Latest news with #G4S
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow man threw incendiary device at window
Barry McQuillan last month admitted recklessly throwing the glass jar with a cloth and white spirit at a window in Strauss Avenue, Clydebank. It broke the window to the danger of those inside and the address on May 6, 2023. When he appeared over the charges in May 2023, he was granted bail with a 7pm to 7am curfew. He subsequently broke that three times, accumulating more breaches of bail as he did. Appearing from custody on June 17, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard the first failure was on July 10. READ NEXT: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago READ NEXT:Serious organised crime unit cop sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues on duty McQuillan called curfew monitor G4S just after 7pm and said he had been slashed and was going to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. They checked a couple hours later and he hadn't appeared at any hospital, said fiscal depute Kirsty McKenzie. McQuillan reappeared at home at 10.22pm. Police found him clearly intoxicated and with superficial injuries. There was a knife nearby. He gave them various accounts of what happened, and officers concluded the injuries were self-inflicted. The 39-year-old was arrested and bailed. A week later, G4S told police McQuillan wasn't home for curfew. Police arrived just before 1am and found the front door unlocked, but the man wasn't there. He later turned himself in at Clydebank police office and said: "I've been fleeing violence." Again, he was arrested and bailed. In October, G4S were unable to get into his then home to fit a new tag monitor. Police couldn't trace him but McQuillan later got in touch and said he had moved because the property had been broken into. Officers had seen no evidence of this. As well as admitting the incendiary device charge, he pleaded guilty to the breaches of curfew and bail, the last of which had lasted from October 6 to 20. At sentencing, McQuillan's defence solicitor said his client's position was he had been attacked. He left to go to a friend's home and was going to phone an ambulance from there. "His position was he was fleeing violence," said the solicitor of the bail breaches. He should have told G4S or his solicitor of his change of address. Drug addiction issues had a "significant impact on his thinking" and McQuillan would need to address that to stay away from courts in future, he added. Sheriff Frances McCartney jailed him for 18 months for the incendiary device, plus nine months of supervised release when he's free. Another 11 weeks and two months were also added on for curfew breaches. The sentences were backdated to May 14.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Thabo Bester gets his day in court: Trial date set
After more than two years of public outrage, intrigue, and international headlines, the trial linked to convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester's dramatic 2022 prison escape is officially heading to court. The high-profile case will be heard in the Bloemfontein High Court from 10 November 2025, where Bester and eight remaining co-accused will face a host of serious charges related to the audacious breakout from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, a privately operated prison managed by G4S. The accused face charges including fraud, corruption, assisting an escape, defeating the ends of justice, and desecration of a corpse – all stemming from a plot that saw Bester fake his own death and disappear from custody, only to be recaptured in Tanzania in 2023 alongside his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana. In a surprising turn during pre-trial proceedings last Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges against John Masukela, a former G4S employee. The prosecutor, Amanda Bester, offered no explanation for the decision, stating only: 'We can excuse him, and he can go in peace.' Masukela was released without objection from any legal representatives in the courtroom. The escape captivated the country when it was revealed in April 2023 that Thabo Bester had allegedly burned a corpse in his prison cell to fake his death. The story quickly evolved into a national scandal when it emerged he had been running businesses while in hiding, prompting public fury, resignations at G4S, and urgent debates about private prison oversight in South Africa. The case has also drawn intense public scrutiny due to the involvement of Dr Magudumana, a once-celebrated medical professional whose dramatic fall from grace included allegations of corpse smuggling and helping Bester flee the country. With just under five months until the trial begins, legal observers expect a courtroom showdown that could expose deep cracks in South Africa's prison system, security protocols, and accountability measures. The proceedings are likely to involve extensive testimony from correctional officials, forensic experts, and digital crime specialists. The trial is expected to last several weeks and could ultimately define public confidence in law enforcement and judicial transparency in the aftermath of one of the country's most shocking prison scandals. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Thabo Bester escape case: Charges against former G4S employee withdrawn
Jabulile Mbatha 17 June 2025 | 17:35 Picture: EWN JOHANNESBURG - Charges against a former G4S member in the Thabo Bester escape case have been withdrawn by the Bloemfontein High Court. Motanyane Masukela was accused of aiding convicted rapist and murderer Bester with his escape. He appeared alongside Bester, his partner Nandipha Magudumana, her father and six other accused in the Bloemfontein High Court on Tuesday for a pre-trial hearing. The court provided no reason for the decision to drop charges against Masukela. He is the fourth former G4S employee to have charges against him withdrawn in this case. Three others were released in October 2023. The judge presiding over the matter, Lani Opperman, sent Masukela home. 'Accused number five, Mr Motanyane John Masukela, the matter is withdrawn against you in terms of section six of the Constitution of the Criminal Procedure Act, you may stand down,' said Opperman.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Court withdraws charges against John Masukela in Thabo Bester escape case
The NPA has withdrawn charges against one of the accused in the ongoing Thabo Bester escape case. The charges against John Masukela, accused number five and former employee of G4S, have been officially withdrawn. Image: File Charges against accused 5 in the Thabo Bester escape case, John Masukela, who is a former G4S employee, have been officially withdrawn. This revelation emerged during a court session where the State Prosecutor announced the decision, stating: "I am going to withdraw the case against one of the accused. I think we can excuse him, and he can go in peace, and that is accused number five, John Masukela." Bester and his eight co-accused appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing over charges linked to his 2022 prison escape. The group is facing charges including fraud, corruption, aiding an escape, violating a corpse, and defeating the ends of justice. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Bester and his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, were arrested in Tanzania following his 2022 escape from Mangaung Prison. Magudumana recently approached the Constitutional Court, where she is also challenging the legality of her arrest and deportation. Meanwhile, Advocate Lerato Moela, representing Bester, has requested more time to prepare after the judge instructed him to consult his client after he told the court he might not see the trial through due to financial challenges. "If I may address My Lady on what has caused the delays is that there is an application that is pending dealing with Section 35 on accused number 7. What he is seeking is conducive consultation. There is video footage in the form of a USB that needs to be viewed. What he requires is that he be granted access to this." The judge slammed the delays in the matter after Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni, stated that he does not have a legal representative after Legal Aid allegedly rejected his application for representation in January. "I will have to have a definite something. You can look at this court; there are so many role players who are affected. The administration of justice is affected. So, I cannot go on a maybe. We must either start on the 21st of July or we must make alternative arrangements. The responsibility of finding a legal representative lies with you. I could have attended to other cases. I can't work with this uncertainty," the judge said. Sekeleni indicated that he was not aware of the process to follow to appeal the rejection by Legal Aid, adding that he cannot afford legal fees. "I applied for legal aid, and my application was rejected. It was told I can't get a lawyer, even though I explained that I do not have the funds to pay for a lawyer. My Lord, I was not aware of the process I needed to follow to appeal the Legal Aid rejection. I only learnt of the process now. The person who was assisting me with the process told me he would introduce me to a lawyer. I only got the response late because there was no clear communication, which has resulted in delays," he said. The pre-trial was postponed to July 21.
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
Masked robbers filmed stealing cash from armoured security van
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Four masked robbers have been filmed ransacking an armoured G4S security van before speeding off. Footage of the raid, which happened earlier this month at the Reevesland Industrial Estate in Newport, South Wales, shows three robbers throwing packages into the back of a blue Audi. Packages are seen flying out of the van, with a fourth person then emerging from the vehicle and helping them load up the boot of the car. They are then seen speeding away from the scene after all piling into the vehicle. The G4S van is seen with extensive damage to it – including a broken window. A source told MailOnline they used specialist equipment to blow up the safe. He said: 'It's called a hydraulic power pack. Some of the lads have been stealing from the fire service. They are perfect for prizing open a safe in a security van. 'They are known as the 'jaws of life' and they generate huge power. Perfect for opening a safe or bank strong door.' Three men have been arrested in relation to the incident but have since been bailed. A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'We received a report of a robbery from a cash in transit van parked near Caswell Way in the Reevesland Industrial Estate in Newport, at around 3.20pm on Monday 2 June. 'Two men, aged 34 and 38, from Bristol were arrested on suspicion of robbery and have been released on police bail. 'A third man – a 33-year-old from Bristol – was also later arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault by beating of an emergency worker and released on police bail. 'Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to submit via the Major Incident Public Portal.' G4S declined to comment on an active police investigation. More Trending G4S is a global security company used to deliver and collect cash from businesses like pubs, cafes and shops. The vans are armoured and equipped with security features that help protect the cash like CCTV, satellite tracking technology and SmartWater. Cash boxes inside the vans have dispensers that stain cash with ink when triggered which makes the notes unusable. Trained personnel are employed by G4S to drive the vehicles to ensure the safe handling of the cash. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Human remains found in burnt out car on Malton country lane MORE: 'Teen boy shoots dead three at carnival including an infant and injures two others' MORE: 'Mushroom killer' used meal as 'sinister deception to kill husband's relatives'
