Table of contents for 20-Oct-2016 in Chat

The police said there wasn't enough evidence, so Dave wrote to our MP Some of Dave’s friends turned their backs on him once they knew, which was heartbreaking. Struggling to cope, Dave went to our GP and was put on antidepressants and referred for counselling. Opening up to a counsellor helped. He was able to tell me more, too. Like about the time he cut his wrists in Richard’s bathroom as a cry for help. ‘I just wanted it all to stop,’ he explained. Then one day in February 2010, Dave called me from his cab. ‘I’ve just rung the police and reported Richard,’ he said. He’d finally felt ready to do it. He told them everything, but a few months later, they called to say there wasn’t enough evidence…

NOT GUILTY! Mario Jascalevich was found not guilty of the charges against him and acquitted. Two years later, an independent enquiry by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners found Jascalevich guilty of ‘gross malpractice or gross negligence and failure of good moral character’ for having made false entries on operation records. His medical licence was revoked. He died four years later, in 1984, aged 57. The deaths at Riverdell Hospital remain unsolved.…

I'd suffered a hangman's fracture and a bleed on my brain As I was about to leave my friend’s shop to drive home, my husband Nic, 37, called. ‘Can you pick up a few bits for dinner?’ he asked, reeling off a list. It was a Saturday in February 2011, and I was heading back for an evening in with him and our daughters Zoe, 7, and Rebecca, 5. After stopping at the shop, I gave him a quick call. ‘I’ll be home in 10 minutes,’ I said. Then I got back behind the wheel of the van we used for the furniture business Nic and I ran. It wasn’t a long trip, and one I must’ve made hundreds of times. But as I was driving along a country lane,…

Even talking for a long time makes my heart rate rocket I’ve always had dizzy spells. From the age of 4, I’d get heart palpitations and become short of breath. My mum Marion, now 60, took me to see our GP, who told us it was just anxiety. But growing up, it got worse. The slightest thing triggered a panic attack and I’d feel sick with dizziness just walking up stairs. At school, I couldn’t take part in PE, as it’d bring on an attack. Sometimes my dizziness would be so severe, I’d pass out. I’d also bruise easily and my joints would partially dislocate sometimes. I tried anti-stress and anxiety supplements, but nothing worked. At 18, in 2005, I became depressed and rarely left the house. My panic attacks…

Whenever we went out, David would hurl abuse My youngest daughter Sarah and I had lived in our area for years. We were settled and happy. But, in 2012, I overheard Sarah’s friends mentioning someone called David Colquhoun. They’d seen him out and about. ‘He’s bad news,’ the girls said. Soon, he moved onto the road behind us with his dad. David said hello to Sarah in the street, but avoided eye contact with me. Odd, but I dismissed it. That is, until Sarah, now 20, started coming back from trips to the nearby shops in tears. ‘David’s winding me up,’ she sobbed, explaining he’d insulted her . ‘Just ignore him,’ I said. Soon, though, she hardly went anywhere unless it was with me or her then boyfriend. ‘We shouldn’t…

Olivia was white with shock, as she fought back tears I’d never seen my girls, Olivia, 10, and Lexi, 4, so excited. ‘What do you want to go on first then?’ I asked. Their eyes lit up as they scanned the hustle and bustle of the funfair. ‘Bumper cars!’ Olivia beamed, while Lexi pointed to a smaller kids’ ride. A single mum, I loved having fun days out with my girls. And when a local fair arrived in town, I knew they’d love to go. My sister Kyra, 27, joined us too. While I watched Lexi on a few kiddie rides, Kyra took Olivia on the bumper cars. Later we all had a go at aiming basketballs through hoops to win a stuffed toy. We didn’t win, but I treated…

A children's charity offered to grant Ella a wish My partner Martin and I were overjoyed when we welcomed our daughter Ella into the world in September 2007. But, when she was 8 weeks old, a routine checkup changed all our lives. ‘I’m sorry, Ella has congenital nephrotic syndrome,’ the doctor said. A rare genetic condition, it meant Ella’s kidneys were leaking large amounts of protein into her urine. It was caused by a faulty gene. Turned out Martin, 37, and I were both carriers. In April 2009, Ella needed both her kidneys removed, leaving her dependant on a gruelling regime of dialysis. Over the next few years, our poor daughter suffered so many complications from her condition. We were constantly in and out of hospital, and as she grew,…

What I loved My first ever visit to the Channel Islands. Can't imagine why I waited so long! I'll definitely be going back. And no cars on some islands…can't wait till we try that in Essex! What hacked me off Feeling that I have no idea what people who are 20 years younger than me are talking about… It's like a different language! What made me laugh A bunch of old mates discovering that, between them, they'd had more marriages than children. Crikey! Hope you find that everything adds up this week!…

I was scared stiff. By now, my boobs were turning black… My boobs were always my proudest assets. I loved showing off my 38DDs and cleavage in classy outfits. And my hubby, Nick, 33, loved them, too. ‘It’s true, I’m a boob man,’ he’d confess unashamedly. But then, in 2011, I was diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease, causing benign cysts in both my breasts. Sudden movements made me wince in agony. Permanently tender, painkillers didn’t help. Then, in September 2014, at a routine ultrasound scan, I noticed the radiographer was frowning. ‘Your breasts are a nightmare,’ he commented. There were so many lumps to navigate. If there was a dangerous growth in there, how would they find it? ‘What if cancer went undetected?’ I fretted to Nick. So, in October…

Frankie takes his duties very seriously… Listening through the crack in the bedroom door I heard my sons, Frankie, 9, and Jonah, 7, playing happily. ‘You’re under arrest!’ Frankie said, putting his brother in toy handcuffs. I had to stifle a giggle. Frankie and Jonah loved playing cops and robbers. And Frankie always insisted on being the policeman. He loved anything to do with the police. So in 2013, my partner Allan, 46, suggested making the boys a mini cop car. ‘They’ll love it,’ he told me. So he bought an old mobility scooter from a scrapyard. A joiner, Allan was an excellent, creative craftsman. So I was in no doubt the mini police mobile would be brilliant. The boys got wind of his plans. ‘Busted!’ Frankie said, when he…

Tesco Bacon Rashers, 150g, 99p These light-as-air snacks have a good bacon flavour. Though they taste the most synthetic, we still liked them! Sainsbury's Smokey Bacon Flavour Pretzels, 150g, £1.20 Though these initially pack a good punch of bacon flavour, once you eat more, they taste just like ordinary pretzels. Kettle Chips Crispy Bacon & Maple Syrup, 150g, £2 The sweetness of the maple syrup is surprisingly strong, but it works brilliantly with the salty bacon flavour. NEW Gin & Tonic Flavour Frosting, £2.39, Lakeland Next time you're making cakes, top them with this alcohol-free frosting!…

Serves: 10 Prep: 15 min + chilling 2tbsp raw cacao powder 150g gluten-free oat cakes 100g soft pitted dates 2tbsp melted coconut butter 1tbsp vanilla extract 1tsp cinnamon Filling: 2 ripe avocados Zest and juice of 2 limes 40g raw cacao powder 140g honey, sweet freedom or agave nectar 100g coconut butter, melted Grated lime zest to decorate 1 In a food processor, blitz cacao powder and oat cakes until very fine. Add dates, coconut butter, vanilla and cinnamon and process to combine. 2 Press mixture into base of a greased 20cm springform or loose-bottom cake tin. 3 Blitz all filling ingredients together in a processor until thick and creamy, pour over base and chill in fridge for 2-3 hours until firm. 4 Scatter with grated lime zest and serve…

My job was starting to get on top of me. Target-driven, I was constantly under pressure As I looked through the box of family photos, I just didn't recognise anyone Walking into the busy nightclub, I couldn’t wait to finally hit the dance floor. ‘It’s been ages since I had a decent night out,’ I moaned to my friend Tina. ‘Well, you’re a single girl now!’ she laughed. After 11 years of marriage, my ex-husband and I had just filed for divorce. We had one daughter, Zoe, now 32, but after years of growing apart, we decided to go our separate ways. Tina and I headed straight to the bar, but before I had the chance to order a drink, I spotted a familiar face. ‘Fancy seeing you in here!’…

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave-in Conditioner, £6.99, Boots This gives much-needed moisture for delicate hair. Top tip: Use soft hairbands to stop hair from breaking when you tie it up. Dr. PawPaw Original Balm, £6.95, Superdrug The ultimate multitasker, this is not only a lip balm and moisturiser - it also seals frazzled ends! Top tip: Don't use heat-styling products every day. eSalon Joining Forces Split End Sealer, £9, esalon.co.uk Use before styling to reduce breakage. Top tip: Slather a hair mask on your locks twice a week to keep them in good condition. Dove Regenerate Nourishment Hair Saviour Serum In-Oil, £6.99, Boots Just the thing for thirsty hair, this helps restore it to its former glory. Top tip: Use a wide, plastic-toothed brush to avoid snagging.…

Stunned, I stared at the faint blue line. ‘I’m pregnant,’ I told my partner Keith Monroe, 36. It was January this year, and we already had three kids – Jahmali, 13, Samara, 8, and Cassius, 5 – with no plans for any more. In fact, Cassius had just started school, so I’d done a course and got a new job as a care assistant. I was looking forward to some me-time. ‘The line is so faint, maybe it’s wrong?’ I said. So I took another test. Positive! ‘Will we cope with one more?’ I worried aloud. Over the next couple of weeks we did some serious thinking. The doctor suggested an early nine-week scan, so off we went to Kettering General Hospital. ‘I’m just going to get a colleague,’ the…

PLAY WITH £50* What a way to make playing even more fun! Here's our latest Welcome Bonus. Deposit £10 and play with £50!* NEW GAMES Take part in our new Session Bingo - play bingo more easily, it's just like being in the bingo halls. Give it a go! TASTY TREATS! Not content with more opportunities to win and giving away cash, we thought we'd throw some Tiki chocolate out there for some of our members, too! HURRY! OFFER ENDS 6 NOV 2016!*…

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your printer need never run out of ink again? Especially at this time of year when the kids are back at school and need to print endless homework projects and pictures for the new term. Well, HP Instant Ink has come up with a brilliant way to replace ink without you even having to think about it. Your printer automatically recognises when its supplies are running low and contacts HP direct. Next thing you know, replacement ink is delivered straight to your door – before it runs out! This super-smart service means you not only save yourself the stress and hassle of an emergency dash to the shops to grab supplies, but you’ll also get amazing value, instead of paying a fortune for…

Aries 21 March - 20 April There’s an easy way out of your problems right in front of you, but you’re ignoring it for some reason. Maybe you haven’t even seen it - if so, then this weekend will remind you. Grab it while you can, it’s your best chance. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May There are three options open to you this week, and each comes with some sort of problem. Look closer. Two of them will need some adjustment, but the other one is actually pretty easy - just a bit unconventional, that’s all. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You solve one financial problem, and then up pops another. It’s like a game -…

She became a contented little girl who loved music Aidan's plan was to fill The Select Stadium in Widnes… Switching on our favourite Robbie Williams CD, I lay back on the bed with my daughter Olivia. As the music started, I felt her rocking along and her whole face lit up. Olivia had the widest, most beautiful smile. She smiled more than anyone I know. Despite everything... When she was born, Olivia seemed healthy. But when she was 2 months old, I began to worry. When I touched her, she looked startled, as if she couldn’t see me. And she didn’t react when I spoke or sang to her. ‘I think Olivia might be deaf and blind,’ I told my doctor. I was told not to worry. But at 6…

FANCY A HOT BATH? UK-based YouTuber Cemre Candar had a red-hot but flamin' stupid idea - taking a bath in 1,250 bottles of hot sauce , leaving his skin burning for hours. What we want to know is, what's wrong with bubble bath ? WHAT A MUG! When Amy Sharpe, 18, escaped from prison in Sydney, her mugshot was plastered all over the Australian news channels. Unhappy with the snap journalists were using, Amy uploaded one she thought more flattering to one of the TV stations' Facebook pages… But her vanity saw her quickly caught and thrown back in the slammer. GRAND THEFT PAW-TO… A West Virginian woman left her keys in the car ignition while she popped into a shop to keep the aircon on for her dogs. But…

Time to get cracking!   When your recipe calls for a number of eggs to be used, crack each one into one of those small plastic pots that microwave puddings come in. That way, if one egg's not up to scratch, you've not spoiled the whole lot. Paul Baldwin, Leeds Thirsty plants!   Craft-beer and ale cans make unusual plant pots. First, finish the beer... Then, being careful of your fingers, cut off the top of the can and pierce a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Now you're good to get planting! Mo Colbourne, Ivybridge Bath-time doorstop   Turn an old bottle of kids' bubble bath into a cute doorstop. Fill the bottle up with sand or water to add weight. Jodie Giblin, Cardiff Pearly whites   Encourage…

Dye reaction Q I've used the same hair dye for eight years, but since my last treatment, I've had an itchy scalp. Is it the dye? Christine, 55 A Could be. It's possible to become allergic after using the same chemical for years. Other possibilities include a different allergy, a fungal scalp infection or eczema. Best avoid the dye, and ask your GP for a steroid scalp lotion if necessary. Red eyes Q How can I stop my eyes being permanently bloodshot? I get plenty of sleep, but people say I look tired! Rhoda, 30 A Bloodshot eyes due to tiredness should quickly clear. Permanently red eyes suggest another cause, maybe irritation from sun, wind, dust, sand or contact lenses, or dryness, allergy or infection. The right drops should help,…

She became a heroine for protecting her son and potentially other kids She pleaded not guilty to murder due to temporary insanity Ellie was born into a coal-mining family in August 1952, near Jamestown, California. It was a pretty hard life, where she earned extra cash as a teenager by driving a tractor for a local farmer and helping to dig ditches. An early first marriage ended in an equally swift divorce. She then met and married a gold miner, Bill Nesler, and they had a son, also Bill. The family moved to Liberia in West Africa in the hope of finding gold, and Ellie gave birth to a daughter. However, civil war broke out, so Ellie returned to California with her children, leaving her husband behind. Ellie was left…

£1 Meal Deal 1 Heat a glug of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and cook 8 pork sausages for 8-10 until browned. Remove and put on a plate. 2 In same pan, add 1tsp cumin seeds and cook for 30 sec. Add a large chopped onion and fry for about 10 min until it becomes translucent and starts to turn golden-brown. Add 3 sliced cloves of garlic and cook on a gentle heat for a few min. 3 Stir in a 200g tin of plum tomatoes, 1tsp turmeric, ½ tsp salt and 1tsp chilli powder and stir for a further min, then add two sliced courgettes. Bring to a simmer, cover, then turn heat to low and cook for 10 min. 4 Cut sausages into…

A way with words When my daughter was young, she’d get her words back to front. She’d have a trim at the ‘drair-hesser’ and play with our ‘duppy-pog’. We were in stitches when she saw the ‘potty-hippomus’ at the zoo! Pauline Redsell, Gravesend Take it away My daughter’s a teaching assistant at an infant school. One day, the class was making pizzas and she asked everyone where the first one was made. One little girl answered confidently, ‘Tesco’! Janice Wood, Aylsham Remove that child! Just in case you were in any doubt, you must take your child out of the T-shirt before putting it in the wash. Bethany Webb, Aberwheeler Photo of the week Aww! My girl Olivia is 7 months…and pretty as a picture all ready to party! Kareisha…

She even knows the capitals of Uzbekistan and Lesotho! Rubbing my hand over my growing belly, I smiled at my husband. ‘Not long now,’ Ramesh, 33, said excitedly. It was our first baby, and we couldn’t wait for the new arrival. And, in February 2014, our daughter Rakshitha was born at Gunasekaran hospital in Chennai India. Rakshitha settled into the family well, but, 10 months on, we got a shock… ‘It’s positive!’ I said in disbelief. ‘We’re going to have our hands full with two babies,’ said Ramesh. He worked hard at a bank, and, as the second pregnancy progressed, my dad Balasubramanian, 63, offered to take care of Rakshitha so I could put my feet up. ‘She’s very advanced for her age,’ he said. ‘I’ve been singing songs to…

1 Experience the past If you've ever wondered what it was like living in Victorian times, you can find out at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Exchange your money for shillings and pence, visit the chemist, sweet shop and traditional workshops and hitch a ride on a horse and cart. 2 Brave the bridge Stroll over the world's first iron bridge, built in 1779 by Abraham Darby III. At the time, people were uncertain about the use of cast iron for such a huge structure but, after flooding in 1795, it was one of the only bridges left standing along the River Severn. 3 Come on in Explore the Darby Houses, which have been lived in by members of the Darby family since the 1700s. They've been restored to their former…

The distinct smell of a rotting corpse was detected At 6ft tall, covered in hair, with huge hands and feet, it almost looked human. But it wasn’t. And it wasn’t an ape, either. It was something in between... The creature had been discovered in the wilds of Siberia in 1968, its haunting features perfectly preserved beneath inches of ice. When it was examined by scientists, they were brimming with excitement. Could the creature be a never-before-seen Neanderthal, tens of thousands of years old? If it was, it would be a huge find that could offer vital information on one of the earliest species of mankind. But, when cryptozoologists Ivan Sanderson and Bernard Heuvelmans set to work on what quickly became known as the Iceman, they were left with more questions…

Hours passed, then days – but the call never came The link back to Burrell was too strong to be coincidence THE CRIME In May 1997, Bruce Burrell kidnapped his former boss' wife and demanded a ransom, before brutally murdering her. Years later, he was found guilty of an almost identical crime - but the mystery of where he hid the bodies remains unsolved. THE STORY Busy Australian mum-of-three Kerry Whelan popped out early one morning in May 1997. She told her husband Bernie she had an appointment at a salon. He thought nothing of it. But Bernie would never see his wife again. Hours later, he received a typed letter from a man saying he’d kidnapped Kerry – and demanding $1million (around £500,000). Follow all instructions or your wife…