Thomas Hughes was lured by Faith Smyth, who pretended to take him to visit her grandmother after a trip to McDonald’s

A teenager who was enticed down an alleyway by a girl before being attacked with a frying pan by her ex-boyfriend says he “didn’t think she would be capable of doing what she did”. Faith Smyth pretended to be taking the boy to see her nan following a McDonald’s visit, but was in fact leading him into an ambush.

This resulted in him being threatened with a knife and battered unconscious by Callum Smith and John McCormick, who had been lying in wait for their target. McCormick was even reported to have threatened to torch Smyth’s family home in a bid to coerce her into the scheme.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this week that, after their relationship ended, McCormick “cajoled, threatened and encouraged” Smyth to entice then 17-year-old Thomas Hughes to Arnot Street in Walton, Liverpool, so he could be robbed by both him and Smith.

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The 20-year-old sent his then partner a message warning he would “blaze her family’s gaff”, adding in a voice note that he “didn’t want to hurt her family” and “knew where every single member of her family was”.

Alex Langhorn, prosecuting, outlined how this led to Smyth, who was then 17 but is now 19, arranging to meet Mr Hughes in Liverpool city centre on February 18, 2024, where they “wandered around” St Johns Shopping Centre before “convincing him to travel to the L4 area, waiting until it was darker”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The two then visited McDonald’s on County Road before “spinning him a story” that she needed to visit her grandmother in order to borrow money for food.

Smyth, of Melling, had even saved McCormick’s number under the name “nan” in her phone to avoid suspicion as they messaged one another prior to the attack. Shortly before 7pm, she and Mr Hughes entered an alleyway off Arnot Street, where McCormick was waiting and apparently armed with a frying pan alongside Smith, who was carrying a knife.

The teenager attempted to run but was chased, taken to the ground, kicked and beaten and told to empty his pockets while being threatened with the knife, handing over around £40 in cash. He was also said to have been repeatedly hit over the head with the pan, causing him to lose consciousness.

McCormick, of Fenwick Street in the city centre, later posted a video of the assault on social media alongside the caption “hahaha, don’t try and message anyone I’ve been with again”. Smyth tried to pretend she wasn’t involved by sending a voice note to Mr Hughes asking if he was alright.

The teenager was later found injured by a car park attendant, who was on duty during a matchday at nearby Goodison Park. He was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where a 4cm laceration to the back of his head had to be closed with five staples.

In a statement read to the court on his behalf on Thursday, Mr Hughes said: “Before this happened, I had just started college in September 2023. I was meeting new people, new friends, studying sports coaching and development.

“In February 2024, I was just getting used to college and starting to enjoy myself. I was trusting of people and took them at face value. I did take her at face value and didn’t suspect anything was wrong. I just wanted to see where things would go with her. I had no ulterior motive and thought we could be mates.

“I didn’t initially think anything was wrong, even when she changed the plans to go to another part of Liverpool. I didn’t think she’d be capable of doing what she did to me. She took me to McDonald’s and told me she needed to go and get cash from her nan.

“I struggle to find the words and how shocking I find this. It’s left me wondering why she’d do something like that. What did I do to deserve it? I’m left with the burning question, why me? I wonder, what goes through your heads? What gives you the right to do that to someone?

“I never thought anything like that would happen to me. I thought I was going to die. My scar reminds me of that night. I want to ask each of you why you did this to me. I want you to know, the five words that got me through this were ‘don’t let this define you’. I won’t.”

McCormick’s criminal record shows five convictions for seven offences, including receiving a referral order for assaulting an emergency worker in 2022 and a 15-month imprisonment suspended for two years for possession of MDMA with intent to supply in August 2024. Alex Beevers, defending, said his client maintained he “did not inflict violence with any weapon” but added: “He was 18 at the time. This is clearly a serious offence.

“He is in his 20s now. There appears to have been some modest progress, in my submission. I cannot pray in aid that he has been offence free since, but there has not been a repetition of anything as serious.

“Your honour will appreciate that Mr McCormick has not had a stable life. I hope your honour will accept that he does not seek refuge in that as an excuse. He has been known to a number of organisations throughout his childhood and adolescence. He is a fairly volatile individual who has had a fairly volatile life.

“Clearly, on one hand, he has qualities. He can demonstrate motivation, but the frustrating aspect of his character comes from his implementation of that. He has had a very itinerant lifestyle. He was sleeping in an abandoned taxi. He has had his problems with substance misuse. Ostensibly, he has managed to rid himself of poor influences.”

Smith, of no fixed address, has seven previous convictions for 10 offences, including assaults both before and after the robbery of Mr Hughes. Megan Cox said on the 23-year-old’s behalf: “He clearly was then, and still is now, an immature individual. He had been a daily user of cannabis. He consumed alcohol, and he was suffering with his mental health in the period leading up to this offending.

“He has found that his time in custody has been beneficial to him. He is now abstinent from cannabis and has not consumed any alcohol. He describes himself as being in a much better place mentally at the moment.

“He is waiting to be assigned a job in the prison as a cleaner. He has used this time, really, to try and sort himself out. He is now motivated, in a way that he may not have been previously, to turn his life around on his release.

“Now, having been abstinent of alcohol and drugs, he sees the negative impact that they have had on his life. He also sees the negative effect that his peers have had on his life. His main motivation now is his children. He wants to be a role model to his children and, hopefully, find employment when he is released.”

Smyth has no previous convictions. Her counsel Louise Santamera told the court: “The defendant readily accepts that she played her role. She was not aware that any weapon would be brought to the scene.

“She was living in a hostel and became involved in an abusive relationship, which she says directly led to her becoming involved in this offence. Ms Smyth is very keen to let Mr Hughes know that she is extremely sorry for what she did that night. She is ashamed of herself. She does not intend to repeat the same mistake.

“She is in a very different position today. She is in a stable relationship with her new partner and living at home with her mother, having restored their relationship. It appears to have become a close relationship, which can only strengthen and enhance her chances of going forward and leading a crime free life.”

Smith was found guilty of robbery by a jury following a trial, having admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for five-and-a-half years.

McCormick pleaded guilty to robbery and was handed four years and 11 months behind bars. Smyth similarly admitted robbery and was given a 22-month imprisonment suspended for two years with 120 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

All three also received restraining orders which will prevent them from contacting Mr Hughes for life. Sentencing, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said: “He had no idea that he was walking into a trap. A plan had been hatched a day or so earlier. You, Mr McCormick, upset that your on-off girlfriend, Ms Smyth, had been talking to Mr Hughes, directed her to bring Mr Hughes to a location where you would be waiting.

“It is clear that you were intending to attack and rob him. At this time, you, Mr McCormick, were staying at the address of your close friend, Callum Smith. That evening, you left the address after dark and headed to the alleyway, where it had clearly been arranged that Ms Smyth would bring Mr Hughes.

“You were both armed. There was, it seems, potentially a frying pan, or certainly a weapon with a flat bottom. Also, you, Mr Smith, had a knife with you. The two of you lay in wait for about 10 minutes.

“As Faith Smyth led Mr Hughes to that location, the two of you both emerged. Mr Hughes saw the knife and ran. The two of you males chased him up that alleyway. You both kicked him. He went down.

“You continued to rain multiple blows on him. You, Mr Smith, demanded that he empty his pockets while you continued the attack. While he lay there in a ball, he was struck in the head with what transpired to likely be a frying pain that caused a gash to his head.

“You, Ms Smyth, stood by and watched what happened. You then all fled, leaving an unconscious and bleeding boy on the pavement. It is a matter of luck, rather than design, that the physical injuries were not more serious in this case.

“However, it is not just the physical injuries that make an offence such as this a serious one. It is the emotional impact that it has. At the time, he had just started college. He was a trusting young person.

“His faith in people has been completely undermined. He thought, that evening, in that alleyway, he was going to die. He still has that scar on his head, which he feels every day when he brushes his hair. He had nightmares about seeing that knife. He feels like he has to check over his shoulder.

“He is a courageous young man who, I hope, has a positive future ahead of him. As he has said, he does not intend to let this attack on him define him. I hope that, with the support of his family, he is able to move on from this matter.”

Turning to Smyth, Judge Pierpoint said: “You are somebody who has not been before the courts before. You now show genuine remorse for what you got yourself involved in. But the fact is that you played a very important role in this very serious offence. If it were not for you luring this young man to this attack, it is unlikely that this offence would have taken place.

“You were just 17 at the time. Your life was not stable. You were no longer living at home and had moved into a hostel. It was at that hostel that you met Mr McCormick and began a relationship with him. I accept that your involvement was through some level of coercion and intimidation. However, you still involved yourself in this matter.

“You are somebody, at the time, who was psychologically vulnerable and open to a level of exploitation. That explains why a young woman such as you got yourself involved in what was a serious matter.

“This was your first serious relationship. I hope it is right that, over the last two years or so, you have grown up and been able to reflect on what you got yourself involved in.

“You are now 19. I could send you to young offenders today. No complaint could be made about that. You did play a significant role in the matter. In my judgement, in your case, there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. There is strong mitigation.

“In your case, in my judgement, I can suspend that sentence upon you today. I make it clear that you have been very close to being sentenced to immediate custody today. This is not a soft option. I have given you an opportunity today. I will remember this case. If you breach this, you will be going through that door on the next occasion.”

Loose Women star Ruth Langsford has previously spoken about her hopes for finding love again following her separation from Eamonn Holmes

Ruth Langsford’s Loose Women co-star Coleen Nolan has shared what she hopes lies ahead romantically for her long-term friend. The former This Morning presenter said she was left blindsided when her 14-year marriage to Eamonn Holmes ended in 2024.

Since then, Eamonn has embarked on a new relationship with therapist Katie Alexander, while Ruth has stayed single.

Despite it being two years since their separation, Coleen suspects her co-star may still not be ready to move forward.

Reflecting on her recent stint on Celebs Go Dating, the Loose Women panellist said she would be delighted to see Ruth participate in the programme and discover “someone gorgeous”.

Speaking to Woman Magazine, she shared: “Oh, my God. I’d love to see her on the show! I’d just love her to meet someone gorgeous that she deserves.”

However, having experienced divorce herself, Coleen said she understands why Ruth may not yet feel ready to move on.

“I think she’s a way off though. I couldn’t have done that straight after my divorce. No way. For four years after I got divorced, the last thing I wanted was anyone,” she added.

“I loved my freedom. That took a good three or four years. And I think Ruth might feel like that. But God, I’ve love her to do the show. If she asked me, I’d be like, ‘Absolutely do it, it’s brilliant’.

“I really wanted to do it, but I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was,” she added.

Ruth has previously discussed the possibility of finding love again. Speaking to Heart Radio presenters Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston, she said she would rather any future relationship develop organically and dismissed using dating apps.

“I want to do it the old-fashioned way,” she said. “You know, that I might just walk out of here, bump into somebody and go, ‘Oh sorry’ and then find myself having a coffee with them. I don’t know, but I won’t be swiping anyone.”

Earlier this year, Ruth also opened up to the Daily Mail about her split from Eamonn.

Looking back on the collapse of their marriage, she confessed she was “broken” and blindsided by it.

“In my opinion, I had a very happy marriage. Of course you question yourself, did I miss something, was I not aware, was I too busy? But there’s no point playing the blame game,” she told the publication.

“I just didn’t think I’d find myself here, and I wasn’t strong at the start,” she continued. “I was broken. Broken heart. Broken dreams. We all have an image of how we think our life and future is going to be. This wasn’t mine.”

The First Minister said he had not called former MPs Douglas Chapman and Joanna Cherry – both of whom resigned from the SNP’s governing body in 2021.

John Swinney has admitted he has not spoken to SNP whistleblowers since Peter Murrell pled guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.

The First Minister said he had not called former MPs Douglas Chapman and Joanna Cherry – both of whom resigned from the SNP’s governing body in 2021 amid concerns they had not provided with “support or financial information” in order to scrutinise the party’s then financial position.

It has since transpired that 2020 and 2021 were the peak years of Murrell’s decade-long embezzlement of SNP cash.

Chapman, a well-respected figure within the party, quit as the SNP’s national treasurer and claimed in June 2021 he had been given enough information to do his job.

Speaking in 2021, Swinney said he could not understand what had prompted the then MP’s decision. Asked at the time whether Police Scotland was investigating “£600,000 of SNP funds and perhaps diverted elsewhere?” Mr Swinney replied: “Not to my knowledge, no.”

Speaking today, the now First Minister said: “What I’ve got to do is serve my party and to make sure I bring forward the improvements and the governance that are taking place so we have the highest standards of governance.”

Asked whether Chapman, Cherry and others had not “kick-started an investigation into the party that uncovered criminality”, and “ultimately done the party a great favour”, Swinney added: “I grieve for the party members as the trust in one of its most senior members was betrayed.

“And as a consequence of that, a police investigation has found out the extent of that betrayal, to the highest possible standards, which has resulted in a High Court prosecution.

“And that’s come about because of the forensic investigation taken forward by the police.

“The assurance I give to party members today is that I’ve got in place now the strongest standards of governance and we will continue to challenge ourselves to make sure those standards of governance are applied at all times.”

In a post on social media hours after Murrell was convicted, Chapman said: “When you circle the wagons make sure you’re protecting the right guys.

“SNP group-think, plus lack of self-awareness, political judgement and decency suggests there will be no apology from the party hierarchy – some of whom are now serving as MSPs/ministers in the Scottish Government.”

He has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad

Owen Elding insists he has always been determined to represent Ireland – despite his family’s wishes for him to opt for England.

The Hibernian forward was born in Lincolnshire but relocated to Ireland aged six when his father Anthony joined Sligo Rovers.

He was raised in Riverstown, living next door to Celtic and Republic of Ireland striker Johnny Kenny, and emulated his father’s career by turning out for the Bit O’ Red in the League of Ireland.

His impressive tally of 16 goals last season secured him a transfer to Hibs, where he has adapted seamlessly to the Scottish Premiership.

His form sparked speculation linking him with interest from England, reports the Irish Mirror.

However, by that stage, he was on the verge of obtaining Irish citizenship – a process that was held up when fuel protests in April caused the delay of his naturalisation ceremony.

Elding is set to receive his passport this summer, allowing him to feature in the Nations League campaign beginning in September.

In preparation, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson brought him into his squad as a non-playing participant for the friendlies against Qatar and Canada.

Elding has relished his initial experience of international football at any level – and is eager to finally don the green shirt later this year.

When questioned about his family’s reaction to his involvement in Hallgrímsson’s plans, he responded: “Yeah, they’re buzzing.

“I think, obviously, my whole family being English, they would have liked me to play for England, but me obviously growing up in the country for so long, it’s all I’ve ever known so it’s what I wanted to do.”

Recent speculation about England’s interest prompted a phone call from Hallgrímsson, who was at the time preparing to announce his squad for the Murcia training camp.

“He did (call), yeah,” said Elding. “He said he had a press conference, so he rang me and said, was it okay to tell the media that I was committed?”

The 20-year-old had no hesitation in confirming to the Ireland manager that he was fully committed to representing the Boys in Green at international level.

“There was a bit of interest (from England), but my full focus was on club football at that moment, performing well at Hibs and whatever came, came,” he said.

“To be fair, my full focus was always getting into this national team as well. Obviously growing up in Sligo, most of my life is all I know really. Yeah, it’d be a dream to put on a green shirt.”

The past week, he revealed, has only strengthened his resolve to achieve that goal.

He said: “It’s been an unbelievable experience so far. Obviously it’s a bit surreal coming in at the start and seeing all the big names and a load of Premier League footballers.

“But to come in and get that experience of international football is massive.

“When I spoke to Heimirr about coming in, obviously he wanted me to come in for this camp, get a feel of the group, get a feel of international football and all that.

“So yeah, I’ve enjoyed it and hopefully there’s more to come.

“I was itching to get on the pitch (against Qatar). Obviously I don’t have the passport yet, which is unfortunate, but that should be resolved quite soon. So hopefully I’ll be available soon.”

His naturalisation ceremony is scheduled for the end of June, and once completed, there will be just one final hurdle before he can officially commit to Ireland.

“Only then I can apply for a passport, which I don’t think should take so long,” he said.

Elding signed for Hibs from Sligo Rovers in late January and made his debut on February 1 in a goalless draw with Rangers.

His first start arrived a fortnight later against St Mirren, where he netted the opener in a 2-0 victory.

He also found the net after just 13 seconds in a 3-0 triumph over Kilmarnock.

“There was a load of interest,” he said regarding his options during the January transfer window. “I felt like I had to pick what was right for me and my family as well.

“Obviously I wanted to take that next step in my career, keep playing senior football.”

“I felt like going into under-21s at a, no disrespect, probably a bigger club, was a step backwards for me. I just wanted to keep gaining that first-team experience and kicking on.

“I wouldn’t say I expected (to settle in so quickly), but I definitely had that confidence in myself to go and perform straight away.

“Obviously it helps massively when the manager’s got so much trust in you at such a young age as well.

“Leaving home as well, it’s tough, but I feel like I’ve adapted to Scottish football quite quickly.”

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Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt is reportedly in the running for a major role in a brand new Western series

A Downton Abbey star is reportedly set to secure a significant part in a reimagining of a “masterpiece” Western.

The forthcoming eight-part drama The Magnificent Seven represents a fresh take on the iconic 1960 Western film, scheduled for release on MGM+. Helmed by John Sturges, the original 1960 picture was an Old West interpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, with countless audiences through the decades hailing it a “masterpiece”.

Enthusiasts are now keenly anticipating this new MGM+ adaptation, which will unfold over eight instalments. While an official release date hasn’t been confirmed, speculation is already mounting regarding potential cast members and storylines.

Reports from Deadline suggest Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt is in advanced negotiations to join The Magnificent Seven remake, with speculation indicating she may portray the leader of a besieged Quaker community. The 45 year old actress is also recognised for her performances in MobLand, Coronation Street, Downton Abbey, Liar and Angela Black.

The complete cast list remains undisclosed, meaning audiences must await further announcements, reports the Mirror.

MGM+ revealed earlier this year that Matt Dillon (Crash) will feature in The Magnificent Seven, with filming anticipated to commence in June in Calgary. Dillon, who also takes on executive producer duties, will reprise the iconic role of Chris Adams (originally played by Yul Brynner), leading seven gunslingers recruited to safeguard a community of defenceless villagers from a ruthless mercenary land baron determined to seize their property.

MGM+ had earlier revealed: “Set in the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, The Magnificent Seven follows seven gifted but flawed mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village after it is massacred by mercenaries working for a ruthless land baron trying to seize their land.

“As the team embeds itself and prepares to defend against overwhelming odds, they grapple with a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence?

“The series explores the backstories of each of the Seven, what’s at stake for them, and why they choose this mission-delving into themes of honor, sacrifice, redemption, morality, and faith. The series will be available on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.”

The production aims to “honour” the original film’s heritage, as Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, explained: “While exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppression-and Matt’s performance will be at the heart of that story.”

The original 1960 film has attracted considerable acclaim over the years, with one IMDb user commenting: “This adaptation of Seven Samurai is fantastic, truly one of the best Western Classics in Hollywood.

“While many say that Akira Kurosawa’s original masterpiece, Seven Samurai (1954), is a far better film. I believe that The Magnificent Seven (1960) has certainly its place among other great classics of its time period.”

A further reviewer described it as “A first class Western, incredibly memorable.”

WalesOnline has contacted Joanne’s representative for comment.

BANGKOK (AP) — Heavy rains threatened to delay the search for two people missing in a flooded cave in Laos on Sunday, after the rescue of five other people who were trapped underground for over a week.

Finnish diver Mikko Paasi, one of the first international rescuers to arrive at the site, told The Associated Press that rains had filled the cave up to the second chamber, preventing divers from entering the cave until pumps can lower the water level.

The seven villagers reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by a flash flood that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped and alerted the authorities.

Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand have been working together in the past week at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane. They were joined by divers from countries including Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France and Australia.

Several of the rescuers previously took part in the complicated 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand that saved 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave.

The rescued men are being treated at a local hospital and are doing well, Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie, who’s taking part in the operation, told the AP on Sunday.

“We interviewed them about how the deeper part of the cave looks like. We will continue to search based on the information we have, and perhaps we will be able to get to the other two,” he said.

According to rescuers, they have navigated more than 200 meters into the cave and discovered five chambers in the system. The five people rescued so far were found in the fifth chamber.

Paasi told the AP that the survivors said there’s a narrow crack in the fifth chamber that could be a passage leading to a deeper part of the cave system.

“This was the only place that we haven’t checked in the mine, where the two lost miners could still be,” he said during a video interview.

“Now there’s a theory that, through that small crack, it still continues, and there’s a sixth chamber, which gives us hope now that, if we could penetrate that small restriction, we might be able to reach the sixth chamber and then see what is there.”

The five people who have been rescued were first found Wednesday. They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.

The first man was safely evacuated on Friday, guided through a narrow flooded passage by an expert diver. The remaining four left the cave on Saturday after the water receded enough for them to walk out on their own, rescuers said.

Videos posted online Saturday by rescuers at the site showed emotional moments as the men emerged one by one from the cave. Some collapsed on the ground at the cave’s entrance, and were hugged by a group of workers who cried in joy. Later moments showed them lying on a stretcher, wrapped in foil blankets and fitted with an oxygen mask before being transported out of the site.

2 Sisters Cafe & Bistro, located in Accrington, offers “the best Eggs Benedict in town” and has a “warm and inviting” feel about it, according to customers.

The cafe on Warner Street has a 4.9/5 rating from 295 reviews on Google.

Our rating is based on the cafe’s current score on Google Reviews and the number of reviews written about it.

All ratings are correct at the time of writing.

Lancashire’s highest-rated cafe – 2 Sisters Cafe & Bistro in Accrington

Whether you love to go out for a cooked breakfast or socialise with friends over a cuppa, there is plenty of choice on the cafe’s menu.

The menu includes fish and chips, fresh fruit smoothies, salads, paninis, cookies and more.

The cafe’s website explains: “We serve breakfast, lunch, kids menu, desserts and a wide range of hot and cold drinks.”

On Google Reviews, one customer shared: “⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We keep coming back because it never disappoints us.

“The best Eggs Benedict in town, always perfectly prepared, and a tasteful breakfast overall.

“The bacon is cooked exactly to our liking every time, which really shows the care and attention to detail.

“Thank you for consistently delivering such a great experience.

“It is always a pleasure to eat here! 💙”

You can get a full English breakfast at the cafe (Image: Tripadvisor)

Someone else said: “I highly recommend for breakfast.

“The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the coffee is excellent, and the breakfast menu has great options for every taste.

“Whether you’re in the mood for a fresh pastry, a hearty omelette, or a healthy bowl of yogurt and fruit, you’ll start your day off right here.

“The staff are friendly and attentive, making it a lovely spot to relax and enjoy your morning.”

Over on Tripadvisor, someone described the cafe as “a gem” while another said it “truly feels like home”.

One shared: “A gem on the nicest street in Accrington, the food and drinks are classy and exquisitely prepared.

Recharge with a brew at 2 Sisters (Image: Tripadvisor)

“Always brilliant.

“If you’ve not been, you’re missing out.”

Another commented: “A place that truly feels like home I recently visited 2 Sisters Cafe & Bistro and I can honestly say it’s the kind of place you’ll want to come back to again and again.

“The atmosphere is incredibly warm, and relaxing – it genuinely feels like being at home.

“The staff are extremely friendly, welcoming, and attentive, always ready to help with a smile.

The cafe has a variety of breakfast and lunch options as well as drinks (Image: Tripadvisor)

“You can really tell they care about their customers and put heart into everything they do.

“The coffee is delicious, and the cakes are the perfect treat to go with it.

Recommended reading:

“Everything is clean, well-presented, and thoughtfully decorated, creating a cozy and peaceful environment.

“I highly recommend this lovely spot to anyone looking for a relaxing break in a friendly and comforting place.

“I will definitely be coming back!”

You can find the cafe and bistro at 33 Warner Street, Accrington, BB5 1HN.

What’s your favourite cafe in Lancashire? Tell us in the comments.

Before their performance, the group described Clarkson as their “biggest cheerleader” and added they “couldn’t thank him enough”, while judge KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, said he wanted to add their original song, This Is Home, to his Spotify playlist after they performed it.

Over four years ago, Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko allowed longtime ally Russia to use his territory to invade Ukraine. Now officials in Kyiv are warning that Lukashenko could again allow his land to serve as a launchpad for more attacks by the Kremlin’s forces.

While Belarus has not contributed troops to battle, Lukashenko has backed President Vladimir Putin’s war effort by hosting Russia’s nuclear weapons and military infrastructure, as well as producing components for Moscow’s military industries. Earlier this month, the countries held joint drills of nuclear forces involving Russian weapons deployed in Belarus.

Lukashenko, in power for over three decades, has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist, relentlessly cracking down on dissent and relying on its close ties with Russia, as well as subsidies from the Kremlin’s coffers, to counteract repeated Western sanctions.

Military cooperation between Moscow and Minsk is increasingly worrying Ukraine’s allies.

Belarus’ role in Ukraine

When Putin began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Russian troops that gathered in Belarus under the guise of drills dashed toward Kyiv, only about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of the border.

Putin’s hope of capturing Kyiv quickly was shattered by staunch Ukrainian resistance, and convoys of Russian tanks stretching along narrow roads became easy prey.

A little over a month after the invasion, Russian troops that suffered heavy losses and struggled to maintain their supply lines pulled back from Kyiv and other areas they captured in northeastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin cast as a “goodwill gesture.”

When Moscow tried to negotiate a quick end to the conflict weeks after its start, Belarus hosted the first talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. The talks moved to Istanbul but failed to produce a deal.

As the conflict became a war of attrition, Belarus has played a key role in supporting Moscow’s war effort. Belarusian plants have produced important components, including microchips and other electronics, optical guidance systems, artillery munitions and heavy trucks that carry Russian ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s presidential envoy on sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said fragments of an Oreshnik ballistic missile that Russia fired at Ukraine on May 24 contained microchips from Belarus. He urged Western allies to tighten sanctions enforcement against Belarus.

Belarus also provided training grounds for Moscow’s troops, hosted joint drills and offered its hospitals to treat wounded Russian soldiers.

BELPOL, a group of former military and law enforcement officers who oppose Lukashenko, said the Belarusian industries have effectively been integrated into the Kremlin’s war machine. It says that over 500 Belarusian industrial plants are involved in manufacturing weapons and ammunition, repairing military equipment and providing logistics.

“Lukashenko’s regime is quite seriously involved in the war,” BELPOL head Uladzimir Zhyhar told The Associated Press. “Lukashenko is helping Russia in every way he can.”

In the Gomel region that borders Ukraine, construction has begun of a big firing range and barracks for large numbers of troops, Zhyhar said. Ukraine has been forced to maintain many forces at the border with Belarus, he added, keeping them from fighting Russian troops along the more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.

Under Russia’s nuclear umbrella

Belarus, which also borders NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, has hosted some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons. In December, Russia announced that its latest intermediate range nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system entered service in Belarus.

Russia has used a conventionally armed version of the Oreshnik to strike facilities in Ukraine three times — in November 2024 and then again in January and earlier this month.

In 2024, the Kremlin revised its nuclear doctrine, placing Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella. Putin has said that Moscow will retain control of its nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus but would allow its ally to select the targets in case of conflict.

Earlier this month, Russia and Belarus held massive drills that included the delivery of nuclear warheads to missile units and launch preparations. As part of the exercise, a Belarusian missile crew test-fired a nuclear-capable Iskander missile from a range in southern Russia.

“Belarus lacks military sovereignty, and as soon as Moscow sees it as necessary for its strategy, Moscow will naturally use Belarus as a launchpad for a new invasion of Ukraine or some kind of armed conflict with NATO countries,” Zhyhar said, noting that Belarus offers a “very convenient springboard” for such an invasion.

Zelenskyy warns of an attack from Belarus

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his intelligence services had learned Moscow recently stepped-up efforts to “draw Belarus much deeper into the war and launch additional aggressive operations precisely from Belarusian territory.” He said the target could be along the Chernihiv-Kyiv area or against a NATO country bordering Belarus.

Zelenskyy said he ordered the military and security agencies to prepare a response and strengthen northern defenses.

Lukashenko has denied any aggressive plans, declaring Belarus will not enter the conflict unless attacked.

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s former defense minister and now secretary of its Security Council, also rejected Zelenskyy’s claim, describing it as a scare tactic to attract more Western aid for Kyiv.

But in a sign of growing Western concern, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Lukashenko on May 24 to underscore the risks for Belarus of being dragged into the war, their first call since the invasion began. Lukashenko said that next week he will host a French envoy for talks on European security and prospects of easing EU sanctions.

Andrii Demchenko, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, said last week that while intelligence data indicate that Russia has increasingly pressured Belarus to directly enter the war, Ukrainian forces haven’t yet spotted any buildup of troops and weapons near the border.

Belarus’ opposition leader-in-exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, visited Kyiv last week and emphasized that “Belarus must never again become a springboard for aggression.”

“Russian tanks must never again march through Belarus to Chernihiv, Zhitomir, Rivne, or Kyiv,” Tsikhanouskaya told AP. “Ukraine is fighting for itself and for all the peoples who have lived in the shadow of empire for too long. It is fighting for the right to live in peace. And the fate of my country, Belarus, also depends on Ukraine’s success.”

According to official data, Belarus’ armed forces have 48,600 troops, a tiny force compared with Russia’s 1.5 million. In case of war, Belarus is prepared to mobilize 290,000, but they would need weapons and training to become combat-ready.

“The Belarusian army is unfit for offensive action,” said Alexander Alesin, a Minsk-based military analyst. “An attack from Belarus would require … mobilizing up to 500,000 troops.”

That would mean taking all the men from the national economy and then finding arms for them, he said, adding: “I consider this option unlikely.”

Ukraine has built heavy fortifications on the border with Belarus and planted mines that would easily stymie any attempted incursion, he said.

“Even with a small force, the Ukrainians can easily defend themselves and inflict heavy losses on the Belarusian army,” Alesin said. “From a military perspective, it’s impossible to launch an attack from Belarusian territory without suffering heavy losses.”

Lukashenko is comfortable with Belarus’ position as a key supplier of military equipment and would strongly oppose direct involvement in the war, he added.

“The last thing Lukashenko wants is to fight, and he’ll cling to his current position at any cost, so he can avoid fighting while profiting handsomely from the war,” Alesin said.