Fortnightly 28th November 2016 Issue 307
University of Bristol’s Award Winning Independent Student Newspaper
www.epigram.org.uk
Escaped convict in Bristol student’s flat Man convicted of rape and robbery spends his last night on the run with Bristol students Emily Faint News Editor An escaped convict was temporarily taken in by University of Bristol students after being found on the ground only ‘a few yards’ from their home. Jordan, a man convicted of rape and robbery, was discovered by students on a Wednesday in November. He was lying on the floor ‘with bloodshot eyes and clothes drenched in beer’. Tom Phillips, a third year Physics and Philosophy student, was one of the people who found him. ‘Unable to think of a better solution, I offered him a glass of water and the chance
to sober up in the relative warmth of my living room,’ said Phillips. The students involved learned of the man’s crimes and his escape from prison an hour after offering him shelter. He was considered a ‘risk to the public’. Jordan was jailed over a decade ago for rape and robbery. His encounter with the Bristol students was allegedly his ‘first experience of freedom’ since his original conviction. During the course of the evening, the students fed and conversed with Jordan and offered him the use of their phone. ‘He rang a friend he’d met in prison, but who had been out and clean for two years,’ Phillips said. ‘He seemed to be encouraging Jordan to
Film & TV Tim Bustin gives his opinion on the latest addition to J.K Rowling’s world of magic
Facebook.com/EpigramPaper
Music Ellen Kemp looks at when protests and music come together
@EpigramPaper
hand himself in.’ Following this, Jordan called his ex-girlfriend. After a long conversation with her, the students then witnessed him speaking to his young son for the first time and the emotional exchange that took place. ‘Do you know who this is? It’s your father… I’m sorry that I haven’t been there for you, but when I come home I will do anything for you’, Jordan reportedly said. Half an hour later, accompanied by Phillips and his housemates, Jordan walked to the police station and handed himself in. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, reflected upon the issue from their perspective as a rape survivor.
Rozie Benyon examines the risks MDMA poses to young women
Science Highly Commended for Best Publication and Best Use of Digital Media 2016
‘There is a risk, whenever someone talks about the humanising qualities of someone who has committed rape that they will be tarred a rape apologist. But it would be better to acknowledge rapists in three dimensions, instead of labelling them as simple villains. ‘I knew my rapist. I will likely always feel a deep sense of anger, sadness, sickness and shame over what he did, and over how it has shaped my life since. But I also know he was not an “evil” person, and that he had and has good qualities.’ Some names have been changed for legal reasons Continued on page 2
Sport Flora Beverley reviews ‘This Bristol Girl Can’ week