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      in Soccer

      Dani Alves news — Ex-Barcelona star to appeal court decision after being found guilty of rape

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      FORMER Barcelona star Dani Alves has been jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub.The court ordered that Alves pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and sentenced him to four and a half years behind bars.
      “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent, and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven,” the court said in a statement.
      The Brazilian right-back has denied the allegations and is set to appeal the decision.
      Alves previously admitted to having sex with a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022 but insisted it was consensual.
      Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
      Alves’ wife posts selfie a few minutes after sentencing
      Dani Alves’ estranged wife Joana Sanz posted a glowing selfie just minutes after the former footballer was found guilty of rape.
      The Spanish model appeared unfazed in the snap she uploaded on her Instagram story – just a few minutes after the sentence of her ex-husband was announced.
      Sanz, who is in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria for an advertisement shoot, according to El Español, posted a series of snaps on Instagram.

      Copy linkCopiedAlves reportedly asked Neymar for help
      Dani Alves contacted his friend and former teammate Neymar Jr for financial and legal help, according to Brazilian media.
      UOL Esporte reported earlier this year that Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr, gave Alves money to help pay a €150,000 fine to the Spanish courts for “mitigating compensation for damaged caused.”
      Alves also reportedly appointed Gustavo Xisto, a long-serving legal representative for Neymar Sr’s businesses, as his lawyer in June last year.
      Alves and Neymar Jr were teammates at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team.
      Credit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedWho is Dani Alves?
      Alves’s new life behind bars is a far cry from his career as a footballer, which included him playing as a right-back for La Liga side Barcelona.
      During his time on the pitch, he won six La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles and the Serie A.
      Alves also won the UEFA Champions League on three occasions while playing for Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
      After a successful spell in Spain, Alves moved to Juventus in 2016 on a free transfer.
      He helped the Turin club to a League title, a Coppa Italia and was an important part of the side that reached the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid.
      After just one season in Italy, Alves joined French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he enjoyed further trophy success.
      Copy linkCopiedWhat has Dani Alves been found guilty of?
      Dani Alves has been found guilty of raping a woman in the toilet of a Barcelona nightclub.
      The Brazilian defender was accused of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      He has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      Alves has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      He has now been jailed for four and a half years.
      Copy linkCopiedHow long will Dani Alves go to jail for?
      Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars for rape.
      The court also ordered Alves to pay £130K (150,000 euros) in compensation to the victim.
      The ruling included a nine-and-a-half-year restraining order from the accuser.
      The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.”
      Following the sentence, Alves was sent to Brians 2 prison in Barcelona. He had previously been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      Alves can appeal his sentence.
      Copy linkCopiedAlves changed his testimony several times
      Dani Alves changed his story several times as the evidence authorities had against him emerged.
      The Brazillian footballer has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023, and was denied repeated bail requests by judges who said his story was inconsistent, while his victim’s version of events remained coherent.
      He first denied knowing his accuser, only to later claim that they had met but nothing happened between them.
      He then changed his version of events again, claiming they had consexual sex: “We were both enjoying ourselves,” he alleged.
      Copy linkCopiedAlves showed no remorse
      Dani Alves refused to apologise to his victim in an interview with a Spanish journalist last year while he was in prison.
      In an exclusive interview from his cell in Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona last June with Spanish TV and newspaper reporter Mayka Navarro, he claimed: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.”
      Copy linkCopiedDani Alves could be released in May 2025
      Dani Alves could be released as early as May 2025, despite being sentenced today to four years in prison.
      This is because the ex-Barcelona star has already served one year and one month in prison.
      According to Marca, this could see a judge grant the footballer an early release as soon as May next year.
      Copy linkCopied’A triumph of feminism’
      The general secretary of the left-wing party Podemos has declared Dani Alves’ jailing as a “triumph of feminism.”
      Ione Belarra said: “Years ago this case would have fallen into total impunity.
      “Everyone knows that a rich and famous sexual offender would have gotten away completely unscathed.
      “The sentence is a triumph of feminism.”
      Copy linkCopied‘Anguish and terror’
      The complainant told the court of the “anguish and terror” she felt after Alves’ alleged attack.
      One of her friends told the court she had cried “uncontrollably” after leaving the bathroom.
      The 23-year-old said Alves was both physically and verbally abusive towards her before raping her in the bathroom of a high-end Barcelona nightclub.
      Copy linkCopiedDani Alves to appeal court decision
      Dani Alves’ defence lawyer, Inés Guardiola, has announced to the press at Barcelona Court that they will appeal the sentence, as per Marca. 
      “We are going to review the sentence, but I can tell you that we are going to appeal,” the lawyer said.
      “We continue to believe in the innocence of Mr. Alves. He already knows the sentence and is whole.
      “We will defend his innocence to the end.”
      Copy linkCopiedDani Alves’ career as former Barcelona star jailed for rape
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Dani Alves played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo during his playing career.
      Considered by many the greatest full-backs of all time, he became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      He has now been jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of rape.
      Copy linkCopiedFootballer’s ex claims Alves ‘stank of alcohol’
      Dani Alves’ ex-wife says he “stank of alcohol and collapsed in bed” after arriving home from a night out where he allegedly raped a woman.
      Model Joana Sanz told her ex-husband’s rape trial in Barcelona that Alves also rang her “drunk” from the club where he allegedly forced himself on a 23-year-old woman.
      The Brazilian defender, 40, has been jailed for raping a woman in the toilet of an upmarket Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      Copy linkCopiedThe timeline of Dani Alves’ case

      December 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub
      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona are investigating an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves.
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’s alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted. CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves had been remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona. He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves is going on hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual
      February 22 2004: Alves is jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of rape.

      Copy linkCopiedVictim recounts attack
      Dani Alves’ accuser told the prosecution that she was forced to stay in the bathroom with the footballer after asking to leave.
      She claimed he was aggressive with her, insulting and slapping her before forcing the victim to have sex with him.
      During the first day of the footballer’s trial a friend and cousin of his accuser claimed he also groped them in the VIP area.
      The two women claim he then invited their friend, the alleged rape victim, to follow him through a separate door after flirting with her.
      Copy linkCopiedWhat has Dani Alves been found guilty of?
      Dani Alves has been found guilty of raping a woman in the toilet of a Barcelona nightclub.
      The Brazilian defender was accused of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      He has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      Alves has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      He has now been jailed for four and a half years.
      Copy linkCopiedEx-Barcelona star found guilty of rape
      Ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves has been jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub.
      The court ordered that Alves pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and sentenced him to four and a half years behind bars.
      “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent, and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven,” the court said in a statement.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      in Soccer

      Dani Alves will APPEAL bombshell 4.5-year prison sentence after ex-Barcelona star found guilty of raping woman in club

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      FORMER Barca star Dani Alves is planning to appeal the bombshell four-and-a-half years prison sentence he was handed this morning.The Brazilian defender, 40, was found guilty of raping a woman in the toilets of the nightclub Sutton on December 30, 2022.
      Dani Alves appeared before court earlier this month and denied all the claimsCredit: Reuters
      The footballer’s lawyer Ines Guardiola said they would be appealing the sentenceCredit: Reuters
      The Brazilian defender has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prisonCredit: Reuters
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao PauloCredit: AFP
      Alves arrived at the Barcelona court this morningCredit: EPA
      The Brazilian was summoned to court at 10am local timeCredit: EPA
      He was ordered to pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and stay away from her for nine-and-a-half-years.
      “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven,” the court said in a statement.
      Speaking outside the court, Alves’ lawyer Inés Guardiola said they were planning to appeal the sentence.
      She told reporters: “Four-and-a-half years is much better than nine and 12 that the accusation requested, but we are going to appeal because I still believe in Mr Alves’ innocence. 
      READ MORE ON DANI ALVES
      “We are going to review the sentence, but I can tell you that we are going to appeal.
      “We continue to believe in the innocence of Mr Alves. He already knows the sentence and is whole.
      “We will defend his innocence to the end.”
      State prosecutors were seeking nine years while the lawyers representing Alves’s accuser wanted 12 years.
      Most read in Football
       Following the sentence, Alves headed back to Brians 2 prison near the Catalan capital.
      In a trial held in Barcelona earlier this month, the footballer denied the allegations and said the encounter had been consensual. 
      The trial, held at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court lasted three days with the alleged victim, witnesses, and experts testifying.
      The Brazilian defender was accused of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      He has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      Alves has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      In a brief statement, the Barcelona court said Wednesday it had “summoned all parties in the Alves case, including the defendant, to appear in court for a so-called “notification procedure”.
      His accuser told the prosecution that she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave.
      She claims that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
      During the first day of the footballer’s trial a friend and cousin of his accuser claimed he also groped them in the VIP area.
      The two women claim he then invited their friend, the alleged rape victim, to follow him through a separate door after flirting with her.
      His ex-wife Joana Sanz told the court Alves “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” after arriving home the night of the assault.
      Dani Alves’ model ex Joana Sanz arrives at court to reveal what ‘drunk’ ex-Barcelona star told her moments after ‘rape’
      But she said she didn’t want to talk to him because of “the state he was in”.
      Alves has made repeated bail requests but they have all been turned down, with judges saying his alleged victim’s version of events was coherent and pointing out Alves had changed his story several times as the evidence authorities have against him has emerged.
      In an exclusive interview from his cell in Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona last June with Spanish TV he claimed: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves has played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo.
      He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time and became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      The defender was found guilty of raping a woman in the nightclub Sutton in Barcelona
      The footballer apologised to his wife Joana after the bombshell claimsCredit: AFP
      His ex-wife told the court he ‘smelled’ of alcohol after arriving home that nightTimeline of Dani Alves’ caseDecember 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub

      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona investigate an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’ alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted
      CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves is remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona
      He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands a divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves goes on a hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing hero Glenn McCrory reveals he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claims

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      BOXING hero Glenn McCrory has revealed he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claims.The former world champ and Sky Sports pundit also faced homelessness when his battle to clear his name wiped out his life savings.
      Glenn McCrory has revealed he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claimsCredit: Central News
      McCrory with his world champion belt in 1990Credit: Getty
      Three waitresses alleged he touched their arms in a sexual manner at a dinner before the Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.
      McCrory, 59, denied any sexual motive and insisted he was only trying to get their attention.
      He was cleared of all charges in just 90 minutes last September at Wood Green crown court, North London.
      And he has now teamed up with homeless charity CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of the plight facing record numbers in the UK.
      READ MORE BOXING NEWS
      Since 2010, rough sleeping has rocketed by 74 per cent and the charity stages annual sleepouts for business leaders to raise funds and awareness.
      This year’s fundraising drive is being kicked off with an event at Newcastle United’s stadium St James’ Park on March 21.
      Ex-cruiserweight Glenn, of Newcastle, said: “I know what it is like to hit rock bottom as I lost everything.
      “I was in the hands of the crisis team and my weight plummeted.
      Most read in Boxing
      “Everything fell apart.
      “To not know what your future holds or where your next meal is coming from is absolutely terrifying.
      “People see those in the public eye and think they must have a great life, but anyone can have their world pulled from under them in a heartbeat – and I’m living proof.
      “You could lose your job, savings or family – or just become unwell – and the downward spiral starts.”
      Inside Jake and Logan Paul’s £3.2m two-story warehouse gym in Puerto Rico with boxing ring, weights and recovery zones
      Sleepout boss Bianca Robinson said: “Glenn’s story is heartbreaking but it is a stark reminder that everyone can be just a few steps away from being made homeless.”
      McCrory fighting Lennox Lewis at the Royal Albert HallCredit: PA
      The former world champion in action against Patrick Lumumba in 1989Credit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Laura Woods seen for first time since stalking hell revealed as she works on Arsenal’s Champions League coverage

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      LAURA Woods has been seen for the first time since her two-year stalking hell was revealed.The presenter, 36, was said to have been left in “real fear” after an obsessed stalker sent her vile messages and threatened to kidnap her dog.
      Laura Woods pictured on set today
      Woods suffered a two-year stalking hellCredit: Getty
      Harneet Kaur has been jailed for stalking the TNT Sports presenter
      Laura has been spotted on set ahead of TNT Sports’ coverage of Portugal’s FC Porto hosting Arsenal in the Champions League this evening.
      Photos shared on social media showed the presenter sat alongside Scottish football legend and commentator Ally McCoist.
      It comes after she endured two years of torment as Harneet Kaur, 25, targeted her online and sent unwanted packages to her home.
      Female Liverpool FC fan Kaur became infatuated with Laura back in 2021 and began visiting the street she lived on, a court heard.
      Read More Sport
      The sick campaign involved terrifying threats to kill Laura’s dog and vile messages where she referred to the pundit as a prostitute.
      Bibles, sexual health tests and food orders were also arranged to be delivered to Laura’s London pad.
      Kaur used Just Eat to arrange for Krispy Kreme doughnuts to be delivered to the address.
      Judge Talog Davies said Ms Woods was initially “pleasantly surprised and thought it was a mistake or somebody being nice”, so posted a picture on her Twitter account saying they had “made her evening”.
      Most read in Football
      But Antonie Muller, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court “Woods did not realise this was to be the start of a campaign against her”.
      Laura Woods straddles Adam Collard on romantic ski holiday after suffering ‘near-death experiences’
      Kaur sent a Starbucks order and chocolate lollipop with the message: “From your secret admirer and I’m not crazy”.
      The contact then started turning “darker” when Woods, who presents for TNT Sport, was bombarded with messages.
      One said she was a “former prostitute who slept herself into a job”.
      Kaur was arrested in April 2022 and re-arrested in August later the same year.
      Her phone and iPad were seized both times, but that “didn’t stop her”.
      In October, she posted a picture of Woods commentating at Anfield with the caption: “Wtf is that coke head doing at Anfield.”
      Kaur also sent messages saying Ms Woods was a ‘Tory’ and wasn’t welcome in Liverpool ahead of a match she was due to attend.
      Kaur, who has autism, was previously banned from Liverpool’s ground for ticket touting.
      While Kaur’s barrister claimed her offending was down to autistic traits of “obsession and compulsion”, judge Talog Davies rubbished the arguments.
      Sentencing her to 14 months in prison, he said Kaur would have known the impact she was having on Woods.
      Woods suffers from anxiety and has been forced to increase security at home and while at work.
      Prosecutors said Kaur’s actions had left Ms Woods with a “real fear” that the defendant would get close to her while she was working.
      They fought to have Kaur banned from every football stadium in the country, reports MailOnline.
      But the judge said it was too harsh a punishment and instead handed her a jail sentence and a restraining order.
      Kaur has been banned from contacting Woods and 14 other people, and cannot go within 500m of her home.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Balbir Singh, mitigating, said: “This defendant has never met Laura Woods, she has never spoken to her, she has never approached her – this is why this case is very different to many others that come before the courts.”
      Kaur, from Walsall, West Mids, pleaded guilty to stalking. More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League star’s shock after gang take over home he owns & turn it into cannabis factory with hundreds of plants

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      A CRIMINAL gang took over a Premier League star’s home and forced his tenant to let them grow cannabis.The cuckoo-plot crooks left the female occupant surrounded by hundreds of plants.
      A criminal gang took over a Premier League star’s home and forced his tenant to let them grow cannabisCredit: Getty
      The cuckoo-plot crooks left the female occupant surrounded by hundreds of plantsCredit: Getty
      But when police raided the home, the player had to prove his innocence to avoid charges.
      Police also released the tenant without charge after deciding she was set up by the gang.
      A source told The Sun: “This player owns the house in the North West as part of a buy-to-let empire.
      “Another family member manages the properties but they couldn’t believe it when cops found a large-scale cannabis farm.
      Read More on Football
      “The plants were taken away and destroyed and the player had to show paperwork to prove that while he was the owner of the property, he had someone else living in it.”
      Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, production and possession of cannabis with the intent to supply is a criminal offence that can result in up to 14 years in jail.
      Landlords who fail to report suspicions of illegal activity can be liable and face the same penalty.
      Rental income could also be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
      Most read in Football
      The number of cannabis farms operating in homes is growing.
      In June, more than 1,000 were raided, with plants worth £130million seized and 1,000 suspects arrested.
      Sham estate agents was a front for brazen drug lord who raked in £11m a YEAR
      Single plants are often attributed a value of £840 in criminal trials.
      The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said: “Organised networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to other serious criminality such as Class A drug importation, slavery, violence and exploitation.” More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-footballer Michael Boateng appears in court over £1m haul of crystal meth

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      A FORMER professional footballer has appeared in court over the massive seizure of £1 million worth of crystal meth.Around 20 kilos of the Breaking Bad drug was found during a Valentine’s Day raid on a flat in Croydon, South London.
      Boateng, 32, previously played for Bristol RoversCredit: Wikipedia/@Oneova
      Former Crystal Palace academy player Michael Boateng, 32, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug – Methylamphetamine.”
      It was one of the biggest ever seizures of crystal meth in the UK and raises fears that the highly addictive drug is taking root here.
      Boateng appeared in custody at Croydon magistrates’ court around 11am today and spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address in southeast London.
      Mr Harris, defending, made no bail application or indication of plea ahead of Boateng’s next hearing at Croydon Crown Court on March 15.
      Crystal meth
      District Judge Dean said: “I am remanding you in custody until then.”
      Right back Boateng was on the books at Palace as a teenager between 2005 and 2007 when they were competing in the second tier Championship.
      The defender went on to play for Bristol Rovers before having spells at Bromley, Sutton United, Newport County and Whitehawk.
      After hanging up his boots in 2013, Boateng qualified as a personal trainer, with Prem stars like Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Spurs’s Ryan Sessegnon among his clients.
      Most read in Football
      Police said the operation which led to his arrest “was part of ongoing work to disrupt and prevent serious violence in Croydon.”
      A Met spokesperson said: “An estimated £1 million worth of crystal meth has been seized by police after a drugs warrant was carried out at a flat in Croydon on February 14.
      “A 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.”
      The explosion of crystal meth in the US was highlighted by the drama series Breaking Bad, in which a science teacher, Walter White, begins cooking the drug to make money after learning he has terminal cancer.
      Until now, its use has not been widespread in the UK mainstream drug culture. More

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      in Soccer

      Club apologise for ‘jaw-droppingly offensive’ Murder on the Dancefloor stop sign post of player who killed man in crash

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      A LEAGUE of Ireland club has deleted and apologised for a controversial social media post of a player holding a stop sign featuring the song Murder On The Dancefloor.It had been pointed out the man had been convicted of killing a dad-of-two in a car crash.
      Galway United’s Instagram post image was accompanied by the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit Murder On The Dancefloor
      McCarthy was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban in November 2020 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Andrezej ObalekCredit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
      Tragic Andrezej Obalek died in the crash
      The Instagram post by Galway United to promote a Premier Division clash against St Patrick’s Athletic tomorrow showed Ed McCarthy, 22, holding up the traffic sign.
      The image was accompanied by the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit Murder On The Dancefloor and a golf club that is used to tee off and hit a ball long distances, which is known as a driver.
      The Moyross, Co Limerick native was 19 when he was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban in November 2020 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Andrezej Obalek, 55.
      McCarthy was driving home from a training session with Cork City on February 18 that year at Ballybeg, Buttevant, Co Cork on the main Cork-Limerick road at around 10.40pm and was speeding through bends.

      He lost control of his car and crossed over the divide to the wrong side of the road, hitting the Polish national’s car and causing him to hit a ditch and die instantly.
      McCarthy also hit another car that was following behind Mr Obalek’s vehicle and that driver suffered minor injuries.
      He told a court he “never meant harm to anyone” and “never set out to do anything like that to anyone”.
      During the trial, Judge Sean O’Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court read a victim impact statement by Obalek’s sister, Urszula Obalek-Owstrowska.
      Most read in Football
      It said: “Andrezej’s death caused a great gap in my life that I cannot fill with anything. I am still waiting for his calls, text messages, full of optimism.
      “You robbed me of this forever. I believe that the greatest punishment for you will be living with the knowledge that you have killed a great man.”
      The judge then addressed the court saying: “I hope the victim impact statement by Mr Obalek’s sister is burned into his brain and he never forgets it.
      “It is a belief that she has expressed to bring out the hurt that she has felt over the loss of her brother.”
      After it was posted, social media users were quick to point out the problems surrounding the image.
      In a post about the picture on Reddit, one user said: “Wow, not a good look at all.”
      Another added: “That golf club is a driver as well. Just jaw-droppingly offensive.”
      On X, one user said: “What would possess someone to think that was a good idea?”
      ‘Tasteless’
      Another described it as “horrible” and “tasteless, from both club and player”.
      The post on Instagram has since been deleted.
      Today, Galway United said it had meant no offence and wanted to “unreservedly apologise”.
      A statement on the club’s website read: “Galway United wish to advise that there was no offence intended by a recent social media post issued by the club and would like to unreservedly apologise for any hurt or distress that the post may have caused.”
      New contract
      Right-sided defender or midfielder McCarthy signed for Galway United in February 2022.
      McCarthy, who previously played for Cork City, Treaty United and Regional United, signed a new contract at Galway United last month.
      He had been named in the 2023 Professional Footballers Association Ireland First Division Team of the Year.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor has returned to popularity after featuring in a memorable final scene in hit flick Saltburn.
      The hit movie, starring Ireland’s Barry Keoghan, tells the shocking story of what unfolds when a quiet young student spends a summer with a rich pal at an English country house. More

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      in Soccer

      England ace Jack Grealish due in court this week after he’s caught speeding – the latest in string of driving woes

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      ENGLAND footie ace Jack Grealish is due in court on a speeding charge this week — the latest in a string of driving woes.The Manchester City star’s £100,000 motor was caught on camera breaking a 30mph limit last July.
      Jack Grealish is due in court on a speeding charge this weekCredit: Cavendish
      The Manchester City star has had a string of driving offencesCredit: Getty
      The next month, he was charged with failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver in Wythall, near Birmingham.
      If convicted of speeding, the 28-year-old faces a fine based on his £300,000 weekly wage and up to six ­penalty points.
      The second offence also carries a fine and six points.
      Grealish has a chequered driving history.
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      He got a nine-month ban and an £82,000 fine after crashing his Range Rover into two parked vehicles in 2020.
      He was also charged with speeding after clocking almost 100mph on the M42 when he was with Aston Villa.
      He pleaded guilty to careless driving and was only allowed back in a car in September 2022.
      At the time of those offences, Grealish had six points on his licence from 2018 when caught speeding on the M42.
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      His case is due to be heard by Worcestershire JPs on Thursday.
      His agent said the hearing was a “mix up” and that his partner Sasha Attwood paid the fine at the time of the speeding offence.
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