Police appeal for information after assault

Image credit: The Express & Echo

Exeter police are currently appealing to the general public for any information regarding an unprovoked assault in the city centre.

The police require the help of the public in identifying three unknown men who attacked an 18-year-old on Sunday 12 April. The identity of the victim has not been revealed.

At around 2:30am on Sunday morning, the teenager was waiting at a bus stop in South Street, Exeter. It was here where three unidentified males approached him from behind. The victim’s hoodie was then removed, and he was punched in the face. His attackers then threw the hoodie back before running from the scene.

The incident caused bruising to the victim’s face, resulting in swelling and a black eye. It seems that no further injuries were sustained.

CCTV has provided the police with four detailed pictures of the attackers. These pictures show them walking down both South Street and Fore Street during the night and can be found at the bottom of this page.

The three suspected perpetrators all appear to be young males with short hair. One of the attackers was wearing a distinctive chequered shirt on the night of 12 April.

If anyone recognises any of the three males, or remembers seeing them walking down Fore Street or South Street in the early hours of 12 April, police are asking that you contact PC 2013 Westlake, Exeter CID through the 101 non-emergency number, quoting the crime reference DE/13/3222.

Amy Young, News Team

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Image credit: The Express & Echo

Image credit: The Express & Echo

Image credit: The Express & Echo

 

Time and trial: when should we stop taking allegations seriously?

Rolf Harris: has the time for trial passed? Image credits: PicsByZuzanna

After the torrent of recent arrests, charges and trials, Features Editor Imogen Watson investigates what impact these rape and assault allegations will have for the television and media industries.

Is it ever too late to prosecute somebody for a crime?

In recent weeks and months, we have seen numerous famous faces hauled in for questioning and frequently charging on suspicion of indecent and sexual assault, many of which happened, literally (in the correct sense of the word) decades ago.  There have been actors, television presenters and producers all in the spotlight, and every few days appears to bring a new one. In terms of making shocking media headlines, of course the bigger the name, the better – Rolf Harris for one, and William Roach (Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow) too.

Perhaps it disappoints you. Perhaps your scepticism gnaws at you, asking if some people are jumping on a bandwagon. Perhaps you just feel like your childhood memories are being tainted, and are hoping no other accusation comes crawling out of the woodwork.

As all of these accusations are so far in the past, is it even fair to be investigating them now? Well, and I am not going to argue around the issue, yes. Difficult as it may be, whether or not we will be able to watch or remember our old favourite programmes in the same way should never be our principal concern. Unfortunately these kinds of problems form part of the harsh reality of our world that we have yet to eradicate; those on the receiving end of assault had to face it, and some far too earlier than would ever be wished upon anybody (and although some allegations are still exactly that, we have only to look at Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall to know not all are).

We are all aware that history can have a massive impact on both the present and the future, and it is by learning from that past we will constantly improve. That improvement will allow us hopefully to arrive at a place and time where these instances occur much less frequently. This is what the BBC has started to do by overhauling its bullying and harassment policy in the wake of recent months.

And, of course, if somebody has done something so grossly unjust, they ought to stand trial for it whenever that may be. Sooner is infinitely preferable to later, but later will still suffice. We also need a society where if someone has been attacked in such a way, they feel safe – provided the claim is true – to make the complaint and that situation is far from evident today. But that insistence on making true claims is always necessary. Once anybody’s name is put with such an accusation, an association has been made whether accurate or not, and a reputation is tainted for good.

Imogen Watson, Features Editor

University of Wales worker cleared of rape of Exeter student

Christopher Davis was acquitted today.

A full time member of staff at the University of Wales Students’ Union has today been acquitted of the alleged rape of an Exeter student during a house party in Exeter.

A jury at Exeter Crown Court deliberated for over ten hours before returning the not guilty verdict. The incident was alleged to have taken place last summer, after an awards dinner at the University.

The defendant, Christopher Davis, 33, had gone to a party at a student house after the awards dinner, which was part of a conference of university sports organisers from across the country. The court heard that Davis asked his host if he could stay the night, and that he was shown into a bedroom where the alleged victim was sleeping.

The woman, 21, had been out shopping for a graduation dress that day, and said that she had no recollection of the events after passing out.

The jury heard that the unconscious girl was carried to bed by friends, who later discovered Mr. Davis having sex with her.

The accused claimed that the victim was just “a nice girl” who “came onto me”, and that the sex was consensual. Davis, a former member of the Royal Horse Artillery, said in his defence that he thought it was going to be “sex with no strings attached”, and that “she was enjoying herself and was a willing partner”. Davis fled when discovered, although he claims this was due to fearing that he was going to be attacked.

Davis’ fiancée and family were noticeably relieved as the verdict was returned by Judge Mr Justice Barnett. Davis had rubbished claims that he saw the woman as a piece of “sexual meat”, and that he must have known she was unable to consent because he had seen her be carried to bed unconscious.

 

Owen Keating, News Editor

Students accused of assaulting local man escape prosecution

Mr. Walden uploaded the photo to Facebook on April 1, stating “the justice system works for you if you come from a wealthy background”

A man who was assaulted by a group of men he identifies as students of the University of Exeter has been told by the justice system that no charges will be brought to those responsible.

Gary Walden has been told by the Crown Prosecution Service that there is not enough evidence to prosecute, following an assault he attained on a night out last November. Mr. Walden was attacked by a group of five men he identified as University of Exeter students, sustaining a fractured cheekbone and cuts and bruises across his face that required two days of hospital treatment.

A photo was published to Facebook on April 1 by Mr. Walden depicting his injuries in a plea to help identify those responsible, after he had been advised by Devon and Cornwall Police not to post the image on social networking sites. In a statement alongside the photograph Mr. Walden registered his disgust with the judgement from the Crown Prosecution Service, saying “the five lads walked free after doing this to me so they can do it again to someone else.”

Timepiece nightclub Image credit: Copyright Derek Harper, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

Mr. Walden asserts he was knocked to the ground, being punched and kicked repeatedly after he tried to defend his girlfriend, as the group had urinated in front of her and knocked her to the ground.

The incident occurred outside Timepiece nightclub and the perpetrators of the assault are still to be charged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louis Doré, News Editor

 

Police appeal for city assault

The police are appealing for information after an incident involving a man and a young woman in Exeter, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim, a 21-year-old, had been walking alone from Sidwell Street to Blackboy Road when the man attacked her, between 1am and 2am according to officers.

Photo credits to didbygraham

The attacker is described as 6ft 1in tall, aged between 30 and 40, and of medium build with short blond hair. He had a small blond beard and was wearing a white and red flannel top.

Anyone who saw the incident or may have information should call the police on 101.

By Will Binks