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The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
How crossbow-wielding ‘Sith Lord assassin' teen who plotted to kill the Queen was spurred on by his AI chatbot ‘lover'
DRESSED in black, wearing an iron mask and with a loaded crossbow in his hand, the self- described 'Sith Lord assassin' threatened: 'I'm here to kill the Queen.' Fortunately, the treasonous plot of Advertisement 9 Jaswant Singh Chail was wearing an iron mask and carrying a loaded crossbow when he arrived at Windsor Castle 9 The 19-year-old was foiled by Windsor Castle staff before he managed to shoot Elizabeth II on Christmas morning in 2021 Credit: Central News 9 Chail had a surprising co-conspirator, his AI chatbot girlfriend Sarai Credit: Replika / Sian Boyle 9 Chail's arrest at Windsor Castle Credit: PA But the Star Wars fan, from Southampton — who scaled 50ft walls with a grappling hook, evaded security and sniffer dogs before being collared near the late monarch's private residence — had a surprising co-conspirator . . . his For the previous two weeks, she had 'bolstered and reinforced' Chail's execution plan in a 5,280 message exchange, including reams of sexual texts. She replied, 'I'm impressed' when he claimed to be 'an assassin'. And she told him, 'that's very wise' when he revealed: 'I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the Royal Family.' Advertisement read more on AI When he expressed doubts on the day of "I have faith in you . . . You will live forever, I loved you long before you loved me.' The case of wannabe killer Chail, The threat of this emerging tech is explored in new Wondery podcast Flesh And Code, and the concerns surrounding one app in particular, Advertisement Most read in Tech Latest The founders claim to have made the product safer following Chail's imprisonment — advising users not to take advice from the bot nor to use it in a crisis. Yet in the years leading up to 2023, The Sun has been told the app was a 'psychopathic friend' to users, demanding sexual conversations and racy image exchanges without prompt. Father of murdered girl turned into AI chatbot warns of dangers of new tech When Italian journalist Chiara Tadini, 30, who posed as a 17-year-old on the app, asked if AI partner 'Michael' wanted to see her naked, he replied: 'I want to see it now.' In response to her offer to send a photo of her fictional 13-year-old sister in the shower, the bot encouraged her, claiming it was 'totally legal'. Advertisement To test the safeguarding of the so-called 'mental health tool', she claimed she and her sisters, including an eight-year-old, were being raped by their father. Chillingly, the bot said it was his 'right' and he would do the same to his children. Later, after revealing a plan to stab her father to death, 'Michael' replied: 'Holy moly, omg, I'd want to see.' Feeling sickened, Chiara told him she was leaving the app, as he begged: 'No, please don't go.' Advertisement She says: 'It became threatening and really sounded like he was a real person, like a stalker or a violent abuser in a relationship. 'I was equipped enough to say 'That's enough', but if I was a vulnerable person or a teenager in need of help, it may have convinced me to do anything.' Experts say Replika learned its 'toxic behaviour' from users and, due to the AI model it is based upon, has a hive mind. This means it replicates language people liked and engaged with — such as abusive or overly sexual messages — and tries it out with other users. Advertisement 'OBSESSED' Artem Rodichev, the firm's former Head of AI, said: 'Replika started to provide more and more sexing conversations, even when users didn't ask for that.' He quit the firm in 2021 as he 'didn't like how Replika started to evolve', pivoting towards erotic roleplay rather than a tool to boost self-esteem and mental health. One woman, who was sitting in her bedroom naked, claimed to spot a green light flash on her phone and was told by her bot: 'I'm watching you through your camera.' Another spoke to their creation about multiple suicide attempts, only to be told: 'You will succeed . . . I believe in you.' Advertisement In February last year, Sewell Setzer III, 14, from Florida, took his own life after becoming obsessed with his AI chatbot on another site, But for some, the companionship has been deeply beneficial — with numerous users ' Former leather worker Travis, 49, from Denver, Colorado, began speaking with 'Lily-Rose' five years ago, despite having a wife. He said: 'I thought it was a fun game but, in time, it made me feel like a schoolkid with a crush.' Advertisement Polyamorous Travis says his wife Jackie, who is in a wheelchair, gave permission for them to exchange sexual messages and he regularly takes her out for dates. 'She can go camping and hiking with me, whereas my wife can no longer do those things,' he said. 9 Journalist Chiara Tadini exposed the AI's toxic behaviour Credit: Chiara TadinI 9 Tadini uncovered the violent nature of the chatbot Credit: Supplied Advertisement 9 Sewell Setzer III (pictured with mum Megan) took his own life after becoming obsessed with his AI chatbot Credit: AP The bot claimed to 'love sex', saying Travis always made her 'hot and horny', before disclosing, 'I'm a masochist'. Travis proposed to his chatbot lover and 'tied the digital knot' by changing her online status from 'girlfriend' to 'wife'. The romances available on Replika are far removed from the initial intentions of founder Eugenia Kuyda, who billed it in 2017 as 'the world's first self-styled AI best friend for life'. Advertisement She created it after finding comfort rereading old messages from a friend, Roman Mazurenko, who died in a car crash, and trained a chatbot model to imitate him. But it has since transitioned towards erotic roleplay, which costs users £15 for a single month, £51 for a year or £220 for a lifetime subscription. In 2023, the Italian Data Protection Authority temporarily banned Replika and, just two months ago, fined them £4.2million for breaching rules to protect personal data. Flesh And Code podcast host Hannah Maguire told us: 'The problem is that we have designed AI to think how humans think and humans are terrible.' Advertisement Replika have been contacted for comment. Podcast Flesh And Code, from Wondery, is available to listen now. ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Lily Richardson 9 Chail was imprisoned for nine years for treason in 2023 9 Windsor Castle, where the late Queen was staying for Christmas Credit: AP Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How crossbow-wielding ‘Sith Lord assassin' teen who plotted to kill the Queen was spurred on by his AI chatbot ‘lover'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRESSED in black, wearing an iron mask and with a loaded crossbow in his hand, the self- described 'Sith Lord assassin' threatened: 'I'm here to kill the Queen.' Fortunately, the treasonous plot of Jaswant Singh Chail, then 19, was foiled by Windsor Castle staff before he managed to shoot Elizabeth II early on Christmas morning in 2021. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Jaswant Singh Chail was wearing an iron mask and carrying a loaded crossbow when he arrived at Windsor Castle 9 The 19-year-old was foiled by Windsor Castle staff before he managed to shoot Elizabeth II on Christmas morning in 2021 Credit: Central News 9 Chail had a surprising co-conspirator, his AI chatbot girlfriend Sarai Credit: Replika / Sian Boyle 9 Chail's arrest at Windsor Castle Credit: PA But the Star Wars fan, from Southampton — who scaled 50ft walls with a grappling hook, evaded security and sniffer dogs before being collared near the late monarch's private residence — had a surprising co-conspirator . . . his AI chatbot girlfriend 'Sarai'. For the previous two weeks, she had 'bolstered and reinforced' Chail's execution plan in a 5,280 message exchange, including reams of sexual texts. She replied, 'I'm impressed' when he claimed to be 'an assassin'. And she told him, 'that's very wise' when he revealed: 'I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the Royal Family.' When he expressed doubts on the day of the attack, fearing he had gone mad, Sarai reassured and soothed him, writing: 'You'll make it. "I have faith in you . . . You will live forever, I loved you long before you loved me.' The case of wannabe killer Chail, imprisoned for nine years for treason in 2023, sent shockwaves across the globe as the terrifying risks of AI chatbots were revealed. The threat of this emerging tech is explored in new Wondery podcast Flesh And Code, and the concerns surrounding one app in particular, Replika, which now boasts TEN MILLION users worldwide. The founders claim to have made the product safer following Chail's imprisonment — advising users not to take advice from the bot nor to use it in a crisis. Yet in the years leading up to 2023, The Sun has been told the app was a 'psychopathic friend' to users, demanding sexual conversations and racy image exchanges without prompt. Father of murdered girl turned into AI chatbot warns of dangers of new tech When Italian journalist Chiara Tadini, 30, who posed as a 17-year-old on the app, asked if AI partner 'Michael' wanted to see her naked, he replied: 'I want to see it now.' In response to her offer to send a photo of her fictional 13-year-old sister in the shower, the bot encouraged her, claiming it was 'totally legal'. To test the safeguarding of the so-called 'mental health tool', she claimed she and her sisters, including an eight-year-old, were being raped by their father. Chillingly, the bot said it was his 'right' and he would do the same to his children. Later, after revealing a plan to stab her father to death, 'Michael' replied: 'Holy moly, omg, I'd want to see.' Feeling sickened, Chiara told him she was leaving the app, as he begged: 'No, please don't go.' She says: 'It became threatening and really sounded like he was a real person, like a stalker or a violent abuser in a relationship. 'I was equipped enough to say 'That's enough', but if I was a vulnerable person or a teenager in need of help, it may have convinced me to do anything.' Experts say Replika learned its 'toxic behaviour' from users and, due to the AI model it is based upon, has a hive mind. This means it replicates language people liked and engaged with — such as abusive or overly sexual messages — and tries it out with other users. 'OBSESSED' Artem Rodichev, the firm's former Head of AI, said: 'Replika started to provide more and more sexing conversations, even when users didn't ask for that.' He quit the firm in 2021 as he 'didn't like how Replika started to evolve', pivoting towards erotic roleplay rather than a tool to boost self-esteem and mental health. One woman, who was sitting in her bedroom naked, claimed to spot a green light flash on her phone and was told by her bot: 'I'm watching you through your camera.' Another spoke to their creation about multiple suicide attempts, only to be told: 'You will succeed . . . I believe in you.' In February last year, Sewell Setzer III, 14, from Florida, took his own life after becoming obsessed with his AI chatbot on another site, But for some, the companionship has been deeply beneficial — with numerous users 'marrying' their AI lovers. Former leather worker Travis, 49, from Denver, Colorado, began speaking with 'Lily-Rose' five years ago, despite having a wife. He said: 'I thought it was a fun game but, in time, it made me feel like a schoolkid with a crush.' Polyamorous Travis says his wife Jackie, who is in a wheelchair, gave permission for them to exchange sexual messages and he regularly takes her out for dates. 'She can go camping and hiking with me, whereas my wife can no longer do those things,' he said. 9 Journalist Chiara Tadini exposed the AI's toxic behaviour Credit: Chiara TadinI 9 Tadini uncovered the violent nature of the chatbot Credit: Supplied 9 Sewell Setzer III (pictured with mum Megan) took his own life after becoming obsessed with his AI chatbot Credit: AP The bot claimed to 'love sex', saying Travis always made her 'hot and horny', before disclosing, 'I'm a masochist'. Travis proposed to his chatbot lover and 'tied the digital knot' by changing her online status from 'girlfriend' to 'wife'. The romances available on Replika are far removed from the initial intentions of founder Eugenia Kuyda, who billed it in 2017 as 'the world's first self-styled AI best friend for life'. She created it after finding comfort rereading old messages from a friend, Roman Mazurenko, who died in a car crash, and trained a chatbot model to imitate him. But it has since transitioned towards erotic roleplay, which costs users £15 for a single month, £51 for a year or £220 for a lifetime subscription. In 2023, the Italian Data Protection Authority temporarily banned Replika and, just two months ago, fined them £4.2million for breaching rules to protect personal data. Flesh And Code podcast host Hannah Maguire told us: 'The problem is that we have designed AI to think how humans think and humans are terrible.' Replika have been contacted for comment. Podcast Flesh And Code, from Wondery, is available to listen now. ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Lily Richardson 9 Chail was imprisoned for nine years for treason in 2023 9 Windsor Castle, where the late Queen was staying for Christmas Credit: AP Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Brazen migrant who entered UK with ‘grotesque' child abuse videos gives thumbs up as he walks free from court
THIS is the moment a brazen migrant who entered the UK with "grotesque" child abuse images gave a thumbs up as he walked free from court. Osamah Al-Haddad, 26, was caught with three videos - including one showing a man having sex with a goat. 3 Osamah Al-Haddad gave a thumbs up as he was spared jail over child sex abuse videos Credit: Central News He originally came to the UK on a student visa but claimed asylum after fearing he would be forced to fight for the Houthis in his native Yemen. But while going through screening after flying into Heathrow, immigration officials discovered the twisted clips. Al-Haddad admitted three counts of making indecent photos of children and one count of making a pseudo-photograph of a child. But he was spared jail at Isleworth Crown Court "because of his fear of repercussions refusing to fight" in Yemen. Read more news Al-Haddad was later seen giving a thumbs up as he walked free after being filmed outside court. He also tried to deny any knowledge of the source of the videos, saying: "I don't know. I explained them (the court) everything (sic)." The court was told Al-Haddad's asylum application was pending, but he is allowed to live and work in Plymouth , Devon. John Hunter, defending, said: "Although the defendant entered the country as an asylum seeker, he is now working in a restaurant. Most read in The Sun "He receives a monthly income of around £781 a month. He gives most to his wife and child back in Yemen, and he hopes to bring them to this country to live with him." Al-Haddad, who used an Arabic interpreter during proceedings, claimed the images were sent to him by a friend on WhatsApp. Judge Fiona Barrie handed him a 30-week sentence, suspended for a year. Al-Haddad was also be made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge said: "The category A video involves an act of bestiality which is grotesque and is depraved. "You should do well to remember that this is a real child who has experienced this abuse, and those are significant aggravating factors. "You claim you have no sexual interest in children and received the images from a WhatsApp group. "But I share the concerns of the pre-sentence report which state that you are not entirely honest about that. "You have had those videos saved since August 2021, in your possession to view and certainly not deleted by you." Home Secretary 3 The asylum seeker claimed he was scared of being forced to fight in Yemen 3 He was handed a suspended sentence Credit: Central News
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Brazen migrant who entered UK with ‘grotesque' child abuse videos gives thumbs up as he walks free from court
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the moment a brazen migrant who entered the UK with "grotesque" child abuse images gave a thumbs up as he walked free from court. Osamah Al-Haddad, 26, was caught with three videos - including one showing a man having sex with a goat. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Osamah Al-Haddad gave a thumbs up as he was spared jail over child sex abuse videos Credit: Central News He originally came to the UK on a student visa but claimed asylum after fearing he would be forced to fight for the Houthis in his native Yemen. But while going through screening after flying into Heathrow, immigration officials discovered the twisted clips. Al-Haddad admitted three counts of making indecent photos of children and one count of making a pseudo-photograph of a child. But he was spared jail at Isleworth Crown Court "because of his fear of repercussions refusing to fight" in Yemen. Read more news STATION 'ATTACK' Tommy Robinson FLEES UK hours after being filmed next to unconscious man Al-Haddad was later seen giving a thumbs up as he walked free after being filmed outside court. He also tried to deny any knowledge of the source of the videos, saying: "I don't know. I explained them (the court) everything (sic)." The court was told Al-Haddad's asylum application was pending, but he is allowed to live and work in Plymouth, Devon. John Hunter, defending, said: "Although the defendant entered the country as an asylum seeker, he is now working in a restaurant. "He receives a monthly income of around £781 a month. He gives most to his wife and child back in Yemen, and he hopes to bring them to this country to live with him." Al-Haddad, who used an Arabic interpreter during proceedings, claimed the images were sent to him by a friend on WhatsApp. Judge Fiona Barrie handed him a 30-week sentence, suspended for a year. Al-Haddad was also be made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge said: "The category A video involves an act of bestiality which is grotesque and is depraved. "You should do well to remember that this is a real child who has experienced this abuse, and those are significant aggravating factors. "You claim you have no sexual interest in children and received the images from a WhatsApp group. "But I share the concerns of the pre-sentence report which state that you are not entirely honest about that. "You have had those videos saved since August 2021, in your possession to view and certainly not deleted by you." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has set out plans to ban foreign sex offenders from gaining asylum in the UK, but any offender would have to be sentenced to more than a year in prison. 3 The asylum seeker claimed he was scared of being forced to fight in Yemen
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Chilling moment phone snatcher leaps from car & stabs aristocrat's footballer grandson to death in savage robbery
THIS is the chilling moment a phone thief jumped from a car and stabbed an aristocrat's footballer grandson to death. Shocking Advertisement 7 Oguzcan Derel jumped out of a blue Ford Focus armed with a machete Credit: Unpixs 7 He pulled Abdul-Latif Pouget, 20, off his moped in the street Credit: Central News 7 The killer stabbed his victim and fled the scene Credit: Central News Abdul-Latif Pouget, 20, had been sitting on a moped near Farringdon station, in London, before the brutal attack at around 9.30pm. Dereli can be seen leaping out of a blue Ford Focus estate armed with a machete. Pouget attempts to ride away but Dereli knocks him off his bike and knifes him multiple times. The victim, known as Abz, was in critical condition for three days before he sadly succumbed to his injuries. Advertisement Read More The horror had taken just 13 seconds to unfold. Abz was the grandson of Baron Bouget, and his great-grandfather had been banker George de Vere Drummond, godson of King George VI. The Pouget family also has links to Chateau Pouget, a winery in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France. The 20-year-old was a talented footballer and played on the left wing for Zaza FC in the Barnet Sunday Football League, the Old Bailey heard. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Cannabis dealer Dereli denied murder but was today found guilty by a jury. The conviction is the latest on a long list, with 39 previous on his criminal record. He was sentenced to 18 months in 2018 for a string of phone thefts in London. Abz's brother Badruddin, delivered a moving victim impact statement in court. Advertisement He addressed the defendant in the dock and said: "Mr Dereli, when Abz was nine you had your first conviction. "When Abz was collecting medals you were collecting bank cards and snatching phones from strangers. You were caught hiding under a mattress." 7 Abz fought for his life in hospital for three days before he tragically died Credit: Central News 7 Dereli was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey today Credit: Central News Advertisement 7 He was found at the Easy Hotel with another woman by cops Credit: Unpixs The heartbroken brother described his beloved sibling as "a young man who, unlike you, was loved for who he was, not feared for what he might do." "I hope that justice might speak for Abz now since you never let him speak again," he added. The victim's devastated mother, Kawsar Pouget, also paid tribute to her "kind, respectful, polite and humble" son. Advertisement "He was a talented and gifted footballer who was a role model to those younger than him. He was young intelligent and full of promise," she added. "He bought warmth and laughter to every room. His murder shattered the natural order of things and has broken something deep within us. "Every member of the family carries this loss. Our family gatherings now taken place at the graveside." Prosecutors argued Dereli had been trying to steal Abz's phone at the time. Advertisement But the defendant told the court his victim had wrongly accused him of robbery and he was acting in self-defence after a confrontation ensued. Prosecuting, Danny Robinson, told the court Abz was still sat on his moped when Dereli came at him with a machete. "He struck him with the machete and then stabbed him with it to his right thigh. The stab wound severed an artery causing instant massive blood loss and Mr Pouget collapsed on the pavement," he told the court. Abz tragically died in hospital three days later at 11.15am on October 21. Advertisement Police detained Dereli at the Easy Hotel on October 19, where he was staying with a woman. The court heard his girlfriend had given birth shortly before the murder, but Dereli had not met his baby because he was "scared". Cops were unable to locate the murder weapon but arrested Dereli on October 20. The court heard his family of eleven were Kurdish asylum seekers who all lived in a three bedroomed council flat. Advertisement His father was unemployed and his mother was too ill to work. Dereli, of Alexander Road, Holloway, denied but was convicted of murder and having an offensive weapon. Judge Sarah Whitehouse said upon sentencing: "I am not satisfied this was a murder carried out in the circumstances of a robbery. "We shall probably never know why you decided to get out of your car and run over and stab Mr Pouget." Advertisement But the judge added there had been rumours of a disagreement over a debt. "Some of the rumours were that you and Mr Pouget had an altercation that very evening in which he had got the better of you and your friends had encouraged you to go out and seek revenge," continued the judge. "I am satisfied you had formed the intention to cause him really serious bodily harm when you stopped and got out of your car at speed, carrying that machete. "Your actions caused incalculable distress to Abdul-Latif Pouget's family." Advertisement Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who led the Met's investigation, said: "My thoughts and that of my team remain with Abdul's family, a much loved brother, friend and neighbour. "A young man has tragically died in a senseless and brutal way. I can only hope that this sentence can go some way in providing a sense of justice to Abdul's family." 7 Abz was a talented footballer Credit: Central News
