The Telegraph 2024-08-09 12:12:03


Sadiq Khan: Riots mean I’m not safe as a Muslim

Sadiq Khan has said he is not safe as an openly Muslim politician in the wake of the riots…

Labour councillor who called for far-Right rioters’ throats to be cut is arrested




A Labour councillor who was filmed saying far-Right rioters are “disgusting” and should have their throats cut has been arrested.

Ricky Jones, a councillor for Princes, in Dartford, was seen on video footage telling anti-racism protesters in Walthamstow, north-east London: “We need to cut all their throats.”

The Labour Party said his behaviour was “completely unacceptable” and he had been suspended. He was also arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed his arrest on Thursday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, which included the original footage of Mr Jones addressing protesters.

The post said that a man “a man aged in his 50s” had been arrested at an address in South East London and “was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offence under the Public Order Act.”

Scotland Yard said Mr Jones, a paid organiser with the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union, was being held in custody at a south London police station.

Before his arrest, the 57-year-old had been suspended from the Labour Party, meaning he will no longer sit as a Labour councillor.

A Labour spokesman said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party.”

A TSSA spokesman said: “TSSA remains steadfast in supporting communities that peacefully stand against fascist aggression. We unequivocally do not condone any threats or acts of violence, as these actions are contrary to our values.”

The union did not say whether any action would be taken against Mr Jones. 

His arrest came as a Labour MP reported an anti-fascist poster that equated “Zionists” with the far-Right to the police.

Sarah Sackman, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said material shared by groups ahead of a demonstration in North Finchley on Wednesday evening was “clearly anti-Semitic”.

The poster, from the group Finchley Against Fascism, read: “Get Fascists, Racists, Nazis, Zionists and Islamophobes out of Finchley.” A small number of demonstrators were said to have later chanted “Free Palestine” outside a local synagogue.

The two incidents came during a series of overwhelmingly peaceful protests against the far-Right around the country on Wednesday evening, organised by Stand Up To Racism.

The group responded to fears on Tuesday that far-Right thugs were set to target migrant advice solicitors and organisations, named on the Telegram social media channel, by staging counter-protests outside the buildings.

It succeeded in mobilising thousands of people at short notice, which, together with a strong police presence, appeared to have succeeded in forcing the far-Right to abandon its plans.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said on Thursday that a show of force from the police and the community had scared off far-Right rioters and described it as “a very successful night”.

In a statement, Stand Up To Racism said: “Fascist riots have taken place in towns and cities across Britain, leading to attacks on mosques and hotels housing migrants. All those who oppose this must join in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive back the fascists.

“We are the majority, they are the few. Britain has a proud history of defeating fascists and racists. We can defeat them again.”

The group is organising more protests and vigils this weekend, including in London, Manchester, Southampton, Chorley, Lancaster, Weymouth, Derby and Preston.

License this content

Driver high on cocaine kills six-year-old boy and two women in 90mph crash




An uninsured driver who was high on cocaine and cannabis killed a six-year-old boy and two women in a 90mph crash.

Joe-Lewis Tyler drank five pints of beer and four Jagerbomb and Sambuca shots, as well as taking drugs, before getting behind the wheel of a BMW 3 Series car.

The 34-year-old drove erratically at high speed before ploughing into a taxi in Spetchley Road, Worcester.

Six-year-old Leo Painter had just been picked up from nearby Abigail’s Place School when Tyler lost control and careered into the car at 3pm on Feb 22.

CCTV footage shows the moment the grey BMW hit the white Ford Mondeo with such force that it span 180 degrees and ended up on a grass verge.

Courtney Hemming, the taxi’s 26-year-old driver, and Claire Adkins, 39, who was escorting Leo to his foster home, died at the scene. Leo was taken to hospital, but died from multiple injuries the next day.

Tyler was arrested at the scene, and tests revealed that he had up to 215 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood, with the legal limit being 80ml. 

Tests also showed high levels of cocaine and cannabis in his system. He spent three weeks in hospital with a spinal injury and broken shin.

He admitted three counts of causing death by dangerous driving, and on Monday was jailed for 18 years at Worcester Crown Court. He will be eligible for release after serving 12 years.

Friends and relatives of the three victims criticised the  sentence. Luke Bridger, Ms Hemming’s partner, said: “The sentence is no deterrent to anyone. It’s a pathetic sentence. The police did a fantastic job getting the conviction, but the courts let the public down.”

A friend of Leo’s mother Gemma said: “What an absolute joke. Just 18 years, but probably only 12 – which is four years for each life he took. It should have been life. The poor little boy had his life cruelly taken away by this lowlife. This country is too soft – it’s disgusting.”

Gemma, 28, paid tribute to her “wonderful” son, saying: “I’m glad this is over. After a long five months he’s got justice, but it will never be enough. It will never bring that beautiful little boy of mine back. I hope he [Tyler] can live with the fact he killed three innocent people.”

She said she had been looking forward to Leo coming to live with her again, adding: “He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. I’m heartbroken that I won’t see him again. 

“He loved Paw Patrol and I gave him a pair of pyjamas with his favourite characters on. He said he loved wearing ‘Mummy’s pyjamas’.”

Leo’s father Jason expressed his “anger and disgust” at Tyler’s actions and said the loss of his son had left “a massive void” in his life.

Judge James Burbidge KC told Tyler: “Your actions have had a devastating effect on the victims and the various family members who have suffered. It’s difficult to think of a worse piece of prolonged driving.”

Tyler also admitted three counts of causing death whilst driving without insurance, and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard he had been drinking with Miles Smith-Green, a friend, at the West Midlands Tavern in Worcester, winning £100 on the fruit machines. 

The pair drank heavily and were told to leave the pub for being rowdy. They then got into the BMW and, not wearing seatbelts, drove at high speed towards Badsey, Evesham.

One driver who saw the car before the crash said it was travelling so fast that she was “fearful for her safety”, while another said she had a “near death experience” when Tyler almost hit her car at 100mph. Another said Tyler was “driving like an idiot” and had a “death wish”.

The court heard that Mr Smith-Green also suffered serious injuries, including a damaged spleen and dislocated hip.

Chief Inspector Andy Wortley, of West Mercia Police, said: “Tyler’s selfish and reckless actions have left the family and loved ones of Leo, Courtney and Claire forever heartbroken, and a whole community shaken. Despite pleading guilty, Tyler has not shown any remorse or taken any responsibility for his actions.”

License this content

Woman arrested for ‘spreading false information’ about Southport attacker




A 55-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly spreading false information about the identity of the Southport attacker on social media.

Cheshire Constabulary said the woman, from near Chester, had been arrested on Thursday on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred and false communications. She is being held in police custody.

False claims that the person responsible for fatally stabbing three young girls and wounding nine other children was an asylum seeker on an MI6 terror watch list had erupted on social media shortly after the attack last Monday.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, has been charged with the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of nine other children and two adults.

Chief Superintendent Alison Ross said: “We have all seen the violent disorder that has taken place across the UK over the past week, much of which has been fuelled by malicious and inaccurate communications online.

“It’s a stark reminder of the dangers of posting information on social media platforms without checking the accuracy. It also acts as a warning that we are all accountable for our actions, whether that be online or in person.”

License this content

British terror suspect linked to ‘White Widow’ deported from Kenya to UK




A British terror suspect and associate of the notorious “White Widow” has been deported from Kenya to the UK after completing a lengthy prison sentence.

Jermaine Grant flew from Kenya to Britain on Thursday, accompanied by Kenyan officials, and was immediately arrested on his arrival.

Grant, originally from London, had been imprisoned in the East African nation after being convicted of possessing bomb-making materials and using forged documents to obtain Kenyan citizenship. He is believed to have completed his sentence at a jail in Mombasa.

A Government spokesman said: “We can confirm that an individual was deported to the UK following the completion of a criminal sentence in Kenya.

“Our priority remains to ensure the safety and security of the UK. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect the UK, and have one of the most robust counter-terrorism frameworks in the world to ensure this.”

Police found chemicals in flat

Grant, a Muslim convert, was considered a close associate of Samantha Lewthwaite, the so-called “White Widow” terror suspect who has been on the run from police for more than a decade.

Germaine Lindsay, Lewthwaite’s husband, was one of four suicide bombers who killed 52 people in London in 2005. She is wanted by Interpol and Kenya for possession of bomb-making materials and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Grant was prosecuted in Kenya after police found chemicals, switches and a bomb-making manual in a flat he shared with Lewthwaite. He was accused of being involved in a plot targeting hotels visited by foreign tourists.

In a 2019 trial, he was convicted of possession of bomb-making materials, but the court acquitted him of conspiracy over the alleged plot.

He was given a four-year sentence after already having been given a nine-year sentence at an earlier trial for using forged documents to obtain Kenyan citizenship.

‘Repatriated to his country of origin’

Last year, Kenya made it clear that it wanted to deport him as soon as his sentence was over. A Kenyan high court ruled that he would be “repatriated to his country of origin by the cabinet secretary in charge of immigration in accordance with the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act”.

However, Kenyan and UK authorities are understood to have disagreed on when his exact release date fell, based on differing calculations of time served. A Mombasa prison source told The Telegraph that Grant’s sentence ended on Aug 7.

He flew to the UK on a Kenya Airways flight on Thursday morning, flanked by Kenyan officials. The Home Office would not comment on what restrictions would be placed on Grant on his return.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that, on Aug 8, officers from the Met Police arrested 41-year-old man who was wanted on recall to prison in relation to breaching licence conditions linked to a previous conviction.

“He was arrested at Heathrow airport as he arrived back into the UK on a flight from Kenya. The man’s licence conditions were revoked in August 2005 following the initial breach.

“Upon his return to the UK on Aug 8, the man was also arrested for being unlawfully at large and arrested on suspicion of being a member of proscribed organisation Al-Shabaab. He remains in police custody.”

License this content

British man vandalises Pompeii house by carving initials into wall




A British tourist is expected to be fined thousands of euros after he carved the initials of his name and those of his daughters on the wall of one of Pompeii’s most famous attractions.

The 37-year-old from Derby reportedly used a blunt object to carve the letters, JW, LMW and MW and the date August 7 on the frescoed wall of the ancient House of the Vestals, while scrawling the word ‘Mylaw’ beside the entrance.

Pompeii security staff reported the man to police and the public prosecutor’s office in the nearby town of Torre Annunziata has opened an investigation.

When asked for an explanation, the man is said to have apologised, saying he wanted to leave a mark of the family’s visit to the world-famous Unesco World Heritage site.

“After his arrest, he was mortified,” a local police source told The Telegraph. “He said he wanted to leave something of himself there. He apologised for what he did but he will have to pay.”

Located south-east of Naples, Pompeii was buried in the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

It is one of Italy’s most popular tourist sites and attracts about four million visitors a year. The House of the Vestals was once an imposing luxury villa famous for its water features in the Roman era.

Earlier this year, the Italian parliament approved tough new fines, ranging from €15,000 to €60,000 (£13,000 to £51,000) for anyone found guilty of causing damage to a site of historical, cultural or artistic interest.

But the risk of a hefty fine does not appear to be deterring tourists from leaving their mark on Italy’s ancient monuments, especially during peak season.

In June, a tourist from Kazakhstan was caught carving the letters “ALI” on the plaster of Pompeii’s House of Ceii, while a Dutch tourist was cited for drawing graffiti on the walls of an ancient Roman villa in the archeological ruins of Herculaneum near Naples.

Last summer, a young woman was also caught carving a heart into a column of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, which dates back to the 12th century.

“Unfortunately, even today we find ourselves commenting on an uncivil and idiotic defacement inflicted on our artistic and cultural heritage,” Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s minister of culture, said at the time.

A Bulgarian national living in Bristol, last year, provoked outrage after he was filmed carving names into an inner wall at the Colosseum in Rome.

Ivan Dimitrov, who claimed he was unaware of the antiquity of the 2000-year-old amphitheatre, was fined and faces a possible prison sentence of two to five years.

License this content

Speeding driver who killed daughter of Ecuadorian politician jailed for 10 years




A speeding Mercedes driver killed the “exceptional” daughter of an Ecuadorian politician as she crossed the road with her fiancé.

Octavian Cadar, 39, drove towards Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida, known as Charlotte, and Michael Williams at 55mph in a 20mph zone as they walked home near Wandsworth Bridge in west London.

The sound of his roaring engine caused the couple to panic and separate as they fled.

Ms Sagnay, 27, was hit before she reached the pavement, causing her to somersault in the air and land on a railing and sign post. She suffered a catastrophic head injury and died at the scene.

She was the daughter of Carlos Sagnay de la Bastida, a presidential candidate in the Ecuadorian elections of 2006. His party was the Alfarista Radical Front, a liberal party founded in 1972.

Cadar, of Bexley, south-east London, had accused the couple of causing the collision by “messing about in the road”, only admitting later to jurors that was wrong.

He also claimed he was trying to avoid them but the court was told that the accident would not have happened if he had not been speeding.

A jury deliberated for 42 minutes to find him guilty of causing the psychologist’s death by dangerous driving on March 16 2022.

Cadar was jailed for 10 years and disqualified from driving for 10 years and eight months.

In 2018, he had been convicted of speeding, fined and given six penalty points at Bromley magistrates’ court.

Speaking at his sentencing on Thursday, Mr Williams, who was studying for a PhD at University College London, said: “Cadar valued speeding in a sports car more than our lives. Afterwards, he reacted with anger and blame.

“My life with Charlotte was wonderful, she was the best friend I ever had. She was half of me. I am less than a person without her.”

On the day of her death, they had been finalising details of their wedding, he said: “Charlotte never got to hear what I wrote in my wedding vows. Instead, I read them at her funeral.”

Jeanne Sagnay de la Bastida, Charlotte’s mother, spoke of her pride at her daughter’s academic success at St Andrew’s University. Charlotte had achieved two Masters degrees and was about to embark on a PhD.

Weeping, she told the court: “My daughter was, is and always will be my life, my everything and my everyone.

“I have experienced such pride in my beautiful child.

“Now that she is no longer about to live the life she was nurtured for, studied for … I have become an empty vessel.”

Judge Anuja Dhir KC told Cadar: “Ms Sagnay de la Bastida was a 27-year-old woman who had her whole life ahead of her.

“The victim impact statements all spoke of her exceptional qualities as a daughter, a fiancée, a friend and as an accomplished psychologist and researcher. But you put an end to all of that.”

Describing the collision, Mr Williams said he realised he had been separated from Ms Sagnay because they were no longer holding hands.

He said: “She fell on the front of the car. She went on to a street sign. There was a loud bang. I screamed and I crossed the street. I tried to call the ambulance.

“I was on the phone to the emergency services and that is when the driver of the car came out.

“He was shouting. He was angry and he was saying, ‘Why did you freeze? Why didn’t you keep walking?’ I said to him, ‘Because we were terrified.’”

License this content