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Crime in the News
This page
was an ongoing blog, if you will, of my views on various criminal cases.
Since becoming ore involved in a number of cases and due to pressures with my
day job, this page has not been updated much in recent years. I hope to do
some more work on this page. However, I keep it on my website because it
contains my views on many high profile cases of the last few years. For
details of my books please click here.
The Christopher Foster Case (the arson
at the mansion) – September 2008
I am
finding the Foster case fascinating. In many respects it is similar to that
of Jeremy Bamber.
It
seems ironic that the police have accepted that Christopher Foster killed his
family and then himself in his family home whilst the police have accepted
that four people could not have been shot dead by a paranoid schizophrenic
woman who expressed fear and hatred towards members of her family before
killing herself. The long standing belief that Jeremy Bamber murdered all
five individuals in August 1985 should be fully assessed on the basis of
documentary evidence that calls into question the safety of his conviction.
Rapist
Allowed into Britain
to Kill (30 March 2006)
Viktors Dembovskis has been convicted of the murder of Jeshma Raithatha.
Dembovskis is a Latvian who had been allowed into Britain
after having served a sentence for rape in his own country, angering his
victim’s family who say that checks should have been
made as to his background before he was allowed into Britain.
Dembovskis came to Britain
to work in 2004, having been convicted of two counts of rape. Jeshma was
attacked in woodland three days before her 18th birthday. She was raped and stabbed to
death.
Dembovskis will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He has shown no
remorse for his appalling crime.
Comment on the Sion Jenkins Outcome (February 2006)
Sion Jenkins has been formally acquitted of the murder of his foster daughter
Billie-Jo after a jury yet again failed to reach a majority verdict. he was
attacked by relatives of Billie-Jo's family as the judge ordered him to be
formally cleared of the murder charge, with the words "murdering
scum" being exclaimed from the public gallery.
Since his acquittal new claims have been presented suggesting that bone
fragments from Billie-Jo were found on the former Deputy Headteacher's
clothing, suggesting he must have been responsible for her death. The
bloodstains which were found on his clothing, which had been the totality of
the forensic evidence at his original trial, were undermined by new evidence
at the Court of Appeal. The problem is that the prosecution wee fully aware
that Jenkins stood a good chance of being acquitted and that the case hung in
the balance, for the simple reason that the Court of Appeal had expressed
doubts and the jury at a previous retrial had failed to reach a verdict and
so the chances of him being convicted were not particularly strong. So the
prosecution's claim that they did not use the bone fragment evidence because
they did not want a delay is not very strong because it was in their
interests to get a conviction and they would surely have done everything in
their power to get that conviction if the evidence was compelling, rather
than risk the chance of them losing their case. Therefore one has to question
whether the evidence was considered compelling by the prosecution.
It is interesting to note that since Jenkins' acquittal a man has confessed
to the murder and the police have failed to question that man.
Bradley Murdoch, Guilty of Falconio Murder (13 December 2005)
The jury at the trial of Bradley Murdoch, who stood accused of the murder of
British backpacker Peter Falconio, and the attempted abduction of his fiancé
Joanne Lees, has today been found guilty on both charges.
It took the jury at a Darwin
court eight hours to reach their unanimous verdicts. But have they reached
the right verdicts? A questionable key witness, new forensic techniques that
have not stood the test of time and the portrayal of Murdoch as a drug pusher
(which in no way makes him a murderer – both Falconio and Lees
used drugs and in fact had been smoking drugs that night) were used by the
prosecution. The
defence were able to offer evidence suggesting Falconio was very much alive,
they alleged the police had planted DNA evidence (which is not unheard of in Australia)
and accused Lees of being responsible for Falconio’s disappearance, suggesting that her affair with another man and Falconio’s life insurance policy gave her the ideal motive. In so many
respects Joanne Lees’ evidence was flawed. At no point in time has it been
shown how Murdoch, if responsible, moved both his own vehicle and the Kombi vehicle in which
Falconio and Lees had been travelling. More importantly the lack of forensic
evidence, from Falconio, in either vehicle is most significant, especially
when one considers a quantity of his blood was found on the road. Surely he
would have been bleeding and would have left his DNA in one of the vehicles.
Unsurprisingly Murdoch is appealing against his conviction. I am not saying
he is innocent but in my mind this case is far from being closed. I look
forward to the appeal and hope that it will see justice being achieved.
Paul Dyson Attempts to Appeal Against Sentence (November 2005)
Lawyers representing Paul Dyson, who was recently convicted of murdering his
fiancé Joanne Nelson, has unsuccessfully appealed against his sentence. It
was argued that his sentence was too lengthy. However, when one considers that
he murdered Joanne, dumped her body and pretended she had gone missing, even
appealing publicly for people to come forward with information about her
whereabouts, it is clear that Dyson is an evil man who should never be
allowed to mix with the public again. I hope he spends his entire life in
prison but sadly I doubt this will be the case.
Update on the Murdoch Trial (end of November 2005)
I would like to apologise for not having kept up to date on the developments
in the trial of Bradley Murdoch who, it has been publicly said (wrongly) that
I support. I remain undecided about his guilt.
The jury at his trial in Darwin
have heard that following Falconio's alleged murder, the victim was seen in a
service station where he bought food. He had, it is claimed, changed his hair
colour to blonde but was, allegedly, certainly the missing backpacker. He was
seen by two separate witnesses who were convinced the man was indeed Peter
Falconio. The man left the shop and was driven away in a truck driven by a man
with a dog.
Falconio's father has testified to say his son has not faked his death but
how could Falconio's father know this? Another recent case in Australia
involved a girl who faked her death and she only revealed the truth during
the murder trial of her alleged killer, when she phoned her father to say she
was alive.
I have been asked to explain my views over the issue of Lees being able to
bring her hands in front of her. She had her hands tied behind her back, she
claims, but was found with her hands in front of her. I have already
explained this below; Lees did demonstrate her ability to do this in court,
managing to bring her hands in front of her within a matter of seconds, but
she has publicly admitted to having practiced doing so prior to the trial
(source - the Martin Bashir interview). Consider the fact that Lees escaped
the alleged attacker's vehicle with her hands behind her back, if her
statement is truthful. It would be difficult to move very fast or very far
with her hands in such a position yet she managed to escape, moving through
the vegetation without making a noise as to give away her location. It may be
truthful but it sounds suspect.
So far nothing proving Murdoch's guilt has been presented. It has been shown
his DNA was present at the scene of the crime but there is a lack of forensic
evidence for someone who would be responsible for this murder. How did he
dispose of the body without leaving Falconio's DNA in his truck when Falconio
was allegedly bleeding heavily, having sustained a gunshot? And how did
Murdoch move both vehicles when he did not return to the scene of the crime
at any point after he left dragging something along the gravely road? And if
Murdoch had dragged Peter Falconio's body along the gravely road how come
Falconio's blood was confined to a small area?
Murdoch's trial continues. He denies killing Falconio and attempting to
abduct Joanne Lees.
Latest in Murdoch Trial (11 November 2005)
Yesterday the jury at the trial of Bradley Murdoch, who stands accused of killing
missing British backpacker Peter Falconio, heard that Murdoch allegedly went
for days without sleep, driving around the Australian outback on “drug runs.”
At the time of the murder Murdoch had been on one such run, it is claimed,
and, according to one of his friends, was “fairly
scattered.”
Murdoch allegedly told the friend, James Hepi, that drainage trenches at the
sides of many Outback roads were good places to hide bodies. Searches of vast
amounts of land in the area where Falconio disappeared, including the use of
heating detecting technology, failed to locate Falconio’s body.
To a certain extent Murdoch’s ability to go for days
without sleeping, whilst high on amphetamines, is irrelevant. It does not make
him any more or any less of a killer.
The witness did, however, claim Murdoch shaved off his moustache and cut his
hair following the incident. This could mean he was involved or it could mean
that he feared he would be blamed for the crime.
Murdoch denies murdering Peter Falconio and attempting to abduct his fiancé
Joanne Lees. His trial in Darwin
continues.
Life For Paul Dyson (9 November 2005)
The killer of Joanne Nelson (see earlier postings from February onwards on
this site) was today jailed for life.
Paul Dyson killed his fiancé on 13 February this year. He hid her body in
woodland more than two hundred miles away from their home in Hull.
He then reported her missing the following day and claimed he had last seen
her on Valentine's Day, even showing detectives a forged Valentines Day card
which he alleged she had given him. It is understood that he murdered Joanne
because she had taunted him over his inability to use the washing machine.
His inability to perform domestic chores had been a major cause of trouble
between the couple.
Dyson, whose father himself had been convicted of murder after killing two
people, and who had attacked his first wife on their wedding night, admitted
responsibility for Joanne's death but argued he had committed manslaughter
rather than murder. A jury at Hull Crown Court dismissed this claim. He had
made public appeals for Joanne, or anyone knowing her whereabouts to come
forward, but soon after her disappearance he admitted to a friend that he had
killed her. Joanne's body was discovered six weeks later.
Dyson will serve at least sixteen years before being considered for parole.
Third Sion Jenkins Trial Begins (November 2005)
The third trial of former deputy headteacher Sion Jenkins, who stands accused
of the murder of his foster daughter Billy-Jo, has begun. Jenkins stood trial
earlier this year but the jury failed to reach a verdict and so a new trial
was required. He was convicted of the murder but his conviction was quashed
by the Court of Appeal last year after new evidence seriously undermined the
prosecutions case against him.
Police Officers Get Away With Murder (20 October 2005)
Today the two men who had been arrested in connection with the murder of
Harry Stanley, shot dead whilst carrying a table leg in a carrier bag in
1998, have been told they will NOT be charged in connection with their crime.
This is a devastating blow to justice in this country. It is an ascertained
fact that Harry Stanley was murdered when he was shot. The police officers
who fired the fatal shots did not should to him to warn him to drop what they
believed was a weapon. They did not speak to him at all. Why is it that the
Metropolitan Police offered the officers "full support during this
difficult time"? The men were murder suspects. The men killed an
innocent man. I expect a similar whitewash will occur for the 'independent'
investigation into the murder of the Brazilian man Jean Charles Menenzes, who
was shot eight times by officers from the Metropolitan Police in July this
year because they wrongly believed he was a suicide bomber. He was totally
innocent but lost his life because of illegal actions carried out by the
Metropolitan Police Force.
The police should act within the law and not be above it. It is outrageous
that police officers can commit murder, not be prosecuted and, more
scandalously, be offered "full support." Both Harry Stanley and
Jean Charles Menezes deserve justice and the officers concerned deserve
lengthy jail sentences.
Update on Murdoch Trial (20 October 2005)
Joanne Lees, the girlfriend of missing backpacker Peter Falconio, has today
been cross examined by the defence team of Bradley Murdoch, the man accused
of Falconio's murder. A key point for the defence was how, in her statement
to the police, Lees claimed she had had her hands tied behind her back by her
alleged attacker, but when found her hands were tied in front of her. She was
asked to demonstrate how she got her hands in front of her and did succeed in
the task. This is all very well until one considers she admitted in the
televised interview with Martin Bashir that she had practiced doing this on
numerous occasions with Falconio's brother after the 'murder.'
Police Charge 'Weirside Jack' (20 October 2005)
John Humble, 49, has today appeared in court charged with attempting to
pervert the course of justice. The police in Sunderland
are convinced he was the man responsible for the 'Weirside Jack' hoax which,
they maintain, was the reason why it took so long to catch Peter Sutcliffe.
That is, of course, complete rubbish. They had spoken to Sutcliffe so many
times but archaic police procedures prevented them from realising he had
matched so many of the clues. Plus they should never have put so much
emphasis on the tape. In almost all serial murder investigations hoax letters
are sent. Even the experts consulted by the police informed detectives not to
concentrate solely on the Sunderland area.
It is therefore as much the police's fault that three more women died
following receipt of the tape and letters.
Police officers are continuing their search of Humble's house in Sunderland.
'Weirside Jack' Suspect Arrested (19 October 2005)
Detectives are today questioning a 49 year old man in connection with
attempting to pervert the course of justice. The man is believed to be the
infamous 'Weirside Jack' who sent numerous letters and audio tapes to George
Oldfield, the man leading the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper in the late
1970s. The foolish detectives were taken in by the letters and audio tapes,
which turned out to be a hoax, and so concentrated their search for the
killer in the Sunderland area. 'Weirside
Jack', experts determined, came from Castletown in Sunderland.
Consequently the police did not arrest Peter Sutcliffe, who was responsible
for the murders and attempted murders of several women, until 1980.
Lees Identifies Murdoch as Her Boyfriend's Killer (18 October 2005)
Today Joanne Lees, girlfriend of the missing (presumed murdered)
British backpacker Peter Falconio, was asked if the man responsible for her
boyfriend's murder was in the courtroom. She turned to Bradley Murdoch, the
defendant, and replied "I am looking at him."
It is hardly convincing testimony seeing as though it wa shard not to
identify the man in the dock whose face has been in the media over the past
two years. It is surprising that if she knew who was responsible for the
alleged crime she failed to identify Bradley Murdoch at an identification
parade.
Murdoch denies murder and attempted abduction of Joanne Lees. His trial
continues.
Cocaine Smuggling Trial Begins (18 October 2005)
Three men stand accused of smuggling large amounts of cocaine in coconuts via
a fruit and veg business in London's East End.
Simon Howlett, it is alleged, ordered a shipment of coconuts and pineapples
from the Caribbean and 498kg of cocaine from Guyana,
it was today claimed. The cocaine seized amounted to 389kg.
Customs and Excise officers discovered the drugs as they entered Britain
and replaced the coconuts with wooden blocks. They then waited at Spitalfields
Market for the goods to be collected.
Six men were arrested at the market, but Howlett escaped. He was arrested two
days later. A second shipment of pineapples, containing cocaine worth £1.75
million was later found at Felixstowe
Port.
Howlett and his co-defendants; Fitzroy Farrell, 34, Oran Melin, 29, Gavin
Hunt, 37, Scott Lomax, 29 (not me and no relation to myself!), Andrew
Pritchard, 39, and Robert Moynaihan, 36, appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court.
They deny conspiring to import 389kg of cocaine hidden in the coconuts.
Howlett also denies one count of attempting to import 29.17kg of cocaine in
the pineapples.
The trial continues.
Bradley Murdoch’s Murder Trial Begins (17
October 2005)
Today Bradley John Murdoch has taken to the dock accused of murdering the
British backpacker Peter Falconio, who disappeared whilst travelling in the
Australian Outback during the summer of 2001.
Mr Falconio’s girlfriend, Joanne Lees, maintains that a man
motioned for their Kombi van, in which they were driving in a remote location near
Alice Springs in the Northern
Territory, to stop. Falconio, it is claimed, left,
believing that the man was experiencing difficulties with his 4-wheeled drive
vehicle. A sound was heard, which Lees believed was the sound of an exhaust
backfiring. Falconio was, she says, never seen again. His body has not been
found but the police are under the impression he was murdered.
The Australian court has today heard how Lees escaped from the alleged
assailant’s truck, in which she had been forcibly taken,
and hid “like a rabbit” amongst bushes and trees. The court has also heard
how three pieces of DNA allegedly link Murdoch to the crime. Joanne Lees told
the court she believed Murdoch was the man who murdered Falconio. This, in my
opinion, should not have been allowed. At no point during the incident did
she think Falconio had been killed. She did not even realise the sound was
that of a gunshot as evidenced in her statement to the police, contrary to
what she said in court today. Furthermore she did not believe, or at least
outwardly express her belief, Falconio had been killed until many weeks
later. She reluctantly made a press statement in which she said she hoped
Peter Falconio would still be alive. Therefore it was wrong for her to say
she believed Murdoch killed her lover when in reality she had no idea he had
been killed. Also it remains to be proven that Falconio is dead and at least
two witnesses are due to testify that they are certain they met Falconio days
after his alleged murder. It is the defence’s case that
Falconio is still alive and that Joanne Lees played a part in his
disappearance, motivated by Falconio’s travel insurance policy. Their
alternate hypothesis is that Lees murdered Peter Falconio.
Joanne Lees will give her full testimony tomorrow as she takes to the witness
stand. It should prove to be very interesting. Bradley Murdoch denies
murdering Peter Falconio.
I will be writing regular updates as this case unfolds. I am studying it very
closely because I have serious concerns about the prosecution’s belief that Bradley Murdoch is guilty. I have shared my views
with Mr Murdoch’s defence barrister and have contact with experts involved in
this case who, like myself, are suspicious of the ‘star witness’ Joanne Lees.
Thirty Two Years For Danielle's Killers (9 October 2005)
Two men today convicted of murdering fourteen year old Danielle Beccan have
been sentenced to thirty two years imprisonment.
Danielle was shot dead as she walked home in the early hours of the morning
last October. She had attended a fair at the Nottingham Goose Festival, with
friends. When she was only five hundred yards from her Nottingham
home she noticed a car pull up beside her. A passenger in the vehicle pointed
a handgun towards her and fired a single shot, hitting her in the stomach.
She died in hospital a few hours later.
Comment on Absence of Recent Entries on This Page (17 September 2005)
I apologise for the lack of crime in the news entries on this page over the
last month. This is due to me having been unable to update this website since
early August. I shall, however, soon resume writing updates on a regular
basis. Thank you for your patience.
Two Charged With Anthony Walker's Murder (6 August 2005)
Two of the men arrested yesterday have today been charged with murdering
Anthony Walker who was violently killed last week.
Three Arrested in Anthony Walker Murder Hunt (5 August 2005)
Three men have today been arrested in connection with the racially motivated
murder of Anthony Walker. It is understood that they left England,
for Amsterdam,
following the vicious attack in which Anthony had an axe embedded in his
skull. They surrendered themselves to police in Holland
and were today flown back to Britain
where they were immediately arrested as soon as they stepped off the plane.
Racially Motivated Axe Attack Leaves Teenager Dead (30 July 2005)
Detectives in Liverpool are today
investigating a brutal "unprovoked and vicious" murder on a Black
eighteen year old A Level student.
Anthony Walker was enjoying an evening out with his girlfriend and cousin
when he was approached by a white youth who began intimidating him at a bus
stop. The three walked away to another bus stop to avoid confrontation but
the white youth followed, with two or three other white youths.
In what appears to be a crime motivated solely by racial hatred the youths
viciously attacked Anthony with an axe, which was embedded into the
teenager's skull. He was rushed to hospital where he died hours later.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who knows the identities of these callous
men to contact them.
Trigger-Happy Police Officers Kill Innocent Man (23 July 2005)
For more details about this worrying incident please click
here
Claim That Jill Dando Was Killed By Jeffrey Archer Hitman (11 July 2005)
Two national newspapers have today claimed that the television presenter Jill
Dando might have been killed by a hit man hired by disgraced peer Jeffrey
Archer.
The revelation follows an announcement by Archer that he will be appealing
against his conviction for perjury because allegations were made against him
that he had hired a hit man, who mistakenly killed Jill in 1999. Archer
apparently hired someone to murder a witness in his earlier libel case, who
lived on Gowan Avenue
(the street where Jill Dando was shot dead in broad daylight). The witness,
Angela Peppiatt, drove the same type of vehicle as Jill (a blue BMW) and was
blonde, just like the television star. It is suggested Archer’s alleged hired hit man killed Jill after she left her BMW,
mistakenly believing that it was Peppiatt.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has been asked, by the man who runs the
Justice for Barry campaign, to study the claim Archer was responsible, when
deciding whether they should refer Barry George’s conviction
to the Court of Appeal. George, whose innocence I am one hundred percent
certain of (read my book ‘Who Killed Jill Dando?’ for my full demolition of the case
against him), was jailed for life in 2001 after a jury found him guilty by a
majority of ten to one. The case against him was incredibly weak and his
conviction has remained controversial, although I am the only author to argue
a miscarriage of justice has certainly occurred.
Personally I doubt Archer was responsible for Jill’s death. A professional hit man would not have made such a
simple mistake regarding identification. Peppiatt and Jill do not look alike
and Jill was shot quite
a distance away from Peppiatt’s home.
However, this is an important issue, in conjunction with the possibility Jill’s cousin could have been the intended victim. The important
point is that if the police did not disclose to the defence the claim Archer was responsible, and the
information relating to Jill’s cousin, what else did
they keep secret? If the information had been made available to the defence
at trial then Michael Mansfield QC could have introduced the credible
argument that Jill Dando was not the intended victim and therefore the police had been on a
wild goose chase by searching for those who had motive to murder her.
I have no doubt whatsoever, having studied evidence the jury never heard and
having consulted those who know Barry George, and the man himself, that
George did not murder Jill Dando and that a dangerous killer is still on the
loose. I hope that the Criminal Cases Review Commission refers his case to
the Court of Appeal before long so that he can regain the freedom he rightly
deserves.
Burglars Murder Householder in a Savage Attack (11 July 2005)
A man has been murdered by burglars who broke into his home in Kensington, South
London.
The fifty five year old victim died as a result of injuries sustained in a
violent attack in the early hours of Thursday morning. The victim’s partner was awoken by the sound of two white men, of
Caucasian appearance, savagely attacking the victim in a room that appeared
to have been ransacked. The two men soon fled the scene, with a number of belongings. The victim was taken
to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Two men, aged 26 and 39, were last night being questioned in connection with
the murder. The victim’s name has not yet been
revealed because a formal identification has not taken place.
Boy Admits Stabbing His Nephew "Without Realising" (6 July 2005)
A twelve year old boy has admitted to stabbing his seven month old nephew, “without realising”.
The boy, who was only eleven at the time and who cannot be named for legal
reasons, was playing on his Playstation when the incident occurred.
”I kept dying on the Playstation and that made me a bit mad.”,
he told Hull Crown Court, “I only had a bit left to do.”
After the baby began “whingeing” in the next room
he paused the game,
went to the kitchen and picked up a knife, allegedly to fix a toy (why would
he fix a toy if he was playing on the Playstation and wanted to finish his
game?). At this point in time the baby started screaming. Continuing his
testimony the boy described the attack: “I walked to the pram and
[the baby, which also cannot be named] was still crying, so without realising
I just stabbed him. The blade came out of the wooden bit. I realised what I
had done, so I put it in the room underneath the telly.” The baby’s eyes went “de3ad wide, like an owl”, he had told police officers
after the incident.
Although no blood was found on the knife, fatty deposits from the baby were.
According to Nicola Taylor, a forensic scientist, no forensic evidence was
found on the knife to suggest the boy had used the knife.
The baby suffered life threatening injuries but recovered after undergoing
surgery. The boy denies charges of attempted murder, wounding with intent to
cause grievous bodily harm and wounding.
Man Who Shot Police Officer Is Found Dead (6 July 2005)
A man who shot a police officer has been found dead inside his home following
an eighteen hour long siege.
Officers were called to the house in Rawtensall, Lancashire,
on Monday, following reports that the occupant, Stephen Hensby, has been
involved in anti-social behaviour. He has been involved in an eviction
dispute.
When officers arrived at the scene they were bombarded with petrol bombs and
Hensby, aged 54, opened fire on them. PC David Lomas was shot in the upper
body. He was airlifted to the Royal
Preston Hospital,
where his condition is described as “comfortable.”
At 06:30, yesterday morning, officers stormed the building and found Hensby’s dead body in an upstairs room. A dead Rottweiler was found
nearby.
Man Who Killed Girlfriend Arrested After Six Hour Siege (6 July 2005)
A man who held his girlfriend and child hostage at a house in Liverpool,
has been arrested following a six hour siege.
Officers were called to the Merseyside house after reports that John Kerfoot
was holding his former girlfriend, Janet Kilty, and their five year old child
at gunpoint. The couple had separated shortly before. During the course of
the incident Kilty was stabbed and died from her injuries. The child was
recovered physically unharmed.
Kerfoot has been arrested on suspicion of murder and will be interviewed
after he has been declared fit for questioning.
Public School Boy Admits Murdering Parents (29 June 2005)
A public schoolboy has admitted killing his elderly parents before using
their credit cards to fund a £30,000 spending spree.
Brian Blackwell, 19, bludgeoned Sydney Blackwell, his 72 year old father, and
Jacqueline, his 61 year old mother, to death at their £350,000 bungalow in
Melling, Merseyside in July last year. Both had been repeatedly hit with a
claw hammer and stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife.
Blackwell has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished
responsibility and will be sentenced at a later date.
Those who know Blackwell have been shocked by his crime. He was referred to
as an “exemplary” student by staff at a £7000 per year
college in Liverpool where he studied hard,
achieving four A Levels, all grade A. In fact it was only after killing his
parents, and returning to college, that Blackburn learnt of his
success. His parent’s bodies lay undiscovered whilst Blackwell
claimed they were on holiday in their villa in Majorca.
He stayed, after returning from an expensive holiday in the USA,
with his girlfriend’s family, telling them that he had been locked out of the bungalow. He
then engaged in a £30,000 spending spree.
Blackwell suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which resulted in
him living a fantasy lifestyle. He pretended to be a professional tennis
player and applied for thirteen credit cards in his father’s name to fund the lifestyle of a professional player. He spent
£2,200 on a three night stay in the Presidential Suite of the Plaza Hotel in New
York, where he travelled to immediately after the
murders.
Judge in Sion Jenkins Trial Begins Summing-Up (23 June 2005)
Mrs Justice Rafferty has today begun her summing-up of the case of Sion
Jenkins, the former deputy headmaster accused of killing his foster daughter
Billie-Jo.
Jenkins was originally convicted of murdering Billie-Jo, with a tent peg, in
1998 but his conviction was quashed last year after new forensic evidence
seemed to offer an innocent explanation for the presence of microscopic
droplets of Billie-Jo's blood on Jenkins' clothing. It was argued, at appeal,
that the blood came to be on his clothing because Billie-Jo was coughing up
blood and one of her nostrils was blocked with a piece of bin liner, causing
a fine spray of blood. Other evidence at appeal argued a schizophrenic tramp,
found in possession of a bin liner, who was arrested soon after the murder, was
responsible. Jenkins' daughters also provided him with an alibi.
The judges ordered a retrial which commenced earlier this year. The retrial
has heard evidence showing Jenkins to be a liar, simply because he lied on a
job application (is this not fairly common?) and that he had once kicked
Billy-Jo.
The jury are expected to be sent out to consider their verdict in the next
few days.
Caroline Dickinson Appeal Begins (23 June 2005)
Francisco Arce Montes, the man jailed last year for the rape and murder of
Caroline Dickinson, a thirteen year old British girl killed in a French youth
hostel in 1998, has today begun his appeal against conviction.
Montes, aged 55, claims he did not intend to murder Caroline, only wishing to
cover her mouth with a pillow so that her screams could not be heard as he
raped her. What i find interesting is that although several fellow pupils in
the hostel admit to having heard Caroline wheezing, coughing and calling for
help, no one actually did anything. One woman admitted hearing Caroline call
for her mother but simply thought she was dreaming. This woman also admitted
seeing Caroline "wriggling" whilst this was happening. So why did
she not or hear Montes?
Michael Jackson: Not Guilty (13 June 2005)
Tonight (British time) Michael Jackson was found not guilty of all ten
charges which he stood accused of. Upon hearing the first verdict Jackson
is said to have expressed no emotion but upon the second he raised his hand
in the air and wiped a tear from his eye, with he repeated on each subsequent
'not guilty' verdict.
What do you think of the verdict? Has justice been served? Personally I was
surprised he did not get convicted of something but I do agree with the jury
that he should be found not guilty of the child molestation charges. That is
not to say he did not commit those offences but there was just too much doubt
surrounding the testimony of the boy and his family. It is, in my opinion, a
shame Jackson's
bleak finances will prevent him from being able to take legal action against
his accusers.
Girl Charged in the 'Hanging' Boy Case (3 June 2005)
A twelve year old girl arrested in connection with the attempted murder of
five year old Anthony Hinchcliffe, in Dewsbury earlier this week, has been
charged with causing grievous bodily harm and attempting to pervert the
course of justice. She has been handed over to the youth justice team and
will appear at a Youth Court in the very near future. It is understand she
will deny the charges.
Although the police originally believed eight individuals were involved, they
have announced they are no longer looking for other suspects. Presumably they
believe the five they arrested are the only perpetrators of this horrific
crime. Police have not yet confirmed whether Anthony was hung but a noose was
tied around his neck.
Man Charged in McCartney Murder (3 June 2005)
This afternoon a man was charged in connection with the murder of Robert
McCartney who was beaten and stabbed to death outside a Belfast bar by
members of the IRA. A second man has been charged with the attempted murder
of Mr McCartney's friend who was viciously assaulted.
Jury in Jackson
Trial Begins Deliberating (3 June 2005)
The jury at the trial of Michael Jackson, who stands accused of child
molestation, false imprisonment and plying a minor with alcohol, has been
sent out to consider their verdicts.
After counsel presented their closing speeches, in which the defence
maintained this was a case based on lies, spoken by family taught to lie, the
judge provided his summing up. The jury were then sent to a room at the rear
of the court to elect a foreman.
It is anticipated that it will take several days for the jury of eight women
and four men to reach a verdict because of the large amount of complex
evidence involved.
Man Arrested Over Jeshma Raithatha's Murder (3 June 2005)
A man has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of seventeen
year old Jeshma Raithatha who was killed in London last month.
The man is currently in Latvia
and will face extradition back to Britain
to face questioning by the Metropolitan Police.
Latest on Attempted Murder of Five Year Old Boy (2 June 2005)
Police in Dewsbury today released all five suspects in the attempted murder
discussed below, after magistrates refused to grant an extension to question
the suspects further. However, the police decided to re-arrest one of the
suspects, a twelve year old girl, thus getting round the magistrates'
decision.
The victim's mother has described to police how her son was playing with the
girl, in the garden of the boy's home. When the mother called for her son,
when his dinner was ready, he had already gone. It is believed the girl took
him to local woods and there a gang of eight attempted to hang him. They
succeeded in tying a noose around his neck but the boy was later discovered
walking around on his own.
Two Police Officers Arrested For Harry Stanley's Murder (2 June 2005)
Two police firearms officers have today been arrested in connection with the
murder of Harry Stanley who was shot dead as he walked in a London street
seven years ago. He was carrying a table leg in a carrier bag, which two
police officers mistook for a sawn-off shotgun. He was shot dead without
either of the police officers speaking to him.
An inquest after the incident recorded an open verdict. A second inquest
determined Harry Stanley died as a result of unlawful killing. This verdict
was then overturned by a High Court ruling which said there was 'insufficient
evidence' against the two police officers. The Crown Prosecution Service was
then asked to investigate and today, after new forensic evidence was
discovered, the two men were arrested on a charge of murder. They also face
charges of neglect of duty and manslaughter.
The Metropolitan Police has said it will continue to help the officers during
this 'difficult time' (they were suspended on full pay following the second
inquest). Would the Met give the same support to other murder suspects?
Five Children Arrested For Attempted Murder (1 June 2005)
Five children, aged eleven and twelve, are today being questioned in
connection with the attempted murder of a five year old boy in Dewsbury, West
Yorkshire.
The victim was found by a twenty two year old cousin, walking around confused
and frightened. It has emerged that he was taken into woods, viciously
beaten, so much so that his body is covered in bruises, and a noose tied
around his neck. He is currently in hospital undergoing treatment.
Two More Arrests in Robert McCartney Murder (1 June 2005)
Two further arrests have been made by detectives hunting the killers of Belfast
man Robert McCartney. McCartney was murdered by IRA members outside a Belfast
bar earlier this year. A friend was also seriously attacked. Since the murder
his sisters have appealed extensively for witnesses, and the killers
themselves, to come forward, even taking their quest for justice to the White
House. The McCartney sisters have, as a result, received several death
threats.
Jeshma Raithatha Update (30 May 2005)
Detectives hunting the killer of Jeshma Raithatha have renewed their appeal
for anyone who saw Jeshma, during the week before her death, to come forward.
They have also revealed Jeshma was subjected to a serious sexual assault
before her death.
Mark Hobson Jailed for Life (27 May 2005)
Mark Hobson, a former binman who lived near Selby, has today been jailed for
life for the murders of Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan
Britton. His barrister spoke for around an hour to argue Hobson had schizoid
traits but the judge was under no illusion that Hobson should serve his
sentence in prison. Hobson pleaded guilty to the murders last month and today
learnt that he would spend his entire life in jail. Upon hearing the sentence
some of the relatives of Hobson's victims leapt into the air and began
swearing at him. One relative shouted "I hope you rot in hell."
Jeshma Could Have Been Kept Hostage (27 May 2005)
Detectives investigating the murder of Jeshma Raithatha have revealed that
she died days after she went missing, suggesting the possibility she was
kidnapped and held against her will for a number of days before her death.
Model Found Murdered Near Her Home (26 May 2005)
Two days ago the body of Jeshma Raithatha, who was aged seventeen, was
discovered in bushes around a recreation park in Greenford, Middlesex. She
had been repeatedly stabbed in the heart.
Jeshma was last seen alive last Monday when she was dropped off at school by
her parents. She was described as being happy at that time, looking forward
to a holiday.
Jeshma was an aspiring singer who had posted messages on the Internet
advertising her musical talents. Police are investigating the possibility she
was killed by someone she met over the Internet, but this is only one line of
enquiry.
Death Row Inmate's Donation Reprieve Attempt Fails (26 May 2005)
A Death Row inmate in the USA,
who sought a reprieve so that he could donate part of his liver to a dying
sister was executed yesterday.
Medical experts said Gregory Johnson, aged forty, was suffering from Hepatitis
B, which damaged his liver. Therefore any transplant would not assist
Johnson's sister, who suffers from cirrhosis.
Johnson was convicted of murdering an elderly woman, during a burglary, in
1985. Yesterday he received the lethal injection at Indiana State Prison.
Paul Blackburn's Conviction is Quashed (25 May 2005)
Judges at the Court of Appeal in London today quashed the conviction of Paul
Blackburn, who was jailed in 1978 for the attempted murder of a nine year old
boy.
Blackburn always denied being involved,
although at trial a confession statement was produced. The appeal judges
today said new evidence suggested the police had lied when they claimed Blackburn
had written the statement himself. In a book by L.A. Naylor, Blackburn
described the police interviews and said that he had been bullied into a
confession and that he would have written anything. He claims the police
dictated a confession and that he wrote it down. He was young and scared, he
alleges.
Blackburn was released from prison two years
ago, on parole, but it was only today that his name was cleared. Speaking
outside the Court of Appeal Blackburn told journalists: "I haven't been
able to pick up the pieces and I don't know if I ever will be."
Two More Men Charged Over Mary-Ann Leneghan's Death (18 May 2005)
Two more men have been charged over the death of sixteen year old Mary-Ann
Leneghan who was stabbed once in the neck in Reading, with her eighteen year
old friend being raped before being shot once in the head. One of the men was
charged in connection with the murder of Mary-Ann Leneghan, the attempted
murder of the eighteen year old woman and the abduction of both women. The
second man has been charged in connection with possessing a prohibited
weapon.
A Trail of Blood Links Defendent to the Crime (16 May 2005)
A man who stands accused of murdering a priest, was linked to the crime after
police officers followed a trail of blood from the scene of the crime to the
defendant's home, a court has today been told. The defendent allegedly cut
his finger breaking into the home of the priest.
A Fourth Man Charged in Connection With Mary-Ann Leneghan's Murder (16 May
2005)
Today a fourth man has appeared at Reading Magistrates Court charged with the
murder of Mary-Ann Leneghan, abducting Mary-Ann and her friend and for raping
the eighteen year old friend. The man is 23 years old and from London.
Three Men Charged in Connection With Mary-Ann Leneghan's Murder (14 May
2005)
A 21 year old man from Balham, south-west London
was last night charged with the murder of Mary-Ann Leneghan. He appeared in
Reading Magistrates Court earlier today and is currently in hospital
suffering from injures, reportedly self-inflicted, sustained in the cells of
the Magistrates Court.
Tonight two more men have been charged in connection with the murder and
attempted murder. Four others are still being interviewed, including two
women who have been arrested in connection with assisting offenders.
Detectives Fly to Australia to Question Abigail Suspect's Ex (12 May 2005)
Detectives searching for the identity of the man who left the young mother
Abigail Witchalls paralysed, have flown out to Australia to speak to a
deceased suspect's ex-wife.
Following the apparent suicide of a suspect in the investigation (see yesterday's
entry) the investigating team wish to question the former wife of the suspect
in a bid to determine whether he could have been the man who viciously
attempted to murder Abigail last month.
Unless the suspect, who I still shall not name at this stage, spoke to his
former wife about the incident it is unlikely she will be able to offer any
real assistance. Even if she claims he was violent this does not mean he
carried out this crime. Without a confession, a positive identification by
the victim or compelling forensic evidence his involvement cannot be proven.
I fear that even if this man is innocent the police might, if they struggle
to find anyone else who could be considered a significant suspect, will
simply find it is more convenient to put the blame on the dead man - the easy
target. Of course, I am not saying he is innocent, but it is always so much
easier to blame someone who cannot defend themselves.
Latest on the Hunt For Mary-Ann Leneghan's Killers (12 May 2005)
A woman has been arrested in connection with the hunt for Mary-Ann Leneghan's
killers. It is probable she has not been arrested for the murder itself, as
the surviving victim has not provided any details relating to a woman being
present. Perhaps the woman has, in the opinion of detectives, helped pervert
the course of justice or has wasted their time. I will provide more details
when I find out what has happened.
Officers Search a Flat in a Bid to Catch Mary-Ann Leneghan's Killers (12
May 2005)
Police officers in Reading are today searching a flat above a massage parlour
to find clues relating to the murder of Mary-Ann Leneghan and attempted
murder of her eighteen year old friend, who cannot be named for legal
reasons.
The property is the home of one of the men being held in police custody in
connection with the incident. A local woman has told investigating officers
that she saw the two women in the vicinity of the property on a frequent
basis, late at night and in the early hours of the morning.
Abigail Murder Suspect Commits Suicide (11 May 2005)
Detectives hunting the attacker of Abigail Witchalls have revealed that one
of their suspects has died in a Scottish hospital after taking a suspected
overdose.
The suspect fled to Scotland
days after Abigail was stabbed in the neck in Surrey village
of Little Bookham, in
broad daylight after collecting her two year old son from nursery, on 20
April. The single stab wound has left her paralysed although she is conscious
and has provided a detailed description of her attacker.
The suspect, who I shall not name at this stage, was admitted into Raigmore
Hospital in Inverness
on 28 April, before being transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he
died on 30 April.
The man, who lived in Little Bookham, is only one of many suspects,
detectives have stressed.
Culkin Rejects Jackson Abuse Claims (11 May 2005)
The Home Alone actor Macaulay Culkin has rejected claims that he was abused
by Michael Jackson, although he has admitted having slept in the singer's
bed, whilst he was a child, on many occasions. Culkin, a good friend of Jackson,
who allows his own children to stay at the Neverland Ranch, claimed the
allegations he had been abused were "absolutely ridiculous."
Michael Jackson's trial, for child molestation and false imprisonment,
continues.
Two Arrests in Mary-Ann Leneghan Murder Investigation (11 May 2005)
Detectives investigating the brutal murder of Mary-Ann Leneghan, and
attempted murder of her friend, have arrested two more men in connection with
the crime. According to Superintendent Mark Warwick, of Thames Valley Police,
the arrests are a "significant" development.
Mary-Ann, aged sixteen, and her eighteen year old friend, were abducted by a
group of six men and sexually assaulted before being left in a park in Reading.
Mary-Ann was stabbed once in the neck and died from her injuries. My
understanding is that the friend, who is seriously ill in hospital, was shot
once in the head.
A third man is also in custody, having been arrested yesterday. Four others
have been released on bail.
At Least Thirty Years For The Man Who Killed Pregnant School Girl (7 May
2005)
Philip Powell, a 43 year old father of four, has today confessed to the
murder of pregnant fourteen year old Amy Williams, at the Old Bailey. He told
the court how he confronted the school girl before forcing her to walk for
half an hour to a graveyard. He then raped and strangled the girl. Her body
was later found seated upright on a bench at the graveyard.
Powell was arrested after DNA found on the victim matched that held on a
database of offenders. Powell had a previous conviction of possessing an
offensive weapon. It is normal procedure to take DNA samples from criminals
and store them in the database.
Mr Justice Wakerly set a minimum tariff of thrity years. "What you did
was a terrible thing.", he said, "You terrified a young girl. Your
mind was on one thing and that was sex."
Dyson Admits Responsibility For Death of Joanne Nelson (3 May 2005)
Paul Dyson, the man charged in connection with the murder of Joanne Nelson
who disappeared on 14 February this year, has admitted he did kill his
fiance. Joanne's body was found in remote countryside in north Yorkshire
last month, whilst Dyson was on remand. He has not yet entered a plea of
guilty or not guilty to the charge of murder but has admitted responsibility
for causing Joanne's death. It is, of course, possible he could deny murder
and claim his crime was manslaughter.
Former Clerk Carries Out Killing Spree (26 April 2005)
A former bank clerk at a Chinese credit co-operative has shot five people
before turning his gun on himself.
Wang Yanjun stole 10,000 yuan (approximately £6,300) from his former
workplace, thne Xiangchenggu Credit Co-operative in the Hebel province of
northern China,
before killing five employees of the company. He then killed himself, the
reasons for which are currently unknown.
Michael Jackson is a 'Good Father' (26 April 2005)
An ex-wife of singer Michael Jackson has today praised him for being a good
father and humanitarian. It was expected, by the prosecution, that Debbie
Rowe would provide damning testimony of her former husband's unusual
behaviour and lifestyle but sadly, for them, she had nothing but good to say
about the man accused of child molestation and false imprisonment. Of course,
how he behaved with his own children does not necessarily prove anything
because many paedophiles have children of their own and yet are above
suspicion. Rowe's evidence would not, realistically, have proven anything
either way because the issue in this case is whether Jackson
molested Gavin Arvizo and unless Rowe was present at that time, which she was
not, then she cannot provide any conclusive information about the case. Rowe
has not even lived with Jackson
for a number of years and therefore she does not know what his behaviour was
like at that time. As far as I am concerned, a good father does not hold his
child from a hotel balcony and he does not cover them with cloths so that
they cannot be seen at all. However, it is irrelevant whether he is a good
father. The fact is that even good fathers can be child molesters.
Child Abuse 'Expert' Condemned For Distorting the Truth (26 April 2005)
Dr Camille De San Lazaro, a so-called expert in the guessing game of child
abuse (I say this because experts have been shown to be completely at odds
with the truth, locking up innocent people simply because they believe a
young child has been abused with only their opinion to substantiate the
claim) has appeared before a General Medical Council hearing to face charges
of misconduct after admitting she "exaggerated" and
"overstated" accounts of sexual abuse. How many innocent people has
she been responsible for sending to prison? Child abuse claims are, in the
opinion of those who have studied such cases, the fastest growing area in
which miscarriages of justice occur. Often a child will deny they have been
abused and the main evidence against a suspect will consist simply of the
word of an expert who has decided, without previously knowing the child, that
the child's behaviour is consistent with them having been abused. Then there
is the word of a parent who might have motive to lie. For example, it is easy
for a mother to encourage a very young child to say they have been abused by
their father if it would help the mother gain sole custody or if there is a
bitter break-up between the mother and father, it might be profitable for the
mother to claim the father abused the child in order to gain revenge (I know
of a case where this has happened). It does happen, sadly, although of course
there are many genuine cases. It is estimated thousands of false claims of
child abuse, and abuse of adults, are made each year but there are many, many
more genuine claims.
Hobson Pleads Guilty to Four Murders (18 April 2005)
Mark Hobson appeared at Leeds Crown Court today to enter his pleas for
causing the deaths of an elderly couple and two twin sisters, one of which
was his ex-partner. In February this year he admitted responsibilty for the
deaths and today he pleaded guilty to murder on all four counts.
On 18 July 2004 the bodies of Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan
Britton, were found. It was determined Claire Sanderson, who had been
Hobson's girlfriend, was killed on or around Saturday 11 July at her home in
Selby. Her twin sister Diane was killed on 18 July. Hobson then drove to a
village north of York
where he murdered James and Joan Britton, who were in their eighties. A
manhunt eventually resulted in the capture of Hobson.
Shipman's Stolen Goods Given to His Widow (16 April 2005)
Items of jewellery, worth hundreds of pounds, which are believed to have
belonged to some of the victims of the killer Doctor Harold Shipman, have now
become the legal property of Primrose Shipman, the murderer's widow.
Relatives of the victims had until today to prove their loved ones had owned
the jewellery, which was found in Shipman's garage during a police raid on
his home. Receipts and/or photograph evidence was required to prove
ownership. Primrose Shipman cannot prove ownership and of course the
jewellery, which consisted of multiple wedding rings amongst other jewellery
types, was found in a garage (hardly the place you would keep expensive
jewellery if you legally owned it).
I personally find it disgusting that the widow of a serial killer can legally
own items belonging to her husband's victims. She ought to auction off the
jewellery and provide the money to a worthy charity, such as one which helps
the families of murder victims.
Teacher's Bail Application is Rejected (14 April 2005)
Linda Walker, who was jailed last month for firing a pellet gun at a group of
youths she believed were responsible for a hate campaign against her and her
family, will remain in prison waiting for her appeal to be heard.
'Prison Responsible For Harold Shipman's Death' (14 April 2005)
It has been claimed that the prolific serial killer Doctor Harold Shipman
died partly due to the actions of staff at the prison where he was serving
his life sentences.
Shipman, who was considered to be someone who was at high risk of committing
suicide, was found hanging in his cell in January 2004. It has since emerged
that he was being bullied by a member of staff who kept telling him to go and
hang himself. Shipman killed himself after losing many of his privileges.
Since his death hundreds more crimes have been attributed to him. He was
convicted only of killing fifteen of his patients by injecting them with
morphine, but is now believed to have killed up to three hundred and fifty
patients over a three decade period, despite there being no evidence to prove
many of these alleged victims were murdered at all.
Family of Jackson's Accuser 'Bribed' to Defend Singer (12 April 2005)
The jury at the trial of Michael Jackson has heard that the singer offered
the family of his accuser, Gavin Arvizo, a house and college education in
exchange for their participation in a documentary arguing against that
produced by British journalist Martin Bashir.
Arvizo's stepfather also claims that the family were offered
"protection" from some unspecified threat.
Gun Firing Teacher Seeks Bail (13 April 2005)
Lawyers acting on behalf of Linda Walker, a 48 year old special needs teacher
jailed for six months for firing a pellet gun at a gang of youths in August last
year, are today requesting that she should be released on bail pending her
appeal against conviction.
The appeal, which is due to be heard next month, will argue that her
conviction is unsafe on the grounds that she had been suffering from abuse at
the hands of a number of youths who had caused damage to her garden, garden
shed and had made nuisance phone calls.
Jackson 'Took a Shower With Eight Year Old Boy' (6 April 2005)
A former maid at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch has today told the court at
the singer's trial that she once saw Jackson having a shower with an eight
year old boy. The prosecution are using this testimony, along with other
allegations of abuse and improper behaviour with young boys, to demonstrate
that the teenage boy currently accusing Jackson
has given an account of Jackson's
behaviour that is consistent with what others have said. The prosecution are
using the accounts of alleged previous incidents, which it must be stressed
were never proven to have occurred, to verify the boy's claims. They are
trying to convey the message that one person could lie but it would be
farfetched to say multiple individuals could each, independently, provide
false stories similar in certain respects.
Fingerprints on a Pornography Magazine - Proof of Jackson's
Guilt! (26 March 2005)
The jury in the trial of Michael Jackson has today heard that the star's
fingerprints were found on a magazine containing legal pornography and that
his alleged victim's prints were also present. This apparently shows that Jackson
used the adult pornography to lure the young victim into his bedroom so that
he could molest him. Jackson
explains the presence of the child's prints by saying he caught his accuser
looking through his hoard of magazines and took them away from him. The
accuser claims Jackson
showed them him and his younger brother and also showed them both Internet
pornography. A large number of pornographic images were found on Jackson's
computer. Even if Jackson
did show the pornography to the boys does this mean he molested one of them?
It proves nothing, either way.
Jackson
stands accused of ten charges of child molestation and false imprisonment.
His trial continues.
A Rape of a Young Child in Her Own Home (25 March 2005)
A young girl has been raped by a stranger in her own home in Basildon, Essex,
it has been revealed.
The attack, which happened between 20:00 last night and 07:00 this morning
was committed by an intruder whilst her family was sleeping. It is understood
the girl, who cannot be named, was woken up by her attacker and subjected to
a traumatic ordeal. The girl is under the age of ten but her exact age cannot
be revealed in case it leads to her being identified.
A description of the offender has been provided. He is described as being aged
between eighteen and twenty (but of course this was someone aged nine or
under who made the description and therefore the estimated age might not be
too accurate). His skin colour is black, his build described as
"skinny" and his hair as of an "Afro style."
Joanne Nelson's Body Has Been Found (25 March 2005)
The detective leading the search for Joanne Nelson's body has confirmed that
the remains found yesterday (see the entry below) are those of the missing
woman Joanne Nelson who disappeared on Valentine's Day this year. It has been
revealed that the body was found 100 to 150 yards from an iron gate, which
the police believe is significant because their experts determined that the
body could be near a gate.
A post mortem carried out earlier today has shown that Joanne was strangled
to death. Her fiancé was charged last month with her murder and has been
remanded into custody.
Joanne's parents identified their daughter at Hull Mortuary. They have
requested the press to allow them to grieve in private.
A Body Found in the Search For Joanne Nelson (24 March 2005)
A detective involved in the investigation into the murder of Joanne Nelson,
who is believed to have been killed on Valentines Day this year, has revealed
that the body of a young woman has been found in the North Yorkshire town of
Malton. It has not yet been confirmed whether the body is that of the job
centre worker. Joanne’s fiancé was last month
charged with her murder and a massive police search for her body then commenced.
Open Verdict For Stephen Hilder's Death (23 March 2005)
The death of the twenty year old sky diver Stephen Hilder, who plummeted to
his death during a skydiving competition in July 2003, was "unique and
mysterious" a Coroner has ruled.
Unable to determine whether the young man was the victim of murder or suicide
he had little choice but to record an open verdict.
A murder hunt was immediately initiated upon Hilder's death, and the police
even arrested two of Hilder's friends and held them for a number of days,
before eventually deciding that Hilder committed suicide.
Coroner Atkinson could not find any evidence to prove that suicide took place
although he accepted Hilder's DNA was found on the pair of scissors used to
cut the main chute and reserve chute of his parachute. Fibres from the
parachute were also found on Hilder's clothing.
Lincolnshire Police ceased their murder investigation last year and will not
continue looking for anyone in connection with the death unless new evidence,
showing Hilder was murdered, is forthcoming.
More details Revealed about School Massacre (22 March 2005)
Police investigating the terrible massacre at the school in the USA have
revealed more details about the perpetrator of the crime, Jeff Weise, who
killed himself during the incident.
He was, they say, a neo-Nazi who had spoken of his intention to shoot
students at the school for some time. In fact he had been arrested in 2004
for this very reason, because it was known he was intending to kill students
on Hitler’s birthday. The police released him and took no
further action. Weis also is known to have drawn skulls with bullets in them.
A very disturbing young man, clearly, but one has to accept that the police
could very realistically have done something to prevent this tragedy.
Another Massacre in an American School
(21 March 2005)
Ten people are dead and several injured after a gunman opened fire at a
school in the USA.
Jeff Weise, a seventeen year old with mental health problems, killed his
grandfather, a veteran police officer, and his grandfather’s partner, after having armed himself with a shotgun and two
hand pistols in a Native American Reserve in the state of Minnesota.
After killing them both he travelled to his school shooting a security guard
dead before entering. Inside he shot more than a dozen pupils. Six of them
died. The gunman then turned one of the guns on himself, ending his own life.
There has been a spate of shootings in recent weeks in the USA.
A man entered a church and shot several members of the congregation before
killing himself, allegedly because he disliked the sermon, and a four year
old boy shot his two year old brother
What can you expect from a country whose citizens are encouraged to own guns?
I have several press cuttings of cases where people have used guns for
ridiculous purposes. For example one man was in a busy restaurant when he
shot at his laptop computer simply because it crashed and another case where
gunfire had been exchanged over a snowball fight.
Another Disruption in the Case of Michael Jackson (21 March 2005)
Michael Jackson again arrived at court late, apparently due to medical
reasons. He appeared frail and needed the assistance of two people to enter
the courtroom. A doctor was present and privately gave the trial judge
details about Jackson's
health. It is understood that the singer is complaining of severe back pains.
He was seen to weep whilst the doctor was speaking with the judge. Is this a
foolish ploy on the part of the defendant or is he genuinely ill, through the
stress? It is fairly common that during trials, especially those which are
high-profile, that defendants will become ill due to stress and often they
will imagine symptoms but believe they are actually ill. A classic example is
that of Barry George who went blind during part of his trial due to the
stress of his trial and the media's role.
Shipman May Have Stolen From His Victims (17 March 2005)
Relatives of Harold Shipman’s victims are being
contacted to see whether they can identify a hoard of jewellery found in the serial killer’s garage.
In total seventy items of jewellery, estimated to be worth a total of
£10,000, remain unclaimed. It is considered suspicious that the jewellery was
hidden in the garage of his Hyde home and so detectives from greater
Manchester Police believe some of it could belong to his victims. “It has always been our unsubstantiated belief that some of that
jewellery had belonged to Shipman’s victims.”, a spokesperson has said.
At least one hundred and eighty families of Shipman’s estimated six hundred and fifty victims have been contacted
by post to see whether they can claim any of the jewellery. They have just
under one month to claim before the jewellery is handed to the wife of the
killer. Surely,
unless she can claim the jewellery, by proving it is hers, it should be sold
and the proceeds donated to a charity.
Irrelevant ‘Evidence’ Introduced in the
Michael Jackson Trial (17 March 2005)
Police officers who raided Jackson’s home have been giving evidence at the singer’s trial.
The raid on the Neverland Ranch in November 2003 allegedly found his bedroom
was “brimming with pornography”, with a number of sexually explicit
magazines. Jackson’s attorney has, however, pointed out that all of the magazines were perfectly legal,
featuring adults and not children.
This is very poor evidence because it is irrelevant. In fact it is not
actually evidence at all because it has no bearing on whether Jackson
committed child molestation and false imprisonment. If someone owns
pornography of naked women it does not mean they sexually abuse children. It
is the prosecution’s job to show that the pornography was used to
lure the victim, Gavin Arvizo, so that Jackson
could molest him.
In October last year I attended a meeting where the issue of false allegations
of sexual assault and child molestation was discussed in detail. The
prosecution in Jackson’s case are attempting to
show that Arvizo was acting in a way consistent with having been abused;
reluctant to talk
about the incident and crying. At the meeting I attended an expert in the
subject, Dr Bill Thompson, showed that no matter what the individual’s demeanour, paediatricians and prosecution counsels can create
the impression that the alleged victim has been abused. It is an impossible situation for a
defendant because it all comes down to the defendant’s word against that of the accuser.
Suicide Theory is ‘Illogical’ the Stephen
Hilder Inquest is Told (17 March 2005)
The theory that the skydiver Stephen Hilder, who plunged 13,000 feet to his
death during a skydiving competition, committed suicide is “illogical” according to a witness at the inquest into Hilder’s
death.
The basis of this belief is that examination of Hilder’s body and his equipment, after his death, showed that he had carried out the
full emergency procedures to open his chute. Why would he do this, it has
been asked, if he was intent on ending his life? Checks on his equipment
showed that cords from the main chute and reserve chute had been deliberately
cut. A murder investigation was initiated and two men arrested, before police
began to accept Hilder had ended his own life on the basis of forensic
evidence.
The coroner has correctly pointed out that there is no logic in suicide and
therefore just because he carried out emergency procedures does not mean he
was murdered. When plunging to his death we cannot know what was going
through his mind. Even suicidal people can feel fear as they are about to
die.
The inquest at Scunthorpe
Coroner’s Court continues.
A ‘Hung’ Jury in the Trial of Andrew Wragg (17
March 2005)
The jury in the trial of Andrew Wragg, who is accused of murdering his
severely ill son, have failed to reach a verdict. The jury are always asked
to reach a unanimous verdict. If they fail to reach such a verdict then they
can be given permission, by the trial judge, to reach a majority where at
least ten jurors are in agreement. If ten or more can still not agree then
the jury becomes ‘hung’, is discharged and eventually a new trial begins.
Police Link Milly Dowler Murder To Other Deaths (15 March 2005)
Detectives investigating the murder of teenager Milly Dowler, who was killed
three years ago, believe there is a link between her death and the murders of
Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange.
It is not known how serious they are treating any link, because they have
individually linked these murders to others, only to find they were wrong in
their beliefs. Looking at the photographs of the three girls/women there are
some similarities in their appearance although their ages vary between
thirteen and twenty two. However, there are differences in the location of
the crimes and the modus operandi of the attacks. The cause of Milly
Dowler's death could never be determined (her body was too decomposed) and so
it is difficult to conceive how there can be a defined link between the three
murders.
Studies of CCTV footage have revealed a red car where Milly Dowler was last
seen alive. She had been friends at a railway station but had decided to walk
home. The police are trying to trace this vehicle.
If there are any links between these three crimes then it is a travesty of
justice because a man was arrested and charged in connection with the murder
of Marsha McDonnell. It was ruled that he was not fit enough for trial and it
was ordered he should be detained, indefinitely, at a psychiatric hospital.
This happened five months before the murder of Amelie Delagrange, in March
2003. If there is a connection between the crimes then the man currently
detained is unquestionably innocent.
Michael Jackson Did Not Abuse Me, Accuser Told School Teacher (14 March
2005)
Michael Jackson's fifteen year old accuser has admitted today that, when
asked by a teacher whether the allegations the singer had abused him were
true, he told the teacher he had not been abused.
Looking the teenager in the eyes, the teachers asked whether there was any
truth in the allegations and the accuser responded "No." It is
claimed he made the same admission to others on separate occasions.
It is possible that Jackson
did abuse him and that he simply did not want to talk about the issue with
his teacher. However, this admission would seemingly undermine much of the
prosecution's case. It is difficult to believe Jackson
could be convicted of child molestation on the basis of this admission but
then so many people doubted Barry George could ever be convicted of the
murder of Jill Dando when the evidence against him was pathetically weak.
Michael Jackson continues to deny the charges of child molestation and false
imprisonment. His trial continues.
More Drama in the Jackson
Trial (10 March 2005)
Michael Jackson came very close to being arrested today, when he failed to
arrive in court on time. He claimed he was suffering from back pains when he eventually
arrived, one hour late. After his 'severe flu' it is understandable that
people will think the pop star is simply trying to delay matters. Dressed in
his pyjamas Jackson listened to his accuser
provide details of the abuse he allegedly suffered from whilst staying at Jackson's
Neverland Ranch.
McCartney Suspect Released on Police Bail (10 March 2005)
A man arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of Robert McCartney
has been released on police bail after a few hours of questioning, whilst
investigations continue. No further details are available at this time.
A Family Lived With Dead Father For Ten Years (9 March 2005)
The family of a man lived with his corpse for an estimated ten years, it has
been revealed.
The three daughters of the man, who are all in their seventies, are being
questioned by police in Japan
after Kyujiro Kanaoka's body was found on a bed in the family home in the
city of Itami.
The daughters have informed the police that they did not realise their father
was dead (a very believable story!) but one had consulted a relative about
the possibility he could be dead. The fact he was decomposing and had not
been breathing, eating, talking or doing anything for ten years is normally
quite a good indicator that he is dead.
The fact his death was not reported, and such an implausible story provided,
begs the question of whether a serious crime has been committed.
Jackson's
Accuser Takes to the Witness Stand (9 March 2005)
The teenage boy who claims he was molested by Michael Jackson has today begun
giving evidence against the pop star. He described the events leading up to
meeting the star and leading up to the abuse.
A friend of the 'victim' had arranged for Jackson
to telephone the boy whilst the boy was in hospital suffering from cancer.
They spoke for around five minutes. Further telephone calls were made and
eventually Jackson
sent a limousine to fetch the boy from his home and take him to the Neverland
Ranch. The abuse itself was not discussed, as this will require extensive
questioning, but it was said that Jackson
had shown the boy and his younger brother pornography and they had slept with
the singer in his bed.
'Death Pact' to Kill Terminally Ill Son (8 March 2005)
The trial of Andrew Wragg, who stands accused of murdering his seriously ill
son, has today heard that Wragg and his ex-wife had a 'death pact' in which
they agreed their son should be killed.
Mary Wragg was, according to the defendant, "completely aware of what
was happening that night and it would never have happened if she had
expressed concern at any time about what was going to happen."
Wragg killed his ten year old son, Jacob, on 24 July 2004 after eh persuaded
his wife to take their other son to Mary Wragg's mother's house. Jacob
suffered from a genetic disorder called Hunter syndrome. Wragg had spent
three months in Iraq
and after his return he realised how fast his son's health was deteriorating,
he maintains. He decided he should kill Jacob and arranged to do so after
going on holiday but, when discussing this with his wife, she allegedly
asked, "Why wait?" On the day he killed his son, Wragg apparently
called his wife to tell her, "It's tonight." Mary Wragg knew what
he meant, he says, and her willingness to take their younger son away was a sign
of her approval to killing Jacob.
After smothering Jacob, with a pillow, Wragg phoned the police to confess to
murdering his son. He now denies murder, claiming instead that he is guilty
of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and ended his
son's life in a "mercy killing." He told the court today that he
had felt great relief upon killing his son. He spent half an hour, he claims,
with Jacob afterwards explaining why he had killed him and stroking his hair.
According to many who knew him, Wragg was embarrassed about Jacob's condition
and he had an alcohol problem. It is alleged that he had been drinking on the
night he ended Jacob's life and that his 'embarrassment' led to him killing
Jacob whilst under the influence of alcohol. In the past he had allegedly
spoken about how he could not care for a child with a serious illness. It is
a fact his wife had had an abortion to terminate the life of another child
when they discovered he would have been born with Hunter syndrome. The abortion
had been very traumatic for Mary Wragg. Wragg, it has been claimed, murdered
his son because he was incapable of caring for him. The trial continues.
The IRA is 'Prepared to Shoot' the Killers of Robert McCartney (8 March
2005)
The IRA tonight issued a statement in which they said they have evidence
proving the identities of those who killed Robert McCartney in a Belfast bar
on 30 January 2005. Furthermore, they have offered to kill those responsible,
in a chilling public statement.
Part of the five page statement reads, 'The IRA is prepared to shoot the
people directly involved in the killing of Robert McCartney.' It provides
detailed accounts of the crime and those who have made 'voluntary admissions'
of guilt. Apparently four men, two IRA members of two non-members, were
involved in the fatal stabbing attack. McCartney and three others were chased
out of the bar, with one attacker fetching a knife from the kitchen. Another
man used the knife to stab McCartney, it is claimed, whilst a third kicked and
beat him whilst the dying man was on the ground. A fourth man hit McCartney's
friends across the face with a steel bar.
McCartney's relatives, who have met with representatives from the IRA on two
occasions, have rejected the offer to shoot those involved. Ulster Unionists
have described the offer as "sick and desperate." A cousin of
McCartney has said, "I think the feeling is that to shoot and possibly
kill these people is revenge and not justice. And revenge is not what the
family is looking for." A sister of the dead man has said that you
cannot kill someone if they are only a suspect in the murder.
The sisters of Robert McCartney have appealed for more witnesses to come
forward. There were large numbers of people drinking in the bar and present
outside. Someone must have information, they believe, but they have not come
forward because there is a feeling of fear because of the involvement of the
IRA. The IRA refused to name those it believes are responsible for the murder
but has expelled three volunteers and suspended seven members. It appealed
for those responsible to "go forward and give full and honest accounts
of their actions."
A number of men have been arrested in connection with the murder but they
have all been released without charge. The police are aware of the identities
of those the IRA believe were responsible. However, all ten individuals who
have been questioned refused to respond to any questions.
The Family of Michael Jackson's 'Victim' Praised the Singer (8 March 2005)
The brother of the boy who claims that Michael Jackson molested him, sent the
singer a Father's Day card in which a great deal of praise was written, it
has been revealed.
The card reads, 'When we get broken and shattered into tiny little pieces,
you always heal us. You are my super, super best friend. I love you. Michael,
you are special to us. We love you unconditionally to infinity and beyond
forever.'
The 'victim's' brother claims he merely copied the words from another card,
even though they sound just like the words of a teenager who has watched Toy
Story rather than those used in greetings cards. He also says that the
abuse did not start until after the card had been sent, although he earlier
stated that the abuse had started after only a few visits to the Neverland
ranch.
Update on the Michael Jackson Trial (7 March 2005)
Today the younger brother of Michael Jackson's accuser has given evidence.
The brothers both stayed at Jackson's
Neverland Ranch and, according to the witness, they both slept in the same
bed as the singer. Jackson
allegedly gave both boys alcohol, calling it "Jesus juice." On one
occasion the boys were both in Jackson's
room when the singer entered, naked, the court heard. On another occasion
Jackson and his accuser were alone for some time, following which the young
boy seemed to be acting strange and was stumbling around. On yet another
occasion the accuser was asleep, in Jackson's
bed, whilst Jackson
was laying beside him. Jackson
allegedly had one hand down the boy's pants and another hand down his own. It
has also been alleged that Jackson
showed both boys Internet pornography, instructing them not to tell anyone.
Last week it was heard that Jackson's staff
had sent the accuser's family away to another state so that they would not
see Martin Bashir's documentary, although it was argued that Jackson
was not responsible for this. Video footage of a police raid on the Neverland
Ranch showed the walls of Jackson's
bedroom were adorned with images of naked children.
Jackson
denies the ten charges of child molestation and false imprisonment. His trial
continues.
Fifteen Suspended in Asylum Seeker Abuse Cases (2 March 2005)
Fifteen workers at a detention centre used to remove failed asylum seekers
from Britain,
have been suspended from duties following allegations of abuse of detainees.
The BBC secretly filmed officers using racist language and physically
assaulting those due to be deported from Britain.
Whilst this is an issue unlikely to attract the sympathy and disgust that is
needed, it is clearly wrong to treat people with such inhumane cruelty as
that shown in the footage, some of which was televised today. I hope that the
BBC will infiltrate other detention centres because they will certainly find
this is happening across the country. Perhaps they should try and film
prisons too. Last year The Guardian newspaper exposed the physical
beatings, mock executions, sexual assaults, rapes and claims (made by prison
officers) that prisoners (some serving sentences for minor offences) had been
murdered by staff. These illegal offences (committed in Wormwood Scrubs in London),
responsibility for which has been accepted by the prison, show that at the
end of a shift many evil criminals leave prison to return to their homes.
Many people will think that asylum seekers and prisoners deserve physical
punishment, although I find such a view to be shocking. However, the staff
are committing criminal offences. It is wrong to hit, rape and attempt to
kill people no matter who the victim happens to be.
Michael Jackson's Trial Begins (1 March 2005)
Michael Jackson's trial, in which he faces charges of child molestation, has
finally got underway. The prosecution called the British television
journalist, Martin Bashir, to testify against the singer. Bashir filmed a
documentary for the Tonight With Trevor MacDonald programme in which
Jackson was
interviewed. Bashir had lived with Jackson
at the Nerverland Ranch for a few months during filming. In the documentary,
which shocked the British public, Jackson
admitted he slept with boys and was unable to see what was wrong with doing
so. The singer thought it was "cute" to tuck them in and sleep in
the same bed. He was also shown embracing the child who has accused him of
molestation.
Jackson's
defence will attempt to discredit Bashir on the grounds that he is a
journalist who merely tried to gain a sensational news story and in doing so
he distorted the truth. Bashir's reputation as a journalist certainly
suffered following the screening of the interview. Bashir had become well
known as a consequence of the now famous Panorama interview with
Princess Diana.
Jackson, who made a habit of lying during the interview (such as saying he
had only ever had cosmetic surgery on one occasion) later had his own
documentary screened which showed Bashir telling the accused that he was a
good father. All of the positive comments were edited out of what was
televised on the Tonight programme to leave the impression Jackson
was a pervert. Jackson's
behaviour is certainly weird but it remains to be proven that he is a
criminal. These cases are incredibly difficult to prove either way. The
defence are expected to argue the alleged victim has made similar claims,
bringing other court actions for false allegations, as a consequence of his parent's
demands. This does not necessarily mean he is lying, of course, but then
again previous allegations have been made against Jackson
with large payouts following, which is more than enough incentive to create a
false story.
Mark Hobson Admits Killing Four (28 February 2005) Mark Hobson, who
was arrested last year in connection with the deaths of four people, has
claimed responsibility for killing them.
On 18 July 2004 the bodies of Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan
Britton, were found. It was determined Claire Sanderson, who had been
Hobson's girlfriend, was killed on or around Saturday 11 July at her home in
Selby. Her twin sister Diane was killed on 18 July. Hobson then drove to a
village north of York
where he murdered James and Joan Britton, who were in their eighties. A
manhunt eventually resulted in the capture of Hobson.
At a ten minute hearing today, Hobson’s defence barrister
informed court officials that Hobson has admitted responsibility for the
deaths. However,
he has not yet entered a plea of guilty or not guilty. Although he has
admitted responsibility he could face a trial to determine whether he is
guilty of murder or manslaughter. He will enter a plea when he next appears
at Leeds Crown Court on 18 April 2005.
Paranoid Schizophrenic Sent to Secure
Psychiatric Hospital For
Killing Cyclist (25 January 2005)
A paranoid schizophrenic stabbed a man to death just hours after walking out
of a psychiatric hospital.
Today John Barrett pleaded guilty to killing Dennis Finigan, who was stabbed
in a West London bar last year. His defence
was one of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He has
been sentenced to an indefinite period in a secure hospital.
The case has renewed the debate over the failings of the mental health
system. Barrett had spent eighteen months in a hospital until he left to
commit this act of manslaughter. He had been a patient in the hospital
because he had stabbed three people. He told people that he heard voices
ordering him to kill. However, he was only a voluntary patient and therefore
was allowed to leave at any time. Nonetheless his family realised his mental
health was rapidly deteriorating and the Home Office had made a
recommendation to have him readmitted to the hospital, but the recommendation
arrived too late.
After fatally wounding Finigan, Barrett walked casually through a park, being
captured on CCTV as he did so. A police helicopter located him and he was
arrested.
There are, on average, forty murders carried out each year by paranoid
schizophrenics. When listening to what the media has to say, one would think
that there were far more deaths caused by sufferers of this illness.
Nonetheless, the pressures on the health service are resulting in people not
receiving care when they need it.
Mother Jailed For Giving Salt Overdose to Sick Son (25 February 2005)
A mother was today convicted of manslaughter for fatally overdosing her son
on salt. The mother added salt to her son’s hospital
drip, which caused him to die from salt poisoning. She has been sentenced to five
years imprisonment.
The Search For Joanne Nelson's Body Continues (24 January 2005)
The British Army has joined the search for the body of Joanne Nelson who
disappeared on Valentine's Day, who is presumed to have been murdered by her
boyfriend, Paul Dyson.
The search is considered a high priority because of the severe snow that has
hit the Yorkshire region. As more snow is
expected it is important that the body is found soon, because otherwise it
might take weeks to recover her remains (if she is indeed dead).
The police are concentrating on one particular area. At present it is not
known if the location is significant but a large number of officers have been
drafted into the area to carry out a detailed search. This has happened
previously, however, to no avail. If Joanne's body is not found in the next
few days the search area will be extended. It already covers hundreds of
square miles.
Jury Selection Resumed in the Case of Michael Jackson (22 February 2005)
Today jury selection has resumed following Michael Jackson's 'severe flu'
which caused him to be hospitalised.
The judge presiding over the case has said that he is certain Jackson
was genuinely ill, and not merely faking flu symptoms in a bid to delay his
trial. He has said that nobody could take advantage of him.
Boyfriend of Missing Woman Charged With Her Murder (22 February 2005)
The boyfriend of twenty-two year old Joanne Nelson, who disappeared on 14
February this year, was last night charged with her murder.
The couple had enjoyed a romantic picnic near Hull
but Joanne had failed to return home. The day before she had not telephoned
her brother to wish him happy birthday, which was considered very odd.
Joanne’s body has not been found but detectives say
they have ‘intelligence’ suggesting her body is in a rural area in Yorkshire,
beside a farm gate, near woodland and that there are green bottles near to the gate. Police
officers are scouring large areas of land and are appealing for farmers to
look near their gates.
Money 'Planted' in Police Station, Police Officers Claim (19 February
2005)
It is usually the case that police officers are accused of planting evidence
to frame criminals, but today the exact opposite has allegedly taken place.
A large amount of cash, apparently totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds,
has been found in the gym of a police station in Northern
Ireland. It is believed that the cash is a
small part of the millions stolen in December's massive bank robbery n Belfast.
How did it get there? The police maintain it was planted, by criminals, to
divert attention from the IRA.
Seven Arrested in Connection With Belfast
Armed Robbery (17 February 2005)
Detectives have confirmed that seven people have been arrested in connection
with the largest ever armed robbery that has ever taken place in Britain.
In December last year a gang of armed robbers took over £20 million from a
bank in central Belfast
(see earlier entries for more details). Those arrested are believed to have
links to the IRA.
Also today approximately £2 million of the stolen money has been recovered.
'Abuse Victim' Appeals Against Murder Conviction (16 February 2005)
Joanne Cole is appealing today against her conviction for murdering Patrick
Hemmings. Cole had been the victim of abuse from a number of men, she claims,
and had left her home in Jamaica,
travelling to Britain
before settling illegally.
She began working in a London
bar where she met Hemmings, and a relationship followed. Eventually, however,
Cole argues, he became violent. "Sometimes he would punch me. He
threatened to call immigration. He threatened to tell my boss I was working
under the wrong name.", she has said.
On the day she killed Hemmings he allegedly saw a cold sore on her lip and
accused her of having oral sex with another man, having contracted syphilis
as a result. He took a knife, Cole maintains, and a fight ensued. During the
struggle she disarmed Hemmings and stabbed him once in the shoulder. He later
died from internal bleeding.
Jury Selection Delayed in the Trial of Michael Jackson as Jackson
'Gets Flu ' (15 February 2005)
Jury selection has been delayed in Michael Jackson's case because the singer
has allegedly come down with severe flu, apparently brought on by stress. The
flu did not prevent him from getting into a car, travelling to the court and
even walking around in Jackson's
'normal' manner. Yet he is too ill to sit in the dock and participate in jury
selection.
It is important that Jackson
is present during jury selection. It is his legal right to challenge
potential members of the jury who he believes are unsuitable. The main reason
for this is that it is often possible that a potential juror could be known
to the defendant.
Unsurprisingly many newspapers are claiming Jackson is faking his 'illness'
in order to delay his trial. Jury selection was estimated to take
approximately one month but the trial judge has allowed Jackson two days to
recover before he must return to court.
Twenty Years For Boy Who Mutilated His Girlfriend (11 February 2005)
Luke Mitchell, who was convicted last month of murdering and mutilating his
girlfriend Jodie Jones (see earlier entry for more details) has been given a
tariff of twenty years.
Mitchell is now sixteen and so, if he admits his guilt (there is good
evidence showing his guilt) and carries out the relevant offence related
work, he could be granted parole in ten or twelve years time. The evil
criminal could be free long before his thirtieth birthday.
Man Who Sent 'Dando Style Death Threat' To Be Sentenced Today (10 February
2005)
Barry Tullet, aged 57, who sent sports presenter Sue Barker a death threat
last year, will be sentenced today after he previously pleaded guilty to the
offence.
In the letter he referred to the murder of Jill Dando, the subject of my book
The Case of Barry George and said that it was time for another
killing. The letter, which was sent from Thailand, was described in court as
"unpleasant, hurtful and vindictive."
Cruel Woman Faces Sentencing For Extraordinary Crime (10 February 2005)
A woman will today be sentenced after she ripped one of her ex-lover's
testicles with her bare hands. Amanda Monti, aged 24, from Birkenhead, was
outraged when her former lover rejected her sexual advances. Somehow she
managed to rip off his left testicle before handing it to a friend, saying,
"That's yours."
Monti had pleaded guilty to wounding Geoffrey Jones at Liverpool Crown Court.
Father Jailed For Smacking His Son (7 February 2005)
A father has been jailed for 42 days for smacking his son. The son, who told
police he was terrified, had been bruised when his father hit him repeatedly.
He is the first man to be sent to jail under new laws which state that it is
a criminal offence to smack a child if you leave any mark upon the child.
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