Latest news with #Goldspring
Tokyo Reported
18-05-2025
- Tokyo Reported
Judge says 2 British men can be extradited over Harry Winston heist in Tokyo
LONDON (TR) – A court here last week said that two British nationals can be extradited over a smash-and-grab robbery at a Harry Winston boutique in Tokyo one decade ago, reports the BBC (May 16). On May 16, chief magistrate Judge Goldspring rejected the challenges by Kaine Wright, 28, and Joe Chappell, 38, against extradition. The home secretary will now decide whether they will be sent to Japan. On November 20, 2015, Wright and Chappell and a third man allegedly broke into the high-end Omotesando Hills store, smashed display cases with a crowbar and fled with 46 items — including luxury watches, rings and jewelry. The value of the stolen items totals around 106 million yen, Tokyo Metropolitan Police said previously. During the incident, the suspects also assaulted a 47-year-old male security guard who suffered minor injuries. Afterward, the suspects fled the scene and subsequently left Japan, according to police. In 2017, the suspects were placed on a wanted list with Interpol on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury. Since Japan and the U.K. do not have a mutual extradition treaty the case would be the first time for Japan to receive a suspect without such a treaty in place.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Brand Granted Bail in UK Rape Hearing
Comedian, actor and accused rapist Russell Brand was granted bail Friday at a court hearing in London where he faces charges of rape and sexual assault. Brand, now 49, was formally charged April 4 with two counts of sexual assault, one count each of rape, oral rape and indecent assault stemming from alleged encounters with four women between 1999 and 2005. Standing before Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring for just 14 minutes on Friday, Brand confirmed his name, birth date and address and then listened to the charges against him. At the end of the hearing, Judge Goldspring granted Brand bail on the condition that he keep the court informed of where he is staying at all times, regardless of whether it is in the U.K. or the United States. Brand left the hearing and rode away in a black Mercedes-Benz without speaking to reporters. Judge Goldspring has recommended Brand's case to a higher U.K. court of justice. His first hearing is scheduled for May 30. At Friday's hearing, lead prosecutor Suki Dhadda said that Brand raped one of his four accusers in a hotel room at a 1999 British Labour Party conference. Another woman has accused Brand of orally raping her in a bathroom stall during a 2004 party, while a third woman says Brand attempted to drag her by her arm into a men's bathroom at a London television station in 2001. His fourth accuser in this case claims that Brand grabbed her by the face, pushed her against a wall and forcibly kissed her while grabbing her breasts and buttocks. Brand's accusers remain unnamed, as British law grants victims of alleged sexual violence lifetime media anonymity. It is likely that any trial surrounding the charges against Brand will not be held until a year from now. As is customary in the U.K. court system, no official pleas have been entered yet. Brand has, however, denied all allegations against him. The actor and comedian, who was once married to pop star Katy Perry and is best known in the U.S. for his roles in films 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and 'Get Him to the Greek,' posted a video on social media shortly after the charges against him were announced in early April. 'I've always told you guys that when I was young and single before I had my wife and family — who are just out of shot over there, my beautiful children — I was a fool, man. I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord,' Brand said in the video. 'I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile — but what I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.' The charges against Brand have come nearly two years after Britain's Channel 4 and The Sunday Times published a joint investigation in September 2023 detailing serious instances of alleged sexual assault committed by him against four different women between 2006 and 2013. Brand responded to that investigation by categorically denying its claims, much like how he has handled his current assault and rape charges. In recent years, Brand has shifted from starring in Hollywood films and British TV shows to running a YouTube channel, in which he discusses contemporary politics, wellness and conspiracy theories. He is also the host of several podcasts. The post Russell Brand Granted Bail in UK Rape Hearing appeared first on TheWrap.
The Independent
29-01-2025
- The Independent
Hundreds of rail fare evasion prosecutions quashed
Scores more prosecutions brought by three rail firms for alleged fare evasion have been quashed. Northern Rail, TransPennine Express (TPE) and Great Western Railway (GWR) brought dozens of prosecutions against passengers using the controversial single justice procedure (SJP) despite not being permitted to do so. More than 500 prosecutions were declared null and void by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring during a three-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Mr Goldspring ruled on August 15 last year that the cases should be declared 'void' and any fines paid should be 'reconciled'. Thousands of these cases have already been quashed and Mr Goldspring said this should be the final hearing to deal with such prosecutions. More than 350 Northern cases, 180 TPE cases and 36 GWR cases were declared a nullity at the hearing, meaning it is as if the proceedings never existed. 'I plan to say what I have said previously in accordance with my ruling on August 15 that these cases should not have been brought,' Mr Goldspring told the court. 'Any reconciliation in relation to fines is between the Courts and Tribunals Service and the prosecuting railway companies.' Rigorous enforcement against deliberate fare evasion, abuse, and violence will continue Northern spokesman A separate argument in relation to penalty fare appeals is set to be brought to court soon, the Chief Magistrate said. The SJP was set up in 2015 to allow magistrates to decide on minor offences, such as using a television without a licence or driving without car insurance, without defendants going to court. Rail companies were permitted to use the SJP in 2016 to privately prosecute fare evaders but many have been brought under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, which is not allowed under the procedure. Other cases were also prosecuted by Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Arriva Rail Northern, Merseyrail and C2C, the Courts and Tribunals Service said. Northern, which operates trains across large swathes of northern England, said it is reviewing its approach to enforcing ticketing and said it has temporarily suspended certain prosecutions while the review is carried out. A Northern spokesman added: 'We remain firmly committed to tackling fare evasion and protecting taxpayers' money. Anyone who travels without a valid ticket can be asked to pay the fare in full, issued with a penalty fare or contacted to provide further evidence to settle the matter out of court. We always take into account any evidence provided or mitigating circumstances. 'Northern has already commenced a review of its approach to enforcing ticketing, recognising that there are circumstances where the rules on ticketing may not be understood by passengers. We have also temporarily suspended certain prosecutions whilst its review is undertaken. 'Rigorous enforcement against deliberate fare evasion, abuse and violence will continue.'
Sky News
29-01-2025
- Sky News
Hundreds of train fare evasion cases quashed after unlawful prosecutions
Hundreds of people have had their train fare evasions quashed after they were prosecuted unlawfully. The cases were the last 500 to be declared void after a judge ruled last year that railway operators were not allowed to use the controversial single justice procedure (SJP). Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring's ruling in August paved the way for thousands of train fare evasion prosecutions to be quashed. The SJP was introduced in 2015 to allow magistrates to rule on minor offences - such as watching TV without a licence or driving without insurance - without the defendant being present in court. They were extended to private rail fare evasion prosecutions in 2016 - but many train companies have used them citing the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, which they are not permitted to do. In a three-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Mr Goldspring quashed 350 Northern cases, 180 TransPennine Express cases, and 36 Great Western Railway cases. He said it should be the final hearing dealing with these kinds of prosecutions - after more than 28,000 were quashed in November. Rail firms who have also seen their cases dropped include Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Arriva Rail Northern, Merseyrail, and C2C. "These cases should not have been brought," Mr Goldspring told the court. "Any reconciliation in relation to fines is between the Courts and Tribunals Service and the prosecuting railway companies." Threats of prosecution over £1.85 Engineering graduate Sam Williamson told the Sky News Money blog in October last year of his SJP ordeal. He says he was threatened with prosecution by Northern Rail after he mistakenly bought an invalid £3.65 ticket using his 16-25 railcard. The full price ticket was £5.50 - £1.85 more. Mr Williamson used the ticket to board a train just after 7am, not realising that under the fine print of the railcard terms his ticket was invalid. A minimum fare of £12 applies to any ticket bought with a railcard before 10am. Northern dropped its action against him following media coverage. Northern, which operates trains across northern England, said it is reviewing its approach to enforcing ticketing and said it has temporarily suspended certain prosecutions while the review is carried out. A spokesman added: "We remain firmly committed to tackling fare evasion and protecting taxpayers' money. Anyone who travels without a valid ticket can be asked to pay the fare in full, issued with a penalty fare or contacted to provide further evidence to settle the matter out of court. We always take into account any evidence provided or mitigating circumstances.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds of train fare evasion cases quashed after unlawful prosecutions
Hundreds of people have had their train fare evasions quashed after they were prosecuted unlawfully. The cases were the last 500 to be declared void after a that railway operators were not allowed to use the controversial single justice procedure (SJP). Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring's ruling in August paved the way for thousands of train fare evasion prosecutions to be quashed. The SJP was introduced in 2015 to allow magistrates to rule on minor offences - such as watching TV without a licence or driving without insurance - without the defendant being present in court. They were extended to private rail fare evasion prosecutions in 2016 - but many train companies have used them citing the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, which they are not permitted to do. In a three-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Mr Goldspring quashed 350 Northern cases, 180 TransPennine Express cases, and 36 Great Western Railway cases. He said it should be the final hearing dealing with these kinds of prosecutions - after more than 28,000 were quashed in November. Read more from Sky News: Rail firms who have also seen their cases dropped include Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Arriva Rail Northern, Merseyrail, and C2C. "These cases should not have been brought," Mr Goldspring told the court. "Any reconciliation in relation to fines is between the Courts and Tribunals Service and the prosecuting railway companies." Threats of prosecution over £1.85 Engineering graduate Sam Williamson told the in October last year of his SJP ordeal. He says he was threatened with prosecution by Northern Rail after he mistakenly bought an invalid £3.65 ticket using his 16-25 railcard. The full price ticket was £5.50 - £1.85 more. Mr Williamson used the ticket to board a train just after 7am, not realising that under the fine print of the railcard terms his ticket was invalid. A minimum fare of £12 applies to any ticket bought with a railcard before 10am. Northern dropped its action against him following media coverage. Northern, which operates trains across northern England, said it is reviewing its approach to enforcing ticketing and said it has temporarily suspended certain prosecutions while the review is carried out. A spokesman added: "We remain firmly committed to tackling fare evasion and protecting taxpayers' money. Anyone who travels without a valid ticket can be asked to pay the fare in full, issued with a penalty fare or contacted to provide further evidence to settle the matter out of court. We always take into account any evidence provided or mitigating circumstances. "Rigorous enforcement against deliberate fare evasion, abuse, and violence will continue."
