Brit man, 68, dies at beach on popular holiday island
A 68-year-old Brit has died on a beach in Greece after going swimming and losing consciousness. Officers from the Central Port Authority rushed to Lindos beach in Rhodes and took the man to the nearby Archangelos health centre, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy is due to take place to determine his cause of death, reports Greek news outlet dimokratiki. It comes just weeks after a British tourist died in a suspected drowning after getting into difficulty whilst swimming in the sea. The holidaymaker went for a late-evening swim at the popular holiday resort of Fuengirola in Spain, as concerned eyewitnesses noticed he began struggling.
Police said onlookers then pulled him out of the water after calling emergency services. There was nothing the emergency responders could do to save him when they reached the beach and he was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesman for a regional emergency response coordination centre confirmed: 'A man died yesterday evening at a beach in Fuengirola.
"Emergency responders received the first of several calls around 9.10pm, saying a man was drowning in the sea off Fuengirola's seafront.
"According to the callers he was about 60 metres out and was having difficulties getting out of the water. National and local police were mobilised along with coastguards and paramedics."
'Two members of the public were able to get the man out of the water but despite the efforts of the emergency responders to save his life, there was nothing they could do to revive him. He was pronounced dead on the beach before he could be taken to hospital.'
In April, an Irish holidaymaker drowned on a nearby Costa del Sol beach during Spain's historic blackout.
Darren Pilson, 53, from Howth, Co Dublin, was pulled out of the water after getting into difficulties off a beach in the resort of La Carihuela near Torremolinos.
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North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Benn defends collaboration with Irish Government over legacy issues
Mr Benn was responding after Gavin Robinson branded the UK Government minister as 'foolish and hapless' in relation to his handling of efforts to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. Mr Robinson claimed Mr Benn's actions amounted to a 'disgraceful' attempt to 'satisfy the Irish Government'. The Northern Ireland Secretary was asked about the remarks as he attended a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down on Friday. 'I make no apology at all for trying to work with the Irish Government, because the lesson, indeed exemplified by the Good Friday Agreement, is we make most progress when we work together,' he said. 'And that is what I'm determined to do in the interests of truth and reconciliation and, finally, giving answers to families who have suffered so much.' Mr Robinson's hard-hitting statement on Friday morning came amid mounting expectation that the two governments will soon set out an agreed framework for addressing legacy issues related to the Northern Ireland conflict. Also responding to the DUP leader's criticism, Irish premier Micheal Martin and deputy premier Simon Harris both moved to defend Mr Benn as they praised his efforts to work with their Government to try to resolve outstanding issues around unsolved murder cases and families who continue to seek truth and justice for lost loved ones. They also rejected Mr Robinson's assertion that the Dublin government has adopted a 'scandalous approach to legacy' in failing to rigorously investigate and provide answers on atrocities with a cross-border dimension. The DUP leader made his statement after Mr Benn announced the appointment of a chair to lead a public inquiry into the 1989 loyalist murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. Mr Robinson believes the Finucane case is indicative of a government approach that sees the 'distasteful elevation' of some high-profile cases while countless other victims still await answers with no prospect of public inquiries. The DUP leader claimed 'Hapless Hilary' was pursing this stance while continuing to keep private any details on what he was negotiating with the Irish Government. 'The Irish Government have knowledge of and influence upon UK legacy plans, yet Northern Ireland victims, veterans and Parliamentarians are kept in the dark by the Secretary of State without so much as a blush on his face,' he said. 'Not for the first time, he advances a one-sided, partisan approach to the politics of Northern Ireland.' Since taking office last year, the Labour Government has pledged to repeal and replace some of the provisions of the contentious Legacy Act that was introduced by the last Conservative government, and bring forward a revised framework for dealing with cases linked to the Troubles. The Irish Government has been involved in the process, and political leaders in Dublin have said intensive engagement is ongoing to see if a 'landing zone' can be arrived at. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths and also offered conditional immunity to perpetrators of conflict-related crimes in exchange for their co-operation with a new investigatory and truth recovery body. The Act was opposed by all the main political parties in Northern Ireland, the Irish government and many victims' representative groups. In 2023, the Irish government initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the Legacy Act breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how Labour resolves its concerns over the legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Mr Benn told reporters in Newcastle that it was incumbent on all political leaders to finally secure agreement on legacy. 'Legacy is the unfinished business of the Good Friday Agreement,' he said. 'It was the issue which the Good Friday Agreement, which achieved so much, was unable to take forward. 'And I would simply say we, all of us, as politicians, as leaders, have a responsibility to try and find a way forward so that we can bring truth and justice for everyone, in particular for the families who, after decades, are still waiting for answers as to what happened to their loved ones when they were murdered.' At the press conference after the BIC, Mr Martin made a point of backing Mr Benn's stance. 'I firstly want to pay tribute to the Secretary of State for his honesty, his determination in the way he has pursued this issue of legacy, and indeed many other issues since he became Secretary of State,' he said. 'And we have welcomed his very open and determined approach. I would never question his bona fides in doing the very best for the people of Northern Ireland, and in terms of ensuring a very strong relationship between British and Irish Governments.' Mr Harris, who also attended the BIC summit, said the Governments were 'close to a way forward on legacy'. The Tanaiste added: 'And what I would say to Gavin, respectfully, and I said this to him when I met him, the country that I represent will play our part as well in relation to legacy, and we've shown that already on a number of occasions, and we will absolutely in any legacy framework want to make sure that all victims, all families, regardless of where on the island of Ireland an atrocity occurs, can get answers, can get truth, and can, of course, get justice where possible.' DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly echoed the sentiments expressed by her party leader as she answered questions on the controversy following the BIC. 'I think there's a lot to be critical about in terms of the approach to legacy by the Secretary of State,' she said. Ms Little-Pengelly said many of the issues Mr Benn was considering related to matters that were devolved to Stormont. She added: 'For our part, we are absolutely clear that all victims should get access to justice. All victims should feel very clearly in our system that their loved ones mattered equally. 'Unfortunately, we've had a number of announcements on part of legacy, but not on the rest, and that leaves many victims and survivors concerned about what's happening in relation to that.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Terrorist who attacked officers outside police station jailed for life
Alexander Dighton, 28, knocked one officer unconscious and stabbed another in the leg when he launched an attack on Talbot Green Police Station in Rhondda Cynon Taf on January 31. In a police interview after the attack, Dighton, of Pontyclun, said he did not consider the scope of damage, 'merely that blood had to be spilt'. The court heard Dighton held racist and anti-Muslim views, with the judge saying the offences had a 'terrorist connection'. Dighton also told officers he had kept a sharpened shovel to attack the police if they came to his home. Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Record of London, sentenced Dighton to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 22 years at the Old Bailey on Friday. Dighton, who represented himself in court, showed no emotion as he was sentenced. It was revealed during the hearing that Dighton had been referred to the anti-terrorism Prevent programme in January 2024 by his sister, who said her brother holds racist and anti-Muslim views, and is likely to be involved with incel groups. Despite the referral, Dighton's Prevent case was closed after three weeks when it was decided he did not meet the criteria to be included on the scheme. The judge said: 'It is clear that you continue to hold entrenched views. 'Other than the early guilty pleas, there is little else to be said to your credit.' Screengrab from handout body-worn footage of Alexander Dighton outside Talbot Green Police Station in Rhondda Cynon Taf (Counter Terrorism Policing Wales/PA) He said since Dighton's arrest, there had been a 'close investigation' into his activities. 'Of particular significance is a report to Prevent on the basis of the racist and anti-Muslim views you hold and the likelihood of being involved with incel groups,' he said. 'I note too various online activity that which shows an increasing fixation on issues such as diversity, paedophilia, immigration, anti-Islamic sentiments and dissatisfaction with the British Government.' The incel movement – short for involuntary celibate – involves people who find themselves unsuccessful in relationships, often harbouring extreme and misogynistic views. The judge said the officers, who were all experienced and deserved commendation, were 'deeply shocked by the nature and ferocity' of the attack. 'Some thought they were going to die as a result of what you had with you and what you were doing. 'Many speak of the anxiety, worry and sleepless nights for them and their families that have followed.' Dighton arrived at the police station shortly before 7pm, where he lit a petrol bomb and threw it at a police van. When that failed to ignite, he attempted to start a fire by pouring lighter fluid over the van before smashing the windows of two vehicles using a pole. When confronted by officers, Dighton said 'I'm fed up, I'm done', before launching his attack. Attempts to restrain him using a Taser were unsuccessful because he was wearing body armour. Screengrab from handout CCTV footage of Alexander Dighton from Llantrisant attacking a police van (Counter Terrorism Policing Wales/PA) He swung a pole at one officer, punched one in the head and stabbed another in the thigh, narrowly missing his femoral artery. Two of the three injured officers were taken to hospital for treatment. The court also heard Dighton had recently been involved in an altercation with his neighbour, during which he used a homophobic slur. A week before the incident, he had received a letter from the police telling him to attend a station to provide biometric samples in relation to the alleged public order offence. In a police interview after the attack on the police station, Dighton said that he expected officers to go to his home to attempt to arrest him for not providing a sample. Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn said: 'He intended to attack the police officers who attended with a shovel, which he had sharpened for that purpose, and that his intention at that time was to kill any police officers who attended. 'No officers in fact attended the defendant's address.' During the interview, he also said his intention was to let it be known that 'his tolerance for the Government had come to an end' by causing as much damage as possible. Mr Hearn said: '(Dighton) said that he had 'teetered' as to whether he wanted to kill someone and had not been 'fully decided'.' The court heard that the defendant is neurodiverse and was diagnosed with a mood disorder, which may make him susceptible to the influence of others. He spent a great deal of time online and in had a particular fascination with the video game Warhammer 40K, making reference in his diary to a character from the long-running series, called Vulkan. He said: 'So with contempt as my armour, faith my shield and hatred my sword, let me be the emperor's wrath. For Vulkan, for the Emperor.' Dighton, representing himself in court, spoke about violence being 'justified' against the state. He referred to grooming gangs and 'Boris Johnson having parties while the country is locked down' during the Covid-19 pandemic. The defendant added: 'People have such a short memory, it is terrible. 'I will be dead before I leave prison anyway, so that doesn't bother me.' Dighton previously admitted 10 charges relating to the incident, including attempting to murder Detective Constable Jack Cotton and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Sergeant Richard Coleman. He also admitted assaulting Pc Joshua Emlyn and threatening Pc Stephanie Fleming with an adapted wooden pole. Dighton will be subject to terrorist notification requirements for 30 years. Speaking after the case, Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service said Dighton wanted to attack the Government and the state. 'We were able to show that Dighton's attack was not only pre-meditated and meticulously planned, but that his motivations were connected to terrorism,' he said. 'While it is not a criminal offence to hold extreme or offensive views, it is one to carry out attempted murder and attack police officers because of them.' Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones, of South Wales Police, paid tribute to the 'bravery and professionalism' of the officers at the scene. 'Each officer is not just a public servant but also a husband, wife, or parent, and their families are undoubtedly deeply affected by incidents such as these that officers face daily,' he said. 'I want to also recognise the detectives' unwavering commitment throughout the investigation which is also commendable.'
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Jeremy Corbyn says police ‘picked on him' as case dropped
POLICE were 'picking on' Jeremy Corbyn to 'silence the democratic rights of everybody in our society', he has alleged. The former Labour leader and John McDonnell were called for interview after a pro-Palestine protest in London earlier this year. McDonnell revealed in the Commons that police had dropped their investigation into the pair, but said the Metropolitan Police had originally tried to charge them because MPs were held to have 'a greater culpability'. Raising a point of order, McDonnell told the Commons: 'You may be aware that (Mr Corbyn) and I were called for interview by the Metropolitan Police following our participation in a demonstration in January calling for peace and justice for the Palestinian people and an end to the genocide in Gaza. READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch questions Reform UK and Labour 'belief in the Union' 'It was alleged that we failed to follow police restrictions on the protest. This is untrue, and at all times we followed police instructions. 'We can now report that the police have dropped the case against us and there will be no charges.' McDonnell alleged that 'the Metropolitan Police informed us that our case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) because as MPs we were to be held to have, and I quote, 'a greater culpability'.' The independent MP for Hayes and Harlington, who was once Corbyn's shadow chancellor, added: 'This is an unacceptable practice which flies in the face of the principle that we are all equal before the law.' Corbyn, now the independent MP for Islington North, said: 'I don't intend to let it rest just there.' He told MPs: 'If there are elements in the police and possibly in the Crown Prosecution Service who want Members of Parliament to be held to a different standard of account than the general public, that removes us from the normality of law in this country. 'And I think that would be a very, very bad step indeed.' He later added: 'We have to all – all of us – have the right to take part in public protest about human rights abuse, about war, about peace, about anything else. That is what democracy is about. 'And I saw this whole effort as being a means to try and silence the democratic rights of everybody in our society by picking on us two as Members of Parliament, and I'm grateful for the decision that's been made today.' Father of the House Edward Leigh said he had 'not often taken part in demos in central London' but spoke to 'show that opinion in this House of Commons is absolutely united'. 'We've always proclaimed what is very much the British way that Members of Parliament are no different from any other member of the public,' the Conservative MP for Gainsborough said. 'If they do wrong, they will be held to account, but they not be subject to some greater test of culpability just because they're Members of Parliament.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
