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The Mole & Jersey Show Episode 14: We have an interview with Wagga from WCM TV, and Window Cleaning Magazine. We talk about consistancy and of course our FAIL of the week is awesome! Watch and Share the show, and hey...Subscribe would you?
The Segments:
4:05 Marketing Madness...Professional or not?
11:34 The Chop Chop...Wagga
18:05 Fail of the Week
22:41 Top 5....Employee Problems
The Mole & jersey Show Episode 15 below with a newer host!.. click the picture.
The Mole & jersey Show Episode 15 below with a newer host!.. click the picture.
‘I get food and I get a shower. . . but it’s very hard to find a bed for the night’ - There are meals for homeless people in Dublin, but getting a bed is more difficult. At five minutes to four on a rain-sodden afternoon, Tomas’s search for a bed begins. There’s a freephone number to call to get your name down on the list for an emergency bed. The operators come on only from about 4.30pm, he says, but it’s best to call early. The automated voice tells him he is 18th in the queue. He waits, holding the mobile phone by his ear. And waits. After an hour and 17 minutes the line goes dead. There’s no sound. Maybe there was a problem with his phone?
He walks across the city to go to his English class, just off Bolton Street. It’s a free programme run in an adult education centre twice a week. When he came to Ireland from Slovakia seven years ago he couldn’t believe so many foreigners didn’t bother to learn the language. Being able to communicate is important if he’s going to get a job, he says. Back home he worked as a professional window cleaner and got all the necessary qualifications for using safety harnesses on tall buildings. Then his friend in Naas told him the wages in Ireland were many times better. It seemed like a good idea. His relationship with his long-term girlfriend had broken up. She was living with another man. The hardest part was leaving his three-year-old son behind, not knowing when he would see him again.
Social insurance stamps - He doesn’t get social welfare, because the officials say he’s not entitled to it. Tomas says he worked for about 2½ years in Dublin doing painting, plastering and window cleaning. It was mostly for cash, so he wasn’t getting social insurance stamps. At 10.30pm he tries the number again. He get through quickly this time. But the voice at the end of the line says all the emergency beds are full. There is a sleeping bag available, he’s told, if he wants to keep warm on the street, But it’s not so much the cold as the wet that’s the problem. The rain is now hurtling down in sheets. Flood warnings are in operation in parts of the city.
He puts his backpack on and walks in the direction of St James’s Hospital. Why doesn’t he go home? It’s complicated, he says. He doesn’t want to have to answer all the intrusive questions. He also feels ashamed of where he is now. Once he gets a job and is back on his feet he might return. At the hospital’s accident and emergency unit he sits in the corner, watching the television. His wet clothes are sticking to him.
Tomas doesn’t take drugs. He drinks sometimes but only to help catch some sleep if he doesn’t have a bed. Most nights he generally gets a bed but increasingly there are too few to go around. He’s about to nod off when a nurse asks him if he’s here to see a doctor. When he says he isn’t, he’s asked to leave. It’s just after three in the morning. After about four years on the streets you begin to see the city differently. You recognise all the other homeless people. You see the city is a place where men and women struggle to survive. He lists off names and where he used to see the people. Sixteen in all. One had epilepsy, another was a heavy drinker. The list goes on.
The rain has eased off by now. He heads down towards Merchant’s Quay, where Merchant’s Quay Ireland serves breakfast to homeless people in three or four hours’ time. Then he’ll head on to Trust, located in a basement near the Iveagh Buildings,where’ll he have a shower and hopefully get some fresh runners. It’s one good thing about being a homeless person in Dublin, Tomas says. You don’t go hungry. There’s always somewhere to eat. But getting a bed is another matter. Tomas’s name has been changed, at his request
He walks across the city to go to his English class, just off Bolton Street. It’s a free programme run in an adult education centre twice a week. When he came to Ireland from Slovakia seven years ago he couldn’t believe so many foreigners didn’t bother to learn the language. Being able to communicate is important if he’s going to get a job, he says. Back home he worked as a professional window cleaner and got all the necessary qualifications for using safety harnesses on tall buildings. Then his friend in Naas told him the wages in Ireland were many times better. It seemed like a good idea. His relationship with his long-term girlfriend had broken up. She was living with another man. The hardest part was leaving his three-year-old son behind, not knowing when he would see him again.
Social insurance stamps - He doesn’t get social welfare, because the officials say he’s not entitled to it. Tomas says he worked for about 2½ years in Dublin doing painting, plastering and window cleaning. It was mostly for cash, so he wasn’t getting social insurance stamps. At 10.30pm he tries the number again. He get through quickly this time. But the voice at the end of the line says all the emergency beds are full. There is a sleeping bag available, he’s told, if he wants to keep warm on the street, But it’s not so much the cold as the wet that’s the problem. The rain is now hurtling down in sheets. Flood warnings are in operation in parts of the city.
He puts his backpack on and walks in the direction of St James’s Hospital. Why doesn’t he go home? It’s complicated, he says. He doesn’t want to have to answer all the intrusive questions. He also feels ashamed of where he is now. Once he gets a job and is back on his feet he might return. At the hospital’s accident and emergency unit he sits in the corner, watching the television. His wet clothes are sticking to him.
Tomas doesn’t take drugs. He drinks sometimes but only to help catch some sleep if he doesn’t have a bed. Most nights he generally gets a bed but increasingly there are too few to go around. He’s about to nod off when a nurse asks him if he’s here to see a doctor. When he says he isn’t, he’s asked to leave. It’s just after three in the morning. After about four years on the streets you begin to see the city differently. You recognise all the other homeless people. You see the city is a place where men and women struggle to survive. He lists off names and where he used to see the people. Sixteen in all. One had epilepsy, another was a heavy drinker. The list goes on.
The rain has eased off by now. He heads down towards Merchant’s Quay, where Merchant’s Quay Ireland serves breakfast to homeless people in three or four hours’ time. Then he’ll head on to Trust, located in a basement near the Iveagh Buildings,where’ll he have a shower and hopefully get some fresh runners. It’s one good thing about being a homeless person in Dublin, Tomas says. You don’t go hungry. There’s always somewhere to eat. But getting a bed is another matter. Tomas’s name has been changed, at his request
The Snowden Files by Luke Harding – review: We live in a new world, and a scary one: this is a riveting read that unravels the mysteries behind the Snowden revelationsHarding writes that in the immediate aftermath of Snowden's revelations, construction crews appeared during the night outside the offices of the Guardian and the homes of its reporters, "taxi drivers" got mysteriously lost, "window cleaners" began loitering outside meeting rooms. Those trying to report the story found their lives inconvenienced – and occasionally they got a little scared – but it hardly put them off what they were doing.
Well-known Winslow singer, window cleaner and retained firefighter Paul French is one half of the tribute act, along with Mike Gethin. The evening is being organised by the WinslowAnglo-French Twinning Association (WAFTA) to raise money for the next visit by their counterparts from Cours La Ville in 2015. The two towns take it in turns to host each other, and this year it is Winslow’s turn to go to France. Seating for the tribute night will be cabaret style, on tables of six to eight people. There will also be a disco. The £12 ticket price includes a fish and chip supper freshly cooked on the premises by Little Horwood company Howe and Co.
Lone Wolf Management secures Rising Star Award from the Cheltenham branch of the Federation of Small Businesses only 18 months after formation: A company which now has five divisions only 18 months after starting up has been presented with a special business award. Lone Wolf Management received the Rising Star Award from the Cheltenham branch of the Federation of Small Businesses. Managing director Gil Collins, whose Cheltenham based company’s activities include security, window cleaning and catering, was presented with the accolade by Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood. Gil said: It is marvellous to receive this award, my staff and I are very proud to be honoured in this way.”
His aim was to support Gloucestershire businesses by purchasing locally and employing local people wherever possible. FSB branch chairman Tim Calway said he was delighted with Lone Wolf’s success and its support for local businesses. Martin Horwood said: “Economists and planners at national level are always telling us that small businesses are the ones that drive economic growth but it’s great to see the FSB celebrating this here on the ground in Cheltenham. “They’re taking practical steps to raise the profile of rising stars like Lone Wolf Management and encouraging their success.” The Gloucester Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo together with Harrison Clark Rickerbys solicitors are promoting county products and services through the Made in Gloucestershire campaign.
His aim was to support Gloucestershire businesses by purchasing locally and employing local people wherever possible. FSB branch chairman Tim Calway said he was delighted with Lone Wolf’s success and its support for local businesses. Martin Horwood said: “Economists and planners at national level are always telling us that small businesses are the ones that drive economic growth but it’s great to see the FSB celebrating this here on the ground in Cheltenham. “They’re taking practical steps to raise the profile of rising stars like Lone Wolf Management and encouraging their success.” The Gloucester Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo together with Harrison Clark Rickerbys solicitors are promoting county products and services through the Made in Gloucestershire campaign.
Linda cleans up with her first business: Linda Richardson is all set to clean up with her local business - despite starting up in 2009 at the heart of the banking crash. Since Linda, a 45 year old mother of one child, launched Connect Cleaning Services in Melling she has steadily built up her company and now she is planning to expand and take on more staff. She said: “This is my first business - I’d never run a business before. In fact, before I started up I was a housewife. ”But my circumstances changed very suddenly and I thought I didn’t want just to sit back - so I thought I’d give it a go.“
Her business now includes house-cleaning and maid service, commercial and office cleaning and window, upholstery and carpet cleaning services. ”My business partner, Dean Boyle, and I did the preparatory work and we launched Connect Cleaning Services at the height of the recession. But we had a good business idea, we had a good work ethic and we’ve built up the business’ reputation over time.“ She pointed out that word of mouth is crucially important to the business. ”I have to be patient - it hasn’t all happened at once. “We have built up the business, built up our reputation and now I’m ready to go further and build on what we have achieved so far. ”It’s a lot about building up a good reputation - which is exactly what we have done. “We are getting calls for new business all the time. We are very ambitious for this business. We are working hard and we are making it work.”
Linda added: “We now want to provide employment opportunities for more local people. Currently we employ four and we will be taking more on. We really want to build this business and take on more people and boost the local economy.” Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson met Linda and explained how impressed he was with her business. He said: “Linda really is an inspiration. ”She set up her business and is really making it a success. “We know how small local businesses are struggling to survive and compete so it is good to hear about a small local business, set up by first-time entrepreneurs, who have managed not just to make a go of it, but to make it a local success story.”
Her business now includes house-cleaning and maid service, commercial and office cleaning and window, upholstery and carpet cleaning services. ”My business partner, Dean Boyle, and I did the preparatory work and we launched Connect Cleaning Services at the height of the recession. But we had a good business idea, we had a good work ethic and we’ve built up the business’ reputation over time.“ She pointed out that word of mouth is crucially important to the business. ”I have to be patient - it hasn’t all happened at once. “We have built up the business, built up our reputation and now I’m ready to go further and build on what we have achieved so far. ”It’s a lot about building up a good reputation - which is exactly what we have done. “We are getting calls for new business all the time. We are very ambitious for this business. We are working hard and we are making it work.”
Linda added: “We now want to provide employment opportunities for more local people. Currently we employ four and we will be taking more on. We really want to build this business and take on more people and boost the local economy.” Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson met Linda and explained how impressed he was with her business. He said: “Linda really is an inspiration. ”She set up her business and is really making it a success. “We know how small local businesses are struggling to survive and compete so it is good to hear about a small local business, set up by first-time entrepreneurs, who have managed not just to make a go of it, but to make it a local success story.”
Walmart launches eco-friendly household cleaners: Walmart has introduced a four-product line of all-natural household cleaning products under its private-label Great Value brand. The line, Great Value Naturals, was introduced in late 2013 in 2,000 Walmart stores across the U.S., and includes a liquid laundry detergent, a multi-surface cleaner, a glass and window cleaner, and an automatic dishwasher gel, packaged in recyclable materials.
“The launch of Great Value Naturals is an important step in making green cleaning habits an affordable option for millions of consumers,” says Alberto Dominguez, Walmart Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager. “Many consumers have the perception that all-natural cleaners are more expensive and don’t work as well as traditional cleaning products. Great Value Naturals addresses those concerns by combining affordability, performance, and care for the environment.”
“The launch of Great Value Naturals is an important step in making green cleaning habits an affordable option for millions of consumers,” says Alberto Dominguez, Walmart Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager. “Many consumers have the perception that all-natural cleaners are more expensive and don’t work as well as traditional cleaning products. Great Value Naturals addresses those concerns by combining affordability, performance, and care for the environment.”
The products are made from plant-based, all-natural Evolve cleaning technology from Agaia, Inc. and are 100-percent chemical- and toxin-free, biodegradable, and non-allergenic. The technology is said to effectively capture and break down soils, grease, grime, and odor-causing bacteria without leaving harmful residues or irritants behind on the skin, surfaces, or the environment.
Concerns over toxic substances — the new term seems to be "chemicals of concern" - in our everyday lives have been around since Rachel Carson penned "Silent Spring" more than a half-century ago. But getting the most problematic chemicals out of products and supply chains has been slow-going, especially as government regulation of such chemicals has been timid. Regulation by the marketplace is another matter. Over the past year, big retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have approached the issue head-on, pushing suppliers to disclose ingredients or simply vowing to phase out use of some chemicals in the products they sell.
Wal-Mart announced a policy to require manufacturers of cosmetics and cleaning products to disclose ingredients in their products and remove priority hazardous chemicals. The company said it would start with 10 priority chemicals, although it isn't yet disclosing which ones, and some critics both praised the policy and pointed to its flaws. Target, for its part, announced a partnership with UL's GoodGuide to establish sustainability standards for some 7,500 products, focusing on personal care and household cleaning products — "direct-exposure chemical products" with a strong focus on toxic or otherwise problematic ingredients.
Wal-Mart announced a policy to require manufacturers of cosmetics and cleaning products to disclose ingredients in their products and remove priority hazardous chemicals. The company said it would start with 10 priority chemicals, although it isn't yet disclosing which ones, and some critics both praised the policy and pointed to its flaws. Target, for its part, announced a partnership with UL's GoodGuide to establish sustainability standards for some 7,500 products, focusing on personal care and household cleaning products — "direct-exposure chemical products" with a strong focus on toxic or otherwise problematic ingredients.
XENIA — Remember the old joke about the housekeeper who always says “I don’t do windows…” You don’t have to worry about that when you contact one of the newest businesses in Xenia. “We’re dependable and reliable,” Shane Hartley, owner of the local Fish Window Cleaning location, said. “And, we’re year round.” Hartley, a former police officer in Athens, Ohio, and an US Army vet with 27 years under his belt, said that when he returned from Afghanistan in 2012, he began looking for a business he could own and operate. “I was looking for a different franchise,” he added. “I worked through FranChoice and they matched me up with three potential franchises. “Fish looked to be the best of the three because of three things: the simplicity of its system, the low overhead, and a very needed service.” “The franchises are independently owned and operated,” Hartley said. “We’re licensed, bonded and fully insured. We’re glad to give free estimates for both commercial and residential customers.”
Along with the window cleaning, the Roseville, Ohio native said Fish also cleans gutters and performs light power-washing on soffits and siding. “And, really, we can clean anything glass,” Hartley continued. “We’ve done chandeliers, not to mention other light fixtures.” To prepare for the new business, Hartley completed multiple weeks of training in the Xenia area and at Fish Window Cleaning headquarters in St. Louis, Mo. He is currently hiring and accepting applications. “I am committed to providing quality service and 100 percent satisfaction that FISH customers have come to expect,” said Hartley. “I look forward to meeting my residential and commercial neighbors and becoming the top, reliable provider for window cleaning needs. “So far, I’ve found everyone extremely friendly and I’ve met some great people,” he continued. “I have not had a single business turn me away and not let me write a free estimate.” Hartley is providing his services for commercial and residential customers in East Dayton, Beavercreek, Fairborn, Kettering and Xenia. “My region is pretty much from I-75 east, to Fairborn in the north and south almost to where I-75 and I-675 come together,” he said. Hartley said he currently has a staff of two and is looking to expand. “I am hiring,” he said. “I’ve posted all over. I need two additional employees for going on runs, and I also need a salesperson.”
Along with the window cleaning, the Roseville, Ohio native said Fish also cleans gutters and performs light power-washing on soffits and siding. “And, really, we can clean anything glass,” Hartley continued. “We’ve done chandeliers, not to mention other light fixtures.” To prepare for the new business, Hartley completed multiple weeks of training in the Xenia area and at Fish Window Cleaning headquarters in St. Louis, Mo. He is currently hiring and accepting applications. “I am committed to providing quality service and 100 percent satisfaction that FISH customers have come to expect,” said Hartley. “I look forward to meeting my residential and commercial neighbors and becoming the top, reliable provider for window cleaning needs. “So far, I’ve found everyone extremely friendly and I’ve met some great people,” he continued. “I have not had a single business turn me away and not let me write a free estimate.” Hartley is providing his services for commercial and residential customers in East Dayton, Beavercreek, Fairborn, Kettering and Xenia. “My region is pretty much from I-75 east, to Fairborn in the north and south almost to where I-75 and I-675 come together,” he said. Hartley said he currently has a staff of two and is looking to expand. “I am hiring,” he said. “I’ve posted all over. I need two additional employees for going on runs, and I also need a salesperson.”
MANCHESTER — Peter Thurston, owner of the local Fish Window Cleaning, was presented with the Soaring Eagle Award at the annual Fish Window Cleaning Convention in St. Louis, Mo. Thurston received the award for his success in taking over an existing franchise and increasing the franchise’s performance in sales, profitability and operational excellence. Thurston took over the business in 2011, and his office provides service to commercial and residential customers in Manchester, Nashua, Salem, Bedford, Derry, Londonderry, Merrimack, Windham, and Hudson, N.H.
20mph limits: Are Bristol's new zones making a difference? Between condolences, one resident says: "The hill is treated like a drag race going up and people do not appreciate their speed going down". Another adds: "Sadly, most cars travelling up or down Ashley Hill do not adhere to the 20 mph speed limit." Jason Hook, 46, from Southmead who runs a window cleaning business agrees. His job sees him travel around the city all day. He said: "It is just ridiculous. It makes my day longer, adds time and adds cost to everything. It's wasting my time and causing congestion. And I can't put my prices up because people are still suffering from the recession."
Mouldy: Why won't council do anything about our damp homes? Mrs Shepherd is not the only one with damp problems on the small estate. About 25 of the 70 homes have all suffered from them for more than a decade. They are portable homes which bolt together in two halves and which can be transported on the back of a lorry. They are slightly smaller than the popular old pre-fabs in which most of the residents used to live. Retired window cleaner John Emery (pictured left) and his wife Janet have had a catalogue of problems. Their problems began when they discovered a gas pipe in their front bedroom wardrobe was mouldy and dripping with condensation.
Erie Heat Wave 48 Degrees: The big change in temperatures seemed to change the collective mood of Erie residents. While you wouldn't normally think of 48 degrees as a heat wave, after the February weather Erie has experienced, that's exactly what people were calling it. The average high and low temperature for the month, according to the National Weather Service is 16.7 degrees that's nearly 11 degrees below normal. Erie has seen three sub zero temperature days including -7 degrees on Monday morning, and collected nearly two feet of new snow for the month. And we saw a couple of window washers out too. They normally have to use an anti-freeze in their window washing water, but not today. "Yeah, yeah...everybody's been calling it a heat wave, I'm not from here, they say Erie weather is so funny, but it's a great day," said Mark Hodge of Candia Window Washers.
Chasing his dream: The lack of support for independent filmmakers in Qatar is an obstacle, according to Klim. Five years back, Alex Klim moved to Doha from Vienna to pursue an exciting proposition in the telecommunications field. Like most Western expats in Qatar, the Austrian enjoyed a well-heeled lifestyle and comforts that could silence all complaints. Living on the 22nd floor of a West Bay high-rise has helped Klim with his next project — The Doha Spiderman. It’s an action documentary that looks into a day in the life of a rope access technician, or a window cleaner. “When I saw them cleaning glasses of my apartment from the outside using suction mounts, I was worried for them. I tracked them for a day and mounted GoPro cameras on their helmets,” he says. It’s finding and telling such stories that has made Klim fall in love with Qatar.
Russians and their vodka: In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev attempted to curb drinking with a number of reforms, including reducing the supply of vodka, increasing its price, and prosecuting people who showed up to work inebriated. This was well intentioned, but like other attempts at prohibition, it did more harm than good. People turned instead to drugs and unregulated alcohols like cologne, antiseptics, and samogon — a homemade concoction made by distilling anything from sugar, window-cleaners, and even stolen aircraft de-icing fluids. As can be expected with de-icing fluid, drinkers of the poison would often hallucinate, go blind, or die. The anti-alcohol campaign was officially abandoned in 1988.
In her brightly painted studio, composer Elena Kats-Chernin is all too aware of the importance of beginnings. Over the years she has come to trust that divine intervention - or the mysterious workings of the subconscious - will come to her rescue in the process of creating. Sitting at her piano, scribbling away, she has had many moments of frustration with pages ripped and discarded as she works away through all that is wrong to discover what feels right. ''Composing is like cleaning a window,'' she says. ''You have to remove all the dirt and grease before you can see.'' |
| “Window walls have already been around in their current form for 20 to 30 years and we expect that they will have a 30- to 35-year lifespan.” Click to enlarge. |
Degrading condo windows expected to trigger major wave of replacements: University of Waterloo professor John Straube says buyers of glass condos should consider cost lifespan of window walls and cost to replace. That million-dollar condo view comes with a hidden price tag as degrading windows in older buildings are expected to trigger a major wave of replacements which could cost owners upwards of $100,000, a university professor says.
“Window walls have already been around in their current form for 20 to 30 years and we expect that they will have a 30- to 35-year lifespan,” says University of Waterloo professor John Straube, who divides his time between the civil engineering and architecture departments. “Over the entire face of a large condo, they could cost $100,000 (a unit)” to replace, said Straube, noting the figure is a projection because “we don’t actually have that much experience. “What we do know is that’s what it has cost to replace glass in limited buildings to date.”
The adhesive, gaskets and sealants used to install window walls eventually degrade due to temperature changes and exposure to the sun, allowing moisture and water to get in. The glass wall’s aluminum frame becomes pitted and disfigured over time due to corrosion.
Girl who fell to her death from window of Bradford house named as Amrita Kaur - A 22-month-old girl who died after falling from the window of a house with her mother has been named by police. Amrita Kaur died on Tuesday morning after she was found unconscious outside a house in Delamere Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire Police said. Her 36-year-old mother was also injured in the incident and was later arrested on suspicion of her daughter's murder. Amrita and her mother were discovered in the back garden of the end-terrace house by a neighbour who called police and paramedics.
They appeared to have fallen from a first-floor window. Both were taken to hospital but Amrita died soon afterwards. People living in the quiet, residential street described their shock at what happened in the house many thought was empty. According to reports, neighbour Mohammed Yaseen raised the alarm after he was alerted by the woman banging on a bin before he and a local window cleaner tried to help with first aid.
They appeared to have fallen from a first-floor window. Both were taken to hospital but Amrita died soon afterwards. People living in the quiet, residential street described their shock at what happened in the house many thought was empty. According to reports, neighbour Mohammed Yaseen raised the alarm after he was alerted by the woman banging on a bin before he and a local window cleaner tried to help with first aid.
Josefat "Joe" Gawron passed away at his home in Monroe on Saturday, February 15, 2014. He was 88. Son of the late Maria Szubala Gawron and Petro Gawron, he was born in Trembowla, Ternopil, Ukraine on May 26, 1925.
Joe was a retired Window Cleaner for Arcade Window Cleaners in New York, NY. He was the widower of Maria Tychan Gawron. He is survived by his sons, Dmytro Gawron and his wife, Olga of Monroe and Wasyl Gawron and his wife, Pat of the Bronx; three grandchildren, Marc Gawron, Adrienne Fil and William Gawron; and two great grandchildren, Markian Fil and Maksym Fil.
Australian fathers who murder their sons and daughters: The children had presents for Robert Farquharson on the fateful 2005 day. Saucepans, as well as a framed photo of the three boys. It was Father’s Day and it had been a big afternoon for Farquharson, a window cleaner, and his three boys, Jai, 10, Tyler, 7, and Bailey, 2. According to a detailed account in The Australian Book of Family Murders, they had visited Geelong, 35 minutes away from their home in Winchelsea, where he had purchased presents for the boys. They dropped in on their aunt and ate KFC for dinner before they headed home. Farquharson has always claimed he does not remember what happened next, except that he had a coughing fit and blacked out.
But courts have convicted him twice, in 2007 and 2010, for murdering his children that evening. He steered his car off the Princes Highway into a dark, deep dam. All of his children drowned. He survived. The smoking gun in the Farquharson case was a witness who said he told him he resented his ex-wife and had said he wanted to take the most important thing away from her — the children. “You wiped out your entire family in one act,” ruled Justice Philip Cummins in the first trial. “Only the two parents remained: you, because you had always intended to save yourself, and their mother, because you intended her to live a life of suffering.” Farquharson has also lost a High Court appeal bid. He is serving a minimum sentence of 33 years behind bars.
Window cleaner gave false details: A window cleaner lied to police and gave a false name when he was caught behind the wheel while banned on New Year’s Eve. Christopher Johnstone, 32, of Wilton Parade, North Shore, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was sentenced to do 180 hours unpaid work for the community, banned from the road for 16 months and ordered to pay £60 victims’ surcharge by District Judge Sam Goozee sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court. Harold Smith, prosecuting, said police stopped Johnstone as he drove a Peugeot on Park Road, Blackpool on December 31 at 11.25pm. Robert Castle, defending, said Johnstone had been impulsive and stupid because he wanted to assist his sister.
