Latest news with #Mellor
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Man awarded £100k after police officer punches him in road rage attack
Shane Price was reportedly left "mentally traumatised" after the bust up with veteran cop, Insp Jonathan Mellor. A motorist who was smacked in the face by a police officer before being wrestled to the ground during a roadside bust up has won £100,000 in compensation. Shane Price was reportedly left "mentally traumatised" after being punched, stamped on and wrestled to the ground by Jonathan Mellor - a veteran with over 30 years' service - while his terrified wife filmed the ordeal from the passenger seat. The horrific scenes unfolded during a "road rage" incident on the A46 between Newark and Lincoln on May 26, 2021. Mobile phone footage taken at the scene show Insp Mellor, of Lincolnshire Police, landing a punch on Mr Price, stamping on his foot and spouting expletives. He barked: "I'm going to take you to the f***ing ground" and "You've been f***ing pulled, haven't you?". Mr Price has now been awarded a hefty six-figure compensation sum and had his legal fees covered, reports the BBC. The episode led to the officer being slapped with a common assault charge, but he was cleared in May 2022. However, a police misconduct panel ruled earlier this year that Mellor's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and said he would have been booted off the force if he hadn't already retired. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Insp Mellor, who was based at Grantham, told a police misconduct hearing that he punched Mr Price as a "distraction technique" before pinning him to the ground. But after a two-day hearing held at Bishop Grosseteste University earlier this year in January, a panel concluded that Mr Mellor's actions amounted to gross misconduct. The incident kicked off after Mr Price flagged down Insp Mellor at around 9.15pm, claiming the cop had been snapping pictures of him while driving. Both vehicles pulled into a slip road, where things quickly turned ugly. Footage shown at a disciplinary hearing in January showed Mellor - in plain clothes but wearing his uniform underneath - shoving Mr Price onto a grass verge before lashing out with his fist and stamping on his foot. Liz Briggs, representing Lincolnshire Police, described the men as appearing to "grapple with one another", with Mr Price repeatedly questioning, "What are you doing?". Hunter Gray, speaking for Insp Mellor, justified a punch to Mr Price's face and a stamp on his foot as a "recognised distraction technique" to "take control of Mr Price" due to his "increased agitation". He labelled it a "road rage" incident and queried if the couple were "looking for trouble" when they asked the officer to pull over. Inspector Jonathan Mellor denied taking any pictures of Shane Price and claimed he was simply trying to "create a space where I'm in control of him and out the way of traffic". Justifying the punch, he stated: "If I'd have punched him with my full force I would have knocked him out." He further explained: "I'm going for the red area, the face, but I'm mitigating that as a distraction strike." Video evidence shown during the hearing also picked up the moment Mellor used strong language, threatening to "put you down" while ordering Mr Price to stay put. Ms Briggs stated that Lincolnshire Police felt the officer "had no reason" to exert the level of force he did, labelling it as discreditable conduct. In his testimony, Insp Mellor described seeing the yellow van driven by Mr Price "meandering across lanes" before he overtook it. When asked by Ms Briggs whether his actions were appropriate, Insp Mellor doubled down: "I do believe it was a reasonable use of my powers. I feel I'm the victim here. I'm not the aggressor or the offender." He did concede that he "should have driven further down the slip road and stopped in a different place", acknowledging it might have been a safer choice. Jennifer Ferrario, the legally qualified chairwoman of the panel, declared that the panel deemed Insp Mellor's actions of punching and stamping on Mr Price, as well as restraining him on the ground, were "entirely unnecessary, unreasonable and disproportionate". The panel also concluded that the threatening and abusive language employed by Insp Mellor was "entirely unjustified". "The level of force used had been unjustified and could have been easily avoided," Ms Ferrario commented. "There was no reason for Mr Price to have been taken to the ground and restrained as he was." Insp Mellor showed a "demonstrated inability in the circumstances to control himself" and there was "no evidence of accountability" or "offer of apology" from him, she stated. Insp Mellor left the force in July 2022, but would have been sacked if he was still serving.
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Denbighshire Council adds two electric vehicles to its fleet
The council has introduced two Toyota Proace Verso electric people carriers to its fleet, funded by taxpayers through the Welsh Government Energy Service. The new vehicles will be used to transport students to and from Ysgol Tir Morfa, a special school in Rhyl. Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: "We are working very hard to reduce our fleet's carbon footprint by replacing end of life fossil fuel vehicles when the opportunity arises with greener alternatives where it is appropriate for the service need. "These vehicles help us reduce running costs over the long term through maintenance and miles and will continue to reduce our emissions to help us tackle the climate and nature emergency declared in 2019." READ MORE: Conwy road upgrade to fix 4,000 potholes as part of multi-million pound scheme Currently the council has one of the highest figures in Wales for the proportion of so-called zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) as a percentage of their fleet, at more than 20 percent. With a range of up to 214 miles, the new vehicles are expected to lower both mileage and maintenance costs. The people carrier will support Ysgol Tir Morfa with school transport, aligning with the school's environmental efforts, which have included low carbon energy improvements on site and tree planting in the grounds by pupils working with the council's biodiversity team. The second people carrier will be used in the social care sector to transport adults who work at Meifod Wood Products, a Denbigh-based work opportunity scheme. Cllr Mellor said: "It's great that Ysgol Tir Morfa will have access to one of these vehicles as the students are so supportive of doing everything they can to tackle climate change and support their local nature at the school and surrounding community. "Having one supporting Meifod as well I hope will inspire the fantastic adults who work at the site to do their bit to tackle climate change." The council said the minibuses would also be easier to maintain than petrol or diesel models due to having fewer moving parts.
India Today
25-06-2025
- India Today
Indian student in UK masturbates on girl's bed and toys, faces deportation
An Indian civil engineering student in the United Kingdom received a suspended prison sentence after he broke into a fellow student's room and masturbated on her bed cover and soft toys. The 18-year-old could be expelled and sent back to India if his student visa is undergraduate student, identified as Udkarsh Yadav, is enroled at Northumbria University in Newcastle, and unlawfully entered a female student's room during her absence over the Christmas holidays and committed the perverted used a faulty gym key-card that had been improperly configured by the university's administration, allowing him to unlawfully enter the female student's room. The victim returned to find a crusty "white substance" on her bed cover and her soft toys. After admitting his offences, Yadav escaped with a suspended prison sentence, and the university told him to move to different housing, The UK's Daily Express the UK, a suspended prison sentence allows an offender to avoid immediate custody, with the sentence effectively put on hold for a specified period — typically ranging from six months to two years, during which they must not commit further Yadav now faces being kicked off his course by university and sent back home in OVERCOME BY DESIRE, SAYS INDIAN STUDENTadvertisementYadav stayed silent initially, but later confessed after DNA evidence was presented, admitting he took advantage of faulty key-card access due to "being overcome with desire".Prosecutor Jennifer Coxon told Newcastle Crown Court that when Yadav was initially interviewed, he made no reply, but added: "He was re-interviewed and the DNA evidence was put to him. He admitted the offence, stating he was overcome with desire and he was aware that the gym cards were set up incorrectly, which allowed access to all rooms."The girl said she had pictures of herself on the wall, and she was so worried about the fact an "unknown man has committed a sex act in my room", according to the who had never been in trouble before and had a "lack of maturity", admitted burglary with intent to cause criminal damage, the Daily Express was sentenced to 14 months suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements, 200 hours unpaid work and GBP 117 compensation for three soft toys and bed Mellor, representing Yadav, said the student's father owns a construction business in said Yadav chose to study in the UK as he wants to succeed and "leave a lasting impact on the world". "His behaviour on the day in question is wholly out of character," she was quoted as saying by the Daily Mellor said Yadav, who has completed the first year and wants to progress to Master's level, has a student visa but would have to leave the UK if that were university has said they will review his status following the sentencing hearing.'DISGUSTING AND SELFISH THING TO DO'Judge Mark McKone KC said, "I don't think I have ever come across anything like this before. "It really is hard to imagine what was going through the defendant's mind when he did this.""This was a disgusting and selfish thing to do. You must have known the stress this would cause," McKone told Yadav."This was her first time away from home. She was left shaken over the thought you masturbated while looking at pictures of her on the wall," the Daily Express quoted McKone as saying.- Ends
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin student convicted after committing sexual act with classmate's teddy bears at Northumbria University
An Indian-origin student at the Northumbria University broke into a female classmate's dorm room and allegedly committed sexual acts with her teddy bears, according to police. Yadav is a civil engineering undergraduate at the Northumbria University in Newcastle, United Kingdom. (Wikimedia Commons) The student, Udkarsh Yadav, 18, who is the son of a building magnate in India according to UK's Daily Express, was able to access to the classmate's bedroom through a faulty gym card, which allowed him access to all rooms. He was handed a suspension of 2 years, with rehabilitation requirements, and directed to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay a fine of £117 for three soft toys and bed covers as punishment. Yadav is a civil engineering undergraduate at the Northumbria University in Newcastle, United Kingdom. The gym card that he used was reportedly wrongly set up, granting him access to all areas of the university. 'Don't think I have ever come across something like this,' says Newcastle court judge The counsel for the prosecution, Jennifer Coxon, said that after the female student's room was broken into, the key card had been traced to Yadav as the intruder. Coxon said that the DNA from the substance found on the student's bed was also linked to Yadav. Following this, Yadav admitted to the offence, stating that he was 'overcome with desire'. Meanwhile, defending counsel Shada Mellor said that Yadav had chosen to study in the UK because he wanted to 'leave a lasting impact on the world', while admitting that his actions were 'wholly out of character'. 'I don't think I have ever come across anything like this before. It really is hard to imagine what was going through the defendant's mind when he did this,' Recorder Mark McKone KC said. The judicial officer said that the victim had been at home with her family when the offence was committed. Meanwhile, Yadav was shifted from the university accommodation and asked to arrange for an alternative residence. Pleading against his visa withdrawal, Yadav's counsel Mellor said that he wanted to complete a master's degree in the course. Mellor submitted before court that the university had said it would consider the same.
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Aston Martin 'Spy Car': Spy And Mistress Tour Europe Stealing War Plans
Now "Ulster bodied", this Aston Martin's wartime spy secrets can now be revealed. Tell me the plot, I say. "A British Army intelligence officer drives around Europe, just before World War 2, with his mistress, who's actually somebody else's wife and pretending she's Dutch, but really German," says retired construction company CEO Neil Pickstone. "They're masquerading as tourists in a 1935 Aston Martin, which has been fitted with secret compartments engineered by Aston and the Royal Automobile Club. "They befriend young, wealthy German army officers, steal German war plan documents, take photos of military installations, smuggling them back to Britain in those hidden compartments, and never get caught despite being stopped and the car being dismantled by the Gestapo." It sounds like a Netflix or Apple TV thriller. Except it's true, actually rather more extensive, and thoroughly documented, coming to light when two men from Cheshire, England, Pickstone and friend Simon Isles, bought the seen-better-days Aston in 2022. They'd been told the car was used to smuggle currency out of Nazi Germany, but became increasingly aware things didn't add up... Originally an Aston Martin Mark 2 Sports Saloon, the spy car chassis is retained under the "Ulster" ... More body. The car is now a faithful recreation of an "Ulster-bodied" 1930s Aston Martin race car. In the hands of British Army intelligence officer Robert William Fenton "Tony" Mellor it was a 1935 Aston Martin Mk2, but the original body way beyond repair. So Pickstone and Isles rebodied it, but retained its secrets. "Its original owner, Lieutenant, later Major, Mellor was born to a wealthy family. Come the threat of a second World War, back then there was no government budget for intelligence work. Much of it was self-funded by well-off military officers," said Pickstone. "Buying the Aston Martin in 1937, at 25, was a considered decision: in 1930s Germany, army officers were also from wealthy backgrounds. They enjoyed racing their cars, so when Mellor and mistress Ellen Magnee turned up in Germany in the the Aston, seemingly as rich tourists, German officers recognised it as a fast car and engaged in conversation; Mellor got to know them, taking opportunities to gather all sorts of intelligence". The only known image of Major Tony Mellor and his Aston Martin "spy car" comes out of storage. In parallel with deceiving German military officers, Mellor was developing close ties to the French Resistance. The Aston Martin became key to some of their missions, so appearances, especially during night-time car-bound exploits, were crucial. Fenton fitted Bosch headlights to replicate the look of a German staff car at night. He also stole a German military vehicle "exhaust whistle", diverted exhaust gasses sounding their imminent arrival at checkpoints, barriers lifted in advance, Mellor and his French Resistance passengers hurtling through at 80mph leaving guards little chance of spotting the night-time ruse. Such antics were just part of the documented story, archived in files that came with the Aston and in Mellor's Cheshire Regiment museum. "The car came with a story about helping Jewish people pre-war, smuggling silver and currency out of Germany," said Pickstone. "It came with the secret compartments, the altered exhaust, and all the bits and pieces that made it special. "But the story about smuggling currency was fabricated. This was a spy story." Pickstone and Isles knitted together Mellor's memoires, the car's history file and archived accounts of then-fellow officers to piece together an extraordinary tale. It also raised the question of why, when a senior officer spoke about recommending Major Mellor for the Victoria Cross (the highest military bravery honour) there was a resounding silence from then military chiefs. However, Mellor was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Vermilion Star for his contribution to the French war effort. One of the secret compartments, the large tube, in situ. The Gestapo missed its hidden secrets even ... More after dismantling the Aston. In the car's file is a letter from Aston Martin to Mellor. It notes his attendance at the Aston Martin factory where he was instructed in repair and maintenance of the car on his European "tours". "The letter to Mellor is for, whatever purpose, from Aston Martin to confirm he spent time working in the factory on his car. We believe it's to document what he'd allegedly been doing for six weeks while out of barracks. We believe he was actually designing secret compartments," said Pickstone. "The first modification was a cross tube on the chassis. It had a locking mechanism that couldn't be spotted unless you knew what you were looking for," said Isles. Meanwhile, the Royal Automobile Club provided a battery. It worked normally, but also had a hidden compartment. "Just pre-war he was travelling around Europe with Ellen Magnee and got stopped by the Gestapo. They stripped the car, but found nothing," says Pickstone."In the archives there's evidence he said it was a good job because he had the plans for the Siegfried Line hidden in the secret compartments." The restored German Army officer staff car exhaust whistle. Mellor Captures 500 German Soldiers On His Day Off While he left the Aston in Holland for much of the war, his antics continued. He was one of the first British soldiers onto Sicily in 1943 where he is believed to have had a brief dalliance with a local countess. But he was also part of the spearhead during 1944's Normandy landings. "Soon after he was granted 24 hours leave to see 'friends' in a nearby village. He took a wireless man, a jeep and a driver. We believe he was meeting a previous girlfriend, and to gather intel about what the Germans were doing," said Pickstone. "En route they came across the Eighth Army, parked up approaching a bridge where there was a report of a German Tiger tank which had destroyed several Allied tanks. The commander of the Sherman tank at the head of the column refused to go any further. "Mellor and a French freedom fighter went to have a look, but the 'Tiger' was just a tracked vehicle. They captured it, just as a German staff car appeared; the Sherman opens fire, the staff car crashes, and the occupants captured too. "More freedom fighters appeared and proceeded to capture 200 Germans in the woods, locked them in a barn while they went to help defend a nearby town, but ended up capturing 300 more German soldiers. 'They were terrified of the French, so wanted to surrender to a British officer. Mellor ended up capturing 500 Germans on his day off...' The question remains: was Major Mellor the inspiration for James Bond? While it's mainly Cheshire lanes that pass under the Aston's wheels these days, you wonder what other tales of derring-do war-time archives, due to be opened under the UK Government's "100 year rule" in the 2030s, could reveal. Major Mellor retired to an Oxfordshire village, but evidence remained of his past. Upon his passing, his cottage was sold, the new owners discovering a secret compartment in the basement, evidently designed to store the tools of a spy's trade. Asking Pickstone and Isles if they thought Mellor, a neighbour of 007 creator Ian Fleming, a fellow intelligence officer, was the basis for James Bond they simply said I should draw my own conclusions. I'll simply let you draw yours...
