Latest news with #JoshCollins
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Relatives 'gobsmacked' after grave mementos smashed
Relatives of people buried in a Nottinghamshire cemetery say they are 'gobsmacked' after wildlife were blamed for smashing mementos left on graves. Families started a petition in protest after Broxtowe Borough Council said it was going to remove the mementos, which then led the authority to put any changes on hold for 12 months. Visitors say they then found flowers, plant pots and crosses had been overturned last week and were told by the council ants, birds, badgers, foxes and muntjac deer were responsible. But families have blamed council grass cutting, going so far as to stake out the cemetery to see whether animals were causing the problems. Lindsey Collins, 46, from Beeston, whose son, Josh, was buried in the cemetery in 2021, said the problems were noticed on Tuesday 10 June. She said: "The gardeners had been in and after mowing, several graves with pots, ornaments and memorials were damaged. "In all the years we have been in the cemetery this has never happened before. "The odd breakage is to be expected, but this damage was over several sections and areas of the cemetery. "I was disgusted, heartbroken. And with Father's Day coming up I was worried how it was going to affect people." Ms Collins estimated around 20 plots were affected with other visitors visibly distressed. But this turned into surprise when Broxtowe Borough Council denied its gardeners were responsible. "They said it was ants," said Ms Collins. "They said the ants were nesting in the tubs and then birds were coming to peck at them and then knocking the vases which then get caught in the long grass and get mowed. "Then apparently badgers, foxes and muntjac deer also knocked over the ornaments. "We were gobsmacked. "So the cemetery committee staked out the area overnight and we never saw any activity from the animals which might explain what happened." A spokesman for Broxtowe Borough Council said: "We have an experienced team that understands the sensitivities of working within our graveyards. "All items are placed at the owner's risk." The wider issue of leaving tributes on graves was discussed by the council earlier this month but a decision was deferred. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Families 'disheartened' by proposed grave rules Broxtowe Borough Council
BBC News
17 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Families 'gobsmacked' after mementos on graves smashed in Beeston
Relatives of people buried in a Nottinghamshire cemetery say they are 'gobsmacked' after wildlife were blamed for smashing mementos left on graves. Families started a petition in protest after Broxtowe Borough Council said it was going to remove the mementos, which then led the authority to put any changes on hold for 12 months. Visitors say they then found flowers, plant pots and crosses had been overturned last week and were told by the council ants, birds, badgers, foxes and muntjac deer were families have blamed council grass cutting, going so far as to stake out the cemetery to see whether animals were causing the problems. Lindsey Collins, 46, from Beeston, whose son, Josh, was buried in the cemetery in 2021, said the problems were noticed on Tuesday 10 said: "The gardeners had been in and after mowing, several graves with pots, ornaments and memorials were damaged."In all the years we have been in the cemetery this has never happened before."The odd breakage is to be expected, but this damage was over several sections and areas of the cemetery."I was disgusted, heartbroken. And with Father's Day coming up I was worried how it was going to affect people." Ms Collins estimated around 20 plots were affected with other visitors visibly this turned into surprise when Broxtowe Borough Council denied its gardeners were responsible."They said it was ants," said Ms Collins. "They said the ants were nesting in the tubs and then birds were coming to peck at them and then knocking the vases which then get caught in the long grass and get mowed."Then apparently badgers, foxes and muntjac deer also knocked over the ornaments."We were gobsmacked."So the cemetery committee staked out the area overnight and we never saw any activity from the animals which might explain what happened."A spokesman for Broxtowe Borough Council said: "We have an experienced team that understands the sensitivities of working within our graveyards. "All items are placed at the owner's risk."The wider issue of leaving tributes on graves was discussed by the council earlier this month but a decision was deferred.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Collins sentenced to more than 3 decades in prison
May 10—The man convicted in the October 2024 stabbing of the principal of South Point Elementary School was sentenced to an aggregate term of 39 1/2 to 45 years in prison on Thursday. According to a news release from the Lawrence County Prosecutor's office, County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Ballard sentenced Josh Collins, after he was found guilty following a two-day bench trial in April. On Oct. 24, 2024, Collins entered a secure area of South Point Elementary School, and after a brief conversation with Christian, he pulled out a knife and began stabbing Christian in the back and head. Christian was able to retreat into the secure office. Collins then used his knife and broke the glass to the office window, gaining entry into the secure part of the school. Collins continued after Christian with a knife, causing the school to enter into lock down and extreme panic ensued on behalf of teachers, students, administrators and parents, the prosecutor's office said. Collins was found guilty of felonious assault, attempted murder, possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a School Safety Zone, inducing panic and seven counts of kidnapping. At sentencing, Prosecutor Anderson emphasized the gravity of the offenses and urged the court to impose a term that would ensure Collins could never again endanger or terrorize others. Judge Ballard agreed, imposing the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the crimes and to protect the community.
