Headline

Founding Bassist Of 70s Rock Band, Saxon, Jailed For S3xually Assaulting 6-year-old Girl

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

The founding member and former bassist of Saxon, one of the UK’s most successful heavy metal bands, has been jailed for assaulting a six-year-old girl.

Stephen Dawson, 72, was sentenced to five years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court after he was convicted of four counts of indecent assault of a child under 14.

The rock band, which was formed in Barnsley, South Yorks, sold over 23 million records and its eccentric musicians later inspired the cult mockumentary ‘This is Spinal Tap’.

Dawson’s former bandmates, including Saxon co-founder and guitarist Graham Oliver, said they were left ‘shocked’, ‘sickened’, and ‘disgusted’ at his actions.

The abuse took place in the 1990s following Dawson’s dismissal from the band in 1986, with Oliver saying they hoped the victim had ‘closure’ following the ordeal.

His statement read: ‘To say we are all shocked and disgusted by Dawson’s actions is an understatement.

Founding bassist of 70s rock band, Saxon, is jailed for s3xually assaulting 6-year-old girl as former bandmates say they are

‘While these vile offences occurred post-Saxon and pre Son of a Bitch/Oliver Dawson Saxon era, we are all sickened by his predatory behaviour against a small child, and hope this prison sentence gives his victim some closure on her terrible ordeal.’

Dawson founded Saxon with Oliver in 1976 before Peter ‘Biff’ Byford joined on vocals and Paul Quinn came in on guitar.

And he helped write hits including ‘747 Strangers in the Night’ and ‘Freeway Mad’ off their 1980 platinum record, ‘Wheels of Steel’.

Dawson was also thought to be the inspiration behind the fictional character Derek Smalls, played by Harry Shearer in the film This Is Spinal Tap, released in 1984.

He remained with the group until 1986 when he was reportedly fired due to arguments with his fellow musicians.

Dawson, from Rotherham, was originally found guilty on March 21 before being given his custodial sentence this week.

Following the verdict, Detective Constable Robert Heath, from South Yorkshire Police, said his victim had demonstrated ‘extraordinary strength’.

He said: ‘Stephen Dawson thought he had got away with committing these horrific crimes against a young, vulnerable victim 30 years ago.

‘She has shown extraordinary strength through coming forward and throughout the course of the investigation, resulting in Dawson spending a number of years in prison.

‘It is clear that his evil acts have remained with her throughout her life, and I hope this sentence goes some way to allowing her to move on from these traumatic events.

‘The result of this case demonstrates just how seriously we take these offences.

‘We hope this provides some encouragement that if you have been subjected to any offence, no matter how long ago it happened, to come forward and report it to us.

‘We are here to listen, investigate and bring the perpetrators before courts.’

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.