News 01/05/26

A failed asylum seeker has been found guilty of attempting to break into the Israeli embassy in London to launch a knife attack.

Abdullah Albadri, a thirty-four-year-old born in Kuwait, was tackled by armed police officers after he leapt up an embassy fence in Kensington last May. He was armed with two four-inch knives. Jurors at the Old Bailey heard he intended to exact revenge for the killing of children in Gaza. Following fourteen hours of deliberation, he was convicted of preparing terrorist acts and possessing bladed articles.

The co-founder of the fashion chain Superdry has been found guilty of raping a woman after a night out.

James Holder, aged fifty-four and from Cheltenham, had gone to the woman’s home where he initially fell asleep on her bed. The multi-millionaire then woke up and beckoned the woman into the bedroom from the lounge before raping her. Holder had denied the charges, claiming the sexual activity was consensual, but he was convicted of rape and assault by penetration.

A woman has been charged after a car crashed into a primary school in Wimbledon, killing two eight-year-old girls in 2023.

Claire Freemantle faces two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury. The forty-nine-year-old has indicated she will plead not guilty when she appears at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 June.

Nancy Pexton, aged seventy, has been jailed for life for the murder of her sister, Jennifer Abbott.

Pexton must serve a minimum of twenty-two years for the stabbing, which involved a sustained and excessively violent assault. The judge described the killing as a brutal attack on a vulnerable woman in her own home.

A forty five year old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder following the stabbings in Golders Green.

Essa Suleiman, a British national born in Somalia, was arrested after the attacks on Highfield Avenue in north London. He is also charged with attempted murder in connection with a separate incident on the same day in Great Dover Street, and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

The public has been told to be alert but not alarmed after the terror threat level was raised to severe following the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London.

Counter terrorism policing chief Laurence Taylor urged vigilance, describing an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions. He said there has been a gradual increase in terrorist threats, driven by a rise in both Islamist and extreme right wing terrorism.

Parts of the UK could be hotter than Hawaii and Athens today, with temperatures expected to reach 27 degrees in London and East Anglia.

The Met Office says it could be the warmest day of the year so far, around ten degrees above average for this time of year. However, forecasters are warning of heavy rain and thunder ahead of more changeable weather over the bank holiday weekend across parts of the country.

Donald Trump has said he will remove tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports during the state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The US president said he would lift limits affecting Scotland’s ability to work with Kentucky on whisky and bourbon. The UK government confirmed the move applies to all whisky tariffs, including Irish whiskey, with industry representatives saying distillers will be able to breathe more easily.

A holistic health practitioner from Slough has been recognised for her work supporting wellbeing.

Michelle Rodriguez, founder of The Rodriguez Retreat, received a Highly Commended award in the Beauty and Wellness category at the twenty twenty six SHE Awards. With more than twenty five years of experience, she has built a reputation for client focused care through a holistic approach to health.