Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Nazi’s British guard ‘Dick’ dies aged 80
A FORMER rugby league star who once guarded Nazi war criminal Rudolf Hess, has died.
Tributes were paid to Richard “Dick” Gemmell at his funeral where he was described as a “guy who took no nonsense”.
The 80-year-old pub landlord had kept watch on Hess at Berlin Spandau prison while serving as a soldier during the 60s.
Richard was spotted playing rugby in the Army by Hull FC and went on to make 152 appearances for the club. He also played for Leeds and Great Britain.
After he quit playing, he managed the GB side in 1979 and 1984.
Richard, who died on June 18, lived in Hull.
His family said: “He was giant of a man with a giant personality.” would consider tougher laws, as the number of acid attacks in England has more than doubled – from 183 to 504 – since 2012. The PM’S spokeswoman said of the attack: “We are working with the police to see what more we could do.”
Many acids are not illegal to carry and can be bought from hardware stores.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested in Colindale, North West London, early yesterday. The boy of 15 was later arrested in Stoke Newington. Both were last night being held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery. Chief Insp Ben Clark appealed for witnesses, saying: “If you saw something that might help us, get in touch.”
Labour MP Stephen Timms will lead a Commons debate on tougher sentences for acid assaults on Monday.
He said: “I think carrying acid should in itself be an offence, in the same way [as] carrying a knife.” Burns & Healing, called for a crackdown on both selling acid and using it as a weapon.
Another acid burns survivor, Adele Bellis, said she was “so angry” over the London attacks. She added: “The number of these is rising, nothing is being done.”
Adele, 25, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, lost her ear and half her hair in an attack at a bus stop ordered by an ex three years ago.