11 December
HMS ATHERSTONE will call into Gibraltar today to top up on fuel and supplies before continuing on to the UK in time for a Christmas homecoming.
The Hunt-class Minehunter has been based in Bahrain for three and a half years as part of the UK's Mine Warfare Force where she has been safeguarding shipping and sea lanes in the Gulf region.
The crew have rotated on a six monthly basis and the current crew are now on the final leg of their six-week journey to bring HMS ATHERSTONE back to her home port of Portsmouth.
Since leaving Portsmouth in May 2012, HMS ATHERSTONE has covered more than 50,000 nautical miles and spent more than 8,630 hours on operational tasks.
She has taken part in 14 joint UK-US training exercises and conducted extensive surveys of sea lanes to ensure they remain open for lawful shipping.
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Mark Headley said:
"Sailing ATHERSTONE home after her three-and-a-half year deployment in the Gulf is an excellent experience for my crew. They've worked tirelessly throughout the deployment to ensure that the ship has provided maximum operational effectiveness in keeping maritime traffic safe."
11-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
BOSCHETTI'S STEPS DEATHS INQUEST: John's final movements - CCTV spots him buying a knife
December 11, 2015
Yesterday the inquest into the Boschetti's steps deaths continued with a statement from Trevor Richardson, who met John Shannon, Anarda De La Caridad Perez Friman, and the two children 3 days prior to the event. His statement went as follows.
On 27th march at around 5pm Mr.Richardson met the couple and the children, Amanda and Eve, at the estate agents that he worked at. He made brief conversation with Anarda, asking where she was from and asked about the children's ages.
John then asked if there were any apartments available to live in as plans for him to work at his step-father's upcoming telecommunications company in Gibraltar were in progress.
Trevor along with another lady who was working there at the time were aware of an apartment that was already being rented out, however the person renting was currently on holiday. The estate agents phoned the man, and were given permission to let John use his house until he returned on 30th March.
Mr.Richardson also explained to police how Anarda seemed very calm at all times, however John appeared agitated and nervous to him throughout the encounter.
Following this, the inquest saw the detectives of the case in question take to the stand to explain the procedures and measures taken whilst dealing with the situation.
The first to speak was detective sergeant Bautista who also has the role of head forensic investigator in the RGP.
The sergeant was alerted of a potential murder scene at Boschetti's steps around mid-day of 30th March, and made his way there immediately. Upon arriving, he found John Shannon's step-father Terrence along with his friend, the man at the time renting the house, outside in distress.
At this point Terrence had already been told three bodies had been found, however the body of Eve had not been spotted by the officers who originally entered the house. He repeatedly told Sergeant Bautista to find the baby, as he was certain she had to be in there somewhere.
The Sergeant told the court how when he entered the house, in the first room he spotted the body of Anarda laying face up on a bed, before proceeding to the living room which was located at the end of the hallway on the right. After going into the room, he quickly saw the bodies of John Shannon and Amanda Kristofferson, all within close proximity to each other on the left side of the room. Upon investigating in more detail, however still having to be cautious to not contaminate any potential evidence, him along with two other detectives present at the scene found the body of Eve Perez Shannon partially covered by a duvet.
Detective Bautista explained he immediately reported the finding of a fourth body, and began a full examination of the property soon after. He explained how they began by taking numerous blood samples from both the bodies and stray blood found along the walls, floors, and importantly on objects such as knives found in the apartment.
Once all samples necessary were taken, they began trying to identify who the bodies belonged to, a process which for John Anarda they were able to do using DNA analysis, however for the children required Rene Kristofferson, Amanda's father and a close friend of Anarda, to assist in confirming their identities.
He went on to explain how the RGP, along with specialists over from the UK were working night and day to recover everything necessary for the investigation to proceed, a process which took over a week to complete.
During this process along with gathering multiple DNA and blood samples from numerous areas, they also removed several items including knives, bottles and blood-soaked towels which were potentially crucial to the investigation.
Once everything necessary was gathered, the Sergeant held a meeting with LGC, one of UKs leading forensic groups, to help analyse the evidence found as Gibraltar did not have the equipment nor the specialist knowledge to carry out forensic testing into such an extreme case.
Following this the Coroner's Court saw detective Francis Perez, who was alongside Sergeant Bautista at the crime scene, speak about the procedures taken, as well as provide a closer look into what was known about the movements of John Shannon during the final few days leading up to the event.
Detective Perez expressed further details on the procedures taken by the RGP during the investigation into what occurred in the now infamous property. Following the removal of the bodies, they were taken to St Bernard's Hospital to be placed in the mortuary.
Whilst there, it was discovered all three females, Anarda, Amanda and Eve, died due stab wounds to the heart. John on the other hand died to a large wound to the jugular artery. John Shannon was also most likely the last of the four to die, however the reason for this speculation was not specified.
John's final movements
The detective then went on to explain what had been discovered, through CCTV or witness accounts, about John's movements in the last few days preceding the event. These were as follows;
- On 27th March, John drove down to Gibraltar along with Anarda and the children, however on the way was spotted on CCTV buying a brown-handled knife
- On the same day, visited the estate agents, seeming nervous. This was also the final time Anarda and the children were seen
- 21:50 that same day, John left home, returning 17minutes later with multiple white bags
- Neighbours heard screaming of a woman that same night, did not think too much of it as it did not last long
- On 28th March, multiple messages were sent between him and his step-father, however John suddenly began not replying
- 29th March at 20:20, step-father sent another message, this was once again read however not replied to
- On 30th March, John's step-father sent him another text saying he had arrived in Gibraltar, however this was not read or replied to
o The inquest continues today when the Coroner is expected to draw his conclusions.
11-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
PANORAMA point - Point being made
December 11, 2015
The need to have an increased naval presence at Gibraltar has been aired more than once. A pemanent presence of greater proportions has not materialised, but it is obvious that a greater presence is being achieved through the increased number of warships calling at Gibraltar. Another ship calls today.
Although having an increased permanent presence has not materialised, it has to be acknowledged that an attempt has been made to ensure that more navy ships call here.
It may not be what many people may have wanted, as 'permanency' was the keyword. But the point is being made by the frequency of calls that this is a British port of call and that Gibraltar is British.
Those who have been working behind the scenes to make this possible must be thanked for taking an interest in the matter.
11-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Putting her country first - Launch of Carmen Gomez book
December 11, 2015
The launch took place yesterday evening of a book by Carmen Gomez, one of Gibraltar's most successful show business personalities who has always had an interest in the political life of her Gibraltar.
British born actress and singer-songwriter Carmen Gomez, is one of Gibraltar's most successful show business personalities.
Equally at home in front of a theatre audience or TV camera, a meteoric career saw her presenting a UK television production on the Rock, soon after leaving school. Then flying to London where through hard work and perseverance, she won many interesting and challenging parts, from Sci-Fi adventures in Doctor Who, and even more adventurous avant-garde fringe productions, to working with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Most famously she was dazzling in her own brilliant production of 'Carmen Miranda' in London's West End.
This story also presents Gibraltar's history in a time of flux, as its people are discovering their national identity, having been reunited on the Rock after the terrible civilian evacuation of World War II.
Carmen always put her country first, fiercely defending the Rock at every opportunity through her life, tirelessly campaigning for fair policies back home whether she was there or in London.
She is a true ambassador of the people of Gibraltar.
Carmen was born to elegant, working class parents, with a strong belief in the importance of the family and their roots.
Although she chose a career for herself which placed her in the public eye, those who know her well can vouch for the fact that she considered her life a private affair, and only ever spoke out when she felt passionately about moral or political issues.
However in her own words...
'At this moment, when I can present my life and the history of my family, recording it for posterity with the significance it deserves, I have felt inspired to wander back, rediscovering in the past, a present to remember.'
Carmen is a child of a past era which holds great nostalgia for her, for although it lacked many of the things regarded as indispensable today, it instilled in her the principles and ideals which, she feels, have made her who she is today, and for that she is grateful.
In this book she recalls a London of the 70's with many anecdotes of her struggle to survive in the world of Show Business, which no doubt you will find interesting.
11-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
