Portsmouth News
IT’S LIKE HE’S NEVER BEEN AWAY!
A five-hour rescue operation led to missing moggy Alfie being reunited with his owners – a whopping four years after he first went walkabout. Alfie went missing in 2022 – but was happily living just two streets away in North End, being fed regularly...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
REWRITE SCRIPT TO END ROW
Calls have been made for ‘constructive dialogue’ to bring to an end a dispute over a theatre built without planning permission. The Appeal Court overturned the decision on a planning appeal from Titchfield Festival Theatre, over its Arden Theatre...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Speed cameras will be installed on one of the county’s most dangerous roads to put the brakes on drivers – and save lives. Average-speed cameras will be placed along Portsdown Hill Road and James Callaghan Drive, to the north of Portsmouth. Over the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PROM OPEN FOR EASTER
Last-minute preparations are under way before the dazzling new promenade in front of Southsea Common reopens tomorrow. Work includes installing the final benches, jet washing and clearing work areas so the newlook prom and sea defences can be opened...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
TV personalities Ross Kemp and Dan Snow are backing the final push to raise the last £2.5m needed to create a tribute to the “courage, sacrifice, and service” of the Royal Marines. The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) is making the final push...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
JOINING THE HUNTS?
Portsmouth is set for a vibrant cultural takeover this Easter as internationally acclaimed artist My Dog Sighs launches a massive £100,000 free art treasure hunt. From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, 8,000 original pieces - including iconic “canmen” and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘A BRIGHT LIGHT, CRUELLY DIMMED’
A jury at Portsmouth Crown Court has convicted Norbert Maiksner, 49, of the brutal murder of 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh. Following a two-week trial, the jury took less than four hours to find Maiksner guilty of one count of murder and one of child...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘AN OUTRIGHT LIE’
Defence Secretary John Healey is under fire after a “train crash” interview in which he overestimated the Royal Navy’s strength. peaking to LBC, Mr Healey claimed the fleet possesses 17 frigates and destroyers. However, experts and former naval...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘SEE YOU IN COURT’
Portsmouth’s Liberal Democrat leadership has threatened legal action against the government following the decision to merge the city with Gosport, Fareham, and Havant as part of its Local Government Reorgnisation scheme. Under the “Option 1A”...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trump, Reform, shrinkflation and boy’s names
A range of issues, primarily focused on Trump, Reform UK, economy and names appear on today's letters page. The first letter criticises the US President’s recent gaffe regarding Japan, questioning his fitness for office. The second accuses a local...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
A CRYING SHAME
Portsmouth’s Championship status is hanging by a thread following a soul-crushing defeat at QPR that felt like a definitive breaking point. Amid a “perfect storm” of poor recruitment, injuries and tactical errors, John Mousinho’s side collapsed,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WHO CAME TO OUR AID?
A young mother is searching for two good Samaritans who came to her rescue following a traumatic car crash. Rachel Emery, 27, was knocked unconscious last Saturday when a driver - believed to have suffered a medical episode - smashed into her Skoda at...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
REFORM ‘LIES’ IN REFUGEE ROW
Portsmouth council leader Cllr Steve Pitt has sparked a fierce row, accusing Reform UK’S Cllr George Madgwick of “lying” about Portsmouth’s City of Sanctuary status. During a full council meeting, Cllr Pitt condemned social media claims that the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘SUPPORTERS SHOULDN’T WORRY’
Portsmouth FC CEO Andy Cullen has moved to reassure supporters after latest accounts revealed owners Tornante have injected £17m into the club via loans. Financial statements for the year ending June 2025 show the Blues posted a £4.3m loss during...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WE’RE ON THE LIST!
Portsmouth’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029 has cleared a major hurdle with today’s announcement that we have secured a spot on the official nine-city longlist. The announcement grants the city £60,000 to develop its final application,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
RED CARD FOR DERBY STUNT
A Portsmouth man has been slapped with the ban after invading the pitch during the high-stakes South Coast Derby at Fratton Park. Richard Conaghan, 34, admitted to entering the playing area on January 25. Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard how...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CITY’S NEW TRIPLE TOWERS
Portsmouth’s skyline faces a dramatic redesign this Wednesday as city planners decide the fate of the vacant Commercial Road Debenhams. The proposal by Xanadu Ltd seeks to demolish the former department store to make way for a trio of towers rising...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘EVERY DAY IS A BLESSING’
A mother has launched a £50,000 fundraiser to secure “life-changing” treatment for her one-year-old daughter, Harper, who suffered severe brain damage at birth. Following a placental abruption in April 2024, Harper was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MIGRANT SMUGGLERS JAILED
Vladyslav Cherniavskyi, 38, and Oleksandr Yavtushenko, 43, were sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court to six and five years respectively. The pair were intercepted aboard the vessel Uforia off the south coast in July 2025 following a joint operation by...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘THIS IS LONG OVERDUE’
The “unsung heroes” of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) will finally take centre stage at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. A new monument, set for unveiling in May 2027, will feature the first-ever statue of a Wren in the historic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
... AND SHE’S OFF
Emotional scenes filled Portsmouth Harbour yesterday as HMS Dragon finally departed for the Eastern Mediterranean. The Type 45 destroyer was expedited from dry dock following a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri, sparking a surge of pride and anxiety among...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NEW HOPE FOR KNIGHT & LEE SITE
The long-stalled redevelopment of the former Knight & Lee department store may finally see movement as developers Thatgroup reportedly enter negotiations to sell the site. The iconic Southsea building has remained vacant since John Lewis shuttered the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘ONE DEATH IS ONE TOO MANY’
Hampshire’s roads are set for a major safety overhaul as Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones unveils a dedicated Roads Policing Team and £340,000 in new funding. The investment targets the “Fatal Five” - including the newly added category of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MOTORING New car sales up despite stall in demand for EVS
Sales of new cars were the highest February figure for 22 years last month despite a stall in demand for electric vehicles (EVS). Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures show 90,100 new cars were registered last month – up by 7.2% from...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
TALKING POINTS Our special relationship and punishment
A range of issues, primarily focused on The Royal Navy and corporal punishment appear on today's letters page. The first letter marks the 80th anniversary of Churchill’s "special relationship" speech, emphasizing its vital role in intelligence and...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
FAREWELL TO A FALKLANDS LEGEND
A somber crowd gathered at Old Portsmouth today to witness the final departure of RFA Argus. The veteran Primary Casualty Receiving Ship, a mainstay of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since the Falklands War, was towed from HMNB Portsmouth into the spring...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HIT-AND-RUN NIGHTMARE
A romantic 15th-anniversary celebration turned into a “nightmarish ordeal” after a Portsmouth woman was left with life-changing injuries in a hit-and-run. Liz Pullen, 55, was commuting home on her moped along Burrfields Road when she was struck by a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
EDUCATION Lecturers struggle to spot university students using AI HOUSING House market slows as buyers remain cautious
Only one in four university educators say they feel confident they can spot artificial intelligencegenerated work, a survey has found. While students reported using artificial intelligence (AI) for 48% of their studies – and 80% saying it has improved...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
‘His loss was felt across the country’
Tributes have been paid to Stephen Mullis, a “deeply loved” veteran who died after a tragic motorcycle accident in Gosport. An inquest at Portsmouth Coroners Court heard that the 37-year-old, who served 14 years in The Princess of Wales’s Royal...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
THE KING TAKES AIM
King Charles III traded palace life for the front line yesterday, testing his steady hand on an air defence missile launcher as part of a visit to Thorney Island, Emsworth. As Captain General of the Royal Artillery, the King received a 21-gun salute...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
See Page 5 Chemical spill crisis
A chemical spill led to the closure of a busy Portsmouth road yesterday afternoon with emergency services having to treat people after they inhaled the dangerous fumes. Gladys Avenue, Tipner, and the surrounding roads were cordoned off as emergency...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
AMONG THE UK’S MOST CONGESTED
Alfred Road has been named one of the UK’S most congested routes following a study analysing Defra air quality data. The report highlighted the major thoroughfare - a key link to Gunwharf and Southsea - for its high pollution levels. In 2024, the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DATE SET TO DIVE ON IN
After two years of extensive restoration and months of delays, Portsmouth’s iconic Hilsea Lido has officially set its reopening date for Friday, May 2. The £7.75m regeneration project, funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund, has breathed new...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WHO WILL TAKE IT ON?
Portsmouth’s skyline is bracing for change as the city council launches a hunt for a new operator to helm the Spinnaker Tower. With the current agreement expiring this year, officials have appointed specialists Colliers to find a partner capable of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘DON’T GET IN’
Portsmouth councillors have sounded the alarm over “out of control” Wolverhampton-licensed taxis operating in the city, citing grave safeguarding risks. During a licensing committee meeting, members highlighted that Wolverhampton’s cheaper, faster...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘HOW COULD WE BE HAPPY?’
Disgraced funeral directors Richard Elkin, 49, and Hayley Bell, 42, have each been jailed for four years at Portsmouth Crown Court for what police described as a “shattering” betrayal of trust. The pair, who ran Elkin and Bell Funerals in Gosport,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘HE COULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED SOONER’
A damning investigation has revealed that Hampshire Constabulary allowed serial rapist Bruno Sala to attack multiple women after ignoring reports from one of their own officers. Victoria Tomkins, a veteran of 16 years, reported being raped by Sala in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LUXURY £70K TAKE-AWAY
A former Southsea takeaway owner must repay over £70,000 or face jail after splashing cash on luxury brands instead of settling a decade-old tax debt. Zhang Jin Chen, 52, ran Fortune House on Albert Road for years while dodging VAT payments. After...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HAVE AN ABORTION IF YOU WANT A CAREER
A “horrific” culture within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is forcing female sailors to choose between motherhood and their careers, with some reportedly seeking abortions to remain in service, it has been claimed. Staff told The News that “restrictive”...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘DISAPPOINTING’
A much-touted green scheme to charge ships alongside at the city port has yet to be used months after being completed A flagship £24.4m netzero project at Portsmouth International Port is at risk of becoming a “redundant asset” due to soaring energy...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
A NEW ERA
Work is set to begin on Elevation 1907, a landmark £5m regeneration project at Southsea’s historic Kings Theatre. The ambitious scheme will transform derelict adjacent shops into a brandnew entrance foyer, bar, and flexible rehearsal studio, while...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Let’s help our fellow fans
Construction firm PMC Construction has launched a £100,000 fundraiser to support matchday staff left unpaid following the insolvency of Portsmouth FC’S food provider, Piglet’s Pantry. The Worthing-based caterer collapsed after the postponement of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
AONCEINA GENERATION OPPORTUNITY
Portsmouth City Council has greenlit the search for a Master Developer to lead the transformative City Centre North project. Following “positive market interest,” the long-awaited regeneration aims to deliver up to 2,300 homes, new commercial hubs,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HITTING A HIGH NOTE
The city’s flagship music festival generated a massive £27m for the local economy in 2025 according to a new report. Organisers confirmed that it was also a landmark year for philanthropy, donating a record-breaking £173,484 to important charities...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘WE NEVER GAVE UP’
A grieving mother has fulfilled a final promise to her daughter as the Government unveils a revolutionary 10-year National Cancer Plan. Sophie’s Legacy, founded after 10-year-old Sophie Fairall died from rhabdomyosarcoma in 2021, has campaigned for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FIGHT IS JUST BEGINNING
An independent Portsmouth brewery has warned soaring business rates are crippling the night-time economy and putting businesses under threat. Staggeringly Good Brewery says its rateable value will rise from £76,500 to £89,500 in April 2026, sending...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
A LANDMARK VICTORY
A Royal Navy family from Fareham has won a “landmark” Court of Appeal battle against Hampshire County Council after their son’s special educational needs (SEND) support was unlawfully axed during an overseas deployment. Warrant Officer Glen Clifton...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NO PAY AS PANTRY IS BARE
Casual matchday staff at Fratton Park have been hit by the news that they will not receive outstanding wages as Pompey’s catering partner Piglet’s Pantry heads toward insolvency. A letter sent to workers revealed that the Worthing-based firm was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
£80M TO BACK ‘DEFENCE SKILLS’ AT UNI
The University of Portsmouth (UOP) is set to battle for a slice of a new £80m government investment designed to turbocharge defence sector skills and bolster national security. Defence Minister Luke Pollard visited the university’s “fantastic”...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘THERE WAS NO COVER UP’
Portsmouth City Council has broken its silence to firmly deny accusations of a “coverup” regarding a high-profile court case that sparked local protests and social media firestorms. The controversy erupted after Reform councillor George Madgwick...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WEATHER Storms help make January one of wettest on record
A large amount of rain led to last month being one of the wettest on record. A string of low-pressure weather systems moving across the UK from the Atlantic, with repeated outbreaks of wet and windy conditions, saw England get 50 per cent more rain...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
HISTORY REVEALED
Admiral Lord Nelson’s legendary flagship, HMS Victory, has entered a “bold new stage” of its £42m conservation project, offering the public a once-in-acentury glimpse into its inner workings. As “The Big Repair” intensifies, the 260-year-old vessel is...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
YOUR DAILY LOWDOWN ON LIFE IN PORTSMOUTH
While most couples worry about rain, Allen and Sarah Harvey faced cracking ice shelves and a tiny tuxedoed gatecrasher. The Portchester pair got married on the Antarctic Peninsula - a rare ceremony believed to be the first of its kind in the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HEALTH One in four people no longer drinking alcohol
Almost a quarter of people do not drink alcohol – with young people and increasing numbers of men shunning booze, new figures suggest. Data from the Governmentbacked Health Survey for England found 24% of people had not drunk alcohol in the last 12...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
‘WEHAVEA POWERFUL STORY TO TELL’
Portsmouth’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2029 is gathering pace - with the bid timed to coincide with the centenary of its city status. Council leader, Cllr Steve Pitt believes the accolade would provide a “vote of confidence” for the island city,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PORT’S £200m BONANZA FOR CITY
Portsmouth International Port has cemented its status as a national powerhouse, contributing £195m to the local economy and supporting 5,200 jobs nationwide. A new report by Oxford Economics reveals the council-owned hub generated £400m for the UK...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TALKING POINTS Net zero policies and Brexit comparisons
Issues focusing on net zero policies and Brexit appear on today's letters page. The first letter advocates for green energy technology and net zero policies to ensure economic competitiveness and climate resilience, emphasising that education is vital...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
A BADGE OF DISHONOUR
Portsmouth motorists are being warned to “show consideration” as fines for illegally parking in disabled bays skyrocket. New data reveals a 50 percent surge in penalties over the last five years, with 1,921 tickets issued in 2024 alone. Hotspots like...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HEAD OVER HEELS
With Pompey only one place above the relegation zone and John Mousinho’s squad struggling with injuries, this is a crunch match against the old rivals Southampton in more ways than one. The game against Saints at St Mary’s in September ended in a 0-0...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘EVERY MILE IS FOR ROSIE’
A community is uniting to honour Rosie Mae Priddy, a devoted mother-of-three who died of a cardiac arrest. Aged just 32, Rosie had spent the last four years building a life in Ibiza but remained a beloved figure in her home village, Stubbington. To...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DON’T LET OUR CLUB DOWN
Hampshire Police have vowed to “stop those intent on causing disruption” as Portsmouth prepares to host Southampton for their derby match this Sunday. Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, Gold Commander for the operation, warned that fans may encounter...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MY DOG HIDES
Portsmouth is set for a massive cultural windfall this Easter as internationally-renowned street artist My Dog Sighs launches a city-wide treasure hunt. To celebrate Portsmouth’s centenary, the artist will hide £100,000 worth of art across the streets...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FACE OF EVIL
A “dangerous offender” has been jailed for 30 years following a horrific campaign of sexual and physical abuse against a young girl. Michael Lashley, 38, began abusing the victim when she was just three years old. Over several years, Lashley, from...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
A hard day’s write
A teenager’s brush with The Beatles is heading to auction. In 1963, Elizabeth Salt – then Mcbrierty – met The Beatles at Southsea’s Savoy Ballroom, getting her arm signed by the Fab Four—only for her father to insist she wash it off. Fortunately,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘END OUR DENTAL DESERT’
The University of Portsmouth has secured Dental Authority Status, marking a “transformative” step toward opening the South East’s first dental school. The move addresses a critical crisis in a city labelled a “dental desert,” where just 15 NHS...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COASTGUARD Search and rescue helicopters move base by 100 miles
Two search and rescue helicopters based in Kent have been relocated nearly 100 miles away to Lee-on-thesolent. HM Coastguard's operator Bristow said it relocated the aircraft after the “suspension of out-of-hours access and the introduction of...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
U WEED US
A popular former fancy-dress shop in Portsmouth city centre was transformed into a threestorey cannabis farm. Police discovered 300 cannabis plants, valued at £160,000, after SSE engineers reported suspicious electricity activity at the vacant...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FLYING HIGH
Peter Crabtree from Purbrook has proved that sustainable habits trump “quick fixes” after shedding more than four stone to fulfill a lifelong dream of flying in a Spitfire. The flight was a gift from his sister, but Peter was too heavy for the vintage...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Campaigners say ‘no’ to new off-licence
A “disturbing” slingshot attack has left 29 pigeons dead near South Parade Pier, sparking a police investigation. Wildlife rescuers from Portsmouth Pigeon People and West Sussex Wildlife Protection discovered the birds washed along the shore,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HUGE SURGE IN 999 CALLS
Health chiefs are urging the public to use 999 only for life-threatening emergencies following a surge in demand. South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) reported a nearly 20 per cent rise in calls in the past week, jumping from 14,769 for the period...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FROZEN OUT ON HIS 50TH
A Gibraltar-based Pompey fan’s 50th birthday celebration turned into a “nightmare” after a 2,500-mile pilgrimage ended in a frozen washout. Louis Bruzon, the man behind the “Gibraltar Monkey” social media account, travelled to Fratton Park for the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAVE OUR FLAG
A historic Union Jack flown during the Battle of Trafalgar faces an uncertain future as campaigners scramble to prevent the relic from being sold overseas. The flag, which flew from HMS Royal Sovereign in 1805, bears the battle scars of Nelson’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BACK IN BUSINESS
The M27 has reopened a full day ahead of schedule following a massive Christmas engineering operation between Junctions 9 and 11. The motorway, closed since Christmas Eve, utilised an innovative “box slide” technique to install a 6,000-tonne concrete...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘PROUD AND PASSIONATE’
The skies over Southsea Common erupted in technicolour last night as Portsmouth launched its centenary year as a city. Families gathered at Castle Field for a spectacular fireworks display, marking 100 years since the 1926 decree granting us city...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PUBLIC GOING POTTY OVER POTHOLES
Our region’s road network is under mounting pressure as significant potholes reappear across the county, including along the busy London Road in Widley. The deterioration comes as official figures reveal a staggering 59 per cent drop in highway...
Read Full Story (Page 1)