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Irish Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Jay Slater inquest - biggest bombshells from 'fuming' voicenote to knives claim
The inquest into the tragic death of Jay Slater has recommenced after more than a year since the teenager tragically fell to his demise in a secluded ravine in Tenerife. The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared on June 17, 2024, after enjoying the NRG music festival with mates on the Spanish isle. His body was found nearly a month later in the rugged, rocky landscape near the isolated village of Masca following an extensive search. The inquest began earlier this year but was adjourned, leaving crucial questions hanging as Jay's mum Debbie Duncan called for key witnesses to step forward after their initial absence. As evidence is set to be wrapped up this week, the Mirror has highlighted the most shocking revelations from today's session. (Image: ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES) Desperate phone call from 'middle of nowhere' Jay Slater made a desperate phone call to a friend stating "I'm in the middle of nowhere... there is literally nothing but mountains" on the day he vanished. Lucy Law - who jetted off to Tenerife for a holiday with Jay last summer - recounted to the court how she "started panicking" upon receiving the call. She testified that Jay asked her about the toxicity of cacti, to which she responded: "A cactus is the least of your problems, go back to where you have just come from." During the conversation, Jay told her "I can't go back there", but she expressed that she didn't think anything serious had occurred, noting: "I also feel like, if something had gone on in terms of conflict, I feel like he probably would have said." Key witnesses fails to show again The Airbnb, formerly Casa Abuela Tina (Image: Stan Kujawa) Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick has stated that exhaustive efforts have been made to gather evidence from key witnesses who have yet to come forward. Steven 'Rocky' Roccas, who shared an Airbnb with Jay before his disappearance, was unreachable for yesterday's hearing. Brandon Hodgson, a mutual friend of Ayub Qassim - a fellow Brit last seen with Jay - also did not appear. Lois Norris, the barrister representing Jay's family, noted that Brandon seemed "unwilling to give evidence" according to earlier message exchanges. Despite being repeatedly summoned to his Lancashire home and contacted via multiple calls and voicemails, Brandon, believed to be in Tenerife, did not respond; neither did his mother, Natalie Hodgson, after receiving a letter personally. Steven 'Rocky' Roccas was approached by Alice Swarbrick on April 17 to submit a statement by email, but he ceased responding to calls shortly after. Ms Swarbrick had police visit several London addresses, checked the Police National Computer, and even voting records in an attempt to find him, all to no avail. Jay and pals may have taken things 'a bit too far' Jay Slater (Image: FACEBOOK) Jay's friends have conceded that they might have gone 'a bit too far' while celebrating on their inaugural lads' holiday. When questioned about Jay's conduct during the vacation, his mate Brad confessed: "Well it was our first holiday as a boys' holiday so we might have took it a bit too far." Brad disclosed that on the evening of June 16, Jay had taken ecstasy and cocaine, and had also used ketamine at some stage during the getaway, though he couldn't confirm whether it was on that specific evening. He assessed Jay's intoxication level as six out of ten, characterising him as "giddy." He explained that he and Jay were "both just having a laugh with each other." 'Fuming' voicenote sent to Jay before he vanished Jay and Lucy Law During the chaotic hours on the night preceding Jay's vanishing, his friend Lucy Law revealed she was desperately trying to track him down after he had popped to the toilet whilst at the NRG music festival. She explained: "We all split up to try and find him in the place but then none of us could find him in there so at this point our phones were nearly dead and he was still not answering his phone." The gang then searched the strip, with Lucy presuming he'd struck up conversations or perhaps met a girl to spend time with, as Jay was a "social butterfly." Shortly after, he texted saying "I'm in Oasis," and subsequently mentioned being at Sugar Reef - situated two or three venues along - yet Lucy still couldn't locate him. She then left him an angry voicemail declaring: "Where are you and what are you doing? I am coming down to get you. If you're not there this time I will be f**** fuming." Eventually, when Lucy found him, Jay casually said he wasn't ready to leave. "There's no way I'm going home," he told her. Ayub Qassim, a fellow Brit but not an old mate from back home, later invited Jay over to his rented Airbnb in the Tenerife mountain village of Masca. Ayub Qassim scolded during inquest hearing Ayub Qasim (Image: YouTube) Ayub Qassim, believed to be the last person to see the Lancashire teenager alive, extended his sympathies to Jay's family at the inquest - but was scolded after he veered off-topic by bringing up "kids dying in Palestine." He stated: "First and foremost I want to send my condolences to Jay's family. I want people to also think about the kids that are dying..." At which point the coroner interjected: "You are not here to make political statements." On the eve of Jay's disappearance, Ayub recounted partying with Jay until "5am pushing 6am maybe." Jay was "on the buzz," Ayub described. "Head bopping, chilled, happy. He was coherent." He then offered Jay a lift home. Ayub recalled telling Jay: "Bearing in mind I live a bit far away but I'll drop you off in the morning if you want." After being informed by a local that a bus would arrive in 10 minutes, Jay opted to take public transport back to his flat. Pals deny specul ation about knives and stolen watch Jay with his pal Brad Hargreaves (Image: bradg14233/Instagram) During the inquest, Jay's friends refuted speculation that he had stolen a watch and was carrying knives in his shorts. They insisted they had no knowledge of any timepiece being stolen, despite a Snapchat where Jay allegedly bragged about pinching an AP watch he intended to sell. Ayub remarked: "When you're younger you might exaggerate things. But one hundred per cent I didn't see a watch getting taken, maybe he was just bigging himself up to his pals." Lucy also stated she had no memory of any watch on the night, and that Jay had never mentioned one to her. Addressing a separate rumour about Jay carrying two kitchen knives in his shorts, Brad was questioned if this would be out of character. He replied "yes," noting nothing suggested Jay was ever troubled, frightened, or unsettled. Factors which contributed to Jay's death revealed Jay's body was found in a ravine in Tenerife (Image: Stan Kujawa) The mountain rescue squad revealed there were multiple factors that resulted in Jay's tragic fall. They attributed his death to his inexperience in mountainous landscape, recklessness, reduced physical condition, and a general lack of restraint coupled with inadequate gear for the environment. Harsh weather circumstances and the natural danger presented by unstable, tumbling stones were also highlighted as crucial components that may have caused Jay's fatal fall. 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Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Daily Record
Jay Slater inquest reveals shocking info from 'fuming' voice note to knives claim
The inquest started earlier this year but was paused, leaving key questions unanswered as Jay's mum Debbie Duncan urged key witnesses to come forward after they failed to show. An inquest into the death of Jay Slater has resumed more than a year after the teenager fell to his death in a remote ravine in Tenerife. The 19-year-old from Lancashire, disappeared on June 17, last year after attending the NRG music festival with friends on the Spanish island. After a huge search which dominated headlines, his remains were found nearly a month later in steep, rocky terrain near the remote village of Masca. The inquest started earlier this year but was paused, leaving key questions unanswered as Jay's mum Debbie Duncan urged key witnesses to come forward after they failed to show. With the evidence due to be summarised this week, the Mirror has outlined the most damning new information which was revealed in today's hearing which can be found below. Frantic phone call from 'middle of nowhere' Jay Slater made a frantic phone call telling a pal 'I'm in the middle of nowhere… there is literally nothing but mountains' on the day he went missing. Lucy Law - who travelled to Tenerife to party with Jay last summer - told the hearing she 'started panicking' after receiving the call. She told the hearing Jay asked her if cactuses were poisonous, with her replying: 'A cactus is the least of your problems, go back to where you have just come from.' During the call Jay told her 'I can't go back there', but she said she didn't feel anything bad had happened, saying: 'I also feel like, if something had gone on in terms of conflict, I feel like he probably would have said.' Key witnesses fail to show again Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick said despite exhaustive efforts key witnesses are yet to come forward. Steven 'Rocky' Roccas, who stayed at an Airbnb with Jay before he vanished, could not be located to attend today's hearing. Brandon Hodgson, a mutual friend of Ayub Qassim - a fellow Brit who was one of the last people to see him alive - also failed to show. According to Lois Norris, a barrister representing Jay's family, Brandon appeared 'unwilling to give evidence' in a prior message thread. Brandon, who is understood to be in Tenerife, was repeatedly served a summons at his Lancashire home by police. Multiple calls and voicemails went unanswered, and even after his mother, Natalie Hodgson, received a letter in person. Neither she nor Brandon responded further. Steven 'Rocky' Roccas was contacted by Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick on April 17 to provide a statement via email, but he soon stopped returning calls. Ms Swarbrick arranged visits by police officers at several London addresses, checked the Police National Computer, and checked voting records, but could not locate him. Jay and pals may have taken things 'a bit too far' Jay's friends have revealed they may have taken things 'a bit too far' while partying on their first boys holiday. When asked about Jay's behaviour during the trip, his pal Brad said: 'Well it was our first holiday as a boys' holiday so we might have took it a bit too far.' Brad revealed that on the night of June 16, Jay consumed ecstasy and cocaine, and also took ketamine at some point during the holiday, though he was uncertain if it was that particular night. He rated Jay's level of drunkenness at a six on a ten-point scale, describing him as 'giddy.' He said he and Jay were 'both just having a laugh with each other.' Pal sent 'Fuming' voicenote to Jay before he disappeared In the frantic moments on the night before Jay's disappearance, pal Lucy Law said she was struggling to locate him after he had gone to the toilet while at the NRG music festival. She said: 'We all split up to try and find him in the place but then none of us could find him in there so at this point our phones were nearly dead and he was still not answering his phone.' The group then scoured the strip, with Lucy assuming he'd made friends or even found a girl to hang out with, as Jay was a 'social butterfly.' Soon, he messaged saying 'I'm in Oasis,' and later mentioned being in Sugar Reef - located two or three clubs up - yet Lucy still couldn't find him. She then left him an angry voicemail saying: 'Where are you and what are you doing? I am coming down to get you. If you're not there this time I will be f**** fuming.' Eventually, when Lucy found him, Jay casually said he wasn't ready to head home. 'There's no way I'm going home,' he told her. Ayub Qassim, a fellow Brit but not a hometown friend, later invited Jay to return to his rented Airbnb in the Tenerife mountain village of Masca. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! 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Last person to see Jay alive - Ayub Qassim - slated during inquest hearing Ayub Qassim, who is believed to have been the last person to see the Lancashire teen alive, offered his condolences to Jay's family during the inquest - but was scolded after he shifted the conversation by mentioning 'kids dying in Palestine.' He said: "First and foremost I want to send my condolences to Jay's family. I want people to also think about the kids that are dying…' At which point he was told by the coroner: 'You are not here to make political statements.' On the night before Jay vanished, Ayub said he partied with Jay until "5am pushing 6am maybe." Jay was "on the buzz," according to Ayub. 'Head bopping, chilled, happy. He was coherent.' He then offered to drop Jay home. Ayub said he told Jay: "Bearing in mind I live a bit far away but I'll drop you off in the morning if you want." Jay decided to catch a bus back to his apartment after being advised by a local that one would be arriving in 10 minutes. Pals deny speculation about knives and stolen watch During the inquest, Jay's pals dismissed circulating rumors that he had stolen a watch and carried knives in his shorts. They said that they had no knowledge of any watch being taken, despite a Snapchat in which Jay supposedly boasted about taking an AP watch he was planning to sell. Ayub said: 'When you're younger you might exaggerate things. But one hundred per cent I didn't see a watch getting taken, maybe he was just bigging himself up to his pals.' Lucy also said she had no recollection of any watch on the night, and that Jay had never mentioned one to her. Addressing a separate rumour about Jay carrying two kitchen knives in his shorts, Brad was asked if this would be unusual. He answered 'yes,' adding nothing indicated Jay was ever distressed, scared, or agitated. Emergency teams who found Jay reveal factors which contributed to his death The mountain rescue team said there were several factors that led to Jay's tragic fall. They attributed his death to his lack of experience in mountainous terrain, recklessness, diminished physical fitness, and an overall absence of self-control alongside insufficient equipment for the conditions. Adverse weather conditions and the inherent risk posed by loose, falling rocks were also mentioned as key elements that may have contributed to Jay's fall.
Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
5 bombshells from Jay Slater inquest including 'fuming' voicenote and 'knives' claim
Lancashire teenager Jay Slater vanished in Tenerife last summer while on his first trip abroad with friends - and was found dead almost a month later after suffering a fatal mountain fall An inquest into the death of Jay Slater has resumed more than a year after the teenager fell to his death in a remote ravine in Tenerife. The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, vanished on June 17, 2024 after attending the NRG music festival with friends on the Spanish island. His remains were discovered nearly a month later in steep, rocky terrain near the remote village of Masca following a major search. The inquest started earlier this year but was paused, leaving key questions unanswered as Jay's mum Debbie Duncan urged key witnesses to come forward after they failed to show. With the evidence due to be summarised this week, the Mirror has outlined the most damning bombshells from today's hearing. Key witnesses fail to show again Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick said exhaustive efforts were made to secure evidence from key witnesses who are yet to come forward. Steven 'Rocky' Roccas, who stayed at an Airbnb with Jay before he vanished, could not be located to attend today's hearing. Brandon Hodgson, a mutual friend of Ayub Qassim - a fellow Brit who was one of the last people to see him alive - also failed to show. According to Lois Norris, a barrister representing Jay's family, Brandon appeared 'unwilling to give evidence' in a prior message thread. Brandon, who is understood to be in Tenerife, was repeatedly served a summons at his Lancashire home by police. Multiple calls and voicemails went unanswered, and even after his mother, Natalie Hodgson, received a letter in person. Neither she nor Brandon responded further. Steven 'Rocky' Roccas was contacted by Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick on April 17 to provide a statement via email, but he soon stopped returning calls. Ms Swarbrick arranged visits by police officers at several London addresses, checked the Police National Computer, and checked voting records, but could not locate him. Jay and pals may have taken things 'a bit too far' Jay's friends admitted they may have taken things 'a bit too far' while partying on their first lads holiday. When asked about Jay's behaviour during the trip, his pal Brad said: 'Well it was our first holiday as a boys' holiday so we might have took it a bit too far.' Brad revealed that on the night of June 16, Jay consumed ecstasy and cocaine, and also took ketamine at some point during the holiday, though he was uncertain if it was that particular night. He rated Jay's level of drunkenness at a six on a ten-point scale, describing him as 'giddy.' He said he and Jay were 'both just having a laugh with each other.' 'Fuming' voicenote sent to Jay before he vanished In the frantic moments on the night before Jay's disappearance, pal Lucy Law said she was struggling to locate him after he had gone to the toilet while at the NRG music festival. She said: 'We all split up to try and find him in the place but then none of us could find him in there so at this point our phones were nearly dead and he was still not answering his phone.' The group then scoured the strip, with Lucy assuming he'd made friends or even found a girl to hang out with, as Jay was a 'social butterfly.' Soon, he messaged saying 'I'm in Oasis,' and later mentioned being in Sugar Reef - located two or three clubs up - yet Lucy still couldn't find him. She then left him an angry voicemail saying: 'Where are you and what are you doing? I am coming down to get you. If you're not there this time I will be f**** fuming.' Eventually, when Lucy found him, Jay casually said he wasn't ready to head home. 'There's no way I'm going home,' he told her. Ayub Qassim, a fellow Brit but not a hometown friend, later invited Jay to return to his rented Airbnb in the Tenerife mountain village of Masca. Ayub Qassim scolded during inquest hearing Ayub Qassim, who is believed to have been the last person to see the Lancashire teen alive, offered his condolences to Jay's family during the inquest - but was scolded after he shifted the conversation by mentioning 'kids dying in Palestine.' He said: "First and foremost I want to send my condolences to Jay's family. I want people to also think about the kids that are dying…' At which point he was told by the coroner: 'You are not here to make political statements.' On the night before Jay vanished, Ayub said he partied with Jay until "5am pushing 6am maybe." Jay was "on the buzz," according to Ayub. 'Head bopping, chilled, happy. He was coherent.' He then offered to drop Jay home. Ayub said he told Jay: "Bearing in mind I live a bit far away but I'll drop you off in the morning if you want." Jay decided to catch a bus back to his apartment after being advised by a local that one would be arriving in 10 minutes. Pals deny speculation about knives and stolen watch During the inquest, Jay's pals dismissed circulating rumors that he had stolen a watch and carried knives in his shorts. They said that they had no knowledge of any watch being taken, despite a Snapchat in which Jay supposedly boasted about taking an AP watch he was planning to sell. Ayub said: 'When you're younger you might exaggerate things. But one hundred per cent I didn't see a watch getting taken, maybe he was just bigging himself up to his pals.' Lucy also said she had no recollection of any watch on the night, and that Jay had never mentioned one to her. Addressing a separate rumour about Jay carrying two kitchen knives in his shorts, Brad was asked if this would be unusual. He answered 'yes,' adding nothing indicated Jay was ever distressed, scared, or agitated. Factors which contributed to Jay's death revealed The mountain rescue team said there were several factors that led to Jay's tragic fall. They attributed his death to his lack of experience in mountainous terrain, recklessness, diminished physical fitness, and an overall absence of self-control alongside insufficient equipment for the conditions. Adverse weather conditions and the inherent risk posed by loose, falling rocks were also mentioned as key elements that may have contributed to Jay's fall.
South Wales Guardian
18-07-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Facial recognition cameras to be used at Notting Hill Carnival, Met says
They will be placed on the approach to and from the west London event, Europe's biggest street party, on the August Bank Holiday weekend, in an effort to spot suspects before the streets get crowded. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, the police commander for this year's event, said 'there has been a tiny minority of individuals intent on causing serious harm to others' and the cameras, which will be outside the carnival's boundaries, may also help revellers get home safely. A link-up with the Elba Hope Foundation, the youth organisation led by actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, aimed at helping tackle knife crime is among the measures being introduced. Around 7,000 officers and staff will be deployed each day over the carnival weekend. Live facial recognition (LFR) cameras will be used by police at the carnival to search for people who are marked as being wanted on the Police National Computer. They will also be used to spot those who are shown as missing – including young people who may also be at risk of either criminal or sexual exploitation – and people who have sexual harm prevention orders against them because of the risk they pose, particularly to women and girls. So far in 2025 there have been 215 arrests from 111 deployments of LFR cameras, which capture live footage of people passing by and compare their faces against a watchlist of wanted offenders. The system generates an alert if a match is detected, prompting an officer to review it and decide if they need to speak to the individual. Further checks, such as reviewing court orders or other relevant information, are also carried out to see if the person is a suspect. The force said that if a member of the public walks past an LFR camera and is not wanted by the police, their biometrics are immediately and permanently deleted. Officers are also working with the Crimestoppers charity as part of a plan to keep the carnival free from knife crime, serious violence and violence against women and girls. The focus will be on deterring or preventing people who pose the greatest threat to public safety and the security of the event, the force said. The police said they will be using stop and search powers to prevent knives and other deadly weapons being carried at carnival. It means that intelligence on violent gangs who are planning to attend the carnival is being shared with forces across the country and banning orders are being sought against those who have a history of violence or sexual offending at the event. A number of 'pre-emptive intelligence-led arrests and searches' are being used against suspects believed to be in possession of weapons or involved in the supply of drugs. There were 160 such arrests before last year's carnival prior to the event for offences including possession of firearms, drugs supply, rape and other serious sexual assaults. Visitors may also have to go through screening arches which are being set up at some of the busiest entry points. Mr Ward said: 'Regrettably, amongst the millions of carnivalists who have attended over many years there has been a tiny minority of individuals intent on causing serious harm to others, including violent crime and sexual offences. 'Their actions stand in stark contrast to the traditions and values of Carnival and I welcome those voices in the community who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality at the event. 'I fully support the organisers' recent announcement of a new, innovative partnership with the Elba Hope Foundation to divert young people away from crime and particularly knife crime.' He said that the 'carnival's growing popularity and size creates unique challenges' and the priority for police officers and staff working across the long weekend will be to keep people safe, including 'preventing serious violence, such as knife crime and violence against women and girls'. The Met also appealed for anyone with information about groups or individuals intending to engage in violence at this year's Notting Hill Carnival to come forward.
Leader Live
18-07-2025
- Leader Live
Facial recognition cameras to be used at Notting Hill Carnival, Met says
They will be placed on the approach to and from the west London event, Europe's biggest street party, on the August Bank Holiday weekend, in an effort to spot suspects before the streets get crowded. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, the police commander for this year's event, said 'there has been a tiny minority of individuals intent on causing serious harm to others' and the cameras, which will be outside the carnival's boundaries, may also help revellers get home safely. A link-up with the Elba Hope Foundation, the youth organisation led by actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, aimed at helping tackle knife crime is among the measures being introduced. Around 7,000 officers and staff will be deployed each day over the carnival weekend. Live facial recognition (LFR) cameras will be used by police at the carnival to search for people who are marked as being wanted on the Police National Computer. They will also be used to spot those who are shown as missing – including young people who may also be at risk of either criminal or sexual exploitation – and people who have sexual harm prevention orders against them because of the risk they pose, particularly to women and girls. So far in 2025 there have been 215 arrests from 111 deployments of LFR cameras, which capture live footage of people passing by and compare their faces against a watchlist of wanted offenders. The system generates an alert if a match is detected, prompting an officer to review it and decide if they need to speak to the individual. Further checks, such as reviewing court orders or other relevant information, are also carried out to see if the person is a suspect. The force said that if a member of the public walks past an LFR camera and is not wanted by the police, their biometrics are immediately and permanently deleted. Officers are also working with the Crimestoppers charity as part of a plan to keep the carnival free from knife crime, serious violence and violence against women and girls. The focus will be on deterring or preventing people who pose the greatest threat to public safety and the security of the event, the force said. The police said they will be using stop and search powers to prevent knives and other deadly weapons being carried at carnival. It means that intelligence on violent gangs who are planning to attend the carnival is being shared with forces across the country and banning orders are being sought against those who have a history of violence or sexual offending at the event. A number of 'pre-emptive intelligence-led arrests and searches' are being used against suspects believed to be in possession of weapons or involved in the supply of drugs. There were 160 such arrests before last year's carnival prior to the event for offences including possession of firearms, drugs supply, rape and other serious sexual assaults. Visitors may also have to go through screening arches which are being set up at some of the busiest entry points. Mr Ward said: 'Regrettably, amongst the millions of carnivalists who have attended over many years there has been a tiny minority of individuals intent on causing serious harm to others, including violent crime and sexual offences. 'Their actions stand in stark contrast to the traditions and values of Carnival and I welcome those voices in the community who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality at the event. 'I fully support the organisers' recent announcement of a new, innovative partnership with the Elba Hope Foundation to divert young people away from crime and particularly knife crime.' He said that the 'carnival's growing popularity and size creates unique challenges' and the priority for police officers and staff working across the long weekend will be to keep people safe, including 'preventing serious violence, such as knife crime and violence against women and girls'. The Met also appealed for anyone with information about groups or individuals intending to engage in violence at this year's Notting Hill Carnival to come forward.
