Ben Mitchell

The South Downs National Park has become the first in the country to launch a scheme to enable businesses to invest in ‘high-ethic, effective nature recovery’ with the aim of boosting biodiversity (Chris Ison/PA)
Business News

South Downs National Park launches green investment scheme to boost biodiversity

The park authority has earmarked 500 hectares of land on farms and country estates to be transformed through green finance investment.
By Ben Mitchell
23 May 2024
A police officer is near the scene at Boscombe Chine Gardens by Boscombe Pier, where remains of Simon Shotton were found. Picture date: Thursday September 7, 2023. (Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA)
Crime

Man found guilty of murdering lodger before cutting up his body

Benjamin Atkins dropped packages of dismembered limbs from victim Simon Shotton on cliff paths in Bournemouth.
By Ben Mitchell
22 May 2024
Visitors take shelter from the rain beneath umbrellas during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London (Victoria Jones/PA)
Environment

Met Office issues yellow warnings of thunderstorms and heavy rains

Storms with lightning and hail are set to give way to heavy rains for large parts of the country.
By Ben Mitchell
21 May 2024
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UK

Deer head placed on New Forest memorial stone in ‘occult’ attack

Series of animal attacks have been carried out in the New Forest and nearby which some have linked to the occult

By Ben Mitchell
20 May 2024
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Politics

Migrants crossing Channel so far in 2024 nears 10k

Two more small boats have been seen arriving on Sunday.

By Ben Mitchell
19 May 2024
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UK

Three arrested after fans invade pitch following Southampton FC win

Scuffles broke out between home fans and West Brom supporters at St Mary’s Stadium.

By Ben Mitchell
18 May 2024
The newborn cotton-top tamarin will be named after an Addams Family character (Marwell Zoo/PA)
UK

Zoo announces birth of tiny tamarin to mark Endangered Species Day

Marwell Zoo is holding competition to name the new arrival.
By Ben Mitchell
17 May 2024
Five staff members from HMP Swaleside were taken to hospital (Gareth Fuller/PA)
Crime

Union calls for investigation after 25 prison staff poisoned with drug spice

Incident happened at men’s high security prison HMP Swaleside in Kent.
By Ben Mitchell
16 May 2024
France’s Freedom Flame is displayed during a ceremony at Portsmouth International Port (Ben Birchall/PA)
UK

France’s Freedom Flame arrives in UK as part of D-Day thank-you tour

The flame normally resides on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc De Triomphe in Paris.
By Ben Mitchell
14 May 2024
The dramatic moment a grass snake catches a frog (Kate Fry/PA)
Politics

Primary school pupils witness dramatic moment grass snake catches frog

The action took place during a pond-dipping trip by pupils at The Epiphany School, Bournemouth, Dorset.
By Ben Mitchell
13 May 2024
Bodycam footage of Benjamin Atkins’ arrest (Crown Prosecution Service/PA)
Crime

Man claims he killed drug dealer in self-defence before dismembering his body

Benjamin Atkins and Debbie Pereira are both charged with the murder of Simon Shotton.
By Ben Mitchell
7 May 2024
Heavy rain is forecast for parts of the UK (Jeff Moore/PA)
Environment

Yellow weather warnings advise of thunderstorms in southern England and Wales

The threat of thunderstorms comes as many parts have been enjoying a short period of sunny weather.
By Ben Mitchell
1 May 2024
Members of the Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal Australian Navy take part in an Anzac Day service of remembrance on board HMS M.33, the sole-surviving ship from the Gallipoli campaign, at the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (Andrew Matthews/PA)
UK

Navies commemorate Anzac Day on board last remaining ship of Gallipoli campaign

A wreath-laying ceremony was held onboard HMS M.33 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
By Ben Mitchell
25 Apr 2024
An inquest hearing into the death of Steve Dymond who died of an overdose after appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show has heard that he felt ‘life was not worth living’ and had considered jumping out of the taxi on his way home (Jacob King/PA)
Crime

Jeremy Kyle guest felt life was ‘not worth living’ after appearing on show

Mr Dymond, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, is thought to have taken his own life seven days after filming for the ITV programme in May 2019.
By Ben Mitchell
22 Apr 2024
Gabriel Marinoaica (Dorset Police/PA)
Crime

Man jailed for six and a half years for ‘brazen’ rape of 15-year-old girl in sea

Judge Susan Evans KC said the ‘frightening’ attack ‘undermined public confidence’ in the safety of busy beaches.
By Ben Mitchell
19 Apr 2024
People enjoying the weather on Bournemouth beach (PA)
UK

MP ‘deeply saddened’ as Israeli twinning signs disappear from Bournemouth roads

The local authority has pledged to replace them as soon as possible.
By Ben Mitchell
19 Apr 2024
A view of the Standing with Giants silhouettes which create the For Your Tomorrow installation at the British Normandy Memorial, in Ver-Sur-Mer, France, as part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day (PA)
UK

Silhouettes of 1,475 servicemen and two women who died on D-Day installed

Giant figures form a ‘meadow of souls’ at the British Normandy Museum in France.
By Ben Mitchell
19 Apr 2024
Former Second World War squadron leader and Royal Air Force fighter pilot Derrick Grubb marked his 100th birthday with a party (Ben Birchall/PA)
UK

RAF veteran Derrick Grubb celebrates 100 years of his ‘good life’

The retired squadron leader survived being shot down during the Second World War.
By Ben Mitchell
15 Apr 2024
Victor Farrant was jailed for life (PA)
Crime

Victim’s children voice fears as review of murderer’s release moves forward

Victor Farrant was jailed for life at Winchester Crown Court in 1998 for the murder of former girlfriend Glenda Hoskins, 44.
By Ben Mitchell
12 Apr 2024
Mohan Babu was cleared of a further three charges (PA)
Crime

Former GP jailed for sexually assaulting three ‘vulnerable’ patients at surgery

Mohan Babu, from Emsworth, Hampshire, was found guilty of four offences against three women.
By Ben Mitchell
12 Apr 2024
The Chernihiv and Cherkasy at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth (LPhot Henry Parks/MoD Crown Copyright/PA)
Politics

Two former Royal Navy minehunters handed over to Ukraine arrive in port

Ukrainian crew members are being trained to help clear mines in the Black Sea.
By Ben Mitchell
11 Apr 2024
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