Fake Shaman: Juliette D'Souza Gets 10 Years

A woman posing as a shaman managed to con £1m out of her victims by telling them she could heal cancer in their children, among other false promises.

Juliette D'Souza convinced a range of people to hand over money to save the lives of loved ones, avoid being made redundant or cure a variety of illnesses.

The judge in her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court said that perhaps the "most upsetting" victim was one who gave D'Souza £176,000 over several years to help her get pregnant.

When she actually fell pregnant, D'Souza told her to have an abortion as the unborn child would be "deformed" and "ill".

The fraudster was able to fund an extravagant lifestyle

Many of her 11 victims were left in financial ruin, with one elderly woman having more than £200,000 "remorselessly extracted" from her over 12 years.

D'Souza, 59, from Hampstead, north London, was jailed for 10 years on Friday after being convicted of 23 counts of obtaining property by deception and fraud between 1998 and 2010.

Judge Ian Karsten QC said she had cast a "spell" over her victims and told them to hand over large amounts of money or face "terrifying" consequences.

D'Souza visited Suriname and claimed to send money there as a "sacrifice"

He said: "It is the worst case of confidence fraud I have ever had to deal with or indeed that I have ever heard of.

"The most serious aspect of this case is that you wrecked the lives of a number of your victims and you have done it out of pure greed."

The court heard that D'Souza told her victims the money would be used as a spiritual offering and hung off a "special, sacred tree" in the Amazonian rainforest.

In fact she used the proceeds to fund an extravagant lifestyle, spending her cash on a £3,000 Hermes handbag, luxury holidays and antique furniture among other items.

The total amount she defrauded in relation to the charges on the indictment was £908,400, but on the evidence given by victims the final sum was closer to £1m.

Among the places she advertised was Tatler magazine, saying she charged just £35 for a consultation.

But she then demanded large sums for the "sacrifices" she claimed were being sent to Suriname in South America.

The self-proclaimed healer claimed to have helped cure actor John Cleese's daughter of cancer, boasted that she had known Princess Diana and said she could introduce a young singer to Simon Cowell.

One victim was told to pay £18,000 or her partner would die.

She used some of the money she "extracted" to fund holidays abroad

Another was 82-year-old former opera singer Sylvia Eaves, who was duped out of more than £350,000 over 12 years.

Other victims included retired solicitor Richard Collier-Wright, who paid £7,000 to cure his terminal leukaemia, and former photographer Jocelyn Bain-Hogg, who handed D'Souza thousands to improve the health of his mother who was having heart surgery.

Speaking after the sentence, Mrs Eaves said: "I feel terribly sad that somebody who is so clever would resort to that, especially as she was a friend of mine.

"I feel terribly let down that she could behave like that."

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Sudan Mother's Death Sentence Condemned

Sudan is facing growing international condemnation after a woman was sentenced to death and forced to give birth while shackled to a prison floor for marrying a Christian.

The US State Department described the case of Meriam Ibrahim, 27, as "horrific" and continues to press Sudanese officials to intervene.

Muslim women in Sudan are forbidden from marrying out of their faith - but although Ms Ibrahim has a Muslim father, she claims to have been brought up a Christian as that was her mother's faith.

A court rejected this argument and found her guilty of apostasy in renouncing Islam and adultery for marrying a Christian, Daniel Wani.

Ms Ibrahim was sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging earlier this month but her killing was suspended for two years so she could nurse her daughter Maya, born on a floor on Wednesday after guards at Omdurman Women's Prison refused to release her.

Daniel Wani holds his newborn baby in prison

"We're concerned about this horrific case, and we've expressed that many, many, many times," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

"We'll continue to press through every channel we can our concerns about this case."

Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is the latest high-profile tweeter to express outrage about the case following posts from Mia Farrow and Richard Branson.

"Meriam Yahya Ibrahim's death sentence is abhorrent," Mrs Clinton wrote. "Sudan should stop threatening religious freedom and fundamental human rights."

The couple married in 2011

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has also voiced concern.

"Our religions tell us that human interactions should be shaped by compassion and humanity, not by death sentences," he said. "Christians and Muslims should be able to coexist alongside each other."

US embassy officials have been attending Ms Ibrahim's public hearings and are monitoring the appeals process in Khartoum.

Ms Ibrahim remains incarcerated with her newborn baby and 20-month-old son.

Mr Wani, a US citizen, said on Thursday his wife and children were holding up well.

"As for the new situation, her psychological condition seems to be slightly better and Martin (the son) is also in good condition and is not naughty as was the case before. And the girl, of course she is still small, she's in good health."

Mr Wani with young son Martin

Both the US and UK governments have summoned the country's charge d'affaires to discuss the case - which Mr Wani is hoping will be reviewed.

"I hope they will take another look at the case - they will find many flaws, enough to cancel the judgement or close the case," he said.

Ms Ibrahim's ordeal has raised questions about whether the UK should continue to provide aid funds to Sudan.

The Department for International Development gave £42m in aid to Sudan in the last financial year

"Sentencing a woman to death for following her religious beliefs is truly appalling," a DFID spokesman said.

"The UK does not provide any direct funds to Sudan's government. Instead, we get aid directly to the most vulnerable people - including women and girls - through independent agencies like the UN.

"Improving girls' and women's access to basic services, economic opportunities, and human rights in Sudan is a top priority for DFID Sudan."

Islamic sharia law has been in force in Sudan since 1983.

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Chilcot Iraq Inquiry Talks Deal 'A Whitewash'

Chilcot Report Edges Closer Amid Icy Exchanges

Updated: 4:49pm UK, Thursday 29 May 2014

By Adam Boulton, Political Editor

At last, 11 years after British and American forces invaded Iraq and five years after Sir John Chilcot began his official inquiry into Britain's role in the war, it seems that the report could soon be published – perhaps even before the 2015 General Election, as David Cameron has demanded.

The report has been delayed by a stand-off between the inquiry team and two successive Cabinet Secretaries, Sir Gus (now Lord) O'Donnell and Sir Jeremy Heywood, who blocked publication of conversations and private notes between Tony Blair and then US President George W Bush on confidentiality grounds.

They also opposed publication of Cabinet minutes and other official records.

Tony Blair has repeatedly denied that he was the cause of the hold-up. Both O'Donnell and Heywood worked closely with his government.

Now an icily choreographed public exchange between Chilcot and the Cabinet Office confirms that the logjam has been broken.

Chilcot had been embarrassing the government deliberately by refusing to go ahead with one of the final legal steps required before publication of an official report - so-called "Maxwellisation".

Named after a 1969 court victory by the late disgraced business tycoon Robert Maxwell, this process requires that those criticised in the report are sent drafts of the relevant sections for comment prior to publication.

The inquiry is not required to take on board what they say.

The inquiry argued that their report would be incomplete unless they could refer to cabinet minutes and details of the Blair Bush relationship.

They argued that Blair and other members of his team had already negated the high expectation of confidentiality traditionally granted to a Prime Minister in their own published memoirs.

In essence, publication of the details of these exchanges should allow the public to decide whether Tony Blair committed Britain to war at an early stage come what may.

Documents will still not be published in full. But the Cabinet Secretary agreed earlier this year that the inquiry can give details from over 200 Cabinet level meetings, including quoting extracts of the minutes.

Yesterday the two sides also agreed that they will now negotiate on what "gists and quotes" they can include from 25 notes from Blair to Bush and more than 130 records of conversations between the two leaders.

Direct quotation will be "the minimum necessary" but the public announcement of a deal suggests that the government side has given ground decisively.

Unless there is exceptional foot dragging during the negotiations, they should be concluded in a matter of weeks. The inquiry team has already completed its draft and specified what it would like to quote.

Maxwellisation is a private matter between the inquiry and its subjects but on past form it should take no longer than three months.

After that Sir John says he will submit the finished report to the Prime Minister, "as soon as possible".

It will then be up to David Cameron to decide when we get to see the Iraq Inquiry report.

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Violent Robber On The Run From Open Prison

A robber has become the latest in a series of prisoners to go on the run from an open jail in the UK.

Simon Rhodes-Butler, 37, was jailed for seven years in September 2011 for a robbery on a garage owner in south London.

He absconded from Category D HMP Ford open in prison in West Sussex on May 22 and has been missing ever since, according to Sussex Police.

Other absconding inmates of recent weeks include Michael Wheatley

Rhodes-Butler and his accomplice Ilyas Ismal attacked the garage owner and took his Rolex watch in south Norwood in March 2011.

The owner told Croydon Crown Court he feared for his life after he was wrestled to the ground by the pair.

The two men then fled after abandoning their car, ran into the car park of a block of flats, and were then arrested.

Police have launched an appeal for information to track Rhodes-Butler, who is from Tottenham, north London. Members of the public have been warned not to approach him.

PC Steve Reed, of Sussex Police, said: "We need to speak to anyone who might have an idea where he could be or where he has been staying."

He is the latest in a spate of criminals to go on the run from open prisons.

This week Michael Wheatley, 55, known as the "Skullcracker", was jailed for life for a raid on a building society while on the run from HMP Standford Hill in Kent.

His case has sparked a review of open prisons.

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Asda's England Flag 'Looks Like KKK Costume'

Supermarket chain Asda has defended the sale of a wearable England flag which has been likened to a Ku Klux Klan outfit.

The St George's Flag, emblazoned with the word "England" and featuring a peaked white hood, sparked a social media storm when it went on sale in ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

But a spokeswoman for Asda, which has priced the novelty garment at £3, said: "We opted for a hood... as you never know what the British weather will bring.

Ade Brandwood's wife bought the flags while shopping in Asda. Pic: Twitter

"We want customers to get behind the team without getting wet."

England fan Ade Brandwood was among those who questioned the supermarket's decision to sell the flags.

His picture of the red and white cape, which has now been retweeted thousands of times, was accompanied with the message: "I'm not sure they set the right tone."

One user called Simon wrote: "'ENGLAND RULES OKKK'. Honestly, do Asda simply not bother to see how these things look when worn?"

Another, called Kieran, added: "They do look dodgy to say the least."

The flag was still available on Asda's website at lunchtime Friday, accompanied with the description: "Support England in the World Cup with this unique wearing flag!"

The supermarket's spokeswoman added: "We know there's chatter on Twitter... but it's simply a flag with a hood - nothing more, nothing less."

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Kim Jong-Un 'Makeover': Is There A Sinister Side?

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un's new look could be part of a ruse to help him develop a nuclear arsenal, Sky News has been told.

A series of images showing the despot laughing and smiling - often dressed in a straw hat with his jacket loose - have been released by the usually secretive state this month.

They were taken during visits to hospitals, children's centres and construction sites - and Leeds University lecturer Adam Cathcart, a leading commentator on North Korea, thinks the motives are clear.

"It's showing that maybe he's a bit of a reformer," Mr Cathcart told Sky News.

"They're trying to seduce the people who are willing to be convinced that maybe this generation is different. This buys them time to build their nuclear programme.

"It buys them time if there's less pressure from the West, and we're less likely to impose sanctions.

"Their real goal is to be seen as a de facto nuclear state."

North Korea has carried out three nuclear tests since 2006, eliciting a series of sanctions from the West.

In April US President Barack Obama issued a warning against a mooted fourth test.

Mr Cathcart believes the regime monitors closely its global perception - as illustrated when two officials confronted a London hairdresser over a poster of Mr Kim with the caption "Bad hair day?"

"They are sensitive to public opinion in the West," he said.

"They're reading what we're reading - they'll be reading this article on Sky News."

Mr Kim, 31, is modelling himself on his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, who ruled between 1945 and 1994 and is "unassailable" in North Korea, according to Mr Cathcart.

"The straw hat is harking back to the days of his grandfather, a period of nostalgia. Kim Il-sung died in 1994 before the famine kicked in and so was not as tainted by that.

"Kim Jong-Un has studied the way his grandfather acts, his mannerisms and the way he laughs - that's all deliberate."

As well as being seen across the world, images of Mr Kim appearing as a modern, amiable leader are designed to send an image to Koreans both north and south of the border, according to Mr Cathcart.

"It's the old story of a socialist government showing it is going in the right direction - especially as they have so many strikes against them with the killing of his uncle and all the sanctions.

"The office of Propaganda and Agitation are constantly trying to connect him to a new, prosperous image.

"You have to also recognise there are rumours about his health emanating from South Korea - it's part of an information war between the two countries.

"He has to be seen to be healthy, because what would happen if he wasn't around? Is his baby daughter going to take over?"

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UK On Course For Third Warmest Spring

This spring is on course to be the third warmest since records began in 1910, according to figures from the Met Office.

Based on information up until May 28 the mean temperature for the UK is 8.97C (48.15F).

If conditions remain average over the weekend, this May will rank only behind 2007 (9.05C/48.29F) and 2011 (9.15C/48.47F), according to the Met Office's National Climate Information Centre.

Saturday is forecast to be a predominantly dry and fine day with spells of warm sunshine.

Up to the May 28 the temperatures have been 0.8C above the long-term average for the UK.

A couple enjoys the warm weather in Margate, Kent

March, April and May have all seen above average temperatures, the Met Office said.

The current run of above-average temperatures continues a trend that began in December.

All of the months from then through to April have each been at least 1C above the long-term average.

It has been particularly warm in Scotland this spring.

The current mean temperature (7.63C/45.73F) is just above the record of 7.61C (45.7F) set three years ago.

But although the temperatures have been higher than normal, May has been duller and wetter than average, experiencing 97.7mm of rain - 140% of the long-term average.

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Theron 'Should Apologise' For Rape Comment

Charlize Theron has come under fire for comments she made comparing fame and press intrusion to being the victim of rape.

The South African-born actress was speaking to Sky News while promoting her new film A Million Ways To Die In The West.

She said that "every aspect" of her life had become "fodder" for a brand of journalism that exists "in a dark room".

She said: "I don't (Google myself) - that's my saving grace. When you start living in that world, and doing that, you start feeling raped."

The actress has been a long-time anti-rape campaigner, appearing in a number of adverts, but critics have warned she is at risk of undermining all of her hard work.

Theron and her mother Gerda

Rape victim Jill Saward told Sky News Theron's remarks are "abhorrent" and she should apologise.

Ms Saward said: "I was really shocked and disgusted by what she'd said.

"Being in the situation she'd been in, campaigning for rape, she definitely ought to know better.

"I think that press coverage can be very damaging, it can be very difficult, but it is absolutely nothing in comparison."

Online editor of Grazia magazine in South Africa Cheska Stark told Sky News that with sexual abuse such a huge issue in South Africa, the actress should have been more careful.

"I understand that she has been violated but to compare that violation with that of a rape victim, for me is ridiculous," she said.

Theron won an Oscar for her portrayal of rape victim and serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003 and her mother Gerda was also a victim of domestic abuse. Gerda shot and killed Theron's father in self-defence in 1991.

She says she is "protective" of her privacy and especially that of her young son Jackson.

Feminist activist Kate Smurthwaite agreed that the 38-year-old did not make a "fair comparison" and should consider apologising.

Katie Russell, a spokeswoman for sexual violence charity Rape Crisis in England and Wales, said: "We are concerned when anyone uses rape as a metaphor for less serious issues and uses the language around sexual violence casually because it trivialises sexual violence and it fails to acknowledge what is a very serious crime."

Theron promoting her new film with Amanda Seyfried and Seth MacFarlane

The star's remarks attracted criticism on Twitter, with one user saying "she should try telling that to a real rape victim".

@Geoffbanksracing tweeted: "Sorry but I have little sympathy for Charlize Theron. Make millions from being famous, there's a downside."

But Danielle Weakley, editor of women's interests division at Media 24 magazine in Johannesburg, said she had sympathy for the stress that can come from being famous.

"It is unimaginable - the intrusion of the paparazzi and media must be enormous," she said.

Twilight star Kristen Stewart was forced to apologise when she made similar remarks in 2010 during an interview with Elle magazine.

Gwyneth Paltrow drew criticism this week for comparing her struggle with internet trolls to being a soldier in a war.

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Obama's Embattled Veterans Secretary Out

Beleaguered Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki has stepped down after being summoned for a showdown meeting with President Barack Obama at the Oval Office.

Mr Obama said: "A few minutes ago Secretary Shinseki offered me his own resignation. With considerable regret, I accepted."

The president also said he would leave it up to the Justice Department to determine if there had been any criminal wrongdoing in the healthcare scandal engulfing the Veterans Affairs agency.

Claims surfaced last month that up to 40 veterans may have died while awaiting treatment in the Arizona healthcare system, spawning a nationwide inquiry.

Mr Shinseki led the agency for five years

Before the Oval Office meeting Mr Obama told ABC he planned to have a "serious conversation" with Mr Shinseki, who led the agency for five years, about his "capacity" to do the job.

Sky News' US correspondent Amanda Walker, in Washington DC, says that at the beginning of his presidency Barack Obama said government needed to be "smarter and better".

Five years on and a litany of bureaucratic failures later - there's little sign of that happening.

Like the National Security Agency revelations and the failed healthcare rollout, this latest saga is being read - certainly by Republicans - as another Obama management disaster.

Republicans (and politically vulnerable Democrats) had called for him to go

Wounded heroes and failed healthcare are two very emotive topics that strike at the heart of American values and concerns.

Mr Shinseki may have gone but the problems at the VA remain.

Ultimately, says our correspondent, the pressure is on the president to put this right.

Mr Obama has appointed Sloan D Gibson, currently deputy Veterans Affairs secretary, to run the department on an interim basis. 

Appearing at a conference for homeless veterans in Washington DC earlier on Friday morning, Mr Shinseki apologised.

Claims of mistreatment for America's veterans were political plutonium

The retired four-star general said he would oust the leadership of the Phoenix hospital at the centre of the affair.

He told the event: "We now know that VA has a systemic, totally unacceptable lack of integrity within some of our veterans health facilities."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers had been demanding he quit over the controversy.

But right up until the last minute, Mr Shinseki had given no sign that he would step down.

An interim report this week found that up to 1,700 military veterans were "at risk of being lost or forgotten" after being kept off waiting lists amid "significant delays" at the Phoenix clinic.

The Veterans Affairs inspector general is now investigating facilities nationwide.

The government-run system provides medical care to about 6.5 million US veterans annually.

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Thousands In 'Thumbs Up' Tribute To Stephen

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

Thousands of people have posted "thumbs up" photos on social media in memory of fundraiser Stephen Sutton.

Using #thumbsupforstephen, the idea was launched by hundreds who gathered at Lichfield Cathedral for his public farewell ceremony, the culmination of a two-day vigil attended by some 10,000 people.

Crowds of people give a thumbs up outside Lichfield Cathedral

It was followed by spontaneous applause for the teenager, who lost his fight with cancer on May 14.

The hashtag quickly caught on and Twitter said around 11,000 tweets had been sent accompanied by #thumbsupforstephen in an hour.

Among those in the crowd was Shelley Checkley, who told Sky News that Stephen had once given an "inspiring and awesome" talk to her children.

Stephen's mother Jane and brother Chris prepare to release yellow balloons

She said: "It was amazing to know him and always see him smile, always be positive, never, never sad.

"I've known him give help to adults with cancer and made them feel more positive, he was an amazing person.

"He's made me feel more determined that every day you do everything right and don't moan about things that are insignificant or petty and live every day to the full."

Among those posting photos online in tribute to Stephen was three-year-old Sienna Riley, who has battled cancer since she was 20 months old.

Sienna Riley's family posted a picture on Twitter. Pic: @sarahhancoxuk

Her aunt Sarah Hancox, 31, said Sienna's family - who are raising money for her treatment - posted a snap because they had been inspired by what Stephen had done to raise money and awareness.

When he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, Stephen set about raising thousands of pounds for charity.

After Stephen posted a photograph online earlier this year, showing him giving the thumbs up while he was in hospital, the appeal went viral.

Comedian Jason Manford, who backed Stephen's campaign, gives a thumbs up

By the time he died the total raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust was well above £3m, and the figure has now topped £4m.

Comedian Jason Manford was also at the service. He helped the teenager spread the message online and described him as a "credit to humanity".

Stephen's coffin left the cathedral accompanied by drummers from Pandemonium, who performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, to reflect his love of music.

He had said he wanted "fun" put into his funeral, and chose the colour yellow as his emblem to signify happiness and sunshine.

Stephen's mother Jane and brother Chris released yellow balloons in his memory and people left yellow bouquets outside the cathedral.

Ben Wigley, a friend of Stephen's, told Sky News that musicians had made a record called Hope Ain't a Bad Thing to raise further money for charity.

RNLI members from Gravesend, St Abbs, Poole and North Berwick. Pic: RNLI

He said Stephen had heard the song and "loved it".

He said: "He was a pleasure to be around, it was hard not to smile, he lifted the spirits of everyone.

"He wanted for the funeral as little black as possible, to celebrate his life not mourn his death."

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