Latest news with #AdamBrooks
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Protest outside migrant hotel in Essex erupts into violence as fights break out 'after asylum seeker was accused of committing three sexual assaults'
A protest outside a migrant hotel exploded into violent pandemonium after anti-immigration campaigners clashed with 'anti-racism' demonstrators. The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, descended into bloody mayhem as activists brawled on the streets - while police battled to contain the chaos. Hundreds of people had rallied outside the venue after a 38-year-old African asylum seeker was accused of committing three sexual assaults - nine days after allegedly arriving in the UK illegally by boat. Police were forced to break up a fight between two men as large crowds jeered, with some shouting: 'F***ing nonce', 'f*** off back to Walthamstow' and 'paedos'. The outburst of disorder ignited on Sunday evening, with shocking footage appearing to show one man bleeding heavily from his head as he limped to the hotel. 'Go home you c***, go home. F*** off back on your boat and go,' one man is heard screeching as the injured male hobbles his way past a line of police officers. In another clip, two men are seen punching one another and wrestling next to a car before police charge in to break up the brawl. While in a third video, a large crowd of people - some of whom were waving the flag of St George - were seen massing opposite the three-star hotel and repeatedly chanting 'protect our kids', as about a dozen police stood guard. Father-of-three Adam Brooks, an anti-knife campaigner whose dad was brutally stabbed to death when he was a child, was among those at the protest. The Essex-based publican said: 'There's a protest because a migrant is alleged and was charged with sexual assault against a young girl in Epping High Road last week. 'There are worried mothers, worried children, there's grandmothers, fathers, uncles, grandads, and we've got an anti-racism lot that have turned up. 'Things are getting heated here. I just cannot believe that an anti-racism mob would turn up against something like this.' In one video, police were seen escorting some counter-demonstrators away from the hotel as a huge crowd of people continued to jeer. Some of the counter-protestors were seen holding signs saying 'Refugees Welcome: Stop The Far-Right'. Nobody has reportedly been arrested following the disorder, which sparked after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence. Ethiopian national Kebatu reportedly arrived in Britain illegally on June 29, little more than a week before the alleged sex attacks took place. Announcing the news of his arrest on Thursday, Essex Police said: 'We were alerted to reports of a man acting inappropriately towards a teenager in High Road, at 5.20pm on Tuesday July 8. 'Officers arrived quickly and arrested a man. 'As a result of the work of officers, offences against a woman and another teenager, which were separate to those which had taken place on Tuesday, were then reported for the first time and an investigation was launched.' Kebatu was remanded in custody after a hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday. He denies any wrongdoing. Following Kebatu's arrest, the district's Conservative leader wrote to the Home Secretary calling for The Bell Hotel's closure 'without delay'. Essex Police will continue to have a presence in the area for the coming days, a spokesman for the force said. Speaking after the protest broke up, Superintendent Tim Tubbs said: 'We respect everyone's right to protest, and we police without fear of favour – these are important fundamentals of our work when it comes to public order. 'We'll be working with all our partner agencies in the coming days to hear their thoughts and establish how we can provide the most effective police response for events like this in the future. 'As with all our policing of public events such as protests, we will review any body-worn video to ensure any offences are detected.' Chris Whitbread, the leader of Epping Forest District Council, insisted the authority had 'consistently and repeatedly opposed' the use of the The Bell as a migrant hotel. 'From the outset, we warned the Home Office that this site is entirely inappropriate,' the council chief said in a statement. 'Placing vulnerable individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds into an unsupervised setting, in the centre of a small town, without the proper infrastructure, support or services, is both reckless and unacceptable. 'It puts pressure on local services, causes understandable concern for residents, and is unfair on those placed in the hotel. 'The Home Office must now face the reality of the situation. The Bell Hotel must be closed without delay. Our warnings have been ignored for too long.' The council boss has set up a petition calling for the closure of The Bell Hotel - as well as the Phoenix Hotel in Bobbingworth, which also accommodates migrants. It has has received more than 4,500 signatures. The petition says: 'We are also deeply concerned about rising community tensions. Epping Forest has a history of extreme far-right activity, including the presence of groups such as the Homeland Party and previously elected British National Party councillors. 'The Government's inaction risks fuelling division and undermining community cohesion. Our community feels ignored and let down. Epping Forest has been forced to carry an unfair burden in the ongoing illegal immigration crisis.'
Belfast Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Crusaders boss Declan Caddell hails new striker as ‘natural goalscorer'
Crusaders have plundered the Scottish market again this week to sign former Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Adam Brooks.
Global News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Global News
ANALYSIS: Could hometown hero Toews finish NHL career in Winnipeg?
Five Manitoba-born players have suited up for the Winnipeg Jets in the 14-year history of the 2.0 version of the franchise. There is a genuine opportunity for that number to grow to six in season 15. The last Manitoban to wear a Jets jersey in an NHL regular-season game was Winnipegger Adam Brooks in 2021-22. Story continues below advertisement Cody Eakin is the only homegrown product to appear in the post-season for Winnipeg — and that was the play-in series versus Calgary in the Edmonton Bubble in 2020. Quinton Howden, Eric Fehr and Derek Meech are the only others with a Manitoba birth certificate of the group of 160 players who have played for the 2.0 Jets. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But there is every reason to believe that come July 1, or maybe even sooner, it won't be a reach that Jonathan Toews could become the next made-in-Manitoba product to join that list. And without a doubt, there would be the expectation — both from himself and the hockey club — to make the biggest impact. Toews, through his agent Pat Brisson, has made it clear he's ready to return to the National Hockey League. I'm not sure there would be a better fit than his hometown Jets. Story continues below advertisement There is no doubt the three-time Stanley Cup champ wouldn't be putting himself out there if he didn't believe he could still be an effective NHL player. Even after a more-than-two-year absence. And even at the age of 37. Forget about the sentimental aspect of 'Captain Serious' finishing a Hall of Fame career in front of his family and friends. The Jets are a legitimate Cup contender. They are deep up front, so Toews doesn't need to be 'the guy.' But there is still a big enough role available at second-line centre to provide plenty of appeal to a very proud player. Winnipeg will not be the only team interested. But the Jets just might offer the opportunity that turns out to be the most interesting for Toews. 4:25 John Shannon on the Jets: Looking to the offseason
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free family fun day to give people a ‘taste of cycling' at North East velodrome
A free family fun day to give people of all ages a taste of cycling will be held at a North East velodrome over the bank holiday weekend. To mark a change of management at the Middlesbrough Velodrome, based at the Sports Village, NE Cycling CIC have organised different activities that will take place on Saturday (May 24), between 1pm and 5pm. As well as a range of local vendors, there will be children's coaching sessions, group rides and various interactive activities such as cycling demos, challenges and opportunities to experience the velodrome track. Various sycling activities have been arranged to give people a taste of the sport (Image: NE CYCLING) Adam Brooks, CEO and head of coaching and facilities, said: 'Saturday will be about demonstrating to everyone a bit of everything that is going on here at the Velodrome. 'We will be showing people what track cycling is, so people of all ages can get involved for the first time and have a bit of fun too – for free. Most read: 'Extremely rare' and 'collectable' 50p being sold for over £20k in County Durham The North East restaurant attracting Hollywood actors and host of other celebs 'We love it here': Emmerdale and I'm A Celeb star takes family trip to seaside town 'There will be skills courses for the little ones, mountain bike and cyclo-cross courses and Wattbike vhallenges, alongside the event village where there will be food vendors, face painters - and whatever else. 'It will feel like a mini-cycle festival and we hope to grow this year on year by holding it annually. We want this to be a hub for cycling where people come and get a flavour for everything to do with cycling.' After Saturday's family fun day, the best juniors from across the country will compete in the National Track Sprint Futures Series on Sunday (May 26).
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Fury as children are being advertised stab-proof vests for £50 on social media as Britain's youth knife crime epidemic soars to record highs
British children are being advertised stab-proof vests for £50 on social media in a 'dangerous' new trend campaigners fear will put lives at risk, MailOnline can reveal. Videos seemingly aimed at youths have appeared on TikTok and Snapchat in the past few weeks flogging body armour, with clips being viewed thousands of times. It comes amid claims terrified teenagers fear being stabbed in schools or outside their homes as Britain's knife crime crisis continues to spiral out of control. In one video, uncovered by MailOnline, youths wearing face masks and balaclavas are seen gathered around a Lamborghini Gallardo before showing off the stab vests. In another, those advertising the defensive kit say they can protect children 'going out to collect milk for their mothers' as well as gangsters venturing into enemy territory. But anti-knife campaigners say the videos risk 'glamorising' knife violence and have demanded the Government takes swift action. Adam Brooks, whose father was brutally hacked to death by a machete gang almost 34 years ago, feared the trend will lead to a fresh wave of bloodshed. He told MailOnline: 'This is a worrying development and it needs to be stamped out pretty quickly. 'The dangerous thing about this group selling stab vests is that it will lure young kids into a false sense of security thinking they will be all right. 'It worries me kids could think they're indestructible and suddenly come unstuck. 'These "vests" won't protect them from being stabbed in the face, neck or legs. It will encourage children to stab each other. It will make young people more of a target.' In the UK, there are currently no legal restrictions on the purchase and ownership of stab protection products. Likewise, selling them is not illegal. The group behind the videos flogging the stab vests are believed to be based in Birmingham - but claim they can ship their products nationwide. Analysis by MailOnline has revealed at least one of the clips was filmed in the Yardley district of the city - which is the constituency of Labour MP and Home Office minister, Jess Phillips. In one video filmed in a car park at night, a man dressed in a red coat and black and white keffiyeh - a traditional Middle Eastern headdress - is seen sitting a pick-up truck sporting one of the stab vests. 'Salam Alaikum my people,' he says. 'We say if you've got to get milk for your mum from the "op block" - get a stab-proof vest... you shouldn't have "ops" anyway, but if you do, get a stab-proof.' In one video, filmed outside a KFC in Birmingham, a young male is seen being confronted by two other youths before running off to collect a stab-proof vest Another youth wearing a black ski mask, sunglasses, bucket hat and black, Stone Island trousers, adds: '£50 a vest, delivery to all over the UK. You heard my boy.' An 'op' is a slang term often used in rap or gang culture relating to an 'adversary' or 'enemy'. In another video, this time filmed at the back of a KFC in Birmingham 's Yew Tree Retail Park, one male is seen rowing with two others youths. A caption on the video reads: 'Don't get caught lacking this summer', followed by a 'sun' and 'knife' emoji. The boy is then seen sprinting away to a group of six men, most wearing balaclavas and ski masks, before one puts a stab vest on him. The lad then turns back to confront the pair as they dash away - with the video fading to an advert for the stab vest saying: 'Don't get caught lacking this summer'. The disturbing new trend comes amid fears Britain's knife crime epidemic has reached unprecedented levels of violence, with campaigners warning the nation's streets are turning into a blood-soaked 'hellscape'. Mr Brooks, who was 11 when his father Alan was hacked to death by a machete gang after banning a group of drug dealers from his pub in July 1991, is among those campaigning for change. The father-of-three - who was previously stabbed and used to carry a knife when he was younger - said the authorities must intervene to stop the sale of body armour to children and young people. 'This is sending a terrible message to youths. It highlights just how bad Britain's streets have become,' he warned. 'This will encourage a wave of knife crime and bloodshed across the UK. It's irresponsible and dangerous. 'This is the sad state of affairs that we are in... This could drag normal youths into gang violence or knife violence. This could escalate the problem.' Influencer publican Mr Brooks - who runs the Three Colts boozer in Buckhurst Hill, Essex - feared the vests could also lead to tragic accidents. 'Groups of friends could try out how good these vests are and accidentally stab their mates to death while testing out them out. That's the sort of tragedy we could see,' he warned. He is calling for mandatory five-year sentences for adults caught carrying blades on the street, and three years for youths. It comes amid a 'national emergency' which has seen the scourge of knife crime spread to every corner of England and Wales. County lines drugs gangs and rival cartels are warring in city streets while youngsters in towns are carrying knives into school and slaughtering children in parks. Mr Brooks has teamed up with Norman Brennan, a former police officer and director of the Law and Order Foundation, t o launch a petition calling for tougher penalties for knife yobs. So far, around 35,000 people have signed up to the campaign calling for a debate in parliament. The target is 100,000. Mr Brennan - who was almost stabbed to death tackling a burglar while serving as a cop in London - warned the 'tsunami' of bloodshed washing over Britain had now reached apocalyptic levels. 'This is a national crisis. It is an emergency like I've never seen. We are heading to the abyss,' he told MailOnline over the weekend. 'We have slipped into a tide of anarchy. There's no police on the streets. The public don't feel safe. Criminals walk around now feeling untouchable. 'I predicted this knife crime epidemic 20 years ago. I've been warning governments of all political colours of the perfect storm that was coming - and now it's here. It's a tsunami... it's a tide of bloodshed.' The revelation seems to echo a hard-hitting advert by the C hildren's Society in 2019 for a fake online shop selling child-sized stab-proof vests. The organisation launched the 'The Store of Modern Childhood' in a bid to raise money for vulnerable children by taking users to a donation page when they click on the advert. All of the fake products on the site were listed as free, with users able to make a donation of £12 - £50, which went towards helping the charity's mental health services across England and Wales. At the time, it was part of an effort showing how children's happiness in Britain had fallen to its lowest level in a decade. The stab-proof vest promised to fit children aged 11 to 18 with the description saying children are able to 'wear it in or out of school to stop all but the most determined blades!' Last month campaigners in Wales warned the campaign was now becoming a reality, with teens buying stab vests online and wearing them to school or stashing them in bushes near their homes. Reformed drug dealer-turned-anti-knife campaigner Wes Cunliffe, of Newport, said a series of high-profile killings of teens were fuelling fears among children. 'A lot of young people I know are wearing stab vests because they're thinking someone could attack at any given time,' Mr Cunliffe, 34, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. 'When you see things like Temu come up on your apps, it actually comes up with stab vests. And then they stash them locally around the communities and estates in Newport.' Mr Cunliffe now works with children and has been a youth mentor for eight years. He says he is increasingly being told young people are now carrying blades out of 'fear'. He added: 'Everywhere you look on social media, you see young people, balaclavas on, attacking each other with machetes, knives, hammers, screwdrivers. The violence is absolutely unreal.' Back in Birmingham, and the city is among one of the worst affected by knife crime in England and Wales outside of London. West Midlands anti-knife crime mentor Malachi Nunes said: 'Knife crime is higher in the West Midlands because young people here follow the trend of what's happening in the capital. London has a big influence on cities like Birmingham. 'More young people are carrying knives now because their school friends are being stabbed and they don't feel safe, even at school.' The West Midlands Police area - which covers Birmingham - last year had the highest rate of knife crime offences in England and Wales, according to a national study. Offences involving a knife per 100,000 of the population, in the force area in 2023, totalled 180, up from 167 in 2022. Over the same period, London's Metropolitan Police force had a total of 165. Overall however, across all West Midlands regional forces, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show crime has fallen by five per cent.
