Gypsies and travellers

THE long awaited BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s epic fantasy series His Dark Materials has finally graced our screens but with this comes new words that could confuse even the most dedicated fan. Just what on earth is dust, who are the gobblers and why is everyone afraid of the Magisterium? We have the answers here. ***WARNING: THIS LIST CONTAINS SPOILERS*** What is a Daemon?  In the fantasy universe of His Dark Materials every human comes with an animal companion. This animal is much more than a pet though, and is actually a physical manifestation of someone’s soul. Some even have names, with the heroine Lyra’s named Pantalaimon.Throughout childhood the animal can change form, you may notice that Lyra and Roger’s daemons constantly shift to suit their surroundings. But once a child reaches adulthood, the daemon will settle into its final form, which will usually be a visual representation of their personality. For example; Lord Asriel’s daemon is … [Read more...] about His Dark Materials – Dust, daemons, Witches, Gobblers and more explained

SICK Joseph McCann has been locked up for 30 years after raping and kidnapping 11 people including an 11-year-old boy during a cocaine-fuelled reign of terror. The monster, 34, wore wigs, told victims he loved them and claimed they were part of a "gypsy initiation ritual" as he carried out a horrific rape spree across the UK. He was handed 33 life sentences with a minimum term of 30 years after a harrowing trial at the Old Bailey. He had mistakenly been freed automatically half-way through a three-year sentence for burglary and theft in February this year. A probe has now been launched by the Ministry of Justice into why McCann was not recalled to prison after committing another burglary following his release from an indeterminate sentence for aggravated burglary in 2008. The Parole Board had failed to assess whether he was suitable for release - leaving him free to embark on his horrific spree.The same blunder was the reason London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan was free to kill two … [Read more...] about Joseph McCann gets 33 life sentences after abducting and raping 11 victims aged 11 to 71 in rampage across UK

A TRAUMATISED victim of serial sex attacker Joseph McCann revealed how she is constantly "disturbed by nightmares and pain" as he was today caged for life. Evil McCann, 34, raped and kidnapped 11 people - including an 11-year-old boy - in a two-week reign of terror across the UK after mistakenly being freed from jail. He was branded a "classic psychopath" as he was today jailed for a minimum 30 years - although the judge stopped short of ruling he must stay in prison until he dies. Jurors wept as they heard of the victims' ordeals - and one was excused from serving on the trial as tears ran down her face when the charges were read out. One of his victims bravely told today how she suffers PTSD as a result of the horror attack and has "replaced a life of thriving with one of surviving". The 25-year-old, who was dragged into McCann's car at knifepoint in Walthamstow and raped repeatedly during a 14-hour ordeal, said she has been forced to move house after suffering flashbacks.And the … [Read more...] about Brave victim of serial rapist Joseph McCann ‘disturbed by nightmares and pain’ as she battles PTSD