Latest news with #TaylorSwift-themed
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Notorious Cardiff-born killer's basic life in prison with 'minimum legal entitlements'
Notorious Cardiff-born killer's basic life in prison with 'minimum legal entitlements' Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is serving 52 years behind bars and is being held at HMP Belmarsh Axel Rudakubana is serving a lengthy jail term after carrying out one of the most heinous crimes in modern memory (Image: Merseyside Police ) Southport killer Axel Rudakubana receives the basic minimum legal requirements while serving his jail term in a Category A prison. That means the 18-year-old is permitted to purchase items from the HMP Belmarsh canteen, using money either earnt at the prison or sent to him by family members, but spends limited time outside of his cell and is brought items to where he is staying, the Liverpool Echo has learned. The Cardiff-born teenager, currently serving his 52-year term at the London jail alongside around 700 other inmates, killed three children in Southport on July 29 last year when he walked into a Taylor Swift-themed workshop shortly before midday. The then-17-year-old stabbed 11 children, killing three girls and injuring the rest, as well as attacking two adults in the rampage. Following his arrest at the scene, ricin was found in his bedroom at his family home in Banks, Lancashire, as well as a plethora of weapons and a second identical knife to that he used in the attack wrapped in his duvet. It further transpired how the murderer had previously been reported to Prevent on three occasions as well as being stopped by his own dad from getting in a taxi destined for Range High School just seven days prior to the attack on Hart Street, Southport. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in January this year with him being kept in HMP Belmarsh, which is a high-security Category A facility. This article explains why despite the severity of his crimes he was not eligible for a whole-life jail term. But since being locked up the killer has allegedly attacked a prison officer, hospitalising him and forcing him to take time off work. Article continues below Rudakabana was in his prison cell at the time of the incident and allegedly used boiling water from a kettle in the room, as reported by Sky News. He then allegedly threw the boiling water over the officer through a hatch in his cell door. The prison officer was taken to hospital as a precaution but only suffered minor injuries. Since then Rudakubana has been given the legal minimum entitlements a prisoner can have, which restricts the amount of time he spends outside his cell and what he has access to. It is understood the legal minimum means he can still purchase items from the canteen using money either earnt at the prison or sent to him by family members but spends limited time outside of his cell and is brought items to where he is staying. National chair of the Prison Officers Association, Mark Fairhurst, said: "It is normal for every prisoner to have access to prison canteen items that they may purchase from private cash or prison earnings. "Restricting this would probably lead to a legal challenge under the Human Rights Act so the service would not be able to remove these privileges from prisoners." A Met Police spokesman said: "The Met is investigating after a prison officer was subject to a serious assault at HMP Belmarsh on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8. Article continues below "The prison officer was taken to hospital where he was assessed before being discharged later the same day. "The investigation is being led by officers from the Prison Investigation Team on the Met's South East Command Unit."
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
June bank holiday in Limerick: here is what's on around the county
With so much on, there is no reason to not find something of interest in the county. Here are just some of the events taking place: Visit Limerick's famous Milk Market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday As it does every weekend, Limerick's milk market will be running over the Bank Holiday weekend and is sure to be bustling with crowds enjoying all that will be on offer. Friday and Sunday will see crafts, antiques and vintage put on display, will live music played by local artists will provide a fine atmosphere. Of course, there will be plenty of nourishment on offer too. Saturday will be all about the food, with a wide range of fresh produce and street food set to be available. The farmer's market will boast goods including cheeses, chutneys, just-caught fish and artisan meats. The Milk Market should provide plenty to see and taste for those of all ages this Bank Holiday weekend. Irish Acro Festival 2025 at Irish Aerial Creation Centre from Friday to Tuesday The second edition of the Acro Festival will be of interest to acrobats of all varieties. The five day festival promises plenty of fun and is set to welcome participants from all over the world. More than 20 local and international teachers are each set to share their unique skills and passion for Acroyoga through classes while traditional dance workshops will also be held. The festival is open to all level of participants and a family fun day, with special events for kids, will be held on Saturday. A range of tickets at various prices are available at Swiftees and fans of popular music will have a ball at this Taylor Swift-themed night. The hours-long event will feature all the best tunes of the pop queen, while deep cuts and extended mixes of Taylor's tunes are also promised. The show is perfect for serious Swiftees as well as those who are looking to dance into the early hours of Saturday morning. Tickets for this fan created Taylor Swift-themed club night cost €12 each. The event is strictly for those over the age of 18. Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh at Croom on Saturday and Sunday Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh returns to the town of Croom this Bank Holiday, and it promises an unforgettable weekend of Irish music, song, dance and craic. The fleadh, based in the town's school, will see young musicians compete in a variety of categories based on the instruments they play for a chance to compete at the Munster fleadh. The weekend-long event will be perfect for all who enjoy Irish music and culture or who wish to delve into it. There will be plenty surrounding the festival too, such as a craft market and a tractor run. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook For more information visit the Limerick Comhaltas page on Facebook. First Annual Model Railway and Hobbies Exhibition at the Castletroy Park Hotel on Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm Train enthusiasts of all ages will be delighted by Mid-West Model Railway Club's inaugural annual exhibition over the Bank Holiday weekend. The event will feature impressive layouts from prize-winning designers, engineering experts, skilled craftspeople and artistic wizards from all over the island of Ireland. The creations on show will include Rathmichael, which depicts a rural halt in the south-east, and Under the Swan Rock, a layout displaying a scene set in the Bavarian mountains. The special exhibition will be held on the exact 199th anniversary of the signing into law, on May 31, 1826, of the legislation that provided for the steam-train connection between the mid-west and the rest of Ireland. Tickets for this special event are priced at €5 for Adults and €3 for those aged between five and 18. Here's a chronological list of Limerick activities over the June Bank Holiday weekend: Friday, May 30 Start your day with the Run061 Friday Morning Run & Lattes at 7am from Chill The Beans on Ennis Road. At 9:30am, Art, Alchemy and Dreams takes place at LSAD, exploring the connection between art and psyche. The Castletroy Farmers Market runs from 10am to 2pm with fresh produce, baked goods, and more. Bring little ones to the Parent & Toddler Morning at Watch House Cross Library at 10:30am. From 12pm, the Hunt Museum hosts a ceramics-themed event, Tea Time & Chit Chat, with artist talks and tea. The Eat Street Food Court at Wickham Way is open from 1pm to 9pm. Wrap up your evening at Singles Bingo Night in the Wickham from 7:30pm, a fun social event for over thirties. Saturday, May 31 Visit the Milk Market from 8am to 3pm and Wickham Way Market & Food Court from 10am to 3pm. The Art4Limerick Popup continues at 19 Nicholas Street, 10:30am–5:30pm, showcasing local artists. Crafty Saturday runs from 11am to 4pm at Watch House Cross Library, with creative play for kids. At 11:30am, day two of the Tea Time & Chit Chat ceramics event takes place at the Hunt Museum, including a ceramics talk and visit to the LSAD Degree Show. Teens aged 12 to 18 can take part in the Wonder Walls Graffiti Workshop at the Belltable from 4pm to 6pm. Sunday, June 1 Begin with the Run061 Long Run at 9:30am from UL Sports Arena or the Croissant Run Club at 9:45am from Arthurs Quay Park. Families can also enjoy Junior Parkrun at 9:30am in Shelbourne Park. The Art4Limerick Popup continues from 10:30am to 5:30pm, and the Milk Market Outdoor Café is open 11am to 3pm. Don't miss the Croom Craft Market from 12pm to 3pm during the Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh weekend, followed by Music on the Maigue from 1pm to 4pm in Croom Town Park. In the evening, enjoy the official Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh Concert in St Mary's Church, Croom at 8pm. Monday, June 2 Wrap up the weekend with The Big Limerick Seisiún, featuring traditional music and dance at the Locke Bar (5pm & 9pm).
Belfast Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Race hate crimes in NI highest since records began
anti-immigrant disorder broke out in Belfast, saw a particularly significant increase in racially-motivated crimes. Official statistics from the police published today shows that there were 454 more race incidents and 349 more race crimes recorded in comparison to the previous year. There were 1,807 race incidents and 1,188 race crimes documented in the 12 months from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. These are the highest financial year levels recorded since the data series began in 2004/05. The 349 race incidents recorded in August 2024 was the single highest monthly level in the data series, around twice the previous monthly high of 171 recorded in July 2024. Incidents reported to police that month were also more than four times the level seen the previous August. The disorder which broke out in August, followed the Southport attack in which three young children were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Online speculation led to false rumours the attacker was an asylum seeker and right-wing violence broke out after a vigil for the victims. Trouble spread to Belfast, where there were attacks on businesses and homes following an anti-immigration protest organised by loyalists at Belfast City Hall. More than 20 individuals were arrested in connection with the ensuing violence. Belfast City policing district which, between April 2024 and March 2025, accounted for around half of all race incidents and crimes recorded in Northern Ireland, showed an increase in incidents (271) and crimes (224). Hate crime is defined as any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic - in this case, race. The PSNI states that not all hate motivated incidents will result in the recording of a crime, as what has occurred in the incident may not be of the level of severity that would result in a notifiable offence being recorded. 'Where crimes with a hate motivation are recorded they are classified according to the Home Office Counting Rules and form a subset of the overall police recorded crime statistics,' the PSNI ruls state. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were more race and faith/religion hate incidents when compared with the previous twelve months. Crimes with a race hate motivation saw the largest increase, with a smaller increase seen in faith/religion crimes. Sectarian crimes saw the largest decrease, with smaller decreases in sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity crimes. Six of the eight highest monthly levels of race incidents in the data series were recorded between May and October 2024. There was a decrease of 181 sectarian incidents, while the number of crimes fell by 142. Incidents and crimes related to sexual orientation decreased, with incidents falling from 384 and 362 and crimes from 241 t 219. Disability-related incidents also declined, dropping from 97 to 68, while related crimes fell from 57 to 40. In contrast, faith and religion-related incidents rose from 77 to 87, with associated crimes increasing from 48 to 65. Transgender identity-related incidents saw a slight decrease from 68 to 63, while crimes dropped from 41 to 35.
AsiaOne
07-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
UK watchdog says police must not be caught off-guard again after violent summer riots, World News
LONDON - Nationwide rioting that shook Britain last summer was not coordinated by specific groups, but police must do more to counter false narratives online to avoid similar events in future, England's police watchdog said on Wednesday (May 7). Racist unrest involving far-right supporters erupted at anti-immigration protests across Britain last summer after false information circulated online that a British teenager who killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was an Islamist migrant. Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted killing the girls and stabbing 10 others last July in the northern English town of Southport. He was sentenced to at least 52 years behind bars in January. In a report, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said those who took part in the riots were mostly "disaffected individuals, influencers or groups that incited people to act violently", rather than criminal factions or extremists. "It was mainly unrelated to their ideology or political views," the inspectorate said in the report. "The causes of the disorder were complex, but the overwhelming speed and volume of online content further fuelled its spread." HMICFRS said the police had not kept pace with the fast-developing nature of online communications, and that such events required forces to counter false narratives online and be innovative in their approach. "Policing cannot be passive when public safety is at risk," HMICFRS said. HMICFRS also found the police did not sufficiently prioritise intelligence on disorder and that lessons had not been learned from previous outbreaks. Chief Inspector Andy Cooke said the police "should not be caught off-guard again". [[nid:624426]] The National Police Chiefs Council welcomed the report but said it failed to accurately assess the forces' role in countering harmful online content. "It overlooks the reality that law enforcement cannot and should not regulate social media, placing unrealistic expectations on policing while ignoring the critical responsibility of platform providers and regulators," the NPCC said. "Without robust detection, moderation, and removal of false narratives, misinformation will continue to fuel unrest unchecked," the NPCC added.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK watchdog says police must not be caught off-guard again after violent summer riots
FILE PHOTO: Rioters clash with police officers during an anti-immigration protest, in Rotherham, Britain, August 4, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo UK watchdog says police must not be caught off-guard again after violent summer riots LONDON - Nationwide rioting that shook Britain last summer was not coordinated by specific groups, but police must do more to counter false narratives online to avoid similar events in future, England's police watchdog said on Wednesday. Racist unrest involving far-right supporters erupted at anti-immigration protests across Britain last summer after false information circulated online that a British teenager who killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was an Islamist migrant. Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted killing the girls and stabbing 10 others last July in the northern English town of Southport. He was sentenced to at least 52 years behind bars in January. In a report, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said those who took part in the riots were mostly "disaffected individuals, influencers or groups that incited people to act violently", rather than criminal factions or extremists. "It was mainly unrelated to their ideology or political views," the inspectorate said in the report. "The causes of the disorder were complex, but the overwhelming speed and volume of online content further fuelled its spread." HMICFRS said the police had not kept pace with the fast-developing nature of online communications, and that such events required forces to counter false narratives online and be innovative in their approach. "Policing cannot be passive when public safety is at risk," HMICFRS said. HMICFRS also found the police did not sufficiently prioritise intelligence on disorder and that lessons had not been learned from previous outbreaks. Chief Inspector Andy Cooke said the police "should not be caught off-guard again". The National Police Chiefs Council welcomed the report but said it failed to accurately assess the forces' role in countering harmful online content. "It overlooks the reality that law enforcement cannot and should not regulate social media, placing unrealistic expectations on policing while ignoring the critical responsibility of platform providers and regulators," the NPCC said. "Without robust detection, moderation, and removal of false narratives, misinformation will continue to fuel unrest unchecked," the NPCC added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
