Section: News:UK News

A GANGSTER jailed for plotting to blow up a football stadium has lost his bid to stay in Britain — but is still here.

Maksim Cela, 59, claimed returning to Albania would put him at risk from rivals.

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His claims were thrown out by a judge on Friday after a two-year fight costing taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds.

But the crook, who arrived in 2023, five days after serving a sentence for murder and terrorism in Albania, has not left and launched yet another appeal.

Cela argued sending him home breached European human rights laws.

But Judge Jeremy Rintoul of the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber said: “I do not accept that the appellant has told the truth about the nature of the threats.

“I find that the appellant’s refusal to acknowledge guilt weighs heavily against him.”

Cela was jailed in Albania for masterminding the murder of a crime-busting police officer and plotting to bomb a football stadium.

In his legal battle, he claimed the elderly mum of the dead officer might seek revenge.

He was named as the mafia boss in the case only after The Sun fought for 23 months to overturn an anonymity order.

Sources last night confirmed Cela was still in the UK and had lodged another legal appeal.

The Home Office said: “Foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes should be in no doubt we will do everything to make sure they are not free on Britain’s streets.”

It remained unclear last night where Cela was living — but he can remain here while his appeal is being prepared.

RAIN is set to fall in just hours in parts of the UK, marking the end of the remarkably dry start to spring, the Met Office has forecast.

Some areas could even see thunder as the skies open up amid the driest start to the season in nearly six decades.

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The Environment Agency has also warned there could be a risk of a drought this summer without sustained rainfall, with millions of households told they may face water restrictions in the coming months.

As of Friday, just 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring – that’s almost 20mm less than the record low of 100.7mm, set in 1852 for the full season.

However, this could change imminently, as the Met Office has warned of showers landing in the north of the UK throughout Monday.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk explained showers hit across southern Scotland and northern England overnight on Sunday, with some reaching as far south as Wales.

Heading into Monday morning, there are expected to be “much-welcome” showers across the central belt of Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland.

Cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland could be washed out by the rainfall, as could Manchester in the north of England.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud added that Monday would see sunny spells in the west develop widely with a “few scattered showers developing across the north during the course of Monday afternoon”.

He added: “One or two of those could be heavy, potentially thundery, but most places are going to be warm and dry.”

However, from Tuesday onwards there could be “an increasing chance of showers across southern areas of the country,” Dan said.

“Then beyond that, Thursday and Friday are likely to become dry, fine and sunny again, with good deals of sunshine for much of the country.”

Conditions in the UK this spring had been “remarkably dry up until now”, Dan explained.

However, as we approach the final week of May, which is also when schools break for half-term, the weather is “looking increasingly changeable, with areas of cloud and rain arriving from the west”.

The Met Office explained the prolonged warm and very dry spell, which has seen Brits enjoy temperatures as high as 29C, was primarily caused by high pressure.

However, by Tuesday, changing conditions could see “occasional heavy and potentially thundery showers developing across parts of Wales and the Midlands, with one or two of those breaching into London“.

Discussing Wednesday’s forecast, Dan said: “It will be a bit of a chilly start across England and Wales with plenty of sunshine to kick the day off.

“But showers will develop across England and Wales, with some of those showers potentially heavy and thundery and breaching into the London area.”

A PRIMARY school has been evacuated after a pupil brought a grenade to show and tell.

Students at Osmaston CofE Primary School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, were rushed off the site after the shocking discovery on Friday.

Teachers were concerned when a boy pulled out a World War Two hand grenade.

Headteacher Jeanette Hart did not know if the weapon was live or not so quickly took it and put it behind a large tree outside.

Despite not being “100 per cent happy” carrying the old bomb, she said she “didn’t want to take the risk” and leave it in the school.

The head teacher raised the alarm and Derbyshire Police arrived on the scene with army explosives experts.

Mrs Hart told the BBC: “It was quite an eventful assembly.

“It was going fine and there was a boy who brought an old bullet case in, which I knew about, but then his friend produced a hand grenade from his pocket.

“That, I was not expecting.”

Experts determined the heirloom was safe through X-ray analysis.

A spokesman for the Matlock, Cromford, Wirksworth and Darley Dale Police Safer Neighbourhood Team added: “Just a word of guidance for parents and guardians – double check what your kids are taking to show-and-tell, especially when they are family heirlooms.”

Mrs Hart the ordeal was completely “innocent” and the boy thought the grenade was “interesting” after learning about VE Day.

“His family didn’t know [he took it] and they were a little taken aback,” she added.

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SOME of London’s biggest festivals face an uncertain future after residents won a court battle to block a major park from hosting events. 

Backed by Oscar winning actor Mark Rylance, the campaign has ordered the council to confirm that events will be cancelled this summer.

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Brockwell Park in Lambeth has long been a popular site for some of the UK’s biggest festivals. 

Hundreds of thousands of Brits flock to the park every summer to attend events including Mighty Hoopla – which was set to host both Kesha and Jade Thirwall this year. 

However, residents decided to fight back against the festivals after the park was left in a state they described as a “mud-bath”. 

Rebekah Shaman, a member of the Protect Brockwell park group, successfully brought legal action against Lambath Council over the use of the area for events season – which kicks off on May 23. 

The High Court was told that the challenge was over the council’s decision to certify the use of the land as lawful, since a change of the park’s use is allowed for 28 days per year. 

Mr Justice Mold rule in Rebekah’s favour, since the park would be used as an event space for more than 28 days. 

Now, events such as Brockwell Live and the Mighty Hoopla could be banned from setting up in the park.

Rebekah and her lawyers wrote a letter addressed to the council which asked if the “event has been cancelled” and ordered them to clear any fencing or infrastructure. 

The draft letter from Goodenough Ring solicitors said that Brockwell Live does not have planning permission and cannot benefit from permitted development rights, and that a planning application could not be decided for at least three weeks.

The letter read: “It follows that not only do the Brockwell Live events not have planning permission, but permission cannot be obtained until after they are concluded.”

It continued: “As there is no planning permission for the Brockwell Live event, the event has to be cancelled.”

Goodenough Ring has asked for a response by 10am on May 19.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson responded by saying: “We are currently assessing the impact of this judgement and determining next steps.”

The court ruling recieved a cheer from Dunkirk actor Mark Rylance. 

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The Oscar nominated performer said: “Wonderful news. Brockwell park will be open to all for free again this summer. No walls. No trucks.

“The grass, and trees, and plants will have a chance to recover from the years of abuse.

“Now let’s help revive the beloved Lambeth country fair as it used to be, open to all. Congratulations to all who worked so devotedly to achieve this decision.

“Every small victory for nature makes a difference.”

However, the event’s cancellation is a blow to London’s beleaguered events industry. 

Critics of residents’ associations have said that noise complaints have led to the closure of several major London locations. 

However, in April, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was awarded increased powers to protect the capital’s pubs. 

The Mayor will be able to block councils and residents from shutting down late-night pub and club openings. 

The increased powers had support from Chancellor Rachel Reeves who said that “unnecessarily burdensome red tape” was choking London’s events industry.

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A PRISON governor has been jailed over an illicit relationship with a drug gang boss who gifted her a £12,000 Mercedes.

Kerri Pegg was seen as a “rising star” in the Prison Service and quickly rose through the ranks to become governor at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire.

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But her career is now in ruins after she embarked on a relationship with inmate Anthony Saunderson, who was known as Jesse Pinkman after the series Breaking Bad.

Pegg, 42, has now been jailed after she was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office.

One relates to the divorcee’s fling with Saunderson and the second by failing to disclose county court judgements about her debts.

She was also convicted of one count of possessing criminal property, the Mercedes car, from Saunderson.

Preston Crown Court heard Pegg released Saunderson on licence in 2019 despite not having the authority to approve the bid.

After he was granted his freedom, the prisoner used cash from selling 34 kilos of amphetamines to buy Pegg the Mercedes coupe.

On April 6, 2020, Saunderson was sent a message on Encrochat saying “car her for ya bird 12 quid or work” and a photo of the vehicle.

The court was told “12 quid” meant £12,000 and “work” meant drugs.

Saunderson asked “what work they want” and he was told “top or weed” – meaning cocaine or cannabis.

Two days later, he arranged for “17 packs” to be dropped off in Manchester to pay for the car.

The Mercedes was registered in Pegg’s name, with a pal messaging Saunderson: “Where u ya seedy man u and Peggy out floating orrel in the new whip?”

Law enforcement agencies cracked the criminal’s Encrochat and discovered he was involved in drug trafficking on a huge scale.

Saunderson, who was also known to his criminal pals as James Gandolfini -the actor who played Tony Soprano in the mafia TV Series – has now been locked up for 35 years.

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The court was told other messages revealed the “ongoing nature” of his relationship with Pegg.

Police searched her home on November 19, 2020, and found a toothbrush and flip flops containing Saunderson’s DNA.

Officers also discovered a haul of designer clothing and found Pegg was subject to a number of county court judgements for unpaid debts.

Prosecutor Barbara-Louise Webster said: “Her downfall was two-fold, the first, despite having a good income, she lived beyond her means.

“She spent all her income and more, incurring debts and she had county court judgements made against her.

“As a consequence, she became vulnerable and open to exploitation.

“The second was that she became emotionally and personally involved with a serving prisoner, Anthony Saunderson and later accepted an expensive car, a Mercedes C class, which was paid for by him out of his proceeds of criminal activity ie trading in drugs.”

Pegg joined the prison service in 2012 as a graduate entrant and worked at prisons in Risley, Liverpool and Styal.

By April 2018, she was a governor at HMP Kirkham, where Saunderson was serving a lengthy jail term.

He had been locked up in 2014 for his part in importing £19m of cocaine in shipments of corned beef from Argentina.

From the start, there were concerns about Pegg being inappropriately close to prisoners.

It was also noted that she spent a lot of time in her office with Saunderson.

In October 2018, he put in a request to be released on temporary licence.

Despite Pegg not having the authority to green light his release, she intervened and approved his application without notifying the official who should have dealt with the case.

Days later she was moved to another jail, later becoming duty governor at HMP Lancaster Farms.

Saunderson meanwhile was revealed as one of nine gangland figures responsible for producing amphetamines on an industrial, multi-million-pound scale.

The gang made and dealt 2.6 tonnes of amphetamines worth £1million – as well as trafficking heroin, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, MCAT and diazepam.

Tarryn McCaffrey, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Kerri Pegg’s conduct fell far short of what might be expected from any professional within the Prison Service, let alone one of such a senior grade as prison governor.

“She was clearly involved in an inappropriate relationship with Saunderson after he was released and the evidence points to this going back further, to a time when he was in jail.

“This relationship, and the fact that Pegg failed to disclose her debts to her employers, amount to a gross breach of trust and are therefore extremely damaging to public confidence.”

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TRAGIC billionaire Mike Lynch’s superyacht sank because it was vulnerable to wind, a report claims.

Investigators examining the sinking of the 180ft Bayesian off Sicily last year say it was knocked over by “extreme wind” and could not recover.

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Brit tech tycoon Lynch, 59, and daughter Hannah, 18, were among seven killed in the disaster.

An interim report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said the yacht had a “vulnerability” to lighter winds but the owner and crew would not have known.

It added it had “limited verified evidence” as the criminal probe in Italy had restricted its access.

Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents, said: “The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over.

“Further, once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70° the situation was irrecoverable.

“The results will be refined as the investigation proceeds, and more information becomes available.”

Five people were injured “either by falling or from things falling on them”, while the deck hand was “thrown into the sea”, a report said.

Two guests used furniture drawers “as an improvised ladder” to escape their cabin.

The skipper instructed guests and crew on an area of the deck to “swim clear of the mast and boom as the vessel was sinking”.

Survivors later made their way onto a life raft released from the Bayesian.

They went on to be rescued on a small boat dispatched by yacht Sir Robert Baden Powell, which was also at anchor nearby.

A search was conducted of the accident site.

All the bodies of those who died were subsequently recovered by the local authorities.

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POLICE have launched a desperate appeal for information after a 17-year-old girl vanished with her baby girl.

Skye Conway was last seen with the infant near Strood town centre at around 7.30pm on Tuesday 14 May 2025.

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PETER Sullivan is in line for a £1million compensation payout after spending 38 years in jail for a murder he didn’t commit.

The then 29-year-old was branded ‘Beast of Birkenhead’ after being wrongly convicted of killing 21-year-old Diane Sindall in 1986.

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Yesterday, Mr Sullivan, 68, saw his conviction quashed following a review at the Court of Appeal.

It also means a new murder investigation has been launched to find Diane’s killer.

Mr Sullivan, who held his hand to his mouth and appeared tearful as the decision was handed down, said he was “not angry” and would “begin repairing what I made from the driftwood that is my life”.

In a statement released through his solicitor, Sarah Myatt, moments after the verdict, he said: “As God is my witness, it is said the truth shall set you free. It is unfortunate that it does not give a timescale.”

The victim of Britain’s longest miscarriage of justice left prison a free man last night.

Compensation from the Ministry of Justice is capped at £1million, which Mr Sullivan is now in line for.

The MoJ said: “Peter Sullivan suffered a grave miscarriage of justice, and our thoughts are with him and the family of Diane Sindall.

“We will carefully consider this judgment, looking at how this could have happened and making sure both Mr Sullivan and Diane’s family get the answers they deserve.”

Mr Sullivan’s release comes after new tests ordered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission revealed his DNA was not present on samples preserved at the time.

On the night of her murder, Diane had just left her shift as a part-time barmaid at a pub in Bebington when her small blue van ran out of petrol.

She was making her way to a garage when she was beaten to death and sexually assaulted in a “frenzied” attack.

Her body was discovered partially clothed on August 2 in an alleyway.

Diane’s belongings were later found close to where a small fire had been started – with a man seen running from the scene.

Mr Sullivan was said to have spent the day of the murder drinking heavily.

Following his arrest in September 1986, he was quizzed 22 times and denied legal advice in the first seven interviews – despite requesting it.

Mr Sullivan later “confessed to the murder” in an unrecorded interview a day after his arrest.

He then made a formal confession but the court was told this was “inconsistent with the facts established by the investigation”.

It also went against his earlier interviews, with Mr Sullivan retracting the admission later that day.

Since his conviction, questions have been raised about whether he had proper legal representation during his interviews.

Evidence related to bite marks on Diane’s body has also been called into question.

At the time of the case, DNA technology was not available and subsequent requests for new tests were refused.

Mr Sullivan first went to the CCRC for help in 2008 but they did not refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.

He then launched his own appeal bid in 2019, which judges dismissed after ruling the bite mark evidence was not central to the prosecution at trial.

In 2021, Mr Sullivan went back to the CCRC and raised concerns over police interviews, the bite mark evidence and the murder weapon.

The independent body revealed Mr Sullivan’s DNA was not present on samples preserved at the time.

This led Merseyside Police to confirm they were “carrying out an extensive investigation in a bid to identify who the new DNA profile belongs to”.

The force revealed they had no matches on the police database but were contacting people previously identified in the original probe to request new samples.

The Crown Prosecution Service yesterday told the Court of Appeal the new evidence was enough to cast “sufficient” doubt on the conviction.

It also agreed the fresh clue was “reliable” and that the CPS “does not seek to argue that this evidence is not capable of undermining the safety of Mr Sullivan’s conviction”.

Duncan Atkinson KC, for the CPS, said: “The respondent considers that there is no credible basis on which the appeal can be opposed, solely by reference to the DNA evidence.

“On the contrary, the DNA evidence provides a clear and uncontroverted basis to suggest that another person was responsible for both the sexual assault and the murder.

“As such, it positively undermines the circumstantial case against Mr Sullivan as identified at the time both of his trial and his 2021 appeal.”

The judge said: “Strong though the circumstantial evidence undoubtedly seemed at the trial, it is now necessary to take into account the new scientific evidence pointing to someone else – the unknown man.

“If the new evidence had been available in 1986, the evidence as a whole would have been regarded as insufficient.

“In the light of that evidence it is impossible to regard the appellant’s conviction as safe.”

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A MAN accused of beating a florist to death has been cleared in the UK’s longest-ever miscarriage of justice.

Peter Sullivan was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years in 1987 for the murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall in Bebington, Merseyside.

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The loner, who was 29 at the time, has spent the past 38 years maintaining his innocent and is now appealing his conviction for a third time.

It comes after new tests ordered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission revealed his DNA was not present on samples preserved at the time.

His lawyers said that if his conviction is quashed, he would be the longest-serving victim of a miscarriage of justice in the UK.

The Crown Prosecution Service today told the Court of Appeal the new evidence is enough to cast “sufficient” doubt on the conviction.

It also agreed the fresh clue was “reliable” and that the CPS “does not seek to argue that this evidence is not capable of undermining the safety of Mr Sullivan’s conviction”.

Duncan Atkinson KC, for the CPS, said: “The respondent considers that there is no credible basis on which the appeal can be opposed, solely by reference to the DNA evidence.

“On the contrary, the DNA evidence provides a clear and uncontroverted basis to suggest that another person was responsible for both the sexual assault and the murder.

“As such, it positively undermines the circumstantial case against Mr Sullivan as identified at the time both of his trial and his 2021 appeal.”

Diane had just left her shift as a part-time barmaid at a pub in Bebington when her small blue van ran out of petrol.

She was making her way to a garage when she was beaten to death and sexually assaulted in a “frenzied” attack.

Her body was discovered partially clothed close to a grass verge.

Sullivan, who is watching the appeal from HMP Wakefield, was said to have spent the day of the murder drinking heavily.

Following his arrest in September 1986, he was quizzed 22 times and denied legal advice in the first seven interviews – despite requesting it.

Sullivan later “confessed to the murder” in an unrecorded interview a day after his arrest.

He then made a formal confession but the court was told this was “inconsistent with the facts established by the investigation“.

It also went against his earlier interviews, with Sullivan retracting the admission later that day.

Since his conviction, questions have been raised about whether he had proper legal representation during his interviews.

Evidence related to bite marks on Diane’s body has also been called into question.

At the time of the case, DNA technology was not available and subsequent requests for new tests were refused.

Sullivan first went to the CCRC for help in 2008 but they did not refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.

He then launched his own appeal bid in 2019, which judges dismissed after ruling the bite mark evidence was not central to the prosecution at trial.

In 2021, Sullivan went back to the CCRC and raised concerns over police interviews, the bite mark evidence and the murder weapon.

The independent body revealed Sullivan’s DNA was not present on samples preserved at the time.

This led Merseyside Police to confirm they were “carrying out an extensive investigation in a bid to identify who the new DNA profile belongs to”.

The force revealed they had no matches on the police database but were contacting people previously identified in the original probe to request new samples.

Sullivan’s barrister Jason Pitter KC today told the court that Diane’s murder was “a grotesque offence”.

But he argued that the evidence could not now pass “the threshold with which a prosecution could take place”.

While he accepted that improvements in science and the “passage of time” had “significantly assisted” Sullivan’s position, the new DNA evidence showed the killer “was not the defendant”.

He also explained the bite mark evidence, which the prosecution claimed matched Sullivan, was no longer viewed as reliable evidence of identification in criminal cases.

Mr Pitter told the court “significant admissions” and “incriminating statements” made by Sullivan at the time of the killing were “inherently unreliable” due to his “vulnerability”.

He added: “The appellant was extremely vulnerable in an interrogative situation, because of his limited intellectual functioning, combined with his problems with self-expression, his disposition to acquiesce, to yield, to be influenced, manipulated and controlled and his internal pressure to speak without reflection and his tendency to engage in make-believe to an extreme extent.

“What he was saying was nonsense, in plain terms.”

A YOUNG mum and her unborn baby tragically died just days after Christmas.

Aleisha Fisher, 29, was found by paramedics at her home in Lancashire after her cousin made a desperate call to 999.

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Aleisha, who was 30 weeks pregnant, was found on her bathroom floor by paramedics who were sadly unable to revive her.

Her baby was also found to have no signs of life.

Aleisha’s family have since given her unborn baby the name Aria May.

The events leading up to Aleisha’s death are largely unknown, but her cousin has said that Aleisha went to sleep on the evening of December 27.

She was found dead a day later.

The 29-year-old is known to have suffered with epilepsy but it is unknown if this is related to her cause of death.

An inquest, aimed at examining the cause of her death, was launched in May 2025.

Ahead of the inquest, Area Coroner Kate Bisset said: “She was last seen alive by her family at around 11pm.

“At around 10am the following morning her cousin woke on the couch and noticed Aliesha was on the floor of her bedroom not moving.

“Paramedics [confirmed death] shortly afterwards. She was 30 weeks pregnant.

“The paramedics sadly confirmed no evidence of life from the baby.

“The final inquest will consider the cause of death and what led to the tragic loss of this young woman and her unborn baby.

“There is no suggestion of self-harm or any deliberate causes of this baby’s death.”

Aliesha’s family posted a touching tribute to their loved one on the website muchloved.com.

The post read: “This site is a tribute to Aliesha Fisher and AriaMay Wright.

“Aliesha is much loved and will always be remembered. Together forever.”

The news comes just days after a woman was arrested in Blackpool for allegedly trying to steal a baby from its parents.

The incident took place near the Blackpool Promenade and sae members of the public stepping in to protect the baby and its parent.

Investigations into the incident are now ongoing.

A GIANT dragon which fans will recognise from a classic Harry Potter film stunned Londoners today as it roared its way through the capital’s streets.

The 25-foot-long animatronic creature appeared ‘captured’ in chains, snarling past iconic landmarks like Westminster Bridge and King’s Cross Station.

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The theatrical stunt was staged to mark the launch of ‘Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions’, a new feature at Warner Bros.

Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cinematic release of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.

The Hungarian Horntail, which weighs in at a hefty 1.3 tonnes, recreates the jaw-dropping moment in the fan-favourite film, where Harry battles the beast in the first task of the ‘Triwizard Tournament’.

Replicating the drama of the film, the dragon’s chained journey mimicked its on-screen escape before heading back to Warner Bros. Studio Tour via the Houses of Parliament and a quick pitstop at St. Pancras.

Designed by Harry Potter filmmaker and animatronic designer Joe Scott, the lifelike creature features a moving head, mouth and eyes, and sound effects.

Crafted over 750 hours, the dragon includes a 3D printed head, 25kg of fibreglass, and 119 hand-applied spikes.

Its menacing mouth is lined with 38 resin-printed teeth, recreating the film’s fearsome look in painstaking detail.

Scott drew on original sketches, CGI mock-ups and scans of the original movie model to guide the design process.

He said: “Revisiting the creation of the Hungarian Horntail 20 years on from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has been magical.

“Creating the dragons for the Triwizard Tournament was no mean feat, with engineers, animatronics, designers and the special effects teams all working together to bring them to life.

“It’s fantastic to see the craftsmanship that went into this on display at the new feature – inspiring visitors with the magic of our filmmaking secrets.”

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The Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions exhibit will run from 15 May to 8 September 2025 at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.

Fans will be transported behind the scenes of the iconic Triwizard Tournament, discovering how the thrilling magical challenges were brought to life.

The Studio Tour’s new summer feature invites visitors into the all-new Backlot Stage to explore the Secrets of Special Effects.

The dedicated indoor space includes a digital screen, tiered seating and live demonstrations revealing how filmmakers created the magic.

Among the highlights is a reimagining of the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students’ arrivals, complete with costumes and choreography.

Visitors will also discover the techniques used to show Harry holding his breath underwater during the second task.

Geoff Spooner, senior vice president at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, said: “We’re excited to launch our brand-new summer feature, Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, where visitors can learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the fourth Harry Potter film.

“To celebrate and bring the magic of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to the streets of the capital, we recreated the iconic moment of the escaped Hungarian Horntail dragon 20 years on from ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

A RAPPER pal of 50 Cent is staying in a taxpayer-funded hotel while claiming asylum.

Bang Em Smurf, real name Daniel Calliste, was jailed in the US following a shootout.

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He is living in a Novotel near Stevenage, Herts.

Smurf is understood to have arrived here late last year claiming he needed “safety from gangs” in his native Trinidad.

A source said: “It’s crazy he was let in after being deported from the US with a criminal record for violent offences.

“His history is well known. He is being supported by the taxpayer.”

For asylum accommodation, an applicant must tick a box to say they’d otherwise be destitute.

The 102-room, four-star Novotel, off the A1 near Knebworth House, is closed to the public while housing refugees.

Smurf was born in Trinidad but moved to the US and began his rap career at 15.

He was part of the original G-Unit rap outfit and said to be 50 Cent’s head of security.

He is in the video for 2003 No 1 In Da Club but they later fell out.

In 2004 Smurf served 3½ years for gun possession after a New York shootout.

50 Cent refused to pay his bail, leading to both releasing “diss tracks”.

After his release Smurf was deported to Trinidad.

He told us he came to the UK as he had a deal with Universal to turn his 2018 memoir Wisdom of a Wolf: The G Behind the Unit into a film.

Instagram pictures show him in the UK from December and celebrating his 44th birthday on January 4 in Battersea, South London.

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He appeared on podcasts and at a boxing event at Harrow Leisure Centre in February.

That month, he met Lord Michael Hastings at the Lords, saying his trip was linked to young people’s mental health in Trinidad.

In March he launched clothing brand The Industry Fake.

The Sun understands his application for asylum has been refused and he will be returned to Trinidad.

The cost of housing those seeking refugee status has ballooned to £5.5million a day.

Around 38,000 are currently based in 210 hotels, but the Home Office is running an audit of the migrants to see if each is eligible for taxpayer-funded aid.

It declined to comment on individual cases.

Smurf told our reporter: “There ain’t no story. You’re talking to the horse’s mouth. I’m telling you, that’s fake news.”

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