Andrew Marr

Could this be a stunt to garner publicity or what?

Andrew Marr’s latest book is, literally, stopping traffic. Boxes containing 15 British tons (16.8 U.S. tons) worth of the journalist’s history volume “The Making of Modern Britain” have been strewn across a busy English road after an accident.

Thames Valley Police (United Kingdom) said Wednesday that a truck carrying books overturned about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London just before midnight on Tuesday. The driver suffered cuts to his arms, and the road was closed throughout the night as the books were cleared from the road.

Andrew Marr, a well-known BBC reporter and presenter, apologized to anyone who had been inconvenienced, and said he hoped the book was not “being taken off to be pulped.”

“The Making of Modern Britain” is described by its publisher as “a fascinating portrait of life in Britain during the first half of the 20th century.”

Perhaps he should rewrite the book and add this latest development to the ending. As a journalist, he would be better off stopping the press.

No Comments | In: Weird News | tags: Andrew Marr, BBC, The Making of Modern Britain. | #

Mobile phone

Burglar Anthony Gawthrop made life for police rather easy – he dropped his phone at a house he broke in to, then texted them to get it back.

This criminal could potentially be one of the dumbest ever.

Gawthrop, 24, dropped his phone at a house in Cambridge, United Kingdom  where he stole a laptop.

Wondering where it could be, he sent a threatening text message from a pal’s mobile that read: ‘Whoever has got my phone better give it back.’

Unfortunately for him, officers of the law had his handset, which they found at the crime scene. The device contained several photos of Gawthrop, which investigators recognised from his previous three house-breaking convictions.

He later claimed that the phone had been stolen an hour and a half before the burglary and contacted police to give a false alibi. Gawthrop found himself in Cambridge Crown Court, where he told the judge that he’d used the phone to illuminate the house while an accomplice carried out the crime, but prosecutors pointed out that the owners had found the lights on when they returned.

Unsurprisingly, he was found guilty.

Judge Anthony Bate told him to expect a ‘substantial’ prison sentence. Gawthrop has been remanded in custody for his latest offence and will be sentenced on October 6.

Gawthrop’s previous antics include a dramatic escape from the same court in 2005, while on trial for burglary and cocaine dealing.

He sprinted out of the court-room, knocking security staff out of the way as he fled and was eventually found cowering in his mum’s attic, who he said he was desperate to visit.

No Comments | In: Weird News | tags: burglar, crime, criminal, dumb, dumb criminals, Gawthrop, odd, police. | #

Sexy Police Officer

Police in the West Midlands, United Kingdom have been told not to wear brightly-coloured pants or visible thongs in a lesson in fashion which has caused anger amongst officers.

Police are being told to wear underwear of “an appropriate colour to be inconspicuous underneath uniform”.

It provoked a furious outburst from several officers who questioned why their bosses are getting their knickers in a twist.

One Woman Police Constable said: “If I wear a pink thong I’m ‘exposing myself’. If I wear sensible knickers I’m exposing a visible panty line. I’d be better off going commando and not wearing knickers.”

A constable added: “It is ridiculous. They are basically telling us what underwear to wear to work.

“A couple of sergeants have jokingly been saying there would be spot checks. It is outrageous.”

West Midlands Police said officers had to “adopt a common sense approach”.

No Comments | In: Weird News | tags: fashion, knickers, odd, pants, panty, police, thongs, underwear, uniform, weird. | #

Lightning strike

Friday the 13th was really unlucky for a boy of 13 when he was struck by lightning – at 1.13pm, or 13.13.

The teenager was among 150,000 people at an airshow in Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom when the bolt hit.

He was treated for burns to his shoulder by St John Ambulance staff and should make a full recovery.

Read more…

No Comments | In: Weird News | tags: airshow, friday 13th, friday thirteen, lightning, Lowestoft, odd, weird. | #