Table of contents for 29-Dec-2016 in Chat

I hope that by sharing my story, I’ll encourage other women to come forward I often wondered about my attacker... Had he been released? Had he learnt his lesson? I just prayed that he’d reformed and hadn’t hurt someone else. I desperately wanted to move on, forget about the attack. But I felt so alone and suffered terrible anxiety. That evil rapist had destroyed my life. Eventually, my GP prescribed antidepressants. Slowly I began picking myself up. I went to college, trained to be a care assistant. It gave me something to focus on. Then, in 2014, I was lying in bed one night playing on my phone. For some reason, I felt the sudden urge to type my attacker’s name into Google. What filled the search results made my…

NOT GUILTY! A jury of six men and six women spent four days deliberating before reaching a verdict of not guilty of murder or manslaughter. Detective Inspector Damien Hansen commended Warriena’s family for their courage. ‘This was not a conventional homicide investigation. It was always acknowledged it’d be a very difficult investigation from the start,’ he said. A family spokeswoman said the incident had been ‘incredibly traumatic’ and they were still coming to terms with their loss.…

‘Erm,it’s a bit... personal’ Fat fail Q Last year's resolution was to lose weight, but after diet, exercise, and a slimming club, I've ground to a halt with 4st to go to reach my target! Sam, 39 A It's what's called the plateau. It's partly because the first pounds are largely fluid, so losing fat now takes longer. Also, after initial enthusiasm, you might be tempted by the occasional cheat. Stick to the programme, it'll come right! Family risk? Q My cousin's got osteoarthritis. Could I be at risk being related? Anne, 57 A One important cause of osteoarthritis is weakness of your articular cartilage, the gristle layer protecting bones. To a small degree, the tendency to weak cartilage might be passed in families, but a relative as distant as…

Serves: 6 Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min 200g soft brown sugar 1 large egg, beaten 20ml honey 100ml mild olive oil 115g self-raising flour 115g plain flour 70g walnuts, finely chopped 1 flat tsp ground ginger 1 flat tsp cinnamon 1 Pre-heat oven to 180C/ Gas 4, then grease two baking sheets. 2 In a bowl, mix the sugar, beaten egg, honey and oil, then add both flours, walnuts, ginger and cinnamon, and mix well. 3 Divide mixture into 24, shape each into a round, flatten slightly, and place on greased baking trays, spaced apart to allow room between to spread. 4 Bake for 12 min until golden-brown, and then transfer onto a baking rack to cool.…

Collection Primed & Ready Invisible Setting Powder, £3.99, Boots Dust this translucent powder on to soak up oil and banish shine on a night out. Contains witch-hazel to help combat break-outs, too. Bronnley Eau de Toilette Rollerball in Exotic Embers, £10, www. bronnley.co.uk This sensual, spicy scent will definitely help you make an impact this party season, and the handy handbag size makes it perfect for touch-ups on the go. Dr. PawPaw Limited Edition Red Sparkle Multipurpose Soothing Balm, £6.95, Superdrug Dab this on cheeks or lips to add colour. It'll even stop your shoes from rubbing! Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring in Bronze Me Pretty, £4.95, www.feelunique.com Perfect for sweeping hair into a slick ponytail without leaving any kinks on your tresses.…

81-year-old disabled Nettie was bludgeoned and tied up Thankfully, Whitney remembers little of the attack Infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez – better known as the Night Stalker – carried out a 14-month reign of terror in the Los Angeles area between 1984 and 1985. During that time, he committed a spree of evil crimes, including 13 murders. He would break into a victim’s house in the middle of the night, then rape and murder them in their beds. Some he shot, others he stabbed, hacked or beat to death. But whatever the form of killing, he was utterly without mercy. Yet some managed to survive Ramirez... One such victim of his brutality was 81-year-old Nettie Lang. After breaking into the house Nettie shared with her sister Mabel Bell, 83, Ramirez…

I used to go down the bingo halls with my mum Curling up on our trusty old leather sofa, my partner Martin and I settled in for the night. Martin, 43, flicked through channels for some sport. I decided to enjoy a few games on Chat Mag Bingo as he picked something for us to watch. I’d joined the bingo site a few years earlier after spotting a sign-up promotion. The bingo games had always been my favourites. When I’d been younger, I used to go down the bingo halls with my mum. But then I met Martin, had five kids, now 21, 19,17, 9 and 3. Being a Mum was the most wonderfully satisfying job in the world, but as each one arrived, it became a bit busier. Night…

I’d had the mole for about a year, but, the truth was, I barely noticed it Wandering around a local art gallery, I stopped in front of an oil painting. It was magnificent, and I was captivated. It was February this year, and I was on a group tour. But there was one woman in the group who seemed more interested in me than the artworks! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her looking at my face. Suddenly, she pulled me to one side. ‘You need to get that checked out,’ she said, pointing to a mole next to my left eye. She went on to explain she was a dermatologist. ‘It doesn’t look right,’ she said. The mole was only half-a-centimetre wide. I’d had it for…

Aries 21 March - 20 April If you start an argument with everyone watching, both sides will want to show their strength, and make things worse. Don’t go down that road. Have quiet words in private instead, and reach an agreement more easily. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May Would you like recognition for all you’ve done and the hours you’ve put in? Well, the people you work with will show how much they appreciate what you do, with flowers or something like that. You’re lost for words. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Would you like this one or that one? You seem to have turned away from that one, so this one is the favourite of…

What I loved Planet Earth II on catch-up. Blimey. Wow. Fab-u-lous! Could watch the flamingo bit forever! What hacked me off The polystyrene posh coffee cup that's got stuck in the bare branches of the tree outside my house. Can't reach it and it ain't shifting! What made me laugh A glitter loo seat from my local Wilko. It's bling-tastic! Totally Essex. As am I… It's putting a definite sparkle into the year ahead. Here's hoping your best is ahead (and not behind!) Be happy, be healthy and have a truly glorious 2017!…

After diagnosis, I broke down in the arms of my dad Cradling my growing bump, I coughed, wheezed and spluttered. ‘I feel terrible,’ I groaned to my hubby Ben, 28. I was five months pregnant and suffering from a constant cough and sore throat. ‘It’s just a cold,’ the doctor said, advising me to rest. But it only got worse and worse. By the time our beautiful son Kian was born in January 2015, I was suffering a chest infection, struggling to breathe, and it hurt to swallow. When Kian was 8 weeks old, I became too sick to look after him, and Ben cared for us both. I was having heart palpitations, could only talk in a hoarse whisper. In August 2015, I was referred to the Ear Nose…

I watched as he spoke to James in hushed tones It was going to be the trip of a lifetime: Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles… My hubby James, 34, and I couldn’t wait for our honeymoon. We’d got married on 21 May this year, and now, in the September, we were about to take a road trip across America. But, at Gatwick Airport, James came over panicky. ‘I’m not sure I can do this,’ he said. See, James was a bit of nervy flyer. Short flights he could just about manage with a few nerves, but long-haul trips got him really jittery. We’d thought the excitement of the honeymoon would distract him. ‘You’ll be fine,’ I told him. But, after checking in our bags, James was even more frightened.…

I was bullied. The kids at school refused to sit next to me As I swallowed the last tablet, my mum Mavis handed me a glass of water and smiled. ‘Well done, Paida,’ she said. ‘Off to school now.’ It was the same routine every morning and evening. I had to swallow a handful of tablets. But I had no idea why. Age 9, I’d been in and out of hospital after I started coughing up blood. The doctors ran lots of tests. Eventually, I was allowed home with medication to take every day. ‘It just keeps you healthy,’ Mum would say when I asked. But by the time I reached 11, I was beginning to wonder. I was perfectly healthy and there seemed no reason to take so many…

I’m waiting to find out if I’ve been accepted for the trial… Pregnancy can do strange things to the body… That’s what I kept telling myself after having my daughter Kirsty in January 1986. My fingertips had suddenly started feeling numb and I struggled to do anything fiddly. My GP told me to give my body time to get back to normal. But the numbness continued and I learnt to live with it. Then, in July 1999, I woke up and my left leg felt numb. I thought maybe I’d slept on it awkwardly. But when it didn’t get better, my GP referred me to a neurologist. After many tests, scans and lumbar punctures, it was confirmed… ‘You have multiple sclerosis (MS),’ a consultant said. It’s a lifelong condition that…

Hatred in her eyes, her arm swung towards me… She’d asked pals to destroy evidence on social media ’Cause this is thriller, thriller night! And no-one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike… My mum adores Michael Jackson. Growing up, I lost count of the number of times we watched the Thriller video with Jacko in that killer, red-leather jacket, surrounded by zombies… And Jackson’s music made me feel close to Mum when, in 2011, I moved to the UK from the Philippines with my daughter, who’s now 10. We felt at home in Edinburgh and, soon after, I’d another young daughter, now 3, with my partner at the time. We split, but, in September 2014, I met David Sneath, 32, on a night out. Swapping numbers, we…

There was a knock at the door. It was Jodie’s mate and her dad… We still have questions, are left with a huge hole in our lives Giggles filled the car as my daughter, Jodie, 11, and her friend chatted away in the back. ‘We’re going to do a makeover,’ Jodie smiled excitedly. Girlie-girl Jodie loved makeup, One Direction and Frozen. And, that night, 25 September 2015, she was going to her pal’s for a sleepover. We’d moved to Cleethorpes a month earlier, but Jodie had already made loads of friends. Back home, she changed into leggings and a pink hoodie. At about 4pm, she grabbed her bike and they set off for her mate’s house, not far away. ‘Be careful,’ I said. ‘I love you.’ ‘OK, Mum,’ she smiled…

A win for Win What an amazing woman Win ( Don't Mess With Gran , 27 October issue) is! Her muggers took on more than they bargained for when they messed with Win! Sadly, senior citizens are especially vulnerable to these criminals as they may not be ready to defend themselves. Not in Win's case! Carys McCauley, Hackney Batter banter! Here’s the winner of our fish’n’chip gag competition from the 11 August issue: ‘Someone just threw a tub of omega-3 capsules at me and it hit me on the head. I'm OK, though, I just have super-fish-oil injuries.' Congratulations go to Lynn Dunwoodie from Chopwell! Rubbish name! I noticed this shop sign while I was out and about the other day – and, with a name like that,…

The worse I felt about my expanding waistline, the more I ate I plonked myself down on the sofa and picked up my phone, punching in the number I knew all too well. I ordered my usual pizza and switched on the telly, nibbling crisps as I waited for my delivery. I’d struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. Diet after diet fell by the wayside and, after I had my kids Skye, 8, and Liam, 6, I was a hefty 15st. I’d often start dieting on a Monday, only to pack it in by the Friday. My confidence was non-existent. But the worse I felt about my expanding waistline, the more I ate in a bid to make myself feel better. My size-18 clothes were too tight,…

I never dreamed I’d be one of the big winners Now I’m doing up my house! I stared at my computer in utter disbelief – my name was flashing on the screen. ‘I’ve won!’ I gasped. ‘Paul, I’ve won on the bingo,’ I said to my hubby, who was watching TV. I’d signed up with Chat Mag Bingo back in 2011. I’d always enjoyed playing in the bingo halls on the sea front when I was younger, and playing online from the comfort of my own home was so convenient. Especially since I’m in a wheelchair, which makes it a little harder to get around. And I loved the website. It was so easy to use, and the bingo games were bright and colourful. If I was relaxing at home,…

My heart just melted. Purring up at me was the most beautiful little kitten. My husband David and I had just come to pick up the newest member of our family, 4-month-old Heidi, a little tabby puss we’d seen an advert for on Gumtree. But, while Heidi was gorgeous, I was heartbroken when I saw the state of her. ‘She’s so thin!’ I cried to David. ‘Let’s just get her home,’ he said. In the car, she curled into a ball on my lap. ‘You’ll be happy with us,’ I whispered. We’d kitted out the house with scratching posts, toy mice… Heidi loved her new home, and quickly put on weight. She loved snuggling up next to us on the sofa, would stretch out as I stroked her tummy, even…

HAPPY DULL YEAR… 2017 Dull Men's Club. calendar is featuring women for the first time ever.But it’s no attempt to ‘sex up’the publication - the women are boring, too! Hobbies include a barbed-wire collector , and a lady who travels Britain to see brown tourist signs. It' s ever a dull moment! BRING HOME THE BACON! In October, a sex-starved swine escaped from a Reading farm on the hunt for a mate. Worried owner, farmer Dave Avery, finally found Miss Piggy a mile away and five days later - at a pub! Well, she was on the pull..! FITTER – OR FIBBER?! Ever skipped ex ercise, only to feel shamed by a pal's gym of selfie? Well, don 't! A recent survey revealed 14 per out cent that 20- to…

Suddenly, he grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me behind a shop Walking arm-in-arm with my best mate, we headed back to her place. It was 1996 and, aged 15, we’d just been hanging out on the beach with our friends. Though on the way home, we started bickering a little. It was just silly, schoolgirl stuff. But, in a huff, I marched off. ‘You’re not staying over mine tonight,’ she sniped. ‘Didn’t want to anyway,’ I argued back as I left. But I was lying. See, I was under the care of Social Services and lived at a local children’s home. So I’d been so excited about having a sleepover. Annoyed, I made my way back to the beach to meet up with my other friends. One…

Asda Extra Special Biscuits for Cheese, 250g, £2 Six varieties including a seven-grain cracker, a water cracker and a sweet digestive - perfect with a lump of really strong Cheddar! Lidl Tower Gate Biscuits For Cheese, 200g, £1.19 What we liked about this was the variety. There are nine different biscuits to choose from. From poppy & sesame thins, to classic cream crackers. Tesco Biscuits For Cheese Selection, 500g, £2.99 If you're having a party - or if you just like eating a lot of cheese - this big box offers a selection of 79 biscuits in 10 varieties, which are all good. NEW Duerr's Marmalade, £1.19, Tesco Wake up your tastebuds with the tangy zing of four citrus marmalades. Guaranteed to brighten up even the darkest morning!…

 The wedding cortege was off! Me in the front car with my mum Jo, 58, and brother Paul, 31. Getting out of the car, all I could see was gridlocked traffic In the car behind were my three bridesmaids Gemma, 26, Lucy, 25, and Kylie, 28, and my two flower girls – my daughter, Amelia, 1, and niece, Molly, 3. It was a half-hour drive on the M20 to the Black Horse Inn, Thurnham, Kent. There, in the venue’s garden, I’d marry Jake. We’d been together since we were teenagers, and now we were tying the knot! Earlier that morning – on 27 August this year – Dad had taken my dress over to the Black Horse Inn. The plan was for me to change into it when I got…

They cheered as he did headspins, splits and backflips! My 3-year-old son Kavan tottered into the kitchen. ‘Look, I can do a headspin, Mummy,’ he grinned. I glanced over at my hubby Andy, and rolled my eyes. He’d been watching High School Musical again. Kavan had always loved dancing, though. Even before he could walk, he’d bop about when the radio was on. But a headspin! ‘Watch!’ he smiled. He bent down, flipped onto his head, and spun round. ‘Oh, my God!’ I cried. The following week, Kavan showed off the perfect splits… ‘He’s a natural,’ Andy smiled. He did seem to have flair. So when he turned 4, Kavan started having lessons in street dancing. He was the coolest kid. He’s had his hair styled into a little Mohican…

Baby hamper This photo of my beautiful daughter Freya at just a year old warms my heart. Look at those big, blue eyes! Sophie Lee Perks, via email What a cherub! Here's my beautiful baby boy Amari. Don't you think he's the sweetest little prince ever? Sian Walker, Halesowen Now that’s style! I may be biased, but I think my granddaughter Mia is the cutest girl going, and she's really rocking her mummy's sunglasses! Mary Hadley, Brierley Hill…

1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4. 2 Melt 20g butter in a heavy-based saucepan and cook 250g trimmed, sliced leeks over a low heat for 5 min. Measure out 200ml cider. Add a good dash to leeks, cover pan and cook over a low heat for a further 5 min. 3 Melt 40g butter in a saucepan and stir in 40g plain flour. Cook over a medium heat, stirring, then remove pan from heat and whisk in 300ml milk and remaining cider until smooth. 4 Return to the heat and bring to boil while stirring to form a thick, white sauce, then simmer for 2 min. Season, add 1tbsp English mustard, 1tbsp Dijon mustard, cooked leeks, 75g leftover diced ham, 350g leftover turkey, 3tbsp cream and 1tbsp chopped chives. Spoon…

1 The lobster A cheap eat in Cuba, you can enjoy it in style at El Cocinero's rooftop restaurant. The eaterie sits in what used to be a vegetable-oil factory, just below a towering brick chimney. 2 Street salsa Watching the street dancers is addictive - and, after one turn with a pro, you'll think you can give them a run for their money. (FYI, you can't!). 3 Scenery Much of Havana is protected by UNESCO, and rightly so. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish, the old centre is a mesmerising mix of baroque and neoclassical buildings. 4 Classic cars American novelist Ernest Hemingway lived in Cuba for about 20 years, and often frequented El Floridita bar, where the daiquiri was apparently invented. So why not sample one or two,…

She ate coal and spiders. Even bit the head off a dead bird Anneliese Michel was dead. Her parents had been charged with negligent homicide, along with two priests. But in court, all four claimed the devil was to blame. It was 1976. Klingenberg-am-Main, a small German town. Anneliese was a quiet girl, but friendly, polite. Her parents Josef and Anna were respected. Especially at their Catholic church. But, in 1970, when Anneliese was 18, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. After severe attacks, she needed to be hospitalised. None of the anti-convulsion drugs worked. If anything, Anneliese’s fits were getting worse. Then came the visions. Whenever Anneliese had a fit, she claimed she could see faces. ‘I see devil faces on the walls, they have seven crowns and seven horns,’…

He’d always been blue – now he looked pink and healthy! Shaking, I clutched my husband Anthony’s hand as the sonographer’s words sunk in. ‘But will he survive?’ I sobbed, distraught. We were expecting our fifth child, and were at my 20-week scan. Only, there was a problem with our baby’s heart. ‘I need to refer you to a specialist,’ the sonographer said, unable to reassure us. Fear kept me awake that night as I felt our growing boy moving about inside me. Please be OK, I willed him. But, the next day, after further scans and tests, the specialist took me and Anthony to a private room. ‘I’m afraid your baby has hypoplastic left heart syndrome,’ he explained. The rare defect meant the left side of his heart…