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      Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas denies role in £600k Stansted Airport drug smuggling plot

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      A FORMER Arsenal star has denied being behind a £600,000 Stansted Airport drug smuggling plot.Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was detained by National Crime Agency officers after the haul of cannabis was seized.Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has appeared in courtCredit: GettyHe was allegedly behind a plot to smuggle cannabis into the UKCredit: National Crime AgencyEmmanuel-Thomas appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court todayCredit: PAThe former Arsenal star appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today charged with importing Class B drugs.He denied the charge and was remanded into custody ahead of a provisional trial in May next year.The maximum sentence for cannabis importation in the UK is up to 14 years in prison.Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested in Inverclyde, Scotland, last month.Read more newsHis contract with Scottish Championship team Greenock Morton was later “terminated with immediate effect”.The NCA said the drugs were seized at Stansted Airport on September 2, with two women arrested and charged.Border Force officers allegedly found 60kg of cannabis in two suitcases which that arrived on a flight from Bangkok.Rosie Rowland, 28, and Yasmin Piotrowska, 33, also pleaded not guilty to the same charge today.Most read in FootballThey were bailed ahead of a hearing scheduled for all three defendants on January 6.Emmanuel-Thomas is a former England under-17 and under-19 international.Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airportHe began his career at Arsenal before playing for various clubs – including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston and Aberdeen.The striker signed a six-month contract with Greenock Morton in July.NCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested last monthCredit: InstagramHis contract at Greenock Morton has been terminatedCredit: Kenny Ramsay More

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      Tragic Southampton fan only able to communicate using tongue after fall at stadium told doctors to turn of life support

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      A TRAGIC fan only able to communicate with his tongue after falling at Southampton’s stadium told doctors he wanted to die, an inquest heard.Simon Oakley, 59, was watching his beloved Saints play when he plummeted down ten concrete steps at half time.Simon Oakley fell down the stairs at St Mary’s stadiumCredit: SolentThe dad-of-four was rushed from St Mary’s to Southampton General Hospital and then transferred to a neuroscience intensive care ward.An inquest heard Simon was left paralysed from the neck down after suffering two fractures in his spine in the October 7 horror.He was told by medics he would be dependent on a ventilator and a require a wheelchair for the rest of his life.Simon, who was only able to communicate by sticking his tongue out, expressed that he wished to die instead.Winchester Coroner’s Court heard he was repeatedly assessed over the next three weeks to ensure he was capable of making that decision.Doctors concluded it would be unlawful to treat him against his wishes and the choice was made to switch his ventilator off.On November 13, the dad was visited by his family and friends to say goodbye and he passed away 30 minutes after the life support was removed.Brave Simon, who also received a visit from Southampton legend Francis Benali, donated his organs to help other patients.Most read in FootballFriend Andy Takle told the inquest how the pair had been watching Southampton play Rotherham United when the horror unfolded.He said: “I was standing next to Simon watching the game and the next thing I saw was him rolling down the stairs in front of me.”I could not catch him, we had scuffled to the stairs to head down just before half time.”We were not drunk, we had had two pints at the most, one at the pub and a second at the stadium.”When he made his decision in November I knew this is what he truly wanted.”Simon was treated by an off-duty ambulance worker at the stadium as the second half kick-off was delayed.Assistant coroner for Southampton, Kiran Chahal Musgrave, recorded an open verdict.He said: “There is insufficient evidence as to determine how Mr Oakley came to be on the ground.”He may have tripped or been pushed, deliberately or not, but there is lack of evidence to as to which of those possibilities it may have been.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I would like to offer my sincere condolences.”Simon’s brother Brian is now calling for handrails to be installed following the tragic accident.He was heading to the concourse when the horror unfoldedCredit: SolentSaints fans and players paid tribute to Simon following his deathCredit: Solent More

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      Diego Maradona’s eldest son takes charge of Spanish fifth tier side in biggest management step of his career

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      A STRUGGLING Tenerife team has turned to Diego Maradona’s eldest son to save their season.Diego Maradona Junior has been appointed as the manager of Union Deportiva Ibarra, who are facing a fight against relegation after notching up just seven points from seven games.Diego Armando Maradona’s son has been appointed of a team fighting relegationDiego Sinagra will take charge of Spanish fifth-tier side Union Deportiva IbarraHis world-famous dad is still idolised in Naples after helping to turn their beloved Napoli into Serie A champions in 1986-87.And sources at the semi-professional Canary Islands club said last night they hoped their new man, with the instantly-recognisable surname, could turn things around for them too.UD Ibarra, who play in the fifth-tier of Spanish football, said in statement: “We are pleased to present Diego Armando Maradona Jr, who will form part of the coaching staff.”It added: “Welcome and every success in your new home.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDiego’s son was born in 1986 when the late football great was still playing in Naples after an extramarital affair with Italian model Cristina Sinagra.Maradona Sr was still married to first and only wife Claudia Villafane at the time of his birth.The 38-year-old posted goodwill messages from fans on his Instagram.One said: “Hopefully you can put Ibarra where it belongs.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDiego Jr, full name Diego Armando Maradona Sinatra, has always been linked to football and took up coaching after playing as a midfielder in Italy.He resigned from his first head coaching job as manager of amateur side Napoli United in protest at the club’s failure to pay players’ wages.Maradona- Blessed Dream trailer He left Eccellenza Campania club Montecalcio earlier this week before it was announced he was UD Ibarra’s new manager.Diego Maradona didn’t formally recognise his eldest son until August 2016.Diego Jr was forced to miss his dad’s funeral following his death aged 60 in November 2020 from heart failure after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.The late football legend’s other children include Dalma and Gianinna whose mum is his ex-wife Claudia, Jana who Maradona recognised as his following a court fight by her mum Valeria Sabalain, and 11-year-old Diego Fernando by former girlfriend Veronica Ojeda.Eight people, including Maradona’s doctor Leopoldo Luque, are due to stand trial next year over the football legend’s death.They were charged with homicide by negligence after a long-running criminal investigation and have been warned they face between prison sentences of between eight and 25 years if convicted.The trial was due to start this month but was recently rescheduled for March next year.Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of footballWho are these famous footballers? More

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      Former Premier League striker admits to filming illegal sex tapes as prosecutor calls for four years in prison

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE player Hwang Ui-Jo has apologised for secretly filming sexual encounters with his partners.Prosecutors said the South Korea international, 31, filmed two of his partners without their consent on four occasions between June and September 2022.Hwang Ui-Jo has apologised after pleading guilty to illegally filming sexual encounters with partners without their consentCredit: GettyThe 31-year-old played for Nottingham Forest and NorwichCredit: GettyAppearing in court for the first time in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, prosecutors demanded a four-year prison term for the forward.The case emerged last year when he filed a complaint against his older brother’s wife for sharing intimate photos of him from the videos to Instagram and blackmailing him.His sister-in-law was sentenced to three years in prison in September for the blackmail attempt after Hwang sued her.However, during the investigation police then found evidence of his act of illegally filming the videos.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe pleaded guilty to all the charges and said he was “deeply sorry”.Hwang pleaded to the court for leniency, saying he would “take this incident as a lesson”.He said: “I will not do anything wrong in the future and will do my best as a footballer.”I sincerely apologise to the victims who have been affected by my actions, and I am deeply sorry for the disappointment I have caused to all those who have cared and supported me.”Most read in FootballThe 62-cap international signed for Nottingham Forest from Bordeaux in 2022 before going on loan to Olympiacos, Seoul, Norwich and Alanyaspor.Hwang left Forest to join the latter team in September.His sentencing date was set for December 18. More

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      Mendy ‘thought he could act irresponsibly as he’d like, break rules & STILL keep £6m Man City salary after rape arrest’

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      EX-MANCHESTER City star Benjamin Mendy thought he could behave “as irresponsibly as he liked” and still be paid his £6million-a-year salary, an employment tribunal heard.The French World Cup winner, 30, is claiming £11m in back pay which the Premier League champions withheld after he was charged in August 2021 with four rapes and one sexual assault.Benjamin Mendy celebrating with the Premier League trophy in May 2021Credit: GettyMendy leaving Chester Crown Court on July 14, 2023Credit: AFPThe offences were alleged to have been carried out during Covid lockdown parties at his £4.6m mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire.But Mendy was cleared after two trials in January and June 2023.A month after he was charged, City bosses wrote to the player – bought for £52m in 2017 from Monaco – and told him they were stopping his £500,000-a-month salary.They said he was “not presently ready and able to perform” the obligations of his contract, namely to train and play games.Read more footballHe had also been suspended by the Football Association from taking part in “footballing activity”.Sean Jones KC, for Man City, also outlined a number of times where Mendy breached Covid rules by hosting house parties, some of which resulted in him being remanded in custody for breach of bail.He told the hearing in Manchester today/yesterday(TUES): “The essence of the submission by Mr Mendy is that his contract creates a moral hazard.”He says ‘I can behave as irresponsibly as I like, I can ignore all the rules, both legal, of the club and common sense to the point where my behaviour results in prison.’ Most read in Football”He is trying to make a moral hazard into a virtue.“He says ‘It should in no way affect my entitlement to pay. There should be no consequences to my behaviour.'”As Mendy listened in via video link, Mr Jones told Employment Judge Joanne Dunlop: “The contract of employment is at its heart a work/wage bargain. “He should be able to play and he could no neither because of his behaviour.”We are not here saying he committed rapes and assaults and it was not assumed that he was guilty. “It is not the allegations per se, it was the way he behaved under police bail which made custody inevitable.”The culpability is very clear. He had, in whole or in part, contributed to the state of affairs where he was unable to perform his duties.”The question about whether his salary was payable is not about discipline.”The reason is not because he was subject to disciplinary sanction but because he was unable to perform his duties.”Mr Jones said there were four periods to consider – from September 2021 until January 2022 when he was in prison on remand for breach of bail conditions; from January 2022 to December 2022 when he was released on bail with restrictive conditions; from December 2022 to January 2023 when he was again in custody on remand and from January 2023 to Juine 2023 when his contract was terminated.He said that Mendy’s arguments that he was not doing anything different to five other City players who went to parties was “a red herring” because the other players were still “ready, able and willing” to play and train.In documents submitted to the hearing, Mendy suggested teammates who attended the parties were Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and John Stones. None are accused of any wrongdoing.The tribunal was also told Mendy’s bail conditions included reporting requirements and travel restrictions which meant that he would not be able to get to any of City’s fixtures.Jenny Wiltshire, a solicitor who represented Mendy during his two rape and sexual assault trials, admitted the footballer had not tried to change the bail conditions to allow him to train and play because she knew that he was subject to an Interim Suspension Order from the Football Association which prevented him from taking part in any footballing activities.She said: “We couldn’t specifically ask for conditions that allowed him to work when he was suspended. “If the club was happy for him to work or to train, we would have applied to amend any bail conditions so that he could do so.”The purpose of the bail conditions was never to prevent him working. It was just the fact that the reality at the time was he was not working.” Mendy, now at the French club Lorient, was cleared of seven rapes and two sexual assaults after two trials at Chester crown court in January and June 2023.He has brought a claim for unauthorised deductions from wages, saying under the terms of his contract, the club had the right to stop his wages only for six weeks.Mendy also revealed he was lent money by teammates Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez as cash dried up after his arrest.Man City deny breaching employment law and say Mendy violated his contract by bringing the club into disrepute and indulging in behaviour which prevented him from playing or training.On Monday City’s then chief football operations officer Omar Berrada – now in the top job at Man United – denied telling Mendy’s agent the player would receive his salary in full if and when he was cleared.READ MORE SUN STORIESDuring his time at City, the tribunal heard, Mendy received around £25m in salary but missed 123 of 240 games.Employment Judge Dunlop will issue a verdict at a later date.Mendy is trying to reclaim wages from Manchester CityCredit: GettyLONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)Credit: Getty More

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      Benjamin Mendy says ‘several’ Man City stars JOINED sex parties as he sues club for £11m unpaid wages after rape charge

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      FORMER Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy claims team-mates enjoyed his boozy sex parties.He told a tribunal: “We all had casual relations with women.”Mendy at Manchester City in 2021 – the year he was suspendedCredit: GettyMendy outside Chester Crown Court on July 3, 2023Credit: GettyIn documents he identified Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Raheem Sterling.Mendy, 30, is suing for £11million in wages stopped when he was held for rape. He was later cleared.In a statement read to an employment tribunal, Mendy said: “Several Manchester City first-team players, including the club captain, were all present at parties that I attended and hosted.“We all drank alcohol. We all had casual relations with women. We all breached Covid-19 restrictions.read more on mendy“This does not excuse my behaviour, but I feel that it is unfair for Manchester City to single me out in the way that they have.“The difference between me and the other players is that I was the one that was falsely accused of rape and publicly humiliated.”Mendy, now at French club Lorient, did not directly name players.However, he made reference to a story about his first trial published in online sports mag The Athletic.Most read in FootballIt mentioned that the jury was given the names of Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Raheem Sterling and told they had all been at parties on the nights of alleged incidents.None was accused of wrongdoing.But Mendy wrote in documents submitted to the tribunal: “I can confirm this is true.“All those players attended the parties which led to the charges.”The Premier League champions stopped paying Mendy’s £500,000-a-month salary after he was charged with rape and sex assault in August 2021 and remanded in custody.We all drank alcohol. We all had casual relations with women. We all breached Covid-19 restrictionsBenjamin MendyA number of women accused him of raping them at his £4.6million mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire.In evidence raised by Mendy’s KC, Nick De Marco, the tribunal heard that five City team-mates were at parties hosted by Mendy.The defender, who says the club breached his contract, yesterday gave evidence via video-link to the Manchester tribunal. The French World Cup winner agreed a £6million-a-year deal until 2023 when he signed from Monaco for £52million in 2017.The club continued paying Mendy, who gave his address as Madrid, following his first arrest in 2020.After being charged, he was suspended by City and the Football Association. Mendy spent four months in custody before being bailed in January 2022.On September 2021, City officials wrote to Mendy telling him they were stopping his wages. The letter said: “The club has, after careful and anxious consideration, suspended the payment of salary.“Nor will you receive any further payment until you are ready and able to perform your obligations under the contract of employment.“You are not presently ready and able to perform duties because you have been remanded in custody and, separately, because the FA has suspended you from engaging in any football-related activity. “In those circumstances, the club is no longer obliged to continue to pay you.”The mansion where Mendy held partiesCredit: Mercury PressIn addition to wages, Mendy’s contract guaranteed him a £1million bonus each time City qualified for the Champions League, a further £900,000 if he played in more than 60 per cent of City’s matches and £1.2million annually to his image rights company.Mendy was cleared of seven rapes and two sexual assaults after two trials at Chester crown court in January and June 2023.He has brought a claim for unauthorised deductions from wages, saying under the terms of his contract, the club had the right to stop his pay only for six weeks.He also revealed he was lent money by teammates Bernardo Silva, Sterling and Mahrez as cash dried up after his arrest. Yesterday City’s lawyer, Sean Jones, KC, questioned Mendy about his lifestyle which saw him host illegal lockdown parties.Man City deny breaching employment law and say Mendy violated his contract by bringing the club into disrepute and indulging in behaviour which prevented him from playing or training.In his statement, Mendy claimed City’s then chief football operations officer Omar Berrada had told his agent that the club would pay back his salary once “I had been found not guilty”, but that Mr Berrada “would not commit this to writing”.He added that in November 2022, he messaged Mr Berrada asking for confirmation he would receive “all my missing salaries”, without reply.In a statement, Mr Berrada said he did not respond as he did not want to “give any assurances, suggestions, or indications at all, to suggest” that Mendy would be paid. Instead he directed conversations to City’s legal department.In August 2023, a month after he was cleared, Mendy messaged City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak but was ignored. In his statement, Mendy said: “It is my understanding that Manchester City are claiming the reason they did not have to pay me was because the thing that prevented me from playing, training and attending meetings was a result of my own actions.“I firmly disagree. I was falsely arrested for crimes I did not commit.“In other words, if I had not been falsely arrested, I would have been able to play for Manchester City and I would have been paid in full. “That is the reality of the situation. At no point have Manchester City apologised to me or even acknowledged how their actions almost cost me everything. “I believe that it is fair and just for me to be paid the wages that I would have earned but for being falsely arrested for crimes that I did not commit.” During his time at City, the tribunal heard, he missed 123 of 240 games. Among documents submitted was a letter to the FA in April 2022 which lays bare his financial situation while awaiting trial.It said he had just £197.78 in his Coutts bank account, outstanding legal fees of £96,000 and owed £10,000 to a cleaning firm.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe could not pay his £80,000-a-month mortgage and had to rely on loans from friends.Mendy was also being chased for £843,000 in tax, owed a concierge firm in France 400,000 euros and was struggling to meet child maintenance bills. The tribunal continues.Players identified in documentsKyle WalkerCredit: RexRiyad MahrezCredit: RexJack GrealishCredit: AlamyJohn StonesCredit: GettyRaheem SterlingCredit: Getty More

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      Benjamin Mendy SUES Man City for £11m of unpaid wages after £500k a MONTH salary stopped when he was charged with rape

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      FORMER Premier League star Benjamin Mendy launched a legal claim against Manchester City today for £11m in unpaid wages.The French World Cup winner has brought an employment tribunal against the Premier League champions after the club stopped paying his £500,000-a-month wages after he was charged with rape and sexual assault.Mendy has brought an employment tribunal against the Premier League championsCredit: PACity deny breaching employment law and argue Mendy violated his own contractCredit: AFPMendy, 30, signed for the Blues in a £52m transfer from Monaco in July 2017, agreeing a £6m-a-year deal which was due to run until June 2023.His contract also guaranteed him a £1m bonus each time City qualified for the Champions League, a further £900,000 if he played in more than 60 per cent of City’s matches and an annual £1.2m payment to his image rights company.But documents submitted to the tribunal in Manchester revealed how the Blues stopped paying his wages and monthly employer pension contributions of £434 after he was initially charged with four counts of rape and one sexual assault in August 2021.Mendy was remanded in custody and also suspended by the Football Association from all “footballing activities”.Read more FootballJust over a month later on 28 September 2021, City officials wrote to Mendy to notify him of their decision.The letter stated: “The club has, after careful and anxious consideration, suspended the payment of salary to you. You will not receive the payment that would otherwise have fallen due at the end of September 2021.“Nor will you receive any further payment until you are ready and able to perform your obligations under the contract of employment.“You are not presently ready and able to perform duties, of course, because you have been remanded in custody and, separately, because The FA has suspended you from engaging in any football-related activity.Most read in Football“Our understanding is that District Judge Garva remanded you in custody because of your conduct whilst already on bail.Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City on August 15, 2021“Remand, was, therefore, an avoidable impediment to your being able to perform your duties. We understand that a subsequent request to be released on bail was refused. In those circumstances, the club is no longer obliged to continue to pay you.”But Mendy – now with French side Lorient – has brought a claim for “unauthorised deductions” from wages contrary to section 13 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.He claims under the terms of his contract, the club only had the right to stop his wages for a maximum of six weeks.Smartly dressed in a light blue shirt and tie, Mendy appeared from a law office via video link and affirmed an Islamic oath prior to giving evidence.City deny breaching employment law and argue Mendy violated his own contract by bringing the club into disrepute and indulging in behaviour which prevented him from playing or training.The club initially continued paying Mendy following his first arrest in November 2020.Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to four women in January 2023 after a six-month trial at Chester crown court.Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape, relating to two women, but he was found not guilty of those after a retrial in June 2023. More

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      Former Premier League star, 24,  arrested over rape of woman at top West End hotel

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      A FORMER Premier League and international football star has been arrested on suspicion of raping a young woman at a top West End hotel.The 24–year-old was held by cops at the exclusive Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall Place, Westminster.A Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of rapeCredit: GettyThe incident allegedly took place at the Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall Place, LondonCredit: GettyThe young female complainant raised the alarm at the front desk of the five-star hotel early on Wednesday morning.She had gone back to the hotel with the player after earlier meeting him in a Central London bar, said a source.The woman alleged she was then attacked and raped by the footballer, who cannot be named for legal reasons.Police arrested him at the hotel over the alleged date rape just before 10am that morning and he was taken to Charing Cross police station and questioned throughout the day in the presence of a lawyer.Read more Sports NewsA DNA swab, mugshot and fingerprints were taken from the suspect, as is routine for anyone arrested.The player was later released on bail until a date in mid-December pending further police inquiries. It is understood he denies rape.Police have carried out a forensic examination of the player’s £750 a night room as part of their inquiries and are also analysing CCTV footage from the hotel.The complainant – believed to be in her 20s – was taken to a Haven rape counselling suite to be examined and has provided a statement to specialist police officers.Most read in FootballA source said: “She met the player in a bar and agreed to go back to his hotel, where he had booked into earlier.“She claims he then attacked and raped her.“The woman went to the front desk at the hotel and was said to have been very distressed.“Police were called and officers arrived and arrested him at the hotel. He was then led out to the amazement of guests and staff.”The player was born abroad and has played for several English clubs as well representing his own country at youth and senior levels.The source said: “He has played in the Premier League and people will recognise him.“The allegations against him are very serious.”A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “A 24-year old man was arrested at 09.53hrs on Wednesday, 9 October at an address on Whitehall Place, SW1A, following an allegation of rape.“He has been bailed until a date in mid-December.“A woman is being supported by specially trained officers.“The investigation is ongoing and enquiries are still being made.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote Connect ref: 01/938365/24. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. More