Portsmouth News
PM must award Skynet to city
The News today calls on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to back up his words with action – by awarding a multi-billion pound defence contract to workers in Portsmouth. Skynet is Britain’s most secure military communications system, which 17 Nato allies...
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Navy warship makes historic Asian visit to ‘showcase what UK can offer’
A Royal Navy warship has made a historic visit to Cambodia as part of efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries. HMS Tamar spent a week in the port city of Sihanoukville, becoming the third Royal Navy warship to visit Cambodia in three...
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‘IT’S PUT US ON THE MAP’
Portsmouth International Port bid a celebration-filled farewell to Virgin Voyages as Valiant Lady set sail - with no return date scheduled. The five-year partnership has put Portsmouth on the global cruise map, attracting 72,000 passengers and...
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ACCUSED WON’T TAKE THE STAND
The pensioner accused of killing his nephew has refused to give evidence at his murder trial. Alan Wotton, 83 of Exmouth Road, Gosport, faces one count of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. He denies the charges, saying he acted in...
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‘I’M COLLECTING FAMILIES’
A woman who was taken into care as a toddler has spoken of how fostering shaped her life to support a campaign tackling a national shortage of carers. Catherine Burland, 37, was removed from her mother’s care aged three before living in five...
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‘THERE WERE ENDLESS FAILINGS’
A grieving daughter has laid bare the “absolute hell” of her mother’s final months following severe, repeated care failures. Addressing an extraordinary Portsmouth City Council meeting, Justine Morrison detailed the horrific treatment experienced by...
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‘Life will never be the same without him’
Emotional tributes have been paid to a University of Portsmouth student who died after purchasing poison online from an overseas criminal. Joshua Warner, 21, died at his halls of residence after buying substances from Canadian Kenneth Law. A...
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WE’LL TAKE IT ON THE CHIN FOR FIN
A joke over a few drinks in a Havant pub for friends to fight in a fundraising boxing match has left both punters with the Eye of the Tiger as they prepare to go into battle for a “lovely little boy”. Prince of Wales pub drinker Patrick Brain is...
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HE WAS OUR ABSOLUTE WORLD
The family of a teenager who died after a bus crash have paid tribute to him, saying: “He was our absolute world.” Beau Croucher, 14, from Portsmouth, was taken to hospital after the crash on The Hard on Monday but died from his injuries. Beau’s...
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WHAT A RESULT!
Teenagers from across the Portsmouth area saw months of hard work pay off after picking up their GCSE results. And for some, the challenge to achieve was even greater than for most. Jagoda Kurakowska fainted just minutes before her computer science...
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NEW CHAPTER IN MARINES’ HISTORY
An opening date has been revealed for the new £15m Royal Marines Experience at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Billed as ‘a museum you can step into, not simply look at’, the centre will open in October. It will combine storytelling with hands-on...
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‘YOU’RE NOT MAN ENOUGH’
A “confrontational” pensioner told police that his nephew “wasn’t man enough” after overpowering him with a knife. Alan Wotton, 83, of Exmouth Road, Gosport, is accused of killing Andrew Avery, 65. He faces one count of murder and an alternative count...
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HOMES DECISION ‘BEGGARS BELIEF’
Campaigners fighting plans to build 300 new homes at Rook Farm say the decision to give it the go-ahead “beggars belief ”. Hayling Island Residents’ Association put forward its case at a four-day planning inquiry after Havant Borough Council chose not...
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BRAVE DAD’S DYING WISH
A Waterlooville father and stepfather died from multi-organ failure just hours after bravely fulfilling his final wish to marry his partner. Portchester-born Jay Davis, 34, married Becca at his bedside at Queen Alexandra Hospital just a day before his...
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SHINING ALL OVER
Portsmouth is set to light up this autumn as the free We Shine Community light festival returns from November 19 to 21. Reimagined for 2026 as Portsmouth celebrates its centenary as a city, four local creative organisations have teamed up to deliver...
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THEY WANT ME TO DIE
A terminally ill Royal Navy veteran is still waiting for his pension – despite being given less than a year to live. Andrew Rossiter, 62, who served in the Falklands War, is desperate to access the fund of more than £104,000. He accused EQ Retirement...
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IT’S REALLY EXHAUSTING
A campaign has been launched by Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, urging the government to introduce a strict legal decibel limit on vehicle exhausts. The move comes as residents across the county report sleepless nights caused...
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‘IT HAS SHATTERED MY WORLD’
A 34-year-old woman has launched an urgent fundraising appeal for life-changing medical treatment in Mexico following a devastating health diagnosis. Billie Shuter, who had no prior health warnings, was left terrified after being diagnosed with highly...
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FOSTERING FOR THEIR FUTURE
Today we launch a new campaign, Fostering a Better Future, to help tackle a concerning national decline in foster carers. With foster households dropping 10 per cent nationwide since 2021 due to cost-of-living pressures and burnout, around 400...
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Wildlifeconcerns, centenary and e-scooter trials
A range of issues, primarily focused on paying attention to wildlife when operating motor vehicles, celebrating Portsmouth’s centenary, and the government’s current stance on e-scooter trials appear on today's letters page. The first letter condemns...
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PIER PRESSURE
Businesses on South Parade Pier fear they will not survive until next summer as ongoing sea defence works are drastically reducing footfall. Visitor numbers plunged by 41 per cent between March and June following promenade closures for the Southsea...
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WE’RE UNITED - NOT DIVIDED
The team spearheading Portsmouth’s bid to be named the 2029 City of Culture say online race hate comments will not derail the campaign. Just days before finalising its bid, We Are Pompey had its Facebook page removed by Meta after offensive and racist...
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COST OF CENTRE GROWS BY £700K
Portsmouth City Council has been forced to plug a £700,000 budget shortfall on the new £23m Bransbury Park Leisure Centre by cancelling redundant local projects and dipping into reserve funds. Unexpected soil removal costs, ground redesigns, and...
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CARER FED WOMAN DOG FOOD
Portsmouth City Council has formally apologised after an elderly, bed-ridden resident was fed dog food by a contracted care worker. An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman detailed a catalogue of errors by provider Radis,...
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FRATTON PARK FIGHT NIGHT?
Portsmouth FC are open to bringing big-time boxing to Fratton Park after newly-crowned IBO super lightweight champion Mark Chamberlain set his sights on a dream home fight night. The Waterlooville southpaw, 27, dropped Pierce O’leary in a dramatic...
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COUNCIL WORKER STOLE £72,000
A disgraced council accountant who stole more than £72,000 of public money has avoided jail after a court heard she was coerced by offshore scammers. Amirun Begum, 49, pocketed £72,582 while working in Portsmouth City Council’s housing...
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‘SHE’S OUR GOLDEN GIRL’
Years of sacrifices, financial strain, and travelling thousands of miles have culminated in ultimate triumph for her family after Portsmouth’s Jade Atkin secured a Commonwealth gold medal for England. Jade, alongside her 3x3 wheelchair basketball...
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‘PRISONERS IN OUR HOMES’
People living near Haslar Immigration Removal Centre say they have become “prisoners in their own homes” amid controversial plans to expand the site. The Home Office wants to increase capacity to 600 detainees at the centre, which is just yards from...
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‘LIVES ARE BEING PUT AT RISK’
City leaders have warned it is “only a matter of time” before tragedy strikes, calling for urgent national legislation to tackle illegal e-scooters and e-bikes. Safety fears are mounting after national data revealed 1,484 casualties from collisions...
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END FOR HIGH RISES
Plans are being considered to rehouse more than 500 households and retire four ageing council tower blocks in the heart of Portsmouth by 2030. The proposal affects Tipton, Edgbaston, Barkis, and Nickleby Houses in Somers Town and Buckland, comprising...
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WE STAND TOGETHER
Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aboard the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth, marking the PM’S first foreign leader visit. The pair met more than 200 British and Ukrainian personnel...
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WE ARE SAILING
Sunshine and high-stakes sailing drew more than 20,000 spectators to Southsea and Gunwharf Quays for an extraordinary weekend of maritime sport. Fans packed the stands, waving Union flags as Britain’s Emirates Team GBR showcased Olympic talent on a...
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Microplastics carry ‘memory’ of movement
Research found the earlier motion of larger microplastic particles influences where they travel. Microplastics which float through the oceans have a “memory” of their previous movements which influences the way they travel, research has found. A...
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I GOT 99 PROBLEMS...
A seafront chippy has been ordered to stop selling ice cream by the council. But the owner says it will “hurt the business” after spending £14,000 ice cream machine. Now he is looking into taking legal action so he can keep selling ices. Portsmouth...
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IT’S LONG OVERDUE
Emotional Falklands War veterans gathered for a poignant service honouring three fallen comrades whose names have finally been added to their borough’s war memorial. Anthony Charles Eggington and Richard Charles Emly, who both died aboard HMS...
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‘WE ARE WATCHING YOU’
Portsmouth City Council has launched a fresh investigation into sewage pollution and water quality, placing Southern Water under renewed scrutiny over its environmental record. The review, led by the council’s traffic, environment, and community...
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ENGLAND’S WORST MOTORWAY
The M27 has been named England’s worst motorway, scoring a dismal 56 per cent satisfaction rate in a Transport Focus survey of over 9,500 drivers. Motorists vented frustration over endless roadworks, reduced speeds, and narrow lanes caused by smart...
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BURNING ISSUE
Residents may soon decide the future of seafront sizzles as Portsmouth City Council considers a public consultation on tightening barbecue rules around Canoe Lake and Southsea Common. Cllr Lee Hunt is set to decide on the launch following mounting...
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HAPPY 404TH BIRTHDAYS!
Four extraordinary veterans were treated to a spectacular birthday feast at HMS Excellent on Whale Island, celebrating a remarkable combined age of 404 years. The historic event honoured Dorothy Walsh, 100, Ken Arkell, 100, Len Chivers, 102, and Robin...
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‘A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT’
After more than 20 years of failed regeneration plans, Portsmouth’s City Centre North project is finally edging closer to reality. Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet will decide next week whether to partner with placemaking collective English Cities...
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NEW HUB FOR DEMENTIA CARE
Portsmouth City Council is drawing up plans for a new support and advice hub to fix a dementia care system described as “broken” and isolating. Adult social care director Andy Biddle revealed the proposals, acknowledging that residents struggle to...
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THIS IS PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture 2029 bid has taken a major step forward with the unveiling of its first six “Pompey People.” The local champions, including Pompey in the Community CEO Clare Martin and Natty’s Jerk owner Natty Crutchfield, have been...
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WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Furious residents say their lives will be turned into “absolute hell” following new parking restrictions at a city car park. From next Monday, Portsmouth City Council will enforce a two-hour limit between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, to replace...
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COME JOIN OUR PRIDE
One of the flagship events for the Portsmouth100 celebrations officially gets under way today with the launch of the Pride of Portsmouth Trail. The much-anticipated, two-month event features 45 uniquely decorated lion sculptures positioned across the...
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‘DON’T LET OTHERS SUFFER TOO’
A domestic abuse survivor who still lives in fear eight years after escaping her abusive relationship has launched a campaign demanding urgent reform of the justice system. Harmony Hayman, 33, has started a change.org petition after learning her...
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‘MUSIC BRINGS US TOGETHER’
A heartbreaking tragedy has been transformed into a powerful musical legacy for the local community. This Saturday Lincfest will take place to honour Lincoln Hawkes, a talented 14-year-old guitarist and frontman for the band Into Pieces, who died in a...
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A BLOOMING GOOD LAKE CLEAN-UP
Southsea’s Canoe Lake is finally being cleared after a heatwave triggered an “explosion” of algae, blanketing the popular attraction and sparking local concern. Clean-up efforts by contractor Harbour Clean were delayed after a specialist amphibious...
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INVESTIGATION OVER TEEN BOOZE SALES
A convenience store faces losing its licence following an investigation and shocking allegations that staff offered alcohol discounts to underage girls. The Kwiki Mart on Fawcett Road, Southsea, is under scrutiny after council papers revealed Trading...
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Local politics, friendly staff, reckless cyclists
A range of issues, primarily focused on local politics, shop staff and cyclists appear on today's letters page. The first letter argues that the new Hampshire and Solent mayoral authority will boost Portsmouth’s economy, endorsing candidate Donna...
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‘NO APOLOGY IS NEEDED’
Councillor George Madgwick used residents’ personal data for restaurant promotions and Reform UK political messaging without consent, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Critics blasted the light penalties, noting the compromised...
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BACKING OUR BOYS
Portsmouth pubs are gearing up for another bumper time as England face Mexico in a 1am World Cup clash on Monday. Despite the unsociable kick-off time, venues across the city expect packed houses after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer extended...
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‘AN AFFRONT TO DEMOCRACY’
Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee faces a dramatic 80 per cent workload cut under a newly adopted government scheme. Starting October 31, the National Scheme of Delegation will re-route minor residential developments, including HMOS,...
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‘IT’S A BIG GAMBLE’
Military experts and former Royal Navy chiefs have fiercely criticised the government’s new £15billion Defence Investment Plan (Dip), warning that its heavy focus on future autonomous technology leaves the current fleet dangerously exposed. Critics...
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PERMISSION TO PARK?
Portsmouth City Council is to consider controversial plans for new permit-controlled Resident Parking Zones (RPZS) areas in the city. Under the proposals, Baffins has been identified as the first location for informal consultation, leaving local...
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BIRDS ‘KILLED BY KIDS’ AT PIER
Police are investigating a “horrendous” wildlife crime after a gang of youths armed with slingshots slaughtered up to a dozen pigeons at South Parade Pier in Southsea. Witnesses reported seeing children shooting them with catapults and stamping on the...
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‘She wanted to help people. She was a great mother and doctor’
A family is mourning the tragic loss of a “wonderful” consultant gynaecologist who died following a cycling accident in Switzerland. Dr Anannya Kar, 51, passed away two days after the crash, leaving her family, friends, and NHS colleagues...
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£33k BENEFIT FRAUDSTER AVOIDS JAIL
A mother-of-five who pocketed £33,000 in benefits while burning through a £280,000 inheritance has avoided jail. Aimee Jeffrey, 37, of Paulsgrove, pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances after hiding the windfall she received in...
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WE’RE RED HOT
With the mercury reaching a record-breaking 36.1°C in Gosport, a critical incident was declared at Queen Alexandra Hospital after a major failure of critical cooling systems. The breakdown forced the suspension of planned surgeries and diagnostic...
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Th ec ity council’ stra ding standards crackdown sees seven stores fined for selling illegal vapes
Seven shops were fined more than £2,500 last year as Portsmouth City Council’s trading standards cracked down on illegal vape sales. A Freedom of Information request revealed eight fines were issued to seven stores following a government ban on...
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HEFTY COST OF HASLAR HEALTHCARE
NHS England South East has launched a £19m tender for healthcare services at Gosport’s Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. The new contract will cost up to £20 per detainee daily, nearly triple the £7 average spent on local NHS residents. The package...
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STANDING UP TO RUSSIA
Global defence leaders will gather in Portsmouth from tomorrow for a historic Nato Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Plenary, marking the first time in a century the UK has hosted the high-level event. Set against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing...
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TWO-THIRDS ARE TOO FAT
Hampshire’s health crisis has deepened as a new report reveals 66 per cent of adults are overweight or obese, surpassing the 64 per cent national average. Childhood obesity remains a major concern and officials linked the epidemic to food insecurity...
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ON SONG FOR EVIE
A desperate appeal has been launched to find a life-saving kidney donor for 17-year-old Evie Carter. The teenager’s life was upended ahead of her GCSES when she was diagnosed with atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (AHUS) - a rare condition affecting...
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JUSTICE FOR SAM
A cruel killer who strangled his partner to death has been jailed for life, leaving her family with what they describe as a “life sentence of grief.” Charlie Jeans, 31, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years at Portsmouth Crown Court for the...
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‘WE NEED THE SKILLS’
Local defence and maritime firms are facing a critical skills shortage, warning that vital naval contracts could be at risk without an influx of younger workers. Speaking at the Seawork conference, leaders from UK Docks, Serco Maritime, and Griffon...
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GUILTY
The man on trial for the murder of mum-of-three Samantha Murphy has admitted killing her and been warned that he will face a life sentence. Charlie Jeans, 31, of Margate Road, Southsea, yesterday changed his plea and admitted he had killed his...
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DOZENS ARE TREATED IN CORRIDORS
Queen Alexandra Hospital has apologised to the dozens of hospital patients in Portsmouth who have had to be treated in a corridors. QA’S chief nursing officer has said that it is down to the demand for care outstripping the hospital’s...
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Student cleared of rape charge after third trial
A student who was previously convicted of rape has been cleared after a third trial. Waleed Alharbi, 26, of Saudi Arabia, faced three separate trials over allegations involving a woman he met at a Portsmouth nightclub. In December 2025, a jury found...
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‘A DANGEROUS SITUATION’
Fears have been raised that a national security crisis looms over the UK following the dramatic resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey. And the shock decision has sparked serious concerns for the future of a depleted Royal Navy. Healey quit...
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No-one would listen to me
A five-year-old boy died from an undiagnosed Strep A infection just days after showing severe symptoms, an inquest has heard. Jax Jefferys, from Waterlooville, died on December 1, 2022, after contracting invasive Group A Streptococcus...
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‘TRAPPED IN A DEVASTATING CYCLE’
Ketamine addiction is surging among young people, especially women, leaving users facing serious physical consequences. Experts warn the Class B drug is trapping sufferers in a cycle of severe health complications, with local services reporting a...
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‘FEROCIOUS’ KNIFE ATTACKER JAILED
A vicious knife attack at an office building has landed a Southsea man behind bars for more than two decades. Anwar Ashraf, 39, from Southsea, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to 26 years in custody after being convicted of the attempted murder...
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‘A PERFECT SEND OFF’
Serving sailors and veterans turned out in droves alongside family to give 106-year-old Second World War veteran John “Jack” Meacham an emotional final send-off. Dozens lined Upper Cornaway Lane, saluting as the procession moved toward Portchester...
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‘I WASN’T THERE WHEN HENRY DIED’
A decorated former police officer has been forced into hiding after AI algorithms and social media mobs have falsely branded her a murderer. Christi Hill, who left Hampshire Constabulary in April 2024, became the target of death threats after her...
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END OF AN ERA
Gosport Ferry Captain Richard Clark has stepped down after 47 years of service. Continuing a legacy started by his father, who served for 42 years, Richard’s retirement marks the conclusion of an incredible half-century family partnership at the...
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