Latest news with #JusticeCheema-Grubb
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
BBC art dealer from Bargain Hunt jailed for terror offence
Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Ojiri was aware that he had sold art to Nazem Ahmad, who had been sanctioned in 2019 by the US authorities. Bargain Hunts star Oghenochuko Ojiri jailed for selling art to suspected Hezbollah financier Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organisation in the UK (Image: Ben Whitley/PA) She stated: "These offences are so severe that only a custodial sentence can be justified." According to the BBC, the judge added: "You knew about Ahmad's suspected involvement in financing terrorism and the way the art market can be exploited by people like him. "Your hard work, talent and charisma has brought you a great deal of success... You knew you should not have been dealing with that man." She added that there was no evidence that Ojiri supported any form of extremism but that his conduct undermined he detection of terrorist financing. Representing the BBC Bargain Hunt star, Gavin Irwin said that the art expert's "humiliation is complete," adding that the star has lost "his good name" and the "work he loves." Mr Irwin added: "He'd like to apologise for undermining trust" in the art market. Discussing the case, Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, said: "Raising money for terrorism is a core part of how terrorist groups are then able to cause harm around the world." Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said Ojiri's motivation appeared "to be financial, along with a broader desire to boost his gallery's reputation within the art market by dealing with such a well-known collector." He added: "This prosecution is believed to be the first of its kind, and the CPS will not hesitate to bring criminal charges against individuals who flout the law in this way." What is Hezbollah and why is it considered a terrorist group? According to the House of Lords Library, Hezbollah is an armed Shiite militia group that is backed by Iran, which largely operates in Lebanon. Giving the UK Government's reasoning for classifying it as a terrorist group in 2024, it added: "It has been proscribed in its entirety by the UK as a terrorist organisation since 2019. "The current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel continues. Hezbollah has fired rockets at Israeli territory whilst Israel has launched retaliatory airstrikes—including that which saw the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah." It concluded by saying: "The UK has called for an immediate ceasefire to provide space for a diplomatic settlement."
BBC News
21-03-2025
- BBC News
Student nurse who planned Leeds hospital terror bomb jailed
A student nurse who plotted to bomb a hospital and an RAF base has been jailed for Farooq planned to detonate an explosive at St James's Hospital in Leeds in January 2023, after earlier plotting to target RAF Menwith Hill near 29, of Hetton Road in Leeds, was found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of preparing acts of terrorism, with jurors hearing he wanted to "kill as many nurses as possible" by detonating a pressure cooker sentencing on Friday, Farooq was jailed for life with a minimum term of 37 years. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said "nearly 10kg of explosives" had been put inside the pressure said: "You were disillusioned in your own life, both personally and professionally, having failed to achieve the standard of work to become a nurse."Farooq, who was described as being on the autism spectrum by his defence team, had watched "anti-West propaganda" on Tiktok, downloading terrorist handbooks, including one on how to make a bomb, the court was employed by the hospital at the time as a nursing sent a text to a nurse who he thought was working that night telling her there was a bomb on the ward. This was done not to warn staff and patients, but to trigger an evacuation where Farooq could kill more people, the court wanted to "detonate the bomb when the canteen was full of nurses and walk out", the judge added. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
