Friday, February 29, 2008

Judo Coach Jailed

UK -- A Welsh award-winning judo coach has been jailed for five years, admitting to sexually touching a young girl. The 42-year-old man had photographed himself sexually abusing the girl, aged under 14.

It is reported that more than 50 indecent images of the assault were found on the man's mobile phone.

The case prosecutor, said the offences came to light after the coach left his mobile telephone behind and another man had a look at the images file.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Mental Health Issues

Oregon -- A 31-year-old man with a history of mental health issues, including several suicide attempts, has been shot and killed by police in Clackamas.

The father of three and native from Hawaii ran an online mixed martial arts community, according to oregonlive.com.

The man was allegedly involved in a domestic disturbance with a weapon. As officers arrived, they saw a vehicle leaving the area, moving erratically and failing to yield to emergency lights.

The car was surrounded by deputies when it stopped minutes later in a school parking lot. The driver reportedly would not comply with commands and brandished a handgun in what police described as a "life-threatening" manner.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Serious Neglect

Colorado -- Stpns.net reports about a woman arrested by police in Johnstown, charged with three counts of child abuse. The woman's 16-year-old daughter Heather is accused of killing her 7-year-old sister, Zoe.

Together with her boyfriend, 16-year-old Lamar, Heather is being charged as an adult. The young couple admitted they re-created martial arts moves inspired by the video game "Mortal Kombat", something which resulted in Zoe's death.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Came as a Blow

California -- It is said he had a reputation as the quiet man who struggled through pre-fight interviews, sbsun.com reports.

It apparently came as a blow to his coach and others who train at the San Bernardino gym when they learned the professional cage fighter was sitting in jail accused of beating his 11-month-old son.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Shocking Content

Illinois -- A 36-year-old former martial arts instructor has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison for collecting child pornography videos and photos and disseminating them more than 1,000 times to others, according to qctimes.com.

The material found in the man's apartment in Moline -- material which depicts the molestation of infants and toddlers -- has been described as "the worst child pornography a federal judge and prosecutor say they have seen".

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Burglars Assault Man

Here we go again - another "martial arts expert"...

Story:
Icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk reported on February 1 about a "martial arts expert" who was scarred for life by three burglars in his own home.

The 36-year-old businessman and father-of-two had just popped back to his house when he surprised the crooks. The man was then assaulted and knocked unconscious as the panicked thieves stormed past him, beating him with a crowbar then making their getaway.

The man needed 40 stitches to his head and hand after being taken to hospital for treatment.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Naked Fu vs Police

Dang, this guy is really lucky he wasn't shot. The police officer would not have been blamed for using his gun on the individual.

And again - of course this dude had to be a martial arts "expert" (read: probably has a black belt in the über deadly martial arts...).

Story:
New York -- A 28-year-old Peekskill "martial arts expert" is being examined in a psychiatric unit at a medical center after fighting naked with police, being hit twice with a Taser and taking away a police officers baton before he was taken down by four officers, according to lohud.com.

The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Sundayday, when the stark naked man began banging on a woman's front door.

When police responded to the woman's 911 call, the man charged at the officer. "It's apparent he had martial arts training based on the moves he was using," a police chief said.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Young Sumo Wrestler Dead

Japan -- Japanese officials said that a former sumo trainer has been arrested over the death of a 17-year-old wrestler after an alleged beating.

The 57-year-old trainer and three wrestlers are suspected of inflicting bodily injuries resulting in the death of the teenager.

The trainer allegedly hit the young sumo wrestler over the head with a beer bottle at a sumo training facility on June 25 2007 after the wrestler tried to flee.

Three older wrestlers was reportedly ordered by the trainer to assault the victim. They then attacked the young man. The assault reportedly included beating him with a baseball bat.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Guilty Verdict

Florida -- The Kissimmee instructor who owned and operated a karate academy, and who was accused of having sex with his students has been found guilty on 10 of 14 counts in his first trial, according to sun-sentinel.com.

A jury found the 37-year-old man guilty of multiple counts of sexual activity with a child, lewd or lascivious battery and lewd or lascivious molestation, according to reports.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Abuse Case Grows

Washington -- In Yakima, police now say they've found a third alleged victim with a story similar to the first two, according to kimatv.com.

The first two women said a karate instructor had touched them inappropriately for years when they were teenagers.

The latest victim reportedly told investigators the man had taken advantage of her when she was 16 and that the abuse then went on for four years.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Ohhh Scary

"Karate moves and shadow boxing" ... Oh yes. Really, it doesn't get more scary than that :-)

Story:
UK -- A 22-year-old Cleethorpes man, got into a "scuffle" with bouncers at a Grimsby night club recently, according to thisisgrimsby.co.uk.

When the door staff refused him entry into the club he threatened them by acting out karate moves and shadow boxing.

When the man was detained by a street warden and arrested by police, they discovered two tablets in his pocket, which the trouble maker said he believed was ecstasy. The drugs turned out to be a mixture of ketamine and caffeine.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Pizza Delivery Karate Move

Ohio -- Abclocal.go.com reports about a pizza deliveryman who was robbed, but put up a fight.

Toledo police say the man was delivering pizza early morning January 25, when two suspects came up from behind.

The perpetrators held an object which may have been a gun, to the victim's head and demanded money. The delivery guy took down one suspect with a "karate move". However the suspects still got away with the victim's money.

I suppose the guy got 'pizzad' off? Or, maybe he just wanted a 'pizza of the action' (yes, another bad pun ... I know; I probably need help :)

Friday, February 08, 2008

Bad Banking Judo Moves

France -- He is being described as poised, polite and discreet by those who know him. It is said he taught judo to kids and held the door for his elderly neighbours.

Now, the 31-year-old bank futures trader, who lived in a modest apartment building, is accused of overstepping his authority at the Société Generale to bet as much as $73 billion ... The bank claim their losses may have been 4.9 billion euros, or more than $7 billion.

Media are talking about probably the biggest one-man bank fraud in history. Experts are questioning how one man could be dealing with sums that are comparable to a smaller country's annual economy.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Florida Instructor Found Dead

Florida -- A popular Bay Area martial arts instructor, 33-year-old Tim Chipley, has been found dead, according to myfoxtampabay.com.

The man was last seen at a pub across the street from the apartments complex where he was found. He left around 2 a.m. Sunday, and that's when the mystery of his disappearance began, according to reports.

Police investigators are now trying to sort out how he died, after residents found him floating in the water Friday evening.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Good vs Bad Jujitsu Moves

Russia -- Themoscowtimes.com reports about Anna Loginova, a 29-year-old former model turned bodyguard.

The woman - by some called the most glamorous bodyguard in Russia - was tragically killed when she tried to stop a carjacker taking off in her Porsche Cayenne sports car in Moscow.

According to reports, she was instantly killed Sunday when she smashed her head against the pavement while holding on to the door handle as the carjacker sped off.

The same car had allegedly been targeted once before, something which might help explain the woman's attempt to fight back.

The former model told about the first incident in an interview with a Russian magazine, 'Maxim'.

"I used a jujitsu technique," she said. "I twisted his arm and elbowed him in the face. The guy obviously was not expecting such a reaction."

Well, I would say the first was a good move, while the second one - attempting to hold on to a speeding car - obviously was a very bad one.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

He Can Kick And Jump

Pennsylvania -- A year ago, he couldn't climb stairs without the help of another person, according to newage-examiner.com.

The boy, who was born two months premature, walked on his toes, had little control over the movement of his legs was and was always exhausted. A doctor indicated that Colin may have cerebral palsy.

Now, 6-year-old Colin Schake can kick and jump - and climb stairs without help from another person - thanks to a year of exercise and therapy at a martial arts institute in Tunkhannock.

And Colin's mother is grateful that her son now has self-confidence and a belief that he can succeed at anything."

She said that the school owner told her point blank that in a year her son would be doing better. "Kevin Robinson said he could help and he was the first person that said he could help me," the mother said.

Robinson, who also works as a nurse, noted that other people who have cerebral palsy and other physical challenges like it, participate in martial arts and do well."It's all about helping them focus," he said.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Take a Closer Look

Texas -- If you took a closer look, you'd see that El Paso karate instructor Miguel Valdez can't see. He is a fifth-degree black belt and runs his own school, according to kfoxtv.com

"Focus on what your abilities and assets are, the things you're good at - not your limitations." This is his message to young people today, Valdez says.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

A Court Date Set

Virginia -- Starexponent.com reports about a 40-year-old Culpeper karate instructor who will appear in court February 12 for a preliminary hearing on a charge of having sex with a 17-year-old girl.

The instructor was charged January 10 with indecent liberties toward a child in his custodial or supervisory care. According to police, the man had a continuing relationship with the girl.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Teen Overcomes Odds

UK -- A teenager has overcome the odds to become a black belt champion in karate, according to eadt.co.uk.

13-year-old Samantha Pharoah has dyspraxia, dyslexia and hypermobility but she has not let that get in the way of pursing the sport she loves.

"Samantha has overcome immense physical problems and, in all my time in martial arts, I have never come across a more inspirational story," her instructor said.