Court this week in Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey
BELOW is a round-up of all court cases concerning matters which took place in, or defendants from, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd or Anglesey, covered by the Free Press, Pioneer, Journal or Chronicle last week (June 30 - July 5):
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ITV News
an hour ago
- ITV News
Review into death of teenager Harry Dunn, killed by US driver, launched by government
The foreign secretary has announced an independent review into the death of a teenager, who was killed by a former US state department employee in a road crash in August 2019. Harry Dunn was 19 when he died after his motorbike collided with a car travelling on the wrong side of the road outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. Anne Sacoolas, the American driver who killed Mr Dunn, had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf following the crash, before a senior Foreign Office official said the US government should 'feel able' to put her on the next flight home. Mr Dunn's parents campaigned for 3 years to get Anne Sacoolas convicted after she left the UK. Sacoolas eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving via video link at the Old Bailey in December 2022, and she later received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Since then, Mr Dunn's family have been calling for an independent review into his case, which was granted by Foreign Secretary David Lammy on 7 July. The review, led by Dame Anne Owers, will focus on government actions in the months following the tragedy in 2019, and look at support offered to other families in comparable situations. The review is not set to scrutinise the role or actions of the US government. Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, said she welcomes the news of the review and that she looks forward to working with Dame Anne Owers. Ms Charles added: "It is our sincere hope that her work will help ensure that no other family is ever treated in the way that ours was. "This review is yet another step in our long journey towards ensuring that Harry's loss was not in vain and that the world is a better and safer place." Having promised to undertake a review while sitting as an opposition MP, David Lammy has met twice with Mr Dunn's family members since becoming Foreign Secretary and committed the government to learning lessons from the tragedy. The foreign secretary said: "I have the deepest respect for the resolve Harry's family have shown since his tragic death and in launching this independent review, we are honouring the commitments we have made to them."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Killer screams 'he's dead, he's dead' in street after beating dad, 73, to death
John Sarawanskyj, 52, told paramedics at the harrowing scene in Southport last December that he was 'not bothered' his dad was dead after jumping 'all over' his head A man was heard screaming "he's dead, he's dead" in the streets after viciously killing his 73-year-old dad in a chilling video released by police. John Sarawanskyj, 52, inflicted multiple injuries on his father Ivan during a "deliberate and sustained attack" at their Southport home on Braemar Avenue in Merseyside last December. Following the assault, the son brazenly admitted to a neighbour that he had "jumped all over his dad's head". An "intoxicated" Sarawanskyj also coldly remarked to paramedics who arrived at the scene: "I'm not bothered he's dead. He wasn't a nice man." The violent outburst was reportedly fuelled by ongoing disputes over money and the death of John Sarawanskyj's American bulldog, Zeus. The loss deeply affected him three months prior and he harboured a "desire for revenge", believing his dad had conspired with veterinarians to poison his pet. Initially, Sarawanskyj claimed he was absent when his Ivan died, hinting at the possibility of a third party's involvement or suggesting his father might have sustained his "extensive injuries" from a fall. However, during a two-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court, he changed his story and asserted that he acted in self-defence during a physical altercation. The jury unanimously found him guilty of murder, reports the Liverpool Echo. Sarawanskyj showed no emotion as he received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years last week. Merseyside Police have since released several CCTV clips that were shown to the jurors throughout the trial. This includes footage of his six visits he made to a local off-licence near their bungalow, VK Saba Wines on Churchill Avenue, on the day of the murder while using his dad's bank card to make purchases. On the first visit, at around 7.45am, he can be heard telling the shopkeeper: "I've been up all night me." Sarawanskyj later returned to the same shop and withdrew £200 from a cash machine, again using his dad's bank card. In a fifth visit, he bought himself a bottle of honey Jack Daniels while joking with the cashier: "That's my Christmas present off my dad. He doesn't know yet. "He will do when I get home. He's gonna kill me. Look what I've just got for my Christmas present." Just before midnight, a CCTV camera from his mate Gary Buckley's house on Eden Avenue then captured the killer approaching the address and shouting: "He's dead. He's dead. He's dead." The two men are then seen walking back towards Braemar Avenue a short time later, with Mr Buckley putting an arm around Sarawanskyj's shoulder after the latter says: "He's dead. I'm worried about my dog. What are you worried about him for?" Nick Johnson KC said during the prosecution's opening: "On Sunday the 22nd of December last year, this defendant kicked and beat his 73-year-old father to death in his own home by delivering multiple blows to his head, his chest and his abdomen. "He caused 46 external injuries to his head and neck alone, including bone fractures and lacerations. He caused multiple fractures to multiple ribs and his sternum. Mr Sarawanskyj had been living at the property for "a couple of years or more" before being "joined by his son in more recent months", along with Zeus and another dog, an XL bully named Skye. However, their relationship was reportedly fraught with difficulty, both men battling "history of alcoholism" and neighbours frequently overhearing "hearing arguments and swearing on a regular basis". Donna Larkey, who lived across from the troubled duo, reported "loud shouting" coming from the house during the early hours of December 22 as John Sarawanskyj seemed to be angrily demanding money. Russell Moss, acquainted with both individuals for about three years, remembered the defendant accusing him, another man Gary Buckley, Ivan Sarawanskyj "and, somehow, the local vets" of colluding to poison his 11 year old dog Zeus. Upon visiting the Sarawanskyj residence around midday on December 22, Mr Moss discovered the father "on the floor with a black eye and blood coming from his ear". At that time, John described Ivan as having "fallen over again, the soft c***". When Mr Moss urged the son to assist his dad off the ground, he reportedly handed him a cigarette but left him lying there after remarking: "He'll be alright, he'll get up himself. Take no f***ing notice. He's alright. He's staying there." Later that day, Mr Moss returned to the property, finding John "agitated" and "flipping out", yet holding £90 in cash and some scratch cards, expressing his desire for "wanted £100 to buy some drugs". Upon asking about Ivan, Sarawanskyj allegedly responded: "No, he's f***ing down there." Later that evening, after 11.30pm, Sarawanskyj confided in Mr Buckley from nearby Eden Avenue, saying: "He's dead. I don't know what to do." Mr Buckley accompanied Sarawanskyj back to Braemar Avenue, where they discovered Ivan "clearly dead" on the floor beside the bed. At the scene, Ivan was found with "multiple injuries" in a blood-spattered bedroom. His son later told police he had been away since 8am, suggesting: "I've been to town today, check the CCTV footage. He's a drinker right, I go out. I'm not gonna kill me old fella, am I?". Police also found a blood-stained sponge and cloth near the kitchen sink. Sarawanskyj told investigators during the first of three interviews that he "hadn't got a clue what had happened, he just discovered him when he got home" and "claimed he had spent the day walking around Southport with his dog". He explained how he had "had arguments with his dad in the past, but nothing major" and that his dad "would get angry now and again when in drink" but that he would "just get out of the way". Judge Brian Cummings KC stated: "The victim was, at the time of his death, a frail old man. He was 73 years old, 5ft5in tall and weighed eight-and-a-half stone. You, in addition to being 21 years younger, were significantly bigger and more robust, 6ft tall and 13st in weight. You have accepted no criminal responsibility for his death and have shown no remorse."
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Comedian Reginald D Hunter appears in court over social media posts
Reginald D Hunter has made an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court after being privately prosecuted. The American comedian, 56, has been accused of three counts of sending offensive communications on social media, on August 24, September 10 and September 11, last year on X, formerly known as Twitter. It's claimed that his posts were "anti-Semitic". Reginald had originally been scheduled to appear in court on May 30 of this year, but Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram had issued a warrant for him to attend today. During today's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his personal details. No indication of a plea was given, and Reginald was bailed and told to return for a hearing at the same court on November 14. Deputy district judge Louise Balmain told the comic: "There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed, and that will take place on November 14." He was told to attend the hearing as he will find out whether the case is going ahead and whether he will have to enter a plea. Reginald, whose address was given as care of his solicitors, was released on unconditional bail. It comes just a week after he said that Campaign Against Antisemitism had been "dragging me to court for jokes online." He also said he is "fighting a private prosecution for my comedy" and launched a crowdfunding page to cover his fees. A total of £19,836 towards a £50,000 target had been pledged by the time he made his first appearance in court on Monday. The crowdfunding, aimed at raising money towards specialist counsel and any appeals procedures and court fees, states: "Born in Georgia in 1969, Reginald has been a force in UK comedy since 1992. "Known for his biting social commentary, he has appeared on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats and was Perrier-nominated at Edinburgh Festival. Reginald challenges audiences on racism, politics, and religion. He is staunchly anti-War and has publicly criticised Israel in the past." The court had heard at the earlier hearing from prosecutor Donal Lawler that Hunter was a "well-known comedian" who was being privately prosecuted by Campaign Against Antisemitism. It's claimed that Mr Hunter had sent a computer-generated sexual image to Heidi Bachram last August, with the charges reading it was "grossly offensive." But on September 10, he is accused of tweeting Ms Bachram, saying: "THIS is why I HATE these people and am committed to their destruction not because JEW hatred Not even because they are European Nazis pretending to be JEWS Because of all the lying. Mama HATED liars and bequeathed that hatred to ALL of her children." Just one day later, he is said to have sent another message, reading: "Hey sugar. I don't hate you for being an agent of evil. Not new Not even uncommon. "You being a liar a persistent liar KNOWING the truth, is why I will see you and your kind ended, even if it costs me EVERYTHING. You are not even a JEW. Run tell that." On May 30, Campaign Against Antisemitism posted on X: "A warrant has been issued for Reginald D. Hunter to attend court in relation to a private prosecution brought by CAA. Mr Hunter is charged with three offences under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, relating to posts on X that he allegedly published in September 2024. "The first hearing took place today at Westminster Magistrates' Court, but Mr Hunter failed to appear. A warrant has now been issued for him to attend court on a future date. This is one of a number of private prosecutions that CAA is bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course." In August last year, Hunter was cleared of not committing any crimes, after an investigation by Police Scotland following claims of a "hate crime", towards an Israeli couple, who claimed they had been "harassed" and "booed" at his show on the Edinburgh Fringe. The performance was cancelled by the theatre after the couple were heckled out of the performance following a joke. At the time, Reginald said on social media that he regretted an "unfortunate incident." He added: "There was an unfortunate incident in my new show 'Fluffy Fluffy Beavers. As a comedian I do push boundaries in creating humour, it is part of my job. This inevitably creates divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bullying. I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members."
