Entertainment

BBC Wales Investigates: Death of Two Black Men: Police in the Spotlight

Published

3 years ago

January 24, 2022

TONIGHT 24/1/22, 7.30pm, BBC One Wales

THE FAMILIES of two men who died within weeks of each other after incidents involving Welsh police forces have spoken for the first time of their fight for justice.

Mohamud Hassan, 24, and Mouayed Bashir, 29, died within weeks of each other in separate incidents after coming into contact with the police.

Both their deaths sparked protests – in Cardiff and Newport – as family, friends and people in their communities expressed concerns about the circumstances of their deaths.

In January last year, police were called to the shared house in Roath, Cardiff, where Mohamud lived in a basement flat. Police arrested him on suspicion of a breach of the peace; he spent the night in a cell at Cardiff Bay police station; and was released the next morning without charge.

He saw his aunt, Zainab Hassan, and uncle, Sulieman Mohamed, after he was released.

“He came over to our house. As soon as I opened the door – literally I was shocked,” said Sulieman.

“His upper lip was completely opened. He had blood all over his top, his track-suit bottoms.”

Zainab added: “He had bruises on his arms. On his torso when he lifted his jumper, all you could see was just marks – red, black even. It was shocking.”

“I said nephew what happened to you? He’s like it’s the police. I said how and why? He said “I dunno uncle”,” said Sulieman.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating his death and the actions of six officers are being examined for alleged misconduct.

A post mortem examination failed to establish the cause of Mr Hassan’s death. The IOPC says its investigation is nearing completion; and his inquest is due to take place in May 2023.

South Wales Police said it was unable to comment on specific points due to the ongoing IOPC investigation, which it says it is fully co-operating with. It also acknowledged the impact of Mr Hassan’s death on his family, friends and wider community; and said their thoughts and condolences are with them.

Just weeks after Mohamud’s death, another young black man died after coming into contact with the police.

Mouayed Bashir died after police came to his house in Maesglas, Newport, in February 2021. His family say they were trying to get an ambulance to attend because Mouayed was having a mental health crisis – but instead the police arrived.

“He was expecting paramedics, but instead police officers in black uniform with brutal force coming in,” said Mouayed’s brother, Mohannad Bashir.

Mohamud Hassan, 24, and Mouayed Bashir, 29, died within weeks of each other in separate incidents after coming into contact with the police.

Mouayed had been stabbed three weeks before his death; and when police came to his home he still had a large, deep wound to his leg.

Mohannad added: “When the police restrained him they handcuffed him, they bound his legs and thighs. My dad was saying to the police officers “he’s already wounded. He’s bleeding again from his thigh. Please let go of his handcuffs and let go of his legs.”

A post mortem examination failed to establish Mouayed Bashir’s cause of death. The IOPC says it’s finalising its investigation into his death; and its publication will depend on discussions with the coroner. His inquest is due to be held in July.

Gwent Police said it was unable to address specific questions until the conclusion of the IOPC investigation and inquest. It pointed out that no officers have been served misconduct notices.

The force also said a risk assessment is carried out when receiving a 999 call and police officers may be asked to support paramedics. The ambulance service said it was sorry its response fell below the expectations of the Bashir family.

Mouayed Bashir’s family are planning to mark the anniversary of his death next month in Newport.

Mohannad said: “If we don’t fight and stand up for other people, for what happened to Mouayed, there’s just going to be another case. We want to do our part. We want to do this for the sake of Mouayed as well.”

The family of Mohamud Hassan will have to wait another 16 months to find out the full facts of his death.

“I can’t remember anything else about my nephew. All those lovely memories I had of him, it’s like they’ve gone. They’ve been wiped out. And I don’t have any answers. I don’t think any words can describe the pain.”

Watch BBC Wales Investigates: Death of Two Black Men: Police in the Spotlight on BBC One Wales at 19:30 GMT on Monday 24 January and afterwards on BBC iPlayer.

Entertainment

Newport Winter Wonderland is the ideal treat for the family this Christmas holiday

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THERE is still a chance to attend the Newport Winter Wonderland and experience a magical winter experience. Located next to Friars Walk Shopping Centre (NP20 1UH), the festive attraction opened its doors on Thursday, November 21, and will run until Sunday, January 5, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Visitors can look forward to a real ice rink under cover, ensuring skating fun whatever the weather. Alongside the rink, a large Christmas funfair offers thrills and entertainment for all ages, while stalls serving various Christmas foods promise festive treats to keep everyone warm and satisfied.

For those looking to unwind, a fire pit provides a cosy spot for roasting marshmallows, and a licensed bar offers seasonal drinks to enjoy. Entry to the Winter Wonderland is free, with tickets required only for specific attractions.

Families can also meet Santa Claus himself, making it a perfect outing for creating cherished holiday memories.

For more details, including ticket bookings and opening hours, visit www.newportwinterwonderland.co.uk.

Make sure to wrap up warm and head down to Newport Winter Wonderland for a truly festive day out this Christmas season.

Festive fun: Newport Winter Wonderland features an ice rink, funfair, and Santa Claus (Pic: Herald).

Entertainment

Unearthed Festival 2025: Headliners announced for 10th anniversary celebration

Published

6 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE UNEARTHED FESTICAL is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style, with headline performances from Macka B, Natty, and Ozric Tentacles.

Adding to the excitement, Marcus Gad is anticipated to join the lineup, though this awaits final confirmation, as stated in a recent newsletter to the festival’s mailing list.

The much-loved festival, renowned for its vibrant blend of music and arts, is gearing up for its milestone year. Organisers are urging festival-goers to secure their spots early, as campervan spaces, dog passes, and parking permits are in limited supply.

Early bird tickets for Unearthed 2025 sold out in record time, a testament to the festival’s enduring popularity among its dedicated fan base.

In a statement to attendees, the festival team said: “These epic artists are Unearthed icons, and as it’s our 10th anniversary festival, we couldn’t imagine celebrating without them.”

To mark the occasion, a redesigned festival website was unveiled last Friday, alongside the opening of applications for performers, volunteers, traders, and other contributors. The team encourages prompt submissions to ensure a chance to participate in this landmark event.

Adding to the festive spirit, organisers have also extended an invitation to their New Year’s Eve party—a warm-up to the main event next summer.

The Unearthed Festival has built a reputation over the past decade for delivering a unique community experience, blending diverse music, art, and culture in a way that resonates deeply with attendees.

As part of the broader summer festival scene, Unearthed continues to stand out as a celebration of creativity and connection, promising another unforgettable year in 2025.

Entertainment

Does Deal or No Deal need to attract more Welsh players?

Published

7 days ago

December 19, 2024

Staff Writer

With ITV’s reboot of Deal or No Deal now in full swing, fans have noticed that some of the most exciting moments have involved Welsh contestants. With viewers highlighting the charm and entertainment value of Welsh players, we’ve discussed why the hit game show could benefit from getting more locals involved.

The popularity of Deal or No Deal

The initial run of the UK’s Deal or No Deal was broadcast on Channel 4 between 2005 and 2016 before quietly being axed. In 2023, a new revival returned to ITV with a slightly altered format. With viewers flocking to the series in droves, the broadcaster was quick to renew the show for another season this year.

As the game is entirely luck-based, it has made it a great source of inspiration for online gambling games. This includes multiple online slots and even live dealer game shows with Deal or No Deal branding. These are featured at several quality sites that offer UK casino bonuses to new players in Wales, including 888Casino. Until the Welsh get more representation on the show, this is one of the best ways for players to experience being a contestant.

Welshman centre of memorable episode

During the early weeks of the series’ revival in 2023, an episode featuring Portsmouth-based Welsh player Simon inspired a passionate response from viewers after he played a comically bad game. Simon was adamant that his case contained £100,000, only to watch his chances at fortune slowly dwindle.

His confidence ultimately saw him make poor decisions after poor decisions, turning down strong offers and even inspiring viewers to back the Banker in frustration. The game culminated with Simon opening his case to win 10p. Despite his poor efforts, the episode generated widespread online conversations, leading us to believe that more Welsh players deserve a go at the jackpot.

The case for more Welsh players

After Simon’s disastrous performance, it seems fair that another Welsh player is invited along to do their country proud. In the final episode of the series’ ITV broadcast in 2023, Welsh player Jamie Foulkes from Cefn Mawr became an audience favourite after displaying the natural charming and quick wit characteristic of our locals.

His gameplay saw him nicknamed “mystic Jamie” for his ability to correctly guess case amounts, and after an extended moment of consideration, accepted a life-changing Banker’s offer of £14,850. This is a considerable amount when considering the top prize in the relaunched edition is £100,000 rather than the previous £250,000 offered.

The revival series is produced in Salford’s Media City complex, making it only a short drive away from residents in Northern Wales. This was one of the reasons that Foulkes applied for the show, so there’s no reason why more Welsh players couldn’t be selected.

Welsh players bring something special

Whether it’s the captivating yet frustrating performance of Simon or the charming run of Jamie Foulkes, Welsh players have already made a splash on the revived series of Deal or No Deal. We hope that the future season will showcase more local players to display our unique charms across the UK.