From coronavirus to forest fires: The stories that shocked Dorset in 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has dominated the headlines and has made this year that many will never forget. 

Alongside this, life has continued to go on somewhat during a busy year. There have been critical incidents, huge fires, town centres rocked by shop closures and a former police officer jailed for killing a woman.

Here we look back on the most shocking stories of the year.

Coronavirus pandemic hits Dorset

If it’s one story that has dominated the headlines this year and will likely do the same next year, it’s the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 gradually made its way across Europe and entered our country in late January.

Dorset went several weeks before it recorded its first case of coronavirus in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area in early March before the first case in Dorset Council area on March 14.

From here, cases continued to rise in Dorset and across the country as Prime Minister ordered the country to go into lockdown and for everyone to stay at home to help save lives and protect the NHS.

As people worked from home, taught children school subjects, non-essential businesses were forced to close and put multiple businesses’ futures into severe doubt.

Streets were deserted, town centres became ghost towns and popular attractions in Dorset were eerily quiet.

But peoples’ spirits did not dampen during lockdown – people clapped for NHS and key workers, communities came together to look after isolated residents and an emphasis on supporting independent businesses severely impacted by the pandemic.

The country was brought out of lockdown in the Summer as people flocked to pubs, shopping centres and restaurants for a return to some normality.

Cases in Dorset have remained among the lowest in the country, yet the county remains in Tier 2 restrictions due to rising coronavirus cases and numbers of patients with coronavirus in our hospitals.

A vaccine has been rolled out in Dorset’s hospitals and GPs, but it will be some time yet before we are all vaccinated against coronavirus.

Gigantic multi-million cruise ships enter Dorset coast

While the coronavirus lockdown gave us eerily quiet town centres and attractions, there was one unusual sight – cruise ships moored in Weymouth Bay.

Cruise ships have been anchored within Weymouth Bay because the bay offers "secure anchorage with the prevailing weather", according to the RNLI.

The coast has seen a number of cruise ships come and go over the course of 2020, including Aurora, Britannia, Queen Victoria, Marella Explorer, Marella Discovery, Queen Elizabeth and Jewel of the Seas.

Dorset Marine Policing Team warned tourists not to canoe or paddleboard on a beach to visit the huge cruise ships and also not to fly drones near the vessels.

Thousands of passengers also took 'once in a lifetime' tours of large cruise ships anchored off Weymouth.

The boss of Weymouth Bay Rib Charter - one of the companies that is running tours to cruise ships off the coast - said he had been overwhelmed with demand.

The company has been running four or five 45-minute boat trips a day since lockdown restrictions were eased and the cruise ships have been a great boost for the business that had been hit by the pandemic.

While the cruise ships were loved by some, others feared the environmental impact of the vessels. Extinction Rebellion launched a late-night protest to "shine a light on the dirty truth of the cruise shipping industry."

Former police officer jailed for killing lover

Timothy Brehmer, 41, killed a woman he had an affair with in a car park.

Timothy Brehmer, 41, of Hordle, New Forest, sentenced to ten years and six months for the manslaughter of nurse Claire Parry, whom he’d been having an affair with for 11 years.

She asked him to meet at the Horns Inn pub at 3pm. Brehmer said he had formed the decision to kill himself after seeing “no way out”, he went to Screwfix in Lymington to pick up rope to kill himself but failed due to click and collect, he then went to see Mrs Parry to see why she wanted to meet.

At 2.41pm on May 9, Brehmer arrived at the Horns Inn, Mrs Parry arrived a few minutes later.

A text was sent to Mrs Parry on Brehmer’s phone reading “I’m cheating on you”. The text was sent by Mrs Parry.

Brehmer then stabbed himself in the arm “to show how desperate he was” and factory reset his phone “so nobody could find him” after he killed himself.

He claimed he asked Mrs Parry to get out the car and when she refused he walked around the front of the car to the passenger door and tried pulling her out.

After failing, he “bundled in” to push her out. He said he had his arm around the top of her chest and it “must have slipped up in the melee” which resulted in Mrs Parry dying of a brain injury due to compression to the neck.

Brehmer is then seen at around 3.20pm walking to the entrance of the pub and sitting on the ground.

Mrs Parry was left “half in, half out” the car unconscious, she died in hospital the next day.

Judge Mr Justice Richard Jacobs said he was “sure” Brehmer intended to take Mrs Parry by the neck after she sent a text to his wife revealing the affair.

Judge Jacobs sentenced Brehmer on the basis that he lost control after the message was sent rather than on the basis he unintentionally killed her.

He said: “No words of mine can convey the tragedy for Claire’s family of the events of that Saturday afternoon. Your actions have robbed the wider community of a highly qualified nurse, who loved her job and looking after people.

“Your actions have not only cut short her life at a young age, and robbed the community of a nurse, but you have deprived her family of a daughter, wife and mother; as well as a sister and niece.”

Critical incident declared after people seriously injured after jumping off Durdle Door as a packed beach looks on

In scenes that shocked the nation during lockdown, hundreds of people packed onto the Dorset beach known for its iconic landmark, but were forced to evacuate after three people became seriously injured after 'tombstoning' from great heights from the arch into the sea.

Air ambulances landed at the scene at Durdle Door on Saturday, May 30 and police asked people to stay away from the popular tourist spot.

Videos posted on other social media networks show people climbing and making the leap from the 200ft rocks, urged by crowds on the beach.

Images posted on social media by Purbeck Police show helicopters landing on the sand and crowds leaving the beach en masse as the area was evacuated.

One man was given CPR on the beach by an off-duty medical worker, another man had a spinal injury while a third person had a broken leg.

While the three people were fighting for their lives in hospital, photos and video of the crowds lead to condemnation from political and media figures.

Shock as young children dangerously close to cliff edge

Shocking pictures were captured of young children sitting perilously close to a Dorset cliff edge in December.

The first of the worrying images shows the two children posing for a photograph on the edge of a West Bay cliff, with one even dangling their legs over the edge, as two adults stand a fair distance away to take the picture.

In the second, the picture appears to have already been taken and the young girl remains with her legs over the edge of the cliff.

The incident has prompted a warning from the area's coastguard that no photograph is worth risking your life or the life of loved ones.

A spokesman for the West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team said: "The Jurassic Coast is a beautiful place to come and visit and we understand the desire to want to capture that picture perfect moment.

"We have seen many instances over the years of individuals and families putting themselves at needless risk trying to take that perfect photo, but these images represent one of the most severe examples.

"You have to ask the question: ‘What photograph is worth risking your life, or the lives of your loved ones?'

"Our advice remains very simple: stay well away from the edge of the cliff, keep your loved ones close, and your dogs on a lead.

"Make sensible decisions and take home only happy memories.

"If you find yourself in difficulty or if you see something that gives you cause for concern then do not hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

There has been several incidents of this in the past as residents and visitors alike have tried to capture the perfect picture of themselves or friends and family on the cliffs.

Camera Club member Mazz Blehs, who captured the picture, said: "I was very shocked today.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this couple putting their children's lives at risk for the sake of a photo."

More than 150 firefighters tackle devastating blaze at Wareham Forest 

A huge forest fire was declared a major incident after more than 150 firefighters have been battled the blaze.

Emergency services were called to Wareham Forest on May 18, where approximately more than 200 hectares of heath and woodland were ravaged by fire.

Firefighters from across Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire helped tackle the blaze that killed wildlife in the area.

An investigation was launched into the major incident, which concluded that the fire was possibly started by a disposable barbecue or a camp-fire.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had found the remains of 11 disposable barbecues in the area.

Glass bottles and the remains of camp-fires were also discovered.

In a statement, the fire service said: "We now believe the cause of this fire to be accidental, due to social activity in the forest."

Incident commander Seth Why said: "The general public has no right of access to that area. People shouldn't be using disposable BBQs out in the countryside."

Death of Danny the Dolphin

Much-loved 'Danny the dolphin' - who has thrilled hundreds residents and visitors in recent years in waters off Weymouth – was found dead in late October.

The community mourned the loss of Danny, a lone bottlenose dolphin, who was regularly sighted in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour, and delighted tours of boat trippers by jumping out of the water just feet away from them.

He was found dead in Portland Harbour on Tuesday, October 27. It is believed his death may have been caused by an accident with a boat, with a necropsy under way to determine the exact cause.

Marine wildlife expert Liz Sandeman, co-founder of Marine Connection, described the news as 'devastating'.

She said: "We've been studying solitary dolphins and whales for over 20 years and when I received the news, although I'm really saddened by it, I'm not surprised because the problem with solitary dolphins is they become habituated and they lose their wariness around vessels.

"It happens time and time again, they lose their fear among humans and end up very different creatures."

Hundreds of pounds have also been raised to create a memorial for Danny the dolphin.

Major fire rips through waste depot, causing £3m of damage

More than 20 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the massive blaze at Crookhill waste depot, Chickerell, on Sunday, November 15.

Firefighters were called to the Dorset Council depot on Chickerell Road, Chickerell after receiving more than 50 999 calls from residents on Sunday, November 15.

A number of explosions were heard as firefighters from across Dorset raced to the scene to control the huge blaze.

Photos and videos circulated on social media show a number of refuse lorries alight and severely damaged by a fire.

Police officers also shut Chickerell Road to allow emergency services arrive at the scene and prevent motorists from travelling towards the dangerous fire.

Following the blaze, a fire investigation report from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service concluded that the accidental fire started around 1.20pm under the bonnet of one of the waste collection vehicles, most likely caused by the heavy rainstorms and high winds experienced in Chickerell that afternoon.

This apparently led to rainwater entering the vehicle’s electrical circuits, causing a short circuit, igniting the internal components of the vehicle and allowing the fire to take hold.

The report also notes that a lightning strike hitting the vehicle cannot be ruled out as there were several strikes in the area during that time period.

Shopper filmed himself licking fingers and wiping them on napkins in Lidl

A man filmed himself licking his fingers and wiping them on napkins in Lidl as a ‘joke’ during the coronavirus lockdown.

Benjamin Best visited the Bridport supermarket wearing gloves and a mask while shopping for his family.

The 20-year-old, of St Andrews Road, Bridport, stuck two fingers in his mouth and rubbed them on the wrapped napkins, magistrates heard.

Best filmed incident on April 3, during the national lockdown, and shared the video onto Snapchat, which was later reported to police by a concerned viewer.

He was arrested and charged with contaminating or interfering with goods with intent and pleaded guilty to the offence on September 2. Magistrates called for a pre-sentence report and Best was sentenced on Thursday (October 7).

Chairman of the bench, Mrs Debbie Boitoult, condemned his actions during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, but acknowledged he had expressed ‘clear remorse for stupid actions.’

She said: “This was a very serious incident. Given the rules, you committed this offence at the time of extreme stress and fear. You thought it would be funny to make the video.

“It was clear that people weren’t laughing, hence why you are in court.”

Magistrates gave Best a 18-month community order and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for up to 15 days.

He was also ordered to pay £90 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

Marks and Spencer closes in Dorchester town centre

Based in Dorchester for more than 80 years, it came as a huge shock when the retailer announced the store would close in late February.

This is despite a huge outcry from residents, with a petition which attracted more than 5,000 signatures and ‘peaceful protest' was staged outside the South Street store in August last year.

Entering the store on its final day, its shelves were laid bare with little items left as customers hunted for a bargain.

A company spokesman said: "The closure is a difficult but necessary part of reshaping our store estate, to ensure all our stores meet the needs of customers today - and those of tomorrow.

"We value the feedback from our customers and community, and our priority is supporting our great team."

Debenhams enters administration with Dorset branches set to close

Debenhams in Weymouth town centre

It was a huge shock when Debenhams announced all of its stores would close down as the firm started winding down.

The troubled department store chain Debenhams has been in administration since April but will continue to trade through its 124 UK stores and online to clear its current and contracted stocks.

On conclusion of this process, if no alternative offers have been received, the UK operations will close.

The retailer has stores in Weymouth and Bournemouth and are both prominent shops within the areas.

Its Weymouth branch has installed several "Everything must go" and "Store closing" signs across its two floors, with a majority of its stock discounted.

Historic rail tracks ripped up from Weymouth’s roads

In a move that upset many, Dorset Council went ahead with their project to remove the disused rails along the harbourside.

The rails are being removed in a bid to improve road safety after a succession of accidents - although many locals are opposed to the scheme and want history to be preserved.

The council has left sections of the track in place in response, and is exploring ways to preserve other sections of the rails.

The tracks have already been removed in phases from Custom House Quay between St Mary’s Street and South Parade, which has also been temporarily resurfaced.