Portsmouth News

HEAD OVER HEELS

With Pompey only one place above the relegation zone and John Mousinho’s squad struggling with injuries, this is a crunch match against the old rivals Southampton in more ways than one. The game against Saints at St Mary’s in September ended in a 0-0...

‘EVERY MILE IS FOR ROSIE’

A community is uniting to honour Rosie Mae Priddy, a devoted mother-of-three who died of a cardiac arrest. Aged just 32, Rosie had spent the last four years building a life in Ibiza but remained a beloved figure in her home village, Stubbington. To...

DON’T LET OUR CLUB DOWN

Hampshire Police have vowed to “stop those intent on causing disruption” as Portsmouth prepares to host Southampton for their derby match this Sunday. Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, Gold Commander for the operation, warned that fans may encounter...

MY DOG HIDES

Portsmouth is set for a massive cultural windfall this Easter as internationally-renowned street artist My Dog Sighs launches a city-wide treasure hunt. To celebrate Portsmouth’s centenary, the artist will hide £100,000 worth of art across the streets...

FACE OF EVIL

A “dangerous offender” has been jailed for 30 years following a horrific campaign of sexual and physical abuse against a young girl. Michael Lashley, 38, began abusing the victim when she was just three years old. Over several years, Lashley, from...

A hard day’s write

A teenager’s brush with The Beatles is heading to auction. In 1963, Elizabeth Salt – then Mcbrierty – met The Beatles at Southsea’s Savoy Ballroom, getting her arm signed by the Fab Four—only for her father to insist she wash it off. Fortunately,...

‘END OUR DENTAL DESERT’

The University of Portsmouth has secured Dental Authority Status, marking a “transformative” step toward opening the South East’s first dental school. The move addresses a critical crisis in a city labelled a “dental desert,” where just 15 NHS...

COASTGUARD Search and rescue helicopters move base by 100 miles

Two search and rescue helicopters based in Kent have been relocated nearly 100 miles away to Lee-on-thesolent. HM Coastguard's operator Bristow said it relocated the aircraft after the “suspension of out-of-hours access and the introduction of...

U WEED US

A popular former fancy-dress shop in Portsmouth city centre was transformed into a threestorey cannabis farm. Police discovered 300 cannabis plants, valued at £160,000, after SSE engineers reported suspicious electricity activity at the vacant...

FLYING HIGH

Peter Crabtree from Purbrook has proved that sustainable habits trump “quick fixes” after shedding more than four stone to fulfill a lifelong dream of flying in a Spitfire. The flight was a gift from his sister, but Peter was too heavy for the vintage...

Campaigners say ‘no’ to new off-licence

A “disturbing” slingshot attack has left 29 pigeons dead near South Parade Pier, sparking a police investigation. Wildlife rescuers from Portsmouth Pigeon People and West Sussex Wildlife Protection discovered the birds washed along the shore,...

HUGE SURGE IN 999 CALLS

Health chiefs are urging the public to use 999 only for life-threatening emergencies following a surge in demand. South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) reported a nearly 20 per cent rise in calls in the past week, jumping from 14,769 for the period...

FROZEN OUT ON HIS 50TH

A Gibraltar-based Pompey fan’s 50th birthday celebration turned into a “nightmare” after a 2,500-mile pilgrimage ended in a frozen washout. Louis Bruzon, the man behind the “Gibraltar Monkey” social media account, travelled to Fratton Park for the...

SAVE OUR FLAG

A historic Union Jack flown during the Battle of Trafalgar faces an uncertain future as campaigners scramble to prevent the relic from being sold overseas. The flag, which flew from HMS Royal Sovereign in 1805, bears the battle scars of Nelson’s...

BACK IN BUSINESS

The M27 has reopened a full day ahead of schedule following a massive Christmas engineering operation between Junctions 9 and 11. The motorway, closed since Christmas Eve, utilised an innovative “box slide” technique to install a 6,000-tonne concrete...

‘PROUD AND PASSIONATE’

The skies over Southsea Common erupted in technicolour last night as Portsmouth launched its centenary year as a city. Families gathered at Castle Field for a spectacular fireworks display, marking 100 years since the 1926 decree granting us city...

PUBLIC GOING POTTY OVER POTHOLES

Our region’s road network is under mounting pressure as significant potholes reappear across the county, including along the busy London Road in Widley. The deterioration comes as official figures reveal a staggering 59 per cent drop in highway...

‘IT’S THE BEST PRESENT EVER’

Worthy recipients from across our region have been named in the newly announced New Year Honours list. Among them is the cofounder of a vital Second World War veteran support group who says she is “humbled” after being awarded a British Empire Medal...

WOULD YOU PAY MORE?

Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire bosses are weighing an unprecedented gamble to plug a projected £2.9m funding gap. With reserves dwindling and a “sustainable future” at risk, Chief Financial Officer Rob Sarfas warned that current stop-gap measures...

WE’RE FEELING MORE STRESS AND ANXIETY

The number of people in Portsmouth being hospitalised with stress and anxiety has risen sharply. NHS figures show there were about 13,155 hospital admissions which resulted in a diagnosis of anxiety in the NHS Portsmouth area in 2023-24 – up 8.5 per...

COURAGEOUS DULCIE IS A REAL STAR!

A Portsmouth youngster who was able to explain her cancer symptoms has received a special national award for her courage. Dulcie Gee was three when she told mum Jade her head hurt and that her eye wouldn’t stay open. Shortly afterwards the family...

A BRAY IN A MANGER

A surprise seasonal delivery has brought festive joy to an animal sanctuary - at a time when it needs it the most. Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary is celebrating the unexpected birth of a foal to one of the rescue donkeys, April. The little colt...

WE NEED THIS… WE’VE GOT TO WIN!

Gemma Nichols believes the passionate people of Portsmouth are ready, willing and able to take the crown of UK’S City of Culture. As the CEO of Portsmouth Creates, she is helping to spearhead the bid for the 2029 crown. Gemma brings with her the...

Mou: ‘We had to stop the rot in away games’

John Mousinho applauded the return of Pompey’s bite - and their best goal of their season - during a battling point at Derby. The struggling Blues sought to build on the previous weekend’s crucial 2-1 victory over Blackburn and did so with a 1-1 draw...

‘WE WON’T DELAY’

Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt has vowed that local elections will proceed in May, despite government offers to postpone them. Liberal Democrat Cllr Pitt slammed the Labour government’s “chaotic” handling of Local Government Reorganisation...

FINLEY FINDS HIS VOICE AGAIN

The parents of a Portsmouth teenager have spoken of their “absolute elation” after their son spoke his first words following a life-changing stroke. Finley Butcher, 15, was found collapsed at his home in July. The active teenager was rushed to Queen...

Stars shine in school Nativities

Your supplement inside

THIS WAS AVOIDABLE

A coroner has concluded that a loving, long-married couple, found dead at their home last year, died during a “psychotic episode” experienced by the husband who had recently stopped taking his mental health medication. The bodies of Christopher...

PLEASE, MASK UP

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is urging visitors to wear masks in key areas of Queen Alexandra Hospital as cases of flu and norovirus escalate across the region. The measure applies to the Emergency Department, SDEC, AMU, and other...

FOOTBALL SAVED MY LIFE

Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop has revealed his professional football career ‘probably’ saved his life after he was diagnosed with an enlarged aorta heart valve in July 2024. Speaking for the first time since his surgery in London, Bishop described...

Help bring baby George home for Christmas

Minutes after the joy of welcoming their son, Alice Morby and Danny Cussen, from Fareham, were hit with the terrifying news that baby George had a rare congenital heart condition. Born at Queen Alexandra Hospital, George was swiftly diagnosed with...

SAVE OUR SANCTUARY

A donkey sanctuary has been forced to close its doors after severe flooding made opening “impossible” - wiping out a vital source of income. The sanctuary on Hayling Island, home to 33 rescued donkeys, launched a Gofundme appeal three days ago as a...

‘Summer signings still stepping up’mous Sport

John Mousinho admitted none of Pompey’s summer signings have consistently performed yet at Championship level. But the Blues boss underlined it’s still a very formative stage of their Fratton careers, for the 11 new faces who arrived in the last...

Port Solent gets into the festive spirit

Port Solent Christmas market brought festive cheer on Saturday and Sunday with local makers and artisans manning over 100 stalls. There were performances from Igloo Music, Portsmouth Salvation Army Brass Band and The Hill Brothers – plus Santa!...

HIGH STREET REVIVAL

The leader of Gosport Borough Council has praised the “revival” of the high street after a number of independent businesses opened in the past 12 months. Peter Chegwyn commented on the turnaround of the high street with 33 independent stores opening...

SHARE SOME LOVE

In the headlong rush towards Christmas, people are being urged to stop and think of those who are living on the margins - and ‘share some love’ with them. This year marks the 23rd running of the Comfort and Joy campaign to bring a little happiness...

DEMOCRACY POSTPONED

A shock decision by the government to postpone the first Hampshire and Solent mayoral elections until 2028 has triggered a wave of anger and frustration among candidates. The plans to delay the votes from May 2026 affects four regions and allows more...

SUPERSTAR SCARLETT

A mum and dad whose daughter plays for the AFC Portchester youth team are fundraising after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour following a routine eye test. Twelve-year-old Scarlett Billingham was fit, active and thriving at school, with no signs...

RIP ‘JUDGE’

Emotional tributes have been paid to cricket legend Robin Smith, describing him as ‘the greatest of all time Hampshire Cricket heroes.’ The former England international batsman, who was known as the Judge, died on Monday aged 62. He had battled...

Lights fantastic

There was plenty of festive cheer in the air at the Gosport Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday. There were stalls, live entertainment and free activities ahead of the highlight of the day, which was the big Christmas tree light switch-on.

WELCOME HOME

Thousands of service personnel have been reunited with their families in time for Christmas as the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales and its support ships returned yesterday. The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and the Type 45 destroyer...

MURDER PLEA WAS ‘UNDER DURESS’

A man serving a life sentence for the horrific murder of his ex-wife at their son’s graveside is launching an appeal, claiming the killing “was never premeditated.” Martin Suter, 68, was jailed for more than 27 years after repeatedly stabbing...

Unwrapping the Lidlest prices is More to Value.

Findings based on Independent price comparisons of 70 items by Which? every day in October 2025.

Switch-on event is a fun-packed night out

The wet weather didn’t dampen spirits in Fareham at the weekend for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on. There was an all-day Christmas market, with community performers, street performers and a visit from the cast of panto Beauty and the Beast....

A RIGHT DAMP SQUIB

Anti-immigrant protestors were left “humiliated” at the weekend after being outnumbered by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) counter protestors. In November, the Rise Up Portsmouth Facebook page, formerly Portsmouth Torch before it was removed from the...

‘STOP THE DODGY SHOPS’

City MP Amanda Martin has launched a major new campaign, “Back Our High Streets – Stop Dodgy Shops,” demanding stronger government action to protect local trade from what she terms “dodgy vape shops, cowboy barbers and fake American candy stores.” The...

IF THE CAP FITS...

A Falklands War veteran has been reunited with his lost service hat, thrown into the sea four decades ago as his ship, HMS Glamorgan, sailed into Portsmouth in July 1982. Marine Engineer Mechanic Steve Audley, 63, was part of the crew on the only...

EX-MP FEARED ‘CREEPY STALKER’

Former Portsmouth North MP Dame Penny Mordaunt has told a court that an “obsessive” man who allegedly stalked her was a “real threat.” Dame Penny, who served from 2010 to 2024, recounted a relentless stalking campaign by Edward Brandt, 61, stating it...

SMELLING ARAT

A severe rat infestation at MOD Southwick Park, home to the Defence School of Policing, Security and Guarding, has forced police instructors to abandon their offices. Sources claim reduced funding for pest control led to the crisis at the site,...

NEVER FORGET

The sacrifices of the fallen who served our country weigh heavy on the shoulders of Portsmouth residents – as the city unified to remember them at the annual Remembrance Sunday parade. Large crowds gathered in Guildhall Square yesterday morning to...

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE FORGETFUL

Project manager Juliette Spencer-besant is calling her forgetfulness “the luckiest thing ever” after failing to cancel her People’s Postcode Lottery subscription and winning a quarter of a million pounds. The 47-year-old from Havant was clearing...

Albert Road among the area’s ‘unhealthiest’

No need to say goodbye at your door...

RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

A Hampshire teenager is set to perform live on TV in front of millions as part of the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show. Kat Meredith, a singersongwriter who was born with cerebral palsy and is proudly neurodivergent (autism and ADHD), will be taking...

CELEBRATE OUR CULTURE

City MPS Amanda Martin and Stephen Morgan have fired the starting gun on Portsmouth’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029, saying it could “restore a real sense of pride and belonging in the place we call home”. The UK City of Culture 2029...

NO MORE!

Portsmouth City Council has confirmed that no more local homes will be used for asylum seekers. Clearsprings Ready Homes, the company managing the government’s asylum housing in southern England, told the council it will not seek additional properties...

A nightclub could open next door without you being consulted!

WHOOPS!

An IT blunder has revealed that the government is set to give Hampshire’s new mayoral authority £1.3bn over the next 30 years. The Local Democracy Reporting Service can reveal the potential investment for devolution after a Southampton City Council IT...

‘CARE IN ACTION’

Warmth, safety and kindness is being offered to homeless people across Portsmouth this winter. A new partnership between Portsmouth Cathedral, the city council and the Society of St James (SSJ) will mean a shelter and support for up to 12 guests will...

A PROPER SPUD SPAT

Jacket potatoes have been at the centre of a controversial online dispute between a small Southsea business and a major brand with a huge Tiktok presence over the use of a name. The Spud Father, which opened in Goldsmith Avenue last month, took to...

A ROARSOME OPPORTUNITY

Portsmouth is set to roar with creativity as the search begins for artists to bring the city’s centenary lion trail to colourful life. The city council is inviting creatives from across Portsmouth and surrounding areas to be part of the bold and...

THE PRICE OF PROTEST

More than £100,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s budget was spent in August to manage protests across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones revealed the figure during a meeting of the Hampshire and Isle...

Kirk offers ‘different threat’

John Mousinho acknowledged the addition of defence stretching threat to his forward line on Makenzie Kirk’s full Championship bow But the Pompey boss rued his side’s inability to make more of their key moments in the frustrating Stoke City defeat, as...

STUBBED OUT

A greedy shop owner who peddled vast quantities of fake cigarettes has been ordered to pay tens of thousands of pounds. Ali Kader Ismil, owner of Fratton Food Store in Fratton Road, is forced to hand over £53,480.49 after selling illegal tobacco...

REMEMBER THEIR SACRIFICES

Brilliant military music filled the air to mark the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal in Portsmouth. Serving military personnel were joined by members of the public for a short ceremony at the Spinnaker Tower. Serving Royal Marines handed out the...

CHRISTMAS CAR CHAOS

The dates the M27 will be closed over Christmas and New Year have been confirmed as an innovative time-saving technique is used to upgrade junction 10.Drivers are being advised to plan ahead to avoid severe delays this Christmas and New Year with the...

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Fallen Royal Navy sailors were honoured with the opening of a new memorial. Naval personnel and loved ones attended the launch of the The Heart of Oak Memory Tree in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard yesterday. The monument has names of those who gave...

‘DEPRAVED’ RAPIST GIVEN LIFE IN JAIL

A depraved rapist and attempted murderer has been jailed for life after a series of “horrific” crimes committed against a woman over the course of eight months. Benjamin Coates, 42, of Eagle Avenue in Waterlooville, inflicted numerous offences on a...

A SMASHING DAY FOR IT

Fundraisers taking part in yesterday’s Great South Run in tribute to campaigner Claire Lomas reached their £1m goal at the event. Claire raised more than £952k for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation before her death in August last year. Claire’s...

‘THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN’

The Parade Community Preschool will close its doors due to national funding pressures, leaving families and pupils in Hilsea “devastated.” Manager and founder Cathy Robinson said the decision was the result of insufficient funding. “The early years...

RUNNING WITH HEART

A personal trainer from Emsworth is preparing to take on the AJ Bell Great South Run - just 10 months after undergoing life-saving open-heart surgery. Sagar Desai, 39, was shocked to learn last May that he had been born with a congenital heart...

TRADITIONAL HEART

Construction work has begun to create a village community at the new Welborne development. It is part of a first phase of works at what has been dubbed a garden village which, when complete, will comprise of 6,000 new homes and local facilities at the...

‘Devlin is a key player for us’

John Mousinho acknowledged Terry Devlin’s Fratton consternation at a lack of playing time. But the Pompey boss is adamant the versatile Northern Ireland remains a key figure in his Championship squad. And the Blues head coach feels Devlin remains...

When ladybirds attack...

Chris Packham has had a positive influence on me. He once described himself to me as an agitator for change, and I’ve pinched that phrase many times since. He’s taught me to slow down my assumptions and to have compassion for the animals we share this...

AN ATTACK ON YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

Government ministers have launched a consultation on licensing reform, which includes a proposal to remove the statutory requirement for alcohol licensing notices to be advertised in printed local newspapers such as the one you are holding in your...

WHAT IS GOING ON?

An award-winning local sculptor has drawn up a proposal for a permanent reminder of Milan Mandaric at Fratton Park. And he’s hoping the Fratton faithful will back his concept to serve as a fitting tribute to the late former Pompey...