THEGAYUK

Tag: Crime

All the latest breaking news crime in the UK and aboard. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Crime.

  • Man who set fire to London gay bar jailed

    A man who deliberately set fire to a busy Clapham bar has been jailed.

    Jason Fossett, 45 (28.10.71) of Portland Road, SE25, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, 4 August to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of three years and 244 days.

    He pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life at the same court on Wednesday, 3 May.

    On Monday, 20 March, at about 02:45hrs, the duty manager of the Two Brewers on Clapham High Street, SW4, was locking up the pub. When he went to lock the side exit door, which leads out into Prescott Place, he noticed a man in the alleyway standing near the wall as if he was urinating.

    The manager told the man to move away from the building and he went back inside the pub. A few minutes later the manager could smell smoke and he went outside to investigate. He then noticed a fire by the side exit door where the man he told to move away had been standing.

    A routine police patrol was passing by the pub at that time and came across the fire, but the suspect had already fled the scene.

    Enquiries were carried out by PC Paul Waterman, the dedicated ward officer for Clapham Town, alongside officers from Lambeth CID.

    PC Waterman reviewed the bar’s CCTV which showed the suspect, as identified by the bar manager, ordering drinks at about 02:00hrs on Monday, 20 March. It then showed the suspect leaving the bar at about 02:15hrs and entering Prescott Place.

    The suspect is seen stacking numerous rubbish bags against the fire exit over an 18 minute period before setting fire to the bags and leaving. Within 80 seconds, the rubbish is alight.

    The CCTV showed that the suspect paid for the drinks with a bank card. Enquiries were carried out on the card which showed the holder to be Fossett.

    Officers arrested Fossett on Monday, 3 April. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing similar clothes to that of the person in the CCTV. Officers also searched his home and found a red leather satchel that matched the one on the CCTV, as well as receipts from the Two Brewers for that night.

    Fossett admitted to being at the Two Brewers but claimed he could not remember anything of the evening after having a couple of drinks. He was charged on Tuesday, 4 April.

    The court heard that Fossett has previous convictions for arson with intent to endanger life where he has piled rubbish up outside a building and set-fire to it. In 2004, Fossett was jailed for eight years for arson with intent to endanger life after targeting the same venue as in this case – the Two Brewers.

    Fossett’s motivation for targeting the Two Brewers is not known, however, there is no suggestion that it was a hate crime.

    PC Paul Waterman, said,

    “Fossett is clearly a dangerous character who deliberately went out of his way to set fire to the bar in a carefully calculated attack.

    “It was sheer luck that the fire was spotted in its early stages to prevent any further damage or anyone sustaining any injuries.

    “By working with my colleagues in Lambeth CID and with the cooperation and assistance of staff from the Two Brewers, we ensured that Fossett was brought to justice and has been put behind bars.

    “I hope Fossett uses his time behind bars to reflect on his actions.”

    Reporting from The Metropolitan Police

  • Man left blinded in one eye in attack walking to gay club in London

    A man has been left with serious eye trauma during an attack after he went to the Fire nightclub in Vauxhall on pride night.

    Police are appealing for information after a 37-year-old man was attacked in Vauxhall at 11.00 PM on Saturday night (8th July). The victim was left with a serious eye injury which has resulted in a permanent loss of sight.

    During his attack, the unnamed man was left unconscious and his next memory after leaving the club was waking in a central London hospital the next day.

    Police do not believe the attack happened at the nightclub and are looking for witnesses to help with their inquiries.

    His phone and some personal property were also missing.

    Detective Constable Julies Lyons, of Lambeth CID, said,

    “We are desperate to find out how this man received this terrible injury. We have made enquiries at the nightclub and we believe the injuries did not happen there.

    “The victim has suffered a terrible trauma to one of his eyes and and I would appeal to anyone who who might be able assist to call police. At this time we have not be able to find out how and where he was hurt, or even how he got to hospital, and your call may be vital in helping us understand what happened.”

    Officers would like to speak with anyone who saw the victim.

    To assist, he is described as black with light skin, 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing black jeans, a black T-shirt with flowers on the sleeve and a black hat. He was carrying a navy blue bowling-style bag.

     

  • Aberdeenshire man gets unpaid work punishment after homophobic police fight

    A man has been punished with 50 hours of unpaid work after a fight with police.

    Gavin Knights, 20, was sentenced at the Aberdeen Sheriff Court to 50 unpaid work after admitting to threatening behaviour towards police on the 13th June. His defence, David Sutherland, said that alcohol had induced “fairly shocking behaviour.”

    During the incident, Mr Gavin uttered threats towards the police, as well as kicked a police van and used homophobic language.

    Mr Knight will also be under supervision for nine months.

     

     

  • Police are appealing for information after “homophobic abuse” on train

    The British Transport Police (BTP) has released CCTV footage following a “homophobic” incident on a train in London.

    (PICTURE REMOVED)

    The images of three men caught on CCTV have been released as police by they look to question them in connection with an alleged homophobic incident on a train.

    The 21-year-old victim was travelling on a London Overground train from Highbury & Islington to Willesden Junction when he was allegedly targeted with homophobic abuse.

    A statement from the BTP said,

    “Officers have conducted a number of enquiries and are now in a position to release CCTV images of three people they would like to speak to in connection with the incident, which took place around 10.30pm on Friday 31 March. Do you know who they are?

    Anyone with information is asked to text to 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 386 of 31/05/2017. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

     

  • Trial delayed for man accused of killing his boyfriend

    Brian Canchola’s trial has been delayed until October after witness illness cancels a court hearing.

    The family of Stephen Sylvester will have to wait until October to learn the outcome of court proceedings against Brian Canchola, who stands accused of killing his boyfriend. The 18-year-old victim was found unconscious by police at his home, but died later from injuries sustained in an attack.

    Kxan.com reports that a witness illness caused the delay after a hearing on Friday was cancelled. The judge pushed the trial until October 16th 2017.

    Canchola was charged with first-degree murder after allegedly beating his 18-year-old boyfriend, Stephen Sylvester, to death. According to Canchola’s co-workers, the pair had been dating for two months.

    In 2015, a roommate told police that he had heard fighting between the two boyfriends after he arrived home in the early morning and it was then that Canchola accused Sylvester of cheating. An alleged fight apparently escalated with the roommate hearing “banging and violent crashing”.

    According to an affidavit, supplied by the roommate, the roommate also heard Sylvester’s pet dog crying out in pain after Canchola reportedly threatened to kill it.

    The roommate found Sylvester after the fight, conscious but with bleeding coming from the back of his head and transported him to University Medical Center Brackenridge. However, Sylvester left the hospital before receiving medical treatment. He returned back to his apartment, where he lost consciousness, was transported back to a hospital and later died.

    Canchola, who is now 22, is currently out on bond.

     

  • Nearly 150 men arrested in Indonesia in huge anti-gay crack down

    Indonesian officials have arrested almost 150 men in the country’s clearest crackdown against gay men.

     

    Embed from Getty Images

    Authorities have arrested 144 men in Jakarta, Indonesia‘s capital city on Monday, THEGAYUK has learnt.

    The men were allegedly attending a party at a sauna when the police raided the venue and captured 144 men, under broad pornography laws. The broadly written laws have been used to unfairly target the gay community in the past.

    Despite homosexuality not being illegal in the majority of the country, the men were lined up at in front of a sign with the slogan “press conference” emblazoned on it. Police also paraded various costumes also found at the party, in front of the press.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Same-sex activity is, however, illegal in the Muslim-majority province of Aceh, where Sharia law is used to govern its people.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The police have been criticised for releasing pictures of the raid, some of which exposed the identities of the men to their families, friends and employers. Homosexuality is frowned upon in Indonesia and there could be social repercussions being associated with this arrest.

    The reports are on the back of the horrific news that two men, in Aceh province, whose private room was broken into by vigilantes, were lashed 83 times for same-sex activity. They were sentenced to 85 lashes but the punishment was reduced as the pair had already spent time in prison.

     

     

  • Teenager charged with rape

    Police investigating a rape in Roe Green Park off Kingsbury Road, NW9 on Tuesday, 16 May, have charged a teenager.

    A 13-year-old boy from north London who was arrested on Wednesday, 17 May, was charged on Thursday, 18 May with one count of rape of a male under 13; one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 into sexual activity and one count of kidnap.

    He will appear in custody at Willesden Magistrate’s Court on Friday 19 May.

    Officers from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command are investigating.

    reporting: Metropolitan Police

  • Greens: Molly Scott Cato MEP condemns shocking homophobic attack in Bristol

    Greens: Molly Scott Cato condemns shocking homophobic attack in Bristol

    Molly Scott Cato, MEP for Bristol, has condemned the shocking homophobic attack on a 19-year-old man in the Park Street area of the city on Sunday.

    She said,

    “I condemn this disgusting and unprovoked attack in the strongest terms; this is not the city most of us recognise. It is horrifying that such violent and shocking homophobia has visited our city. Bristol prides itself on being open, tolerant and inclusive and we must do everything we can to ensure it is a safe city where everyone is able to be themselves. There is no place for intolerance.”

    “I hope the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice and urge anyone with any information to contact the Police. There is no excuse for members of our communities living in fear because of their sexuality or gender orientation.”

    Molly Scott Cato is the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Bristol West.

  • Anti-gay attack not considered hate crime in West Virginia

    The Supreme Court in West Virginia has ruled that homophobic assault or anti-gay attacks are not hate crimes.

    • Anti-gay or homophobic attacks will not be tried as hate crimes in West Virginia.

    • A vote by the West Virginia Supreme court found that hate crimes only applied to “race, colour, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation or sex”

    • This goes against Federal laws enacted by President Obama in 2009.

    The ruling was made when the court was hearing an appeal made for Steward Butler, a running back with the Marshall University football team, who allegedly committed an attack on a gay couple, Casey Williams and Zachery Johnso after he saw them kissing. The prosecutors allege that Butler hurled homophobic abuse at the couple before punching them to the ground. He faced two counts of battery and two counts of hate crime.

    However the state’s justices have ruled that Butler will not face hate crime charges because the state’s definition of hate crime applies only to: “race, colour, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation or sex”.

    The prosecutors were aiming to have Butler tried with two counts of a hate crime as well as two misdemeanour counts of battery, however the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled by a three-two votes that anti-gay attacks do not constitute a hate crime. They rejected the argument that homophobic crimes could be tried as sex-based hate crimes.

    The justices insisted on a strict interpretation of the law, writing: “The word ‘sex’ in West Virginia [law] is unambiguous and clearly imparts being male or female, and does not include ‘sexual orientation’.”

    This decision is in direct conflict with the federal laws which were enacted by Barack Obama in 2009 when he signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The law added protections for crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

    The trial will continue will now continue with Butler facing the misdemeanour charges.

    The attack took place in April 2015.

     

     

     

  • Homophobic attack leaves teenager in hospital

    Police in Bristol are investigating a homophobic crime which left a 19-year-old man in hospital.

    homophobic assault in Bristol
    CREDIT: GoogleMaps

    The victim was in Park Street, near to Tesco on College Green, when the 19-year-old was verbally abused by two men before one of them punched him in the face just before 4am on Sunday (7/5). The teenager was leaving the OMG nightclub in the heart of Bristol.

    The police are treating this attack as a hate crime because of the words used by the offenders before the attack was carried out.

    The victim was treated at Bristol Royal Infirmary for injuries to his face.

    Investigating officer PC Leanne Weeks said,

    “This was an extremely unpleasant and unprovoked assault on a man who was targeted because of his sexuality.

    “It’s hard to understand how and why someone would do this and we’d urge people to come forward and help us if they can.

    “The offender who carried out the assault is white, of slim build, around 20 to 23 years old, with light brown hair in a quiff style which was short at the sides. He was wearing a baby blue long-sleeved shirt and black skinny jeans.

    “The man who was with him, who used homophobic language, is white, aged 23 to 25 years old, around 6ft, of muscular build, with dark brown hair also in a quiff style and short at the sides, with a short-cut well-groomed beard. He was wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt and black jeans.

    “We’re reviewing CCTV from around the area and will be making further enquiries with venues in the area to try and identify these two men.

    “If you were out last Saturday night, or early hours of Sunday morning and recognise the description of these men, or if you saw this incident in the College Green area of Park Street just before 4am on Sunday, please come forward.”

    If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5217101079

  • Gay teen pushed by UNCLE off 9th floor apartment, to his death, in Chechnya

    A horrifying story has emerged from Chechnya where a gay teenager was apparently killed by his uncle.

    CREDIT: Pixabay

    • Numerous reports are being published about gay men are being treated by authorities in Chechnya

    • The story about 17-year-old’s alleged murder told by a religious leader.

    • Survivors reveal that police are allegedly telling families to kill their gay relatives.

    A 17-year-old male was allegedly pushed off the 9th floor of an apartment in Chechnya, by his uncle, to his death, after he was outed to his family. He was killed to “wash the shame” from his family because they have a gay relative. The story has emerged after a survivor from the gay detention camps in Chechnya told his story to the Russian magazine, Snob.

    Speaking to the magazine the survivor spoke about he tried to open up about his sexuality to his religious leader, who told him to leave and that he was “disgusting”. The leader said he hoped his “relatives have the dignity to wash away your shame”.

    The leader also told him about the killing of the 17-year-old. He said, that the uncle had been invited to commit the act in order to “wash the shame” away from the family.

    It has been reported that Chechen police have been telling the parents of gay children to kill them. Earlier in the week, another survivor told France 24 News, that police told families, “Either you do it, or we will’. They call it: ‘Cleaning your honour with blood.”

    The survivor added,

    “We’ve always been persecuted, but never like this. Now they arrest everyone. They kill people, they do whatever they want.”