Newspaper review: Offender's beach snaps anger papers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21973059

Version 0 of 1.

Several papers report that an offender who persuaded magistrates to lift a curfew so he could go on a pre-booked trip to Thailand has "taunted his critics" by posting his holiday pictures online.

Non-league footballer Nathanial McIntosh, 23, was given a 12-week suspended sentence and a two-month overnight curfew for a "sustained attack" on three people, including a woman, says the Daily Telegraph.

McIntosh, who admitted in court to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent, posted pictures of himself sipping cocktails around the pool and drinking beer in a strip club.

In one caption, he mockingly suggests his local paper - which reported his conviction - should put one of the holiday snaps on its front page.

The Daily Express says a "foul-mouthed tirade" accompanies the request to the West Briton newspaper..

Pistorius snub

The Guardian says the sporting world has given the "cold shoulder" to blade runner Oscar Pistorius after a court in South Africa allowed the Paralympic and Olympic star to travel abroad for international athletics meetings.

According to the paper, the organisers of major meetings privately admit they are reluctant to invite him while he awaits trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

A source close to the organisers of two high profile competitions in the United States is quoted as saying: "My gut feeling is that it would be completely unrealistic."

Beautiful South

Meanwhile, several of the papers report on a survey that has named the borough of Waverley, centred around Godalming in Surrey, as the best rural place to live in Britain.

The accolade is based on a combination of factors including prosperity, employment, low crime and good health.

But, the Independent says, Scotland and Wales are entirely absent from the Halifax study of the top 50 boroughs and districts.

And, the Times adds, it appears to virtually discount the northern half of England, including just three districts.

A perplexed estate agent in York tells the paper: "Some of the most beautiful parts of the country are up here, the education is great and houses are so much more affordable."

'Eyes and ears'

The papers also reflect on the appointment of Energy minister John Hayes as the prime minister's parliamentary adviser in Thursday's mini reshuffle.

The Times describes Mr Hayes' new job as David Cameron's "eyes and ears" in the Commons.

The Independent says he will act as an ambassador for the Conservative right wing and try to improve relations between Downing Street and restive backbenchers.

For the Daily Mail, the appointment is an admission that the prime minister and his aides have failed to engage productively with a growing section of his party. Mr Hayes will have "no trouble" identifying what MPs and activists want, the paper adds.

The Telegraph says it is to be hoped the appointment will inject "a little more steel and maturity" into government operations.

Mum knows best

Finally, a study has found that mothers are asked more questions than any other group of people in the country.

The Mail reports that mothers field 288 questions every day from their little ones.

They are called on to answer 23 questions an hour - one more than David Cameron averages during Prime Minister's Questions.

According to the Telegraph, questions include "why is water wet?"; "what are shadows made of?" and, the slightly more dispiriting, "why are you so old?"

A quarter of children say they go to their mother first because their father will simply say: "Ask your mother."