Student jailed for conspiracy to assault

6-18-2009 Ireland:

Victim stabbed to death after being set up for a beating

A STUDENT has been jailed for three years for conspiring to harm a teenager, who was later stabbed to death by another teenager, in June 2009, in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Martin Ollo (19), who is originally from Estonia but who has been living in Killarney for 10 years, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring with Shane Regan, Dromkerry, Fossa, Killarney, to assault Stephen Lyne causing him harm in June 2009.

Mr Lyne’s body was found on a grass margin yards from his home at Ross Road at about 1.30am on June 18th, 2009, by teenagers in a car on their way to Ross Castle.

Mr Lyne’s father Denis also came upon the scene of his son lying dead and ambulance lights flashing. He had been stabbed in the back.

From the outset the trial was told that it was Regan (then 17), who had stabbed Mr Lyne in the belief he had raped girls, including his girlfriend at the time, Jessica Klok, the previous bank holiday weekend in the Demesne.

That false rape allegation was only recanted by Ms Klok during the course of the trial.

Regan, a distant cousin of Mr Lyne, died himself in August 2010 in a fall down a set of stairs in Tralee.

He had never been charged in connection with the killing.

Ollo never knew Regan had a knife, the prosecution accepted, and his role was “to lure” Lyne to be beaten, in revenge for the false rumour, the trial was told.

Three weeks ago, after a trial which lasted two weeks and heard from 66 witnesses, a jury of six men and six women found Ollo guilty of the first conspiracy count but not guilty of the second.

Ollo had no previous convictions. He had left school before completing his Junior Cert but had returned to education. He had managed to gain entry to a third-level course and was studying for a degree in computer science, the court was told.

Ollo, Mr Lyne, Regan and others were part of a large group of teenagers of the same age hanging around together, socialising a lot, smoking cannabis and drinking while under age during the early summer of 2009, the trial was told. In some cases “trading” cannabis was involved, said John O’Sullivan, defending.

There had been disputes and threats and rumours over money owed for drugs among the teenagers, of underage drinking, cannabis being smoked and rumours circulating about alleged rapes, particularly since the previous fine bank holiday weekend in the Demesne area of Killarney.

Judge Carroll Moran had deferred sentencing overnight after an appeal by Mr O’Sullivan.

Handing down sentence yesterday, Judge Moran said: “Legitimately the point is made, the accused is the only person left to face the music in this awful experience in that the killer, Shane Regan, died in 2010.

“He had been willing to testify against Shane Regan had the latter not died and had he been prosecuted for a crime of homicide.”

The judge also noted how Ollo had been subjected to physical attacks by others “as a result of this tragic incident”.

However, he said the gravity of the offence could not be underestimated and dictated a prison sentence, even though he was not responsible directly for Mr Lyne’s death .

“Independent of the level of culpability of the accused,” the judge said it was only right he offered condolences to the Lyne family. “Stephen has lost his life in a needless attack consequent to an allegation of which he was completely innocent – insofar as that was an excuse for what happened.”

At a press conference on the steps of the courthouse yesterday, Lotte Lyne said her son’s name had been vindicated and “to a certain extent”, justice had been done.

“He was a loyal and trusting son, who never believed evil of anyone and the family were setting up a foundation in his memory.

“He was an honest and loyal young man in the prime of his life who saw no evil in anyone and trusted people without judgment.”

Ms Lyne said she had no ill-feeling towards Ollo, who had expressed remorse during the trial although not directly to the family. ..Source.. by ANNE LUCEY in Tralee

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Teen girl: 'I lied that Stephen Lyne raped me'

2-29-2012 Ireland:

KILLARNEY teen Stephen Lyne was stabbed and killed because of a false claim of rape that had been levelled against him by a teenage girl, Tralee Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

On Tuesday the trial of Estonian national Martin Ollo, who is facing charges linked to the death of Mr Lyne in June 2009, heard from witness Jessica Klok who admitted lying about being raped by Stephen Lyne.

The trial has heard that Shane Regan, who has since died, had stabbed and killed Stephen Lyne in retaliation over the rape allegation made by Jessica Klok.

Miss Klok (18) admitted in court that she had made up the rape allegation against Stephen Lyne and that she had "communicated" that lie to Shane Regan.

"I lied that Stephen Lyne had raped me," Jessica Klok told the court. "It was just a blatant, disgusting lie."

Stephen Lyne's sister Sophia Lyne gave evidence that in the days leading up to the killing Shane Regan had told her about allegations that Stephen Lyne had "dragged a girl into a forest, held a knife to her throat and raped her."

Martin Ollo, of 47 Doirin Alainn, Ballydribeen, Killarney, is being tried at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court on two counts of conspiring with Shane Regan to assault Stephen Lyne causing him harm on dates between June 15 and 18, 2009. Mr Ollo pleaded not guilty to both charges. KILLARNEY teenager Stephen Lyne was killed because of a false claim of rape that had been made against him Tralee Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Witness Jessica Klok admitted lying about being raped by Stephen Lyne at the trial of Estonian national Martin Ollo, who is facing charges linked to the death of Mr Lyne in June 2009. Mr Ollo, a computing student at IT Tralee, with an address at 47 Doirin Alainn, Ballydribeen, Killarney, is being tried at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court on two counts of conspiring with Shane Regan to assault Stephen Lyne causing him harm on dates between June 15 and 18, 2009. Mr Ollo has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

On Tuesday the trial heard that Shane Regan, who has since died, had stabbed and killed Stephen Lyne in retaliation over a rape allegation that Jessica Klok had levelled against Mr Lyne.

Stephen Lyne's sister Sophia Lyne gave evidence that in the days leading up to the Killing Shane Regan had told her about allegations that Stephen Lyne had "dragged a girl into a forest, held a knife to her throat and raped her".

Sophia Lyne said that when he made the allegations against her brother Shane Regan was "really mad and angry."

Miss Lyne said Shane Regan had told her that he was "going to get Stephen himself for this" and that he was going to stab him.

Witness Jessica Klok (aged 18) admitted in court that she had made up a rape allegation against Stephen Lyne and that she had "communicated" that lie to Shane Regan.

"I lied that Stephen Lyne had raped me," she told the court. "It was just a blatant disgusting lie," Jessica Klok said.

Jessica Klok also told the court that Shane Regan had told her he would not get caught for the killing of Stephen Lyne as he had burned his clothes and had set someone else up to get caught for the crime.

She also said she had the impression that Martin Ollo "did nothing" to Stephen Lyne.

Another witness Matt Griffin, an acquaintance of Martin Ollo, told the trial that in the days after Mr Lyne's death Mr Ollo had told him the killing was directly linked to the rape allegation.

Matt Griffin said that he had discussed Stephen Lyne's death with Martin Ollo a few days after the killing. "Later on when he was all flustered and panicked he said it had something to do with Jessica Klok claiming a rape or something like that," he said.

Under cross-examination from defence barrister John O'sullivan, Matt Griffin told the court that Martin Ollo told him that Shane Regan had said that the allegation made by Jessica Klok was the motive behind the fatal attack. ..Source.. by SIMON BROUDER

Four quizzed after Netherton man is stabbed

UPDATE: Murderers caught and prosecuted!

11-17-2009 United Kingdom:

POLICE have named a man found murdered in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Graham Wootton, 31, from Haydock, died from a single stab wound at a house on St Augustine Way, Netherton.

Four people, including a woman aged 22, from Netherton, another woman, 38, from Bootle, and two men, aged 34 and 48, from Litherland and Crosby, remain in custody after being arrested in connection with the murder.

Neighbours heard arguing on the street hours before the death. ..Source.. by Liverpool Daily Post

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Four released on bail after stab horror murder in Netherton

11-19-2009 United Kingdom:

FOUR people arrested and quizzed at the weekend on suspicion of murder have been released on police bail.

They were arrested in connection with the death of Graham Wootton, 31.

He died from single stab wound at a house in St Augustine Way, Netherton, in the early hours of Saturday.

The four questioned by police included two women – a 22-year-old from Netherton and a 38-year-old from Bootle and two men, aged 34 and 48, from the Litherland and Crosby areas.

At 6.30pm on Sunday, police cordons on the quiet road and on a walkway next to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal were lifted.

A forensics team left the scene at 6.50pm and a single police officer was left guarding the front of the house. The victim is from Haydock.

Neighbours told the Bootle Times of their horror.

One said: “It’s a shock because this is normally a quiet street. There is never any trouble. I can’t believe this has happened.”

Another neighbour said: “I’m really surprised this has happened at that house because it’s so out of character for the people that live there. They keep themselves to themselves.”

Another woman said: “It was about 1am when I heard shouting and squabbling on the street.

“It was as if people had come back from the pub. It stopped suddenly and I thought they had gone home.

“I went back to sleep. Then I woke up because I could hear a woman screaming and I could see blue flashing lights. That was just after 2am.

“The woman was screaming frantically. I could hear other voices – but it was mainly the woman shouting.

“She was shouting again and again. She was put into the ambulance. Another woman was taken into a police van. But she was not handcuffed.”

She added: “I’ve lived on the street for 40 years and there has never been anything like this.

“It’s something that you normally hear about on the TV and not on your own doorstep.”

Carol Cooney, manageress of the nearby Netherton and Sefton British Legion, said: “I can’t believe what’s happened. You never hear anything like that happening around here. It’s come out of the blue.” ..Source.. by Mark Johnson, Bootle Times

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Stabbing victim’s brother tells of hell for family

8-5-2010 United Kingdom:

THE anguished brother of a stabbing victim this week described the months of hell his family has gone through.

Father-of-two Graham Wootton, of Penny Lane in Haydock, died from a single stab wound at a house in Netherton, Liverpool last November.

He left two daughters, aged seven and nine, four siblings, and his parents Barry and Esther, who live in Prescot.

Thirty-one-year-old Graham had finished a catering course at St Helens College shortly before his death and had ambitions of becoming a chef.

This week younger brother David Wootton, 28, spoke of the pain relatives have endured.

The security guard told the Star: “It has been horrific. It is still so hard to face and even now with the case going to court it is hitting us.

“Graham was a quiet lad, quite shy really and we enjoyed having a few drinks together, watching the football and rugby. We were very close. He had two daughters and was a great father. He had plenty of friends at the college and had hopes of becoming a chef.

“We don’t really know much about how he died – the police can’t tell us – and now it is going through the courts.”

David has received invaluable support from the organisation Supporter after Murder and Manslaughter Merseyside.

He has revealed plans to host a major charity event in aid of the organisation at the Thistle Hotel in Haydock on Friday, November 19.

David added: “They have given me so much support, I’ve been attending regular meetings in Liverpool and there has always been someone on the other end of the phone when I’ve needed to talk.

“I don’t want to just get families of victims involved – I want people from police, probation service and the CPS too.”

The night will involve a three-course meal, entertainment, raffles and auctions. All proceeds will go to SAMM Merseyside.

Anyone wishing to support the event or are interested is asked to email SAMMfundraiser@hotmail.co.uk

FOUR people charged in connection with Graham Wootton’s death will next face court again in November.

Samuel Dunne, 48, of Church Road, Seaforth and Susan Joanne Lynch, 38, of St Augustines Way, Netherton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, via video link equipment, earlier this month.

They are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

David Bennett, 35, of Condron Road, Litherland, and Lindsey Hutchins, 23, of Muttocks Rake, Seaforth, are accused of conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

Dunne and Lynch have been remanded in custody by the Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe, QC, and he remanded Bennett and Hutchins on bail. They are next to appear in court on Oct 5 to enter their pleas. A trial date has been fixed for January next year. ..Source.. by Andrew Kilmurray

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Convicted sex offender stabbed to death during confrontation about his sordid past

1-13-2011 United Kingdom:

A CONVICTED sex offender was stabbed to death after being confronted about his sordid past by his drunken new girlfriend and her pals, a court heard.

Graham Wootton, 31, probably died within 10 minutes of being stabbed in the left thigh. But it is claimed he was left lying in a pool of his own blood for about two hours while his alleged attackers, who had challenged him for being a “paedo”, attempted to cover up his murder.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Wootton’s new girlfriend Lindsay Hutchins, 23, had become aware of his criminal background after being secretly tipped off by his jealous brother Barry Wootton.

On the night of November 13, 2009, the young mum invited him around to her friend Susan Lynch’s Netherton home, where they were drinking with their co-accused Samuel Dunne, 49, and his nephew David Bennett, 36, of Condron Road North, Litherland.

Prosecutors allege the group plotted to confront and assault Wootton, who had learning difficulties. They claim that Dunne and Lynch then carried out a joint attack on Mr Wootton – punching, kicking and fatally stabbing him in her pantry.

Dunne, of Bedford Road, Bootle, and Lynch, of St Augustine’s Way, Netherton, both deny murder.

All four defendants also deny conspiring to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm and plotting to pervert the court of justice.

Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, told the jury that all four had now given conflicting accounts blaming each other. He said: “It is, however, the prosecution case that at some time before Graham Wootton arrived at St Augustine’s Way, the four defendants agreed to confront and assault him in consequence of the suggestion that he had, in the past, been convicted of sexual offences.

“Also that in the pantry, off the kitchen, Samuel Dunne and Susan Lynch carried out a joint attack on Graham Wootton during the course of which he was punched, kicked and fatally stabbed.”

Mr Wootton, of Haydock, was convicted of offences of sexual assault in 1996 and made the subject of a hospital order.

Mr Flewitt told jurors the background to the attack was that Mr Wootton’s brother Barry had met Hutchins, of Muttocks Rake, Seaforth, on a night out. But after he introduced her to Graham it was clear they were attracted to each other. Barry was so upset he set up a new email address using a fake name, John Kelly, to email Hutchins.

In a series of emails he masqueraded as the brother of a 14-year-old girl abused by Mr Wootton. He told Hutchins: “He’s an evil t***. Do you want to be known as the friend of a sex beast. The evil t*** ruined my sister’s life.”

He then added: “He attacked my sister when she was 14. He was charged with eight other attacks. Your life will never be the same again if you have contact with him.”

Mr Flewitt said Hutchins quickly worked out it was Barry sending the messages. But she maintained contact with both men and on the night of November 13, she spoke to Mr Wootton for one hour and 16 minutes. Shortly after, at about 11.10pm, Mr Wootton arrived at Lynch’s home with alcohol.

Mr Flewitt said: “It is the prosecution case that by 00.39, Samuel Dunne had left the premises and was driving his van away from St Augustine’s Way where, by that time, Graham Wootton was already dead.”

He added that it was not “easy to piece together exactly what had happened” in the house. But that police were not called until 2.24am and by that stage it was too late to revive Mr Wootton. He had died from a 12.5cm wound which cut an artery in his leg. He also had a “slash” wound across his face.

In the wake of his death, Lynch admitted to police: “No-one likes a kiddie fiddler”, but she insisted it was Dunne who was fighting with Wootton. While Dunne, who fled the scene and hid his clothing, admitted punching Wootton, but insisted it must have been Lynch who stabbed him. ..Source.. by Chloe Griffiths

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Trial begins into alleged murder of convicted sex offender Graham Wootton in Netherton house

1-21-2011 United Kingdom:

A CONVICTED sex attacker died of stab wounds in a Netherton house after being confronted about his criminal past by his drunken new girlfriend and her pals.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Graham Wootton’s girlfriend Lindsay Hutchins, 23, had become aware of his background after being tipped off by his brother, Barry. On November 13, 2009, the young mum invited him around to her friend Susan Lynch’s Netherton home, where they were drinking with their co-accused Samuel Dunne, 49, and his nephew David Bennett, 36, of Condron Road North, Litherland.

Prosecution solicitor Neil Flewitt said: “It is the prosecution case that at some time before Graham Wootton arrived at St Augustine’s Way, the four defendants agreed to confront and assault him in consequence of the suggestion that he had, in the past, been convicted of sexual offences. Also that in the pantry, off the kitchen, Samuel Dunne and Susan Lynch carried out a joint attack on Graham Wootton during the course of which he was punched, kicked and fatally stabbed.”

Mr Wootton, of Haydock, was convicted of offences of sexual assault in 1996 and made the subject of a hospital order.

Mr Flewitt told jurors Mr Wootton’s brother Barry had met Hutchins, of Muttocks Rake, Netherton, on a night out. But after he introduced her to Graham it was clear they were attracted to each other. Barry was so upset he set up a new email address using a fake name, John Kelly, to email Hutchins. In a series of emails he masqueraded as the brother of a 14-year-old girl abused by Mr Wootton. He told Hutchins: “He’s an evil t***. Do you want to be known as the friend of a sex beast. The evil t*** ruined my sister’s life.”

Mr Flewitt said: “It is the prosecution case that by 00.39, Samuel Dunne had left the premises. By that time, Graham Wootton was already dead.”

He added that it was not “easy to piece together exactly what had happened”, but police were not called until 2.24am.

By that stage it was too late to revive Mr Wootton. He had died from a 12.5cm wound which cut an artery in his leg.

Barry Wootton, who gave evidence from behind a screen, admitted making up details of his brother’s crimes, but said he did it to help him. He flatly denied being jealous despite being asked several times.

He said: “I started getting suspicious of Lindsay. She thought men were only there to give her money.” Mr Steer said: “So this was to scare her away for Graham’s benefit?” Mr Wootton agreed, saying: “For Graham’s benefit”. David Steer QC, representing murder accused Susan Lynch, scorned the idea that Barry Wootton was not jealous: “You were very fond of her. Graham was irritating you and you fought.”

Susan Lynch, 39, of St Augustine’s Way, Netherton, where the murder is alleged to have taken place and Samuel ‘Budgie’ Dunne, 49, of Bedford Road, Bootle, deny murdering Mr Wootton. They, along with Lindsay Hutchins, 23, and David Bennett, 36, of Condron Road North, Litherland, also deny conspiring to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm and plotting to pervert the course of justice. ..Source.. by Michael Byrne, Crosby Herald

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Jail for killers of sex offender Graham Wootton

2-25-2011 United Kingdom:

FOUR people have been jailed for a combined total of 37 years following the brutal killing of a convicted sex offender.

Susan Lynch was handed a life sentence for murder of Haydock man Graham Wootton to death in Netherton, Liverpool in 2009. She will serve 18 years.

Co-accused Samuel Dunne was cleared of murder but convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and was given nine years.

Their co-accused Lindsey Hutchins and David Bennett were each given five years for conspiracy to assault.

Graham Wootton, 31, died from a stab wound to the top of his leg.

A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that at the time of his death, he had been in a relationship with Hutchins, who had previously dated his brother Barry.

The court was told she was informed of Graham’s historic conviction - for committing a sex assault when he was a teenager - in an email sent by Barry from a fake address.

Graham had been invited to the house in Liverpool late on Friday, November 13.

It is believed that the four offenders, who had been drinking, had discussed his background.

Although it remains unclear as to what exactly happened, Graham had been dead for a number of hours before an ambulance was called.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Williams said: “Susan Lynch has been found guilty of the murder of Graham Wootton. Samuel Dunne has been found guilty of manslaughter.

“All parties including David Bennett and Lindsey Hutchins have also been found guilty of conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

“While today's verdict cannot bring Graham back, we hope that it will bring some comfort to his family.

“We also hope that the verdict today will bring home to these offenders, the enormity of what they have done and the pain and heartache they have caused.

“The court has heard that Graham thought he was going to have a few drinks with friends the night he was killed. He went out that night to enjoy himself he did not deserve to die in this way.

“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the officers involved in this complex investigation. I would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and the Prosecution Team for all their support throughout this investigation.

“Ultimately nothing can bring Graham back and his family and friends have been devastated by what happened.

"I hope that today’s result at court will bring them some comfort in the knowledge that justice has been done.” ..Source.. by St HelenStar

N.B. teen says she killed senior because of abuse

1-16-2010 Canada:

SAINT JOHN - Four women will testify that they were assaulted sexually by Frank Tonge when they were little girls, defence lawyer David Lutz told a jury in his opening statement of a murder trial yesterday.

"One occasion involved a broomstick. On another occasion, an animal," Lutz said in court.

"Frank Tonge is dead because on the day he died, he attempted to rape his last little girl."

Lutz represents a 16-year-old girl who is on trial for first-degree murder in the death of 78-year-old Tonge, who died in his Saint John home last June.

The girl can't be identified because of age provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The Crown closed its case yesterday -- the third day of the Court of Queen's Bench trial.

Prosecutors had earlier played a videotaped questioning of the accused by police, during which she said she stabbed Tonge in the neck and ran because she was scared and "fed up" with being fondled.

Lutz maintains the accused, who was 15 at the time, was defending herself.

"Frank Tonge was pulling this 15-year-old, to whom he had given drugs and alcohol for some time, into his bedroom."

Lutz said if the jurors believe what the accused told police, they would know she was addicted to drugs and kept going to Tonge's home because he gave them to her and, in exchange, fondled her.

Lutz said the teenage girl had done crack, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and Dilaudid, and had taken drugs intravenously.

"Who helped her down that drug path?" Lutz said to the court. "Frank Tonge."

Lutz said two of Tonge's alleged victims, who will testify, had previously complained to the RCMP that Tonge had sexually assaulted them. He said two other witnesses called him after reading about Tonge's death in the newspaper.

The jury heard testimony yesterday from a 14-year-old friend of the accused, who said the accused talked about killing the elderly man.

She said she went to the accused girl's home and they packed two bags, one with a knife they got from a block in the kitchen, gloves and a belt. She said they walked to Tonge's home and she waited in the bushes while the accused went inside.

Under cross-examination by Lutz, the 14-year-old witness said she knew Tonge was a "bad man" when she went to his home that day. The girl testified that she knew Tonge supplied drugs to her friend and kissed and touched her inappropriately. ..Source.. by Times & Transcript

Birmingham sex offender 'killed after attack by vigilantes'

8-9-2009 United Kingdom:

Man died after being kicked and punched in his home

A SEX offender who died after being beaten at his home may have been the target of vigilantes who had learned of his previous convictions.

Dennis Golding, 49, who had a string of offences for indecent exposure, was found covered in blood at his Birmingham flat in January.

He had suffered serious injuries to his body and head, consistent with having been repeatedly kicked and punched in a prolonged attack which police believe may have lasted up to two hours.

Serial flasher Golding, from Small Heath, died three weeks later.

Now it has emerged that he may have been targeted by vigilantes after rumours circulated locally that he had been spotted in the sex offenders’ wing of a Midland prison.

Police sources said it was “no secret” Golding was well-known in the community as a convicted sex offender. It is believed there had been a number of earlier incidents when his property may have been damaged.

Golding, who was unemployed, had a total of nine sex offence-related convictions stretching back five years and was on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

His first conviction was in 2004, when he was sentenced to a 24-month rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to indecent exposure. He was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

In September 2005, Golding received a one-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting four new charges of flashing.

His name was also added to the register for a further seven years.

A month later he was convicted of a further four counts of indecent exposure and of breaching the terms of the register after failing to report a change of address to West Midlands Police. He received 12 weeks in prison.

In March 2006 Golding was sentenced to 18 months for an attempted robbery.

Then in July 2007 he was locked up for four months after again being convicted of breaching the register’s conditions by not telling police he had moved address.

Community sources revealed that middle-aged Golding was set upon in his flat in Mansel Road, Small Heath, on the evening of January 25 this year. He was found with serious head injuries and was bleeding profusely.

Golding was rushed to hospital at about 11.30pm but remained in a critical condition.

It is believed he never regained consciousness.

Two men, aged 22 and 29, and a 19-year-old woman have pleaded not guilty to murder and are due to stand trial in November.

There have been a succession of vigilante attacks against paedophiles in recent years.

William Malcolm, a child sex attacker, was shot in the head on his doorstep in north-east London in 2000. Others have been hounded from homes and hostels by groups of vigilantes.

Despite public campaigns that dangerous paedophiles must remain in prison, child sex offenders are released regularly and many reoffend.

Each attack reignites the debate over whether vigilantism could drive offenders into hiding, making police surveillance even more difficult and increasing the chances that they will strike again. ..Source.. by Jeanette Oldham, Sunday Mercury

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Three people beat Birmingham sex offender to death, jury told

11-19-2009 United Kingdom:

TWO men and a woman beat a Birmingham man to death after he was recognised as a sex offender, a court was told.

Victim Dennis Golding, aged 49, was targeted because someone at the Birmingham hostel where he was living had seen him on a sex offenders’ wing in prison, it heard.

Dominic Maynard-Francis, 23, Darren Stevens 30, and Rebecca Gordon 20, all deny murdering Mr Golding.

James Goss QC, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the victim suffered from Huntington’s disease, a hereditary illness affecting the central nervous system which impairs person’s ability to walk and talk, although it was only at its early stages.

He had moved in to the hostel for single homeless people in Mansel Road, Small Heath, in December last year and had been there for about six weeks before the attack.

He said another resident believed he had seen Mr Golding in prison and it was the case that he was on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Mr Goss said that on January 25 this year the three defendants had been drinking and had been told Mr Golding was a “nonce”, a slang word for someone who interfered with children.

As a result they went to his room on a number of times and repeatedly assaulted him. Another resident living opposite heard his screams and later saw the defendants laughing, said Mr Goss.He said the resident also saw Gordon hitting the victim with a chair.

Mr Golding was found lying unconscious with severe head injuries and eventually died three weeks later after also contracting pneumonia. ..Source.. by Birmingham Net.com

UK- British Child Molester Priest Stabbed 24 Times in a Tripoli Apartment

7-25-2009 United Kingdom:

The British Anglican priest John Mountford who was found dead in his apartment in ‎Tripoli, Libya on 18 July was stabbed 24 times by a 15-year old boy, sources told The ‎Tripoli Post on Thursday 23 July.‎

The British priest used to contact Libyan children by chatting with them on the internet ‎telling them he would teach them English, the sources added. He would also give them ‎his local phone number in order to set up appointments for meetings.‎

The child abuser was found lying dead, in the kitchen at his apartment at Zawit Al-‎Dahhmani area by his Libyan friend who went to check on him in his apartment when ‎Mountford did not answer the repeated phone calls.‎

This Libyan friend opened the door with a key previously given to him by the dead man, ‎he later informed the police of the incident.‎

Two kids, brothers, aged between 13 and 15 were arrested when the Libyan police found ‎their phone number in the British priest’s cell phone, the sources said. They later were ‎released.‎

A number of other Libyans have also been interviewed by the police and were released. ‎The investigation is still ongoing.‎

The two brothers knew Mountford before he left to England this summer. ‎

A relative of the two brothers told The Tripoli Post that Mountford tried to approach ‎them sexually after which they decided not to meet him anymore. ‎

However, their relative also said that after his return from Britain, Muntford had ‎contacted them again via the internet and got their phone number that he seemed to have ‎lost after he earlier lost his old CIM card.‎

According to The Times, Mountford’s employers reported him missing to the British ‎Embassy in Tripoli on Thursday 19 July soon after he returned from visiting relatives in ‎Britain. The British Foreign Office was informed on Saturday night 20 July that child-‎abuser’s had been found.‎

The former St Peter's College chaplain escaped justice in the courts in Australia in 2007 ‎after child-sex charges against him were dropped.‎ ..Source.. by The Tripoli Post

Murdered man ‘vigilante victim’

7-18-2009 Australia:

An alleged paedophile murdered as he slept in his Mandurah home in January was the victim of a vigilante attack, friends said yesterday.

They said Robert George Dalliston, 69, who was to face 25 charges of indecent dealings and sexual penetration involving several girls aged under 13, was a gentle and kind man who was killed as retribution for the alleged sex abuse.

Police believe Mr Dalliston, a widowed pensioner who lived alone, was attacked on January 8 while he slept at his Ward Street home. His body was found seven days later by a friend who went to check on him.

The charges against him were formally dropped in the District Court on Thursday after the Director of Public Prosecutions presented a death certificate.

Raelene Phillips, who lived across the street from Mr Dalliston, said he used to visit several times a week to socialise with her and her husband Jeffrey.

She did not believe he was a paedophile but believed the allegations led to his murder.

“He was a lovely, funny man and when people around here started saying he was a paedophile I just thought, ‘What? Where has that come from’,” Mrs Phillips said.

“I never believed he was that type of person. I had my grandchildren around him many times and he was more interested in us than the kids. But I think that (the allegations) is why they murdered him. Somebody’s sneaked in there and killed him because of that. It is just so sad that he has been killed because of allegations that were never even proved.”

She feared the police investigation into his death could be hindered because of the abuse allegations.

“I just hope that anyone who knows what happened to him wouldn’t hold back from telling the police because they thought he was a paedophile,” Mrs Phillips said.

Another former neighbour, who did not want her name published, said Mr Dalliston had been a good friend who regularly helped her with handyman work.

She described his death as tragic and said she, too, believed the murder might have been prompted by the sexual abuse allegations.

“He was going to court the next day (on sex charges), so my first thought was that someone’s got to him before he could talk,” she said.

Mr Dalliston was last seen alive at 8.22am on January 8. He was filmed on a CCTV camera at the post office at Silver Sands shopping centre in Mandurah. Detectives believe he went to Perth that day to volunteer at a bike shop before going home.

A week after his body was found, police raided a home in Elizabeth Street, three streets from the murder scene, and questioned an acquaintance of Mr Dalliston in his 40s. Detectives said they took clothes for forensic tests from that and other houses. ..Source.. by RONAN O’CONNELL

Saudis Behead, Crucify Convicted Child Molester, Murderer

5-30-2009 Saudi Arabia:

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi authorities beheaded and crucified a man convicted of brutally slaying an 11-year-old boy and his father, the Interior Ministry announced.

According to the statement issued by the ministry Friday, shop owner Ahmed al-Anzi molested the boy and then strangled him with a length of rope. He then stabbed the boy's father to death when the man came looking for his son.

He hid both the bodies in his shop, the statement said, adding that al-Anzi threatened police with a knife when they came to arrest him.

Al-Anzi had previously been convicted of sodomy and owning pornographic films, a crime in conservative Saudi Arabia.

Crucifying the headless body in a public place is a way to set an example, according to the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islam. Normally those convicted of rape, murder and drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia are just beheaded.

London-based rights group Amnesty International criticized al-Anzi's execution and crucifixion.

"It is horrific that beheading and crucifixions still happen," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui of Amnesty International in a statement Friday.

"King Abdullah should show true leadership and commute all death sentences if Saudi Arabia is to have any role to play as a global leader or member of the G20," said Sahraoui.

According to an Associated Press count, Friday's execution brought the number to 35 beheading this year in the kingdom. In 2008, 102 people were beheaded. ..Source.. by AP

Murder accused 'told of stabbing'

It may be difficult to see why this case is included until you read the very end of the article (see highlights).

6-22-2009 United Kingdom:

A teenager accused of murdering a father-of-four told family members he had stabbed him, a court has heard.

Raymond Black, 48, was found lying in a pool of blood in his Carluke home in January, while his two-year-old daughter slept in another room.

At the High Court in Aberdeen the uncle of accused Peter Allen, 19, said he had told him he had cut Mr Black's throat.

Mr Allen pled not guilty to a charge of murder, defeating the ends of justice and destroying evidence.

Uncle's evidence

The court heard how the teenager had arrived at his uncle's house at Unitas Crescent in Carluke on 12 January, next door to Mr Black's house, with blood-soaked trainers on the night of the alleged attack.

Giving evidence against his nephew, Barry Allen said he had asked what had happened.

The uncle told the court: "He stared right through me, talking mumbo jumbo. He said he'd murdered Raymond Black.

"I was a wee bit frightened of him. He had a different expression on his face. The lights were on but he wasn't there.

"He did say he cut his throat and said 'he's a beast anyway or something like that'."

Asked why he or his partner did not contact the police, he answered: "He was that out of his face and I didn't want to believe it."

Defending, Donald Findlay QC questioned the relationship between Mr Black and the accused.

The court heard that Peter Allen would go round to Mr Black's house to drink alcohol and smoke cannabis.

Charges denied

Mr Findlay asked Barry Allen: "What is the attraction for a 48-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy to be friends? It isn't usual?

"The accused then said something along the lines of 'he was a beast anyway', what did you take from that?"

Barry Allen replied: "Interfering with children."

Mr Findlay added: "The name of a child molester?"

Mr Allen said: "Yes."

Peter Allen is alleged to have repeatedly punched and kicked Mr Black on the head and body before striking him with a knife or knives and a lamp standard.

He is also charged with trying to defeat the ends of justice by concealing a bloodstained jacket in a refuse bin and destroying evidence.

The trial continues. ..Source.. by BBC

China: Woman is hailed for killing her rapist

6-10-2009 China:

Deng Yujiao, a 21-year-old woman, has received heroine-like status after killing a Chinese official after rejecting his sexual advances. Murder charges have been dropped.

Deng Yujiao, a 21-year-old pedicurist from Badong (Hubei), killed a Deng Guida, a major town official in Badong county on 10 May, wounding another. The young woman said she was asked to perform special (sexual) favours and tried to defend herself against rape after she refused to comply. For many in China she has almost acquired heroine status, the symbol of a population that has grown tired of widespread corruption in government.

Deng Yujiao’s predicament began when she tried to defend herself against an official who wanted sexual favours and who pushed her onto a sofa when she refused. In fighting back she grabbed a fruit knife and fatally stabbed Deng Guida. Her arrest on murder charges sparked a public outcry because many saw her as acting in self-defence against officials who were abusing their privileges.

Last week police in fact dropped murder charges, saying she had acted in self-defence, albeit with “excessive force”. Now she is in a psychiatric hospital but those who have visited her say she is doing well.

A group of women human rights activists went to Badong to determine what happened, but they were followed by police throughout as if there was something sinister about their trip.

The case has generated a wave of sympathy across the country and the web has been swamped by messages of solidarity and sympathy for the “daughter of the people” who fought back against an important official.

Women’s groups, human rights organisations and lawyers have also come out in her favour.

Newspapers initially covered the incident but fell silent once the government decided otherwise out of embarrassment for another scandal involving public officials.

For years Chinese leaders have pledged zero tolerance against corruption. Arrests have been made and trials involving people in high places.

But for experts the war against corruption in China can only be won if citizens’ rights are protected against the frequent abuses by corrupt officials. ..Source.. by Asia News

Man denies Mountjoy Prison murder

4-28-2009 Ireland:

A 25-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of fellow prisoner Gary Douche in Mountjoy Prison.

Stephen Egan of Belcamp Crescent, Coolock, Dublin, denied the murder of Mr Douche in a holding cell on 1 August 2006.

The jury will have to decide whether he is guilty of murder, or guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Mr Egan told gardaí he attacked Mr Douche in a ten-minute frenzy.

He punched him three times in the jaw, kicked him three times in the head area and stamped on him.

Mr Douche and five other men were held overnight in the cell with Mr Egan.

The next morning, prison officers discovered Mr Douche's badly beaten body. His face had been smeared with excrement.

He was taken to the Mater Hospital but died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

At the Central Criminal Court today, Prosecution counsel Anthony Sammon told the jury that Mr Egan had a long history of psychiatric problems.

He said the jury would have little to decide in this case and their main focus would be the state of mind of the accused at the time of the attack.

Seven admissions were read to the court by defence counsel John Aylmar. In these, Mr Egan admitted the unlawful killing.

In statements to gardaí, the accused said he had 'heard things in his head' and attacked Gary Douche because in his mind he was a rapist and had done things to his mother and sister.

Defence counsel John Aylmar said the accused admitted that his claims that the deceased man was a sexual offender were illusionary and borne out of psychotic illness.

It is the State's case that Mr Egan was suffering from a mental disorder that diminished his responsibility for the attack on Mr Douche.

Evidence about his mental state will be given by a forensic psychiatrist tomorrow. ..News Source.. by RTE News

Alleged rapist dies after mob beating

4-28-2009 South Africa:

A man who lured an eight-year-old girl from a party and then raped her was beaten to death by an angry mob in Wyebank, near Kloof.

The man, whose identity is not known, had to be rescued from the mob who beat him to a pulp on Saturday evening.

He died soon after being taken to RK Khan Hospital.

It is believed the man, who is not from the area, isolated the victim from the crowd.

A suspicious witness, who had noticed the two slip away, allegedly caught the suspect raping the girl on a nearby sports field.

It is believed the man alerted residents, who then ganged up on and assaulted the suspect.

Pinetown police spokesperson Solomon Mbhele said police were made aware of the incident by an anonymous caller, who is suspected to have been with the mob.

"When we arrived at the scene, the suspect had been badly beaten by the residents and he was transported to hospital, where he died."

Mbhele said the dead man had not been identified and police were investigating the circumstances of his death.

"No arrests have been made at his point," Mbhele said.

Mbhele confirmed that the eight-year-old rape victim, who was from the area, was receiving medical support and ongoing psychological counselling.

Police are trying to trace the witness who spotted the two leaving the party and the caller who alerted the police.

Mbhele stressed that investigating a crime involving a mob was complex because people who were responsible for the murder first had to be identified.

"There has to be identification before any arrests can be made, which makes it very difficult because it hampers the investigations," he said.

After the mob attack, police issued a stern warning to communities who take the law into their own hands.

Provincial police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge said police would not tolerate acts of vigilantism which sometimes resulted in the death of the suspected criminal.

"Communities should understand the dynamics of what they engage in because you cannot resolve criminal issues by assaulting the suspect. In the eyes of the law, they too become criminally responsible," he stressed.

He also urged communities to let the law take its course and said he did not condone what happened to the suspect.

"This type of crime has to come to an end and communities should work hand in hand with the police. Apprehend the suspect and then alert the police," Mdunge said. ..News Source.. by Slindile Maluleke

UK- Vigilante neighbour jailed for 10 years for killing police officer who faced child porn charges

3-3-2009 United Kingdom:

A vigilante who stabbed to death a former policeman awaiting trial on child porn charges has been jailed for ten years.

Daniel Williams, 30, was found guilty of manslaughter for stabbing Geoffrey Harries 20 times in a late-night confrontation in June.

Williams admitted going clad in a black balaclava and dark military-style clothing to slash the tyres of 49-year-old Mr Harries's car on the night in question.

The defence team had argued that he stabbed the former Dyfed Powys policeman in self-defence when he was attacked by Mr Harries, having forgotten he was holding the 7in
blade combat knife.
The jury at Swansea Crown Court cleared Williams of murder on Friday.

The verdict of guilty of manslaughter came yesterday after a total of more than 25 hours of deliberation.

As it was read out, the victim's widow Elizabeth broke down in court and was comforted by relatives.

Jailing Williams today, High Court judge Justice Flaux told him: 'If you carry a knife on the streets you must expect severe punishment if that knife is used to cause the death of someone.'

Mr Harries had moved to the Dythel Park Estate in Trimsaran, West Wales, to live in the home of his elderly mother.

Residents on the estate were aware that he was awaiting trial accused of possessing more than 2,000 pornographic images of children on his computer.

A petition had been circulated by residents opposed to him living on the estate where Williams also lived, the trial heard.

Hours before the stabbing, a drunken Williams shouted insults at the police as he left a local pub to which they had been called on a separate matter.

The jury heard that he had referred to Mr Harries as a 'paedo' and warned one officer: 'He's one of your lot. If you are not going to do something about it, I will.'

The officer in question was called away to a road accident but returned to the area later and saw Williams calmly walking home.

When approached about the earlier outburst, Williams claimed he had just been 'stupid' in front of friends.

But within hours he was involved in a confrontation with Mr Harries in the street after the former police officer's wife spotted Williams outside, close to their car.

Williams insisted throughout the trial that he had been pursued by Mr Harries and attacked by him as he tried to flee the scene.

Paul Thomas QC, prosecuting, described Williams during his summing-up as a 'self-appointed vigilante'.

He told the jury it was 'nonsense' for Williams to suggest he could inflict 20 stab wounds without realising he was holding a knife.

He also pointed out that the fatal wound had been through Mr Harries' back and into one of his lungs. ..Source.. by Daily Mail Reporter

UK- Man stabbed former policeman to death boasting 'I'm going to get that paedo'.

1-29-2009 United Kingdom:

A man stabbed a former policeman facing child pornography charges to death in a vigilante-style attack after boasting he was "going to get that paedo", a court heard.

Daniel Williams, 30, dressed in a black hooded top and armed himself with a combat knife before travelling to the home of Geoffrey Harries where he launched the attack.

The court heard how Mr Williams slashed the tyres of Mr Harries car before the former officer came outside. It was then he attacked him.

Paul Thomas QC, prosecuting, said Mr Harries, 49, resigned from Dyfed Powys Police, west Wales, after being charged with downloading indecent images of children from the internet.

As he awaited trial he and his wife Elizabeth left their home in Pembrey, west Wales, to live with his mother in Trimsaran 12 miles away.

Other residents including Mr Williams, who lived seven doors away with his brother Chad, were unhappy at Mr Harries' arrival, the court heard.

On the night of the attack, police stopped the brothers as they left a pub and Chad was arrested for drinking and driving, the court heard.

Mr Williams became agitated, and he alluded to Mr Harries' address, before shouting: "That paedo is going to get it," said Mr Thomas. "I tell you I am going to get him."

Police were sufficiently concerned to put a patrol car near Mr Harries' mother's home. It left after 30 minutes because it seemed "quiet and calm."

The court heard Mr Williams changed into a black hooded top, and armed himself with a combat knife. Mrs Harries looked out of the bedroom window to see Mr Williams slashing the tyres of her husband's car.

Mr Harries, wearing slippers and glasses and suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, went outside. "Within a few minutes he was bleeding to death," said Mr Thomas.

After his arrest Williams denied, in 12 interviews, being involved.

But when tests showed Mr Harries' blood on his clothing he "changed his defence" and claimed he had been defending himself and had forgotten he had had a knife in his hand.

Mr Thomas said Mr Harries' arrest was "irrelevant" to the case. "It is understandably repulsive in the minds of right thinking people.

"What images he may have had, however flawed an individual he was, Geoffrey Harries was still human and no-one had the right to kill him.

"Society rightly condemns anyone who has such images on his computer. Had he lived he would have received the appropriate punishment from a court of law.

"That is the only way a civilised society can operate. The other is the way to lawlessness," added Mr Thomas.

Mr Williams denies murder

The trial continues. ..News Source.. by Richard Savill

Mob lynches suspected rapist in Venezuela

2-27-2009 Venezuela:

Caracas, Feb 6 (IANS) A suspected rapist was lynched, burned and dragged through the streets by residents of a west Caracas neighbourhood who accused the police of not doing their jobs, Venezuelan media has reported.The residents said that the suspect was killed Wednesday morning after he allegedly tried to rape a nine-year-old girl, EFE stated.

The man, according to eyewitnesses, was chased by a mob, caught, beaten, shot, burned and tied to a motorcycle and dragged down an avenue, where the body was burned again.

The incident occurred in the Zamora neighbourhood, where another suspected criminal was killed by a mob in October, the El Universal newspaper said.

Residents told reporters that they took justice into their own hands because the man had allegedly raped five women, including a girl, in the neighbourhood.

“We had been following him and managed to capture him this morning (Wednesday) when he tried to abuse a nine-year-old girl. He got away twice,” a resident who refused to identify himself told El Universal.

“We don’t believe the police. They are corrupt. We don’t want them here,” Josefina Guzman, who lives in El Valle, told the daily Ultimas Noticias.

Venezuelans, according to polls, consider crime the biggest problem facing the country. ..News Source.. by IANS

Murder accused suspected ex of abusing daughter

2-27-2009 New Zealand:

The woman accused of the body-on-the-bonnet murder decided to kill her ex-partner because she suspected him of molesting their little daughter, a Crown lawyer told the High Court in New Plymouth yesterday.

Cindy Fairburn, 38, is alleged to have deliberately driven into the path of an oncoming car as Darin Paul Maxwell, 42, clung on to the bonnet.

The story of the 13km wild, crazy ride on State Highway 3 on August 6, 2007 unfolded in the High Court in New Plymouth yesterday.

The impact with the Isuzu was so severe, Mr Maxwell was flung from the bonnet and through the windscreen of the Isuzu.

His extensive injuries included bleeding lungs, a foot almost amputated, fractured legs and a deep cut on his shoulder.

Mr Maxwell died in the ambulance on the way to Taranaki Base Hospital.

The Isuzu's driver also suffered life-threatening injuries but survived after weeks in hospital.

Fairburn herself was knocked unconscious and critically injured, spending 15 weeks in hospital.

An infection resulted in a return to hospital where a leg was amputated.

Fairburn, who quietly wept as the jury trial started yesterday, has denied murdering her former partner and dangerous driving injuring the Isuzu driver, whose name is suppressed.

Fairburn's lawyers argue that her actions on the night were solely those of a woman defending herself from Mr Maxwell.

In opening, Crown prosecutor Cherie Clarke said Fairburn had been angry and upset since the Saturday before the fatal impact.

In response to her child's unusual cry after she was put to bed, Fairburn had gone in to her baby's room to find her tucked up in her cot, but without nappies and her nappy and pants neatly folded at the end of the cot.

In her mind, he had sexually abused their two-year-old daughter, Miss Clarke said.

The accused told others she wanted to either poison him or use a stun gun.

She reported the incident to police, taking them a cot sheet, hairs she said were pubic hairs she had found on the floor next to the cot and the underblanket so they could use them as evidence.

When told by police that Mr Maxwell would not be arrested immediately, she was angered, saying he should not be allowed to get away with it.

The accused had told a friend that if police were not going to do anything, she would.

On the Monday, the baby was examined by a paediatrician who found no evidence of a sexual assault and ESR tests weeks later found no evidence of semen on the baby's bedding, Miss Clarke said.

That night, she encountered Mr Maxwell at the Heritage Bar in Inglewood.

She had left the bar and he had somehow ended up on the bonnet of her car, Miss Clarke said.

Other drivers on the road that night described how Mr Maxwell was slipping and sliding across the bonnet as she veered across the white line on the main road in Inglewood, cars on the opposite side having to steer hard left to avoid her.

She then drove at speeds up to 120kmh on the open road with Mr Maxwell still clinging to the bonnet, Ms Clarke said.

At 9.53pm, nearly at the Mangorei Rd intersection, she suddenly and violently swerved her car directly into the path of the Isuzu which was travelling towards Inglewood, Miss Clarke said.

At the time, the accused's car was estimated to be travelling between 83 and 133kmh.

Weeks later, Fairburn told police that she had got a fright when he jumped on the bonnet outside the hotel yelling and screaming.

She had not wanted to stop the car in case he jumped into the car.

She said she had no memory of the collision.

The couple's history included a charge of Mr Maxwell threatening to kill her and the toddler in 2006.

But she withdrew her allegations saying she was concerned about his suicidal tendencies and she was charged with making a false statement.

Mr Maxwell had been convicted of assaults against two other women in 2002.

Defence lawyer Pamela Jensen said self-defence would be argued.

The accused did not murder Mr Maxwell nor did she intend to injure the Isuzu driver.

When she drove her car that night, the sole purpose was to defend herself against the actions of Mr Maxwell, Ms Jensen said. ..News Source.. by LYN HUMPHREYS

UK- Town man’s life sentence for brutal murder of sex offender

1-28-2009 United Kingdom:

A MACCLESFIELD dad of three has been jailed for life for brutally murdering his 60-year-old flatmate after learning he was a convicted paedophile.

Ex-butcher Lea Mason, 33, formerly of Turnock Street, will serve a minimum of 17 and a half years after launching a "violent and frenzied attack" on his victim.

Mason used knives to stab, and a frying pan to bludgeon, Darren Presley – until they bent or broke – then stamped on his head, which left "huge gaping holes" and soaked the killer’s trainers in blood, a judge heard.

Mason and co-defendant Stephen Brian Kidd, 37, originally from Stoke, both pleaded guilty to murder at Preston Crown Court and were sentenced last Thursday (January 22).

Mason was a thug well-known to police in Macclesfield through a string of violent offences stretching back 15 years.

He admitted the murder after being captured by police in Blackpool. ..News Source.. by Pete Bainbridge

UK- Suspected sex offender fell to his death 'as he fled baying vigilante gang'

1-8-2009 United Kingdom:

A suspected sex offender fell 50 feet to his death from an apartment block as he fled a baying vigilante gang, a court heard today.

Terrified Scott Campbell, 44, made a run for it when three men and two women turned up at his second floor flat to give him a revenge beating over claims he had sexually assaulted a 13 year-old-boy, it was alleged.

As one of the armed gang started banging on his front door shouting: 'I'm going to f***ing kill you' Campbell climbed over his balcony in a bid to escape.

But as he did so he lost his grip on the rail and plumetted to the ground. The Glaswegian suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead in Royal Bolton hospital in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Manchester Crown Court was told during the incident CCTV captured one of the women hiding a baseball bat up the back of her coat, whilst her husband was carrying a hammer.

Another woman was carrying a spanner or wrench and a fourth man was carrying a bike chain. The four tried to hide their faces to avoid being recognised.

Jamie Watson, 32, his wife Sarah Watson, 32, Katia Briercliffe, 36, Paul McCarthy, 36 and Martin McMulkin, 37 all deny manslaughter.

The tragedy occurred at 7.20pm in July last year after the 13 year-old-boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been Campbell's second floor flat in Blackshaw Lane, Deane, Bolton.

He came out 20 minutes later and told two friends he had been indecently assaulted.
The allegations spread around the Deane area of Bolton, Greater Manchester and locals were seen gathering around the block of flats.

Sarah and Jamie Watson were seen entering the flats with Katia Briercliffe, and the 13 year-old-boy and being joined in the lift by McMulkin and McCarthy - who also lived at the flats.

The boy was seen on the building's CCTV footage pointing out the flat he had been in, before leaving Fernstead House.

CCTV showed Sarah Watson hiding a baseball bat up the back of her coat, Jamie Watson carrying a hammer, Katia Briercliffe carrying a spanner or wrench and Martin McMulkin carrying a bike chain.

Prosecuting Mr Peter Cadwallader said the jury may have some sympathy for the defendants given the allegations made towards the victim.

But he said: 'However justified there position it cannot be acceptable for a vigilante group to start taking the law into their own hands and that is the simple issue in this case because that is what happened.

'A large group of young people of a similar age to the boy also gathered in the vicinity of the deceased flat.

'They didn't take part in the subsequent events although their presence did increase the hostile atmosphere that existed at the time.

'Attempts were made by the individuals to cover and hide their features which the crown say was indicative of what they intended.

'The crown allege that the defendants as a group were armed and all of them save for McMulkin made efforts to hide their faces.

'The only sensible conclusion we suggest that we draw is that they indented to give the defendant a beating. That they intended to assault him.

'In interview Katia said that she and Sarah Watson went into the small vestibule outside the flat. She said that Sarah Watson had called out in a calm voice "Jimmy".
'The males remained outside the vestibule she said. Scott Campbell did open his door but he was too quick and managed to close it before the defendants could force their way in.

'Once Scott had closed the door there was an attack on it with weapons. It was struck. The glass was broke. There was banging and noise and it was so great that it was heard by neighbours.

'One neighbour was listening to a tennis match on TV but he could still hear the attack. He heard a female voice shouting "I'm going to f***ing get you" or "I'm going to f***ing kill you" - he wasn't quite sure.

'The crown say that the defendants were trying to force the door. They were a large group. They were armed. They were damaging the door and attacking it.

'Although you may have little sympathy for Scott Campbell, it must have been a frightening experience and he must have been fearful of what was going to happen if they gained entry.

'Whatever the sympathies are at that stage the defendants, we say, were all acting entirely unlawfully in trying to take the law into their own hands and act as a vigilante group.

'It is not acceptable for defendants to take the law into their own hands. It is apparent from the CCTV footage that whilst the deceased felt under attack he went onto the balcony with the intention to lower himself down.

'It is equally clear that he lost his grip in trying to climb down and he fell and died as a result of injuries he sustained in the fall.

'The inference that can be drawn is that Scott Campbell was in fear as a result of the defendants attempt to break into his flat. He must have known that he faced a beating at least.

'There was no other way out of the flat other than through the front door or by the balcony.

'Therefore it is our case that in trying to escape the unlawful conduct of the defendants he fell to his death.

'It was only after Sarah Watson had left the flats that she called the police about the conduct of the deceased.

'The crown say that this was a vigilante group seeking revenge, seeking to gain entry to the deceased flat to cause him harm. He attempted to escape as a result of that unlawful conduct and in doing so he fell to his death.'

Jamie Watson, 32, Sarah Watson, 32, both of Hibernia Street; Katia Briercliffe, 36, Briercliffe Road; Paul McCarthy, 36 of Fernstead, Blackshaw Lane and Martin McMulkin, 37 of no fixed address all deny manslaughter.

The trial continues. ..News Source.. by Daily Mail Reporter