logo
Woman did not say 'no', former inspector tells jury

Woman did not say 'no', former inspector tells jury

Yahoo27-02-2025

A former police inspector who is charged with sexual assault by penetration told a court the alleged victim did not say "no".
Mike Sinden, 36, of Hove, East Sussex, and the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been drinking heavily in Eastbourne as part of a group in March 2022 before the alleged incident, Hove Crown Court was told.
The father of two has denied pinning the woman against a wall in an alleyway and sexually assaulting her.
The woman said she told the inspector "no" as he sexually assaulted her.
Mr Sinden told the jury they had been flirting and kissing earlier in the evening after drinking shots and going to a cocktail bar.
Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, told him the kissing did not happen, but Mr Sinden insisted it did.
In regards to the claim Mr Sinden pinned the woman to a wall in an alley, Ms Beckett told him: "She was moving away from you, turning her face, and she said 'no' to you."
Mr Sinden said it was one kiss and that she did not say "no".
Ms Beckett told the court: "You held her against the wall and she tried to move your hand away and all this time she was saying 'no' to you."
Mr Sinden denied this and again said the woman did not say "no".
He also denied telling her: "You're saying 'no' but I think you're actually saying 'yes'."
The woman tried to push his hand away as he moved it under her dress, Ms Beckett said.
She told the jury: "She then managed to push him away and said 'I said no'."
In court, Mr Sinden also denied moving to take off his trousers after the woman pushed him away.
The court heard that the following day, the woman sent Mr Sinden a message saying: "I don't feel great about any of it and I'm trying to forget but I definitely said no to you."
Mr Sinden deleted his replies as he did not want his partner to see them and did not want to be "drawn into a conversation", the jury heard.
Mr Sinden, who worked as an inspector in custody suites across Sussex, denies sexual assault by penetration.
The trial continues.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Police officer attacked woman in alley, court told
HM Courts & Tribunals Service

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘I'm not feeling seen': Racist graduation remarks highlight earlier concerns brought to officials
‘I'm not feeling seen': Racist graduation remarks highlight earlier concerns brought to officials

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

‘I'm not feeling seen': Racist graduation remarks highlight earlier concerns brought to officials

Parents and students in Lynnfield have raised concerns about how the town's schools address race — from the limited portrayal of Black history to reports of racism among students. Now, officials are being forced to confront those concerns after 'inappropriate' remarks were made during a high school graduation livestream. Lynnfield town employees could be heard using 'inappropriate and racist words' during a graduation livestream Friday. The video has since been remove but was seen and heard by people waiting to watch the Lynnfield High School graduation on Friday. The people in the video have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, town officials said. 'It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken,' a statement by the town read on Facebook. The video was of people setting up chairs on the football field prior to the ceremony. At least two racist words can be heard clearly, Itemlive reported. 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' the town's statement continued. Select Board member Alexis Leahy spoke out against the comments and thanked the town administration for acting quickly. 'Discrimination not only undermines the values of equity and justice that a community is built upon, but it also divides us at a time when unity and understanding are more important than ever,' she wrote. Jamie Hayman of the school committee also spoke out stating that hundreds of students have now heard these words. 'And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next. If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity, to lead, to grow, and to teach,' he said. But it isn't the first time this issue has been brought up to the school board committee this year. On June 3, the school committee hearing prior to graduation, a parent, Carl Allien, told the committee that his son was dealing with 'some incidents' as an African-American. The school's principal had called Allien about 'some of the harsh things that my son has been enduring.' Although he did not provide any specifics, he said it wasn't about any specific person and asked for a meeting with the superintendent about these issues. '... it's been challenging for a young African-American kid in the schools,' he said. 'I'm struggling right now.' Two school board members encouraged Allien to leave his contact information with the district secretary for further conversation. In February, Joseph Dixon and his mother, Wendy, went in front of the committee to urge them to have better education and celebration of Black history. 'I'm not feeling seen,' Wendy Dixon said her son told her. Joseph Dixon said during his years at Lynnfield public schools, he has not seen Black history talked about beyond slavery and Martin Luther King Jr. 'We should learn about the many things that black people have contributed to our society and not just the struggle and hurt that they've been through,' he told the committee. He also encouraged education on other cultures too. 'I agree with you that we can do better,' Superintendent Tom Geary said. 'Thank you for being willing to speak. It's something we will talk about administratively on how to move forward with that.' Another school board committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Public comment is available. Ex-con arraigned on home invasion and armed robbery charges Rally to be held in Boston in response to ICE raids in LA 'Devastated' music legend cancels more shows due to health issues Hearing for Newton judge accused of helping man evade ICE begins Monday How a Springfield agency's mission evolved since its founding after the Civil War Read the original article on MassLive.

Billie Eilish's Brother, Finneas, Revealed He Was 'Tear Gassed Almost Immediately' While Attending A Peaceful Anti-ICE Protest, Plus More Celebs Who Are Denouncing The Raids
Billie Eilish's Brother, Finneas, Revealed He Was 'Tear Gassed Almost Immediately' While Attending A Peaceful Anti-ICE Protest, Plus More Celebs Who Are Denouncing The Raids

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Billie Eilish's Brother, Finneas, Revealed He Was 'Tear Gassed Almost Immediately' While Attending A Peaceful Anti-ICE Protest, Plus More Celebs Who Are Denouncing The Raids

Finneas O'Connell has revealed that he was tear-gassed while attending a recent protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department's raids. The protests, which took place over the weekend, saw people campaigning against ICE's raids of numerous workplaces in LA while searching for alleged immigration violations. On Friday, over 40 people were arrested in a raid, with LA Mayor Karen Bass telling reporters, 'ICE initiated enforcement actions on several workplaces. That created a sense of chaos, outrage, fear, and terror because people are very worried as to what happened to their families.' President Donald Trump then deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to LA to put an end to the protests, which led to numerous attendees being tear-gassed. Finneas, who is the elder brother of singer Billie Eilish, wrote on his Instagram stories: 'Tear gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown- they're inciting this.' Related: 21 Times Celebrities Revealed Wildly Juicy, Shady, Or Even Disturbing Things In Interviews Finneas went on to share a series of posts condemning the ICE raids — and he certainly isn't the only celebrity to do so. Hilary Duff reposted a message from writer, podcaster, & content creator Whitney Alese, which read, 'Masked men abducting people off the street, from their jobs, from their cars, from graduations is not ok. Forcing toddlers & young children to represent themselves in court is not ok. Snatching people when their lawyers are in the bathroom is not ok. Having children come home to an empty house bc their guardians were snatched up is not ok. Arresting law abiding folks at their immigration hearing is not ok. Don't normalize this. Don't look away. Don't stay silent.' Related: Here Are 16 Actors Who Saved Their Skin By Turning Down Roles In Movies That People Notoriously Hated Renée Rapp wrote on her Instagram story, 'fuck ICE fuck this administration fuck all of yall who are complicit in ensuring that this happened this is a fucking disgrace.' Meanwhile, celebrities like Florence Pugh, Chrissy Teigen, Eva Longoria, and Gracie Abrams reshared a series of posts fiercely condemning the ICE raids. Good on those who are speaking out. We'll keep you posted as more unfolds. More on this "Put This On A T-Shirt" — People Are Praising This Anti-ICE Protestor's 3-Word Response To Getting Tear-Gassed At The LA ProtestsMichaela Bramwell · June 8, 2025 Here's What Finneas Had To Say After Billie Eilish Was Accused Of QueerbaitingChelsea Stewart · Aug. 3, 2024 A Child Wrote A Goodbye Note To Their Friend In Fear Of Being Taken By ICE, And People Are Worried About How Trump's Rhetoric Is Affecting Young PeopleMichaela Bramwell · March 1, 2025 Also in Celebrity: Chrissy Teigen Posted The Results Of Her Hairline Lowering Surgery, And Ouch Also in Celebrity: 18 Celebrities Who Called Out Other Celebs On Social Media For Bad, Problematic, Or Just Plain Mean Behavior Also in Celebrity: 21 Incredible Photos Of Hollywood Legends Back In The Day That I Guarantee You've Never, Ever Seen Before

Police surround home of presidential hopeful in Cameroon
Police surround home of presidential hopeful in Cameroon

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Police surround home of presidential hopeful in Cameroon

Cameroon's main opposition leader Maurice Kamto says police have surrounded his home for the past two days since he returned from France, where he had held a political rally that inflamed the ruling CPDM party. On Sunday law enforcement officers blocked the 71-year-old from leaving his lodgings in the main city of Douala for a meeting with members of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party. He later called off plans to hold the meeting on Monday because of the strong police presence. Kamto plans to contest Cameroon's presidential election later this year, hoping to end 92-year-old Paul Biya's four-decade grip on power. Biya has not yet declared whether he will stand for re-election. Kamto spent nine months in detention after contesting the 2018 poll, when the authorities accused the former law professor of insurrection following protests by his supporters who claimed that the poll had been rigged in favour of Biya. The government denied the allegation. While in Paris last month, Kamto promised to protect Biya and his family if he wins October's election. "When you do me the great of honour of entrusting me with the reins, you can be sure that nothing will happen to Mr Biya and his family. Nothing. I guarantee it, I have no time for hatred. I [only] have time to build Cameroon with you," he told thousands of Cameroonians living in the diaspora who had turned up to his rally on 31 May. This did not go down well with ruling party officials, with one calling his comments "pathetic". "What protection do they need? Which family are we talking about?," asked Labour Minister Grégoire Owona in a Facebook post, adding, "Cameroon is not in danger." Following Kamto's return, security has been tightened in parts of Douala. Police officers on the ground told the BBC on Monday that they had been instructed to watch the neighbourhood where Kamto was staying, and the media was not allowed to film. Footage filmed in the city on Sunday evening showed Kamto telling supporters "as I speak, I'm still sequestered". "Go home in calm and dignity," he told chanting supporters who had gathered at the scene. Police and gendarme officers had also restricted access to the CRM party building that Kamto was trying to reach, saying the meeting was not authorised. But Kamto denies this, saying local authorities and law enforcement officials were informed that he was coming to the city for a meeting. As the election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government's crackdown on dissent in the Central African nation. Parliamentary elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until 2026. Biya has been in power for 42 years and is one of the world's oldest heads of state. Last year the country banned reports on the president's health, following rumours that he had died. Kamto's eligibility to run for the presidency is in question, because Cameroonian law demands that any political party must already have elected representatives in place if its leader wishes to run for president. At the last presidential election Kamto's CRM party had one senator, but going into this election it has no elected officials. Alternatively Kamto could run as an independent candidate, for which he would need 300 signatures from designated personalities from across the country. Yet Kamto insists there is "no legal obstacle" stopping his bid for the presidency, and CRM representative Guy Tassé told the AFP news agency that there was "a political manoeuvre by the regime to try to block the candidate they fear because he embodies real change". The country is also in the throes of a separatist insurgency - with rebels demanding independence for Cameroon's two English-speaking provinces, which are home to 20% of the population. In the near-decade since the conflict began, at least 6,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. 'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiers Art curator Koyo Kouoh dies at height of career The lawyer risking everything to defend LGBT rights Paul Biya: Cameroon's 'absentee president' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store