Former head of Royal Navy sacked
In a statement, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: "We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our Service Personnel and our Civil Servants.
"We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority."
In May, Sir Ben stepped back from the job after the investigation was launched.
It is understood that the probe looked into an alleged relationship with a female colleague.
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The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Senior judges reveal regret at handing out ‘unfair' indefinite jail terms and call for scandal to be ‘put right'
Senior judges who imposed 'unfair' indefinite jail terms, which have left scores of inmates locked up for minor offences languishing in prison for decades, have revealed their regret for their part in the 'injustice'. Former High Court judge Sir John Saunders said he would apologise to offenders he handed imprisonment for public protection (IPP) jail terms, which were scrapped in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands already jailed incarcerated with no release date. Now the very judges who dished out the punishment have joined calls for the government to take urgent action to help more than 2,500 prisoners still trapped under the abolished jail term, which has been branded 'psychological torture' by the UN. Victims of the scandal, whose tragic cases have been highlighted by The Independent, include Leroy Douglas, who has served almost 20 years for stealing a mobile phone; Thomas White, 42, who set himself alight in his cell and has served 13 years for stealing a phone; and Abdullahi Suleman, 41, who is still inside 19 years after he was jailed for a laptop robbery. Sir John, 76, who served as recorder of Birmingham before he was appointed to the High Court, told The Independent that if he met an IPP prisoner he had jailed who was years over tariff, he would apologise. 'I should say I'm really sorry this has happened, it's extremely unfair,' he said. 'I didn't want to be party to unfairness. I would feel very bad about it, I would apologise to them.' He said that when the sentence was introduced in 2005 by New Labour in a bid to be tough on crime, it appeared there was a 'certain degree of sense' to plans to ensure offenders completed rehabilitation courses before they were approved for release by the Parole Board. But judges had no idea those prisoners would find themselves trapped in prison indefinitely, often without access to the courses they needed to be released. He added: 'I think the essence of the job of a judge is to be fair. And we really do all try to do that. So when we conduct criminal trials, we attempt to be fair. In passing sentences, we attempt to be fair. 'If we have been party to something which has been accepted by everybody as unfair and we have been part of it… it's a bit of an affront to the job.' He and Simon Tonking, the former recorder of Stafford, have lobbied prisons minister Lord James Timpson to help those still trapped under the jail term. Both have backed a package of proposals put forward by an expert panel convened by the Howard League for Penal Reform, calling for IPP prisoners to be given a release date within a two-year window at their next parole hearing. Mr Tonking recalled imposing an IPP sentence with a minimum tariff of just six months for a relatively minor offence after a man was caught following a woman in an alley. 'Now I wonder what happened to him,' he told The Independent. 'He was in his late twenties. For all I know, he may still be there [in prison]. 'And when I look back at that case, I think I should have tried harder not to impose it.' Although he was doing his best to administer the laws in place at the time, he is now determined to be part of the solution. 'I don't feel guilty, but I do feel, having been part of that, I should be doing all I can to put what has turned out to be an injustice right,' he added. 'And I am driven in part by the fact that I was part of the administration of justice at a time when these sentences were being passed. 'I have been a part of the system that is wrong. I feel that I ought to be part of the system to put it right.' Successive governments have resisted calls to resentence IPP prisoners, claiming they cannot risk letting prisoners out until they have passed the Parole Board's release test. However, at least 94 inmates have taken their own lives in custody after losing hope of being freed, according to campaigners, with many struggling as their mental health deteriorates in prison. Mr Tonking urged the Labour government to use its majority to finally end the injustice by taking up the Howard League's proposals, adding: 'Virtually everybody who has had any professional dealings with IPP knows that it's unjust and now is the time to act.' The proposed reforms also include providing a package of mental health support for released IPP prisoners and tightening up the criteria for recalling them. Currently, many find themselves hauled back to prison indefinitely for minor breaches of strict licence conditions, despite committing no further offences. Paul Glenn, who last year retired from his role as the most senior judge in Stoke-on-Trent, also backed the charity's proposals. He told The Independent: 'Nobody envisaged that 10 years after they should have been released, they would still be in custody. The injustice there is pretty obvious. 'It's undoubtedly right that we should be sentencing people for what they have done, rather than what they might do in the future.' Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: 'It is absolutely right that the IPP sentence was abolished. 'As the IPP annual report shows, we have significantly improved support for these offenders, with greater access to rehabilitation and mental health support. 'There is more work to do as we reduce the number of IPP offenders in custody, but we will only do so in a way that protects the public.'
Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Woman, 31, who mugged her pensioner partner in broad daylight before threatening to 'knock the jaw off' a good Samaritan is jailed
A woman who mugged her elderly boyfriend in broad daylight before threatening to 'knock the jaw off' a Good Samaritan has been jailed. Katie Bland, 31, from Greetland, Halifax, was in a relationship with a man in his 70s who she would often abuse and demand money from. On January 6, the gentleman left after an argument but was met with a barrage of abusive calls from Bland asking for money, Bradford Crown Court was told. At around 4pm, she found out he was at a bus station in Halifax and travelled to him where she continued her abusive onslaught, calling him a racist word and a 'dirty dog'. Moments later, she grabbed him by the collar of his coat and threw him around as she demanded cash. The pensioner offered Bland £20 but instead she wanted his bank card and became aggressive when he refused to hand it over. He offered to go to the cash point with her to withdraw money, however, she became violent on the way and started kicking him in the leg and screaming at him. A woman who witness the attack tried to intervene but Bland then turned on her, grabbing her by her scarf and telling her she would 'knock her jaw off' if she 'didn't shut the f**k up'. She then carried on assaulting the elderly man and managed to withdraw £40 from his bank account before police officers turned up. Bland was arrested and, despite responding with 'no comment' to all questions, later pleaded guilty to robbery, assault by beating, fraud and blackmail. In his witness statement, the elderly gentleman said he has 'never been so depressed or worried' throughout his entire existence as he was during his relationship with Bland. His statement, read out by prosecutor Nathan Davis, said: 'I wake up and don't know how she is going to be. I get abused daily. 'I lost all of my friends for my relationship. My friends have told me what she is like and asks for money to buy drugs. 'Her behaviour is the last weeks has become worse. It has affected me to the point I want to give up with life. 'I never want to come home due to the mess she has left in my house.' The court heard that Bland, who participated via video connection from HMP New Hall, possessed prior criminal convictions and was serving under a suspended sentence for a separate robbery when she carried out the offences for which she faced sentencing on Friday. In mitigation, Shila Whitehead explained: 'What she tells me is she has been in custody since January. She said she is aware her behaviour towards him was unacceptable and she is willing to accept help. She accepts at the time of committing these offences she was using drugs and was heavily dependant on them. 'During the time she has been in prison she tells me that she has undertaken a number of courses which has helped her. She is hoping to get help and change her ways and not have the lifestyle she has had for three years. 'When she has appeared before the court she wants to make amends and lead a law-abiding life. He has been in touch with her while she has been in prison and has been in communication with her family. 'He says he wants to support her if she wants to put in the time to lead a law-abiding life. Her family are supporting her throughout this. They have accommodation for her. They are supporting her and will be there for her when she is released from prison.' Bland was sentenced to two years and three months in jail.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Moment bloodied yobs batter each other with metal poles in broad daylight brawl outside kebab shop
THIS is the moment bloodied yobs batter each other with metal poles in broad daylight outside a kebab shop. Seven people have now been charged following the shocking scenes in Newport, South Wales, on Friday as horrified residents looked on. 4 4 4 Gwent Police were called to Commerical Road after the group of men were seen brawling in the street on Friday afternoon. Videos circulating online showed the thugs with what looked like metal poles fighting in the street outside a kebab shop. Some of the men involved were seen with bloodied faces and arms during the horrific violence. Footage shows the group clashing with the weapons as cars blared their horns trying to move past the confrontation. The men can be heard screaming at each other and attempting to land blows. Gwent Police said six men, aged 25, 28, 33, 40, 42 and 52, and one 17-year-old boy, who are all from Newport, have been charged with violent disorder. The six men will be remanded into custody while the 17 -year-old boy has been released on police bail. All seven are due to appear at Newport Magistrates Court on Monday, August 4. An eight person, a 40-year old man from Newport, has also been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and is currently in police custody. Four of the men attended hospital and two were later discharged while two others remained in hospital receiving treatment on Saturday. Around six police cars with flashing lights surrounded the area along with at least two police vans. More than half a dozen officers raced to the scene and cordoned off the area helping to redirect residents. Manhunt Launched in Northampton: River Nene Murder Investigation Underway Police were gathering evidence at the scene to investigate and officers said their enquiries are ongoing. Commerical Road has since reopened but anyone who was in the area between 3pm and 4pm on Friday, August 1 is urged to contact the police. Chief Superintendent John Davies of Gwent Police said: "I hope that these charges show our communities that we are heavily invested in responding to and investigating reports of crime and that we are committed to helping keep the streets of Gwent safe. "A large number of officers have worked tirelessly to investigate and secure these charges, and we will continue to work with our partners to identify the issues and tackle the causes surrounding this incident. 'We'd like the thank the community for their support during this investigation but also remind them that commentary, especially online and social media, could impact or influence future court proceedings. "As charges have been made, those who do so could be found in contempt of court and face a fine or imprisonment, please think before you post." The Sun also reported yesterday on a man who was stabbed during a mass brawl outside a TK Maxx store. A huge emergency response was launched after police and paramedics were called to Orpington, Kent, at midnight yesterday.
