A self-published author who sparked a free speech debate with a book that police say advocates paedophilia was jailed in central Florida yesterday following his arrest on obscenity charges, police said.
Phillip Greaves, 47, is the author of The Paedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-lover’s Code of Conduct. He was arrested at his home in Pueblo, Colorado on a warrant issued in Florida for distribution of obscene material.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum of five years in prison.
“He (Greaves) created this book specifically to teach people how to sexually molest and rape children,” Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference Monday.
When Mr Greaves arrived at the Polk County jail in Bartow, Florida a reporter asked him to comment on Ms Judd’s allegation and he replied: “Wrong.” Mr Greaves said his self-published book was intended to help people improve their lives. (PA)
Kayaker killed by crocodile
A South African guide was seized and killed by a crocodile while kayaking with two Americans.
The three kayakers were exploring a river in the heart of Africa in a defensive formation designed to ward off crocodile attacks when one came from behind, ripping their leader from his boat and hauling him beneath the water.
The two Americans who survived – Ben Stooksberry and Chris Korbulic – said yesterday that the formation was designed to make them appear too large to attack, and had served them well in waters considered more dangerous.
Mr Stooksberry said he first knew of the attack when hearing experienced guide Hendri Coetzee say 'Oh, my God'. His body has not been found.
The kayakers were on the Lukuga River in Congo for a month-long expedition documenting unexplored whitewater. (PA)
Cheques still popular
Three-quarters of Britons have written a cheque during the past year, with half of people writing one during the past month, a survey indicated.
Despite the fact that the use of cheques is in decline, 76 per cent of consumers, the equivalent of 37 million people, have written a cheque during the past 12 months, according to consumer group Which?.
The Payments Council ann-ounced last year that it had set a target date of 2018 for closing the cheque clearing system following a steep fall in the use of cheques but promised consumers will not be left 'high and dry' by the move. (PA)
Last-minute rush
Tomorrow is set to be the busiest ever shopping day in the UK as consumers scramble to make last-minute Christmas purchases.
In both 2008 and 2009, December 23 was the busiest shopping day of the year, and with Christmas Day set to fall on a Saturday, it is also expected to be the top day for high street shopping in 2010, according to payment card group Visa Europe. (PA)
Gay marriage ban postponed
A plan to test the UK's ban on gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships has been stalled by a local government council incorrectly replying to one of eight English couples set on arguing the twin bans are unlawful and should be reversed.
Four gay couples who were refused marriage licences at register offices across England, along with four heterosexual couples wanting to be legally recognised as civil partners, planned to file a joint application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
But because Camden Council mistook heterosexual couple Stephanie Munro and Andrew O'Neill as a gay couple, the 'Equal Love' campaign to test gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships has been stalled until at least next month, co-ordinator Peter Tatchell said. (PA)
Birdsong beats blues
Spending five minutes listening to birdsong may help beat the winter blues, scientists have suggested.
The National Trust has compiled recordings of birdsong to remind those fed up with the cold and the dark that spring is just around the corner.
Peter Brash, one of the trust's ecologists, said: 'Birdsong is one of the most distinctive sounds from the natural world and gives us a warm glow inside when we hear it.' (PA)
Underwater proposal
Matthew Batts found a unique way of taking the plunge and popping the question to girlfriend Rachael McManus.
A diver at Bristol's Blue Reef Aquarium placed a sign saying 'Rachael, Will you marry me?' in the aquarium's giant tropical ocean display just before the couple arrived.
After she accepted, Mr Batts, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, said: 'I wanted to propose somewhere which was a bit different and in a way we would both always remember.' (PA)
Late payer
A thief with a long-term conscience sent 45 dollars to a Pennsylvania tool company to pay for a hammer stolen decades ago.
It was accompanied by an anonymous letter that said the writer stole the hammer 25 to 30 years ago.
The letter goes on: 'Enclosed is 45 dollars to cover the hammer plus a little extra for interest. I'm sorry I stole it, but have changed my ways.' (PA)