The jailing of billionaire sex abuser Jeffery Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking in the US leads the majority of the papers. Under the headline "Ghislaine Caged for 20 years", the Metro reports victims of the British socialite and Epstein had called for her to be "trapped in a cage forever - just like you trapped your victims". The paper notes she had faced calls for a 55-year sentence.
Maxwell is "still in denial" about her role in Epstein's crimes, says the Daily Mail's front page. The paper says she has attempted to pin the blame on the deceased billionaire, describing meeting him as the "greatest regret of my life". It adds Maxwell "shuffled into the courtroom" in prison clothes for the sentencing, where her victims "took it in turns to confront their tormentor and denounce her as a monster".
The Daily Express concurs with this view, describing Maxwell as being "unrepentant" when she "shamelessly claimed she was a victim" at the hearing in New York. Judge Alison Nathan said she had taken into account the convicted sex trafficker's "lack of remorse" in sentencing Maxwell for her "heinous and predatory" crimes.
Taking a different angle on the story, the Daily Mirror claims the Duke of York could be the target of an FBI investigation over his friendship with Epstein. The paper says lawyers for Epstein's victims have "urged US prosecutors to looking into associates of the warped pair", including Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew paid a settlement to one victim of Epstein and Maxwell, Virginia Giuffre, earlier this year to settle a civil sexual assault case alleging he had abused her. Prince Andrew has always denied the allegations.
Under the headline "Sturgeon's new bit to split from UK", the i reports that Scotland's first minister has announced plans for a second independence referendum on 19 October 2023. Nicola Sturgeon has asked the UK's Supreme Court to rule whether a new vote on would be legal under devolved powers, vowing to fight the next general election on the question if they block it, the paper reports.
The Guardian notes the Scottish National Party leader has "set herself on a collision course with Downing Street" over the move, as she has asked judges to rule on whether a new consultative referendum would be legal without permission from Westminster. The paper adds she intends to hold any referendum on the same question as the 2014 vote: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Many front pages also carry tributes to cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James following her death from bowel cancer aged 40. The Sun, for whom Dame Deborah was a columnist for five years following her diagnosis in 2016, dedicates its front page to her "inspirational" life and work.