Latest news with #acidattack
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Still Beautiful by Katie Piper: Don't base your worth on what you look like
Still Beautiful by Katie Piper (DK Red £18.99, 272pp) Given that Katie Piper 's new book is called Still Beautiful you might think it would be full of advice and tips on looking 'good for your age' – a phrase she mentions but doesn't like. But it's the opposite of superficial; it has depth, with Piper insisting: 'How we appear on the outside is the least interesting thing about us.' That's a powerful statement, especially coming from her. Piper was, after all, a model in her early 20s, trying to make a living out of her good looks in the heyday of lads' mags until, aged 24, her life was forcibly turned on its axis after she was the victim of an acid attack. She tells of the years of painful recovery. She considered taking her own life. She dealt with a grieving process over her looks and youth being taken from her, but also had to cope with some repugnant reactions to her scarred face as it healed. More than that, the man who had arranged the attack had raped her only days before. Getting through it all – even turning much of it into positives – she realised 'that founding my worth on what I looked like or what others (particularly men) thought about me was incredibly shaky ground'. She learned to look to the inside to find her worth, her power, her purpose, and it's this message she wants to get across. She draws comparisons between her experience and how women can grapple with the subsidence of youth, their looks changing when aging for women is framed so negatively by (a patriarchal) society. Now in her 40s, she is not worried about getting older; she's thankful to be alive, keen to make the most of life, and she'd like others to feel equally empowered rather than focus on collagen loss. We must reject society's lessening of us, as jawlines slacken and fertility declines. Her premise: youth should not be synonymous with beauty and external beauty is not how we should value ourselves or accept our valuation. In the process she does, briefly, take aim at the beauty industry and media for focusing too much on youth. As a journalist who has spent many years of my career as a beauty editor, I don't blame her; I've always struggled with the term 'beauty industry' – it sounds like a Fifties housewife template for passive perfection. Thankfully, things are shifting, and the sector is becoming more about self-expression and self-care (Piper herself is a spokesperson for L'Oreal Paris) but despite all its modern inclusiveness, the business still finds it hard to extend that to women over 50. Mainly, though, Piper challenges society and women themselves to no longer accept the status quo. It's not all about looks, it's also about life looking – or not looking – the way we (or others) expected it to, and how and why those expectations arise for women in the first place. For those facing other challenges, such as losing a job or a big relationship, the realities of being a mother or not having children, being married or remaining single, this book serves up a generous helping of positive outlook and agency. A blend of advice, throwing down the ageism gauntlet, and a movingly honest biography, this is an easy, life-affirming, and empowering read. The arguments may not exactly be new but they're confidently and comprehensively argued, and the book deserves to kickstart bigger conversations. It's full of wisdom about making life happen for you not to you, that it's what's on the inside that counts, using your voice, valuing yourself, owning your power, your beliefs, your age, and the importance of grounding yourself in all of that because that's the stuff – like good advice – that doesn't age.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Banora Point man may lose sight in one eye after acid attack, court told
A court has heard a 59-year-old man remains in an induced coma and could lose his sight in one eye after his son allegedly attacked him with acid in northern NSW. Randall Perrin Laurie, 35, made a brief appearance in the Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday accused of causing grievous bodily harm with a corrosive fluid. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail. Emergency service crews were called to a unit on Darlington Drive, Banora Point, about 9.15am on Thursday after receiving reports of a domestic violence-related incident. Police will allege a 59-year-old man was found at the scene suffering serious injuries caused by acid. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious condition. The 35-year-old man was arrested on Minjungbal Drive at Tweed Heads less than an hour later. Police applied to the court to seek DNA evidence from Mr Laurie as part of their investigation. In the Forensic Order Application tendered to the court, police allege the Mr Laurie bought a one-litre bottle of hydrochloric acid from a nearby hardware store about 8.50am on the day of the alleged attack. The 35-year-old is alleged to have asked a staff member, "does this burn you?" before saying someone had "poisoned his family" and he was going to "throw it on them". Police allege the man threw acid over his father's face and chest while shouting "get outside, I want to fight you, you dog". The older man has been placed in an induced coma, and doctors indicated he would lose all sight in his left eye. On Friday, defence lawyer Simon Enderwick told the court he had concerns about the accused man's ability to provide instructions to him, citing mental health concerns. The 35-year-old interjected throughout the proceedings, saying, "I don't want to go see a mental health or doctor please, if that's OK with you chief, lawyer". Bail was not applied for and formally refused. The matter is due to return to court on August 15.
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Man rushed to hospital after alleged acid attack in Banora Point, NSW
A man has been charged after allegedly pouring acid over another man, who is in hospital with serious injuries. A man has been rushed to hospital after suffering acid burn injuries in an alleged domestic-violence incident in the NSW Northern Rivers on Thursday. Emergency services were called to a Banora Point unit on Darlington Drive, near Tweed Heads, just after 9am, following reports of a domestic-violence incident. The 59-year-old was found by NSW Police to be suffering 'serious injuries believed to be caused by an acid'. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and subsequently flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious condition. A 35-year-old man was arrested at Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads. He was charged with do grievous bodily harm by the use of corrosive fluid etc (DV). Police allege he poured acid on the other man, who was known to him. The accused has been refused bail and is due to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Three deny murdering man who died following alleged acid attack
Three people have denied murdering a man who died after an alleged acid attack at his home. Danny Cahalane, 38, suffered fatal injuries following the incident at a property in Lipson Road, Plymouth, in the early hours of February 21 this year. He died in hospital on May 3. Paris Wilson, Israel Augustus and Isanah Sungum all denied the murder of Mr Cahalane during a hearing at Plymouth Crown Court. In total nine people face charges relating to the alleged attack on Mr Cahalane. They are: – Paris Wilson, 34, from Plymouth, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and murder. She denies all charges. – Israel Augustus, 25, from Tottenham, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, aggravated burglary, two counts of having an article with blade or point, murder, two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs. He denies all charges. – Isanah Sungum, 21, from Edmonton, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group and murder. He denies both charges. – Jenna Said, 39, from Plymouth, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. She denies the charge. – Jean Mukuna, 23, from Camden, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply. He denied the first three charges and did not enter a plea to the fourth. – Arrone Mukuna, 24, from Camden, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. He denies all charges. – Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 22, from Neasden, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and murder. He did not enter any pleas to the charges. – Ramarneee Bakas-Sithole, 22, from Islington, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and murder. He did not enter any pleas to the charges. – Brian Kalemba, 22, from Barking, London, who is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group and murder. He did not enter any pleas to the charges. Judge Robert Linford said a trial listed to last 10 weeks would begin at Winchester Crown Court before a High Court judge on January 13 next year. The judge released Said on conditional bail while the other eight defendants were remanded into custody. Speaking last month, Mr Cahalane's family said in a tribute: 'As a family, we are struggling to come to terms with Danny's passing. 'Danny was an outstanding father and son. Danny and his mum had so much love for each other. 'He is well loved by his family and friends and as a family, we cherish his love and memories.'
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Former girlfriend of a fitness instructor killed in doorstep acid attack pleads not guilty to his murder
The ex-girlfriend of a fitness instructor killed in a brutal acid attack has pleaded not guilty to his murder. Paris Wilson, 34, is charged with murdering Danny Cahalane, 38, at the home they once shared in Plymouth, Devon. Mr Cahalane had acid thrown in his face after answering the door to his home in Lipson Road, at 3.55am on Friday 21 February. He died in hospital ten weeks later, on May 3. Former probation officer Wilson wept as she appeared in the dock at Plymouth Crown Court today wearing a navy blue dress with her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. She answered 'not guilty' as each of the four charges were read out, including participating in an organised crime gang that supplied drugs and enforcement of drug debts, conspiracy to murder Danny, conspiracy to commit GBH against Mr Cahalane and murder. Wilson, of The Quay, Plymouth, was remanded in custody until her trial early next year at Winchester Crown Court. Judge Robert Linford warned her: Your case is adjourned for you do not attend it will proceed in your absence. Thank you for coming today.' As she was led back to the cells, family and friends in the public gallery shouted 'love you, Paris'. Three other men from London and one woman, mother-of-three Jenna Said, also known as Jenna O'Grady, all pleaded not guilty to offences in connection with Mr Cahalane's murder. Appearing separately in the dock, Israel Augustus, 25, of Pulford Road in London, laughed and smirked as he pleaded not guilty to eight charges. They included being part of an organised crime group, aggravated burglary at Mr Cahalane's home in Lipson Road, Plymouth, having a kitchen knife in a street near the house on the day of the acid attack, murdering Mr Cahalane, selling drugs including crack cocaine, cannabis and C2, a mixture of MDMA and ketamine. During the hearing Augusts - wearing a thick Canada Goose coat with his hair in dreadlocks - also denied carrying a zombie knife in Tottenham on March 4. Said, aged 39 and from Plymouth, denied participating in organised crime and was released on bail. Isanah Sungum, 21 of Sterling Way, Edmonton, London, denied participating in organised crime and murder and was remanded in custody. Jean Mukuna, 23, and Arrone Mukuna, 24, pleaded not guilty to participating in organised crime, conspiracy to murder Mr Cahalane and conspiracy to cause him grievous bodily harm. Three other defendants Brian Kalemba, 22, Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja, 22, Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 22, were not arraigned during the hearing while their defence prepares possible dismissal applications. Mother-of-three Jenna Said was released on bail after pleading not guilty to participating in organised crime Plymouth Magistrates' Court previously heard Mr Cahalane suffered horrific facial injuries after sulphuric acid was thrown at him. In a statement issued through police following his death, Mr Cahalane's family said: 'We are struggling to come to terms with Danny's passing. Danny was an outstanding father and son. 'Danny and his mum had so much love for each other. He is well loved by his family and friends and as a family we cherish his love and memories. 'We ask the family are please given privacy and respect during this time.' Wilson's LinkedIn page suggests she has previously worked in business development and holds a masters degree in public administration.
