UK

Delays in the court system are leading to survivors of sexual violence experiencing suicidal thoughts and being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, a new report has found. The Criminal Bar Association says the backlog of criminal cases is on track to reach 80,000 by March 2025. Survivors of rape and sexual violence are among those

Police have released a photo of man they want to speak to after an 18-year-old girl was raped on a night out in Newcastle. In a post on X, Northumbria Police said: “We are hoping to trace him as we investigate a rape in Newcastle. We received a report that an 18-year-old woman had met

Russia is trying to create “mayhem” on the UK’s streets, the head of the MI5 has warned – as he revealed a growing number of children are being investigated for terrorism. In a wide-ranging speech, the organisation’s director general Ken McCallum said the UK faces an increased threat from “Putin’s henchmen” as “plot after plot”

A murder investigation has been launched after a 22-year-old woman was found dead in Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the body of Mary Ward was found at her home in Melrose Street in the city on Tuesday last week. Police believe Ms Ward was last seen alive on Wednesday 25 September

Former Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick has been charged with eight sexual offences against two women. The 49-year-old faces five counts of indecent assault against one woman. Hertfordshire Police also charged him with two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour against another woman. Detective Chief

The Metropolitan Police have asked for the public’s help in identifying several people at yesterday’s Middle East protests in central London. In a statement, the force said: “A number of further potential offences have come to light on social media and we’re now appealing for the public’s help to identify those involved. “The crowds at

Sue Gray has resigned from her position as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Number 10 has announced. Ms Gray has instead been appointed as the prime minister’s envoy for nations and regions. Morgan McSweeney, the party’s former campaign director who masterminded July’s election landslide, will replace her as the prime minister’s chief of staff.

A blood test that could detect 12 cancers is being developed by scientists at a British university, the health secretary has said. “Just a couple of drops of blood could tell you if you had lung, breast or bladder cancer, helping end months-long waits for tests and scans,” Wes Streeting added. Academics from the University

A child is among “several” migrants who have died while attempting to cross the English Channel, according to a French minister. The country’s interior minister Bruno Retailleau said the child was “trampled to death” on a boat. “Several people died trying to cross the Channel. A child was trampled to death in a boat,” he

A woman died from a heart attack after she was raped by a stranger while unconscious on a park bench, a court has been told. Warning: This article contains details readers may find distressing Natalie Shotter, 37, had been on a night out before she was sexually assaulted and killed on a park bench in

A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged over the death of a woman who was hit by a motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised a charge of causing death by careless driving against 67-year-old Christopher Harrison. Helen Holland, 81, suffered serious injuries in the

A US cruise ship bound for a round-the-world trip has departed Belfast for the second time this week following months of delays, passengers have said. Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey set sail on Thursday afternoon and Sky News understands it is heading to Scotland to refuel. Passengers were pictured celebrating at one of the bars on

Residents who escaped a fire in a “deathtrap” block of flats have told Sky News they feel abandoned after both the management firm and owner of the building have failed to meet them. The response has been branded “woeful” by the local council – who have had to pay £500,000 to support residents who have

“I still have panic attacks now.” Claire (not her real name), a disabled mum in her 30s, never imagined she’d ever face criminal prosecution. But earlier this year, that’s what happened – for non-payment of her TV licence. The stress took its toll on her mental and physical health. “I don’t think I’m a criminal,”

A police marksman may have been “angry, frustrated and annoyed” when he shot Chris Kaba dead after he tried to escape, a court has heard. Martyn Blake, 40, is on trial at the Old Bailey, where he denies murdering the 24-year-old in Streatham, south London. Mr Kaba was sat in the driver’s seat of an

The father of a six-year-old girl who was operated on by former surgeon Dr Yaser Jabbar multiple times over 15 months is among the first to be told she suffered harm during her care. Dean Stalham’s daughter Bunty was born with the rare bone condition neurofibromatosis. It means she has been in and out of