Rotherham Worker 'Told To Give Girls To Abusers'

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

A whistleblower who repeatedly tried to expose the full extent of child sex abuse in Rotherham has told Sky News that a manager actively encouraged her to release underage girls into the hands of abusers.

In an exclusive interview, the former residential care worker said that when she alerted senior staff about men frequently waiting outside children's homes to take the girls away she was told: "Let them go!"

The former employee says she even confronted some of the abusers herself in an attempt to prevent them taking the children away and now fears reprisals.

Helen - not her real name - said: "I even went down the path and told [the men] 'Look! They are children. You are not having them!' 

"One of the girls said to me: 'Don't let me go!'  They said: 'The longer you f*****g well delay this the more we'll take it out on her.'"

Video: Rotherham: Hundreds Of New Cases

Over almost 17 years the former employee worked in most of the local authority children's homes in Rotherham and says she submitted several written reports warning managers that underage girls were being drugged and raped. 

She claims her warnings were ignored and that she was treated as "a thorn in the authority's side".

"It was like letting them out to be raped ... When I rang up a senior officer who was on call, when I needed advice about these Asian men coming to the units taking the children, she just said: 'Open the door and let them go.'

"Because I told the truth and I stuck up for the children and I was a proper child protection worker I was too much of a problem for them. They were hiding everything," she said.

Helen's life took a complicated turn after the warnings. 

Video: Rotherham Abuse Victim Speaks Out

She was sacked by Rotherham Council after she reported to the police that she had found "paedophile images" on her former partner's computer. 

She was dismissed after it was discovered she had stored wholly innocent photographs of some of the girls from a children's home on the same device.

The authority says an "appropriate" process was followed in relation to Helen's dismissal and that "a great deal of hard work is now taking place to address weaknesses in children's services."

But the former care worker says that several years later she still suffers from the "nightmare" of her treatment.

In tears, she told Sky News she had been driven close to suicide.

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1. Gallery: Who's Who in The Rotherham Abuse Scandal

   A look at some of the senior people who had official public roles at the time of the abuse. Roger Stone - Leader of Rotherham Borough Council from 2003 to 2014. Resigned when the report was published in August last year.

Shaun Wright - Former Police & Crime Commissioner and Cabinet Member for Children's Services until 2010. Resigned following intense pressure, three weeks after the report was published.

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Police Will Consider Bradford City Fire Claims

By Paul Kelso, Sports Correspondent

West Yorkshire Police says it will consider any new evidence relating to the deaths of 56 people in the 1985 Bradford City fire, following the publication of new allegations about the tragedy.

A new book alleges the Valley Parade disaster was one of nine major fires at companies or premises linked to the club's then chairman, Stafford Heginbotham.

It also claims the chairman, who died in 1995, was in deep financial difficulties prior to the fire and received total insurance payouts from the nine fires equivalent to £27m.

Author Martin Fletcher, who lost five members of his family in the fire, does not make any direct allegation about Mr Heginbotham's history of fires, but questions why they were not examined at the time.

The jury at the inquest in 1985 delivered a verdict of misadventure

"Could any man really be as unlucky as Heginbotham had been?" he asks.

In a statement West Yorkshire Police said: "Should any evidence come to light which was not available to Her Majesty's Coroner at the original inquest, then we will consider it and take appropriate action."

Sir Oliver Popplewell conducted a public inquiry into the fire and found it was caused by a dropped cigarette which ignited rubbish that had been allowed to accumulate, despite several warnings, beneath a wooden stand.

Sir Oliver, who was not made aware of Mr Heginbotham's link to previous fires in 1985, told Sky News that while they were "a remarkable coincidence" it did not change his original judgement that it was an "accident exacerbated by negligence".

"If we had been aware of these fires at the time of course they would have demanded further investigation, but I am not sure what they would have revealed," Sir Oliver said.

The fire claimed 56 lives

"In terms of the facts it was one of the more straightforward inquiries.

"The police compiled witness statements and there was no evidence of anything untoward. There was no suggestion or evidence of arson at my inquiry or subsequent civil prosecutions."

Former sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe, deputy leader of Bradford City council at the time of the tragedy, says he knew Mr Heginbotham "flew by the seat of his pants" in terms of the club's finances, but remains convinced by Popplewell's conclusion

"Stafford Heginbotham was one of those football club chairmen of which there were many at the time who flew by the seat of his pants," he said.

"I was deputy leader of the city council at the time and he did fly by the seat of his pants when it came to paying the bill for the police and so on.

"But I think the inquiry was very thorough at the time and I don't think there needs to be another because of this.

"I do not believe there was any sort of cover-up and in fact the inquiry led to a lot of recommendations on stadiums that together with the Taylor Report came up with the right answers for football."

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Missing Student 'Left Man's Home In Early Hours'

A man has told police a missing Glasgow student left his home in the early hours of Sunday.

Karen Buckley, 24, was seen on CCTV leaving the Sanctuary nightclub at around 1am in the city's West End with the man.

Officers tracked down the man, who told them Ms Buckley left his home in Dorchester Avenue at around 4am.

She has not been heard from since.

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr told a news conference the man has given a full account of what happened and was not currently being regarded as a suspect but is "helping" with enquiries.

Ms Buckley pictured hours before she went missing. Pic: Facebook

The detective said a handbag believed to be Ms Buckley's had been found in nearby Dawsholm Park shortly before he spoke to reporters.

Det Supt Kerr said her parents had told police it was typical for her not to use taxis and, as a result, it was possible she may have tried to walk home.

Video: Missing Student: Handbag 'Found'

He appealed for anyone who had seen Ms Buckley - a Glasgow Caledonian University student from Cork in Ireland - to get in touch.

Her family have flown to Scotland from Ireland to help with the search.

Her mother, Marian, told the news conference: "We just want Karen home safely, we are desperate. She is our only daughter, we love her dearly.

"If anybody has any information please come forward, we would dearly appreciate it."

Ms Buckley's father, John, said: "If anybody is holding Karen, if anybody knows anything of her, please return her. Please let's have her back. We love her to bits."

Ms Buckley arrived at the club with friends at around 11.45pm on Saturday and at around 1am she told them she was going to the toilet.

But she failed to return and left her jacket at the club.

Det Supt Kerr emphasised that Ms Buckley was widely travelled and was "aware of how to take care of herself".

But he said it was "very out of character" for her not to return home.

Police also want to find out more about a grey car seen on the roads between Milngavie and Drymen, north of Glasgow, between 11am and 3pm on Monday.

A major search is under way in Glasgow, with police carrying out door-to-door inquiries and examining CCTV.

Ms Buckley is between 5ft and 5ft 2in with brown eyes and dark hair which had long black curly extensions in it.

She was last seen wearing a black jumpsuit, red high-heeled shoes and carrying a black handbag.

She speaks with an Irish accent.

Ms Buckley lives with three other students in a flat in Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow.

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Second Arrest Over Syrian Preacher's Murder

A second man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Syrian-born preacher Abdul Hadi Arwani, who was shot dead in northwest London.

Police say the 61-year-old man is being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Mr Arwani - a critic of the Bashar al Assad regime -  was found shot dead in his Volkswagen Passat in Wembley on 7 April.

News of the second arrest came after Leslie Cooper, 36, appeared before Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court charged with Mr Arwani's murder

Police also said officers had been carrying out a number of searches in London, including areas within the An Noor Cultural and Community Centre in the west of the city.

Rob Davis, from the CPS London Homicide Unit, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Leslie Cooper, 36, with the murder of Abdul Hadi Arwani.

Mr Arwani was found shot dead in his car

"Mr Arwani was shot dead in the Greenhill area of London on 7 April 2015.

"This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Mr Cooper will appear before Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on 14 April 2015.

"Mr Cooper now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Mr Arwani, a father of six, was an imam at the An Noor mosque in Acton, west London, between 2005 and 2011.

He is thought to have fled Syria as a teenager in 1982 after surviving the Hama massacre.

Mr Arwani is believed to have attended protests against Assad outside the Syrian embassy in 2012.

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Bus Stop Rapist Stalked Three Other Women

Video: Bus Stop Rapist Caught On CCTV

A man who left an 18-year-old woman for dead after a brutal sex attack at a bus stop had already stalked three women that night before choosing his victim.

Detectives hunting the rapist have found CCTV film of him following the three potential victims in Beeston, Leeds.

One terrified woman turned around to find herself only inches from the attacker.

Another had a near escape by fleeing on a bus, and the third remains unaware of how close she was to danger.

He spotted his fourth target - a petite teenager - waiting at a bus stop in Beeston Road.

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1. Gallery: Police Hunt Bus Stop Rapist

   An e-fit of the suspect. Pics: West Yorkshire Police

The rock used in the attack

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The man, thought to be in his early 20s, dragged her into a garden and battered her 20 times with a rock, fracturing her skull.

The 10-minute attack was caught on CCTV at 10.45pm on 6 March.

After his image was released, two women contacted West Yorkshire Police saying they believe he had followed them too.

Officers then found footage of him stalking three potential targets in the city from 9pm.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, leading the hunt, said: "He had been in Leeds city centre looking for victims - but didn't get what he wanted and moved on.

"His first target was a woman in her 20s who had parked her car. He is seen walking behind her, six inches from her back pocket.

"She was so concerned she got on a bus that took her miles from where she was going."

The man, wearing a zip-up bomber jacket over a green Puma hoodie, was then filmed stalking an unidentified woman before going out of sight of CCTV cameras.

His third target, who is in her 40s, told police the stalker had followed her for some distance out of the city centre.

"She was so concerned she headed for a shop. On reaching it she is seen on film stopping and turning to see where he is," Det Supt Wallen said.

"As she does, she is face-to-face with him. He is only about an inch away."

Video: Leeds Bus Stop Attack Footage

The terrified woman ran into the store and eventually left when she thought he had gone.

But CCTV shows him skulking around the corner waiting for her to leave the shop.

Det Supt Wallen added: "She was terrified for her safety. She crossed the road, walked back towards Leeds and finally got a taxi home."

Both women said the man is about 5ft 9in tall and of Asian appearance.

Mr Wallen said the woman he left for dead is "traumatised" by her ordeal and scared to leave the house.

She escaped more serious injury because she wore a hijab and had her anorak hood up, giving some protection from the blows.

"The violence level was horrific," he said. "You can see him hitting her with a great deal of power.

"It leads you to think he has done this before. We also feel he has not been in Britain for long."

Police have the rapist's DNA but it does not match any found on the UK database.

They have issued an e-fit of the suspect and footage of him walking past a Tesco Express store in Burley Road, at the junction of Westfield Terrace, at about 9.45pm on the night of the attack.

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01924 334710, or via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Mugger Who Attacked 92-Year-Old For £5 Jailed

A robber who knocked over and injured a 92-year-old pensioner to steal £5 has been jailed for 30 months.

Solomon Bygraves, 29, told Stanley Evans he was going to help him with his wheelie bag as he returned from a shopping trip.

But as soon as he was in the block of flats he lunged for the pensioner's wallet, knocking him to the ground.

CCTV footage played at London's Southwark Crown Court showed Bygraves running off as the pensioner falls to the floor.

Mr Evans remained lying in the entrance to the flats in Soho, central London, for 10 minutes after the attack on 31 January.

Bygraves has 21 convictions for 49 different offences including two for robbery.

Stanley Evans says his attacker should be punished

The judge, Recorder Andrew Mitchell QC, said the attack on Mr Evans, now 93, could have been fatal.

He said: "The victim in the case could easily have died, not through any other reason than just snatching something from him, and causing him therefore to fall down, and he could have just gone at that age."

"He was a very small, frail man and (Bygraves) must be more than 6ft."

The court heard Bygraves was out on bail for a domestic matter at the time of the attack.

He was coming down from Class A drugs when he spotted the "vulnerable old man" return home with his shopping.

Richard Sedgwick, prosecuting, said: "Mr Bygraves is an exceedingly large man.

"There appears to be some evidence of targeting - the age and the size difference point to that.

"Mr Evans presents as an easy victim."

Outlining the attack, he said: "Mr Evans is returning to his block of flats with his shopping. He is 92 years-old.

Solomon Bygraves, captured on CCTV during the attack

"The defendant follows him in behind him. There is a conversation. Mr Evans recalls it as being about visiting a friend inside the block of flats and helping him with his shopping.

"Mr Evans then waits for a lift. The defendant returns, accosts him, takes Mr Evans' wallet from him causing Mr Evans to fall to the floor where he is unable to rise from for some time."

The pensioner, a retired camera assistant who worked on films including the 1947 classic Brighton Rock, eventually managed to get to his feet and call 999.

The attack was branded as "totally unprovoked, callous and sickening" by police.

Mr Evans suffered a shoulder and arm injury in the incident.

Bygraves, who has bipolar disorder, initially denied the crime.

He said he went over to Mr Evans because he looked ill, the pensioner collapsed and he "panicked" and ran off.

But he later admitted it and has written a letter of "remorse" to the judge.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Evans said: "I believe that the man who robbed me should be punished for attacking a 93-year-old pensioner.

"He should not abuse his strength."

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Boy Who Died Skiing 'Was Daring Little Boy'

The family of a boy who died on a ski holiday in the Alps have described him as "daring outgoing determined little boy".

Carwyn Scott-Howell, from Wales, was also described as a "very competent skier and snowboarder".

The boy died when he fell around 160ft from a cliff edge after losing his way in the Alpine resort of Flaine on Friday.

In a statement released through the Foreign Office, his family said they were enjoying their last ski run together when Carwyn's sister "lost her ski on a jump and at this point Carwyn skied ahead".

The statement said: "Carwyn was an adorable caring person who gave so much love.

The ski resort of Flaine, in France. Pic: Dan Kamminga

"Very daring outgoing determined little boy who's handsome smile lit up any room and made life full of laughter with never a dull moment. Seven years is too short a time to be an angel in the sky.

"Carwyn was a very competent skier and snowboarder who had started skiing at the age of three and spent several weeks each year skiing. We had spent the most happy ski holiday together in the French ski resort of Flaine."

The statement went on to explain how the family became separated on their last run of the day on Friday afternoon.

"The family were all enjoying their last ski run over the small jumps and bumps at the side of the slope together, when Carwyn's sister lost her ski on a jump and at this point Carwyn skied ahead," it said.

The alpine resort of Flaine, in France

"The family cannot explain their feeling of utter devastation with a vast void in their hearts. The family would like to thank all their friends and family for their support at this time and the vast help from the British Consulate.

"The family now ask for time to grieve in private."

The family have a farm in the small village of Talybont-on-Usk in the Brecon Beacons, where Carwyn's parents Ceri and Rhys run an award-winning produce business and rent holiday cottages.

Liam Fitzpatrick, an independent county councillor for the village, said the community was "in absolute shock".

Carwyn had started skiing at the age of three. Pic: Facebook

"He was seven years old, it's horrendous. A tragic, tragic accident," he said.

"We just can't comprehend it.

"It's a small village and everyone knows each other, especially his parents who are well-known because of their business.

"There will be massive support here for them when they come back. The community will be ready to assist in any way it possible can.

"It's impossible to know what they are going through at the moment."

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Jail Threat As 'Revenge Porn' Law Comes In

Sharing sexually explicit images without consent carries a potential two-year jail sentence from today, as a new 'revenge porn' law comes into force.

The measure targets people who share images or video without permission and with the intention of causing distress.

They are often posted by an ex-partner and sometimes accompanied by personal details, such as a social media profile.

The new law includes uploading to the internet, sending by text, email or messaging platforms, as well as simply showing someone a physical or electronic image.

The Crown Prosecution Service says it "covers images that show the genitals but also anything that a reasonable person would consider to be sexual, so this could be a picture of someone who is engaged in sexual behaviour or posing in a sexually provocative way".

Campaigners hope it will dramatically reduce the number of cases of revenge porn and make it easier to get justice for victims.

Previously, a mix of existing laws, such as the Communications Act and the Protection from Harassment Act, were used to prosecute offenders.

Children as young as 11 have been victims, according to the police.

Calls for a bespoke law gathered momentum after recent high-profile leaks of intimate celebrity images featuring the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lawrence and Tulisa Contostavlos.

Campaigner Hannah Thompson, 22, called the changes a "huge step forward".

She said: "I was a victim of revenge porn, and I spent months agonising over it and believing that it was my fault.

"This new law, along with the advice helpline, empowers victims and clearly displays that they are not at fault."

There were 149 allegations of revenge porn in the two and a half years to September 2014, according to eight police forces in England and Wales with data on it.

The vast majority were women but only six incidents ended with any kind of police caution or charge.

Other laws coming in under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act include increasing the maximum jail term for online trolls to two years, and making it illegal to possess extreme pornography that depicts rape.

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British Boy Killed In Alps Ski Fall 'Was Lost'

A British boy who died in a skiing accident while on a family holiday in the French Alps was skiing alone at his own request, according to reports.

The seven-year-old fell around 160ft from a cliff to his death in the alpine resort of Flaine on Friday.

He had been skiing with his mother, brother and sister but is understood to have asked to ski the day's final descent on his own.

His family became worried after he failed to reach the bottom of the slopes, prompting a search which ended when his body was discovered around three-and-a-half hours later.

The alpine resort of Flaine, in France

Michel Ollagnon, an officer with the Bonneville mountain rescue service, said the boy's body was spotted off his expected course by rescuers in a helicopter on Friday evening.

Police chief Patrick Poirot, the head of the mountain rescue division in the nearby town of Annecy, was quoted in the Daily Mirror saying: "Specialists are at the scene to try and determine exactly what happened and understand every element that led to this tragedy.

"Hypothetically we think that, after losing his parents, the little boy didn't know where to go and skied in the wrong direction.

"He's just seven-years-old. He left the marked ski slope and probably skied to the top of a cliff.

"He then stopped, removed his skis, walked a little way and then fell.

"He fell 50 metres."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said they were aware of the death and are providing consular assistance.

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Aintree Racegoer 'Knocked OAP To The Ground'

Police are investigating after a video emerged appearing to show a Grand National racegoer deliberately knocking over an elderly man.

The video is believed to have been made outside the racecourse in Aintree where around 150,000 people attended the event.

In the footage, a racegoer walks along the pavement before knocking into the victim, who then falls to the ground.

Onlookers are heard gasping and seen rushing to the pensioner's aid before an ambulance is called.

The video appears to have been made by a friend of the racegoer and he shouts "text bomb" and "is there any need?" just moments before the incident, as he sniggers from behind his phone.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said officers are treating the incident as an assault and appealed for help in finding the victim.

"Merseyside Police has been made aware of a video showing a man shoulder-barging another, older man, over in a road near to the Aintree racecourse," he said.

"The incident is being treated as assault and officers are speaking to several people believed to have further information that could help the investigation.

"Inquiries are also being carried out to establish exactly when and where the incident occurred and checks are being made with local hospitals to see if further information can be found out about the victim and what his condition is now.

"We are grateful to the people who reported this video to us and we will endeavour to update them once further enquiries by officers have been made. "We would continue to welcome any information from anyone who witnessed the incident itself on 101. "

Earlier, police said the annual race had seen no arrests over its three-day course, thanking the public for making the event such a "safe and enjoyable occasion".

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