Elianne Andam: Murdered schoolgirl’s family call for action on knife crime

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2023

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The family of murdered Croydon schoolgirl Elianne Andam have accused the government of not doing enough to tackle knife crime.

Speaking for the first time since the 15-year-old was stabbed to death six weeks ago, Elianne’s two aunties broke down in tears as they told Sky News how their family are “broken” and feel like they are “living in a nightmare”.

Elianne was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Croydon, south London, while she was on her way to school on 27 September.

Her aunt Ruby Paintsi fainted after Elianne’s mother called her to tell her the news.

She said: “My sister called and I could tell something wasn’t right. I said ‘are you OK?’ She said ‘no, Elianne has been stabbed – she’s dead’.

“Then a police officer took the phone off her and told me to get to the hospital – that I needed to support my sister. I remember getting there and I don’t remember anything else. I woke up with people around me – I’d fainted right there.”

Ruby added: “We’re broken. The whole family, broken. I keep waking up thinking this is a dream, but it’s not – it’s reality, she’s gone.

“I’ve never in my life been in so much pain. This is the first time I’ve left the house since it happened. When I see my sister – her mum – all I see is her tears.”

The large family have lived for decades in Croydon, which has the unenviable nickname of “knife crime capital of London”.

Another of Elianne’s aunts, Regina Boafa, said the authorities need to do more to tackle knife crime.

“Something needs to be done, however they do it, it needs to change,” she said.

“We need more money, whatever it takes to be sorted, but the politicians, people making the decisions, they all have to come together and sort out this crime.”

All roads in Croydon town centre will be closed on Saturday morning as hundreds of people attend Elianne’s funeral.

Ruby said she does not want people to remember Elianne as a victim.

“I will always remember her smile. That beautiful smile,” she said. “She was such a lovely girl. She loved church, she was a Christian – always proclaiming the gospel. She loved music and dancing.”

Regina added: “She just did things any normal 15-year-old girl would do. Lovely, bubbly, outgoing and so much to live for.”

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with Elianne’s murder.

UK

British man, 27, dies after avalanche at French Alps ski resort

Published

45 mins ago

April 18, 2025

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British man, 27, dies after avalanche at French Alps ski resort

A British man has died after an avalanche at a ski resort in the French Alps, local officials say.

The 27-year-old man died after being buried in snow at a ski resort and carried about 15m (49ft) by the avalanche’s force, according to local prosecutor Benoit Bachelet.

The incident occurred at Val Thorens ski resort in the Savoie region of southwest France, shortly after 10am on Thursday.

Mr Bachelet said nearby police officers were alerted to the incident by a witness, and the British man was pulled out of the snow.

He added officers gave first aid to the man, who had entered cardiac arrest.

He was taken to hospital in Grenoble, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, where he died that evening, Mr Bachelet said.

An investigation into the incident has been opened by the regional prosecutor’s office.

The prosecutor said the victim’s family were being supported by local services.

A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in France and are in contact with the local authorities.”

UK

Joe Thompson: Former Rochdale footballer dies aged 36 after third cancer diagnosis

Published

45 mins ago

April 18, 2025

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Joe Thompson: Former Rochdale footballer dies aged 36 after third cancer diagnosis

Former Rochdale player Joe Thompson has died aged 36.

His former club said it was “devastated” to learn of his death.

Thompson, who retired in 2019, was diagnosed with cancer for a third time last year.

In its statement, Rochdale FC said he died “peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side”.

He made over 200 appearances for Rochdale, who he joined from Manchester United‘s academy in 2005.

The club posted a tribute on X, describing the former midfielder as “a warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age”.

In her tribute on Instagram, Thompson’s wife Chantelle said he had “made such an impact on so many people” and he was “the most incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father”.

During his career, he played for Tranmere Rovers, Bury and Carlisle United, with spells on loan at Wrexham and Southport.

He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013, while playing for Tranmere.

When Thompson rejoined Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016 the disease soon returned, but he confirmed he was cancer free in June 2017.

Two years later, he announced his retirement at the age of 29, saying his body had been pushed “to the limit” having twice undergone treatment for cancer.

Last year, he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four lymphoma which had spread to his lungs.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively aggressive type of cancer that can spread quickly through the body, according to the NHS.

Rochdale, who face Altrincham on Friday, have confirmed that players will wear black armbands during the National League match.

UK

Essex Police: Senior officer sacked for sexual contact with woman while on duty

Published

45 mins ago

April 18, 2025

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Essex Police: Senior officer sacked for sexual contact with woman while on duty

A senior police officer has been sacked after he had sexual contact with a woman while on duty.

The police watchdog found Tom Simons, a chief superintendent with Essex Police, abused his position for a sexual purpose with two women – including by touching a colleague inappropriately and failing to disclose a relationship with one of them.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said he continued with his behaviour despite being reminded of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries.

The case was first referred to the IOPC in March 2022 after multiple allegations, Essex Police said.

Mr Simons was suspended from duty and interviewed under criminal caution by the IOPC, which executed a search warrant of his house and checked his phone and other devices as part of an investigation.

The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in January 2024 to consider charges relating to alleged sexual offences, coercive control and misconduct in public office, but it was decided he would not be charged with any criminal offences, the IOPC said.

A disciplinary panel chaired by Bedfordshire Police’s assistant chief constable found Mr Simons had committed gross misconduct and breached the police professional standards of behaviour.

Mr Simons denies all the allegations.

He was dismissed without notice after the misconduct hearing concluded this week. He will also be placed on the College of Policing barred list.

IOPC director Emily Barry said she “would like to praise the courage of the women” who came forward.

“They faced pressure from him as a senior officer, but it’s thanks to them that our investigation was able to gather the strong evidence that was put before the panel at the misconduct hearing, resulting in his dismissal,” she added.

“He has deservedly lost his job and it’s behaviour like this that damages the public’s trust and confidence in police officers.”

Ben-Julian Harrington, chief constable of Essex, said there was “simply no place in policing for people who think, wrongly, that they can get away with sexual misconduct”.

“I will be completely frank. This case is particularly disappointing given the seniority of the former officer,” he added.