Connect with us

NewsBeat

Nine prisoners held on indefinite jail terms referred to Court of Appeal by miscarriage of justice watchdog

Published

on

Nine prisoners held on indefinite jail terms referred to Court of Appeal by miscarriage of justice watchdog

Nine more prisoners trapped on indefinite jail terms have had their sentences referred to the Court of Appeal by the miscarriages of justice watchdog.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is currently reviewing more than 250 cases involving people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) and the youth equivalent, Detention for Public Protection (DPP) jail terms.

So far, the watchdog has referred 25 cases to the appeal courts this year after a string of sentences were overturned by top judges.

The latest cases include Carl Lamb, who cut off his own ear with a razor blade in front of a prison officer in protest at his sentence.

Advertisement

He was jailed with a tariff of one year, seven months and 25 days in 2006 for grievous bodily harm with intent following a road rage incident when he was 26. Now 46, he has never been released.

Shaun Lloyd and his mother Shirley Debono
Shaun Lloyd and his mother Shirley Debono (Supplied)

Shaun Lloyd, 38, has been hauled back to prison five times and served almost 14 years under his indefinite jail term for the street robbery of a mobile phone he committed 20 years ago.

Chair of the CCRC, Dame Vera Baird KC, has said the referrals represent a “fraction” of those who remain “caught up in this abolished sentencing regime”.

The open-ended punishments were scrapped in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands languishing in prison without a release date.

The Independent has repeatedly called for all remaining IPP and DPP prisoners to have their sentences reviewed, highlighting shocking cases including Mr Lloyd’s and Mr Lamb’s.

Advertisement

Andy Burnham last month pledged to bring legislation to end the “long-running” injustice of IPP sentences before the end of this parliament, bringing hope to thousands of such prisoners for the first time. Details of how the scandal will be addressed are to be decided by a cross-party oversight group.

Carl Lamb, pictured as a child, has never been released from his IPP jail term
Carl Lamb, pictured as a child, has never been released from his IPP jail term (Supplied)

Dame Vera, a former victims commissioner, said public protection must remain paramount but “so too must fairness”, as she offered to support the government in their efforts to bring the sentence to an end.

“These nine referrals bring to 25 the number of IPP and DPP cases that the CCRC has referred to the Court of Appeal so far this year,” she said.

“But while 25 referrals are a significant number, this represents only a fraction of the people who remain caught up in this abolished sentencing regime.

“The latest figures show that 856 people who were given IPP sentences have never been released from prison. Around eight in 10 of those who have passed their minimum tariff have already spent at least 10 years beyond the point at which the court originally said they should become eligible to seek release. A further 1,415 people are in custody following recall.

Advertisement

“These are extraordinary figures for sentences which were abolished more than a decade ago.”

Recent Court of Appeal judgments have seen indefinite sentences overturned because the original judge had not fully considered the defendant’s age or maturity when handing out the punishment.

Dame Vera Baird KC says an ‘extraordinary’ number are still locked up under the abolished jail term
Dame Vera Baird KC says an ‘extraordinary’ number are still locked up under the abolished jail term (CCRC)

Dame Vera said the CCRC will continue reviewing applications, adding: “The Commission will continue to examine these cases carefully and independently. Where we identify a real possibility that a sentence would now not be upheld, we will refer the case to the appropriate court. It will then be for the court to decide what should happen.

“There is no simple solution to the legacy of IPP and DPP sentences. Public protection must remain paramount, but so too must fairness and the principle that people should not remain imprisoned indefinitely because of a sentencing regime that has already caused so much damage and which parliament abolished more than a decade ago.”

The nine latest referrals include:

Advertisement
  • Abdiwali Hassan, convicted at Isleworth Crown Court in 2011 and sentenced aged 19 to an IPP with a tariff of three years
  • Carl Lamb, convicted at Cardiff Crown Court in 2006 and sentenced aged 26 to an IPP with a tariff of 21 months
  • Ben Nye, convicted at Leeds Crown Court in 2007 and sentenced aged 21 to an IPP with a tariff of three years
  • Scott Prince, convicted at Derby Crown Court in 2008 and sentenced aged 19 to an IPP with a tariff of three years and six months
  • Liam Osborne, convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court in 2006 and sentenced aged 21 to an IPP with a tariff of two years and three months
  • Jerome Barrett, convicted at York Crown Court in 2005 and sentenced aged 19 to a DPP with a tariff of two years
  • Victoria Hathaway, convicted at Ipswich Crown Court in 2009 and sentenced aged 19 to a DYPP with a tariff of six years (varied on appeal to four years)
  • Shaun Lloyd, convicted at Cardiff Crown Court in 2005 and sentenced aged 18 to a DYPP with a tariff of two years and nine months
  • Jason Ritchie, convicted at Teeside Crown Court in 2008 and sentenced aged 38 to an IPP with a tariff of three years

Other than Mr Ritchie, who is on licence, all the prisoners are in custody.

The referrals follow a landmark ruling last year in the case of Leighton Williams, who served nearly 16 years over a drunken fight aged 19. The appeal court ruled that a previous offence committed when he was 17 had been wrongly counted against him and his IPP sentence was quashed in 2024. Following his release, he told The Independent the unjust jail term had robbed him of 16 formative years.

Since then, a flurry of cases have been referred to the Court of Appeal and overturned, including that of Haroon Ahmed, who spent 18 years being punished for a knifepoint robbery of a service station committed when he was 19.

A further six indefinite sentences were quashed in a sweeping ruling earlier this year.

Until Mr Burnham’s announcement last month, successive governments had refused to act on calls to address the injustice facing IPP prisoners, some of whom have served up to 22 times their original tariff. Others have faced a vicious cycle of recall, often for breaches of strict licence conditions.

Advertisement

The punishment has been described as “psychological torture” by the United Nations, with 96 prisoners taking their own lives in custody after losing hope of getting out.

Mr Lloyd is among five men serving IPP sentences whose detention has been found to be arbitrary by the human rights watchdog, prompting a major legal challenge due to be heard next month.

More follows…

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

Supermodels Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Candice Swanepoel make a statement on the Gucci catwalk during Milan Fashion Week

Published

on

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley commanded attention in a sheer lace top and oversized fur coat on the catwalk at the star-studded Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week

Advertisement

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley commanded attention in a sheer lace top and oversized fur coat on the catwalk at the star-studded Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week. 

Camila Morrone, Anna Wintour and Richard Gere‘s son Homer were among the celebrities in attendance on Friday.  

The supermodel, 39, showcased her incredible figure in a black bodycon skirt as she took centre stage on the platform.

Rosie joined fellow runway star Candice Swanepoel, 37, who wowed in a daring glitzy minidress.

Advertisement

Milan Fashion Week is set to conclude on Monday, September 28, with designers including Emporio Armani and Bottega Veneta still due to unveil their Spring/Summer 2027 collections.

Vogue’s global chief content officer Anna sat on the FROW alongside Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley commanded attention in a sheer lace top and oversized fur coat on the catwalk at the star-studded Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week

Advertisement
Rosie joined fellow runway star Candice Swanepoel, 37, who wowed in a daring glitzy minidress

Rosie joined fellow runway star Candice Swanepoel, 37, who wowed in a daring glitzy minidress

Anna sported her trademark sunglasses and a stylish burnt orange leather jacket for the occasion. 

Poppy Delevingne, 40, put her toned legs on display in a black velour minidress and knee-high heeled boots.

Meanwhile, Princess Maria-Olympia, 30, looked chic in a tweed dress while carrying a Gucci handbag. 

Advertisement

Rosie and her husband Jason Statham, 59, share two young children, son Jack, eight, and daughter Isabella, three.

The low-key British couple, who live in Los Angeles, first began dating in 2010 after meeting at a party in London and experiencing what Rosie called ‘instant chemistry’. 

Jason and Rosie got engaged in 2016, with the model revealing they had taken their relationship to the next level when she flashed her impressive diamond ring at the Golden Globes, and they’re now parents to two children.

Speaking about their plans to marry after Jack was born, Rosie said: ‘I think the time will come. It’s also not a huge priority for us.’

Advertisement

She has also addressed the couple’s 20-year age gap, saying: ‘His knowledge and strength are really inspiring and attractive, and that can come with a man who’s had a bit of time.’

The supermodel, 39, showcased her incredible figure in a black bodycon skirt as she took centre stage on the platform

The supermodel, 39, showcased her incredible figure in a black bodycon skirt as she took centre stage on the platform

Milan Fashion Week is set to conclude on Monday, September 28, with designers including Emporio Armani and Bottega Veneta still due to unveil their Spring/Summer 2027 collections

Milan Fashion Week is set to conclude on Monday, September 28, with designers including Emporio Armani and Bottega Veneta still due to unveil their Spring/Summer 2027 collections

The supermodel owned the catwalk in her dazzling dress and dramatic makeup

The supermodel owned the catwalk in her dazzling dress and dramatic makeup

Advertisement
Vogue's global chief content officer Anna sat on the FROW alongside Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner

Vogue’s global chief content officer Anna sat on the FROW alongside Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner

Poppy Delevingne, 40, put her toned legs on display in a black velour minidress and knee-high heeled boots

Poppy Delevingne, 40, put her toned legs on display in a black velour minidress and knee-high heeled boots

Meanwhile, Princess Maria-Olympia, 30, looked chic in a tweed dress while carrying a Gucci handbag

Meanwhile, Princess Maria-Olympia, 30, looked chic in a tweed dress while carrying a Gucci handbag

Camila Morrone (pictured), Anna Wintour and Richard Gere's son Homer were among the celebrities in attendance on Friday

Camila Morrone (pictured), Anna Wintour and Richard Gere’s son Homer were among the celebrities in attendance on Friday

Advertisement
The actress wowed in a black and cream fur coat with towering high-heels

The actress wowed in a black and cream fur coat with towering high-heels

Homer looked dashing in a pinstripe suit

Homer looked dashing in a pinstripe suit

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

TalkTalk to be sold ‘imminently’ as fears of collapse raise national security concerns

Published

on

TalkTalk – Britain’s fourth-largest broadband provider – said it was on the final stages of a sales process

Advertisement

Troubled broadband operator TalkTalk has said it expects to be sold ‘imminently’ as fears that it could collapse raise national security concerns.

The debt-laden company, which has 1.5million customers, said it was in ‘advanced discussions’ over separate deals for its consumer and wholesale businesses.

Speculation has swirled that the firm – Britain’s fourth-largest broadband provider – could go into administration unless a buyer is found.

The government has been in contact with TalkTalk over its future given its key role serving households and businesses as well as providing telecoms services to the Ministry of Defence.

Advertisement

It is believed that national security networks are partly dependent on systems operated by TalkTalk’s PXC wholesale network – though the MoD is said to have contingency plans in place to ensure it is not reliant on just one provider.

Customers are also reported to encompass more than 250,000 vulnerable households including elderly people with personal alarms.

TalkTalk – Britain’s fourth-largest broadband provider – said it was on the final stages of a sales process

Advertisement

A source close to the company, which employs 900 staff, played down the idea that TalkTalk’s businesses might stop operating, saying that would not be the case.

In an update to investors, it said: ‘TalkTalk group is in advanced discussions regarding potential disposals of its PXC and TalkTalk consumer businesses.

‘The company is now in the final stages of its sale process for the business and expects to conclude both transactions imminently.’

It is not known whether the TalkTalk brand will remain should the company be sold, though any buyer may wish to keep the well-known moniker. It is hoped that a deal may be announced by the end of next week.

Advertisement

Protracted talks over the sale of TalkTalk’s operations have already been ongoing, with rival Opus Broadband eyeing its consumer arm and Octopus Investments looking to buy wholesale business PXC, although a period of exclusivity with both bidders has now ended.

Opus has reportedly halved its offer for TalkTalk’s consumer arm to £100milion.

Octopus is still in the running for PXC but Sky News reported London-listed Gamma Communications is too with a £200million offer.

The total proceeds of £300million for both would leave shareholders and lenders to the business facing steep losses on their investments in the business.

Advertisement

TalkTalk was founded by Sir Charles Dunstone in 2003 as a subsidiary to mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse.

It was spun off and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2010.

The firm has struggled amid an increasingly competitive market in recent years, with new challengers entering the fray and under-cutting many of the established providers.

Sir Charles, who is still a major shareholder in TalkTalk, backed a £1.1billion deal to take TalkTalk private in December 2020.

Advertisement

He and lender Ares Management could yet still pump in more cash should other potential deals for the company fail to materialise.

The sales are complicated by the fact the consumer business is dependent on infrastructure controlled by PXC. A deal to sell PXC would therefore be needed to secure the sale of the TalkTalk consumer business.

Karen Egan, head of telecoms at consultancy Enders Analysis, told the BBC that TalkTalk, which had 4million customers in 2019, has become laden with debt and ‘struggled to invest’ in keeping them.

‘At the same time, the industry’s become incredibly competitive – a lot of excess market entry – and prices have collapsed,’ she said.

Advertisement

Ms Egan said about £1billion of debt was likely to have to be written off as part of the sale process, which would be a ‘very large number for the banks to swallow’.

She added: ‘I’d be surprised if there’s actually real disruption for the TalkTalk customers. If indeed this deal with Opus Broadband goes ahead they will take over the running of the operations I would expect.’

A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: ‘This is a commercial matter and we do not comment on speculation.’

Regulator Ofcom said: ‘While we have no formal role in this process, we’re closely monitoring developments.’

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Man jailed for ramming tractor into rival’s linked home

Published

on

Man jailed for ramming tractor into rival’s linked home

The situation between Nathan Blagg and Luke Lancaster boiled over after a video showed Lancaster urinating on the gravestone of Blagg’s brother and father before kicking it over.

Teesside Crown Court heard how on April 21 Lancaster spotted Blagg chatting in the street, mounted the kerb and drove at him.

Blagg leapt out of the way and confronted the Audi driver before smashing the driver’s-side window of his car.

Nathan Blagg (Image: Cleveland Police)

In retaliation, Blagg stole a tractor and ploughed it into a home connected to his rival on May 9, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Advertisement

Prosecutor Jamie Wilson said the terraced house was empty at the time, but the crash caused substantial damage.

Blagg and accomplices stole the tractor from a farm in Castlelevington, near Yarm, then drove it about nine miles at high speed into the front of the house.

CCTV captured the tractor speeding through Middlesbrough with a Land Rover Discovery following as a getaway vehicle.

Mr Wilson said the victims had moved out at the end of April after the address was targeted in earlier incidents.

Advertisement

Police are investigating after a tractor crashed into a house on Priory Road, Middlesbrough in the early hours of this morning (May 9) (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

The cost of the damage has not been confirmed because the house has yet to be repaired.

Damage to the tractor and trailer left the farmer facing a bill of almost £80,000.

Blagg was arrested on May 14 after crashing a stolen Jaguar into a lamppost and fracturing his pelvis, the court heard.

Blagg lost control and smashed into a lamppost while speeding along Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park Road.

Advertisement

Hospital scans showed Blagg had items lodged in his stomach and bottom which contained Class C drugs, the court heard.

Mr Wilson said Blagg’s recovered mobile phone placed him at the farm and later at the Priory Road address in Middlesbrough in the early hours.

Blagg, of Addington Road, Middlesbrough, admitted three sets of charges.

The 28-year-old admitted affray and motoring offences over the April 21 incident.

Advertisement

Borough Road incident in MIddlesbrough (Image: OLIVIA HOWLETT)

Blagg admitted criminal damage, recklessly endangering life and aggravated vehicle taking over the May 9 attack.

He also admitted aggravated vehicle taking, possessing a Class C drug and motoring offences over the May 14 incident.

His barrister, Rod Hunt, said the social media video showing the desecration of Blagg’s brother’s and father’s grave had triggered the retaliation.

Mr Hunt said: “The driving at Mr Blagg, throwing over the bonnet of the car, was the final straw it would seem.

Advertisement

“I saw some distressing footage posted on social media which shows the grave of Mr Blagg’s father and brother – Mr Lancaster urinates on the grave and flowers before the headstone was kicked over.”

Mr Hunt said the tractor attack was carried out ‘in the strange logic of the underworld’, where targeting property is seen as less serious than running someone over.

“As we know, the law of the land is not the same as the law of the jungle,” he said.

“That seems to have been going through his mind at the time – I will do something serious to the property but will not do something serious to a person.”

Advertisement

Speaking about the May 14 crash, Mr Hunt said there was no rational explanation for Blagg’s driving, which left a passenger seriously injured.



Recorder Paul Reid jailed Blagg for seven years and two months, followed by two years on extended licence.

He said: “In the spring of this year, you were grossly aggrieved and rightly so, by the disgusting behaviour of those who desecrated your relative’s grave and compounded that disgusting behaviour by posting it on social media.

“This was the start of this appalling chain of events.”

Advertisement

Blagg was banned from driving for seven years after his release from prison.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Pay By Mobile Casino UK: Top 10 Pay By Phone Casinos

Published

on

Pay By Mobile Casino UK: Top 10 Pay By Phone Casinos

Pay by mobile allows users to complete financial transactions at online casinos using their phone credit, making it a useful payment option for bettors who prefer to use their mobiles for gambling.

The Standard’s gambling team have taken an in-depth look at pay by mobile casinos, examining which operators offer it as a payment choice and why a punter might choose a pay by phone casino over other casino payment methods.

Why use a pay by mobile casino?

Advertisement

Pay by mobile casinos offer three main benefits when compared to other payment methods. The first is that pay by mobile deposits are fast, taking under 30 seconds to complete.

This is because no card or bank verification is required to finalise the transaction.

Second, pay by mobile deposits are very secure since users don’t share bank details and casinos never store any financial data. The whole transaction is carried out by the mobile network’s billing system.

Third, pay by mobile casino deposits have a built in ceiling of £30 per transaction. This can help bettors stay in control of their gambling spend.

Advertisement

Bettors can use a pay by mobile casino whether they are on contract or pay as you go, making it a convenient method for those who prefer to gamble on mobile.

How to use a pay by mobile casino

Using a pay by mobile casino deposit usually takes four steps, from registering an account to confirming a deposit via text. The steps below apply no matter what network a bettor is on or how the operator process payments of that nature.

1. Register at a pay by mobile casino site

Advertisement

Visit one of our recommended online casinos, checking to make sure they still list pay by mobile as a specific payment method, rather than just a generic ‘mobile payments’ service. Complete the age and identity checks.

2. Select pay by mobile at the deposit stage

In the deposit section, select pay by mobile, which is sometimes labelled as pay by phone, or listed under Boku or Fonix. Enter the UK mobile number linked to the account.

3. Enter the deposit amount

Advertisement

Check the minimum deposit amount, which tends to be £10. The £30 to £40 cap set out in the section above applies regardless of which casino is used, as it comes from the mobile network rather than the operator.

4. Confirm the transaction

A text message arrives from the network or payment processor asking for confirmation, with bettors required to either reply YES or tap a link. This step cannot be skipped and exists to prevent unauthorised charges.

Top 10 pay by mobile casino UK sites

Advertisement

The best pay by mobile casino sites for UK players in September 2026 are Monster Casino, Casino Kings, Justin Casino, O’Reels Casino, Great Britain Casino, Spinzwin, Rose Casino, Ivy Casino, Betrino and Space Wins.

All ten are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and accept phone-bill deposits through Boku, Fonix or an equivalent provider, on networks including Sky Mobile, Vodafone, EE, O2, Three, Tesco Mobile and GiffGaff.

Each of the operators below lists that operator’s pay-by-mobile fee, minimum deposit and standout promotion, so bettors can compare all ten without opening each casino’s own payments page.

Monster Casino offer a huge range of payment options, including pay by mobile. We like how transparent they are about the terms for using your phone balance to top up your casino bankroll, with details displayed on a dedicated payments page.

Advertisement

Deposits start from £10, which is lower than a few of our top pay by phone casinos, although they do take a 15 per cent deposit fee.

Pay by mobile can also be used to unlock the welcome bonus, with only deposits made via Skrill and Neteller excluded. The welcome offer consists of a deposit match up to £50 and 30 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza.

Monster Casino has one of the biggest slot game libraries with over 2,000 titles to choose from and a large selection of deposit bonus offers, featuring mainly free spins as rewards. Again, pay-by-mobile deposits will qualify for those offers, but be sure to check that there isn’t a Monster Casino promo code to go with it.

We also rank Monster as having one of the best live casinos, with a wide variety of games to suit all types of players.

Advertisement
  • Pay by mobile deposits are eligible for welcome offer
  • Strong slot collection and live casino
  • Good choice of payment methods
  • Considered a high payout casino
  • 15 per cent deposit fee on pay by mobile deposits
  • Wagering attached to both parts of the welcome offer

Casino Kings are more transparent than any other online casino when it comes to available payment methods, which each option getting its own dedicated page, including pay by mobile.

They do a good job of mapping out the pros and cons of using pay by phone on Casino Kings, with the positives including speed and security, while the best negative is the 15 per cent processing fee attached to all deposits made using a mobile.

Pay by mobile can also be used when qualifying for the Casino Kings welcome offer, which is a deposit and wager £20, get 100 free spins scheme. The free spins are restricted to Big Bass Splash.

We also like Casino Kings for the regularly refreshed selection of offers, featuring various casino bonuses, with free spins, deposit bonuses and more up for grabs. The offers change regularly, keeping the experience fresh for users.

  • Minimal wagering requirements on the welcome offer
  • Good variety and range of recurring offers
  • Dedicated casino app
  • Casino that accepts Paysafecard, Neteller & Skrill too
  • Pay-by-mobile deposits carry a 15% processing fee
  • Withdrawal fees apply to every transaction

There are up to 500 free spins up for grabs at new UK casino Justin Casino when you first sign up, with pay by mobile deposits accepted when making the qualifying deposit of £10.

There is a £2.50 fee for using pay by mobile on Justin Casino, where the minimum deposit amount is £10. Pay by phone can’t be used to withdraw any funds, but it’s worth noting that Justin Casino insist on all KYC checks being complete before any withdrawals are processed.

Advertisement

Justin Casino has a small selection of offers for existing players, most relating to cash giveaways and slot competitions. However, daily free spins are available via the free-to-play Daily Wheel promo.

  • Daily rewards
  • £10 minimum pay by mobile deposit
  • Up to 500 frees spins from welcome offer

The O’Reels Casino welcome offer is a 100% deposit match up to £50 – with bonus winnings paid as withdrawable cash once the 10x wagering requirements are met. Only selected slot games contribute to the requirement, whilst there is also a £20 minimum deposit.

Ongoing promotions for O’Reels Casino users are the Monthly Rewards programme, which awards up to 100 free spins on a top slot each month. There are also weekly Free Spins Bonuses on featured slots, but there is no traditional VIP scheme.

O’Reels Casino’s strength is its withdrawal speeds – averaging sub-4-hour withdrawals. The operator claims that more than half of all withdrawals are processed instantly, making it one of the fastest withdrawal casinos. The fast payouts are also a useful counterweight to pay by mobile being deposit-only.

  • Some of the fastest withdrawals on the page
  • Earn up to 100 free spins every month
  • Strong slot library leans on the most popular providers
  • Smaller welcome offer than some rival pay by mobile casinos
  • No app for Apple users
  • Apple Pay casino deposits not accepted

Great Britain Casino offer pay by phone customers up to 500 free spins on the popular slot Big Bass Bonanza as a welcome bonus. A qualifying deposit of £10 is required and the payment can be made using pay by mobile.

The welcome offer does carry a maximum win cap of £250, with those winnings subject to wagering requirements, but we like the fact that each subsequent deposit to Great Britain Casino could potentially earn more free spins.

Advertisement

Ongoing promotions for Great Britain Casino users include the Daily Prize Wheel, which can be spun for cash, free spins and bonus credit prizes with no deposit required, or players can earn raffle tickets through real-money play for the weekly Cash Giveaway prize draw.

  • The welcome bonus combines a deposit match and free spins
  • Gamified loyalty rewards for regular players
  • Good selection of the best online slots and slot tournaments
  • Slower withdrawal processing than rivals
  • Live chat not available 24/7

Spinzwin has a dedicated section for pay-by-mobile on its deposits page, providing bettors with all the information they need. Pay via phone can’t receive withdrawals from Spinzwin, and there’s a 15 per cent deposit fee. On the plus side, deposits are completed instantly, and the minimum deposit is a decent £10.

Pay by mobile can also be used when qualifying for the welcome offer, which requires a minimum £10 deposit and play-through. Bettors can get a deposit match of up to £50 and 20 free spins upon joining.

Spinzwin has a dedicated casino app, although the reviews are middling, and a good collection of casino bonus offers, including two opportunities each week to claim up to 500 free spins as a prize via the Wheel of Spins.

The Wheel of Spins requires a deposit to unlock and pay by phone can be used to qualify.

Advertisement
  • Pay by mobile deposits accepted for welcome bonus
  • Transparent on pay by phone details
  • Mobile users can enjoy dedicated app
  • Fee for making a pay by mobile deposit
  • Wagering requirements on welcome offer

Rose Casino has a good selection of payment options, including pay by mobile, and also ranks among our top PayPal casinos.

The welcome offer is a deposit match scheme, worth up to £50. Bettors can earn a 25 per cent bonus on their initial deposit and they must meet 10x wagering requirements on the bonus value, so it’s not the most straightforward sign-up offer.

Customers should also be aware of the 28-day claim window for the offer from the date of the initial deposit.

Ongoing promotions from Rose Casinos see players compete in the Weekly Wheel Drops by playing eligible Pragmatic Play slots during the promo window for shares of cash and free spin prizes.

Rose Casino can be a bit lacking in other repeat offers – there is no reload bonus, no regular free spins programme, and no VIP scheme – but the site punches above its weight in slot variety for one of the new online casinos, going live in 2025.

Advertisement

There’s a notable Megaways collection and dedicated Slingo section drawn from the wider ProgressPlay network catalogue.

  • Pay by phone deposits from as little as £10
  • Standout Megaways and Slingo library for a smaller casino
  • Sub-4-hour withdrawals with most payments processed instantly
  • Is a casino that accepts Trustly and MuchBetter too
  • Sparse ongoing promotions for existing players
  • No progressive jackpot slots

Ivy Casino provides quite a weak welcome offer in terms of headline value compared to rival pay by phone casinos.

A 25% deposit match up to £50, which is paid as withdrawable cash rather than bonus funds. There’s a minimum £20 qualifying deposit and 10x wagering requirement, which is attached to the bonus value.

For example, bettors depositing £100 would get £25 as an active bonus, which requires £250 wagering to unlock the winnings as cash.

Existing Ivy Casino players can deposit and wager during the calendar month to unlock up to 100 free spins on a rotating featured top slot via the Monthly Rewards programme.

Advertisement

Ivy Casino has proven it has a fast-responding customer service team, resolving issues in minutes during testing. It should also be noted that Ivy Casino is a different operator from the similarly named The Grand Ivy Casino.

  • Welcome bonus paid as withdrawable cash rather than bonus funds
  • Newly integrated sportsbook on the same platform
  • Fastest live chat resolution on this page
  • Welcome offer percentage is lower than most rivals (25% vs the typical 100%)
  • Few offers for existing customers

There’s an in-depth section on each payment method available on Betrino that unpacks the pros and cons of paying by mobile on their platform. They place a big emphasis on being mobile-friendly, and yet still charge a 15 per cent deposit fee on all pay by phone transactions.

Deposits start from £10 and pay by mobile can be used to unlock the Betrino welcome offer, which features a 100 per cent bonus up to £50 and 20 free spins on Reactoonz.

There are 10x wagering requirements attached to bonus funds and most of the offers on Betrino do carry some form of wagering, but we do like how many offers there are on Betrino, with daily and more long term promotions, such as a loyalty programme, open to bettors.

  • Pay by mobile qualifies for the welcome offer
  • 6,000+ games in casino library
  • Mobile-friendly casino
  • Wagering on all offers
  • Deposit fee for pay by phone

The Space Wins Casino welcome offer is split into two parts: first, five no-deposit free spins on Starburst after verifying a debit card. This is limited to £8 max win per 10 spins, with a £50 max bonus conversion.

Then, bettors who choose to make a deposit of £10 will receive a Lucky Star bonus, granting them up to 500 free spins. The max bonus value is equal to lifetime deposits, and is capped at £250.

Advertisement

Ongoing Space Wins Casino promotions feature the free to play Daily Wheel game, where bettors can win free spins. Players can also earn entries into cash drop giveaways by wagering at Space Casino on selected games. For every £10 staked, they receive one entry.

Space Wins Casino runs on the ProgressPlay platform and has a game library of around 700 titles, featuring titles from top providers like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Big Time Gaming, Play’n GO and Blueprint.

  • No-deposit welcome bonus
  • Bettors rewarded for regular play via cash giveaways
  • Huge number of free spins potentially up for grabs on joining
  • Help section could be improved with the addition of live chat
  • Fewer table games and live casino than rivals

Pay by mobile vs other payment methods

There are five main casino deposit methods covered by most UK casino sites. These include pay by mobile, Apple/Google Pay, debit cards, e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller), and casino bank transfers.

Method

Advertisement

Deposit speed

Withdrawals?

Typical limit

Best for

Advertisement

Pay by mobile

Under 30 seconds

No, deposits only

£30/day on most UK networks

Advertisement

Speed, privacy, built-in spending cap

Debit card

Instant

Under 1 hour with fast funds

Advertisement

Bank account limits

Two-way usability and instant deposits

E-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)

Instant

Advertisement

Under 24 hours

Account-dependent

Fastest withdrawals and an extra layer between the bank and casino

Apple & Google Pay

Advertisement

Instant

Under 3 hours

Bank account limits

Casino app users

Advertisement

Bank transfer

Instant via Open Banking

1-3 days

Bank account limits

Advertisement

Larger deposits and bank-grade security

Pay by mobile makes most sense for small-stakes players keen not to share their financial details with an online casino. Using pay by phone makes less sense when trying to make a deposit over the £30 limit or attempting a withdrawal.

Of course, one of the limiting factors of pay by mobile is that it is deposit only, meaning that bettors must use one of the other payment methods to withdraw any winnings.

Pros and cons of a pay by mobile casino

Advertisement

Pay by mobile casinos offer four clear advantages and two notable drawbacks when compared with cards or e-wallets. The advantages are deposits being completed in 30 seconds, no card or bank details being shared with a casino, a built in daily spending cap and the flexibility to use the payment method whether you are on pay as you go or contract.

The biggest drawbacks to pay by mobile are that it is deposit-only, meaning winnings must be withdrawn using a different method, while the daily cap of £30 is unsuitable for big spenders.

The full breakdown of each point can be found below.

Pros of pay by phone casinos

Advertisement
  • Fast and simple. Deposits typically take under 30 seconds, quicker than entering card details
  • No financial info shared with the casino with charges run through your mobile network instead
  • Built-in daily spending cap. Most UK networks limit pay by mobile to around £30 per day, which can support responsible play
  • Works on prepaid plans, not just contracts – a useful option for players without a debit card

Cons of pay by phone casinos

  • Deposits only. Winnings must be withdrawn using a different method.
  • Network spending caps can feel restrictive for higher-stakes play (typically £30/day, £240/month)
  • Not all UK casinos accept it – far fewer than support Apple and Google Pay casino deposits.
  • Some sites apply higher minimums or processing fees for pay-by-mobile specifically.
  • Phone bill timing means the cost lands on a future bill and can catch bettors out if they don’t budget.

How we choose pay by mobile casinos

We only review UKGC-licensed casino sites. All offshore online casinos don’t offer the same protections as those regulated in the UK and should be avoided.

We then consider the following four factors:

We look at which providers – including Boku and Fonix – and which UK networks are supported. This is confirmed on-site as a stated deposit option, not just listed in a generic ‘mobile’ bucket.

We consider whether a welcome offer is pay-by-mobile-friendly and whether it offers fair value to players.

Advertisement

Ongoing promotions for existing players

A good selection of ongoing promotions is a big consideration when reviewing a pay by mobile casino. We check to see whether the operator is giving out free spins, deposit bonuses, cashback, and loyalty points, assessing the quality and frequency of the offers

Withdrawal speed and methods

As pay by mobile is deposit-only, it’s important to consider the available withdrawal options, such as e-wallets and debit cards. Are there other mobile-first options that would work well with pay by mobile deposits?

Advertisement

Boku vs Fonix – What’s the difference?

Both Boku and Fonix work across the major UK mobile networks and do similar jobs, with some subtle differences. Deposits using Fonix can be a little higher, up to £40 in some cases, and the verification process can be quicker with Fonix, which can authenticate a mobile number automatically on some networks.

Boku is likely to be available at more online casinos than Fonix, although that split is steadily heading Fonix’s way given they are more UK-focused than Boku.

The difference between Boku and Fonix is minimal when it comes to a pay by mobile casino and often bettors don’t get a choice as the casino only uses one phone payment provider.

Advertisement

Pay by mobile casino – FAQs

What is a pay by mobile casino?

A pay by mobile casino – sometimes referred to as pay by phone casino – is a casino site that lets players deposit by charging the amount to their phone bill or a prepaid balance via providers like Boku or Fonix. This means that no card or bank details are entered on site. Pay by mobile is available on all major UK networks – including Sky Mobile, Vodafone, EE, O2, Three, Tesco Mobile and GiffGaff.

What can I use pay by mobile for?

Advertisement

Pay by mobile can only be used to make deposits at online casino sites. Sometimes, sportsbooks will also accept pay by phone transfers. The limit on deposits is between £30 and £40, which might work if you are a low-stakes bettor, but high rollers will likely opt for a different method. There’s no option to withdraw using pay by mobile.

Which casinos let me pay by phone bill?

All the casinos on this page accept phone bill deposits, either via Boku, Fonix, or another provider. There are more casinos than accept pay by mobile deposits, but didn’t make our list of recommendations.

Can I withdraw winnings to my phone bill?

Advertisement

No – pay by mobile is strictly deposit-only at virtually every UK casino. Instead, withdrawals must be made by another method, such as debit card, e-wallet, bank transfer or Apple Pay.

It is worth setting up an e-wallet at registration if you want fast payouts and withdrawals.

What’s the maximum I can deposit by mobile each day?

Most UK networks cap pay by mobile at £30 per day and £240 per month. Limits will vary by network and are set by the mobile provider, not the casino.

Advertisement

The built-in spending ceiling can be part of the appeal, but it also can be restrictive for higher-stakes play.

Are pay by mobile deposits eligible for welcome bonuses?

Typically, yes, but make sure to check the terms, as some casinos exclude certain payment methods from bonus eligibility. Most of the eight sites on this page accept pay-by-mobile deposits as when qualifying for their welcome offer.

Are pay by mobile casinos safe?

Advertisement

Yes, as the casino never sees a card number or bank account, it has an added element of security compared to some payment methods. The charges are run through your mobile network’s billing system. On top of that, all the sites mentioned on this page are UKGC-licensed and required to meet UK anti-money-laundering and player-protection standards.

We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.

Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.

Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Noah Woods’ family say they will always remember ‘sound of his voice’ in touching tribute

Published

on

Cambridgeshire Live

The three-year-old went missing from a park in Suffolk, and was found in a lake several days later

The family of Noah Woods has issued a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘beautiful’ boy who ‘ brought joy wherever he went’.

The three-year-old went missing after visiting a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, on the afternoon of September 15. His body was found in a nearby lake days later, following a major search operation.

In a statement released by Suffolk Constabulary, Noah’s family said: “Noah was a happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy who loved to laugh, loved to giggle and who brought joy wherever he went.

Advertisement

“He was part of a loving and caring family, living with his mummy, daddy and his little baby brother. He was at the centre of our world.

‘He was learning every day’

“Noah was being assessed for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. He also had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed.

“Despite the challenges he faced, he was learning every day. He was saying new words all the time and had only just started finding and using his little voice.

Advertisement

“One of the things we miss most is the special sound of his voice. It was unique, wonderful, and something we will carry with us forever.

“He absolutely adored his little baby brother. He loved spending time with him, entertaining him and making him laugh. He would follow him around and always wanted to be close to him. The bond they shared was incredibly special.

“Every Tuesday since the day he was born Noah went to the park with a treasured relative. They had the most wonderful relationship, they loved playing chase together, running around, and exploring the play equipment. Those moments were filled with laughter and happiness and are memories our family will treasure forever.

“Noah loved to be loved. He was the most affectionate little boy. He loved hugs and kisses and soaked up every bit of affection he was given. Every night he would be tickled to sleep. He loved holding hands, being close to people, and feeling safe and loved by those around him.

“He had the most wonderful mannerisms that could make anyone smile. He had a glow about him that lit up every room he walked into. There was something incredibly special about him that drew people to him, and everyone who met him remembers that warmth and happiness.

“As a family, we want Noah’s last memory to be one of joy. We want people to remember him running, playing chase, giggling and being the happy little boy that he was. That is who Noah was, and that is how he deserves to be remembered.”

Love, care and support

Noah’s disappearance sparked a huge response from the local community, with around 1,300 members of the public joined a search to find the youngster.

The family’s statement continued: “We would also like to say thank you. Thank you to the Good Dads Club, Ipswich Town Football Club, everyone who helped during the search, the emergency services, and the specialist support provided by the police. Thank you to our family and friends who have surrounded us with love, care and support during the darkest time of our lives.

“A special thank you must go to the entire footballing community, from grassroots clubs through to the highest levels of the game, for the incredible love, support and kind thoughts that have been shown to our family.

READ MORE: Firefighters rush to scene as blaze engulfs workshop building

Advertisement

READ MORE: Cambridgeshire dad given lethal diagnosis after hair loss mistaken for ‘alopecia’

“The support we have received has been overwhelming, and we will be forever grateful to every single person who has stood beside us and remembered our beautiful Noah.”

Noah’s mummy Charlie said: “If there is one thing we could ask of people, it is to hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted.”

An inquest into Noah’s death was opened and adjourned in Ipswich on Friday.

Advertisement

It heard how Noah left the park he was playing in through a gap in a fence.

A post-mortem examination at Addenbrooke’s Hospital recorded his medical cause of death as pending further investigation, Mr Connick said.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Noah Woods died after leaving park through gap in fence, inquest hears

Published

on

Three-year-old Noah Woods, with light hair and wearing a brightly coloured top, smiles at the camera.

Three-year-old Noah Woods, who was found dead in a pond following a huge search in Suffolk, had left a play area “through a gap in the fence”, an inquest has heard.

A major search was carried out in the village of Brantham after the toddler went missing on 15 September. His body was found the next day in nearby water by police divers.

Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill said it was a “very sad and tragic death” as she opened and adjourned the inquest in Ipswich.

A tribute issued by Noah’s family called him a “happy, cheeky, playful” boy who loved to laugh, with his mother urging other parents to “hold their children a little tighter and cherish every moment”.

Advertisement

Suffolk Coroner’s Court heard from police that Noah had left the playground, walked into a memorial garden and left that through an open gate. He then ran down a path on a new housing estate towards nearby Decoy Pond.

Det Ch Insp Matt Connick from Suffolk Police told the court that CCTV showed Noah in the play area being looked after by a relative, which was “part of a normal routine”.

The detective said Noah “left through a gap in the fence leading to the memorial garden where he left through an open gate”.

After he had left the play area, he was closely followed by the relative trying to catch up with him, Connick added.

Advertisement

The inquest heard the relative had shouted out to Noah, who lived in neighbouring East Bergholt, but he went out of sight shortly afterwards.

Another man was said to have joined the search and then police were called.

At the time of the search, volunteers were told that Noah was non-verbal and partially deaf.

A statement from Brantham Parish Council, which maintains the play area at Merriam Close, said it was “deeply saddened by Noah’s death and our thoughts remain with his family and all those affected at this extremely difficult time”.

Advertisement

“The parish council understands that there was a break in the internal fencing, being constructed to separate the play area from the memorial garden, however the whole of the area at Merriam Close, including the play area and memorial garden are completely enclosed by appropriate perimeter fencing,” it said.

“The council will co-operate fully with any investigation and, while inquiries are ongoing, does not consider it appropriate to comment further.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Trump’s military prepares for Cuba as leaked Pentagon memo sends telling signal… with battlefield surgeons and a countdown to Christmas

Published

on

Donald Trump holds a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, June 21, 2025

Donald Trump‘s military is lining up battlefield surgeons, military police and combat engineers for a potential operation against Cuba within the next four months.

US Army Reserve headquarters sent an internal message last week asking its commands whether they could hand six types of units over to Southern Command, which oversees American forces in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The memo does not mention Cuba, but multiple US officials said the planning is aimed squarely at the communist island, according to CBS News, which obtained the document.

The units would ‘possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days’, the memo states, opening a potential deployment window around Christmas. Commands were given until Friday to respond.

Advertisement

Among the units requested is a forward resuscitative and surgical detachment, a small team that performs emergency surgery and trauma care on wounded troops close to the fighting.

There is no indication any units have been given deployment orders, and the message does not say how many troops would be needed, where they would go or what operation they would support.

Trump told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that Cuba’s communist government ‘will fall’ and ‘freedom will be coming’, after US special forces snatched Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro from Caracas in January.

The Cuban delegation stormed out of the hall as the president made the veiled threat. Trump added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was ‘deep into negotiations’ with Havana.

Advertisement

Donald Trump holds a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, June 21, 2025

Cuban soldiers take part in the Torchlight March on the 173rd anniversary of National Hero Jose Marti (a leader of Cuba's independence from Spain and founder of the Cuban Revolutionary Party) in Havana on January 27

Cuban soldiers take part in the Torchlight March on the 173rd anniversary of National Hero Jose Marti (a leader of Cuba’s independence from Spain and founder of the Cuban Revolutionary Party) in Havana on January 27

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel waves a national flag during celebrations marking the victory on the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the declaration of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution in Havana on April 16

Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel waves a national flag during celebrations marking the victory on the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the declaration of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution in Havana on April 16

Advertisement
Hegseth visiting Guantanamo Bay in February

Hegseth visiting Guantanamo Bay in February

The memo also asks for a medical brigade to direct units in the field, and a military police brigade, whose units typically handle security, detention and law enforcement missions.

Also on the list are an engineer battalion, a logistics battalion that manages transport, fuel, maintenance and supplies, and an expeditionary sustainment command to run logistics across an entire theater of operations.

A Southern Command spokesperson said: ‘Due to operational security concerns, we do not disclose details or comment on US operational movements or potential deployment timelines associated with current or future operations, contingencies, or planning.

Advertisement

‘However, US Southern Command continuously coordinates with the Joint Force to assess a range of potential requirements across its [area of responsibility] in support of assigned missions.’

The planning comes as Trump pursues what officials have dubbed the ‘Donroe Doctrine’, a muscular push to drive adversaries out of America’s backyard.

The administration hit Cuban officials and entities with fresh sanctions days before his UN speech, including military-linked firms tied to the island’s nickel industry.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office in March that he believed he would have ‘the honor of taking Cuba‘.

Advertisement
US special forces snatched Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro from Caracas in January

US special forces snatched Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro from Caracas in January

The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arrives at Havana's harbor, June 12, 2024

The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arrives at Havana’s harbor, June 12, 2024

‘Taking Cuba in some form, yeah,’ he said. ‘I think I could do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth.’ Later that month, he declared: ‘Cuba’s going to be next.’

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has vowed to fight back against any US attack and accused Washington of ‘aggression’ and ‘economic warfare’ for choking off the island’s oil imports.

Advertisement

Military planners have also examined an air assault on the island by thousands of troops from the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for the task, CBS News reported in July. Officials emphasized no decision had been made.

Another US military operation may seem far-fetched with conflicts raging in Iran and Ukraine, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has admitted his government is also prepared for a US invasion.

‘I think you have a responsibility in these roles to look at extreme tail risk,’ Carney, 61, told the New York Times on Wednesday. ‘That’s just risk management. That’s not a base case, but it would be irresponsible not to.’

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

UUP ‘red line’ on Health Trust cuts as council to grill party’s minister

Published

on

Belfast Live

“Ultimately we need to know that patient safety will not be compromised.”

A Lisburn Ulster Unionist has put down his party’s red line amid calls for the UUP Health Minister to face scrutiny over £50m hospital savings.

Advertisement

Newly installed Health Minister Robbie Butler (UUP) is now being beckoned a short distance from his city office for council scrutiny at Lagan Valley Island civic centre.

The South Eastern Trust is also being called to the special meeting over concerns a Department of Health cost cutting measure could put patient safety at risk.

READ MORE: NI council pushes back on ‘unrealistic’ clean air deadline

READ MORE: Location of weapons bins at council waste centres raises concerns after unconnected sectarian incidents

Advertisement

Bringing forward a motion, Castlereagh East DUP councillor Samantha Burns said: “I have grave concerns that the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has been instructed to deliver significant savings of £50.7 million during 2026/27.

“The cost savings of this scale we have to ask what the exact consequences will be for patients, staff and the services our constituents rely upon particularly at Lagan Valley Hospital and Ulster Hospital.”

The Department of Health has pledged £800m in savings after revealing it is currently overspending by £2m a day.

The ‘reset and recovery’ plan will require a 4% saving to be made by NI health trusts every year for the next three years.

Advertisement

Trusts are being encouraged to reduce temporary staffing, standardise care pathways, shorten hospital stays and reorganise services to deliver savings.

Councillor Burns added: “I am further concerned that the Trust has determined that these measures do not require formal public consultation despite their scale and potential impact upon patients, staff and local communities.

“People deserve to know what is being proposed and deserve to have an opportunity for their concerns to be heard,

Advertisement

“Ultimately we need to know that patient safety will not be compromised.”

The motion received cross party support in the chamber with Minister Butler and the South Eastern Trust to attend the council chamber to outline the proposed savings in full to elected members.

In chambers, Lisburn North UUP councillor Nicholas Trimble said: “I understand Councillor Burns’ concerns and I share them..£50.7m is a huge level of savings for the South Eastern Trust to find especially when we are already half way through the year.

Advertisement

“It is entirely reasonable for us to ask what that is going to mean for our patients and staff.

“The Department of Health has over half the entire Executive budget and the health trusts spend the lion’s share of that and it is prudent for any public body to find savings and efficiencies. “

He added: “But, the UUP has a very clear red line throughout all of this, patient safety must come first no matter how dire the wider state of Executive finance, no health trust should ever do anything that risks either patient or staff safety and wellbeing.

“We do need to keep in our minds that the questions don’t stop with the South Eastern Trust, the Department of Health, the Minister, we must also direct them at the Executive and its wider shortcoming that has put us in this position.”

Advertisement

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

‘My best shot at world title so far’: Tom Pidcock bids to make history at wide-open World Championships road race

Published

on

‘My best shot at world title so far’: Tom Pidcock bids to make history at wide-open World Championships road race

This Sunday’s World Championships road race in Montreal promises to be one of the most open in years, with two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar not on the start line. His absence, and a course suited to a wider range of riders than some in recent years, means any number could claim the coveted world champion’s rainbow jersey.

Among their number is Britain’s Tom Pidcock, co-leader of a strong squad alongside veteran Adam Yates. Pidcock is no stranger to rainbow stripes, having won world titles in cyclo-cross and on the mountain bike – including winning a second mountain bike cross-country crown just last month. But a world title on the road would trump every other victory in his career, and make him the first man ever to be world champion in all three disciplines.

Speaking from a training base outside Boulder, Colorado, Pidcock tells The Independent and other outlets: “Regardless of everything else, I think becoming road world champion would be truly amazing. It’s going to be so hard to win, [but] I think this is my best opportunity so far in my career, that’s for sure. It definitely suits me, a hard course, the length of climb.

“I think the depth [in the peloton] is so deep, I might not even stand on the podium, so I think it’s quite an open race. Even having said that it’s my best shot so far.”

Advertisement

Part of Pidcock’s build-up to the World Championships involved the two Canadian Grands Prix, one-day races in Quebec and Montreal. The results were positive – a fourth place in Quebec and sixth two days later on the tougher, more hilly Montreal course. It was the ideal dress rehearsal: the GP de Montreal features 16 laps of the same Mont Royal circuit which features 12 times in the 273.2km Worlds road race.

“I felt like it was very attritional,” Pidcock says. “The race in Montreal felt like it also took forever.” There was a headwind on the main climb, the Cote Camillien-Houde, which – if replicated on Sunday – could play a decisive role in how the race pans out. “I don’t know if that’s the prevailing wind or not, but it made it hard, but also hard to make a difference. I think it’s a course that favours saving for one big move.”

The 27-year-old can often be a harsh self-critic but he sounded upbeat about his shape, following strong showings in Canada, a win in a one-day race in Italy, and most significantly, that mountain bike world title in Val di Sole. “I’ve felt really good these last few weeks, actually, even training at altitude. I did some VO2 efforts at 25,000 metres for the first time ever, and I actually managed to do them, so that must be quite a good thing,” he smiles. “I feel really, really good, to be honest, but yeah, one-day races, you can get it wrong, even if you feel good leading into it.”

Pidcock won the mountain bike cross-country world title for a second time late last month
Pidcock won the mountain bike cross-country world title for a second time late last month (AP)

We can’t discuss this World Championships without talking about the enormous void left by Pogacar, ruled out of a three-peat, and the rest of his season, with a collarbone fracture and other injuries sustained in a crash at the Vuelta a Espana.

Pidcock was third at last year’s Vuelta, his first-ever podium at a Grand Tour, but opted to skip it this season. Given how the race panned out without Pogacar, did he have any regrets about missing it?

Advertisement

His mind was made up long before, he says: “When I was sick before the Tour [de France] I thought, yeah, I don’t want to go back to the Vuelta now, the Tour’s gonna be rubbish. The Tour was all right,” – something of an understatement: Pidcock finished ninth overall, his best-ever result at the sport’s biggest race – “but, no, I wanted to go to the mountain bike Worlds. I missed that last year, so, you can’t do everything all the time, but I’m quite content with it, really.”

He doesn’t even wait for the end of a question on the Slovenian’s absence at Worlds before saying it “100%” changes the contours of the race. He says drily: “I wouldn’t know who to bet on now; if Tadej is racing, I want to bet on him.”

The two contenders that stand out to Pidcock in Pogacar’s absence are the Slovenian’s trade-team protege, 22-year-old Mexican Isaac del Toro – who won the GP de Montreal – and French teenager Paul Seixas.

Tadej Pogacar will not defend his rainbow jersey
Tadej Pogacar will not defend his rainbow jersey (Reuters)

Interestingly Pidcock rates Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, another favourite for the title and the 2022 champion, less highly: “Remco will for sure be good, and he’s always a guy that – in Montreal he got dropped on the climb and then he comes back because he’s so good – but I think Del Toro and Seixas are the guys who can make the difference on the climb more than the rest of us.”

Pidcock will co-lead alongside Yates, a former winner in Montreal and another of Pogacar’s trade teammates. After the Canadian double-header Pidcock opted to head to Colorado for a change of scene and to avoid the “endless wait” in the team hotel before the racing actually begins, meaning he has yet to actually meet up with Yates or his other teammates, but he says the 34-year-old is a big boost to the squad. “He’s got a lot of experience. He’s also been part of the winning team for the past five years [UAE Team Emirates-XRG].”

Advertisement

Since a falling-out with then-team Ineos Grenadiers in late 2024 and his surprise move to lower-tier outfit Pinarello Q36.5 Pidcock has enjoyed a role as undisputed team leader, which has also given him more confidence in calling the shots in the national squad. “It’s definitely something that I’ve grown into,” he says.

Zoe Backstedt (left) won silver for GB in the elite time trial and Aalia Clay bronze in the junior TT
Zoe Backstedt (left) won silver for GB in the elite time trial and Aalia Clay bronze in the junior TT (Chris Auld/SWpix.com)

“Before in Ineos, even when I was leader, I struggled to ask for what I wanted because there were so many big names and experienced riders. I guess now coming to this team I felt almost more responsibility that I had to lead and ask for some things because I understood that people were there to support me, so I’m much better at that role.”

Only two British men have ever won the world title, Tom Simpson in 1965 and Mark Cavendish in 2011. The opportunity to make history and join those legendary names is something Pidcock is “very aware” of: “I think that’s why when Cav won it, it was so special. Also the Tour de France success that we’ve had, it’s not normal, shall we say, so I think it’s not to be taken for granted. That’s why it’s the world championship, that’s why it’s one of the most important races of the year.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Catherine Zeta-Jones, 57, passionately kisses husband Michael Douglas, 82, while he declares he fell in love the moment he saw her on screen – as couple celebrate their joint birthday

Published

on

Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a passionate kiss with her husband Michael Douglas as they celebrated his 82nd birthday with a gushing post on Instagram on Friday

Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a passionate kiss with her husband Michael Douglas in a post to mark his his 82nd birthday on Friday.

The actress, who has the same birthday and just turned 57, posted a sweet snap of herself and her film star husband having a romantic moment in the ocean.

Alongside the post she gushed: ‘Happy Birthday darling! A birthday kiss to my husband Michael, sharing this special day with you, is as special as the day itself. Love you.’

Michael also shared a sweet birthday tribute, posting a picture with his wife and writing: ‘I had never fallen in love on a movie screen before. Until I saw Catherine. 

Advertisement

‘She was magic, in a way that went beyond beauty. And I was certain, as much as I had ever been about anything, that she was the one. 

‘It’s the kind of moment that only comes around once in your life, if you’re lucky.’ 

Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a passionate kiss with her husband Michael Douglas as they celebrated his 82nd birthday with a gushing post on Instagram on Friday

Advertisement
Michael also shared a sweet birthday tribute, posting a picture with his wife and writing: 'I had never fallen in love on a movie screen before. Until I saw Catherine'

Michael also shared a sweet birthday tribute, posting a picture with his wife and writing: ‘I had never fallen in love on a movie screen before. Until I saw Catherine’

The post was an excerpt from Michael's memoir, One Helluva Ride!, which is set for release next month

The post was an excerpt from Michael’s memoir, One Helluva Ride!, which is set for release next month

Michael continued: ‘The one time that you know, without any doubt in your mind, that you’re meant to be with someone. Happy Birthday Catherine! I love you always and forever! ♥️ @catherinezetajones.’ 

The post was an excerpt from Michael’s memoir, One Helluva Ride!, which is set for release next month. 

Advertisement

In response, Catherine commented: ‘Thank you darling. Thank you. Happy Birthday to you too my love. ♥️’

The couple, who married in 2000, share son Dylan, 26, and daughter Carys, 23.

The post comes just the day after Catherine turned up the glamour in a caped silver sequin gown for the premiere for her new thriller series Kill Jackie in London.

The actress plays Jackie Price in the new eight-part Prime Video show – a former international drug smuggler who has spent 20 years living an anonymous life as an art dealer.

Advertisement

Things change dramatically however when an elite team of assassins is hired to kill her, forcing her back into a life of danger.

At the premiere held at the Curzon Bloomsbury, Catherine looked the epitome of old Hollywood glamour in the glitzy number which featured a strapless corset-style top and a matching cape.

She boosted her height with strappy silver heels from Sole Bliss and wore her brunette tresses in loose waves while opting for a bronzed makeup look.

The series is based on the 2018 novel The Price You Pay by Aidan Truhen – the pseudonym of Nick Harkaway, whose father is legendary spy writer David Cornwell, aka John le Carré.

Advertisement

In the series, Jackie has been living a luxurious existence for the last 20 years – travelling the world, selling fine art and, above all, trying to stay anonymous after escaping a dangerous past as an international drug smuggler.

But just as life starts to feel a little boring, it takes a sudden lethal turn when she discovers that The Seven Demons, a squad of the world’s most terrifying hitmen, have been hired to kill her.

Assuming someone from her past is behind it, Jackie unleashes her old instincts and embarks on a wild, dangerous game plan – to take down The Demons one by one before they kill her.

However, she soon realises her own demons are much more terrifying than the ruthless killers on her trail and her buried secrets lead her closer to home, with surprising consequences.

Advertisement
The post comes just the day after the actress turned up the glamour in a caped silver sequin gown for premiere for her new thriller series Kill Jackie in London

The post comes just the day after the actress turned up the glamour in a caped silver sequin gown for premiere for her new thriller series Kill Jackie in London

The actress plays Jackie Price in the new eight-part Prime Video show ¿ a former international drug smuggler who has spent 20 years living an anonymous life as an art dealer

The actress plays Jackie Price in the new eight-part Prime Video show – a former international drug smuggler who has spent 20 years living an anonymous life as an art dealer

Appearing alongside Catherine are Daniel Ings, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Óscar Jaenada, Hattie Hook, Darci Shaw, Raff Law, Enzo Cilenti, Christine Adams, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Karlis Arnolds Avots.

The premiere comes just after Catherine insisted her children with Michael have had no more advantage than any other actor as they follow their parents and grandparents into the industry.

Advertisement

Her husband Michael is a double Academy Award winner and the son of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, who died in 2020.

Speaking to Nuala McGovern on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Catherine was asked about her recent claim that the nepo-baby label often attributed to her children is ‘horrific’.

Doubling down on her stance, the Welsh star insisted that ‘if it was any other industry whether it be finance or business, or if you’re a lawyer, or I know all my grown-up surgeon doctor friends have kids going into that industry, and they don’t get labelled.’

‘I think, more importantly, I’m married to the ultimate nepo baby. My husband was the son of Kirk Douglas, the son of Spartacus, you know? And he’s done pretty good on his own,’ Catherine continued.

Advertisement

‘And so I think it’s unfortunate that with the intense scrutiny young people have, not just my kids or celebrity kids, just generally, they get slaughtered by AI images of perfection, or this and that. They don’t need another tag, I think it’s very unfortunate.’

When McGovern pointed out that many people think the children of celebrities have access to advantages that other actors don’t have, Catherine was adamant, exclaiming: ‘No, no, no quite opposite. First of all, they have so much to prove.

‘That “oh! It’s in your genes, it’s in your blood”. It’s like “No, actually I have a true passion and love of the craft”.’

The actress’s children are the next branch on a Hollywood family tree that also includes Michael’s mother, the actor Diana Dill. His eldest son, Cameron, who he shares with his ex-wife Diandra Luker, is also an actor.

Advertisement

Michael has also hit back at the nepo-baby label, insisting in a 2024 interview: ‘I don’t know a father in whatever business, be it a plumber or a contractor or a carpenter, who doesn’t try to help his son join him.’

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025