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Wednesday March 13 | 2019
Dame Kelly calls transphobic jibe ‘ridiculous’ in row over women’s sport
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Hadlow suspect Googled about murder on night before he attacked neighbours By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE man accused of a double murder in Hadlow last year had searched on Google to find out ‘how long for murder?’ prior to the multiple stabbing. Jack Ralph, 28, appeared in Maidstone Crown Court yesterday [Tuesday] accused of the murders of Margaret Harris, 78, and her daughter Sharon, 55. He is also standing trial for the attempted murder of Mrs Harris’s husband David, 76. The tragedy took place at around 7.30am on September 29 when Ralph attacked his neighbours on Carpenters Lane ‘in a blind rage’. The court heard that the chef, who had been living next door to the victims for 18
years, accosted them at their back door and attacked them with a kitchen knife. Mrs Harris was stabbed three times in the neck and her daughter suffered a fatal chest wound. They were found in the hallway, and both had died at the scene.
‘We’ve always got on well together. We had a perfect relationship, no problems’ Mr Harris opened the door and tried to protect his family with a rolling pin. He suffered four wounds to his neck, ear, back and forearm. Jurors were told that Mr Harris suffered a life-threatening neck injury that would have proved fatal if the blade had gone 1mm deeper.
DAME Kelly Holmes has fought back after being attacked on social media for saying transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete in women’s sport. She is among several highprofile sports stars who have supported a campaign by Fair Play for Women which ‘aims to raise public awareness of the impact of trans inclusion on the safety and fairness of female sports, both at the elite and grassroots level’. Tennis icon Martina Navratilova described the idea of a level playing field for women and male-to-female transgender athletes as ‘insane and cheating’.
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He was able to call 999 before collapsing in his living room. He also suffered a heart attack. Ralph admitted responsibilty for all three charges but denies murder on grounds of insanity. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2017 and was taking anti-psychotic medication – including a dose half an hour before the incident. The prosecution accepts his responsibility was diminished but maintain he was aware what he was doing was wrong. Ralph, who described himself as ‘a strong guy’ fully trained in jujitsu, was found by police sitting on a sofa in his living room with his hands above his head. He later told them he was ‘in full regret’ but added he had been ‘in a blind rage’.
She was backed by former British swimmer Sharron Davies who was then supported by the Double Olympic gold medallist. A transgender cyclist then accused Dame Kelly of being ‘transphobic’ and called on her sponsors to stop supporting her. Dame Kelly responded by saying: “Calling me transphobic is just ridiculous – far from it. I have an opinion you don’t like, that’s that!” She said the issue had ‘nothing to do with being transphobic and nothing to do with hatred or stopping people leading their lives as they wish’. She explained sport was different ‘for obvious reasons’, adding: “That’s my only debate – sport. I totally support trans in all other areas they are fighting against, like other communities are too.
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