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Why this mum who stabbed a man to death was hailed a hero by her sons

UK mother Sarah Sands stabbed a paedophile to death after finding out her children were sexually abused. The paedophile, Michael Pleasted, aged 77, was stabbed eight times in 2014 in a “determined and sustained attack” that saw him bleed to death. Pleasted was already a convicted paedophile and had legally changed his name from Robin Moult to conceal a long past of abusing children. Ms Sands’ three children told her Pleasted, who lived across the road from the family in London, had abused them. She took matters into her own hands. “For paedophiles, if you touch children, there has to be consequences,” Ms Sands told BBC Breakfast. “And hiding behind name changes … it has to be taken away from them. That right to change their name has to taken away from them.” Her children, who have waived their anonymity, said they think their mum is a hero for killing their abuser. Bradley, who was 11 at the time, said: “I thought, ‘hats off’. I’m not going to deny it.” Alfie added: “It did make us feel safer. It didn’t slow down the nightmares. But it did give us a sense of security because you didn’t have to walk down the street thinking he was going to come around the corner. “He lived literally across the road from us. I could open that window over there and I’d see his house.” Pleasted’s council flat overlooked a playground and school in Canning Town, East London. However, nobody knew of his past because he had changed his name and his crimes predated the sex offenders' register. Ms Sands was convicted of manslaughter on the basis of loss of control after trial in 2015, and was eventually jailed for seven and a half years after having her sentenced increased by the Court of Appeal. She said she originally intended to threaten Pleasted, who was on bail awaiting trial, to make him plead guilty so her children did not have to give evidence in court. Labour MP Sarah Champion told the BBC some offenders are using name changes to avoid criminal records checks needed for jobs – including working with children. “Once they have changed their names, they are able to get a new driving licence and passport in that name. That enables them to get a new DBS (disclosure and barring service) check,” she said. The UK Home Office said it has already carried out a review of the issue and the UK already has strict rules in place to deal with sex offenders living in the community. Image: BBC

Family & Pets

Woolies worker seriously stabbed while stacking shelves

A Woolworths worker who was allegedly randomly stabbed with a 40cm has opened up about the terrifying ordeal. Donna Grocott was stacking shelves in the pet aisle at Woolworths in Ellenbrook Central in northeast Perth when she was allegedly stabbed in the back of her hip by Cassandra Hickling on August 16. The 44-year-old worker was rushed to hospital with the 40cm knife still lodged in her back and required seven staples after it was removed. She also suffered injuries to her fingers but says she is lucky to be alive after the knife failed to puncture any major organs. “I feel very fortunate that my injuries were not worse,” Ms Grocott said. “I’d like to thank the people who helped me at the store and the emergency responders and the hospital staff for taking care of me.” Hickling, 35, was arrested at her home and charged with attempted murder. She remains behind bars awaiting her court appearance at the end of the month. Midland Police Detective Sergeant Tania Mackenzie confirmed the women did not know each other and that Hickling purchased the knife from a different shop. “(It is) something I’ve never heard of happening before in my career,” she said. “It was just someone going about their day-to-day work, stacking shelves in the shopping centre. “There’s been no one else in the aisle and she’s been approached by the suspect who has (allegedly) stabbed her with a filleting knife.” Woolworths is offering counselling to staff. Images: 7News/Facebook

Caring

Four people injured in stabbing frenzy

Four members of the public have been horrifically stabbed in what police have described as an “isolated” incident. The alleged offender randomly stopped four people in Murrays Bay on Auckland's North Shore about 11.18am on Thursday before stabbing them with “quite a large knife”. Another member of the public stepped in and stopped the alleged attacker with a clutch before police apprehended him. Luckily, none of the victims were severely injured but are being treated in hospital. Waitematā district commander Superintendent Naila Hassan commended the random person’s efforts, saying it could have been “a lot worse”. "This was an isolated incident," she said. "This offender was on the move, he was on foot, it started in Murrays Bay [where he stabbed members of the public], and he continued to walk through to Mairangi Bay. "A number of members of the public were following him and eventually one of them intervened. "It could've been a lot worse and that's why I really need to acknowledge the bravery of those members of the public that intervened to bring this to a conclusion." Superintendent Hassan gave a special shoutout to the members of the public who helped prevent the situation from getting any worse. "I really need to acknowledge the bravery of the members of the public who intervened," she said. A thank you to the public was also released on the North Shore, Rodney & West Auckland Police Facebook page. “We would like to acknowledge members of our community for their actions, who put aside their own personal safety to get involved in the events earlier today,” the statement read. “Whilst Police generally discourage intervening, we greatly appreciated their efforts today which undoubtedly prevented further harm. “We also want to thank those who called emergency services. “Understandably the community will be shaken by what has occurred today and I would like to reassure them that this was an isolated incident and we have the person responsible in custody. “There will be an increased Police presence across the community as a result of what has occurred. “We would like to thank the community for their patience as scene examinations and area canvases taking place.” The alleged attacker remains in North Shore Hospital under police guard where he is being treated for his injuries. He is yet to be charged. Image: RNZ

News

Manhunt after tragic death from random stabbing attack

A 24-year-old was killed in what police describe as a random stabbing attack while working at a high-end furniture store last Thursday. Brianna Kupfer, a UCLA student, was working at Croft House in Los Angeles when she was stabbed by who police believe to be a homeless man. The suspect stabbed her before fleeing through the back door and down an alley. A customer found Brianna 20 minutes later, and she was pronounced dead on the scene soon after. Police said of the incident, “Detectives have determined the suspect was not known to the victim and [it] was a random walk into the store. The suspect attacked the victim with a knife and fled the scene through the back door.” Dr Jennifer Botelho, who owns a chiropractic practice next door, told CBS LA the attack was “horrifying”, saying, “It’s horrible. She’s such a young girl. … We feel so horrible for Brianna’s family, and hope we can catch this guy.” She added that the suspect visited her business shortly before the attack. “He came in and asked a couple of questions: ‘Do you do orthopaedics here?’ What kind of care we provide, and then he left. So he was just here for a few minutes,” Dr Botelho said. Ms Kupfer’s father told CBS she was “loved by all”. She had been studying architectural design at UCLA and was working at Croft House as a consultant. Police are still searching for the suspect. Image: Facebook

News

Teen charged with stabbing murder of 12-year-old girl

Image: Merseyside Police A teenager in Liverpool in the North of England has been charged with the murder of a 12-year-old girl. Ava White was in the city with friends on Thursday evening for the local Christmas lights switch-on ceremony when she suffered “catastrophic injuries” in an assault, Merseyside Police say. A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. He has been remanded in custody to appear in court. Three other boys aged between 13 and 15, who were also arrested, have been conditionally bailed as inquiries continue. Ava, who was described as “popular” and “bright”, was involved in a “verbal argument” which escalated into an “assault on her with a knife”, police say. The offenders fled and Ava was taken to hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later. On Friday, flowers were laid along a local street in tribute to the Notre Dame Catholic College pupil, as forensics officers and police searched the scene. A balloon was left by 17-year-old Lacey, who did not want to give her surname, who said her younger sister had been close friends with Ava. She said: “She was just a bubbly character, so loving and caring. “She came out with her friends to enjoy herself and I think it’s just wrong that this has happened.” Head teacher Peter Duffy said: “She was an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends.” Assistant Chief Constable Ngaire Waine said the incident was “sad for the city” but “even sadder” for Ava’s family. On Saturday, police issued an image of a van that may have been occupied by key witnesses to the killing.

Legal

Man assisting elderly neighbour recounts terrifying stabbing

A Gold Coast man was stabbed in the chest while investigating an attempted break-in at his elderly neighbour’s home and had to keep himself alive, only to find out all of his vital organs were untouched. James Fletcher, 40, was in his Palm Beach home on Monday night when he heard a noise from the house next door. After realising he could see his 92-year-old neighbour “rummaging around” outside with a torch, Mr Fletcher and his housemate went to check on him. “He’s an old boy and I know him, and I thought he might have had a fall or something,” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-17/gold-coast-man-stabbed-helping-his-elderly-neighbour/100628806" target="_blank">ABC News</a>. When they got there, they found the couple walking around on broken glass and quickly took action. “We just took control and tried to look after them to get the glass out of their feet, get some shoes on and start cleaning up,” Mr Fletcher said. “We were there for about 10 minutes and it wasn’t until I started cleaning the glass that I noticed that there was a paver that had been thrown through the window or through the door. “So I was like OK, someone’s trying to break in here, you know, they [his neighbours] were a bit shocked and didn’t know exactly what happened either.” <img style="width: 396px; height: 223px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845716/fletcher.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b05bf807f6064d3b940bc1d7c9ccdea8" /> James Fletcher (right) was stabbed by an unknown assailant when he came to check on his neighbour, Des Oatridge (left). Image: Channel Nine Once he saw the disturbed paver, the 40-year-old said he went outside to check on his own house, which was left open, and to pick up a first aid kit. As he did so, a man called out asking whether he had heard the loud noise and if everyone was alright. “And he walked towards me and as soon as he sort of walked past me, spun around and rammed a knife in my chest,” Mr Fletcher said. He said the 15-centimetre blade went through his rib cartilage before becoming lodged in his sternum. “I’ll never forget that. Like, the ferocity and the anger and the intent that that was delivered with,” he said. Initially he said he thought he had been punched, until his attacker attempted to pull the knife out. “This knife was embedded in my sternum, and he pulled the knife out but I came with it,” he continued. “And then his hand slipped off and then I sort of reached for my chest, and then I had the knife in my hand, and then he saw that and ran.” Mr Fletcher said he immediately realised he was in trouble, but knew what to do as a physiotherapist trained in trauma. While his housemate and neighbours called an ambulance, Mr Fletcher laid down on the ground and compressed the wound. “I asked for a pillow and some towels to apply pressure to my wound and my job became hanging on,” he said. “But I still didn’t know what was actually going on… I knew I had a big hole… and then the knife actually fell out of my chest when I went to sit up to get into the ambulance.” After arriving at the Gold Coast hospital, the surgeons waiting to treat Mr Fletcher discovered that the knife had missed all his vital organs in a “one in a million” moment. “It missed my lungs. It nicked my pericardium, which is the sac that contains my heart, but it didn’t touch my heart, missed my spleen and missed all the large vessels,” he said. <img style="width: 396px; height: 415px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845715/fletcher1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/06558ccce0124625b2aae4033fd472ae" /> Image: Channel Nine Mr Fletcher has since provided his statement to police officers, but there have been no arrests yet. Despite his serious injury, Mr Fletcher said he hoped his attacker could access the help he needed. “This guy, I’m sure has a mental health condition. And I’m sure it’s unmanaged or he’s been unable to access resources. And he’s out there in the community. You know, he almost ruined two people’s lives,” he said. After being discharged from hospital on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Fletcher returned to work on Wednesday. He said he had received plenty of support, but was unsure about how he will continue to feel about how “someone tried to kill me, and he was nearly successful”.

Legal

Man dressed as the Joker allegedly stabs 17 people on a train

A man in Tokyo has been arrested after allegedly going on a stabbing rampage on a train on Halloween while dressed as the Joker. He is accused of stabbing at least 17 people and starting a fire in a carriage, before taking a seat and smoking a cigarette. He was subsequently taken into custody by police. Eyewitnesses told Japanese national broadcaster NHK of their fear during the attack. “I thought it was a Halloween event,” one witness said. “Then I saw a man walking this way, slowly waving a long knife.” The alleged attacker is believed to have sprayed hydrochloric acid inside the first and second cars of the train before setting them on fire. People rushed to escape through the train’s windows as the fire spread. A video posted to social media showed over a dozen people fleeing a burning carriage and huddling at the end of the next carriage. Police were later seen entering the carriage where the suspect, dressed as one of Batman’s most famous nemeses, was seated. Reports say the man did not resist as he was arrested and taken into custody. A man who filmed footage of the incident told NHK that he saw passengers fleeing before hearing an explosion. Shunsuke Kimura jumped from a window in an attempt to escape, but fell on the platform and hurt his shoulder. He said, “Train doors were closed and we had no idea what was happening, and we jumped from the windows. It was horrifying.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> こやつが 京王線の犯人です 右手にナイフ 左手にタバコめちゃくちゃ手は震えてた とにかくこいつにむかつきました すごくみんな必死に逃げて 僕がみんなに窓から出ろ言い死にものぐるいでみんなででてたこいつの前まで来ました 本当に許せなかった 殴りたかったです #京王線#京王線刃物#犯人 <a href="https://t.co/fdlLN9nj1Z">pic.twitter.com/fdlLN9nj1Z</a> — 生形たけし (@takahashi9811) <a href="https://twitter.com/takahashi9811/status/1454791757917347846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote> Another passenger told the broadcaster that the attacker didn’t display any emotion during the attack. “He held a knife and started spreading liquid,” she said. “He was committing this act without showing any emotion, just mechanically. I think that brought fear to everyone.” Rail services were partially suspended after the incident, which took place just before 8 pm near Kokuryo in Tokyo’s western suburbs. Kyodo News said 15 people had been injured, while NHK reported that 17 were hurt, including a man in his 60s who was in serious condition. The character of the Joker is one of Batman’s most recognisable adversaries, and has famously been played by Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix and Jared Leto. 2019’s Joker, starring Phoenix and which focused on the character’s origin story, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/9/18/20860890/joker-movie-controversy-incel-sjw" target="_blank">caused concern</a> amongst people who felt the film was excusing or justifying the character’s violent response to feeling unheard or ignored. These concerns were exacerbated by the adoption of Phoenix’s Joker as a relatable figure by a certain subset of men who feel betrayed by a society they view as heavily favouring women.

News

"Lost a jewel": Olympic runner found stabbed in her home

Kenyan long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found dead in her home at the age of 25, according to a statement released by Athletics Kenya on Wednesday. She was found with stab wounds in her abdomen, and her husband was missing. Athletics Kenya said it was still working to unearth more details surrounding her death. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/ncmzF6bu6Q">pic.twitter.com/ncmzF6bu6Q</a> — Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) <a href="https://twitter.com/athletics_kenya/status/1448245193493385217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2021</a></blockquote> The athlete won bronze in the 10,000m at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, and finished 4th in the 5000m at the Tokyo Olympic Games earlier this year. Tirop made history last month by shaving 28 seconds off the long-standing, women-only world record for 10,000m at the Adizero Road to Records event in Germany. She finished in 30:01, breaking the previous record of 30:29 which had been set by Moroccan Asmae Leghzaoui in 2002. Following the win, Agnes told reporters, “I’m so happy to have broken the world record. I felt the pace was good. The course was very good, too.” At the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, she became the second-youngest ever gold medallist in the women’s race, after South African athlete Zola Budd. Athletics Kenya said the country had “lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances.” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also paid tribute, saying, “It is unsettling, utterly unfortunate and very sad that we’ve lost a young and promising athlete who, at a young age of 25 years, she had brought our country so much glory through her exploits on the global athletics stage including in this year’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she was part of the Kenyan team in Japan.” Image: Mustafa Abumunes/AFP via Getty Images

News

Wallabies legend rushed to hospital after home stabbing

Former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu is in hospital after suffering serious injuries during an alleged home invasion at his home in Coorparoo, Brisbane on Monday morning. Three members of Mr Kefu's family were also rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital after reportedly being attacked as well. Mr Kefu is the Tongan rugby union team head coach, and reportedly sustained an abdominal wound. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843145/toutai-kefu-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6f7d17686a4d4bd29a6be533da31bdb5" /> Image: Getty A man in his 20s will also allegedly need to undergo medical care for lacerations to his abdomen and back, while a woman in her 40s received an arm injury. A teenage girl also has a hand injury. Police say the attack happened after men broke into a house on Buena Vista Avenue. One man was restrained and has been taken into custody. The other offenders fled the scene in a car that sped off toward Woolloongabba. Two men have been taken into custody but police say they have not been charged just yet. Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has released a statement following the “shocking incident" involving Mr Kefu. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Toutai and his family at this time," the QRU said. "We offer our support to them and the wider Queensland rugby community who are affected by the incident." Mr Kefu is a legendary sportsman in his own right, competing in 60 tests in the forwards for Australia, during his seven-year international career. The 47-year-old made his debut for the Wallabies against South Africa in 1997 in Pretoria. In 2001, he scored the match-winning try against the All Blacks, which gave Australia victory in the Bledisloe Cup. He finished as the most capped Wallaby number eight of all time, with 58 tests. He has been the head coach of the Tongan national rugby side since 2016. He coached the squad through to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

News

London terror attack: Man shot dead after stabbing rampage

The knifeman who strapped a fake bomb vest to his chest before stabbing two people in South London had been released from prison just a few days prior. Sudesh Amman was under the watchful eye of counter-terror cops before the “knife obsessed” jihadi went on a rampage on Streatham High Road early this morning. Terrified witnesses heard shots fire and saw the 19-year-old fall to the ground on Streatham High Road. Amman, from Harrow, North London, was sentenced to over three years in prison but was let-out on automatic release after serving half his sentence – despite concerns he still held extremist views. The man was just a teenager when he was arrested and was jailed for possessing and distributing terrorist documents. It was also revealed that Amman had shared an Al-Qaeda magazine in his family WhatsApp group and told his siblings “the Islamic State is here to stay”, the court heard. He owned bomb making manuals and also had plans to carry out acid attacks, his trial was told. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> *UPDATED STATEMENT* on our response to this afternoon's incident in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Streatham?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Streatham</a>. We treated three patients for injuries at the scene, and took all three people to hospital. <a href="https://t.co/oDCIO3sh6i">pic.twitter.com/oDCIO3sh6i</a> — London Ambulance Service (@Ldn_Ambulance) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ldn_Ambulance/status/1224027508695277569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2020</a></blockquote> A source said Amman was released early because there was nothing the authorities could do under existing laws to keep him behind bars. But he was put under the strictest licencing terms and that’s why the police were so quick to respond to the incident that occurred today. Scotland Yard is yet to confirm that Amman was known to counter-terror authorities, but it is believed he was on the watch-list due to the speed at which they responded. Witness Kiranjeet Singh told the Sun Online that Amman stole a 10-inch knife from his brother’s bargain shop before injuring multiple people who came in his way. He stabbed a woman in the back before she ran away screaming in pain said another witness, and then he followed that attack by slashing a young man in the chest with a “huge knife”. Armed forces rushed to the scene, where the knife-wielding man was wearing a suicide vest and shot him three times just after 2pm.

Travel Trouble

One dead and six injured in London mass stabbing

One person has been killed and up to six others injured after a mass stabbing in central London just hours ago. A woman was treated at the scene of the attack but was pronounced dead soon after. In a statement, the Metropolitan police said: “Officers attended the scene along with the London Ambulance Service. Up to six people were found injured at the location. “A female (no further details) was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later. We await an update on the condition of the other persons injured and details of any other injuries.” A man was arrested at the scene, and police have said that terrorism is “one possibility being explored at this stage.” More officers have been dispatched to the affected area. “We came around the corner and there were armed police everywhere,” a witness told BBC Radio London. “A massive police presence […] and a corpse lying in the street covered in a blanket.” We will update as more information comes to light. Image: @politicallord / Twitter Related links: <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-france/">Is it safe to travel to France?</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/03/airport-worker-hailed-as-hero-brussels-explosions/">Airport worker hailed as hero after pulling people to safety amid Brussels explosions</a> <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/advice-on-travelling-in-the-time-of-terrorism/">Advice on travelling in the time of terrorism</a>

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Why this mum who stabbed a man to death was hailed a hero by her sons

Woolies worker seriously stabbed while stacking shelves

Four people injured in stabbing frenzy

Manhunt after tragic death from random stabbing attack

Teen charged with stabbing murder of 12-year-old girl

Man assisting elderly neighbour recounts terrifying stabbing

Man dressed as the Joker allegedly stabs 17 people on a train

"Lost a jewel": Olympic runner found stabbed in her home

Wallabies legend rushed to hospital after home stabbing

London terror attack: Man shot dead after stabbing rampage

One dead and six injured in London mass stabbing

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Entertainment

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Keep up to date

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Why this mum who stabbed a man to death was hailed a hero by her sons

Woolies worker seriously stabbed while stacking shelves

Four people injured in stabbing frenzy

Manhunt after tragic death from random stabbing attack

Teen charged with stabbing murder of 12-year-old girl

Man assisting elderly neighbour recounts terrifying stabbing

Man dressed as the Joker allegedly stabs 17 people on a train

"Lost a jewel": Olympic runner found stabbed in her home

Wallabies legend rushed to hospital after home stabbing

London terror attack: Man shot dead after stabbing rampage

One dead and six injured in London mass stabbing

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