Latest news with #MarkKeel
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
SC police, ICE arrest 80 people in raid of unlicensed Charleston County nightclub
Local, state and federal law enforcement gather Monday, June 2, 2025, to announce arrests during a raid of a Summerville-area nightclub a day earlier. (Left to right, front row): State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, Gov. Henry McMaster, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie and Attorney General Alan Wilson. (Screenshot of Charleston County Sheriff's Office livestream) Two alleged cartel members and one person wanted by Interpol for murder in Honduras were among at least 80 people arrested during a weekend sting operation at an unlicensed nightclub in Charleston County. Federal, state and local law enforcement raided the Alamo nightclub, located in an industrial area outside the town of Summerville, around 3 a.m. Sunday. The club had no license to operate or to sell alcohol. About 200 people were there at the time of the raid. The investigation, dubbed 'Operation Last Stand,' continues, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during a news conference Monday. They included 10 juveniles as young as 13 — including one reported as missing — as well as potential human trafficking victims. They were turned over to social service agencies. Officers also seized guns, cocaine and cash, Ritchie said, without giving details on the amounts. Those arrested included two people believed to be 'high-level cartel members' associated with the Mexico-based Los Zetas cartel and the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang, said U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent Cardell Morant. He referred to the club scene as a 'cartel afterparty.' More than 80% of those arrested are living in the United States illegally, he said. The law enforcement agencies went in with 116 warrants for 80 people. Five people were arrested for criminal offenses, Morant said. Law enforcement officials did not provide names of those arrested or a list of charges. 'Some of these individuals have been charged with serious offenses,' which include the person wanted internationally for murder, Morant said. Other charges made in the raid include 'assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and a felon in possession of a firearm,' he said. The investigation began in November with officers looking into noise complaints and reports of assaults occurring in the parking lot, Ritchie said. 'Bad guys like to celebrate too. So, this was their way to let off some steam, and they were, unfortunately, doing it right here in the community,' Morant said. 'This operation was not only about immigration enforcement. It was also about restoring order, removing threats from our streets and ensuring the safety and well-being of Charleston-area residents,' he added. About a dozen local, state and federal agencies participated in the raid. 'We will continue to work to bring justice to those that have been victimized and also bring those to justice that have violated our laws,' said State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel.
Metro
5 days ago
- Metro
Readers say spitting men can jog on along with racists and dogs on trains
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. I was disgusted to read Alice Giddings' investigation into how she was among thousands of women spat at by men while out jogging (Metro, Wed). The feature was part of Metro's This Is Not Right campaign to highlight the epidemic of violence against women and girls. In the same edition, you reported on Mark Keel, 33, who murdered his partner Maxine Clark after subjecting her and previous partners to mental and physical abuse. I am angered and saddened at these cowardly acts. I can only say that I am glad my time is running out as this is not the world I was raised in. Brian, Edinburgh I want to apologise to the guy on the train from Waterloo to Hastings at 9pm on Wednesday. The racist young guy shouting at you, telling you, 'When we get in, we're gonna get rid of you,' shouting about Reform and immigration, does not represent the views of most of us who had to witness that. You did really well to keep calm. Thank you to the conductor who acted quickly, too. Mike, Tunbridge Wells To the two guys on the Victoria line travelling north at Stockwell on Monday shortly after midday, who took up three seats because they sat a dog between them. You both knew this was unhygienic and prevented other people from having a seat. You both kept looking over at me because I had my transport uniform on. Please be aware that you are not the only ones who use the Tube. Noel, South London As a regular commuter on the railway from Hampshire to Waterloo, I for one am pleased my line has now been renationalised. But I do wish the staff would stop referring to the previous company name of South Western Railway! Not only is it free advertising for the former company of MTR and FirstGroup but it has the stigma of an atrocious service. Please, get the new livery, logos and name of Great British Railways out there as soon as possible. Fred, Hampshire UK governments go on about saving the environment. Well, here is a simple start. Cats kill 55million birds in the UK plus 220million small mammals every year. Introduce a tax of £300 a year for each cat and watch the numbers tumble. As an aside, it's one of the great mysteries of life but why do cats never mess in their own gardens? Clark Cross, Linlithgow Helen Shaw (MetroTalk, Wed) says it's 'insane' for politicians of different parties to want to limit the number of foreign students in the UK because universities can only survive through their higher fees. The problem is not that we have too few international students but that we educate too few British students here. Sensible countries such as Germany do not impose exorbitant tuition fees on home students. More Trending The answer is not to continue forcing our universities to be profit-making – an approach that is failing. We must invest in them as vital parts of our industrial infrastructure, working to develop Britain as an advanced industrial-knowledge economy. Will Podmore, London To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nigel Farage is the Pied Piper of politics with a dash of 'dodgy estate agent'. He'll say and do anything to get your attention and lead you astray. But when you take a look at his smoke-and-mirrors policies, he's more Liz Truss 0.2 than the second coming… and look where that got us. Guy Wilkins, London I told my doctor I couldn't stop stealing things. He said, 'Take these pills for a week and if they don't work, can you get me a 42in flatscreen TV?' Jeff, Nuneaton MORE: Live jazz, dinner and drinks in Mayfair: 10 unmissable Time Out deals MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Spanish Grand Prix: McLaren on top but Lando Norris is still wary of Max Verstappen in F1 title race
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Domestic abuse brute who murdered his partner may spend rest of life behind bars
A convicted domestic abuser has been jailed for at least 22 years for the brutal murder of his partner. Mark Keel, 33, killed Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie, Glasgow, leaving her with more than 50 injuries. The 36-year-old mother had already suffered at the tattooed thug's violent hands prior to her death and had been seen with a black eye. It emerged Keel already had abuse convictions in connection with former partners. He has now been jailed for life having earlier pleaded guilty to a murder at the High Court in Glasgow. Sentencing, Lord Mulholland went through the catalogue of horrific injuries he inflicted on Ms Clark including brain damage, significant bruising, fractures and wounds. Lord Mulholland told him: 'What you did was cowardly, evil and the actions of a brute.' He warned Keel - who showed no emotion - that he may never been freed. The court earlier heard that prior to the relationship with Ms Clark, he had previously been made the subject of strict non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners. This also included him being jailed in June 2022 for domestic violence. In 2023, he was also told to attend the Caledonian System - a project for men guilty of such abuse - with Keel being deemed 'a high risk offender'. But his attendance was described as 'sporadic'. He also went on to flout a court-imposed community payback order. In January last year, Keel was instead put on 12-months supervision as well as an 18-week curfew. At the time of the killing, Keel and mother-of-four Ms Clark had been in a relationship for 18 months. He had recently moved into her home in Riddrie. She had once been described as 'healthy, happy and outgoing' but had told others of physical violence at the hands of her new partner. Ms Clark had been seen with black eyes as well an injury to her jaw. She also had 'grab marks' around her neck. She admitted to a neighbour Keel had punched her but was scared to report the thug in fear of repercussions. Prosecutor David Dickson said: 'Family and friends warned her they felt Keel posed a threat to her.' In the hours before the murder, Keel called his own mother asking to get picked up claiming he was 'leaving' Ms Clark before returning back to the house and murdering her. A child also staying at the house got up the next morning to find Maxine still in the bed with Keel wrapped in a blanket sitting beside her. Mr Dickson said: 'She appeared to have fresh injuries to her face and her breathing was described as laboured.' Keel claimed he thought she was having an allergic reaction and there was no need for an ambulance. He later called 999 claiming Ms Clark's tongue was swollen and that he had not seen her awake that day. Mercy crews arrived to find her still lying on the blood-stained bed partially covered with a duvet. But she was already dead with 51 separate injuries likely caused by punches, kicks and being stamped upon with the imprint of the soles of hiss shoes found on her leg. Ms Clark was the only child of her grieving parents Joseph and Mary. The court heard yesterday that Keel had been a promising footballer in his teens before getting in with the 'wrong crowd'. Around 2014, he lost his baby son to an illness. Brian McConnachie KC, defending, said: 'It appears, from this point onwards, there was a pattern of offending and offending of a particular nature.' The advocate added the murder had taken place on the anniversary of the child's death. He stated that was not an 'excuse' for what then happened, but said: 'Undoubtedly, due to the timing of the event, Mark Keel's mood was a particularly bad one on that day.' Keel was now 'deeply ashamed and remorseful' for what he did. Lord Mulholland cut the minimum jail-term from 24 years due to the guilty plea. Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Ian Evans said: 'Keel is a violent individual and women are safer now he has been convicted for his crimes. 'Maxine was a beloved mum and daughter. Maxine's family miss her every day and they still feel her loss profoundly. I hope they find some solace in knowing Keel is no longer able to inflict his brutal and violent behaviour on any other women.'
Sky News
27-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
Mark Keel: Domestic abuser jailed for 'cowardly and evil' murder of Glasgow woman
A serial domestic abuser who brutally murdered his partner in a "cowardly and evil" attack has been jailed for at least 22 years. Warning: This article includes details of domestic abuse that readers may find distressing. Mark Keel, 33, left victim Maxine Clark, 36, with 51 separate injuries following the fatal assault at her home in Glasgow's Riddrie area on 27 June 2024. A court heard Ms Clark's injuries included brain damage, blunt force bruising and lacerations to her face and head, and a fractured jaw from Keel stomping on her while she lay on the ground. She also sustained a collapsed lung, lacerated liver, fractured ribs, and haemorrhages to her mouth, tongue and areas surrounding her heart. Such was the force of Keel's attack, the imprint of the soles of his shoes were found on Ms Clark's leg. Lord Mulholland said Keel "brutally and savagely" attacked a "defenceless woman". The judge added: "Ultimately the injuries you inflicted caused cardiorespiratory arrest. The injuries were caused by multiple blows such as punches and kicks and stamps. "The force used by you to inflict these injuries was such that impact spatter blood spots were recovered on the headboard of the bed." Lord Mulholland noted Keel's history of domestic abuse with three previous partners and stated at the time of the murder, he was subject to a Community Payback Order (CPO) and Restriction of Liberty Order (RLO) for an earlier conviction. Ms Clark, who was an only child, had also been seen with black eyes and "grab marks" to her neck. Lord Mulholland rebuked Keel for failing to get medical help for Ms Clark as she lay dying. The judge stated: "To the contrary, you pretended that she had suffered an allergic reaction and there was no need to call an ambulance. "When G4S staff attended at your home address to fit a tag on your leg, you told them to come back later. "When you eventually called an ambulance, you told them that she had a swollen tongue and was struggling to breathe. "This call was the best part of at least half a day after you had savagely beaten her. What you did to this defenceless woman was cowardly and evil. They were the actions of a brute." At the High Court in Glasgow last month, Keel pleaded guilty to Ms Clark's murder. He was handed a life sentence with at least 22 years behind bars when he returned to the dock on Tuesday. Lord Mulholland warned Keel he may never be freed, stating: "You will only be released if you are considered by the parole board to pose no risk to the public, particularly women, and that is a long way off, if ever." Following the court case, Detective Sergeant Ian Evans branded Keel a "violent individual". He added: "Women are safer now that he has been convicted for his crimes. "Maxine was a beloved mum and daughter. Maxine's family miss her every day and they still feel her loss profoundly. "I hope they find some solace in knowing Keel is no longer able to inflict his brutal and violent behaviour on any other women."
STV News
27-05-2025
- STV News
Why was serial domestic abuser allowed to leave jail to murder mum-of-four?
Serial domestic abuser Mark Keel receives life sentence for brutal murder of mum-of-four Maxine Clark Keel must serve a minimum of 22 years before being considered for parole Despite his history of violence, Keel was released on bail to Ms Clark's home in the Riddrie area of Glasgow He was the subject of separate non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners Keel was also referred to the Caledonian System – designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse His attendance on the programme was described as 'sporadic' Keel pleaded guilty to a murder charge last month and was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday Mark Keel had a long history of violent and abusive behaviour. He was a serial domestic abuser deemed at high risk of reoffending. As a result, he was the subject of non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners. He was also placed on the Caledonian Programme, designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse. But all of those measures failed to prevent him from murdering mum-of-four Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie, north-east Glasgow, in June 2024. Opposition politicians and campaign groups say her death is an example of a justice system 'that betrays victims'. On Tuesday, Keel was jailed for life and he must serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole. Mark Keel jailed in June 2022 for domestic violence In 2023, Keel, who was deemed a 'high-risk offender', was told to attend the Caledonian Programme His attendance was described as 'sporadic' In January 2024, he was instead given a 12-month supervision order as well as an 18-week night-time curfew On June 27, 2024, emergency services attended the home address of Maxine Clark in Riddrie, Glasgow; Despite the efforts of emergency services, Maxine died Keel was convicted of murder after pleading guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on April 30, 2025 Sentenced to 22 years in jail at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday Deemed at high risk of offending again, Keel was referred to the Caledonian Programme, a behavioural programme designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse. The programme is a requirement of a community payback or probation order – normally for a period of two years. It aims to reduce the chances of reoffending, but Keel's attendance was described as 'sporadic'. He also went on to flout a court-imposed community payback order. In January 2024, Keel was instead put on 12-month supervision as well as an 18-week curfew. The Caledonian Programme is operated by local authority criminal justice social work departments and works with domestic abuse perpetrators who present as being moderate and above in terms of risk of re-offending. The programme has been independently accredited, and a requirement of receiving the programme is that an individual is subject to a court order of at least two years' duration. A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Maxine Clark who have lost a loved one in horrific circumstances. 'Sentencing in any given case, including the imposition of Community Payback Orders and Restriction of Liberty Orders, is always a matter for the independent courts. The Scottish Government cannot comment on sentencing decisions.' At the time of the killing, Keel and mum-of-four Ms Clark had been in a relationship for 18 months. He had recently moved into her home in Riddrie. Maxine had once been described as 'healthy, happy and outgoing'. However, she had told others of physical violence being inflicted on her by Keel. Police Scotland Maxine Clark Ms Clark had been seen with black eyes as well as an injury to her jaw. She also had 'grab marks' around her neck. Prosecutor David Dickson said: 'Family and friends warned her they felt Keel posed a threat to her.' In the hours before the murder on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Keel called his own mum asking to get picked up, claiming he was 'leaving' Ms Clark. They went to his father's home in the Southside of Glasgow before he later got a taxi back to Ms Clark's house. He was described as 'drunk' and Ms Clark was in bed when he got there. Mr Dickson said it was at the property that the fatal attack occurred. A child also staying at the house got up the next morning to find Ms Clark still in the bed with Keel wrapped in a blanket sitting beside her. Mr Dickson said: 'She appeared to have fresh injuries to her face and her breathing was described as laboured.' Ms Clark was rolled onto her side. The child left to play with friends, but returned every hour to see how she was. Advocate depute Mr Dickson told the court: 'Keel said he thought she was having an allergic reaction and that there was no need to call an ambulance.' At around 6pm, G4S security staff arrived to fit an electronic tag on Keel due to the curfew imposed on him weeks earlier. But he steered them away, claiming he had just woken up. Spindrift Mark Keel Keel instead went on to dial 999, claiming Ms Clark's tongue was swollen and that he had not seen her awake that day. Emergency crews arrived to find her still lying on the blood-stained bed, partially covered with a duvet. It was found she was already dead. Mr Dickson said Ms Clark had 51 separate injuries, including brain damage, significant bruising, fractures, and wounds. These were likely caused by punches, kicks, and being stamped upon. The imprint of the soles of Keel's shoes were found on her leg such was the force. Emergency services attended the home address of Maxine Clark in Riddrie, Glasgow. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Maxine died. Sharon Dowey, Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety, said: 'This tragic case is another shocking example of the SNP's justice system betraying victims. 'This dangerous offender had a history of violence yet was free to brutally carry out this murder of Maxine Clark. 'Cases like this expose the stark reality of the SNP's relentless weakening of the justice system which repeatedly prioritises criminals over victims. 'He must now feel the full force of the law given the clear and huge risk he presents to public safety.' On sentencing, Lord Mulholland said: 'What you did to this defenceless woman was cowardly and evil. They were the actions of a brute. 'You have a history of domestic violence as confirmed by your criminal record and in the agreed narrative read to the court. STV News 'You have been violent to three previous partners, and you were also violent to Maxine Clark. Witnesses speak to seeing her with black eyes and grab marks to her neck. 'I also note that at the time of the murder you were subject to a community payback order with a curfew and a restriction of liberty order for a previous domestic abuse conviction. here is no guarantee that you will ever be granted parole and you may never be released from prison. You are assessed as posing a very high risk to women in a relationship with you. 'You will only be released if you are considered by the parole board to pose no risk to the public, particularly women, and that is a long way off, if ever.' Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said 'more' needs to be done to better support victims of domestic abuse in Scotland. This includes having robust risk assessments and monitoring arrangements in place when offenders are released back into communities. Victim Support Scotland argued against the removal of existing protections in the recently passed Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act, such as Section 23D of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. 'Section 23D set out a presumption against Bail for people accused of violent, sexual, and/or domestic abuse offences in solemn proceedings, where they had a previous conviction of a similar nature – so that they would only be granted Bail in 'exceptional' circumstances,' Ms Wallace said. 'We believe that it was an important safeguarding tool and it will be much missed in the new regulations, in which bail is expected to be granted unless the court can determine a good reason for refusing it. 'Cases like those of Maxine Clark tragically underscore the dangers of not having adequate safeguards in place. 'Victims of domestic abuse need to have the confidence to come forward for help, knowing that their fears will be taken seriously and that they will receive assistance to plan for their safety of that of their family.' If you don't feel comfortable reporting it to the Police, Victim Support Scotland can provide essential support, including financial aid if you have no other funds available. You can call its helpline 0800 160 1985 or visit its website for a free, confidential chat: Detective sergeant Ian Evans said: Detective Sergeant Ian Evans said: 'Keel is a violent individual and women are safer now he has been convicted for his crimes. 'Maxine was a beloved mum and daughter. Maxine's family miss her every day and they still feel her loss profoundly. I hope they find some solace in knowing Keel is no longer able to inflict his brutal and violent behaviour on any other women. 'We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls. I would like to assure anyone suffering at the hands of an abuser not to suffer in silence. 'We have detectives dedicated to investigating such offences, please report it. You can be assured that you will be fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
