A man has been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was stabbed at a high security prison in Durham.
David Taylor, 62, was charged on Thursday after a serving Greater Manchester Police detective constable was stabbed in the chest on 23 July at HMP Frankland.
The officer suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
He was later discharged and is now recovering at home.
Taylor, formerly of Willington, County Durham, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on 3 September.
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Frankland prison is a Category A prison and holds more than 800 men.
Inmates are thought to include Wayne Couzens, a former Met Police officer who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in 2022, and double murderer and necrophiliac David Fuller.
A man has been jailed for the attempted murder of a pregnant woman.
Daniel Mihai Popescu, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Andreea Pintili in Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, last December.
The 29-year-old also pleaded guilty to stalking Ms Pintili between 25 October and 6 December 2023.
He was sentenced to 17 years and four months in prison and a further three years on licence as part of an extended sentence.
He denied an additional charge of intimidating a witness.
Local schools and nurseries were placed under a precautionary lockdown for several hours when he attacked Ms Pintili on 5 December 2023.
Officers from South Wales Police were called shortly before 9.10am to reports of a woman having been stabbed in Moy Road.
Witnesses said 29-year-old Ms Pintili was pregnant. She was taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged.
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A 44-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Co Tyrone last year.
The man was arrested in the Dungannon area on Thursday and charged on Friday evening.
He has been charged with attempted murder, directing terrorism and preparation of terrorist acts.
The man is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.
The senior officer was seriously injured after he was shot several times in front of his son at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on 22 February 2023.
The detective, who had investigated a number of high-profile murder cases, spent several weeks in intensive care.
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A typed message, purportedly from the New IRA, was posted on a wall in Londonderry and said the group was responsible for the shooting.
Police have said the New IRA is the main line of inquiry in the investigation.
A number of people have previously appeared in court charged in connection with Mr Caldwell’s shooting and on charges around the claim of responsibility.
Mr Caldwell suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack.
He made his first public appearance since the shooting in May – when he attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen.
An asylum seeker who escaped to the UK after five years of torture in a Syrian prison has told Sky News he was so traumatised by the long wait for a Home Office decision on his case he attempted to take his own life.
It comes as new government figures show there are more than 125,000 outstanding asylum claims – a slight reduction since the summer but still higher than this time last year.
Omar’s arms are riddled with 250 shotgun pellets, which causes him constant pain.
Image: X-ray showing Omar’s arm riddled with shotgun pellets
He was fired on by the Syrian army while attending a pro-democracy demonstration in 2012.
Arrested while attempting to seek medical treatment afterwards, he was sent to prison where he said he was regularly tortured.
“They took me underground and started beating me, beating me and torturing me,” Omar said. “They had pipes, thick water pipes, and they used those pipes to beat me with.
“They knew my hands and arms were hurt already and they were deliberately hitting where my wounds were. I was blindfolded so I couldn’t see who was torturing me. They handcuffed my hands and hung me up for hours.
“You do not have a name. You’re just a number to them.”
Image: Injuries to Omar’s upper torso
We’re not using Omar’s real name or showing his face to protect his family in Syria. He managed to escape from prison after his father borrowed the money to pay a $10,000 bribe.
He fled to the UK and claimed asylum in November 2020. But the long wait for the Home Office to process his asylum claim – two years and four months – took a huge toll on his mental health. Last August, six months before the decision was finally made, he attempted to take his own life.
“I was so disappointed,” he said. “I was under the impression that Great Britain is great. And if I got to Great Britain, that I would not face injustice. But it wasn’t like that.
“For two years, they didn’t tell me they were not going to grant me asylum. And that was torture.”
Omar certainly isn’t alone.
An NHS study found 61% of those seeking asylum are suffering from serious mental distress, and they are five times more likely to suffer from mental health conditions than the wider population.
The latest Home Office figures, published this week, showed 125,173 cases were awaiting a decision at the end of September, a figure which is down 7% on the total this June, but is still up 7% compared with this time last year. 39,668 people have been on the list since before June 2022, well over a year.
A central part of the government’s strategy to reduce the future backlog is to discourage most asylum seekers from coming to the UK at all, with the threat of deportation to Rwanda.
While that has been blocked by the recent Supreme Court ruling – for now – the prime minister is determined to push ahead with the plan.
He has promised a new legally binding treaty with Rwanda to attempt to ease the judges’ concerns about claimants being sent home, and pledged to bring forward emergency legislation to ask parliament to confirm it believes Rwanda is a ‘safe country’. This could potentially happen as soon as next week.
Charities such as the Refugee Council are concerned the uncertainty of the situation for current asylum seekers makes their mental health even worse.
Image: Sarah Temple-Smith, a manager at the Refugee Council’s Youth Therapy Project.
“It adds to the feeling of being destabilised, and the lack of hope for the future,” said Sarah Temple-Smith, a manager at the Refugee Council’s Youth Therapy Project.
“The waiting is particularly hard for them. We know that a sense of powerlessness, a lack of autonomy is linked very strongly to mental illness – mental disorder, clinical depression, other things, even schizophrenia
“I’ve had many clients who have been through terrible things – including being forced onto small boats at gunpoint and seeing other people drown – who’ve actually said that the waiting and not knowing is a worse torture than what they’ve been through. It sounds extraordinary, but I’ve heard it many times.”
Omar found out earlier this year that his asylum claim has been rejected. He has been granted the temporary right to remain in the UK for two years – but is unable to bring his family over.
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“I know now that human rights are a big lie,” he said. “Can anybody live without his family, his children and wife? It’s not easy. Sometimes I think it would just be better for me to go back to Syria, where I would be executed.”
A spokesperson from the Home Office said: “We take the welfare of those in our care extremely seriously and at every stage in the asylum process – from initial arrival, to any potential relocations – our approach is to ensure that the needs and vulnerabilities of asylum seekers are identified and considered including those related to mental health and trauma.
“We are on track to clear the legacy asylum backlog by the end of 2023, which has reduced by more than 60% since the start of November 2022, down by over 59,000 cases.”
The legacy asylum backlog refers to claims made before June 28, 2022, when the Nationality and Borders Act – which includes the Rwanda legislation – was initially tabled.
While the rate of decision-making has improved for the legacy cases, the latest statistics also show the number of more recent claims continue to increase – up 85,505 at the end of September, from 66,176 in the last set of government figures released at the end of June.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
A 16-year-old boy is in hospital after being stabbed in an attempted murder in Renfrewshire.
The teenager was attacked after being approached by two male youths at a bus stop across from Thorn Court in Johnstone at around 12.20pm on Wednesday.
Police Scotland said the victim was assaulted and stabbed after becoming involved in an altercation, with the force treating the incident as attempted murder.
Emergency services attended and the boy was taken to hospital, where medical staff describe his condition as stable.
The attackers fled through Thorn Court.
Both suspects are described as slim and in their mid to late-teens.
One had brown hair and was wearing a dark-coloured tracksuit top and bottoms, with the hood up or a baseball cap on.
The other suspect was wearing a light-coloured top and a bag around his chest.
The force said an 18-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday night in connection with the incident but has since been released pending further enquiries.
Officers are gathering relevant CCTV footage from the surrounding area for any additional information.
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Detective Inspector Nicky Beattie said: “At this stage the motive is unknown for this attack and a 16-year-old has been seriously injured.
“I am appealing to any members of the public who were in and around the area yesterday at the time of the incident to get in touch with us with any information, no matter how small.
“If you have any recording equipment, such as doorbell or dashcams, please check the footage as you could have images which would assist our ongoing enquiries.”
Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United after an attempted rape charge against him was dropped earlier this year.
In a statement the club said: “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.
“It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.”
The club added that after its internal investigation “the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged”.
In 2022 a woman posted a video on social media in which she is bruised and bleeding, claiming she was attacked by the footballer.
In the video a man, said to be Greenwood, shouts at his alleged victim to “move your f****** legs up”.
The woman replies that she does not want sex.
The man responds: “I don’t give a f*** what you want, you little s***.”
The forward was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022. He was initially arrested in January that year.
Greenwood, 21, said: “I fully accept I made mistakes… and I take my share of responsibility”.
He has always denied any criminal charges.
Greenwood called the decision to not play for the team a “collaborative” one between Manchester United and him and his family.
However, in February 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had a “duty to stop the case” following the “withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light”.
Those developments meant there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” and led to the decision by the CPS to discontinue prosecution and drop the charges against Greenwood.
The CPS has “explained” the decision “to all parties”, it said in a statement at the time.
Last week the club said they were working “through the final stages” of their internal investigation into Greenwood, having completed the “fact-finding phase”.
Richard Arnold, Manchester United’s CEO, said the club’s investigation “sought to collate as much evidence as possible to establish facts and context”.
In an open letter to fans on Monday, he said timings had been “influenced by my desire to minimise the impact of the investigation on our men’s and women’s teams, as well as our Lionesses.”
Mr Arnold said the investigation “led us to conclude that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with.”
He said: “While I am satisfied that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with, Mason’s accepted that he has made mistakes which he takes responsibility for.”
Protests have been held at the start of the new season, with some fans threatening to withdraw their support for United if the club reintegrates Greenwood into the team.
Among them is well-known supporter and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley.
She said she wouldn’t be able to remain a fan if Greenwood stays at United.
Detectives investigating the shooting of a senior police detective in Northern Ireland have charged three men with possessing articles for use in terrorism.
Police said it was “in connection with the claim of responsibility made following the attack” on Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot several times in Omagh, Co Tyrone on 22 February.
The men, aged 23, 25 and 36, are due to appear in court on Friday.
It comes after seven men were charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting.
DCI Caldwell, who suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack, was released from hospital in April.
He was shot while putting balls in a car, after coaching a youth football team, in front of his young son and other children.
The senior officer made his first public appearance since the attack in May when he attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with three alleged assaults at a school in Devon.
Two teenage boys and an adult were injured at Blundell’s School in Tiverton on Friday.
A suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be remanded to appear at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of GBH with intent, a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Officers were called to a school building at around 1am on Friday 9 June following reports of a serious assault.
The two teenage boys are both students at the independent school and remain in hospital.
One of the boys is in a critical condition and the other is in a stable but serious condition, officers said.
Their families remain with them and are receiving support from officers.
Image: Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon
The man who sustained injuries is a member of staff at the school and was discharged from hospital on Friday.
Commander Superintendent Toby Davies said: “Our thoughts remain with the injured boys and their families in what must be a harrowing time for them.
“My officers are continuing to support them and the wider school community.
“We continue to fully investigate this incident and a scene guard remains in place at the school and is expected to remain there for the rest of the day.”
Officers are keen to remind the public not to speculate as to the identity of either the victims or the suspect.
Any suspect under the age of 18 is legally not allowed to be identified.
In a letter to parents and guardians, headteacher Bart Wielenga said the school is “confident” this was an isolated incident and there is “no ongoing threat or concern”.
Mr Wielenga said support is available for pupils following the incident.
Image: A police cordon was at the scene of the school
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The mixed school costs £41,325 a year for senior boarders and more than £28,000 annually for those in years seven and eight.
Notable former pupils at the school include Ben Collins, thought to be the face behind Top Gear’s The Stig, and reality TV star Georgia “Toff” Toffolo.
Seven men have been charged over the attempted murder of a senior police detective in Northern Ireland.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on 22 February, where he had been coaching a youth football team.
Police announced on Saturday night that seven men had been charged with attempted murder.
Two of them are also charged with membership of the IRA, and three with preparation of terrorist acts.
The statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland says that all seven men are expected to appear before Dungannon Magistrates Court via video link on Monday.
It gives the ages of the men as 28, 28, 33, 38, 45, 47 and 72.
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DCI Caldwell, who suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack, was released from hospital in April.
Earlier this week, he attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen in his first public appearance since the attack.
A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a drive-by shooting at a church has been released on bail.
The 22-year-old man was taken into custody on Sunday, but has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in mid-February, the Metropolitan Police said.
Mourners were attending a memorial service for a young woman and her mother in Euston, central London, when they came under fire.
A 12-year-old girl and a seven-year-old girl were injured in the shooting, with the younger victim still in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Three women, aged 21, 54 and 41, were also taken to hospital, where their injuries were assessed as non-life threatening.
However, a 48-year-old woman suffered potentially life-changing injuries, police said.
Image: A police officer stands guard at the scene of a shooting attack that happened during a funeral
Witnesses reported seeing people running, screaming and sheltering inside the church as shots were fired, with the priest telling Sky News it was “pandemonium”.
Superintendent Jack Rowlands described the incident as a “senseless act of violence”.
The service was a requiem Mass for Sara Sanchez, 20, and her mother, Fresia Calderon, 50, who died in November.
