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Sean McHugh Murder Trial results in 5 convictions
MERSEYSIDE Police confirmed on Wednesday, 7 May 2014, that 5 people have
been convicted at Liverpool Crown Court for the murder of 19 year old Sean
McHugh, in Anfield, on 30 September 2013.
Those convicted today are:-
19 year old, Reese O'Shaughnessy
15 year old, Andrew Hewitt
14 year old, Corey Hewitt
14 year old, Joseph McGill
14 year old, Keyfer Dykstra
Sean McHugh was fatally stabbed after he was attacked in cold blood by a group
of youths as he was doing his washing in a local launderette on 30 September
2013. He had left the launderette to go to a local shop with a friend, Josh
Williams, and as they were returning to the launderette they were chased by a
group of about 12 males, some of whom were carrying knives.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy O'Connor, explained:- "When the group of
males started to chase Sean and Josh they ran back towards the launderette in
fear for their lives as the group were making threats towards Sean and were
carrying knives. During the chase Sean and his friend were separated and Josh
was fortunate not to be run over when he ran in to the path of an oncoming car,
which he tried to get in to, in a bid to escape. Sean, who was obviously
petrified, ran back in to the launderette and in to the rear staff room and just
managed to shut the door before two of the group entered the premises. As he ran
through he shouted to the manageress and said... 'Ring the Police they're going
to kill me.' The manageress called the Police immediately, but the group, who
were intent on attacking Sean, forced their way in to the staff room; 2 of the
group had a knife and a sword in their possession. Once inside the staff room
the group began to beat Sean, who eventually managed to escape through the rear
fire door in to the alley way. He only made it a short distance up the alleyway
before falling to the ground. As a result of the attack Sean sustained a stab
wound, which proved to be fatal, to his upper thigh. The stab wound had cut
through his femoral artery. He was taken to the Royal Liverpool University
Hospital, but despite the best efforts of the medical team he died on Friday, 4
October 2014. In the hours following the assault a number of the defendants used
social media to brag about the attack and Sean's probable death. Following
extensive enquiries officers arrested 10 people on suspicion of Sean's murder
and 6 were subsequently charged. Today, 5 people have been convicted. Since the
attack, none of the five have shown any remorse for what they did to Sean and
for the taking a young man's life. They have even laughed and joked in the dock
at court despite being charged with such a serious offence. They have shown no
thought, or consideration, for Sean's family and girlfriend, who are now left to
grieve and to piece their lives together without him. The suffering Sean endured
before his death and the pain and heartbreak inflicted on his family can never
be taken back. But I hope that the convictions of these young men brings Sean's
family a sense of closure and justice, and sends out a clear message that
violence such a this is not tolerated by Merseyside Police, nor the communities
we serve. This has been a difficult and complex investigation. I would like to
thank my investigation team for their tireless professionalism and commitment
throughout this enquiry. I would like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and
our prosecution team for all of their support throughout this case."
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Appeal to capture spirit of rural North's next generation
THE Country Land and Business Association Limited. (CLA) are launching an
appeal to find the best amateur photographs of young people taken in the rural
North. The Association wants to display a collection of images on its stand at
this year's Great Yorkshire Show, which illustrate young people at work or play
in the countryside. CLA North Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn
said:- "Encouraging more young people to live and work in the countryside
is one of the key challenges for the rural economy and this competition is an
opportunity to celebrate all of the young people who are already out there
enjoying and making a living in rural areas. Whether it's a picture of parent
and child herding sheep, a young farmer working in the fields or even a young
family walking in the countryside, we'd like to receive as many different types
of photo as we can. It doesn't matter if the photo is taken with an expensive
camera or a smart phone - what we are looking for is a picture that
captures the spirit of young people being connected to the land. So
head out into the countryside this weekend and start snapping!" Visitors to the
Great Yorkshire Show between 8 July and 10 July 2014, will be asked to vote for
their favourite photograph and the winning photographer will be given a £50
Marks and Spencer voucher and a bottle of Champagne. The top ten most popular
images will also be displayed on the North page of the CLA website.
Anyone who would like to take part can email a jpeg image (maximum of 2 images
of no more than 2 meg size per entrant) to:-
north@cla.org.uk or send a print to:- CLA North, Aske Stables, Aske,
Richmond, DL10 5HG. Full terms and conditions are available on application.
Closing date for entries is Friday, 20 June 2014.
Ofcom looks at
UK's Mobile Coverage in its Annual Plan
IMPROVING mobile coverage is an important area
of work for Ofcom, as highlighted in their 2014/15 Annual Plan. So,
too, they are looking at ensuring that all apparatus is used in
accordance with the law. As part of this work, Ofcom wants to
develop a better understanding of the role end user mobile coverage
enhancers could play in improving indoor mobile coverage. Such
solutions could sit alongside others such as femtocells and smart
repeaters. Ofcom is seeking to establish whether end user repeaters
having certain characteristics or used in certain circumstances
might provide enhanced coverage solutions for consumers. This would
have to be achieved without causing interference or other relevant
adverse effects to mobile networks and/or other mobile users. Ofcom
intends to use the responses to this call for inputs to inform its
future approach towards any use of self-installed mobile repeaters.
In particular, to help inform whether Ofcom should consider making
changes that would permit the use of user installed mobile repeaters
under a licence exemption, and if so the conditions that should be
attached to any such use. This does not necessarily mean any
exemption will be made. It may not be possible to identify repeaters
and circumstances of use meeting the relevant conditions. In
addition, any approach ultimately taken would need to balance the
benefits against the risks (of, for example, adverse effects on
networks and other users). The call for inputs can be found
here. Also please do email our newsroom with your views on
this topic, to our main email address:-
news24@southportreporter.com. |
