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JOHN MCCULLOUGH
MICHAEL & RICKY
POLICE LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE
TO ASSIST IN MICHAEL POLDING
MURDER INVESTIGATION
M Detectives investigating the death of Michael Polding in Brighton last year
have launched a website to assist in gathering information from the public
regarding the whereabouts of Ricky, aka Ricardo Pisano, Brandon Victor
Pillay and Ree, who is wanted in connection with Michael's murder. It is the first
website of its kind that has been created by Sussex Police. Detective Chief
Inspector Nick May of Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team is leading the
investigation, known as Operation Journal.
He said: “It has been over five months since Michael's body was found in his flat
in St George's Road but our investigation into his death continues. We are
determined to get justice for Michael
and his family and this case will remain
open until we do so. During our
enquiries we have become interested in
tracing Ricky in connection with
Michael's death, however we have been
unable to trace him to date.
“This new website is a part of our
efforts to trace him. I would urge
everyone to take a look at the website particularly at the pictures of Ricky - and contact Sussex Police with any
information about his whereabouts. We would also like to hear from anyone who
has had contact with him in the past. Any information, no matter how small you
think it may be, could be the vital piece in the jigsaw to trace Ricky's whereabouts.
“Ricky has links across the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, and also
within the UK. The last positive sighting of him was in the Marlands Shopping
Centre in Southampton at the end of July. He could now have travelled anywhere
in the UK or the world. He changes his appearance and his identity so it is
important that people take a good look at the photographs and don't assume he
will be introducing himself as one of the names currently known to police."
Michael Polding was an openly gay man who moved from Scotland to Croydon
with his partner in the 1970s. Michael's partner died in 2001 and he moved to
Brighton in 2011.
Ricky has known links to South Africa, New Zealand, Brighton, Croydon, Crouch
End in London and Southampton, although detectives believe he may have now
travelled elsewhere. Anyone with information that could help with the investigation
is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101.
Or view: www.michaelpoldingmurder.com for other ways of making contact.
LOCAL POET WINS 2012
POLARI FIRST BOOK PRIZE
M The Frost Fairs by local poet John McCullough has been
named winner of the Polari First Book Prize 2012. For the
first time the winner received a cheque for £1,000, courtesy of
Square Peg Media. Paul Burston, Chair of the judges, said:
“The judges were impressed with the polish and precision of the language, the
confidence of the writing and the scope of the work. ‘The Frost Fairs isn’t a onenote collection, but one that covers many themes and strikes many chords, from
modern transatlantic relationships to hidden gay lives from the past. It’s also
surprisingly mature for a first book - a debut which doesn’t feel like a debut.”
The Polari Prize is for a first book which explores the LGBT experience and is
open to any work of poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction published in the UK in
English within the twelve months of the deadline for submissions. Self-published
works in both print and digital formats are eligible for submission.
The five shortlisted books were: The Frost Fairs by John McCullogh (Salt);
Becoming Nancy by Terry Ronald (Transworld); Exit Through The Wound by
North Morgan (Limehouse Books); Ey Up And Away by Vicky Ryder
(Wandering Star Press); Modern Love by Max Wallis (Flap). The judges for the
2012 prize were: Paul Burston (Chair of judges), author, journalist and host of
Polari; Rachel Holmes, author and former Head of Literature at the Southbank;
Suzi Feay, literary critic; Joe Storey-Scott, books buyer; Bidisha, writer, critic
and broadcaster.
FOOTBALL THRILLER
TO BENEFIT
HILLSBOROUGH
FAMILIES
M Dangerous Score, a football
thriller written to help raise funds
for the families of those killed and
injured in the Hillsborough
tragedy, is now available through
the Hillsborough Family Support
Group's website.
The novel tells the story of a
rising young footballer whose life
and career are threatened when
he is linked with the
disappearance of a young
woman. Author, Mike Bearcroft,
said: “The book is a rollercoaster
ride of football, mystery, love,
crime and even more football. I’ve
always had a deep admiration for
the Hillsborough Family Support
Group and have forged strong
links with them over the years so
it seemed fitting that they benefit
from the sale of the book.”
Mike has launched the book in a
timely manner to coincide with
the weekend when football clubs
are showing their solidarity with
the Hillsborough Association by
playing the celebrity-laden charity
single, He Ain't Heavy, He's My
Brother at matches across the
country. The single features Sir
Paul McCartney, Robbie
Williams, Holly Johnson,
Rebecca Ferguson, Gerry
Marsden, Melanie C, Alan
Hansen and John Bishop to
mention just a few. The physical
edition of the single is available
now.
Dangerous Score is available for
£8.99 from: www.hfsg.co.uk and
can also be purchased from
Amazon and Tesco websites.
A percentage of the profits of the
book will be donated to the
Hillsborough Family Support
Group.
LESBIAN SOCIAL
GROUP SHAKES
UP THE SCENE
M Shake Up The
Scene is a vibran