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Asian Voice | 3rd February 2018
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Lauren Booth removed as Man charged for dangerous charity trustee driving killing 3 teenagers Cherie Blair's sister, Lauren Booth, 50, has been banned from serving as a trustee for the Islamic charity Peacetrail, after £90,000 raised by her Islamic appeal allegedly went missing. The Charity Commission said that Lauren Booth was unable to account for up to half of the spending by her fund to help Palestinians and Muslim converts. Lauren Booth is the daughter of the late actor and left-wing supporter, Tony Booth, and his lover, Pamela Smith, a model. Cherie Blair's mother was Tony Booth's wife, Gale Howard who was an actress. Lauren Booth, who us a journalist, converted to Islam in 2010 after having a “holy experience” in Iran. Since then, she has been a vocal and energetic advocate of Islam. Born Sarah Jane, Lauren Booth is said to have publicly embraced a highly politicised form of Islam. She served as a patron of the pressure group Cage, that had once allegedly described Mohammed Emwazi, also known as “Jihadi John”, as a “beautiful young man”. She has never shied away from attacking Tony Blair, her brother-in-law,
Lauren Booth
stating that he had “overseen a war where a million people who are Muslim have been killed”. The Charity Commission removed her as a trustee after they allegedly found her answerable for “misconduct and /or mismanagement”. Furthermore, she has also been banned from serving on the board of any charity unless she is permitted to do so from the regulator or the courts. Her husband, Sohale Ahmed, 53, has also been banned from serving as a trustee of any charity for four and a half years. Ahmed had been made chief executive of the appeal. The Charity Commission found that at least £92,110.35 of expen-
diture “remained completed unaccounted for”. Reports from an investigation by the commission reveals that about £40,000 of charity funds had allegedly been withdrawn from cash points and by cashing cheques, without any paperwork given to back up its use. It is said that charity money had also been used on first-class travel and accommodation abroad and in the UK, as well as valet parking. However, Lauren Booth stated that during her time as a trustee, she has served and supported “numerous projects for the Palestinian people in the Gaza strip”. She also said that the work provided “over £100,000 in donations” which was put towards “support in health, housing and education for some of the most needy families in the region”. Another trustee, Nadeem Ahmed, was also removed from his post by the commission. On 31st October 2017, Peacetrail was removed from the charity register, and ultimately dissolved.
Teenage schoolgirl arrested in attempt to join ISIL Birmingham Crown Court heard how British schoolgirl, Sandeep Samra, 18, had planned to travel to Syria to “join in with the brothers” and allegedly carry out violent acts. Sandeep Samra, pictured, from Coventry, was born and brought up as a Sikh before she converted to Islam at the age of 15, but has not made her family aware of her conversion. The teenager pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts by attempting to travel to Syria between 1st June and 31st July 2017. However, she denies intending to carry out acts of violence in Syria.
Prosecutors alleged that Samra, who claims she only planned to help ISIL as a nurse, sent messages online that showed she was “going for death” and with the intention to die for the cause. She
allegedly wrote in the message, “I want to go, Inshallah [God willing] if it's still possible – at least our nurses can help soldiers and stuff. I really want to go.” It is said that Samra had applied for her first passport in September 2015, but her father handed it to the police a month later after teachers became concerned and reported her to an antiextremism team. She then applied for her passport again in June 2017 before she was arrested and had her phone taken away from her. It is said that Samra had “frantically” called to ask for the Assistant
Jaynesh Chudasama, 28, of Hayes, West London, was arrested and has been charged in connection to a car crash at a bus stop that killed three teenage boys. He faces three charges of causing death by dangerous driving. On Friday 26th January, the three victims, Harry Rice, 17, George Wilkinson, 16, and Josh Mcgunniess, 16, were walking past the bus stop making their way to a party at a football ground in Hayes, when they were hit by an Audi A5 at around 8:40pm. They died at the scene despite efforts from paramedics to save them. Witnesses said that two teenagers who were with the victims had chased the driver. They allegedly detained him at a petrol station where the driver was kicked and beaten. Jaynesh Chudasama was later arrested and taken to hospital as he sustained injuries to his upper body and head. He was later transferred to a police station for questioning. On Sunday 28th January, a 34-year-old man handed himself in to the police after they had released CCTV images of a second suspect they believed to be a passenger in the Audi when the accident had occurred. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that the man “volHeadteacher at Lyng Hall School to countersign her passport, where she was described as having become “impatient, frustrated and rude” after her request was not fulfilled. The court also heard how Samra had allegedly joked with teachers saying, “Miss, you are going to see me in the news.” In a message to an unidentified person, she allegedly wrote, "I need a passport. If infidels know you support, they take your passport. Britain is very strict. We should meet to marry in Oman to go to Syria together, God willing.” The trial continues.
Theft at Lord Ahmed's residence The residence of Lord Nazir Ahmed in Rotherham became the target of a robbery where numerous valuables, along with important documents are said to have been stolen. Lord Ahmed was not present during the robbery and remained safe. Lord Ahmed spoke to Geo News regarding the incident that had occurred, as well as spoke about the
theories he had regarding who could be behind the robbery. He noted that the robbery was carried out in an organised manner where his CCTV cameras were deliberately smashed. Lord Ahmed said that he was waiting to discuss the issue with local intelligence agencies as well as the police.
Lord Nazir Ahmed
From left: Harry Rice, George Wilkinson, and Josh Mcgunniess died in the crash
untarily attended a North London police station shortly after 7pm”. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
involved are under way. At least two males are believed to have left the black Audi A5 following the collision. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circ u m stances of the collision and the number of occupants in the v e h i c le The damaged Audi A5 at the scene involved. The three boys were Three young men have students at Harefield lost their lives as a result Academy in Uxbridge. of this incident; such Floral tributes and mestragic circumstances sages were left at the must far outweigh any scene of the crash. A feltaboo around assisting low student at Harefield, police.” Tia Purdy also attended Chief Superintendent the floral tribute, She Colin Wingrove added, said, “At school they were “There is understandably in different classes but a lot of shock and grief in used to go into each oththe local community. These three young men ers' class when they had their whole lives could, they were just realahead of them.” ly good friends.” Jaynesh Chudasama Detective Sergeant appeared at Uxbridge Michael Rapp, of the Met Magistrates' Court and police's collision investigation unit said, “CCTV was remanded until the inquiries and forensic next hearing at the Old analysis of the car Bailey on 26th February.
Indian man missing in London since 2015 Family members are worried after 34-year-old Ramesh Raparthi's sudden disappearance in London three years ago. Ramesh Raparthi, from Hyderabad had been staying and pursuing his higher education in London since 2010. However, his family members stopped receiving calls from him and became very concerned. According to available documents, Ramesh got admission at the University of Wales, Newport to study Masters in Business Administ ration. His admission letter is believed to have been despatched to him on 29th October 2009. Ramesh is the youngest in his family of three brothers and two sisters. His father, Raparthi Venkati, 68, said, “He was in touch with us for a few years and he also told us that he is working there.” Ramesh's mother,
Missing since 2015: Ramesh Raparthi
Raparthi Bommakka stated that the last time they spoke to their son, he had mentioned that he was in need of money. Ramesh's course was expected to finish in December 2011. After that, Ramesh continued living in London and was regularly in touch with his family until 2015, when he neither called his parents or family members. His father said, “We do not know what has happened to him. We need help to trace out our son.”