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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I traded in my flat for a £26k caravan, everyone tells me I made a huge mistake but I'm laughing all the way to the bank
SINKING back into her plush sofa, Katrina flicks on her electric fire while she admires the gorgeous interiors of her dream home. With her chic open plan living space complete with a stylish 8 Katrina ditched dodgy rentals for her own £26,000 caravan Credit: Jam Press 8 Looking at the interior you would struggle to believe it was a caravan Credit: Jam Press 8 While she has a little less space than before she says she barely notices Credit: Jam Press But the reality is that Katrina's perfect pad is a Katrina, 31, ditched the rental market after years of dealing with poor living conditions and financial stress and says she has never been happier. The business owner, who lives in the south of England, instead chose to invest £26,000 in a But not everyone agrees and Katrina regularly has to deal with people calling her decision a 'waste of money' on TikTok. Read More on Real Lives 'Getting a mortgage just wasn't on the cards,' Katrina says. 'I could have rented, but in my area, a basic one or two-bedroom flat is around £1,000 a month. 'With bills, you're looking at closer to £1,700. I didn't want to live just to pay bills. 'I value quality of life, and the caravan offered me a more affordable, freeing alternative. Most read in Fabulous 'Honestly, I didn't have many other options, and this one made the most sense.' After viewing a series of 'cold, mouldy and badly maintained' flats, Katrina was inspired by a friend living in a caravan park. Watch the video to see inside the family-of-seven's caravan home One visit later, and she knew she'd found her new home. She moved in March 2025 – and hasn't looked back since. Katrina says she's making massive savings compared to before – spending £528 a month on ground rent, Wi-Fi, gas and electric. 'I know I made the right decision for me,' she says. 'I'd viewed a few flats that were, quite frankly, depressing. Cold, mouldy, and badly maintained. 'Then I visited a friend who lives on the park I'm now in, and I'd always loved where she was. It just clicked. 'I reached out to the park owner to see what was available, and that's when I found my caravan. 'Everyone around me has been so supportive. 'Most people actually think it's a brilliant idea and have even considered doing something similar.' 8 Katrina says she would never return to bricks and mortar Credit: Jam Press 8 As well as more money she is thrilled with the more relaxed style of life Credit: Jam Press 8 Trolls have told her that her caravan is a waste of money but she says it's far from it Credit: Jam Press However, Katrina says she's faced some snide comments about her choice on her TikTok page, Katrinas Caravan. She said: 'On TikTok there's been some negative comments, but it doesn't phase me. 'Unless you've walked in someone else's shoes, you can't always understand their choices, and that's okay. 'People who are quick to judge often have their own stuff to work through. I'm happy for them to form opinions.' Living alone in the caravan, Katrina says she finally feels like she can breathe – both emotionally and financially. Having disposable income is the best part. I hadn't experienced that in years Katrina She's even found an unexpected community. She said: 'Having disposable income is the best part. I hadn't experienced that in years. 'I even managed to take a few days off work and just enjoy myself – something that used to feel impossible under financial pressure. 'My 90-year-old neighbour came round every day to check on me when I sprained my knee. 'That sort of kindness and connection wasn't something I ever had in previous places I lived.' Katrina says that hers is far from a stereotypical caravan. She explains: 'Once you're inside, you'd never guess it was a caravan. I'm decorating room by room, adding my own touches. 'I live quite minimally, and the caravan has brilliant storage. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. 'Everything has its place. I'm not tripping over anything, and it actually feels spacious and calm. 'Everyone seems to want to come to mine now because they love it so much. They call it a cosy sanctuary.' However, there are some downsides, like not having a washing machine or anywhere to dry clothes. Katrina adds: 'Things like cooking are no different than when I was in a flat, except I might have to be a bit smarter with space. 'I've got a lovely walk-in shower in my bathroom, so no complaints there. I've gained other luxuries – peaceful surroundings, a slower pace of life, and access to lovely leisure facilities. Katrina 'Laundry is a bit more of a juggle – I either use the on-site laundry or drop a bag to my sister when I see her. 'Drying clothes was a bit annoying, so I bought a clothes line for outside. 'I'm also looking to get an outdoor washing machine too.' Despite a few minor headaches, Katrina says that she can't imagine herself going back to bricks and mortar. 'Never say never, but I doubt I'd ever go back to renting,' she says. 'Even if I don't live in a caravan forever, I think I'll always want to live a little differently. Maybe a lodge or even something off-grid that I build myself 'I've gained other luxuries – peaceful surroundings, a slower pace of life, and access to lovely leisure facilities. It's been a trade-up, not a sacrifice.' 8 She now counts her 'peaceful surroundings' as one of her luxuries Credit: Jam Press 8 Katrina says the only downside is the lack of washing machine Credit: Jam Press
The Irish Sun
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Doctors told me I'd never be a mum after childhood abuse damaged my body – but I got pregnant with an ‘Ozempic baby'
AFTER suffering years of sexual abuse, Stephanie Craig was given the heartbreaking news by doctors that she would never be a mum. The internal damage that she'd suffered due to the abuse which began when she was just a child, meant that it would be impossible for her to fall pregnant. 7 Her daughter Callie is now nine months old Credit: Supplied 7 Stephanie Craig lost 12 stone after weight loss surgery and taking Ozempic Credit: Supplied 7 She fell pregnant just a few weeks after taking the fat jab after being told she'd never be a mum Credit: Supplied But after taking the weight loss jab Ozempic - Stephanie, 25, found herself staring at a miracle. Her pregnancy test stick was positive and she was expecting the baby she had always longed for, despite the doctors' predictions. She gave birth to her 'Even when I was in labour I didn't actually believe I was pregnant,' says Stephanie, who lives in Glasgow. Read More on Real Lives 'It was only when Callie was placed onto my chest and I saw her for the first time that I actually believed she was mine.' Stephanie was in and out of children's homes as a child and suffered abuse from a young age. As she got older, she was put on the She says: 'I actually developed an eating disorder at 18, when I was already around 20 stone in weight. Most read in Fabulous 'I started to 'I was told at the age of 18 and at 22 by doctors on both occasions that I wouldn't be able to have children because of the internal damage I'd suffered. Doc gives advice on how to tackle Mounjaro side effect of excess loose skin 'So I never thought I'd be a mum.' It was watching TV and seeing that James Argent from Towie had undergone gastric sleeve surgery that spurred Stephanie into action to lose weight. She said: 'I rang my friend straight away and told her that I wanted to have gastric surgery like Arg had done. 'As soon as I saw it, I knew that it was going to be the right answer for me. 'I'd tried joining slimming groups from the age of 18, but nothing had ever worked for me. So I got on and booked it straight away.' Stephanie had the gastric sleeve operation, which she financed with her savings, at The Spire Hospital in Manchester in July 2021, when she weighed just over 22 stone. In just over 12 months she had lost a massive ten stone - and had dropped to just over 12 stone. Then because she had been left with so much loose skin from her weight loss, she underwent a tummy tuck and breast uplift in Turkey in July 2022, a thigh and bra line lift in January 2023 and finally a reverse tummy tuck and thigh lift in August 2023. 7 Doctors told Stephanie that the internal damage she'd suffered as a result of childhood abuse would prevent her from becoming a mum Credit: Supplied 7 It is believed that the weight loss medication can improve ovulation and menstrual cycle regularity, leading to increased fertility and potentially unintended pregnancies Credit: Supplied 7 Stephanie says that Callie is her 'little miracle' Credit: Supplied She says: 'I felt amazing after I'd lost all the weight, but I had so much loose skin, that I had a number of cosmetic surgeries to remove it. 'My body looks so much better now. I had some savings, and it was worth every penny to finally get the body that I'm happy with. It's given me so much more confidence.' And there were more surprises to come. Stephanie took the weight loss drug Ozempic in November 2023, after the surgery had been completed, to try and lose a few extra pounds, and a few weeks later, she made the most amazing discovery. She had fallen pregnant. She says: 'I didn't believe it. I did lots of tests and they all came up positive, but I still didn't believe that I was actually pregnant. CAN OZEMPIC BOOST FERTILITY? Experts believe the 'Ozempic baby' phenomenon could be down to the major weight loss associated with the drug. This is because any weight loss, especially in those with PCOS, is known to boost fertility. The drug may also increase the chance of pregnancy because side effects such as nausea and vomiting may stop contraceptive pills from being absorbed properly. Dr Nerys Astbury, nutrition scientist and senior researcher in diet and obesity at the University of Oxford, said it was 'plausible' semaglutide injections, by reducing people's weight, could help improve fertility. 'It's nothing special about the drug,' she told the newspaper. 'The effect the drug has is on promoting weight loss. 'It is important to note that whilst some doctors are prescribing semaglutide off-label to women with PCOS, it is not clear whether it's safe to use in women during pregnancy.' She added: "It should not be used as a method to treat infertility until research demonstrating safety and effectiveness is available and until regulatory approval for use in those before and during pregnancy.' Prof Barbara McGowan, from King's College London, added: "Women on GLP-1 agonists should take contraception whilst they take the medication and stop at least two months before trying for fertility." "Healthcare professionals should include this advice when the medication is started.' 'I'd had lots of investigations over the years because of the sexual abuse I'd suffered, and had several laparoscopies, where a camera Is inserted down the fallopian tubes, and it had shown that I'd suffered a lot of internal damage. 'Because of that, the doctors always said that I wouldn't be able to fall pregnant. So to find myself looking at a positive pregnancy test stick was unreal.' It is believed that the weight loss medication, which is also used for diabetes management, can improve ovulation and menstrual cycle regularity, leading to increased fertility and potentially unintended pregnancies. The only time I actually believed it was when she was handed to me for the first time, and I gave her a cuddle Stephanie Craig She says: 'I only took it for a couple of weeks, but it certainly must have changed something in my body for me to be able to fall pregnant like this. 'Even as my bump grew, I still didn't believe there was an actual baby, even when I went for scans and saw her moving, and then even in labour. 'The only time I actually believed it was when she was handed to me for the first time, and I gave her a cuddle.' Baby Callie, who was born in September last year, is now nine months old and has just started nursery. Stephanie adds: 'It's a lovely feeling being a mum, and I know that I've got Ozempic to thank for that. I took it to lose a few pounds, but ended up with a surprise baby. 'She's a little miracle.' 7 Stephanie credits Ozempic for helping lose weight and get her dream baby Credit: Supplied
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm UK's most desperate bride-to-be – I have planned my wedding, have a £2K dress but there's one thing missing…a groom
TAKING a sip of prosecco Theresa Mahon listens intently as her date chats about his love of football and music. As with all first dates Ads, 30, has plenty of questions for Theresa too, including the inevitable 'tell me a fun fact about yourself.' Advertisement 8 Theresa Mahon has planned her whole wedding despite not having a groom Credit: David Cummings - The Sun 8 She has spent £2,000 on a dress but says it isn't bonkers it's organised Credit: Supplied 8 When she met toyboy partner Ads, 15 years her junior, he wasn't deterred by her organisation Credit: Supplied Theresa, 45, takes a deep breath and prepares to share the secret that sends most men running for the hills. 'I told my new man he was my first date in 13 years,' she says. 'I then dropped a bigger bombshell. 'I had already planned our wedding including everything from the castle venue, the purple colour scheme and his suit. Advertisement Read More on Real Lives 'I've even spent £2k on the Sitting in silence, Theresa waited for her date to make his excuses, but she was in for a surprise. 'Despite being 15 years younger than me, my 'He looked a little shocked but took it all in his stride. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous 'He did splutter a bit when I also revealed I'd already bought my wedding lingerie, but I was more shocked than he was. 'I'd met a man who appreciates that I'm not crazy, I'm just well organised.' 'This is gorgeous', says fashion fan over gorgeous new €35 matching co-ord set perfect for weddings Events supervisor Theresa, 45, lives in 'I don't think it weird to have planned my wedding without a man,' she says. Advertisement 'It is a big job, so being prepared and planning everything down to the wedding dance and reception menu is just plain sensible.' Despite having planned her entire wedding day, until nine months ago Theresa was single — and had not dated for 13 years. But seven years ago Theresa decided to take the plunge - not to accept a wedding proposal or a date - but to buy her dream wedding gown. Theresa says: 'I've been trying on wedding dresses since I was 19. Advertisement 'For me, a day out shopping was never complete without visiting a bridal shop and trying on the latest dresses. 'Standing on the pedestal with a shop assistant helping me into the latest on trend wedding dress was an amazing high that was better than sex.' 8 Theresa has been trying on wedding dresses since she was 19 Credit: David Cummings-The Sun 8 She keeps a scrapbook filled with her future plans including bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits Credit: THE SUN Advertisement 8 She hopes to arrive at her wedding in a horse-drawn fairytale carriage Credit: supplied In 2019 Theresa was out shopping and spotted her dream dress. 'It was a strapless dress with a crystal bodice and a huge skirt, like Cinderella.,' she says. 'When I put it on and twirled, I knew it was 'the dress'... I loved the feel of fabric and how special it made me feel. Advertisement 'I told the assistant I didn't yet have a groom, she was shocked but I was not ashamed.' Theresa paid £1,000 for her dream dress and another £120 on a veil. To complete the look, In January 2019 she ordered crystal-encrusted shoes from America for £250. Since then, she's bought wedding lingerie and a special wedding bag taking her total spend to £2000. 'I've been saving for my wedding for a year and used credit cards to pay for the dress, so I was £700 in debt but have now paid that off,' she says. Advertisement 'Every time I open my wardrobe and see the white dress I'll get married in, I get a flash of excitement,' she says. 'I'm convinced it won't be long till I will be walking down the aisle.' Growing up Thersa admits as a child she loved to dress up in big white bedsheets and pretend she was Cinderella. At school, Theresa had boyfriends, then when she began work at her local Tesco aged 19 she fell in love for the first time. Advertisement She says: 'I met Greg* and we fell for each other. 'We had been dating for a year when I was pregnant. I thought Greg would then propose — but instead he left me.' I became 'married to the plan' not married to the man until I could find a fella who understood me Theresa Mahon Theresa brought up their son now 24, as a single mum, crushed that her dream of becoming a bride hadN'T been realised. When she was 22, she then began dating Tom*, 38. The couple went on to have two boys, aged 18 and 14. Advertisement She says: 'He knew I wanted a big wedding; I talked about it non-stop, but he didn't want to rush into it. 'It caused arguments, and we ended up breaking up after six years in December 2010.' Since then, Theresa admits she's been trying to find a real man, mature enough to settle down. She says: 'I was so angry with my past two men for leaving me, I decided I wasn't going to wait any more and I would just go ahead and plan my wedding.' Advertisement 'I became 'married to the plan' not married to the man until I could find a fella who understood me and wasn't scared of commitment.' While Theresa's approach might seem unusual she is not alone. A Interflora survey found six in ten or 60% single women have already planned aspects of their wedding – including choosing the dress they will wear and the flowers they will carry on their big day. The study found millions of women – who are still looking for Mr Right – have researched elements such as churches, flowers, reception venues, bridesmaid's dresses and the car which will take them to the church. Advertisement The rise of social media has only encouraged the trend of single women being married to the plan. According to Mashable and Wedding site Zola includes a section specifically for people not yet proposed to so they can start browsing and creating plans without being engaged. Other sites like Advertisement Theresa says: 'I know I am addicted to weddings, but I know other women secretly share my obsession. 'I have Pinterest boards but for me scrapbooks offer a real keepsake of my love of weddings and commitment to my big day. 'I started small, filling scrapbooks with fabric swatches, dress designs and sample menus. I upgraded to a spreadsheet to record lists and budgets. 'I couldn't s top. I sometimes spend up to four hours a day doing various things for my wedding day.' Advertisement It isn't just the dress that Theresa has settled on, but the venue too. 'I knew I needed to know my venue. I spent hours scouring the internet for venues that looked like Cinderella's castle,' she says. 'That's when I found Lough Eske Castle, near Donegal. I booked a tour in May 2016 and fell in love with it. Wedding Guest Outfit Etiquette If you're struggling to decided on a dress to see you through wedding season, here's a few rules on what not to wear so you don't get in trouble. Folklore says that wearing red at a wedding means you slept with the groom. Casual attire like jeans and flip flops should always be avoided. Any colour that could be picked up as white or cream - even if it's not. Most would agree that your cleavage needs to be covered. Wearing white is a massive no-no if you're not the bride. 'I have chosen the wedding package I want and even had meetings with the castle's staff about my plans. I go there every few months. Advertisement 'Then I started viewing glass carriages for transport and found a horse-drawn one I'm going to book.' Theresa's wedding colours are white-and-purple theme, and she has started shopping for bridesmaids' dresses. 'I found one I loved, so I bought one and took it to a seamstress who is going to make more of them when I set a date,' she says. 'I've planned white tulips, and carnations with a single pink rose in the centre for the bouquets and have bought lots of purple ribbon to tie around the chairs.' Advertisement The mum of three also has a menu planned and says its top notch. 'It includes carrot and coriander soup to start, turkey and roasted veg for the main course and profiteroles for dessert,' she says. Extreme planner Theres has picked out the first song -A Thousand Years, the lullaby by Christina Perri which features in Twilight. 'And yes, I have planned the honeymoon - it will be in Disneyland,' admits the Cinderella obsessed bride. Advertisement "I will always listen to my grooms input. He will get a chance to change something as long as he makes a good argument for it." The budget so far is £25,000 but with the cost of living Theresa admits it will have to go up. She also hopes her eventual groom will contribute towards the total. Theresa has even got her wedding party on board. Advertisement I won't tempt fate, but he may be a keeper Theresa Mahon In 2016 Theresea picked her three bridesmaids, all good friends, so they could help her plan. 'At first, they were shocked, thinking I'd found a secret fiance, but when I said I didn't have one they just rolled their eyes but agreed,' Theresa says. Theresa's mum and dad were not convinced, however. 'My parents are less supportive,' she admits. Advertisement 'They worry I'll miss a potential husband because I'm too busy planning a wedding. They think I'll scare men off.' However, a year ago, Theresa's 'dating intuition' paid off when Ads, 30 who she met at an events conference, asked her out. 'I'm 45 and he's 15 years younger than me. He became a great friend, and we'd always have a laugh,' she says. 'Then in October last year he asked me out for a coffee at a local cafe. Advertisement 'After 13 years of not dating it was terrifying. I thought I'd come off as a cougar. 'But we clicked and have been dating ever since. He's even talking about taking me to meet his parents overseas. 'He didn't laugh at my extreme wedding planning, his take is refreshing, and I won't tempt fate, but he may be a keeper.' 8 Theresa hopes that Ads might be the one to finally pop the question Credit: Supplied Advertisement 8 Before meeting Ads Theresa took a 13 year break from dating Credit: supplied
The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Police released my abusive ex – hours later he burned down my house as I slept but that wasn't the biggest tragedy
WHEN Louise Simpson walks past the family home where she raised her son it isn't nostalgia that she feels but despair. It was the sight of one of the most harrowing events of her life and one that saw Louise lose not only dozens of sentimental memories but also her beloved pet dog. 8 Louise Simpson was devastated when she lost her beloved dog Peggy in the house fire caused by her ex Credit: Supplied 8 Adrian West was arrested hours earlier for smashing her doorbell camera with a rock but was released Credit: SWNS 8 West burnt down the home where Louise had lived for decades and raised her son Credit: SWNS Her violent ex, Adrian West, who was caught attacking her home on her West had subjected Louise to months of violent attacks including strangling, punching and kicking. She finally kicked him out of her house in Louise, 53, called the police and West spent a night in the cells before being released without charge the following day. Read More on Real Lives But later that day he returned to the property and started a fire in the porch which quickly engulfed the house. Louise - who was taking a nap at the time - was woken by neighbours and scrambled to escape as her bedroom was filled with thick black smoke. But her beloved West has now been jailed for six years after pleading guilty to arson and a string of assaults on Louise. Most read in Fabulous She is now campaigning for a change in the law to consider companion animals as sentient beings rather than property as they are currently seen. Reliving the arrest, Louise says: 'The police came out and arrested him. Danielle Secker bravely shares her story of horrific domestic abuse "I was sobbing, saying: 'Whatever happens, I just don't want him to be able to come near me again'. So he was kept in custody overnight. 'They called me about 10.45am the next morning and said that he was going to be released with no further action. 'I said: 'Well, what do I do? He's going to come back.' And they said they can't do anything unless he does something more. "They genuinely seemed to be more worried about how abusive he'd been to the arresting officers the day before.' Louise called police on September 13 last year when a drunk West tried to smash her door and Ring doorbell camera with a rock. She wouldn't open the door and called the police. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and held overnight at a local police station. Louise was told they could not take further action because she had not signed the witness statement she had provided. She says: "At the time I didn't particularly want to get him in too much trouble, I thought he isn't getting any younger and all I wanted was for him to just leave me alone. 8 Horrifying before and after photos show the extent of the damage Credit: SWNS 8 Louise was offered new accomodation but she is determined to return to her old home Credit: SWNS 8 West has now been jailed for six years after pleading guilty to arson and a string of assaults on Louise Credit: SWNS "I asked the police that whatever happened could they please just warn him about coming back to my house again" Fearing that West would return to her house the following day, she blocked the front door with a toolbox and stockpiled food for a few days. She was 'shattered' and laid down for a nap. A heavy sleeper, she awoke at 3.16pm to her neighbours raising the alarm that her house was on fire. For about four or five days, I couldn't eat. I just laid on the sofa Louise Simpson Fire forensics later told Louise they believe he used white spirit as an accelerant. Three-year-old Peggy hid under the bed and was too heavy for Louise to drag her out. "If she decided she wasn't going to move, you could not move her," Louise says. "I was desperately trying, but I couldn't breathe, so I ran down the stairs.' Louise was able to pull the toolbox out of the way but once outside she ran back in in a second attempt to rescue Peggy. "I was trying to cover my mouth with my hands and putting my T-shirt over my mouth but because the smoke was so thick I couldn't breathe,' she says. 'My neighbours were all telling me to get out.' Firefighters rescued Peggy from the house but were unable to resuscitate her. Louise stayed with her son Connor, 28, after the fire. Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or on 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring on 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse. She says: 'For about four or five days, I couldn't eat. I just laid on the sofa. I didn't wash, didn't brush my teeth. 'I was just crying non-stop, I couldn't take it all in.' She now stays between her Connor's house and a friend's in nearby Crawley. The council offered her alternative accommodation but she would prefer to move back into her house once it is repaired in about a year. She says: 'I've lived in that home for 28 years. I raised my son there. I've got good memories there as well.' Her possessions suffered fire, smoke or water damage. Peggy's life was given as much value as a bookcase Louise Simpson Louise lost personal photos, her mum's ashes, a hairbrush which had her mum's hair still in it, an elephant made for her by her daughter-in-law out of her mum's clothes and Connor's baby clothes she was saving for her grandchildren. West, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to arson with intent, criminal damage, non-fatal strangulation, common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm on May 2. He was sentenced to six years and three months in jail. Louise is upset that Peggy's death was not considered in the sentencing. She wants offenders to be punished for killing companion animals like dogs and cats. She adds: 'Peggy's life was given as much value as a bookcase. 'She was my absolute world. 'What I used to go through with him, she was the one constant that was there by my side; my best friend.' A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "West was arrested on 13 September 2024 on suspicion of criminal damage and spent the night in custody. 'He was released without charge as the victim did not wish to sign a statement at the time." The Ministry of Justice says it has no plans to change the law. To sign her petition, click 8 The mum is staying with her son Connor while she waits for repairs on her home Credit: Supplied 8 Louise is fighting to change the law so animals are seen as sentient beings Credit: Supplied
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I was a victim of ‘Del Boy' of BBLs I am thrilled Katie Price's butt lift injector has been banned after I almost died
READING the news that her former surgeon Rick Sawyer has been banned cosmetic procedures Bonnie Louise Cooper felt a wave of relief sweep over her body. Sawyer, who gained notoriety performing the BBLs on Katie Price, will no longer be able to practice cosmetic surgery across England and Wales for three years after being slapped with the ban in Manchester Civil Court. 6 Bonnie-Louise Cooper fought for her life after having a BBL at one of Rick Sawyer's clinics Credit: Supplied 6 The mum-of-one contracted sepsis and is lucky to be alive Credit: Supplied He was exposed after a BBC documentary showed him using a rented office block in London to perform the potentially deadly procedure that left some victims, including Bonnie, hospitalised with deadly sepsis. Bonnie, 27, was one of the women whose evidence had been used to ensure the man she had dubbed an 'evil Del Boy,' was served with an injunction. Sawyer has been banned from conducting any procedures in England and Wales until 27 May 2028 after a court heard evidence his BBL procedure had exposed women to sepsis. The injunction also prohibits him from possessing related surgical equipment or any antibiotics typically used in such treatments, unless prescribed for his own personal use. Read More on Real Lives 'I can finally breathe again, Sawyer can no longer hurt any other women,' says Bonnie. 'I was left writing in agony and screaming in pain because of this procedure. 'I still need treatment for my injuries two years on. 'It's a huge relief and I know it's going to send a message to other so-called 'experts' who claim to be trained and licensed. Most read in Fabulous 'These people are evil Del Boys who inflict suffering on unwitting victims. 'I'd be dead if my sister hadn't called the ambulance and gotten me into hospital. Watch as Katie Price livestreams her bum filler op for shocked fans as TWO surgeons inject her on operating table 'My little boy would have been an orphan all because of one of Sawyer's liquid butt lifts.' Beautician Bonnie, lives in Swanage, Dorset is mum to five -year-old Kash and says she decided to have a liquid BBL in November 2023. 'I thought I was doing the right and responsible thing by choosing a British clinic, I was told it was the safest option,' she says. 'I chose the one used by Katie Price on London's elite Harley Street thinking it safe.' But the night before, Bonnie admits she was stunned when she received a text with the address of the practitioner's "second clinic" in Romford, Essex. 'I was assured this was normal,' she remembers. When Bonnie arrived, the mum was told the producer was 'entirely safe'. 'It was explained I was having 250 mils of filler injected into each buttock,' she says. 6 The mum had her bum injected with filler in the hope to get a pert bottom Credit: supplied 6 Katie Price has previously promoted Sawyer 6 More than 30 people have spoken to the BBC claiming Sawyer botched their procedures 'I was given some numbing cream, but I wasn't prepared for the pain of the cannula injection. 'I always thought that giving birth was the worst pain I had ever experienced but labour was nothing compared to this.' Bonnie says the procedure was done in a beauty salon style environment and she was told to stand rather than lie down for the injections. 'I was in shock after the procedure,' she admits. 'I tried to put on a brave face, I was told I was likely to feel a bit odd because of the numbing cream. 'I asked if I should drive home and was told it was fine. 'That didn't make sense to me. I'd just had half a litre of filler injected into my bum. 'I wasn't given any after care instructions and was sent home without antibiotics and by the time I got home, I was screaming in agony. 'I couldn't get out of the car, and I started to vomit and fainted trying to get into my house. 'I rang the clinic, and I was told that they would get antibiotics for me the next day and advised me to go to bed.' Bonnie's sister Lisa-Marie Hughes,32, a stay-at-home mum, visited her that night, and had she not Bonnie might not be alive. 'She found me delirious, sweating and in absolute agony,' Bonnie recalls. Bonnie was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with sepsis. She was given morphine regularly for the next four days and intravenous antibiotics to fight the injection. 'I had an emergency MRI scan, and it revealed the procedure had caused muscle damage,' Bonnie says. 'It was so serious I was given a referral to Salisbury Plastics for dissolving procedures.' It took almost five days before Bonnie was well enough to be sent home. 'I had to take two different types of antibiotics for another month and was still on painkillers two months later,' she says. 'The antibiotics promised by the clinic never arrived and I was never told, despite asking what type of filler they used. 'The hospital tried to call the salon, but they didn't answer. It was awful. 'I felt like I'd been thrown to the wolves. I was left with no aftercare and no follow up.' 'I have huge regrets, and I still worry about on-going long-term side effects. I hope this ban allows the victims to stand tall Bonnie Cooper 'It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. No one should ever have to experience that.' The standard surgical BBL involves the patient having fat harvested from their own body and re-injection into the buttock area. A non-invasive liquid BBL uses a range of dermal fillers including hyaluronic acid which is injected into each buttock using a large cannula to add volume. The liquid BBL is promoted as relatively pain free because the filler contains lidocaine, a local anaesthetic. While it seemed like the perfect option, two years on Bonnie is still suffering from her botched BBl. 'Two years on and I am still having physiotherapy on one of my legs to treat nerve damage two times a week,' she says. 'I have a shooting nerve in one leg. It's a constant reminder of what I suffered at the hands of Sawyer's clinics.' Bonnie is one of more than forty women used as evidence for the case for the self-styled 'celeb backed' expert to be banned. As part of the ban the Manchester Civil Court attached a power of arrest to the order, meaning Sawyer could be arrested without a warrant if he is found to be in breach of the terms. The court, together with Trafford Council, heard evidence which included a BBC documentary showing him working out of a rented office performing the procedures. The lawyer James Parry, who raised the case, said the injuries suffered were akin to that of a 'serious knife crime'. Sawyer, who is described as a beauty consultant, was found to be administering injections containing up to 1,000ml of dermal filler into clients' buttocks, without having a single healthcare qualification. What are Brazilian Butt Lifts and why are they so popular? Buttock enlargement surgery - known as a Brazilian butt-lift (BBL) - is used to make the bum look bigger, rounded and lifted. Surgeons transfer fat, inject filler or insert silicone-filled implants. It is the fastest growing cosmetic procedure but also one of the most dangerous, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Many patients are travelling to the likes of Turkey or seeking out unregistered surgeons in the UK and are not given full information on the risks. BBLs carry the highest risk of all cosmetic surgeries - with more than one death occurring per 4,000 procedures. Due to celebrities undergoing such ops, many women are hoping to emulate their looks. Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Anu Sayal-Bennett, a chartered member of the British Psychological Society, told Many people travel abroad for the procedure because it is cheaper and advertising is "terribly seductive", combined with the idea of a beach holiday, added Dr Sayal-Bennett. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has welcomed the ban. Institute President, Mark Elliot, slamming the shocking and dangerous practices Mr Sawyer was found to have committed saying 'the regulatory framework has failed to keep pace with the increase in the prevalence of cosmetic procedures in recent years, fuelled by social media,' The Sawyer ban comes six weeks after socially 'irresponsible' adverts for liquid Brazilian butt lifts have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority in Britain. The Authority found a slew of promotional posts on Facebook and Instagram broke the rules - and featured time-limited discounts that could rush consumers into making decisions. It banned six BBL providers from using their ads in the current form again, finding they could pressure women into booking cosmetic surgery "without taking sufficient time to consider the consequences". According to the watchdog 'Undertaking cosmetic surgery should have been portrayed as a decision that required time and thought from consumers before proceeding, because of the risks involved. Some of the adverts featured before-and-after images of Brazilian butt lifts, with captions such as: "Get the curves and contours you've always wanted with our safe and effective body filler treatments.' Others urged potential customers to take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to get that perfect peachy look" - and warned "limited space" was available on certain days. Bonnie says the ban should be just the first step in a continued crackdown on so-called back street beauty consultants. 'I hope this ban allows the victims to stand tall,' she adds. Bonnie, who has campaigned to raise awareness about the dangers of this style for BBL, is now calling for new laws making it illegal to perform procedures like this in Britain. 'I fell victim to Sawyer in 2023, and it's taken almost two years for action,' she says. 'There needs to be a fast-tracked approach or new laws to regulate the industry. 'This ban is a start.' 6 Bonnie says that Sawyer's ban is a step in the right direction Credit: supplied
