logo
'Minions' spies sentencing live: Judge to sentence Bulgarians convicted over Russian espionage

'Minions' spies sentencing live: Judge to sentence Bulgarians convicted over Russian espionage

BBC News12-05-2025

Old Bailey courtroom full as sentencing expected in two phases
Daniel De Simone
Reporting from the Old Bailey
Court eight at the Old Bailey is full.
There are no seats left. Some journalists are standing at the back of the court.
Because there are six defendants, some of whom have multiple security guards, space in the dock itself is also limited.
We therefore expect the judge to pass sentences in two phases – the first three defendants, then the other three.
The barrister for Vanya Gaberova is currently making arguments in mitigation for his client. After he finishes, sentencing is expected to get underway.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BREAKING NEWS Two 14-year-old boys and one 16-year-old are charged over murder of schoolboy, 14, who pleaded 'I don't want to die' after he was stabbed
BREAKING NEWS Two 14-year-old boys and one 16-year-old are charged over murder of schoolboy, 14, who pleaded 'I don't want to die' after he was stabbed

Daily Mail​

time7 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

BREAKING NEWS Two 14-year-old boys and one 16-year-old are charged over murder of schoolboy, 14, who pleaded 'I don't want to die' after he was stabbed

Two 14-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy were today charged with murder and possession of a bladed article after a boy was fatally stabbed in Manchester. Ibrahima Seck, 14, was found with stab wounds after Greater Manchester Police were called to the New Moston area on Sunday at 5pm to reports of a serious assault. Despite the efforts of the emergency services and staff from an air ambulance, the boy died in hospital. The three charged boys, who cannot be named at this time for legal reasons, were remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court today. A 37-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have both been released on bail, pending further enquiries. Following Ibrahima's death, the teenager's parents said: 'Ibrahima was a well-liked young boy. He was funny, caring, and hardworking. He was our best friend.' They added: 'He was so smiley and always made everybody laugh. He was a good boy. Why would anyone do this to him? He does nothing wrong.' The teenager ran to a nearby house after being injured, telling the resident, 'I don't want to die', the Manchester Evening News reported. 'He just came through the door and said, 'I've been stabbed',' the resident said. 'We sat him down on a chair and phoned an ambulance. He just kept saying, 'I don't want to die.' Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten, of the Major Incident Team, said today: 'The last 48 hours has seen an extensive amount of police work, which has seen multiple officers working to help get the answers Ibrahima's family deserve. 'Now that we have secured three charges, a new level of proceedings is active, and we will continue to work on our investigation as this progresses. 'Ibrahima's family remain at the forefront of our minds and we will be remaining in close contact with them throughout the process.' Officers are looking for information, doorbell or dashcam footage, or eyewitness accounts from anyone in the area at the time, quoting log 2250 of 08/06/2025. Information can be reported to Greater Manchester Police by calling 101 or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Winter fuel payments: Am I eligible and how much can I get?
Winter fuel payments: Am I eligible and how much can I get?

The Independent

time10 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Winter fuel payments: Am I eligible and how much can I get?

In the latest U-turn after months of backlash, the government has announced a massive expansion of who will receive winter fuel payments. After weeks of speculation over what the changes would look like, it has now been confirmed that 9 million pensions will be eligible for the payment - a huge uplift from the 1.5 million pensioners who received the payment in winter 2024-25. Here, The Independent looks at how the new system will work and who will be affected by the uplift. How many people did the winter fuel payment cut affect? The winter fuel payment is a state benefit previously given to all pensioners to help with energy costs during the coldest months of the year. The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by Rachel Reeves when she became chancellor after Labour's landslide election victory last year, and it has been widely blamed for the party's collapse in support. The government has insisted the policy was necessary to help stabilise the public finances, and meant that the payment would only go to those on low incomes who received specified benefits such as pension credit. This meant the number of pensioners receiving the payment was reduced from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. Several charities, MPs and unions criticised the decision, with some blaming it for the party's disappointing local election results. In November, it was revealed that the government's own figures indicated it would force 100,000 pensioners into poverty in 2026. How was the payment linked to pension credit? Only those who claim pension credit were able to receive the winter fuel payment in winter 2024. Those who are above state pension age and have an income of less than £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner, are eligible for pension credit. However, despite the government's campaigns and an increase in claims after the July 2024 announcement, it is estimated that half a million eligible people fail to claim the benefit. How will the new system work? The government has increased the threshold at which people over the state pension age become eligible for the payment, meaning that anyone with an income of or below £35,000 will receive it this winter. The government estimates that the new threshold will ensure that more than three quarters of pensioners in England and Wales - around 9m people - will receive the benefit. It is estimated that around 2 million pensioners in England and Wales have taxable incomes above £35,000 and will therefore be exempt. The payment of £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, will be made automatically this winter, meaning no pensioner will need to take any action in order to receive the payment. Those with incomes above the threshold will see the payment automatically recovered via HMRC, or they have the option to opt out. However, details of how this will work are yet to be confirmed. Ministers estimate the change will cost the taxpayer £1.25bn in England and Wales, saving around £450m compared to when the winter fuel payment was universally available. The Treasury has not yet set out how it will pay for the uplift, but has insisted the costs will be accounted for at the autumn budget and incorporated into the next OBR forecast. They have also promised it will not lead to permanent additional borrowing.

Three boys charged with murder over 14-year-old's stabbing in Manchester
Three boys charged with murder over 14-year-old's stabbing in Manchester

Sky News

time14 minutes ago

  • Sky News

Three boys charged with murder over 14-year-old's stabbing in Manchester

Three boys - two aged 14 and a 16-year-old - have been charged with murder over the death of a 14-year-old who was stabbed in Manchester. Ibrahima Seck was found with stab wounds in New Moston after Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a serious assault around 5pm on Sunday. The accused - who cannot be named because of their ages - have also been charged with possession of a bladed article, Greater Manchester Police said. They have been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court today. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

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