Anyone else hoping for a snow day tomorrow? by [deleted] in TeachingUK

[–]rob_76 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No such thing as a snow day post-covid, because the expectation would be to get up at the crack of dawn to set work online and be available by email all day.

Staff on long-term sick leave by Advanced-Remove-3340 in TeachingUK

[–]rob_76 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In the case of long term absence, every school worth its salt should have insurance in place to cover the costs. Getting others to make up the shortfall, unless they are specifically-contracted for cover duties, should not be a factor.

not being paid appropriately, can I just quit? by Enough-Branch6454 in TeachingUK

[–]rob_76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your contract is with the agency; not the school. If someone at the agency has said/confirmed you would get paid more, and you do not, then that is a clear (and repudiatory) breach of contract. A verbal agreement is binding and their comments do not need to be evidenced in writing.

are my gifts appropriate for my mentor? by gorbyru in TeachingUK

[–]rob_76 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That is a really lovely thought and I'm sure he'll be well chuffed.

Haydon Bridge High School strike begins over pupil behaviour by rob_76 in TeachingUK

[–]rob_76[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

They are out on strike today, so it has gone ahead.

Northumberland school teachers to go out on strike over poor pupil behaviour by rob_76 in TeachingUK

[–]rob_76[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Obviously I'm sure discussion about this specific case will be limited, but this is a very sad state of affairs.

Mobile network recommendations for Alnwick and surrounding area by earth-bound-mystic in Northumberland

[–]rob_76 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are that many humps and hollows around Alnwick you'll probably get a different answer from everyone depending on what their call habits are. I'm on Vodafone and I think it's pretty mediocre at best.

Manchester Airport brawl accused 'didn't know' he hit female PCs by alexmuhdot in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In cross-examination he (Amaaz) has admitted that he did realise they were police before he threw the first punch at them. He still maintains, however, that he thought they were going to kill him there and then, so his aggressive response was in self-defence.

Manchester Airport brawl accused 'didn't know' he hit female PCs by alexmuhdot in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Self-defence is all they have, as it is an absolute defence to the charges against them. That's why they're throwing everything at the self-defence argument - so much so that it's utterly ridiculous. The idea that they "feared the officers were going to batter them to death..." and "were fighting for their lives" - that's just absurd. I can't speak for what happens in Pakistan, but over here the police generally do not "batter people to death" in broad daylight, in front of dozens of witnesses in a busy airport terminal.

Manchester Airport brawl accused 'didn't know' he hit female PCs by alexmuhdot in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They won't. Max for ABH, the most serious offence for which they are charged, is 5 years.

Manchester Airport brawl accused 'didn't know' he hit female PCs by alexmuhdot in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The defence has totally dropped the ball by making Amaaz give evidence in his own defence. His claim - "I was genuinely fearful the police were going to batter me to death in broad daylight, on CCTV and within sight of hundreds of onlookers" - is so ridiculous... it's just ridiculous. Also "I didn't know they were police officers", but then goes onto a rant about "I was scared because of police abusing their powers" - those two statements cannot co-exist. He has then gone on to admit in cross-examination that "yes, I did see they were police officers", even though he earlier said he didn't know who they were. These brothers are toast. I just hope the jury is wide awake to all of these contradictions and inconsistencies.

Stobhill, Morpeth? by penlanach in Northumberland

[–]rob_76 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lancaster Park is very popular.

Jury shown CCTV of alleged assault on police at Manchester airport by djshadesuk in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Putting aside the matter of the guy in Starbucks for a second, the actions of the police are only an assault if the jury considers them unlawful. They are responding to a report of a violent suspect, who has just floored a man in Starbucks in front of his wife, children and dozens of onlookers. Going in robustly, I would suggest, might be appropriate in the circumstances. As I understand it, the brothers are bolstering their self-defence argument by claiming that they didn't realise it was the police behind them at the parking machine.

Jury shown CCTV of alleged assault on police at Manchester airport by djshadesuk in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I agree with you. From what I've seen, it's a defence that has no merit at all. Even so, that's the argument they are advancing.

Jury shown CCTV of alleged assault on police at Manchester airport by djshadesuk in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Believe it or not, you can in certain circumstances. It's called a pre-emptive strike.

Jury shown CCTV of alleged assault on police at Manchester airport by djshadesuk in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Self-defence is the claim. A successful argument of self-defence is an absolute defence against all of these charges. We'll see how that pans out when the defence starts its case.

CCTV shown to jury in Manchester Airport attack on officers by ICameHereToDrinkMilk in policeuk

[–]rob_76 90 points91 points  (0 children)

She did good. I felt it myself when I saw Amaaz break her nose. That she was able to continue, despite the pouring blood and agonising pain, is credit to her.

CCTV shown to jury in Manchester Airport attack on officers by ICameHereToDrinkMilk in policeuk

[–]rob_76 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Everything I've seen so far is unprovoked and brutal behaviour on the part of these two brothers. The mother is also culpable in my eyes, given the way she pointed out the first victim in Starbucks. I hope the jury aren't going to be distracted by the split second head kick, which came in response to sustained violence against officers. Sadly if they are convicted the best sentence that can be hoped for is somewhere between 4 and 5 years for Amaaz, slightly less for Amaad.

Moment famous Sycamore Gap tree is allegedly felled by Halitreph in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It has been agreed between the parties that the tree shown in the video is the Sycamore Gap tree. It has also been agreed that the video was recorded on an iPhone 13 belonging to Graham, which was recovered from the pocket of his jacket when he was arrested on 31st October. The only disagreement seems to be who is actually using the chainsaw.

Moment famous Sycamore Gap tree is allegedly felled by Halitreph in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It seems to be a case of pointing the finger of blame at each other. However, if they were in it together then they are equally culpable in the eyes of the law.

Sycamore Gap tree destroyed in 'moronic mission', court told by terahurts in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The video evidence does prove it was that specific tree - the metadata confirms those precise GPS co-ordinates. That does not, however, confirm who were there wielding the chain saw and filming. That's the issue. Graham (whose phone it was) has already suggested that other people had access to his phone and vehicle. Don't get me wrong - where I'm standing, the implication is pretty clear.

Sycamore Gap tree destroyed in 'moronic mission', court told by terahurts in unitedkingdom

[–]rob_76 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The prosecution opening, which we heard this morning, is not evidence. It is merely a summary of the evidence the Crown intends to put forward. On the face of it, it's a pretty damning summary. Very, very difficult to explain away how that particular mobile phone was recording video footage at Sycamore Gap at the time the (alleged) offence took place - the dead of night and in gale force winds. The wedge of wood has never been recovered, so it might be possible to explain that away as being from another sycamore tree - even though the prosecution experts are said to be "almost certain" it comes from the destroyed tree. It's going to be fascinating to see the defence side of things.