Latest news with #ex-Army
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Orkney Assassin Michael Ross' lawyer hopes Prime Video documentary will lead to 'new evidence'
The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles has been released on Prime Video to mark the anniversary of Shamsuddin Mahmood's death in a Kirkwall restaurant in 1994. Michael Ross' lawyer is optimistic that the new documentary on Prime Video will unearth fresh evidence. Three decades have gone by since the murder of 26-year-old Shamsuddin Mahmood, who lost his life while working at the Mumtaz Restaurant in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. He was tragically killed by a masked assailant who brazenly entered the eatery and made a swift departure following the fatal shooting, leaving witnesses in disbelief. Ross, who faced police scrutiny at age 15, managed to dodge arrest for 14 years until his conviction as an ex-Army sniper in 2008. Prime Video has rolled out a special documentary that includes insights from journalists, past detectives, the family of Ross, and those present at the scene. Ross's lawyer elaborated on the compelling motivations behind their participation in the Prime Video project. "The basis for us taking part in this was one, to ensure it was a balanced documentary," he said. "I appreciate at the end of the day that Michael is a convicted killer and of course, this is not a case of no documentary would be doing its job if it simply presented all one side unless you could provide completely overwhelming evidence, as has happened in the past. This is not one of those cases. "But we were very much of the view that the passage of time either means that there's somebody on the island that knows more than they said at the time. "There are people who were scared at the time, the passage of time might have taken that away or people who have a guilty conscience that they didn't come forward. "And one hopes that those people would at this stage. That would strike as new evidence, that would be people who didn't come forward, to explain what happened, who saw what happened, who knew what happened, who knew exactly who it was that pulled the trigger." In the time since his conviction, Ross has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the murder of Mahmood when he was just 15 years old. "You still have someone who claims he is innocent, who has never given up that he is innocent, who is still fighting to prove his innocence," he said. "He could have made his life a lot easier by saying 'I did it.' A lot more chance of parole then, a lot more chance of getting out earlier."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Orkney killer Michael Ross' mum breaks down after quizzing him on horrific murder
The Orkney Assassin examines the shocking case of Michael Ross The mother of Michael Ross, the man incarcerated for the 1994 slaying of a Bangladeshi waiter in Orkney, crumbled into tears during a recent documentary about the crime, reports the Scottish Daily Express. The poignant scenes in The Orkney Assassin show Moira Ross breaking down as she recalls asking her then-teenage son if he was behind the murder. Speaking to the documentary team, she said: "I remember him coming home with the detective. He was just his normal self. "All he wanted to do was come down and have a biscuit and something to eat because he'd been starving when he was being questioned at the police station. So he was hungry." Moira carried on: "Then he went up to his room and sat there and I did go up and ask him, I said, 'Did you shoot that man?' And he said , 'No.'" "And I just can't get over the look on his face when I asked him that." Deeply moved, Moira shed tears as her spouse, ex-police officer Eddy Ross, sat nex to her with a tearful demeanour. Ross was merely 15 when Shamsuddin Mahmood, aged 26, was fatally shot by someone masked in Mumtaz Restaurant in Kirkwall amidst diners, which included children. Mahmood's previously worked on the island the year before, and his untimely demise stirred considerable trepidation in the Bangladeshi community concerning small-town relocations for fear of similar tragedies. Following police detention and questioning, the youngster was subsequently let go. The case baffled the authorities for years, with former soldier Ross eventually being convicted of the murder and given a 25-year sentence in 2008. In a dramatic turn of events, ex-Army sniper Ross tried to escape the courtroom after the guilty verdict was announced, nearly succeeding before he was caught. Police later discovered a stash of weapons in a car park nearby, in a vehicle rented by Ross. The Orkney Assassin, which launches on Prime Video today (June 8), provides new insights into the shocking 31 year old cold-blooded murder. From Ross' parents, who firmly maintain his innocence, to eyewitnesses, journalists, police detectives, and legal representatives involved in the case at the time, The Orkney Assassin examines all aspects of the case. The Orkney Assassin questions whether Mahmood's tragic death was a racist attack or even a professional hit as the evidence is reevaluated. Despite his conviction, Ross has always insisted he is innocent, with the campaign group J4MR - Justice 4 Michael Ross attempting to overturn the verdict and claiming it's a massive miscarriage of justice. Ross is currently serving his sentence at HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire and has made three attempts to escape from prison since his incarceration began.
Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' — a satire on the system in protest against drug menace in a Bathinda village
On Tuesday, locals at Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district displayed a rare show of unity — 'something never witnessed earlier'. They gathered in large numbers and stood by farmer Lakhbir Singh, who put up a banner reading 'Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' (Our Village is Saleable) — a symbolic protest against the drug menace which, they say, is destroying their community. 'It's a satire on the system in protest against the drug menace. Otherwise, no one can dare buy our village,' Lakhbir told the assembled villagers. The brutal assault on an ex-Army man Ranbir Singh, who is in his mid-40s, allegedly by Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh, both having prior drug-related criminal records, on May 31 triggered strong resentment among villagers, and the banner turned out on June 1. Singh, who earned respect among villagers for motivating youths to quit drugs and embrace sports, suffered serious leg injuries and underwent surgery on June 3. Police, however, suspect old hostility between the accused persons and Ranbir. However, on the contrary, locals see the assault as an attempt to silence voices challenging the drug network in the area. In a video message posted on social media, Lakhbir questioned the system and condemned the 'impunity with which drug smugglers operate.' Soon, the 'Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' banner became 'a symbol of rural frustration and resistance,' Lakhbir said. Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal said police acted promptly, arresting both accused within 24 hours. 'No one will be allowed to threaten or harm citizens, especially those who are up against the crime,' the SSP said, acknowledging Ranbir's courage in encouraging youths to quit drugs, which reportedly angered the peddlers. The attackers were booked under serious charges, including attempted murder, unlawful restraint, and grievous hurt. The SSP said, 'Punjab Police is actively cracking down on drug networks, including demolishing illegal properties of identified drug peddlers, and encouraging citizens to report drug-related activity with assurance of confidentiality.' On June 2, Lakhbir posted a video, thanking the police for their swift action. However, in another video the same evening, he alleged that Kotfatta police station SHO Manish Kumar threatened him for speaking out. Lakhbir alleged that the SHO even warned him of getting his dope test done. 'I am ready for any such tests,' Lakhbir said in the video, holding his four-month-old daughter. The SSP said, 'In one video, he praised police action, while in another video… I sent an officer to his place to counsel him. I will also meet him to allay his fears.' Meanwhile, Bathinda police posted on X their official response under the hashtag #YudhNashianVirudh. 'A resident of village Bhai Bakhtaur recently shared a video on social media alleging that he was threatened by the SHO of police station Kotfatta. Taking immediate and serious note of the incident, Bathinda Police officials reached out to the individual and assessed the situation. SSP Bathinda personally spoke to him and assured him that appropriate action would be taken against the concerned officer. Contact numbers of the Bathinda SSP and the SP (Rural) have also been shared with him for reporting any drug-related information directly.' Based on the charges levelled by Lakhbir Singh, SHO Manish Kumar was told to report to the police lines, while Jaswinder Kaur was posted as the new Kotfatta SHO. Political reaction Replying to a question about Bhai Bhaktaur village in Bathinda putting itself on sale over the failure of the government to stop drug peddling, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said there cannot be a bigger slap on the face of the AAP government and proof of the defeat in the so-called 'Yudh', than an entire village putting itself for sale as the drug peddlers are having a field day there. 'Bhai Bhaktaur village is not an exception but an example of how drugs are freely available in Punjab, irrespective of the Punjab government's claims,' he said. The PCC president said not only are the peddlers selling drugs, but they also dare to beat up an ex-serviceman who was opposing the sale of drugs, and the state government should hang its head in shame. BJP's Punjab media head Vineet Joshi blamed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for 'failing to control the drug crisis'. 'The day the ex-serviceman was attacked, three overdose deaths were reported in different villages of Punjab. Youth are dying and the government is doing little,' he alleged. Joshi, however, praised the courage of villagers like Lakhbir and Ranbir Singh, saying, 'They represent the spirit of Punjab that refuses to surrender to addiction and fear.'
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Hero dad held onto wife's hand as he died trying to save twins stuck in sea
Alexandru Melei, 60, waded into the sea at Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, after hearing two children scream for help - but was overwhelmed by the swell and died soon after The daughter of a hero holidaymaker who died as he tried to rescue two twin girls from drowning at sea today told how his wife held his hand as his life ebbed away. Ana-Maria Barbu, 36, revealed her father, Alexandru Melei, 60, had been in the UK visiting friends when he died trying to reach the stricken girls who were in distress at sea. Ana-Maria told how he heard the youngsters' screams for help and raced into the water - but was overwhelmed by the swell close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, near Skegness, Lincs. And she has now launched a mercy mission to have his body repatriated back to his native Romania so they can lay him to rest. Speaking from her home in Bucharest, Ana-Maria said: "My mother and father were walking along the seashore when they heard the girls screaming, they were in distress. "The girls lived near my father's friends, so they knew them. From what I understand they had gone in the water together but had become separated when the water rose quickly. They were starting to panic, they were screaming and yelling for help. My father jumped in to try to save one of them and his friend went to the other. "His friend managed to get the other girl out, but they were exhausted and they could see my dad was struggling. They had to do CPR on my father, my mum was there with him and was holding his hand the entire time. They couldn't do anything to save him." Alexandru and his wife of 38 years, Cornelia, 57, had arrived in the UK on Friday and were staying with Romanian friends in the popular tourist hotspot. But a huge rescue mission was launched at around 4pm on Sunday after ex-Army medic Alexandru entered the sea close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, near Skegness, Lincolnshire, in the Bank Holiday tragedy. Eyewitnesses revealed how an air ambulance was deployed while police and coastguards fought to save the man's life as horrified beachgoers watched on. However despite desperate efforts to revive him, it's understood he died in hospital. The children - who emerged unscathed from the incident - were left "in terrible shock and wrapped in blankets" after the incident, according to people watching nearby. In an exclusive interview, Ana-Maria praised her father's bravery and courage. She said: "I'm so proud of him, he was so brave. This is who he was, he was a medical assistant in the Romanian military for half his life, then was a medical assistant in the hospital." Alexandru and Cornelia, who also have a son, 33, had just retired and began travelling the world. Ana-Maria said: "They were just starting to travel the world, my mum had been through chemotherapy last year and was in recovery, they were just starting to enjoy life and have fun. We are devastated." Ana-Maria said: "We have been sent so many kind messages. People wanted me to set up a GoFundMe page so they could help bring his body home and also help my mother. People have been so kind." The RNLI confirmed it had launched the Skegness lifeboat during the incident. The coastguard and air ambulance were also in a statement, Lincolnshire Police said: 'A 60-year-old man has sadly died after entering the water to help two children who appeared to be in distress. The man reportedly entered the sea just after 4pm close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, he got into difficulty and sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time. ' No lifeguards are stationed on the deserted beach where the tragedy happened despite a long history of drownings. On the prom which overlooks the beach where the children were playing there is a sign with the number of the RNLI to ring in the event of emergency. A loud karaoke stage was blasting out music when the tragedy began to unfold which may have muffled what was happening to the crowds of visitors gathered around the large beachfront bar - Bibby's - and surrounding food and drink stalls. One local said: 'They turned off the karaoke as soon as someone realised something was wrong. But maybe it was too late by then.' Shocked families packing the seafront prom left in droves as news spread the treacherous waters had claimed another victim. There were floral tributes to others pinned to railings near the scene and hundreds more along the prom - many in memory of those who had died in similar tragedies. Seafront trader Liarna Holmes said: 'Lot of people don't know about the dangers. We need lifeguards here. They have got them down in Skegness. But I have heard they were not out in Skegness yesterday either. There used to be lifeguards here and we should have them. There is an accident every year. 'There are flowers all along the prom in memory of those who have lost their lives to the sea. I have been down here six years and three seasons working on the beach. People don't realise when the yellow flag is flying there is an offshore wind that takes you straight out. Then you have the currents and riptides. It is quite a drop down and when the tide comes in and people don't realise how quickly it drops away.'
Mint
17-05-2025
- Mint
'He killed her, burnt her body': Man chops wife's body into pieces, throws parts across Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti
In a shocking incident, a 31-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh allegedly killed his wife and attempted to cover up the crime by chopping her body into pieces and throwing them across Shravasti, NDTV quoted officials as saying on Friday. According to the report, citing the police, the accused, Saifuddin and his wife, Sabina, were on their way to Lucknow earlier this week when he committed the crime. The police added that Saifuddin then chopped up the body of his wife into pieces and threw some parts of it into a canal. Later, he scattered the pieces across 10 kilometres in the Shravasti area, and added the police. On 14 May, the incident came to light when the victim's brother, Salahuddin, called her, but her phone was switched off. He discovered the couple had left for Lucknow when he went to her home. But, he found Saifuddin strolling in the evening, with no signs of his sister. Salahuddin filed a missing persons complaint at a nearby police station, and the police took Saifuddin into custody for questioning. However, the accused kept misleading them. After two days of continuous questioning, the accused confessed to the crime. He revealed that he had burnt his wife's hand and hid it in a nearby garden. On probing further, the police recovered the burnt hand and sent the accused to jail, the police said. The victim's family claimed that her husband and in-laws were harassing her over dowry. "They were demanding a dowry. He killed her because of burnt her body. We found her hand in the garden. I had filed a complaint on 14 May night," NDTV quoted Salahuddin as saying. The police had arrested a 44-year-old woman, Maya Devi, for allegedly getting her lover and his associates to kill her ex-Army soldier husband and chop him into six pieces in a village in Ballia of Uttar Pradesh. The accused then threw his body parts at six different locations to conceal his identity. On Saturday, the incident only came to light when the police recovered severed hands, legs wrapped in a polythene near a field near Khareed village. He was identified as 62-year-old retired Army personnel Devendra Kumar.
