stats count News – Page 572 – Meer Beek

News

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

Man City vs Southampton: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses to spend with BetMGM

MANCHESTER CITY have the chance to jump to the top of the Premier League table – for 24 hours at least – if they beat Southampton on Saturday.

Bookmakers BetMGM are offering brand new customers a cool £40 in free bets when you register an account and stake a tenner on the top-flight clash.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

How to claim..

BetMGM £40 welcome bonus

  1. Visit the BetMGM website HERE*
  2. Select SPORTS OFFER on the website
  3. Register a new account – No Promo Code necessary
  4. Opt in for this promotion by depositing and placing at least £10 on football at odds of Evens or greater
  5. Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets

Man City vs Southampton: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*

Not got a BetMGM account? No problem!

This offer is just for you, and it’s incredibly easy to claim!

Simply register a new account, deposit and stake a minimum of £10 on football at odds of Evens (1/1) or greater.

This must be done within seven days of opening your account with the bookmaker.

Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets!

Man City vs Southampton: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*


*New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.


Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk

Read More »

Boy, 14, found dead in park after vanishing on way to school as tributes paid to sport-loving teenager

HEARTFELT tributes have poured in for a 14-year-old boy who loved sports after he was found dead in a park.

Logan Slater from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, disappeared on his way to school after leaving his home at around 7.45am on Monday. 

a sign that says welcome to brighthouse high school
MEN Media
A 14-year-old boy has been found dead after he went missing on his way to school[/caption]

The teenager’s body was then found on land off Beechwood Park, Brighouse, just two days later on Wednesday.  

Logan’s school said his death had left the school and wider community “deeply upset”.

Richard Horsfield, headteacher at Brighouse High where Logan was a pupil, said the teenager was a valued member of the school community.

Rugby-loving Logan was said to have had a wide circle of friends and good relationships with staff.

He said: “It was a particular pleasure to see his love and enthusiasm for PE, especially within rugby, grow in the years he spent with us.

“We will continue to think of his family and all of his friends at this very sad time and will do all we can as a close knit school to support them.

“We are grateful for the time we spent with him and deeply saddened that the time came to such an abrupt end.”

Mr Horsfield added that specialist support would be available to students.

West Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “As a number of calls had been made to the police to report this missing person, a mandatory referral is being made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, to review the actions taken by West Yorkshire Police.”

Described by those who knew him as a vibrant and well-loved young boy, Logan’s absence immediately set off alarm bells. 

His family, desperate for answers, reached out to the local authorities, who began an extensive search to locate the missing teenager.

The community came together in a show of solidarity, offering help in the search efforts, sharing posts across social media, and distributing flyers in hopes of bringing Logan home safely.

But the devastating news of his death broke on Wednesday, leaving the “close knit” community heartbroken.

The circumstances surrounding Logan’s death are still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine the events that led up to the tragic end. 

Read More »

Nine Budget predictions that Rachel Reeves could make including pensions shake-up and alcohol price rises

THERE is less than a week to go until this year’s Autumn Statement, leaving many people wondering what the Government will announce.

The Autumn Statement gives an update on the government’s economic plans, which are based on official forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

a woman stands next to a red briefcase that says councillor of the exchequer
Rachel Reeves will present her Autumn Statement next Wednesday
a graph showing the source of public sector income

It also gives Chancellor Rachel Reeves the chance to update Parliament on the government’s tax and spending plans for the next year.

Labour’s manifesto promise ruled out hikes to VAT, income tax rates and national insurance in line with its pledge to help “working people”.

The Government has so far refused to rule out several big tax changes, including a council tax reform and new pension rules.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer’s warning that the Labour party’s first Budget in more than a decade “is going to be painful” has left many wondering what could be announced.

Here we take you through what could be in store.

Income tax

Experts suggest that Rachel Reeves could extend the “stealth” freeze on income tax thresholds for another two years.

The personal allowance, which is the amount that people can earn before they need to pay income tax, is frozen until 2028 but the Chancellor could extend it in next week’s Budget.

As worker’s wages rise in line with inflation this could drag thousands of people into higher tax brackets through fiscal drag.

Government sources have said that doing so would not breach Labour’s general election manifesto, which promised not to increase the rate of income tax.

The move could bring in as much as £7billion a year from 2028 onwards.

Capital gains tax

Another rumour is that Labour will make changes to capital gains tax in its Budget.

Capital gains tax is charged on the profit you make when you sell something that has increased in value.

What is the Budget?

THE Budget is big news and where you'll often hear announcements about taxes. But what exactly is it?

The Budget is when the Government outlines its plans for the economy including taxation and spending.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers a speech in the House of Commons and announces plans for things like tax hikes, cuts and changes to Universal Credit and the minimum wage.

At the same time, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) publishes an independent analysis of the UK economy.

Usually, the Budget is a once-a-year event and usually takes place in the Autumn, with a smaller update known as the Spring Statement.

But there have been exceptions in recent years when there have been more updates, or the announcements have taken place at different times, for example during the pandemic or when there is a General Election.

On the day of the Budget, usually a Wednesday, the Chancellor is photographed outside No 11 Downing Street with the red box.

She then heads to the House of Commons to deliver her speech, at around 12.30 following Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).

Changes announced in the Budget are sometimes implemented the same day, while others may not have a set date.

For example, a change to tobacco duty usually happens on the same day, pushing up the price of cigarettes.

Some tax changes are set to come in at the start of a new tax year, which is April 6.

Other changes may need to pass through Parliament before coming into law.

Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out charging capital gains tax for first-time buyers, which is exempt under the current system.

Experts now predict that the rate charged for higher-rate taxpayers selling a second home will remain at 24%.

But the 20% tax when selling shares or other valuable assets such as paintings or furniture could be increased.

This move may not affect basic-rate taxpayers, who currently pay 10pc, although a change to their thresholds has not been ruled out.

The Government may also alter the current threshold at which capital gains tax is due.

At the moment the first £3,000 you make in profit for selling an item that has increased in value is tax-free.

But this threshold has been reduced several times by the previous Conservative government.

First from £12,300 in 2022-23 then to £6,000 in 2023-24.

Inheritance tax

The prime minster and chancellor could make multiple changes to inheritance tax, which currently has several exemptions and reliefs.

Inheritance tax is currently charged at 40% on the property, possessions and money of someone who has died if they are worth more than £325,000.

Fewer than one in 20 estates currently pays death duties as many estates fall below this threshold.

But the tax raises about £7 billion a year for the Government.

There are several exemptions and reliefs which mean you do not need to pay inheritance tax, including gifts or giving to charity.

It is thought that changes to several of these rules are being considered.

For example, gifts which are given less than seven years before you die may be taxed.

There are also exemptions if you leave land or pasture which is used to rear animals or to grow crops through agricultural relief.

It is not yet confirmed what changes will be made in the Budget on 30 October.

Employer national insurance contributions

Experts have suggested that the Chancellor could impose national insurance on employers’ pension contributions in the Autumn Statement.

Doing so could raise £15.4 billion, which would help to plug a £40billion funding gap in the public finances.

Employers currently pay national insurance for post workers earning more than £9,100 a year.

The amount they pay is equivalent to 13.8% of the employees earnings above this figure.

For an employee earning £30,000 the employer would pay around £2,884.20 in national insurance.

Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb said that if the government put up the national insurance rate by 1% it could raise an extra £8 billion a year.

But he warns that it could leave millions of workers with lower wages and less generous pensions.

If an employer has to pay more tax then their costs will go up, so they would need to save money elsewhere.

They may do this by giving employees smaller pay rises or by reducing the amount that they pay into employees’ pensions.

Sir Steve said: “Changing national insurance contributions could leave hundreds of thousands of people with a poorer retirement.”

Pensions

The Government has so far failed to rule out changes to the lump sum you can take out of your pension without paying tax.

What are the different types of pensions?

WE round-up the main types of pension and how they differ:

  • Personal pension or self-invested personal pension (SIPP) – This is probably the most flexible type of pension as you can choose your own provider and how much you invest.
  • Workplace pension – The Government has made it compulsory for employers to automatically enrol you in your workplace pension unless you opt out.
    These so-called defined contribution (DC) pensions are usually chosen by your employer and you won’t be able to change it. Minimum contributions are 8%, with employees paying 5% (1% in tax relief) and employers contributing 3%.
  • Final salary pension – This is also a workplace pension but here, what you get in retirement is decided based on your salary, and you’ll be paid a set amount each year upon retiring. It’s often referred to as a gold-plated pension or a defined benefit (DB) pension. But they’re not typically offered by employers anymore.
  • New state pension – This is what the state pays to those who reach state pension age after April 6 2016. The maximum payout is £203.85 a week and you’ll need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to get this. You also need at least ten years’ worth to qualify for anything at all.
  • Basic state pension – If you reach the state pension age on or before April 2016, you’ll get the basic state pension. The full amount is £156.20 per week and you’ll need 30 years of National Insurance contributions to get this. If you have the basic state pension you may also get a top-up from what’s known as the additional or second state pension. Those who have built up National Insurance contributions under both the basic and new state pensions will get a combination of both schemes.

At the moment retirees can withdraw up to 25% of the total value of their pension tax-free, up to a maximum of £268,275.

But Labour is allegedly considering cutting the tax-free amount to £100,000 in a move which could raise around £2 billion.

It is not yet clear how this would work.

Another option being considered is to charge inheritance tax on pensions.

At present pensions are not considered to be part of your estate when you die, which means that you do not need to pay IHT on them.

But some suggest that Labour could change this in a move which could leave grieving families tens of thousands of pounds worse off.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty land tax is due if you buy a property or a piece of land which is worth more than a certain price in England and Northern Ireland.

In 2022 the rate at which people start to pay it was increased from £125,000 to £250,000 for second-steppers.

Meanwhile, for first-time buyers it rose from £300,000 to £450,000.

A discounted rate on property purchase of up to £625,000 was also introduced.

But these higher thresholds are only due to last until March 31 2025, after which point they will return to the original levels.

So far Labour has not committed to extending them.

If the higher thresholds are not extended then it could mean first-time buyers are slapped with tax bills which are £15,000 higher than before.

Cash Isas

Savers have been rushing to open a cash Isa before 30 October to protect themselves from any tax surprises which could be announced in the Budget.

Cash Isas are a tax-free way to save towards your financial future or invest in the stock market.

Every tax year you can save up to £20,000 in one account or split your allowance across multiple accounts.

The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April.

You can only pay into one Lifetime Isa in a tax year and the maximum amount you can deposit is £4,000.

There is no limit on how much cash you can stash away over your lifetime.

Meanwhile, savers can be forced to pay tax on their nest eggs if they go over the personal savings allowance.

Basic-rate taxpayers can earn up to £1,000 in interest before they need to pay tax on their savings.

Higher-rate taxpayers can earn up to £500 in interest, while additional-rate taxpayers get no allowance.

But The Resolution Foundation, a think tank, has previously suggested that the government should slash the amount that can be saved into an Isa to £1,000.

They argue that by not having a cap the accounts mostly benefit those with lots of disposable income.

Alcohol duty

It has been reported that the Chancellor is considering increasing alcohol duties in the Budget.

Rachel Reeves has not ruled out pushing up the tax on spirits, beer and wine, which would raise an extra £800 million next year.

Alcohol duty is charged on all drinks which are more than 1.2% ABV strength, either at the point of production or when they are imported.

Usually alcohol duty rises each year in line with inflation, unless the Chancellor chooses to freeze it.

Although inflation is set to hit 2% next year, industry sources have said that alcohol duties could be pushed up to more than 6%.

But higher tax could mean higher prices, which could deter drinkers and cause them to buy less.

Fuel duty

Drivers could be hit in the pocket if Labour decides to make changes to fuel duty in the Budget.

Fuel duty rates have been frozen since 2011-12.

It was cut by a further 5p in 2022 by the Conservatives in response to soaring fuel prices at the start of the war in Ukraine.

The RAC has predicted that the 5p cut could be scrapped, which could increase the cost of filling up a tank by an average of £3.30.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Read More »

The exact date you can end the negative cycle you’ve been stuck in for 16 years, according to astrology expert

THE next few weeks could prove pivotal in changing the rest of your life.

An astrologer has revealed the amount of time you have to break a negative cycle you’ve been trapped in for 16 years.

a woman in a floral dress says personal readings are available until it permanently leaves the sign capricorn
TikTok user Amy explained the key date that is approaching for breaking a 16-year life cycle
TikTok/@amydemure

In her viral video, TikTok user Amy (@amydemure) revealed the date which marks the end of this life-changing period.

She also explained the manifestation technique to use before this deadline to help “destroy negative karmic cycles.”

According to the astrology fanatic, the period between October 12th and November 19th could alter the rest of your life.

“You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end a 16-year-long life cycle and to destroy negative karmic cycles and stagnancy that you have experienced since 2008,” Amy told her followers.

She explained that Pluto has been in Capricorn for almost two decades now.

It is now in the process of moving out of the sign, which it will be completely clear of on November 19th.

Amy revealed how this transition period allows everyone to enter a new era of their lives.

She specifically singled out those with Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, and Libra placements.

According to the astrologer, Pluto represents how we evolve, whereas Capricorn tends to be more stationary.

This means that the past 16 years have seen people stuck in “repeating life cycles.”

While we are now on track to break these negative cycles we’ve been stuck in, Amy revealed a trick which can help the process.

She broke down a manifestation technique which can help facilitate the transition, bringing a “permanent end to your old life.”

Amy recommended taking time once a week between now and November 19th to carry out the manifestation process.

“All you have to do is reflect on the things you haven’t liked about your life since 2008,” she said.

She recommended focusing on the things in your life that you need to “put an end to.”

Horoscope traits

What does your star sign mean for you?

Aries – The best and worst characteristics of the head of the zodiac
Aquarius – The traits you need to know for the air sign
Capricorn – What does this star sign mean for your personality?
Cancer – The key traits for the sign include a keen love of food
Gemini – The traits to be aware of for the sign with a symbol of twins
Leo – The best and worst characteristics of the fire sign
Libra – What does the seventh star sign mean for your personality?
Pisces – The key traits for the sign include an interest in the arts
Sagittarius – The traits you need to know for the fire sign
Scorpio – What does this star sign mean for your personality?
Taurus – The best and worst characteristics of the earth sign
Virgo – The key traits for the sign include loyalty and kindness

As a final step, she advised her audience to “firmly” tell themselves they would put an end to these things.

TikTok users shared their thoughts on the revelation in the comments section.

“Capricorn rise up! This is what we have been waiting fooooor, I really hope this is true now,” wrote one viewer.

“I’m a Capricorn that’s why I’ve been SO mad these days???? Jesus,” said another follower.

“Please let this circle end now. There were so much dramatic and hard life events since 2008, I‘m exhausted,” commented a third person.

a woman sitting on a couch with a sign that says i easily attract it
The astrology enthusiast advised her followers to take a moment to manifest each week between now and November 19th
TikTok/@amydemure

Read More »

How income tax freeze could hit YOUR state pension revealed

WITH just days to go until Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first budget – we look at how some state pensioners could end up paying tax and how to avoid it. 

One move the Labour government have been rumoured to be considering is an extension on freezing income tax thresholds. 

an older woman is using a calculator while holding a piece of paper
Getty
Retirees could end up paying tax on their state pension[/caption]

These determine how much you can earn before paying basic, higher, or additional rate tax.

The Personal Allowance – the amount you can earn before you start paying income tax – has been set at £12,570 since 2021. 

It is meant to remain frozen until 2028, but the rumour is that Rachel Reeves could continue the freeze to 2030 or beyond.

Freezing tax thresholds – the point where you start paying higher rates of income tax are also frozen – is a stealth move that’s making us all pay more.

As wages rise, more of us are being dragged into higher tax bands.

A study by the London School of Economics found that by the 2027/8 tax year, the average person will hand over 13.6% of their income to the taxman, up from 11.6% in 2021/2 – all thanks to static tax thresholds.

It’s not just workers feeling the pinch. Pensioners are getting hit too, with the unmoving thresholds affecting their finances as well. 

Your pension – including the state pension – isn’t exempt from income tax.

However, up until now, most pensioners have avoided paying it, thanks to the Personal Allowance shielding their income.  

“Frozen tax thresholds are stealthily pushing up our tax bills and we face the very real prospect that in the coming years someone solely reliant on the state pension will have to pay tax on it,” says Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Thanks to the Triple Lock the state pension rises every year – it’s set to go up by 4.1% next April.

The Triple Lock guarantees that your state pension increases annually by whichever is higher: average wage growth, inflation or 2.5%.

It is a generous safeguard, boosting the full state pension from £9,339.20 in 2021 to £12,016.75 from April 2025.

But this could lead to a collision with the Personal Allowance, which is frozen at £12,570, just a few hundred pounds above the state pension. 

How does the state pension work?

AT the moment the current state pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 - but it's due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.

The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age.

But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record.

For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income, as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings. 

The new state pension is based on people’s National Insurance records.

Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension.

You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit.

If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions. 

To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits. 

You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension. 

If the Triple Lock triggers a rise of 4.6% or more in April 2026 anyone receiving the full state pension will be liable to pay income tax on it. 

With pension increases of 10.1% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2024, it’s highly likely the state pension could exceed the Personal Allowance soon.

“Rachel Reeves’ decision to brutally scale back the Winter Fuel Payment will see millions of pensioners taking a hit of up to £300 later this year,” says Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell. 

“There could, however, be a silver lining coming in April 2025 in the form of a bumper state pension boost linked to average earnings growth figures.

Although even this could come with a catch.

“While the personal allowance remains frozen, more and more people are going to be dragged over the threshold, with millions of retirees just receiving state income at risk of being dragged into paying income tax.”

The idea of paying tax on a state benefit might sound crazy, but that’s exactly where we’re heading. 

One option could be for the government to introduce a pensioner tax allowance – something the Conservatives dubbed the ‘Triple Lock Plus’ before the election.

This would keep the state pension below the tax-free threshold. 

But Labour wasn’t having it at the time, calling the plan not ‘credible’.

Even if the government finds a way to shield the state pension from income tax, frozen thresholds will still drag millions of pensioners into paying tax during retirement.

Just a small private pension could be enough to push them over the Personal Allowance. 

“The triple lock may increase state pensions, but with tax thresholds frozen, many will find themselves paying taxes on what should be a lifeline during retirement,” says Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter. 

“For those with a combination of state and private pensions, the hit will be felt even sooner, eroding their incomes at a time when financial security is crucial.

“Compounding this pressure, Reeves’ decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment adds salt to the wound.

“Together, these policies threaten to squeeze pensioners from all sides.”

If you are worried about paying income tax on your pension, there are steps you can take to reduce what you owe. 

Right now, most people who rely solely on the state pension for their retirement don’t pay any tax.

But if you’ve got the state pension and other sources of income in retirement you may face a bill from HMRC.

“Pensioners looking to manage their tax bills should plan their incomes carefully,” says Morrissey.

One trick is to make the most of your tax-free lump sum. 

Most of us can take 25% of our private or workplace pensions tax-free, but you don’t have to grab it all at once.

You can take a small amount each year to top up your income, letting you take less from your taxable pension. 

For example, if you need £15,000 a year to live on, and you’ve got the full state pension plus £60,000 in your private pension, here’s a trick. 

After your state pension, you still need £3,500 a year.

Since you can take £15,000 of your pension tax-free, you could take £1,000 as income from your pension and £2,500 from your tax-free lump sum. 

This way, you’ve got the cash you need, without handing any of it to the taxman.

Another option is to boost your pension income without a tax bill by dipping into your savings.

“Any money taken from an ISA is tax free so this could prove handy in keeping those bills down,” says Morrissey. 

You can use your savings just like the tax-free lump sum, reducing how much you need from your private pension and keeping your taxable income lower. 

But in the end, the Government needs to face up to the fact that we’re heading toward a crazy situation where pensioners are taxed on their state pension – and they need to act before it’s too late. 

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Read More »

I got death threats for marrying a 51-year-old at 16 – then my MUM fell in love with him, says CBB’s Courtney Stodden

COURTNEY Staddon was just 16 when she wed 51-year-old Hollywood actor Doug Hutchinson – and while it sounds like the dream life for many, Courtney’s was a total nightmare.

Opening up about the death threats they received from the public for marrying someone 35 years her senior, Courtney revealed all to podcast host Alex Cooper.

a man and a woman pose on a red carpet in front of a sign that says icons
Getty - Contributor
The pair met when Courtney was just 16, and a week later the couple were wed[/caption]
a bride and groom pose in front of the hollywood sign
Courtney Stodden and Doug after renewing their vowels in in 2016
a man and two women pose in front of a sign that says tara
Getty
Krista dropped the bombshell she was having an emotional affair with her child’s husband[/caption]
a woman sitting at a table holding a menu that says ' dinner la nuit ' on it
Instagram/courtneyastodden
The pair have now divorced and Courtney has revealed all on the age-gap marriage[/caption]

Now Courtney, 30, who identifies as non-binary, is divorced from Doug, they had time to reflect on their relationship and what it was really like growing up in the world of stardom.

Speaking on the podcast Call Her Daddy, Courtney said they and Doug, famous for his role as the villainous cop Percy Wetmore in The Green Mile, met after a mutual friend put them in contact as Doug was offering acting classes, something Courtney was eager to try.

But the conversations over email allegedly soon developed to more than a teacher and student relationship, something Courtney says their mother was aware of despite her being underage.

Courtney explained: “She was aware she was like over my shoulder the entire time practically or having me print out the emails and she was reading them.

“And you know, nothing was sexual but it was definitely not about what it was supposed to be about which was about teaching me acting and you know all of that stuff that you know professionally you’re supposed to be doing and then as a child, I didn’t really see it as anything predatory.”

The aspiring actor had photos sent to Doug, which wasn’t uncommon in the profession, but said he claimed he didn’t know their age, something Courtney disputes as mum Krista had told him over the phone.

The pair spoke on the phone and over email for six months before finally meeting in person, which Courtney says was his ‘loophole’ to marrying them.

“I believe it was obviously to see his child in person,” they claimed.

“Verify the parents are on board. ‘I’m not gonna go to jail and I can get that free pass to molest a child. I just need that paperwork signed for me to get married because it’s a loophole right.’

“Then a week later we got married. So I basically just met him in person one week and then a week later I’m married.”

Going back to the day they met, Courtney remembers their parents picking Doug up from the airport – before they had even sat down for lunch, their dad had given his blessing for Doug to marry Courtney.

Courtney adds that their strict Christian upbringing was a drive for them to get married quickly instead of just date, and said Krista truly believed Doug loved Courtney and would take care of her child.

But that wasn’t the case, claims Courtney who claims they suffered years of emotional abuse from their husband.

Their dad, Courtney recalls, seems to have had some reservations, and after Doug and Courtney wed their parents split up and he disowned Courtney due to Krista wanting to follow along with Courtney’s new life.

Courtney and Doug's relationship timeline

Throughout their relationship, Courtney and Doug faced considerable public scrutiny and media coverage, largely due to their significant age gap and the circumstances of their marriage.

  1. May 2011: Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison got married. Courtney was 16 years old at the time, and Doug was 51. Their marriage attracted significant media attention and controversy due to their age difference.
  2. November 2013: Courtney and Doug announced that they had separated. Despite the separation, they continued to live together and maintained a close relationship.
  3. August 2014: The couple reconciled and decided to renew their wedding vows, reaffirming their commitment to each other.
  4. May 2016: Courtney announced that she was pregnant with their first child. However, in July 2016, she revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage.
  5. January 2017: Courtney and Doug separated again, with Courtney filing for divorce in March 2018.
  6. March 2020: Courtney finalised the divorce from Doug, officially ending their nearly nine-year marriage.

And it seems her mum wanted more than just to see her child’s marriage play out.

Courtney revealed that they was forced to do multiple reality TV shows to keep the money coming in such as Couples Therapy, Celebrity Big Brother and The mother and Daughter Experiment.

“Another misconception is people thought I was a gold digger. I married him for money. I’m the one who was taking care of him,” Courtney said.

Despite not talking to their mum for two years, the pair went on the reality show The mother and Daughter Experiment, where Courtney found out Krista and Doug were allegedly having an emotional affair.

It also was alleged that Doug had sexual fantasies about the three of them together.

On the show, Doug was later asked if he ‘had an emotional affair’ with Krista, he insisted ‘absolutely not’ and looked at her as he added: ‘I never felt that we were friends, obviously we were not lovers, and I think that that’s your delusion.’

And to hammer the point home, he told her: ‘I have never been attracted to you, I am not now and I never will be – sexually, emotionally or otherwise. Ever.’

Courtney admitted they had never heard Doug say these fantasies to them, but admitted Krista was in love with her husband.

“My mum has had her own experiences in life,” Courtney explained.

“I really, you know, have seen her fall in love with my husband through me. So it was like this.

“I mean she even told me, you know, we you and I are like Siamese twins Whatever you feel I feel.”

Courtney added that they had no idea if their mum and husband had a sexual relationship and wasn’t ready to find out more.

While the pair did split up multiple times until their divorce was finally finalised in 2020, Courtney says they always found their way back to him due to their trauma bond – a term described as a connection between an abusive person and the individual they abuse.

But abuse wasn’t just going on behind the scenes, in public, Courtney was hurled with hateful comments from other celebrities.

Courtney Love branded them a ‘wh**e’ while Chrissy Teigen publicly said Courtney should be dead.

They admitted the public hate was a lot to bare, but has since moved on from the whole ordeal and is now happily engaged and looking forward to starting a new life.

Doug previously said to Fox News he had no regrets about the relationship, which he described as a ‘bittersweet journey’.

“I don’t believe in living a life of regret,” he said. “I think that every choice we make, we make them for a reason… I have absolutely no regrets in my life.

“Do I wish I would have handled certain aspects of my life differently or said… some things differently? Yes — like everybody else. But my marriage to Courtney is not one of them. I regret none of it. It was a beautiful and powerful journey. A bittersweet journey with Courtney.”

The Sun has reached out to Doug Hutchinson for comment.

Read More »