Connect with us

Published

on

A police officer who was driving a van that followed two teenagers shortly before they died in an e-bike crash will not be prosecuted.

The deaths of Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, sparked riots in the Ely area of Cardiff in May 2023.

The officer was facing a dangerous driving allegation but prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) statement said: “We fully understand that this will be disappointing news for the families of both boys and will offer a meeting with them to explain our reasoning further.”

Rumours on social media that the teenagers were being pursued by police were initially denied.

South Wales Police said none of its vehicles were in Snowden Road at the time of the crash.

But police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later confirmed it was investigating after video appeared to show them being followed by a van – without blue lights or a siren – minutes before the incident.

More on Wales

Other footage, however, showed the van turn off and it wasn’t following the boys at the time of the collision.

A key factor under consideration was whether there was any point at which the actions of the officers in the van “constituted a pursuit”.

CCTV show police van following bike moments before Ely crash
Image:
CCTV showed a police van following the bike moments before it crashed

Read more:
Timeline of events before fatal Cardiff crash

The driver and passenger of the marked police van were previously issued with gross misconduct notices.

A second investigation was also opened by the IOPC into issues including police management of the crash scene and treatment of the families.

The scene in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called "large-scale disorder", with at least two cars torched as trouble involving scores of youths flared for hours. Picture date: Tuesday May 23, 2023.
Image:
Riots broke out in the Ely area after the boys’ death. Pic: PA

Council workers secure the area immediately around a car that was set alight in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called "large-scale disorder", with at least two cars torched as trouble involving scores of youths flared for hours. Picture date: Tuesday May 23, 2023.
Image:
Pic: PA

A riot of several hours broke out after the boys’ deaths, with cars set alight and fireworks and other missiles thrown at police.

Eleven officers needed hospital treatment and 31 people were eventually charged.

The decision not to charge the police officer driving the van can be challenged under the victims’ right of review scheme.

Continue Reading

UK

UK joins US in strike on Houthi target in Yemen for first time since Donald Trump re-elected

Published

on

By

UK joins US in strike on Houthi target in Yemen for first time since Donald Trump re-elected

The UK has joined US forces in attacking a Houthi target in Yemen for the first time since Donald Trump was re-elected.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes took place on Tuesday as part of the government’s response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The ministry said careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture the sort of drones used to attack ships, located 15 miles south of the capital Sanaa.

RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on several buildings using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs.

The planes had air refuelling support from Voyager tankers.

The ministry said the strike was conducted after dark to reduce the likelihood of civilians being in the area.

All the aircraft returned safely.

John Healey during the press conference.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
John Healey. Pic: Reuters

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security.

“Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base.

“We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping.”

Read more from Sky News:
Kneecap’s Eden Project gig cancelled amid ‘kill MPs’ row
Israel releases medic detained after IDF attack on aid workers
Crush fly-tippers’ vans, government tells councils

Houthis a ‘persistent threat’ to ‘freedom of navigation’

Mr Healey said Houthi activities in the Red Sea are a “persistent threat” to “freedom of navigation”.

“A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,” he said.

“The government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the service men and women involved in this operation.”

Follow The World
Follow The World

Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday

Tap to follow

US intensifies strikes on Houthis

It was the first time UK forces have struck a target in Yemen since May last year, the ministry confirmed.

The US has intensified its strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis under Mr Trump’s presidency, after his re-election in November 2024.

The group began launching attacks on shipping routes in November 2023 saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Footage showing people being pulled from rubble has been released by Houthi rebels in Yemen

The strike came after a Houthi-controlled TV channel claimed a US strike killed 68 people at a detention centre for African migrants in Yemen on Monday.

Continue Reading

UK

Woman dies in skydiving incident in County Durham

Published

on

By

Woman dies in skydiving incident in County Durham

A woman has died in a skydiving incident in County Durham.

Emergency crews were called to Wreford’s Farm in Shotton Colliery, near Peterlee, on Sunday morning.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said the woman’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

North East Ambulance Service said it was called to the incident at 10.17am on Sunday.

“We dispatched one ambulance crew and one specialist paramedic to the incident,” a spokesperson added.

Read more from Sky News:
House destroyed after explosion
Canadian PM issues Trump warning

Wreford’s Farm is described on its website as a “small, family run farm” which produces pork and beef using “regenerative agriculture”.

Continue Reading

UK

No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson whose neck was cut by opponent’s skate

Published

on

By

No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson whose neck was cut by opponent's skate

No criminal charges will be brought over the death of an ice hockey player who died during a match in Sheffield, prosecutors have announced.

Nottingham Panthers’ Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after his neck was cut by an opposition player’s skate during a match at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.

The Sheffield Steelers player, Matthew Petgrave, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later bailed – but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now said it will not bring criminal charges against the Canadian.

Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.

“Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”

Flowers and messages left in tribute to Nottingham Panthers' ice hockey player Adam Johnson outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, the home of the Panthers. Mr Johnson died after an accident during a Challenge Cup match with Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night. Picture date: Monday October 30, 2023.
Image:
Tributes were left outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham following the ice hockey player’s death. Pic PA

Before joining Nottingham Panthers, the Minnesota-born Johnson played in Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Sweden for the Malmo Redhawks.

He also played in California for Ontario Reign and in Germany for Augsburger Panther.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the 29-year-old died as a result of the fatal neck injury.

The crowd of 8,000 spectators watched in horror as desperate attempts were made to save his life as he lay on the ice, shielded by fellow players.

The game was abandoned and spectators were asked to leave in the aftermath.

Lit candles among the flowers and messages left in tribute to Nottingham Panthers' ice hockey player Adam Johnson outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, the home of the Panthers. Mr Johnson died after an accident during a Challenge Cup match with Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night. Picture date: Monday October 30, 2023.
Image:
Pic PA

Kari Johnson, Johnson’s aunt, was watching the match via a livestream with his father and grandmother when he was fatally injured.

Speaking to Sky News at the time, Ms Johnson said: “It was a mess, it was a nightmare, it was like it wasn’t real. We were in shock, we couldn’t believe this was happening.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Kari Johnson said her nephew was ‘a kind soul’

Ms Johnson described her nephew as a “kind soul” and a “private kid” who “never would have wanted to be in the limelight like this”.

He simply wanted to be “good at hockey and have fun”, she said, adding he was “having the time of his life in the UK” and was planning to get engaged to his girlfriend.

Read more from Sky News:
Woman dies in skydiving incident
Two men went on ‘moronic mission’ to fell famous tree, jury told

In January 2024, Sheffield’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation while the police inquiry took its course.

It later emerged that Ms Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.

In the report, Ms Rawden said she was “sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn”, with the bodies given 56 days to say what action had been taken – or why action had not been taken.

Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 2024.

This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation’s decision in December to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions.

Continue Reading

Trending