News
Killers will be forced to hear sentencing under new ‘Olivia’s Law’
The new law was announced in the King’s speech on November 7th
It has been announced that convicted killers and rapists will no longer be able to skip their sentencing hearings under the new Olivia’s Law.
It comes after a string of recent high profile cases saw criminals avoid their sentencing hearings in court rooms, as they were legally allowed to do so – something many people in the UK were unaware of.
Calls for this to change came from many people who were outraged and family members of victims who saw the killers of their loved ones skip the hearings, causing more pain.
Partly in thanks to the mother of nine-year-old murder victim Olivia Pratt-Korbel – who has successfully campaigned for ‘Olivia’s Law’ – that is about to change.
Cheryl Korbel campaigned for the new law after her daughter’s killer Thomas Cashman chose to remain in his prison cell instead of attending court.
Olivia’s Law, contained within the Criminal Justice Bill which was announced in the King’s Speech, will allow judges to compel defendants to be present for sentencing.
Ms Korbel previously said Cashman’s absence felt like a ‘kick in the teeth’.
Speaking to ITV News, Olivia’s aunt, Antonia Elverson, said the family felt ‘proud’ when they heard King Charles mention the law in his speech, at the state opening of Parliament.
However, she went on to add that they don’t think the proposal is strict enough for offenders.
Ms Elverson said: “Twenty-four months sounds a long time. But if you’re looking at a really lengthy sentence, of 25 plus years, two years is neither here nor there.
“That’s what they’re suggesting, and that’s what they’re going to be putting forward.
“Obviously, we have no choice but to agree with that at the moment. Whether or not that’s something that we look at campaigning against if it’s not a deterrent, I don’t know.”
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Olivia’s mum Ms Korbel said: “It is a very important step forward. It will bring a little bit of comfort knowing that no other family will go through what we’ve been through.
“I really did want to address him – for the pain that he’s put us through, that we’re still going through.
“And to have the audacity to be there for the whole month and then not to turn up on the day of the sentence. It’s disrespectful to the family and to the judge, not to hear the sentence being passed.”
Other killers who have avoided their sentencing in recent hearings include ex-nurse Lucy Letby who was convicted of murdering seven babies, Jordan McSweeney who murdered 35-year-old law graduate Zara Aleena, and Koci Selamaj who murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa.
Under Olivia’s Law, prison officers will be able to use ‘reasonable force’ to get defendants into the dock to hear their sentence, when instructed to do so by a judge.
Judges will also have the power to impose additional punishments, including an extra 24 months on the defendant’s prison sentence if they refuse to show up.
Under current law, judges can only order defendants to attend hearings prior to the verdict being delivered. If defendants refuse to obey, they can be found in contempt of court and face up to two years in prison.
But judges hold no such power over defendants for their sentencing.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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