Latest news with #HeatherBlair
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Yahoo
Former council worker launched attack on girlfriend hitting her over head with phone
A former council worker hit his former partner over the head with a phone, a court heard. Brian Wood launched the assault on his girlfriend on January 19 in Middlesbrough. The 51-year-old hit the woman twice across her face which 'knocked her glasses off' then 'hit her over the head with her mobile phone'. Teesside Magistrates' Court heard how paramedics were called to the home following the assault, with the woman left with blood on her top and Wood with scratches on his arm. Prosecutor Heather Blair outlined that the victim was the partner of the defendant at the time of the offence. The court heard that Wood admitted his actions in an interview and when police attended the home address. Ms Blair added that police were called by the North East Ambulance Service after the woman disclosed an assault. She told paramedics that Wood had 'hit her over the head with a mobile phone'. When officers attended, Wood was found with 'scratches on his arm' and 'blood on his shirt', telling officers he had 'been involved in an incident with his partner'. The woman was also found with blood on her top. Ms Blair told the court that Wood had hit twice across her face which 'knocked her glasses off' then 'hit her over the head with her mobile phone'. Wood told police that he 'didn't want to be in the relationship' and had previously left but returned due to financial reasons as his money 'got paid into her bank'. Wood, who spent 20 years working for Middlesbrough Council, pleaded guilty to assault by beating as the court heard he had one previous conviction dating back to 1998. Paul McGee, mitigating, stated that his client has made 'full admissions' and suffered abuse in the relationship. The defence barrister added that Wood has moved back in with his elderly parents and receives Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit. District Judge Helen Cousins handed Wood, of Barton Stacey, Hampshire, a £209 court bill and a 16 week electronically monitored curfew from 9pm until 6am. Daily news from Teesside's courts, direct to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Woman charged with driving car through crowd during anti-ICE protest this month
A woman stood charged Monday with driving a car through a crowd assembled for a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in downtown Chicago earlier this month. Chicago police said Deirdre Kemp, 30, was arrested on Thursday, June 19. She was charged with one felony count each of aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm and aggravated fleeing causing bodily injury, and one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license. Kemp as also cited with driving an uninsured vehicle and failing to obey police officers. Around 6:19 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, a maroon sedan was seen barreling down the street as the protesters marched at Monroe Street and Wabash Avenue. CBS News Chicago's cameras caught the driver — a woman in a yellow tank top — among the protesters just minutes before. She had a can of spray paint in her hand as she faced police. CBS News Chicago's Sabrina Franza was reporting live from the scene less than two minutes later when the screaming started. There was a sudden rush to help anyone who may have been injured. Protesters had to jump out of the way, and some tried to get the driver to stop, while others helped one woman, Heather Blair, who said she was hit by the car. CBS Skywatch followed the maroon car for more than six minutes as the driver left the scene. She drove into oncoming traffic and made turns in front of other cars. The driver first proceeded east on Monroe Street to Michigan Avenue, and drove past an unsuspecting Divvy bike. A witness, protester Dr. Howard Ehrman, said the car sped up as the driver fled. "They continued to accelerate. It started off at State Street about 30 miles an hour," Ehrman said. "By the time it got to Michigan [Avenue], it was going 50 miles an hour." The driver of the maroon car stopped only after her vehicle broke down on State Street in the South Loop. She got out, and then got right back behind the wheel. Chicago police referred further questions about the charges against Kemp to the Cook County State's Attorney's office. and contributed to this report.
NDTV
12-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Shocking Video Shows Car Ramming Through Anti-ICE Protesters In Chicago, Woman Injured
A 66-year-old woman was injured after a car sped through a crowd protesting against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department in Chicago on Tuesday evening. In the video, which has now gone viral on social media platforms, a red car can be seen speeding and nearly hitting people on the sidewalk. A woman was seen falling on the ground. The Chicago Police Department confirmed that the car attempted to drive through the crowd in the 0-100 block of East Monroe Street. As most people managed to move away, it hit a woman, identified in local reports as Heather Blair, while she was standing in the roadway. As per reports, Blair is a retired federal worker whose left arm was fractured due to the impact. She was rushed to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released. "I saw it. I don't know if I heard it, but I looked and there was a car. A red car accelerating at us," Blair said. Watch the video here: During the protest against ICE in Downtown Chicago earlier today, a vehicle was caught on video nearly striking multiple pedestrians and a cyclist. Protesters can be seen briefly pursuing and hitting the car before it sped away from the scene without stopping. #chicago … — CHICAGO CRITTER (@ChicagoCritter) June 11, 2025 Fed-up driver plows through anti-ICE protesters blocking traffic in Chicago. Public patience is wearing thin — GhostCypher1 (@GhostCypher04) June 11, 2025 Anti-ICE protests Huge protests broke out last week in major US cities in response to a series of immigration raids as President Donald Trump fulfils a campaign promise of deporting immigrants, employing forceful tactics. "President Trump promised to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history and left-wing riots will not deter him in that effort," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Johnson's Chief of Staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, said on Wednesday that Chicago could soon see a military response on the ground. "Federal agents have been informed that they have 48 hours to standby and be ready to deploy. There will be tactical teams, there will be mini-tanks, there will be other tools that they use," Pacione-Zayas said. Marines to deploy on LA streets The officials said on Wednesday that US Marines will join National Guard troops on the streets of Los Angeles within two days. They would have the right to detain anyone who interferes with immigration officers on raids. In LA, the protests have largely been peaceful but occasionally punctuated by violence. The 8:00pm curfew also came into effect in downtown LA as police charged at protesters on horseback. Local reports mentioned that they also fired munitions in an attempt to clear them.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Woman speaks after being hit by car that sped through Chicago anti-ICE protest
A Chicago woman said she was left with a broken arm, injuries on her face, and follow-up doctor appointments after a car came barreling at her and other protestors Tuesday evening. Heather Blair said Wednesday that she was heading home when the car started accelerating. Around 6:19 p.m. Tuesday, a maroon sedan was seen barreling down the street as the protesters marched at Monroe Street and Wabash Avenue. Police confirmed Wednesday that they were looking for the driver of the car. Meanwhile, Blair talked with CBS News Chicago as she recovered from home Wednesday. "The acceleration is what, that that was shocking — accelerating toward a crowd," Blair said. Blair was injured as she ran from the car. She is not sure how she was hit. "I don't have a memory of it, maybe because I was struck by a car," she said. But CBS News Chicago's cameras caught the driver — a woman in a yellow tank top — among the protesters just minutes before. She had a can of spray paint in her hand as she faced police. CBS News Chicago's Sabrina Franza was reporting live from the scene less than two minutes later when the screaming started. There was a sudden rush to help anyone who may have been injured. Protesters had to jump out of the way, and some tried to get the driver to stop, while others helped Blair. Blair would be taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. She said she has a broken arm, another fracture, injuries to her face and mouth requiring further treatment. City leaders are now strategizing to prevent future injuries. "We already had a morning this meeting with some of our team on additional resources we will need in place," said Chicago Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood. "We've been in contact directly with the Governor's office about some of the support they can provide as well." CBS Skywatch followed the maroon car for more than six minutes as the driver left the scene. She drove into oncoming traffic and made turns in front of other cars. The driver first proceeded east on Monroe Street to Michigan Avenue, and drove past an unsuspecting Divvy bike. A witness, protester Dr. Howard Ehrman, said the car sped up as the driver fled. "They continued to accelerate. It started off at State Street about 30 miles an hour," Ehrman said. "By the time it got to Michigan [Avenue], it was going 50 miles an hour." The driver of the maroon car stopped only after her vehicle broke down on State Street in the South Loop. She got out, and then got right back behind the wheel. Police said they are still investigating. As for Blair, she had planned to be at the upcoming "No Kings" protest against the Trump administration on Saturday — but with her injuries, she will hand off her poster to a friend.
