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Wednesday, 27 September 2023

15 year old girl stabbed on bus

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LIVECroydon stabbing: Schoolgirl knifed to death in front of her two horrified friends

Police have arrested a teenage boy believed to be known to the 15-year-old girl after she was pronounced dead at the scene following reports of a stabbing in Croydon

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Croydon: Police cordon scene of stabbing on London bus

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KEY EVENTS

Two pals witnessed horror moment their 'very close friend' was stabbed17:39

Vigil to be held this evening for young victim15:12

Schoolgirl's family are 'devastated' and 'in shock', says support worker14:13

Boy, 17, remains in custody for questioning14:08

School pays tribute to 'much-loved and valued friend and pupil'13:38

ByKatie WestonSenior Reporter (Exclusives)Amy SharpeNews ReporterAndy LinesKieren Williams

UPDATED18:31, 27 SEP 2023

BOOKMARK

A teenage girl was stabbed to death after taking a bus to school in front of her two horrified friends this morning.

Police raced to reports of a stabbing near Whitgift shopping centre, Croydon, south London at around 8.30am today. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance also attended. Despite their best efforts, the teenage girl was sadly pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour later.

Officers tracked down a teenage boy in connection with the incident, and arrested him in the area at roughly 9.45am. The force believes that he may have been known to her. A crime scene remains in place as detectives investigate.

Anthony King, chair of the My Ends organisation which works with the Met Police in Croydon said: “Two 15-year-old girls were absolutely devastated by witnessing their very close friend being stabbed. They’re still being interviewed by police. The trauma, the shock of the two girls that were present was absolutely heart wrenching, heart breaking. They were on the bus to school this morning, they were due to arrive about 8.45am. They were very close friends with the deceased."

A bus driver and passer-by desperately tried to save a teenage girl on the pavement after horror unfolded during the school rush hour this morning. A mother-of-two, who wanted to be named only as Bridget, said: "I was on the bus before and came off and walked back down, I saw them resuscitating her. The driver was holding her, and a lady. The emergency services were already here when I walked back."

She said two other schoolgirls, believed to be the victim's friends, were trying to get back through the police cordon but were held back. Footage posted on social media showed several police cars and ambulance vehicles near a bus in Croydon on Wednesday morning.

The Met's Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, in charge of local policing, said: “Our immediate thoughts are with this young girl’s family who are facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girl’s family to support them. I am in contact with the local community, who are clearly as concerned as we are about this tragic incident. I shall continue to update them throughout the day.

“My officers were immediately on scene to provide first aid and support paramedics. Acting on information provided to them, officers also worked closely with colleagues from across the Met and the British Transport Police to track a teenager in connection with the stabbing. I can confirm that an arrest was made at about 09:45hrs in the Croydon area.

"At this early stage we believe that he may have known her. A crime scene will be in place for some time, and I am grateful for the cooperation of residents.” A white tent has been erected within a police cordon outside the Whitgift Centre on Wellesley Road.

Three crews, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic in a car were sent to the scene, said the London Ambulance Service. Anyone who witnessed the attack or has information is urged to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 1601/27Sep, or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This is a developing story. Follow our live blog below for all the latest updates

18:31Kieren Williams

Community worker helped alleged attacker 'for more than a couple years' before stabbing

A community worker has said he worked with the teenage boy who allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old girl in the neck for "more than a couple of years".

Anthony King is chairman of the My Ends project, an initiative that aims to stop youth violence in Croydon.

He said that he had worked with the alleged attacker over a lengthy spell, before this mornings horrific incident that left a teenager girl dead on her way to school. He said the news "came as a major shock".

A blood stained bunch of plastic flowers is seen on the pavement near the horrific attack this morning (Image:Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

17:58Kieren Williams

Heartbreaking message left in tribute to teenager schoolgirl stabbed this morning

A heartbreaking message was left amongst the tributes to the teenage girl who was stabbed in Croydon this morning.

One message left with a bunch of tulips said: "Sorry we live in this crazy world. This makes no sense. Fly high up there. My mummy will look after you xx. RIP beautiful, forever young taken too soon."

17:39KEY EVENT

Two pals witnessed horror moment their 'very close friend' was stabbed

Two pals witnessed the moment their friend was stabbed in the neck and killed, in Croydon, south London, this morning.

They were said to have been "very close friends" with the young victim, and had been on the bus with her on their way to school.

Police forensic officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing

“The family are being supported by specialist officers. What I can say to the community which is absolutely devastated is to reassure children and young people that it is safe to walk the street, to travel through the streets.

“The trauma, the shock of the two girls that were present was absolutely heart wrenching, heart breaking. They were on the bus to school this morning, they were due to arrive about 8.45am. They were very close friends with the deceased."

17:31Kieren Williams

Stabbing victim had 'a bright future' ahead

The teenage girl who was tragically killed in Croydon this morning in Croydon had a "bright future" ahead of her.

A community worker said the young victim had a bright future ahead of her as she prepared to take her GCSEs. Anthony King, chair of the My Ends organisation which works with the Met Police in Croydon said: “She had a bright future ahead of her going into her GCSE year.

“The victim was absolutely incredible with a very bright future. A very comedic young lady. The word I think that was used was jovial. She was on track to pass all of her GCSEs. She was very articulate.”

16:55Kieren Williams

Student from same school as stabbing victim comforted in touching picture

After this morning's horrific stabbing, some people have visited the scene of the attack.

Some flowers were left in tribute, and others were seen comforting one another in Croydon, south London.

A youngster who goes to the same school as the stabbing victim is comforted in Croydon (Image:Jeremy Selwyn)

16:45Kieren Williams

Tributes left at the scene of the tragic stabbing

Tributes have been left at the scene of this morning's tragic stabbing.

Flowers have been left at the scene of the stabbing in Croydon, south London this afternoon.

Meanwhile, other people were seen, visibly emotional, as they comforted one another at the scene.

Tributes left at the scene of the tragic stabbing (Image:PA)

16:26Kieren Williams

Forensic officer collects roses after reports victim was offered flowers moments before horrific attack

A forensic officer has been seen putting flowers into a container at the scene of this morning's horrific stabbing in Croydon, London.

This came after earlier reports that the victim had been offered flowers before an argument broke out, in the moments leading up to the stabbing. Chevanice Thomas said her friend was on Wellesley Road and saw a boy give the girl flowers.

A forensic investigator puts flowers into a container at the scene of the stabbing (Image:PA)

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Chevanice continued: “He turned up today with a group of boys and tried to give her flowers, she didn’t want anything to do with him, she said something, then he got violent and stabbed her. The knife was like a sword - it was really big.”

Another woman at the scene told how her friend was aboard the bus and witnessed the girl arguing with a boy prior to the stabbing. The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “The boy was with a group and he gave her flowers. She didn’t want it. They were arguing, the whole bus could hear, and then it spilled off the bus apparently. It’s so sad but I can’t say I’m shocked. We have had stabbings in Croydon before. This is what happens now.”

16:14Kieren Williams

Met Police commissioner arrives at the scene

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has arrived at the scene of this morning's tragic stabbing.

The chief copper was pictured walking near the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, where the young girl was stabbed this morning.

Even after one arrest, officers continue to comb the area for any and every bit of evidence.

15:47Kieren Williams

Local MP 'heartbroken' and says community will take time to grieve

The local MP has spoken out earlier today after the tragic stabbing this morning.

Croydon MP Sarah Jones said: “I’m heartbroken that a child in my town has been killed on her way to school and I cannot imagine the grief that her family will be going through at this time.

“I want to thank the police and the ambulance services for trying so hard to save her life. They run into danger and I know they will be suffering today, too. I want to repeat the request from the police that if anybody has any information so anything please do get in touch.

“We all hold our children close and our community will take time to grieve, but for today we are just thinking of this young girl and her family. I’m so sorry.”

Local leaders have spoken out after the tragedy this morning (Image:TIM ANDERSON)

15:20Kieren Williams

Man described how he ran down a boy in aftermath of stabbing

A man has described how he and others chased after a boy in the aftermath of the stabbing in Croydon, today.

Victor Asare was on a bus on the way home from a night shift as a security worker when he said he saw a boy in a black blazer stab a girl in the neck with a knife which was “black, thin and about a foot long”.

He said: “The boy wore a black blazer, the girl wore green. It looked like the girl didn’t want the boy to come closer.” He then described the boy stabbing the girl in the neck with a black knife.

The 50-year-old described how the stabbing took place, and the horrifying aftermath. He added. "A lot of people came, everyone came off the bus. [The boy] ran away. Everybody was crying and screaming. The girl was on the floor. We tried to catch him and a lot of people tried to save the girl. I was so shocked, I was shaken. It’s somebody’s daughter. I finished work but couldn’t sleep, so came back, I wanted to see if the girl was OK.”

Officers at the scene of the stabbing this afternoon (Image:TIM ANDERSON)

15:12KEY EVENT

Vigil to be held this evening for young victim

A vigil is to be held later this evening for the young teenage girl, at a local church.

The Croydon Minster announced on its social media that it would be opening its doors for anyone to pay their respects, light a candle or sit in quiet and reflect.

They added: "We pray for the pupil, her parents, family, and friends, and for peace in our town and borough."

14:43Katie Weston

Updated police statement in full

Following this afternoon's press conference, the Met Police has released an updated statement.

The force said: "Shortly after 08:30hrs on Wednesday, 27 September, we were called to reports of a stabbing in Wellesley Road. Officers were on the scene within two minutes of the call being received.

"They provided emergency first aid along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance. Sadly, despite their efforts, a 15-year-old girl died at the scene.

"Her family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time. We carried out urgent enquiries to find the suspect - and within around 75 minutes of the incident happening - a 17-year-old boy was arrested in New Addington.

"He remains in custody and will be questioned by detectives. We remain in the early stages of our investigation, however based on what we know so far, we are not looking for anybody else at this time.

"From our initial enquiries, we believe the suspect knew the victim. We are not in a position to release the victim's identity at this time."

Sarah Jones, Labour MP for Croydon Central makes a statement to the media (Image:Getty Images)

14:33Amy Sharpe

Students to gather at scene today to pay tribute to schoolgirl

Students are expected to attend the scene to pay tribute this afternoon, Donna said.

"This will have a ripple effect amongst schools and school leaders and parents will have to think about how to handle this. This is going to have a massive effect across our borough."

A forensic officer photographing the scene (Image:TIM ANDERSON)

14:32Amy Sharpe

Girl's parents 'were called to scene but couldn't make it in time'

James, a support worker, added: "I got a phone call from the police and came down, and it was here I spoke to the family.

"They received a call to come to the scene shortly after the incident happened. Unfortunately they (were not) able to arrive in time (before she died.)"

Donna Murray-Turner, of community group Another Night of Sisterhood, said she was also there to offer the girl’s family support this morning. She told the Mirror: “Words like devastated and disbeliefs and shock are not enough.

“Imagine you got a phone call asking where you where you are, are you by yourself, get on transportation, then to find out that your child is gone. How would anyone feel?”

Both community groups will be supporting the schoolgirl’s family, as well as friends who were at the scene and witnessed the incident, in the coming days and weeks.

Safer Neighbourhood Board Chair, Donna Murray-Turner

14:13KEY EVENT

Schoolgirl's family are 'devastated' and 'in shock', says support worker

By Amy Sharpe

The family of a schoolgirl who was fatally stabbed are "devastated and in shock" following her death, a community worker has said.

James Watkins told how the girl’s parents were summoned to the scene this morning but “unable to make it” in time to say goodbye to their daughter. James, founder of Mainz World - which offers crime-prevention projects for children and young people - also said the suspect had been “known” to his organisation.

He told the Mirror: "“They are devastated and I would say, more importantly, in shock. I don’t think it feels real to them at the moment." The family “are not at a stage yet” to be thinking of paying tribute to the girl, who had siblings, James said - adding that they are “just in shock and disbelief.”

14:12Katie Weston

Police not looking for anyone else in connection with stabbing

Mr Brittain said: "We remain in the early stages of our investigation.

"We believe we are not looking for anyoe else. It is believed the suspect may have known the victim."

The force is not in a position to release the victim's identity, he said. The chief superintendent added: "We are working to ensure those directly affected get the right support and the wider community can come together and grieve."

A forensic tent and officers near the bus stop (Image:Getty Images)

14:10Katie Weston

Met chief superintendent: 'This is every parent's worst nightmare'

Mr Brittain told reporters: "This is every parent's worst nightmare.

"Officers who responded this morning are devastated at the victim's death." The teenage girl's family have been informed, he said.

Police work at the scene (Image:Getty Images)

14:08KEY EVENT

Boy, 17, remains in custody for questioning

Giving a press conference this afternoon, the Met's Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said a 17-year-old boy has been arrested.

He confirmed that he remains in custody and will be questioned by detectives.

Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain makes a statement to the media (Image:Getty Images)

13:54Katie Weston

Forensic teams inspect scene after schoolgirl's death

13:46Katie Weston

Schoolgirl's friends 'tried to get through cordon but were held back'

Michael Fyffe, a local business owner who has two 13-year-old twins, said he came across the horrifying scene as he left the shopping centre.

He said: "I didn't see the incident itself, I came just afterwards. There was a girl on the floor and police officers were trying to resuscitate her. Two of her friends were trying to get to her and one was saying they were her best friend.

"Lots of people were getting off the bus. I came out of the Whitgift Centre and saw people and started asking what happened and then saw the girl on the floor. Everyone on the bus said she had been stabbed in the neck and some guy ran off."

A mother-of-two, who wanted to be named only as Bridget, also said two schoolgirls were trying to get back through the police cordon, but were held back.

Police work at the cordoned-off scene (Image:Getty Images)

13:38KEY EVENT

School pays tribute to 'much-loved and valued friend and pupil'

The girl was a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School.

The school released a statement to say: "We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil. It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so.

"Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girl's family at this unimaginably distressing time."

13:29Katie Weston

Estate agent who works nearby says area is a 'war zone'

An estate agent who works near the scene in Croydon has said the town has "gone to the dogs".

Leigh Thomas, 41, said: "I came out of my office and there were two ambulances right across the road and about 12 police cars." He added: "Croydon has gone to the dogs recently. The other side of the shopping centre is a war zone.

"There's drug dealing, fights, there was another stabbing recently. I grew up around here, it's not what it used to be."

Forensics next to the bus (Image:PA)

13:24Katie Weston

Teenager attended all-girls private school nearby, says report

The teenage girl who was fatally stabbed attended a leading all-girls private school in the area, it is reported.

She is believed to have been a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift school, according to The Telegraph.

The Mirror has approached the school for comment.

Forensics at the scene (Image:PA)

12:56KEY EVENT

Bus driver 'tried to resuscitate girl' after she was stabbed 'in neck and chest'

By Amy Sharpe

A local mum-of-two described how a bus driver attempted to resuscitate the schoolgirl after she was stabbed “in the neck and chest”. Bridgett - who did not want to give a surname -told how she disembarked a different bus on Wellesley Road this morning and happened upon the “panicked” scene.

“When I came she was already on the floor. There was a bus driver holding her and then a lady - she was so panicked. Everybody who was there was panicked.”

Bridgett, who lives in Croydon, added: "When they were resuscitating her I was gasping. She was in grey trousers and they were resuscitating her and I saw her (gasping). I was so scared I didn’t go close." When asked where the girl’s wounds were, she gestured to her beck and chest.

Forensics arrived early this afternoon to comb the area (Image:PA)

12:39KEY EVENT

Schoolgirl 'rejected flowers' moments before stabbing

By Amy Sharpe

A schoolgirl who was fatally stabbed this morning was seen arguing on a bus with “an ex-boyfriend after he gave her flowers”, it has been claimed. Locals told how a row between the pair “spilled out into the street” when they disembarked a bus outside the Whitgift shopping centre this morning.

Chevanice Thomas said her friend was on Wellesley Road and saw the schoolgirl arguing with a boy prior to the stabbing. The 28-year-old, who works in construction, said: “He turned up today with a group of boys and tried to give her flowers, she didn’t want anything to do with him, she said something, then he got violent and stabbed her. The knife was like a sword - it was really big.”

“It’s so sad but I can’t say I’m shocked. We have had stabbings in Croydon before. This is what happens now.”

Missing man's body found

Our thoughts are with his family and friends (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The search for a missing 26-year-old man from Stockport has concluded with the discovery of a body.

Manchester Evening News reported on Tuesday 26 September 2023 that the young man, identified only as Charlie, had been the subject of a community-wide search effort and concern following his disappearance.

This poignant story serves as a poignant reminder of the collective hope, effort, and anguish that often accompanies such cases.

The journey towards this heart-wrenching conclusion began when Charlie was last seen in the Cheadle Hulme area at 11:30 pm on a Thursday night. As news of his disappearance spread, the local community rallied together to assist the authorities in locating him. Friends, family, and concerned citizens joined forces, distributing flyers, sharing information on social media, and participating in search efforts.

The police, recognizing the urgency and importance of the situation, promptly issued appeals for public assistance.

Their message was clear and heartfelt: they wanted to ensure Charlie's safety and well-being.

The outpouring of support from the community was a testament to the tight-knit bonds that exist in Stockport, where neighbors look out for one another, especially in times of distress.

Despite the collective determination to find Charlie and bring him back to his loved ones, the search ended in heartbreak.

Greater Manchester Police delivered the devastating news that a body had been discovered during the course of their efforts.

The details surrounding this discovery have not been disclosed at this time, leaving many questions unanswered.

In such tragic circumstances, the immediate focus shifts to Charlie's grieving family and loved ones. His next of kin have been informed of the heartbreaking outcome, initiating a period of profound grief

The passing of Charlie also marks the beginning of a necessary and meticulous process. A file has been passed to the coroner, who will undertake an examination to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

While this process may provide some closure and answers to the family, it cannot alleviate the profound sense of loss and sorrow that now pervades their lives.

The community, too, grapples with the weight of this tragedy. The collective efforts to find Charlie have transitioned into a shared sense of grief and mourning.

The loss of a young life leaves a void that reverberates through the community, a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence and the importance of supporting one another in times of hardship.

In the wake of this tragedy, there is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues.

Charlie's disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his body serve as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support.

It is crucial to continue fostering open and compassionate dialogues about mental health, reducing the stigma associated with seeking help, and ensuring that individuals facing mental health challenges receive the care and assistance they need.

The story of Charlie's disappearance and the heartbreaking conclusion of the search resonates with communities far and wide.

It serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, the strength of collective action, and the profound impact of loss.

As the community mourns the passing of a young life, they are reminded of the importance of compassion, support, and solidarity during times of tragedy.

In conclusion, the search for the missing 26-year-old man, Charlie, in Stockport has come to a devastating conclusion with the discovery of a body.

The community had rallied together in a collective effort to find him, emphasizing the bonds that exist among neighbors.

The police had appealed for public assistance to ensure his safety and well-being. However, the search ended in heartbreak, and Charlie's next of kin have been informed. The coroner will now examine the circumstances surrounding his death.

This tragedy underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support and serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of community in times of hardship.

Body of missing mum found

missing mum found dead

Vanessa Ford was last seen near her home in east London on Saturday

A body has been found in a search for a missing woman following an appeal by friends and a best selling author.

Vanessa Ford was last seen on doorbell footage near her home in east London on Saturday.

Friends of the mum shared desperate appeals to find her – including best selling author of The Hungover Games, Sophie Heawood.

In a statement today the Met Police said: ‘A woman was reported missing to the Met on the evening of Saturday, September 23 and a number of enquiries were undertaken to locate her.

‘We have been made aware of an investigation by the British Transport Police following a death on tracks between Dalston Kingsland and Hackney Central on Saturday morning and are liaising with them.

‘While formal identification awaits, the family of Vanessa Ford have been informed of this development.’

A spokesperson for the British Transport Police added: ‘Officers were called to the line close to Dalston Kingsland at 11.49am on 23 September following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

‘Paramedics also attended…sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.’

It is understood Vanessa had returned home from Manchester at 10am on Saturday morning.

Doorbell footage showed her walking along the pavement an hour after she had left her house in a change of clothes.

She was wearing a dark top and leggings in the Richmond Road area of Hackney at around 11am – close to where she lived.

Vanessa was also seen carrying a pink and white water bottle and her last confirmed sighting was on St Philip’s Road in Hackney.

Sharing a photo of the missing woman, author Heawood wrote: ‘A friend of friends, a mother, has gone missing from London Fields, Hackney.

‘Missing person Vanessa has been missing since 11am Sat 23rd September.

‘Last seen in vicinity of Richmond Road where she lives, in dark top and leggings.

‘Please contact police with any info at all.’

Dozens of members of the public also helped in the search for the mum following the author’s appeal.

What additional information could help in understanding the reasons behind Vanessa Ford's disappearance?

How would the outcome have been different if Vanessa Ford had not returned home from Manchester?

Tuesday, 12 September 2023

paedophile caught over lost phone

A Newcastle paedophile has been sentenced after misplacing his phone on a bus - the horrifying content of which led police directly to him.

Anthony Crosbie (Image: Northumbria Police)

A Newcastle paedophile has been sentenced after getting caught when he left his phone with thousands of images of children on a bus.

Anthony Crosbie, of Eastfield House in Walker, lost his phone on a bus in 2020 where it was found by a member of the public. When they opened the phone, they found indecent images of children and reported it to police.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that the children in the images were as young as one year old.

Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said: "The offences came to light in January 2020 when the defendant lost his mobile phone on a bus. A member of the public opened the device to identify the owner and was met with an indecent image of a child."

Police were able to track the mobile phone back to Crosbie and he was interviewed that year, but made no reply.

He was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Google)

The lost mobile phone contained 169 Category A images, as well as 74 Category B and 214 Category C. The categories refer to the severity and graphic nature of the images.

The majority of the children depicted were between the ages of two and four years old.

When Crosbie was arrested, another mobile phone was seized which had over 900 indecent images on it, depicting children from the ages of one year old upwards. A third device was later found and had over 1,900 indecent images on it.

He was charged with four counts of making indecent images of children and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on September 5 for sentencing.

Andrew Walker, defending, said Crosbie was "ashamed of his behaviour" and remorseful. He said Crosbie was at a "low ebb" at the time of the offending and was drinking heavily. He added: "Frankly, in a number of ways his life was disintegrating."

Judge Stephen Earl said the images discovered were "appalling" and handed Crosbie a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He must carry out 20 rehabilitation days, a six-month alcohol treatment programme and will be on the sex offender's register for 10 years. A 10-year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed.

Man dies prison failed him

Michael McDonagh was "failed" by HMP Forest Bank, his mum Margaret Pomeroy says, after an inquest heard misadministration of his methadone prescription led to his death

Michael McDonagh has been described as a 'kind and sensitive' man

A young man died after "serious failings" at an understaffed prison led to the misadministration of methadone, an inquest heard.

Michael McDonagh, 27, had been given the drug at HMP Forest Bank where medical professionals failed to carry out adequate enquiries into his dependence on and tolerance to opiate medication. They also failed to monitor him in the days that followed in line with prison and national health guidelines and the latter, the inquest heard, probably contributed to Michael’s death.

The young man, known to family and friends as Mickey, was found unresponsive in his cell and, despite attempts to revive him, he was declared dead. A post-mortem concluded Michael died as a result of Bronchopneumonia, precipitated by acute central nervous system depression resulting from the combination of drugs in his system which included four prescription drugs, of which one recently commenced was methadone.

Michael wasn't monitored properly after he was prescribed methadone

Michael was 'failed' by the prison, his mum said

HM Assistant Coroner for Manchester West, Lisa Judge, said "serious failings" at the jail, a private prison operated by Sodexo Services Limited, contributed to the tragedy. She heard from more than 40 witness during the inquest, which lasted nearly two weeks at Manchester Bolton Coroner’s Court.

Speaking after this, Michael’s mother, Margaret Pomeroy, said: “HMP Forest Bank failed my son. I have been campaigning for over four years to get this inquest heard, to find out what happened to Mickey. It should never have come to this.

"Mickey was a prisoner, but he deserved to be treated with care and kindness, just like any other person. I cannot understand how a mistake like this was allowed to happen by the people that were supposed to be taking care of him. The day that they handed him methadone they handed him a death sentence.

"This verdict will not bring Mickey back but I hope that lessons will be learned so that no one else has to die in this way. I do not want another family to have to go through what we have gone through. Although Mickey had his struggles, he was a kind and sensitive boy. He had his whole life ahead of him. We will never forget the happiness and laughter he brought into our home and we are grateful every day for the time we got to share with him. I feel his loss every single day."

Sodexo says on its website HMP Forest Bank offers a 'safe, decent, and secure' environment

The hearing concluded on Friday, just hours before "runaway" prisoner Daniel Khalife was snagged by police days after allegedly absconding from London's HMP Wandsworth, which too is said to be under-staffed and overcrowded.

And lawyers representing Michael's family in his case are unsurprised such a blunder was made, having heard about the "chaotic environment" at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Cormac McDonough, partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “We welcome the decision of the jury and hope that this case highlights the need for urgent improvements in healthcare within the prison system. Michael deserved a much better standard of care than he received and every inmate deserves the right to serve their time in a safe environment.

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"The inquest evidence portrayed HMP Forest Bank as a somewhat chaotic environment, with a chronically understaffed and underfunded mental healthcare system, and with absent process to ensure basic checks occurred after methadone prescription mid-sentence. It is unsurprising that mistakes happened in this context. It is a tragedy that it happened to Michael in this way. My thoughts are with Michael’s family, whose bravery and determination to get answers and justice for Michael has led to these serious issues being brought to public attention."

An HMP Forest Bank spokesperson said: "Our thoughts continue to be with Mr McDonagh’s family and friends. While many changes and improvements have been made in the prison over the course of the four years since his death, we will consider the jury’s findings and conclusions with great care and continue to build on progress made."

Saturday, 9 September 2023

terrorist arrested

Police arrest terror suspect Daniel Khalife in Chiswick after prison escape

Officers apprehended him just before 11am on Saturday, in the Chiswick area, and he is currently in police custody.

Police believe Daniel Khalife escaped from Wandsworth prison after strapping himself under a delivery van (Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire)

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By Joe Duggan

September 9, 2023 11:45 am(Updated 11:56 am)

Escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife has been arrested after breaking out of Wandsworth Prison on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

Officers apprehended the fugirive just before 11am on Saturday, in the Chiswick area of west London and he is currently in police custody.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the public and media for their support throughout our investigation to locate Khalife and we will provide a further update on his arrest in due course.”

Scotland Yard said earlier they were concentrating their hunt on the suburb after “intelligence-led activity and some confirmed sightings overnight”.

The Met said he was believed to be wearing a black baseball cap, black t-shirt and dark-coloured bottoms, and carrying a small bag or case as they scoured Chiswick, about five miles from Wandsworth prison which Khalife broke out from on Wednesday.

Chiswick resident Paul Wade opened his curtains to find five police officers outside his home on Saturday morning as part of the search for Daniel Khalife.

The 79-year-old told the PA news agency: “They said ‘I expect you know why we are here.’

“They were checking everybody’s gardens. Our neighbour told us there were sniffer dogs.

“As we understand it, they just clambered over the walls and inspected, they didn’t wake everybody up. They just checked. They had helicopters

Sunday, 3 September 2023

Drug barons

BIG BILL | Major Kinahan Cartel blow as UK drug baron arrested before paying up €20m debt

Louis James Edwards (44 ) had run up a massive bill with the Kinahan organisation, who were supplying him with cocaine

Sean McGovern

UK drug baron Louis James Edwards as he was taken into custody in Spain

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Guardia Civil officers arrest Edwards, who was one of the UK’s most wanted men

Liam Byrne

Sean McGovern

UK drug baron Louis James Edwards as he was taken into custody in Spain

Nicola Tallant

Sunday World

Tue 9 Aug 2022 at 21:35

A UK drug baron arrested in Spain last month owed a €20m debt to Irish mob boss Daniel Kinahan and will now not be able to pay up.

Suspected drug baron Louis James Edwards, 44, was described as one of the most wanted men in the UK when he was nabbed at a hotel in Benidorm in June.

But it has since emerged he had run up a massive bill with the Kinahan organisation, who were supplying him with cocaine and which he in turn was distributing throughout southern England.

Edwards was listed as one of Crimestoppers most-wanted crooks and was filmed as he was led away by armed Guardia Civil officers through a public square following the police blitz on the hotel.

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

In custody and with his assets being monitored, Edwards now has no way of paying the Kinahans back their money – in what is a huge blow to the under-fire organisation as it currently scrambles to call in its debts.

A series of major drug seizures in the UK have also hit the sanctioned cartel in the pocket as a united police effort continues to chip away at the billion-dollar drug mob.

It is understood that the intelligence-led operations, including the arrest of Edwards, are a direct result of the information lines which have been opened for informants to give up details of Christy Kinahan Snr and his sons, Christopher Jnr and Daniel, and their business dealings.

Spanish police said their initial investigation into Edwards began in Malaga on the Costa del Sol, but agents on his trail followed him to Alicante on Spain’s east coast.

Major drug suspect Louis James Edwards is arrested at a Benidorm hotel on June 21

Working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK, Guardia Civil officers nabbed Edwards when they followed a relative of his who had come to visit the area and led them to the Benidorm Hotel where he was arrested.

While the Kinahan organisation would have at one point been able to deal with a €20m debt write-off, they no longer can manage to lose such vast sums of money.

Raid after raid on premises and known associates of the cartel have led to seizures of drugs and cash across Ireland and the UK.

While the top command of the organisation have tried to reassure business associates that they are liquid and that their billions are safely out of reach, the constant rounds of raids and seizures have been pounding them financially.

Paranoia is also at its peak – and the Kinahans believe they have been infiltrated by an undercover agent or customs spy who has been feeding information into a massive money-laundering investigation.

Liam Byrne

It is understood the takedown of the Kinahan organisation will be a blueprint going forward for dismantling other cartels, many of which survive despite the arrest of a kingpin.

US and European authorities, along with their international partners, have been years planning the Kinahans’ demise and have deep tentacles into their entire corporate structure.

“This is undoubtedly a first in a method of taking down a cartel,” said a source.

“This isn’t all about only going for those at the top, but it is also about killing off what’s in the middle.

“It’s a well-thought-out and structured plan to dig out all the roots of this organisation and leave nothing behind.

“As they grew and continued to expand, the authorities were watching all the way and this will all come out in the near future as we move into the final stage of this process,” the source added.

“The corporate structure is suffering because it has a huge payroll and is made up of a lot of moving parts which all need to be functioning properly.

“The constant losses, arrests and raids may seem small fry to the larger picture – but it isn’t.

“Each kick and punch is another blow to the giant.

“From a law-enforcement point of view, this has been a slow and steady process and the Kinahan Organisation is well on its way to financial collapse.”

Sean McGovern

In Dubai, police have yet to move in on the Kinahans and their associates.

Some underworld sources suggest that Daniel Kinahan is already gone from the Emirates and is now bedded down in Oman.

However, others claim that he, his father and brother remain in the Emirates hoping to continue to enjoy the safe haven where they have established themselves for years.

A number of reports from Dubai claim that Daniel Kinahan has even been spotted out and about looking increasingly stressed and balding.

Liam Byrne, the brother of Regency Hotel victim David, visited Dubai in the weeks following the sanctions but is spending his summer on the island of Ibiza, where he has property and business interests.

Officers have yet to move in on Sean McGovern despite an arrest warrant issued for him last April for the murder of Noel ‘Duck Egg’

Friday, 1 September 2023

Dr spots x-ray

Neonatologist and consultant paediatrician Dr Sandie Brohin was brought in as a witness in Lucy Letby's trial and studied x-rays after discovering accounts of babies crying for as long as 30 minutes

The doctor's evidence helped snare Lucy Letby

An expert witness helped lock up evil serial killer Lucy Letby when a review of cases of baby deaths found accounts of premature babies “screaming in pain for 30 minutes”.

Neonatologist and consultant paediatrician Dr Sandie Brohin examined the evidence of infant mortalities at the Countess of Chester Hospital when she was brought in as a witness for the prosecution in Letby's trial. Studying X-rays, the paediatrician spotted air bubbles, known as embolisms, in images of the babies' blood vessels.

'I thought, 'It can't be'. I'd never seen anything like that in my career... but nothing else explained it,' she said. 'The X-rays were in front of me, several of them, all showing air in the babies' vessels. That's when I thought, 'No, it has to be, and it has to be deliberate'.'

The grim reality was that each baby was effectively suffering a heart attack after Letby injected air into their bloodstream or stomach, causing lethal bubbles.

The doctor also knew that it was unusual for premature babies to cry for any long period. When looking at accounts from the hospital ward she found nurses describing “babies screaming for up to 30 minutes. She described the accounts as “unheard of”.

Letby will die in jail after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester hospital. Her campaign of terror took place over a two-year period between 2015 and 2016.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Dr Brohin revealed the heartbreaking accounts of babies in distress could only be the result of “extreme pain” being inflicted upon them.

She said: “Babies will cry if they are in pain, obviously, such as when you take blood or put in a drip.

“That hurts, and there’s no getting away from it. But to have a premature baby screaming is really unusual.

“What was described on the ward was babies screaming for up to 30 minutes. Now that is just unheard of. Somebody had done something to cause those babies

Earlier this week it was reported her crimes went unreported for so long as she was never actually seen harming the babies. Jurors heard how she covered her tracks by targeting babies with other health problems in order to make the deaths seem plausible. Some were extremely premature while others had inherited conditions.

With her smiling face and jolly demeanour, Letby couldn't have looked less like a brutal killer. Most of the murders took place at night when the babies' parents weren't around and the mode of killing was always subtle - air injected into intravenous long lines, insulin added to bags of nutrients, overfeeding.

But one night her evil crimes were almost exposed when she was very nearly caught in the act.

Five day old twin boys, known as Child E and Child F, had arrived in the unit after being born 11 weeks premature. At around 9pm on August 3, 2015, their mother arrived with expressed milk for her children and heard a 'horrendous' scream that echoed along the corridor. She ran into nursery one - the nursery for the most poorly babies - and saw Letby standing near Child E's incubator. Her baby had blood around his mouth and was in a state of extreme

Lucy Letby

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Rumours have been circulating concerning the killer nurse's time at at HMP Low Newton

ByJulia BanimAnnabal BagdiSenior reporter

13:59, 1 SEP 2023

Couple who wanted Lucy Letby to be baby's godmother say truth is 'sickening'

Rumours killer nurse Lucy Letby has suffered a brutal attack in prison are circulating online. There are a number of unsubstantiated reports that the 33-year-old has been the subject of an attack by fellow inmates while at HMP Low Newton.

Multiple social media posts have been shared, seemingly appearing as though they are news articles. The posts have been liked tens of thousands of times, despite being flagged as 'false information' on social media sites.

Details of Letby's supposed injuries have also been shared, with one person falsely claiming it had been 'officially validated' that she 'now suffers from partial loss of vision in her left eye'. They also claimed she had a 'non-life-threatening cut on her neck'.

But a team of independent fact-checkers from Full Fact have since analysed the posts, MirrorOnline reports. Posts read: "BREAKING NEWS Baby killer Lucy Letby has been attacked in Prison. Reports suggest she's been rushed to an outside hospital. in a critical condition after being slashed and boiled kettle water with sugar chucked in her face [sic]."

Full Fact said it was not uncommon for misinformation to spread when it comes to high-profile criminals. Similar rumours were shared about Sarah Everard's murderer Wayne Couzens, as well as Thomas Hughes - the dad of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

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A report from Full Fact claims the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has confirmed the Facebook posts online about baby killer Letby are not true. When contacted by the Mirror, the MOJ declined to comment.

Experts believe Letby will be on suicide watch for months and it will be some time before she is integrated with her fellow prisoners. There is reportedly a high risk the former nurse will be targeted by other dangerous prisoners.

Lucy Letby expert says calling her a 'monster' is dangerous

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Inside rumours

COMMENTS

Lucy Letby expert says calling her a 'monster' is dangerous

Inside rumours Lucy Letby suffered 'slash wounds and boiled water prison attack'

Professor Yvonne Jewkes, professor of criminology at the University of Bath, told the Telegraph: "She'll associate mostly with prison officers, her key worker in the prison, and one or two cleaners, but much of that interaction will be through the hatch in her cell door." Chartered security professional James Bore said it is 'extremely unlikely' Letby will be permitted to attend her own parents' funerals when the time comes despite some prisoners getting certain privileges

Mr Bore, the director of family consultancy Bores, told the Mirror: "Any day release for parents' funerals, or anything else, would be based on a risk assessment. I find it extremely unlikely that any sort of temporary release would be granted - for her own safety as much as anything else.

"Currently, she's being segregated within Low Newton, again to prevent her from being attacked. Social media rumours saying that she's been attacked already

HMP Woodhill

HMP Woodhill: Call for emergency measures at 'unsafe' prison

By Neve Gordon-Farleigh & Flora Thompson

BBC News & PA Media

1 September 2023, 01:29 BST

Updated 2 hours ago

Woodhill Prison

Image caption,

The prison in Milton Keynes was found to have "chronic" staff shortages and a high rate of attacks on staff

Inspectors have called for the high-security jail HMP Woodhill to be put into emergency measures amid attacks on officers and "chronic" staff shortages.

The prison, in Milton Keynes, was deemed to be "fundamentally unsafe" following an inspection in August.

Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, has contacted Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to issue an urgent notification for improvement.

The prisons minister said there was an "urgent need for improvement".

Woodhill holds about 500 male Category A offenders, including Charles Bronson, and was said to have the "highest rate of serious assaults in England and Wales" on staff, with "bullying and intimidation by prisoners to be commonplace".

Low morale meant many staff had "voted with their feet", with more officers leaving than joining, and with "no indication that the situation would improve", the watchdog said.

'Urgent support needed'

In August, the BBC reported the jail was on a recruitment drive for new officers, with previous inspections also highlighting a lack of staff at the site.

Chelsea Lee, deputy head of residence, said it took "a certain kind of person" to be a prison officer.

"Sometimes we have bad days. There can be high frustrations working in this kind of custodial environment," she said.

"There could be multiple incidents throughout the day and it's quite high stress levels for the officer.

HMP Woodhill has been trying to recruit more prison officers for a long time

Mr Taylor expressed concern that a "complex, high-risk" prison like Woodhill could not "operate effectively with such chronic staff shortages".

"Urgent support is needed from HMPPS [His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service] to help Woodhill and other establishments to develop credible, long-term plans that improve staff recruitment, and, crucially, staff retention," he said.

Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said: "The findings of this report demonstrate the urgent need for improvement at HMP Woodhill and we will be working closely and quickly with the prison to set out how it can address these issues."

He said the prison service was "working hard to recruit and retain staff", including increasing starting salaries for prison officers and recruiting more staff

In previous inspections, staff shortages and retainment had also been labelled a "considerable concern" at HMP Woodhill

The inspector's report also found high levels of violence and drugs at the jail, with the rate of self-harm among inmates the highest in the country for men's prisons.

Twenty-six offenders were found to be "self isolating" in cells in fear of their own safety, while staff shortages meant education classes and work had been cancelled for inmates, leaving them "frustrated".

The watchdog said without significantly improving staffing levels, "it was not clear how the jail will improve".

Charles Bronson is one of the Category A prisoners based at HMP Woodhill

Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, branded the report "shocking", adding: "After repeated warnings, it is extremely disappointing that the prison now finds itself in this position.

"Ministers urgently need to get a grip on what has gone wrong."

Wednesday, 30 August 2023

3 more babies die

Nurse Arrested at Children's Hospital Amid Allegations of Baby Poisoning and Probe into Three Deaths

In a shocking turn of events, a nurse has been arrested at a prominent children's hospital following allegations that she poisoned a baby, while police simultaneously investigate three deaths that occurred under suspicious circumstances.According to reports from mirror, Monday, August 28,2023.The incidents have rocked the Birmingham Children's Hospital, raising concerns about patient safety and the integrity of the medical profession.

The nurse was employed by Birmingham Children's Hospital in the city's center (Photo: PA).

The first case that drew attention involved a child admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Tragically, the child's life was cut short "suddenly and unexpectedly," as revealed by newly disclosed documents. This incident prompted a thorough investigation led by medical professionals into this and two other unrelated tragedies at the same hospital.

Executives at the Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust took the initiative to launch an internal probe into "child deaths and sudden collapses." The urgency escalated when one young patient rapidly deteriorated and passed away on May 18, 2022, just a day after their admission. Following the grim development, a nurse was immediately suspended from her duties, and West Midland Police subsequently arrested her at her residence. The arrest was based on suspicion of intentionally administering a poison with the intent to endanger life.

Although the nurse has been taken into custody in connection with one particular incident, there have been other concerning cases at the hospital. Some of these incidents date back as far as January of the previous year, as reported by Birmingham Live. Despite these additional cases, the nurse in question has not been formally arrested in connection with them.

Dr. Fiona Reynolds, the chief medical officer at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, voiced her unwavering commitment to patient safety. In a statement published by the Sunday Times, she explained the hospital's swift response to the distressing situation. "The Trust immediately followed the standard safeguarding protocol for the sudden unexpected death of a child and West Midlands Police were notified the same day," she said. The hospital undertook a comprehensive clinical review of child deaths and sudden deteriorations under the supervision of healthcare professionals. The findings of this review were subsequently analyzed by independent experts and shared with law enforcement agencies.

The hospital's proactive approach has included transparent communication with the families affected by these incidents. Dr. Reynolds emphasized the importance of openness and cooperation with both West Midlands Police and the Coroner's office. The primary focus remains on patient safety, and the hospital's decisive actions reflect this commitment.

The nurse's suspension not only bars her from working at Birmingham Children's Hospital but also prevents her from practicing nursing elsewhere. She had been a staff member at the hospital, which houses a 31-bed paediatric intensive care unit. A representative from West Midlands Police provided insight into the ongoing investigation, stating that the woman was arrested on suspicion of administering poison with the intent to endanger life.

This unsettling news surfaces in the wake of the recent conviction of nurse Lucy Letby, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six more at a hospital in Chester. Letby's case has drawn international attention and highlighted the grave consequences of breaches in medical ethics and patient trust.

The Birmingham Children's Hospital incident underscores the importance of maintaining the highest standards of patient care and accountability within the medical profession. As the investigation continues, questions about oversight, protocols, and the overall safety of patients in medical settings will remain at the forefront of public concern.

Saturday, 26 August 2023

court case

Lucy Letby's parents attended every day of her 10-month trial, and were so determined to hear all the evidence against their daughter that they relocated to Manchester from Hereford

Lucy Letby was handed a whole life order this week for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more while working as a nurse.

In what was branded a "cowardly" move, the 33-year-old refused to face her victims' families in court for sentencing as they read out statements telling how she tore their lives apart. Her parents, Susan and Jonathan Letby, also chose not to attend - despite going to every day of the 10-month trial.

They were so determined to hear all the evidence against their daughter that they relocated to Manchester from Hereford, on the England-Wales border. The pair have been quick to leap to their daughter's defence - it was they who she leaned on when she had a key meeting with hospital bosses in January 2017.

The parents went alongside their daughter, claiming that she was being bullied and victimised on the neonatal unit, after two senior doctors raised the alarm. Letby's mum was reportedly distraught when she was arrested – wailing, crying and even telling police: "I did it, take me instead," in a desperate bid to protect her.

Letby's parents leave Manchester Crown Court during the trial — Letby's parents leaving Manchester Crown Court during the trial

Investigators suspect Letby had told them very little details of her horrific crimes before they were laid out in front of them in court. As the guilty verdicts were returned, Mrs Letby broke down into tears which continued even after she had left the court. At one point she cried out: "You can't be serious. This cannot be right."

The Letbys were a close-knit family and her parents were understandably proud when their daughter became the first in their wider family to go to university and move away from home. But her trial heard that Mr Letby, now 77 and Mrs Letby, 63, came to "hate it" when she did not return home after her graduation and that made her feel "constantly guilty".

Messaging a friend who had joked about emigrating to New Zealand, Letby said: "I couldn't leave my parents. They would be completely devastated. Find it hard enough being away from me now and its only 100 miles. I came here to uni & didn't go back. They hate it & I feel guilty for staying here sometimes but it's what I want."

Letby told another friend: "My parents worry massively about everything & anything, hate that I live alone etc. I feel bad because I know it's really hard for them especially as I'm an only child, and they mean well, just a little suffocating at times and constantly feel guilty."

During her studies Letby went on work placements at the Countess of Chester, on the children's ward or the neonatal unit. She started working full time there from January 2012 as a Band 5 nurse and three years later qualified to work with infants who needed intensive care.

Letby's parents came to "hate it" when she did not return home after her graduation

The nurse was handed a whole life order this week — The nurse was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more

Initially Letby lived in the on-site accommodation at Ash House before moving to a flat in Chester in April 2014. In June 2015 she returned to Ash House and then moved into her home in Blacon on April 6, 2016.

In the period she was said to have been intentionally harming babies at work, Letby had an "active social life" with salsa dancing classes a particular favourite. A regular gym-goer she was also a member of a local pub quiz team.

Letby enjoyed holidays with friends and in the summer of 2015 was among revellers at a colleague's hen party in York before she attended the wedding later that year. She told the court her health was "fine" in 2015 and 2016, although in 2015 she had been diagnosed with optic neuritis, a condition caused by inflammation of the optic nerve which can cause pain and blurred vision.

Letby received treatment at the Countess and also at the Walton Centre in Liverpool before the issue was "resolved". In June 2016 she confided to a doctor colleague about a problem with an underactive thyroid.

She told him: "I've been hypothyroid since I was 11, having blips last 12 months, just increased dose again to see if that does the trick...last time it was increased I was over treated & had tremors etc.." She said she was on anti-depressants after her mental health deteriorated when she was accused of harming babies and was still taking them.

As she was placed in the back of a police car during her first arrest she told an officer, who offered to move the front passenger seat forward, that she had recently undergone knee surgery. Letby told jurors she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after her three arrests.

Letby being arrested at home in Chester in 2018

She told the court: "It was just the most scariest thing I've ever been through. It not only happened once, it happened twice and a third time. It's just traumatised me... I'm very sensitive to any noise, any unexpected change or new people. I am easily startled, easily frightened of things."

Letby was allowed by the judge to settle into her seat when she gave evidence, before members of the public and the press were allowed into court. At the end of each evidence session the public gallery was cleared before prison officers returned her to the dock.

Her trial heard that Letby made a three-hour round trip from HMP New Hall in Wakefield and would get up at 5.30am to be at court on time. She said she had been in four prisons since she was charged in November 2020.

Before the jury was sworn in the court heard Letby was left "incoherent" and "can't speak properly" after she was moved from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey to HMP New Hall on the Friday afternoon before the trial. Letby was said to have found the move "traumatising" as none of her possessions initially came with her, the court heard.

During the trial she walked into the dock each morning clutching a purple blanket, a pink blanket and a file of paperwork. She studiously followed the medical evidence and occasionally a flurry of notes would be passed to her legal team.

The front of a diary, along with a post-it note which was found inside the diary, recovered from Letby's home

At the end of each court day she would request time to see her barrister, Ben Myers KC, before the journey back to prison. She also regularly received visits from the court's designated mental health nurse during the trial.

When she came to give evidence in her defence, Mr Myers asked how it felt to have job as a nurse taken away from her and to be accused of killing babies. Letby replied: "My job was my life. My whole world was stopped."

Mr Myers said: "If you think back to when you were a young woman, you were 25, 26, before you were being blamed for what happened, are you the same person?" Letby replied: "Everything has completely changed. Everything about me and my life, the hopes I had for the future, everything has gone."

Mr Myers said: "How content were you in your life before you began to get the blame for all of this?" Letby replied: "I had a very happy life."

Thursday, 24 August 2023

funding for Lucy Letby appeal

VIEWCOMMENTS

<p>A court sketch of Lucy Letby, centre </p> — A court sketch of Lucy Letby, centre / PA Wire

Supporters of serial killer Lucy Letby have launched an appeal to fund her defence calling the nurse’s trial the “greatest miscarriage of justice that the UK has ever witnessed”.

Letby, who was sentenced to a whole life order for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of six others, has the right to appeal her life term but her lawyers have so far not indicated they will.

Despite this, a campaign calling itself Science on Trial is putting forward arguments questioning expert witness accounts and forensic evidence believing the killer nurse did not get a fair trial.

Its founder Sarrita Adams, a scientific consultant for biotech start-ups in California, says she has a PhD in biochemistry from Cambridge University, but, according to her LinkedIn profile, she appears not to have worked as a scientist since then.

“Through fundraising, researching, and legal assistance, we aim to ensure that Lucy Letby can have a fair trial where scientific evidence is reliable,” her website states.

“We are currently working to form a group of scientists, lawyers, and activists to aid in the upcoming appeal for Lucy Letby.

“We believe that Lucy’s defence was not adequate, that there is more to this case which was not heard in court, which deserved to be heard, and that everyone deserves a fair trial. That is why we have come together to fight for the science to be brought to trial.”

<p>The arrest of Lucy Letby (Cheshire Constabulary/PA)</p> — The arrest of Lucy Letby (Cheshire Constabulary/PA) / PA Media

Donations to the American website are not currently open but there are options to join the cause with a donation link saying “coming soon”.

Ms Adams uses the site to criticise the reliability of the prosecution’s evidence that high insulin levels detected in two babies showed they were deliberately injected.

However, Letby’s legal team did not challenge the fact babies were injected with insulin, instead denying it was her that administered the fatal injections.

It comes as Letby faces being stripped of her NHS pension after being convicted of the “sadistic” murders.

It is understood the Government is looking at ways to prevent the benefit being paid to Britain’s worst child killer.

Letby refused to leave her cell for sentencing on Monday, where the parents of her newborn victims described the horrifying impact the crimes had on their families.

welcome

The former NHS neonatal nurse, 33, has become the fourth woman in Britain to be handed a whole-life order, which is used for only the most horrendous crimes.

Lucy Letby was found guilty following a lengthy trial

Evil child serial killer Lucy Letby is set to die behind bars after fooling her friends and family into believing she was just an ordinary young woman.

The former NHS neonatal nurse, 33, has become the fourth woman in Britain to be handed a whole-life order, which is used for only the most horrendous crimes.

Her campaign of terror on innocent babies in her care took place between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where she deliberately harmed them.

Her twisted actions included injecting infants with air and insulin or overfeeding them with milk. She was escorted out of her child-like bedroom in handcuffs five years ago and put into the back of a police car.

This was followed by a lengthy 10-month trial in which she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others.

While she has spent time in four prisons so far, nothing will have prepared her for her new lifelong sentence as a Category A prisoner with a target on her head, the Mirror reports.

The average life sentence is 16.5 years, but 'whole-lifers' cannot escape as the Parole Board will never review their case. Letby will likely start her sentence in either HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, where she's already served time, or at HMP Low Newton, in Durham.

Screen grab taken from body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby

Bronzefield is the largest women's prison in Europe, where Rose West spent time before being transferred. Current inmates include Shauna Hoare, who was found guilty of manslaughter for the killing of Becky Watts in 2015; and the al-Qaeda fanatic Roshonara Choudhry, who stabbed Labour MP Stephen Timms in 2010.

Meanwhile, Low Newton, a maximum security prison, has housed female killers Joanna Dennehy, Rose West, Bernadette McNeilly, and the mother of tragic tot Baby P, Tracey Connelly.

The prison just outside of Durham is next door to the so-called "Monster Mansion" HMP Frankland, which holds Ian Huntley, Wayne Couzens and Levi Belfield.

A former inmate of Bronzefield, Sophie Campell, claimed her time at the women's prison was so disturbing that she was compelled to write a memoir about it, Breakfast At Bronzefield. The woman, who was convicted for grievous bodily harm of a police officer, said violence was commonplace within the jail's walls.

Oakwood Theme Park deeply saddened' as man injured 'after falling out of rollercoaster'Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokshire, south Wales, was evacuated after a "serious" medical emergency following reports a man had fallen from the treetops rollercoaster A theme park has said it is "deeply saddened" by the injury to a visitor who reportedly fell from a rollercoasrer.

Releasing her story in 2020, she said: "I couldn't believe how offenders were treated by the officers. You wonder how they got away with a lot of it - neglecting inmates in their cells, depriving them of their meals, not giving them much-needed medical attention, or being too rough during searches."

She added: "As well as same-sex relationships thriving in Bronzefield, some female prisoners were engaging in sexual favours with the officers to get drugs or food, and that was a real shock for me. It's so horrible how normalised it is, often gossiped and giggled about.

"Violence is everywhere. It puts you on edge. You have to be alert as a situation can escalate rapidly. That's why you learn to adopt a new code of conduct inside."

The bed in her Chester home that she'll never be able to sleep in again

She also spoke of witnessing a woman having boiling hot water thrown over her face during her first few weeks, adding: "It rattles you. You know it could be you - say the wrong thing, or look at the wrong person and you could be burned and blistered and never offered medical treatment."

Experts say that Letby will have 'restricted status' for an inmate, which is considered the female equivalent of Category A - meaning she is the highest-risk threat to the public.

It is said she will be on suicide watch for some months and it will be a while before she is integrated with other prisoners. She will start off her whole life sentence living in the hospital wing of the prison while they assess her mental and physical health, and as a way of protecting her safety from other inmates.

Eventually, she'll be moved into her own cell. This is a routine procedure for every inmate found guilty of murder, on the assumption that anyone who faces decades in prison will contemplate taking their own life.

It will take place in a number of forms - from CCTV cameras watching Letby to direct supervision from officers, noting her moves every 10 minutes.

This is one of the general population prison cells in HMP Low Newton where Letby may stay

"She'll be what's known as a 'restricted status' prisoner," Mark Leech, a prisons expert and editor of The Prison Oracle website told the Telegraph. "She'll be on suicide watch and it will be some time before she gets to mingle with the main prison population - at least six months."

She may also receive extra care and attention at HMP Low Newton, which boasts the 'Primrose Project' - designed to treat women with "dangerous and severe personality disorders". It is the only prison in the UK with such a unit. While Letby will be considered a threat to herself, she will be a possible target for others for the rest of her life.

Professor Yvonne Jewkes, professor of criminology at the University of Bath, says Letby will have a price on her head. "At best, she'll be subjected to extreme bullying and intimidation. At worst, she might be in quite considerable physical danger," she told the Telegraph.

For that reason, it'll be a lonely ride for Letby, who will have very little human contact. "She'll associate mostly with prison officers, her key worker in the prison and one or two cleaners, but much of that interaction will be through the hatch in her cell door," Leech added.

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She'll be spending at least 22 hours a day inside her single cell - approximately 1.8 metres wide by three metres in length. Inside the cell, Lucy, who will be forced to wear a prison uniform of grey joggers and a sweater, will have a single bed, a storage unit, a chair, and a toilet.

Due to her confinement, it's likely she will be encouraged by staff to be mentally stimulated to avoid extreme stress, anger, and frustration. Her life of solitude will be filled with reading stories about others - she will be able to read newspapers, books, and watch TV, but not much else. And for an hour a day, she will be able to exercise, walking the prison grounds.

Lucy will, however, be able to speak to her family and receive visits, which will be vetted by police, though they will be few and far between. A convicted prisoner is usually allowed at least two 1-hour visits every four weeks.

Her parents, Susan and John, from Chester, were there at Manchester Crown Court for each day of her 10-month trial, so it's likely they will keep returning to check in on their daughter. Letby won't be able to receive emails directly, but she can receive messages through the Email a Prisoner service.

They're printed out and delivered by prison staff, with each email costing 40p from Letby's prison cash card. There is no limit on the number of letters she can send and receive however, although most are checked by prison staff.

When it comes to phone calls, she will only be able to speak to those named on her friends and family list. And as this needs to be checked by security, it'll take a few days following her arrival for her to be able to make a call.

In time, it is expected that she would be integrated into groups, such as reading clubs or cooking classes, like Rose West, who is said to have become a star baker. It is thought that the professionals will want to keep her busy, and even encourage her to do an Open University degree.

Her diet will now be dictated by the chef's selection of hot meals and lunches, with an Independent Monitoring Board report, published in 2021, saying that Low Newton provided food that was "nutritious, well cooked and of good variety". Later in life, it is expected for Letby to be moved to a lower-security prison to see out her final days before her death behind bars