News, sport and entertainment from the Bournemouth Echo and Dorset Echo.

Stories for 18 March 2006

Bournemouth News

Light entertainment

IMAGINE if you were sailing past a rocky headland on a round-Britain tour. All your maps and charts have blown overboard and you don't believe in GPS. You look to the land and see a lighthouse. Luckily you have the Observers Book Of British Lighthouses in your pocket and so you can identify which lighthouse it is and find out where you are.  more...

Door salesman claiming to be youth offender

DOOR-to-door salesmen must be having a tough time in Branksome - because one thought he was more likely to get a resident to buy his wares by posing as a young offender.  more...

Immigration figures secret for `security'

THE Home Office has refused to reveal how many immigration officers are employed at Poole port and Bournemouth Airport following claims that staff shortages could be providing an open door to terrorists.  more...

Sweet smell of success or soft soap sell-out?

THE BOSS of Poole-based natural cosmetics company Lush has blasted Body Shop founders Dame Anita and Gordon Roddick for selling out their share of the company to cosmetics giant L'Oreal.  more...

Three-year ban after 150mph in Porsche

A BUSINESSMAN convicted of dangerous driving for speeding at 150mph has been banned from the road for three years.  more...

Anthony's university challenge

IT is not every day an Oscar-winning director visits Bournemouth, but Anthony Minghella made a welcome return for the launch of the town's new Screen Academy.  more...

Son's plea to reopen Beatrice murder case

THE son of murdered pensioner Beatrice Wilson has appealed to police to reopen her case, saying: "I just want some form of closure."  more...

Mum's anger after garage crashes car

A 37-year-old mum was left fuming after a garage mechanic managed to crash her car during an MOT check-up.  more...

X factor

JAGUAR'S global brand manager Dermot Harkin visited Dorset to help unveil the British car maker's new 155 mile-an-hour XK sports Coupe and Convertible.  more...

CS victim numbers growing

A TEENAGER claims he is another CS spray victim following a series of complaints about the way Dorset Police are using the incapacitant.  more...

Teenager dumped at midnight by taxi

A SCHOOLGIRL was forced to get out of a taxi more than a mile from home at midnight due to a mix-up over the fare.  more...

Killer soldier not `ill in the mind' court is told

A SOLDIER who admitted killing his girlfriend after discovering she was a prostitute was not suffering from "a disease of the mind" as previously claimed, a court heard.  more...

TWISTED TEACHER

A TWISTED teacher described by a judge as "a master" in seeking out his victims was jailed for four years on Friday, March 17 after admitting sex offences with young boys.  more...

East Dorset News

Spending a penny can put you in a fine mess

SPENDING a penny outside is leaving some locals red-faced and £80 down as police capture everything on CCTV.   more...

Poole News

From Russia with love

FOR she's a Joly good fellow! On Friday, March 17 eight-month-old orang-utan Joly finally flew from Russia, with love, to Heathrow in the arms of her keeper inside the cabin of a passenger plane.  more...

Weymouth News

Home plan agreed despite concerns

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a nursing home and close care flats at Charlton Down has been given the go-ahead for a second time.  more...

Rufus goes home sweet home after two months

A CAT has been reunited with its owner after going missing for two months.  more...

Sports pavilion dream realised

A SPORTS development has passed the final hurdle after receiving a donation of £7,000.  more...

Have your say on Poundbury future

PEOPLE living in and around the Dorchester area are being given the chance to help shape future development at Poundbury.  more...

WARNING OVER INTERNET SCAM

A DORCHESTER businessman warned people to be on their guard today after being tricked out of £4,500 by an Internet auction scam.  more...