Luc Phuc Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, is now starting his second prison sentence for cannabis cultivation, only 18 months after his release from prison.

But a judge said the 51-year-old should now be subject to deportation procedure to return him to his homeland prior to the conclusion of his sentence.

Appearing at a Durham Crown Court on Thursday, Nguyen, who was assisted by a Vietnamese interpreter, admitted producing a class B drug.

Cannabis farmer Luc Phuc Nguyen jailed for the second time for producing a class B drug (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting, said that acting on the suspicions of residents, due to the smell of cannabis, police attended the former pizza shop, in Willington, on March 17.

Officers had to snap off a lock on the front door and use a hammer to smash through plaster board to gain access to the High Street premises.

Mr Lonsdale said it became apparent the defendant was in the property and he was arrested when the officers drew their tasers.

It emerged that Nguyen had been locked into the premises as there were padlocked shutters at the back entrance, albeit food was provided.

198 plants were found in various stages of growth, including 118 in the loft, with their cultivation aided by lighting and fans.

A mobile phone in a box was also recovered by police who also found a well-stocked fridge and cooking facilities in the living area.

Mr Lonsdale said the officers did their best to communicate with Nguyen by using a translation app.

He told them he was brought there in a truck, but could not be certain how long ago, although it may have been about a month.

The defendant also indicated he had been “tricked” by “them” – the people who took him there – and struck in the head.

He said he now just wants to return to Vietnam as he has “no-one” here in the UK.

Mr Lonsdale said expert valuation estimated between £11,000 and £64,000 could be made per yield.

The court heard the defendant has a similar conviction, from January 2024, for which he received a one-year sentence at Teesside Crown Court.

Charlie Thompson, in mitigation, said the defendant was told he was to be taken to a restaurant to work as a cleaner, but then, when he arrived, he was made to water the plants and was, “effectively”, locked into the premises.

He added that the defendant is “clearly a vulnerable person and has been subject to exploitation”.

But the court heard two assessments did not consider him to be the victim of modern-day slavery.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Passing another one-year prison sentence, Judge Richard Bennett said he did not know why the defendant was not deported after his last conviction but added that he should be, this time.

He also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the seized cannabis plants and paraphernalia.

The judge told Nguyen: “I hope, on this occasion, for your sake and the sake of the public, you are deported on completion of the sentence.”

Zayn Malik has shared a photo from his hospital bed after a ‘long week’ of health woes, which forced him to cancel a show.

Just days ago, the former One Direction star had to pull out of a Q&A at Circuit, Kingston, with hours’ notice, citing illness.

The Monday, April 13 show has since been rescheduled for devastated fans, who were looking forward to meeting him and hearing songs from his new record, KONNAKOL.

His message read at the time: ‘I’m really sorry, but unfortunately I am sick, and I won’t be able to make it to the UK this week as planned.

‘We’re already in the process of trying to reschedule the Banquet Q&A and will be sharing new dates soon.

‘Working on getting each of your info as well to send you something.’

Thanking fans for their ‘understanding and continued support’, Zayn signed off with ‘big love’, although annoyance followed from those who were excited about the event.

Many were also concerned, since the singer failed to share any further details on his sickness.

Now, the 33-year-old has given the world an update, posting a selfie of himself receiving treatment and expressing particular gratitude for the ‘cardiologists’ helping him.

He wrote on his Instagram Story tonight: ‘To my fans – Thank you to all of you for your love & support now & always – it’s been a long week and am still unexpectedly recovering.

‘Heartbroken that I can’t see you all this week, I wouldn’t be in the place I am today without you guys and am so thankful for your understanding.’

Zayn added: ‘Thank you to the incredible hospital staff of Drs, nurses, cardiologist, management, admin and everyone who has helped along the way and continue to. You are all legends!’

‘Big big love xx z’, he concluded.

While he didn’t divulge exact info about his condition, it is known that a cardiologist specialises in matters affecting the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, veins, arteries, and capillaries.

Social media has since been flooded with well-wishes for the Dusk Till Dawn hitmaker.

‘Cardiologist??? Omg I hope he’s okay’, wrote @iamveronica777 on X.

‘We love you zayn. Speedy recovery x’, added @Mandy8688918081.

@28nicewaves urged him to ‘take all the time that is needed’, while @Stayystrongm said they were ‘so worried for him’.

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Kate Sullivan was found to have had sex with a colleague on three separate occasions and failed to disclose the relationship to her employer

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A disciplinary panel has struck off a mental health nurse after she was found having had a sexual relationship with a colleague on three separate occasions while working on the ward.

Kate Sullivan, who worked on the Rowan ward at Glanrhyd Hospital in Bridgend, South Wales, a secure rehabilitation unit solely for men which provides care for a high number of patients from prison, was found to have consistently acted unprofessionally.

Sullivan had been temporarily promoted to a band seven ward manager, as per her fitness to practise hearing at the time when she engaged in the intimate relationship with her colleague on a lower band.

The panel heard between October 2020 to the summer of 2021, the nurse had a “causal relationship” with a colleague on band two, which she failed to disclose to her employer, Swansea Bay University Health Board. The panel found this to be in breach of workplace policy.

As well as disappearing for romp breaks on shift, the panel heard she even called a fellow colleague a “lazy c***””, reports The Daily Star.

She later admitted: “I engaged in a casual relationship with a fellow colleague and he was working as a band two on the ward at that time.”

The panel concluded that Sullivan had sex with this individual – referred to only as Colleague A – at their workplace on March 4, 2021, and then again on January 8 and 17 of the following year, according to Wales Online.

On the first occasion, Sullivan was working a night shift when she led a female colleague into the hospital’s “hub shop”. The panel heard that Sullivan made it clear to her co-worker that she and Colleague A wanted to be left alone.

“[The female co-worker] vacated to the adjacent room leaving Colleague A and Miss Sullivan alone… She then heard sounds consistent with sexual intercourse coming from the adjacent room,” stated panel chair Alisa Newman.

In her witness statement, the “very uncomfortable” co-worker said: “I could hear the desk was banging against the wall and I could hear them both making noises. There was no-one else around, and all of the patients were asleep, so I was certain the noise I heard came from them next door. The sex did not last very long. The noises went on for about two to five minutes.”

During the second incident, Sullivan messaged the same colleague claiming she had just engaged in sexual activity with Colleague A in the “recharge room”. On the third occasion, she sent a similar text: “Haha [Colleague A] just had sex with me.” The then-couple were both working a night shift at the time.

Sullivan rejected claims of the sexual activity and insisted she would “fabricate stories” to maintain her co-worker’s interest in conversing with her. However, the panel determined it was “inherently unlikely that Miss Sullivan would have invented a story that she and Colleague A had sex in the workplace”.

Additional worries regarding Sullivan’s behaviour included declining to examine a patient who had a rash on their groin and violating confidentiality by revealing colleagues’ sickness absence reasons to other staff members, the panel heard. Sullivan adjusted her schedule to work more frequently with Colleague A. She also turned up for a shift she hadn’t been rostered for, which the panel deduced was because Colleague A was on duty that day.

There was an occasion when she decided to abruptly leave the ward with Colleague A, resulting in the unit being understaffed and unsafe. She publicly criticised a colleague’s paperwork and referred to another colleague as “a lazy c***”, according to the panel’s findings.

Sullivan was found to have “knowingly breached professional boundaries” by allowing a patient into her office with the door closed and blinds down for approximately 20 minutes. This was particularly inappropriate given the patient’s “sexualised behaviour and difficulties in understanding boundaries”, stated Ms Newman.

The panel also concluded she had violated workplace policy by hugging the same patient and laughing when he referred to her as “babe”.

On a different occasion, this patient had grabbed another female staff member and grinded against her. Sullivan was reprimanded by the panel for failing to report the incident despite knowing her colleague had been treated in this manner.

Sullivan, who had served seven years with the health board, was dismissed for gross misconduct. She did not attend the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness to practise hearing.

In her decision to remove her from the nursing register, Ms Newman declared: “Miss Sullivan’s actions were significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse and are fundamentally incompatible with her remaining on the register.

“[Strike-off] is necessary to mark the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession and to send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse.”

Police were informed by the ambulance service that a 15-year-old boy had sustained serious injuries, consistent with being stabbed, at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, on the evening of Friday, June 6, last year.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries and was later discharged.

Northumbria Police launched a full investigation into the incident and swiftly arrested two boys, both now aged 17 and a girl who is now 16.

The investigation found that the girl lured the victim to the park before one of the boys stabbed him.

Herrington Country Park, the scene of the stabbing of a teenager, on the evening on June 6, 2025 (Image: Google Street View)

All three suspects were subsequently charged with attempted murder, with the girl admitting the offence at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Both boys admitted grievous bodily harm with intent but denied attempted murder.

They stood trial on the attempted murder charge at the court in November 2025 and were both found not guilty.

All three defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at the court today (Friday, April 17).

The teenage girl was sentenced to seven years and four months in youth detention.

One of the boys who admitted grievous bodily harm was sentenced to two years and 10 months in youth detention, while the other was sentenced to a 24-month detention and training order.

Following the sentencing hearing, the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector John Hopkins, of Northumbria Police’s Sunderland Criminal Investigation Department, said: “The victim in this incident has been through a truly horrendous ordeal.

“We hope now the case has concluded and those responsible have been sentenced that he and his family are able to take some closure from the events of the past 10 months.” 

Det Insp Hopkins added: “The actions of the three offenders involved in this case were abhorrent and the victim is extremely fortunate not to have died.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our officers who carried out such a thorough investigation, we have now been able to secure convictions against those responsible.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

“I sincerely hope that this case serves as a reminder of the serious harm that carrying knives can do.

“We would ask that parents in our region who have concerns that the young people they care for may be getting involved in knife crime to have those difficult conversations about the extreme dangers that come with deciding to arm yourself with a weapon.

“In no way does carrying a knife protect you, in fact it puts you and others around you potentially in harm’s way and can have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of many others in the process.”

Phil Dunster made his name on the football pitch… sort of.

The 33-year-old actor became a global star thanks to the hit show Ted Lasso, where he played Jamie Tartt.

Jamie was a talented but arrogant footballer who initially antagonised Ted, but eventually saw the error of his ways and came to respect his coach’s folksy wisdom.

However, fans shouldn’t expect Phil’s latest TV role to find redemption quite as quickly as Jamie did.

Phil plays Archie in the new Bill Lawrence comedy Rooster. This darkly funny show follows Greg Russo (Steve Carell), a successful author who takes a job at a prestigious university to support his daughter Katie (Charly Clive), after she splits from her husband, Archie.

Why did Katie and Archie split up? Well, because Archie had an affair with a student.

As you can probably imagine, Greg isn’t thrilled with Archie’s behaviour, and the pair spend the series trading barbs and in episode 2, actual punches… sort of.

You see, one of the funniest moments in the first few episodes involves a fight between Archie and Greg involving a ladle, a bed, and Phil Dunster in his boxers.

‘It was such a fever dream,’ Phil laughed when Metro asked him how he felt filming that scene with a man he graciously calls ‘a king’.

‘When I first read it, I was like, “Is this right?” I’m in pants, and Steve’s going to be hitting me on the bottom with a ladle?’

Apparently, though, once they mapped out the corephgraphy of being spanked by a ladle (words you never think you’ll type|), Steve and Phil then started watching back and improvising.

‘It really was incredibly bizarre,’ Phil continued.

‘We watched it back a couple of times, which I think most people wouldn’t normally do, but it was so joyful to be working with this person who’s such an icon, and he’s the person who’s so giddily going, “Can we watch it again?”’

But how did Phil end up in such a bizarre situation? Well, it all comes down to his talent for playing dastardly characters.

Those aren’t my words, they’re the words of the series co-creator Matt Tarses, who wanted Phil for the role supposedly because he’s ‘someone who the audience could still love when he was doing really dastardly things’

‘I love the word dastardly,’ joked Phil when asked what his trick was to make the dastardly so delightful.

‘Honestly, the boring but true answer is it’s all there in the writing. I think that one of the things that Matt and Bill, when we first spoke about Archie, were keen to put across was that Archie is affable in that sort of public school boy way, and he doesn’t see himself as the bad guy ever.’

As modest as Phil is, it’s clear that he was on Matt and Bill’s minds when they wrote the character.

‘The writers and creators Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarsus wrote a part, and originally, he was not called Archie,’ he told me.

‘He was called Phil, and they said, “He’s a real a***hole. He’s a British guy. We thought of you. Would you like to play him?”

While fans might draw parallels between Jamie and Archie’s character traits, there is a significant difference between them, he pointed out.

‘I think that Jamie probably knows that whilst he’s incredibly talented, he’s had to work his entire life to get to where he is. Whilst Archie’s incredibly talented, he probably also feels entitled to be where he is.

‘I think it’s a great compare and contrast. In episode two, he’s not yet willing to do the work to try to become psychologically healthy. I think that he is purely relying on the adoration that he’s enjoyed for most of his life.

‘So yeah, he’s reprehensible. But I think that it’s more fun for us as audience members to go, “My god, this person’s got a long way to go. Can he really become a decent person?”‘

For Phil, he was excited to play another complicated character, adding that, like a lot of Bill’s characters, he seems extreme, but is really just a normal person in extreme circumstances.’

If you want to see Steve and Phil’s bonkers fight scene, you can watch Rooster on HBO Max now.

This article was originally published on March 25, 2026.

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If your favourite McDonald’s item was previously axed, we might have some good news for you. 

The fast food chain has just unveiled its next limited-edition line-up, and several discontinued products are making a comeback.

There will also be some brand new creations joining the menu, including new Sprite Zero Mixology flavours. 

Customers can expect to see changes hitting restaurants and drive-thrus from April 27, across everything from breakfast and burgers, to drinks and even desserts.

What’s returning to the McDonald’s UK menu on April 27?

McDonald’s is turning up the heat at breakfast time, launching a Frank’s RedHot Ketchup, which they describe as a ‘sweet, tangy number’ with ‘spice’.

To mark the launch, there’s going to be a new Franks RedHot breakfast range, featuring a Sausage & Egg McMuffin x Frank’s RedHot Ketchup, which will be available as either a Single or a Double McMuffin.

Plus, there will be a fiery version of the Breakfast Wrap with the ketchup inside.

If you’re more of a burger lover, you might be pleased to hear the Big Tasty and the Double Big Tasty are also returning.

The Big Tasty was last seen on the McDonald’s menu at Christmas, when the chain confirmed they’d made a major change to it, upgrading the burger patty to a quarter-pounder size for the first time since 2003. 

The iconic burger, which some claim is the ‘best by far’, now features a 100% British & Irish quarter pounder beef patty, cheese slices, lettuce, onions, juicy tomato and a unique smoky flavoured sauce, in a freshly toasted sesame topped bun.

And the final savoury item is a cheesy one, as the Mozzarella Dippers are going to be available once more, paired with a salsa dip.

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Those with a sweet tooth are in for a treat, too, as the Biscoff McFlurry is back after one year away. This has a classic dairy soft serve base, swirled with a Biscoff biscuit crumb. 

It’s being joined on the menu by the classic Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry too, covered in chocolate pieces and a chocolate sauce. 

If that weren’t enough, 2025’s ‘drink of the summer’ is also back for another round in 2026.  

The Frozen Cherry Lemonade, which went viral on TikTok last summer, combines ‘tangy’ frozen lemonade with a ‘deliciously sweet’ cherry-flavoured swirl.

And last, but not least, there’s the Chocolate Honeycomb Frappe, topped with cream and honeycomb pieces.

What’s new on the McDonald’s menu? 

There are no new food items this time around (unless you count the Frank’s RedHot Ketchup), but there are two new drinks.

McDonald’s is introducing two new Sprite Zero Mixology drinks: Raspberry x Sprite Zero and Pineapple x Sprite Zero.

Each drink sees Sprite Zero mixed with a sugar-free fruit-flavoured syrup.

What’s leaving the menu?

The limited-edition items at Maccies change every six weeks.

So, when this new bunch is ushered in on April 27, the current ones will disappear.

This includes the McGriddles, Cards Meals, the Double Big Mac and Double Big Mac with Bacon, plus the Easter range with the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry, Mini Egg McFlurry and the Mini Egg Frappe.

If you want to try any of the above before it leaves the menu, you’ll need to do so by April 26.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Talks have taken place over the last 48 hours aimed at maintaining GP services in the dale following the retirement of Dr Mike Brookes and practice manager Marie Brookes, who have run the Reeth practice for the last 18 years.

The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) previously said all options had been considered, but no viable providers had been found, and the medical centre would close on May 29.

But hopes are now growing that GP services can be maintained in Swaledale following the talks between the ICB,  primary care providers and local politicians.

A plan is being prepared that would see the centre’s 1,600 patients allocated to alternative providers, as previously announced.

But at the same time, the ICB will hold further talks with Central Dales Practice, which runs surgeries in Hawes and Aysgarth, with the aim of establishing a temporary three-day-a-week branch surgery in Reeth.

It is hoped this will allow time for a longer-term solution to be found.

Key to that plan is the Central Dales team being supported by the other practices to deliver the service, which includes the dispensing of prescriptions.

One proposal put forward by local parish councillors is for the community to take ownership of the existing medical centre in Reeth to help the viability of any future GP provision.

Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak, who has been involved in the talks, praised the work of the Central Dales Practice managing partner Lynn Irwin and the local primary care network for working together on the plan.

Mr Sunak said the ICB had told him that following the submission of a viable business plan by the Central Dales Practice, the new arrangements could be approved and in place by the end of May.

But he added: “It is not a done deal — we do not know all the details of the service that would be provided and I shall remain in close contact with the ICB and the other parties.

“I want to thank all the parties involved in working towards a solution and also the local community, which has made its voice heard very clearly to help ensure the service they value so much is maintained in some form.”

An extraordinary public meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s scrutiny of health committee is due to be held on Friday, May 8, at Grinton Church to discuss the future of GP services in the dale.

Councillor Andrew Lee, chair of the committee, who was also involved in talks at County Hall in Northallerton today, said: “Today’s discussions show that work is moving forward, but it is essential that this momentum is maintained.

“The priority must be continuity of care and reasonable local access for patients. Scrutiny of Health will continue to work with the ICB and NHS partners to test these proposals and ensure that any solution is credible, deliverable and in the best interests of Upper Dales residents.”

Local member for the Upper Dales, Councillor Yvonne Peacock added: “This morning’s meeting was constructive and it’s clear that more detail will be coming forward in the days ahead. People in the Dales just want to know they’ll still be able to see a doctor close to home.

“It’s reassuring that options are being worked through, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure Reeth isn’t left behind.”

The council’s care and independence scrutiny committee will also discuss the issue on Monday.

Chair of the committee, Councillor Barbara Brodigan, who also attended today’s meeting, said: “The emerging news that there could be a local solution to this problem is extremely encouraging.

“However, we do need to ensure that if needed, enough time is given, to allow this deal to go forward and that the local community can have their say on what that might look like.”

A spokesperson for the ICB told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The ICB will continue to keep options under review and will share any developments with patients and stakeholders if opportunities arise.”

Diners may soon need to rethink a staple of the classic English fish supper. The Marine Conservation Society, an environmental charity in the UK, recently downgraded all UK cod stocks and removed them from its list of sustainable seafood.

The Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide, a tool designed to help consumers make sustainable seafood choices, now lists Atlantic cod from the Arctic, northern shelf, and British seas with the worst possible rating: “avoid”. This reflects severe declines in population status.

The guide recommends that cod lovers seek out fish from further north, from Icelandic waters, where it’s still available in quantity. But the cod served up in most fish and chip shops right now should be considered under threat and avoided, unless specified as Icelandic.

This warning echoes one of the most dramatic collapses in fisheries history, the collapse of Newfoundland cod stocks in Canadian waters in 1992. Despite mounting scientific warnings, fishing continued until stocks crashed, triggering a moratorium that put tens of thousands out of work. More than 30 years later, recovery remains incomplete. The lesson is clear: once a fishery collapses, recovery is slow and uncertain. Yet current trends suggest that we are not heeding the lessons of history.

The rise of cod

The English love affair with cod goes back a long way. Archaeological evidence shows that cod was traded as early as the Viking age, driven in part by the rise of Christianity across Europe. Dried and salted cod – a protein-rich food which could be stored for months without spoiling – offered an alternative to meat on Fridays and during Lent, fuelling the growth of the cod trade.

Even centuries ago, consumer demand may have outstripped local supply. Analysis of fish provisions from the sunken Tudor warship Mary Rose suggests some cod was sourced from distant waters, including Iceland.

This demand intensified with industrialisation. As cities expanded, so did the need for cheap protein. Enter the national dish: fish and chips. Cod was no longer salted or dried but fried. Its dominance was enabled by the introduction of steam-powered trawlers and the use of ice in the late 19th century, which allowed British fleets to fish further and more intensively.

Cod landings subsequently boomed, drawing heavily on stocks in northern Atlantic waters. Following the mid-20th century cod wars, the cod eaten in the UK was increasingly imported from locations such as Iceland, although local fisheries continued to contribute to our beloved fish supper. But poorly managed fisheries, with fishing quotas often set above scientific advice, led to declines in stocks around the UK.

Why are cod not recovering?

Today, cod populations around the UK are so depleted that the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has advised zero catches for some stocks for several years. Yet catch limits have consistently been set above scientific advice, for example, allowing catches of around 14,000 tonnes of North Sea cod in 2026. This is no exception as 58% of all UK fishing quotas for 2026 exceed recommendations from ICES.

Even where quotas are reduced, recovery is hampered by how many fisheries operate in practice. Cod are frequently caught in mixed fisheries that primarily target other species such as haddock. However, the use of unselective and destructive gears such as bottom trawls (heavy fishing nets that get dragged along the seabed) means that cod continues to be removed from the ecosystem, even when it is not the intended target.

Climate change adds further pressure. As waters warm, cod are forced northwards or into deeper waters, disrupting ecosystems and fisheries. Warmer seas can also affect reproduction, reducing the survival of eggs and larvae, while changes in ocean currents and availability of prey make it harder for populations to recover.

Together, these factors mean that the outlook for local cod stocks is increasingly dire.

À lire aussi :
Half the UK’s fish stocks are overfished – but the evidence shows how they can be revived

The future of cod in the UK

Despite these challenges, cod is likely to remain on the menu. But where it comes from – and how it is managed – matters. Not all cod stocks are in crisis.

Atlantic cod that is caught in Iceland’s waters by long lines and nets, for example, remain a “best choice” on the Good Fish Guide. This reflects the use of fishing gears with lower risk of damage to ocean habitats plus strong management aligned with scientific advice. Similarly, other fisheries show that recovery is possible when limits are set and followed appropriately, although climate change adds increasing uncertainty for many species. In contrast, Atlantic cod caught from stocks in the Arctic, North Sea and other seas around Britain are all labelled “avoid”, regardless of how they are caught.

This makes our roles as consumers that much more complex – and important. Asking where fish comes from and how it was caught can help drive demand towards better managed stocks. If that information is unavailable, switching to alternatives, such as hake, can reduce pressure on depleted cod populations. If you are not sure, check for the stocks and catch methods labelled green on the Good Fish Guide, or that have been awarded a blue tick from the Marine Stewardship Council.

Our long relationship with cod has shaped diets, economies and cultures. But history shows that without stronger alignment between science, policy and informed consumer choice, the future of cod in the UK may be far from guaranteed.

Paul Quinn, 52, viciously raped a lone woman by dragging her down to an isolated embankment off the M61 between Farnworth and Little Hulton in the early hours of July 19, 2003.

More than 20 years later a trial at Manchester Crown Court heard how innocent security guard Andrew Malkinson was wrongly convicted of Quinn’s crime.

Opening the trial John Price KC, prosecuting, described the jailing of Mr Malkinson as a “terrible miscarriage of justice, one of the worst there has been”.

Mr Malkinson was arrested, tried and convicted for the crime after being picked out of a digital line-up by the alleged victim and by two other witnesses at the time.

Andrew Malkinson wrongly spent 17 years in jail (Image: PA)

He would go on to serve 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Giving evidence later, the alleged victim herself said that when Mr Malkinson was brought for trial back in 2004 she doubted he was the real culprit on seeing him in court.

But she said that back in 2004 an authority figure she referred to as being “higher than a policeman” told her at the time that this was simply “trial nerves”.

Retired Detective Inspector Stephen Bell, who led the 2003 investigation told the trial this year he had little memory of the case and could not recall meeting or speaking with the victim.

Asked by Lisa Wilding KC, defending, about whether anyone on his team said the victim was not sure about the identity of her attacker Mr Bell said: “I don’t remember that ma’am.”

Paul Quinn in his younger days (Image: GMP)

When Quinn himself was questioned during the trial, he denied being one of only two people, aside from Mr Malkinson himself, who knew the wrong man had been jailed for all those years.

Crucial evidence was heard during the trial how back in 2019, before public knew about Mr Malkinson’s innocence, Quinn had been searching about him online.

Just minutes after searching an article about Mr Malkinson, Quinn was found to have searched “wrongly convicted cases UK”.

Paul Quinn in his police interview (Image: GMP)

During a tense cross-examination session, Mr Price said: “It looks, doesn’t it Mr Quinn, that you knew that there might have been a wrongful conviction long before everybody else?”

He added: “In September 2019 there were two people who knew that Mr Malkinson was a wrongful conviction and one of them was you and one was Mr Malkinson.”

Mr Price put it to Quinn that he knew this because he, not Mr Malkinson, was the man who had raped the woman that night.

Further DNA evidence also helped to expose Quinn as the real culprit.

Quinn, who had grown up in Little Hulton, moved to Exeter in the south west in 2017, where he was still living when he was eventually arrested and interviewed in 2022.

During his police interview he claimed his DNA may have been found on the alleged rape victim because of the amount of sexual contact he had at the time.

He claimed this would often involve “copping off” with women he had met on nights out in Farnworth.

But in a later interview, police told him that the DNA had in fact been found on the woman’s vest.

Paul Quinn committed the rape back in 2003 (Image: GMP)

On being brought to court he denied his crimes but was found guilty by a jury of two counts of rape, one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of choking with intent to rape.

Speaking after the verdict, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “Today has come two decades too late for all involved in this horrendous case.

“To the victim of this heinous crime and to Andrew Malkinson, the victim of this profound miscarriage of justice, I apologise sincerely and unreservedly on behalf of Greater Manchester Police.

“I want to pay tribute to the victim who has shown unbreakable strength from day one to help bring her attacker to justice.

“And I commend the courage of Mr Malkinson who, despite everything, has supported this case.

“Our words can never repair the harm caused by this ordeal.

“Paul Quinn is a dangerous man. He is the one responsible for this horrific attack, and he has known it all along for more than 20 years.

“The harm he has done to the victim and the cowardice of watching the wrong man go to prison for his crime is unforgivable.

“The officers and staff working on this reinvestigation have put everything into bringing the true attacker to book.

“I want to thank the whole team for their unwavering commitment to getting long-awaited justice for the victim.

“However, while this is a significant moment for all concerned, I know today’s outcome only ends the criminal chapter in this case.

“We will continue to support the ongoing inquiry into Mr Malkinson’s wrongful conviction, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s investigation, to get much needed answers for all concerned.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, senior investigating officer on the case, said: “My thoughts today are with the victim of this horrific attack who, despite having to relive the events of that night during a second investigation, has shown great strength in supporting the investigation team’s efforts to bring her attacker to justice.

“I hope that she can finally move on with her life knowing that her true attacker is now behind bars.

“Throughout this unprecedented investigation, my team and I have known the importance of making sure we get this absolutely right for everyone connected with this case.

“We began with crucial evidence that identified Quinn as a suspect, but it was only through painstaking investigative work involving numerous experts and witnesses that we have been able to satisfy the jury of Quinn’s guilt.

“Paul Quinn is a very dangerous man who has clearly been a risk to women.

“We are alive to the possibility he may have offended on more than this one occasion, and so I encourage anyone with information or concerns relating to the details of this case to know they can approach us in confidence.

“This case demonstrates that every contact leaves a trace.

“Put simply: if you’re an offender, you will be caught, and if you’re a victim, time is no barrier to justice.”

Karen Tonge of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “At the heart of this case is a victim who has waited more than 20 years for justice.

“Today’s result sends a clear message that the passage of time will never stop the CPS from fighting to secure justice for all victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

“Paul Quinn carried out an appalling and brutal attack on a lone young woman in broad daylight, with no thought for the devastating impact his crimes would have on her.

The trial took place at Manchester Crown Court (Image: Phil Taylor)

“Quinn compounded her suffering when he stood by while an innocent man was wrongly convicted of his crimes.

“When the law caught up with Quinn, he had no sensible suggestion to make as to how his DNA got onto the victim. One explanation was innocent transfer. Another was to infer that there had been consensual contact between the two of them. The extent of his own promiscuity meant that he had no recollection.

“The prosecution team worked tirelessly with the police, and forensic scientists to build this case and present a wealth of evidence that meant the jury saw through Quinn’s lies and convicted him of the charges he faced.

“I hope today’s result provides some closure for the victim. It is a testament to her strength and her character, and her unwavering support undoubtedly contributed to Quinn’s conviction.”

Quinn, of Barton Whipton Road, Exeter, will be brought back to court to be sentenced on Friday June 5.

Charities say the comments have set alarm bells ringing for millions already struggling to survive.

In a radio interview for LBC, Streeting made the government’s direction clear: “We definitely want to reduce the welfare budget.”

Pressed on whether rising defence spending could mean cuts elsewhere, he added: “It’s got to come from somewhere.”

Those few words have triggered fears that disability support could be in the firing line.

Charity fury: “Deeply concerning and harmful”

National disability charity Sense didn’t hold back.

Policy advisor Evan John said: “It’s extremely concerning that the government seems to be laying the groundwork for further cuts to disability benefits.”

He warned the impact could be devastating:

“Benefits are a lifeline for disabled people – cutting them is a political choice.”

Millions already on the brink

The warning comes as new figures reveal a hidden financial crisis:

1. 43% of disabled people with complex needs are already in debt
2. Many can’t afford basic essentials
3. Benefits are often the only thing keeping households afloat

Charities say even hinting at cuts risks pushing people over the edge.

“Young disabled people could be hit hardest”

There are growing fears changes could target Universal Credit, especially payments for those unable to work.

Evan John said: “We’re particularly concerned about the prospect of the Health Element of Universal Credit… being cut for young disabled people.”

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He added: “Scrapping this benefit risks pushing disabled people further into poverty and isolation.”

No cuts have been confirmed yet – but charities say the tone from ministers is a major red flag.

Their message is stark: “The government should not be balancing its books on disabled people’s backs.”