Middlesbrough drug dealer caught throwing phones out of window
Cleveland Police had to force their way into Mirza's bedroom as it was locked from the inside, recorder Felicity Davies said.Once in the room, they saw Mirza hanging out the window, with the four phones found discarded below, the court heard.
'Prospect of rehabilitation'
"Plainly you had been attempting to get rid of them," the judge told Mirza.Analysis of the phones showed he had been selling cannabis on social media, in particular Snapchat, since July 2024, the court heard.Recorder Davies said Mirza had been convicted of possessing cannabis in 2022 and in November 2023 of supplying heroin and cocaine, for which he was jailed for a year suspended for a year.She said Mirza had been "fortunate" to get that "lenient" sentence, no doubt because the judge on that occasion "felt there was a prospect of you being rehabilitated".Recorder Davies said "unhappily" the phones showed Mirza had begun selling cannabis just eight months after getting that sentence and he was playing a "significant role" in the illegal operation.
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Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Teacher pleads guilty to years-long sex abuse of 13-year-old schoolgirl
An Ohio teacher has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing one of her former students, beginning when the girl was just 13 years old. Stefanie Erin Kellenberger, 40, admitted guilt on Friday to four counts of third-degree felony sexual battery and 17 counts of third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, the Mansfield News Journal reports. The former Shelby Middle School English teacher now faces up to 15 years imprisonment at her sentencing on October 6 - just one day before her 41st birthday. Prosecutors say she began grooming the victim when she was 13 years old, and the sexual contact started the following year, after the girl turned 14. It then continued 'until the age of consent,' which is 16 in the state, Bryan Dove, assistant prosecutor for Richland County claimed. The crimes all occurred at Kellenberger's home in Shelby from February 2020 through October 2021. 'You had been a teacher. She had been a student,' Richland County Common Pleas Judge Brent Robinson told the former sixth-grade teacher. 'But at the time these occurred, you were not her teacher and she was not your student.' In court, Kellenberger's attorney also argued that 'consent was never an issue in this case' and Dove noted that there was 'no use of force' involved. Stefanie Erin Kellenberger, 40, a former English teacher at Shelby Middle School in Ohio, has pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree felony sexual battery and 17 counts of third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor Kellenberger was placed on paid administrative leave from Shelby City Schools in February 2024, after Superintendent Michael Browning said he received a call from the Mansfield Police Department that 'allegations were made' against the teacher. She was then officially indicted on the criminal charges in September 2024, and resigned from Shelby City Schools the following month. As the case against her progressed, the victim in the case recommended Kellenberger spend three years behind bars. But Judge Robinson said he did not support such a short sentence, and prosecutors came up with two different options - either she serve a 12-year flat prison sentence or 15 years with the possibility of judicial release after 10 years. Kellenberger opted for the latter option, and Dove said the victim is now 'relieved to not have to testify. 'That's why we entered into this agreement with the defendant,' he explained. Kellenberger will now be subject to fie years post-release control and must register with the county sheriff as a Tier 3 sex offender every 90 days for the rest of her life. She also agreed to avoid all future contact with her victim and to forever forfeit her teaching license in exchange for the possibility of being released after 10 years of good behavior. In the meantime, Kellenberger is to remain under electronic monitoring until her sentence. She may not have any contact with minors at the time and is to avoid any further criminal conduct.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Boy, 10, died in school coach crash on school trip to the zoo, police confirm as pupil who survived reveals chaos of moments after tragedy
The child who died in a school coach crash yesterday was a 10-year-old boy, Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed. Another 21 people were injured when the coach slid off the road on Exmoor, Somerset, at 3pm yesterday as it drove year 5 pupils back from an end of term trip to the zoo. Four children and three adults remain in hospital - including two youngsters who were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following the accident. Up to 70 people were understood to have been on the coach when it crashed off the road, flipped onto its roof and slid 20ft down a steep bank. One boy, Jayden, who was on the bus and suffered a suspected broken collarbone in the crash, visited Minehead Middle School to lay flowers at the scene earlier today with his mother Kim. He said: 'I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road and that's it. On his injuries, Jayden said: 'I'm alright, it just hurts.' His mother Kim said she had been frantic when Jayden didn't return to his grandmother's house at 4pm. 'Mum's phoning me saying "where's Jayden? Has he gone home on the bus?" I couldn't get hold of anybody,' she said. 'It's just not knowing if they're ok, if they're safe, if they got off the bus. 'The hospital [staff] were absolutely amazing. I cannot thank them enough for what they've done. They gave them Lego, they gave them teddies.' Jayden, who was a passenger on the bus and was treated for a suspected broken collarbone, with his mum outside Minehead Middle School People comfort each other as they look at the floral tributes at the entrance to the Minehead Middle School in Somerset Police blocking the road leading to the scene of the bus crash yesterday Kim said the off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus. She told the BBC she has had to break the news of the child's death to Jayden, adding: 'He's lost a friend.' It comes after a schoolgirl revealed she was stopped from boarding the coach involved in a fatal crash in Somerset because it was full. Following a day out with year five classmates at Exmoor Zoo, Emily Manning, 10, had hoped to ride back on the same coach as her friends. But when she tried to join them she was told there were no more seats so instead she went on the other coach which made it back safely to Minehead Middle School. One child died and 21 people were injured when the second coach crashed off a winding stretch of road, flipped onto its roof and slid down a steep bank. Emily was among dozens of pupils, parents and local residents who laid flowers outside the front gates of the school - which is closed today following the tragedy. After laying flowers for her friends and classmates outside the school this morning she said: 'I wanted to be on the second coach because that's where my friends were but there were too many people so I got off. 'Everybody was in front of me and that meant I couldn't. I felt upset because my friends were on that bus but also I felt lucky.' Mother Kim placing her floral tributes with her son Jayden outside the school Emily (right) was among dozens of pupils, parents and local residents who laid flowers outside the front gates of the school - which is closed today following the tragedy One child died and 21 people were injured when the second coach crashed off a winding stretch of road, flipped onto its roof and slid down a steep bank. Pictured: People lay floral tributes at the scene People look at the floral tributes at the entrance to the Minehead Middle School Dad Nick Manning, a window cleaner, said his heart dropped when he received a phone call at work asking whether he had picked her up yet. Mr Manning, 48, said: 'She went to the Exmoor Zoo but on the way back she was on the other bus. 'She wanted to go on it but it was already full, there were too many people because her mates and boyfriend were on that one. 'I just feel incredibly grateful that she wasn't. I got phoned when I was still at work saying have you picked up Emily yet because something terrible has happened. 'It's every parent's nightmare, it's absolutely awful. I had constant messages and phone calls checking Emily was ok. People were panicking.' An off-duty firefighter travelling behind a Somerset school coach which overturned was able to save the lives of children by immediately starting to free them minutes after the collision, it emerged yesterday evening. Emergency services rushed to the remote rural location, where one child was pronounced dead at the scene, while 21 others were taken to hospital with various injuries. He praised by Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service at the press conference who said: 'I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the collision who was able to start taking immediate [action] to start releasing those casualties from the bus.' Another parent, John Delany, 30, said he drives the 'nasty' stretch of road where the accident happened every day to commute to his job in an agricultural showroom - he has witnessed other cars crash off in recent months and almost lost control himself. He said: 'That road is a nasty piece of road, I drive it every day and there was a Peugeot that crashed in the same place in the past few months but luckily they didn't go over the edge. 'The water just sits on the road and you can easily just go straight down. The corner where it happened I only go around at 25mph so you can imagine with a bus that is much heavier it's easy to have an accident.' One child has died after a bus bringing school students back from an end-of-term trip overturned and fell 20ft down a steep embankment (photo from the scene) Emergency services, including five helicopters, rushed to the scene on the A396 in Somerset to free passengers who had become trapped inside the bus John, who has two daughters at the school, Rosie, eight, and Novayah, six, who were too young to be on the zoo trip added: 'We know one of the children who was rushed to hospital but his mum let us know that he is ok. 'The girls were in an absolute state last night wanting to know if their friends were ok. who works in an agricultural showroom The Reverend Philip Butcher, Vicar of Minehead, said: 'It has been an immense shock and this tragedy and it is still unfolding. 'There's a huge network of people involved here and we are all trying to come to terms with what happened. 'Yesterday was a desperately traumatic day for everybody here but everybody came together, it was heartwarming to see, even in the most desperate circumstances.' Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the fatality: 'We can confirm tonight that one child has sadly died. 'A formal identification process will need to be carried out, but our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who we are in contact with. 'A specially-trained officer will be providing them with support.' Minehead Middle School had listed the zoo visit on its website as part of its 'Enrichment Week' activities for Year Five pupils. Floral tributes laid at Minehead Middle School in Minehead Somerset this morning Flowers were left outside the school after a child died and several people were serious injuried after the coach overturned Floral tributes were being left outside Minehead Middle School on Friday morning. Staff and students from the nearby Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe had left a condolence card with a bunch of flowers. The card said: 'Our thoughts are with all the children, parents, staff and transport.' Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday. One local was in tears when she came to drop a bouquet of flowers. She said: 'I'm still in shock. I had a child in this school she's 18 now. 'We are a tight knit community around here. It affects the whole community around here. I've just been down to Tesco and everyone is red eyed. 'Everyone I talk to bursts into tears. 'The children were year 5s. I know people with children in the school. 'My friend's niece was involved she's ok but she had to get stitches in her leg. 'You feel so helpless there's nothing you can do.' One card read: 'RIP. We sure are going to miss your infectious smile. Shine bright angel. Thinking of your family, much love.' One family left a small blue cuddly toy of a seal with a tag around its neck which said: 'dear friend. Nothing you ever done in the world would lead you to deserve this. I love performing in The Regal (a local theatre) and will dedicate all my shows to you' Another simply read: 'Gone too soon'. One card said: 'Thinking of everyone at this heart breaking and devastating time. Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love..' Another read: 'Our hearts are broken but we stand strong to support you at this most difficult time.' 'RIP little one, fly high with the angels.' Among those arriving to pay tribute was Karin White who said: 'It's a bit of a shock. We know the area where the coach tumbled over the hill. From the aerial view you can see it's all wooded and it's terrible.' Meghan White also said from the scene: 'I used to travel there daily to go to work. It's easy to forget how steep it is down the side of the banks. She knows one of the adults who was on the bus but she said they are ok. 'I was very shocked. I reached out to all my friends and family and people who go to the school just to see if they had anyone involved and if they need any help. 'It's incredible that everyone has came out to pay tribute.' One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been. 'You have looked after each in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. 'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could. 'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved. Several people have been rushed to hospital after a bus that was carrying school students back from a day trip came off the road in a horrific crash. Picture from the scene 'Finally, thank you to the emergency services who have saved many lives and to the brilliant public who went out of their way to look after myself and most importantly the wonderful students of Minehead Middle School.' The driver of a school coach which crashed near Minehead, Somerset, is in a stable condition, the bus company's owner has said. Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: 'Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday's tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school. 'Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours. 'I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries. We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support.' He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council. Mr Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts. An eyewitness said the coach had gone off a steep slope by the A396 Cutcombe Hill between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe. The resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'The coach has gone down the slope. It's pretty steep around here and it's a big coach. 'There are no barriers along there or anything. We're used to it, you don't even notice it. 'I can't believe it happened quite honestly, it's the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope. 'It's horrendous, and I'm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach.' Mr Ellis from the fire brigade said: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment. 'Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and they also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment. 'This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped and as quickly as safely as possible.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were 'no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child'. 'A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset,' he wrote on X. 'There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. 'All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected. 'Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace - I'm being kept up to date on this situation.' Police said on Thursday evening there have been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident Police said most of the passengers had been taken off the bus but fire crews were still rescuing others The update on Thursday evening came after the force confirmed there had been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident. Police said the majority of the passengers had been safely taken off the bus and transported to a nearby rest centre. Others were left trapped on the bus and had to be rescued by fire crews and paramedics. One of the air ambulances that attended was seen landing at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, which is home to the West's major trauma centres, BBC News reported. Avon and Somerset Police said: 'A major incident has been declared as emergency services work together to respond to a collision involving a coach on the A396 this afternoon. 'We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. 'We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. 'The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity. 'Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there. Police said the majority of the passengers have been taken to rest centre in Wheddon Cross and advised parents to head to the school The 70-seater vehicle was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School when the smash happened at around 3pm (picture from the scene) 'The road remains closed. We'd please ask people avoid the area so emergency services' response to this incident is not impacted.' Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term. A spokesperson for Beacon Education MAT - the trust that the school is part of - said it was supporting families and staff at this 'very difficult time'. They added: 'We will update our school community further as soon as more information becomes available, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and sensitivity.' Peter Prior-Sankey, director of Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a daytrip. 'We have since been liaising with both the school, and the emergency services, while we try to understand the extent of the incident. 'Everyone within the Ridlers team is of course deeply concerned and anxious to find out more detail - particularly concerning the welfare of the driver and passengers. 'While we wait for further information from police and other emergency teams, our hearts of course go out to the school pupils and to our driver. A police car is seen outside Minehead Middle School in Somerset on Thursday evening Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term The A396 Cutcombe Hill is a winding rural road in the heart of Exmoor National Park 'We will be doing everything possible to understand what has happened.' South West Ambulance Service said: 'Along with other emergency services, we're attending a road traffic collision involving a coach near Minehead. 'People travelling in the area are advised to avoid the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Dunster and find an alternative route.' Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the fatal school coach crash in Minehead was 'tragic' and she is 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'. She told BBC Breakfast the coach was coming from Exmoor Zoo, when it came off the road and went down a 20ft slope, adding that it was 'pretty catastrophic'. Asked about the area, Ms Gilmour said: 'It's a very difficult road, very, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency, you know, Minehead famously, only has one road that takes you into it on the A39 and if you're coming from where I live in Bampton or across the Moor, those are the roads that you have to use.' Ms Gilmour praised the 'fabulous job' the emergency services did, adding: 'We've been told up to 20 ambulances went to the scene, three air ambulances, obviously paramedics, police, firemen, you know, just deeply grateful to our emergency services and just heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family.' She said she visited Minehead Middle School recently and it is a 'fantastic school' with a 'great headmistress'.
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Thomas Partey: Ex-Arsenal player charged with rape to appear in court today
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is due to appear in court today, charged with raping two women. The 32-year-old, who was charged four days after leaving the north London club when his contract expired back in June, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, the Crown Prosecution Service has said. The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022. The Metropolitan Police said it first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022. Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously said the Ghanaian "denies all the charges against him" - and looks forward to the chance to "finally clear his name". Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2020 and became a regular for manager Mikel Arteta, who last month said he was "100% sure" the club followed the correct protocols. An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: "The player's contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case." Partey made 35 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals.
