Latest news with #RyanCallaghan
Telegraph
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Fresh protests erupt outside Epping migrant hotel
Fresh protests erupted outside a migrant hotel in Epping, Essex, on Thursday. Dozens of locals demonstrated outside The Bell Hotel, which has been at the centre of weeks of protests. Police threw a ring of steel around the hotel as protesters held placards that read: 'Protect our kids'. Earlier this month, an Ethiopian asylum seeker staying at the hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a schoolgirl days after arriving in the UK. Local politicians have demanded the closure of the hotel over concerns for community cohesion. Earlier this week, Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said it should be shut because of the 'genuine' concerns of residents that what was happening in their community 'is not right'. At Thursday's protest, Stacey Pearson, a 24-year-old mother, said she was there to 'keep up the pressure' to get the hotel closed. 'I have a six-year-old daughter and I don't feel safe,' she said. 'I also have nieces who are a bit older locally. It's unsafe. I want it closing down now. We wont stop until it is. We will be loud and proud to get it closed down. It's a disgrace.' Ryan Callaghan, a 38-year-old father, said he believed the gatherings had been 'inspirational'. The builder added: 'We need change. We need it closing down. It's hammering it down with rain, and that won't stop us. I hope the migrants can hear and see us. 'The amount of money this is all costing is a disgrace, and our children are not safe. It's not just here. It's up and down the country.' An unexpected appearance at the gathering was Piers Corbyn, brother of the former Labour leader, Jeremy. The 78-year-old, an anti-vaccine activist, said the migrants should be returned home as he attended the demonstration to campaign against digital currency. 'I'm against migrants being in the hotel,' he said. 'They should be returned home unless they're genuine refugees, which they are not. I'm here to highlight the issue of digital identities. The Government wants digital identities for the migrants and the demonstrators. I'm against that.' Scenes at the hotel had turned ugly on Sunday when the group clashed with counter-demonstrators. On Thursday, there was not thought to be a counter-demonstration planned. Simon Atkinson, 45, had attended the protest on Sunday and said demonstrations would continue for the 'foreseeable'. 'We're not stopping,' he said. 'We will keep going and going. Look how peaceful it is tonight without the far-Left.' Police put a dispersal order in place ahead of the protest giving officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour to leave the area. Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: 'Tonight's protest follows two previous demonstrations which passed off peacefully and without incident. 'We're putting measures in place to ensure those who want to express their democratic right to peaceful protest can do so safely, to minimise disruption to the local community and to ensure the safety of residents and staff at the hotel.' The force previously said 14 people had been charged in connection with protests at the site, and there had been 23 arrests.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- BBC News
South Shields rapist broke woman before suicide, family say
The family of a woman who killed herself after being raped say her attacker left her "completely broken" and showed no sadness for her Callaghan, 33, raped the woman at his home in South Shields in June 2023 after inviting her over for a hot tub weeks later, the woman took her own life, with a Newcastle Crown Court judge saying the rape was a factor in her Callaghan was jailed for 10 years, the woman's family said they had been left with a life sentence. The court had heard the "very complex" woman, who the BBC has chosen not to name, had a history of alcohol addiction and severe mental health problems, and had been released from hospital hours before Callaghan attacked you have been affected by any issues raised in this report, help and advice is available on the BBC Action LineShe killed herself in August 2023, with notes she left referencing the rape and the trauma caused by it, the court heard. 'Showed no remorse' Judge Stephen Earl said he could not say Callaghan caused the woman's death but the rape was a "substantial element" in her family said the loss of a child was "horrific" but they also had to "get through every day with the pain of knowing that our child was raped before she went on to take her own life".In a statement, they said: "Callaghan might have gone to prison, but we are serving a life sentence in the knowledge of what he did."He left her completely broken as a result of his actions."The family said Callaghan, who had denied rape but was convicted by jurors, had shown "no remorse for what he did and no sadness at all at the loss of her life". Victim's bravery praised The woman was described by her family as kind, caring, funny and bright, and they said she was loved by all who knew thanked the police for investigating and the jurors for "seeing through Callaghan's lies", but added: "However, it is cold comfort for us all, as she is gone, and can't ever know that she got justice."Det Con Amy Burridge, of Northumbria Police, said it had been an "extremely distressing case".She said it was "imperative" the victim's voice was heard, with jurors watching the interviews she gave to police before her officer praised the woman's bravery, adding: "Even though she is tragically no longer with us, I hope her family can take some sense of closure knowing the person who caused her so much distress is now in prison and will be monitored by police for the rest of his life."Callaghan will also have to sign the sex offender register. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- BBC News
South Shields rapist contributed to woman's suicide, judge says
A rapist whose attack on a friend contributed to her killing herself has been jailed for 10 Callaghan, 33, raped the woman at his home after inviting her round to use a hot tub in June 2022, Newcastle Crown Court woman killed herself eight weeks later with Judge Stephen Earl saying the rape was a factor in her of Mowbray Road, in South Shields, denied rape but was found guilty by jurors. Callaghan and the woman had known each other for years and been platonic friends, Judge Earl 12 June 2022, when his partner and child were away, Callaghan invited the woman to a hot-tub party, after which he raped her at his home, the court you have been affected by any issues raised in this report, help and advice is available on the BBC Action LineThe woman, who the BBC has chosen not to name, fled into the street and was helped by a "good samaritan" who called 999, the judge said. Death was 'tragic' She gave an interview to police but killed herself in August 2022, the court was told, with notes she had left referencing the rape and the trauma caused by court heard the "very complex" and vulnerable woman had significant mental health problems and an alcohol addiction, and had been released from hospital only hours before Callaghan had raped Earl said he could not say Callaghan "caused" her death but the rape had been a "substantial element" in her thinking over the "last few weeks" of her said Callaghan's actions had been a "significant point towards the end of her life" ,which she "found unable to deal with".The woman's death was "tragic" and she had so much to live for, the judge said, adding her family were devastated. 'Attacked her character' During the trial, Callaghan sought to make out the woman had been "throwing" herself at him, but the judge said jurors "did not countenance that was the truth".Judge Earl said the evidence against Callaghan, which included the woman's interview with police, was "clear and compelling", while accounts given by the rapist were "inconsistent".He also said Callaghan made attacks on the woman's character during the trial "knowing she could not respond".After the six-day trial, jurors took one hour and 10 minutes to unanimously convict Callaghan of rape. Prosecutors had also sought an order that would have required Callaghan to tell any women he planned to have a relationship with or work with in his role as a fitness instructor in the future of his rape Judge Earl said that was neither "necessary" nor "proportionate" and such an order would be the start of a "rocky road" of court orders. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Rape victim took her own life after her family inadvertently took her on a walk past her attacker's home
A 'completely broken' rape victim took her own life after her family inadvertently took her on a walk past her attacker's home. Ryan Callaghan, 33, horrifically assaulted the vulnerable women and lived on the coastal path the group had coincidentally decided to walk. The victim called a relative to take her home and, shortly afterwards, she took her own life. Newcastle Crown Court heard that in a note she left for her mother, it was 'absolutely clear the rape of her by the defendant was one of the factors which was forefront in her mind'. The victim's mother said: 'There are no words to describe what we've all been through. 'Callaghan's vile act on our daughter was a major factor in her taking her own life. She just couldn't cope with it. 'He betrayed her trust and he left my daughter completely broken by his actions. We are serving a life sentence in the knowledge of what he did. 'She was in crisis at the time she was raped. He was fully aware of that but he didn't care about that or how his actions would add to her trauma. 'He showed no remorse for what he did and no sadness at all for the loss of her life.' The mother said that on the day the victim took her own life, the family had been on a walk to the beach. She said: 'Unknown to us, the route we took took us directly past Callaghan's house. 'Her mood became extremely low. Walking past Callaghan's house tipped her over the edge. 'It was months later we found out where he lived and that day will haunt us forever. 'It's was a shame the jury and everyone in the case didn't get to see the (woman) we all loved. She was loved so much by all who knew her and had so many friends. 'What Callaghan did has been devastating for us all. The pain felt by us, including her little boy, is immeasurable. 'In the note she left behind she asked that her son knows how much she was loved. We will spend the rest of our days making sure he knows that.' Prosecutor Jon Harley said the victim had recently been released from hospital after self-harming and was 'extremely vulnerable'. Mr Harley said: 'There were undoubtedly many contributing factors to her decision to take her own life but it's absolutely clear the rape of her by the defendant was one of the factors which was forefront in her mind. It features prominently in the note she left behind for her mother to find.' Callaghan, of Mowbray Road, South Shields, who has two previous convictions for common assault, was found guilty by a jury of rape. Jane Foley, defending, said: 'He does not accept the decision of the jury but he knows, as things stand, he must do so. 'It's obviously devastating (she) took her own life. She was vulnerable due to a number of factors.' Miss Foley said she was vulnerable due to mental health issues and had self-harmed previously. She added: 'He was not charged with manslaughter, he was charged with rape.' Miss Foley said Callaghan has two young children and it is his first taste of custody. She added: 'There's a very different side and a positive side to this defendant.' Callaghan's sentencing hearing was adjourned until next week, when he will learn his fate.
