omar campaigners, based in Brighton, said they would hold a vigil tomorrow night for all the prisoners left at the US detention facility.
Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner, who delivered a dossier of stories The Argus has published on Omar to the White House earlier this year, said: "I never understood the Americans' case against Omar or why they felt it was necessary to hold him along with hundreds of others for so long in such inhumane conditions."
A Home Office statement said the US had agreed to the releases on December 10.
It said: "This does not imply a commitment on our part that they can remain permanently in Britain and their immigration status will be reviewed."
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