(no subject)
Ancient Bog-Man Used Hair Gel
09/01/2006 05:20 PM
Reuters
The preserved remains of two prehistoric men discovered in an Irish bog have revealed a couple of surprises - one used hair gel and the other stood 6 foot 6 inches high, the tallest Iron Age body discovered.
"He would have been a giant...the other man was quite short, about 5 foot 2 inches," said Ned Kelly, head of antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland.
"The shorter man appeared to attempt to give himself greater stature by a rather curious headdress which was a bit like a Mohican-style with the hair gel, which was a resin imported from France," Kelly told BBC radio.
Bacterial conditions found in the peat bogs preserved the remains so that even fingerprints were clearly visible.
The fashion-conscious gel wearer has been named Clonycavan Man and Kelly said the fact he was able to buy imported cosmetics suggests he was a wealthy member of Irish society about 2,300 years ago. The other was dubbed Oldcroghan Man.
Kelly said both men had been murdered.
"Oldcroghan Man was stabbed through the chest. He saw that attack coming because there is a defensive injury on his arm."
He was then decapitated and his body cut in half while Clonycaven Man had his head split open with an axe before he was disembowelled.
Twins Guilty Of Killing Gran For Money
10/01/2006 06:52 AM
Reuters
Twin brothers who sneaked out of their 18th birthday party to steal from their widowed step-grandmother were found guilty of her manslaughter on Monday after the 74-year old was killed during the robbery.
Robert and James Maskell, who were cleared of Anjelica Hallwood's murder, were also found guilty of robbery, along with their accomplice, 19-year old Dwane Johnston.
London's Old Bailey heard how the Maskells believed she had thousands of pounds in savings and wanted the cash to spend on mobile phones.
As they ransacked her house, Johnston, who had just been released from prison, confronted the pensioner before beating and strangling her on January 28, 2004.
Her injuries included several broken ribs, a smashed eye socket and a fractured cheekbone.
Although Hallwood was the twins' step-grandmother she had known the pair since they were born and they referred to her as "gran", the court was told.
During the trial the jury also heard how the twins had been celebrating their birthday at their Edmonton, north London home, but left before midnight to meet up with Johnston, who was going out with Hallwood's granddaughter.
After the killing, the three teenagers bought kebabs and returned to the party. Much of the 1,000 pounds they stole from Hallwood was in outdated currency.
Detective Superintendent David Cameron told reporters outside the Old Bailey that the case was especially sad involving as it did members of the same family.
"It's not often that those closest to you, rob you and kill you," he said.
"It is particularly upsetting to view CCTV pictures taken in local shops the following day with the Maskells seen smiling as though they haven't a care in the world while spending the stolen cash on new mobile phones."
The three were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on January 31.