Entertainment
UK ‘grooming gang’ trial halted over concerns about jurors watching TV show
The trial of a suspected grooming gang in the United Kingdom has been abandoned after concerns emerged over a WhatsApp group created by members of the jury, The Telegraph reported.
The case — pertaining to the alleged rape and sexual abuse of two teenage girls in Greater Manchester’s town, Rochdale, between 2003 and 2006 — was being heard at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
The proceedings against six suspected men began in October last year but were stopped around two months later when one of the 12 jurors informed court officials that several jurors had discussed a television programme about grooming gangs in their private WhatsApp group chat.
Following the development, Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones, during an investigation, reviewed all of the messages exchanged.
The court was told that in one conversation, one of the jurors cautioned others about watching the programme, but despite that, another juror replied, “I’m going to watch it anyway,” followed by a smiley emoji.
Another juror also said they would watch the broadcast, the court was told.
All jurors were later questioned, but they maintained that none of them had actually viewed the programme. Defence lawyers challenged this claim, suggesting the two jurors may not have been truthful, requesting the judge to question them further.
Judge Corbett-Jones declined to question the jurors again and instead agreed with the defence submissions.
“With considerable regret and disappointment, I have reached the conclusion that the multiplicity of problems which have now arisen and the uncertainty as regards these issues means that whatever course of action I take, unanswered questions remain,” the judge ruled.
Delivering his decision, the judge said he regretted having to halt the trial but explained that multiple issues had arisen, leaving unresolved doubts that could not be remedied. He concluded that no reasonable steps could address the situation due to the “layered nature of the problems.”
A retrial has been scheduled for August.
Restrictions preventing the reporting of the reasons behind the jury’s discharge were lifted on Friday following an application by the Manchester Evening News.
The defendants — Tahir Rashid, 54; Mohammed Saleem, 46; Iftaq Hussain, 45; and Sucklane Shah, 46 — all denied charges of rape.
Arshad Mohammed, 55, denied rape and assault by penetration, while Amjad Mahmood, 53, denied allegations including rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child, and assault by penetration. Rashid has also pleaded not guilty to an additional rape allegation dating back to the late 1980s.
Entertainment
British journalist narrowly escapes Israeli missile strike on live camera
A terrifying moment was recently caught on camera as an Israeli missile targeted a British journalist associated with Russia Today (RT) during live reporting in Lebanon.
Steven Sweeney, who works for the Russian state funded broadcaster, was filming destruction of a bridge and talking about missile attacks from Israel when one targeted him and hit just a few feet away.
Sweeney said yesterday that targeting journalists was a war crime and today he himself got injured in an attack. He was treated at a hospital for his injuries.
The video footage of the incident shows the exact moment when the missile hit near the journalist, both cameraman and the reporter sustained injuries.
RT posted a video of journalist Ali Rida, also injured in the attack, reporting from Southern Lebanon. Ali said that Israeli forces DELIBERATELY targeted them.
About three hours after the attack, the outlet shared a video message of Sweeney. He said: “It was a precision strike from an Israeli fighter jet. If they think that they are going to silence us, they are very, very much mistaken.”
Israel has intensified its unprovoked, illegal military strikes on Southern Lebanon and had repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure.
Sweeney also accused Israel of attempting to ethnically cleanse southern Lebanon.
Entertainment
AI version of the late Val Kilmer to star in new movie
Entertainment
Princess Kate sends strong message with choice of tiara: ‘Ready to be queen’
Royal women adorn themselves with tiaras – weaving a narrative of tradition, elegance and diplomatic charm – as they welcome dignitaries with poise and sophistication.
Princess Kate’s strategic tiara choices revealed her future ambitions and plans, alonside her grace and elegance.
Royal commentators belive Princess Catherine’s choices prioritise continuity and reinforce her ‘steady and reliable’ image during crucial time for royal family.
Kate Middleton, 44, showed off her elegance she wore her first tiara of the year for the Nigerian state visit on Wednesday, March 18.
The British royals hosted a lavish banquet at Windsor Castle. For the occasion, the princess wore her go-tiara, Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.
“Kate’s tiara choices tend to prioritise messages of continuity, usually indicating that she’s taking up the legacy of royal women who came before her,” royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital.
The expert went on to describe Princess Catehrine’s dynamic personality after being impressed of her tiara selection, saying: “Her choices remind the public that her royal role, and its symbolism, carry forward from her predecessors.”
Kate’s choice wear Tolu Coker for the lavish dinner explained by the expert, saying: “Coker’s work is rooted in Nigerian diasporic identity, her mother’s migration history, and a pointed critique of Western waste economies. Wearing it for this visit goes well beyond the ‘flag dressing’ we’ve come to expect from Kate’s diplomatic appearances!”
She said that the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot is “Kate’s most-reached-for piece these formal occasions,” adding: “It tells us that she understands her role in the institution, respects its weight, and isn’t trying to make it about herself.”
Kate is called a positive force for the royal family. Justine Picardie, author of “Fashioning the Crown,” suggested that Kate’s carefully curated public image reflects her growing role in shaping the future of the monarchy.
She explained, “A historical royal tiara visually puts Catherine in the line of history about what came in the past, but it also represents her future.”
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