Table of contents for 23 March 2023 in Chat

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Convicted sex offenders face five years in jail if they fail to inform police of a name change. But they’re rarely caught. Latest figures obtained by the BBC show that between 2019 and 2021,729 sex offenders went missing or were wanted, and almost 1,500 registered sex offenders notified forces of lawful name changes. Sex offenders can acquire DBS checks under the new name and secure jobs with children. Sarah’s Law - where guardians can ask police if someone with access to children is a convicted paedophile - can also be circumvented by this deed-poll swindle. Trapped by Della Wright and Linda Watson-Brown (£8.99, John Blake Publishing) is out now.…

YOU’ARE THE JUDGE! Tucked away on a quiet tree-lined suburban street sits an ordinarylooking threebedroom home. It boasts bay windows and a lush green lawn. An idyllic spot to bring up a family. But the house on Del Rio Drive in Brighton, New York, hides a dark secret. Back on a cold February afternoon in 1982, wife and mother Cathleen Krauseneck, 29, was found bludgeoned in her bed. An axe blade embedded deep in her forehead. Her husband, James Krauseneck, 30, made the gruesome discovery when he arrived home from work as an economist. Grabbing their 3-year-oid daughter, James ran to their neighbours for help. Barely able to speak, James had ‘a look of terror on his face’. Please come to Del Rio Drive. There’s been, I think, a murder,’…

QI think my penis is shrinking-is that normal with age and is there a way to stop it? Andy, Stafford A You might lose a little size with age as testosterone levels fall and years of bad habits, such as smoking and lack of exercise, affect the blood supply to your penis. Putting on weight makes your penis look smaller, even though it isn’t, as the base becomes buried in fat. Surgery or drugs for prostate gland problems can cause shortening, too. There’s even a theory that lack of sex shrinks your penis because regular erections maintain its ability to enlarge. A shrinking penis that’s painful or bent could mean Peyronie’s disease, where scar tissue forms inside, and you should see your GP. Otherwise a healthy lifestyle, and maybe more…

1 Wear sunscreen all-year-round The sun’s rays cause skin damage, says women’s health expert Dr Catherine Hood. ‘Go for a cream with SPF 50 that gives protection from UVA/ UVB rays year-round, and look for a formulation including at least three types of hyaluronic acid to keep skin youthful.’ 2 Eat a plantbased diet Longer life expectancy and better skin health come from a plantbased diet, says research*. ‘Current recommendations are 30 types of wholefoods weekly,’ says neuroscientist Dr Julia Jones (smartwellness.co.uk), such as nuts, seeds and beans, as well as fruit and veg. 3 Ditch painful high-heels Wear comfortable shoes to reduce potential foot-pain and degenerative damage in the feet, says Royal College of Podiatry spokesperson Emma McConnachie. ‘Aim for supportive footwear with a heel under 2cm to prevent…

Getting quizzy with it We did it over Zoom in 2020 to combat lockdown loneliness, so why not in person to beat the cost of living crisis? Come up with a round of With a round of questions per leam, or download an online pub quiz. Don’t fancy testing your general knowledge? Get the board games out, or play some classic parlour games over a box of wine. You could even start a games night contest with your neighbours. Host with the most Take it in turns with family or friends to host a coffee morning or afternoon tea, avoiding costly high-street coffee shops. If you’re a baker, whip up some budgetfriendly cookies or cakes. If not, no problem. No one’s ever turned their nose up at a packet of…

Scared to leave my home Q My other half wants me to move in with him but I’m unsure. It’s nothing to do with him and everything to do with my past experiences. When I divorced my ex I ended up sofa-surfing with my daughter for two years. I’m so scared of giving up my home and putting my daughter through that again. Please help. Nat, 39 A You’ve obviously been through a tough time and you’re putting your daughter first, petal. Ensuring you’re providing a comforting space for her makes you a fantastic mum. If your new fella is a decent bloke, he’ll get why you want to stay put - for now. Explain to him that your daughter’s wants and needs come first, sweetheart. Besties no more Q…

Heart of Britain celbrating women like your 3 ways to… SPEND LESS Keeping to a budget takes strength and skills. These tips can help you stick to the straight and narrow. 1 What is it worth, really? Next time you’re tempted to buy something, work out how many working hours or days it will take you to pay for it. It might be only a couple of hours for a fancy lipstick, but it could be a couple of days for a new pair of boots. Looking at the cost in this way might make you think twice. 2 Imagine keeping the cash Another trick is to imagine a stranger holding the item you’re thinking of buying in one hand and the amount of cash it costs in the other.…

17-23 March 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April A psychic reading will be a great idea, as your interest in the occult will bring you fascinating news regarding your personal life. It is all very exciting. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You’re aware of where you excel when Venus is in your sign, but as a modest person you’re too busy being humble and flying under the radar. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Your desire to experience more adventure spills into your emotional psyche as Mercury influences you. If you’re single, it can help to form a special connection. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July It’s a great week to relax and snuggle up…

Q How do I choose the right mascara for me? There are so many to choose from! Samantha Hughes, Surrey A With so many new mascaras launching all the time, it’s easy to get confused about which one is right for you, but a general rule of thumb is to take a look at the shape of the wand as they all yield different results. A curved brush such as W7 More Lashes Lengthening Mascara, £4.50, w7makeup.co.uk, will help curl the lashes, pushing them up without the use of an eyelash curler - ideal if you have naturally straight eyelashes. A stiff silicone brush also offers better hold, which is what gives it better lift, but it’s also what makes No7 4D Lift & Curl Mascara, £14.95, Boots, such a…

Chat winners issue 50/51 (20 Dec 2022) £1,001 CASH R Drew, Weston-super-Mare £500 CASH C Clifford, Oldham S Shave, Belvedere R Faroni, Edinburgh £250 CASH L Mackie, Northampton M Chudleigh, Gloucester £200 CASH M Mascall, Shepton Mallet £100 CASH K Adams, Nottingham K Linger, Rochdale L Davies, Bridgend £75 CASH S Waller, Sheffield £50 CASH P Nield, Deeside F Stiles, Hayling Island D MacLay, Newquay S Oatley, Bath D Williams, Portsmouth J Deans, Carlisle £40 CASH L Davies, Bridgend £30 CASH P Debono,London P Martin, Henley-on-Thames £25 CASH C Cameronn, Aberdeen Anyone from your town in the list this week..? S Allen, Wellingborough £20 CASH H Withers, Swindon B Muxworthy, Taunton D Stevens, London M Clark, Neath P Pryce, Leeds S Haigh, Doncaster K Lowery, Stanley S Smith, Sunderland M…

SOPHIE UNDRILL, 33, FROM LINCOLN, SAYS: I’m nominating my fab daughter Scarlett as my local hero. During the pandemic, we realised how tough it was for people to get fresh produce, especially in busy supermarkets full of empty shelves. We’ve always got our veg from a farmer friend, and thought we could help our neighbours get fresh produce without needing to brave the shops. Scarlett, then 3, set up ‘shop’ on our front garden each morning, topping it up with carrots and other veg. Our neighbours were so pleased to source produce in a safe, socially distanced way. Most of all, they loved being greeted by Scarlett’s happy, smiley face! Heart of Britain Celebrating women like you Since then, every summer she’s had follow-up ‘shops’ on our lawn, to help…

TRUE-LIFE Amber-Elise Valentine, 59, London L ooking at my watch, I waited patiently for my friend. She should’ve been here by now. It was 1977, and at 14,I was standing by a busy row of shops in Islington, north London. Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me. ‘Oh, there you are!’ I said, turning to greet her. But as I looked up, I saw it wasn’t my friend. It was my grandad. I took in the sight of him, tall, dark hair, glasses… Just as I remembered. Only, my grandad had died six weeks earlier. ‘Hi, Grandad,’ I said, feeling unafraid. I’d known about the spirit world for as long as I could remember. My dad and grandparents all had a gift. A psychic ability. As Grandad stood beside me -…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Michelle Coe, 47, east London Sitting on the grass in London’s St James’s Park, I nibbled on a sarnie. It was June 2014 and I was with my work colleagues, having a picnic near our office. Only, when it was time to leave, I couldn’t stand. ‘Help me!’ I asked a colleague, holding my hands out. My legs felt numb. I couldn’t get them to move how I wanted. Thinking it was just pins and needles, I tried to stand. Hauling me to my feet, my colleagues asked if I was OK. Taking a few wobbly steps, I assured them I was fine. ‘Will you be OK getting to the station?’ one checked. Nodding, I shuffled across the park, expecting the feeling to return to my legs.…

EDITOR’S WARNING TRUE-LIFE Maria Stratford, 50, Nottingham S nuggling up to me on the sofa, my cat, Blue, let out a friendly meow. ‘Who’s a good boy?’ I said. Aged 13, I loved cats. Blue, my little black cat, was my best mate, and I always made sure to get off the bus a stop early, so I could fuss over my neighbour’s black moggy. I imagined myself becoming a crazy cat lady when I grew up. Fast forward 20 years, now a mum, I brought home Bob, a big white, fluffy cat with blue eyes. The perfect puss, he completed our family. Sadly, after 10 years of being a loving, loyal pet, Bob was hit by a car. I was heartbroken. Shortly afterwards, in April 2018, I went through…

trulyChat! Normally, when someone slides into your Instagram DMs it’s to flirt, send a funny meme or just to say hi. But when Samantha Mathews, 30, got a message from a stranger it was for a far bigger reason. She was asking Sam if she would carry her baby. And the mum of two, who already had Canyon, 6, and Ember, 4, with her husband Dan, was all for it. ‘I enjoyed pregnancy with both our kids,’ says Sam. ‘I felt like my body handled it well, I didn’t get sick a lot. ‘And with labour, oddly enough I enjoyed it. ‘I told Dan two weeks after I had Canyon, “Hey, I kind of miss labour”. ‘After we had Ember we were done. We had our boy, we had our…

Garlicky prawn risotto This dish is packed full of flavour despite its short cooking time. SERVES 4 PREP 3 MINS COOK 12 MINS 1 Cook the risotto according to the pack instructions. Using a vegetable peeler, pare the lemon zest into 3cm strips, and put in a small frying pan with the chilli, olive oil and garlic. Cook over a very low heat for 6-7 mins until the garlic is very soft, but not coloured. 2 Increase the heat to medium and add the prawns, cook for 3-4 mins, stirring, until the prawns are cooked through. Season and add a squeeze of lemon juice, to taste. 3 Stir most of the rocket and half the prawns into the risotto,…

TRUE-LIFE Alice Leo, 27, Wolverhampton Y anking up the zip of my navy pencil skirt, it dug into my waist. My boss at the travel agent’s I worked at had already given me the biggest uniform she had. And it’s still too tight, I sighed to myself. Scrutinising where the fabric pulled around my middle, clinging to every bulge and bump. I felt dreadful. Embarrassed. Ever since I was a child, I’d struggled with my weight. At school, bullied for my size, eating was my comfort. Especially family packs of sausage rolls and crisps I got Mum to pick up for me with the weekly shop. It was a vicious cycle. Feeling upset about my weight, eating to feel better. Now, in September 2018, aged 22, I felt uncomfortable in my…

Economic, dignitary, negligent and property are all types of what legal concept? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Unit of data storage •Sack material 3 Periphery, suburbs 5 Below_,tired or unwell • Wager 7 Letter or parcel recipient 9 Stair • _ rail, decorative moulding on an interior wall Your answer:…

All sizes 8-24 TU at SAINSBURY’S STYLE TIP With soft gathers at the waist, this dress will flatter a pear-shaped figure. All sizes 6-22 F&F at TESCO STYLE TIP Elevate jeans and a white tee with this designerinspired jacket. All sizes 10-22 NUTMEG at MORRISONS STYLE TIP The perfect go-to dress for day to night, animal print All sizes 8-24 GEORGE at ASDA STYLE TIP Pop this sweatshirt over a floral dress -ideal for a weekend break!…

Is she going blind? QMy mum’s eyesight is failing and she’s been diagnosed with RP. What’s that and is there a cure? Millie, Hebden Bridge Arp is short for Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare form of blindness that usually develops from your teens. It affects light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of your eye, starting from the outer edge and gradually spreading inwards. Because the outermost cells are those you use to see in low light, the first symptom is often difficulty seeing in dim light, known as night blindness. A gradual loss of sight around the edges of your vision follows This becomes steadily worse and can eventually affect your entire vision. RP is inherited and is caused by a faulty gene. There’s no cure at present, although…

Q Does chocolate boost sex drive? It works on me! Lou, Epsom A The Aztecs thought chocolate was an aphrodisiac, and modern scientists have found that it contains chemicals, such as serotonin and phenylethylamine, which can act on your brain to boost your mood and sexual desire. But the amount of these chemicals is probably too small to have much effect. One study did find that women who regularly eat chocolate enjoy better sex, but that seems to be because they’re younger. Younger women generally have more enjoyable sex, and chocolate’s effect disappears after taking age into account. Chocolate’s sexy reputation is probably mainly down to the experience of being given it, the taste and the sensation of it melting in your mouth!…

‘Cats can display changes in behaviour due to stress. This can be caused by various factors, such as new cats in the neighbourhood, building work, other pets and routine changes. Stress can present in different ways, such as flattening ears back, dilated pupils, hissing, growling or aggression, overgrooming and inappropriate urination. Behavioural changes can also be caused by underlying medical conditions. It is important to consult a veterinary surgeon if your cat is displaying any behavioural changes.’ For more info about stress in cats, visit icatcare.org/advice/stress-in-cats. Follow Dr Ford on social media @katiefordvet.…

Amy Elsegood, 31, Leeds P icking out my coloured crayons, I began my self-portrait. Just 5, I drew a circle for my head, coloured my hair yellow. Two smaller circles showed my big, blue eyes. A huge toothy grin. Then, with a red pencil, I drew a line down the centre of my face. While one half was coloured in peachy pink, the other was deep red. ‘Look, it’s me!’ I said, showing my mum Lisa, then 30. ‘It’s beautiful,’ Mum said, sticking it to the fridge. I’d always known that I was different. Born with a birthmark covering the left side of my face, I was diagnosed with a port wine stain. Docs explained it was a capillary malformation, meaning blood vessels in that area of my skin were…

Party-loving Lana and Steven Clayton thrived on throwing lavish bashes at their waterfront mansion. A couple who had it all. Steve had made millions from selling his physicaltherapy business. Retired at 40. Fifteen years later, in 2010, he’d met Lana online, and they married after three years together. It was Lana’s second marriage, but Steve’s family joked that they’d lost count of how many times he’d said ‘I do’! Six or seven was their guess. ‘Steve loved being in love,’ his nephew Kris Phasan said later. ‘It didn’t always work out well for him…’ On 4 July 2018, the Claytons threw a huge (Independence Day party. Fireworks, dance floor, no expense spared. The couple danced, appearing to be happy and in love. But one morning two weeks later, Lana ran…