Religion will kill you

Woman who went to Lourdes to cure cerebral palsy returned with two broken legs

A cerebral palsy sufferer took a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the hope it would help her condition returned home with two broken legs after falling from a hoist.

The family of wheelchair-bound Patricia Mitchell are taking legal action against the organizers of the trip.

Ms Mitchell survived the 4ft fall, but her family claim, she never fully recovered and died earlier this year aged 63.

Photo from here.

She was diagnosed with a left leg broken in three places and her right leg was broken once on her return to the UK.

Now sisters Pauline Scarr and Terry Featherstone are suing for tens of thousands of pounds.

Mrs Featherstone, 60, said: "You go to Lourdes to get cured and she came back with two broken legs. It's unbelievable." Mrs Scarr, 62, said: "We want justice now for Patricia. I want answers."

Nepalese "Buddha boy" admits to beating up locals for disturbing his meditation

A Nepalese man popularly known as "Buddha boy" is being investigated by police amid reports he beat a group of locals for disturbing his meditation. Ram Bahadur Bomjan has admitted to assaulting some of the local villagers in Bara district on Thursday. Mr Bomjan is famed for spending months in the forest without eating.

His devotees believe he is the reincarnation of the Buddha, and he says he has not eaten since 2005. When he started his fast, he pledged he would meditate for six years, until he gained enlightenment.

Manoj Neupane, superintendent of police for Bara district, said police were sent to investigate after 17 people lodged complaints. Those who had been injured were sent for medical checks, he said. The villagers claimed they had been looking for wild fruit and vegetables.

Mr Bomjan said he had slapped them "two or three times" after they came onto his platform and mimicked him, while the villagers allege they were assaulted more seriously. "They disturbed me while I was meditating... tried to manhandle me," Mr Bomjan said. "I was therefore forced to beat them."