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Deaf criminal jailed for car attack on police officers in Dundee

Deaf criminal jailed for car attack on police officers in Dundee

BBC News30-05-2025
A profoundly deaf criminal who tried to hit two police officers with his car has been jailed for five years.George Drinnan, 39, was originally charged with attempted murder for the attack in Americanmuir Road, Dundee, in February 2023.This was reduced to assault to the danger of life at a trial at the High Court in Stirling.Drinnan's defence lawyer said his deafness would cause him difficulty in jail, however, judge Lady Tait said that prison was the "only appropriate sentence".
She said: "The court must seek to deter such offending behaviour."
Drinnan was found guilty at the High Court in Stirling earlier this year.The court heard that he was a repeat offender who was driving without insurance and while disqualified.Defence advocate George Gebbie said Drinnan's profound deafness would affect his ability to communicate with others in custody.However, Lady Tait told Drinnan - who had the help of a sign language interpreter to follow proceedings - that "the only appropriate sentence is a custodial one".She also banned him from driving for seven years.Also involved was Paul Coombs, 53, who admitted driving while disqualified and a dangerous driving offence during the same incident. Lady Tait imprisoned Coombs him for 18 months, and banned him from driving for six years.
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King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'
King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'

South Wales Argus

time7 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'

Charles and the Queen are set to welcome the French leader and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on Tuesday as Mr Macron begins his three-day state visit to the UK. At a glittering banquet in the historic Berkshire landmark in the evening, the monarch will deliver a speech, highlighting how 'these challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time'. The King will deliver a speech at the state banquet in honour of French president Emmanuel Macron (Chris Jackson/PA) But he will tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: 'Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.' Charles and Camilla are hosting Mr Macron and the first lady at the historic royal residence. They will be feted with a carriage ride through the town, a ceremonial welcome and the opulent state dinner. Brigitte Macron and the Queen join in with a toast alongside the King and French President Emmanuel Macron at a Palace of Versailles banquet in 2023 (Daniel Leal/PA) The King, in his toast, will reflect on 1,000 years of 'shared history and culture between our two peoples', including many of the royal family's personal connections to France. 'For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other', he will say, and reveal how he remains 'in awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements'. Charles will also hail the Anglo-French partnership as vital amid the many challenges of today, saying: 'Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. 'As friends and as allies, we face them together.' The King delivering a speech at the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, Paris in 2023 (Daniel Leal/PA) It marks the first state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and will see Mr Macron address parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster's Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signalled a 'reset' in relations between the UK and Europe as he looks to heal the wounds caused by the Brexit years. Defence, growth, security, migration and French tactics on tackling small boats will be discussed, with the two leaders expected to dial in to speak to other allied nations who are looking to support any future peace deal in Ukraine. Downing Street said on Monday that the UK's relationship with France was 'key' to dealing with boat crossings, following reports French police officers had used knives to puncture a boat off the coast. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting with Mr Macron at the G7 summit in June (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The Prince and Princess of Wales will also play a role by meeting the president and the French first lady at RAF Northolt on Tuesday morning on behalf of the King and travelling with them to Windsor. Charles and Camilla will formerly greet their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park. The King, the Queen, the Waleses and Mr and Mrs Macron will then take a carriage procession through Windsor and along part of the Long Walk which leads to the castle, just as former French president Nicolas Sarkozy did in 2008. Mr Macron's state visit to the UK, from July 8-10, is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in a more than a decade since that of the Irish president Michael D Higgins in 2014. Guests listen during a speech by Queen Elizabeth II in honour of the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins at Windsor Castle in 2014 (Dan Kitwood/PA) State visits, which capitalise on the royals' soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties overseas, will be hosted at Windsor for the next few years while reservicing work continues at the London Palace and starts to affect the state rooms. The last state visit to the UK from France was in March 2008 when the now-disgraced Mr Sarkozy, since convicted of corruption and influence peddling, and his wife Carla Bruni, were the guests of Elizabeth II at Windsor. The arrangements are likely to form the template for US President Donald Trump's high-profile state visit in September, but much will depend on security considerations for the US leader, who survived an assassination attempt last year. A ceremonial welcome will be staged in the castle's quadrangle with Camilla, William, Kate and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour. The Prince and Princess of Wales will also take part in the state visit (Yui Mok/PA) Lunch will be hosted in the State Dining Room, after which the president and his wife, the King and Queen and members of the royal family will view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing and Mrs Macron will also travel to London on Tuesday afternoon to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and visit the Palace of Westminster where the French leader will address parliamentarians before meeting opposition leaders at Lancaster House. The King and president will both deliver speeches at the banquet in the medieval St George's Hall, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room. A state visit is being hosted at Windsor Castle for the first time in 11 years (Steve Parsons/PA) Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether Kate will attend the banquet. The princess opened up about her 'rollercoaster' cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a 'brave face' last week. The King and Queen paid a state visit to France in September 2023 and enjoy a warm rapport with Mr and Mrs Macron, who will stay in the castle during their trip. Mrs Macron, 72, sparked a storm in May when she was seen pushing her husband's face away with both hands before they disembarked a plane in Vietnam. Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte (Gareth Fuller/PA) The 47-year-old president dismissed the gesture – caught on camera – as horseplay, but it caused a stir in France, with daily Le Parisien newspaper asking: 'Slap or 'squabble'?' The couple, married since 2007, met at the high school where Mr Macron was a student and Brigitte was a married teacher. The visit comes a year after the UK and France celebrated 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale. The Anglo-French agreements in 1904 ushered in improved relations between the two countries which had fought against each other during the Napoleonic Wars.

King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'
King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'

South Wales Guardian

time11 minutes ago

  • South Wales Guardian

King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'

Charles and the Queen are set to welcome the French leader and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on Tuesday as Mr Macron begins his three-day state visit to the UK. At a glittering banquet in the historic Berkshire landmark in the evening, the monarch will deliver a speech, highlighting how 'these challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time'. But he will tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: 'Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.' Charles and Camilla are hosting Mr Macron and the first lady at the historic royal residence. They will be feted with a carriage ride through the town, a ceremonial welcome and the opulent state dinner. The King, in his toast, will reflect on 1,000 years of 'shared history and culture between our two peoples', including many of the royal family's personal connections to France. 'For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other', he will say, and reveal how he remains 'in awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements'. Charles will also hail the Anglo-French partnership as vital amid the many challenges of today, saying: 'Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. 'As friends and as allies, we face them together.' It marks the first state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and will see Mr Macron address parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster's Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signalled a 'reset' in relations between the UK and Europe as he looks to heal the wounds caused by the Brexit years. Defence, growth, security, migration and French tactics on tackling small boats will be discussed, with the two leaders expected to dial in to speak to other allied nations who are looking to support any future peace deal in Ukraine. Downing Street said on Monday that the UK's relationship with France was 'key' to dealing with boat crossings, following reports French police officers had used knives to puncture a boat off the coast. The Prince and Princess of Wales will also play a role by meeting the president and the French first lady at RAF Northolt on Tuesday morning on behalf of the King and travelling with them to Windsor. Charles and Camilla will formerly greet their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park. The King, the Queen, the Waleses and Mr and Mrs Macron will then take a carriage procession through Windsor and along part of the Long Walk which leads to the castle, just as former French president Nicolas Sarkozy did in 2008. Mr Macron's state visit to the UK, from July 8-10, is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in a more than a decade since that of the Irish president Michael D Higgins in 2014. State visits, which capitalise on the royals' soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties overseas, will be hosted at Windsor for the next few years while reservicing work continues at the London Palace and starts to affect the state rooms. The last state visit to the UK from France was in March 2008 when the now-disgraced Mr Sarkozy, since convicted of corruption and influence peddling, and his wife Carla Bruni, were the guests of Elizabeth II at Windsor. The arrangements are likely to form the template for US President Donald Trump's high-profile state visit in September, but much will depend on security considerations for the US leader, who survived an assassination attempt last year. A ceremonial welcome will be staged in the castle's quadrangle with Camilla, William, Kate and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour. Lunch will be hosted in the State Dining Room, after which the president and his wife, the King and Queen and members of the royal family will view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing and Mrs Macron will also travel to London on Tuesday afternoon to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and visit the Palace of Westminster where the French leader will address parliamentarians before meeting opposition leaders at Lancaster House. The King and president will both deliver speeches at the banquet in the medieval St George's Hall, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room. Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether Kate will attend the banquet. The princess opened up about her 'rollercoaster' cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a 'brave face' last week. The King and Queen paid a state visit to France in September 2023 and enjoy a warm rapport with Mr and Mrs Macron, who will stay in the castle during their trip. Mrs Macron, 72, sparked a storm in May when she was seen pushing her husband's face away with both hands before they disembarked a plane in Vietnam. The 47-year-old president dismissed the gesture – caught on camera – as horseplay, but it caused a stir in France, with daily Le Parisien newspaper asking: 'Slap or 'squabble'?' The couple, married since 2007, met at the high school where Mr Macron was a student and Brigitte was a married teacher. The visit comes a year after the UK and France celebrated 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale. The Anglo-French agreements in 1904 ushered in improved relations between the two countries which had fought against each other during the Napoleonic Wars.

EXCLUSIVE Rachel Reeves' uncle reveals why she was crying at PMQs as he blasts Keir Starmer and Labour for 'joke' first year in power
EXCLUSIVE Rachel Reeves' uncle reveals why she was crying at PMQs as he blasts Keir Starmer and Labour for 'joke' first year in power

Daily Mail​

time12 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE Rachel Reeves' uncle reveals why she was crying at PMQs as he blasts Keir Starmer and Labour for 'joke' first year in power

Chancellor Rachel Reeves ' uncle believes Keir Starmer was to blame for her tears at PMQs after she cited a 'personal issue' for sobbing in the Commons. Terry Smith, 72, the brother of the Chancellor's mother Sally Reeves, also advised his niece to 'stop spending money on the migrants and focus on fixing the country instead'. But the retired construction company owner and vintage car enthusiast, who hails from north Kent, is clear that the Prime Minister, in his view, was responsible for Ms Reeves' sobbing. 'I think Rachel was upset because she wasn't getting the backing she deserved, Keir Starmer immediately backtracked and backed her', he told MailOnline today. And he does not think she should be blamed for some of the 'farcical' policies and decisions Labour has made - pointing the finger at the PM, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband 'and the rest'. The pound and bond markets plunged as tears tumbled down her face while the Chancellor looked directly at the Labour leader. But she later insisted she had been dealing with a 'personal issue' - not a row with her boss or colleagues. But her uncle Terry told MailOnline: 'For Rachel to be taking all the responsibility just doesn't seem right'. He added: 'I don't agree with Rachel's politics, but I don't think she deserves all the blame. Keir Starmer needs to take some responsibility, as do Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and the rest - they are all begging for money from her for their departments'. Terry, who has said he is proud of his niece but opposes her political views, has admitted he is upset about the way Labour Government has targeted pensioners. 'I'm a pensioner, I have paid my dues all my life. I think pensioners have been wrongly treated and should not be involved in this issue and should be left alone', he said. 'I never thought the winter fuel payments should be going to rich people - but now it seems like they're going to everyone again. They should be means tested. 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They say that was at 11.43am – 17 minutes before Prime Minister's Questions when Ms Reeves had tears rolling down her cheeks as she sat next to an apparently oblivious Sir Keir. One Tory MP said: 'It simply beggars belief that with that much warning, the PM wasn't told. 'Nearly 20 minutes before PMQs began, we could see Reeves was already tearful sitting on the front bench and we alerted Labour whips to the problem. 'It's nonsense to say Starmer wouldn't have been aware.' Last night Downing Street was still insisting Sir Keir spent the entire half-hour session of questions unaware of her trauma. But amid continued confusion, party sources claimed last night that Labour whips were so worried at Ms Reeves' state of mind, they tried to stop her appearing alongside Sir Keir. They said whips pleaded with Ms Reeves – who had briefly come out of the Chamber – not to go back inside. But sources close to the Chancellor said there was 'no truth' in that claim. Ms Reeves said yesterday she regretted going into PMQs in tears 'after a tough day in the office'. She told The Guardian: 'It was a personal matter but it was in the glare of the camera. 'And that's unfortunate, but I think people have seen that I'm back in business and back out there.' The events – which sparked turmoil on financial markets – began after Ms Reeves was rebuked by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle as she entered the Commons over taking too long to answer Treasury questions the previous day. She was overheard replying that she was 'under so much pressure' before briefly taking her seat but then leaving afterwards in what appeared to be distress. To the surprise of some Labour MPs, Ms Reeves then reappeared to take her place at Sir Keir's side when he arrived for PMQs. But to the horror of colleagues, the self-styled Iron Chancellor then wept beside the PM. MPs were surprised that Sir Keir was seemingly oblivious to how upset she was, even after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch pointed out how 'absolutely miserable' she looked. Sir Keir also forgot to guarantee that his Chancellor's position was safe after her role in last week's humiliating U-turn on saving almost £5 billion from controversial welfare cutbacks. The Government was forced to deny reports that Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner had rows with Ms Reeves over the benefits fiasco which had upset her. The Treasury insisted her distress was caused by a personal matter, while Ms Reeves sought to bounce back next day with an unexpected appearance at the launch of the Government's ten-year health plan. But questions have remained over how Sir Keir could not have been aware of her state of mind – especially as his parliamentary aide Chris Ward tapped her on the shoulder to check she was OK. Later on Wednesday, Sir Keir

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