It comes in the wake of a report highlighting the number of vulnerable women who were the alleged victims of police officers abusing their positions for sexual purposes

The Police Ombudsman has revealed the number of open investigations into cases involving members of the PSNI abusing their positions for sexual purposes.

The watchdog revealed the 34 investigations in a meeting with the Policing Board’s Performance Committee where it discussed a report that was released earlier this year that highlighted 36 vulnerable women who were the alleged victims of police officers abusing their postions from 2018 to 2024.

The current investigations involve some of those cases along with others that have been reported to the Ombudsman since January 1, 2025.

At the meeting Chief Executive Hugh Hume and other Police Ombudsman staff presented the findings of the report, answered questions and discussed the potential next steps to “support a system-wide response”.

Following the release of the Ombudsman report in March, Police Ombudsman Chief Executive Hugh Hume said police predatory behaviour is one of the most serious forms of corruption in policing. Mr Hume confirmed that the Police Ombudsman is currently investigating allegations of police predatory behaviour which involve a total of 39 victims and 20 serving and two former police officers.

“We are seeing a rise in these cases and the majority of those are coming from the PSNI itself. This is welcome and shows a very clear willingness at the most senior level to identify and eradicate this kind of behaviour.

“I hope this analysis will support the PSNI further in recognising and addressing predatory police behaviour, as well as strengthening their systems so the opportunity for this type of corruption is reduced.

“I also believe our work to date is a tangible demonstration that the Police Ombudsman is supporting the Northern Ireland Executive’s strategy to end violence against women and girls. We will continue to contribute to that aim as we test these emerging findings against the outcomes of more investigations as they conclude.

“Although this is a small number of officers relative to the size of the PSNI, the abuse of their position for their own sexual gain inflicts significant and long-lasting damage on their victims.“Such is the power imbalance that many women do not report the offending directly for fear of reprisal and others can be so vulnerable that they do not recognise that the officer is abusing them and instead see him as a ‘knight in shining armour’ figure. Others do not see themselves as victims at all.“We hope one of the outcomes of publishing this report will be that any woman who has had a similar experience with a police officer will feel reassured that we take this kind of offending seriously and know that if this has happened to them, we will listen and we will investigate.”

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The trading update says this was in line with previous guidance “in a challenging macroeconomic environment.

Annual revenue is expected to be around £360million.

The firm said it has maintained operational and financial discipline and continues to progress its strategic priorities.

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Harrogate-headquarted Vp expects £386.1m revenues in 2025/26

Despite tough market conditions, the Group says it continues to see long-term drivers of demand across its core sectors.

Within the Infrastructure sector, Electricity transmission continues to see growth and strong demand in both the UK and Europe.

Rail activity is steady but subdued, with good visibility on future project pipelines, the update continued.

It reported positive leads in water, with higher revenues expected.

The Specialist Construction market remains supportive, particularly in London and Eire.

Housebuilding remains subdued, but with stronger prospects as Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036 commences.

The immediate impact of the Middle East conflict has been limited to higher fuel costs, largely mitigated through customer pricing.

Since her appointment in February, the company said Chief Executive Alice Woodwark has focused on enhancing operational discipline and accelerating strategic execution.

This includes boosting cross-divisional efficiency with more multi-division projects.

A sharper focus on specialist infrastructure-led markets.

And using more digital tools to improve pricing, customer service and cross-divisional working.

While market conditions remain mixed, Vp said its diversified model, financial strength and infrastructure exposure provide a solid foundation, and the Board remains confident in the Group’s positioning and future performance.

The Group’s balance sheet remains strong, supporting continued disciplined investment and value creation, with leverage remaining within stated targets.

Vp CEO Alice Woodwark said: “Vp has continued to deliver a disciplined performance and good strategic progress. Our focus on infrastructure-led markets, operational efficiency and digital delivery positions us well to navigate the near-term environment and build long term sustainable value for stakeholders.”

As my friend and I pause to reload our map of the Peak District and get our bearings, we meet the gaze of a seasoned hiker, his face lathered with suncream and his head covered by a sensible sunhat. He can see that we’re amateurs, and he’s keen to lend a hand. Within 15 minutes, the 91-year-old stranger named Brian has found us a scenic route through the ancient woodlands of Padley Gorge and shared tales of a childhood spent surrounded by this nature. The landscape has barely changed over the last century, he says, and it’s all the more beautiful as a result.

It’s the tail end of my long weekend in the Peaks. I spent Sunday night at the gorgeous Losehill House, a hotel and spa nestled in the picturesque Hope Valley. Before dinner that evening – a three-course, Michelin-worthy feast – co-owner Paul Roden, who runs the hotel with his wife, Kathryn, explained the historical significance of the building.

Read more: The six best campsites in the Lake District

In 1932, ramblers from Manchester and Sheffield gathered at what’s now the hotel to plan a mass trespass. These were industrial workers desperate for respite from their smoggy cities, so they spent their weekends exploring the Peaks, only to be met with resistance by landowners. Ramblers responded by walking on the privately owned Kinder Scout plateau, a gutsy protest that led to six arrests, and sowed the seeds of the right to roam movement. In 1951, in part due to their activism, the Peak District was named the UK’s first national park. It’s a mammoth sprawl of nature that stretches some 555 square miles across Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. Summarising the myriad jewels in its crown would be an impossible feat.

You might already be familiar with Bakewell, famed for its tarts, Chatsworth, known for the regal Chatsworth House, and Buxton, beloved for its thermal springs. But the lesser-known Hope Valley is home to fabled villages, breathtaking viewpoints and unorthodox tourist spots. Better yet, it’s accessible on public transport via the Hope Valley railway line, which links Sheffield and Manchester.

No visit to the Peaks would be complete without a stop at the village of Hathersage, home to a heated open-air pool. It’s an idyllic spot with a literary legacy; its rugged landscapes inspired Jane Eyre (there’s even a Jane Eyre walking trail), and you can visit the alleged grave of Little John, Robin Hood’s second-in-command, whose “little” moniker is actually an old-school dad joke in reference to his colossal height.

Any long walk requires fuel, so my first stop is Colemans Deli. The spacious cafe is run by Jim and Lizzie Mothersele, who took the reins from founder Ian Coleman back in 2006. Jim trained at Chatsworth House as a young chef and has spent decades perfecting his menu. It’s classic but elevated. They preserve their own lemons to blend into mayonnaise for their citrusy coleslaw, and even the tomato ketchup is made from scratch.

The chilli chicken sandwich is a bestseller, but the salads are delicious, inspired by a date night spent years ago at Middle Eastern restaurant Ottolenghi. My BLT comes with a side salad of crunchy green beans, peas, black lentils and mixed leaves. “We didn’t just want to do your standard lettuce, tomato and cucumber,” Jim explained. They sing the praises of Hathersage for its tight-knit community feel, as well as the scenery – Lizzie recommends the North Lees Hall Walk, capped off with food at the Barrel Inn.

Nearby – on foot if you’re brave, or a short trip on the 257 bus – is the “Plague Village” of Eyam, which experienced a resurgence of interest during the Covid pandemic. We wandered around the genuinely fascinating Eyam Museum, complete with dress-up boxes and trivia gems. The most memorable discovery? One plague “cure” involved holding the backside of a chicken over sores, so the chicken could “absorb” the plague.

Read more: Our travel team choose their favourite beaches in the UK

Eyam is home to more independent cafes – the scones at Village Green are among the best you’ll try – and scenic walks. We explored gravestones scattered throughout the neighbourhood of Stoney Middleton, reading memorial plaques and marvelling at the 17th-century stone cottages. For a post-walk feast, head to Stella’s Kitchen, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant serving everything from Sunday roast to plantain crisp, as well as sticky, spicy ginger cake.

Luckily for us, Losehill House was ideally located: it’s a five-minute taxi ride from Hope train station, but secluded enough to feel like a private oasis. Guests can book spa treatments like facials and massages, but we chose to swim laps in the indoor pool and soak outside in the hot tub. The in-house restaurant – also open to non-residents – is award-winning, and it’s easy to see why: the pan-fried trout was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. We tried a three-course menu, and catering for my vegan partner was happily straightforward, with a separate menu boasting dishes like shallot tarte tatin and a dark chocolate olive oil ganache.

The final day of the trip started at Grindleford station, where we embarked on a long, circular hike around one of the Peak District’s most beautiful areas, Padley Gorge. It’s an ancient oak woodland rich in biodiversity, a birdwatcher’s paradise (we even spotted a wild nuthatch) and a magical backdrop for a surprisingly sunny walk. Children love paddling in the streams and hopping across stepping stones, and just a short hike away is the Longshaw Estate, an expanse of peaceful moorland with other wildlife-spotting opportunities. The cafe is well worth a visit, not least as there’s a regularly-rotating menu of scones – I tried the lemon and white chocolate version.

In the warmer months, you’ll find the Peaks’ natural attractions turn into unconventional tourist experiences. Peak Cavern – known locally as the “Devil’s Arse” – is in the gorge underneath the impressive Peveril Castle in Castleton, and in summer plays host to unique film screenings and one-off events. There are ongoing efforts to make the Peak District more accessible for wheelchairs, too; the recently-added accessible paths at Ilam Park are exemplary and in the Hope Valley, Ladybower Reservoir is a flat walk with the bonus option of an accessible boat ride.

It’s a surprisingly moving experience to make this pilgrimage through the Peaks, to venture through such an enormous stretch of unspoiled natural beauty. The Mass Trespass was an act of defiance, but it was also an act of love. In a world that too often treats nature as disposable, it’s heartening to while away the hours in woodlands which have survived the ravages of time.

How to do it

Trains to Sheffield run from terminals across the country, including from London with East Midlands Railway and from Edinburgh with CrossCountry. Trains to Hope Station run from Sheffield and Manchester.

Where to stay

Rooms at Losehill House Hotel cost from £123 per night. The hotel is nestled in a secluded area of Hope Valley, but it’s a five-minute taxi ride from Hope station.

Jake was a guest of Losehill House

York Liberal Jewish Community is set to host their Spring Preloved Clothes Sale from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday (April 18) at York Unitarian Chapel

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The event is part of the community’s activities for Mitzvah Day which, according to Jewish tradition, is a time for performing good deeds and charitable acts – with proceeds going to the York Foodbank.

All clothes for sale will be pre-loved but good quality – giving people a chance to “spruce us their summer wardrobes” – and the event will also feature a gospel inspired sing-along.

The event flyer (Image: Provided)

“Last year’s event was a successful clothes swap held in the Quaker Meeting House with money collected in aid of York City of Sanctuary. 

“Our community’s social action group regularly puts on events to support local charities, especially for those who may struggle, as part of our Mitzvah Day activities, a day when Jewish people traditionally do good deeds,” said a spokesperson for the group.

David Haye caused a stir in the I’m A Celebrity camp once again after his comments towards Adam Thomas, which Scarlett Moffatt asking him to stop

David Haye was yet again called out over his blunt actions in the I’m A Celebrity camp. The former boxer is back on the ITV show for a second stint following his efforts Down Under in 2012.

After finishing third last time out, the ex-sports star is causing a stir in the South African All Stars edition with his brash ways and controversial thoughts. And it was the way he targeted Adam Thomas in Friday’s edition that had fans fuming with the heavyweight star.

David targeted Emmerdale star Adam Thomas and tried to make him take part in the Termite Terror trial. He was unable to accept that the former soap actor just wasn’t feeling up to it.

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With Adam admitting it would be hard to get through it because of dehydration, David raged: “Dehydrated?! We’ve all got the same amount of water! Adam is doing it and that’s it!”

David’s co-stars continually tried to remind him that Adam wasn’t up for the challenge, but the sportsman began trying to force him to take part. He went on: “When is your top form gonna come?

“Why aren’t we forcing this dude to go and do it? Coincidentally, every time there’s something to do, he’s not feeling well!”

Scarlett tried to diffuse the situation, asking David to lay off. She said: “Stop it David, he’s not well!” Gemma also told him to leave Adam alone.

Scarlett said to the cameras that she knows it’s just banter, but she’s a bit concerned that David is crossing the line at times. And fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, agreed. One user said: “There’s a fine line between bantering and bullying and David Haye is certainly crossing it.”

Another added: “I think David Haye is the person I’ve disliked most on TV ever, I positively detest him.” But it wasn’t all hateful for the former sports star. One user wrote: “David Haye cracks me up.” They added crying with laughter emoji faces.

It’s far from the first time David has ruffled feathers. His sexist comments caused a stir in camp – and had an even bigger reaction with viewers.

Earlier in the series, he made comments about his girlfriend Sian. When talking about his partner cooking for them all, he then added: “She’s like tall, blue eyes. She’s lovely. She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird.”

He went on: She has. Most ugly girls realise they don’t they’re not pretty enough to… they gotta have a personality to banter and to tell jokes and s**t, so people overlook the fact that they’re not aesthetically amazing, straight away.

“Which is what’s called Ugly Duckling syndrome, where girls are ugly, when they start off, and then they and then they kind of they, they get pretty as they get older. But they still got the personality of when they’re ugly. Does that make sense?”

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“Our story began with a leap of faith and we hope it continues to inspire others to take theirs”

When Deirdre Kelly and Christine Swail decided to make a “leap of faith” to go out on their own over 25 years ago, they could never have imagined they would found one of NI’s longest-established HR consultancies.

Started in a spare room a quarter of a century ago, Deridre and Christine hope their business’s story inspires others dreaming of starting their own to take the risk and follow their ambitions.

People Management Solutions, with locations in Belfast and Dungannon, began with a “simple but powerful belief” that SMEs deserved better, more personal and more commercially minded HR support.

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Reflecting on 25 years in business, Deirdre said: “Looking back to those early days, we questioned our sanity more than once.

“We walked away from secure senior HR roles on a Friday with no confirmed work for the Monday. But we had belief, drive and a clear vision: to offer SMEs the HR expertise they needed, delivered by specialists who truly understood their business.”

From Christine’s spare room in Belfast, the consultancy quickly grew, expanding beyond greater Belfast and into Co Tyrone. The company responded to the needs of organisations with 10 to 200 employees who lacked in-house HR but needed expert guidance.

Today, People Management Solutions is a trusted partner across manufacturing, IT, food, hospitality, professional services and the public sector, known for its “hands-on approach, deep expertise and unwavering commitment to doing things the right way”.

The company works with some of the biggest names in Northern Ireland, including Danske Bank, LIDL and Translink, but also a number of thriving small businesses such as Loud Mouth media, Go Pig or Go Home and Millbrook Lodge.

Christine credits the company’s longevity to the complementary strengths of Deirdre and herself.

She explained: “One of us is cautious and meticulous, the other a natural networker and optimist.

“These strengths coupled with determination, honesty and a commitment to doing the work ourselves has been the foundation of our success.

“Our personal approach has been our unique selling point and remains at the heart of our business today.”

From starting from square one on a Monday morning to being awarded CIPD HR Consultancy of the Year, Deirdre and Christine are incredibly proud to mark 25 years of supporting employers, strengthening workplaces and helping organisations thrive.

“Twenty-five years on, we still love what we do,” Deirdre added.

“We took the risk; we adapted when we needed to and we never looked back. Our story began with a leap of faith and we hope it continues to inspire others to take theirs.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Two British men, Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, from Leyton, east London; and a 17-year-old boy, of dual British-Pakistani nationality, from Walthamstow; are each charged with one count of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered and were remanded in custody earlier this month.

The Kinahan international crime syndicate was alleged to have been involved in the smuggling of drugs and guns into Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Daniel Kinahan’s arrest is the latest stage in a lengthy law enforcement operation which has spanned continents. The alleged crime boss has previously been named in the High Court in Dublin as a head of an international drug cartel.

Born in 1977 in Dublin, he is the eldest son of Christy Kinahan, alleged to be the founder of his family’s criminal operation. In 2015, the Kinahan cartel became involved in a feud with the rival Hutch crime gang in Ireland, which was to claim the lives of 18 people.

David Byrne, an associate of the Kinahan cartel, was shot dead by members of the Hutch gang at a boxing weigh-in in 2016. Gardai have always believed the intended target was Daniel Kinahan.

After that, Kinahan left Ireland, first to go to the Costa Del Sol and later settling in Dubai. He was identified in the High Court in Dublin as a senior figure who “controlled and managed” the operations of the Kinahan organised crime group.

The international crime syndicate was alleged to have been involved in the smuggling of drugs and guns into Ireland, the UK and Europe. Kinahan drew further scrutiny when it was revealed he played a role in organising an aborted heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Kinahan claimed to have stepped away from boxing after the controversy that followed. In 2022, US authorities issued a reward of up to $5 million for his arrest.

The US Treasury department imposed sanctions against senior members of the Kinahan crime gang, including Christy Kinahan Snr and his sons Daniel and Christopher Jnr. While Kinahan left Ireland years ago, the investigation by gardai continued.

They recently secured a warrant for his arrest in the High Court in Dublin. This was sent to the Dubai police as part of a bilateral agreement.

Officers there launched “intensive search and surveillance operations”, which led to Kinahan’s arrest this week. A spokesperson said: “Dubai Public Prosecution issued an arrest warrant to initiate legal procedures ahead of his extradition.”

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A prisoner in Wrexham who was jailed for seriously injuring a baby could lose a testicle after he was brutally attacked by four inmates. Qasim Afzal was set upon in his cell at HMP Berwyn while the attackers filmed the beating they inflicted upon him.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard the attack was so severe one of the victim’s testicles had “died” and may have to be surgically removed.

In February 2024 the pre-planned attack was carried out by the inmates because Afzal had attacked and injured a four-month-old baby, Judge Timothy Petts said.

On Friday, April 17, Zayn Abu-Manahim, 30, of HMP Berwyn, Zaheer Hussain, 28, of HMP Berwyn, Farhar Khan, 29, of HMP Oakwood, and Russell Lloyd, 34, of HMP Berwyn, were sentenced after admitting causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

Oliver King, prosecuting, told the court the defendants entered the victim’s cell and then kicked and punched him. “He had no escape,” said Mr King.

Abu-Manahim filmed the attack on a mobile phone. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

The court heard Abu-Manahim had 53 convictions for 85 offences including battery, ABH, attempted robbery, possession of a weapon, robbery, affray, and assaulting an emergency worker.

Hussain had 16 convictions for 33 offences including battery, assault, wounding with intent, and possession of a blade.

Lloyd had 21 convictions for 39 offences including robbery and attempted robbery, ABH, battery, and making threats to kill. Khan had four convictions for 12 drug-related offences.

Gareth Morley, representing Abu-Manahim, said there had been a long delay bringing the case to court and said his client had played a different role in filming the incident as no violence was attributed to him.

Euros Jones, for Hussain, said he was 20 years old when he entered custody and was now 28. He told the court the defendant’s 71-year-old mother was in poor health. He said he had completed a programme on committing violent offences and wanted to move on.

John Wyn Williams, representing Russell, said he had been in custody for seven years and used his time to improve himself. He added that he was a father to three children with whom he had regular contact.

Buntry Bantra, defending Khan, said there had been a long delay in the case coming to court and said he had no convictions for violence. He detailed how in custody he had completed numerous courses to improve himself and he said he was being bullied in HMP Berwyn and had instructed a solicitor to get him moved.

During sentencing Judge Petts said: “It is clear the four of you went into his cell, that this was planned, and there was a plan to film it and share it on WhatsApp.

“This was clearly planned as a punishment to him and serve as an example to others.”

Judge Petts said the victim had been made aware of the attack. “He didn’t know when but somebody had given him an improvised weapon to try and defend himself”.

The judge said he didn’t see the filming as any less culpable than the attacking.

He described the injuries as “severe”. He added: “The most serious came from a stamp to his right testicle, which has effectively died and is likely to need surgical removal.”

Judge Petts sentenced the four to a further two and a half years in prison, consecutive to their current sentences, which will result in delays to their earliest release dates and time on licence when released.

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