Latest news with #SexualOffencesAct
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
South Africa's children are under siege — and it's all our baby now
As the country commemorates National Child Protection Week from May 29 to June 5 to raise awareness about the rights of children, we are once again reminded that this moment of reflection is not symbolic. It is urgent. The latest crime statistics from the South African Police Service for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year (October to December 2024) reveal a distressing escalation of violence against children. During this period, 273 children were murdered, 480 were victims of attempted murder, and 2,164 suffered assaults with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. These figures are not mere numbers; they represent young lives lost or irrevocably damaged. They signify a society failing its most vulnerable members. These figures are not abstractions. They are children with names, birthdays, families and futures that will never be realised. They are the silent dead in a country that is becoming disturbingly accustomed to the normalisation of violence. A nation desensitised, a system in decay The high rates of violence against children are not isolated incidents. They are the logical outcome of a deeply unequal society with weakened protective systems and an eroded social contract. Despite a progressive legal framework — the Children's Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Child Justice Act — enforcement continues to falter. A recent report by our long-standing partner, the Teddy Bear Foundation, found that of more than 5,000 reported child abuse cases from 2019 to 2024, only 4% resulted in convictions. Four per cent! The rest were withdrawn, many due to lack of evidence or absence of witnesses; this is a telling sign of a justice system ill-equipped to protect those most in need of its care. This failure is not technical. It is structural. It reveals a system where the burden to speak, to testify, to prove harm, still rests on traumatised children, often without access to support or protection. What we are seeing is not a justice system working poorly, but a justice system not working at all for children. The statistics are numbing. But the stories behind them are searing. We remember Uyinene Mrwetyana, murdered in 2019 — a case that galvanised a national reckoning and ignited the #AmINext movement. Her murder should have been the turning point. Instead, it has joined a litany of tragedies still unfolding.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'I had a criminal record for 56 years for being a lesbian - nobody told me'
A woman who unknowingly had a criminal record for 56 years for being a lesbian in the military is encouraging more women to apply to a government pardons scheme. Liz Stead, 78, was thrown out of the RAF in 1969 when bosses discovered a love letter from her then-girlfriend. More than 50 years later Liz discovered she was also given a criminal conviction for "perceived same-sex sexual activity" and had unknowingly lived with a criminal record for most of her adult life. She is one of 40 people in England and Wales who have had convictions of this nature overturned since 2023, when the government's Disregards and Pardons Scheme was expanded to include women for the first time. Liz, from Chichester, West Sussex, first learned of her criminal record in December last year, when applying for a different scheme, which awards financial redress to veterans who were sacked during a ban on homosexuality in the armed forces which was lifted in the year 2000. In emails seen by the BBC, her application for the payment was initially denied because of the conviction, and she was advised to apply for it to be pardoned by the Home Office. She applied to have the application fast-tracked due to ill health - and says she was "astonished" to learn of the charges. She now wonders what unknown impact it has had on her life. "I can think of one job where it might have been the reason I didn't get it. I've worked in local government most of my life and I have to wonder, had they known about this, would I have still had that job?," she said. In 2012, the government's Disregards and Pardons scheme was launched to allow people historically convicted for consensual same-sex activities to have those convictions deleted from official records. The scheme was expanded in 2023 to include women and more former military personnel affected by the pre-2000 ban on LGBT+ service members. Since the expansion, there have been 40 people given pardons, with the majority granted to former military personnel. Liz is now encouraging other women who may have been in contact with police, or those who were thrown out of the military for their sexuality to apply for pardons in order to find out if they have an unknown conviction. She said: "I can't think how it is on my records and I've never known about it, but I can't be the only one, they can't have just pinpointed me. "I didn't know anything about it, so I had no idea what the pardon would even be for but I was told it was related to same-sex activity." Liz served for three and a half years in the RAF and had an exemplary record, but was thrown out when bosses investigated her then-girlfriend and found love letters between the two. She was interrogated by the Special Investigation Branch - the detective arm of the military police which at the time often focussed investigations on same-sex sexual activity - and dismissed. The partial decriminalisation of homosexuality began in the UK in 1967 with the passing of the Sexual Offences Act, which decriminalised homosexual acts between men over the age of 21 in England and Wales. In Scotland, the law was changed in 1980 and in Northern Ireland, 1982. However, homosexuality remained illegal in Britain's armed forces until the year 2000, when the European Court of Human Rights ruled the ban illegal. As part of reparations made to LGBT Veterans, Liz was invited to a ceremony to return her medals and re-welcome her into the military family. Although the day was once a fond memory for her, she said it was now "tainted" because of the criminal record and she might have considered not attending had she known about that at the time. Peter Gibson, CEO of LGBT+ military charity Fighting With Pride, which helped Liz apply for the pardon, said: "Liz's experience shows how important it is that justice is properly done to all LGBT+ veterans who suffered under the cruel ban. Lives and careers were ruined under that 'gay ban'. "It's shocking that some people who served for their country and were kicked out for simply being their true selves might also have had a criminal record without even knowing." Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said that criminal records for same-sex relationships "should never have existed in the first place." She added: "Each pardon represents real changes to real lives. Some could now have their military medals returned while others can finally walk taller knowing a painful injustice has been finally righted. "I urge anyone with convictions under these cruel and prejudiced laws to apply to our scheme. You deserve justice and we remain committed to righting these historical wrongs."
Sunday World
10-05-2025
- Sunday World
Creepy doc who secretly filmed men in bathrooms over penis fears is jailed
The court heard how one victim became suspicious after noticing two air fresheners which appeared to be facing the toilet and shower A creepy doctor claimed he hid cameras in various bathrooms to film friends and colleagues as he had concerns over the size of his penis has been jailed. Anaesthetist Ju Young Um hid the recording devices in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom and spare bedroom of his flat in Glasgow's west end. The 34-year-old also discreetly filmed a friend and doctor at staff accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. He recorded a total of 30 different people, including 21 men and nine women, four of whom were doctors, over the course of almost three years. Um, who was later diagnosed as having a form of body dysmorphia, claimed he used the footage to compare himself to other men, having been diagnosed with "suspected gigantism" when he was a teenager which led to a belief he had a "small penis." Anaesthetist Ju Young Um News in 90 seconds - 10th May 2025 Um was found guilty of a total of 23 charges under the Sexual Offences Act, committed between November 2020 and August 2023 by a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Um recorded his first victim in secret through a window as he showered on a mobile phone. The court heard how later one victim became suspicious after noticing two air fresheners which appeared to be facing the toilet and shower. On closer inspection, hidden cameras were discovered inside the plastic containers. This prompted a further search of the rented bedroom and a camera was subsequently found inside a smoke alarm. The victim then contacted police. The anaesthetist was also found guilty of covertly filming people in private situations within staff accommodation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary where he had attached a camera to a smoke alarm of a fellow's doctor's bedroom at the hospital. The cameras were seized along with a mobile phone, laptop and storage device which contained recordings of several individuals. Um said he did not seek medical help until 20 years after being diagnosed with suspected gigantism, but was only diagnosed with body dysmorphia after he was arrested. He was later suspended from his work as a doctor. His lawyer told the sentencing that his client acknowledged his crimes were "morally wrong" and that he was aware of the "harm and distress he has caused his victims," Sheriff Owen Mullan told Um his actions had met the threshold for a custodial sentence. He also placed Um under supervision for nine months upon his release from prison and put him on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Sheriff Mullan said: "Your victims were friends, colleagues and some who rented a room from you - they were unaware of your activities. "Jurors heard of the shock and distress suffered by some of your victims. "Because of the gravity of this offence, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal." Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: "Ju Young Um carried out these invasive offences in a calculated and premeditated manner. "He abused a position of trust to significantly violate the privacy of numerous individuals for his own sexual gratification. "I give thanks to all those involved in securing this prosecution, which has held Um accountable while also protecting others from harm."
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Shamed Scots doctor who used secret spy cameras to film 30 people over ‘small penis' anxiety jailed
SPY CAM SICKO Shamed Scots doctor who used secret spy cameras to film 30 people over 'small penis' anxiety jailed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DOCTOR who secretly spied on 30 different people due to apparent concerns about his small manhood was jailed today for 18 months. Ju Young Um, 34, hid tiny cameras in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom and spare bedroom of his flat in Hyndland in Glasgow's west end. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Um at Glasgow Sheriff Court Credit: Spindrift 3 He hid cameras in items like air fresheners Credit: Alamy Um also discreetly filmed a friend and doctor at staff accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. The anaesthetist - who also worked in Glasgow - denied doing anything illegal. He instead claiming he has body dysmorphia - a condition where sufferers obsess over apparent flaws in their appearance. Um said this was only diagnosed after he was arrested. The doctor insisted that he was born with a small penis and used the footage to compare with other men. However, a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court decided that Um's sick acts were done for his sexual gratification. Um was found guilty to a total of 23 charges against the Sexual Offences Act between November 2020 and August 2023. Of his 30 victims, 21 were men and nine were women. Three of the men and one woman were doctors. Sheriff Owen Mullan told Um: 'Given the seriousness of this matter, it is rightfully acknowledged that the custodial threshold has been passed. 'You were convicted unanimously and the jury did not accept your position at trial. "Your victims were friends, colleagues and some who rented a room from you - they were unaware of your activities. Sex pests like flasher Labour councillor Sam Gould will be sacked immediately under urgent law change, vows Angela Rayner 'Jurors heard of the shock and distress suffered by some of your victims. 'They also heard you had hours and hours of footage and this spanned over a number of years. 'Because of the gravity of this offence, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal.' Um was also put under supervision for nine months upon his release from prison and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. The court heard that Um initially recorded his first victim in secret with a mobile through a window while he showered. Um later attached a camera to a smoke alarm of the fellow's doctor's bedroom at the hospital. The footage also captured intimate footage between this man and his partner. Fiscal Lauren Aitchison asked the doctor what he thought about Um's actions. He replied: "It makes me feel shocked, betrayed and disgusted. "Not only because it invaded my privacy but my now wife's as well. "I feel like I let her down letting this person into our lives - someone who I trusted in work in a professional capacity. I feel let down and horrified." Another doctor was filmed on the toilet at Um's home in the city's Hyndland. He initially knew Um from university and went for dinner at his house. The doctor stated that he was "shocked and betrayed" upon learning that he had been discreetly filmed. Jurors were told that a further medic had nine recordings made of him showering and using the toilet over a three-month period. Um rented out his spare bedroom to others at the Hyndland property on Airbnb. Miss Aitchison said in her closing speech to jurors: "Um violated their trust - he recorded them naked, showering, using the toilet and on some occasions having sex. "He had the videos saved automatically into a folder which was backed up on hard drives and pen drives just in case." Um told jurors in his evidence that he was diagnosed with "suspected gigantism" when he was a teenager which was "possibly" why he had a "small penis." Jurors heard that Um did not seek medical help until 20 years later. Miss Aitchison added: "His diagnoses of body dysmorphia does not come until after he was arrested. "He said all these years led to extremes of secretly recording people. Why wait until you are caught to get private treatment?" Um further said he did not want to view images on Google in case he came across illegal photographs. He also claimed that he did not view pornography as it was "exaggerated and bigger than your normal male." Um stated that he also did not compare himself with his patients as they were "people who trusted him." Um, still of Hyndland, is believed to have been latterly working as a lecturer and is presently suspended from working as a doctor. Ian Sievwright, defending, told the sentencing that his client is aware of the 'harm and distress he has caused his victims.' The lawyer added: 'He is a highly educated man - a hospital doctor who lost his job and career and is now on the sex offenders register. 'He accepts wrongdoing and accepts on reflection that that his behaviour was morally wrong and was criminal.'
STV News
08-05-2025
- STV News
Doctor spied on people with secret cameras hidden in Airbnb
A doctor who secretly spied on 30 different people through hidden cameras installed in his home has been jailed for 18 months. Ju Young Um, 34, hid tiny cameras in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom and spare bedroom of his flat in Hyndland in Glasgow, which had been partially rented out on Airbnb. Um also discreetly filmed a friend and doctor at staff accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. The anaesthetist, who also worked in Glasgow, denied doing anything illegal. COPFS Ju Young U hid tiny cameras in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom He instead claims he has body dysmorphia – a condition where sufferers obsess over apparent flaws in their appearance. Um said this was only diagnosed after he was arrested. The doctor insisted that he was born with a small penis and used the footage to compare with other men. However, a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court decided that Um's acts were done for his sexual gratification. Um was found guilty of a total of 23 charges under the Sexual Offences Act between November 2020 and August 2023. COPFS Hidden cameras were discovered inside the plastic containers Of his 30 victims, 21 were men and nine were women. Three of the men and one woman were doctors. The court heard that Um initially recorded his first victim in secret with a mobile through a window while he showered. Um later attached a camera to a smoke alarm of the fellow doctor's bedroom at the hospital. The footage also captured intimate footage between this man and his partner. The court heard how one victim became suspicious after noticing two air fresheners, which appeared to be facing the toilet and shower. On closer inspection, hidden cameras were discovered inside the plastic containers, prompting a further search of the rented bedroom. COPFS Ju Young Um, 34, hid tiny cameras in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom A third camera was subsequently found inside a smoke alarm, with the victim then contacting the police. The cameras were seized along with a mobile phone, laptop and storage device which contained recordings of several individuals. Fiscal Lauren Aitchison asked the doctor recorded what he thought about Um's actions. He replied: 'It makes me feel shocked, betrayed and disgusted. 'Not only because it invaded my privacy but my now wife's as well. 'I feel like I let her down letting this person into our lives – someone who I trusted in work in a professional capacity. I feel let down and horrified.' Another doctor was filmed on the toilet at Um's home in the city's Hyndland. He initially knew Um from university and went for dinner at his house. The doctor stated that he was 'shocked and betrayed' upon learning that he had been secretly filmed. Jurors were told that a further medic had nine recordings made of him showering and using the toilet over three months. Um rented out his spare bedroom to others at the Hyndland property on Airbnb. Ms Aitchison said in her closing speech to jurors: 'Um violated their trust – he recorded them naked, showering, using the toilet and, on some occasions, having sex. 'He had the videos saved automatically into a folder which was backed up on hard drives and pen drives just in case.' Um told jurors in his evidence that he was diagnosed with 'suspected gigantism' when he was a teenager which was 'possibly' why he had a 'small penis'. Jurors heard that Um did not seek medical help until 20 years later. Ms Aitchison added: 'His diagnosis of body dysmorphia does not come until after he was arrested. 'He said all these years led to extremes of secretly recording people. Why wait until you are caught to get private treatment?' Um further said he did not want to view images on Google in case he came across illegal photographs. He also claimed that he did not view pornography as it was 'exaggerated and bigger than your normal male' and that he didn't compare himself with his patients as they were 'people who trusted him'. Um, still of Hyndland, is believed to have been latterly working as a lecturer and is presently suspended from working as a doctor. Ian Sievwright, defending, told the sentencing that his client is aware of the 'harm and distress he has caused his victims'. The lawyer added: 'He is a highly educated man – a hospital doctor who lost his job and career and is now on the sex offenders register. 'He accepts wrongdoing and accepts on reflection that his behaviour was morally wrong and was criminal.' Um was also put under supervision for nine months upon his release from prison and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years. Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: 'Ju Young Um carried out these invasive offences in a calculated and premeditated manner. 'He abused a position of trust to significantly violate the privacy of numerous individuals for his own sexual gratification. 'I give thanks to all those involved in securing this prosecution, which has held Um accountable while also protecting others from harm. 'We will continue to take action against those responsible for this type of offending as we strive to keep the communities we serve safe.' Police Scotland detective sergeant Cameron Gilchrist, Police Scotland, added: 'Ju Young Um now faces the consequences of his despicable and distressing actions. 'Our thoughts remain with his victims who had their privacy violated. We hope that his sentencing will bring them some comfort. 'Sexual crime, of any nature, is not to be tolerated and we will thoroughly investigate any reports made to us, no matter how much time has passed. 'I would urge people to come forward and you can be assured of being 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
