Table of contents for 22-Sep-2016 in Chat

I'm still suffering – yet he cheated justice Help and support If you're struggling with the loss of a loved one, Cruse Bereavement Care offers free, confidential support for adults and children. Call free on 0808 808 1677 or visit www.cruse.org.uk George-Davies was found guilty of murder, jailed for life to serve a minimum of 22 years. We tried to move on, all suffering health problems, flashbacks, nightmares. Poor Katie could barely climb stairs, talk. Despite that, in early 2010 she met Chris James, 34, online, and fell in love. I was delighted, especially when my granddaughter Poppy was born that December. And, on 4 August 2011 – Richard’s birthday – Katie and Chris married. A spark of happiness was returning to our family. Only, in October 2014,…

GUILTY! After four hours, the jury found Guy Heinze Jnr guilty of all eight murders, and he was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Heinze’s distraught brother Tyler ran from court yelling, ‘This ain’t right! This ain’t justice!’ A prosecutor told reporters ‘a situation’ with one juror had had the jury deadlocked. Heinze’s lawyers had agreed to excuse that juror if the prosecutors consented to take the death penalty off the table. Neither side wanted a mistrial – which would have meant trying Heinze again.…

I spent my life in baggy T-shirts, so was nervous about posing in lingerie… If you’ve ever described yourself as pear-shaped, I’ll bet you’ve got nothing on me. Weighing a hefty 35st, with hips measuring a little under 8ft, I’m the ultimate pear! That’s how I’m known to my thousands of fans worldwide who’ve followed me since I first appeared on a Super Size Big Beautiful Women (SSBBW) website two years ago. I was never really slim, but I haven’t always been this big. Until my 30s, I was a curvy 15st, a size-22. A naturally confident person, my weight never bothered me. Then, I wasn’t eating more than normal, but I began piling on pounds around my bum, hips and thighs. It was as if someone had attached a…

Specialists told me there was nothing they could do My eye problems started in my late teens. I was squinting a lot and had terrible headaches. An eye test revealed I had juvenile glaucoma. It’s caused by pressure building up in the eyes when fluid can’t drain properly. This can damage optic nerves. ‘It can be hereditary,’ the optician explained. My dad had also had the condition for years. I was given drops, but they didn’t help much. So I had an operation to make a cut in my eye to reduce intraocular pressure. ‘Your sight should be OK for the next 10 years,’ my surgeon told me. Over the years, my eyesight was fine and I forgot all about it. In time, I got married and had my children…

Jesse wanted Rios to be open about their affair, to go public On 5 June 2004, Police Officer Steven Rios, 27, reported to a crime scene. A male student, Jesse Valencia, 23, had been found dead – murdered – in the university campus district of Columbia, Missouri. His throat had been slit and he’d bled to death. Rios’ police colleagues were surprised to see him – because he wasn’t on duty. He seemed upset, said he’d arrested the victim six weeks earlier at a college party that had got out of hand and issued him with a fine. Quiet and distant, Rios helped secure the grim crime scene. But he was hiding a big secret... Despite being a dedicated family man who’d hurry home after his shifts to give his…

Following that episode,I was more alert to Kira's movements My boyfriend Rob walked into the living room and groaned. ‘Please can’t we watch something else?’ he moaned. Nope! I loved Hollyoaks. Now, while my Crohn’s disease was playing up, it was something to help distract me. After years of pain, I’d been diagnosed in March 2013, three months before I’d met Rob. Doctors eventually discovered two thirds of my bowel was riddled with Crohn’s, so removed that part. Thankfully, Chris hadn’t been put off and, in March 2014, we moved in together. ‘It’s rubbish,’ he said, whenever I watched Tony, Mercedes and the rest of the Hollyoaks gang. Mind you, he’d often sneak a glimpse at their dramas while pretending to be on his phone! I was thrilled when one…

1 Navigating the waters Visit the Broads by boat. You'll get all the coaching you need from the helpful people at Herbert Woods when you pick up your floating holiday home. And, after a short practice run, you're ready to explore the 125-plus miles of picturesque waterways. 2 Taking it easy With average speeds of 3-6mph, you have no choice but to slow the pace and unwind. Go where the mood takes you - and, come the evening, enjoy a couple of cheeky G&Ts, sitting out on deck, taking in the amazing views of the sunset across the water. Sheer Heaven! 3 Visiting villages Moor up, pick up supplies, have lunch, then pootle around the quaint villages of Norfolk including Horning, Wroxham, Ranworth and Ludham. 4 Exploring opportunities Check out…

My baby's legs were tucked up around his shoulders I won't be surprised if he competes in theParalympics! Eyes narrowing, smile fading, the sonographer turned the screen away. ‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ she said, leaving me and my partner, James Roznowski, 39, in the room alone. My stomach dropped, my mouth went dry. ‘Something’s wrong,’ I croaked. James gripped my hand, trying to reassure me, but I knew. Then the sonographer returned with two specialists who confirmed my worst fears. ‘It looks like your baby has no legs,’ one said. I burst into tears. I was hyperventilating as they explained I’d need more tests at Leeds General Infirmary. My memories are fuzzy, but afterwards I know I was sick. James held me as I cried. ‘Whatever the problem…

What I loved All the great September songs that are out there. Everyone from Sinatra, to Earth Wind & Fire, Van Morrison, Carole King…so what if I'm showing my age? I love a belter when I'm in traffic!. What hacked me off The nights are pulling in way too fast. What made me laugh Reading that a clutch of 200 (200!!) tarantulas had hatched at a zoo. They're a particular species where the males die after mating. Is that SO wrong? Just askin'… Hope you get to scurry joyfully this week!…

I'd apply foundation thickly, but it was so messy For as long as I can remember, my skin has always been covered in brown spots. You see, I was born with a rare skin condition called congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN), which means I have a collection of birthmarks. They’re benign and pretty harmless, though. Mine started on my torso. I had a large one covering my belly, stretching onto my back and thighs. But, as time went on, small spots began spreading up my arms and legs, too. There’s no known cure. And doctors don’t know much about it. Though they believe that it may mean I have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. As a kid, I took it in my stride. But I noticed people staring. ‘Just…

Smoothing down my sky-blue wedding dress, I picked up my bouquet. ‘You look beautiful,’ my mum Joanne, 52, sighed. ‘I only wish I knew where the wedding was!’ It was 28 February this year, and I was getting ready to marry my fiance Dave Hitchin, 28. But the location was top secret. I’d met Dave at college when we were just 16. Tall, with blond hair and piercing, blue eyes, he was gorgeous and we both loved stand-up comedy and rock music. We also both loved adventure and did it all, from white-water rafting to skydiving – we even got engaged trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro last year! So, for our wedding, I suggested we tie the knot then do a bungee jump, and Dave loved the idea! We’d booked to…

Asda Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans, 220g, 25p Still sweet because they've had sweetener added in place of the sugar - but they have a nice, thick sauce and kids'll love the flavour. Perfect for beans on toast! Tesco Healthy Living Reduced Sugar And Salt Baked Beans, 220g, 25p With a smooth consistency, the beans have a really good flavour. In plenty of tomato sauce, a good choice for a weekend fry-up! Heinz 50% Less Sugar Beanz, 415g, 75p These are still faves in a blind-tasting, thanks to the rich tomato flavour. They have less sugar, but we didn't notice! NEW Marks & Spencer Frozen Cookies, £2.80 Eight big, ready-to-bake cookies in Chocolate Chunk and Double Chocolate Chunk. The perfect standby in your freezer!…

Serves: 10 Prep: 30 min Cook: 1 hr 150g blackcurrants 275g caster sugar 175g Hobnob biscuits, crushed 60g unsalted butter, melted 600g cream cheese 175ml sour cream 2 whole eggs, plus extra egg yolk Juice of 2 limes, plus zest of 1 lime 1 Preheat oven to 150C/ Gas 1 and base line a 20cm nonstick springform tin. 2 Put blackcurrants, 75g sugar and 1tbsp of water in a pan and heat for 4-5 min, stirring occasionally, until fruit is soft but retains its shape. 3 Put half blackcurrants in a sieve with most of juice, and press through into a bowl. Discard solids. Set aside both pan of remaining blackcurrants and puree. 4 Mix biscuits with butter and press into base of tin. Put in fridge to chill. 5…

Braiden had a full body scan, and the results were devastating As I took a tray of fish fingers from the oven, I crossed my fingers Braiden would eat. I knew toddlers could be fussy, but Braiden, then 2, barely had an appetite for anything. ‘Here you go, love, your favourite,’ I said. ‘I’m not hungry,’ he said, pushing the plate away. So I swept the food into the bin and tried not to worry too much. But it wasn’t just that he didn’t eat. He was also sleeping lots and had started limping. Every few weeks, he was getting a high temperature and his lymph glands would swell up. We were back and forth to the GP, but they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. ‘He’ll be fine,’ my…

Eye Treat Spa by Masque Bar Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches, £9.99 for five, Boots The perfect antidote to a late night, these banish puffiness in a flash. Top tip: Keep one in your bag when travelling to brighten your face on the go. Refreshing Hydrogel Eye Patches, £1.49, Superdrug With caffeine to help skin look brighter, they feel beautifully cool, too. Top tip: Keep in the fridge for a chilled treat. Dirty Works Cucumber Eye Pads, £4 for 10, Sainsbury's Moistened with aloe vera and cucumber to soothe tired eyes. Top tip: Pop these on at the same time as a normal facemask for an eye-opener. Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patch, £5.99 for three, Superdrug Targets fine lines and wrinkles. Top tip: These give a boost to under-eye…

Try keeping a notepad by your bed and jotting down key events Have you had a past life? 1. Inexplicable phobias Do you have an irrational fear of a certain colour, number, taste or smell? If you’ve got a phobia of something with no logical explanation, it could be an unconscious memory from a past life. For example, fear of a certain number could relate to a tragic anniversary in a previous existence. 2. Recurring dreams or nightmares Vivid dreams or nightmares may actually be replaying scenes of a past life. Try keeping a notepad by your bed and jotting down the key events, symbols and people that pop up to gain a clearer picture. 3. Obsession with history Perhaps you love to read about Victorian London or medieval France,…

On 7 July last year, my life as I knew it was over Two big brown eyes were staring up at me. ‘How could we possibly say no?’ I chuckled. My hubby Paul, 42, and I had just come to collect our new 7-week-old black Lab puppy, who we’d already named Darcey. After years working as a home carer, I’d recently decided to take a career break. I was 38 – and, sadly, Paul and I had been unable to have children. Darcey would complete our family, though. She settled in straightaway. I loved taking her for walks, throwing her tennis balls. While Paul was at his job as a project engineer, she’d snuggle next to me on the sofa. ‘My best mate,’ I’d smile, rubbing her nose. She loved…

My heart was in my mouth as I watched Relaxing with a game of bingo, excitement fizzed through me. ‘Wayne!’ I shouted to my partner. ‘I’ve won! Again!’ Wayne, 35, came over to look. It was earlier this year and I’d just won a £1,000 jackpot playing Chat Mag Bingo! I’d bought tickets for a game of 90-ball bingo in Sapphire, and watched as I got a full house. It wasn’t my first win, either. I’d joined several years earlier. And, back in December 2014, I’d won £1,409 playing Lounge Bingo. Then, I’d won £3,202 on the bingo - and now I had this £1,000 win! Wayne and I were expecting our first baby, so we spent it on things for the littl’un. Our baby arrived two months on. After…

Aries 21 March - 20 April When nearing your destination, you see an interesting signpost to somewhere else. Should you go? That’s up to you - but if you take the new road, you won’t be able to come back. Decide first which one you really want. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May A little romance seems to be taking off at work. Strangely, both of you are convinced it’s not serious, so neither of you is too bothered where it might lead. If that’s so, why are you pursuing it? And what if you’re wrong..? Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You reach a personal goal, but it doesn’t feel as exciting as you thought it would.…

I was faced with a harrowing dilemma – save my husband or my kids Sitting at the table, my daughter Katie and I shuffled through jigsaw pieces. ‘Found it!’ Katie, 17, beamed, pressing a corner piece in place. Jigsaws were our thing. Katie was our baby, with three older brothers Shaun, then 22, David, 21, and Ben, 19, and a loving stepdad Richard, 37. That evening – 13 October 2008 – as Katie and I tackled a puzzle, a neighbour Stephen George-Davies was having a drink with Richard and Shaun. He’d popped round to look at a litter of Staffie pups we were selling and, although we didn’t know him well, he seemed friendly. David lived with his girlfriend, but Ben was there, too, and we all chatted. Only, around…

Injection concerns Q I had my contraceptive implant removed 18 months ago to try for a baby, but still no luck. My hormone tests are OK. Gemma, 23 A Fertility can take months to recover after removing an implant, but if your periods have returned and hormone tests are OK, its effects are long gone. See your GP if you're not pregnant after another six months. Liver cysts Q I had a liver scan, which was clear, but it's shown cysts in my pancreas and now I need more tests. Is it cancer? Shirley, 54 A Your pancreas makes digestive juices and insulin hormone. Cysts are collections of fluid. Your specialist might want to extract and examine some fluid to rule out cancer or inflammation of your pancreas, but most…

Suddenly, he threw the keys at me and punched me square in the face It was around three years ago that I first met Jordan Stacey, then 21, through friends. He was cute and shy, but I managed to get him talking. ‘Can I have your number?’ he asked me after. Soon, we were texting – and, before I knew it, we were an item. We loved watching soaps and getting takeaways, and Jordan would walk me to and from my hotel job each day. ‘I like knowing you’re safe,’ he’d always tell me. A couple of months on, I missed a period… I was pregnant! ‘Are you sure?’ Jordan asked. There was no doubt about it – but, though Jordan was thrilled by the news, I was a little…

1 Preheat oven to 200C/Gas 6. 2 Put 500g turkey mini-breast fillets in a large roasting tin. Add 2 whole cloves of garlic, 200g small carrots, 200g thickly sliced courgettes and 175g baby sweetcorn and drizzle with 3tbsp olive oil. 3 Add plenty of seasoning, and a few sprigs of thyme, then roast for 30-40 min until turkey is cooked. 4 Just before serving, put 200g couscous in a bowl with 250ml boiling water. Stir, cover, and leave for 5 min to soak up liquid, then fluff up grains with a fork, andstir in juice and zest of a lemon plus 2tbsp chopped parsley and season to taste. Serves: 4 Cost per serving: £1.46 LIFE! DEATH! PRIZES! For more foodie bargains, visit www.lifedeathprizes.com and click on ‘best buys’…

Clear out My wardrobe was bulging with clothes, so I decided to clear it out. I was amazed to find 29 items in it that I'd never worn! I've taken them to the charity shop. Now I've decided to extend the clear-out to the rest of the house. I do think a house full of junk has a detrimental effect on the whole family. It may be autumn, but a ‘spring-clean' is definitely good for the mind! Amelia George, Owrtyn No deterrent How are we going to stop animal cruelty if people like Lewis Modlinsky only get an 18-week prison sentence for torturing and killing a dog (Mate beat my dog to death, 16 June issue)? I felt so sorry for Sammii, the dog’s owner. A few years in jail…

1 Many people find white feathers soon after a bereavement, or when thinking about a person who has passed away. They're said to be a sign of reassurance, sent by an angel, to tell you the person has crossed over safely to the other side. 2 If you see a penny in your path, pick it up and be sure to check out the date. If it's significant to you, there's a chance it's a sign the dead are trying to talk to you. 3 It could be Grandma's lavender perfume or the smell of the cigars your dad used to smoke. When you suddenly get a waft, it may be a sign they're close by. 4 Psychics believe that orbs caught in photos are spirits captured on camera. Look…

Yes! I won £1,000... ...and gave our home a facelift   By Helen Armstrong, 46 from Havant, Hants My hubby Tom and I relaxed on the sofa with my laptop. It was a weekday evening, and I was playing a few games on Chat Mag Bingo, while Tom, 51, watched over my shoulder. We have three grown-up kids, aged 26, 24, 21, as well as 11 grandkids. So, as you can imagine, life can get pretty hectic. There’s always someone popping over for a cuppa. Evenings are our time to relax, enjoy each other’s company. And I’d only just discovered Chat Mag Bingo. I’d spotted an offer online for a sign-up bonus. ‘It looks like fun,’ I told Tom. So I joined the website, and absolutely loved it! Tom and…

Oblivious, Bobby had mowed over it with the lawnmower! Unpacking the last of our boxes, I finally felt a bit more settled. In July, me and my husband Bobby, 26, had just moved into a new house with our kids James, 3, and Jasmine, 2. The place needed a bit of work. Particularly the garden – it was an overgrown mess! ‘I’ll get started,’ Bobby said, heading outside with a rake. We’d already set up the kids’ trampoline. And Bobby had mowed the lawn. But there was an old bonfire at the back, which needed clearing. I watched from the window as Bobby tackled it with the rake. The kids waved at me from their trampoline, giggling away. Then, suddenly, Bobby stopped and called out to me. He had something…

She could've been saved if she hadn't been left for so long Ross showed no remorse, waved and smiled from the dock THE STORY Most toddlers don’t stop chatting and playing from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed. But little Tanilla Warrick-Deaves, 2, quickly learned to stay out of the way. She lived in Watanobbi, a suburb of Australia’s Central Coast region of New South Wales, with her mum Donna Deaves, and stepdad Warren Ross. But, instead of a happy home, the house was a torture chamber. Within its four walls, helpless Tanilla spent her short life suffering endless, horrific abuse. The slightest thing would send Ross into a fit of rage, and his favourite way to unleash his anger was by beating Tanilla…