A man has admitted using motor oil and detergent to kill his neighbour’s fish and destroy a water pump out of ‘sheer frustration and lack of sleep’, a court has heard.

Gerry Duffy, 76, of Barnet, north London, was ‘driven completely insane’ by the sound of a water pump running his neighbour’s fishpond.

At Willesden Magistrates’ Court this morning, Duffy pleaded guilty on the day of his trial to damaging the pond, fish, water pump and pipes in March. 

He had warned his neighbour, Andreas Ptohides, that he would take matters into his own hands if he did not do something about the noise. 

The former builder, who lives in a studio flat on Hadley Road, Barnet, north London threw motor oil into the body of water belonging to Mr Ptohides on March 20, 2026. 

Four days later, Duffy was captured on CCTV climbing into Mr Ptohides’ garden and damaging the water pipes and electric pumps. 

On March 26, 2026, Duffy also interfered with the pond by pouring a detergent of an unknown substance, causing further damage. 

Shahid Iftakhar, prosecuting, told the court the ‘neighbour dispute’ had killed ‘five or six’ of Mr Ptohides’s Koi carp, and potentially caused of damage. 

The neighbour claimed £800 worth of damage was caused, Mr Iftakhar said, but today the prosecution stated the damage was £565.  

The 76-year-old told the court he did it out of ‘sheer frustration and lack of sleep’

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He said: ‘The defendant has previously complained to the complainant about noise coming from his garden and has said words to the effect of, “if you don’t deal with it, I will” – there was a warning before the incident.’

Mr Elliott Stern, defending, said Duffy had been driven ‘completely insane by the noise’ from the electric pump feature on his neighbour’s pond.

The 76-year-old and his neighbour had discussed the matter several times, to which Mr Ptohides said he would stop the pump , he added.

However, the neighbour later said he would no longer do so because it was ‘not good for the fish’.

Duffy contacted the council, whose worker visited and said there was no noise, advising ‘he either move[d] or close his windows’, Mr Stern added.

‘Out of sheer frustration and lack of sleep. Mr Duffy out of character and I would say lost his mind and committed these various damages,’ the defence said.

He added that Duffy had been pushed ‘beyond rational thinking and did not think about the consequences’ of his actions.

Mr Stern, mitigating, said the pensioner had COPD, as well as several health issues including type 1 diabetes, skin cancer, and high blood pressure.

It was also heard that his health had declined both physically and mentally in the last year, and that he suffered from ‘severe’ anxiety and depression.

Mr Stern also added that Duffy’s break-up with a partner had also had an impact on him over the last three years.

Magistrate Matthew Cornish said: ‘We believe there was some planning given the incidents occurred over three separate days.’

Duffy was ordered to pay £565 in compensation, £440 for the pond and associated equipment as well as £125 for the destruction of the fish.

He was also handed a two-year conditional discharge order.

TS Travels Group, which began operating in 2015, describes itself as a “leading coach and minibus hire company”.

It provided “reliable and affordable transport solutions across the UK and Europe”.

UK travel company enters liquidation with no new trips

Now, after 11 years, TS Travels Group, based in West Yorkshire, is set to close.

The company’s website has been taken offline, and new bookings are no longer possible.

Laura Anne Walshe of Keywood Group Limited was appointed as liquidator on July 29, according to The Gazette.

On LinkedIn, the company said: “With years of industry experience, we have built a reputation for delivering exceptional service, catering to both private and corporate clients.

“Our diverse fleet ranges from small minibuses to large coaches, some of which are bespoke-built to our specifications to ensure maximum comfort.

“Through our trusted network of partner operators, we offer seamless nationwide coverage, making transport planning effortless for our clients.

“At TS Travels Group, no journey is too big or small.

“Whether it’s private hire, corporate travel, school transport, or airport transfers, we are committed to providing a flexible and stress-free travel experience.”

It comes just days after fellow UK travel company Ski Yodl Ltd entered liquidation, resulting in the cancellation of all holiday packages.

The company offered ski holiday packages to destinations including the French Alps.

Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026

Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:

Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:

Recommended reading:

Four UK airlines have also fallen into administration or liquidation this year:

• Ascend Airways (liquidation)
• EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
• Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
• European Cargo (administration)

Have you booked any trips with TS Travels Group? Let us know in the comments.

An overcrowded mega-dinghy carrying 157 migrants caught fire in the English Channel today, forcing all those on board to jump into the sea.

Rescue efforts began at around 6am after the inflatable’s engine burst into flames shortly after leaving a beach near Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Two British Border Security Command boats and an RNLI lifeboat deployed to assist the rescue operation, which was led by the French.

Some 54 of the migrants were taken to France aboard the British vessels, while the rest were picked up by the French. There have been no reported fatalities although some of the passengers suffered minor burns. 

A UK coastguard spokesman said: ‘A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting.’ An RNLI spokesman said: ‘Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 6am.’

The stricken vessel was being tracked by British and French rescue boats when it caught fire, according to France’s Maritime Prefecture.

French officials have a controversial policy of not intercepting small boats at sea because they claim it could risk the lives of those onboard, though they can carry out rescues. 

It comes a day after Reform UK proposed using the Royal Navy to return migrants to France or Belgium under a plan called ‘Operation Fortress’. 

Responding to the incident, party leader Nigel Farage said: ‘We must put a stop to this. Our plan will save lives.’ 

Richard Tice, his deputy, said: ‘Being rescued and returned to France – let’s hope all safe. Just like Reform policy: rescue and return. It’s the humanitarian thing to do. We must stop people dying.’

More than 2,000 migrants have arrived on UK shores in small boat crossings since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister just over a fortnight ago. The new PM, who only entered office on 20 July, is taking a break from his day-to-day duties to travel abroad with his family for a long-planned trip.

The group at the Port de Commerce in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, after the rescue mission

Migrants disembark from the French rescue ship Argonaute following their rescue at sea after their boat caught fire

In a translated statement about today’s incident, the Maritime Prefecture said the decision was initially made not to force the migrants to board rescue vessels to ‘avoid endangering their lives’. 

‘Five people had initially asked to get off, because the boat was in such a bad way,’ a spokesman said. ‘The rest told rescuers they wanted to continue, and this was permitted. Then, later in the morning, the engine caught fire.’

It was then that everybody jumped into the water and the boat capsized, the spokesman added.

By 1pm in France, it appeared that all 157 people on board had been brought to safety. Most had been wearing life jackets. Some of those returned to France were suffering from burns.

The number of people on the boat – which left the beach at Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe, last night – makes it one of the biggest ever to attempt to cross the Channel.

A record 165 migrants crossed in a single vessel last month in a 13m (42ft) boat dubbed a ‘mega dinghy’ by the media. The previous record, set on July 10, was 128.

Today’s fire is believed to have been caused by a fuel leak.

The migrants aboard the boat had paid people smugglers up to £1,000 each for the journey, a French emergency services source was quoted as saying.

A UK Government spokesman said: ‘This morning, the Border Security Command was alerted to an incident in the Channel concerning a migrant small boat in distress in French waters.

‘British vessels supported a French search and rescue operation. This is a live rescue operation but at this stage there have been no fatalities reported. Those on board will be safely returned to France.

‘This incident underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings. We continue to work relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys.’

At least 14 UK-bound migrants have died in the Channel this year, either by drowning or through suffocation aboard overcrowded small boats.

All 157 people on board were brought to safety

Migrants disembark in Boulogne-sur-Mer from French rescue ship Argonaute

Tents had been set up at the dock to check migrants coming off the boat 

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There was a heavy emergency services presence at Boulogne-sur-Mer during the operation

The worst tragedy of this kind came in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK, the deadliest single Channel crossing incident on record. 

Last Wednesday marked the busiest day for small boat crossings in the English Channel so far this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK.

But the number of overall arrivals for 2026 has dropped since last year.

The provisional total for the year is 14,526, 43 per cent lower than the number recorded by this time last year (25,436) and down 14 per cent on the same period in 2024 (16,903).

Under Reform’s ‘rescue and return’ proposal, the Royal Navy would intercept every vessel carrying illegal migrants to the UK and return all those on board to their country of departure.

The plan was heavily criticised by the French government, which declared it a ‘violation of French sovereignty’ and international law.

A spokesman for the French interior ministry said in a statement: ‘This would be a violation of French sovereignty as well as a violation of maritime law and international law.

‘Separately, as part of the measures put in place with the UK and the arrangements deployed at the local level, the interior ministry states that the number of crossings is down in 2026.’

In response, a Reform spokesman said: ‘We will always stand up for British interests and protect our people, whether Emmanuel Macron likes it or not.

‘Humanitarian missions do not violate maritime or international law.’

A total of 165 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in a single mega-dinghy on July 23 – the highest on record 

Nigel Farage today claimed that Reform’s proposal to use the navy to stop migrant crossings would ‘save lives’. The Tories said the plan had been ‘written on the back of a fag packet’ 

Asked about Reform’s proposal, Mr Burnham’s official spokesman said: ‘The Royal Navy had primacy for small boat crossings under the previous government in 2022. I’d remind you there was no reduction in small boat crossings in that period.

‘The Royal Navy is already tackling many threats, including monitoring any Russian warships operating near our shores, protecting our waters and our critical national infrastructure.

‘Border patrol officers have significant capabilities and skills that make them the best suited candidate to lead small boats operations in the Channel.

‘That’s why we’re driving down the number of crossings. It’s why they’re down almost 50 per cent compared to last year, and why almost 60 per cent of attempted crossings have been stopped since this Government came to power.’

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Reform of putting forward ‘slogans and policies written on the back of a fag packet but no credibility behind it – they can’t answer basic questions like how they would properly fund the military’.

He added: ‘They haven’t even got a defence spokesman and they can’t answer basic questions like what they would do if the French refuse to allow the illegal immigrants to be disembarked back in France.’

Mr Philp said the Conservatives ‘would deport these illegal immigrants back to their country of origin, and if that’s not possible, a safe third country like Rwanda’.

Police said her behaviour included drinking alcohol and urinating and defecating in public

A woman could be arrested after repeated anti-social behaviour after a court imposed a strict order on her. Cambridgeshire Police said Ramona Engele has been a nuisance to residents, members of the public, and restaurants in Millfield, Peterborough.

The force said this has included drinking alcohol and urinating and defecating in public, as well as loitering and causing a nuisance near to Madina Grill, in Lincoln Road.

Locals raised concerns about Engele, 27, at police community meetings. On April 27 she was made the subject of a community protection notice (CPN).

However, she admitted breaching this 10 times. Engele, of no fixed address, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Friday (July 31) where she was given a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO).

The CBO bans her from:

• Causing alarm or distress or acting in an anti-social manner.
• Being in possession of an open vessel of alcohol in an open place.
• Approaching members of the public or businesses to beg for money, alcohol, or any other item.
• Entering an exclusion zone of Lincoln Road, between Burghley Road and Rhubarb Bridge.
• Urinating or defecating in a public place or on private property.

Flouting the terms of the order could result in her arrest and a potential prison sentence.

PC Nikki Timms, from the Central neighbourhood policing team, said: “We have worked closely with Ramona and her support workers, but it has not improved her behaviour, so we had to take more robust action. The order is not just about giving us greater powers but also insisting she engage positively with police and partner agencies, attending appointments and accepting support from services.

“We are listening to community concerns and will continue to act on their reports to make the area a nicer place to live.”

Anyone with information about Engele breaching her CBO should contact police online. Those without internet access should call 101.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A group of eight South Korean students were detained Tuesday for allegedly breaking into a United States air base while shouting anti-U.S. slogans, South Korean authorities said.

U.S. military personnel detained the four male and four female students after they allegedly entered Osan Air Base near the capital Seoul. They were later transferred to the custody of South Korean authorities, police said.

The students were being investigated under a law protecting military installations in South Korea, according to police, who said they all had invoked their right to remain silent during questioning.

Police said the students shouted slogans at the site including, “Let’s smash U.S. 7th Air Force.”

A U.S. military statement said the group attempted to unlawfully enter the base through the main gate and that “unauthorized attempts to access a U.S. military installation are taken extremely seriously.”

The incident will be addressed in accordance with applicable U.S. and South Korean laws and procedures, the military said.

The Korean Progressive University Student Union said in a statement on Facebook that those detained were members who were trying to protest what it called the U.S. military’s opposition to a South Korean semiconductor cluster project.

South Korean police declined to comment on the group’s statement, which was not addressed by the U.S. military.

Yonhap news agency reported the U.S. said it has important interests in a military airport set to be relocated over the semiconductor project.

There are about 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea to help deter potential aggression from North Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Surveys have steadfastly shown a majority of South Koreans support the U.S.-South Korean military alliance, but the U.S. presence and its role in South Korea’s turbulent modern history also have been long-running sources of anti-U.S. sentiment among many in South Korea.

South Korean police arrested four students in 2019 who broke into the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Seoul while protesting the Trump administration’s demands for the country to pay more to help cover the costs of U.S. troops there.

Music legend Bono arrives shortly before the service started.

He released a heartbreaking statement following his friend’s death last week.

It read: “Sometimes I would wonder if Glen Hansard really existed….Seriously, he was such an angelic presence… not otherworldly…in fact, very present this presence…

“A smiling rascal if you needed him to be… this most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun… no airs, plenty of graces…

“Of course, Glen was the shining star of the Christmas Eve busk… sometimes the only one reminding the rest of us that Christmas began with a refugee born in a manger, which is hardly a step from living on the street.

“To be utterly yourself by being more interested in others – a clue for any of us trying out different personas. He really was who you thought he was. He could never walk by a person living rough without checking they were OK… and more than that, he worked very hard so that less people had to live on the streets in the first place.”