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    We live INSIDE famous entrance to Luton Town stadium – footballs smash our windows but there are surprising perks

    STROLLING along Oak Road in Luton, the row of Victorian red brick terraced houses feel just like any other street.But halfway down the road, homes have effectively been cut in half to make way for two entrances to the town’s football ground, Kenilworth Road.
    The entrance to Luton Town FC’s ground, Kenilworth Road, is cut into a row of terraced housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Abdul Ali lives right next to the entrance for home fans at the groundCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Home to Luton Town FC – which is on the cusp of entering the Premier League next season – the ground was built in 1905 and is one of the most unique in the football league.
    Visiting fans climb bright blue metal staircases perched above resident’s gardens to access the away stand, while patios from adjacent houses back onto the stadium.
    Currently third in the Championship, Luton Town stands a strong chance of making it to the play-offs for promotion.
    If successful, the club will be handed an estimated £10million bill to upgrade its long-standing ground.

    For locals who live on the street, the thought of the team moving to a new ground throws up mixed feelings.
    Abdul Ali’s family home is metres away from the entrance and backs onto the ground.

    “I’ve lived here my whole life,” he tells The Sun. “Until about seven years ago it was really easy to see into the stadium.
    “We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score.
    Most read in Football
    The stand entrance has been cut into a row of Victorian terrace housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Stairs lead up to the Oak Stand, running above residents’ gardensCredit: Getty
    “It was kind of annoying at the time, it used to drive my dad mad.
    “We complained and complained and the club finally put up netting and some corrugated iron to stop it.
    “It means that my view of the pitch is gone unless I jump up and down on my bed. Then I can see a little bit of the grass, but not enough to watch the game.”
    On match days, Abdul says there is always a sea of police on the street – which, he adds, comes with an unusual perk.
    We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score… it drove my dad madAbdul Ali, Oak Road resident
    “I went out during Sunday’s game to get some food and then police escorted me back to my house,” he says.
    “It’s kind of cool being escorted home.”
    One of the unique entrances on Oak Road provides access to The Bobbers’ Club – part of the Luton Town football ground for 89 years.
    On leaving the street – where house prices cost an average of £222,500 – fans are led down a small alleyway before they clamber the iron stairs to a terrace leading onto the Oak Stand.
    Stray balls
    Anu’s garden is directly next to the stairs leading the seats for away fansCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Rear gardens back onto the stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Mum-of-four Anu’s garden runs beneath the terrace, and she tells us stray footballs often end up landing in it.
    “They’ve only ever asked for the ball back once,” she admits. “We’ve kept the others.”
    Anu, 52, says local families in the area used to get complimentary passes to matches from the club, but that’s not happened since Covid.
    “We used to get a family ticket to go in the summer which was nice,” she says.
    “We’d go and see a match against one of the smaller teams. It was good to get in the ground.
    “My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
    My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the gamesAnu, local mum-of-four
    Anu’s neighbour LeeLee says she loves the buzz of match days, adding: “It makes me feel alive. I love it.
    “It keeps things interesting around here. I rarely have any problems with the fans.”
    Sadly Anu doesn’t share her enthusiasm.
    She claims she’s fed up of hooligans chucking rubbish from the steps into her garden as they come and go.
    “Last week my house was egged by fans, they leave cans and bottles in front of my house,” she tells us.
    “They spray alcohol on to mine and my neighbour’s windows and drop litter from the stairs as they go into the stands.”
    ‘I’ll never leave’
    Residents say some fans can be disruptive and cause problems on game daysCredit: Getty
    Many families living on Oak Road have grown up in the area and are lifelong fans of the club.
    Joumna’s childhood home backed on to the stadium and she’s since moved into her own property across the road.
    The 49-year-old admits she’s noticed fan behaviour has changed over the years, adding: “I remember as a child we didn’t have as many problems.
    “Now, whichever team loses, the fans are shouting and swearing. It’s a shame.”
    She adds: “The stadium is alright with me. I was born on this road and I’ll probably never leave.
    “It was fine when I lived overlooking it. We never had any issues.”
    Driven to despair
    Resident Amanpreet is fed up of having to move her car to accommodate match goersCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Residents are required to move their cars on match daysCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    But there is one issue that drives all residents up the wall – parking.
    Everyone who keeps a car on the street – a permit for which costs £60 a year – has to move it off Oak Road on game days or it will be seized.
    “Parking is such a problem around here,” resident Amanpreet, 34, tells us.
    “The stadium is a problem now because it attracts so many people. We have to move our car on match days but finding a space can be hard.”
    Fellow resident Malik, a 37-year-old customer services worker, shares her frustration.
    He claims he wouldn’t have bought a house if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would be.
    Malik says he wouldn’t have bought a house on the road if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would beCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    “I’m not happy because I pay to park my car on this road and I have to move it regularly,” he says.
    “If the game is at 5pm we have to move the car at around 10am. It’s really difficult with two young kids – it’s frustrating.”
    Another local, Khuram, 38, adds: “The parking issue is a struggle.
    “I have two young kids and walking them several streets over to the car on match days between fans is stressful.
    Read More on The Sun
    “There are lots of police on match days which is good, but we often have to show that we live here to get through at the end of the road.
    “The only time I have an issue with the stadium is match days because it’s disruptive.”
    Luton Town are on the cusp of moving up into the Premier League, which would mean all changeCredit: GOOGLE EARTH More

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    All hell breaks loose as riot police launch tear gas at warring fans after controversial refereeing at Olympiacos vs AEK

    THE DERBY between Olympiacos and AEK Athens descended into chaos following a dramatic encounter marred by controversial refereeing.AEK won 3-1 at Georgios Karaiskakis in the Greek Superleague’s play-off round and effectively dethroned the reigning Greek champions, who are now third in the table and nine points away from the top.
    The derby between Olympiacos and AEK Athens descended into chaosCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/
    Fans invaded the pitch and were dispersed by riot police who used tear gasCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/
    All hell broke loose following Davide Massa’s final whistle as fans invaded the pitch and faced off with riot police, who launched tear gas to disperse the warring crowd.
    The incident took place at the same ground that could see Manchester City competing at on August 16.
    That is when the UEFA Super Cup takes place between the Champions League and Europa League winners.
    The dramatic scenes ensued following a tensed encounter between the rival clubs that saw Olympiacos protesting four of Massa’s calls.
    Read More on Football
    The hosts were denied penalty in the first half when Domagoj Vida pushed Cedric Bakambu from behind inside the box shortly after AEK opened the scoring with Mijat Gacinovic after just seven minutes.
    Damian Szymanski then escaped a direct red card when he stepped on Mathieu Valbuena’s ankle from behind.
    The visitors were awarded a soft penalty in the second half when Vida fell under pressure from Oleg Reabciuk 26 minutes after Bakambu equalised for the Greek giants.
    Levi Garcia defeated Alexandros Paschalakis from the spot eight minutes before full-time.
    Most read in Football
    AEK sealed the win in the first minute of stoppage time with Petros Mantalos’ beautiful finish.
    But Nordin Amrabat, who is the brother of Fiorentina and Morocco star Sofyan, fouled Reabciuk before delivering the assist.
    Olympiacos, who are owned by Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis, issued a fiery statement after full-time.
    The Piraeus outfit lashed out as they described the Greek football governing body EPO as “hoodlums”, the refereeing as “disgusting” and the Greek government as “incompetent”.
    Olympiacos’ statement read: “Today, even the blind saw what is happening in Greek football.
    “[Football’s] Fraudsters, hoodlums and outlaws have shown that they have no qualms. We told you that our fans’ patience is running out! They were very patient.
    “They deemed a penalty in a challenge that had no contact. They didn’t even check with VAR when there was a clear foul before AEK’s goal.
    “The whole of Greece was left disgusted. The hoodlums from EPO and the government’s incompetence to deal with them killed football!”
    AEK defeated Olympiacos 3-1 in a match marred by controversial refereeingCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/ More

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    Former Tottenham star Edgar Davids ‘victim of £200,000 theft’ after having three dozen valuable paintings stolen

    EDGAR DAVIDS allegedly had £200,000 worth of valuable art stolen over a period of two years. The former Tottenham midfielder is reported to have had three dozen expensive pieces of street art robbed while living in North London.
    Dutch legend Davids last played for Barnet in 2014 while he was living in LondonCredit: Getty
    Artworks allegedly stolen includes the works of American artist Ron EnglishCredit: Getty
    The Times reports that the person alleged to have stolen the artwork, Nabila Habiby, is said to have used some of the art as security to apply for a loan.
    The publication also reports that the Metropolitan police charged Habiby in December with a trial set to take place in January at Wood Green Crown Court.
    Habiby, from Belgium, was reportedly charged with offences of theft and two of fraud by false representation.
    She is believed to have denied wrongdoing.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    The art that was allegedly stolen is reported to include works of London street artist Paul Insect, who became popular for his spray paint craft.
    Habiby is alleged to have stolen 35 pieces of Insect’s art between 2014 and 2016, collectively valued at £152,000.
    The artwork of American artist Ron English, dubbed the ‘Godfather of Street Art’, is also alleged to have been stolen.
    Davids, 50, is believed to have been made aware of alleged thefts in 2017 and reported them to police.
    Most read in Football
    It was when Davids was living in North London that the Dutch legend caused a sensation by becoming player manager for League 2 side Barnet.
    But despite his best efforts he could not save them from relegation and resigned halfway through their first season in the fifth tier.

    Despite his memorable playing career for the likes of Ajax, AC Milan and Juventus, Davids has not enjoyed the best time in management.
    His next job after Barnet was seven years later at Portuguese minnows Olhanense.
    But he was sacked after just seven “disastrous” months. More

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    Tragedy as rally driver David López Tomico is killed in horror crash while racing in Spain

    THE death of a rally driver in a horror crash while racing has left his team “in mourning”.David López Tomico was killed in the fatal crash during the Rallysprint San Bartolomé de Pinares in Ávila, Spain, on Saturday.
    David López Tomico was killed in a horror crash during a rally race in SpainCredit: VALLEJO RACING
    He was negotiating the course’s first downhill section when his Fiat Abarth Grande Punto careered off the path and rolled down a steep ravine.
    Fire crews were unable to save him and he died of his injuries.
    His co-driver, Natalia Rios Diaz, was trapped inside the car but was successfully recovered from the wreckage and rushed to hospital.
    Race officials cancelled the rest of the day’s proceedings.
    READ MORE MOTORSPORT NEWS
    Tomico’s team, Vallejo Racing, paid tribute to him in a touching statement.
    They wrote: “Again, this sport hits us where it hurts the most.
    “Vallejo Racing is in mourning because we lose one of our own: David López Tomico, a passionate lover of motorsport, a leader in his work and an example of perseverance and love for his own.
    “He joined the team in 2022 and his spirit and strength were fundamental for the Dakar 2023 project to bear fruit.
    Most read in Motorsport
    “Today we not only lose a mechanic or a team member, but we leave a friend of the real ones. David, your strength will always be with us.”
    It comes after four-time British motorcycling champion Keith Farmer died aged just 35 following an injury-enforced retirement.
    An inquest into Farmer’s death recorded a verdict of suicide after the court heard of his struggles with his exit from the sport and the breakdown of his relationship.
    You’re Not Alone
    EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
    It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
    It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
    And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
    Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
    That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
    The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
    Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
    If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

    CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
    Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
    Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
    Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
    Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
    Movember, www.uk.movember.com
    Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm More

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    Ex-Everton star who had child sex case dropped could soon make international return, manager says

    A FORMER Everton star could return to his international team after child sex offences were dropped against him.The Premier League star, who can’t legally be named, was held by police in July 2021 before being released on bail.
    The player could return to an international level
    Police revealed last week he will face no further action after the case was dropped.
    His international manager has now hinted at the player making a return if he wished to return to the club.
    He told local media: “He will have to decide for himself whether he wants to return to football and play again.
    “If he does, he will obviously be in my plans, if he maintains the same standard.
    Read more news
    “We are very happy because his name has been cleared and these two years must have been hell for him.”
    The manager also branded his player a “nice boy” as he revealed he “felt for him” during the ordeal.
    Police were scrambled to the star’s home in July 2021 where “several items were seized”.
    Everton confirmed he had been suspended while police investigated the allegations.
    Most read in Football
    In a previous statement, they added: “The Club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.”
    The alleged offences were described as “very serious” with a probe led by Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team.
    It was then confirmed in February that the Crown Prosecution Service were probing whether or not to charge the International star.
    A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police told The Sun Online last week: “The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service have been working together and reached the decision that the evidence available at this time does not reach the threshold set out on the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
    “Greater Manchester Police is committed to investigating allegations to secure the best possible outcomes for all involved and will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure individuals are supported throughout investigations and beyond.”
    Everton said previously the player had been suspended pending the probe More

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    Amir Khan reveals his £72,000 stolen watch has been RETURNED after gun robbery – and his plans for jewellery

    AMIR Khan has revealed that the £72,000 watch that was stolen from him in a gunpoint robbery has been returned.The boxing legend posted a video to Twitter thanking the Metropolitan Police for recovering the valuable bling and finding the criminals who took it.
    Amir Khan has been reunited with a £72,000 watch that was stolen from him at gunpointCredit: Twitter @amirkingkhan
    He plans to donate the watch to charityCredit: Twitter @amirkingkhan
    He also revealed his plans to auction the watch off to “raise funds for the less fortunate”.
    Amir explained that some of the proceeds would be donated to addressing gun and knife crime in the UK.
    As well as his thanks to the cops, he praised the British media for raising awareness about his case.
    In the social media clip, Amir was filmed holding the watch and saying: “I’m going to give this to charity now.
    READ MORE BOXING NEWS
    “I’m going to auction it. I’m going to give it to the Amir Khan Foundation…to help needy people.”
    The former world champ previously revealed that he feared his kids would “grow up without a dad” after he was targeted by gun-toting thugs in April last year.
    He told Snaresbrook Crown Court that he was terrified as he stared down the barrel of a handgun while his wife, Faryal, sobbed beside him.
    He said: “I remember the gun – a foot from my face. I remember looking right into the barrel there, looking into the gun barrel.”
    Most read in Boxing
    CCTV showed two robbers exit a silver Mercedes, with one raising a gun towards Amir outside the Sahara Grill in Leyton, East London.
    Gunman Dante Campbell, 20, and crony Ahmed Bana, 25, have admitted conspiracy to rob and possessing an imitation firearm.
    Alleged spotters Nurul Amin, 25, and Ismail Mohamed, 24, were cleared of conspiracy to rob on Friday after a two-week trial.
    Amir is now based in Dubai but returns to the UK for one week each month for charity and TV work.
    Discussing the reasons for the move, he said: “The UK isn’t a safe place any more.
    “It’s like living in Mexico. I don’t feel comfortable. I love England. I won a medal for the country but I stay in Dubai now because it’s the only place I feel safe. I’ve had my career, won my fights, got money. I just want to be safe.”
    He also blasted London mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: “Since he has been in power, London has got so dangerous. He needs to pull his finger out and do something about it.”
    The former world champ was robbed in East London in April last yearCredit: Reuters
    Dante Campbell and Ahmed Bana are awaiting sentencing for their role in the plotCredit: Met Police More

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    Chelsea’s ‘hottest fan’ traumatised after muggers snatched her phone & battered another woman in shocking street robbery

    A MODEL dubbed Chelsea’s “hottest fan” has been left traumatised after muggers snatched her phone and battered another woman in a shocking street robbery. Playboy bunny Maria Liman, 29, has told of her horrific ordeal after being mugged near Tower Bridge, in London, on Friday.
    Chelsea’s biggest fan was robbed in broad daylightCredit: Newsflash
    Maria says her phone was taken from her handsCredit: Newsflash
    The thief dropped four phones as he made his getawayCredit: Newsflash
    The Russian beauty was walking down the street in broad daylight when a man on a bike rode past and took the phone from her hands.
    Despite Maria screaming for help, the thief cycled across the road and robbed a second woman.
    Cops said the second victim was then pushed against a wall – leaving her with a head injury.
    Maria claims this is the second time her phone has been stolen in the area.
    READ MORE ON UK NEWS
    She said: “I held the phone very close to me and was holding it with both hands.
    “And then I just couldn’t believe it, again! Again!
    “They stole my phone, only this time the man was on a bicycle, wearing a black helmet and black clothes.
    “I started screaming very loudly, asking people to help me and ran after him, all the way I kept screaming to get attention.
    Most read in Football
    “The robber on the bike didn’t really care about my screams and my chasing and went to the other side of the road to pick up another girl’s phone.
    “I continued to run and scream all this time, and another young man came running.”
    Maria said the suspect then dropped four phones as he made his getaway.
    She said: “The robber ended up abandoning his bike. We almost caught up with him and he threw four phones away.
    “I live next to Tower Bridge. This is quite a touristy place and, as always, crime thrives in touristy places.
    “I would like to ask people not to be silent about such situations, to report it to the police, to attract people’s attention.
    “London is becoming more dangerous, and so you can lose your life or your beautiful face in the morning calmly going to work because of the phone.”
    The Met Police said they were called to the assault of the second victim.
    The force said: “At around 11:41hrs on Friday, 14 April police were called to a report of an assault on Tooley Street, Southwark.
    “Officers attended and spoke to a woman, aged in her 20s, who said she had been walking along Bermondsey Street when her phone was stolen out of her hand by two men on pedal cycles, causing her to fall over.
    “She managed to chase one of the men down the road before he pushed her into a wall, causing an injury to her head.
    “The suspect fell off his bike and made off on foot, discarding several mobile phones as he did so.
    Read More on The Sun
    “A number of other thefts and attempted thefts were reported at similar times nearby.
    “Detectives are investigating; enquiries are ongoing.”
    The model has urged people to report phone thefts to copsCredit: Newsflash More

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    Brit footballer who was friends with Maradona was found dead after leaving worrying notes

    A BRIT footballer who was friends with Maradona was found dead after leaving worrying notes, an inquest has heard.Martyn Gilson-Clarke, 42, moved to join Diego Maradona’s club in Argentina after the Falklands War – and was taken to dinner by the ‘Hand of God’ superstar.
    An inquest heard Martyn Gilson-Clare committed suicide at homeCredit: Facebook
    Martyn was part of the Falkland Island National team and also played in Argentina
    He was found dead in his flat in Cheltenham Road, Gloucester, on 14th December last year, the inquest was told.
    Assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson said Mr Gilson-Clarke had left notes that “seem to indicate his wish to take his own life.”
    He recorded a suicide conclusion.
    Mr Gilson-Clarke, whose father was a Royal Marine who fought in the South Atlantic conflict, was a teenager living on the islands – known as Malvinas to the Argentinians – when he left in 1999 to play for Argentina’s Boca Juniors team.
    MORE ON MARADONA
    There he met Maradona, who took him out for a pizza and even lent him his phone so Martyn could call his Mum.
    Last week’s inquest heard that Mr Gilson-Clarke had not been seen for six days before December 14 so the landlord of his ground floor flat went to make a welfare check on him. 
    He found the door locked and was unable to get any response.
    The landlord used his key to gain entry to the flat and found Mr Gilson-Clarke on the floor of his bedroom.
    Most read in Football
    Post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Gilson-Clarke had taken a variety of drugs and alcohol prior to death, the coroner said. 
    The cause of death was given by the pathologist as ashyxia.
    There were no friends or relatives of Mr Gilson-Clarke in attendance at yesterday’s inquest and no evidence was given about his background, employment or family life.
    However, an obituary in an Argentinian newspaper told of his exciting career in football.
    It states Mr Gilson-Clarke was born in England and moved with his family to the Malvinas Islands at a very young age. 
    After standing head and shoulders above the rest while playing football on the island, he headed to mainland Argentina in 1999, when he was 19 years old, to train at Boca Juniors.
    The day he arrived, he went straight from the airport to the club and was invited by Maradona to watch a match in his VIP box. 
    Later, at a pizzeria, Maradona lent him his mobile phone. 
    Mr Gilson-Clarke told journalists: “I called my mum. 
    “I said: ‘Guess where I am?'”
    In 2002 Gilson-Clarke returned to the UK and played between 2002-2004 for Brentwood FC.
    You’re Not Alone
    EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
    It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
    It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
    And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
    Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
    That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
    The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
    Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
    If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

    CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
    Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
    Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
    Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
    Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
    Movember, www.uk.movember.com
    Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm

    A police report to the Coroner said Mr Gilson-Clarke was lying on his back when he was found. 
    There was no indication of any third party involvement in his death and there were no suspicious circumstances.
    Police were able to confirm identification of Mr Gilson-Clarke’s body from his driving licence, which was in the flat.
    The Coroner said “I have seen a number of notes which were left. I understand what is said in those notes. I don’t intend to go through them in any detail.”
    Read More on The Sun
    He concluded “It is clear on the evidence that on December 14, 2022, Mr Gilson-Clarke was found deceased at his home address. D
    “Notes left by the deceased seem to indicate his wish to take his own life. The approproate conclusion on the balance of probabilities is that of suicide.” More