Latest news with #drugging
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
'Nurse who drugged my mum could be released early'
The son of an elderly woman who was drugged by a nurse for an "easy shift" has said he is "distressed" to learn the perpetrator could be released from prison Hudson was jailed for seven years and two months for giving nonprescribed sedatives to two patients and conspiring to drug a third at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 2017 and 2018. Brian Scott, whose mother Aileen Scott - now 77 - was one of the victims, said to hear Hudson could be released after only 19 months was "unacceptable".The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said prisoners were only eligible for a home detention curfew, also known as an electronic tag, if they had been risk-assessed and had 12 months or less left before their conditional release date. Under changes brought into force in September, some prisoners can be released after serving only 40% of their sentence in prison rather than 50%.The changes were implemented to free up capacity in prisons in England and Wales due to overcrowding. Mrs Scott, from Glasgow, had suffered a stroke while on holiday in Blackpool and was taken to the hospital for treatment when she was targeted. Evidence during the trial highlighted the "dysfunctional" drugs regime on the stroke ward with free and easy access to controlled drugs and medication which led to "wholesale theft" by was described as a "culture of abuse" after police examined WhatsApp phone messages between Hudson and other members of wrote about one of her victims: "I sedated one of them to within an inch of her life lol. Bet she's flat for a week haha xxx."The next evening, Hudson said in a message: "If bed five starts he will [be] getting sedated to hell..."I'll get [you] the [antibiotic] xxx." Mr Scott said: "It's really, really poor and distasteful to hear that [Hudson] has even been allowed to go forward for early release."The judge was very, very clear during the sentencing that she would spend at least half of that sentence in custody and then would be considered for release on licence."There's no punishment there, there's no justice if that's the case. And it also makes a mockery, I believe, of the sentence that was applied."Mr Scott said a change in legislation was needed, adding his heartache had been compounded by his mother's current deteriorating health."I'm trying to move on. My mum is very unwell, sadly approaching the end of her life, and to hear that Catherine Hudson is trying to get out of prison is unacceptable," he said if Hudson was released early then it would suggest "the criminal justice system in this country... is on the side of the perpetrators, not on the side of the victims"."She may be acting as a model prisoner but it doesn't justify what she did and she put public confidence in the NHS in jeopardy." June Westhead was admitted to the hospital in February 2017 after suffering a minor stroke, spending three months in hospital. Her daughter described what happened to her mother, who died in December 2017 at the age of 80, as "horrendous," adding she believed she was targeted after she complained about her care."[Hudson] never actually said sorry for anything she's done," she said."She just laughed all the way through when she was getting sentenced, which I thought was terrible, absolutely terrible."Mrs Cheetham said she had been told by the probation services that it was a "done deal" that Hudson would be released early."I was told it was because she's been a model prisoner and she's no threat to people outside," she said. "It's just terrible that they're letting her out and I could maybe bump into her in the street. It's not right."I'm totally disgusted with the judicial system for the heinous crime that [she's] committed. She's only been in 19 months and she's getting out." Both Mrs Cheetham and Mr Scott said they would like to meet the Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, over the decision to release some prisoners after serving less than half their sentences in prison. The MoJ said anyone released under the home detention curfew must follow strict rules and was always monitored electronically during their curfew. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- CTV News
Hamilton, Ont. man facing more charges after W5 investigation into alleged sexual assault ring; ex-wife speaks out
Bryan Hayward is seen in this undated image. (Hamilton Police Service) Warning: This story contains graphic details and allegations of sexual assault A Hamilton, Ont. man at the centre of a widescale W5 investigation into an alleged sexual assault ring is now facing dozens of additional charges. Bryan Hayward appeared at a Hamilton courtroom Friday where he was charged with 12 counts of aggravated assault, 13 counts of administer noxious substance, 12 counts of administer overpowering/stupefying drug to overcome resistance, five counts of voyeurism, five counts of distribute intimate images without consent, and one count of assault. The new charges come amid a W5 investigation into a network of thousands of men who allegedly secretly drug their wives and intimate partners and then post the videos online. Hayward's profile was discovered on the platform, where he allegedly uploaded videos of what may be the drugging and raping of least five or six different women. 'Investigators believe Hayward may have connected with victims through online dating and social media platforms,' Hamilton police said in a news release issued Friday after the court appearance. 'Police suspect there may be more victims, including individuals unaware they were affected.' Arrested on May 16 after W5 alerted Hamilton police of his potential crimes, the 36-year-old contractor was previously charged with sexual assault, administer noxious substance, voyeurism, distribution of intimate images, assault with a weapon, and several other offences. The videos, allegedly posted online by Hayward, have since been removed. Hamilton police confirmed that the videos were taken down at their request. 'Hit me like a tidal wave' Hayward's ex-wife, who CTV News previously agreed to identify only as Rachel to protect her identity, is speaking in her own words with her own name for the first time since W5's investigation surfaced. Chelsea Davies previously told W5 that he drugged their then 11-year-old daughter back in 2023. Medical records obtained by W5 showed that a toxicology report from the hospital at the time came back positive for the sedative benzodiazepine. Ten years earlier, when the couple was living together in Calgary, Davies said Hayward drugged and assaulted her. Davies shared a statement with CTV News Toronto on Friday in response to the new charges laid against her ex-husband. 'On July 4th, 2025, I turned 36. And on that very day, police laid more charges against the man who strangled me, lied about me, and tried to rewrite our story,' Davie's statement read. 'I wasn't in court. But the weight of the day hit me like a tidal wave.' 'The timing felt impossible to ignore. On the day I quietly marked another year of surviving him— the truth gained volume,' she continued. 'But it also surfaced a deeper grief. Because we told them. I told them what he did to me. I asked for help when my daughter was drugged in his care. I told them about other victims. I gave names. Timelines. Warnings. And they did nothing.' Part of Davies' statement said she used to dread July 4 — her birthday — because it marked another year of her survival of Hayward with 'no resolution' and another year of 'carrying' her story. 'This birthday is different,' Davies added. 'Because this year, I am not hiding. This year, I'm not protecting his name with my silence. This year — my voice is on the record.' Police still investigating Hamilton police said they laid the charges announced Friday as their investigation progressed, which led to 'uncovering additional evidence and identifying more victims.' 'Anyone who had any interaction or relationship with Bryan Hayward is urged to contact police, as they may have information relevant to the investigation,' police said. Investigators noted that some of the charges may date back to before Nov. 2021, when Hayward's left hand was amputated. None of the charges have been proven in court. Hayward is due back in court next week. With files from W5's Avery Haines and Joseph Loiero
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Married paramedic who secretly drugged lover with syringe laced with abortion pills to kill their unborn baby is jailed for 10 years
A married paramedic who secretly drugged his lover with a syringe laced with abortion pills to kill their unborn baby has been sentenced to a decade behind bars. Stephen Doohan, 33, who was a Clinical Team Leader with the Scottish Ambulance Service, was married when he met the woman on holiday in Spain in 2021. The pair then began a long-distance relationship, and in March 2023 she travelled to Edinburgh to see him upon learning of the pregnancy. He crushed pills into a syringe before the administering the medication as she lay on a bed at his home in Edinburgh 's upmarket Grange area in 2023. Doohan gave her more of the drug days later. The woman soon fell ill which included fainting in the shower. It later emerged that she had sadly lost the baby as a result of what Doohan did. He had pleaded with her not to go police - and also tried to buy her silence with gifts. But, she eventually reported him to the Scottish Ambulance Service having recorded a conversation of him effectively confessing. Doohan was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. He had pleaded guilty at a hearing in May to assault, sexual assault and another charge of causing the woman to have an abortion. Lord Colbeck also imposed a non-harassment order banning him from approaching or contacting the woman. The court previously heard how Doohan had met the woman while on holiday in Spain in 2021. He had not said he was married and they remained in contact. In March 2023, the woman discovered she was pregnant with his baby. By this time, Doohan had temporarily separated from his wife and was living at a flat in Edinburgh. Days later, Doohan and the woman were involved in consensual sexual activity. He then went on to do something she could not see, but she was not 'suspicious of his actions' at that time. This was this time he used the syringe. The next day the woman began to suffer stomach cramps. They were then back at Doohan's flat and he gave her diazepam for the pain. The court heard she ended up in a 'deep sleep', but awoke to find Doohan 'initiating sexual contact'. This time she was suspicious of what he was then doing, but was also feeling the effects of the diazepam. Doohan later went to the toilet and the woman took the chance to peek under the mattress. Prosecutor Scott McKenzie explained: 'She found a plastic syringe containing crushed tablets which had been pushed to the end of the syringe. 'Next to the syringe were two white tablets that were in the shape of a star.' The woman immediately checked online for 'abortion tablet'. Mr McKenzie: 'The search returned images that matched the tablet the woman had found.' Doohan initially denied what he had done before sobbing claiming he was 'scared'. He also said he had got the tablets from a doctor, but insisted they would not 'work' on the woman as it was the wrong dosage. The traumatised mum-to-be phoned a friend who urged her to go to the police. But, the woman initially had concerns for Doohan stating she did not want to 'ruin' him if she was okay. She still, however, recorded a later conversation with him and it was then he confessed to intimately inserting the syringe, but stated he 'could not go through with it'. He did accept 'fragments' of the drug still may have ended up in the woman's system. The woman also discovered he had been researching abortion on the internet. She tried to keep the tablets and syringe as proof, but could not find them after she had gone to the bathroom. The woman then had to go to hospital on March 18 2023 due to the ongoing pain. Doohan went with her, but pleaded that he would be arrested if she 'told the truth' and instead was to claim the pills came from 'a friend of a friend'. Mr McKenzie: 'Before speaking to medical staff, the woman and Doohan rehearsed what she was going to say. 'The midwife recalled her being distressed and concerned about the baby. 'Doohan appeared quiet and expressionless.' The next day, the woman collapsed in the shower and had to return to hospital. She this time insisted Doohan did not come in the examination room. It was soon after that it emerged she had suffered a miscarriage. Sick Doohan then splashed out on various gifts including perfume, socks, money to get her hair done and football tickets to keep her quiet. Mr McKenzie: 'He made reference to her not reporting him to the police before telling her: 'If they want to come and arrest me, I am in St John's Hospital in Livingston'.' The last contact she had with Doohan was in late June 2023. The woman initially lodged a formal complaint with the Scottish Ambulance Service. She handed over screenshots of messages as well as the conversation she recorded. This information was soon passed to the police. But Mr McKenzie explained: 'Doohan discovered that she had made the complaint and asked that she send over the details of what she submitted.' During the probe, it was discovered Doohan had checked for medical information on the drug misoprostol the same day the woman told him she was expecting. The court heard misoprostol can be 'administered for the purpose of managing a miscarriage or inducing a termination of pregnancy'. Mr McKenzie said the woman has ben 'significantly affected' by her ordeal. Doohan, now of Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, had also faced an allegation of stealing misoprostol from the Scottish Ambulance Service in Edinburgh, but a not guilty plea was accepted. Mark Stewart KC, defending, said Doohan was 'deeply sorry' for what he had done. The lawyer added he had issues at the time which affected his 'judgement and decision making' although that did not excuse what happened. Doohan was also put on the sex offenders list.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- CTV News
Hamilton, Ont. man facing more charges following W5 investigation into alleged sexual assault ring
Bryan Hayward is seen in this undated image. (Hamilton Police Service) A Hamilton, Ont. man at the centre of a widescale W5 investigation into an alleged sexual assault ring is now facing dozens of additional charges. Bryan Hayward appeared at a Hamilton courtroom Friday where he was charged with 12 counts of aggravated assault, 13 counts of administer noxious substance, 12 counts of administer overpowering/stupefying drug to overcome resistance, five counts of voyeurism, five counts of distribute intimate images without consent, and one count of assault. The new charges come amid a W5 investigation into a network of thousands of men who allegedly secretly drug their wives and intimate partners and then post the videos online. Hayward's profile was discovered on the platform, where he allegedly uploaded what may be the drugging and raping of least five or six different women. 'Investigators believe Hayward may have connected with victims through online dating and social media platforms,' Hamilton police said in a news release issued Friday after the court appearance. 'Police suspect there may be more victims, including individuals unaware they were affected.' Arrested on May 16 after W5 alerted Hamilton police of his potential crimes, the 36-year-old contractor was previously charged with sexual assault, administer noxious substance, voyeurism, distribution of intimate images, assault with a weapon, and several other offences. Hayward's ex-wife, who CTV News agreed to identify only as Rachel to protect her identity, previously told W5 that he drugged their then 11-year-old daughter back in 2023. Medical records obtained by W5 showed that a toxicology report from the hospital at the time came back positive for the sedative benzodiazepine. Ten years earlier, when the couple was living together in Calgary, Rachel said Hayward drugged and assaulted her. None of the charges have been proven in court. This is a breaking news story. More details to come. With files from W5's Avery Haines and Joseph Loiero
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diddy hit by explosive new sex scandal hours after being cleared of most serious charges he faced
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs was hit by a explosive new lawsuit just hours after he was acquitted of sex-trafficking and racketeering. The music mogul, 55, and his main accuser Cassie Ventura have been accused of drugging and traumatizing one of the male escorts they hired to participate their freak offs, Clayton Howard. Howard, who also goes by 'Dave,' claims Cassie gave him an STD and that she aborted his baby without telling him. He says she manipulated into taking ecstasy and having unprotected sex. Diddy was convicted of transporting Howard and six other male escorts across state lines to engage in prostitution. Howard claims in the lawsuit that he was paid to have sex with Diddy and Cassie for eight years, beginning in 2009. He says he was used as 'entertainment to satisfy their sexual fetishes and personal ambitions.' The male escort says both Diddy and Cassie were toxic individuals addicted to opiates and methamphetamines who had no regard for others or the law. Howard challenges the narrative of Cassie as a victim, claiming: 'Ventura was not merely a victim forced into sexual encounters with male escorts, but rather an active and engaged participant who willingly manipulated and exploited others, including Plaintiff, to satisfy the sexually depraved desires of Defendant Combs and herself.' He claims Cassie 'drugged him with controlled substances, including MDMA in doses three times stronger than what she herself consumed, to lower his inhibitions and facilitate sexual exploitation.' The lawsuit adds that Cassie 'used these substances strategically, "like a spider catching its prey in its web."' Howard says Cassie 'commanded him to masturbate for hours,' which would leave his 'penis bruised and swollen.' He says he would ask Cassie to consider his injuries but she 'showed no mercy.' He accuses her of manipulating and forcing 'herself upon him during her menstrual cycle against his will' as well as filming him without his consent. Howard also says Diddy 'implied threats of violence' and once threatened to 'pistol whip' him. 'Ventura deceived, manipulated, and injured Plaintiff and therefore, should be held accountable alongside Defendant Combs, as the two were partners in these criminal enterprises,' the lawsuit reads. Howard is asking for unspecified monetary relief. He also has released a book titled Cassie: Victim or co-conspirator.' The lawsuit comes after Diddy was denied bond after being convicted of prostitution-related offenses Wednesday. He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop's most celebrated figures behind bars for life. Diddy's lawyers said that under federal sentencing guidelines, he would likely face about two years in prison. Prosecutors, citing the rapper's violence and other factors, said the guidelines would call for at least four to five years. Locked up since his September arrest, Diddy has already served nine months. A jury of eight men and four women acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with men. The defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges. For more on the shocking verdict everyone is talking about, search for The Trial of Diddy- available wherever you get your podcasts now.
