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COURT AND CRIME NEWSLETTER
Good afternoon everyone!
Another Bank Holiday weekend, I hope everyone is enjoying their Sundays knowing tomorrow we get another day to relax!
Let me fill up your extra day with some of the latest crime stories from this week...let us jump straight in!
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The main story from this week has been the start of an attempted murder trial. I have never had a case quite like it and it is a difficult one to approach due to the number of anonymity orders flying around.
Anthony Stocks, of Iceni Close, Goring, is on trial at Oxford Crown Court accused of attempting to murder a 10-year-old boy after he tried to ‘intervene’ with Stocks allegedly assaulting an underage girl.
Reportedly, the 54-year-old wanted to ‘marry’ the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and had sexually assaulted her on several occasions in the early 2020s.
The boy, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, tried to stop the assaults, resulting in Stocks allegedly trying to kill the boy on one occasion and contemplating it on a second.
It was heard that the boy fell 100ft from a cliff in Brighton and was very fortunate to survive despite multiple fractures!
A harrowing case which will continue next week so make sure you're following the Oxford Mail to be updated.
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Now, admittingly, this case was heard over in Reading so was not one I covered personally but you guys may remember the trial from when my predecessor, Tom, covered it last year.
Liam Jones was sentenced to 37 years in prison after murdering 59-year-old Phillip Breach on November 30, 2022. He subjected disabled Mr Breach to a minimum of 37 separate blows.
Jones, 45, who was not present in court for his sentencing on Thursday (May 23) due to illness, was convicted on one count of murder by majority verdict on March 22.
He had previously been jailed for the murder of Ian O'Brien in 2002 and was eventually released on parole on July 12, 2021. Jones, described as a loner, stabbed Mr O'Brien to death by plunging a knife into his head and throat in Southampton.
The incident took place at Wood Farm Park between Wood Farm Road and Nuffield Road, Oxford, following a report of a man shouting for help.
There was a minimum of 37 different blows.
High Court Judge Mr Justice Murray said Jones ‘did not have the courage’ to attend his sentencing hearing.
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And lastly...Khaliz Alshimery was found guilty of raping a university student at an Oxford churchyard.
The 46-year-old, was on trial at Oxford Crown Court charged with rape, assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault after the incident on November 19 last year.
The student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was walking home from a night out when Alshimery dragged her into St Clement’s churchyard, off Marston Road, and assaulted her.
She said the man had then thanked her before allowing her to flee.
Alshimery, who was staying at a Holiday Inn in Blackbird Leys at the time, denied the offences and told police the student had asked him for £50 for sex and everything that happened was consensual.
However, a jury found him guilty on Monday (May 20) of all five counts.
June 21 is when he will be sentenced.
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And lastly...there is a BRAND NEW episode of the Oxfordshire Court and Crime podcast.
It goes into detail about the Stocks trial so if you didn't fancy reading it, why not HEAR all about it while you make your afternoon coffee?
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your pods!
Listeners only need to search for 'The Oxfordshire Court and Crime Podcast'.
Have questions for the podcast? Email gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk with the subject heading 'Crime Podcast Question'.
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And that is everything from me! I will leave you with the latest Scales of Justice here. (court listings).
To keep updated with all things court and crime, follow me on:
Twitter: @geeharland
Facebook: Gee Harland
Podcast: Spotify link
My Facebook group: Court and crime news Oxfordshire
or visit oxfordmail.co.uk
Have a story? Email me at gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk
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