Category: News

A woman involved in a multigenerational insurance claim fraud has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Eileen Lawrence (52), her husband Patrick (54), and sons Tom (24) and John (26), who were children at the time, made personal injury claims for road traffic incidents and falls using false names on dates between 2010 and 2016. The family all have addresses at Moyglas Glade, Lucan, in Dublin.

The family instructed solicitors, attended doctors and swore affidavits using the false identities in order to pursue the claims. Most of the claims were unsuccessful, but a number were paid out. The offending came to light after an insurance company hired a private investigator.

Another member of the family, grandmother Winnifred Lawrence (74), was jailed last year for three and a half years with the final 18 months suspended for making similar claims between 2012 and 2014. She had fraudulently received €23,150 after legal expenses for her claims.

Patrick Lawrence pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2013 and 2018. Eileen Lawrence pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2010 and 2016. Tom Lawrence pleaded guilty to one count of attempted deception in 2016, while his brother John Lawrence pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2014 and 2016.

Last Friday, Judge Martin Nolan imposed a sentence of two years on Patrick Lawrence, and one-year suspended sentences on Tom and John Lawrence.

Judge Nolan said there was no doubt Eileen Lawrence was involved in a serious way in the offending, and thought she deserved to go to prison. He said the only thing stopping him from such sentencing was the effect her imprisonment would have on third parties.

The court had heard she was “the glue that holds the family together”, and had a caring role for family members with additional needs. He said he would reflect last weekend on her case and impose sentence today.

Judge Nolan said the Lawrence family was “very industrious in the manufacture of fraudulent claims“. He said it is “very serious” to defraud or attempt to defraud insurance companies. He added the court could not ignore the prospective impact on third parties. He imposed a three-year prison sentence on Eileen Lawrence, suspended in full, on strict conditions.

Last Friday, Judge Nolan said Patrick Lawrence had his difficulties, but he was satisfied that he knew right from wrong. He acknowledged his medical and mental health issues but said this was serious wrongdoing, and imposed two years’ imprisonment.

He noted that Tom and John Lawrence were children at the time and there was some evidence they were used as “conduits”, under pressure to some degree to commit the crimes. The judge said they were now getting on well and it would be unjust to imprison them. He imposed one year suspended sentences on both men.

Det Garda Ivor Scully of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau told David Perry BL, prosecuting, that the family had submitted the personal injury claims under false names to disguise the fact that they had all made previous claims. He outlined that some of the claims were paid out, but the majority were not successful.

He said one insurance company engaged a private investigator to look into certain claims and the investigator took photos of the family attending medical appointments under their false names. Gardaí were alerted and the investigation unearthed correspondence from the false identities at the accused persons’ address and claim money paid into a bank account of one member of the family.

The family were arrested and interviewed in 2019. Patrick Lawrence made four false claims under two false names for road traffic incidents and falls, with just one claim successfully resulting in a payout of €9,370. He has six previous convictions for theft and road traffic offences.

Eileen Lawrence made five claims under two false identities. Only one claim was successful, with €15,000 being paid out to her in 2014. Another claim was withdrawn after she was identified in court by gardaí. Eileen Lawrence has no previous convictions.

Tom Lawrence made an unsuccessful claim for a trip and fall in 2016 under a false name. He was 16 years old at the time. He has convictions for road traffic offences and theft.

John Lawrence made four claims under false names, with one being successful and netting a pay out of €6,155 in 2015. John was also under 18 at the time of the offending. He has convictions for theft and road traffic offences.

Roderick O’Hanlon SC, defending Patrick Lawrence, said his client had a number of medical and mental health issues. He handed in medical reports and said he was vulnerable to severe deterioration in his mental health.

He said his client regrets the offending and has not offended since. He asked the court to take into account his guilty plea, which avoided a potentially difficult trial.

John Berry SC, defending Eileen Lawrence, said his client was the “glue that holds the family together” and was the primary carer for a son with additional needs.

Hugh Hartnett SC, defending Tom Lawrence, asked the court to take into account that he was 16 years old at the time. He is now married and a father himself. Counsel handed in medical references. The garda agreed with Mr Hartnett that his client would not have had the guile or intelligence to set up the fraud himself. He was interviewed and made admissions.

Maurice Coffey SC, for John Lawrence, submitted his client was also a minor at the time. He said his client was “not the brains of the operation” and followed instructions. He said his client has also married and settled down.

It has been almost two weeks since Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-American student, disappeared while on a spring break trip with her friends to the Dominican Republic.

Despite a massive multi-agency search effort, including an Interpol Yellow notice, there has been no sign of the missing University of Pittsburgh student. Now, in a heartbreaking turn, her parents have asked Dominican authorities to formally declare her dead.

According to MailOnline, citing a source, her family has accepted the “deeply painful” reality that she will not be found alive. Their request for closure comes as the investigations continue, with the last person to see her, Joshua Riibe, still under police watch in the Caribbean country.

But why have her parents given up hope? What really happened that night? And what have investigators uncovered so far? Here’s a closer look at the case.

Parents’ plea for closure

Sudiksha Konanki’s parents, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki have formally requested Dominican authorities to declare their daughter legally dead, National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira confirmed the development to NBC News.

In their letter, the grieving parents acknowledged that no foul play is suspected in their daughter’s presumed death after she vanished from a Punta Cana beach.

“Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned. Her clothes were discovered on a beach near where she was last seen,” the request states.

Their decision comes after days of agonising uncertainty, as authorities have struggled to find solid leads despite deploying drones, helicopters, and multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and US Department of Homeland Security.

“While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honour her memory,” the letter adds.

The family also expressed faith in the ongoing investigation, noting that Joshua Riibe—the last person to see Sudiksha alive—has cooperated with authorities.

“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,” the letter concluded.

#BREAKING: Here is the heartbreaking letter of #SudikshaKonanki’s parents along Dominican authorities to declare their daughter dead. 💔 pic.twitter.com/1WDhOjLdl5

— 𝕏 🕵🏻‍♀️🦋L̤̮E̤̮G̤̮🅰️C̤̮Y̤̮🦋🕵🏻‍♀️ 𝕏 (@iamlegacy23) March 18, 2025

According to sources quoted by ABC News, the Konankis are aware of the legal formalities required to process their request and are prepared to comply with all necessary procedures.

What did Joshua Riibe tell investigators?

Despite the ongoing investigation, US authorities have classified Konanki’s case as a missing persons case rather than a criminal matter.

Dominican officials have also stated that no one is considered a suspect in her disappearance. However, they have confiscated the passport of
Joshua Riibe, the last known person to be with Konanki before she vanished in the early hours of March 6 and named him a “person of interest”, CNN News reported.

Riibe, a 22-year-old from Rock Rapids, Iowa, and a senior at St Cloud State University in Minnesota has been under police surveillance in the Dominican Republic. Over the weekend, he was questioned for more than six hours and has been taken in for further interrogation multiple times, according to a statement from his parents.

A source close to the investigation has indicated that the questioning is likely to continue with a local prosecutor overseeing the case.

Riibe told investigators that he and Konanki were in waist-deep water, “talking and kissing a little” when a strong wave suddenly pulled them out to sea. As a trained pool lifeguard, he said he attempted to hold Konanki under his arm while swimming back to shore, ensuring she could breathe. However, he struggled to stay afloat, saying, “I took in a lot of water.”

Once they reached shallower waters, he said he placed her in front of him and saw her “walking at an angle in the water.” He last asked if she was okay, but did not hear her response as he began vomiting seawater. When he recovered, she was gone. Thinking she had already left, he blacked out on a beach chair. He said he was later surprised to hear of her disappearance.

While Riibe has not been declared a suspect, authorities have not clarified why his passport was seized. His legal team has since filed a petition for his release, with a court hearing scheduled for March 18.

Who is Sudiksha Konanki?

Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian citizen with permanent residency in the US, is described by her father as an “ambitious” student with aspirations of studying medicine.

She travelled to Punta Cana on March 3 with five other female students from the University of Pittsburgh, hoping to enjoy a short break before resuming her studies, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

Riibe told investigators that he first met Konanki at their hotel, where he and a friend introduced themselves to her group. The two groups later went to a bar together, drinking until, as Riibe put it, “someone suggested we go to the beach.”

Surveillance footage captured them at the club before heading to the beach around 4:15 am. Most of Konanki’s friends left by 5:50 am, leaving her alone with Riibe. She went missing an hour later.

Her family has pointed out inconsistencies, noting that her belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends, even though she was known to always carry her phone.

Dominican authorities initially stated that she likely drowned in the rough waters. However, Konanki’s father urged officials to expand their investigation, considering the possibility that she may have been kidnapped or fallen victim to human trafficking.

Despite an extensive search operation using drones, helicopters, and detection dogs, 11 days later, authorities are still finding answers to her mysterious disappearance.

With input from agencies

Facing the Passage of Time
At 37, the iconic point guard confronted the inevitable challenges of aging in a recent clash. In a game that exposed the harsh reality of time’s impact, his performance was uncharacteristic. He managed only 6 of 21 shots while struggling with ball control, committing seven turnovers. This outing served as a stark reminder that even the finest talents must contend with the relentless march of time.

A Performance Under Scrutiny
The game highlighted a stark discrepancy between past brilliance and present challenges. Known for his dazzling shooting and ability to change the course of a game, the evening’s display revealed vulnerabilities that had long been masked by his usual prowess. The diminished execution on the court prompted a closer look at missed opportunities and the pressures that come with age and high expectations.

Leadership and Internal Debate
Following the disappointing result, discussions within the team took center stage. The head coach’s comments reflecting on the performance sparked a vigorous internal debate regarding accountability and support. A veteran teammate stepped forward to clarify his stance on the coach’s characterization of the situation, underscoring the complexities of leadership during trying times and the weight of maintaining high standards amidst adversity.

Looking Ahead
This setback not only punctuates a challenging period in the star’s career but also sets the stage for transformation. The performance encourages reflection and adaptation, both individually and as a team. With legacy still intact, the focus now shifts to refining strategies and overcoming the hurdles of time, as the organization looks to reclaim its form and forge a renewed path forward.

Strategic marketing, along with tailored product offerings, will be key to capitalising on this trend ahead of the event on the 30 March 2025, says data and analytics company GlobalData.

GlobalData Retail Mother’s Day Intentions Report 2025 reveals that the proportion of UK consumers planning to purchase at least one item for Mother’s Day 2025 has risen to 56.4%, a 2.9ppt increase on 2024.

Furthermore, consumers plan to spend £17.43 more on their mums than last year, resulting in an average spend of £125.30.

According to GlobalData, grocers will benefit from decreased interest in takeaways and dining out this year. 17.5% of Mother’s Day shoppers plan to have a special meal at home with mum, a 3.1ppt increase on 2024.

Dine-in options are crucial, given that Mother’s Day shoppers intend to spend £52.32 on average on food & drink for the event. There will be plenty of room in consumers’ budgets to trade up to premium ranges.

Simpson-Gould added: “The UK consumers are prioritising quality time at home with their mums this Mother’s Day, focusing on special meals, presenting a lucrative opportunity for grocers.

“Upselling opportunities include luxury wines, champagnes, confectionery, and premium meats, and grocers must focus on catering to these preferences to maximise sales potential.”

Family

Northamptonshire Police

Thiyash Thajeepan died at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston soon after being born on October 24 last year. 

An inquest into the tot’s death, whose parents lived at Winterton-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth, was opened at Norfolk’s Coroner’s Court this week. 

The assistant coroner, Johanna Thompson, said: “Thiyash was an infant born at term. 

“He immediately needed medical treatment and sadly passed away a short time later.”

Norfolk Coroner’s Court in Norwich (Image: Denise Bradley)

READ MORE: Inspirational mum shares heartbreak after losing three babies

READ MORE: To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk’s Loved & Lost.

In a post mortem report, consultant histopathologist Dr Xenia Tyler, gave the medical cause of death as placental insufficiency due to, or because of, a massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD). 

MPFD is a condition where excessive fibrous tissue around the placenta causes reduced growth of the foetus. There are typically no symptoms, and it is rarely detected before birth. 

The post mortem also included that a head injury was caused by rotational forceps delivery. 

A two-day inquest will take place in September. 

• TimeNorfolk provides support to anyone who experiences pregnancy loss at any stage. More information can be found at www.timenorfolk.org.uk

An 18-year-old male who admitted causing the death of his mother in Warrington has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

Frederico Canuzo, from Warrington, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 18 March 2025 where he was sentenced.
He previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his mother, 48-year-old Chintzia McIntyre, on the grounds of diminished responsibility on Monday 27 January 2025.
The guilty plea to manslaughter was accepted by the prosecution based on medical evidence.
When passing sentence, a judge ruled that he should be made subject to a Hospital Order and a Restriction Order and will be detained at a secure hospital until such a time he is deemed no longer to be a risk to the community.
At around 9.40am on Tuesday 29 August 2023, Cheshire Police received reports of a woman being attacked outside her home address in Phoenix Place, Great Sankey.
Police and ambulance teams were sent to the scene, but Chintzia was sadly pronounced dead. It was determined she had suffered significant head injuries after being hit with a claw hammer.
Outlining the facts Gordon Cole, KC, prosecuting, said, “At 9.38am on Tuesday 29th August 2023, Stephen McIntyre who is the step-father of the defendant and the husband of Chintzia, received a ‘ring doorbell notification’ on his mobile phone, there being a doorbell camera at his home address.
“Stephen McIntyre opened the App on his phone and saw that he had received three clips from the camera at his home address.He was was at the time working away in Leicestershire.”
Mr Cole said that the graphic clips “showed the defendant ferociously attacking his wife with a claw hammer. The claw hammer was actually used something in the region of 29 times, primarily to the head of Chintzia McIntyre, but also blows struck her back and her right hand.”
“Having attacked his mother and having killed her, the defendant was seen jogging away from the scene.”
Mr McIntyre immediately called 999 and the emergency services arrived at the family’s home in Phoenix Place, Warrington, at 9.51am. Despite intense medical treatment, including the despatch and arrival of a helicopter the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile Canuzo was seen on CCTV boarding a train at the town’s Bank Quay station to London.
“British Transport Police and Metropolitan Police were informed and the defendant was arrested on the platform at Euston upon his getting off the train,” said Mr Cole.
A post mortem examination found that Chintzia had sustained “multiple lacerations to her scalp and there was a large open complex merger of wounds to the back of the head.
“ There was complex skull fracturing including discrete ‘punched in’ rounded fractures and areas of internal bevelling. There was scalp bruising and brain damage.
The pathologist also found bruises to her upper back and defensive injuries to her right hand and described the cause of death as multiple blunt force head injuries.
His barrister Tim Clark, KC, said that the medication he received at that hospital was insufficient for his condition.
Defence expert consultant forensic psychiatrist Navdeep Malik told the court that Canuzo is currently on two “heavy grade” medications but he continues to be severely ill. It was believed his mental health problems had developed over a year and rapidly deteriorated.
He believed he was being persecuted and received “hidden messages. “He believed he was going to be killed and was under threat.”
Dr Malik said the defendant has “grandiose” ideas and impaired decision making and sees imaginary people. “He lives in an imaginary world where he is special.
“His understanding into his mental health condition is poor,” he explained and added it was not known how long he would need treatment.
The doctor said that Canuzo thought his food in the hospital was being poisoned and that “the doctors and family members, including his parents, were part of the conspiracy and wanted him dead.”
“In order to save his life he believed the only way was not to go back to the hospital. He believed it was the only way out to save his life. When leaving the house to return to hospital the offence occurred.”
Mr Clark said the defendant, who used to smoke cannabis and had a limited history of cocaine use, was described as a “polite and lovely lad and never aggressive” before his illness.
“He was a pleasant young man and then this dreadful illness meant his mental health was affected and very suddenly deteriorated greatly. It is a tragic case. The need for treatment is greater than the need for punishment.”

Detective Inspector Eli Atkinson, who led the investigation, said: “This was an exceptionally traumatic incident for all those involved, especially Chintzia’s family and neighbours and emergency services who tried to help her.
“While nothing can ever be done to bring Chintzia back, I do hope that the conclusion of this case will bring her family some closure.
“Our thoughts remain with Chintzia’s friends and family at this time, and we would like to thank them for their assistance throughout our investigation.”