The UKHSA said it was notified of 13 cases with signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia from Friday (March 13) to Sunday (March 15) in the Canterbury area of Kent. And in an update shared on Sunday, it was revealed that two people are known to have died.
The UKHSA and the NHS are arranging antibiotics for some students at the University of Kent following a number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease although the specific strain has not yet been identified.
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The UKHSA said ‘very occasionally’ the meningococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, including inflammation of the lining of the brain and blood poisoning, which can rapidly lead to sepsis.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said: “We understand that many people at the university and in the wider community will be affected by this sad news and we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family involved.
“Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
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“Advice and support is being offered to the wider student community, and to local hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.”
Issuing a warning amid the outbreak Mannes shared that as the disease can ‘progress rapidly’, it is ‘essential’ that everyone remains alert to the symptoms.
The UKHSA regional deputy director warned: “Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet.
“Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover.
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“That’s why it’s vital that, if a friend goes to bed unwell, you check on them regularly and don’t hesitate to seek medical help by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111 if they have these symptoms or you’re concerned about them. This could save their life.”
Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia
The UKHSA has warned that the disease can progress quickly, so it is important to recognise the warning signs. The symptoms can include the following:
Fever
Headache
Rapid breathing
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Cold hands and feet
A characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass
The UKHSA warned that it is ‘vital’ to check on friends if they go to bed unwell.
Half-a-century later from his pioneering operation, he is still going strong
Rob Currell Live news reporter
18:05, 15 Mar 2026Updated 18:07, 15 Mar 2026
A Larne man is celebrating the life-changing impact of organ donation – 50 years after he received a kidney transplant.
Alan Morton was just 15-years-old when he underwent the pioneering surgery. And five decades later – and with the same kidney – he is living proof of the incredible legacy made possible by organ donation.
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Happily married to his wife Gail for 40 years, the pair went on to have three children and are proud grandparents to three grand-daughters – all thanks to Alan’s gift of life.
“Organ donation made a huge difference to me,” Alan said.
“Life has been very good and I am very, very, thankful. I have had this kidney for 50 years – it has given me a whole life. If my donor’s family had declined a request about organ donation that would have put me on a completely different path.
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“If somebody told you that a kidney donation could make a difference to the recipient for 50 or 60 years, I think more people might decide to go for it.”
To mark Alan’s milestone ‘kidneyversary’ a special celebration event was held in the Renal Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, where he was joined by family members and the renal staff who continue to care for him.
Sharon Brown, one of the Northern Trust’s Renal Nurse Specialists, said: “Whenever you think of the kidney Alan received as a 15-year-old boy and the life that it has given to him and the family he has been able to enjoy it.
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“It is something that is worth marking and we are delighted to have this celebration here with him today.”
Alan’s transplant story began back when he was a ten-year-old boy. A rash on his lower body was initially treated as a skin condition, but it was later confirmed that Alan had Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) and his kidneys were badly affected.
Medication and then dialysis were used to manage the condition, with Alan recalling the huge size of the machines involved and the time spent in a hospital bed – 14 hours a day, twice a week. However, his health continued to decline and it soon became clear that a transplant would be necessary.
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“One thing that sticks in my mind from that time was my mum standing at the bottom of the hospital bed, and the doctor saying ‘he’s going to really need a transplant’,” said Alan.
“And that was the first time it was mentioned, and Mum was in tears of course,”
Despite the passing of time, Alan can recall when the phone rang to say a donor organ was available, and how he remembers what he was doing at the time.
“The night the call came it was about six o’clock at night and we were just sitting down,” Alan said.
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“I had to be very careful with my diet so I used to save up my potato rations and I was having about four chips for my dinner. We didn’t have a car so we had to phone a cousin and he took us up to Belfast, and I remember the streets being so quiet as we made our way to the hospital. It all happened very quickly from there.”
Alan said he is hugely grateful to all those involved in his care at the time, with Professor Molly McGeown deserving a special mention. She was a leading figure in renal care in Belfast and spent a lot of time with Alan during his stays in hospital.
He added: “Professor McGeown came in and she told me everything had went well, that it was a good match, and she reassured me about everything. She was a lovely woman and she was very, very, good to me. She treated me like her own kid.”
Thankfully, the transplant was a complete success, allowing Alan to regain his health and strength while giving him a second chance to live a long and fulfilled life. A talented musician and singer, Alan was well-known in the local band scene in Northern Ireland, playing in various groups covering all genres from country to heavy rock.
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For many years he worked in Larne’s Paper Mill factory, and having returned to school after his transplant to complete his A-Levels, he has maintained a love of learning alongside an interest in photography, computers and music.
Despite not knowing details about his donor, Alan stated he is sure that he owes his life to the generosity and selflessness of an individual and their family. Someone, who gave the most precious gift at the hardest of times for them.
Currently, 82 people in Northern Ireland are on the active transplant list for a kidney-only transplant while over the last year, (1 April – 31 Dec 2025), 40 people donated their kidneys after death.
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If you want to be an organ donor, the best way to make this known is by making sure you are on the NHS Organ Donor Register and talking to your family so they are aware and understand.
By confirming your decision, you are giving hope to those who are waiting on the same call that Alan’s family received 50 years ago. Under the ‘opt-out’ system, donation can still only go ahead with your family’s support, which is why it remains so important to have the conversation and leave your loved ones certain of your decision.
Ring 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonationni.info to find out more and confirm your support for organ donation.
The Capture returned to BBC One and iPlayer for a riveting third series, but many viewers have expressed the same frustration
Lucas Hill-Paul Content Editor
22:53, 15 Mar 2026
The BBC’s returning thriller has had viewers on the edge of their seats with fresh episodes every Sunday night, but a common grievance has emerged among fans.
The Capture features Holliday Grainger as detective Rachel Carey, an expert in deepfake conspiracies. She investigates a programme called Correction, which criminals have commandeered to disseminate false information and evade capture.
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In the third series, which premiered last Sunday (8th March) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, Carey is the Acting Commander of Counter Terrorism Command (SO15). The unit is jeopardised when an assassin infiltrates their ranks, posing as her new Commander, Noah Pierson (portrayed by Killian Scott).
However, her colleagues are sceptical that Pierson is their main suspect, as Carey was the sole eyewitness and footage from the shocking shooting that initiated the latest mystery depicts a different man perpetrating the crime.
Despite the odds being against her, Carey must stand firm in her account of events to demonstrate that the guilty party SO15 is seeking is hiding in plain sight, reports the Mirror.
Viewers watching both the live broadcast and early releases on iPlayer have been engrossed by the series thus far.
Indeed, many have voiced their annoyance that the BBC has chosen a weekly release schedule, rather than making all six episodes of the new series available immediately.
Several expressed their desire for the remainder of the new series after the second episode aired.
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One viewer wrote: “An open tweet to @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer:
“I am politely asking you to release the remaining episodes of #TheCapture onto iPlayer.
“2 episodes in, and the 7 day wait for the next episode is torture. The suspense is killing me! I need to binge watch it! Urgently!”
“I wish they released all episodes of The Capture at once,” another person concurred. “Such a shame they haven’t just released the whole series on iPlayer. Got to wait another week now……” a further post stated.
One viewer confessed: “Episode 1 of The Capture was mad, I should have waited for all the episodes to drop first.”
Another complained: “BBC being stingy when it comes to giving us The Capture episodes [eye roll emoji].”
Whilst someone else enquired: “Are we not getting all episodes online.”
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A final supporter questioned: “Now why would I play myself and watch The Capture when not all the episodes are out.”
The second episode presented a tense showdown between Carey and Pierson, who maintained his composure throughout, leaving audiences uncertain about how he executed the extraordinary deception.
“The interrogation scene in #TheCapture was the best since #LineOfDuty. Playful and menacing all at once,” one audience member commended.
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Another enthusiast echoed: “The Capture is sensational television. Elite British TV drama. Right up there with Line of Duty.”
The Capture series 3 continues Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
The teenage boy and both women sustained facial injuries as a result of the attack.Anyone who was in the area at the time, who may have video footage, CCTV or other, are asked to get in contact with officers on 101 quoting reference 171 15/03/25.
A family has spoken out about how their son’s positive attitude is helping them all cope after his life-changing motorcycle accident.
Jack Watts, 19, spent five days in intensive care where he fought for his life, and underwent an eight-hour surgery where two metal plates were fitted to stabilise his back.
His Parents were told that he was paralysed from the chest down, and they faced an incredibly long road to recovery, including seven weeks at the Royal Victoria Hospital and seven weeks at Musgrave Park Hospital.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Jack’s father, Norman, explained how the tragedy unfolded.
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He said, “Jack has autism and ADHD. On his 18th birthday, Jack wanted a motorbike, and because of his autism, he loved the bike as it allowed him to be independent. He could take himself away and meet people.
“The bike was his lifeline; he really loved it. He used to take himself down to Newcastle where the bikers meet up and he would go there three of four times a week. We got a phone call on 6th November to say Jack had been involved in an accident.
“Even at the site of the crash he told me that he thought he was paralysed because he couldn’t feel anything, he thought his lungs had collapsed and his ribs had broken and he was right about that as well.
“He spent 8 hours in surgery, they told us straight away that evening he was paralysed, the spinal damage was that bad that nothing could be done. The surgeries really were about keeping Jack alive. It was a success, thank god.
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“It was hard to ask the doctor or surgeon if Jack will ever walk again. They told us never say never but we know that he more than likely won’t.
“He was holding out hope that he might and I eventually had to tell him that he won’t be able to walk again. Once I told him everything felt better because I think he knew himself and it allowed him to focus on what he can do rather than what he can’t.”
Since the accident, Norman says that Jack’s positive attitude has allowed him to move forward with his life.
He said: “I think his autism has helped him deal with it. He just accepted it and deals with it and picks himself up every day. He has a girlfriend who has autism as well and they meet up or he’ll meet up with his friends to Rushmere Shopping Centre. Everyone knows him now and keeps an eye out for him and supports him.
“If you were to talk to him, you wouldn’t feel one bit sorry for him. He is only a young lad and he knows he’s in a wheelchair for the rest of his life and he just accepts it and focuses on what he will be able to do.
“He still says that it was the best few months of his life when he had the bike and if he was to do it all again he wouldn’t change it.”
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While Jack has maintained a positive attitude, things have been hard for his family, coping with caring for Jack in a way they never imagined they would need to.
Norman said: “For us, it has been hard. To watch your child struggle to get in and out of bed, to help them get dressed, it is hard. He’s 19 and he’s in a nappy. Some people think that he’s just lost his mobility but everything has to be retrained.
“We are still in the early stages of working through it and it is hard but his positivity is what is getting us through it. Other people would struggle even to get out of bed but he perseveres and gets himself out and chats to the people in the shops. He is dealing with it as well as anyone would if not better.
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“We are still very positive, I have been off work for four months now, I will be going back in a couple of months and my wife is going to basically become Jack’s carer.
“She is amazing and we are taking a lot of the recovery on ourselves. We are happy and we are together as a family. Jack is the same boy that he was before the accident, he just doesn’t have the same body.”
A family friend, Stephanie Devlin, set up a GoFundMe to help Norman and his family give Jack an even better quality of life.
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Norman said, “It was amazing that the GoFundMe was set up; it was not something we would have done personally.
“We would have gotten him everything he needed eventually but it is so nice that people are donating to help us get those things quicker.
“For all the bad things going on in the world, this is such a positive thing and it just gives me such a warm feeling. It is the best thing that could have happened from it, it is unbelievable.
“The money is all going towards getting Jack his independence. We are looking for an attachment for his wheelchair and then in the future a lighter wheelchair. The standard ones are around 20 kilos, the lighter ones are 7 kilos and would be so much easier for Jack to get around in. It is all about making life easier for Jack.
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“I find it amazing that people who don’t even know us are willing to donate to help us.
“Thank you to everybody, the kindness and generosity that people have shown us is overwhelming. It just shows you that there is still so much good in the world.”
“Aether is a play about the unknown, and has multiple narratives colliding and entangling with this ensemble of particles,” Howlett begins, talking a mile a minute because quites simply, the play, like Howlett’s conversation, covers a lot of ground. She continues, “The central story is of Sophie, this PhD student at Cambridge who’s a particle physicist, and she’s working on a dark matter experiment at CERN in Geneva [the European Organisation for Nuclear Research]. Physicists are right now this decision because this experiment’s coming to an end with the Large Hadron Collider and they’ve found the Higgs [boson, the particle that confirms the existence of the Higgs field which permeates the universe and gives mass to particles like quarks and electrons], but the next thing behind that supersymmetry of dark matter hasn’t really come forward.
“If this story helps even one family understand what might be happening when someone suddenly becomes confused, then it is worth telling.”
A Co Down man is encouraging people to recognise the signs and symptoms of delirium
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Rodney Moore’s father, John developed the condition following a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that caused a sudden and alarming change in his behaviour.
Rodney, from Bangor, recalls receiving a distressed phone call from his mother, Ena, one morning when his father’s behaviour suddenly changed.
He explained: “Dad had been fairly clear the night before, but the next morning my mum phoned in a panic and said he was completely different. He was talking incoherently and seemed to have lost his frame of reference almost overnight.
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“The last time Dad had those symptoms, it turned out to be a Urinary Tract Infection that had led to delirium. So when my mum rang, I told her to phone an ambulance and get him checked straight away.”
John was taken to the Ulster Hospital where he was assessed in the Emergency Department before being admitted. Rodney said it was distressing to see the sudden change in his father.
Rodney added: “You could see the frustration on his face. He was not able to hold a conversation and did not seem to recognise us. It was really difficult to witness.
“Although the infection was treated with antibiotics, the delirium took time to settle. For nearly three weeks he has no memory at all of what happened, not being in hospital, nothing.”
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Rodney admitted that before this experience, he knew very little about delirium: “I had heard the word before, but did not really know what it meant. I thought the confusion was just part of the infection, but I did not realise the infection could actually cause delirium.
“That is why it is so important for people to know about it. If someone suddenly becomes very confused or starts talking nonsense, particularly an older person, it could be something like a Urinary Tract Infection causing delirium.
“If my mum rang tomorrow and said dad seemed confused again, I would have a much better idea of what might be happening. Before this, we would not have had a clue. Just having a bit of awareness means you can recognise the signs and get help quickly.”
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Rodney also praised the care his father received in the Ulster Hospital: “The staff were incredibly busy, but they were very good with him. We developed a routine where we would visit for a while, give the staff space to do their jobs and then come back later. We knew he was in the right place getting the care he needed.”
South Eastern Trust, Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Dearbhail Lewis, explained that delirium is a common but often misunderstood medical condition.
“Delirium is an acute change in a person’s mental state which can occur when someone becomes unwell. Any illness serious enough to require hospital treatment can potentially trigger delirium.
“People may become very confused, restless or agitated, while others may become unusually sleepy. They may struggle to make sense of their surroundings and sometimes believe things are happening that are not actually happening. Some patients may even see or hear things that are not there, which can be very frightening for them and their families.”
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Dr Lewis said infections such as Urinary Tract Infections’ are a well-known cause of delirium, but there are many others: “Delirium can also be caused by issues such as pain, dehydration, constipation or difficulty passing urine. Identifying the cause is very important so we can treat it.
“We work to reassure patients and help them stay orientated to where they are. Treating pain, encouraging food and fluids and addressing the underlying medical cause can all help improve symptoms. In some cases, short-term medication may be used if someone is very distressed or agitated.”
While delirium can be alarming, Dr Lewis reassured families that it is usually temporary: “For most patients, delirium does resolve and they return close to their previous level of functioning, although it can take some time. For some people with existing memory problems, recovery may be slower.”
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Rodney hopes sharing his father’s experience will help others recognise the warning signs sooner.
Rodney added, “If this story helps even one family understand what might be happening when someone suddenly becomes confused, then it is worth telling. A little bit of knowledge can make a big difference.”
Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and more industry titans will also battle it out in the acting categories, while Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, and Hamnet are among the big hitters hoping to reap rewards.
Before the ceremony kicks off, though, the evening’s first competition actually unfolds long before the envelopes are opened.
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The red carpet is where stars make their earliest statement, and for many, it’s a chance to claim a victory in style even if the night’s trophies go elsewhere.
Early arrivals this year included a daring display from best actress contender Renate Reinsve, as the Norwegian starlet went bold with a super high leg split. In contrast, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You lead Rose Byrne wore a strapless black number pooling at her feet and adorned with floral embroidery.
Hamnet actress Jessie Buckley opted for a colour-clashing moment (Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Sentimental Value star Renate Reinsve flashed her legs in a daring red number (Picture: John Shearer/WireImage)
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You lead Rose Byrne looked stunning in a floral black gown (Picture: Reuters)
Wunmi Mosaku dazzled in an emerald sequin dress, cradling her baby bump (Picture: Reuters)
Raye, aka the artist everyone is championing to sing the next James Bond soundtrack, also spread some love by flashing a hand heart to complement her red satin gown, while Robert Downey Jr. and his producer wife, Susan, put on a lovey-dovey display.
Soon enough, the main characters of the evening stepped out, with Hamnet lead Jessie Buckley, who plays Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife, turning heads in a vibrant Chanel look.
The Irish movie star, also known for roles in Wicked Little Letters and I’m Thinking of Ending Things, beamed in her colour-clashing ensemble, a flowing pink skirt on her bottom half and a red top, which she teamed with matching lipstick.
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Demi Moore went for scales and feathers in one of the most outlandish looks of the night (Picture: Reuters)
Raye, aka the girl everyone is championing to sing the next Bond theme, spread some love as she arrived on the carpet (Picture: Reuters)
Robert Downey Jr. and his producer wife, Susan, were all lovey-dovey (Picture: Reuters)
Internet star and Oscars red carpet reporter Amelia Dimoldenberg wowed in a strapless dress with a statement necklace (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Other dazzling arrivals came from Sinners star and supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku in emerald sequins as she proudly cradled her baby bump. The Deadpool & Wolverine actress is expecting her second child with Tash Moseley.
Demi Moore got the green memo, too, seemingly channelling both reptile and peacock chic in half scales, half feathers with one of the most outlandish outfit choices of the night.
Her shimmering attire was designed by Gucci and had a dramatic train and neckline.
Weapons star Amy Madigan couldn’t look cooler (Picture: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Emma Stone was a vision in silver (Picture: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock)
Elle Fanning looked angelic in her Oscars outfit (Picture: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Zoe Saldaña caught eyes with a huge necklace, paired with a lacy, lingerie-inspired look (Picture: Reuters)
On the more demure side, Elle Fanning served ballerina elegance in a corset scattered with blossom embellishments, while Zoe Saldaña wore a black, lacy, lingerie-inspired dress.
We also had Bugonia’s Stone in sparkling silver, while Weapons villain Amy Madigan defied traditional red carpet glamour with her own quirkiness, her blazer made up of feathers and paired with tinted shades for a super cool edge.
For our leading men, Chalamet was flying solo on the carpet, forgoing the chance to pose alongside girlfriend Kylie Jenner in her risqué red look.
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Timothée Chalamet defied the classic black tux tradition in all-white (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Kylie Jenner debuted her look on Instagram, choosing not to walk the red carpet with her leading man (Picture: Instagram)
Leonardo DiCaprio seldom strays from tradition on red carpets (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Jacob Elordi looked super suave and worlds away from The Creature (Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
After a week of controversy for dissing opera and ballet, with many working in the arts believing the backlash has scuppered his best actor chances, he pivoted away from the classic black tux, wearing all white.
Also sporting a moustache and an unruly hairstyle, he completed his trendy vibe with boots and a collection of silver rings.
Someone who seldom strays from tradition, however, is DiCaprio, who rocked up in the black suit and bowtie he’s so famous for.
Stellan Skarsgård proudly posed with his wife, Megan Everett (Picture: Shutterstock)
Award presenter Pedro Pascal wore a white shirt with a twist (Picture: Julian Hamilton/Getty Images)
Ethan Hawke and wife Ryan looked every inch the Hollywood ‘IT’ couple (Picture: Matei Horvath/FilmMagic)
Sinners lead Michael B. Jordan could be the man of the night (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams packed on the PDA at another awards show (Picture: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock)
Mirroring his suaveness, Jacob Elordi was worlds away from The Creature, donning a suit with oversized lapels and a matching waistcoat.
And in one of the sweetest moments of tonight’s carpet, Swedish actor and Sentimental Value’s Stellan Skarsgård placed an arm around his wife, Megan Everett, whom he wed in 2009.
Closing out the film A-listers, award presenter Pedro Pascal put a stylish spin on a plain white shirt thanks to a floral accessory, while Ethan Hawke and his wife, Ryan, were the ultimate Hollywood ‘IT’ couple, she in a deep red gown and he in designer shades.
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Later arrivals were Michael B. Jordan, hotly tipped to win big for Sinners and expected to be the main man of the night, while Paul Mescal and girlfriend Gracie Abrams continued their red carpet PDA parade in some affectionate posing.
Polish-American costume designer Malgosia Turzanska, nominated for Hamnet, made a political statement (Picture: Reuters)
Glennon Doyle also held a purse with a political message on amid outrage over ICE killings (Picture: Reuters)
Sara Bareilles wore an ‘ICE OUT’ badge, and her guest showed support for Palestine with a watermelon (Picture: Reuters)
As has become expected at major events in recent years, tonight also saw several attendees grasp the opportunity to make a political statement.
Polish-American costume designer Malgosia Turzanska, nominated for Hamnet, had an ‘ICE OUT’ pin on her dress, as did songstress Sara Bareilles, while Glennon Doyle took a more explicit approach, unashamedly carrying a ‘F**K ICE’ purse.
Their accessories made their red carpet debut amid continued outrage towards the US government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) and its aggressive tactics, including lethal force.
The 54-year-old had asked his sister to place the bet for him, according to friend
A friend of John Alford said the Scots-born actor had placed a winning bet on a race at Cheltenham before he was found dead in his prison cell.
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The former Grange Hill and London’s Burning star died just weeks after he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison.
The 54-year-old was found guilty on four counts of sexual activity with a child, alongside two further counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration involving a second young victim.
The Mirror reports his close friend, Justin Smith, posted on Facebook: “John liked a bet, he phoned his sister to put a bet on for him.”
The horse, with odds of 20/1, won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday but John had already been found unresponsive.
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Alford once had a promising career stretching through the 1980s and 1990s. However his fame faded, and in January he was jailed for eight and a half years following his conviction for child sex offences.
His death is now being investigated and a post-mortem is due to take place with further toxicology tests.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “John Shannon died in prison on 13 March 2026. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
John attended Anna Scher’s stage school from age 11 before securing a part in ITV sitcom Not and Then. His breakthrough came when he joined the cast of Grange Hill, taking on the character of Robbie Wright when he was 13.
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During his tenure as Robbie, he participated in the show’s anti-drug campaign single, Just Say No. Alford’s acting career continued into adulthood when he landed the part of Billy Ray in London’s Burning, a role he held for five years. His final screen appearance came in 2017 as a prison guard in The Hatton Garden Job.
In September, he was convicted of sexually assaulting two girls, aged 14 and 15. Prosecuting barrister Julie Whitby told the court both victims were intoxicated when the assaults occurred. All offences took place at the residence of a third girl whose father was acquainted with Alford.
A third-party report was lodged with the police by the mother of the 15-year-old girl on 11 April 2022, as previously informed to the jury. The actor was arrested the next day after both girls were interviewed.
In his statement to the police, Alford claimed that one of the girls “kept on trying to kiss me” and had told him she was 17. He insisted: “At no point did I touch her in any sexual way whatsoever.”
Both victims submitted impact statements which were presented by a judge during the court proceedings before sentencing.
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Trafford council is looking to step up enforcement action in the area to improve safety and ease congestion. Its focus is on yellow box junction offences at six key sites, including around the borough’s largest shopping centre.
These sites have been chosen following a ‘compliance’ check, with a council spokeswoman telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service the authority had carried out seven days of site surveys at ‘known locations of non-compliance’. The results of these, alongside stakeholder feedback, were used to determine which junctions should be considered for enforcement measures.
The spokeswoman added: “Drivers must not enter a box junction unless the exit or lane is clear. The higher the number of contraventions, the more likely traffic queues will grow, and signal cycles become less effective. The impacts can spread more widely, around the junction, impacting all road users, including the emergency services.
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“Trafford, like other councils, has limited resources available (such as cameras and processing capacity) and contravention counts are ranked to make sure that any interventions are put in place where they are most needed. We know that enforcement has improved compliance significantly, where we currently have cameras.”
Drivers must not enter a yellow box junction unless the lane or exit ahead is completely clear and they can pass through without stopping. The crackdown would see new fixed cameras operating 24/7 basis, and anyone flouting the rules would face a fine. A full list of the proposed locations for additional enforcement can be found below.
Currently, there are just two such cameras in Trafford – at the White City Circle roundabout and at Junction 7 of the M60. A third, mobile camera also covers ‘trouble spots’, Trafford council said.
The authority is now seeking public opinions on its plans to widen enforcement measures in Trafford. A consultation on the scheme will run until Tuesday, April 21.
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Money raised through fines are kept by the council, and will be spent on recouping enforcement costs, or on public transport provision, highway projects or local environmental improvements.
Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s executive member for highways, environmental and traded services, said: “We want to use this enforcement action to deter rule breaking and improve safety and traffic flow for all road users. Before we finalise the plans we want to gather as many views as possible.
“We are keen to hear from people who have alternative ideas or suggestions on how to reduce congestion and improve road safety on Trafford’s network.”
Locations being considered for enforcement cameras are:
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B5214 Trafford Boulevard / Redclyffe Circle / M60 Manchester Outer Ring Road off slip road
Redclyffe Circle/M60 Manchester Outer Ring Road off slip road / B5214 Barton Road
B95214 Trafford Boulevard / car park access
Trafford Way / Bridgewater Circle / B5214 Trafford Boulevard
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Bridgewater Circle / Unnamed Road / B5214 Trafford Boulevard
White City Circle – Trafford Rd (A5603) intersection toward Chester Road.
Nearly 4,000 police officers have been injured in the line of duty in the past five years, with almost half sustaining an injury as a result of an assault.
New figures released to Belfast Live by the PSNI under a Freedom of Information request shows the number of injured at work years between January 1 2021 and Dec 31 2025.
The number of PSNI officers who were injured in the line of duty in the last five years stands at 3,778 with 2,039 sustaining injuries as the result of an assault.
More than 2,000 sustained injuries including bites, fractures, bruises, headaches, cuts and abrasions.
PFNI Chair Liam Kelly told Belfast Live he is appalled by the high number of officers who are assaulted.
He said: “Every year there are additionally a higher number of attacks that thankfully did not result in any physical injuries being reported. The price officers pay for doing their job and safeguarding this entire community is far too high. They are often singled out for brutal, unprovoked and unwarranted attack by thugs.
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“Our award-winning ‘Let Them Protect’ campaign in June last year highlighted the extent to which officers are targeted. We said then that nine of our men and women are assaulted every day.
“Thankfully, in the last year that daily total has reduced to around seven a-day. It’s a slight improvement but there’s still a long way to go before we effectively tackle and reverse this worrying trend.”
Mr Kelly added: “These figures remain intolerable and unacceptable. We know there are new sentencing guidelines on the way and it’s imperative they are sufficiently robustly applied by the courts to effectively punish offenders and deter would-be attackers.
“What these figures show is the clear need for a zero-tolerance, no-nonsense approach by the courts and the Department of Justice. We have to call ‘time’ on assaults on officers and we look to our courts and legislators to have our backs.”
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