A fugitive who has been on the run for more than seven years will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court tomorrow after he was finally captured and extradited from Switzerland. Mark Acklom was escorted back to Bristol Airport from Geneva by specially trained officers and is currently in police custody. The 45-year-old will face eight counts of fraud by false representation, along with 12 counts of concealing or removing criminal property. Mark Acklom, who disappeared in 2012, allegedly posed as an MI6 agent to con a Gloucestershire woman out of her £850,000 life savings. He was detained in Zurich in June last year with the help of Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Police but has arrived at Bristol Airport earlier this week. Chief Inspector Gary Haskins said: “No matter where suspected criminals are in the world we will always do everything we can to track them down and bring them back to the UK to face justice. “This extradition would not have … [Read more...] about ‘MI6 conman’ fugitive on the run for 7 years to appear in Bristol court
Bristol News
Euromillions: Here’s Friday’s winning numbers and Thunderball results
As Euromillions go, tonight has quite a low jackpot standing at just £14 million. To win the life-changing amount, players have to match all five main draw balls plus both Lucky Stars. The Thunderball is normally announced around 8:15pm. The Euromillions is shortly after at approximately 8:30pm. We will post those all-important numbers below as soon as they come in. In case you missed them, Tuesday's winning numbers were 1, 8, 18, 19 and 39. The lucky stars were 7 and 9. Sadly, the odds of achieving this feat are extremely high, they currently stand at a staggering are 116,531,800 to one. You have a lot better chance of bagging the Thunderball which boasts odds of one in 8,060,598. But of course the jackpot is a lot smaller with a top prize of just £500,000. 20:40 One UK millionaire has been created Millionaire Maker Selection code is ZQWS94810 20:40 Thunderball results Here’s tonight’s winning Thunderball numbers: 04, 10, 21, 23, 38 and the … [Read more...] about Euromillions: Here’s Friday’s winning numbers and Thunderball results
More than two in five Bristol women and girls affected by period poverty
Bristol has the third highest rates of period poverty across England, Scotland, and Wales, new research has revealed. More than two in five women and girls in Bristol, 41.2 per cent precisely, have been affected by an inability to afford menstrual products. The national average is 27 per cent. The issues around period poverty and attitudes toward menstruation have risen to the fore across the city in recent months, with Bristol City Council hosting the UK's first Period Poverty Summit, and a public outcry after the story of an 11-year-old school pupil was left to bleed through her clothes twice broke last month. In November 2018, the council voted to provide free sanitary products in schools to ensure that young pupils do not miss out on their education during their periods. A new survey, led by the Bloody Big Brunch initiative and company Hey Girls, who produce sanitary products and aim to tackle period poverty, has shown that the previous national figures for rates of … [Read more...] about More than two in five Bristol women and girls affected by period poverty
Vet clinic to open in Bristol to help pet owners on low incomes
A new community veterinary clinic is to open in Bristol - to assist pet owners on low incomes. Bristol Animal Rescue Centre is launching the new clinic in Knowle and Filwood. The service, at the Park Centre, Knowle, will offer pet owners access to low cost spaying and neutering. To celebrate its launch and World Spay Day the charity is offering free cat spays to qualifying pet owners. Bristol ARC veterinary manager Mandy Stone said: "Having your cat spayed is an important part of cat ownership and demonstrates how much you care for your furry friend. "We would advise that female cats should be spayed from four months old when they begin to attract the attention from male cats. "Spaying cats young significantly reduces the risk of them developing some cancers and infections of the womb – both of which can be fatal – and pregnancy itself can of course carry risks for a cat. "A female cat can produce up to 18 cats a year. "One unneutered female can be responsible for thousands … [Read more...] about Vet clinic to open in Bristol to help pet owners on low incomes
Everything we know about Bristol’s most wanted man
Recently described as Bristol's worst offender by police, Phillip Barrett is on the run having managed to escape officers while being transferred between prisons on the M32 yesterday. The dramatic circumstances of how the 37-year-old from Knowle West fled custody are now being investigated by the Ministry of Justice. Despite a major manhunt being launched, which included a police helicopter, squad vans and scores of beat officers searching the local area, Barrett remains on the run. Now a £1,000 reward has been offered to tempt residents with any information about his whereabouts to come forward. The public has been urged not to approach Barrett, who in December was described as "one of the worst offenders in the Avon and Somerset Police area". This was after he led police on a treacherous high-speed chase through the car-lined streets in Knowle West. Barrett was arrested in the early hours of Boxing Day in Cossington Road following a lengthy police pursuit. Towards the … [Read more...] about Everything we know about Bristol’s most wanted man