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Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE My mum wrote a letter in defence of a family friend she thought had been wrongly accused of sexual abuse - little did she know, he regularly raped me from the age of three
A woman has bravely spoken out about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her childminder's son - and told how her own mother came unknowingly to write a letter in his defence. Rachael Smith, 23, from Hertfordshire, was preyed upon at the tender age of three by evil predator, Steven Freitas, 34, who raped and sexually assaulted her for three years. Until the age of six, Freitas raped Rachael in his family home when she went to stay with her childminder, threatening to do it to her younger sister, Katie, if she told anyone. Unbeknownst to Rachael, when she was six, Freitas was arrested and convicted of sexually abusing two other girls under 13. In a shocking twist, not knowing of the abuse her own daughter had faced, Rachael's own mother, Steph, 43, wrote a character witness in Freitas' favour, declaring that he'd 'never do something like that' and said she believed the victims' claims were 'untrue'. It wasn't until over a decade later that Rachael discovered the statement and told her mother about the traumatic abuse she'd faced as a child year earlier, leaving her horrified. Rachael has bravely waived her right to anonymity to encourage other survivors to speak out against their abusers. The recovery worker said: 'For so long I kept this terrible secret. When I found Mum's statement I felt sick to my stomach he'd had other victims. 'Steven had managed to manipulate my own mother into thinking he was innocent. When she found out about what he'd done to me, she was beside herself with guilt. 'I'm just glad he's finally behind bars where he belongs.' In June this year, Freitas was jailed for five years for rape and sexual assault by penetration. Rachael was just four months old when she started being cared for by her childminder, Freitas's mother, who was a close family friend, and said she 'loved' going to her house. Rachael remembers: 'I saw Steven's mother like a second mum. I loved going to her house and playing with the other children.' However, everything changed when Rachael turned three. One day, in 2004, Freitas, then aged 11, coaxed her into the downstairs toilet, in the guise of taking her for a wee. She says: 'While inside, he took off my underwear and started touching my privates. He told me it was "our secret". 'I was only young so thought it was normal and agreed.' The abuse escalated and Freitas began making Rachael sit on his lap, naked, and making her touch him too. Just months later, he raped her for the first time. She recalled: 'I just remember how painful it felt. I wanted to get it over and done with and go back to playing.' Most weeks, while she was being looked after, Freitas took her into the toilet multiple times to abuse her, which also included oral rape. Afterwards, he would offer to plait her hair or play games with her. Rachael said that if she ever told him 'no', he would threaten her, saying he would make her younger sister, Katie, then two, do it instead. Another time when she tried to resist, Freitas said he'd tell her mother to 'hate' her. Rachael (pictured) has described her torment when her mother unknowingly wrote a letter in defence of Freitas 'Desperate' to protect her younger sister, Rachael kept quiet, but remembers: 'It was awful'. Once, aged six, Rachael refused to go with Freitas to the bathroom, but he forced her inside and raped her again. Soon after, Rachael stopped going to her childminder's house. Unbeknownst to Rachael, Freitas had been arrested for sexually abusing two children in his mother's care. In September 2008 then aged 17, he was convicted at St Alban's Crown Court of seven counts of sexual assault of a female child under 13 in respect of two victims, aged 7 and 9. He was sentenced to an 18-month Detention and Training Order. His mother's business subsequently shut down. Over the following years, Rachael blocked out the abuse but when she learned about sex education at school at the age of 10, the memories all came back. At school, aged ten, she learnt about sex education. She says: 'Everything came flooding back and I realised what had happened was wrong. 'I asked my teacher questions like, "how long does sperm live inside you?" and "can kids get pregnant?". I was terrified. 'They should've picked up on those signs, as they're not normal questions for kids to ask.' Afterwards, Rachael developed OCD and Tourettes syndrome - a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements. She'd have rituals where she'd wash her hands multiple times and talk to her teddies, telling them 'don't kill my family'. She says: 'I had such intrusive and violent thoughts. I hated my body and felt ashamed and embarrassed. 'I began having nightmares and panic attacks.' In March 2013, Freitas pleaded guilty to another two offences of sexual activity (penetrative) with a female child under 16. He was sentenced to five years custody with an extended license period of eight years. As Rachel grew into her teens, she experienced further problems, entering toxic relationships and finding intimacy painful - and knew it was all down to the abuse. In November 2020, when she was 17, she stumbled across her mum's character witness statement while looking for some documents for a job application - and was 'horrified' and 'felt sick' at what she found. 'I was horrified reading what she'd said about Steven,' Rachael said, recalling the moment she found the statement. He'd convinced her he was innocent. 'The fact that she'd defended him made me feel sick. Knowing he'd had other victims, I felt guilty I'd let him hurt others.' For the next year, Rachael thought carefully about her findings until one day, she plucked up the courage to report Steven to the police. When she confessed what had happened, she said the police were 'so supportive' and the detective in charge believed her 'straightaway'. Two weeks later, she told her mother the truth of what happened via text message. Rachael said: 'She felt so guilty she'd defended him, unknowingly. Was horrified at how monstrous he actually was.' At his trial this month, Rachael bravely gave her evidence, and was horrified when the defence 'asked her what she had been wearing' when she was just three years old. This time, Rachael's mother Steph was called to the stand to give evidence for the prosecution. Steph, 43, said: 'Steven's mother was a registered childminder and good friend of my family. 'She lived opposite my parents. I always thought Steven was immature for his age and behind developmentally and socially. But I had no idea the monstrousness he was capable of. 'When Steven was arrested for the first abuse case, I didn't think the allegations were true. 'I couldn't imagine such a thing happening in a seemingly loving home. His mum was in tears and I felt sorry for her.' Steph wrote a character witness statement for court, after Steven's mother asked for her help and she fully supported the family during the trial. She explains: 'I will always regret doing that now. Receiving Rachel's text made me feel numb. 'I couldn't cope knowing how much he hurt and traumatised her. It breaks my heart I couldn't protect her. I hate him for what he's done.' This June, Freitas, 34, was found guilty of sexual offences against Rachael at St Alban's Crown Court. Rachael, who is now calling for parents to educate their children on their anatomy, boundaries and consent, says: 'Knowing he's been taken off the streets gives me some comfort. 'He's now known as a sex offender so people know what a danger he is. Finally, he's been exposed for the vile creature he is. 'I'm certain he's got more victims out there. I want to let other survivors know, it's never their fault and they should never feel ashamed. 'I'm finally spoken my truth and no longer feel and guilt or shame.'
Economic Times
22 minutes ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Warren Buffett's 7 point playbook for mutual fund investors
Warren Buffett has never been one to follow trends. At 94, the Berkshire Hathaway chairman has steered clear of mutual funds, preferring to invest directly in businesses he understands. Yet his investment doctrine, built on low cost, long-term focus and unfailing rationality, offers a framework for mutual fund investors navigating increasingly volatile markets. ADVERTISEMENT Buffett's investing wisdom, distilled over decades, emphasises restraint over reaction, simplicity over strategy, and time as the most dependable compounding force. In an environment where fund flows often chase headlines and past performance tables, his principles remain a sharp counterpoint, and arguably, more relevant than ever. In his 2016 shareholder letter, Buffett delivered a stinging assessment of the asset management industry: 'When trillions of dollars are held by Wall Street managers who charge huge fees, the real profits usually accrue to the managers, not to the investors.' His endorsement of low-cost index funds, particularly for those unwilling or unable to scrutinise markets full-time, has been consistent. Posthumously, he has said, 90% of his personal fortune is to be allocated to S&P 500 index funds, and only the cheapest India, the implications are clear. Large-cap index funds tracking the Nifty 50 or Sensex offer broad market exposure at a fraction of the cost of actively managed schemes, with higher tax efficiency and lower tracking error in the long run. ADVERTISEMENT 'Only buy something you would be happy to hold if the market closed for the next 10 years.' This often-cited line captures Buffett's disdain for market timing and his belief in the power of mutual fund investors, the lesson is unambiguous: avoid frequent portfolio reshuffling, select schemes with robust long-term performance, and allow them the runway to deliver. Switching funds to chase near-term returns is, in Buffett's view, self-defeating. ADVERTISEMENT 'Give time to a good investment, and time will be your best friend,' Buffett says. ADVERTISEMENT Buffett has long maintained that successful investing owes more to temperament than intellect. 'Investors should be able to separate themselves from the fear or excitement of the crowd, and focus on a few basic principles,' he wrote in mutual fund participants, the prescription is clear: regular SIPs, realistic expectations, and emotional discipline. In other words, no CFA charter is required. ADVERTISEMENT 'Watching the market too closely can be harmful.' Buffett has warned of the dangers of hyper-monitoring, noting how short-term volatility can breed panic and is famously dismissive of overreaction: 'The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.'Fund investors, he suggests, should ignore daily NAV updates, resist reacting to headlines, and trust the process. SIPs work best when left undisturbed. Also read: How Jane Street targeted over 40 Nifty, Nifty Bank stocks in expiry-day trades 'Be fearful when people are greedy, and greedy when people are fearful,' Buffett once said, a philosophy that turns crisis into market downturns, when most investors withdraw, Buffett sees value. 'Fear is your friend when investing in quality at a discount.' Mutual fund investors would do well to continue their SIPs during corrections and consider additional allocations. The best returns often follow the worst headlines.'Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.' Buffett's remark underscores the importance of understanding one's investments, a frequent blind spot in mutual fund type, sector exposure, and volatility characteristics matter. Sectoral and small-cap funds demand longer horizons; international funds carry currency risks. Chasing last year's winners without understanding their structure, Buffett warns, is an invitation to disappointment.'The first rule of investing is don't lose money, and the second rule is don't forget the first.'Buffett has made no secret of his disdain for predictions. 'Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster; they tell you nothing about the future.'Mutual fund investors, in his view, should not reallocate based on short-term rankings or macro calls. A fund's performance over six months says little about its suitability over ten years. Steadiness, not speculation, wins the philosophy is not anchored in the mechanics of mutual funds but in the principles that underpin all sound investing: cost, time, clarity, and composure. His rules, though simple, are anything but simplistic. They ask investors to resist distraction, eschew complexity, and commit with conviction. Also read | Warren Buffett's billion-dollar EV play backed BYD, so why not Tesla? For those seeking to build wealth through mutual funds, the path is not paved with forecasts or fast trades, but with a patient alignment to fundamentals. That, Buffett would argue, is where the real compounding begins. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Middle East
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Madbouli heads to Brazil to participate in 17th BRICS Summit on behalf of Sisi
CAIRO, July 5 (MENA) - Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli left Cairo International Airport, heading to Brazil to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The event is being hosted by the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During his visit, Madbouli is scheduled to take part in a number of sessions dedicated to the member states of the BRICS group. The 17th BRICS Summit will be held on July 6–7 under the theme: "Strengthening South-South cooperation for inclusive and sustainable governance." (MENA) M H K/Y R E
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Emma Raducanu has silenced sceptics but is missing one final ingredient
For all the hype, the love, and cherished memories of her astonishing US Open win four years ago, Emma Raducanu has been shadowed by a sneering question. Just how good is she? Within the space of three days – and without the reward of that silver she lifted so gloriously at Flushing Meadow – she has reasserted her reputation as the real deal. Advertisement It will feel like scant consolation in the aftermath of defeat by Aryna Sabalenka, but this was Raducanu proving herself worthy of Centre Court billing as a great player, not merely a home favourite. The records show a third-round, straight-sets defeat that followed the form guide. Sabalenka asserted her class when it mattered. But the outcome disguises the fine margins that denied Raducanu what would have been her greatest Wimbledon scalp, the Briton going toe-to-toe with the world's best for two hours before she could no longer withstand the pounding ground strokes. Aryna Sabalenka's brute force proved decisive in the end - Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq For a prolonged period in both sets, the No 1 seed was rattled, confused and even in danger of being overpowered. Advertisement Sabalenka was the latest litmus test of Raducanu's true standing, and the leap forward compared to her previous lame defeats at the highest level was monumental. Raducanu was outclassed by Iga Swiatek in the French and Australian Open. She barely laid a glove on Coco Gauff when they recently met in Rome. True, grass is her preferred service and a late night on Centre Court guaranteed enough time for the Pimms drinkers to offer maximum rowdiness in support. But the slight differences between the players were tantalising, with both playing the first point as intensely as if it were their last. That's the minimum standard in every event now. Advertisement For Raducanu, the Mark Petchey/Jane O'Donoghue debrief will surely be honest enough to zone in on what has been missing, because what matters is what comes next. We know Raducanu is comfortably in the top 50. There is no cause to doubt she will make her way to the top 20, given her rapid improvement since working with Petchey alongside O'Donoghue. Raducanu put on a spirited, high calibre performance against the world No 1 - Getty Images/Dan Istitene The inconvenient truth remains that – until this courageous performance – the highest-ranked titans of the women's game have generally looked a level above. Consistency is the final hurdle to overcome to ensure that, next time, the net chords and close calls drop Raducanu's way. Advertisement Every Wimbledon participant is capable of great points. None of them would be in the draw without the capacity for great games. Most will recall perfect sets, and dream matches, and even the occasional sequences of brilliant victories at a grand-slam tournament. But fewer can recollect producing their best again and again, from one point, one set, and one match to the next. It's the message Petchey and O'Donoghue must deliver to Raducanu above all others once the disappointment subsides. Occasional brilliance will get you so far. Only sustained excellence will shake the tennis world again. Such repetition is what separates the serial winners from the hopefuls, with Sabalenka among those leaving the rest behind. Rarely is her highest level swiftly followed by an inexplicable dip. She wins the games she ought to, and guarantees she is always in contention against those of similar level, or who rise to it. Advertisement Raducanu's still-fledgling career remains a series of moments, one of which in New York was as good as it gets. She could retire tomorrow and still have achieved more than most of her peers and British predecessors. The takeaway from this year's Wimbledon is that while Raducanu has not yet beaten the best on Centre Court, she has the talent to position herself as the best of rest, hungry and ready to pounce when draws are more favourable than this. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Foxconn second quarter revenue rises 15.82% on year
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker and Apple's biggest iPhone assembler, on Saturday reported second quarter revenue rose 15.82% from the same period last year to a record for the quarter. Foxconn, also a major supplier to artificial intelligence chip firm Nvidia, said it expected third-quarter business to grow on quarter and on year.
