Latest news with #LukeEdwards
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Court grants bail to 4 accused in KZN rehab murder
Four men accused of murdering Luke Edwards (32), whose body was found near the Tetelestai Recovery Centre in Kingsburgh, KZN, in April, were yesterday granted bail of R2 000 each by the uMlazi Magistrate's Court. The Witness reports that in the dock were Lloyd Clive Ramsbottom (29), Banele Mseleku (24), Jean Pierre van Niekerk (28) and Njabulo Brandon Dlamini (28). They were working as volunteer mentors at the centre while also being patients. On hearing the bail ruling, Edwards' family and friends stood up and left the courtroom before the magistrate announced the postponement date. Investigating officer Kenneth Khanyase testified that Edwards, who was a patient at the recovery centre, was beaten over several hours with a crate. He said Edwards had been isolated, deprived of food and subjected to severe violence by the four. The state argued that bail could threaten witnesses' safety and that all four are flight risks as they are unemployed. The accused said they plan to plead not guilty and disputed any involvement in the murder. Van Niekerk and Ramsbottom both claimed ignorance of the fatal assault. Mseleku and Dlamini cited concerns over deteriorating mental and physical health as justification for bail, arguing prison conditions at Westville Prison, where they have been held, hindered their rehabilitation. During Khanyase's cross-examination, the defence questioned how he obtained the information that led to the arrest of the accused. He replied that it came from witnesses at Tetelestai Recovery Centre. The defence also questioned the credibility of the witnesses, saying they were not physically present when the assault happened but only saw Edwards and the accused together. The case was postponed to August 19 for further investigation. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Daily Mail
British Army soldier who sexually assaulted a lesbian colleague while she was asleep has been jailed for seven years
A British Army soldier has been jailed for seven years after he sexually assaulted a lesbian colleague. Corporal Luke Edwards groped the woman while she was asleep - despite her telling him she was gay. His victim described the assault - which took place while they were deployed abroad - as a 'harrowing, violating experience'. The 26-year-old has now been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by penetration at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire. The court martial heard Cpl Edwards, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had only recently been promoted to the rank of Corporal when the incident took place following an evening of drinking. Lieutenant Colonel Graham Coombes, prosecuting, told the court: 'After an evening of socialising, [the victim] was told by Cpl Edwards that he was locked out of his room and it was agreed that he would stay in her room. '[The victim] told Cpl Edwards 'Well I am gay and you have a girlfriend so nothing is going to happen'. 'The pair kissed and then Cpl Edwards tried putting his hand down her pants and she pulled his hand away. '[The victim] said she removed his hand straight away and made it clear to him that she did not want that to happen. She then went to sleep.' Lt Col Coombes said that as she slept Cpl Edwards assaulted her. He then said: 'As [the victim] was a lesbian and did not have sex with men, she was not sure what was happening. 'She did not respond to him and was still half asleep and was confused about what was going on. 'She then froze and did not know what to do. She remained in a state of shock. 'She then left the room and went to see a friend and told her that she had been sexually assaulted.' A statement read out on behalf of the victim said: 'I was subjected to the most harrowing, violating experience when [Cpl Edwards] sexually assaulted me. 'The isolation gave me plenty of time to ruminate. I felt ashamed and hated myself for a long time. 'This impacted how I saw myself and destroyed my self-confidence, finding it impossible to imagine how I could ever trust anyone enough to be in an intimate sexual relationship. 'For a while my general health declined, I couldn't sleep as I constantly had nightmares and flashbacks when I did. It stole from me a sense of peace, security and self-worth. 'The defendant was supposed to be my colleague and completely betrayed my trust. 'He chose to sexually assault me and instead of showing remorse and admitting what he did, he not only denied these offences but maintained that I instigated sexual contact between us. 'His lack of remorse and integrity had caused a further 18 months of unnecessary, prolonged distress.' James Hay, defending, said: 'The victim accepts that she invited him into her room and into her bed. They also shared a consensual kiss. 'This appears to be a blip in a previously unblemished record. Cpl Edwards will finish his career in the Army today.' Judge Advocate General Alan Large said: 'In this kind of situation dismissal from the armed forces is inevitable. 'It is agreed that you could come into her bed but she made it clear that no further activity was to take place. You were only able to do it because she was asleep. 'Your actions show the highly damaging affects of sexual offences. 'Service personnel have to have a certain bond of trust to effectively serve and sexual offending undermines this bond. 'This type of case is very serious and needs to be dealt with accordingly.' As well as being jailed, Cpl Edwards was dismissed from the Army.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'I cannot believe supporters are doing this'
The fallout to the boos for Trent Alexander-Arnold continues, with the situation a big talking point on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily has - no doubt - been negative reaction and feeling towards the right-back since he announced he was leaving last week, but not many people would have predicted the atmosphere he was subjected to at full-back was booed in the line-up announcement, again when he entered as a substitute in the second-half and it continued when he was on the ball. While some fans chose to applaud him on the ball in retaliation to those booing, there were also chants of "there's only one Conor Bradley" which were undoubtedly used in a manner to drive a point home to the departing Alexander-Arnold."I cannot say how fans should be feeling, but I am shocked," said The Telegraph's Luke Edwards. "If he was going to be joining another club in the Premier League then I would understand it more but he looks to be going abroad."He has given 20 years to the club. Yes, he has ran down his contract and he is leaving for free but he also cost nothing to sign."He's a Liverpool fan with a mural made just for him. I get the feelings of betrayal and anger but it does feel like an overreaction."The fact there were so many boos from match-going fans genuinely shocked me. I thought it was more confined to social media but it isn't so he has obviously stirred up a lot of negative emotions."Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown added: "He has given them everything and they have won the league this season so he couldn't have left them in any better position."It is a terrible situation for a wonderful young player to have that. How does he feel? "I am so disappointed because it is not an easy decision for him to leave. He has an opportunity to go and test himself so I do not get it."They have a nice replacement straight away in Conor Bradley but it shouldn't have been about him. Other players have had farewell banners and messages of 'sorry you are leaving.'"I cannot believe that supporters are doing this."Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Villa 'here to stay' - reaction after Champions League chase hots up
Aston Villa can no longer finish lower than seventh, meaning they are guaranteed European football in at least the Conference League next season. And with two games remaining, former Premier league midfielder Michael Brown and the Telegraph's Luke Edwards are backing Unai Emery's men to qualify for the Champions League for a successive season. "It is an impressive achievement," said Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They have rallied again. "They have Manchester United and Tottenham left to play, who seemingly don't bother to play at weekends and just weekdays, so they have a real chance of sneaking into the Champions League." Brown added: "I have fancied them to do it for a long time because I thought they would come up strong. Their recruitment in the January window was excellent and they have gone well since then. "I expect them to win their final two games. They are a really consistent team now and the squad is really good. "Villa are in their stride and here to stay." Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Worst Man Utd side that I can remember'
You would not be blamed for double-checking the league table when learning Manchester United are fifth bottom of the Premier League. But it is the reality. Sunday's defeat by West Ham was perhaps not a huge surprise given United will have one eye on the Europa League final. However, Ruben Amorim's side have been historically bad in the league this season, a fact that has not got unnoticed by the Telegraph's Luke Edwards. "This is probably the worst Manchester United side that I can remember," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "Yet they still have the chance of winning a major trophy. "That would then be three trophies in three years, so even when they are rubbish they still have an uncanny knack of being able to win silverware. "The Europa League final is absolutely fascinating because it will rescue one club and it buries the loser." Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
