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Bec Judd's furious message to Dan Andrews as crime epidemic in her upmarket suburb is laid bare in sobering new statistics

Bec Judd's furious message to Dan Andrews as crime epidemic in her upmarket suburb is laid bare in sobering new statistics

Daily Mail​8 hours ago

Television presenter Bec Judd has unleashed on the Victorian Government and former Premier Dan Andrews as crime statistics in the state hit a record high.
Judd, the wife of former Carlton and West Coast AFL superstar Chris Judd, has advocated for more action on fighting the state's spiralling crime crisis and weak bail laws for years.
Judd and Andrews have publicly traded barbs in the past, including in 2022 when the model said she felt unsafe in her $7.3million Bayside mansion, and Andrews replied he was 'sorry she feels that way [but] the [crime] data would tell a different story'.
The new data shows there were 627,268 criminal offences recorded in Victoria in the twelve months to end of March, an increase of 91,692 offences.
For a third consecutive quarter, Victoria Police also recorded the most arrests since electronic records began in 1993, and likely in the force's 172-year history.
'Imagine if Dan Andrews had listened to me when I sounded this alarm a few years back,' Judd said on Instagram on Thursday.
'Hundreds (maybe thousands?) of Victorians (not just Brighton residents) have become victims of violent home invasions since then, many experiencing life long trauma.
'Sadly, innocent lives have also been lost. I will continue to raise these issues until people start to feel safe in their communities again.'
She also shared a social media post from her local Brighton MP for state parliament, the Liberals' James Newbury.
'There has been a shocking 91 per cent increase in residential aggravated burglaries in Brighton, over the last twelve months,' Newbury said.
Judd also shared comments made by Victoria's Police Minister Anthony Carbines to the Herald Sun, in which he said the increase in crime was 'unacceptable'.
She highlighted his statement that, despite this, he did not regret waiting over a year to roll out bail, machete and 'post and boast' laws.
'We're acting as quickly as we can to respond to the community's concerns and advice from Victorian Police on what measures we can put in place to keep the community safe,' he said.
The AFL-WAG slammed his statement, flipping his own use of words: 'More than a year to wait is unacceptable.'
'Victorians, more than anyone, know just how quickly this government can introduce new laws when they want to.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Victorian Government and Mr Carbines' office for comment.
The minister told the Herald Sun the impact of his new laws would be seen in future data pools.
'We've seen a 100 per cent increase in young offenders remanded,' he said.
'We've seen a 31 per cent increase in adult offenders remanded. We will start to see most people unable to commit further offending.
'So I would expect that we will start to see in the coming quarters the effect of repeat offenders who are behind bars.'
The crime statistics come after a series of shocking incidents at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston.
A man allegedly drove a stolen Toyota Landcruiser into the crowded shopping centre - then kept driving through the mall - just after 4pm on Wednesday.
Less than 24 hour later, shoppers were forced to evacuate due to a small fire which had sparked in an electrical light.
The centre was also plunged into lockdown in May following an alleged fight between teens armed with machetes.

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Des O'Connor's daughter says police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after decision not to sack officer who called her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassed her while investigating her mugging
Des O'Connor's daughter says police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after decision not to sack officer who called her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassed her while investigating her mugging

Daily Mail​

time28 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Des O'Connor's daughter says police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after decision not to sack officer who called her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassed her while investigating her mugging

The daughter of Des O'Connor said police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after a police officer was not sacked for calling her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassing her while investigating her mugging. Former Metropolitan Police detective chief inspector James Mason was given a final written warning by the panel in October 2021 for calling Kristina O'Connor, 37, his 'favourite Camden victim of crime ' and asking her out after she was injured in an attempted robbery in October 2011. A police misconduct panel previously found that Mr Mason, 47, used his authority to sexually harass her and that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, but ruled that it would have been 'disproportionately harsh' to sack him or reduce his rank. Mr Mason subsequently resigned from the force in 2022. The same panel reconvened on Thursday at Sutton police station to hear legal representations. In 2011, after being bruised and given a black eye during an attempted robbery, Ms O'Connor reported the attack and was taken to Kentish Town police station, a court heard. While taking down her statement, Mr Mason, then a detective sergeant, asked if he could take her out for dinner that evening. He then emailed her the next day asking her out for a drink and told her that despite her injuries: 'I am sure you still looking amazingly hot.' When she asked him to stop, Mr Mason wrote: 'Coming on to victims is positively encouraged, it's all part of the friendly and accessible face of the Met Police. It's the rejection that is frowned upon.' Ms O'Connor, who was 24 at the time of the incident, was unsuccessful in a 2023 High Court legal challenge against the panel's decision after alleging Mr Mason's actions were 'predatory and abusive', and the police had 'failed to properly investigate' a complaint. She appealed against the High Court ruling at a hearing in December last year, with the Court of Appeal ruling in January that the panel should reconsider its decision. Ms O'Connor, whose late father was a comedian, singer and television presenter, said she wanted to 'encourage women to continue to speak out, if they feel able to'. In a statement issued by Bindmans law firm, Ms O'Connor said: 'Regardless of the panel's decision, my experience has taught me that the police cannot be trusted with women's safety. 'I was abused by a police officer who should have been helping me. Since reporting his behaviour I have seen first-hand how the police were more interested in protecting themselves than helping me find justice, or protecting other women. 'I have spent many years questioning whether the policing system can be fixed and have come to the conclusion that if we are serious about women's safety, it needs replacing entirely.' David Messling, representing the Metropolitan Police at Thursday's hearing, said Mr Mason's conduct harmed 'public trust in policing'. Mr Messling told the panel: 'It was conduct that continued despite the victim challenging it and the officer indicating that he was fully aware the conduct was improper. 'This was an example of a police officer who was looking to take sexual advantage, by means of his position, of a vulnerable victim of crime. 'It goes to the heart of public trust and confidence in the police. We all understand the need to be on guard against crime, but victims of crime should not have to be on their guard against police officers.' Mitigating for Mr Mason, Ailsa Williamson said his conduct was 'not planned' and was 'limited to a period of two successive days'. Ms Williamson told the panel: 'While Mr Mason did not intend any harm to Ms O'Connor, he should have anticipated his attempts to pursue her could have impacted her trust in police officers. 'The harassment does not involve any physical contact and does not persist beyond those two days.' Discussing Mr Mason, Ms Williamson added: 'From the outset he's always accepted that his actions were inappropriate and unprofessional, and he continues to offer his unreserved apology to Ms O'Connor. 'He deeply recognises and regrets the harm caused to Ms O'Connor, the reputation of the Metropolitan Police Service and to those closest to him affected by these proceedings.' Ms O'Connor made a complaint against the Metropolitan Police in 2020 after a Facebook memory showed her the original emails, before taking legal action against the panel's decision. Nancy Collins, who is representing Ms O'Connor, said: 'Kristina has been extraordinarily brave in her tireless pursuit for justice. 'She chose to waive her anonymity and fight to challenge the outcome of a complaints process that failed to reflect the gravity of the experience she suffered through the serious misconduct of an officer in whom she had placed her trust. 'She has exposed the failures of the system. It is imperative that those who abuse positions of power are properly held to account and that the gravity of their actions is accurately reflected in any penalty awarded.'

Fake Uber driver guilty of kidnapping, attempted rape and sexual assault
Fake Uber driver guilty of kidnapping, attempted rape and sexual assault

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Fake Uber driver guilty of kidnapping, attempted rape and sexual assault

A driver has been found guilty for a second time after posing as an 'unofficial Uber' to pick up 'vulnerable and intoxicated' women he could abuse. Graham Head, 68, had latex gloves, condoms, Viagra tablets and a balaclava in his silver Mercedes estate when he was arrested in November 2022. In his home, business cards advertising him as a 'N- Uber driver' were emblazoned with the slogan 'Safe and Reliable – For All Occasions' underneath one of his phone numbers. In July 2023, Head, of Pevensey, East Sussex, was handed a 23-year sentence for the kidnap and attempted rape of a 25-year-old woman, along with assault by penetration of a 19-year-old woman. In November 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction following a complaint from Head relating to the judge who presided over the original trial. On Thursday, he was convicted of all charges again by a jury of seven men and five women after eight hours of deliberation at Lewes Crown Court. During the trial, jurors heard that Head was a 'sexual predator' who 'slipped up' the night he was arrested by police. He claimed that he offered the 25-year-old a lift home but did not touch her and never met his other alleged victim. Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC said: 'The defendant is a sexual predator. Basing himself in Pevensey and ostensibly working as an unofficial Uber driver or taxi driver. 'He was also looking for vulnerable young women who he could sexually abuse. 'He carried Viagra and condoms with him, either on his person or in his car, as well as latex gloves. He would use the latex gloves to minimise the risk of leaving traces of his DNA on his victims.' Head had two mobile phones and was 'savvy enough' to know that if he kept them on while he was driving, the network provider could record his movements so kept them in flight mode while he was searching for victims, the court was told. The two attacks are said to have taken place in the early hours of August 19 2022, in Hove Park and November 18 2022 outside the alleged victim's home. Mr Jarvis said: 'Now in August 2022, she (the first victim) was 19 years old. When she was, we say, intoxicated and vulnerable in the early hours of the morning the defendant sexually assaulted her in Hove Park.' 'In November 2022, she (the second victim) was 25 years old. When she was also vulnerable and intoxicated in the early hours of the morning, Mr Head kidnapped her and sexually assaulted her in his car and then drove off leaving her distressed on the roadside. 'On both occasions, the defendant was driving his grey Mercedes estate motor vehicle with the registration number L21 GRH.' The 25-year-old was able to remember the 'L21' portion of Head's number plate, which led to police pulling his car over and arresting him the same night, jurors heard. 'He slipped up on November 19 2022 in two respects. First because his victim was alert enough to be able to memorise part of the licence plate for the police to be able to identify his car when they saw it,' said Mr Jarvis. The 25-year-old had been on a night out and had consumed alcohol and cocaine on the night in question, the court heard. Her account is that a man pulled up alongside her and told her he was an Uber driver who had just finished his shift but would give her a free ride home. Journeys from Middle Street, in Brighton to the victim's home address were found after analysis of the satnav in Head's Mercedes. Mr Jarvis continued: 'He offered to give her a life home but his real plan was to drive around until he was satisfied she was fast asleep so he could sexually assault and rape her. 'He drove close to her home address and tried to rape her in the back seat of his car but she came to and kicked him away.' The 25-year-old has since died and did not give evidence at the trial. Head will be sentenced on August 22 2025.

'Must have bled everywhere': 'Mastermind' behind murder of man who was 'tortured to death' in his own home joked about killing in series of text messages
'Must have bled everywhere': 'Mastermind' behind murder of man who was 'tortured to death' in his own home joked about killing in series of text messages

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

'Must have bled everywhere': 'Mastermind' behind murder of man who was 'tortured to death' in his own home joked about killing in series of text messages

The 'mastermind' of the brutal killing of a man tied up with extra strength duct tape and tortured to death in his own home joked about how the victim 'must have bled everywhere', a court heard today. John Belfield, 31, 'fled' to South America after Thomas Campbell's bloodied body was found, dressed in only a pair of socks, leaving his alleged 'right-hand man' to stand trial for murdering the 38-year-old, a jury has been told. After being extradited from the former Dutch colony of Suriname, Belfield is now standing trial over the 'harrowing and violent assault' by a gang of three men in July 2022. Today jurors heard messages which Reece Steven sent Belfield - alleged to be the ringleader of the plot - from behind bars during the first trial, in which he was convicted of murder. In an exchange about Campbell's injuries, Steven wrote: 'Tommy crumble. Dripping in tom juice everywhere.' Belfield replied: 'Must have bled everywhere.' Steven: 'I didn't say blood mate. I said juice, U're crazy, bro.' Belfield: 'Tom juice.' Steven: 'A little bit of Tommy ketchup.' Belfield: 'All the lights on but no one at home. Actually, the lights have been smashed out of him.' Steven: 'He ran out of sauce. Empty bottle. No lid on.' Belfield: 'He didn't believe the team.' Steven: 'He's just crum now. In the graveyard.' In other messages Belfield wrote that the police 'know I'm the one in charge' but had 'next to f***-all on me' He also wrote: 'Got a chance of getting away with it.' The court was told that Steven also sent Belfield a short video with the title: 'Everyone is a gangster until a real gangster arrives.' Prosecutors allege that Belfield was seeking 'items of value' from Mr Campbell's home in Mossley, Greater Manchester. Mr Campbell was also in a relationship with Belfield's ex-girlfriend and the alleged killer displayed 'hostility' towards the pair as a result, jurors at Manchester Crown Court have been told. His body was discovered by shocked neighbours the following morning after they noticed his front door had been left open and saw blood in the hallway. Extra strength duct tape had been wound 'multiple times' around his wrists from a roll bought from a B&Q store in nearby Oldham. A 2023 trial heard that his ex-wife Coleen Campbell shared crucial details about her former husband's movements - including information passed on by their children - with Belfield. She was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. Belfield - alleged to have been the 'driving force' behind the killing - denies being at the scene and has pleaded not guilty to murder and conspiracy to rob. The court heard yesterday that shortly after the murder, Colleen Campbell visited a psychic who said her ex-husband 'had come through' from beyond the grave. She subsequently told Mr Campbell's mother Lynn that facial injuries inflicted on Campbell had been done 'so other girls would not look at him'. The court heard that Lynn Campbell responded by saying 'shut up, Colleen' because she did not want to know about the injuries caused to her son. In further messages exchanged with Steven while he was in Suriname, jurors were told that Belfield asked for details from the first trial about the prosecution evidence. He said in one message to another recipient: 'Just looking like what it is going to be to like for me. 'If I have an alibi, I cannot get found guilty. 'There is no evidence. I could have just been naive.' He urged another unknown recipient to 'check if they have got warrants for the phones because if they haven't, then they cannot be used'. One message from a sender known only as James referred to the killers as 'the Lord's justice men serving up death in the name of the Lord'. The message added: 'Tom was sentenced to death in the name of Jesus. Amen.' Belfield told another recipient: 'If the evidence is not strong enough against them, they cannot use it against me. 'The trouble is getting a not guilty. Got a chance of getting away with it.' Belfield told one recipient called Pacheco that the police had no evidence to implicate him. He said: 'We did not use a blowtorch. We used hot liquid in a flask to burn him.' He added: 'Funny, innit. Police know I'm the one in charge but they know there is next to f*** all on me. 'I don't even put the tracker on. 'They have no evidence to back up what they are saying. Just some story books.' The jury heard that Steven told Belfield: 'I reckon you could squeeze a manslaughter. Accidents happen, bro.' He added in a voice note: 'If you put all the cuts on his face aside and the burns that was off whatever. 'He's got a f****** wound to the arm what got tarted up and a few bangs to the head. 'And he was f****** breathing when they called 999. The court has heard the 'horrific' killing was the result of 'very careful planning by a team of highly organised criminals' who used a tracking device placed on Mr Campbell's car and carried out reconnaissance on his home in the days before the assault. At the 2023 trial Reece Steven was convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob. Stephen Cleworth, from Heywood, who acted as a driver, was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. He was responsible for planting the tracker on Mr Campbell's vehicle and assisting with surveillance although he was not present during the murder. The prosecution case is that Steven, Belfield and a third unknown man were all present when Mr Campbell was tortured to death. Jurors have been told that Belfield's defence is that he had heard false rumours of his involvement in the killing and 'panicked and fled' for fear of a revenge attack. Belfield, of no fixed address, denies murder and conspiracy to rob. The trial continues.

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