The US and Israel launched attacks across Iran on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump later saying Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Khamenei’s compound in Tehran had been destroyed in a “powerful, surprise strike”.

Iranian authorities have not confirmed Khamenei’s death, and Iranian news agencies have reported he is “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”.

Iran responded to the US-Israel attack by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.

Video produced by Amy Walker.

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Donald Trump has claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead following US and Israeli strikes, calling him ‘one of the most evil people in history’ – but Iran disputes the reports

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Donald Trump has spoken out following reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have perished after US and Israeli strikes on Iran overnight, though Iran has disputed these claims.

The US President asserts that Khamenei has died, branding him “one of the most evil people in History” and suggesting this development aligns with his aims to establish peace across the Middle East, reports the Daily Star.

Taking to Truth Social, he declared: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.

“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves.

“That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

The US President spoke earlier to NBC News before his Truth Social post tonight and when asked about reports of the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader, he responded: “We feel that is a correct story.”

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a significant attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, Israeli officials informed The Associated Press on Saturday. However, Iran has since refuted claims of his demise.In a brief phone interview with NBC News, Trump further stated that “a large amount of leadership” of Iran had been eliminated, clarifying: “I don’t mean like two people.”

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He also claimed that “most” of Iran’s senior leadership is “gone,” including many decision-makers. When questioned about who might succeed Iran’s supreme leader, Trump quipped, “I don’t know. But at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like,” before acknowledging he was “only being a little sarcastic” with the remark.

The purported killing of the Islamic Republic’s second-ever leader, who had named no heir apparent, would plunge its future into uncertainty and heighten the likelihood of prolonged conflict amid Iranian vows of vengeance.During a nationally broadcast statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared there were “growing signs” that Khamenei had perished when Israel targeted his compound in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Following the address, two Israeli officials confirmed his death had been verified.

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Both sources requested anonymity ahead of an official declaration and provided no additional information.

Khamenei took over from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spearheaded the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He wielded ultimate authority over all significant policy matters, commanding Iran’s clerical hierarchy and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the twin pillars of power within the nation’s theocratic system.

As the assault on Iran progressed, President Donald Trump called upon the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny” by mounting an uprising against the Islamic regime.In footage announcing the “major combat operations,” Trump addressed Iranians directly: “when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Dr Oliver Denton, a member of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) private practice committee, says: “We can’t be definitive about why we’re seeing a rise in doctors practising privately, but with growing pressures within the NHS it is no wonder more may be considering looking to work outside the health service.”

A challenge of bad weather, surprises fencing, cheese toasties and an urgent need for the toilet all for a cause close to trail runner Lizzie’s heart

Many people like to run to get fit but for Lizzie Gatherer an outdoor session is a more challenging experience. Over the years she has built up her experience and endurance to tackle many miles and many mountains and valleys to become an accomplished trail runner, someone running trail distances longer than a marathon.

But on Saturday, February 21 2026 a cold, wet and windy Bannau Brechioniog National Park and its rough terrain was the enemy to conquer with a trail run of over 70 miles waiting for Lizzie.

But this most epic of challenges came with a serious objective, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and to raise awareness but with an element of fun too, with the route across the mountains, when plotted out on exercise app Strava, resembling the shape of a man’s penis and balls.

READ MORE: ‘I fell through a roof and almost died and it’s the best thing that could have happened to me’

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The route has recently become a well-known way to add interest to a session in the area but Terry Rosoman, age 38, took it to the next level and ran the largest GPS drawing of a penis on the Strava app, raising money for Movember in 2025. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Lizzie contacted Terry to see if doing the same was appropriate and he was very pleased to give her support and encouragement – so then the planning and the training could begin.

The idea to follow in Terry’s footsteps came out of a personal reason for Lizzie after she found out that her father-in-law had been diagnosed and a number of her male running friends were also affected.

According to Prostate Cancer UK one in eight men will be diagnosed, and for black men the risk is double. The charity’s core mission is to create a future where “no man dies from prostate cancer” and to also encourage men to go to their GP to get checked which begins with a blood test.

Of course such a gruelling challenge takes planning, a support team, scenario testing, route planning and checking and many hours of training, even for an experienced runner like Lizzie, so just deciding to go for a walk in the national park without any knowledge, experience or equipment is very dangerous.

Lizzie also says it is very important that other people know when you are going, the route you are taking and the estimated time of arrival, because the weather suddenly deteriorating or getting lost and encountering dangerous terrain can get you in trouble and needing to be rescued, end up in an injury, or worse.

But even experienced terrain runners can get caught out and for Lizzie and the team it was an unforeseen change in fencing by a local farmer just within the last month that threw them off track and ended in them running through thick bracken and foliage before finding their route again thanks to their phone navigation, with map and compass as a back up.

The weather wasn’t their biggest supporter either. The day began dry and sunny but as the hours of gruelling running passed so did the fine weather and driving rain and a substantial dip in temperatures followed, making the conditions almost unbearable.

Lizzie says: “The wind hurt our faces and it was horizontal ice cold rain and it was tough especially as there’s no shelter on the ridge line, you are totally exposed to the elements, you can’t get away from it.”

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But when there were tough times Lizzie was carrying in her pocket a rather intriguing source of support – a stone. A stranger had donated a noticeable sum to Lizzie’s go fund me campaign and when she reached out he explained his father had died of prostate cancer and was there any way she could take a memory stone with her and place it on the route.

She says: “The highest point on the route is Waun Fach, about 40 miles into the run, and it was pretty bad conditions and all three of us were borderline not warm enough, and I was just beginning to think that this was miserable.

“As I got an extra layer of clothes out of my bag I saw the stone in there and the next climb was the mountain and I saw that stone and I thought ‘what are you complaining about!’ – it was then like I had an extra burst of energy going up that mountain.

“It was quite emotional placing the rock there, I did have a cry, and had a moment of thought, I’ve sent the video to the son and he is so grateful.”

Lizzie began the challenge at 5.00am and finished at 11.54pm which she is very happy with, her aim was to do it in one day. She says: “Sometimes my face hurt but not from the weather but from smiling, I literally smiled the whole time.”

But Lizzie is very keen to share the joy, saying without her friends it wouldn’t have happened. For the majority of the run Lizzie had some company with friends joining her in shifts and that included helping her with food requirements.

There was a pit stop in Hay-on-Wye consisting of a cheese toasty and hot chocolate with cream marshmallows, and every hour while still on the move a snack such as hula hoops, cocktail sausages, and a smack’d bar and 250ml of fluid with electrolytes.

Lizzie says: “Even my friend Jules’ husband found us on the route to drop off a cheese and pickle sandwich and swig of coffee when in the last five miles I was starting to get hungry, and that gave me a bit of extra energy!”

Of all the questions that Lizzie is asked, not just about this challenge but about running for many miles in general, is not about training or nutrition but about the toilet.

In Crickhowell, after a stop for cheesy chips and a swig of coffee, the inevitable happened and she needed the toilet. Luckily there was a pub nearby called The Bridge Inn but there was no time to stop for a pint.

Lizzie says: “I walked in and it was at that time empty, with two bar staff at the time, so I couldn’t just sneak in so I said ‘hello I’m 50 miles running into a route shaped like a giant penis for prostate cancer and I really need a poo, can I use your toilet?! And they were lovely and said yes.”

There was also a moment at the pub that helped Lizzie when the section of the route she was dreading the most, one and half miles on the road with no pavement no-one running with her.

She explains: “Their dog Teddy was all over me, cuddling into me, giving his poor and the lady said he’s never like this with anybody. It was just before the section on the road I was dreading and I left the pub with a spring in my step thanks to Teddy.”

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Backed up by a friend in his car driving slowly behind her with his hazard lights on, Lizzie conquered this section of the challenge and even managed to make up the time lost on the mountain due to the bad weather conditions.

After the thrill of the achievement shared with her friends Lizzie had to drive home. She says: “I got stuck in traffic for over three hours, when I got out of the car my legs were so stiff and I almost had to crab walk to the house! My legs know they have worked hard but I was so excited about the day that I couldn’t sleep at all that night!”

Next year Lizzie intends to challenge herself again, this time raising money and awareness for a woman’s health charity, no doubt with the route resembling a woman’s personal bits, she adds :”It’s really important to me to try and help raise awareness for health related causes.” You can find Lizzie’s go fund me page here.

Most accidents that occur during climbing are down to “poor planning”, says Matt Cooper, a mountain rescue team member in Wales and founder of the Mountaineering Company. This includes not having suitable clothing and equipment, like crampons and an ice axe, not checking and fully understanding the weather forecast, like which wind speeds are too strong, and not navigating properly, he says.

Dubai Airports confirmed an incident at Dubai International Airport on Saturday night with four people injured and emergency response teams activated

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Accounts have emerged of an ‘attack’ at a Dubai airport amidst a wave of retaliatory strikes targeting multiple locations across the Middle East.

Dubai International Airport was the scene of an incident on Saturday evening, Dubai Airports has confirmed this evening (Saturday). Footage and photographs spreading across social media platforms depict individuals, including some with injuries, fleeing the smoke-laden terminal.

Several people sustained injuries during the incident and were given immediate medical attention on site. Dubai Airports stated that further information would be released once more details emerged, reports the Daily Star.

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The development follows Iran’s launch of strikes against various targets throughout the Middle East in the wake of the US and Israel’s Operation Epic Fury.

Authorities in Dubai acknowledged they were dealing with an active situation at the airport. In a statement, Dubai media office said: “Dubai Airports has confirmed an incident at Dubai International Airport (DXB) just moments ago.

“Emergency response teams have been activated immediately, and the incident is being handled in coordination with the relevant authorities.

“This has resulted in four injuries, and the necessary urgent medical assistance has been provided to them.”

The Brit Awards 2026 featured an awkward moment where I’m A Celebrity star Angry Ginge’s comment was censored during the live ITV broadcast, but fans worked out what was said.

The audience at the Brit Awards ceremony were left in shock after I’m A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge ‘swore’ while presenting an award. The streamer took to the stage to hand out an award, but as he started talking, the audio cut out.

It became clear that Morgan Burtwistle was being censored. On stage with him was Darts champion Luke Littler, who appeared awkward about it, and said: “Okay…” before moving things on. Angry Ginge appeared to smirk, as though he wasn’t meant to say what he did.

Those in the venue at the Co-op Live in Manchester witnessed the moment and heard what was actually said, while fans at home also believed they had figured it out. Taking to X, they all commented the same thing, appearing to figure out what he’d said that got bleeped out, reports the Mirror.

Taking to social media, one fan said: “Angry Ginge just called London a s******e and it got bleeped.” Another added: “They cut Angry Ginge saying London is a s******e. Once again the truth is censored.”

A third continued: “angry ginge saying the brits are in manchester bc london is a s******e is so real.” A fourth fan posted: “Angry Ginge deffo said ‘London is a s******e’ and they censored it.” The Mirror was in attendance and has confirmed this was the case.

Ahead of Saturday night, it was revealed that tributes would be made to some of the music artists that have recently passed away. Ozzy Osbourne is set to be honoured with Robbie Williams fronting a super group paying tribute to the star. It comes seven months after the Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76.

The performance will be a special arrangement of ‘No More Tears’ – the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name. It was curated by Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, and will boast a phenomenal line up of British and international musical talent.

It will feature musicians who played as part of Ozzy’s band over the years, including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde. The makeshift group will be fronted by Robbie, who was invited personally by Sharon to be part of this special moment.

BRIT Awards bosses are also set to honour Stone Roses bassist Mani at Saturday night’s show – led by Charlatans legend Tim Burgess. Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield died suddenly aged 63 last November, and close pal Tim will be on hand to deliver an emotional speech.

A source said: “Tim is set to present the In Memoriam section, but before he does so, he is primed to talk about Mani who was both a dear friend and mentor. The fact that Mani was from Manchester too – and the awards is being held there for the first time – means it will be a really special moment. Mani will then feature heavily in the section, as will other greats we have lost including Ozzy Osbourne.”

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US President Donald Trump has claimed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, though Iran disputes the reports

Donald Trump has broken his silence over reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have died following overnight US and Israeli strikes on Iran, despite Tehran’s denial of the claims.

The US President asserted that Khamenei had died, branding him “one of the most evil people in History” and framing the development as part of his broader ambitions to establish peace across the Middle East.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

He continued: “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!

“Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

Prior to publishing his Truth Social post, the US President spoke to NBC News, and when questioned about reports of the Iranian Supreme Leader’s death, he stated: “We feel that is a correct story.”

The Daily Star reported that Israeli officials told The Associated Press on Saturday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had reportedly been killed during a significant joint military offensive on Iran carried out by Israel and the United States. Iran has since refuted claims that he is dead.

During a brief telephone interview with NBC News, Trump went on to assert that “a large amount of leadership” of Iran had been killed, adding: “I don’t mean like two people. “

He further claimed that “most” of Iran’s senior leadership is “gone,” including numerous key decision-makers within the regime. When questioned about who might succeed Iran’s supreme leader, Trump quipped, “I don’t know. But at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like” before clarifying he was “only being a little sarcastic” with the remark.

The purported assassination of the Islamic Republic’s second leader, who had not named a successor, would cast significant uncertainty over the nation’s future and heighten the possibility of prolonged conflict amid Iranian vows of retribution. During a nationally broadcast address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated there were “growing signs” that Khamenei had been killed when Israel targeted his compound in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Following the address, two Israeli officials confirmed his death. Both sources requested anonymity ahead of an official statement and provided no additional information. Khamenei took over from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spearheaded the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He wielded ultimate authority over all significant policy decisions, overseeing Iran’s clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the two principal power bases within the country’s theocratic system. As the strike on Iran developed, President Donald Trump called upon the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny” by challenging the Islamic leadership.

In a video statement announcing the “major combat operations,” Trump addressed Iranians directly, saying: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. his will be probably your only chance for generations. “

Donald Trump has claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israel strikes, calling him ‘one of the most evil people in history’, though Iran denies the reports

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Donald Trump has spoken out regarding claims that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have perished following overnight US and Israeli military action against Iran, despite Tehran’s denials of such reports.

The US President has declared that Khamenei has died, branding him “one of the most evil people in History”. He went on to frame this development as aligned with his goals of establishing peace across the Middle East, reports the Daily Star.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.

“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us.”

“As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. T

“hat process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

Prior to his Truth Social statement, the US President addressed NBC News this evening and when questioned about reports surrounding the Iranian Supreme Leader’s death, he stated: “We feel that is a correct story.”

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was allegedly killed during a significant strike on Iran carried out by Israel and the United States, Israeli sources informed The Associated Press on Saturday. Tehran has subsequently dismissed claims of his death.

During a short telephone conversation with NBC News, Trump went on to claim that “a large amount of leadership” within Iran had been eliminated, emphasising: “I don’t mean like two people.”

He further suggested that “most” of Iran’s top-tier leadership has been “gone,” including numerous key decision-makers. When questioned about who might succeed as Iran’s new supreme leader, Trump quipped, “I don’t know. But at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like” before clarifying he was “only being a little sarcastic” with that remark.

The reported assassination of the Islamic Republic’s second leader, who had not named a successor, would cast uncertainty over the nation’s future and heighten the possibility of prolonged conflict amid Iranian vows of retaliation. During a televised national address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated there were “growing signs” that Khamenei had been killed in Israel’s strike on his compound early Saturday morning.

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Following the address, two Israeli officials confirmed his death on condition of anonymity, pending an official announcement, though they provided no additional information. Khamenei took over from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He held ultimate authority over all significant policies, heading Iran’s clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the country’s two primary power centres within its theocratic system. As the assault on Iran developed, President Donald Trump called upon the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny” by challenging the Islamic leadership.

In footage announcing the “major combat operations,” Trump addressed Iranians: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. “

Two women have been convicted of stalking an ICE agent in Los Angeles following last summer’s protests in the city.

Cynthia Raygoza, 38, and Ashleigh Brown, 38, were found guilty Friday following the incident that took place amid anti-immigration enforcement protests in August.

On August 28, Raygoza and Brown followed the agent from a federal building in downtown Los Angeles to his home, live-streaming the incident on social media and providing directions to the address, their trial was told.

They also encouraged viewers to share the stream with others, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, with clips of the stream being played at the trial.

The agent, identified during the trial as Rogelio Reyes Huitzilin, told jurors that he had been headed home to meet up with his wife and two young children for a “surprise” when he noticed the women wearing masks, according to The Los Angeles Times.

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Upon arriving at the victim’s residence, shouted to bystanders while livestreaming that their “neighbor is ICE,” “la migra lives here,” and “ICE lives on your street and you should know.”

According to Essayli they also shouted racial slurs at the agent’s wife and his children had witnessed the incident.

Huitzilin said during the trial that his family had lived in fear since the incident and that they had moved out of their neighborhood, though he admitted he had not sold the property. He also said one of his sons had requested to be homeschooled and that his wife had needed therapy as a result.

However, he later admitted that no other protesters had come to his house after that day and that he had never heard from Brown and Raygoza again. It’s understood that no other similar incidents occurred at the home.

Brown and Raygoza were both found guilty of one count of stalking but acquitted of one count of conspiring to publish personal information about a federal employee. They were charged alongside a third woman, Sandra Samane, who was acquitted of both counts.

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During their trial, which lasted a week, Raygoza and Brown claimed that they had believed they were following the agent to an ICE raid, rather than his home, The Times reported.

Following ICE and Border Patrol agents to enforcement sites has become a common tactic used by protesters in cities including LA, though this appears to be the first instance of a federal agent being followed and confronted at their home, according to The Times.

“We thank the jury for bringing justice to these agitators who violated the law and endangered the safety of this federal officer and his family,” Essayli said in a statement.

“Peaceful protests are protected by the Constitution, political violence and unlawful intimidation are not.”

Essayli and federal prosecutors in LA have filed more than 100 cases against protesters over the assault and hindrance of immigration agents. Despite securing 23 guilty pleas, until Friday, they had so far lost every case taken to trial.

Brown and Raygoza face up to five years in prison for their crimes and are due to be sentenced on June 8.