Crime & Safety
Killer ‘found’ on M40 jailed for life for ‘evil’ murder of partner
Norbert Maiksner, who is Polish, was convicted following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court of the murder of 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh at their home in Havant, Hampshire, as well as a charge of child neglect.
Paul Cavin KC, prosecuting, told the trial that the defendant was found by a Highways Officer walking along the hard shoulder of the M40 motorway across the county border near High Wycombe, on the morning of April 17, 2025.
READ MORE: Man told woman ‘stop ruining our country’ in ‘racist attack’
Maiksner told the officer that they should call the police because he had killed his girlfriend.
Mr Cavin said that a post-mortem examination revealed that Ms Obiefuleh died of smothering with injuries caused by compression of the neck and chest.
Mr Cavin said that the defendant also had scratches to his chest and back, and added: “The likely and frankly terrible conclusion is that they were inflicted by Frances with her fingers and fingernails during the attack by the defendant in her last moments as she struggled to stay alive.”
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said that Maiksner had not attended the trial and it had gone ahead in his absence.
The force spokesman said: “During his trial the court heard that Maiksner had told officers that he had killed Frances and stated that it was all a dream and that he wanted to wake up.”
Frances Obiefuleh (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)
Detective Sergeant Heather Kenwright said: “I am glad to see Maiksner face a life behind bars for committing the most heinous and evil of acts, it is what he deserves for taking the life of an innocent woman.
“He has caused such unthinkable suffering to both Frances in the last moments of her life, and to her family, who have had their loved one taken from them so brutally and must now try to rebuild their lives without her.
“My thoughts remain with Frances’s family, and whilst no sentence can ever truly bring them justice for the tragic loss of Frances’s life, I hope it brings them some semblance of closure to know that Maiksner is now facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions.”
Paying tribute to Ms Obiefuleh, her family said in a statement released through police: “Frances was kind, intelligent, and resourceful – a caring and deeply loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.
“She was a devoted mother and beautiful in every sense of the word.
“Someone we love has been cruelly taken from us, and it has changed our lives forever.
“We have lost a truly beautiful soul.
“Her bright light has been cruelly dimmed, and we are left shaken, heartbroken, and still trying to process the grief and shock of losing Frances.”
Crime & Safety
Incident as glass shattered at Oxfordshire village bus stop
Photos shows broken panes and glass across the floor at Woodlands bus shelter on the high street of Standlake village, with the cause of mess not yet known.
Local woman, Sara Willis, said today (Thursday, June 4) that they had cleaned up much of the broken glass but advised residents to “take care” when walking past.
READ MORE: Police warning as Audi SUV ‘stolen’ after Cotswolds ‘break-ins’
She added: “Please take care if you’re walking near the Woodlands bus shelter.
Broken glass at Standlake bus shelter (Image: Sara Willis)
“At some point today, the glass in the bus shelter shattered, leaving broken glass scattered across the ground.
“We’ve done our best to clear up as much of the glass as possible, but there may still be some small pieces remaining.”
Standlake Parish Council has been contacted for comment.
Crime & Safety
Thames Water warning as incident closes Oxfordshire school
The UK’s largest water company released a new statement just before 9pm today (Thursday, June 4), alerting residents to potential water loss amid an ongoing incident near Didcot.
Thames Water has provided updates about the incident, affecting Fulscot, the OX11 postcode, having first communicated the issue at 9.30am.
READ MORE: Primary school announces sudden closure after water emergency
A repair crew identified a burst water pipe and worked to dig down to the damaged section to carry out the repair.
However, it has proven a complex repair job – in part because of the “challenging ground conditions” – and the company has promised to provide another update tomorrow morning.
This evening, a spokesperson for Thames Water said: “Our teams remain on site and continue to excavate around the damaged water pipe.
Burst water pipe leaving Fulscot near Didcot in South Oxfordshire without water or a low water supply (Image: Thames Water)
“Due to the location of the burst and the challenging ground conditions within the field, the excavation is taking longer than originally anticipated.
“However, our teams are making steady progress and will continue working until they can safely access and repair the damaged section of pipework.”
Already the incident has proven disruptive with Hagbourne Church of England Primary School having to close suddenly today.
READ MORE: Police statement after trans rights protesters march through Oxford
The spokesperson added: “To help minimise disruption, we’ve moved water around the network to maintain supplies to customers while the repair is ongoing.
“Most customers should continue to have water, although some may experience low pressure and a temporary loss of water for short periods while work continues.
“Thank you for your continued patience while our teams work to complete these repairs.”
Crime & Safety
UK private prep school announces major new facilities
The investment at Cothill marks a significant milestone in the school’s sporting provision and a step forward in expanding opportunities for pupils across all year groups.
Cothill, previously known as Cothill House, is a leading co-educational prep school for pupils aged seven to 13 who attend on a daily basis or board.
READ MORE: UK prep school is praised for sport
In March, the school was named “Great for Sport” and awarded Runner-Up for “Great for SEND” in the prestigious Best of the Best Prep Schools awards by The Week magazine.
The national awards recognise excellence across the UK’s leading preparatory schools, celebrating institutions that “go above and beyond in delivering outstanding educational experiences”.
The school said it was delighted to be recognised both for sporting excellence and for exceptional support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adding that the accolades were a testament to the dedication of its staff and pupils.
Pupils at Cothill welcome the new astro pitch (Image: Cothill)
The new all-weather surface of artificial grass will allow pupils to train and compete in hockey on site for the first time, as well as in tennis and netball.
The facility will provide a high-quality playing surface throughout the year, supporting skill development, safer play, and increased participation in sport regardless of weather conditions.
The astro pitch will host training and inter-school fixtures, boosting the overall sporting experience for pupils and visiting teams.
The new astro pitch at Cothill school (Image: Cothill)
The development also opens up new opportunities for girls’ sport at Cothill.
The availability of an on-site astro pitch significantly expands the school’s capacity to deliver hockey and netball.
This development reflects Cothill’s ongoing commitment to widening participation and ensuring equal access to high-quality sporting facilities.
Rory Griffiths, Cothill’s director of sport (Image: Martin Phelps)
Rory Griffiths, the school’s director of sport, said: “This is a transformative moment for sport at Cothill.
“The new astro pitch not only enhances what we can offer our pupils day to day, but also strengthens our ability to grow hockey and girls’ sport within the school community. It is an exciting step forward and one that will benefit pupils for years to come.”
The astro pitch can be used for lessons, training sessions, and fixtures immediately.
Last year, Cothill and Chandlings Prep in Kennington became part of the Radley Schools Group, in conjunction with Radley School.
Cothill headteacher George May said at the time: “These are the most exciting developments in Cothill’s 150-year history.
“We are delighted that Radley recognises the shared values of resilience and purpose that underpin the educational provision at Cothill, and the commitment we have to a protected childhood, whilst preparing children for senior schools all around the UK.”
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