Connect with us
DAPA Banner
DAPA Coin
DAPA
COIN PAYMENT ASSET
PRIVACY · BLOCKDAG · HOMOMORPHIC ENCRYPTION · RUST
ElGamal Encrypted MINE DAPA
🚫 GENESIS SOLD OUT
DAPAPAY COMING

NewsBeat

Dad’s horrific final days in agony after ex ‘had gang throw acid in his face’

Published

on

Daily Record

Paris Wilson has been convicted along with a gang over her ex-partner’s death.

A dad died in agony after having acid thrown in his face in a vicious ambush. Now his ex-girlfriend and a group of gang members are being sentenced over a crime that ripped a family apart.

Advertisement

Paris Wilson was convicted over her former partner, Danny Cahalane’s death alongside Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, of London, Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, of Neasden, London, and Israel Augustus, 26, of Tottenham, London.

Wilson, 35, helped orchestrate the attack in the middle of the night at the home she once shared with Danny, who suffered horrific injuries to his face and neck. The corrosive burns led to numerous operations as he fought for his life in the hospital, before he died almost three months later – but not before he relayed a message that would bring his killers to justice, reports the Mirror.

While his young daughter slept at their Plymouth home on February 21 of last year, fitness instructor Danny, 38, opened the door at 3:55 am, only to have sulphuric acid hurled in his face. Danny was taken to hospital following the attack. The father-of-two died in hospital on May 3 but before his death he was able to tell cops he believed his drugs “boss” had ordered the fatal attack, jurors were told.

At Winchester Crown Court, Wilson was convicted of his manslaughter along with Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, of London. Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, of Neasden, London, and Israel Augustus, 26, of Tottenham, London, were found guilty of murdering Mr Cahalane.

Advertisement

Jean Mukuna, 24, from Camden, London, has been jailed for 52 months for being the driver in an attempted kidnap of Mr Cahalane on January 19 2025, aimed at recouping his drug debts a month before the fatal attack.

His jail term included the sentence for an offence of the possession of cocaine worth £1,760 with intent to supply. His brother, Arrone Mukuna, 25, also from Camden, was sentenced to 16 months for his role as “back-up” in the attempted kidnap.

At sentencing, the judge, Ms Justice Norton, told them: “This was an offence that required a high degree of planning, it required coordination to ensure everyone was in the right place at the right time.”

Isanah Sungum, 22, of Edmonton, London, was caged for 26 months for being part of the organised crime gang involved in the supply of drugs by supplying a stolen car to the group and arranging transport.

Advertisement

And Jude Hill, 43, of Plymouth, who is the sister-in-law of Mr Cahalane, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty to the supply of cannabis.

The judge went on to say that Hill denied being part of the organised crime gang but said she had “multiple close contacts” with it. The judge added that she had a “management role” in supplying cannabis to the UK from Thailand where she lived part of the time.

Ms Justice Norton told her: “The volumes you were concerned in supplying were considerably more than street-dealing quantities.” Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, told the trial that Mr Cahalane, 38, was targeted because he owed his “boss” in the region of £120,000.

She said this dealer was a man called Ryan Kennedy – with the nickname of Frost – who operated between Thailand, Spain and was currently believed to be in Dubai.

Advertisement

The prosecutor said Mr Kennedy became “incensed” at Mr Cahalane’s “stalling” and failure to repay the money and first of all orchestrated the attempted kidnap attempt on January 19 2025, and then the fatal attack. Ms Martin said Mr Cahalane had been able to speak to police from his hospital bed before he died from his injuries and told them he had built up the debts after one of his junior drug dealers had run off without paying him.

He also stated that he had lost more of the money through gambling. Speaking after his death, Mr Cahalane’s family said in a tribute: “Danny was an outstanding father and son.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

West Lothian Pride won’t happen next year as it stands

Published

on

Daily Record

The celebration, which has been held in Livingston since 2015, may be ‘unable to continue’ as funding drops and costs rise.

The team behind West Lothian Pride have made a desperate plea as the future of the event hangs in the balance.

Advertisement

The celebration, which has been held in Livingston since 2015, may be ‘unable to continue’ as funding drops and costs rise.

The event is scheduled to return to Howden Park on July 25, though bosses are fearful for next year’s event.

West Lothian Pride Chair, Ross Sansom-Parnell, told Edinburgh Live that many of the sponsors have ‘changed their criteria’ and are funding other causes now.

READ MORE: People across West Lothian urged to celebrate their high street heroes

Advertisement

Ross also said rising costs of putting on an event like West Lothian Pride, combined with their funds dwindling, have led to a ‘scary situation’.

He said: “This is something that’s happening across pride festivals in the UK. There’s a number of events up and down the country that have been cancelled or completely shut down because the money isn’t out there anymore.

“We’ve never been in this situation before, and now in our 11th year we’re nearly at breaking point. It’s become scary.

“We want to be open and honest with the community, we’re a very family focused pride. It’s a day they kind of expect every year.

Advertisement

The team have been posting on social media and asking local companies for sponsorship, though Ross told us they haven’t had much luck.

READ MORE: Grim smuggler tactics at Scots jail include ‘drones, visitors and throw overs’

He added: “We’ve gone out on social media and to local companies to see who would sponsor us. We haven’t had much back.

“People who are listed on our site as sponsors, a lot of those are something physical like venue space.

Advertisement

“Many of the companies who used to sponsor us have changed their criteria, and inclusion and diversity just isn’t as much of a focus anymore.

“It’s so tricky with rising costs of everything as well. It’s not been a fun year. West Lothian Pride is one of the only LGBT+ spaces within the area. This will literally take away one of the major things for the community.

“We’ve tried to be that shining beacon with West Lothian, and without the event people need to travel to big city’s for events like this. We’re a smaller, community-focused pride, and that would sadly go.”

READ MORE: Plans for West Lothian to introduce parking charges for drivers across county

Advertisement

While this year’s event is ‘99.5 per cent’ paid for, the future of West Lothian Pride hangs in the balance. As it stands with their current financial situation, the event ‘will not be going ahead next year’.

Ross added: “The concern is about next year’s event, we’re already tight for this year but 99.5 per cent of costs are covered. If something else pops up we will struggle.

“Locals seem pretty gutted. One guy said his local event, Grampian Pride, has stopped and he was going to choose us for the next pride as he came last year and really enjoyed it. A lot of comments have been really supportive, but the overall feeling is sadness.”

Sharing an update for locals, West Lothian Pride posted on Facebook: “For many Pride organisations across the country, funding is becoming harder and harder to secure each year – and sadly, West Lothian Pride is no exception.

Advertisement

READ MORE: West Lothian lawyer to chair fund dishing out £20m of Westminster cash

“While we are incredibly proud that we have been able to secure enough funding to deliver this year’s Pride celebrations, the reality is that once this year’s event is over, our remaining funds will be extremely low. At this moment in time, there is currently not enough funding available for us to confidently deliver a Pride event next year.

“This is not something we ever wanted to say, but we believe in being open and honest with our community. West Lothian Pride has always been built by the community, for the community – and now we need your help to save Pride in West Lothian.

“If you believe Pride matters, if you value having safe, visible and inclusive LGBTQ+ events in our area, please consider supporting us.”

Advertisement

READ MORE: West Lothian councillors to get twice yearly updates on pothole and road repairs

Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

‘A doctor told me I had dementia and to go home and Google it’

Published

on

Belfast Live

What followed were a very frightening few months having to find their own support

When Julie Kerr was diagnosed with dementia in 2022, a doctor told her to go home and Google it before showing her to the door.

Advertisement

When Julie started becoming increasingly forgetful a few years ago, her daughter, a care assistant, arranged for her to see her GP.

After a series of hospital tests, including scans, to rule out other conditions, the Newtownabbey grandmother was eventually diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s four years ago.

READ MORE: ‘If that was my partner, I’d be gone,’ nurse tells woman after husband’s dementia diagnosis at 39READ MORE: ‘I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and dementia the same day but still have a positive outlook on life’

After Julie, 61, received her dementia diagnosis, the doctor stood up, opened the door and said: “You’ll be able to find out more about it on the internet,” then closed the door.

Advertisement

What followed were a very frightening few months as Julie and her husband David then had to find their own support, eventually joining a local dementia support group.

The couple are speaking out as a new landmark report exposes a dementia care system failing patients in Northern Ireland at every stage.

The findings, published today by Alzheimer’s Society, show that dementia patients routinely face prolonged delays to diagnosis followed by gaps and stark inequalities in treatment and support.

The charity says delays of this scale have quietly become routine for dementia, Northern Ireland’s biggest killer, but would not be accepted for cancer or heart disease.

Advertisement

This one-of-a-kind analysis, examining the entire dementia and treatment pathway end-to-end reveals patients are not just delayed or ignored once, but are repeatedly missed for opportunities for diagnosis, treatment and support at every stage.

Julie’s husband David said: “You can’t give people a dementia diagnosis and tell them – that’s it, away you go.”

He compares this experience to when he was diagnosed with heart disease and assigned a dedicated heart nurse for follow up, adding: “Why isn’t there a similar approach with dementia?”

Julie and David are now taking part in an Alzheimer’s Society programme called ‘Time for Dementia’ which aims to educate a new generation of healthcare professionals who are more aware and understanding of dementia.

Advertisement

The missed, delayed, abandoned findings across the UK:

  • Diagnosis delays: From first symptoms to diagnosis, people wait an average of 3.5 years – with almost six months of that spent waiting for diagnosis after GP referral to a memory clinic.
  • Early signs going unnoticed: Four in five GPs say patients are reluctant to discuss symptoms of dementia in consultations, while one in five say they lack confidence diagnosing dementia.
  • Left without support: One in five say they received no support after diagnosis, with families describing being “released into the wild”.
  • Treatment inconsistencies: Only half of those prescribed dementia medication remain on it for a year, despite benefits of continued treatment.

Northern Ireland faces the largest projected increase in dementia prevalence in the UK – from 24,700 to 37,400 by 2040, a rise of 51%. Without strategic intervention, the cost of dementia to Northern Ireland is expected to double from £1 billion to £2 billion per year by 2040.

New polling of almost 800 adults across Northern Ireland underlines the urgency for change: 92% of respondents are calling for improvements to timely and accurate diagnosis, 89% support increased investment in diagnostic services, and 92% believe people with dementia must have the right support for unpaid carers.

Alzheimer’s Society is calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to urgently publish and deliver a bold and ambitious new dementia strategy, one that provides the ambition and accountability needed to drive real change for everyone living with dementia in Northern Ireland.

Advertisement

Ruth Barry, Alzheimer’s Society’s National Influencing Manager, says there’s failure throughout the dementia care system in Northern Ireland.

She added: “The scale of this failure wouldn’t be accepted for other major conditions like cancer or heart disease. Our ageing population and predicted rise in dementia cases mean that action can’t wait.

“That’s why we’re calling for a Northern Ireland dementia strategy and have published our Roadmap for Change. We urgently need to put plans in place to give people they care they need and deserve.”

At every stage, people are missed. Symptoms are missed, diagnosis is delayed, and support often comes too late to be that lifeline so desperately needed by people with dementia and their loved ones.

Advertisement

On average, across the UK people wait 3.5 years from first symptoms to diagnosis, including a 22-week wait after referral and even then, one in five report receiving no support at all after diagnosis.

The analysis shows how these failures compound: many people miss early warning signs, face long delays to diagnosis, and then fail to receive recommended treatments or follow-up care.

Without urgent action to fix the diagnosis and care system, the charity says delays will continue to push people into crisis faster, increase emergency hospital admissions, and place growing strain on health and social care services.

The findings form part of Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Unlocking the Door’ reports, which bring together published research, clinical perspectives and data, and insight from people with lived experience of dementia. They are released ahead of the charity’s biggest annual fundraising campaign in June – the Forget Me Not Appeal – raising vital funds to support people affected by dementia.

Advertisement

In response, the Department of Health said people living with dementia across Northern Ireland should be supported to lead the best life possible.

A DoH spokesperson said: “This includes having access to safe, high quality and person-centered assessment and care, which focuses on their individual needs and wishes and which is underpinned by their right to access equitable healthcare provision.

“The Regional Dementia Care Pathway, launched in 2018, is the Department’s strategic tool to develop high-quality dementia services in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, the Pathway has not been fully implemented as a result of significant service capacity challenges, gaps in available workforce, financial constraints and a growing demand for services.

“As part of the strategic and operational planning processes for 2026/27, the Department has recognised improving dementia services as a key priority.”

Advertisement

They added: “The Department established a Regional Dementia Project Board in 2024 to bring a sharpened focus on improvement in dementia care and services across the region, including further programmes for dementia training. The Alzheimer’s Society is a valued partner and a member of the Board.

“The Department continues to work with the Health and Social Care Trusts to explore how existing funding for dementia services can be best used to meet population needs, while working towards an affordable and sustainable funding position in the future.

“Reform of services will take time, however, and the shift of appropriate services out of hospitals and into the community and home-based settings are vital.”

To ensure you don’t miss out on all the latest from Belfast Live, be sure to make us your preferred source on Google.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Ben Needham’s shocked mum told UK police will no longer probe disappearance

Published

on

Daily Record

Police have told Kerry Needham they will no longer be investigating her son’s disappearance and it will now be entirely down to the Greek Police to undertake any future inquiries.

The mum of Ben Needham has been left “shaking in shock” and “devastation” after police dropped the bombshell news they would no longer be investigating her son’s disappearance.

Advertisement

Kerry Needham, 51, broke down “heartbroken and sobbing” after she was told the major crimes unit at South Yorkshire Police would not be responsible for any investigations into Ben’s case any more. Instead, they told her, it is the responsibility of the Greek police to undertake any future inquiries blaming lack of ‘time’ and ‘resources’.

“This is devastating news. The case will now fall solely to the Greek authorities. If this happens, I feel like I may as well give up the search for Ben because the Greek police have only ever wanted this case to go away,” the frustrated mum told The Mirror, breaking down in tears.

The news was broken to Kerry during a video call by her family liaison officer, she explained. South Yorkshire Police said: “We remain ready to support Greek authorities should any new evidence come to light, and we remain committed to supporting Kerry. However after 35 years, we must ensure all of the appropriate routes are in place and remain fit for purpose.”

Advertisement

But Kerry told us: “For nearly 35 years, we have fought every single day to keep Ben’s case alive, to search for answers, and to make sure he is never forgotten. We believe there are still avenues to explore. This feels like a devastating step backwards.”

Kerry, who now lives in Turkey with her partner, told us, plans to re-interview witnesses whose statements were inconsistent and a meeting with the Greek public prosecutor, have all been scrapped. Instead any information will go to Interpol and the Greek authorities.

The gran of two, who has a daughter called Leigh-Anna, said: “I’m heartbroken because they are my lifeline, the only people I can trust and go to with the information I get. This was not the decision of my senior investigating officer (SOI), I feel sorry for him too. He had some brilliant plans.”

It is understood the SOI was planning a trip to Kos with Kerry to meet the Greek public prosecutor with hopes of building a joint team to look into what is one of Britain’s and Greece’s longest missing persons case. When they told her investigations would stop, she said: “I was horrified and in total shock and didn’t know what to say.

“I sat there with my hand over my mouth shaking my head and saying ‘this is so wrong’. It was sheer and utter shock. Then it was devastation, I ranted, I cried. I just couldn’t hold myself together, I was shaking. I just cried and cried and cried; ‘this can’t happen; why is this happening to me?’

“South Yorkshire are the only ones I can rely on to make sure that information goes to the right place. It will stop me from getting to the truth. I may as well give up looking now, if South Yorkshire Police are not there to make sure all leads are followed up.

“I do everything in my power. If my police are taken away from me what am I going to do with that information? All of my blood sweat and tears would have been for nothing. I feel abandoned.

Advertisement

“I will never get to know anything if the Greek police are in charge of it, because they won’t do anything. They won’t organise DNA tests, they’ll just put it in a file and move on. I’m gobsmacked.”

She has reason to fear as the Greek police have previously been accused of a ‘cover up’ amid claims of fake and inconsistent witness statements alongside a failure to lock down the island after Ben vanished. Ben went missing while he was playing with toy cars outside a farmhouse his grandparents were renovating on the afternoon of July 24 1991.

Kerry was at work in a nearby hotel and Ben’s gran Christine was babysitting. There have been no big leads coming from the Greek authorities since Ben vanished. Then in 2011, the South Yorkshire force got involved and carried out the first of two major searches at the farmhouse in Kos where Ben was last seen.

Advertisement

The second dig searching for Ben, took place in 2016, after British officers were told by a witness that the toddler could have been crushed to death in a horror digger accident, involving Konstantinos Dino Barkas. But no proof of the accident ‘theory’ has ever been found.

On the final day of the search, in the scorched earth, they found a solitary yellow toy car with decomposed blood but it was found later not to be a match with Ben’s DNA, which police have from a Guthrie test carried out on newborns. The former SOI in charge of the investigation on the final day looked desolate acknowledging they had not found Ben. But he said it was still his ‘professional’ belief that there had been an accident and the body must have been moved before their search.

But Kerry has dismissed this theory and fears her son was the victim of kidnapping, snatched from the island as witnesses claimed. Desperate Kerry has now written a letter to the Government, urging them to step in telling of the “unimaginable suffering” her family has endured.

Only last week the Met Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann were approved for an extra £108,000 taking up the total cost of the investigation, so far to more than £13 million. The three-year-old girl vanished from her bed while on holiday in Portugal in 2007. Operation Grange, led by the Metropolitan Police, will reach its 15th year since the task force took on the case in 2011.

While South Yorkshire Police, over the span of nearly double the amount of time, have received less than £2 million. In her letter to under-fire Keir Starmer, Kerry writes: “I am writing to you not only as the mother of Ben Needham, but as a mother who has spent more than three decades fighting for answers while watching support for my son’s case steadily diminish…

“Ben was a little boy who disappeared without a trace. His life mattered then, and it matters just as much today. What is impossible to ignore, however, is the stark difference in treatment between Ben’s case and the case of Madeleine McCann.

“Both are missing British children. Both families have endured unimaginable suffering. Yet the level of continued investigative support, media attention, Government backing, and financial resources provided to Madeleine McCann’s case has been vastly different to what has been afforded to Ben.

Advertisement

“I do not begrudge any missing child receiving support or resources. Every missing child deserves that commitment. What I cannot accept is the clear inequality in how these cases have been treated. My son should not be forgotten because he disappeared decades ago, because his case is difficult, or because there is less political or media attention surrounding it.

“For years, my family has lived with unanswered questions, heartbreak, and the torment of uncertainty. Despite this, we have continued to fight because we believed the authorities were equally committed to uncovering the truth. The decision to reduce support now sends a devastating message: that some missing children remain a national priority while others are quietly allowed to fade into history.”

About the funding received by police looking into the disappearance of Madeleine, Kerry says: “I honestly try not to compare it but it makes me feel like I’m not worthy and my son is not worthy of any resources, time or effort spent on him. It’s like he is a second class citizen. “

It reminds Kerry of how she felt more than three decades ago when Ben vanished. “I just felt like I wasn’t important. The police didn’t even look at me as a responsible mother. I was 19 and working. I had a child and I went to work, it was very frowned upon at the time, they were very much men’s men. The women were not important. They dismissed the family and me as unfit. That was so wrong but I am scared not much will have changed in their attitudes.“

A statement from South Yorkshire Police said: “We remain ready to support Greek authorities should any new evidence come to light, and we remain committed to supporting Kerry. However after 35 years, we must ensure all of the appropriate routes are in place and remain fit for purpose.

Advertisement

“This has included ensuring we reconfirm the route into Interpol for any information as they are the link between forces internationally and as such they are the most appropriate agency to disseminate information between countries. If someone comes forward with information in England, we will continue to gather relevant evidence and share this with Greece via Interpol. “

They said they continue to “allocate resource” to Ben’s case in the form of a family liaison officer and a detective acting as a ‘single point of contact for potential lines of enquiry’. The force added: “This bolsters our ability to ensure any information received is appropriately routed into the authorities that are charged to investigate.

“The Greek authorities have full primacy over the investigation due to the fact Ben went missing on Kos. Our role here in South Yorkshire is to act as a conduit between the UK, Greece and any other law enforcement agencies in a bid to secure answers. We have written to Kerry Needham to explain this position and offered a meeting to address any concern.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

4 hurt in a series of random weekend shootings in Austin, Texas, mayor says

Published

on

Shootings at school and home in northeastern British Columbia leave 10 dead, including shooter

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Two people were in custody and a third suspect was being sought following at least 10 random weekend shootings in Austin, Texas, including at fire stations, that left four people injured, city officials said Sunday.

The city had ordered residents of a large part of the southern area of Texas’ capital city to shelter in place Sunday while the search continued. With two suspects in custody, the order was later lifted, the Austin Police Department said in a post on X.

The shootings occurred Saturday night and Sunday morning, two of them at fire stations, leaving one person with serious injuries and three others with minor ones, Police Chief Lisa Davis said.

Davis said the suspects appeared to be stealing vehicles as they traveled.

Advertisement

“We don’t have any specific motive that has been identified. In fact, these actions appear to be random,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. “It appears that as part of this, people are changing vehicles.”

Davis said at least four vehicles were used by the suspects.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

SNP Westminster leader demands urgent review of UK’s ‘anti-business policies’

Published

on

SNP Westminster leader demands urgent review of UK’s ‘anti-business policies’

Arguing that Labour’s policies are “destroying jobs, squeezing wages, increasing prices and harming investment across Scotland and the UK”, Mr Doogan vowed: “As the SNP’s Westminster leader, I will be an unashamedly pro-business voice in the UK Parliament – championing support for our business community to create good local jobs, boost people’s wages, deliver investment in our communities and bring wealth back into our economy.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

York Health and Arts Mela held in Museum Gardens on May 17

Published

on

York Health and Arts Mela held in Museum Gardens on May 17

The third Health and Arts Mela was held today (Sunday, May 17) in Museum Gardens in York City Centre – bringing together people from across the world to celebrate culture, but also focus on their health and wellbeing.

Mela – meaning ‘gathering’ in Hindi – festivals first began in South India, but have become common in major cities across the UK, with the first York event being held in 2023.


RECOMMENDED READING:


The festival, which was free to attend, took place between 10am and 5pm and showcased a range of cultural performances, free henna and face painting, and food from across the world.

Advertisement

Some of the live performances throughout the day included the Ebor Morris Dancers, the Hyde Family Jam, the East Asian Ensemble, York African Community, and Punjabi Roots, with a dance floor in front of the main stage to encourage people to join in.

Event organiser Shamim Eimaan said that the event had been a huge success with spectators getting involved and dancing along throughout the morning.

Shamim (left) and one of the participants (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

She said: “Honestly, it’s been great – the rain was threatening us earlier, but the sun’s still shining. All of this community support is fantastic and we’ve got all the stalls here to provide information for the community, which is great.”

Alongside the main stage festivities, 25 organisations from the health, wellbeing sector and arts community were also gathered at the event including St Leonard’s Hospice, Feeding Friendly York and Healthy Child Service, Kyra’s Women’s Project, York CVS, and the National Centre for Early Music.

Advertisement

Shamim added: “Part of this festival is about making healthcare and support accessible to everyone – sometimes it’s hard for people to know, what services are available to them.

The Ebor Morris Dancers (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

“”This is such a welcoming relaxed atmosphere that people can approach all our providers and ask about support. I think the biggest barrier is access and not knowing what services are available and this is a great opportunity to find out.”

One of these groups was the York Carers Centre, who were attending the group to promote their services and raise awareness for the support available to those who are caregivers – which includes support, conducting assessment of needs, and a mental health team.

Libby Crofts, lead officer for adult carers, said: “It’s fantastic to be here at this wonderful multicultural celebration to spread the word about unpaid carers and the support we can offer to people who care for family, friends, and neighbours.”

Advertisement

Libby (left) with another volunteer (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

She added that a lot of people take on care responsibilities for loved ones without realising that there was support systems in place that could help them.

Speakers at the event included MP Rachael Maskell, council leader Claire Douglas, Nimbuscare director Zulf Ali, and City of York Council Director of Public Health Peter Roderick – who all praised the event for not only bringing people together from across the world, but also reminding them how to stay healthy.

Cllr Douglas added: I think what we can see by coming together here is that our wellbeing and our health is really driven by the connection that we have got here today. There are people here, from all communities, from York from the wider North Yorkshire area as well.

The Chinese lion dance (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

“We have seen already amazing positivity that watching our young people, diverse communities, giving us some of this amazing entertainment that we’ve seen, we learn about each other. We enjoy each other. We come together, and it makes us feel better, and it is proven, it makes us healthier too.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

HS2 failings blamed on high-speed focus and political pressure

Published

on

HS2 failings blamed on high-speed focus and political pressure

As part of efforts to get the project back on track, HS2 Ltd has previously said it would slow or pause work such as the line towards Handsacre, so it could focus spend on areas which had fallen behind; notably the central section across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Bolton man, 35, dies after New Year drug and alcohol binge

Published

on

Bolton man, 35, dies after New Year drug and alcohol binge

He suffered a seizure linked to drug toxicity.

Leon Anthony Bent, of Central Place, Bolton, was pronounced dead at Royal Bolton Hospital on January 11, 2026, following 11 days in intensive care.

The hearing before coroner Michael J Pemberton, heard that Mr Bent had taken cocaine, amphetamines and alcohol during a New Year’s Eve “blowout” before becoming unwell the following day.

Advertisement

A report was read out at the inquest which stated that Mr Bent had “binged on cocaine, amphetamines and a large amount of solid food” the night before his collapse.

Evidence showed that on January 1, Mr Bent attended his parents’ home in Farnworth, where he appeared unwell.

Later that day, he suffered a prolonged seizure, with his body tensing and eyes rolling back.

An ambulance was called, and he was still fitting when paramedics arrived.

Advertisement

He was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital and placed into an induced coma in intensive care.

Despite treatment, he remained severely respiratory compromised and never recovered.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Bent had aspirated a large volume of stomach contents during the seizure, leading to severe aspiration pneumonia – a serious chest infection caused by inhaling vomit into the lungs.

The medical cause of death was given as aspiration pneumonia, caused by seizures brought on by drug toxicity.

Advertisement

The inquest heard that while it was not possible to confirm specific drug levels post-mortem, there was no other clear explanation for the seizures.

Detective Inspector Janet Malone said there was no evidence of third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances.

A statement from Mr Bent’s mother, Maxine Bent, described him as a “family-oriented man who enjoyed spending time at home and with his dog, Roxy.”

The inquest heard Mr Bent had faced challenges throughout his life, including a brain tumour diagnosed at 18 months old, which required multiple surgeries and left him with short-term memory difficulties.

Advertisement

The inquest heard he had recently received the keys to a new flat, saving money to furnish it.

Coroner Mr Pemberton concluded that Mr Bent died as a result of a drug-related incident.

He recorded a conclusion of death due to aspiration pneumonia, seizures and drug toxicity, noting that despite medical intervention, efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

prices slashed on ticket and hotel packages to see golf’s greatest show on Earth

Published

on

prices slashed on ticket and hotel packages to see golf's greatest show on Earth

ROYAL Birkdale is undoubtedly one of the toughest golf courses to host The Open.

And you can be there to witness the drama unfold right in front of you this summer.

Rory McIlroy is one of the favourites for The Open Credit: PA
The Claret Jug will be contested at Royal Birkdale in July Credit: PA:Press Association

See The Open in July

Television does not do justice to the sheer scale of Birkdale

And our partners at YourGolfTravel have a range of packages to suit every pocket, starting from just £699 —— and prices have just been SLASHED down from £1,299.

The atmosphere at Birkdale is unique in the rotation — raucous, knowledgeable and utterly electric. 

Advertisement

And the thrilling city life of Liverpool is just 17 miles away, so you can get the best of both worlds.

AWE-GUSTA

Book a bucket-list trip to The Masters 2027 in Augusta to see Rory McIlroy

Advertisement


Advertisement

ROYAL FLUSH

Experience the magic of the US Open 2026 with exclusive New York City packages

Advertisement

See The Open in July

To understand the magic of The Open, you have to be standing in the dunes, just yards away from the legends making history before your eyes.

Key Trip Information:

  • ⛳ — Event: The Open 2026 at Royal Birkdale
  • 🏨 — Accommodation: Novotel Liverpool Centre
  • ✅ — Weekday Open Experience from £699pp 
  • ✅ — Weekend Open Experiencefrom £799pp 
  • ✅ — Championship Open Experiencefrom £1,499pp 

It’s a sporting theatre built by nature, where the wind whips off the Irish Sea to test the skills of the world’s greatest players. 

See where Jordan Spieth pulled off his miracle recovery from the driving range in 2017.

Or where Padraig Harrington struck that majestic 5-wood to seal his title in 2008. 

Advertisement

The logistics of a Major can be a Major headache, so our partners at Your Golf Travel have come up with exclusive Open Championship packages.

They are the golden ticket to the summer’s biggest party, removing the administrative headache so you can focus entirely on the golf.

Scottie Scheffler is the defending Open champion Credit: Getty
Ian Poulter plays the 18th at Royal Birkdale in 2008 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Padraig Harrington on the way to winning The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2008 Credit: EPA
The weather is sure to play its part in the drama of The Open Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Open Championship Packages

Weekday Open Experience – from £1,099 – – NOW £699pp

  • Enjoy the busiest days as the world’s best tackling the testing links course. 
  • With 2 nights’ hotel stay in Liverpool, Open tickets to see Thursday and Friday’s action, and transport to the course.

The Weekend Experience – from £1,499 – – NOW £799pp

  •  Perfect for those who want to witness the climax of the tournament.
  • Includes 3 nights’ bed & breakfast accommodation in Liverpool (arriving Friday), official grounds admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday, and seamless return train transfers to the course.

See The Open in July

Royal Birkdale legends

Previous Open champions at Royal Birkdale

1954: Peter Thomson (Australia)

Advertisement

1961: Arnold Palmer (USA)

1965: Peter Thomson (Australia)

1971: Lee Trevino (USA)

1976: Johnny Miller (USA)

Advertisement

1983: Tom Watson (USA)

1991: Ian Baker-Finch (Australia)

1998: Mark O’Meara (USA) – pictured

2008: Padraig Harrington (Ireland)

Advertisement

2017: Jordan Spieth (USA)

The Championship Experience – from £2,599 – – NOW £1,499pp

  • The ultimate immersive package for the die-hard fan. 
  • Enjoy 5 nights’ accommodation and guaranteed tickets for all four tournament days (Thursday to Sunday), ensuring you don’t miss a single shot of the action.
  • We can also help with upgrades and add-ons, including playing wonderful local courses nearby.

Stay & Play Extensions

Why just watch? Extend your trip to test your own game on England’s Golf Coast. 

Advertisement

Add rounds at prestigious nearby links such as Hillside, Formby, or West Lancashire to complete your pilgrimage.

Don’t let another historic summer pass you by from the sofa. The dunes of Royal Birkdale are calling.

Best golf holiday deals

HERE are our top picks of the best golf trips.

These packages all include flights from UK airports.

Advertisement

* If you click on a link we will earn affiliate revenue.

🏌🏻 Majorca, Spain — 7 nights half board at 4* hotel plus golf at Golf Son Servera — FROM JUST £571pp

Belek, Turkey — 7 nights all inclusive plus golf at Carya — FROM JUST £837pp

🏌🏻 Vilamoura, Portugal — 7 nights and 5 rounds at Pestana Vila Sol Course — FROM JUST £999pp

Advertisement

Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus — 7 nights at a world class golf course —  FROM JUST £1,284pp

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

True crime fans left devastated by ‘unimaginable tragedy’ as doc free to watch

Published

on

Wales Online

Channel 5’s new true crime documentary has left viewers shocked and devastated

Channel 5 audiences have been left shaken by a harrowing new true crime documentary.

Advertisement

Murder In Shetland: Trial by Jury chronicles the death of Claire Leveque, a woman discovered dead at an isolated property in Shetland.

Claire, originally from Canada, was just 24 years old when she was killed on 11 February 2024.

She was found with multiple severe injuries in a hot tub at a property in the Sandness area, and despite the arrival of emergency services, she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

A new documentary is now shedding light on the subsequent murder trial, while also giving voice to her bereaved family, reports the Mirror.

Advertisement

The Channel 5 synopsis teases: “Inside the courtroom as a grieving family and an accused partner collide in a murder trial.”

Posting a clip on social media, Channel 5 cautioned audiences: “Warning: Some viewers may find the following video distressing.”

They further stated: “Claire Leveque’s final months reveal a harrowing story of control and abuse. Now, her family cross continents in search of answers, and justice.”

Advertisement

The trailer featured excerpts from the trial, showing Claire’s loved ones breaking down in court.

It also sees testimonies from experts brought in to prove the case, as a person warns: “This is a horror story from the beginning.”

“This was horrific,” one viewer commented to the clip.

Another said: “Horrendous case – can’t imagine how her family and friends coped with that trial.”

Advertisement

Someone else called it “very chilling”, and said “it wasn’t an easy watch”.

“A hard watch,” another agreed, while someone else said: “#MurderinShetland is remarkable television. Do watch it if you can, although it is quite harrowing.”

Ahead of the documentary airing, Gary Davies, consultant editor for commissioning at 5, said: “This thoughtful series gives a deeply human account of an unimaginable tragedy. It shines a light on the justice process and honours the courage of Claire’s family as they seek truth and remembrance.”

Advertisement

Mark Procter, executive producer for Big Little Fish, echoed the sentiment, saying: “We are profoundly grateful to the Judicial Office for Scotland and to everyone who enabled our access to the trial.

“Above all, we are honoured that the Leveque family have entrusted us to document what happened to Claire. We hope this series serves as a respectful tribute – giving her the voice that was so cruelly taken from her.”

Murder in Shetland: Trial by Jury is available to watch on Channel 5.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025