Latest news with #NorthIpswich
Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Tory MP ‘cupped' two women's breasts at Groucho Club
Tory MP Patrick Spencer cupped the breasts of two women at London's Groucho Club, a court heard. The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich is alleged to have carried out the assaults over their clothes at the Soho private members' club in August 2023. The 'intoxicated' 37-year-old left the women feeling 'uncomfortable' after asking about one of their marriages and trying to force both to have a drink with him, it was heard. Wearing a dark suit jacket with a white shirt and tie at Westminster Magistrates' Court, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, before denying two counts of sexual assault. Polly Dyer, for the prosecution, told the court Mr Spencer 'appeared to be intoxicated' at the time of the offences on the two women. 'The first of the complainants report that at around 8pm the defendant insisted on buying her a drink,' she said. 'He made her feel uncomfortable asking about her marriage and trying to force her to have a drink. She felt it was inappropriate and walked away.' The court heard later that evening, at around midnight, Mr Spencer approached the same woman again and 'put his arms under her arms and cupped her breasts'. Ms Dyer said the woman was 'taken by surprise'. The court heard a similar incident happened with the second woman, who he 'insisted' should have a drink with him. Ms Dyer said she did not want to or enjoy the drink when it was brought to her, but took a few sips to be polite. However, he is then alleged to have moved back and cupped her breasts with his hands, leaving her 'shocked and embarrassed'. At the short hearing, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ordered Mr Spencer to appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 14. He warned him that a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he failed to attend. Last month, Mr Spencer was suspended by the Conservative Party after being charged with the offences and asked not to attend the parliamentary estate while police enquiries were ongoing. The Metropolitan Police said at the time that he had voluntarily taken part in an interview at a London police station. He was elected as MP of his constituency last July, with a majority of 4,290, but he now sits as an independent following the removal of the whip.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer pleads not guilty to sexual assault
An MP has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault that allegedly took place at London's Groucho Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer is accused of two attacks on two separate women in August 2023 - before he was 37-year-old, who became a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
Daily Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Ipswich SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 3
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schoolboy Cup Livestream. Followed categories will be added to My News. He was given a baptism of fire against a tough Marsden State High in his Langer Trophy debut, and Ipswich's Baxter Best more than stood up to the challenge. But what will be in store for the younger brother of Blues Origin series winner Bradman when he clashes with the might of reigning national champions Palm Beach Currumbin? That match will be streamed live and free on KommunityTV on Tuesday afternoon, headlining a big triple header which features the Walters Cup (Year 10) and Schoolgirls Cup. A full News Corp Australia digital subscription will be required to watch the Walters Cup and Schoolgirls Cup. There is a storied history between Ipswich and Palm Beach Currumbin, with the two schools meeting in back-to-back Langer Trophy deciders between 2022-23. Another chapter of that pulsating new rivalry will be unfold at the North Ipswich Reserve from 5.30pm. Palm Beach Currumbin enter round 3 with a 24-4 confidence-boosting win over Wavell behind them. Picture: Liam Kidston Ipswich only just escaped the Makos by the skin of their teeth in round 2, with Best brilliant when he was thrust into the fray earlier than first anticipated. 'I said 'unless there's an injury, I'll put you on with about 20 minutes to go and we will give you an experience',' coach Josh Bretherton said. Unfortunately it was a concussion to right centre Tomu Cook early in the match that created the opportunity for Best, 16, to show his wares as the youngest on the field. With just his second touch of the ball, Best made a brilliant break and set up a defining try to fullback Tom Parker. Best's sound performance was a great early indication of his ability to play above his age. The Year 10 student is a rare breed because to accelerate his development, he is bypassing the Walters Cup to play Opens football. Reece Walsh (Keebra Park) and Jared Horne (current Wavell senior) are a few others to have done this. Wavell SHS senior Jared Horne, pictured as a Year 9 student, made his Langer Trophy debut in Year 10 and is making his way back from a patella fracture in his knee. 'We felt that the best thing to do was to try and challenge him,' said Bretherton. 'To try put him out of his comfort zone.' Best thrived in the new environment. 'I thought he did a really solid job,' Bretherton said. 'I asked him to do some simple things defensively on exit and stuff and he did those things for me which is what I am most proud of. 'He did the team contribution stuff he needed to do and when the game broke open for him, he was able to do the bits everyone knows he can do.' Baxter Best gets the ball away to Tom Parker. Picture courtesy of Jack O'Brien. His positive touches and runs from right centre were welcomed given the turbulent lead up to Wednesday's game that saw Ipswich lose both its edge forwards. Starting second rowers Innocent Baruani (concussion protocol) and Elsiyah Laumatia (ankle) were both late outs in the 24 hours leading up to the round 2 heavyweight bout, with Laumatia rolling his ankle the morning of. With Ipswich lacking two potent forwards, Mel Nonu stepped up to produce a titanic performance on the wing. Nonu, the younger brother of Dolphins young gun LJ, caught high balls extremely well under pressure and when his teammates were tiring late in the game, he maintained a high standard. He caught the ball all alone with Marsden defenders rushing forward and carried the ball out of the Ipswich half with vim and vigour. 'He kept showing up and carrying. I couldn't be more proud. He was so, so valuable,' Bretherton praised. Nonu's rapid rise to being one of the first picked each week for Ipswich is the product of a strong pre-season. Mel Nonu has been outstanding in 2025. Last year Nonu was getting better with every game in the Langer Reserves competition before going on to start all nine matches in this year's Mal Meninga Cup for the Jets. 'We thought he could play at this level but that he was going to have to work hard to get to this level and there was no guarantee he would've done it this year,' Bretherton reflected. 'When he rolled back in (after the summer holidays) and obviously watching how well he played for the Jets, it was like 'oh he will do it easy'. 'He was just a completely different player.' Originally published as 2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Ipswich SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 3
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Tory MP Patrick Spencer charged with two counts of sexual assault
Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at central London's Groucho club. The Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday that Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, had been charged over two alleged incidents at the Soho private members' club in August 2023. Frank Ferguson, the head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said the allegations involved two separate women. Spencer, 37, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 16 June. Ferguson added: 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' Spencer was first elected to parliament last year with a majority of 4,290. More details soon …
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer MP charged with two sex attacks
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault which allegedly happened at London's Groucho Club in August 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
