The Israeli military’s top lawyer, Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has resigned after admitting to leaking footage showing the gang rape of a prisoner at the Sde Temain prison facility in August last year.
The video of the rape had originally been leaked to the press in early August in the midst of a right-wing backlash following the arrest of a number of soldiers for the rape of a Palestinian prisoner.
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In her resignation statement on Friday, Tomer-Yerushalmi blamed pressure from the right-wing on her rape investigation for her decision to leak the footage, claiming that she was countering “false propaganda directed against the military law enforcement authorities”.
In the leaked footage, soldiers can be seen grabbing and leading away a blindfolded Palestinian prisoner before surrounding him with riot shields to obscure the rape.
“For 15 minutes, the accused kicked the detainee, stomped on him, stood on his body, hit him and pushed him all over his body, including with clubs, dragged his body along the ground, and used a taser gun on him, including on his head,” the original indictment stated.
According to medical information obtained by the Israeli daily Haaretz, the victim suffered a ruptured bowel, severe anal and lung injuries, and broken ribs as a result of the assault. He later required surgery.
What happened to the soldiers?
At least nine soldiers were detained in connection with the man’s rape. All but five were released relatively quickly.
In February, the remaining soldiers were indicted for “severely abusing” the detainee, but not raping him. The trial is ongoing.
A United Nations commission, reviewing the change of indictment and other instances of Israel’s use of sexual and gender-based violence, determined that the decision to downgrade the indictments, despite the evidence, “will inevitably result in a more lenient punishment” if there is a conviction.
Why weren’t Israeli politicians calling for accountability?
Because they determined that doing so was somehow unpatriotic.
A number of Israel’s far-right politicians, including Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, were among those who stormed the Sde Teiman prison in protest at the arrest of the soldiers for rape.
Israel’s hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared to address Tomer-Yerushalmi directly in July 2024, writing in Hebrew, “The Military Advocate General, take your hands off the reservists!” he said, referring to the soldiers accused of rape.
Ben-Gvir’s fellow traveller on the far-right, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, was equally active on social media at the time, writing that the alleged rapists should be treated like “heroes, not villains”.
Israeli minister of National Security and far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir called upon Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi to halt her investigation into the soldiers accused of rape ([Ahmad Gharabli/AFP]
Returning to social media during the furore following the rape, Smotrich chose to ignore the credible accusations of rape and instead called for “an immediate criminal investigation to locate the leakers of the trending video that was intended to harm the reservists and that caused tremendous damage to Israel in the world, and to exhaust the full severity of the law against them”.
How have the critics reacted to Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation?
Many of the loudest voices in defending the alleged rapists were equally vocal in welcoming the resignation of the woman responsible for sharing evidence of that rape.
Writing on social media hours after Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation, Smotrich accused her and much of Israel’s judicial system of rank corruption, as well as launching what he called an “anti-Semitic blood libel” against their military.
Ben-Gvir was no less critical of Israel’s judicial system in the leaking of the footage, writing: “All those involved in the affair must be held accountable.”
Both ministers are active supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing attempts to weaken the judiciary and reduce its political oversight.
Have other crimes been committed at Sde Teiman against Palestinians?
At least 135 of the mutilated bodies returned to Palestinian officials in Gaza by Israel last week as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal, had been held at Sde Teiman, documents that accompanied each corpse showed.
Several of the bodies had been left with blindfolds on, and some had their hands still tied behind their back. One had a rope around its neck.
The same UN report that examined the reduced indictment against the soldiers also noted that detainees at Sde Teiman – including children – were regularly shackled, forced into stress positions, denied toilets and showers and beaten.
Some were subjected to sexual violence, including the insertion of objects, electric shocks and rape.
An L.A. County Superior Court judge handed a 146-year sentence to Hollywood producer David Brian Pearce on Wednesday for multiple rapes and the 2021 deaths of a model and her architect friend.
Pearce was found guilty in February on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, who overdosed on fentanyl. Prosecutors said Pearce supplied them with the drug.
Pearce was also found guilty of crimes against a series of women between 2007 and 2021, including three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration with force, one count of rape of an unconscious or sleeping victim and one count of forced sodomy.
“This sentence delivers long-awaited justice for Cabrales-Arzola, Giles, and the courageous sexual assault victims who came forward and testified,” L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement.
“Not only were the victims sexually assaulted, but the lives of Cabrales-Arzola and Giles were stolen in one of the most devastating ways — a fentanyl-induced sexual assault by Pearce.”
A call to Pearce’s lawyer was not immediately returned.
Pearce’s co-defendant, 46-year-old Brant Osborn, is headed to a pretrial appointment on Nov. 18; after a mistrial in February, he will probably face a second trial.
In November 2021, Giles and Cabrales-Arzola, as well as Michael Ansbach, who had spent the day filming for a documentary Pearce was supposedly producing, went out with the producer and his roommate, Osborn. The night at an East Los Angeles warehouse rave involved heavy cocaine use.
The group returned to Pearce’s Beverly Hills apartment in the early-morning hours.
That was about all that was agreed upon among the parties.
Pearce provided the two women and Ansbach with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and fentanyl, causing Giles and Cabrales-Arzola to overdose, according to the district attorney’s office.
Although Cabrales-Arzola called a ride-sharing service, neither she nor Giles left.
About 11 hours later, Pearce dropped off Giles at a hospital; 90 minutes later, he did the same for Cabrales-Arzola, the district attorney’s office said.
Court records showed the car that dropped the women off did not have license plates, which Ansbach said he saw Pearce remove. Though Ansbach was originally arrested in connection with the women’s deaths, he became an important prosecution witness.
Giles was dead by the time she reached the hospital. Cabrales-Arzola survived for 11 days before being pulled off life support by her family.
Pearce maintained during his trial that he found the two women unconscious in his apartment around 5 a.m. near liquor bottles and a powdery substance. He said he didn’t think much of it, at first.
“The lifestyle that I was living at the time was not very conducive to regular behavior, if that makes sense,” Pearce, 43, testified earlier this year. “It was not uncommon for people to use my house as a crash pad, a party house. I know it’s horrible, but at least on a weekly basis friends were passing out at my house.”
Pearce said he grew concerned when neither woman woke up and repeatedly checked on them, eventually taking them to different hospitals.
In testimony that spanned two days, Pearce denied each rape accusation, saying he’d never met at least one of his accusers and dismissing the rest of the encounters as consensual.
Pearce described a booze- and drug-fueled lifestyle and said most of the women came on to him at parties or through dating apps.
“This case is a stark reminder of the devastation caused by fentanyl,” Hochman said. “Fentanyl poisoners who harm and exploit others will be held accountable.”
Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.
A French court has rejected the appeal of a man found guilty of raping Gisele Pelicot after she was drugged by her husband and increased his sentence to 10 years.
Husamettin Dogan, a 44-year-old construction worker, was convicted of sexually abusing Gisele Pelicot, 72, in a landmark case last December, with witnesses testifying in his appeal earlier this week that Dogan was “fully aware” Gisele Pelicot was asleep while he was assaulting her.
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“The court and jury sentence Husamettin Dogan to 10 years in prison” along with “mandatory treatment for five years”, presiding judge Christian Pasta said on Thursday. Standing in the dock at the court in the southern city of Nimes, Dogan did not react to the verdict.
Pelicot returned to court this week to face the only man, out of 51, who appealed against his guilty verdict. She called for “victims to never be ashamed of what was forced upon them”.
Prior to Dogan’s sentencing, French prosecutor Dominique Sie called for his jail term to be increased to 12 years – the term prosecutors had initially sought – because of “Dogan’s stance, in all its rigidity, as he absolutely refuses to take any responsibility”.
“As long as you refuse to admit it, it’s not just a woman, it’s an entire sordid social system that you are endorsing,” Sie said.
Dogan claimed he was not a “rapist” and insisted he thought he was participating in consensual sexual activity.
Witnesses in Dogan’s appeal this week included Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who previously received a prison term of 20 years, the maximum sentence, for orchestrating the assaults in the former couple’s home in Mazan.
During the trial last year, Dominique Pelicot admitted that, for more than a decade, he drugged his then-wife of 50 years so that he and strangers he recruited online could abuse her. He also filmed the assaults, which included at least 50 men.
In Tuesday’s hearing, he denied ever coercing or misleading Dogan. “I never forced anyone,” he said.
He also refuted Dogan’s assertion that his invitation was to participate in a sexual game. “I never said that,” he said.
Dogan visited the couple’s home on June 28, 2019, where he is accused of assaulting Gisele Pelicot for more than three hours. Dogan, however, has said he only realised that something was wrong when he heard the woman snoring.
Investigator Jeremie Bosse-Platiere also testified on Tuesday. He cited video footage of Gisele Pelicot’s assault to assert that Dogan was fully aware Gisele had not consented.
“Anyone who sees the videos understands this immediately,” Bosse-Platiere said.
The police commissioner described a video in which Gisele Pelicot was seen moving slightly, causing Dogan to immediately withdraw.
“We understand that he is worried that his victim might wake up and freeze in a waiting position,” said Bosse-Platiere.
“After 30 seconds, seeing that it was a reflex caused by pain or discomfort, he reintroduces his penis into her vagina.”
Investigators found a total of 107 photos and 14 videos from the night Dogan visited the couple’s home in the southern town of Mazan.
Gisele Pelicot appeared at the proceedings on Wednesday, telling the court that Dogan had raped her and must “take responsibility” for his actions.
Gisele’s decision to waive her right to anonymity during the initial trial was celebrated as a bold move for transparency, raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault and domestic violence in France and around the world.
She also attended the proceedings in person and faced her abusers in court. She was named a knight of the Legion of Honour, France’s top civic honour, in July.
Her case has resulted in greater momentum to reform France’s laws on rape and sexual assault.
Lawmakers in France’s National Assembly and Senate have pushed for an update to the definition of rape under the country’s penal code, in order to include a clear reference to the need for consent. A final bill is expected to pass in the coming months.
“There needs to be an evolution for you, and for society, from rape culture to a culture of consent,” French prosecutor Sie said on Thursday.
The Foreign Office urged UK tourists them to stay vigilant for a number of issues, including sexual assaults, harassment and groping
13:12, 07 Oct 2025Updated 13:12, 07 Oct 2025
Foreign Office said women had been targeted and said people in Vietnam should take precautions (stock image)(Image: Getty)
British holidaymakers have been issued a stark warning after a spate of sexual assaults and harassment in Vietnam. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, stating that women have been targeted for inappropriate touching and groping while walking alone.
In a fresh alert, officials have urged tourists to be particularly cautious about what they are consuming and take measures to prevent their drinks from being spiked. They also highlighted that many of the offences were committed by unlicensed taxi drivers.
Furthermore, they cautioned that victims would be required to demonstrate that they did not consent to the attack, especially if they had consumed alcohol. Officials stated: “British nationals have reported rape and sexual assaults in the main tourist areas and places where foreigners live, often committed by or linked to unlicensed taxi drivers. Women have also reported indecent assaults and harassment. These include inappropriate touching and groping, particularly while walking alone.”
Foreign Office advice to reduce risk:
buy your own drinks and keep them in sight to avoid them being spiked
be wary of accepting snacks, beverages and gum from strangers and new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk
use pre-arranged transport or official taxi-hailing apps, such as Grab or XanhSM, which supply licensed cabs. Be wary of scammers who claim to be from these companies and always book your full journey on the app
save the location of your accommodation on a map app (such as Google Maps), so that it is easier to find at the end of the night
set up a WhatsApp group to keep in contact with others in your group
report anything that does not feel right to the management of local bars, restaurants, hotels or hostels
An official added: “In Vietnam there is a higher burden of proof for victims than in the UK. Victims must show they did not consent, particularly if they drank alcohol or knew the alleged attacker.”
“If you are a victim of a sexual assault, you can reach out to the British Embassy in Hanoi or Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Consular staff can assist you in reporting an incident to local authorities, if you would like to do so. Read FCDO’s information pack relating to rape and sexual assaults in Vietnam for more advice.”
The Foreign Office has also issued a fresh warning for vapers planning to visit the country: “Vapes and related products are banned. You cannot buy vapes in Vietnam or bring them into the country.”
More information on rules and safety issues in Vietnam is available on the Foreign Office website.
A federal jury on Thursday found hip-hop producer Metro Boomin not liable in his civil sexual assault case, after nearly a year of litigation. He is feeling more than relieved.
“I’m grateful and thankful to God that I can finally put all of this nonsense behind me,” the Grammy-nominated “Like That” musician said in a statement shared on Instagram after the verdict.
The jury sided with the 32-year-old artist, whose real name is Leland Tyler Wayne, after a brief trial that began Tuesday. He was cleared in all four actionable claims brought by Vanessa LeMaistre, who first raised her allegations in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles in October 2024.
LeMaistre said in her initial lawsuit that she and Wayne struck up a connection in spring of 2016 amid their mutual grief: The musician had broken up with a longtime girlfriend and LeMaistre had lost a 9-month-old son “as a result of a rare and fatal disease,” according to court documents. LeMaistre alleged the assault occurred that September after he invited her to a recording studio to watch him work.
LeMaistre described the alleged incident as the “second worst thing that ever happened to her,” other than the death of her child. She also accused Wayne of impregnating her through rape and said she underwent an abortion.
The producer’s legal team quickly denied the allegations last October and dismissed the complaint as a “pure shakedown.” Attorney Lawrence C. Hinkle II echoed those sentiments Thursday in a statement shared after the verdict.
“We are extremely grateful for the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence and for reaching the correct decision,” Hinkle said. “The allegations against Mr. Wayne were frivolous and unequivocally false. Mr. Wayne has endured serious and damaging accusations, and today’s verdict confirms what he has always said — the plaintiff’s claims against him are completely fabricated.”
After Thursday’s verdict, LeMaistre attorney Michael J. Willemin said that although “the legal system is often stacked against survivors, our client showed unwavering fortitude throughout this trial.”
Willemin added: “We are disappointed in the outcome but are proud to represent Ms. LeMaistre and believe that the verdict will ultimately be overturned on appeal.”
Though the case — which was moved from L.A. County Superior Court to California Central District Court in December — ended in victory for Metro Boomin, he said in his statement it also resulted in a “a long list of losses.” He lamented the money and time “wasted” in the litigation process and said there had been an “incalculable amount of money and opportunities that did not make it to me or my team during this time.”
The Missouri-born artist also spoke about the case’s toll on his personal life, writing that “the trauma my family and I have endured during this dark period can never be forgiven.” He detailed adopting his youngest siblings and expressed concern over their possible online exposure to the case.
“I’m disappointed in not only the plaintiff but the janky lawyers who made the made the conscious decision to take on this suit, even though it was evident long ago that these claims had no legs or merit and would not end up going anywhere,” he said, later expressing gratitude for his own legal team.
Metro Boomin rose to prominence in the mid-2010s, working with rap stars including Young Thug, Future and Nicki Minaj. Over the years, he has also racked up collaborations with Drake, Kanye “Ye” West, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Lil Wayne. Most recently, he reunited with Young Thug as a producer for Thug’s new album, “UY Scuti,” the rapper’s first since his release from Georgia’s Fulton County Jail last October.
With the case behind him for now, Metro Boomin concluded his statement by sending “peace and love to the actual victims out there as well as the innocent and accused.”
The alleged offences took place when the Ghanaian defender played for London club Arsenal in the Premier League.
Published On 17 Sep 202517 Sep 2025
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Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey, appearing in a London court, has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault involving three women.
The 32-year-old Ghana international appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and enter his not guilty pleas.
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Partey is accused of five counts of rape relating to two women, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman, between April 2021 and June 2022. The alleged offences took place when he played for Premier League football club Arsenal. He left the club this summer and signed for Spain’s Villarreal.
The footballer was released on bail in advance of his trial, which was listed for November 2, 2026, and is due to take between six and eight weeks.
He was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59m) in 2020 and became a key member of the English side’s first team, before his contract expired at the end of June.
Partey played for Villarreal in their Champions League game against Arsenal’s bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, on Tuesday night. He came on as a second-half substitute and was booed loudly by the Spurs fans every time he touched the ball.
Thomas Partey currently plays for Spanish La Liga side Villarreal [File: Henry Nichollas/AFP]
Pigs are flying and Satan has on a puffer jacket. I know these things because the impossible is happening — I am writing about why Marjorie Taylor Greene,Nancy Mace and Lauren Boebert are right.
And why California’s Republican congressional representatives should be ashamed and shamed.
You may know these women as beacons of the far right, maybe even the fringe-right, in Congress. Hailing from Georgia, South Carolina and Colorado, respectively, they have dabbled in QAnon conspiracy theories, including about sex trafficking and powerful pedophiles, among other questionable actions.
But I’ll say this for the trio — they’ve stayed true to their beliefs, even under direct pressure from the White House. So a (limited) shout-out to Greene, Mace and Boebert.
What am I talking about? Jeffrey Edward Epstein, of course (I think he committed enough crimes to earn his middle name included, serial killer style).
Boebert, Mace and Greene are three of only four Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives who have signed a discharge petition (a kind of work-around to bypass leadership) to release the full Epstein files, supposedly containing a trove of information on men who bought and sold sex with teenage girls.
“These are some of the richest, most powerful people in the world that could sue these women into poverty and homelessness,” Greene said at a recent news conference with some of the victims. “Yeah, it’s a scary thing to name names, but I will tell you, I’m not afraid to name names, and so if they want to give me a list, I will walk in that Capitol on the House floor, and I’ll say every damn name that abused these women. I can do that for them.”
And, to my immense shock at having something in common with Greene, I say — that is how it’s done, lady. You go.
Not a single Republican House member from California has backed releasing the Epstein files. Every California Democratic representative has signed. So let’s talk about that.
I am sick of Epstein. Why are you writing this?
Like most of you, I too am tired of hearing endless political chatter about Epstein.
For the blessedly uniformed among you, Epstein was an extremely rich dude. No one is quite sure where all that money came from, but he apparently used a great deal of it to buy influence with powerful men, and sex traffic underage girls — allegedly children as young as 11 .
He died by suicide while in jail in 2019 (lots of conspiracy theories on whether it was in fact suicide) but in 2021 his paramour-partner Ghislaine Noelle Maxwell was also convicted of child sex trafficking and other offenses.
Epstein and Maxwell have ties to Donald Trump, including a much-discussed “birthday book” that honestly I do not care about other than to say, “Ick.” That has made the whole thing an endless political brouhaha.
But many of the many victims of Epstein and Maxwell have called for their information to be released by the Justice Department, which holds more than 100,000 pages of the investigation. They, like survivors of sexual assault everywhere, want accountability, if justice remains elusive. They want names named. They want to stop being afraid, stop being stuck by their pain and their past, and allow the world to decide, if courts won’t, just how much truth they are telling.
These are brave women who were brutalized as children for the pleasure of men with money. They have a right to have their stories known if that’s what they choose.
This is not politics. This is decency.
The California problem
Like Greene, I’m willing to name some names. Here they are — California’s GOP representatives in the House:
Releasing the Epstein files requires only one of them to sign the discharge petition. Just one of these fine representatives from the Golden State could do the right thing, stand for a bipartisan value that Californians of both parties hold — sex trafficking is bad — and show what real leadership looks like.
Anyone? Anyone?
“If Epstein survivors want this information released, it should be released. These women have had the courage to speak out and it’s infuriating that Congress would block release of information — they’d rather help with a cover-up than stand with survivors,” state Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento) told me.
She’s a former state Justice Department prosecutor who specialized in trafficking, and has worked on controversial bipartisan legislation at the Capitol with Republican Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield. That legislation earned her the ire of her own party, but on an issue this important, she did what she believed was right over what was easy.
“Protecting kids and standing up for survivors of human trafficking should not be a partisan issue and in California, we’ve shown it doesn’t have to be,” Krell said.
In fact, the discharge petition in the House is a bipartisan effort — introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and our own Ro Khanna of California, a Democrat.
In particular, I’d like to call out Kiley for his hypocrisy. Recently, he introduced a bipartisan sex trafficking bill in Congress that’s a smart idea — the National Human Trafficking Database Act, which would create a database at the Department of Justice that tracks cases across the country. He did it with Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo) and Hank Johnson (D-Ga). Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are carrying the bill in the Senate.
“We must do everything we can to prevent human trafficking and having the necessary tools at our disposal will bring us closer to stopping this awful crime,” Kiley said in a press release.
Huh.
Seems like Kiley gets the issue. Seems like he’s saying the right things. And for a guy about to be gerrymandered out of his own district — with his own party not seeming to care — he doesn’t have much to lose by doing the right thing and signing the discharge petition. My email to his office on the topic remains unanswered.
Liz Stein, an Epstein and Maxwell survivor who spoke at the news conference, said (as reported by the 19th News) that her life has never been the same since the abuse started. Since then, it has “felt like someone shut off the lights to my soul.”
There. Is. No. Excuse.
“This is not a partisan issue, but an American issue,” New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said in a press release. “To my Republican colleagues, if these heartbreaking stories aren’t enough, sign the petition for your daughters and for all the women in your lives that you would want protected from pedophiles. Because it’s not just about Epstein, but about all the women and children who are trafficked, abused, sexually assaulted, and ignored in their pain. The survivors today told their stories to not only push for the Epstein files to be released, but for a better future where women and girls are believed and supported, and abusers are held accountable.”
I can’t say it any more directly. Hiding behind politics on this one is the act of a coward.
If you won’t stand up against the rape of children, what do you stand for?
BBC show Strictly Come Dancing has been rocked by more allegations, with one of the stars being arrested on suspicion of rape
22:07, 23 Aug 2025Updated 22:56, 23 Aug 2025
BBC Strictly star arrested on suspicion of rape as show is hit with fresh crisis
Strictly Come Dancing has been thrown into a new crisis after one of its stars was reportedly arrested on suspicion of rape.
The male suspect, who has not been named for legal reasons, is also reportedly being questioned by police over allegations involving “non-consensual intimate image abuse”.
The BBC confirmed to The Mirror tonight that there is an “ongoing police investigation”.
The Met Police investigation follows a BBC-led inquiry into claims of drug abuse by stars on the show. A Met spokesman told The Sun on Sunday: “On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
“This is a joint investigation… and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us. The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers, he added. The dramatic development – separate from the upcoming series – is one of the biggest crises to be faced by the BBC since newsreader Huw Edwards dodged jail last year for possessing indecent images of children.
A BBC spokesperson has told The Mirror: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”
Strictly has been hit by a string of storms recently. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice quit after being accused of bullying and harassing 2023 partner Abbington. Some complaints against him were upheld but he was cleared of the most serious ones in a probe.
In the same series, the BBC pro Graziano Di Prima was removed over claims of misconduct towards partner Zara McDermott during training. And this year, Welsh opera singer Evans left the dance tour after being accused of making inappropriate remarks.
This week Kristian Nairn quit the show after just one week into rehearsals. He will be replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope as BBC bosses scrambled to find a last-minute stand-in. Northern Ireland-born Kristian revealed he had quit in an emotional Instagram video.
The 49-year-old said: “Like so many people at the minute, I have been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief, if I’m going to be really real. I’ve always been my mother’s son and I have always powered through things like this in the past and any other time of my life actually. Honestly, I think I’ve got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this.
“I thought I did, at least. For the first time it’s manifested physically and it’s caused a spike in my vitals. It’s entered an area of concern.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Marius Borg Hoiby faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with 32 criminal offences, including rape.
The son of Norway’s crown princess has been charged with raping four women, domestic violence, assault and other crimes following a yearlong police investigation, according to prosecutors.
Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, is expected to stand trial early next year and could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges, Oslo state attorney Sturla Henriksbo said on Monday.
Hoiby denies the most serious accusations against him but plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges in court when the trial starts, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told the Reuters news agency.
“He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence,” Sekulic said of his client.
Hoiby was charged on Monday with 32 criminal offences, including one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which he filmed on his telephone, the prosecution said.
Henriksbo estimates the trial could begin in mid-January and take about six weeks.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the celebrations of Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Official Day at Deichman Museum on June 16, 2022, in Oslo, Norway [File: Rune Hellestad/Getty Images]
Hoiby does not have a royal title and is outside the line of royal succession.
“It is up to the courts to hear this case and to reach a decision,” the royal palace said in a statement.
The prosecutor said Hoiby, as a member of the royal family, would not be treated “more lightly or more severely” than anyone else in similar circumstances.
Domestic abuse
Police in November last year held Hoiby in detention for one week as part of the investigation.
In August of last year, Hoiby was named as a suspect of physical assault against a woman with whom he had been in a relationship – the only victim identified by the prosecution, Nora Haukland.
“The violence consisted, among other things, of him repeatedly hitting her in the face, including with a clenched fist, choking her, kicking her and grabbing her hard,” the prosecutor said.
Hoiby, in a statement to the media at the time, admitted to causing bodily harm to the woman while he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and of damaging her apartment. He had stated then that he regretted his actions.
According to media reports, he spent time with gang members, Hells Angels bikers and members of Oslo’s Albanian mafia. In 2023, police contacted him to discuss his hangouts with “notorious criminals”.
It emerged last year that Hoiby had already been arrested in 2017 for using cocaine at a music festival.
Marius Borg Hoiby (L) and Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit (R) attend a June 2022 government event in Oslo, Norway. Norwegian police arrested Hoiby at the end of last year on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman and other charges. File Photo by Lise Aserud/EPA
Aug. 18 (UPI) — The stepson of the presumed next king of Norway was charged Monday on multiple offenses, including rape.
Marius Borg Hobby, the 27-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, was charged with 32 offenses and four counts of rape by Norwegian authorities.
“Our client denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence,” Hoiby’s co-attorney Petar Sekulic told The Guardian.
At least four different women stepped forward with rape allegations that extended from 2018 to last year, which included domestic abuse of an ex-lover and illegally filming a number of different women without consent.
It was first revealed in November that an untitled would-be royal was under suspicion and allegedly “attacked” a 20-year-old woman in a “psychologically and physically” harmful way, according to Norwegian outlet Se og Hor.
He was later arrested on preliminary charges that included violating a restraining order and driving without a license.
On Monday, Sekulic added that Hoiby will later “present a detailed account of his version of events before the court.”
Hoiby, who holds no place in line to throne, became connected to the Norwegian royal house of Glucksburg via marriage in 2001 when his mother married the son and second eldest child of Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja.
He also faces charges of harassment of police and other traffic violations.
A trial is expected for early next year and Hoiby could spend up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the more serious rape charges.
The Repair Shop fans have called for the show to be axed – following Jay Blades’ rape arrestCredit: BBC
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The 55-year-old has been charged with two counts of rapeCredit: BBC
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He was the show’s “foreman” from 2017 until 2014Credit: BBC
On Tuesday (August 5), the show returned to its usual 8pm slot, although Blades was not featured.
Writing online, fans have called for The Repair Shop to be axed after nearly a decade on air.
One penned: “Could never see the point of him being in the Repair Shop he never restored anything but worn a new leather apron the show is better without him now.”
Another added: “Surely you must take the Repair shop off now if the presenter is accused of physical rape.”
A third queried: “Will theBBCbe pulling repeats of The Repair Shop now?”
Police confirmed the allegations against the dad of three from Shropshire.
He fronted the hit BBC show for seven years before stepping back last year.
King Charles appeared alongside him on a special episode in 2022.
West Mercia Police confirmed charges against the dad of three, with a magistrates’ court date set for next Wednesday.
A spokesperson said: “Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape.
Axed TV host Jay Blades was weeks away from starring on new reality series before domestic violence arrest
“He is due to appear at Telford magistrates’ court on 13 August 2025.”
The TV star is currently awaiting trial on a separate charge of controlling and coercive behaviour against estranged wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen, which he has denied.
He was arrested in May 2024 – on the same day fitness instructor Lisa announced her decision to end their 18-month marriage.
In September, Blades was charged.
His actions allegedly caused Lisa “to fear, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against her”.
The presenter pleaded not guilty to the charge — which relates to the period between January 1, 2023 and September 12, 2024 — at a court hearing last October.
THIS is the shocking moment a Virgin Atlantic passenger hurled abuse at a hostess he threatened to “gang rape and set alight”
Disturbing footage shows Salman Iftikhar, 37, tell stewardess Angie Walsh she would be attacked in her hotel after landing.
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Salman Iftikhar, 37, was filmed threatening a Virgin Atlantic stewardessCredit: Central News
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The passenger said crew member Angie Walsh would be gang rapedCredit: Central News
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Angie (left) was supported by sister Claire Walsh (right) at Birmingham Crown CourtCredit: Central News
He spouted his vile rant after downing champagne on an eight-hour flight from London Heathrow to Lahore on February 7 2023.
Iftikhar said Ms Walsh would be taken from her hotel room, gang raped and set on fire.
Another passenger, who filmed the shocking scenes, can be heard saying “holy s–t”.
Iftikhar repeatedly accuses Ms Walsh of being a racist and says: “You called me a p-ki in front of everybody.”
The 37-year-old had been flying with his wife and three children, Isleworth Crown Court heard.
Prosecuting, Abdul Kapadia, said: “During the defendant’s first meal service, the defendant was seen helping himself to ice, leaning over the bar he was drinking at, and taking ice with his hands.
“When told to stop, the defendant became irate, and started to film cabin crew with his phone, telling them: ‘Do not tell me what to do you b***h.
“When asked by the cabin crew to return to his seat, he then said: ‘Don’t tell me what to do you racist f***ing b***h. I know where you are from in Cardiff.”
Staff alerted the pilot and the seat belt signs were turned on, which only aggravated Iftikhar more.
He continued to call Ms Walsh a “f***ing b***h” before his escalating behaviour sparked a possible flight diversion to Turkey.
Moment Scots Ryanair passenger hauled off flight by cops for ‘VAPING’ on plane
“The defendant was informed of this possible diversion, to which he replied: ‘I don’t care. F–it, go to Turkey. I have contacts,” the prosecutor told the court.
“The defendant then sat down, but his aggressive behaviour continued.
“His wife was ashamed. His three children were also on-board, and other crew members were called to assist, but the defendant continued shouting and swearing.
“He was slurring his words, with his voice raised.
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The father-of-three was with his wife and kids when he unleashed his vile rantsCredit: Central News
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Iftikhar admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassmentCredit: Central News
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He told flight attendants he would blow up their floor of the crew hotelCredit: Central News
“He shouted at the cabin crew: ‘Do you know who I am?’
“The defendant’s wife went to the food bar and tried to talk to cabin crew, but the defendant pushed his wife away, and shouted at her not to talk to crew.”
He grabbed one flight attendant, called Tommy Merchant, and threatened him with a fight.
‘YOU WILL BE DEAD’
The out-of-control passenger then told cabin crew he would blow up the floor of their hotel.
“The defendant knew the specific hotel, but also the hotel room numbers, and threatened the cabin crew with this,” Mr Kapadia told the court.
“He told Ms Walsh: ‘You will be dead on the floor of your hotel’.
“Iftikhar shouted at Ms Walsh and said: ‘The white sheep sh**ging b***h will be dead. The floor of your hotel will be blown up and it will disappear.
“He told Ms Walsh: ‘You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang raped and set on fire’.”
His violent rant unfolded in front of his wife and three young children – who were brought to tears.
Iftikhar was arrested at his £900,000 detached home in Iver, Bucks, on March 16, 2024.
‘IT HAS BROKEN ME’
In an impact statement, Ms Walsh said she was forced to take off 14 months and the altercation “changed my life enormously”.
“I can’t quite believe that one passenger has had this much of an impact on my, my job, my career and my life,” she said.
“I am a strong brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job. I am well known within the company.
“But I had to take 14 months off work.
“I have been flying with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years. I was working when all flights were grounded on 9/11, and I’ve even flown into a warzone. But this incident has broken me.
“But I don’t feel strong enough anymore. I was abused for eight hours and 15 mins. It has broken me. It was a very personal attack.
“I was doing everything in my power to protect passengers and the crew from him. I felt exposed and vulnerable, especially as we were 39,000 feet in the air. There was nowhere for me to go.
“There was one moment where I felt I could not cope. I went into the cockpit and had a meltdown. I said to the captain I don’t know what to do.
“Even the threat of diverting the plane to Turkey or Baku, Azerbaijan, had no effect.
“I was traumatised by the threat of being gang raped.
“Never in my entire career flying for 37 years have I not been sure what to do.
“I have had the best career in the world for 37 years. But he has taken that away from me.”
He told Ms Walsh: ‘You will be dead on the floor of your hotel’
Prosecutor Abdul Kapadia
Iftikhar, of Iver, Bucks, admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment, in relation to Ms Walsh.
He was cleared of assault by beating and threats to kill in relation to Mr Merchant.
Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, said Iftikhar was suffering from “amnesia blood loss” at the time.
Mr Walker-Nolan added: “Although there were over 100 incidents over the course of eight hours, the most serious, including threats to kill, were limited.
“The defendant has buried his head in the sand for a long period, and expressed regret.
“He has a long standing drug and alcohol problem which he has not addressed for many years.
“He is a successful businessman who employs a lot of people.”
THUG JAILED
Iftikhar has six previous convictions arising from 15 offences, including common assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008 and failing to stop and possession of cannabis in 2021.
Judge Ms Recorder Annabel Darlow KC said: “Your threats to kill were made in the presence of children, specifically your three young children.
“These were threats made with significant violence.
“Your children had to be comforted by cabin crew staff while you made those threats.
“Ms Walsh has given up a job which she has loved for 14 months, but thankfully has now returned to work.
“This was a sustained incident which involved repeated racist abuse to Ms Walsh.
“You have a lengthy and appalling record of misconduct. You have not addressed the underlying cause of this for many years, that is your drug and alcohol problem.
“Given your lifestyle and your ability to earn money, your harm and risk has not moved.
“This was an appalling incident which has caused long lasting and devastating consequences.”
Iftikhar cried in the dock as he was jailed for 15 months.
His LinkedIn profile stated that he was the director and founder of recruitment firm Staffing Match.
Virgin Atlantic was contacted for comment.
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He cried as a judge sentenced him to 15 monthsCredit: Central News
TV presenter Jay Blades has been charged with two counts of rape.
Mr Blades, best known for hosting BBC show The Repair Shop, will appear in court next Wednesday over the allegations, police said.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: “Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape.
“He is due to appear at Telford magistrates’ court on 13 August 2025.”
Separately, a pre-trial review is taking place for Mr Blades at Worcester Crown & County Court on Tuesday regarding a charge of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour against the presenter’s estranged wife Lisa Zbozen. Mr Blades pleaded not guilty to the charge at a plea hearing in October.
Mr Blades became one of the best-known faces on British TV after The Repair Shop launched in 2017, with members of the public bringing their treasured possessions and heirlooms to be fixed.
It began in a daytime slot and then moved to primetime after it became a hit.
The show won a National Television Award in 2023, and also won a Bafta the same year for its royal special, in which the future King took a clock and a vase to the workshop.
He has also hosted Money for Nothing, Jay Blades’ Home Fix and Jay and Dom’s Home Fix, and in 2022 he fronted a documentary about learning to read at the age of 51.
He was honoured with an MBE in 2021.
Mr Blades stepped back from presenting The Repair Shop last year.
Paris Saint-Germain which the Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi denies the alleged rape of a woman in 2023.
French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023, which the Moroccan international denies.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office told the AFP news agency that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court.
“It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order,” the prosecutor’s office told AFP in a statement.
Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG’s run to their first Champions League title, with the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May.
Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman.
Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday.
The woman went to a police station following the encounter, alleging rape and was questioned by police.
Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player.
She told police at the time that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram.
On the night in question, she said she had travelled to his house in a taxi paid for by Hakimi. She told police Hakimi had started kissing her and making non-consensual sexual advances, before raping her, a police source told AFP at the time.
She said she managed to break free to text a friend who came to pick her up.
Contacted by AFP after Friday’s development, Hakimi’s lawyer Fanny Colin described the call by prosecutors for a trial as “incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case’s elements”.
“We, along with Achraf Hakimi, remain as calm as we were at the start of the proceedings.
“If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal,” she added.
“My client welcomes this news with immense relief,” Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the woman, told AFP.
Hakimi, born in Madrid, came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018.
He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club.
He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021, where he has established himself as an integral part of the team.
In Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semifinals of a World Cup.
British actor Micheal Ward, known for the Netflix series “Top Boy” and and most recently Ari Aster’s movie “Eddington,” is facing charges of allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a woman in the United Kingdom in 2023.
London’s Metropolitan Police announced in a Friday statement that prosecutors had charged BAFTA winner Ward, 28, with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following an investigation into an alleged January 2023 incident. The statement did not provide details about the incident, including the location and the identity of Ward’s accuser.
“Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward — we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports,” Det. Supt. Scott Ware said in the statement.
Representatives for Ward did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment Friday. The actor is due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court in London on Aug. 28.
Ward, who was born in Jamaica, broke into acting less than a decade ago, appearing in the British drama series “Top Boy” and rapper Rapman’s 2019 film “Blue Story.” He won BAFTA’s rising star award in 2020. That same year he appeared in “The Old Guard” opposite Charlize Theron and in Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” miniseries.
His movie credits also include Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light,” “The Book of Clarence,” “Bob Marley: One Love” and “The Beautiful Game.” He currently stars as a young police officer in “Eddington,” the latest film from “Hereditary” and “Midsommar” filmmaker Aster.
Resources for survivors of sexual assault
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual violence, you can find support using RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call (800) 656-HOPE or visit online.rainn.org to speak with a trained support specialist.
Former MP Kate Kniveton bravely opens up about the decade of abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-husband and Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths who raped her while she was sleeping
13:00, 20 Jul 2025Updated 13:06, 20 Jul 2025
Kate Kniveton suffered a decade of abuse at the hands of her husband(Image: Derby Telegraph)
As violence against women and girls reaches epidemic levels with police receiving a domestic abuse call every 30 seconds, one woman is telling her deeply personal story and making it her mission to stand up for victims of domestic abuse.
Former Conservative MP for Burton in Staffordshire, Kate Kniveton, 54, warns how domestic abuse can affect absolutely anybody – regardless of their background or profession – after she endured a decade of abuse at the hands of her ex Tory MP husband.
Bravely waving her right to anonymity, she also shines a light on the abuse many survivors endure long after the relationship has ended and how family courts are letting down vulnerable children.
“People don’t think it can happen to professional middle-class people – but domestic abuse has no boundaries, it can affect absolutely anybody,” Kate says. “When I was elected I made a promise to be an advocate of victims of domestic abuse. I am traumatised – not just by the 10 years of abuse I experienced – but the following five years where he continued to use the legal system to abuse me.”
Kate has warned that anyone can find themselves in an abusive relationship
The former MP explains how easy it is for women to get sucked in and find themselves stuck in unhealthy relationships. “He was very personable, charming and charismatic,” she says about her abusive ex Andrew Griffiths. “In hindsight I can see there were warning signs – but I always put it down to him being under a lot of pressure.
“For most people looking in from the outside our relationship was perfect, but the abuse had been going on for several years. Every time I said I was going to go to the police, I’m going to report you, he’d always say, ‘Nobody would believe you, Kate. I’m the MP here. I’ve got a great relationship with the police — they all think I’m the blue-eyed boy.'”
But behind closed doors things were not what they seemed. Kate recalls how her husband would rape her in her sleep and scream abuse at their two-month old baby. “It would start when I was asleep – I’d wake up and he would have started having sex with me,” she recalls.
Kate Kniveton with Andrew Griffiths who was the life and soul of the party
“Sometimes I’d just think ‘let it carry on’ but there would be other times when I would cry. And those times he’d sometimes stop – not all times – but then he’d be in a foul mood if he did. I remember he’d be kicking me until he kicked me out of bed. And I would go into our spare room and barricade myself in another room for the night or leave the house.”
A turning point was when she realised their two-week-old child was also in danger. “I still hoped Andrew could change but when our baby was just two weeks old I realised that the abuse may not stop with me,” she adds. “He was up early in the morning to catch a train back down to Westminster and our baby started crying for a feed. He turned round and said ‘shut the F up’ and it was said with such force and aggression – and he tried to make out afterwards that he was just tired – but it was just a baby.”
Andrew Griffiths and Kate Kniveton on their wedding day(Image: Burton Mail)
Ironically, her abusive ex-husband campaigned for women’s rights – but in 2018 – Griffiths made the headlines when he got caught sexting two constituents – later resigning from his position. Kate took the opportunity to leave the family home but then had to fight the family courts to stop Griffiths from seeing their child.
Then in 2019 – some 18 months after the sexting scandal – Kate stood as an MP against her ex husband and won. Griffiths was found to have raped and physically abused his wife by a family court judge in 2021. Griffiths denies raping Kate.
Kate tells her story in a new ITV1 and ITVX documentary, Breaking The Silence: Kate’s Story, where she speaks in-depth for the first time about the decade of abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-husband. In it she is also keen to shed light on the problem with family courts – where an estimated 30,000 cases each year involve allegations of domestic abuse.
Many survivors report feeling retraumatised and disbelieved by the very process meant to protect them. Kate and other survivors share their experiences, voicing deep concerns that the courts often fail to safeguard children from violent ex-partners.
Andrew Griffiths married Kate in 2013
Dr Charlotte Proudman, who was Kate’s barrister in the family court, explains in the film, “It’s very common, even when there are convictions for domestic abuse offences, for a parent to be granted regular unsupervised contact with their child.”
This comes five years on from the Ministry of Justice’s Harm Report, which warned that the family courts were putting children’s safety at risk – yet many of its key recommendations still remain unimplemented. It’s an alarming reality reinforced by Women’s Aid, whose latest report found that 67 children have been killed in the UK in the past 30 years during contact visits with a known domestic abuser.
In the film, Kate also meets with Jess Phillips MP, the newly appointed Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG, to discuss the urgent reforms needed to better protect survivors and their children. Jess tells her, “So much of what happens in the domestic abuse space is so hidden from the public’s view. I think if people knew half of what you and I have seen, there’d be pitchforks… there is absolutely loads to do — it’s so ingrained, whether it’s in the court system or how councils commission local refuge and support services.”
Kate is bravely raising awareness of the issues in family courts
The Ministry of Justice responded to allegations raised in the film: “Any case involving the death of a child is a tragedy, and our sincere condolences go out to the families [affected]. We will see where improvements can be made to the Family Court system to help prevent these awful crimes.” They added that work is ongoing to ensure the family court is safe for children and families, highlighting the Pathfinder pilot to improve outcomes in private law cases.
At the final hearing in January 2024, Griffiths accepted all the findings of abuse found by the family court, except that of rape. However, when asked to respond to this programme he said: “I have always denied the allegations made. The Family Court has a much lower burden of proof and has always been private and confidential.
“The Family Court has failed our child. Publication of salacious allegations can only harm the children. Every child has the right to have both parents in their lives. I will never stop fighting to be a father to my child, and to demonstrate to them just how much I love them.”
Breaking The Silence: Kate’s Story, Sunday 20th July at 10.20pm on ITV1 & ITVX.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.
South Korean singer Taeil is facing the music for the sex crime that prompted his departure last year from popular K-Pop group NCT.
A Seoul Central District Court on Thursday sentenced the 31-year-old musician, born Moon Tae-il, to 3½ years in prison for raping an intoxicated Chinese woman who visited South Korea in 2024, according to numerousoutlets. Taeil was sentenced a month after he and two other men, who also engaged in the assault, pleaded guilty in June to charges of special quasi-rape.
The Korea Herald reported on Thursday the three men were taken into custody after the ruling and were each ordered to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. Prosecutors initially sought a seven-year sentence for each of the men, but the court took into account that they were first-time offenders and halved their sentences.
SM Entertainment, the agency representing NCT and its subgroups, announced in August 2024 that it would part ways with Taeil after confirming he “has been accused of a criminal case related to sex crimes.” At the time, SM Entertainment did not disclose additional information but wrote in its statement, “We recognized the seriousness of the issue, and we have decided that Taeil can no longer continue team activities.”
“We have discussed this matter with Taeil, and it has been decided that he will leave the group,” the K-Pop giant added at the time, noting that the singer was “faithfully working on the police investigation.” SM also apologized for “the controversy caused by our artist.”
Taeil and the two other men — identified by prosecutors by surnames Lee and Hong — met the woman in June 2024 at a bar in the Itaewon district of Seoul, and the four drank together.
The tourist became heavily intoxicated, according to the Herald, and the singer allegedly helped her into a taxi with Lee who took her home. Taeil and Hong followed them separately and raped the woman at Lee’s home.
“The defendants took turns committing sexual acts against the victim, who was severely intoxicated and unable to resist. The nature of the crime is particularly grave,” prosecutors reportedly said. “As a foreign tourist assaulted in an unfamiliar environment, the victim likely experienced significant psychological distress.”
Taeil debuted with NCT, or Neo Culture Technology, in 2016 and was most recently active with sub-group NCT 127 prior to his removal.
The Associated Press and former Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The offences are reported to have taken place between 2021-2022, the Metropolitan Police said.
The charges involve three women, with two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape in connection to a second woman and one count of sexual assault linked to a third woman.
The Ghanaian international denies the charges and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name”, his lawyer said.
The 32-year-old’s contract with Arsenal ended on Monday after playing with the team since 2020.
BBC News has contacted Arsenal, the Football Association and the Premier League for comment.
The charges follow an investigation by detectives, which started in February 2022 after police first received a report of rape.
Det Supt Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.
“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing [email protected]”
Mr Partey, of Hertfordshire, is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 5 August.
In a statement, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said: “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him.
“He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.
“He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.
“Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.”
Mr Parteyjoined Arsenal for £45.3m from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, made 35 top-flight appearances last season and scored four goals as the London club finished second in the Premier League.
He also played 12 times in the Champions League as the Gunners reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.
Overall, he made 130 Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, scoring nine goals.
Mr Partey has also made more than 50 appearances for Ghana’s national team, and most recently played at World Cup qualification matches in March.
Adam Fradgley – AMA/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images
Barnett denies the woman’s allegations that he kept her as a “sex slave”
High-profile British sports agent Jonathan Barnett has been accused of raping a woman more than 39 times, in a US lawsuit.
In a civil complaint lodged at a US district court in Los Angeles, the unnamed woman, referred to as “Jane Doe”, says Mr Barnett “trafficked” her from Australia to the UK in 2017, “tortured” and kept her as a “sex slave” over a six year period.
She says Mr Barnett made “repeated threats to her life and the lives of her minor children”.
The 75-year-old known for representing leading footballers including Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish, says the charges “have no basis in reality and are untrue”.
“We will vigorously defend this lawsuit through the appropriate legal process. I am looking forward to being entirely vindicated and exonerated,” a statement from his lawyers said.
Mr Barnett was ranked as the world’s most powerful sports agent in 2019 by Forbes magazine.
The civil case was filed on Wednesday.
According to court documents, the pair first met in the 1990s through a professional athlete in London and reconnected online and then in person in 2017.
Within a matter of weeks she relocated to the UK with her teenage children – with sports agency CAA Stellar, headed by Mr Barnett, covering moving expenses.
The filing says that upon her arrival, he told her he “owned” her and raped her in a hotel room.
Mr Barnett went on to impose strict rules to obey him at all times, referring to him as “My Master” and to “never say it hurts”, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint goes on to describe alleged degrading acts that included drinking urine or ingesting faeces.
The alleged torture also included the woman “tied up overnight without food or water”.
She says she was “trafficked, threatened, tortured, and held” in bondage in different locations throughout the world, including Los Angeles, from 2017 to 2023.
“Realising she was powerless against a dangerous predator, Ms Doe submitted to Barnett in order to avoid being severely beaten or even killed,” the lawsuit said.
“Jane Doe” is also suing Hollywood talent firm Creative Artists Agency and sports agency CAA Stellar, where Mr Barnett was executive chairman until his retirement last year.
The court documents state the CAA Stellar’s parent companies, talent agencies ICM and CAA, “failed to find and/or willfully or recklessly disregarded” that substantial payments were made between 2017 and 2023, despite the woman not being an athlete or agent.
It is claimed Barnett referred to her as “slave” in emails sent from his work account.
Court documents say Mr Barnett used his “money and power to maintain coercive control” over the woman who was “in fear of her life and the lives of her children”.
Lawyers for “Jane Doe” state the case is about “institutional abuse at the highest level”.
They are seeking compensation on her behalf.
According to LA Times, CAA said it first heard of the woman’s allegations last year when her lawyers made settlement demands – and the press inquired.
“While the complaint attempts to connect these allegations to CAA’s business, Ms Doe has never been an employee, consultant, or contractor of CAA, ICM, or Stellar, nor has she ever had any business connection to CAA, ICM, or Stellar,” CAA said in its statement.
“CAA takes any allegations of this nature seriously, and through counsel, promptly urged Ms Doe to contact law enforcement in the United Kingdom.”
About 1,200 children are being urged to undergo testing for infectious diseases after a Melbourne childcare worker was charged with a string of offences including child rape.
Joshua Dale Brown was arrested in May and faces 70 charges, with police alleging he abused eight children – including a five-month-old – between April 2022 and January 2023.
The 26-year-old has worked at 20 childcare centres since 2017, prompting local health authorities to notify parents of any children who may have been in his care, recommending many be tested as a “precaution”.
Brown, who is yet to enter a plea to the charges, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court in September.
The eight children – all under the age of five – who police allege were harmed attended the Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, in Melbourne’s south-west.
Brown is accused of child rape and sexual assault offenses, as well as producing and transmitting child abuse material.
Detectives are also investigating alleged offences by Brown at a childcare centre in Essendon “as a priority”.
At a press conference, authorities said he had a valid working with children check and was employed as a fill-in childcare worker when he was arrested.
Brown was not known to them before the investigation, they said, adding that they believed he acted alone and that the alleged offending only happened in Victoria.
Revealing Mr Brown’s identity was an “unusual decision”, Victoria Police’s Janet Stevenson said, but this is a “unique” case.
“It’s very important to ensure that every parent out there that has a child in childcare knows who he is and where he worked,” she said.
Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath would not say if Mr Brown had tested positive to sexually transmitted infections, but said the manner of the alleged offending meant some children may be asked to undergo screening for infectious diseases.
About 2,600 families had been contacted, with 1,200 children recommended for testing, she said, adding that the infections that the children may have been exposed to can be treated with antibiotics.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was “sickened” by the allegations.
“My heart breaks for the families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
Families across Victoria will be “angry and frightened” by the case, Allan said, adding that a dedicated website has been set up for those impacted.
