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The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Emerald's legacy: how a mourning family is fighting to help other victims
Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations. Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations. Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations. Emerald Wardle was the type of person who would give her last $5 to someone in need. "She was beautiful, inside and out, and she would do anything for anybody," her aunt Kristy Smith said. Emerald's life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims. Ms Smith is co-hosting the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle on Saturday, where participants will march from Newcastle Museum to Newcastle Foreshore. Ms Smith will share Emerald's story at the event, and also speak about her family's push for legislative change after being devastated by the justice system. Miller was convicted of murdering Emerald by a jury in June 2022 and sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 years. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2024 after it was found Miller was suffering a first episode of psychosis arising from schizophrenia, which was not caused solely by using drugs. The court entered a verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible. Ms Smith said her family "tried to do everything by the book, everything the DDP and Victims Services told us to do", but were left heartbroken. "As a family we chose to keep the matter private, to allow the justice system to do what it needed to do and not have us as a hindrance to them," she said. "I think that was a mistake because we sat quiet as Emerald was allowed to not be seen as a person. "Emerald was always referred to as 'the deceased'." Ms Smith said her family was made aware that Miller had been moved to a mental health hospital. She said they then found out through social media that Miller was allowed day leave and was active on social media and dating sites. "We were absolutely devastated," Ms Smith said. "I had no words to describe that feeling to know that he was out there and essentially with young women." Emerald's family pushed for legislative changes to stop this happening, and in November 2024 the NSW Parliament passed a bill to strengthen oversight of forensic patients, who are people that have committed crimes but were determined by a court to have a mental health or cognitive impairment. The changes mean judicial officers must be involved in decisions regarding forensic patient leave, other than escorted leave, and conditions can be imposed to restrict or prohibit forensic patient's access to social media or other forms of online communication while on leave or release. Ms Smith said knowing Miller could be fully released was a horrifying thought for her family. "I will never be the same," she said. "We can't move on with our lives because we have to plan and get our kids ready that he may be released." Forensic patients are periodically reviewed for decisions about care, treatment, detention, leave and release based on expert advice, including any conditions imposed. If Miller or his clinical team applied for release, the clinical team would provide their view which must be supported by a third party clinical assessment, before a decision is made about whether Miller poses a risk. A NSW Health spokesperson said they could not comment on individual patients who are receiving care, but extended "our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends". Ms Smith is pushing for ankle bracelet monitoring of forensic patients on day leave and full release. "This is a small amount of people we're talking about," she said. "It's not the mental health population. It is for forensic mental health. We wanted them to be grouped in with domestic violence offenders so if they are on release they have to be monitored." An amendment from Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato to mandate electronic monitoring of forensic patients when released from facilities was not widely supported. Changes to NSW victims registers are also being discussed in parliament, which Ms Smith hoped would improve openness and transparency with victims' families. "As Emerald's aunty I'm actually not entitled to know anything," Ms Smith said. "Everything I get is secondhand information, so hopefully this bill will allow the family to have more of a representative for the family to be able to speak and act on their behalf." Ms Smith said she would continue to fight to prevent what her family has been through from happening to others. "Finding out about Emerald that morning was the worst morning of my life," she said. "Not once in the last four years have Emerald, our family or the community been considered in the decisions that have been made around this case. "When will victims of crime and their families be considered when these decisions are being made." The NSW Health spokesperson said the Specialist Victims Support Service was available to support victims to navigate the forensic mental health system. It can provide information on processes, notify registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient, attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim and address any concerns about forensic mental health system operations.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Holocaust denier who fled to Scotland jailed in France
A French Holocaust denier who spent two years on the run in Scotland has been jailed for 12 Reynouard was arrested in Anstruther, in Fife, in November 2022 and handed over to French authorities last year after he lost a legal battle against his 56-year-old was wanted for inciting hatred and denying the occurrence of the Wednesday, he was jailed at the Paris Criminal Centre and also ordered to pay damages of €10,000 - more than £8,300. He was found guilty of denying war crimes, denying crimes against humanity, and incitement to racial hatred. The Holocaust was a period during World War Two when millions of Jewish people, and people from other backgrounds, were murdered because of who they denial has been a criminal offence in France since 1990 and Reynouard has several was sentenced to four months in 2020 and six months in January was arrested by Police Scotland officers at an address in Anstruther on 10 November 2022. He was reported to have been living in the town, in the East Neuk of Fife, under a false name and working as an online tutor. 'Gross insult' In January last year, three judges at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh rejected Reynouard's appeal against his Justice General, Lord Carloway, said denial of the Holocaust was a "gross insult" to the members of the Jewish and other communities whose members perished in Auschwitz-Birkenau, a Nazi death said it was not necessary to be a member of the relevant communities to be "grossly offended by such statements".He described other statements Reynouard made about the Jewish community as "antisemitic racism".The judge said that although it was not an offence to hold such views or to express them in certain contexts, it was a breach of Communications Act legislation to communicate them to the public on the Carloway also said seven videos featuring Reynouard amounted to an offence of relative seriousness by Scottish standards. Denied massacre A French judge had issued a warrant for Reynouard's arrest in 2022 after he posted the videos was said he had trivialised a war crime, challenged the occurrence of crimes against humanity and incited the public to hatred or violence because of origin, nation, race or one video, Reynouard denied that the 1944 massacre by the Waffen SS, a Nazi military unit, at the French village of Oradour took place - where women and children were burnt also denied the existence of gas chambers at Auschwitz and claimed the Holocaust was made up of multiple lies, errors or half suggested that the corpses found there were not victims of genocide but were hundreds of "cripples" who had not survived transport to the one video he described Nazi leader Adolf Hitler as "the most slandered man" and said he wanted to "rehabilitate" National for Reynouard argued that the videos did not threaten serious disturbance to the community and did not constitute a call to action and that to extradite him would be disproportionate.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- BBC News
Judges cut jail sentence for cocaine plot crime boss Jamie Stevenson
A Scottish gangster who orchestrated a plot to smuggle cocaine worth £100m from South America in boxes of bananas has had his prison sentence cut by almost four years. Jamie "Iceman" Stevenson was given a 20-year jail term after admitting heading up the scheme, which was foiled at Dover in September judges deemed the sentence to be "disproportionate" and cut it to 16 years on pleaded guilty in October to being involved in the supply of cocaine. He also admitted to a plot to flood Scotland with millions of Etizolam tablets, known as street valium, from a factory in was sentenced to 12 years for the cocaine charge and eight years for the street valium offence. Lord Ericht ordered the jail terms to be served consecutively because he believed the offences were "different" to each other. 'Disproportionate' Considering the case at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh, judges Lord Doherty and Lord Matthews concluded Lord Ericht was mistaken to give Stevenson a 20-year Doherty said: "These were very serious offences."However, a sentence of 20 years is disproportionate."The appeal judges agreed with Stevenson's defence lawyer that the two drugs charges were linked, and cited the gangster's admission of guilt. "The plea of guilty resulted in the saving of court time and it saved the inconvenience of witnesses having to come to court to give evidence," Lord Doherty said. "We shall quash the sentence of 20 years and in its place impose a sentence of 16 years and three months." Stevenson, who observed proceedings from prison via video link, started smiling broadly as Lord Doherty announced the court's could be seen giving a thumbs-up sign.
