Latest news with #injustice
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
My son had the dream life in Spain – then a phone call changed everything, I may never get the answers I need
A YEAR ago, Sandra Adams received a call that will haunt her for the rest of her life. She was on her way home from work on 22 July last year and she says at that moment her old life ended. 6 6 She was told that her only son Brett Dryden, had been found dead at his home in Spain. While Sandra says that at times the grief is unbearable, she is kept going by her quest for the truth about the circumstances of his death. She is driven by a burning sense of injustice, because she believes police bungled the initial investigation and Brett's death remains a mystery- one she is determined to solve. Brett seemingly had the perfect life in the sun. The 35-year-old father-of-one, originally from County Durham, moved to Spain in 2019 with his partner. They had a daughter. The relationship didn't work out and the couple split but Brett stayed in Spain to build his business and remained a doting father. He lived in the laid-back Spanish seaside town of Mojácar in the province of Almería where he ran a legal cannabis club called The Dawg House. Sandra, from Chester-Le-Street, says: 'When he moved, I was devastated but it was his choice. 'He had an amazing life there. He loved it. He had loads of friends and said he would never move back.' But that dream life ended on July 22 last year, the day Sandra received a call from one of Brett's friends in Spain who had found his body in his villa. 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing,' she says. Tributes Pour In for Father-of-Three Who Tragically Died in Benidorm 'My world caved in, I was in utter disbelief and I'm still in shock today.' In a daze, Sandra, a carer, 56, and her husband and Brett's stepdad Rob flew to Spain that day. One of the friends who found Brett claimed he'd overheard the Spanish police known as the Guardia Civil saying they believed Brett had been struck in the head with an axe. However, the friends had been allowed to walk through the villa several times, which was potentially a murder scene. A post-mortem was performed the following day. It concluded Brett died of a pulmonary embolism, caused by a blood clot in his lungs. The case was closed. 'They said it was a terrible accident. He fell and banged his head,' Sandra explains. She was immediately sceptical. Rob had taken photos and video of blood stains in several locations around the property. Her suspicions were further raised when she went to see her son's body. 6 6 'He was in the chapel of rest, and there was a huge wound in the side of his head,' she recalls. 'I knew in my gut that something was not right. He had other visible injuries. To me it looked like there had been a struggle.' The family have only recently been given details of what was contained in the full Spanish autopsy report. They hired a Spanish lawyer who gained access to official documents in the case. According to him, the autopsy report detailed injuries to Brett's legs, arms, head and neck and fingernail marks, cuts and bruises on his face. There were nail wounds to his lips and neck. There was also a four-centimetre wound to his head and bruising to his ear, eye and skull on his left side. Pathologists found internal bleeding to the right side of his head and 'intense encephalic congestion' - an injury resulting in the brain's blood vessels becoming swollen and congested. The report also reveals police had admitted to pathologists that Brett had been the victim of a home invasion. The report stated: 'During the examination signs of a struggle were observed on the body such as droplets of blood in various locations on the body.' Despite all this the autopsy also said there was cocaine in Brett's system and concluded this was what triggered the pulmonary embolism and within a day of the original postmortem the case was closed. Still raw and in shock at their loss, Sandra and Rob did their own digging. They discovered several of Brett's personal belongings were missing including his mobile phone, his wallet and his designer sunglasses. In the days after his death Sandra used Brett's MacBook to track the missing iPhone which was still being used and pinged at several locations in the nearby town of Vera. She showed the police. Four days after Brett's death, with so many unanswered questions, a local court ordered the police to reopen the case and treat it as a homicide investigation. Sandra believes cops were hoping to sweep the death under the carpet to protect the reputation of the area, which relies on tourism. 'If they could have covered it up, they would have done,' claims Sandra. In addition to the phone location, the Adams also discovered potential CCTV evidence after Rob knocked on neighbours' doors looking for video footage. Sandra explains: 'One neighbour confirmed they had footage but under Spanish law they're not allowed to give the CCTV footage to anybody but the police, who now have the footage. 'We haven't seen it but our lawyer has seen reference to it in the police reports, which he says clearly shows two people leaving Brett's villa the day he died. 'He says the people were carrying what appeared to be the same type of bag Brett used to carry the takings from his club. 'What's more, the manager of Brett's club also told police that he was on the phone to Brett before he died and that Brett cut the conversation short with the words: 'I've got to go, they're here.'' Where to seek grief support Need professional help with grief? Child Bereavement UK Cruse Bereavement Relate The Good Grief Trust You can also always speak to your GP if you're struggling. You're Not Alone Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief… Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast. The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism. Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they're really feeling. Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who've suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums. Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips. How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death. Sandra now believes that people who knew Brett tried to rob him, and that he fought back and was killed. 'He was only a little chap,' she says. 'He was five foot five and a half. But I know he wouldn't have let anybody come into his house and not defended himself. 'I just don't understand how we're nearly a year on and no further forward.' After Brett's body was repatriated, UK authorities held their own autopsy. The results have yet to be released. 'When we get those details, we can compare them with the Spanish postmortem report,' says Sandra. 'If I didn't have this to fight for, I don't think I'd be was my only son. 'When I had him, I wasn't with his dad, so it was me and him until I met Rob. 'He was a great boy. He was always smiling. He had a really good heart. He was happy-go-lucky and he would help anybody if he could.' Sandra says Brett's daughter is struggling to cope with the loss. 'She's a really brave little girl,' says Sandra. 'She talks about her daddy openly, but she talks about him as if he is still here. She misses him terribly because they were really close.' And when Sandra was diagnosed with early-stage womb cancer in 2023 and needed a hysterectomy, Brett was there to support his doting mum. On the anniversary of his death the family will fly out to Spain to remember him. Brett's daughter, his sister, Shannon and his aunt and his nieces and nephews will be there. 'I am going to lay flowers up at the villa,' says Sandra. ''We will go to Zeppelin Bar where he spent most of his nights with his friends and where I'm going to raise a glass to him. 'I'm going to make it a celebration of his life. I'm not dreading it because I feel close to him out there. I feel at peace there.' But until she's satisfied that she knows what happened, Sandra remains in limbo. The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help with their legal costs. 'I want justice, I want to know what happened and I want the police to take accountability for the mess they made of it because they clearly tried to cover it up in the beginning,' she says. 'I'm going to keep talking about it and keep looking for answers because I need to keep the case out there, and to let the authorities, and whoever did it, know that I'm not going away.' A court spokesman previously said of the case: 'The investigation hasn't been suspended or closed. It is still open, and this incident remains under investigation. "The court is waiting for the Guardia Civil to complete their full report and present their conclusions. For the time being there's nothing more we can say.' The Sun reached out to the Guardia Civil for comment. 'I'm hoping that they do find who did this,' says Sandra. 'I would hate for anybody to go through what we're going through. It's hell on earth every single day. 'He was my only son. I don't think I'll ever come to terms with it. I think I'll cry every day for his loss. I navigate through my grief. I'm doing the best I can. He deserves justice.' 6 6
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Anita Mui became ‘Daughter of Hong Kong'
Anita Mui may have been a Cantopop diva, but she was also known for her charity work and for standing up against injustice, qualities that earned her the title 'Daughter of Hong Kong'.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Palace Euro demotion 'biggest injustice in history of football'
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish says the decision to remove Crystal Palace from the Europa League next season is "the biggest injustice in the history of football". The Eagles were ordered on Friday to compete in the Conference League by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership rules. Advertisement American businessman John Textor owns a stake in Palace and is also the majority owner of French club Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League. "We're devastated," Parish told Sky Sports. "It's a bad day for football. It's a terrible injustice. I do believe nobody want to see this. I don't think Uefa wants to see this. We've been locked out of a European competition on the most ridiculous technicality. Supporters of all clubs should be devastated for us." Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, could replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa League. Uefa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Parish said they are set to do so. Advertisement The rules of European football's governing body state clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition. Uefa's rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring - a deadline which Palace missed. Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but the Premier League side's defence was not accepted. "Everyone knows we're not part of a multi-club set-up," added Parish. "We don't share any staff. We're caught up in a rule that wasn't put there for us. I don't understand why the panel has come to the conclusion they have done. I think we've shown John had no influence over our club. Advertisement "This is a ludicrous decision. We will ask the appeal court to listen to our argument." Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league finish in the previous campaign. The seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1, with Palace 12th in the Premier League but qualifying for European competition by winning the FA Cup. Earlier this week, Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 after they were demoted for their financial state. Had their relegation been upheld, they had agreed with Uefa to be excluded from the Europa League, clearing the way for Palace to play in the competition. Advertisement English football has two allocated Europa League spots, with Aston Villa securing the other after finishing sixth in the table, a point clear of Forest. How did we get here? Palace were huge underdogs to win the FA Cup, beating Manchester City 1-0, and their joy at qualifying for Europe for a first time quickly turned to unease when the club realised their spot may be in doubt. Uefa's regulations around multi-club ownership and European competitions are in place to prevent collusion. In the governing body's rulebook, a club is required to prove they are not "simultaneously involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition". Advertisement Textor's Eagle Football owns a 43% stake in Palace and a 77% stake in Lyon, but the Premier League side argued they are an entity that operates entirely independently. Forest asked for clarity from Uefa in June on Palace's position in Europe. Their owner Evangelos Marinakis, who controls Greek side Olympiakos, avoided regulations around multi-club ownership by diluting his control of the Premier League side. Textor took similar steps to help Palace's prospects by agreeing to sell his 43% stake to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in June, but the deal has yet to be completed. Textor also later resigned from his leadership position at Lyon. Advertisement Uefa delayed their decision on Palace's ruling until the outcome of Lyon's domestic case, while Parish's side indicated they would almost certainly launch a legal fight if their Europa League place was revoked.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Palace Euro demotion 'biggest injustice in history of football'
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish says the decision to remove Crystal Palace from the Europa League next season is "the biggest injustice in the history of football".The Eagles were ordered on Friday to compete in the Conference League by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership businessman John Textor owns a stake in Palace and is also the majority owner of French club Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League."We're devastated," Parish told Sky Sports. "It's a bad day for football. It's a terrible injustice. I do believe nobody want to see this. I don't think Uefa wants to see this. We've been locked out of a European competition on the most ridiculous technicality. Supporters of all clubs should be devastated for us." Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, could replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Parish said they are set to do rules of European football's governing body state clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring - a deadline which Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but the Premier League side's defence was not accepted."Everyone knows we're not part of a multi-club set-up," added Parish. "We don't share any staff. We're caught up in a rule that wasn't put there for us. I don't understand why the panel has come to the conclusion they have done. I think we've shown John had no influence over our club."This is a ludicrous decision. We will ask the appeal court to listen to our argument." Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league finish in the previous seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1, with Palace 12th in the Premier League but qualifying for European competition by winning the FA this week, Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 after they were demoted for their financial their relegation been upheld, they had agreed with Uefa to be excluded from the Europa League, clearing the way for Palace to play in the football has two allocated Europa League spots, with Aston Villa securing the other after finishing sixth in the table, a point clear of Forest. How did we get here? Palace were huge underdogs to win the FA Cup, beating Manchester City 1-0, and their joy at qualifying for Europe for a first time quickly turned to unease when the club realised their spot may be in regulations around multi-club ownership and European competitions are in place to prevent the governing body's rulebook, a club is required to prove they are not "simultaneously involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition".Textor's Eagle Football owns a 43% stake in Palace and a 77% stake in Lyon, but the Premier League side argued they are an entity that operates entirely asked for clarity from Uefa in June on Palace's position in Europe. Their owner Evangelos Marinakis, who controls Greek side Olympiakos, avoided regulations around multi-club ownership by diluting his control of the Premier League took similar steps to help Palace's prospects by agreeing to sell his 43% stake to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in June, but the deal has yet to be also later resigned from his leadership position at delayed their decision on Palace's ruling until the outcome of Lyon's domestic case, while Parish's side indicated they would almost certainly launch a legal fight if their Europa League place was revoked.
Al Bawaba
11-07-2025
- Al Bawaba
Ibrahim Saeed breaks down after jail release: 'My Own Daughters Put Me Behind Bars!'
ALBAWABA - Ibrahim Saeed breaks silence after jail, blaming daughters for betrayal. Ibrahim Saeed, a former star player for the Egyptian national team, Al-Ahly, and Zamalek, broke down after getting out of jail. He said that his daughters, Julia (20) and Lily (21), who swore against him in court, were a big reason why he was sent to prison. Ibrahim Saeed said, "I'm in a tough spot, but I have a question for Dar Al-Iftaa: How do I deal with my daughters who put me in jail?" My own blood! The IDs were given to them by me. They used fake witnesses to say I own seven houses and make two million Egyptian pounds a month in salary against me in court!" Ibrahim saeed Hema 4-ابراهيم سعيد YouTube channel "If I had that much money, why would I put myself in jail?" he asked. I would have given them a house, a car, the best schools, and the most expensive names. I never hurt them. I loved and cared for them all my life, but their mother pushed them to put me in jail." He went on, "They told me I would go to jail if I didn't sell my mom's apartment and throw it out into the street so they could take her money." But I picked jail over hurting my mom. I wouldn't let her let me out, even though she would have." "Injustice is terrible, and God is great," he said in the end. I was sure that justice would be done for me, and thank God I was set free. But I want my rights back from the people who lied against me in court. May God watch over my children and forgive them. I can't take them to court. "No dad should sue his kids." The defense lawyer for former soccer star Ibrahim Saeed, Mohamed Rashwan, filed a formal complaint with the New Cairo Prosecution. He said that the player's ex-wife and daughter had faked official documents to show his client's income in order to put him under false financial obligations in alimony cases. Rashwan said that the complaint, with the number 40626 of 2025, had "conclusive" official documents that proved the papers that were sent to the court were fake and were used to make illegal decisions against Ibrahim Saeed. He said that this step is being taken because of what he called "systematic attempts" to convict his client without a good reason. He confirmed that the prosecution had decided to send the complaint to be looked into right away to see if the papers and the people who issued them were real. The defense for Ibrahim Saeed said that this case is a turning point in the ongoing legal dispute between the player and his ex-wife, especially since there are now over a million pounds in alimony cases and the player has already been sentenced to prison time for these cases.
