Frank le Duc, Brighton and Hove News Journalist Profile

Articles

Woman raped in Brighton this morning

2 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A woman was reported to have been raped in the centre of Brighton late this morning. Sussex Police said that a 45-year-old man had been arrested and remained in custody. The force said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of the rape of a woman in Brighton. “Members of the public reported the incident in Manchester Street to us at about 11am today (Saturday 7 June).
Body found in vehicle near Gatwick

2 weeks ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

A body has been found in a vehicle on an industrial estate near Gatwick airport, Sussex Police said this morning (Saturday 7 June). The force said: “Police were called to Whittle Way, in Northgate, Crawley, at about 10.30am on Friday 6 June to reports of a body found in a vehicle. “Inquiries are ongoing to identify the individual and establish the full circumstances. “The death is not currently being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for HM coroner.
NHS bosses start inquiry into how children were given gender drugs

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

Health chiefs have started a “rapid investigation” into “the supply of medication for gender dysphoria” to children at a Hove doctors’ surgery. The Sussex Integrated Care Board, also known as NHS Sussex, announced the investigation yesterday (Thursday 5 June) after it said that concerns had been raised. It said that the investigation covered “children and young people under 18 years of age who were offered gender care at the WellBN General Practice”.
Council fixer becomes chair of governors at primary school with six-figure deficit

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A council fixer is the new chair of governors at a Brighton primary school with a six-figure financial deficit. Ashley Seymour-Williams, senior education adviser at Brighton and Hove City Council, wrote to parents yesterday (Wednesday 4 June) after becoming the interim chair of governors.
Boy, 17, charged with manslaughter

3 weeks ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a 51-year-old man. Sussex Police said: “A teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a man in Littlehampton. “Fifty-one-year-old local man Paul Lawrence was tragically killed in Gladonian Road in the early hours of 28 January 2024. “A police investigation was launched and, following extensive inquiries, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a charge of manslaughter against a 17-year-old boy, from Bognor.
Mowing moans after verges given a ‘bowling green’ crop

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A councillor is concerned that verges and parkland could become a dust bowl after recent mowing left grass “bowling green” short. Green councillor Pete West was concerned to see a large swathe of green space along Surrenden Road mowed, along with verges in Hollingbury, including Rotherfield Crescent. Brighton and Hove City Council ended its “No mow May” policy in a decision made by the Labour cabinet in December. But 25 verges are not included in the six-times a year mowing programme.
Jury convicts masked rapist who forced his way into woman’s home

3 weeks ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

A jury has today convicted a masked rapist who forced his way into a woman’s home and attacked her weeks before Christmas. Jason Wren, 32, handed himself in to police just hours after his picture was published by local media including Sussex News six months ago. Wren, of Redmayne Drive, Hastings, was convicted of raping the woman in Milward Crescent, Hastings, at Hove Crown Court today (Tuesday 3 June) after a police operation known as Op Chalton.
Man filmed trying to break into cars

3 weeks ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

Police are trying to identify a man who was filmed as he tried to break into a number of cars. Sussex Police said: “Police are appealing for identification of a man after reports of multiple attempted car break ins in Crowborough. “Two incidents took place on Sunday 13 April at around 8.30am. “The suspect was described as having facial hair and wearing a white hoodie and carrying a white bag. “He was reportedly seen attempting to break into a car at a residence in Crowborough Hill, Crowborough.
Woman arrested after stabbing in Portslade

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A woman has been arrested after another woman was stabbed at a block of flats in Portslade. Sussex Police said that it was a domestic incident at a flat in Clarendon Place, just off the A259 Wellington Road. The force said that officers were sent to the flat just before 6pm yesterday (Monday 2 June). They found a 49-year-old woman, from Portslade, who had stab wounds to her hand and abdomen.
Mother of jailed British-Egyptian activist ‘prepared to die’

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

The mother of a British man jailed in Egypt has spoken from her hospital bed to say that she is prepared to die on hunger strike if necessary to free her son from prison. Laila Soueif, 69, spoke out on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 from St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, this morning (Tuesday 3 June). Professor Soueif called on the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to release the pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who has dual nationality.