Hartpury College player banned for racial abuse
A Hartpury College rugby union player has received a nine-match ban from the Rugby Football Union after racially abusing an opponent.Joe Cooper, 20, was found guilty by an RFU independent disciplinary panel earlier this month of "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game" after targeting a University of Bristol player.As well as the nine-match ban, with three games suspended, Cooper has also been enrolled in an online course provided by Accelerate Sport called "Tackling Racism in Sport".The incident occurred during a British Universities and Colleges Sport match in Bristol on 22 January.An impact statement provided to the panel by the player targeted read: "When the words were said, I didn't know how to feel. I was in shock as I didn't expect to hear what I heard, especially in a rugby game."Hartpury College said Cooper "accepted responsibility for his actions and admitted using the abusive language at the match. He apologised wholeheartedly for his conduct which he candidly accepted was utterly inappropriate."A University of Bristol spokesperson said: "We welcome the outcome of the disciplinary panel and would like to thank everyone involved for the robust and prompt way in which this has been dealt with. "We have been supporting the affected student throughout this time."
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The Courier
a day ago
- The Courier
Josh Cooper singles out two key improvements he wants at Dunfermline Athletic next season after signing new deal
Josh Cooper has set his sights on holding down a regular starting berth with Dunfermline next season after agreeing a contract extension. The 22-year-old has penned a 12-month deal after signing on for just a year with the Pars last summer following two years rebuilding his career with Stirling Albion. The ex-Morton player worked under three different managers in a difficult first season back in full-time football, but still managed to score three goals and make 28 appearances across the campaign. However, with just six of those being from the start, Cooper wants to make a bigger impact on the first-team next term. 'I'm delighted,' said the attacking midfielder of his new contract. 'I was delighted to hear about getting the extension and I couldn't wait to sign it. 'I enjoyed being here last season. It was an up-and-down season, obviously, and not what we wanted. 'But, personally, I really enjoyed it and I felt I did well. Hopefully I can try and kick on this season. 'I think I adapted [to full-time football] quite quickly and I was starting to find my feet. 'Obviously, I had a bit of an injury as well around Christmas time. But then I had not a bad end to the season and got myself back in the team. 'I just want to do more of the same as last season, and hopefully add more goals and try and get myself an actual starting position in the team. 'Obviously, I impacted a lot off the bench, but hopefully I can get more starts under my belt this season.' Cooper spent the whole of last summer 'on trial' at Dunfermline as previous boss James McPake waited for clearance to sign the youngster. McPake was subsequently sacked in December and his replacement, Michael Tidser, lasted just 59 days in charge before he was also axed. The Pars are hopeful of some stability now that Neil Lennon has agreed a new two-year deal to stay on in the dugout. And Cooper is relishing working again under the former Celtic and Hibernian boss, who spoke earlier this week of his hopes for the Greenock native. 'It was really good to work under the new manager,' added Cooper. 'Obviously, he's got a lot of experience and he's somebody you want to play for. 'He gives you confidence and belief in yourself. So, I really enjoyed it.'
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Girl who filmed killing of pensioner is spared jail
The family of an 80-year-old dog walker has said the sentences handed to his teenage killers 'do not reflect the severity of the crime', after a 13-year-old girl convicted of the attack walked free from court. Bhim Kohli was fatally attacked by a 15-year-old boy as racist abuse was shouted at him, while the girl filmed the killing on her mobile phone. At Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, the boy was ordered to serve seven years in prison while the girl was handed a three-month rehabilitation order. The sentences stand in contrast to that of Lucy Connolly, a childminder married to a Conservative councillor, who received a 31-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred with a tweet posted in the wake of the Southport murders. The girl had filmed a series of video clips in which Mr Kohli was slapped with the shoe by the masked boy and another where the pensioner lay motionless on the ground, the court previously heard. Mr Justice Turner said it had been a 'cowardly and violent attack' on an elderly man, who did ' nothing to deserve ' what happened to him. Mr Kohli's daughter, Susan, called for the parents of the killers to face court themselves after the sentences were handed down. She said: 'The parents have a part to play in it because, from what we heard in court, the children were out at crazy times. They were on the phones at gone midnight. These are children of the age of 12 and 14 [at the time of the killing]. 'How can a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old do something like this to an old-age pensioner? Do they not think, what if this happened to their parents, their grandparents? It is adults taking responsibility. Hold the parents accountable. Then bring them to court as well.' A six-week trial heard that Mr Kohli called out for help while walking his dog Rocky when he was assaulted by the balaclava-clad boy, while the girl laughed and filmed at Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, near Leicester on Sept 1 last year. Both children denied their part in the grandfather's death but were convicted of manslaughter by a jury at the same court in April. The boy was cleared of Mr Kohli's murder. The public gallery was packed with members of Mr Kohli's family for the day-long sentencing hearing. Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC said there was 'deliberate humiliation' of Mr Kohli during the attack, which came against a backdrop of 'bullying and antagonising' of the pensioner by other local youths. Mr Kohli's children found him lying on the ground in agony when he told his daughter that he had been called a 'P---' during the attack. In a victim impact statement, Mr Kohli's daughter, said: 'He was in so much pain, he was screaming out. It was horrendous and we have never seen him like this.' She said the family had been left 'broken' by what had happened to her father, adding: 'They left my dad on his own, helpless and in pain.' 'Haunted' relatives Simranjit Kohli, Mr Kohli's grandson, said in a statement read by Mr Sandhu that he was 'haunted' by his grandfather's death. 'I was the first one out of my family at the scene. Not a day goes by when I think, if I were minutes earlier I could have stopped what happened.' Mr Justice Turner said the attack had been 'wicked', and that evidence that suggested Mr Kohli told his daughter he was called a 'P---' during the attack was right, but that evidence from their mobile phones did not show they held 'general racist views'. He said: 'It was a lazy but very hurtful insult.' Addressing the boy, who was 14 at the time of the attack, the judge added: 'I'm sure you regret that he died because of what you did to Mr Kohli, but you still say it wasn't your fault. 'It was your fault and the sooner you realise this, the better.' Reasons for sentences He accepted that while the girl, who was 12 at the time of the attack, had encouraged the boy's behaviour, she did not know he would use 'anything like the level of violence he did'. Giving his reasons for the sentences, the judge said the girl had not played a 'leading role' in the killing, and did 'not hurt Kohli directly'. He said there were a number of mitigating factors, including no previous convictions and a troubled upbringing, and that a short custodial sentence would do more harm than good. Alongside the youth rehabilitation order, she will also be under an electronically monitored curfew for six months. The judge told the boy he did not find he attacked Mr Kohli due to his race, even though the court heard he used racist language. 'You made a cowardly attack on an elderly man,' he said. Ms Kohli, speaking after the sentencing of her father's teenage killers, said she is 'angry and disappointed' that their sentence does not reflect the severity of the crime. Ms Kohli said: 'I believe on that day the two teenagers made a choice. The teenage boy chose to attack my dad and the girl chose to film him being attacked. They knew what they were doing. 'I feel angry and disappointed that the sentence they have both received today does not, I believe, reflect the severity of the crime they committed. 'However, I understand the judge has guidelines, but they have taken a life, and, as a result, our lives have been changed forever. 'When they are released, they still have their full lives ahead of them. They can rebuild their lives. We can't.'
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Teen jailed for killing grandad, 80, who was battered with slider shoe – as girl, 12, who filmed attack AVOIDS prison
A TEEN has been jailed for killing a grandad who was battered with a slider shoe - but a girl who filmed the horror has avoided prison. Bhim Kohli, 80, was just 30 seconds from home when he was violently beaten in Franklin Park near Leicester in September last year. 8 8 A 13-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy, who were 12 and 14 at the time, were found guilty of manslaughter. They were today sentenced but will not be named after a judge refused to lift reporting restrictions. The boy was locked up for seven years at Leicester Crown Court, while the girl was handed a three-year youth supervision order. Haunting footage showed Bhim walking his dog on September 1 at around 6.18pm into the park. Seconds later, was forced to his knees and slapped with the boy's slider while the girl - then aged 12 - filmed it on her phone and laughed. Both also hurled racist slurs at Bhim as the schoolgirl "encouraged" her pal to violently attack him. In a victim impact statement, Bhim's daughter Susan said the family feel "nothing but anger and disgust" towards his killers. She added: "They left my dad on his own, helpless and in pain. Losing dad in these cruel, violent and deeply shocking circumstances feels like our hearts have been pulled apart. "We can't put into words the pain we feel everyday - we have never felt hurt and sadness like this. "My mum, a gentle human being, has found herself saying she would like the children subjected to the same treatment they gave her husband to see how they feel." The teens had entered the park shortly after Bhim with other youngsters before the killing. When the group saw him, the girl claimed he had tried to hit their friend "with a stick". As three of the teens ran away, the girl remained with the boy as he put a balaclava on to "support him in what was about to happen". One video played to the court showed the grandad being slapped with a slider shoe by the boy as the girl laughed and moved closer to film the act of "pure violence". At one point, Bhim tried to call one of his grandsons in a cry for help but tragically did not get through. The court heard he also attempted to leave the park but the pair followed him as Bhim desperately tried to defend himself. The last clip, which was filmed at 6.27pm, showed the dad lying on his side and not moving. Just 48 seconds later, he had suffered fatal injuries after being subjected to more violence. 8 8 His son Virinder found Bhim on the ground in "obvious pain" with injuries to his left side and his neck. In his dying moments, the grandad told a paramedic he had been attacked by a boy, who punched and kicked him as he was racially abused. He also spoke to his daughter Susan Friday, who relived her dad's last seconds as he lay dying. She told the court: "Whilst by his side, I knelt down and said, 'Dad, what has happened?' "He screamed, 'My neck. my neck, my neck, lift my neck'. "This was not his normal tone. He was in agony, almost screaming. "I have never heard him cry out in pain about anything like that before." Allotment-loving Bhim was rushed to hospital but sadly couldn't be saved and died the following evening. He had suffered fractured ribs and a spinal cord injury after an "intense attack". The teens meanwhile fled the scene and were later heard "bragging" about what they had done. Chillingly, the boy said "he whacked his head off a log", before the girl added: "Oh, I know. I saw that. It goes doosh." I didn't mean to batter him, it was one hit and then my anger turn in. I regret it man I do. Teen boy killer Jurors heard the boy gave different accounts of what happened - claiming he "could not stop kicking" the OAP. He also said: "I didn't mean to batter him, it was one hit and then my anger turn in. I regret it man I do.' The boy searched for Franklin Park on Google the day after the horror and read a news article about Bhim. He messaged his mum, saying: " Police are looking for me because of Franklin. " I can't come back tonight, I will explain when I have a chance. I'm sorry." Asked by a pal if he was "s******* it", he replied "nah, chilling bro" alongside two laughing emojis. The boy also told one friend "feds know it's me. Got my name and picture" around 25 minutes before Bhim died. One girl then replied: 'He's 80. You don't do that to an old man. You don't do that. You're vile.' He was arrested the day after the attack at his home, where police officers found him hiding in a bush. The teen told police Bhim had taken photos of him and stolen his slider - but failed to mention that he'd struck him with it. He and the girl also "made up an account" that Bhim had pulled a knife out. After he was charged with murder, the boy wrote a letter to a "professional" about how he'd been dumped by his girlfriend and "needed anger etc releasing". When he was told the letter would have to be disclosed to prosecutors as part of the investigation, he replied: "That's my manslaughter plea gone". Bhim's heartbroken family pay tribute Daughter Susan Kohli said on behalf of the family: "My dad Bhim Kohli was brutally and cruelly taken away from us when he was out walking our dog Rocky in the park close to our home. 'Dad was 80 years old. He was a devoted life partner to my mother for 55 years. He was a loving dad, grandad, brother, uncle, a retired businessman and a close friend to many, including people who lived in our local community. 'He was an amazing man who loved life. He never took himself seriously, he was good fun to be around and very chatty. Despite his age and how frail he looked, he was healthy and very active. He had three allotment plots where he grew lots of fruit and vegetables and would share them with the family, friends and neighbours. He was the person who knitted our family together and we miss him every second of every day. 'Our house feels so empty without him and will never be the same. The area we have loved for so many years and called 'home' feels so different now and we will never feel safe. Having happened only a minute's walk of where we live is something we cannot get away from and it is a constant reminder. Every time my mum opens the front door she thinks about what happened to her husband. 'Dad knew so many people in the community and he would always have a chat and a joke with them. The community have been nothing but a fantastic support to us and we will be forever grateful to them for their love and generosity. We have taken solace in listening to people talking fondly to us about their dog walking stories with dad. 'On Sunday 1 September we were alerted to what had happened and went to the park to help dad. He was screaming out; he was in that much pain - it was horrendous, we have never seen him like that before. We all thought he would go to hospital to be treated and he would then be fine. We never imagined he wouldn't return home. My dad passed away before our eyes, surrounded by his family. We were all in floods of tears and in disbelief that an investigation had commenced. 'After my dad's passing the community held a vigil. I didn't initially want to go as it felt too much and too soon. I changed my mind at the last minute and attended with a close friend and our family liaison officers. It was very difficult and overwhelming, but the number of flowers and beautiful messages took our breath away. It was very touching, and it felt like the whole community had come together to show strength and unity. It also left us with a feeling of total shock and sadness that something so terrifying had happened in our little park which is used by so many people. 'My mum and I felt that we needed to attend the trial each day to understand the evidence fully. Our family have tried to remain strong, but the truth is inside we feel broken, and it has been so stressful. 'Listening to the enormity of what dad was subjected to will never leave us. We feel anger and disgust towards the teenagers who took dad away from us. They humiliated an 80-year-old man, assaulted him, filmed it and laughed at him. The boy, who told witnesses he had anger problems and couldn't stop, used violence so severe that he broke three of dad's ribs and neck which caused trauma to his spinal column. Videos of the incident were filmed and shockingly found on the girl's phone. Dad did not deserve this, and we wouldn't wish this pain on anyone else. 'One of the videos showed dad on his knees being hit over the head with the boy's slider. A loud horrible slapping sound is heard when the boy struck dad. Hearing the girl laugh at this assault on dad is utterly disgusting. This sound plays over and over in our heads. 'Also captured on video is dad's attempt to call for help as he shouted out for his grandson. We didn't hear his call for help and this upsets us deeply. 'Losing dad in these cruel, violent, and deeply shocking circumstances feels like our hearts have been pulled apart. We can't put into words the pain we feel every day, and this has magnified during the trial. 'Rocky, our dog, returned home alone on that day and has been lost without dad. He had 15 years with my dad, and it is clear he misses him deeply.' Susan added: 'On behalf of myself and my family I would like to express thanks to all the witnesses and experts who provided statements that helped the police piece together what happened to dad. We want to especially highlight the children who gave evidence. They were so brave under difficult circumstances, and we will be forever grateful to them and their parents. 'We would also like to extend our thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get justice for dad. From the police investigation team – including the senior investigating officers, the officer in the case and the family liaison officers who have been with us every step of the way. Also, to the CPS and the prosecution team, particularly Mr Sandhu KC, for not leaving any stone unturned when presenting the case.' Leicester Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following prior contact with Bhim. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said: 'The circumstances surrounding this incident are truly tragic and heartbreaking. 'Bhim Kohli was simply doing what he did every day, walking his dog on the park that was just yards from his own front door. But instead of being able to enjoy an evening stroll with Rocky on a warm summer's day, he was confronted by a teenage boy, who was encouraged by a teenage girl, attacked him and left him in agony on the floor. "Sadly, the resultant injuries were fatal and Mr Kohli's death has left not only a family grieving the loss of a beloved husband, father and grandfather but the wider community too. 'The age of the defendants in the case has added to the devastating circumstances surrounding this incident and complexities in the case. They will have to deal with the enormity that their actions resulted in a man losing his life and the consequences this now brings.' 8 8 8
