crime

Sudan’s army battles RSF advances in el-Fasher, Bara as civil war rages | News

The escalation in fighting comes amid deepening concerns about the vast humanitarian toll of the conflict.Fighting has intensified across Sudan as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has launched attacks on the besieged city of el-Fasher in North Darfur and the North Kordofan city of Bara.The RSF attacked Bara, a city 350km (215 miles) southwest of Khartoum, the capital, from multiple directions on Saturday morning, drawing artillery fire from the Sudanese armed forces (SAF), a military source…

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Devon massage therapist jailed for sexually assaulting patients

Devon massage therapist jailed for sexually assaulting patients

BBCIan Nicholls, 64, has been jailed for four years for sexually assaulting womenA massage therapist has been jailed for four years for sexually assaulting three women who were his clients.Ian Nicholls, 64, took advantage of the naked or partially clothed women as he gave them massages at his rented workplace in Newton Abbot, Devon, between 2018 and 2021.A jury convicted Nicholls four counts of sexual assault at an earlier trial.Judge David Evans said the three women suffered "real…

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Theft at Moors Valley halts Halloween light trail opening

Theft at Moors Valley halts Halloween light trail opening

A country park has been forced to cancel a Halloween event on its opening evening after essential equipment was stolen.Moors Valley Country Park in Ashley Heath, Dorset, announced it was unable to open the Halloween illuminated trail on Thursday as planned.Forestry England said the trail had been affected by a "significant theft" and apologised to those affected. It said providers would contact people who had tickets for Thursday's trail via email.The park said its team were working to…

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Crime thriller lands Faber book deal for University author and academic

A novelist and scholar at the University of Exeter has secured the biggest publishing deal of her career. Dr Emily Bernhard Jackson has signed a three-book deal with Faber, which will include her forthcoming crime-thriller Missing and the next two, as-yet unwritten, entries in the series. The deal covers the UK, European Union and the Commonwealth countries, with a separate two-book deal agreed with Simon and Schuster for the United States of America. Dr Bernhard Jackson, Senior Lecturer…

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Perception of fraud as a “victimless” offence can weaken police investigations, study shows

The perception among some police officers that fraud is a victimless offence can weaken investigations and the support given to those affected, a new study shows. Officers are hampered by having to rely on limited resources and outdated, fragmented local structures which are poorly equipped to address cyber-enabled, cross-border criminal activity, researchers have found. Fraud is the most prevalent crime in the UK and a global concern, causing substantial financial and societal harm, yet it can be deprioritised…

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How prolific cowboy builder kept up cons despite criminal past

How prolific cowboy builder kept up cons despite criminal past

Martin JonesWest investigationsSubmittedMark Killick has been convicted of fraud four times since 2008Mark Killick is one of Britain's most prolific cowboy builders and has criminal convictions dating back to 1995.His latest crimes, which led to his fourth fraud conviction, involved 37 victims who police estimate lost more than £1.25m between them.The 56-year-old was able to leave prison, legally change his name twice and continue to work in the building trade in the West of England - where he…

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‘We do not agree’: Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum speaks against US air strikes | Donald Trump News

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has spoken out against the recent spate of air strikes the United States has conducted in the Caribbean Sea and, more recently, the Pacific Ocean.In her morning news conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum was asked about her position on the bombing campaign.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“Obviously, we do not agree,” Sheinbaum replied. “There are international laws on how to operate when dealing with the alleged illegal transport of drugs or guns on…

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Family’s grief over ‘wicked’ murder of grandmother in Exeter park

Family’s grief over ‘wicked’ murder of grandmother in Exeter park

PALorna England's family said they have a "permanent empty void" because they miss her so muchThe family of a woman who was murdered by a stranger in a park say they will "never come to terms with the death of such a wonderful lady".Lorna England, 74, was murdered as she walked home from a shopping errand through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter in February 2023.Her family spoke after Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, concluded…

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‘Prolific’ cowboy builder Mark Killick guilty of £1.25m fraud

‘Prolific’ cowboy builder Mark Killick guilty of £1.25m fraud

Avon and Somerset PoliceMark Killick has three previous convictions for fraud dating back to 2008A "prolific rogue trader" who lured customers in with his "charm and charisma" has been found guilty of 37 counts of fraud.Mark Killick, who also operated under the aliases Marc Cole and Mark Jenkins, failed to complete building work at properties across the West of England between December 2019 and November 2021.The 56-year-old, of Shoe Lane in Paulton, Somerset, was found guilty of the…

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Crackdown on rogue traders and doorstep criminals in Cornwall

Crackdown on rogue traders and doorstep criminals in Cornwall

Getty ImagesCornwall Council said residents had welcomed the scheme to deter cold callersA council has put up warning signs in two areas to help protect people from rogue traders and other doorstep criminals.Cornwall Council said so-called "No Cold Caller Zones" were being introduced in the Penwinnic Parc and Middlegates area of St Agnes.Residents have also been given stickers to put on their doors telling cold callers, individuals who make unsolicited sales pitches to houses, to "stay away", the…

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US, Colombia tensions surge as Presidents Trump, Petro trade threats | Donald Trump News

Donald Trump and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro have engaged in a new round of verbal sparring, with the United States president calling his South American counterpart a “thug” who is “making a lot of drugs”, and the Colombian leader threatening legal action against Trump in US courts.Weeks of escalating tension between Washington and Bogota hit a new level on Wednesday when Trump told reporters at the White House he was suspending all military aid to Colombia due to its…

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