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A clown that has been stalking the streets of a Scottish village has been playing games with the residents.

The masked character, wearing a Pennywise-style outfit, left boxed clues around Skelmorlie on Friday 13th and challenged the villagers to solve the riddle.

The locals teamed up to find all the red boxes, which eventually led them to the North Ayrshire village’s community garden.

A small black cash box awaited their discovery. But instead of treasure inside, the villagers were greeted with their own reflection via a mirror that had the word “clown” written on it.

Skelmorlie clown. Pic: Isy Agnew
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Isy Agnew was one of the villagers who solved the riddle. Pic: Isy Agnew

Speaking to Sky News, the Skelmorlie clown rhymed: “Hello again, Jen, that’s correct, yes. They solved my riddle with just 10 hours left.

“The clue led them on to a popular place, in the heart of the village where I hide in the day.

“They then had to hunt for a thing with a lock. After a third hunting party, they found a black box.

“After all their hard work, they opened it up and gasped – to be met with their own face staring back.”

Skelmorlie clown. Pic: Isy Agnew
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When residents opened the black box… Pic: Isy Agnew

Skelmorlie clown. Pic: Isy Agnew
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… inside was a mirror with the word ‘clown’ written on it. Pic: Isy Agnew

The clown made headlines across the globe last week for their “message to the media” and cheeky “dare” for the police to catch them – although there is no suggestion any crime has been committed.

Isy Agnew was one of the villagers who solved the riddle after waking up on Friday to find a red balloon and box that included a key outside her door.

Skelmorlie clown. Pic: Isy Agnew
Image:
One of the clues was a red box… Pic: Isy Agnew

Skelmorlie clown. Pic: Isy Agnew
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…. inside the red box was a key that opened the black box. Pic: Isy Agnew

Ms Agnew told Sky News that the village Facebook page was “buzzing”.

On opening the final box and seeing a mirror with the word “clown” written on it, Ms Agnew said: “Clever, smart, inclusive of everyone.”

The clown’s games are expected to run up to Halloween.

Skelmorlie clown. Pic: Isy Agnew
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A red balloon was left outside Isy Agnew’s house. Pic: Isy Agnew

A Facebook account for the Skelmorlie clown has been set up with the name Cole Deimos. The profile says the character “studied at Clown School” and lives in Skelmorlie.

Those that know the identity of the clown – who seemingly first appeared in the village two years ago – are so far keeping their lips sealed as to who’s behind the mask.

The rhyme to Sky News could imply that the clown works or volunteers at Skelmorlie Community Garden.

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The clown’s Pennywise-style outfit alongside previous pictures and videos posted online have led to other reports of locals being “terrified”. But when contacted by Sky News, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police have not received any reports.”

Pennywise the Dancing Clown is the main antagonist in Stephen King’s It.

The character stalks the streets of Derry in Maine, where he kills children roughly every 27 years.

The 1986 horror novel was made into a two-part mini-series in 1990 with Tim Curry in the role. Bill Skarsgard then played the villain in the Hollywood adaptations in 2017 and 2019.

Ms Agnew said: “Skelmorlie is a wonderful community and that is exactly what Cole Deimos and his Halloween appearances personifies.

“As a whole, the village waits with bated breath at this time of year.

“There is nothing sinister or creepy – just a way to bring the community together. This year is no different.

“As far as I’m concerned, personally I love it. My grandchildren love it too. They’re thrilled granny has had a visit from Pennywise.”

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Man accused of driving into crowds at Liverpool victory parade faces further 24 charges

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Man accused of driving into crowds at Liverpool victory parade faces further 24 charges

A man accused of driving into crowds at Liverpool FC’s title parade faces 24 new charges.

More than 130 people, including children, were injured when Paul Doyle allegedly drove his Ford Galaxy vehicle into hordes of fans at the celebrations on 26 May.

The 53-year-old, of Croxteth, Liverpool, was originally charged with two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of dangerous driving.

Six of the new alleged offences relate to babies, including one six-month-old and one seven-month-old, proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday.

The new indictment, which was not read out in court, now has 31 counts relating to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years old.

Doyle now faces 18 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of wounding with intent, one count of dangerous driving and one count of affray.

He appeared in court via video link from prison and was in tears.

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He did not enter any pleas during the hearing, which lasted around 20 minutes.

The case was adjourned until 4 September, when Doyle is expected to enter pleas.

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Mosquito bite warning after rise in chikungunya cases in travellers returning to UK

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Mosquito bite warning after rise in chikungunya cases in travellers returning to UK

Travellers are being warned about mosquito bites on holiday after a rise in chikungunya infections in people returning to the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also said the first cases of the emerging oropouche virus had been recorded.

Chikungunya typically causes sudden fever and joint pain, which can be debilitating, and lasts from a few days to weeks.

The name comes from a word in a Tanzanian language meaning “that which bends up”, owing to the joint pain associated with it.

Most people recover but in some cases the symptoms can last several months or even years.

It’s spread by mosquito bites in tropical and subtropical regions, and most of the 73 cases reported in the UK so far this year were in London and linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India, and Mauritius.

Only 27 cases were reported in the same January to June period last year.

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Chikungunya can’t spread directly from person to person – so if someone becomes ill in the UK, they can’t pass the infection on, and the mosquitos responsible aren’t present here.

Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said it can be a “nasty disease” and the increase in cases was “worrying”.

“It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling,” he said.

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“Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.”

Chikungunya is mainly found in Asia and Africa, but cases have been reported in Europe and North America this year.

Two vaccines to guard against the infection are available in the UK from private travel clinics.

The first cases of the Oropouche virus have also been confirmed in Britain, according to the UKHSA.

It’s spread by midge and mosquito bites and the three cases are all linked to travel to Brazil.

Oropouche was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1950s and had been mainly confined to the Amazon area.

However, cases have been increasing since 2023 and have shown up in places such as the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Peru.

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Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting.

Anyone who gets such symptoms after being in Central and South America or the Caribbean is advised to get urgent medical advice.

Most people recover on their own, but it can cause severe disease in the very elderly or those with a weak immune system.

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Man staying at hotel that has been focus of protests denies sexual assault charge

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Man staying at hotel that has been focus of protests denies sexual assault charge

A man staying at a hotel that has been the focus of a series of protests has denied a charge of sexual assault and faces a trial next month.

Mohammed Sharwarq, a 32-year-old Syrian national, was arrested after police were called to the Bell Hotel on the Epping High Road in Essex yesterday, police said.

Sharwarq, who is alleged to have kissed a man on the neck, indicated a plea of not guilty to a charge of sexual assault at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.

He indicated guilty pleas to six further charges concerning four complainants – with two counts of common assault and four of assault by beating.

Sharwarq is alleged to have punched a man in the face, thrown an object at a man, slapped a third man in the face and attempted to punch a fourth.

Sky News understands the alleged offences took place inside the hotel between 25 July and 12 August.

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District judge Lynette Woodrow remanded Sharwarq, who was assisted in court by an Arabic interpreter, in custody until his trial on 30 September.

The arrest followed weeks of protests outside the hotel.

Neil Hudson, the Conservative MP for Epping Forest, said last month that the protests were a crisis that “risks boiling over”.

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