Zombies, UFOs, witches ... they've seen them all in Wales

Officers were twice called to reports of the living dead stalking their largely rural area. They were also asked to investigate 26 ghosts, 20 UFOs, 11 witches and even two vampires. In none of the cases do Dyfed Powys Police record having found evidence of supernatural or extra–terrestrial activity.

One of the zombie sightings turned out to be a character from a horror film being shot at Pembrey, Carmarthenshire.

The calls were among a list of responses to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act.

The force said it had been called to about 20 possible visits from UFOs in the last nine years, along with 11 witches and two reports each of zombies and vampires. Under a separate request for information, it disclosed that it was also called to 26 reports of hauntings since 2006.

UFO sightings in mid–Wales include one in Caersws, Powys, in October 2002, which was reported as a "bright light in the sky heading over mountains".

There was also a report in Newtown, Powys in June 2008 of "flashing balls" believed to be two UFOs and in Llanidloes in May 2009 of three orange lights.

Between 2005 and 2010 there were 36 big cat sightings or animal deaths where giant felines were suspected.

During the last five years, the force had dealt with more than 3,300 requests under the Freedom of Information Act, which had cost it more than £500,000 a spokesman for Dyfed Powys Police said.

In response to a request about how much the force had spent on mediums, clairvoyants or other psychics during the last five years it said it did not use such services.

It could not respond to a request about how many officers were Pagan as it did not record "religion or faith as Pagan or any of the Pagan derivatives such as Druid, heathen or Wiccan."

Story and source: Telegraph

Pub singer's 'racism' arrest over Kung Fu Fighting performance

Simon Ledger says he fears she will end up with a criminal record for performing the 1974 disco classic at a seafront bar on the Isle of Wight on Sunday after two people walking past apparently took offence.

The 34-year-old, from the island, regularly features Carl Douglas’s 1974 number one hit in his set when he performs at the Driftwood Beach Bar in Sandown.

But after striking up the melody in front of customers at the weekend he noticed a man of Chinese origin walking past with his mother, making gestures at him and taking a picture on his mobile phone.

He said that he later received a telephone call from police - while he was dining in a Chinese restaurant - asking him to meet officers about the incident.

He was then arrested and questioned before being bailed.

Hampshire Police said that it had been following up a complaint of racially aggravated harassment.

“We were performing Kung Fu Fighting, as we do during all our sets,” Mr Ledger, 34, told The Sun.

“People of all races were loving it, Chinese people have never been offended before.”

A police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an allegation of racially-aggravated harassment. A man from Shanklin was arrested.”

Story and source: Telegraph

Doctor called to confirm headless man dead

When police pulled a headless body from a river, you would not have thought it needed a doctor to confirm the person was dead.

But there are rules and procedures to follow. And a medic was duly called in to declare that the man in question was actually ‘life extinct’.

Yesterday a coroner expressed surprise at why a doctor was summoned.

‘Even though there was no head, and the maggots, you had to call him in?’ Dr Shirley Radcliffe asked Det Insp Chuk Gwams.

The officer replied: ‘Yes Ma’am. They are the experts, we are not.’

The inquest heard that police were called to the River Wandle in Wimbledon, South-West London, last June.

Two Environment Agency contractors clearing Japanese knotweed from the bank had discovered the headless corpse floating in the water.

It was so badly decomposed, it was impossible to establish how the person had died.

And it was only through DNA tests that police identified him as Polish national Waldemar Drobig, 32, a former baker who slept rough and had previously been arrested for petty theft.

Mr Drobig was born in Sunechow, Poland, and was married with one son, although at the time of his death he had lost contact with his family.

'The area he was found in, a ledge under a bridge, in summer time is where the local street drinkers tend to congregate,' Det Insp Gwams said.

Recording an open verdict at Westminster coroner’s court yesterday, Dr Radcliffe said: ‘The cause of death in uncertain.

‘It is not possible to rule out foul play one hundred per cent.’

Story and source: Daily Mail

Artist creates creepy sculptures from bananas

These a-peeling sculptures are sure to make you go bananas.

The detailed works of fruity art - featuring the faces of Elvis and Davey Jones from Pirates of The Caribbean - are carved with a toothpick and a spoon.

But there's no room for slip-ups; each piece is completed in about half an hour, before the bananas start to rot.

When the sculptures are complete Japanese artist Keisuke Yamada photographs them and eats them.

Since posting pictures of his monkey business online, the 23-year-old has developed a cult internet following and gets new ideas from his fans' suggestions.

He has made 11 pieces so far, including a dragon and ghoulish skulls.

Mr Yamada said: 'I started making them about two weeks ago and since posting pictures of them online they have really taken off.

'It began when I peeled a banana and thought it might be interesting to carve a face into the fruit.

'The first one was the face of someone with a smile. I was surprised by how many people liked it so then I just started making more.

'People began to suggest ideas and that was what gave me my inspiration.

'Before I set about sculpting I think long and hard about exactly what I want it to look like.

'Then I get to work. I want people to think they are interesting and not believe quite what they are seeing.

'I just use an ordinary toothpick and a spoon from my house. I'm a perfectionist, and a simple design take about half an hour.

'They can't take much longer because then the fruit starts to go brown and I enjoy eating them once the work is done and I've taken a photo.'

Mr Yamada, an electrician, said: 'I'm looking forward to making many more in the future.'

Story and source: Daily Mail