Zayna Iman: Woman allegedly raped in police custody says ‘sex offenders are still serving as officers’

Published

1 year ago

September 7, 2023

admin

Zayna Iman is demanding answers, six weeks after claiming on Sky News she was raped in a police cell in Manchester.

Police statements released since the report was broadcast appear to contradict things officers have said previously, and crucial footage of Zayna’s time in custody remains missing.

A Sky News report in July featured three women, including Zayna, who claimed they’d been unnecessarily strip-searched by officers. Zayna alleges she was also drugged and raped in custody in February 2021.

Exercising her right to see the footage of her time in the cell she discovered that two hours of the cell footage were missing.

There are conflicting accounts from the police about what’s happened to it.

Investigation into GMP launched

Since our investigation was broadcast in July, an inquiry under Dame Vera Baird has been launched into Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and Zayna’s case has been referred back to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Last week she met Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.

But outside the mayor’s office, Zayna described the whole thing as “lip service”, saying she wouldn’t be happy until police officers are interviewed and held to account.

She said: “I’m not happy with the responses. Why do these people not understand that sex offenders are still serving.”

‘Unbelievable memories and bad dreams’

At times emotion overwhelmed her as she explained that each time she recounts her story it is stirring the memories, the flashbacks, the bad dreams that she says still haunt her from the 48 hours in Pendleton police station – most of which she spent naked in a cell.

She said: “I don’t talk about my memories, and the reason I don’t talk about my memories – because I don’t want to believe them myself. It would be far easier if Greater Manchester’s narrative of me was right.”

GMP say there’s currently no evidence of criminality or misconduct by officers.

Contradictions over corrupt cell CCTV

Zayna has already spent more than two years asking for all the footage relating to her detainment but only after our report was broadcast in July did GMP explain in a public statement that Zayna’s footage was stored on discs but “one disc corrupted” and the “parent footage on the servers had been overwritten.”

They are now trying to forensically recover the missing two hours.

Zayna has never been given this information.

“They were able to tell the media that they corrupted my disc, but you can’t tell me?” she says in disbelief.

In fact, she was told quite the opposite.

Two years ago, the mayor’s office confirmed in a letter to Zayna that GMP said they’d reviewed all the custody footage and “did not find evidence to support the allegations.” There was no mention of corrupted footage.

GMP repeated the claim in a letter to Zayna last year, saying “urgent actions” were taken which included “reviewing the CCTV footage from the cell you were detained in.”

How could they do that if some of it was corrupted?

We asked Manchester’s Deputy Mayor in charge of Policing, Kate Green, who was also baffled by the inconsistency.

She said: “You are quite right that initially the deputy mayor’s office was assured that the whole footage was available, and it has turned out subsequently that that is not the case – and I think we can expect Dame Vera in the course of her inquiries to comment on how footage is handled.”

Strip-searched at 14

Since our report Sky News has spoken to more women impacted by police strip searches, including Scarlett, 18, who says she was “humiliated” during a strip search at the aged of 14 in Greater Manchester.

Scarlett, who was arrested but not charged with any crime, claims the search was conducted because they thought she might have concealed an e-cigarette.

She told Sky News: “They just said take your clothes off – keep your knickers and bra on. They were searching in my toes, in my waistline, the waistband of my knickers – making me pull my bra up to see if anything dropped out.

“I was young. I didn’t want anyone to see my body at that age, especially strangers.”

Scarlett said she wasn’t offered the attendance of a responsible adult – which she is entitled to under the regulations governing police strip searches of minors, and although female officers conducted the search, she said there was a glass door that a male officer on the desk could see through.

Scarlett said: “There’s nothing you can do. They’re the police. Who do you go to when the police are doing that to you?

“They know full well that they’re in charge – the way I see it, once you go through them custody doors, you know as soon as the van pulls in and those shutters go down, the tension – you can just feel it – it changes completely.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: “When in police care in custody, people can and should expect to be treated with care and dignity, and within approved guidelines.

“Unfortunately this report does not sound like these values were reflected in the young woman’s experience.

“I thank Sky News for bringing this concerning complaint to GMP’s attention.

“The young woman has not previously made the Professional Standards Branch aware of this issue and so we have made contact with her to ensure her complaint is formally recorded so it can be appropriately progressed.”

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “Greater Manchester Police welcomes the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Dame Vera Baird’s investigation of Miss Iman’s case and reviewing the force’s custody processes and procedures.

“It is really important that any answers now come from those appointed and entrusted to have independent oversight.

“Whilst GMP is fully supporting their investigation and review, the force will not be commenting publicly until their findings have been published and we have engaged directly with those affected.”

Stripped ‘without justification’

While police have the right to search for contraband items such as weapons or drugs, the three women we featured in our original report said they were stripped without justification – one of them completely naked and asked to spread her legs because, again, police were looking for a vape.

More worrying stories are emerging. Scarlett’s is one of several new cases Sky News is passing on to the inquiry.

Abuse victims’ charity, the Maggie Oliver Foundation, have told us they are taking five other women to meet the inquiry chair this week.

Ms Oliver, a former GMP whistle-blower, said: “We are happy that actual survivors are being heard in person, rather than filtered through an internal complaints procedure which is unfit for purpose.

“We would like to see this review widened from looking at just a few individual cases where these specific victims have been failed to look at the whole complaints system.

“We believe complaints must be taken out of GMP control and taken control of by truly independent outsiders whose aim isn’t to protect the organisation but rather to improve a broken system and restore public trust.”

UK

Ellis Cox: Mother appeals to catch son’s killer on birthday anniversary

Published

7 hours ago

January 18, 2025

admin

Ellis Cox: Mother appeals to catch son's killer on birthday anniversary

Fresh appeals have been made for information on what would have been the 20th birthday of Ellis Cox, who was shot dead in Liverpool last June.

A number of people have been arrested in connection with the murder at Liver Industrial Estate, but no one has been charged yet.

The 19-year-old’s family and police have paid tribute to him and called for those with information to come forward.

He was shot in the back after a confrontation between his friends and another group of up to three males on Sunday 23 June.

His mother Carolyn paid tribute in an appeal to coincide with what would have been his 20th birthday.

“He was so kind… so laid back, so calm, so mature for his age. And he was just funny. Very funny.

“He was my baby… no mum should have to bury a child. He was my life. And I don’t know what to do without him.”

Meanwhile, his aunt Julie O’Toole said he was “the sort of person I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone to say anything negative about. He was loyal, fiercely loyal… everything was about his family”.

To pay tribute to Ellis, Liverpool City Council will be lighting up the Cunard Building and Liverpool Town Hall in orange on Saturday.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the senior investigating officer, spoke about the information gathered so far, six months on from Mr Cox’s murder.

“I’m satisfied that the group that he was with was probably the target… and I would say that’s got something in relation to do with localised drug dealing in that area. But Ellis had no involvement in that whatsoever,” he said.

He added that police are looking for “really significant pieces of evidence now”, including “trying to recover the firearm that was used in relation to this, looking to recover the bikes that were used by the offenders”.

Mrs Cox also appealed for people to come forward with information.

“If you know anything, don’t let us get to [his] next birthday and still know nothing.

“We need to get justice for Ellis. And we need to get the people who took him from us off the streets.”

UK

Manchester United legend Denis Law dies aged 84

Published

18 hours ago

January 17, 2025

admin

Manchester United legend Denis Law dies aged 84

Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Denis Law has died, at the age of 84.

In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle, but finally, he is now at peace.

“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.

“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference.”

The Aberdeen-born footballer previously announced in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with dementia.

A prolific striker, Law scored 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United, for whom he signed for a then-British record transfer fee in 1962.

He is the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford – one on the Stretford End concourse, the other as part of the United Trinity statue overlooking the stadium’s forecourt beside fellow great George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.

The only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, he was also part of United’s triumphant campaign in the 1968 European Cup – in which they became the first English club to ever win the competition.

In a statement, the club said: “Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84.

“He will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most beloved players.

“The ultimate goalscorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”

Wayne Rooney, former United captain and the club’s all-time record goalscorer, described Law as a “legend”.

“Thoughts with all Denis’s family and friends,” he said in an online post.

Another former United captain, Gary Neville, said: “A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”

A tribute from the Scotland national team said Law was “a true great”.

“We will not see his likes again,” it said.

Law also played for Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, and Italian club Torino during his club career, and made 55 appearances for Scotland, scoring 30 goals for his country.

Manchester City said in a post on X: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis.”

UK

FTSE 100 closes at record high

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2025

admin

The UK’s benchmark stock index has reached another record high.

The FTSE 100 index of most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange closed at 8,505.69, breaking the record set last May.

It had already broken its intraday high at 8532.58 on Friday afternoon, meaning it reached a high not seen before during trading hours.

Money blog: Major boost for mortgage holders

The weakened pound has boosted many of the 100 companies forming the top-flight index.

Why is this happening?

Most are not based in the UK, so a less valuable pound means their sterling-priced shares are cheaper to buy for people using other currencies, typically US dollars.

This makes the shares better value, prompting more to be bought. This greater demand has brought up the prices and the FTSE 100.

The pound has been hovering below $1.22 for much of Friday. It’s steadily fallen from being worth $1.34 in late September.

Also spurring the new record are market expectations for more interest rate cuts in 2025, something which would make borrowing cheaper and likely kickstart spending.

What is the FTSE 100?

The index is made up of many mining and international oil and gas companies, as well as household name UK banks and supermarkets.

Familiar to a UK audience are lenders such as Barclays, Natwest, HSBC and Lloyds and supermarket chains Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s.

Other well-known names include Rolls-Royce, Unilever, easyJet, BT Group and Next.

FTSE stands for Financial Times Stock Exchange.

If a company’s share price drops significantly it can slip outside of the FTSE 100 and into the larger and more UK-based FTSE 250 index.

The inverse works for the FTSE 250 companies, the 101st to 250th most valuable firms on the London Stock Exchange. If their share price rises significantly they could move into the FTSE 100.

A good close for markets

It’s a good end of the week for markets, entirely reversing the rise in borrowing costs that plagued Chancellor Rachel Reeves for the past ten days.

Fears of long-lasting high borrowing costs drove speculation she would have to cut spending to meet self-imposed fiscal rules to balance the budget and bring down debt by 2030.

Long-term government borrowing had reached a high not seen since 1998 while the benchmark 10-year cost of government borrowing, as measured by 10-year gilt yields, was at levels last seen around the 2008 financial crisis.

The gilt yield is effectively the interest rate investors demand to lend money to the UK government.

Only the pound has yet to recover the losses incurred during the market turbulence. Without that dropped price, however, the FTSE 100 record may not have happened.

Also acting to reduce sterling value is the chance of more interest rates. Currencies tend to weaken when interest rates are cut.