
Talbot Green Joanne Penney shooting accused appear in court
Emergency services were called to Llys Illtyd flats on 9 March to find Ms Penney with serious injuries.Neighbours at the time took flowers to the scene and Ms Penney's family released a statement saying they were devastated by their loss and that her "kindness, strength and love for her family will never be forgotten".
Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 39, from Leicester, is charged with murder and participating in the activities of an organised crime group but did not attend court.Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said she would arrange a new hearing date after her plea has been set.The seven defendants who appeared in court were: Marcus Huntley, 20, from St Mellons, Cardiff, charged with murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime groupSai Raj Manne, 25, of no fixed abode appeared via video link from HMP Hewell charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group and having in his possession/purchasing or acquiring a firearmKristina Ginova, 21, from Oadby, Leicestershire, charged with murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime groupJoshua Gordon, 27, from Oadby, charged with murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, appeared from HMP BristolJordan Mills-Smith, 33, from Pentwyn, Cardiff, charged with murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime groupTony Porter, 68, from Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, charged with murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime groupMolly Cooper, 33, from Leicester, charged with participating in the activities of an organised crime group and having in her possession/purchasing or acquiring ammunition for a firearm without a certificate
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Drugs smuggled into prisons 'destabilising' them, watchdog says
An overwhelming amount of drugs being smuggled into prisons in England and Wales is "destabilising" the system and hindering efforts to stop re-offending, a watchdog has are being targeted by criminal gangs using drones to fly in contraband to sell to bored inmates being kept in cramped conditions, according to the chief inspector of prisons' annual report."This meant in many jails, there were seemingly uncontrolled levels of criminality that hard-pressed and often inexperienced staff were unable to contain," Charlie Taylor Minister Lord Timpson said the report showed the "scale of the crisis we inherited" and that the government was working to end the "chaos". The damning report published on Tuesday found overcrowding and staffing shortages were contributing to a lack of purposeful activities for prisoners to do that would aid their rehabilitation, with many turning to drugs to keep themselves staff and prisoners have been saying for several years that far too little is being done to keep drugs out of prisons.A survey of 5,431 prisoners found 39% said it was easy to acquire drugs, while 30% of random drug tests came back positive. In one prison, HMP Hindley, this rate was almost double. An inspection of HMP Bedford found random drug testing had not been conducted for 12 months despite drugs being a "significant threat to safety".Drugs are smuggled into prisons by visitors or staff, thrown over fences or flown in using inmate serving time for a violent offence told the BBC that getting drugs inside was "super easy".Speaking from his cell on an illegal phone, he said: "If you want spice [synthetic cannabis] or weed or something stronger, you can get it in a jiffy. Everyone inside knows who's got some. You can smell it across the wings. "The boredom is too much and sometimes you just want something to take your mind off it so you'll get high."The report said drones were being used to make regular deliveries to HMP Manchester and Long Lartin - which hold "some of the most dangerous men in the country, including terrorists and organised crime bosses".It said that physical security measures were inadequate, while at HMP Manchester "inexperienced staff were being manipulated or simply ignored by prisoners".Mr Taylor said the failure to tackle these issues presented a threat to national security."The challenge for the prison service must be to work in conjunction with the police and security services to manage prisoners associated with organised crime," Mr Taylor said."This is a threat that needs to be taken seriously at the highest levels of government." The report also found: Prisoners were spending too long locked in cells, with limited opportunities to spend time in fresh air or take part in recreational activitiesPrisoners in full-time work or education missed out on other activitiesPrisoners released early to ease overcrowding had placed a "huge burden on already-overstretched" probation unitsThe population is growing "faster than new [prison] spaces can be made available"Lord Timpson said the report highlighted the "unacceptable pressures faced by our hardworking staff".Addressing the issue of overcrowding, he said the government was building 14,000 extra places, with 2,400 already delivered, and "reforming sentencing to ensure we never run out of space again". He added that the government had pledged £40m to improve prison security, including enhanced CCTV, new windows and floodlighting. The Prison Service is also employing x-ray body scanners and detection dogs to combat government hopes reforms to sentencing will allow more prisoners to be released early, freeing up prison drugs in prison are nothing new, and as long as there is a demand, new ways are likely to be created to bring them drug dealers and addicts doing time, and a constant appetite to make cash, drugs are something that will continue to be an irresistible temptation to those inside.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Teen girl murdered by care home resident obsessed with necrophilia said ‘social services destroyed my life'
A TEENAGE girl who was brutally murdered in a care home said "social services destroyed my life" according to an inquest. Melissa Mathieson, 18, was strangled by Jason Conroy, a fellow care home resident in October 2014. 3 The pair had been living at Alexandra House, a residential care home for adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome in Bristol. Jason Conroy was jailed for life following the sexually motivated killing. Avon Coroner's Court heard how Jason had a history of violence, once trying to strange a teacher and attempting to kill his mother. Hours before her death, Melissa had complained to staff at the facility that Jason was stalking her. During the inquest, it emerged that Melissa had written a letter entitled Social Services Have Destroyed My Life. In it she wrote: "This was a terrible time for me, and I felt like I was dragged away from my home and everything I knew and being completely disrupted. "They never took into consideration my age or the distance from my family. I was still a child, just very confused." The letter was given as part of her mother Karen's written evidence, as Karen died from cancer a year after Melissa's death. Her father James is attending the inquest. Karen Mathieson had written how "the system" had failed both Melissa and Jason. 'Mushroom killer' Erin Patterson GUILTY of murdering three relatives with deadly beef wellington "We know better than most people the difficulties that autism can present, for our feelings about Jason Conroy are not based on ignorance of his condition," she said. "What he has done is awful, we cannot comprehend it, so many people cannot comprehend it. "Melissa did not have a nasty bone in her body. She was a gentle, kind and lovely girl. "Not only has Jason Conroy ended Melissa's life, but he has also ended his own. He should have had his problems addressed a long time ago. "The system has failed him, and it has failed Melissa. "We question the professionals who have had the responsibility for his care, as much as we do of those who had a responsibility for Melissa's care." She went on to write that "there were warning signs" about Conroy's behaviour that were missed. Karen added: "We want people to sit up, think and take responsibility for their actions when dealing with people with learning disabilities." Miss Mathieson, who was from Windsor, Berkshire, had been sent to the Bristol-based home by social services when she turned 18 - after spending two years in a series of different placements. Her mother described her as immature for her age, and "lived in a bit of a fantasy world". She said she was influenced by the Tracy Beaker stories - in which a girl lives in a children's home. It led Melissa to make allegations that caused social services to get involved according to Karen. She said: "Her behaviour was played out to us, we would put our foot down so because she did not have anything to compare it to - she thought we were being hard on her." While her behaviour did not get more difficult, they found social services "impossible". "They did not seem to realise that Melissa loved the attention she got from people in authority and would often play them to get what she wanted," she said. Social services then allegedly suggested that Melissa should live away from home, which "put Melissa in danger". After struggling with severe anxiety at aged 16, she required hospital treatment, which Karen said was "a real turning point" as the drugs left her "psychotic". Karen said: "Melissa was never the same girl after this psychosis. "She was in an environment that she was able to learn from other patients all about the things we have tried to protect her against. "Then when she came home, she would have further outbursts. It was a truly horrible year. "I used to go to bed and feel like I was running down a hill with a big rock chasing behind me. I was constantly trying to stay ahead. "James felt like he was on a rollercoaster he couldn't get off. We all had these issues, not caused by Melissa, but by the social services management." It was after this that Melissa was sent to Alexandra House. Karen said: "We were told that Melissa was going to Alexandra House to get her behaviour back on track, but actually she got killed by the very things that we always tried to teach her to be wary of."


Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Tributes to scientist as man appears in court charged with her murder
The brother of a scientist who died in the street on Saturday has paid tribute to the family's 'deputy parent'. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, who worked for Scottish Water, was injured in South Road, Dundee, at about 4.25pm on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene. She had studied at the University of Dundee, gaining a doctorate in geography and environmental science three years ago. Kyler Rattray, 20, from Dundee, appeared in court on Monday charged with her murder. He made no plea and was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. Gomo's brother Regis Nyatsanza told the BBC he had recently spoken to his sister about plans for her 40th birthday. Speaking from their home in Zimbabwe, he said his sister had been the family's 'deputy parent' as the eldest of four siblings. 'Two weeks ago we were laughing about throwing her a big 40th birthday bash but she said she had achieved most of what she wanted,' he told the broadcaster. 'After all the struggle, she had everything she wanted and so she was going to have a quiet celebration.' Among those paying tribute to the 'exceptional scientist' was the Green MSP Maggie Chapman. The North East MSP, who was born in Zimbabwe, posted on social media: 'Devastating to hearof Dr Fortune Gomo in Dundee this weekend. Sending my love and condolences to her family and friends.' Chapman will next month become the University of Dundee's rector. Angela Machonesa, who studied alongside Gomo in Zimbabwe, said her friend was 'a brilliant light'. In a tribute posted on social media, she said they had attended Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology together. 'Her brilliance in the classroom was only matched by her emotional intelligence,' Machonesa wrote. 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise. A community, ours, will ache for a friend, a sister, a schoolmate, who inspired us all.' She added: 'We are heartbroken. We are angry. We are disoriented. But we are also united in one voice: Fortune Gomo mattered. Her life mattered. Her legacy must never be forgotten.' Professor Simon Parsons, director of environment planning and assurance at Scottish Water, said everyone at the company was 'shocked and saddened' by her death. He said: 'Fortune was an exceptional scientist and a senior service planner in our water resources planning section based in Dundee where, having joined us in February, she had already become a highly valued and respected member of our team.' Professor Nigel Seaton, the University of Dundee's interim principal and vice-chancellor, said Gomo had been a postdoctoral research assistant at the university until February 2022. He said the scientist's death was 'a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community'. 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time here at the university, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students,' he said. Chief superintendent Nicola Russell, Dundee police commander, said: 'Given that legal proceedings are now under way I am very limited in what I can say regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident, particularly any motive. 'Our enquiries are continuing and we are confident that nobody else was involved and there is no wider threat to the public. 'I am also acutely aware of misinformation being shared on social media and would urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances or post anything which could compromise a future court case and bring further distress to Fortune's family.' She appealed for witnesses to contact the force. A fundraising event for the scientist's family planned at Sandy's Bar in Liff Road, Dundee, on Sunday has had an 'overwhelming' response. Sinéad McGuire, the venue's manager, said: 'It happened on our doorstep and we wanted to do anything we can do to help make the family's time a bit easier or take a bit of the burden from them.'