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.
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Homophobic Crimes Up Nearly 20 Per Cent In London
Statistics from the Metropolitan Police show that homophobic crime has soared nearly 20 per cent in one year.
CREDIT: ©-ronfromyork-Depositphotos Homophobic or anti-LGBT crimes in London have risen nearly 20 per cent from March 2015 to March 2016 a report out from the Metropolitan Police shows today.
In total 1861 crimes were reported in London 2015 to 2016 compared with 1559 the year before.
The rise accounts for a 19.4 per cent increase.
Whilst some boroughs have managed to decrease the number of homophobic crimes by up to 20 per cent like Merton, some boroughs like Haringey have seen a 259 per cent rise in anti-LGBT crime.
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The Met believes these increases are down to a range of factors, including improvements in crime recording, willingness of victims to report hate crime, world events, improved awareness of Met staff to identify these offences and support provided by more than 900 specialist hate crime investigators and our work with partners to support victims.
Assistant Commissioner Helen King, Territorial Policing said,
“London is a major, much visited, vibrant and growing capital city with diverse policing needs and is one of the safest global cities in the world. It is for this reason that people from other countries invest millions of pounds in London. There are not many capital cities in the world with such low rates of serious crime, such as murder and gun crime.
“The Met is continuing to work with partners, businesses and the public to reduce the number of offences taking place. Our officers have spent the last year conducting both pro active operations and preventative work in order to reduce crime, better support victims and build more engagement with communities.
“We will continue to keep up our intensified focus on areas such as violence where we have seen a rise in recorded offences. We must not lose sight of the reductions we have achieved over the last five years.”
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Where In The World Is Homosexuality Punished By The Death Penalty
There are many countries and states where homosexual acts could land you the death penalty. Of these countries, all are located in Central Africa or in the Middle East.
CREDIT: TheGayUK There are the countries places on earth that have specific laws which call for the death penalty of those who are found to have engaged in homosexual acts.
Afghanistan
Men could face execution but are more likely to receive long prison sentences. No executions are known to have been handed out since the end of the Taliban rule.
Brunei*
Gay men in Brunei could be stoned or given 10 years in prison if found guilty of homosexual acts.
Iran
In Iran gay men can be lashed up to 74 times for “immature men” and the death penalty for mature men of sound mind – and where the acts were consenting. Women can be lashed 50 times and can face the death penalty after their fourth conviction.
Mauritania
Homosexuality is against the law in Mauritania and could attract the death penalty however there have been no public executions since 1987.
Qatar
In Qatar, gay men may face execution if they are Muslim otherwise men can face fines and a prison sentence which lasts 7 years.
Saudi Arabia
A second conviction of homosexuality in Saudi Arabia will land a death penalty. For first offence, men can face fines, castration, flogging, prison and torture.
Sudan
Homosexuality has been illegal in Sudan since 1899. Death penalty occurs on the third offence for men and four offence for women.
Yemen
Married men can expect to be stoned to death if caught having same-sex relations. Unmarried men will receive 100 lashes or one-year imprisonment.
Libya
Gay men could face death in Libya.
Nigeria
Homosexuality is illegal in some states of Nigeria and could attract the death penalty. These states include: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara
Somalia
Homosexuality is illegal in Somalia and could attract a death penalty.
Syria
The actual penalty that gay men should face for homosexual acts is a prison for up to 3 years, however, due to the rise in ISIS a highly advertised death awaits those found guilty of engaging in same-sex sexual acts.
Iraq
Despite homosexuality not being illegal in Iraq, there have been reported executions of gay men in ISIS controlled areas.
* Brunei is a Sovereign state and not a country.
There are some countries where although capital punishment might not be constitutionally ratified there are cases where gay people have been killed because of their sexuality.
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Murder Suspect Of Gay Cop Has Virtual Court Appearance
A man has appeared in custody via virtual court at Bromley Magistrates’ Court in connection to the murder of Gordon Semple.
CREDIT: Facebook A 49-year-old charged with the murder of an openly gay police officer in London has appeared in custody via virtual court at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.
No indication of plea was given.
Stefano Brizzi was remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on the 13th April. Mr. Brizzi was wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, as he confirmed his name, age and address via video link from Lewisham Police Station.
Detectives working on the case are now satisfied that the remains found at an address in London are those of Gordon Semple, 59, who went missing on the 1st April.
Earlier today Mr. Semple’s brother paid a painful tribute to Mr. Semple and spoke about their heartbreaking loss.
He said,
On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.
I would also like to thank Oliver Westbury for setting up “Gordon Semple, 59 missing” Facebook appeal page and also other cousins and nephews who tried to find Gordon.
Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness & London, Friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.
Gordon was a much loved Partner, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Cousin and our world will be a worse place without him.
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A post-mortem exam was carried out on the 8th April but the cause of death has yet to be established. A further post-mortem is to be carried out on the 13th April.
Detectives are treating his death as a murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation into Gordon’s murder, said:
“I am keen to trace a man who went to Brizzi’s flat in Southwark Street on Friday, 1 April at about 15:00. He was there for only one minute, and did not go inside, but it is incredibly important that we speak to him.
“If you are that man please come forward and call us on 020 8721 4961. I will treat what you tell me with sensitivity and confidentiality – please get in touch with us I need to talk to you.”
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Family and Partner Of Slain Gay Cop Mourn His Death
The family and partner of Gordon Semple have released a heartbreaking message on Facebook mourning the tragic loss.
CREDIT: Metropolitan Police The family and partner of Gordon Semple whose body was discovered in London after an extensive public appeal by the Metropolitan Police have released a heartbreaking message paying tribute to the openly gay PC saying that he would be sadly missed by his family, partner and co-workers in the Met.
A man has been charged with Mr. Semple’s murder.
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Mr Semple’s brother wrote,
On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.
I would also like to thank Oliver Westbury for setting up “Gordon Semple, 59 missing” Facebook appeal page and also other cousins and nephews who tried to find Gordon.
Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness & London, Friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.
Gordon was a much loved Partner, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Cousin and our world will be a worse place without him.
It would be appreciated if the family is given time to grieve privately.
Police are not speculating on the cause of death and added,
A post-mortem will be held in due course, and until that has taken place we will not speculate on the cause of death.
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Police Confirmed The Death Of Gay London Police Officer
Police have confirmed that human remains found in London are that of officer Gordon Semple, who was openly gay.
CREDIT: Metropolitan Police Police in London have issued a statement that human remains found are those of an openly gay PC, Gordon Semple, 59. who was reported missing on the 1st April 2016.
Commander Alison Newcomb released a statement saying that the Metropolitan police were not able to speculate on the cause of Mr. Semple’s death, but a man has been arrested after human remains were found at Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, SE1.
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Police were called the scene when a member of the public got in contact with the police after confirms of a foul odour coming from the scene.
“At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened.
“… a forensic search started at the address and is ongoing. It will take some time for us to complete that work. It is a vital search for evidence. I would like to thank the local residents for their patience and support.
“My thoughts are with Gordon’s family and friends at this time of personal tragedy. I would ask that they are given the space and privacy they need to come to terms with this development.
“This is a very sad day for Gordon’s colleagues. There are many officers who have served London alongside Gordon during his 30 year career who will acutely feel his loss.”
Police are not speculating on the cause of death and added,
A post-mortem will be held in due course, and until that has taken place we will not speculate on the cause of death.
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Police Call For Witnesses After Homophobic Attack In Bedford
Police in Bedford are calling for witness after a woman was assaulted by a group of men in an anti-gay assault.
CREDIT: ©-ronfromyork-Depositphotos According to police in Bedford a woman was assaulted and injured in an apparent anti-gay attack by a group of men aged between 16-20 year-old.
ALSO READ: British Gay Man Stabbed To Death By A Spear After Arranging A Hook Up In The Algarve
ALSO READ: Police seek witnesses after two doormen stabbed at London gay club
She was reportedly attacked in Mareth Road in Beford after leaving a convenience store on Cardington Road at around 9pm on the 1st April.
CREDIT: Google Street Maps 2016The alleged offenders made homophobic remarks to the victim and punched and kicked her, causing minor injuries to her face and body.
Three of the offenders were around 5ft 4in while one was slightly taller and all of them were wearing jeans and jackets.
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Sergeant James Hart, hate crime tactical lead for the force, said,
“This was a despicable attack against a woman who describes herself as openly lesbian, believes that she was targeted because of her sexuality.
“The victim has been left extremely upset by this senseless assault, and we are committed to finding the people responsible so that they cannot continue to commit such hateful acts.
“Hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated and I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward.”
Call 101 with information quoting crime reference JH/13449/16, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.
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Gay British Man Stabbed To Death In Algarve
A man in his 50s has been stabbed to death by a spear in an attack in the Algarve.
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Police Appeal For Witnesses After Two Stabbed At London Gay Club
Metropolitan Police officers are calling for witnesses after two door staff at one of London’s biggest gay clubs were stabbed.
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Victim Of “Homophobic” Acid Attack Scared Of Leaving Home
A man in Whitstable has spoken about the moment he says he was sprayed with a noxious liquid in what is being described as a homophobic attack.
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Trans Woman Jailed For Life For The Murder Of Her Father
A woman has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering her severely ill father.
