To some, having children in residental rehab may appear controversial, but those familiar with the concept say the benefits are clear (Picture: Getty Images/Image Source)
In a large house in Scotland, children, their parents and household staff take part in sports days, talent contests and trips to the beach.
Eight-year-old Rosie*, who lived there for seven months, says that one of her favourite days was when she watched her mum and staff member Lisa falling over the finish line doing the three-legged race.
But this isn’t just any shared home. This is a residential rehab for parents struggling with drug or alcohol problems – and their children.
Managed by the charity Phoenix Futures, Harper House in Scotland is one of two national family services the organisation operates (the other being Sheffield’s National Specialist Family Service) that enable parents to remain living with their children as they recover.
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To some, this may appear controversial, but to those familiar with the concept, the potential benefits are clear.
In the Government’s last reporting year, there were almost 82,000 children in care in England (2024/25), while during the previous year, local authorities in England spent £13.3 billion on children’s social care.
Meanwhile,2022/23 research from the NSPCC revealed an 8% increase of children in care across the whole of the UK over the last five years. The charity, unsurprisingly, also reported that being in care can be detrimental for children.
From traumatic separation from family members to unsuitable placements, care can negatively affect health, wellbeing and educational outcomes for many looked-after children.
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In the Government’s last reporting year, there were almost 82,000 children in care in England alone (Picture: Getty Images)
However, Rachael Clegg, Head of Residentials (Women and Families) for Phoenix Futures, says that the consequences for children who remain with their parents during recovery are generally positive.
‘Using Scotland’s eight wellbeing indicators, we’ve seen some fantastic outcomes for the children who come through Harper House,’ she says, adding that this includes over a third of children feeling significantly more secure and protected, as well as enjoying better health.
‘With these gains, children’s mental health is greatly improved, alongside their parents’ wellbeing and parenting skills, combining to create sustainable recovery for the family and breaking the cycle of trauma to create lasting change across generations.’
How does family rehab work?
Phoenix Futures’ family services aren’t simply houses where children are able to stay while their parents receive drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation. They work closely with social services, incorporating registered on-site nurseries, have close links with local schools, as well as access to local activities to build structure and meet other families.
They also provide parenting skills development programmes, therapeutic treatments for drug and alcohol problems, and tailored support depending on the family’s need.
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For example, many women who access drug and alcohol services have a history of experiencing domestic abuse, so the relevant support is provided there too in the form of the You & Me Mum programme, which helps families in processing the impact of domestic violence.
The rehab centres work closely with social service and provide parenting skills development programmes (Picture: Getty Images)
Each family has their own kitchen on site, and are supported to budget, meal prep and cook, alongside being given nutritional advice to help build healthy habits. Money management programmes can also be delivered and all families are supported to build a comprehensive move-on plan that includes attending groups in their local areas at home.
And then, of course, there’s the fun stuff like three-legged races and movie nights.
But perhaps most importantly, parent-child bonds remain and potentially grow, while parents are able to hold onto daily family routines, such as getting the children up, giving them breakfast and taking them to school.
‘I worried constantly about what it might mean for Rosie going into residential rehab,’ says her mother Carrie*. ‘But deep down, I also knew that if I didn’t make a change, I could lose everything anyway. So, I took the step. I was so scared, but I was determined to change.’
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Carrie admits that at first she found it a struggle being around other families as she wasn’t used to people and felt reluctant to open up.
Carrie* says she knew that if she didn’t make a change she would lose everything (Picture: Posed by model, Getty Images)
She explains: ‘When I arrived, I was angry, mistrusting, and difficult. I pushed people away because it felt safer that way. But the staff never reacted with frustration or judgement. They were patient, calm, and consistent in a way I had never experienced.’
Carrie slowly started to let her guard down and became part of a community of women who understood each other in a way nobody else could.
Breaking the stigma
There is, sadly, a reluctance for mothers experiencing drug or alcohol problems to speak out and ask for help as their biggest fear is having their children removed.
A report by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance states that mothers experiencing drug or alcohol problems are often the most judged group of women in society, and many feel unable to access the support they so desperately need.
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However, there are local authority commissioners who are proactively looking at ways to address this stigma – and to fund services that help some of the most vulnerable (and often demonised) members of society: mothers facing addiction issues.
‘Family-focused rehab isn’t readily available, which makes it even more important that we fund and protect it.’ says Paul Bell (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Cllr Paul Bell, the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, has made referrals into Phoenix Futures’ National Specialist Family Service from his constinstuency in Lewisham. He tells Metro: ‘At Lewisham Council, we recognise how vital family rehabilitation services are for our residents.
‘These services keep families together, offering parents support rather than penalisation, and creating safe, nurturing, and empowering environments where healthy relationships can flourish.
‘Family-focused rehab isn’t readily available, which makes it even more important that we fund and protect it.’
‘I’ve remained drug and alcohol free’
In a study following 41 parents and 42 children, 70% of those who stayed at the Sheffield Family Service – which first opened its doors in 1996 – are still together in a healthy family environment up to four years later.
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And it seems that the parents who complete the rehab programme are also far more likely to remain well thanks to ongoing support for positive reintegration into their local community.
Sarah*, who self-referred for help via the organisation CGL (Change, Grow, Live), was subsequently referred to Phoenix Futures’ Sheffield Family Service.
Sarah said that having her daughter with her through treatment ‘meant the world’ (Picture: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)
As a survivor of domestic abuse who has previously had children removed from her care in the past and was struggling with her mental health, the service allowed Sarah to maintain her sobriety and, importantly, learn to bond with her baby.
“I had just had my daughter and it meant the world to have her with me while I was undergoing treatment,’ she tells Metro. ‘We took part in baby massage, playgroup, craft activities, memory box making and so much more.
‘Importantly,when I was leaving to go into my own accommodation, the Service team helped me put together a timetable to keep me well. We planned regular swimming sessions, welfare checks and regular catch ups with my mum.’
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Today, Sarah feels like she’s had a second chance. ‘I’ve never had this before. Staying with my daughter this time has been a wakeup call,’ she admits. ‘I’ve remained drug and alcohol free and the future feels much more hopeful. If this service was offered to me in the past things would have been very different for me.’
Rachel Clegg from Phoenix Futures says that if we are serious about breaking cycles of trauma and reducing the number of children entering care, these services must be protected (Picture: Getty Images)
Following Carrie’s time in Harper House with daughter Rosie, she says being kept together as a family has also changed everything. ‘We went from a home with no structure to one full of warmth, routine and love. We rebuilt our bond from the ground up,’ she says. ‘It didn’t just change my life, it gave me confidence, hope, and the tools to build a safe, loving home for Rosie.’
Meanwhile, Phoenix Futures is keen to similar services expand across the UK, but acknowledge that this requires sustained commissioning, long‑term funding commitments, and the political will to challenge stigma around addiction and parenting.
‘Despite their proven impact, Shefield Family Service faced the risk of closure as recently as last year,’ says Rachael. ‘At a time when record numbers of children are entering care and local authorities face mounting financial pressure, it would be devastating if family‑focused residential rehab was allowed to disappear.
‘If we are serious about breaking cycles of trauma, reducing the number of children entering care, and supporting recovery in a meaningful, lasting way, these services must be protected – and replicated.
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‘The question is no longer whether family rehab works, but whether we are prepared to invest in solutions that keep families together and change lives for the long term.’
“Having these options on top of our selections made the choice go against Adam, and the same with Trent. I know his quality, I know his personality, especially in big matches, but the guys who were with us in September, October and November just gave us a little bit of extra hunger, a little bit of youthfulness, a little bit of more excitement, and we chose that.”
The 2025/26 EFL play-off finals are here, with Hull vs Middlesbrough at Wembley headlining the Bank Holiday weekend after Southampton’s Spygate expulsion
Jake Hackney Senior Consumer Writer
01:00, 23 May 2026
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The 2025/26 EFL campaign draws to a close this weekend as half a dozen teams compete for promotion. Throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, the final contenders from the Championship, League One and League Two will face off at Wembley Stadium in their respective EFL play-off finals.
In the Championship, Hull and Southampton both won their second legs to book their places in the final, though the Spygate controversy has led to Saints being ejected from the play-offs. Consequently, Middlesbrough will now face Hull at Wembley for a prized Premier League spot.
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League One’s Bolton and Stockport maintained clean sheets in both semi-final matches as they advanced to the final stage, while League Two’s Salford and Notts County edged through with tight wins. Final tickets remain on sale for each play-off showdown, but for those who’d rather stay at home, all three matches will be shown live on a single television channel.
Here’s your complete guide to watching every 2025/26 EFL play-off final.
When are the EFL play-off finals?
Championship: Hull vs Middlesbrough – Saturday, May 23, 3.30pm KO
League One: Bolton vs Stockport – Sunday, May 24, 1pm KO
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League Two: Salford vs Notts County – Monday, May 25, 3pm KO
How to watch the EFL play-off finals
Sky Sports will broadcast all three EFL play-off finals live, covering the Championship, League One and League Two showpiece events. The network has announced that both the Championship and League One finals will be available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, while the League Two final will be shown solely on Sky Sports Football.
Viewers can access these channels through Sky TV packages, including the £44 Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, which provides comprehensive Sky Sports content across nine specialist channels. The package also features over 135 channels alongside complimentary Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+ subscriptions.
However, customers should note that securing this offer requires committing to a 24-month contract, although this does provide access to over 1,000 EFL and Premier League fixtures throughout the 2026/27 and 2027/28 campaigns. Existing Sky customers can incorporate Sky Sports channels into their current package for an additional £20 monthly.
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Sky has indicated that pricing ‘may change’ throughout the minimum contract period.
How to secure last-minute EFL play-off final tickets
Although individual clubs handled their own ticket distributions for the EFL play-off finals, fans can still obtain official match tickets via another authorised route. Tickets for the Championship, League One and League Two finals remain on sale through VIP and hospitality packages available via Seat Unique. While prices fluctuate daily, they typically surpass standard match ticket costs, but include extra benefits such as ‘premium’ seats and complimentary food and drinks with select packages. Championship play-off final tickets presently begin at £199 per person, while League One play-off final tickets start from £125 per person.
For the League Two play-off final, tickets represent the best value, commencing at £75 per person. Fans can choose individual tickets or reserve a private box, with some packages offering access to exclusive hospitality areas, free matchday programmes and dedicated host service.
However, supporters ought to note that certain packages provide admission to neutral zones at Wembley, which means rival fans may be seated in these sections. Furthermore, Wembley Stadium offers its own range of hospitality packages with similar advantages, though many of these have already sold out.
Death Stranding 2 – is it one of your favourite games of 2025? (Kojima Productions)
We might be well into 2026 at this point but many people haven’t had a chance to play 2025’s best games yet, as a reader makes a list of his favourite titles.
As we approach the halfway point of 2026, I’ve finally managed to play all the games that could have made my top list of 2025. Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding the video game industry of late, last year proved to be a truly stellar year for video games, regardless of your preferred genre(s).
10. Ball X Pit
Even with the generous set of characters to unlock and choose from, each run on Ball X Pit feels very similar, but the core gameplay loop of destroying enemies with various balls and then upgrading your village to assist in subsequent runs still manages to remain entertaining for a good few hours.
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9. Split Fiction
Hazelight Studios continue to cement their reputation as the premier co-op creators, with Split Fiction, which mixes sci-fi and fantasy elements with an amazing level of invention and it’s great fun from start to finish.
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8. Monster Train 2
Monster Train 2 isn’t a huge departure (pun intended) from the original but with plenty of new factions and cards available with which to build your deck it’s sure to provide dozens of hours of entertainment for fans of the first game.
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7. The Rogue Prince Of Persia
The roguelike genre may be a little oversaturated these days, but thanks to its excellent combat and traversal The Rogue Prince Of Persia is still a game worth seeking out.
6. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Whatever your thoughts on Hideo Kojima’s games, it’s hard to deny that he truly is a one of a kind and although Death Stranding 2 obviously lacks the originality of the first, the satisfying feeling you get from helping connect people remains as strong as ever.
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5. The Alters
11-bit Studios, the developers behind This War Of Mine and Frostpunk, have created yet another excellent survival game with The Alters, full of stressful resource management and tough decisions.
4. Blue Prince
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Blue Prince’s rogue-ike mix of puzzles and exploration is utterly enthralling, and unless you really are determined to discover every single last mystery, any slight frustrations that the random nature can occasionally cause is easy to overlook.
3. Dispatch
Dispatch sets a new standard for video game writing and animation to the point where you feel as though you’re essentially playing an interactive cartoon, and this more than compensates for the relatively little traditional gameplay.
2. Hades 2
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Hades 2 follows the template laid down by its predecessor pretty closely, but the rougelite gameplay loop remains as enjoyable and addictive as ever.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
With it’s well told story, excellent combat system and stunning musical score, Clair Obscur is a unique and beautifully crafted role-playing game.
By reader drlowdon
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – the obvious number one (Kepler Interactive)
The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge on Friday dismissed a human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, finding that the Justice Department’s pursuit of criminal charges was designed to punish him for challenging his mistaken deportation to El Salvador last year.
The ruling amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of a Justice Department that under President Donald Trump has repeatedly been accused of targeting defendants for political purposes. The Trump administration touted the charges against Abrego Garcia last year at a press conference in which then-Attorney General Pam Bondi declared, “This is what American justice looks like.”
“The evidence before this court sadly reflects an abuse of prosecuting power,” U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, in Nashville, Tenn., said in his ruling granting Abrego Garcia’s motion to dismiss for “selective or vindictive prosecution.” Without Abrego Garcia’s “successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador, the government would not have brought this prosecution.”
Abrego Garcia’s deportation became an embarrassment for Trump officials when they were ordered to return him to the U.S. In his motion to dismiss, Abrego Garcia claimed that both the timing of the criminal charges and inflammatory statements about him by top Trump officials demonstrated that the prosecution was vindictive.
“Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a victim of a politicized, vindictive White House and its lawyers at what used to be an independent Justice Department,” his criminal defense attorneys said in a statement after Friday’s ruling. “We are so pleased that he is a free man.”
The Justice Department vowed to appeal, calling the judge’s order “wrong and dangerous.”
Crenshaw stopped short of finding the government acted with “actual vindictiveness,” a rarely-met standard that usually requires evidence like a prosecutor admitting that charges were filed in retaliation against someone. But the judge did find there was enough evidence of “presumptive vindictiveness” — including the timing of the indictment, statements made by then-U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the sustained oversight of the case by other top Justice Department officials — that the case against Abrego Garcia was thoroughly tainted.
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The government’s own explanations weren’t convincing, Crenshaw wrote.
Abrego Garcia was charged with human smuggling and conspiracy to commit human smuggling, with prosecutors claiming that he accepted money to transport within the United States people who were in the country illegally.
The charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. Body camera footage from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer shows a calm exchange with Abrego Garcia. There were nine passengers in the car, and the officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. However, Abrego Garcia was eventually allowed to continue driving with only a warning.
In the Friday ruling, Crenshaw wrote that the timing of the charges was central to the presumption of vindictiveness. Homeland Security had been aware of the traffic stop for two years and had closed the case against Abrego Garcia when it deported him. Once the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that he should be brought back to the U.S., they reopened the case. While the government bore the responsibility to rebut the presumption of vindictiveness, prosecutors did not call as a witness the person who reopened the case, to explain why. Instead they offered only “secondhand testimony.”
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In a statement released by the group We are CASA, which has been supporting Abrego Garcia and his family, he thanked God for the dismissal of the criminal charges.
“Justice is a big word and an even bigger promise to fulfill; and I am grateful that today, justice has taken a step forward,” he said.
Abrego Garcia’s deportation violated a 2019 immigration court order granting him protection from deportation to his home country, after the judge found he faced danger there from a gang that targeted his family. Abrego Garcia is a Salvadoran citizen with an American wife and child who has lived in Maryland for years although he immigrated to the U.S. illegally as a teenager. The 2019 order allowed him to live and work in the U.S. under Immigration and Customs Enforcement supervision, but he was not given residency status.
The man told the victim, his former partner, that if he was a woman, he would have killed her
A man locked his former partner inside their home and held a pillow over her face so she couldn’t breathe. Police were called to the home of Richard Chipperfield, 39, on March 15, 2025, after a mental health helpline received a call from his former partner.
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She said that he had locked her inside their caravan and prevented her from leaving. With the victim’s consent, the police were called after she added that Chipperfield had become controlling in recent months, monitoring her phone and following her to the toilet.
In February 2025, Chipperfield held a pillow over his partner’s face so she couldn’t breathe. He told her that if he was a woman, he would have killed her.
At Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, May 21, Chipperfield, of Wood Lane in Ramsey, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting to false imprisonment and intentional strangulation.
DC Aaron Fletcher, who investigated, said: “I’d like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward and confiding in police about her partner’s behaviour. Chipperfield caused her to live her life in fear, after he trapped her inside the home they shared together, and threatened her if she didn’t comply with his orders.
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“This sentence reflects the seriousness of Chipperfield’s actions and sends a clear message that violence, abuse, and controlling behaviour will not be tolerated in our county.”
The doctored clip depicts the president walking up behind the late-night host, physically lifting him and depositing him into a dumpster. The video then cuts to Trump dancing to the song “YMCA” by the Village People before a cheering crowd.
The post marks the latest escalation in a long-standing dispute between Trump and the former television host.
Following the show’s final broadcast Thursday, Trump praised the conclusion of the program on social media, writing that Colbert was a “total jerk” with “no talent, no ratings, no life.”
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“Thank goodness he’s finally gone!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The post is the latest escalation in a years-long feud between Donald Trump and Stephen Colbert, who frequently traded public insults over the comedian’s 11 seasons on air (Getty)
CBS announced the cancellation of the 33-year late-night franchise last July. At the time, the network described the move as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” rather than a reflection of the program’s content or performance.
But the cancellation occurred just days after Colbert publicly criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount, for agreeing to a $16 million settlement with Trump.
The legal dispute involved allegations that 60 Minutes had deceptively edited a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential campaign. Colbert had joked about the payment on air, referring to it as a “big fat bribe.”
Stephen Colbert and Paul McCartney during the finale of ‘The Late Show’ (Scott Kowalchyk /CBS)
Despite the controversy, Colbert’s final episode drew 6.74 million viewers, making it the most-watched weeknight episode of his 11-year tenure as host. Throughout its final season, the series maintained an average audience of 2.7 million viewers.
The final broadcast featured appearances by several prominent figures, including a joint segment with rival late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver.
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Paul McCartney served as the final guest, performing The Beatles’ song “Hello, Goodbye” alongside Colbert, his family and production staff.
The program concluded with McCartney and Colbert symbolically pulling a power lever backstage at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater, turning out the building’s lights.
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT District Attorney Raymond Tierney said: “This was not an alleged single act of violence. It was months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, meticulously documented”
01:00, 23 May 2026Updated 01:00, 23 May 2026
Prosecutors allege that a seven-year-old girl lost her life as a result of abuse and torture inflicted by those entrusted with her care.
Jor’Dynn Duncan was pronounced dead at hospital after suffering cardiac arrest on the morning of December 29, 2025. Three women are currently facing charges in connection with the youngster’s death. A post-mortem examination revealed that the little girl died from a severe, untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office documented approximately 90 separate injuries on her body.
Following a thorough investigation, three women were arrested: Emily Kelly, 50, Barbara Renner, 75, and Elyssa Seymore, 24.
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Emily Kelly of Bayport, the fiancée of Jor’Dynn Duncan’s father, was granted custody of the young girl by Suffolk County Child Protective Services in December 2024, despite having no family connection to the child, reports the Mirror US.
Kelly allegedly fabricated stories, including claims of a trip to Disney World, to conceal the systematic abuse of Jor’Dynn and account for approximately 40 days of school absences the previous year. Investigators reportedly uncovered evidence on Kelly’s mobile phone detailing what they have described as “systematic and sadistic abuse.
“This was not an alleged single act of violence. It was months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, meticulously documented,” said District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “The child was allegedly left to die while these defendants watched her deteriorate. No child should ever endure such horror, and we will seek justice for Jor’Dynn.”
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Three people have been indicted following the young girl’s death — Kelly, her mother, and her daughter. Kelly faces murder charges, while her mother, Barbara Renner, 75, has been charged with manslaughter, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, 24, faces charges of unlawful imprisonment. Both Renner and Seymore have also been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Renner’s solicitor argued that her client, who suffers from dementia, was neither the child’s carer nor responsible for her death. “We anticipate conducting a more thorough investigation into the circumstances of this matter,” her attorney stated.
Seymore’s legal team also deny the allegations, insisting she played no part in the child’s death. “To be clear, she has not been charged nor has ever been implicated to be associated with the untimely death of [Jor’Dynn] Duncan on December 29, 2025,” her attorneys wrote, “The charges of the alleged unlawful imprisonment stem from a three-day period in July of 2025.”
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Jor’Dynn was a second grader in Bayport, and was fondly remembered by her teachers, who said she “lit up the room”.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Hearney said: “The Bayport-Blue Point School District remains heartbroken and profoundly saddened by the tragic death of Jor’Dynn Duncan, a beloved second grader. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this unimaginable loss, including the student’s family, classmates, teachers, and the entire Bayport-Blue Point community. We remain committed to providing all necessary support to our students and staff members as we continue to navigate this difficult period.
“We are aware that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office announced criminal charges in connection with Jor’Dynn’s death. As this matter involves individual student privacy rights as well as an ongoing criminal investigation, the district is unable to share details surrounding the allegations. We remain committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
The teenager and his passenger both came off the bike during the police pursuit
Wrexham teen knocked off bike by police and cornered in bushes
A police chase came to a dramatic end when a teen motorcyclist and his pillion passenger were cornered. They were filmed travelling at speed along pavements on July 18 last year during the pursuit in Wrexham.
Alfie Hughes, 19, and the passenger sitting behind him were followed by a police car along Dean Road before being intercepted in Borras Park. Both were knocked from the off-road bike as Hughes turned into Borras Park Road from Jeffreys Road.
The pair fled on foot and a police helicopter was called in. Using thermal imaging, police air service spotters found them hiding in bushes and trees next to Acton Park lake.
Police bodycam footage shows an officer closing in on their hiding place while pointing a Taser and shouting: “Stay where you are, show me your hands, come here now.”
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Hughes, of Deva Way in Wrexham, admitted charges of driving without due care and attention, failing to stop for police, and driving while uninsured and unlicensed.
At Mold Magistrates’ Court he was banned from driving for six months and fined almost £300, North Wales Live reports.
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Sgt Danny Rees said officers were patrolling the area at the time following a series of antisocial motorcycling incidents.
He said Hughes mounted pavements without regard for the safety of others. A specially trained police driver had blocked his path to protect pedestrians, the officer said.
Sgt Rees added: “Thankfully, no members of the public were injured during this incident.
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“However, Hughes clearly showed a complete disregard for the safety of others by driving carelessly as he attempted to escape police.
“Antisocial riding will not be tolerated in our communities, and we are asking members of the public to continue supporting us to tackle this issue by providing information to us about bikes in their area.
“We will use all the tools and resources at our disposal to ensure it is stopped before anybody is hurt, or worse, killed.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a new “Great British Summer Savings” package as experts warn household energy bills could rocket by another £209 a year within weeks.
Under the plans, children aged five to 15 will get free bus travel across England throughout August – while shoppers could also see lower prices on everyday treats including chocolate, biscuits, dried fruit and nuts.
The move comes as millions brace for another painful rise in household costs linked to the escalating Iran conflict.
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Energy analysts at Cornwall Insight now predict the energy price cap could jump from £1,641 to around £1,850 from July after global oil and gas prices surged.
And experts are already warning the real crunch could come later this year when colder weather returns and households start using more energy again.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We know many hard-working families are still feeling the squeeze.”
He added that free bus travel and cheaper food imports would help put “money back into people’s pockets”.
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The Government is cutting tariffs on more than 100 imported products in a bid to lower prices in supermarkets.
Officials believe the changes could save consumers more than £150 million a year.
But while families may welcome cheaper shopping and summer travel help, ministers stopped short of announcing direct support for rising energy bills – despite growing concern over what could happen this autumn.
Reeves said: “My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs.”
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She added: “As the war in Iran pushes prices up at home, my economic plan is the right one.”
The Chancellor is also expected to abandon plans for a fuel duty rise later this year as ministers try to prevent further pressure on motorists.
Recommended reading:
The latest intervention comes after inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.8% in April, helped by lower energy prices earlier this spring.
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But economists warn that relief may only be temporary.
The next energy price cap announcement from Ofgem is due on May 27 – and millions of households are anxiously waiting to see how much more they may have to pay.
There is also the argument that Ulster are victims of their own success.
As a reward for an upturn in form, the province were heavily represented in Ireland’s Six Nations squad.
A proud moment for those associated with the club, but it did deprive key players of the mid-season breather they normally would have had.
For the final, Ulster were missing their four longest-serving players. Captain Iain Henderson was suspended, while Stuart McCloskey – so influential for both Ulster and Ireland – was injured along with Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring.
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Of the team that started in Bilbao, Timoney was the oldest player at 30.
“There were eight players in Ireland camp and only two last year,” observed Murphy.
“The rugby we’ve played, and reaching a European final, albeit not with the result we wanted, all of those things have had an impact on us making the top eight.
“We have had to move our resources around and at this time our squad probably isn’t strong enough to compete in two competitions.”
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