Call for evidence on legal aid provision for inquests
Bereaved families and lawyers urged to share experiences
Ongoing review to determine need for legal representation
Justice Minister Lucy Frazer today announced the launch of a call for evidence to consider the need for legal representation during inquests.
This is part of an ongoing review, which aims to establish whether changes need to be made to the current availability of legal aid to ensure bereaved families can fully understand and take part in inquests.
It will also consider how the system could be made more sympathetic to the needs of the bereaved, and the Government is keen to hear from all who have been affected by the inquest process.
Justice Minister Lucy Frazer said:
The inquest process can be extremely difficult and the Government is committed to ensuring that bereaved families can access the support they need.
That is why we are opening a call for evidence, to help determine whether changes need to be made to the availability of legal aid for these cases.
We would encourage anyone who has been affected by the inquest process to share their experiences.
Today’s call for evidence forms part of the evidence gathering stage of the review and builds on the department’s recent work to make legal aid easier to obtain for death in custody cases.
The call for evidence will close on 31st August and the Government is seeking views from anyone who is involved or has been affected by the inquest process, including bereaved families and those who provide support to them at inquests, legal representatives and coroners.
This review will sit alongside the Post Implementation Review of the reforms made under LASPO and will report back later this year.
A woman who attempted to smuggle drugs into a Kent prison has had her sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal for being too low.
Ayesha Hibbert, 28, was visiting Swaledale prison when she was spotted handing a package to an inmate. The package was later found to contain cannabis with a value of up to £2,400 if sold in prison. At the time this offence was carried out, Hibbert was already on licence for another drug-related offence.
Hibbert was originally sentenced at Southampton Crown Court in May, where she was given a 24 month community order. The Court of Appeal increased her sentence to 9 months’ imprisonment.
Speaking after the hearing, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC MP said:
By introducing drugs into the prison system, Hibbert risked not only financing criminal organisations, but jeopardising inmate rehabilitation. This is a very serious offence, and I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal that the interests of justice required an increase in the sentence.
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Summary
At around 05:50 hrs on 11 January 2018, a car collided with the rear-most wagon of a stationary freight train at Stainforth Road Automatic Half-Barrier level crossing, near Doncaster. The crossing’s warning equipment was not operating and its half- barriers were raised when the car approached and entered the crossing. As a result of the accident, the driver of the car suffered scratches and bruises but their car was damaged beyond economic repair.
The train was at a stand because its brakes had been applied by the locomotive’s vigilance device. This occurred because the driver of the train did not respond to the device’s audible alarm in the time period permitted, probably due to the high level of ambient noise in the locomotive’s cab.
The car driver was not alerted to the presence of the train by the crossing’s warning devices because the design of the level crossing’s control circuits had permitted it to re-open to road traffic while it was still occupied by the train. The car driver did not see the wagon with enough time to take effective avoiding action, given her speed of approach. This was because the train was unlit and unreflective and also because there was no ambient light near the crossing.
The crossing’s control circuits dated back to its original installation in 1974. The control circuits had not been modified to incorporate later features which prove that trains are clear of a crossing before it re-opens. This was because a retrospective modification of this type was not mandated by relevant standards and guidance and also because the crossing’s circuits had not required modification during the life of the crossing for other reasons. The crossing had not been renewed or replaced prior to the accident, because Network Rail had assessed it as still having useful working life left. The level crossing risk assessment process used by Network Rail did not identify and address the risk of the original design of control circuit remaining in service without it having later design features intended to improve safety.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made two recommendations, both addressed to Network Rail. The first recommendation relates to an assessment of the risk at other level crossings where there is the possibility of it re-opening to road users with a train still present on the crossing and the development and implementation of mitigation measures, where appropriate, to address this risk. The second recommendation concerns the revision of the current standard relating to the design of new remotely monitored level crossings so that this requires them not to open to road users while a train is present.
Simon French, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said:
No motorist wants to encounter an obstruction on an unlit road after dark. Large animals or fallen trees are to some extent a normal part of rural life. But to find part of a freight train, stationary and with no visible lights, looming out of the darkness on a level crossing in the early hours of the morning, must have been a truly terrifying experience. There was no warning. The level crossing barriers had risen, and the road lights had stopped flashing, over a minute before the car approached the crossing. The driver of the car that hit this train was lucky to escape with her life.
This is not the first time in recent years that a motorist has encountered a train on a level crossing without any prior warning. At Moreton-on-Lugg in 2010, the signaller was able to raise the barriers with a train approaching because an old-fashioned design permitted it. The resulting collision cost the life of a passenger in a car. The situation was similar at Stainforth Road: the level crossing equipment was over forty years old and the way it was configured meant that the automatic barriers would rise even though the rear end of a train was still standing on the crossing.
RAIB’s report on the Moreton-on-Lugg accident recommended that Network Rail should enhance its level crossing management processes so that the risk posed by such historical designs could be better understood and more effectively managed. Six years later, this is another example of a latent condition in an old design which presented a risk to the safety of the public. I urge Network Rail to redouble its efforts to identify such conditions, to assess the risk they create and to consider ways of reducing risk to road users.
Notes to editors
The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
RAIB operates, as far as possible, in an open and transparent manner. While our investigations are completely independent of the railway industry, we do maintain close liaison with railway companies and if we discover matters that may affect the safety of the railway, we make sure that information about them is circulated to the right people as soon as possible, and certainly long before publication of our final report.
A man who repeatedly sexually abused a child over a number of years has had his sentence increased today after the Attorney General’s Office referred it for being too low.
Ansar Mahmood, now 37, began sexually assaulting his victim when she was only 7 years old, giving gifts of money to secure her silence. Mahmood first raped the victim when she was 8 or 9, and by the time she was 11 was doing so regularly.
Mahmood was originally sentenced at Bradford Crown Court in March, where he was given a sentence of 15 years imprisonment with a 1 year extended licence period. Today, after the Attorney General’s reference, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 20 years with a 1 year extended licence.
Commenting on the sentence increase, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC MP said:
Mahmood subjected a young child to a horrific ordeal over a number of years. His original sentence did not fully reflect the seriousness of this crime, and I am satisfied that justice has now been done and seen to be done by those who have suffered at his hands.
Steps to boost confidence in our democratic process and safeguard elections against fraud have been set out under plans to extend the requirement to show ID when voting.
The decision builds on a manifesto commitment to improve the security and resilience of the electoral system and follows successful pilots by five councils during the local elections in May, which found people were supportive of having to show ID before voting.
Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith MP, said:
The success of the voter ID pilots proves that this is a reasonable and proportionate measure and voters were fully aware of the changes on polling day.
We plan to continue to pilot ID at next year’s local elections so we can explore further what works best for voters. I encourage councils to get involved and work with us to pilot in their area to help us promote greater confidence in our democratic processes.
Our evaluation shows that the overwhelming majority of electors who turned up to vote did so with the right documents and had confidence in knowing how to cast their vote.
An evaluation of the pilots, published by the government today (Thursday, 19 July), found turnout was unaffected, and the main reason for not voting was that people were too busy or had other commitments.
Instead confidence in knowing how to cast a vote increased post election day in Woking, which asked voters to bring photographic ID, and in Watford where a poll card had to be shown.
Satisfaction with the process of voting also increased in Woking and in Gosport where electors could bring photographic or non-photographic ID.
When surveyed, polling station staff across the pilot authorities agreed or strongly agreed that they had successfully delivered the ID requirements in their polling stations (99% of cases in Woking, Bromley, Gosport, and Swindon, 97% of cases in Watford).
Together these findings confirm the government’s assessment that the current situation of people simply pointing out their name without having to prove who they are during elections is out of date as it remains harder to take out a library book or collect a parcel at a post office than it is to vote in someone’s name.
All schools will teach children about good physical and mental health, how to stay safe on and offline, and the importance of healthy relationships under bold new plans published today by Education Secretary Damian Hinds.
Under the proposals, all pupils will study compulsory health education as well as new reformed Relationships Education in primary school and Relationships and Sex Education in secondary school.
The guidance – which was last updated in 2000 – will become compulsory in all schools across the country from September 2020, and will put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships of all kinds.
Schools will be supported as they prepare to teach the new subjects and will be able to begin doing so as soon as the materials are ready and available from September 2019, building on the existing best practice that will be shared by high performing schools.
By making health education compulsory we will ensure pupils are taught about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, what determines their physical health and how to build mental resilience and wellbeing. It will also make sure children and young people learn how to recognise when they and others are struggling with mental health and how to respond.
The proposals, which follow the publication of the Childhood Obesity Plan and the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper, will ensure that the importance of good physical and mental health are an integral part of the updated subjects.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:
I want to make sure that our children are able to grow up to become happy and well-rounded individuals who know how to deal with the challenges of the modern world. Part of this is making sure they are informed about how to keep themselves safe and healthy and have good relationships with others.
Many of today’s problems did not exist when we last gave schools guidance on how to teach Relationships and Sex Education 18 years ago. The action we’re taking is important to help support teachers and schools design a curriculum that will enrich their pupils in an age appropriate way.
Good physical and mental health is also at the heart of ensuring young people are ready for the adult world. By making health education compulsory we are giving young people the tools they need to be ready to thrive when they leave school.
Under the updated guidance, teachers will talk to primary school pupils in an age appropriate way about the features of healthy friendships, family relationships and other relationships they are likely to encounter. At secondary school, teachers will build on the foundation of Relationships Education in primary and, at the appropriate time, extend teaching to include intimate relationships as well.
At both primary and secondary, pupils will learn about staying safe online – complementing the existing computing curriculum – and how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. Lessons will also cover how to keep personal information private, and help young people navigate the virtual world, challenge harmful content and balance online and offline worlds.
The new guidance has been developed in response to a national call for evidence earlier this year and includes topics like mental wellbeing, consent, keeping safe online, physical health and fitness and LGBT issues. It will now be subject to a further 12-week consultation on the content and how the subjects are taught.
As well as teaching about the benefits of healthy eating and keeping fit, the new compulsory health education will include content on the prevention of health problems. It will help support the development of qualities such as confidence, resilience, self-respect and self-control. Good quality education on wider social and economic issues will continue to be taught in schools across the country through PSHE or other subjects, for example teaching about financial issues through maths and citizenship.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Javed Khan said:
We welcome the proposed guidance, and its focus on the issues Barnardo’s has campaigned for such as consent, healthy relationships and staying safe online. We are pleased to see emotional, reproductive and mental health included as requested by our young service users.
It’s vital teachers have quality resources and proper training so they can deliver sensitive subjects that are age-appropriate and answer any questions children have confidently. Schools must communicate regularly with parents to help them feel comfortable about what their children are being taught.
Two former trustees have been disqualified following a joint agency investigation and a Charity Commission inquiry which found serious misconduct and mismanagement in the charities they were running.
Families for Survival and Save the Age Ltd were respectively set up to provide support to disabled people and orphaned children, and relieve the elderly of poverty, sickness and social inclusion. However the Commission’s inquiry found limited evidence of charitable activity being carried out by either organisation.
The Commission had been monitoring Families for Survival since February 2014 after concerns were raised about the charity’s fundraising practices. Further probes established that it was linked to Save the Age through shared founding trustees and a shared correspondence address.
The Commission supported investigations by the Metropolitan Police Service, Redbridge Council and the Department for Work and Pensions into suspected housing benefit and social security benefit fraud involving the charities. The founding trustees were both arrested in May 2015.
The Commission had further concerns about misuse of the charities, potential unauthorised trustee payments, lack of evidence of charitable expenditure, and dubious fundraising activities, so it opened inquiries into both charities and issued a protective order to freeze the bank account of Save the Age.
The joint agency investigation identified that a number of the names listed as trustees of the charities, apart from the two founding trustees, had been “hijacked” from individuals who did not have any connection with the charities. Prior to the opening of the inquiry one of the founding trustees had resigned and was working as an employee of Families for Survival.
In January 2016 the inquiry issued an order to suspend the sole remaining founding trustee of Families for Survival. Both founding trustees were convicted of charges brought against them by Redbridge Council in March 2016 which disqualifies them from serving as trustees of any charity.
Further investigations by the Commission found that the trustees were self-dealing by instructing their own accountancy firms to review the charities’ accounts. The trustees benefitted financially from this arrangement, meaning there was serious unmanaged conflict of interest.
The inquiry also found up to £14,000 in unauthorised private benefit was paid to the trustees, and annual accounts were submitted containing false information. Both sets of accounts were reviewed by the same accounting company. However one of the independent examiners signing off accounts was untraceable and the other was in fact an alias for one of the founding trustees.
Despite assertions that they were carrying out charitable activity at local nursing homes and campaigning in support of the elderly, scrutiny of accounts and a review of records held by Redbridge Council brought up no corroborating evidence. The trustees were therefore failing to further their charitable objects or operate for the public benefit.
The Commission concluded that there had been serious misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of both charities. As well as using the charities to facilitate unlawful activity, the individuals failed in their fundamental duties and responsibilities as charity trustees.
Following dissolution, the charities have now both been removed from the Register of Charities.
Harvey Grenville, Head of Investigations and Enforcement at the Charity Commission said:
This case highlights a cynical abuse of trusteeship by two individuals who used the good name of charity to further unlawful personal motives. They have proven themselves wholly unfit to serve as trustees.
Close cooperation between different agencies has been critical to the outcome of this case. Our intervention has upheld key principles of charity law and helped criminal proceedings in bringing these individuals to justice.
The full report of the inquiry is available on GOV.UK.
Ends.
Notes to editors
The Commission’s remit was not to investigate or make any determination as to whether the trustees had committed a criminal offence under UK law. The joint agency investigation was dealing with this. The Commission’s role where criminality involving a charity is identified is to support the criminal investigation and consider the implications for the way in which the charity is being run.
As the individuals’ offences involved dishonesty, the trustees were automatically disqualified by law from being trustees of any charity under section 178 of the Act. From 1 August 2018 people who are disqualified from acting as a trustee will also be disqualified from holding certain senior manager positions in charities.
The Charity Commission is the regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work see the about us page on GOV.UK.
Public Health England (PHE) is launching a national ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign which highlights blood in pee as a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancers. The campaign will encourage everyone to ‘look before they flush’ and visit their GP without delay if they notice blood in their pee, even if it’s just once.
A new survey reveals that only 16% of adults aged 50 and over in England (those most at risk of these cancers) say they check the colour of their pee every time they go to the toilet, with women being less likely to check every time (12% versus 20% of men).
A new short film featuring TV doctor Dr Dawn Harper is being released as part of the campaign. The film shows what to look out for as the colour of blood in your pee can vary – from very diluted to bright red or even dark brown, like the colour of weak black tea. Blood in pee is a symptom in almost two thirds (64%) of all bladder cancers and around a fifth (18%) of kidney cancers.
Blood might not appear every time, so it is important that people seek medical help even if they notice it just once. Worryingly, around half (47%) of those surveyed said they would not seek medical advice if they saw blood in their pee just once, with 45% saying they would wait and see if it happened again, potentially putting off a vital diagnosis.
When asked why they would not go to the GP straight away, one in five (20%) say they would be worried about wasting the GP’s time and nearly a quarter (23%) would only book an appointment sooner if they had other symptoms.
Latest figures show that every year in England around 19,100 people are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer and around 8,000 people die from these diseases. Early diagnosis is critical; 84% of those diagnosed with kidney cancer and 77% of those diagnosed with bladder cancer at the earliest stage (stage 1) will live for at least 5 years. At a late stage (stage 4), this drops to 10% and 9% respectively.
Professor Julia Verne, from Public Health England said:
It is vital that people know that blood in pee could be a sign of cancer.
Our research shows only a small number of people check the colour of their pee every time they go to the toilet. People need to get into the habit of looking before they flush to spot any signs of blood in their pee. And if there is blood, they shouldn’t hesitate about going to their GP. This will help diagnose more people at the early stages, when cancer is more treatable – improving their chances of living longer.
Dr Dawn Harper, TV Doctor and GP, said:
I’m urging people to be vigilant to changes in their body and to check their pee. I hear all too often about people who have delayed seeking medical advice if they have worrying symptoms – like blood in pee – because they are afraid of what the doctor might find or what the treatment might be.
If you do notice blood in your pee, it’s probably nothing serious, but it’s always worth checking with a health professional – you won’t be wasting their time. It’s vital that people don’t put off getting help; if it is cancer, early diagnosis saves lives.
Professor Chris Harrison, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said:
The earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chances, which is why it is vital people understand what to look out for and when to visit the GP. This campaign has the important aim of helping raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer and encouraging people to visit their GP after seeing blood in their pee.
The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign runs until 23 September and includes advertising on TV, radio and in public toilets and online. For further information about the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer, search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’.
Out of hours telephone
07912 515997 / 07807 646390
Background
The campaign launches across England on Thursday 19 July 2018 and runs until 23 September 2018. The campaign activity includes TV, print, radio, digital and out of home advertising.
Be Clear on Cancer campaigns are run by Public Health England in partnership with the Department of Health and NHS England and with the support of Cancer Research UK
Early diagnosis of cancer is a major priority for the government in helping us to improve cancer survival. Be Clear on Cancer campaigns, which aim to raise public awareness of the symptoms of cancer and encourage earlier presentation, are included in the report of the Independent Cancer Taskforce ‘Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: A Strategy for England 2015 to 2020’.
Interview opportunities with Public Health England spokespeople, a range of urologists from across the country, Dr Dawn Harper, charity supporters and case studies are available upon request.
Public Health England exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and providing specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific expertise and support. Follow us on Twitter: @PHE_uk and Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland.
Factors that increase the risk of bladder and/or kidney cancer include:
smoking
being overweight or obese
some jobs, because of exposure to certain chemicals
other medical conditions, such as kidney failure
a family history of cancer
Blood in pee is a key symptom for both bladder cancer and kidney cancer.
Other symptoms of bladder cancer include:
cystitis (a urinary tract infection) that is difficult to treat or comes back quickly after treatment
pain when peeing
Other symptoms of kidney cancer include:
a pain that doesn’t go away, either in the tummy or in the side, below the ribs
weight loss
Additional spokespeople quotes
Geraldine Sinfield, bladder cancer survivor and supporter of the Urology Foundation, said:
I noticed blood in my pee in late 2013. I knew something was wrong and made an appointment to see my doctor straight away. He referred me to hospital for tests which showed I had bladder cancer. I’m so glad I acted quickly because my cancer was caught early and just six months after my treatment, my husband and I went sailing around Britain, something I never thought would be possible! Recently, at my last appointment, my doctor was so pleased with my progress that I was told I would no longer need to have annual checkups, which is a huge relief.
Louise de Winter, CEO of The Urology Foundation, said:
We are very pleased to see Public Health England running this campaign. The Urology Foundation will always support campaigns that raise awareness of blood in pee, a symptom of a number of urological cancers.
We know cancer is so much easier to treat when it’s caught early, which means checking for blood in pee can be a small, but life-saving decision. Our goal is to lead the fight against urology disease and encouraging people to check for blood in their pee and to take action is an important step in that fight.
Andrew Winterbottom, founder and CEO of Fight Bladder Cancer and a bladder cancer patient himself, explained:
The Blood in Pee campaign is essential to let people know that they should go and see their GP if they have any sign of blood in their pee even if it is just on one occasion. Whatever the reason it’s important not to delay as getting it checked out straight away is really important if it turns out to be something serious.
Nick Turkentine, CEO of Kidney Cancer UK, said:
This is an incredibly important campaign as early diagnosis of kidney cancer offers greatly increased chance of a full recovery. One of the early signs something may be wrong is traces, or amounts, of blood in your pee, so if you see it, talk to your GP without fail. Also, look for other possible signs, these may not necessarily be kidney cancer but are worth being aware of including a pain that doesn’t go away, either in the tummy or in the side below the ribs, or loss of weight. See your GP if you have any concerns.
Allen Knight, CEO of Action Bladder Cancer UK, said:
Around 8,000 people die from bladder or kidney cancer each year in England. Many of these deaths could be avoided if patients saw a doctor as soon as they noticed a key symptom of these cancers – blood in pee – even if it’s only once. Bladder cancer is often diagnosed late, which means it can be even harder to treat. We are pleased to support the Be Clear on Cancer campaign and to help spread the message that if you do notice blood in your pee, you must take action and get checked by your GP – and go back again if it is not resolved.
Her Majesty The Queen is pleased to approve the following awards of the George Medal, the Queen’s Gallantry Medal and the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. The names of those shown below will be published in The London Gazette.
George Medal
Ignacio Echeverria, Civilian (posthumous), for confronting armed terrorists to protect others at London Bridge on 3 June 2017
On 3 June 2017, Ignacio Echeverria was cycling through Borough Market with friends when he witnessed a terrorist attack. On realising what was happening, he ran towards the terrorists, using his skateboard to strike them to prevent them from carrying out further attacks. The terrorists diverted their attention to him and inflicted fatal wounds. It is without a doubt that his intervention allowed victims to escape, thus preventing further loss of life.
Ignacio Echeverria displayed great courage when he challenged multiple armed terrorists. Using his skateboard as a weapon, he was well aware that it was no match for the weapons that were being used by the assailants. Regardless, he ran towards them with the intention of stopping them from carrying out further attacks on innocent people who were in the vicinity.
It is beyond doubt that he displayed great courage in choosing to try to tackle the attackers. He could have taken cover but did not do so. He was unarmed and untrained. The danger was apparent but he made a deliberate choice to try to stop the attack, putting himself in harm’s way.
PC Charlie Guenigault, Metropolitan Police, for confronting armed terrorists to protect others at London Bridge on 3 June 2017
On the evening of 3 June 2017, three terrorists carried out a sustained attack on members of the public in the vicinity of London Bridge and Borough Market. PC Charlie Guenigault was in the immediate vicinity. He was first alerted to the incident at approximately 21:30 when, despite being off duty, he responded to a call for assistance from a member of the public who had been stabbed in the arm. He went to assist and requested the attendance of the police and ambulance services via mobile phone. Two uniformed officers then approached the scene. He briefed them on what he knew. As he was doing this he heard a further commotion and observed what at that stage appeared to be a street brawl involving six to eight people about 10 to 15 metres away. Despite having no personal protective equipment, he ran toward the group and saw that in fact two British Transport Police (BTP) officers were being attacked and that this was a violent and dangerous situation. Both officers were experiencing a sustained attack and were fighting back using their batons. Without any thought for his own safety, PC Guenigault sprinted towards the group to assist his fellow officers. On reaching them, he ran between the two BTP officers and pushed away one of the attackers, receiving a stab wound to the back of his neck as he did so. Despite this, he forced his way further into the group, at which point it became clear to him that there were three assailants. He pushed one of the attackers away from a BTP officer. The attacker then turned on PC Guenigault and stabbed him multiple times resulting in injuries to his face, back, and hands. He collapsed to the ground and despite his injuries had the presence of mind to lay still. The attackers then fled the scene. He was assisted by members of the public and was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
PC Guenigault was off–duty when he showed exemplary action in response to this terrorist attack. He tried to protect fellow police officers and members of the public by distracting and attempting to stop the terrorists. He placed himself in danger and was aware of the possibility of serious personal injury.
PC Wayne Marques, British Transport Police, for confronting armed terrorists to protect others at London Bridge
On 3 June 2017, three terrorists carried out a sustained attack on members of the public at London Bridge, resulting in 8 people being killed and 48 injuries.
PC Wayne Marques, a British Transport Police (BTP) Officer, left his police station at London Bridge to commence a routine patrol with his fellow officer PC McLeod. Almost immediately upon exiting the station they heard screaming and saw people running down Borough High Street. They ran towards the disturbance and found a man with stab wounds being tended to by members of the public. PC Marques heard further screaming, turned and saw a man (one of the terrorists) stab two people.
PC Marques charged at the terrorist and using his baton knocked the terrorist away from the victims. He continued to overpower the terrorist, striking him with his baton a number of times. As he was overpowering the terrorist PC Marques was stabbed in the head by a second terrorist. PC Marques continued hitting out at both men in an attempt to disarm them when he saw a third terrorist running towards him. At this point, he was confronting all three terrorists while they were slashing at him with their knives.
PC Marques suffered a number of knife wounds but continued to confront the terrorists, hitting at them with his baton. PC Marques carried on swinging with his baton in an attempt to disarm the men and managed to create some distance between himself and the three terrorists. Whilst doing this he pulled PC Guenigault, who was lying on the ground, away from the further threat of injury. The terrorists then suddenly turned and ran off. At this point PC Marques felt warm liquid on his body, realised it was blood, and sat down on the ground. Others went to PC Marques’ aid at this point.
Whilst PC Marques did not know at the time the suspects were terrorists, he knew the individuals were extremely dangerous and made a conscious decision to face that danger head on in an attempt to apprehend them and prevent further injury or loss of life. He demonstrated exceptional courage and resilience. He was subjected to a sustained attack involving extreme violence and faced overwhelming odds. Although seriously injured, he continued to try to protect the public without regard for his own personal safety.
Paul Hassan James Zubier, Civilian, for going to the assistance of a woman being attacked by a man with a knife
On 18 August 2017, a man armed with a knife attacked members of the public in a square in Turku, Finland. Hassan Zubier, a trained paramedic, was on holiday with his family when the attack started. As they were walking through the square, Hassan heard screams behind him. He turned around and saw a woman on the ground, a man with a knife standing over her, and another woman running away screaming. He immediately rushed over, chasing the attacker away. He gave first aid to the woman on the ground and attempted to stop the bleeding.
While he was attending to the woman, the attacker returned. He fought him off and the attacker fled, but he returned once more and attacked Hassan Zubier while he continued to attend to the woman. Once again the attacker returned and attempted to stab Hassan Zubier’s partner. He shielded her, sustaining further injuries himself. Despite Zubier’s efforts, the woman died from her injuries in his arms. He sustained four stab wounds to his neck, chest and left arm. Two women died in the attack and a further eight people were injured.
Hassan Zubier was aware of the danger to others and to himself, as he knew the attacker was armed when he went to help. But he was determined to assist the victim, despite the attacker returning and attacking him several times.
Queen’s Gallantry Medal
Stephen John Adams, Civilian, and Richard Arthur Guest, Civilian (posthumous), for saving a young girl from drowning
On Saturday 4 July 2015, Richard Guest and his wife were walking along the beach in Tywyn, North Wales, when they heard screams for help coming from the sea. Two teenage girls had gone into the sea and had got into difficulty.
Richard Guest noticed that another man, Stephen Adams, was walking nearby and had also heard the screams. Without hesitation, both men quickly entered the sea to try and save the two teenage girls. The sea was extremely rough but the men persisted, and Richard Guest was the first of the two men to reach one of the girls. He held her out of the water until he was able to hand her to Stephen Adams. As they were about to return to shore, the rescued girl told the men that there was another girl in the water. While Stephen Adams helped the girl back to shore, Richard Guest decided to remain behind to search for the other girl who they believed was still in the water. Neither man was aware that the second girl has managed to make her own way safely back to shore.
Richard Guest spent some time in the very rough sea searching for the other girl and, having taken the girl to safety, Stephen Adams returned to where he had left Richard Guest. He discovered him face down in the water. He checked for a pulse but there was none and because of the rough conditions, he could not turn Richard Guest over. Realising his own life was in danger, he reluctantly returned to the shore. Richard Guest was later pulled unconscious from the sea by the RNLI and taken to hospital, but he was pronounced dead.
Both men demonstrated unselfish courage. Neither man knew the two girls yet were willing to risk their own lives to ensure the safety of two strangers.
Thomas Leslie Jackson, Civilian (posthumous), and Daniel Leigh Richards, Civilian, for trying to save a woman attacked by a man armed with a knife
On 23 August 2016, a tourist at a backpackers’ hostel in Queensland, Australia went on a frenzied knife attack injuring three people (two fatally) and assaulted police officers. He stabbed British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung, who subsequently died at the scene.
The attacker dragged Mia Ayliffe-Chung from her bed with the knife at her throat. Daniel Richards was in the next bedroom and realised what was going on. He pleaded with the attacker to put the knife down and went on to witness the stabbing. Despite this, he made a courageous attempt to approach the attacker and called for assistance; the risk was demonstrated by the cut a companion received, which required 100 stitches. His actions, however, distracted the attacker, allowing Mia Ayliffe-Chung to run to a first floor bathroom. After raising the alarm downstairs, Daniel Richards returned with Thomas Jackson to the bathroom to care for Mia Ayliffe-Chung.
Thomas Jackson on being alerted to the situation (Mia Ayliffe-Chung had been stabbed but was still alive), went to the first floor bathroom with Daniel Richards to care for her. Thomas Jackson persisted in trying to calm the attacker and reduce the risk. But the assailant attacked Thomas Jackson ferociously, stabbing him multiple times. These wounds were to prove fatal; he died on 29 August.
Despite the ongoing danger, when the assailant attacked Thomas Jackson, Daniel Richards did not leave but remained, continuing to call for help.
Both Thomas Jackson and Daniel Richards were aware of the danger that the attacker posed, as they had seen that Mia Ayliffe-Chung had been attacked when coming to her aid. They were untrained, unprotected and unarmed during the attack. Their actions were to protect the victim and assist her in the first floor bathroom. Thomas Jackson tried to calm the attacker down. The attack on him was unexpected, and he was unable to prepare for it. Daniel Richards was aware of the danger, demonstrated by the stab wounds that victims received during the incident. He protected a third party throughout the attack, and at risk to his own safety.
PC Leon McLeod, British Transport Police, for confronting armed terrorists to protect others at London Bridge on 3 June 2017
On 3 June 2017, three terrorists carried out a sustained attack on members of the public at London Bridge and Borough Market. That evening two British Transport Police (BTP) officers, PC Wayne Marques and PC Leon McLeod, left their station at London Bridge to commence routine patrol. Almost immediately upon exiting the station, they heard screaming. They ran towards the disturbance and were told by people running away from the scene that someone had been stabbed. They found a man on the ground that had been stabbed and who was being tended to by members of the public. PC McLeod stopped to help administer first aid to the man and radioed for assistance.
He then heard PC Marques shouting and saw him waving his arms about like he was trying to break up a fight. He ran towards PC Marques and saw men holding knives. He drew his baton and shouted at the men to ‘drop it’ when they suddenly ran off. As he ran after the attackers, he saw a man and woman on the ground, both who had been injured. He went to their aid and radioed for immediate assistance, confirming further casualties. At this point, he saw PC Marques covered in blood. He radioed again that an officer was injured.
PC McLeod ran in the direction the men had gone and came across many people running towards him shouting that people had been stabbed. He was told that the men had gone up a street and he ran in the same direction where he found further casualties. He stopped to help administer emergency aid to the victims when he heard gunfire in the immediate vicinity and became aware of armed police officers on the scene. Despite the danger, he continued to help treat a victim and assisted others to carry him out of the danger zone to an ambulance. He then returned to check on PC Marques, help the injured and evacuate people out of the danger zone. PC McLeod remained on the scene until the following morning.
With little regard for his own safety, he demonstrated exemplary bravery by running into what he quickly recognised as a terrorist attack to help the many innocent people who were caught up in it. His courage in the face of adversity as one of the first police officers on the scene during this atrocity is highly commendable.
John Moore, Civilian, for rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle
Please see description underneath the “Theresa Cosgrove, Civilian” heading below.
Queen’s Commendation for Bravery
Theresa Cosgrove, Civilian, for rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle
On 10 June 2014, John Moore was in the front passenger seat of a car driven by his partner, Theresa Cosgrove, when he noticed that a motorcycle was traveling behind their car. Ms Cosgrove spotted the motorcycle in her rearview mirror and moved over slightly to indicate the motorcyclist could overtake the car safely and then moved back to the middle of the road. After a few seconds, John Moore saw a car emerging into the road from a private driveway. The motorcycle continued along the road and was unable to react safely to the emerging car, as there was not enough room or time. It braked hard, which caused its rear wheel to lift off the ground and the motorcycle collided with the driver’s door of the car and burst into flames almost instantly.
Theresa Cosgrove stopped her car and John Moore immediately ran towards the passenger side of the car. He discovered that a young woman was sitting in the driver’s seat, on fire and screaming for help. The motorcyclist was lying across the woman, trapping her in her seat. John Moore and Theresa Cosgrove managed to move the motionless cyclist away to a safe distance from the burning car. Moore then returned to the car and set about trying to free the woman, but was unsuccessful. Theresa Cosgrove then came to assist John Moore but without success.
John Moore took over again. He climbed into the passenger footwell to grab the woman while Theresa Cosgrove lent in to assist. Flames rolled up the inside of the windscreen and over his upper half. The seatbelt melted onto the woman and because of this, Mr Moore was able to pull her over the centre console and free of the car. On moving the driver, he shouted that it was time to get away from the burning car. Both he and Theresa Cosgrove went back to where the motorcyclist was lying. Shortly afterwards, the car exploded and John Moore used his body to shield Theresa Cosgrove and the motorcyclist. The emergency services arrived shortly after and declared that the motorcyclist had sadly died.
As a result of returning to the burning vehicle, prioritising the rescue of the woman without regard for his own safety, John Moore suffered burns to his hands and face. Although he and Theresa Cosgrove knew that there was a significant risk to life and they could have refused to enter the area where the car was burning, they did not hesitate to go to the assistance of the two injured motorists. Their aim was to bring the injured motorists to safety and they persisted until this was achieved.
Kirsty Boden, Civilian (posthumous), for giving assistance to the victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack
On 3 June 2017, terrorists drove their van along London Bridge and into the Borough Market area. Kirsty Boden had been enjoying a night out when it became apparent that there had been a terrible incident on the bridge. People ran into nearby shops, cafes and restaurants, Kirsty (a nurse by profession) acted without hesitation and went to assist those injured in the courtyard area below London Bridge. It is likely that she did not realise that a terrorist attack was taking place. As she tried to save the life of an injured person, the terrorists attacked her and she was fatally wounded.
It is without a doubt that Kirsty Boden displayed courage and compassion when, without concern for her own safety, she went to assist those who were injured. She could have taken cover to protect herself, as most people caught up in such a serious and life threatening situations would have done. However, being a nurse, she took her training to care for others to the highest level.
Ellen Gauntlett, Civilian, and Justin Jones, Civilian, for going to the assistance of an injured police officer at London Bridge on 3 June 2017
On 3 June 2017, Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones were in Borough Market and saw two police officers involved in a struggle with three men (the terrorist attackers). Realising the officers needed help, Justin Jones ran across the road to help them, where an attacker confronted him with a knife. All three attackers then ran off. Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones stayed to provide first aid to a badly injured police officer. Despite fears that the attackers had firearms and were returning, both stayed with the police officer until he had been taken to hospital and was in a stable condition.
Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones could both have taken cover and chosen not to intervene in support of the police officer. In doing so, they may have saved his life by increasing opposition to the attackers and causing them to run off. It is entirely possible that the police officer would have been completely overpowered and killed without that intervention. Neither was trained for the dangerous situation in which they found themselves and there was a very real risk of severe injury. They could not know whether the attackers would return.
Gareth Jack Leadbetter, Border Force Officer, for rescuing 20 persons from a sinking vessel
In the early hours of the 29 May 2016, Gareth Leadbetter was the Coxswain of HM Cutter Valiant’s boarding boat and led his team in the recovery of 20 persons, suspected to be illegal migrants, from a sinking vessel near Dungeness. Weather conditions were extremely poor and after assessing the situation, the seaworthiness of the craft and the condition of its passengers, Gareth Leadbetter displayed exceptional leadership and coxswain skills in ensuring all migrants and facilitators were transferred onto the cutter in extremely demanding conditions.
Gareth Leadbetter made the correct operational decisions ahead of his own safety, ensuring lives were saved at sea by rescuing the people and recovering them to his ship. This involved 3 separate runs to and from the sinking vessel and 3 launches and recoveries of his boat onto the cutter – an extremely dangerous manoeuvre, made all the more hazardous in the poor weather.
He demonstrated his ability to lead a team under severe pressure and to focus the skills and experience of his diverse team. He showed outstanding composure and resilience in rescuing migrants at sea to deliver a truly inclusive outcome. His actions resulted in 20 lives being saved at sea.
Sean Moore, Civilian, for intervening in a violent altercation
On 3 August 2014, a man attacked another man inside a busy Derby city centre bar, following a disagreement. The attacker was armed with a broken bottle and lunged at his victim, stabbing him near the back of his neck.
Sean Moore, one of the bar’s door supervisors was on duty and witnessed the attack. He quickly realised that the attacker was about to stab his victim a second time and without hesitating, leapt to the victim’s defence by placing himself between both men. As a result of this, he received the blow that was intended for the victim. The attacker had used the broken bottle to stab Moore, leaving a gaping hole on the back of his left hand. Despite this, Sean Moore persisted to diffuse the situation and with the help of a group of people eventually managed to get the attacker and his victim apart. By intervening in the incident, Sean Moore’s first and foremost concern was to prevent further injury or even death to the victim.
Florin Morariu, Civilian, for providing shelter to those escaping the London Bridge terrorist attack on 3 June 2017
On 3 June 2017, Florin Morariu was working at a bakery in London Bridge when two frightened women who were seeking refuge approached him. They alerted him to the terrorist attack taking place, making him aware of the danger that people in the vicinity were facing. He provided shelter for the victims but chose not to remain indoors. He instead armed himself with two bread crates for his defence and went to seek the attackers. He found them stabbing someone and, to distract their attention, threw the crates at them. The police then arrived at the scene and he returned to the bakery, opening it up to the public as a place of safety and allowing 20 people to shelter there.
When he first realised the seriousness of the situation, Florin Morariu had the chance to retreat to the safety of his shop, but decided against this. Two bread crates were no match for the weapons that the attackers were using, of which fact he was well aware, but he nevertheless decided that he would engage them. There is no doubt that he was determined to stop the attackers from inflicting further wounds on others.
David Robert Sant, Border Force Officer, Lee Anthony Townsend, Border Force Officer, and Stuart Anthony Woodland, Border Force Officer, for rescuing people from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea
On the night of 21/22 January 2016, a Border Force patrol vessel was on patrol off the Greek Island of Farmakonisi as part of EU operations to rescue people crossing from Turkey. Just before midnight on 21 January, a large wooden fishing boat was detected heading towards Farmakonisi and a Greek Coast Guard vessel was sent to investigate.
Shortly after, the alarm was raised as the fishing vessel had foundered on the rocky coastline of Farmakonisi. The Border Force vessel immediately launched 2 rescue craft. The Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) crew were Lee Townsend (Border Force team leader) and a commercial coxswain and the larger Daughter Craft (DC) crew were Stuart Woodland and David Sant (Border Force) and a commercial coxswain. Both rescue boats sped to the scene, in total darkness, and in poor weather with an observed 1.5m swell and crashing waves on the rocks.
On arrival, they found many people in the water surrounded by bodies and debris from the wreck. In full knowledge that they themselves were in danger of being forced onto the rocks by the weather, the FRC crew led by Lee Townsend immediately pulled a boy and girl from the water and they began to perform CPR on both. The DC crew similarly put themselves in known danger to begin recovering people from the water with David Sant recovering and performing CPR on a young girl. At this point, both the FRC and DC lost power due to fouling from the floating debris. Despite both vessels now being helpless and being driven towards the rocks, the crew continued to administer CPR in an attempt to revive those rescued even though they knew they were in serious danger. Shortly after the FRC hit the rocks repeatedly but Lee Townsend kept telling his team to stay with the boat and keep calm.
During this extreme danger, the team continued to try and revive those they had rescued. The DC finally managed to restart its engines and skillfully manoeuvred to take the FRC in tow; Stuart Woodland put himself in danger whilst recovering a young girl from the water and when trying to take the FRC in tow where he had to pass a line to them close to the rocks. Despite knowing the imminent danger they were all in, the team continued to try and save the lives of those they had recovered whilst also trying to save their FRC colleagues now in danger of losing their lives.
Officers Townsend, Sant and Woodland each displayed exemplary acts of bravery, dedication, and commitment, saving 43 lives.
Three Royal Air Force Chinook helicopters from RAF Odiham, supported by around 90 British troops, are now on the ground and ready to begin providing logistical and troop movement support to our allies.
Armed Forces minister Mark Lancaster said:
“The UK and France have a unique security and defence relationship that has lasted for more than a century and this deployment demonstrates our shared commitment to tackling terrorism, instability and reducing threats to European security”
The Chinooks will provide niche logistical support and will also help improve safety by moving troops by air, rather than ground where they are more vulnerable to attack.
The UK has been a long-standing supporter of UN and EU military operations in Mali and has worked with international partners to prevent extremists from using the ungoverned space in the Sahel to plan and launch attacks on Europe, as well as counter the illegal trade in people, drugs, weapons and wildlife.
This is in addition to existing wider support to Africa including doubling our UN peacekeeping contribution with additional deployments to South Sudan and Somalia.
