Latest news with #CPS
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Constance Marten: Baby killer in Harry Potter 'Dementors' rant at prosecutors
Constance Marten who went on the run with her rapist boyfriend was this week convicted of the manslaughter of their own newborn baby and is locked up in HMP Bronzefield awaiting sentence Aristocrat mum-of-five Constance Marten who alongside her rapist boyfriend killed their newborn daughter, has issued a bitter rant from behind bars about the prosecutors who put her there. The shameless daughter of a multi-millionaire has spoken from inside HMP Bronzefield where she is held alongside fellow serial baby-killing nurse Lucy Letby and Beinash Batool, who tortured her 10-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif to death. Marten, 37, and Mark Gordon, 50, were both found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after a four-month retrial. They were also convicted of child cruelty at an earlier trial and have already lost an appeal against that conviction. They face sentence in September. Now, in a self-pitying barrage of complaints about both her Old Bailey trial and treatment Marten - Prisoner A9624X - hurls abuse at the legal team who brought her to justice over the death of newborn Victoria, while barely mentioning the infant whose dead body was found among rubbish in a Lidl shopping bag. Speaking to the The View Magazine, a publication which promotes reform for women prisoners, wannabe journalist Marten hit out at prosecutors: "They all use this disgusting tone, like they're reprimanding a small child. I've heard them laugh and joke with others, but with me, it's always condescending." The posh prisoner continued: "I just shut down because no one wants to be spoken to like that. People say, 'Oh, they're just doing their job', but they're not. They're paid to make angels look like devils and devils appear angelic." Indignant Marten was extra critical of the CPS prosecutors Tom Little and Joel Smith saying they reminded her of Dementors from Harry Potter. Tom Little KC is the First Senior Treasury Counsel and regularly prosecutes some of the country's most high-profile cases, including the murder of Jo Cox MP, the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard and Metropolitan Police officer turned serial rapist David Carrick who attacked 13 women over nearly two decades. Joel Smith was the lead counsel to prosecute Carl Cooper, who murdered two girlfriends a year apart. The serial killer is now serving life with a minimum term of 35 years. Marten and Gordon's four-month retrial heard the couple had wanted to avoid their fifth child being placed into care after their first four children were taken from them by the family courts. Living "off grid", they went on the run, sparking a high-profile manhunt for them and the missing baby. The prosecution alleged baby Victoria died from hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping in the 'flimsy' tent, despite past warnings. The child's body was discovered with rubbish inside a shopping bag in a disused shed near Brighton after the couple were arrested on February 27, 2023. Trust-fund recipient Marten began giving evidence on April 22 after she complained about suffering from a headache and toothache. She told the court in her evidence in chief that when Victoria died it was the 'worst nightmare that you have ever woke up from'. She claimed in court she did not report the death as she feared being called 'some evil mother, a murderess, that sort of thing'. Marten was then cross-examined by Gordon, who by this point in the trial was representing himself. In answer to his questions, she said her family saw her as an 'embarrassment' and 'will stop at nothing to get what they want'. Prosecutor Joel Smith KC put it to Marten that leaving her daughter's body in a bag of rubbish was a 'despicable thing' to do. She angrily objected to his line of questioning, saying that Mr Smith was 'diabolical' and a 'heartless human being'. She then refused to answer more of his questions. Arrogant Marten continued her backlash against the experienced prosecution team in her interview with The View, claiming Smith was trying to belittle and demean her. She said: "It was his voice. I just couldn't bear it anymore. Tom Little and Joel Smith remind me of Dementors from Harry Potter. There's no empathy. I felt like I was being grilled as a serial killer. The killer went on: "[Joel Smith] asked, 'Miss Martin, let's talk about where you gave birth. I told him it was a cottage in Cumbria. He replied 'It wasn't really a cottage, was it? But it is, it's advertised on Airbnb as Woodcutters Cottage. By questioning this, he implies everything I say is a lie. "This is dangerous, because he represents the state. The jury sees him as the paragon of truth and justice. But he's being paid to make them believe I'm lying." In the few times Marten addresses the death of her helpless baby in the hate-filled, self-pitying interview, she still manages to make the focus herself, while continuing her attack on her prosecution. Marten whined: " Talking about my daughter's death, my beautiful, healthy child who died in my arms, has been unbearable. A forensic psychiatrist warned the court that I might not be able to give evidence due to overwhelming grief. "I couldn't breathe. I couldn't stop crying. The court was filled with journalists. The judge had to excuse the jury. I told Joel Smith, I've had enough of your character assassination. I've bared my soul. I can't keep doing this." On allegations the on-the-run mum used aliases, she offers the twisted excuse: "The police give people aliases all the time under witness protection. That doesn't make me a liar. I was trying to protect myself and Victoria." Marten is also highly critical of Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, saying he didn't help her. Yet numerous times during the trial he told her he had personally called the governor at HMP Bronzefield to discuss transport issues she claimed left her too tired to pay attention in court. But in another warped whine, Marten tells the View: "He doesn't travel seven hours in a metal cage." Judge Lucraft also inquired about Marten seeing a dentist and halted the trial for her to be assessed. Yet in her self-absorbed interview with the View, Marten claimed: "I begged for a dentist appointment for three weeks. I was in agony, but he let me come to court every day in pain. When he finally acted, the dentist confirmed I urgently needed a root canal or extraction." She continued her bitter broadside against the proceedings and prosecutors by descending down a Big Brother-style rabbit hole rant. Marten wailed: "The jury is told not to look me up. So it's just their word against mine. We live in a surveillance state. They know exactly what they're doing, how to make truth look like lies." Marten and Gordon were convicted of perverting the justice, concealing the birth of a child and child cruelty at a first tria l and have already lost an appeal against those convictions. On Monday, they were found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and will be sentenced on all charges on Monday, September 15. The View, which also published a previous article where Marten complained about her prison conditions, approached the judge and prosecution counsel who all declined to comment on Marten's latest rant.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Four Ontario men wanted in $28,000 fake taxi scheme
Police are looking for four Ontario men believed to have posed as taxi drivers, bilking 16 customers out of more than $28,000 through the use of credit card skimmers. Article content The four men, who face a total of 64 charges, are identified as Martin Hudec Siron, 19, Arvinder Singh, Ibrahim Kald and Matthew Tani, aged 24. Article content Article content Police say the suspects used two methods in the scam. In the first, the perpetrators took on riders like any other licensed taxi, and ferried them to their destinations. In the second, a suspect allegedly approached victims claiming they were struggling to pay a taxi fare that would not accept cash. A fare would total between $7 and $7.50, and the suspect would ask a victim if they'd be willing to accept a $10 bill in exchange for paying with their personal debit or credit card. Article content Article content In both the classic cab scenario and the more complex con, drivers would claim that the tap function on the machine presented was also not functioning, forcing passengers and Good Samaritans alike to insert cards and press PIN codes. Article content Article content Investigators believe that information would then be captured by the suspects on a skimming device, or the card would be swapped out for a fake one entirely. The card would then be used to withdraw cash or purchase pre-paid credit cards, or gift cards. Article content Charges for the four include varying counts of theft of a credit card, and counts of fraud under $5,000. Article content Similar events were found to have occurred in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver. Calgary police specified that the individuals charged were not licensed as taxi drivers in the City of Calgary. However, police say they 'have no way to know if they are licensed in other jurisdictions.' Article content Investigators believe the vehicle was rented, with a model specifically chosen to blend in with other cab services. They say the perpetrators are believed to have 'placed a taxi sign on top, similar to ones you can buy online.' Article content CPS released a warning regarding scams of this nature in July, 2024, after receiving multiple reports of taxi fraud being conducted by what appeared to be an organized group. The warrant comes alongside a host of other scam warnings by the police. Recently, a Quebec Man was charged for defrauding a Calgary senior of more than $300,000 by convincing her to make deposits to bitcoin ATMs, none of which was able to be recovered. Article content Suspects in the taxi fraud case are believed to have fled back to Ontario, which investigators believe to be where they reside. Photographs of the suspects can be found on the City of Calgary website. Article content
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Calgary police investigate shooting in Redstone
A Calgary Police Service logo is seen on a vehicle parked at headquarters in Calgary, April 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Calgary police are investigating after shots were fired in the northeast community of Redstone. At 3:04 a.m. Thursday, police said several shots were fired into a parked car in the 100 block of Red Sky Green N.E. No injuries have been reported. Officers are at the scene and there is no risk to the public. Further details are expected later in the day.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
‘I was followed carriage to carriage by a burping, farting man': This is life as a woman on the Tube
Show me a woman who's lived in (or simply visited) London and I guarantee you'll find an example of her being harassed on public transport – by a man. It is, depressingly, par for the course for most of us – and I say this as a Londoner who's lived in the capital my whole life. The main culprit? Men on London Underground, where packed train carriages are easy fodder for wannabe gropers. But there are bad men on buses, too. There's no way I would ever allow my teenage daughter to take the night bus home like I did, not when I know – firsthand – just how dangerous it can be for women. Our stories are often anecdotal, because we know for a fact that women often don't report what has happened to them – after all, there are few areas of crime where the British justice system is so particularly ill-equipped to advocate for women as rape and sexual assault. Just this week, for instance, a watchdog warned that the handling of rape cases at an early stage by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is 'not good enough', risks a poor service to victims – and said that 'urgent improvements' are needed. When I ask female friends who live in London whether they've ever had any negative encounters on the Tube, almost every one of them has a story. 'I got followed by a man moving from carriage to carriage on the East London line late at night,' one friend tells me. 'Each time he followed me, he sat right next to me – until I ran off the train last minute before the doors closed at Wapping. I didn't report it, though.' When I ask her why she didn't, she says: 'There was nobody at the station to report it to. Wapping doesn't have anyone visible around after about 9pm. Plus, I was far too busy making sure I got somewhere – safe and fast – to think about stopping to tell anyone. 'The police wouldn't have been able to do anything, either, as I didn't know if he got off at Wapping or carried on to another stop – it would have been a wild goose chase for them and a waste of time.' 'I've been rubbed up against on the Tube too many times to count,' another friend reveals, saying that the experiences were 'gross' – while another recounts how she was followed home by a man at a deserted train platform at Catford and had to run. The Labour MP – who's no stranger to being targeted (she's one of a group of female MPs who has been repeatedly targeted with abuse from anti-abortion activists, stalkers and misogynists; and has even had to have a panic button installed inside her home) – said she was now planning to report the incident to the police. In a post on X, Creasy said: 'If you were one of the passengers on the victoria line just now who intervened to stop a man hassling me thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please get in touch with my office if you are prepared to be a witness as maybe the police might listen to you about him now!' Stella speaks for all of us. I've had far too many unsavoury experiences on public transport – from taking a friend on the Tube for her first ever visit to London, aged 19, when a man sat next to us and made obscene gestures with his tongue and fingers; to being followed last month, carriage to carriage on the Elizabeth Line, by a burping and farting man on the 8am commute to work. I moved away as it became apparent that he wasn't well – that's what I assumed given he was cackling, releasing deafening guttural burps and constantly passing wind (I was actually worried he might vomit) – but as soon as he clocked I was moving away in fear and disgust, the challenge was apparently on. He started laughing even more loudly and following me as I weaved my way through crowds of commuters to put some distance between us. Other passengers clocked what was happening, but nobody stepped in – perhaps no surprise, when you consider that BTP data shows that while more than a third of women have been sexually harassed on train and Tube journeys, only one in five people who have witnessed incidents of sexual harassment reported it to police. I just had to keep moving, faster and faster – and then waited until the last minute and jumped off the train as the doors were about to close, so that he couldn't follow me anymore. There are so many more stories: the man who came up to talk to me while I was travelling in an empty carriage home from visiting a friend at night; who saw I had my headphones on and did what too many men do to women when they're clearly wanting to be left alone: he gestured at me to take my headphones off so we could chat. When I refused to do so – shaking my head to signal clearly that I didn't want to chat, that I was quite content minding my own business, actually – he got aggressive. They always do. A damning report released last August revealed violent attacks towards women more than doubled in the two years previous, with more than a third of women were subjected to sexual harassment or sexual offences while commuting via train or Tube, according to data published by the British Transport Police Authority. Figures also revealed a surge from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023 of crimes against women and girls. I don't have the answers as to why so many men harass women on public transport – whether it's opportunist, a 'misinterpretation', or 'accidental' – but I suspect the depressing truth is simply 'because they can'.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Hells Angels' upcoming gathering prompts advisory from Calgary police
Members from one of Canada's most notorious biker gangs are expected to gather in Calgary this weekend, prompting an advisory from local police on Wednesday. Article content A Calgary Police Service advisory states residents may see an influx of members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, who will be in the city Friday for a planned gathering. Article content Article content The gang's presence will result in an increased police presence throughout the city, the CPS release added, as police monitor the activities of members to ensure they abide by the law, including the Traffic Safety Act. Article content Article content 'Historically these types of gatherings have passed without incident,' the release said. 'CPS, however, will be enforcing laws with this group as we would with any citizen.' Article content Hells Angels has had a Calgary chapter since July 20, 1997, according to Herald archives, and held a large-scale gathering here in 2017 to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the gang's presence in Calgary. Article content While many of the gang's gatherings in Calgary have gone smoothly, some of its illegal operations has generated a significant police response. Article content An example was in March 2001, when roughly 200 police officers raided the Hells Angels clubhouse in Ogden and several other locations, seizing $1 million worth of illegal drugs and weapons. The raid resulted in charges being laid against 43 individuals, eight of whom were members of Hells Angels' Calgary chapter. Article content
