Latest news with #PointsWest
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Murder-accused 'went to bridge to hurl bodies off'
A man accused of murdering and dismembering a couple specifically travelled to Bristol to "hurl" suitcases containing their bodies off the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a court has heard. Yostin Mosquera, 35, denies murdering Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso on 8 July last year at their flat in London, where he was staying. Summing up the prosecution case at Woolwich Crown Court earlier, Deanna Heer KC said Mr Mosquera's "specific intention" was to throw the suitcases into the Avon Gorge, but he "miscalculated his own strength". "He chose to go to Bristol for a purpose – not because it began with a B or because of football – but because of the bridge," she said. WARNING: This article contains material that some people may find distressing. Mr Mosquera previously admitted the manslaughter of Mr Alfonso by way of loss of self-control. He is accused of murdering him by stabbing him to death during a recorded sex session at a flat in Shepherds Bush. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol He is also accused of killing Mr Longworth with a hammer earlier on the same day and of then hiding his body in a divan bed. Mr Mosquera denies murdering either man, and insists Mr Alfonso killed Mr Longworth. The court was told Mr Mosquera dismembered the bodies and took them to Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol in an effort to dispose of the remains. The jury previously heard Mr Mosquera had only heard of Bristol in the context of "football" and had never been to the city before. During his questioning on Friday, he told the court he had originally chosen to take the bodies to Brighton and had contacted a man with a van to arrange transport. Shortly afterwards, Mr Mosquera said he decided to take the bodies to Bristol instead. "[There was] no specific reason, just because it was in the same alphabetic order, I didn't know anything about it," he told the court. Ms Heer said Mr Mosquera logged onto a computer to access Excel spreadsheets containing banking information and passwords within a minute of Mr Alfonso's death. Addressing the jury, she said: "Yostin Mosquera told you he accessed those documents probably because he needed money to take the suitcases to Brighton/Bristol. "It demonstrates he must have very quickly been thinking about his next step. "He knew he had two bodies to dispose of and he was getting on with it," she said. "It may not have been the best plan, nobody is suggesting he's some kind of criminal genius but it was a plan that he set out to execute," she added. The trial continues. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Murder accused searched for 'fatal blows' online Murder accused claims he was 'raped every day' Man killed and dismembered couple, court told Related internet links HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Village postmaster's dad named as Air India victim
The father of the village postmaster has been named among those who died in the Air India plane crash last week. Kirit Patel was killed when the London-bound Air India plane crashed soon after taking off on Thursday from Ahmedabad, along with 240 other passengers. His son Umang, who runs the post office in Pensford on the outskirts of Bristol with his wife Vaishali, has flown to India and a crowdfunder has been launched by locals to help him. Jim Beacham, a local resident who came up with the idea to raise money, said: "The shop is losing money and it's costing them a fortune. We got to go some way to try and recompense." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Kirit was heading to the village to spend the summer with his family as he had done for the past decade. The crowdfunder has raised more than £7,000 from at least 200 contributors. "It sounds like a lot of money and he's going to spend more than that on his losses and travel costs," Mr Beacham said. "It doesn't help about losing his dad but at least he knows people really love and respect him. "During covid they were incredible, they kept the whole place going with deliveries. People remember that. "I'm surprised by the support and it's wonderful people would do this." Paul Hunt, a local resident, said: "Umang has been a great guy in our village since he came here. "I was absolutely distraught when I heard it." Jonquil Anderson, who lives in the village, said: "It shows how important the family are in the village. We all go in there every day." In total 270 bodies have been recovered from the site of the plane crash. The plane was carrying 242 people when it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India, including 53 Britons. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Investigators find cockpit voice recorder from crashed Air India flight Family of Air India crash victims feel 'abandoned' Air India plane crash death toll rises to 270 Pensford Post Office
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man 'attacked' as tensions flare with van-dwellers
A campaigner has been "attacked" as tensions continue to escalate with a van-dwelling community. During filming on Tuesday, a BBC camera was struck by a van-dweller as Tony Nelson, who founded a group calling for the vehicles to be removed, was interviewed. Mr Nelson had attempted to speak to a man living in a van at Durdham Down in Bristol, where around 107 vehicles are parked, believed to be one of the largest van-dwelling sites in the UK. The man accused Mr Nelson of spreading "hate and violence" against van-dwellers, and said the two groups were "well past talking to each other" before reportedly pushing him. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Faced with soaring rental prices, another van-dweller told BBC News he had no choice but to live in his vehicle and said they were not harming anyone. However, some residents say they are now too scared to go out at night and have complained about increased litter. Callum has been living in a van on the Downs for nine months. After a house share with friends ended, he said he did not have enough money to put down a deposit on a rental flat and was "lucky" to find the vehicle. But when residents in the area formed a group calling for van-dwellers to be removed from the area, Callum said it had "an emotional effect". "As much as I kind of see their side, it's a lot of weight on us. "People are tooting their horns, revving their engines. If this was your home, would you want someone to come and disturb your sleep and your life in that way? "It would be nice if they just left us alone, if we're not doing any direct harm to anyone up here, I don't see why we shouldn't be allowed to stay," he said. Living rent-free had allowed Callum to drop down his hours working in hospitality and retrain as a joiner, he said. And now he has a new job, he said he and his partner were looking for a flat. Callum is one of 107 vehicle dwellers who Bristol City Council estimates live on the Downs. Mr Nelson, who founded the Facebook group Protect the Downs, believes living in a van had become a "lifestyle choice". His group, which has nearly 2,000 members, has called for the council to use its powers to remove vans and those living in them. Mr Nelson said: "People really feel very strongly about the council's inaction, their permissiveness, their saying 'it's OK to come and trash our parks'. "People are fed up with that. I don't know if it's council incompetence or whatever." He wants the council to help those who need it, and move others on. Bristol City Council (BCC) said it was choosing not to move people on as this would simply result in "moving people from one part of the city to the other". "Every inch of this city is important and special to somebody", said councillor Barry Parsons, who chairs the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee. The council has previously shut down other encampments - once they were deemed to have had too great an impact on the area. BBC News was told the current impact on the Downs was assessed to be at a "medium" level, which meant it did not meet the threshold for intervention. Nevertheless, Mr Parsons said it was "unfair" to claim the council had done nothing, as it had developed a new policy that will be in place "by the end of the year". "I can understand why people are feeling anxious and frustrated. "We're trying to do something really new, that hasn't been tried before, here or anywhere else in the country", he said. There are proposals to provide kerbside "service sites", where people living in vans could dispose of waste and get access to water, as well as plans to open more "meanwhile sites", where people can live in their vans and be provided with basic services. The council currently has around 60 such pitches, with a new site due to open soon. But there is already a waiting list for spaces. Privately, several councillors raised concerns about the pace at which change seemed to be happening, acknowledging people needed to see improvements quickly. And up on the Downs, among people living in vans, and those living beside them, patience is wearing thin. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Fear and loathing over van dwellers on Bristol's leafy streets Tensions rise at one of the UK's biggest van-dwelling sites Locals form group over Bristol Downs van dwellers Rise in number of van-dwellers concerns residents Bristol City Council
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Student funding to create generation of AI pioneers
A new scholarship aimed at developing the next generation of artificial intelligence "pioneers" will open to applicants in spring 2026. The Sparck AI scholarships, named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Sparck Jones, will give master's degree university students access to industry-leading firms as the Government looks to boost the UK's AI credentials. The University of Bristol will be one of nine universities to offer the fully-funded Government scholarship, alongside faculties in Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh. The university said they "relish the opportunity," with the grant covering both students tuition and living costs. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol The scheme has been developed in line with the Government's 'AI Opportunities Action Plan', with more than £17m of funding from Westminster. Alongside masters places, 100 scholars will receive placements in leading AI companies, as well as mentorship from industry experts. In 2024, Bristol was named 'AI University of the Year' and has developed the Isambard-AI computer - the most powerful of its kind in the country. Vice-chancellor, Evelyn Welch said the scholarships would give Bristol the chance to "explore bold new ideas and nurture exceptional talent." It is hoped the scholarships will give students "unparalleled access" to the fast-moving industry. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle MP said he believed the scheme would help students secure "highly skilled jobs" and build "a workforce fit for the future." Finn Stevenson, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Flok Health said they were "delighted" to be part of the scheme, adding attracting the "world's best talent" was vital in aiding AI advancement in the UK AI talent acquisition firm, Beamery said the scholarships would help their goal to create "equal access to work" and connect "talent to opportunity". Applications open in Spring 2026, with the first cohort beginning studies the following autumn. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iconic building's 100th anniversary celebrated
The 100th anniversary of one of Bristol's most iconic landmarks has been celebrated. The Wills Memorial Building was built as a memorial to the tobacco magnate Henry Overton Wills and opened by King George V and Queen Mary on June 9 1925 in a ceremony that saw thousands lining the streets. Construction of the building, seen by many as the heart of the university area of the city, began in 1915 but was delayed by the First World War. It was one of the last gothic buildings to be built in England and attracted national attention in the run-up to its grand opening. The University of Bristol marked the centenary with a special ringing of the tower's bell and commissioned a poem by Dr Lawrence Hoo that references the building's links to the transatlantic slave trade through the Wills family. "If law made it legal, does that make it right, would justice have weight, if it only wore white?" it reads. "We have newspaper cuttings from across the Bristol and national press showing pictures of the king and queen and events from the day - it just shows the level of interest there was across the country," said Rachel Gardner, Senior Archivist at the University of Bristol. "The stories focus on the famous people you could see at the procession but also on people like Granny Mary Jarrett, who was 104 years old and was given special permission to ride in a taxi as part of the procession, and met the king." "There's also a lot about how the citizens of Bristol were so well behaved and only a handful of wallets went missing that day so everyone should be very proud of themselves. "It was specifically requested by the king that there wasn't a costly decorations scheme but the mayor wrote in the press asking everyone to decorate as freely as possible - it really involved the whole city," she added. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol The building narrowly avoided destruction just 15 years after its completion when incendiary bombs dropped during The Blitz caused the roof of the Great Hall to collapse - leaning burn marks on the floor that can still be seen today. Winston Churchill - who was chancellor of the university - inspected the damage the next day and insisted that a ceremony to award honorary degrees still went ahead. The Great Hall has long been repaired and now welcomes hundreds of students for graduation ceremonies every year. It has also welcomed some famous people to receive honorary degrees, including James Blunt and the former leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev. The building's opening was marked by 21 chimes from Great George - the 9.5 tonne bell that sits at the top of the tower. To mark the anniversary the university organised a special manual ringing, as it would have been done in 1925. The bell is the third largest that can be manually swung in the country, and when that happens it can be heard much further than its normal two-mile radius. "When we get the bell ringing there is a lot more energy involved, and the speed the clapper hits is much higher," said Matthew Tosh, bell ringer with the University of Bristol Society of Change Ringers. "But getting the bell that high is really physically demanding and even with the strongest, heaviest big bell ringers we've never managed to get it more than half way up," he added. Great George is normally only rung manually for special state occasions such as royal deaths and coronations. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. No change for uni slave trade-named buildings Students want slave trader building to be renamed City's slavery links to be examined
