Latest news with #Sevenoaks
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Disgraced businessman and sex attacker Mohamed al Fayed 'bought Princess Diana's old school to groom and rape underage girls', sensational new book on dead monster claims
Mohamed al Fayed bought Princess Diana 's old school to groom and rape underage girls, a new book has claimed. A former teacher at West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent has revealed how the disgraced businessman bought the school on the promise to protect Diana's legacy but instead used it to prey on vulnerable school pupils. The former owner of Harrods, who died in 2023 aged 94, raped one school girl, caused the suicide of another and even fathered a baby with one underage pupil, the bombshell book alleges. In an extract from The Monster Of Harrods seen by The Sun, author Alison Kervin reveals how the depraved Egyptian business mogul targeted vulnerable school girls as well as young players at Fulham FC. Just a year after the death of the Princess of Wales in May 1998, al Fayed bought West Heath School which was teetering on the brink of financial collapse, under the guise of protecting a place which had been so special to the late royal. The Monster Of Harrods alleged that the businessman would regularly wander around the school unaccompanied, chatting to underage pupils and a former teacher revealed his visits always seemed inappropriate and 'creepy'. The former teacher explained he believed al Fayed was grooming the pupils and said he would promise them careers after they had finished and shower them with gifts from Harrods. The former owner of Fulham FC would also allegedly give girls lifts in his Rolls Royce and invite them to his house. Mohamed al Fayed (pictured in 2007) bought Princess Diana 's old school to groom and rape underage girls, a new book has claimed. He said: 'He shouldn't have been there. Benefactor or not, a man of that age should not be mixing with young girls, offering them lifts in his and chauffeur-driven limo, and buying them presents before inviting them to his house. How is any of that appropriate?'. The tell-all book also claims that one pupil was attacked by al Fayed in a bathroom, ripping her clothes and hurting her after inviting her to Harrods. A former pupil described how her friend was terrified to share what had happened to her: 'He told her that her parents would be told about how she had behaved and all the school would know that she was the one who had closed the school down. She was terrified - she felt like she was to blame, and nothing I said would calm her down.' Author Ms Kervin alleges that the brutal businessman threatened to close the school if the pupil reported him and refused to go to the police or to lawyers until the litany sexual abuse was revealed following his death. The former pupil said she was also aware of at least one other pupil who was raped by the predator and another who gave birth to a secret child. She also believes one woman committed suicide because of her experience with al Fayed. The school told The Sun: 'We do not tolerate abuse or harassment in any form.' In Sepetember 2024, in response to the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods they commented: 'We have no further information other than what is currently in the news.' And his abuse did not end with the Princess Diana's former school. A former footballer for the Fulham Women's team al Fayed set up revealed she was humiliated and sexually harassed by the club owner. In The Monster Of Harrods, she alleges that she was desperate to become a footballer and took al Fayed at his word when he promised to help her make the team. She described sharing her hopes with the businessman who offered to speak with her privately in his apartment. But when she arrived, she claimed the conversation was centred around whether she had a boyfriend and if she had lost her virginity. When conversation did turn to football, the promising player said she was asked to show off her legs and despite feeling uncomfortable, took off her tracksuit bottoms at which point al Fayed tried to reach out and touch her. She said he also asked her to take off her underwear but he felt uncomfortable and ran for the door only to find it locked. She said she repeatedly banged on the door while al Fayed laughed at her. After her experience she said she fell out of love with the game and eventually left the club. And the aspiring player was one of several who experienced harassment and abuse at the hands of the al Fayed and despite them all reporting it to the police, they say nothing ever came of it. Mohamed al Fayed was hit with an avalanche of rape and assault claims after at least two former Harrods workers told a BBC documentary they had been raped or molested by the Egyptian tycoon. Meanwhile last year, the Met Police revealed they were investigating 40 new allegations against al Fayed and others since the BBC documentary. The 40 new allegations related to 40 alleged victims and were in addition to allegations police were aware of before the BBC's investigation and documentary, Scotland Yard said. Prior to recent media coverage, 21 allegations were made against the late billionaire which resulted in crimes being recorded relating to 21 separate women between 2005 and 2023. The Met has now widened its investigation to look at associates who may have assisted and facilitated the abuse - meaning criminal charges could still be on the cards even though the direct perpetrators have died. It comes as a survivors group Justice for Harrods Survivors says it has 'credible evidence' suggesting the sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated at Harrods and the billionaire's properties 'was not limited to Mr al Fayed himself'.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Sevenoaks council considers alternate weekly bin collections
A council in Kent is considering alternate weekly rubbish and food waste collections in a bid to "modernise and improve" its approved by Sevenoaks District Council next month, alternate weekly waste and food waste collections could begin from 1 April 2026, despite split opinions from residents in a 2024 Roy, the council's cabinet member for "cleaner and greener", said: "This change would make the service much more cost-effective so we can invest in new recycling services."SDC said alternating collections would improve recycling rates and enable kerbside glass collections while freeing up resources for more recycling options. The council is also considering providing residents with free wheelie bins for their waste and recycling from next summer, while new glass recycling collections could also start at the same home recycling collections, such as textiles and small electrical items, could also be council said: "These proposed changes would harmonise the waste services with nearby councils that are likely to merge with SDC from April 2028, enabling any newly-formed unitary council to maximise cost and service efficiencies."
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
England's 'Oldest' Primary School Marks 350 Years
A primary school in Britain's Kent thought to be the oldest in England is celebrating 350 years since it opened, BBC reported. Lady Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for 'the 15 poorest children in the parish' in 1675. Now it is a school of 437 pupils, who led tours, showcased artifacts and enjoyed a picnic last Friday to celebrate the school's history, BBC said. Kate Phillips, chair of governors at Lady Boswell's, said: 'Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school's 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country.' Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected. Her husband, Sir William Boswell, was an important diplomat and she lived at Bradbourne House, a place frequently visited by Queen Elizabeth I, who was said to be fond of the Boswell family. But in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the area. State education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of England. Even today, the school still receives roughly £6,000 each year from the Lady Boswell Foundation.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's ‘oldest' primary school celebrates 350th birthday
A primary school in Kent that is believed to be the 'oldest primary school' in the UK is celebrating a very special birthday! Lady Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, is celebrating 350 years since it opened back in has changed at the school since then… including the number of school was originally opened for 'the 15 poorest children in the parish' but now has 437 pupils. To celebrate the special occasion, pupils at the school are leading tours and showcasing artefacts for the schools pupils and staff will also be enjoying a birthday picnic. Kate Phillips, Chair of the school governors said: "Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school's 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country."We are all very proud of this amazing school and the part that we are playing at this point in its history." This week pupils have also been digging into the history of their of the people they have learnt about is Lady Margaret Boswell, who their school is named after. She was very wealthy and well-connected with Queen Elizabeth I. In 1675, Lady Boswell said that £30 of he money (about £5,220 today) should be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the from there Lady Boswell's Primary School was born!
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's 'oldest' primary school celebrates 350 years in Sevenoaks
A primary school in Kent thought to be the oldest in the UK is celebrating 350 years since it Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for "the 15 poorest children in the parish" in it is a school of 437 pupils, who will be leading tours, showcasing artefacts and enjoying a picnic on Friday to celebrate the school's history.A spokesperson for Lady Boswell's said: "We are all very proud of this amazing school and the part that we are playing at this point in its history, as guardians of such a thriving institution." Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected, with Queen Elizabeth I often coming to stay at her home, Bradbourne House, and her husband, Sir William Boswell, an important in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of week, pupils have been digging into the school's rich history and will be sharing their research and findings with parents and former pupils and staff on spokesperson said: "In its inception, the school was just one master and 15 'poor scholars' from across the town, and it has flourished across the years, providing an education for generations of Sevenoaks people."
