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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
'Coward' killed 'loving grandfather' in crash and then fled the scene
A Derbyshire man is now behind bars after killing an innocent cyclist earlier this year, with police labelling his acts as "dangerous, selfish and cowardly". Cain Byrne, 20, of Redvers Buller Road, Chesterfield, was sentenced to 16 years and six months in prison on Monday, July 21, after the death of 81-year-old Graham Slinn earlier this year. Mr Slinn was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a 'community spirit', according to South Yorkshire Police, adding that Byrne's conviction is a result of a joint investigation between the Serious Collisions Unit (SCU) and the Major Crime Unit, due to the "level of criminality" involved. During Byrne's hearing, the court was told how, on April 4, Byrne was driving a VW Golf and collided with Graham on the A57 near Todwick. Following the collision, Byrne fled the scene and left members of the public to help Mr Slinn. Despite everyone's best efforts, Graham was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Senior Officer in the case, Chief Inspector Tom Woodward, said: 'Through good, investigative work at the scene in the immediacy after the collision, the SCU identified that the car involved in the collision was on a false registration plate," he said. READ MORE: 'Missed beyond measure' - tributes paid to Mandy Riley found dead in Derby flat READ MORE: Derby man denies murdering Tony Tipper in Allenton 'We were able to show that Byrne had connections to the car, and he was quickly arrested, but we needed the car. We spent hours trawling footage to piece together the car's movements, while others were working hard to find the car, which was later found burned out in the Derbyshire area. 'A breakthrough in the investigation came when officers tracked the car from the scene of the collision to an address several miles away, as well as locations in between. Our aim was to ensure he could never harm anyone in our communities again.' Byrne was arrested on April 12 in Derbyshire and brought back to South Yorkshire custody, where detectives questioned him in multiple interviews. He answered 'no comment' throughout and even when Graham's family tribute was read aloud to him, police say his "coldness" continued. What was clear throughout their enquiries was Byrne's "lack of care for anyone", a spokesperson for the force added. He was a disqualified driver, driving without a licence, without insurance and using a false, cloned number plate on the car. He was also seen on CCTV inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons, even immediately after killing Mr Slinn. Byrne pleaded guilty at a hearing in May before receiving his sentence on Monday. CI Woodward continued: 'Our thoughts remain with Graham's family and friends, and I hope today's sentencing brings them some further closure knowing Byrne will now face a lengthy time in prison. 'We know those involved in criminality are likely to take greater risks and Byrne's behaviour is a true reflection of this and why the work of our roads policing officers is greatly important. We are continuing to work hard to reduce casualties on the roads of South Yorkshire through education, prevention and deterring criminals from the use of our road network. 'I would also like to thank the public for your support during what was a challenging investigation. We are stronger with our communities' help, and it does not go unnoticed.' In addition to Byrne's 16-and-a-half-year sentence, he was further banned from driving for 17 years and eight months.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside notorious crime boss Steven ‘Bonzo' Daniel's rise to power – and the brutal machete attack that left him for dead
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) May 18th, 2017 started off as just another day for gangland hood Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel. But little did he know he was about to be left brutally scarred and fighting for his life. Every move he made was being watched, every turn tracked by ruthless enemies hungry for power. 12 Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel pictured after the brutal assassination bid 12 CCTV shows the moment Bonzo was chased in his taxi during a deadly hunt from rivals From the stands of Ibrox watching Rangers play Aberdeen, Bonzo left the game, dropping off taxi tycoon pal Stevie 'The Fat Controller' Malcolm on the way home. But the quiet Glasgow streets soon transformed into a deadly hunting ground. An Audi S3 and a VW Golf materialized in his rearview mirror – the rival Lyons gang, relentless in their pursuit. They knew his every move, thanks to tracking devices hidden on his vehicle. A high-speed chase erupted, tearing through the city, red lights ignored as two worlds collided. From Milton to the M8 at Port Dundas, the 100 miles per hour pursuit escalated until Bonzo crashed on a ramp, trapped. What followed was a brutal, targeted assault. Cleavers, machetes, a claw hammer – wielded with savage intent. Bonzo's face became a canvas of carnage: deep lacerations, a nose left hanging, damage so severe police initially mistook it for a gunshot wound. With fractured bones and a dislocated skull – Bonzo was left for dead, his attackers vanishing into the night. This is the story of Glasgow's 'Scarface' - Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel. HEIR TO THE THRONE By the time of the brutal execution attempt, Bonzo had risen to the head of the notorious Glasgow crime clan the Daniels - amassing an intricate web of allies as he sought to take the criminal empire from strength to strength. He took over the reins following the death of his uncle, feared crime boss Jamie Daniel a year earlier. Jamie - who at one stage had amassed an empire worth £10million - began his criminal career dealing in used cars and scrap metal in Glasgow's Possilpark. He and his brothers formed a major heroin syndicate - which went on to wage a deadly drugs war in Glasgow with bitter enemies the Lyons family - led by Godfather Eddie Lyons Senior. 12 Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel rose to the top of his family's notorious crime clan 12 Jamie Daniel had amassed a wide-spanning criminal empire before his death 12 Eddie Lyons Senior, the godfather crime boss of the rival Lyons clan Credit: The Sun But his world came crashing down when, in 2010, was diagnosed with cancer, before eventually passing away in July 2016. The 58-year-old's death sparked fears the clan would plummet into civil war as rivals battled to seize control. But Bonzo - son of crime queen Annette Daniel, Jamie's sister - took charge, calling the shots as he ran their multi million pound drug dealing empire and legitimate businesses - - making him the obvious target for the rival Lyons clan hoping to take over the Glasgow drugs trade. Bonzo was born into crime and has lived that life but some underworld sources claim it's not a natural fit for him. 12 Bonzo's mum, crime queen Annette Daniel 12 Francis 'Fraggle' Green was viewed by some as a more obvious head of the Daniel clan His cousin Francis 'Fraggle' Green - son of Jamie - is viewed by some as a more obvious head of the family. One source said: "Because of Bonzo's nickname and what happened to his face he gets most of the attention. "But many think Fraggle is the more natural crime boss. "Bonzo would rather spend time with his partner and kids and go to Ibrox to watch his beloved Rangers than be mired in feuds and constantly looking over his shoulder. "But given who his relatives are there was never any realistic prospect of a normal life. "He obviously has connections to some very dangerous people so he'll always get respect through that. "But he's not a wild gangster type who flaunts violence and wealth. That's not his style." BONZO BUTCHERED His rise to the top of the crime family wasn't short of drama. He was lucky not to be jailed after being cleared following a major probe into the Daniel crime clan which saw his cousin Zander Sutherland - his uncle Jamie's son - jailed for drug dealing in June 2015. And his brother Robert, a convicted drug dealer, was ambushed by a gang of gunmen during a drive-by shooting in Stepps, just outside Glasgow in 2017. Within weeks, the Lyons had turned their attention to Bonzo… knowing the execution of the kingpin could unravel the rival empire - a prime opportunity to take control of the drugs trade. 12 Bonzo was chased in his taxi at speed of up to 100mph 12 Bonzo was left maimed and narrowly escaped alive After being left maimed by the gang and narrowly escaping alive, Bonzo was taken to the nearby Royal Infirmary — where a team led by Dr Mark Ansell saved his life with 12 hours of surgery. The world-renowned surgeon would later tell how Bonzo's face was so mangled he had to insert a tube in his throat to help him breathe. Dr Ansell said: 'His nose was hanging off on the left-hand side, near to his left ear. 'He had extensive injuries, all located in the mid-face area.' Driver Mohammad Khan, who stopped to help the stricken ex-taxi boss, said: 'His face was in a mess, a total mess. His face was hanging off, you could see his nose bone. 'He couldn't speak. I thought he was going to die.' Bonzo would later undergo around 40 hours of pioneering surgery over the course of two years to save his butchered face. An underworld insider at the time told The Scottish Sun: 'Bonzo is extremely lucky to be alive. 'It's a painstakingly slow process, but his face is now being put back together by one of the best surgeons in the world. 'The scarring to his face has already improved massively but there is still a long way still to go.' Among the brutal facial reconstruction ops Bonzo has endured included inserting metal plates and screws to eye sockets and re-attaching his nose. A titanium mesh was put into his skull, Bonzo's upper and lower jaw were reconnected, deep cuts across his cheeks were repaired and his damaged ears were operated on. In the period following the attack, Bonzo was guarded round the clock amid fears of another attempt on his life. A cop patrol car was also stationed outside his home in the Bishopbriggs area of the city. LYONS IN THE DOCK And detectives soon had their first breakthrough when a car used in the assassination attempt was later found in Forge Street, in the Germiston area of Glasgow. A second car was later found alight in Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs. Officers swooped on properties across the city and six members of the Lyons gang were arrested. 12 A burnt out car was found - before cops swooped on properties linked to the Lyons clan 12 Robert Pickett, Andrew Gallacher, Brian Ferguson, Andrew Sinclair, John Hardie and Peter Bain were all jailed Brian Ferguson, Andrew Gallacher, Robert Pickett, Andrew Sinclair, John Hardie, and Peter Bain, were all put in the dock at the high court in Glasgow, accused of trying to kill members of the Daniel clan. The trial lasted 14 weeks and cost the taxpayer £6m. The six men were all convicted of conspiracy to murder . Brian Ferguson , Andrew Gallacher, and John Hardie were all jailed for 20 years. Robert Pickett was locked up for 16 years while Peter Bain was sentenced to 15 years - and turned to give the thumbs up to someone in the gallery as he was handed his sentence - while Andrew Sinclair was jailed for 13 years and three months. Lord Mulholland told them: 'Steven Daniel gave evidence and said that he was not aware of a feud between the Lyons and Daniel families. 'I did not believe a word and, more importantly, neither did the jury.' 12 Ross 'Miami' McGill is now waging war Bonzo's brazen testimony underscored the belief the feud would be settled on the streets - rather than in the courtroom - highlighting the deep-seeded animosity between the two clans and the desire for revenge. And while the members of Lyons gang were put away for a long time, Bonzo fought back to lead the Daniel Crime clan - which is once again locked in an explosive battle with their rivals - led by Steven Lyons, and Dubai based gangster Ross 'Miami' Mcgill. McGill - a former chief of the Union Bears - has waged a several-month long gang war spilling out across central Scotland over a half a million pound cocaine deal - which has seen shootings, machete attacks, and homes torched and firebombed over the battle for control of drug trade.
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Hit-and-run driver who killed pensioner while high on laughing gas jailed
An unqualified driver who was filmed inhaling laughing gas at the wheel when he killed an elderly cyclist before fleeing the scene has been jailed. Cain Byrne, 20, ignored a red light and was well over the 50mph limit when he hit 81-year-old Graham Slinn on the A57 in Todwick near Rotherham on 4 April. Mr Slinn, who had been pushing his bike across a pedestrian crossing, was pronounced dead at the scene after Byrne drove off in his VW Golf. Sheffield Crown Court heard Byrne, who has never held a driving licence, made no attempt to stop at the crossing and could have been travelling at up to 80mph. The father-of-two, from Chesterfield, had admitted causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing. He was sentenced to 11 years and six months' detention in a young offenders institution, with an extended licence period of five years, and was banned from driving for 17 years and eight months. Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told the defendant: 'You are a dangerous offender and the public must be protected from your evident dangerous and ingrained criminal behaviour.' Footage shown in court showed Byrne inhaling nitrous oxide gas from a yellow balloon while driving, both before and after the collision with Mr Slinn. The court heard the defendant sped off with two passengers after the crash, with dashcam footage showing his tyres smoking as he appeared to try to control the vehicle. Mr Slinn helped to care for adults with learning disabilities after he retired and was weeks away from celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife Jaqueline. Judge Richardson said inhaling nitrous oxide was 'an exceptionally dangerous act while driving'. He said Mr Slinn was 'crossing the road entirely lawfully, in accordance with the green light for him', and 'died of injuries inflicted by your truly appalling driving'. The judge said Byrne 'endured a dreadful upbringing' and 'had known very few boundaries' in his life. Byrne was due to be sentenced last month but, after hearing about his 'astonishing and appalling' driving record, Judge Richardson said he wanted a report prepared by probation officers. The court heard Byrne had a range of convictions for 27 offences, including dangerous driving, despite having no driving licence. Rebecca Stephens, mitigating, told the court her client drove off because he believed he had only hit another vehicle with his wing mirror. In a statement read to the judge at an earlier hearing, Mrs Slinn said she and her husband met through a love of cycling and he rode his bike several times a week. He was also a keen singer who would perform in pubs and clubs in Sheffield. Mrs Slinn said: 'Sixty years of marriage, almost, wiped out by the defendant.' After the sentencing, Mr Slinn's daughter Nicola, and son Victor, described their father as 'kind to his core' and said his death was '100% avoidable'. 'On the afternoon of 4 April, our dad set out on his bike — something he had loved since his youth, when he used to race. 'Cycling was a lifelong passion and a shared family activity. He always took safety incredibly seriously and had planned his route to stick to quiet lanes and cycle paths. 'Despite taking every possible precaution to stay safe — dismounting at the end of the cycle path, waiting for the lights to change to green for pedestrians, and wheeling his bike across the pedestrian crossing — on the day he died, he was hit at speed by a car driven by someone who just kept going, as if our dad wasn't even there, as if he was nothing. 'But he was there. He was everything to us. He was our dad, our mum's husband of 60 years, a granddad to two teenage girls, and a friend to so many.' In a statement released through Thompsons Solicitors, the family said Mr Slinn's death had left a profound silence at the heart of their home. The family added: 'To lose any loved one is a shock. But to lose someone so vibrant, so active, and to know their death was 100% avoidable is doubly cruel.'
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Western Telegraph
Drivers in UK warned as thousands are being wrongly fined
New data has revealed a surge in car cloning in the UK over the past five years, with motoring experts warning the crisis is now spiralling. Criminals typically use cloned plates to commit further crimes, including stealing fuel from petrol stations, evading tolls or fleeing the scenes of accidents. As a result, it is the innocent drivers who have had their number plates cloned who end up with fines, insurance claims, or letters from the police. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Valuation specialists at one of the UK's leading car-buying platforms, say the crime is not only damaging innocent motorists' finances and reputations, but also undermining trust in vehicle ownership systems. The experts said: 'Car cloning is fast becoming one of the most distressing issues facing ordinary drivers. 'The worst part is how quickly this issue can snowball. One cloned plate can lead to police letters, insurance claims, even blacklisting from fuel stations – all to someone who's done nothing wrong." also warned that cloning disproportionately affects drivers who own high-demand cars such as German makes or premium SUVs – which are frequently cloned by criminals looking to avoid detection. They said: 'We'd advise drivers of popular models like the BMW 3 Series, VW Golf, or Mercedes GLA to be especially cautious. 'These are among the most commonly cloned vehicles because they're everywhere – and that makes it easier for a cloned version to blend in." These are the best ways to keep yourself safe from car cloning: Reporting any lost or stolen number plates immediately Using anti-theft number plate screws Regularly checking their vehicle record on the DVLA website Keeping a log of any unusual fines or driving correspondence When buying or selling a car, it's crucial to check for anything that seems off – including mismatched documents, suspicious plate bolts, or unusual recent traffic fines. Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Man in his 70s dies after car falls down embankment and crashes onto train tracks as busy rail route closed
A MAN in his 70s has tragically died after a car slid down an embankment onto busy railway tracks. Cops raced to the railway line close to Stray Rein, Harrogate, after reports of a car on the tracks at 3.19pm on Friday. 6 Cops have launched an investigation after a man was found dead in his car on a railway track Credit: © YappApp 6 A silver vehicle fell down an embankment onto the line Credit: © YappApp 6 The tragic incident occurred close to Stray Rein, Harrogate Credit: © YappApp Officers who attended found someone inside a silver VW Golf on the tracks. Despite the best efforts of emergency crews, the driver was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle was travelling on York Place before it left the road and went down the railway embankment. North Yorkshire Police is now appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage taken in the area. Read more News Cops said his family is being supported by specialist officers. Superintendent Andy Nunns from North Yorkshire Police said: 'There is currently a scene in place for collision investigation work to take place. 'York Place in Harrogate is likely to remain closed for most of this evening and the railway line between Harrogate and Leeds is likely to be closed for most of the night. 'We will continue to work with Network Rail and the British Transport Police to minimise disruption. Most read in The Sun " My thoughts at this time remain very much with the man's family and I would like to thank the public for their patience.' 6 Emergency services arrived at the scene at around 3.19pm Credit: © YappApp 6 Tragically the man in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene Credit: © YappApp 6 Cops are appealing for witnesses Credit: © YappApp
