German Husband's (Not So) Great Escape

A 47-year-old man from Itzehoe, Germany was beginning a ten-day prison sentence this week after refusing to pay a parking fine in order to escape his wife.

"He said he couldn't stand the constant bickering at home with his wife and was looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet in jail," a police spokesman explained. (Ananova)

The henpecked driver's conviction came 18 months after fellow German Vladimir R attempted an even more resourceful way of silencing his equally outspoken missus, with the aid of a second world war air-raid siren he installed at their home.

"My wife never lets me get a word in edgeways," Herr R told police when they responded to neighbours' complaints.

"So I crank up the siren and let it rip for a few minutes. It works every time. Afterwards, it's real quiet again,' he explained.

Both characters could find favour with German sports minister Otto Schiller who two weeks ago called on locals to make a concerted effort to be less grumpy when they host the (soccer) World Cup in 2006.

"We could do with more jollity and lightness, a sprinkling of Viennese or Mediterranean flair," Herr Schiller suggested. "we too are capable of light-footedly hovering two centimetres above the ground."
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