Babak Belurs

Kamis, 18 Agustus 2022

Ryan Giggs trial: Ex-Manchester United star admits trying to use daughter as 'lever' to stop 999 call after alleged headbutt on ex - Sky News

Ryan Giggs has admitted trying to use his daughter as "a lever" to stop the police being called on the night he allegedly headbutted his ex-girlfriend - as an intimate love poem penned by the footballer was read at his trial.

Giving evidence in court for a third day, the former Manchester United star denied using "emotional blackmail" after Kate Greville's sister Emma rang 999 on the evening of 1 November 2020.

Giggs is also accused of elbowing Emma and threatening to headbutt her.

The ex-Wales manager told the jury that online stalking was "common" in his relationship with Kate Greville and he believed it was his infidelity that had caused her "alarm and distress".

Warning: Note language

Messages exchanged between Giggs and Ms Greville were also read to the court, including a poem the ex-footballer wrote for his then-girlfriend, in which he said she makes him "feel as hard as a totem pole".

Read live updates from the trial as they happened

Giggs is standing trial accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against Ms Greville, as well as assaulting her and her sister.

He denies the charges against him.

Jurors heard that during a 999 call, Emma Greville said to Giggs: "I don't care if your daughter is 17. I don't care about your daughter."

Prosecutor Peter Wright QC asked Giggs: "You were seeking here to dissuade her from making that complaint?"

"Yes," he replied.

The prosecutor asked: "And you were seeking to use your daughter as the lever?"

"Yes," Giggs said.

Asked why, the ex-footballer said: "I don't know."

Mr Wright suggested Giggs "sought to use emotional influence".

"Emotional blackmail wasn't it?", the prosecutor asked.

"No," Giggs responded.

Answering questions from his defence barrister Chris Daw QC, Giggs said he was "scared" about the police being called and the accusations being made about him.

Asked what he thought the potential consequences would be, Giggs said: "I'm not too sure. It didn't look good."

Giggs said a remark heard during the 999 call when he said "we'll be everywhere" was referring to "newspapers and media".

Online stalking was 'common' in relationship, says Giggs

The court has previously heard that Giggs sent a message to Ms Greville in which he said: "I'll stalk you like mad."

Giggs told the court that online stalking was "common in our relationship", adding: "It meant we were checking up on each other."

The former footballer had previously admitted he had turned up unannounced at Ms Greville's home, workplace, and gym following break-ups in their on-off relationship.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Giggs said that every time he had turned up unannounced, they had got back together.

Asked about Ms Greville's attitude towards him turning up unannounced, Giggs said she was "happy I had fought for us and I'd persisted".

The former Manchester United player also told the court that when he said in his evidence that he had caused Ms Greville "alarm and distress", he was referring to his "infidelity".

Poem written by Giggs to ex read to court

After Giggs completed his evidence, messages exchanged between the ex-footballer and Ms Greville in 2016 and 2017 were read to the court.

They included a poem he wrote to his then-girlfriend in which he said she makes him "feel as hard as a totem pole".

The court heard that in August 2017, Ms Greville messaged Giggs saying: "You make my heart flutter because you are a nutter.

"Every day you do me proud not just because you are well endowed."

The next day Giggs wrote: "My darling Kate, unequivocally our love was fate,

"I fell in love with you at first sight, I remember coz I was high as a kite,

"Those beautiful eyes made me shiver,

"I'm not gonna lie I think of you, I dream of you,

"Can't help thinking pulling you was my greatest ever coo,

"That stomach, those abs, those pictures you send so I can keep tabs."

Giggs went on: "You make me feel funny down there especially when you're there and you look up and stare.

"I'm beginning to think you are always right, that's ok it will keep us tight,

"I'm gonna end by saying you are my love my friend and my soul,

"And most of all you believe in me, which makes me feel as hard as a totem pole."

In other messages, Giggs told Ms Greville he loved her "more than all my Premier League appearances, which is a lot" and called her "f***ing unbelievably beautiful".

The trial at Manchester Crown Court was adjourned until Friday.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMilQFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9yeWFuLWdpZ2dzLXRyaWFsLWV4LW1hbmNoZXN0ZXItdW5pdGVkLXN0YXItYWRtaXRzLXRyeWluZy10by11c2UtZGF1Z2h0ZXItYXMtbGV2ZXItdG8tc3RvcC05OTktY2FsbC1hZnRlci1oZWFkYnV0dC0xMjY3NTg2M9IBmQFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvcnlhbi1naWdncy10cmlhbC1leC1tYW5jaGVzdGVyLXVuaXRlZC1zdGFyLWFkbWl0cy10cnlpbmctdG8tdXNlLWRhdWdodGVyLWFzLWxldmVyLXRvLXN0b3AtOTk5LWNhbGwtYWZ0ZXItaGVhZGJ1dHQtMTI2NzU4NjM?oc=5

2022-08-18 18:33:45Z
1536685372

Greenford mobility scooter killing: Man arrested over stabbing - BBC

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the stabbing of a grandfather on a mobility scooter in west London.

Thomas O'Halloran, 87, died at the scene on Cayton Road, Greenford, after being attacked just after 16:00 BST on Tuesday.

A 44-year-old man was arrested at an address in nearby Southall, police say.

Det Ch Insp Jim Eastwood thanked the public "for their overwhelming support following this horrific incident".

The victim's mobility scooter in the road

Mr O'Halloran, who was originally from Ennistymon, Co Clare, in the west of Ireland, was attacked while on his way to busk, according to a friend.

Detectives believe Mr O'Halloran was stabbed in Western Avenue before managing to travel about 75 yards on his mobility scooter to Runnymede Gardens, where he flagged down a member of the public for help.

Map showing location of Western Avenue stabbing

The victim's family, including a sister, two brothers, nieces and nephews, is being supported by specially trained officers, the police said.

A public meeting will be held on Thursday evening at Greenford Community Centre organised by Metropolitan Police and chaired by Ch Supt Sean Wilson.

Tuesday's death was the sixth murder investigation to be launched in London in four days and the 66th this year.

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Rabu, 17 Agustus 2022

Fresh transport strikes set to cause more travel chaos for rail, tube and bus passengers - Sky News

Rail, Tube and bus passengers are set to face four days of travel misery as tens of thousands of workers stage another round of strikes.

In recent months, several strikes have been carried out as part of a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions.

From Thursday, Network Rail, train companies, London Underground and buses in the capital will be hit by walkouts, causing disruption for workers, commuters, and fans going to events, including a cricket Test match at Lords.

The industrial action will affect services until the end of the weekend.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Unite will be involved after ongoing talks failed to break deadlocked rows.

When are the strikes?

RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train operators, TSSA members at seven companies and Unite members also at Network Rail will walk out on Thursday, causing a knock on effect for services on Friday morning.

Friday's services will also be rocked by strikes by members of the RMT and Unite on London Underground, as well as Unite members on London United bus routes.

On Saturday, the same groups of workers, excluding members on London Underground, will strike again.

Sunday morning train services will be affected as a result.

Rail services on Thursday and Saturday will be drastically reduced, with around just a fifth running and half of lines closed.

Trains will only operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm on both strike days, and picket lines will be mounted outside railway stations across the country.

People who are not able to travel on Thursday or Saturday are able to use their ticket either the day before or up until the 23 August, or claim a refund.

'Train operating companies haven't offered anything new'

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said his union's members are more determined than ever to protect their pensions, secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions, and will not "tolerate being bullied or hoodwinked".

"Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train operating companies have not offered us anything new," he said.

He also claimed Tube bosses are having "secret negotiations" with the government about cutting jobs and Network Rail is threatening to "impose compulsory redundancies" if the strikes go ahead.

"RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith, but we cannot tolerate being bullied or hoodwinked into accepting a raw deal for our members," he added.

"The government need to stop their interference in these disputes, so the employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us."

'This cannot go on'

TSSA members taking action include staff working in ticket offices, stations, control rooms, engineering, as well as planning, timetabling and other support roles.

The union is seeking guarantees of no compulsory redundancies, a pay rise in line with the cost of living, and promises of no unilateral alterations to job terms and conditions.

"Our members in the rail industry are going into the third or fourth year of a pay freeze," said TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes.

"Meanwhile, food and fuel bills are spiralling, and the Tory cost of living crisis is making working people poorer. Enough is enough - this cannot go on.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts,  Google Podcasts,  Spotify, Spreaker

"For lots of our members, this is the first time they have ever taken industrial action - it is a last resort and not something any rail worker takes lightly."

He added that railway workers "put their lives at risk" during the COVID pandemic, but negotiations are now being hampered by the government, stopping employers from "making a reasonable offer" to those same employees.

"Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and the Department for Transport need to make a reasonable offer on pay and job security - either by coming to the table themselves or allowing employers to negotiate freely," he said.

"We will not back down until our members have won the pay, conditions and job security they deserve."

What does the transport secretary think?

Mr Shapps has described the industrial action as an example of unions being "hell-bent on causing as much misery as possible" to taxpayers, who "stumped up £600 per household to ensure not a single rail worker lost their job during the pandemic".

He tweeted: "It cannot be right for the country to be held to ransom by union bosses seeking to protect outdated work practices that have no place in the 21st century."

It comes as the Daily Mail reported details of Mr Shapp's 16-point plan to tackle strikes, with the paper saying that such a plan could include ending a ban on the government using emergency powers to stop strikes if they could create a "national emergency".

Many have reacted negatively to the strike announcement, with Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines saying it "saddens" him to see more disruption on the rail network.

Steve Montgomery, who chairs the Rail Delivery Group, also hit back, saying the action imposes "yet more uncertainty on passengers and businesses".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMie2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2ZyZXNoLXRyYW5zcG9ydC1zdHJpa2VzLXNldC10by1jYXVzZS1tb3JlLXRyYXZlbC1jaGFvcy1mb3ItcmFpbC10dWJlLWFuZC1idXMtcGFzc2VuZ2Vycy0xMjY3NTUxNtIBf2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9mcmVzaC10cmFuc3BvcnQtc3RyaWtlcy1zZXQtdG8tY2F1c2UtbW9yZS10cmF2ZWwtY2hhb3MtZm9yLXJhaWwtdHViZS1hbmQtYnVzLXBhc3NlbmdlcnMtMTI2NzU1MTY?oc=5

2022-08-17 23:26:22Z
1530519805

UK weather: Storms and rain bring flash floods to southern England - BBC

A picture of flooding in Stoke Newington

Thunderstorms and flash floods have struck parts of southern England, causing flash flooding in large areas of central London.

Intense downpours begun in London and swept through the South East.

A yellow thunderstorm warning is in place until midnight for much of southern England, which means there is a risk of flooding, lighting strikes, travel disruption and power cuts.

It will continue to cover large areas of Kent until 08:00 BST.

The Environment Agency has issued 17 flood alerts across England, with up to 100mm of rain possibly falling in some areas.

Check the latest forecast where you are

The heavy rain in the capital affected swathes of central London, including Bloomsbury, St Pancras station, Victoria and Kentish Town.

Rain filled the north London high streets of Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill, with cars seen struggling to drive through the water.

General view of water on the field as rain delays play between England and South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground

Heavy rainfall led to roads across England, Wales and Scotland becoming flooded on Tuesday, following weeks of extreme heat and tinder-dry conditions.

Worksop in Nottinghamshire experienced 93mm of rainfall between 17:00 and 20:00 BST on Tuesday - almost twice the average monthly rainfall of 54mm, according to BBC weather presenter Simon King.

And more heavy rainfall is expected in England and Wales, with the most intense rain likely to fall in the South East covering London, Kent, West Sussex, Essex and Suffolk.

Daytrippers shelter from a downpour at Brighton Pier on Wednesday

The warning issued by the Met Officesays: "Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life."

Heavy overnight showers did lead to some localised flash-flooding in Lincolnshire.

BBC Weather's Louise Lear said: "We've got a Met Office amber weather warning out for the rest of the day across south-east England due to the intensity of some of the thunderstorms and showers which are running up from the Channel.

"It means there's a risk of some heavy, torrential downpours with some places seeing a couple of inches of rain falling in the space of perhaps an hour, while others may see as much as 100mm of rain falling in a short space of time.

"But showers are very hit and miss so some people won't see them at all while others will get quite a deluge."

She said the showers would ease overnight.

A car negotiates a flooded section of road as torrential rain hits London

A total of eight areas of England are officially in drought despite the downpours this week, with Thames Water becoming the latest water provider to announce a hosepipe ban, which will come into force later this month.

Pollution warnings are also in place for dozens of beaches in England and Wales after untreated sewage was discharged into the sea around the coast following the period of heavy rain.

Water companies faced criticism, including after untreated sewage had been released upstream of popular swimming spot Warleigh Weir, along the River Avon.

Southern Water, one of the companies responsible for the affected regions, said storm releases were made to "protect homes, schools and businesses from flooding", adding the release was "95-97% rainwater".

Some areas hit by flooding this week

Heavy downpours are unlikely to ease parched conditions seen across much of the UK, however, because rainwater struggles to permeate dry ground.

The conditions mean water will be more likely to run off the dehydrated surface, leading to flash-flooding in some areas.

Additional reporting by Rachel Russell.

How have you been affected by the storms and flash floods? Share your experiences and photos by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Upload your pictures/video here
Or fill out the form below
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

TRANSFER TRAGEDY: What happened on board Emiliano Sala's fateful flight?
STORIES FROM BEHIND THE COUNTER: Angela Hui on growing up in her parents' Chinese takeaway in a small Welsh town

Selasa, 16 Agustus 2022

Greenford: Elderly man on mobility scooter stabbed to death - BBC

An elderly man has died after being stabbed while riding a mobility scooter in Ealing, west London.

Metropolitan Police said emergency services were called to Cayton Road, Greenford, just after 16:00 BST to reports of a man with stab injuries.

The force said despite the efforts of paramedics, the man, believed to be in his 80s, died at the scene.

Detectives are working to inform his next of kin. No arrests have yet been made.

A cordon is in place and the force is appealing for witnesses.

Paramedics, including the air ambulance, were dispatched to the scene, but crews were unable to save the man.

So far this year there have been 58 homicides in London including this stabbing, according to the PA Media news agency.

'Horrific crime'

Ch Supt Sean Wilson, lead for policing in Ealing, said: "This is an awful incident that will understandably cause considerable alarm to people locally and across London.

"Our thoughts are with the elderly victim.

"We are supporting our colleagues in Specialist Crime as they work to understand what has happened and identify who is responsible for this horrific crime."

Det Ch Insp Jim Eastwood, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, asked for dash cam or cycle helmet footage and said: "My officers are working to understand what has happened to this man, and we need the public's assistance.

"I'm asking for anyone with dash cam or cycle helmet footage to contact us if they were using the Western Avenue A40 Eastbound in the proximity of Cayton Road and Welland Gardens between 15:15 and 16:15.

"The elderly victim, who was riding a mobility scooter, was in the area at the time.

"If you saw the victim, or captured anyone acting suspiciously in the area, it is imperative that you make contact."

Police at the scene near to Cayton Road, Greenford in west London, where an elderly man who had been riding a mobility scooter was stabbed to death. Picture date: Tuesday August 16, 2022. PA Photo. Metropolitan Police officers were called at 4.06pm on Tuesday to Cayton Road, Greenford, to reports of a man with stab injuries, and despite the efforts of paramedics he was declared dead at the scene. Police are working to inform the next of kin of the man, who is believed to have been in his 80s, and there have been no arrests. See PA story POLICE Greenford. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was "devastated" at the news of the killing, adding he was in close contact with the Met - who have increased patrols in the area following the "horrific attack".

Simran Advani, 25, who lives near where the stabbing took place, described the area as "very quiet" and it was "scary for a man in his 80s to be killed here".

"Most people on this road are elderly, you never hear any noise and never see any young people", she added.

Another neighbour, who did not give his name, said: "It's not nice, it's normally quiet here. It's out of the way.

"I feel sorry for his family - I'm not entirely shocked with the amount of stabbing you hear on the news."

Babak Belurs

Kamis, 18 Agustus 2022

Ryan Giggs trial: Ex-Manchester United star admits trying to use daughter as 'lever' to stop 999 call after alleged headbutt on ex - Sky News

Greenford mobility scooter killing: Man arrested over stabbing - BBC

Related Internet Links

A-level results: Grades set to fall from pandemic high - BBC

Rabu, 17 Agustus 2022

Fresh transport strikes set to cause more travel chaos for rail, tube and bus passengers - Sky News

UK weather: Storms and rain bring flash floods to southern England - BBC

Some areas hit by flooding this week

Related Internet Links

UK inflation hits 10.1% in new 40-year high | Business - The Times

Selasa, 16 Agustus 2022

Greenford: Elderly man on mobility scooter stabbed to death - BBC

'Horrific crime'

Related Internet Links

Kamis, 18 Agustus 2022

Related Internet Links

Rabu, 17 Agustus 2022

More on Rail Strikes

Related Topics:

Some areas hit by flooding this week

Related Internet Links

Selasa, 16 Agustus 2022

'Horrific crime'

Related Internet Links