Latest news with #reckless
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
'Reckless' woman, 32, who let girl under 10 DRIVE car through village is ordered to do community service
A 'reckless' woman who let a child drive a car through a village during a rainstorm has been ordered to do 134 hours of community service. Sophie-Leigh Gemmell, 32, previously admitted culpable and reckless conduct after allowing the girl, who was under 10 at the time, to take to the wheel in July last year. Video footage posted on social media app Snapchat showed the child driving in the dark through Crimond, Aberdeenshire. She could be seen peering over the steeling wheel as music plays and Gemmell mother cheers. At Peterhead Sheriff Court on Monday, Gemmell was given a 134-hour community payback order - reduced from 200 due to her plea. Sheriff Alan Sinclair said said her actions were 'reckless in the extreme'. But he said a custodial sentence would have been 'disproportionate'. The court heard she had no previous criminal record. In Scotland, a child can apply for a provisional driving licence at 15 years and 9 months old, but they cannot drive a car on public roads until they are 17. Children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall (4ft 4in), whichever comes first. Sheriff Sinclair told Gemmell that she and the girl were 'very fortunate' not to have suffered more serious consequences and added that allowing a child to operate machinery could have caused injury to both the occupants of the car and the wider public. He added that filming the incident 'defies any reasonable explanation'. Gemmell's defence agent said the 32-year-old had difficult family circumstances and was the victim of domestic abuse. He said her behaviour was an attempt at 'levity' during a 'dire' time for the family. The defence agent said Gemmell admitted her 'behaviour was completely foolish' and a result of 'poor decision-making'. He said she wished to apologise to the court and showed 'genuine remorse' for her actions and an 'acceptance' that 'the behaviour was wrong and a willingness to accept that'. He added that a social work report found she was 'of no risk of further offending' and 'does not need supervision'. The defence said Gemmell 'appreciates and understands this is a serious matter' that 'could have had serious consequences' and that she recognised she deserves to be punished for her actions. Gemmell must complete her unpaid work within 12 months.
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Everton: Police appeal for witnesses after arson attack
Police are searching for the identity of a man who reportedly threw a brick at a house window, poured petrol inside, and set it alight while somebody was services were called to an attempted arson attack at a property on Roxburgh Street, Everton, on Friday evening at 22:20 Police said a male was reportedly seen getting off a scrambler bike to carry out the attack, before cycling off towards Hale Road in the company of another Fire and Rescue Service removed the occupant from the property and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported. "This is a totally reckless act, especially with the recent incident where two people sadly lost their lives to such a mindless act," said Ch Insp Ben Wayment."Let me be clear, arson puts the lives of residents in serious danger."Anyone with information is being asked to contact the police. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
House bricked and set on fire with person inside
A person had to be removed from a house after it was set on fire on Friday night. Merseyside Police were called to Roxburgh Street, Everton, at around 10.20pm to reports of an arson attack. Police believe a man got off a scrambler bike on Roxburgh Street and threw a brick at the window of a house. It is reported that he then poured petrol through the broken window and set it alight. A joint investigation has now been launched Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police and anyone with any information is asked to contact police. READ MORE: Jay Slater inquest finally reveals what happened to tragic teen READ MORE: 'They left mum like she was a rabid dog, mocking her before she died' Officers say that there were two offenders who made off on a scrambler bike towards Hale Road. No injuries were reported in the incident that has been slammed as "reckless" by Chief Inspector Ben Wayment. Chief Inspector Ben Wayment said: 'We are in the early stages of an investigation and are appealing to anyone who was in the area at around 10pm onwards and witnessed the arson to contact police. 'This is a totally reckless act, especially with the recent incident where two people sadly lost their lives to such a mindless act. Let me be clear, arson puts the lives of residents in serious danger "Thankfully no one was hurt from this mindless act which could have ended in a fatality. 'I am appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity at around that time and witnessed the incident or has information then please get in touch.' Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'. You can also report information via their website or call with log 1212 of 25 July. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here. In an emergency always call 999. For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on X @LivECHONews or on Bluesky @ - official Liverpool ECHO accounts - real news in real time.
Politico
6 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Pennsylvania Republican called out by Ethics panel for stock investments
The panel urged Kelly and his wife to divest their holdings before he takes any more official actions related to Cleveland-Cliffs. Lawmakers are barred from insider trading under the STOCK Act, which Congress passed in 2012 in direct response to concerns about lawmakers and government officials using their proprietary information to advance their own personal gain. Under this law, officials also cannot give such information to others for the purposes of stock trading. Still, the committee was concerned that Kelly's wife bought more stock during the investigation, and Kelly did not disclose the purchase in a timely manner — nor did he answer questions about it. In a statement, Kelly said, 'My family and I look forward to putting this distraction behind us.' He added: 'This investigation has unnecessarily lasted for nearly five years. In the years since this investigation began, the Cleveland Cliffs Butler Works plant faced an uncertain future due to the Biden administration's reckless energy policies. Throughout this process, I have fought for the 1,400 workers at the plant, I've spoken with these workers, and they appreciate the hard work we have done to fight for those jobs and for Butler.' Kelly is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax policy, and sits on the GOP Steering Committee, which makes recommendations to the full Conference on House leadership assignments. The Ethics Committee published a second report Friday regarding Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), whose attendance to the 2021 Met Gala caused much consternation. The panel found that despite her attempts to comply with House rules, Ocasio-Cortez's conduct, including her partner's attendance at the event at no cost, was not entirely appropriate. Once she repaid the expenses, the Ethics Committee said, it would consider the matter closed.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Sisulu Foundation slams Ntshavheni's ‘coup' remarks as 'deeply irresponsible'
In a shocking revelation, Ntshavheni claimed that the security cluster had identified potential risks of a coup in the country. The Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation has criticised Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's claim that South Africa's security services had detected a potential coup d'état. The foundation said such remarks are 'deeply irresponsible, dangerous, and, in the current political climate, reckless in the extreme.' Coup In a shocking revelation on Tuesday, Ntshavheni claimed that the security cluster had identified potential risks of a coup in the country. Ntshavheni said the State Security Agency (SSA) and all relevant law enforcement agencies are actively working to prevent any uprisings or violent protests, similar to those seen during the July 2021 unrest. 'Irresponsible' The Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation slammed Ntshavheni, saying the coup claims are 'irresponsible, dangerous and damaging to South Africa's democracy.' 'To utter such claims on the parliamentary record—without presenting evidence, without public briefing, and without accountability—is not merely careless; it verges on fearmongering by executive design. 'Let's be clear: this statement was made in the immediate aftermath of the suspension, on paid leave, of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, a key ally of President Ramaphosa, whose name has become entangled in serial allegations of political interference and suppression of forensic investigations,' the foundation claimed. ALSO READ: Are we safe? Ntshavheni says security cluster detected potential risks of a coup [VIDEO] 'Damning' The foundation claimed the timing of Ntshavheni's statement is 'damning.' 'It arrives just as public scrutiny of the president's handling of the police crisis reaches fever pitch. The appointment of a non-MP acting police minister (within his powers), the creation of yet another judicial commission (the fifth of his presidency), and the president's silence on Phala Phala have already enraged citizens. No wonder trust is collapsing. 'Ntshavheni's coup narrative functions as a classic deflection tactic—to distract public and parliamentary attention from real accountability questions. Instead of answers, we get an unverified claim of a coup attempt, floated in the most public forum of the land, then immediately dropped with no follow-up.' It said. Parliament must act The foundation said Parliament has a duty to act against Ntshavheni. Ntshavheni must be held accountable for her statements. If she has the intelligence to substantiate her remarks, she must provide it. 'If she does not, then her words should be withdrawn—and censured. The legislature must reclaim its oversight function and reassert the supremacy of constitutional order over political theatre,' the foundation said. The foundation said South Africans have a right to 'demand better: truth, transparency, and constitutional accountability. Not paranoia, not spin, not distraction. And certainly not ministers weaponising fear from the floor of Parliament.' ALSO READ: 'Ramaphosa will go down in history as one of the most useless presidents' – analyst
