Walfrido Garcia - Dockside Dreams

We learn never to give up, never to compromise our dreams but does that mean we cannot change them? What if we decide that our dream is not OUR dream anymore but someone else’s? What if we realise that it has never been OURS or if we set new goals ahead? How does it happen and why? What happens to our previous dreams then?

When I was around four years old, Michael Jackson was huge and I wanted to be his wife more than anything. Dallas kicked in around the same time and then I wanted to be just like Victoria Principal. Later Spice Girls ruled my primary school years and we formed an indigo band, went from stage to stage to perform their songs and dance the choreography we put together.

It was the same thing whenever I tried some new sport: kick-box, jazz-ballet, basketball, aerobics, handball, hip-hop dancing, kung-fu… I always wanted to work in whatever the actual sport was for the rest of my life. Does this mean that I am a flag? Floating where the wind blows me? Or could it mean that I have really enjoyed all of these things?

When I was 17, I was asked to teach hip-hop to two groups in the dance school I attended and since then, I have been teaching dance and/or aerobics. That time I thought I would definitely be a choreographer and as my love for motorbikes grew as well, I wanted to put shows together to open MotoGPs and get Valentino Rossi’s attention so that he can take me for a ride .

One morning, riding my wee moped to school though, I crashed and injured my knee. Years later they found out that I had a heart condition as well so I could say goodbye to dancing professionally. I was devastated but did not want to give up. The show must go on.

With an entrepreneur-spirit I moved on coming up with new ideas: I turned to my poetry as I have been writing poems since I was 15. I thought I would get them published and then I realised no one cared for poetry anymore so I thought about submitting them as song lyrics which is not as easy as it sounds.

Then I turned to studying, was accepted to several universities to attend different courses: Astronomy, Italian, English, Economics, Film History, Physics, Film Studies and Gaelic, PR, and Journalism. Meanwhile I also finished some NVQs in Marketing and Advertising, Sports Coaching (Aerobics) and started a Beauty Therapy course multiple times.

Every single one of these interested me for a while. I spent as much time studying them as I was willing to spend. The necessary time to learn what these professions were all about and then quit as they were not fascinating or important enough. I did this until I finally accepted that the only thing I could be passionate about was family. Bringing up children, teaching them, caring for them. After all these years of learning and searching, thinking there was something wrong with me I realised that I just wanted to be a wife and a mother.

However, if you are not 16 and drunk, getting pregnant is not that easy. Not for me, at least so I had to work out a plan that would be satisfying enough until this dream could become reality and that is when I attended an ice-hockey match. I felt the same rush I felt when I was playing basketball, having more adrenaline working in me than there was in the players. I fell in love again and I thought about Marco’s death and what MotoGP and the sport itself meant to me and discovered the beauty of Sports Journalism.

This is not the end of the road, I reckon but does this make me an indecisive person or a multitasker? Am I bringing shame to the emancipated, careerist approach of the 21^st century? And if so, is that really a problem? Who decides what dreams are normal and who can say one is more important than the other? If our dreams, our goals change from time to time (maybe not as much as mine) what happens to our previous desires? Do they die or just change into something else, something new? Are we allowed to say that we would love to do this and that one day and think totally differently about it the next?

Why could not we?

Moving countries is not always a question of where you want to live but most of the time it has to do with the financial situation of the person, you might even say that he/she had no other choice if they wanted to pay off their debt/mortgage and still having food on the table and clothes in the cupboard.

It is bad enough to have to leave family, friends and everything they new behind and learn how things work in that foreign country and try to make a living, a home and new friends there. It is not easy and can be very lonely sometimes.

If you have moved to the UK, I have to say, you are in the worst country to make friends unless you drink and get “wasted” every weekend, or smoke (whatever), or are a party-goer. It is especially hard if you are constantly broke (as you will be sending money home because that is why you have moved in the first place).

I can accept that you are left out of certain conversations and experiences this way but eventually these people should realise that just because you do not dig yourself in their mud does not mean you are a bad or boring person.

I can also accept that people are so obsessed with cueing that politeness flies out of the window even if it is raining; gentlemen (I would not call them that though) would not let ladies in front of them as an act of generosity and caring for the “weaker” sex when getting on the bus, for example.

I can live with all this but Saturday morning was not the first time I was walking to work and had a colleague and a team leader passing me by (both men) without saying “good morning” or “hello”. Then we went in through the door together and started to work and they tought everything was ok. Well, it was not and is still not ok!

It is not ok not to greet each other, spit, use foul language, talk about women irrespectively or women’s body parts in all, pick your nose, bite your nails, clean your ears in public, etc. It is not cool to be rude and/or disgusting.

I feel that some men in the UK should by an etiquette and courtesy book and read it day and night if their parents and teachers have failed to impart them these evident, basic things. It is actually sad and pathetic. I do not see how they eventually find a partner if not by getting drunk and getting her pregnant.

Could you please just change very quickly before women go mental? Thanks.

Edinburgh Capitals vs Hull Stingrays During the Game - picture by Viqe

An improved Edinburgh Capitals won their second consecutive league win against Hull Stingrays at Murrayfield this Saturday.

1182 spectators saw Edinburgh’s team beat Hull Stingrays 3-1 yesterday with sharpshooter Rene Jarolin opening with a successful strike just four minutes into the game, assisted by defence’s Jan Safar.

This was followed by Jarolin’s pass to Tomas Valecko, seeing him fire the puck into Christian Boucher’s net just seven minutes later.

With the help of Sylvain Cloutier, Matt Davies from the Hulls tried to restore some kind of a balance by his goal in the 15^th minute but it appeared to be the last one for the visiting team.

Peter Holecko of the Caps then took the opportunity of Marcis Zembergs’ pass and restored their two-goal lead in the last minute of the first period. (watch match highlights here*)

The first 20 minutes were played mainly in front of the Hull’s net but this changed to the opposite in the second period where their defence seemed to be much stronger and their players more focused with attempting more strikes.

Despite intensive team efforts, neither were able to score in the second or third periods and to much of Jordan Steel’s joy, who played in his 200^th all-time competitive game, the Caps won the match.

Referee Moray Hanson, gave the Hulls one bench penalty of two minutes in the 31st minute and an overall 16 minutes of penalty while the Caps got only ten.

There were power play opportunities for both sides, seven for the home team and four for the visitors, but none of them managed to turn these to their advantage by netting.

Both net minders were busy keeping the puck out throughout the evening however, with home team’s goalie, Nathan Craze, having been shot on 25 times, while Boucher of the visiting side, 28 times.

Nobody got injured aside from Sean Menton from the Caps, who had to be escorted off the rink at the end of the first period but was back in the game again at the start of the second.

This lost match is the Hulls’ third consecutive, leaving them with seven games in the season without a win and for the Caps, it means their third win in the elite league moving them two points ahead of the Hulls.

Jan Safar of the Caps reflects on the match: “It was good team play for sure. We could have had a couple of more goals but we’re happy.”

The Caps are playing against Braehead Clan tonight at Murrayfield Ice Rink and having a positive attitude after yesterday’s success, Safar said: “Tomorrow will be a totally different story but… if we stick to the game plan I’m sure we’ll win as well.” (watch interview with Jan Safar here)

*Videos shot and edited by Viqe

Marco "Sic" Simoncelli - picture taken from his official Facebook fanpage

His life was the bikes, the beasts, the machines we adore so much. We adore their sound when the engine starts and then when it roars up; we admire their strength and power and last but not least we love to watch their dance on the circuit when riders such as Marco and Valentino Rossi “lead” them. When at the start of the race all riders move to the same rhythm… the most beautiful choreography anyone has ever seen, and I used to be a dancer so I would know.

I fell in love with motorbikes first when my cousin bought his first cross bike, a KTM. We would ride along the fields, enjoying the pain we would get from the bumps and hills. Enjoying it because it is just an amazing feeling, a feeling of freedom that cannot be explained, it can only be experienced.

Years later, practicing for my 50cc licence, a guy took me for a ride with his 125cc Aprilia. The love was discovered again. Love for the feeling you get up there, for the music of the engine…

Then at the age of 15 I started watching MotoGP after discovering the beauty of it at my grandma’s one Sunday afternoon. It was fascinating to watch what these “mental” riders pulled off from week to week. This was the time when I chose my boyfriends by telling them that my only love is a Honda CBR 900RR Fireblade and if their response was: “What?!” I just knew there was no future for us, so I left the scene.

Funnily enough I am married to a man now, who has never sat on a bike before my father took him for a ride weeks before we got married.

The next phase was when on my way to school I discovered a Honda CBR, my dream bike, in front of a house and I would get off the tram five stops early just to take a closer look, to touch it and daydream about how it would be like to have one of these.

As life is very, very humorous, later on I was introduced to a guy who had a CBR and loved motorbikes as my friend knew I was crazy about them as well – in fact, I was called the “biker chic” in high school – and it turned out he owned the very same bike I have been admiring for months. We spent a few years together, wonder why?!

From the age of 18 I would be there at every single motorbike streetfighter show in our town, sometimes travelling even to the other end of the country to see one, or to see exhibits and races, whether they were legal or illegal.

This is the time I met my father (long story but I guess I am not alone so many of you can figure it out easily). We met at one of these shows as it turned out he was in love with bikes as well and had a chopper at the time. I did not quite fancy that, although I was kind of enjoying the ride on it as well. Of course, it had two wheels so why would not I?

Then when we went on holiday with the CBR guy, we left the bike with my dad, who took it for a ride just to check what we liked about it so much. What can I say? He was poisoned…

My father at Hungaroring - picture by XX Ati

Getting closer to the age of 50 did not stop him from buying the beast of the beasts, a Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc!!! Since then, he has joined a group of “mad maxes” online and we have been going on bike tours around the country and Europe as well to go rafting or just to have a well-deserved pancake after a few-hour ride.

It is a wonderful life. A wonderful, free, fun and stunning life. A way of life or a lifestyle shall I say.

Meanwhile I have “infected” some other people with my love for bikes; I have talked about my experiences and my feelings about the sport and people around me suddenly started buying motorbikes including one of my exes and my stepfather as well.

I once wrote a letter to my cousin about how I felt when on a bike and she said I had never spoken about anything or anyone like this before. I was definitely in love.

But you can suppress love… What it does to you though, you should never experience. Live your dream whatever it may be unless it is something God hates.

While watching MotoGP every week it was on, I went through a lot of emotions: I was happy, screaming at the screen, sweating with anxiety, crying when Valentino led the race all along and then just a few hundred meters before the finish line he crashed…

I had favourites as well: my first was Loris Capirossi, then I discovered Rossi and all the other riders I just forgot. The amazing talent he has! The smoothness with which he easily, seemingly without effort, wins his small battles on the track and his races, of course. Vale was the best then, still is and will always be.

Marco was a second Rossi. He was the next generation, even more daring if possible, a bit more aggressive but definitely talented like no one else. Rossi also recognised and acknowledged this by attending Marco’s races when he was not in the MotoGP category yet.

Everyone liked Marco, everyone thought he was crazy, but in a good way. The mad, Italian rider with the big hair. The young boy wanting what Vale has so badly… And it took his life. No one could have predicted it, no one could have avoided it. I feel for his family and his best friend in MotoGP, Valentino.

Hubby and myself on or wedding - picture by XX Ati

Marco’s death reminds me of an experience we had three years ago. Since I started to go crazy about the sport, I always dreamt of riding a bike in my wedding gown on the big day and it turned out this was something my father wanted as well; so we had the riders we knew from around the country come to our wedding and they took us around the city centre with police escort of course, coz there were so many of us. They had to stop traffic and also, we were not wearing a helmet. It was a blast, the best thing you can do to top up your excitement on this day.

The reception went on, we were going from table to table to talk to everyone and I sensed something was wrong. The bikers were not happy enough. It turned out that one of us (although not riding for several reasons, I am still counted in the biker family which I am grateful for) Dodo died the day before…

He was riding on the motorway and under unknown circumstances, his bike drifted off the road killing him instantly. They did not want to tell me. I felt awful to be happy when I should have been mourning.

Marco’s fatal crash made me rethink why I love the sport so much; my feelings, my passion for it and if anything, it just stirred it up, making it even stronger.

Marco, Dodo, we will see you later, when we are all together and we are going to laugh about it, coz there will be no more pain or tears where we go from here.

The biggest open water swimming event ever held in the United Kingdom took place 8 and 9 October, at Loch Lomond near Glasgow.

Some 12,000 swimmers took part in the Glasgow Open Water Swimming Festival 2011 the highlight however, were the elite races that attracted some of the world’s leading swimmers.

Keri-Anne Payne - picture by Allan Boughey

British Olympic hopes Tom Allen and Keri-Anne Payne were among the world-class competitors, seeing the event as an important training for the Olympics.

The majority of swimmers were raising money for charities like Save the Children, Oxfam and other local organizations, with an estimated £500,000 having been raised in all.

The two days of open water swimming welcomed an incredible 30,000 spectators. The UK’s previous largest open water swimming event was the British Gas Great London Swim, in July, with just over 10,000 people taking part in the one-day competition.

The elite races were held after the mass participation swimming in the morning on both days, and these saw British swimmers Allen and Payne win both of their races despite very tough opposition from world-class competitors.

Women of the elite category - picture by Allan Boughey

”Well, it was a really tough two days of competition. I’m pleased at how things went. I thought I swam pretty well really, considering the opposition was so strong. I haven’t beaten Thomas Lurz before so it’s an amazing feeling to have done it here in Glasgow. I had to work really hard in both races…

Robert Moffat, the director of the event sponsored by British Gas, before congratulating the winners said: “This is the first year that we’ve staged the festival… it proved to be a huge success and we attracted far more people than we imagined.

“Of course open water swimming is one of the fastest growing races in the world. In the UK it is estimated that a fetching 250,000 people now take part in open water swimming each year.”

Moffat also expressed his hopes that the festival will become annual.

When asked how she found the weekend, Payne said: “I am delighted to have won this highly prestigious title. It was a really amazing event to take part in and in such a beautiful area too.

“The second race was far more comfortable for me. After the experiences of the first day, when I did struggle early on and had to dig deep, I found the conditions more conducive and hit a good rhythm much earlier… I’m delighted with the way things went and can’t wait for next summer’s Olympics now. I think it’s going to be a great year for the Brits.”

*(FYI: this is a report of a fictional competition as this festival does not exist, at least not in the form the article describes it. Needed for a school project.)

When Hungarian Mariska* moved to Edinburgh, she went to see the GP to explain she had a heart condition that needed constant monitoring and a certain prescription drug.

Fair enough, the doctor sent her to a cardiologist to have her examined in the UK as well. At the hospital, Mariska explained that it took 23 years for Hungarian doctors to realise the problem and that it was very hard to spot on the ultrasound.

After the examination, the cardiologist said that she was perfectly healthy and that she did not have to take the medication any more, although she was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse back in her country, a condition that no medication can heal.

She was sent home and told not to stress about anything and they did not believe her when she explained that at age of 24 she could not walk up stairs, run after the bus or go up on a hill without help as she lost breath, felt dizzy and had palpitations.

After having to stop medication – as she did not get further prescriptions -, she had to be taken to hospital every other month with severe palpitations and fainting. Still, doctors did not do anything to put her back on her meds.

After a year, she decided to go back to Hungary to see another cardiologist, to see if she finds the same problem as the first professional; and she did. The first time she looked at the monitor she could see the valve prolapse and prescribed the same pills the first doctor did. Knowing that they would not believe her still, she had the ultrasound picture printed, gave it to the GP and since then she gets her prescription.

Another example for NHS’ negligence is Chalan*, who went to see the doctor with a dislocated shoulder. He was sent home with the suggestion to take Paracetamol but then he told the doctor that he would go back to India; and if the doctors there found there was a bigger problem he was going to sue them. The doctor immediately examined him and gave him proper health care.

Emergency Department, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - picture by Lisa Jarvis

The most shocking, most recent experience is that of a Polish woman’s: Asia* slipped at her workplace and landed on her face. She was taken to the Royal Infirmary, where she was told to go home and take Paracetamol, without properly examining her head. No X-rays, no head scans were done.

After a few days, she went back to the A&E saying that she could not see further than 10cms. The doctor said there was nothing to be worried about, it was because her face was swollen and still did not examine her.

“They told me that even if the bone was broken, it would be better if it healed naturally”-she said.

A week passed and Asia took the risk of flying back to Poland for a proper examination where they found that not only her cheekbone was broken in several places, but one of the pieces have penetrated through her muscles, right up to under her eye and that was the reason she could not see.

She was immediately scheduled for surgery, which took place this Monday and now Asia can see again, but is still in great pain.

” I feel a bit better now but still look like a monster” – the 29-year-old added. Her recovery can take up to six weeks from the day of surgery, while Scottish doctors told her that she would be fine within two weeks.

When asked what the usual procedure was if someone was taken to hospital with a severe head injury, e.g.: after falling on one’s face, the College of Emergency Medicine said: “First thing is assessment of the level of consciousness, examination for any fractures (involving X-ray), check for loss of teeth, nose bleed, injury to the eye and checking of the neck.”

One can only wonder how different these people’s life would have been if instead of sending everyone home with a “placebo”, namely Paracetamol, doctors would have taken their patients seriously, following the guidelines strictly as they have been made for a reason.

*Some names were changed on request of the interviewees

Parliament building in Holyrood, Edinburgh - picture by Viqe

Ian Curryer, corporate director for children and families and lead officer for early intervention, Nottingham City Council, gave evidence today to members of the Finance Committee in Holyrood regarding the inquiry into preventative spending.

Mr Curryer justified their courses of action by answering questions regarding the plan itself and the budget allocated for it. The project has proposed – and carried out – a “quite strong system change” in dealing with different issues such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and education.

The usual procedure when a family/family member is proven to suffer from domestic violence is that they relocate the victims. Nottingham City had another, fresher idea: keeping these family members together and working along to make the home a safe and secure place for everyone.

This saves a lot of money as relocation costs around £5,000 while not moving is about £3,000. This can only be achieved of course, if there is family intervention involved in the project first as they have to find out where the most critical situations arise.

Again, this project was innovative on the subject: their target were not the individuals potentially at risk, but certain areas where they relied on the knowledge of local people to assess who was in great need of their services which include support in the future as well, not just solving the existing problem at the time.

With regards to teenage pregnancy, project leaders have been working with professionals (e.g.: health visitors), setting out a case, showing these mums what they can do for them.

They do this via radio and television as they know that written information is not going to make a change in a teenager’s life as they are often left unread.

Also, instead of telling them to go to certain institutions in order to get help or information, they go to their homes. This is true for any family issue people may have: family support workers would go to their premises and try to resolve them.

Project leaders are working on teaching life skills to these families as well, especially teenagers to get them embrace knowledge about citizenship, the importance if GCSEs and sex.

When asked about how they measure the projects’ success, Mr Curryer said: “We have levels of depravation in the city that we can compare with… We’ve set some clear outcomes that will be easy to monitor.”

According to these criteria, the first three years ended with success.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Gilmerton, Edinburgh - picture by Viqe

Jehovah’s Witnesses are best known for their preaching work and therefore, their knowledge of the Bible. Last week Derek Armstrong, circuit overseer, visited the Edinburgh Waverley Congregation to encourage them with three special talks to keep up with the ministry.

Brother Armstrong began his visit on Tuesday, 2 November 2010, going out in the ministry with members of the congregation and then giving a talk in the evening, titled: “Why must we keep on the watch?”

In it, he warned fellow believers not to let themselves be blinded but feel the urgency of our times, to keep on a guard against the world’s spirit and to keep praying earnestly for the flesh is weak but God is strong. At the end of his talk he encouraged the audience to keep busy in the ministry.

On Wednesday there were two field service arrangements (discussing relevant topics that might interest the public and making suggestions how to approach householders followed by preaching work), at the homes of different members of the congregation; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Thursday was the same, spiced up with the circuit overseer’s second talk: “Learning from Jehovah’s works of wisdom”. This gave a very detailed walk-through of Proverbs 30:24-28, speaking of the four small but wise creatures of the earth giving the message that witnesses should be determined to co-operate, look after each other, see the danger keenly, keep each other warm spiritually, strictly stick to their assignment and to regularly share in the preaching work. In the closing sentences he encouraged his brothers and sisters to cling to their relationship with Jehovah.

Friday and Saturday went on with multiple ministry arrangements and on Sunday, brother Armstrong gave his final talk titled: “Imitate Jesus’ example of watchfulness!” This talk revolved around three main points: praying frequently and fervently before making decisions and on behalf of others, keeping one’s minds on Jehovah’s work and choosing a lifestyle according to it, and finally relying on Jehovah when facing trials.

As usual, the closing few sentences were very encouraging, telling fellow believers that they must not become inactive or think that they are not good enough to carry out the assignment of the preaching work and also to welcome trials as described in 1Peter 4:12-14, as these prove only one thing: that they are following Jesus.

When asked why these visits are important and what their purpose is, brother Armstrong said: “We come because we want to encourage brothers and sisters to continue with the work, to keep serving Jehovah and to pass on any instructions from the London Bethel (branch office), to the elders; but mainly, to work along with everyone in the preaching.”

Brother Armstrong is in London for the next one and a half weeks to get training and then he leaves for Kelso to continue his visiting work.

High Court of Justiciary, Edinburgh - picture by Ron Almog

Never being to court before, meeting in front of the High Court in Edinburgh with the perspective to go in and see the court in action was very exciting at first. It had an “I feel privileged and important” feeling.

Going through security knowing that they probably know why we are there, taking a close look at the building from the inside because of course, “this is the place where they decide about people’s life.” Looking around in the corridor I am sure everyone was trying to guess who could be affected by the case, could be a witness or the accused.

We did not know what case we would get and I do not think anyone cared until the start was close enough. Then we were told that it was a case involving more people than we imagined, with 10 accused, hundreds of witnesses and at least 8 pages of evidence.

I was scared to get such a huge case for the first time. But that was not the main thing I should have been worried about.

Before this case was brought up, there was a sentencing due.

We sat in for that as well, to see it live. I did not really know what to think of seeing and hearing the decision about a man’s life, with his family sitting just a couple of rows in front of us.

Then they brought the accused out, we could hear the chains clinking behind the door and while he walked up to the place where he heard about the judge’s decision. The sound of the chains sent shivers down my spine and then I knew what to think about courts: I did not like it. I did not like the idea of one man deciding to lock up another for life and take him away from his family, no matter how horrible his sin was. I could never do it and I never want to report on it.

With this attitude, I tried hard to listen to the lawyer, solicitor and the judge but I could not pay much attention and I only heard constant muttering. My subconscious was trying to leave the room so badly I could not even concentrate for the sake of finishing my course.

When I heard words like “18 years” and “many lives wasted”, I looked up and thought: “Oh, no, is that it? Was that the verdict? Did I miss it? Did they just tell someone that he would spend the rest of his life in prison and I missed it?!”

Then I looked at the family, saw the wife (supposedly), crying, carrying their baby and others comforting her. It was an awful feeling. When they drove him away, he took one last glance at his family and tried to be strong, even smile a little.

I realised that now I am expected to write about the cold truth: he murdered a man and permanently impaired another. I knew he deserved to be punished I just could not decide what I was feeling. I could not decide that it was right for another human being to ruin dozens of other peoples’ life but then again, the murderer has done the same.

I wrote the report but decided to avoid trials if I could. I cannot stand the coldness, factualness and indifference people are showing there, which of course, is their job in a way.

In order to write a full report, I had to go through the indictment and then another thing struck me: this man is the same age as my husband and just two years older than me… What a waste, what a shame and suddenly I remembered: the judges’ words were exactly the same.

He was not so indifferent after all but I still had mixed feelings and goose bumps all over my body while writing my balanced, (cold and factual) report.

Edward J. Dearie - before being sentenced for life

Edward John Dearie was sentenced for life in Edinburgh today for murder, attempted murder and attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

Mr Dearie, 27, was found guilty and sent to jail for a minimum of 18 years for murdering 23-year-old Stuart Spence, causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment to Derek Hall, 35, and for fleeing from the law.

The “large-scale” disturbance took place in Dalmarnock, Glasgow, last year, 25 December at about 11.35pm, when Mr Spence was stabbed in the stomach and two other men were severely injured by Mr Dearie.

One of the two men could leave hospital after treatment, the other one staying in – stabilised. Later, Mr Spence died of internal bleeding while doctors were trying to save his life.

Mr Dearie was identified by severely bleeding Mr Spence back at the scene, telling police what his attacker was wearing.

Tele-sales worker Dearie being conscious of his guilt, jumped from a first floor window and fled from the crime scene and attempted to conceal himself in an attic in Irvine, Ayrshire, until police found him on 11 January 2010.

Judge William Dunlop QC told Mr Dearie that he would serve at least 18 years without parole because of his violent past, including a record for assault and carrying a hammer.

“What a waste of a lot of lives – including your own. These were lamentable and needless crimes leading to the death of one young man and almost the death of another. None of this would have happened if you had only learned from your previous convictions,” the judge told Mr Dearie while sentencing him for life.