Frank le Duc, Brighton and Hove News Journalist Profile

Articles

Girl, 17, taken to hospital after motorbike crash closes coast road

14 hours ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A 17-year-old girl was taken to hospital after a car and motorbike crashed on the A259 coast road yesterday (Tuesday 13 May). The crash left the road closed as the emergency services dealt with the aftermath and today Sussex Police issued an appeal for witness, information and footage. The force said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a collision at Telscombe Cliffs.
Man jailed for stalking chief constable

23 hours ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A man has been jailed for stalking the Chief Constable of Sussex and made the subject of an indefinite restraining order. Jason Nicholls, 55, was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison after a persistent and prolonged campaign on social media as well as by email and phone. He created a wanted poster, featuring a photograph of Jo Shiner, the senior officer in Sussex Police, accusing her of crimes against policing.
Council must be transparent over property sell-offs, says councillor

1 day ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A councillor plans to take residents’ concerns about the sell-off of publicly owned property to a special committee, with a call for more transparency. Independent councillor Bruno De Oliveira said that he had contacted Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet members to share the concerns raised by residents in his Fiveways and Hollingdean ward. Voters have contacted him about the potential sale of the former Homewood College site in the ward, the former Labour councillor said.
Police seize BMW linked to tool thefts

1 day ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

Police have seized a BMW that appears to have been used by someone stealing tools in several parts of Sussex over the past month. Sussex Police said: “Police have seized a BMW X3 linked to a number of tool thefts in West Sussex. “It follows multiple reports of vehicles being broken into across the districts of Horsham, Mid Sussex and Adur and Worthing since Monday 14 April. “The BMW was seized from the Horsham area yesterday (Monday 12 May) after officers executed a warrant.
Shoreham air crash pilot grounded for good

1 day ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

The pilot who left 11 men dead when he crashed at the Shoreham air show almost 10 years ago has lost a legal challenge to be able to fly again. Andrew Hill, known as Andy Hill, was performing a loop in a vintage Hawker Hunter jet aircraft during a display when he crashed on to the A27 in August 2015. Hill was cleared of manslaughter by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey, in London, in 2019.
Man with shotgun arrested by armed police in Brighton today

1 day ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A man with a shotgun was arrested by armed police earlier today (Tuesday 13 May). Carden Avenue, in Brighton, was closed briefly while officers dealt with the incident. Sussex Police said: “Armed officers responded to a report of a man who had threatened to harm himself at an address in Carden Avenue, Brighton, on Tuesday (13 May) at 11.25am. “A 44-year-old man was located and arrested on suspicion of suspicion of possessing a shotgun without a licence and taken to custody.
Brighton and Hove News retains local democracy reporter contract

1 day ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

Brighton and Hove News has retained its Local Democracy Reporting Service contract after what the BBC said was “a very competitive and robust process”. The contract was awarded by the public service broadcaster which funds the scheme and awards contracts to local and regional news organisations to employ local democracy reporters. It means that local democracy reporter Sarah Booker-Lewis will continue to provide detailed coverage of Brighton and Hove City Council meetings, reports and decisions.
Councillors back £800m plan to build 2,200 homes

1 day ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

Plans to build an £800 million housing estate made up of 2,200 homes on arable farmland have been given outline permission by councillors, subject to conditions. But councillors were told that fewer of the homes on land west of Bersted, on the edge of Bognor, would be classed as affordable – 204 instead of 217. The proportion is under 10 per cent and well below the level required under Arun District Council policy which would normally be 30 per cent.
Prolific burglar jailed for stealing charity box cash and booze

1 day ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

A serial burglar has been jailed after he smashed his way into a supermarket and stole cash from a charity box and booze. Tristram Francis, 42, of Felpham Road, Bognor, was jailed for eight months by Crawley magistrates after he pleaded guilty to burglary and going equipped to burgle. Francis stole several bottles of alcohol including three bottles of Captain Morgan rum, a Bell’s whisky, a Famous Grouse and nine other bottles of Scotch worth £327 in total.
Shoreham air crash pilot grounded for good

2 days ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

The pilot who left 11 men dead when he crashed at the Shoreham air show almost 10 years ago has lost a legal challenge to be able to fly again. Andrew Hill, known as Andy Hill, was performing a loop in a vintage Hawker Hunter jet aircraft during a display when he crashed on to the A27 in August 2015. Hill was cleared of manslaughter by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey, in London, in 2019.