Babak Belurs

Jumat, 06 Agustus 2021

Brighton toddler death: Verphy Kudi jailed for leaving toddler alone for days - BBC News

A mother who left her daughter alone to starve to death as she partied for six days has been jailed.

Verphy Kudi admitted the manslaughter of 20-month-old Asiah Kudi, who was left at her Brighton flat as she celebrated her 18th birthday in December 2019.

She travelled to London and Coventry, and had acted like a "carefree teenager", Lewes Crown Court was told.

Kudi, 19, of no fixed address, has been jailed for nine years.

Judge Christine Laing QC told Kudi that Asiah "was a helpless child" who "relied completely on you as her mother to provide for her needs".

She said: "It is almost unbearable to contemplate her suffering in the final days of her life, suffering that she endured so that you could celebrate your birthday and the birthdays of your friends as a carefree teenager."

Prosecutor Sally Howes QC told the court CCTV covering Kudi's home showed she had left Asiah alone in the flat for five days, 21 hours and 58 minutes.

Kudi left Brighton on 5 December and went to London, where she spent her birthday with her boyfriend.

Two days later she attended a concert in Elephant and Castle, south-east London, where she had the DJ announce her birthday, the court was told.

On 9 December she moved on to a birthday party in Coventry - 150 miles from Brighton - before returning to London the next day and then home on 11 December, the court heard.

When she returned home, Kudi called 999 and told paramedics her baby wasn't waking up.

At just after 18:20 GMT an ambulance crew found Asiah "incoherent, distressed and distraught", and lying on the floor, the court was told.

'History of abandonment'

Asiah was taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was starvation and influenza, with reported signs of dehydration and severe nappy rash, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Libby Clark, of CPS South East, said: "Asiah's mother Verphy Kudi had a duty to keep her safe from harm, but instead selfishly chose to put her own need to party and be with her friends above all else.

"The consequences of her decision meant that Asiah must have suffered dreadfully during the days and nights that she was alone in the flat.

"This follows a history of multiple earlier occasions of abandonment and neglect."

'Unbearable tragedy'

When Kudi was first interviewed by police she claimed she had been with her child at the flat all the time, except for one visit she made with her to London.

But officers found the CCTV footage, and also discovered phone footage taken during her time away from home.

In a statement, Asiah and Verphy's family said: "We are saddened by the current situation and as a family we have many unanswered questions.

"Verphy has experienced so much at such a young age and we have always done what we can to support her."

The statement said the family was "in the midst of an unbearable tragedy".

It added: "Not only are we coming to terms with what has happened today but we are also still grieving for our beloved Asiah."

Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership said in a statement: "We are currently working with our partners to look into what happened and are conducting a child safeguarding practice review."

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2021-08-06 14:26:34Z
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ONS survey: Fall in Covid infection rates calms fears of new surge - The Times

Covid infections showed a clear fall in England last week, according to gold-standard figures boosting confidence about the outlook for the rest of the summer.

The Office for National Statistics survey confirmed the first fall outside lockdown in the final week of July, when an estimated one in 75 had coronavirus, down from one in 65 the week before.

The fall means rates are back where they were in the middle of July and although they remain significantly higher than in the spring, it will add to confidence that the end of restrictions last month will not fuel a surge in cases large enough to threaten the NHS.

Cases are also falling in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland, where the Delta variant arrived later,

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2021-08-06 12:25:00Z
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Millions to see energy bills rise by up to £139 as Ofgem hikes price cap - Sky News

Around 15 million families will see their energy bills soar by at least £139 after a regulator hiked the price cap with a record increase.

The sharp 12% rise, which will impact half the population, is driven by a surge of more than 50% in wholesale fuel costs over the last six months with gas prices hitting a record high as global economies recover from the COVID-19 crisis, according to Ofgem.

From October, energy customers on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £139 from £1,138 to £1,277.

Pre-payment customers will see costs rise by £153, from £1,156 to £,1309.

Surging global fuel prices are already driving up inflation for consumers, making fixed rate energy tariffs, which are usually better value but not covered by the price cap, more expensive.

Even ahead of the rise, Ofgem had moved to alert householders still reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Campaigners have also said the increase "comes at the worst possible time" and warned it will push an extra 488,000 households into fuel poverty, with more than four million people already estimated to be behind on their household bills.

The hike will coincide with the ending of the job support furlough scheme and the temporary £20-a-week boost to benefits.

Responding to the price cap announcement, Wales' Labour leader Mark Drakeford made a direct appeal to the chancellor not to remove the Universal Credit uplift.

Speaking to Sky News, Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: "We know how difficult this is going to be for many customers, but what we can't do is ask companies to sell their energy for less than they buy it for.

"But there is a great deal of help and support that is available."

Repeatedly pressed on whether the move would force some families into fuel poverty, he said: "We accept that this will change the circumstances of families, so yes we do accept that this is going to be difficult for many families.

"Families need to make sure they access the support and advice that is available."

Ofgem reviews and changes the price cap once every six months.

Energy suppliers are required to price below the limit, with most setting prices just a couple of pounds under.

The price cap is supposed to offer a safety net for customers by making sure that suppliers only pass on legitimate costs.

Those on default tariffs save an estimated £75-£100 every year as a result, according to Ofgem.

People worried about paying their bills are advised to contact their supplier about available support or shop around before the increase takes effect.

But Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: "This unprecedented hike in energy bills comes at the worst possible time for millions of households across the country.

"Switching advice and the price cap may provide some protection from the worst excesses of the energy market, but this will be no comfort to those now facing the stark choice between heating and eating."

Analysis: Helen-Ann Smith, Business Correspondent

The reason for the rise is simply that the wholesale price of energy has skyrocketed, with coal soaring and gas now at record highs.

Prices had actually taken a dip at the outset of the pandemic as the world stayed at home and demand fell.

But since then there has been a shortfall in the production of natural gas, a sudden post pandemic boost in demand and some localised problems that have disrupted energy supplies; a drought in china and flooding in Indonesia to name just a few.

Add to that months of pandemic related delays and disruption at every stage of the supply chain and you have what some analysts have called a "perfect storm" pushing up commodity prices.

Such high value for commodities that we are in theory meant to be transitioning away from is certainly worth noting.

The price of high energy Australian coal, for example, which is used as a benchmark for the Asian market, has climbed to the highest level since September 2008.

It's telling that disruption in the fossil fuel market can have such an impact on consumer bills - the reality is that renewable sources just aren't there to fill the gaps yet.

In 2020, renewables generated 43% of the UK's electricity while fossil fuels still provided 38.5%.

There is no doubt that wind and solar facilities are expanding rapidly but the reality is they are a long way off offering a safety net for disruption in the fossil fuel market, our reliance on dirty fuel is still deeply entrenched.

Read more from Helen-Ann

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "The level at which energy prices are capped is of enormous importance to older people, because we know they are less likely to switch providers for a better deal - especially if they are not online, which is the case for about half of the 75-plus population.

"For all those who are therefore effectively stuck on their existing tariffs, the best protection they have against unfair and unaffordable fuel bills is a robust energy price cap.

"Unfortunately, the fact that the cap is going up significantly this year will set them up for a miserable and anxious winter."

James Plunkett of Citizens Advice said: "This price hike could lead to a perfect storm for families this autumn, hitting people at the same time as a Universal Credit cut and the end of furlough."

Energy UK's chief executive Emma Pinchbeck said: "We know this price rise will come at a difficult time for many customers who may already be facing financial challenges.

"Any customers worried about bills should contact their supplier so they can see what help might be available."

Pointing to rising wholesale prices, she added: "Ofgem sets the price cap at a fair level for customers but it also needs to reflect when suppliers face increased costs to allow them to keep operating in a market where most providers are making little or no profit at present."

The increase comes as energy deals have reached the highest cost for more than two years, according to data from Compare the Market.

The average price for one of the cheapest deals on the market is currently £996, the highest charge seen since February 2019.

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2021-08-06 06:04:57Z
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COP26: Alok Sharma criticised for international - and quarantine free - travel - BBC News

The president of the UK's upcoming climate change conference is under fire for reportedly travelling to more than 30 countries in seven months.

The Daily Mail said seven of the places visited by Alok Sharma were also on the Covid red list - but he used an exemption available to ministers to not have to quarantine on his return.

The government said face-to-face meetings were "crucial" ahead of COP26.

But Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford called it "inexplicable".

He said all government ministers "have to demonstrate that we too mean business" in tackling climate change if they want the public to follow suit - and travelling so often "doesn't advance the cause".

Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Sarah Olney also criticised the government's quarantine exemption policy, saying it showed there was "one rule for them and another for everybody else".

The Daily Mail also claimed Mr Sharma held a meeting with Prince Charles days after returning from Bangladesh - a red list country - before going on a visit to a primary school.

The newspaper said the meeting with the prince was held indoors and without masks.

Mr Sharma is currently in Brazil - also a red list country - and has tweeted that he is having "constructive meetings".

Mr Sharma left his post as business secretary in January to take over the presidency of COP26 - the United Nations Climate Chance Conference due to take place in Glasgow in November.

Since then, he has met with dignitaries across the globe to discuss climate commitments ahead of the conference - despite the ongoing pandemic.

Asked by the BBC's Nick Robinson in June how he defended his air travel when he is leading on environmental policy, he said it was "really important" to meet other governments to discuss plans and the visits had been "targeted".

But Mr Drakeford said ministers "couldn't exempt themselves" from the changes we all needed to make to tackle climate change.

'Hypocrisy'

He told BBC News: "I accept that there are some crucial meetings where being in the same room with other people does bring a new dimension to your ability to make progress. [But] was that necessary 30 times in the lead up to COP26? That, I think, is a completely different matter.

"We need to maximise the way in which we avoid travel and we avoid adding to the emissions that creates and we need to lead by example, and I am afraid that is not what we are seeing."

The Green Party's Baroness Jones also said she "despaired at the inability of Tory ministers to grasp their hypocrisy of talking about our climate emergency then behaving as normal."

But a government spokesman said: "Helping the world tackle the climate emergency is an international priority for the government.

"Virtual meetings play a large part, however face-to-face meetings are key to success in the climate negotiations the UK is leading as hosts of COP26 and are crucial to understanding first-hand the opportunities and challenges other countries are facing in the fight against climate change."

It is also understood the government plans to offset the emissions associated with travel by Mr Sharma and other UK officials in the run up to COP26.

Exemption for ministers

Mr Sharma is also facing further criticism for not quarantining on his return from the trips, including from red list countries, such as Bangladesh and Turkey.

UK citizens are advised not to travel to red list countries "except in the most extreme of circumstances" - but if they do, they are required by law to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days at a cost of £2,285 for one adult.

Breaking this law can result in a fine of up to £10,000.

However, "Crown servants" - or government ministers - are exempt from this rule if they travel to carry out "essential government work".

Lib Dem Ms Olney said the policy showed the government had "fallen completely out of touch with the concept of decency".

She added: "While Alok Sharma flies to red list countries with abandon, hard-working families can hardly see loved-ones or plan holidays as the government changes travel rules on the hoof.

"People are sick of the government giving themselves get-out-of-jail free passes while the rest of us stick to the rules."

The government said Covid tests were taken frequently by Mr Sharma and all members of the delegation, and measures were put in place to ensure social distancing at all events.

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2021-08-06 10:11:17Z
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Kamis, 05 Agustus 2021

COP26: Climate minister under fire for jetting to 30 countries - including several on red list - Sky News

Alok Sharma, climate minister and COP26 president, is under fire for flying to dozens of countries since the start of the year.

Mr Sharma made 30 international trips in the last seven months, including to six countries which are on the government's COVID-19 red list, the Daily Mail has reported.

According to the newspaper, half of the trips took place while international travel was all but banned in the UK.

He did not need to isolate after any of them because he is "crown servant" on state business, an exemption that does, however, require a negative covid test.

Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson told the newspaper: "As usual with this government, it's one rule for them and another for everybody else.

"While Alok Sharma flies to red-list countries with abandon, hard-working families can hardly see loved ones or plan holidays as the government changes travel rules on the hoof."

Green party peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb added: "I do understand it's very good to meet people in person, but this is excessive.

"When you're in charge of COP26, to take this many flights is hypocritical."

The aviation industry is responsible for 2% of all human-induced carbon dioxide emissions, according to the air transport action group.

His Instagram feed shows him travelling to various countries, including India in February and Bolivia and Brazil more recently.

Mr Sharma is tasked with securing commitments from key nations as he prepares to host the climate change summit in Glasgow this winter.

His trips reportedly include visiting Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Turkey, all of which are on the red list.

Sources close to Mr Sharma defended the trips and told the newspaper that they were made as safe as possible.

"Face-to-face diplomacy is vital to securing commitments from key countries at COP26," the source told the Daily Mail.

"All UK government ministers who travel abroad are subject to the same rules on quarantine and to a COVID secure testing regime."

Sky News has approached Mr Sharma's office for comment.

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2021-08-06 01:34:46Z
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Kaylee-Jayde Priest: Mother and boyfriend convicted of manslaughter - BBC News

A mother has been convicted alongside her then boyfriend of killing her three-year-old daughter, days after threatening to do so in a text message.

Kaylee-Jayde Priest was found dead at the flat in Solihull where she lived with her mother, Nicola Priest, 23, on 9 August last year.

Priest and lover Callum Redfern, 22, were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

The youngster died from serious chest and abdominal injuries.

The child's mother rang 999 but a jury convicted Priest after hearing the youngster had been "dead before the call was made".

Medical examinations later showed she had also suffered historical injuries including broken ribs, lower leg fractures and a broken sternum, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Priest and Redfern were at the time in a "close sexual relationship".

Jurors had heard how the mother would hit Kaylee around the head, while the youngster was also heard crying "in a fearful tone".

Latest news from the West Midlands

On one occasion, neighbours in a flat below at Kingshurst House, Solihull, recalled hearing a bang above and then the girl crying, before allegedly hearing Priest say: "I'll just say she fell off the bed."

The same residents claimed they noticed that "when Kaylee cried, the response appeared to be to drown out her crying with music".

In a text message exchange on 24 July last year, days before the youngster's death, Priest told Redfern: "I'm gonna kill her... because she keeps leaving the living room or going in the kitchen, so I've paled [hit] her one and smacked her for [dirtying] her nappy."

Redfern said: "Good - give her one from me."

Priest replied: "I will, babe."

From the time the mother moved in to the flat in mid-2019, neighbours heard her "shouting with real regularity" at Kaylee, including comments like "Shut up", "Go away" or "Leave me alone" - and "never anything positive or kind".

In CCTV played to court, the girl and Priest were seen together, hours before the youngster's fatal collapse, using a lift at the block of flats where they lived.

At no point in the footage was there any physical contact between the pair, with the mother neglecting to reach out to hold her daughter's hand.

Priest, of Poplar Avenue, Edgbaston, Birmingham, and Redfern, of Temple Street, Dudley, will be sentenced on Friday.

'Most brutal of ways'

The mother was also found guilty of cruelty to a child, relating to the youngster's historical injuries, but Redfern was cleared of that charge.

In a statement released through police after the verdicts, Kaylee's grandmother, Debbie Windmill, said she could "never stop staring at the smile on her beautiful face".

The grandmother added preparing to buy her first grandchild her pre-school uniform "was something that filled me with such happiness".

She said: "I couldn't wait to see her in it, but this opportunity was stolen from me in the most brutal of ways."

Speaking afterwards, Det Insp Adam Jobson, said he did not think "we will ever fully know what has happened".

He added: "One thing is clear, Nicky Priest has failed her daughter, she's failed to protect her and she should be - being a mother to that little girl - the one person who should have been able to protect her."