Hit-and-run driver with three bans jailed for six years for killing boy, 11
King Koala plays it cool for a sheila
THIS koala seems to be striking a laid-back “come hither” pose as he reclines on a branch.
Apparently there were females close by so the marsupial may have been looking for love.
The image was captured by British photographer Ross Long, 27, while in the bush on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia.
Ross, who is Cornish but lives in Sydney, said: “He’s certainly positioned in a seductive manner as if to say, ‘I’m ready for action’.
“There were other female koalas nearby, so I guess this is his way of letting them know that he was indeed ready.”
He said the koala held the pose for the whole encounter.
Ross said: “I’ve never worked with such an easy-going model like this one. It’s a welcome change from the stuff I usually capture.”
The part-time snapper and risk analyst added: “I’m lucky enough to travel around Australia and New Zealand most of the year which gives me plenty of photography opportunities.
“There is just so much variety in Australia. Depending on where you go the animals adapt with the landscape.”
The picture has had thousands of Instagram likes and comments. A “COWARDLY” hit-and-run driver who killed an 11-year-old schoolboy was jailed for six years and eight months yesterday after a court heard he had been banned from driving three times before.
Michael Ricardo Robinson, 31, was driving at 55mph in a 20mph zone when he struck Taylor Schofield, who was trying to cross the road on his bike.
Robinson fled the scene as the stricken youngster lay fatally injured in the road. The motorist handed himself in to police more than an hour later.
Taylor’s family say they feel “pure devastation” every day.
The tragedy happened near Taylor’s home in Beswick, Manchester, on of January 12.
Robinson a father-of-one, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Manchester Crown Court, where his previous disqualifications were outlined. Sentencing him yesterday, Judge Martin Walsh said those previous offences further aggravated his culpability.
He told Robinson he would have been jailed for 10 years, but reduced the sentence to reflect his early guilty plea.
He said: “There was a deliberate decision to ignore or have a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road. You took the decision to drive at a speed of 55mph in a severely restricted area.”
Robinson, from Gorton, Manchester, was disqualified from driving for 10 years and four months and ordered to take another extended retest at the end of the ban. Judge Walsh said his decision to flee the scene was a “cowardly and selfish act”, although he noted he called his solicitor and handed himself in.
Paying tribute to Taylor, his dad Terry said: “Taylor, you are my world. We were going on holiday this year and that was tragically taken away from us.
“You loved your football and those are memories I will hold dearly. My life will never be the same without you.
“All I feel is pure devastation and I will feel that every day.”
After the hearing PC Karl Horner, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “This sentence will never be enough for the family of Taylor. On January 12 they were served a life sentence when they lost their child and I hope today provides some closure.”