‘Following the outcome of the case, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council removed photographs featuring Jeffrey Donaldson from display in its facilities’

All images of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson have been removed from Lagan Valley Island council civic centre.

The former DUP leader was found guilty this week at Newry crown court of 18 historical sex offences against two women when they were children.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council following the guilty verdict with multiple images of the Lagan Valley MP throughout the local authority building.

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A council spokesperson said: “Following the outcome of the case, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council removed photographs featuring Jeffrey Donaldson from display in its facilities.”

A jury convicted the 63-year-old of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.

His wife Eleanor Donaldson has been found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts.

In 1997, when James Molyneaux retired as the Lagan Valley MP, Donaldson retained the seat for the UUP.

In 2003, he quit the UUP, defected to the DUP and retained his Westminster seat for Lagan Valley.

The convicted child sex abuser is now in Maghaberry prison located in the council area where he awaits sentencing in September.

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Daryl Berman, 72, was charged after her 84-year-old husband David Berman was found dead with stab wounds at their shared home on Butterstile Lane, Prestwich on March 13 last year.

More than a year on a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court convicted Berman of murder by majority verdict of 11 to one.

In his closing speech to the jury, Michael Brady KC, prosecuting, said: “If you find that the blow to the chest was deliberate, there’s only one candidate for the person who inflicted that blow.

“Domestic fatal external knife injuries are extraordinarily rare.”

The trial was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

Mr Brady had told the jury that Berman had used a kitchen knife to stab her husband in the chest.

The emergency services had at first thought the death to be non-suspicious and Berman was not concerned a suspect until a coroner raised concerns days after her husband’s death.

 During the trial, Berman maintained her innocence and claimed that Mr Berman had accidentally fallen on the knife while she was in another room.

Police on the scene on Butterstile Lane (Image: Newsquest)

During the trial, the just heard Berman speaking to a 999 operator.

She said: “I was in the other room.

“He’s carried a tray in, and all I can see is the tray. I think there was a knife. I don’t know whether the little knife that was there has gone into him and stabbed him. I really don’t know what has happened.”

READ THE TRIAL IN FULL:

During his closing speech Michael Hayter KC, defending, said that Berman had been “nurturing her husband through difficult times” and described the case as “extraordinary”.

Michael Hayton KC said: “The evidence you have heard is extraordinarily limited.”

But after 13 hours and 38 minutes of deliberations, the jury convicted Berman of murder by a majority of 11 to one.

David Berman was found dead at his home (Image: GMP)

Judge Tina Landale ruled that Berman be brought back to court to be sentenced on Friday July 3.

Speaking after the verdict,  Sazeeda Ismail, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Daryl Berman stabbed her husband of 27 years in the chest and intentionally caused his death.

 “She lied to paramedics, police and family members when she claimed Mr Berman had accidentally sustained his fatal injuries.

“The jury saw through her lies and convicted her of murder, due to the strength of the prosecution’s case.

“My thoughts are with David Berman’s loved ones at this very difficult time.”

England remain on course to top Group L despite a disappointing 0-0 draw with Ghana

England remain on course to finish top of their World Cup group despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana.

The result leaves Thomas Tuchel’s side at the summit of Group L with one match remaining against Panama, meaning they still have their fate firmly in their own hands heading into the final round of fixtures.

With the knockout picture beginning to take shape, attention is already turning to the last-32 draw and the route England could take if they are to lift the trophy on July 19.

While there is still plenty of football to be played, the current bracket suggests England could find themselves on what many supporters would view as the more favourable side of the draw.

As things stand, topping Group L would set up a Round of 32 clash against DR Congo in Atlanta on July 1.

England and DR Congo are currently paired together in the bracket, though the African nation could still be replaced by another third-placed qualifier from Group K, where Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan remain in the mix.

Should England negotiate that opening knockout tie, a last-16 meeting with either Mexico or Cape Verde awaits on July 6.

That would leave Tuchel’s men just two victories away from the final, with a quarter-final potentially bringing one of Brazil – clearly the biggest challenge – Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway into view on July 11, as things stand.

The semi-final would be scheduled for July 15 and could see England come up against sides such as Belgium, Portugal, Argentina or Uruguay, depending on how the remaining sections of the bracket develop.

Crucially, England’s projected route currently keeps them away from several of Europe’s biggest heavyweights until the final itself.

France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands are all currently situated in the opposite half of the draw, meaning England would not face any of those nations before July 19 if both they and the Three Lions continue to progress.

As things stand, England’s projected route to the final is:

Round of 32 (July 1)England vs DR Congo

Last 16 (July 6)England/DR Congo vs Mexico/Cape Verde

Quarter-final (July 11)Potentially Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway

Semi-final (July 15)One of the remaining teams from England’s half of the draw, including Argentina and Portugal.

Final (July 19)Teams such as France, Spain, Netherlands, Colombia and Germany enter the equation

Of course, there remains one final group game to play and the bracket could yet undergo significant changes before the knockout rounds begin.

England know that victory over DR Congo would guarantee first place in Group L and preserve what currently appears to be a highly attractive route through the tournament.

For now, the draw with Ghana has done little to dent their prospects. If anything, the knockout bracket suggests England remain well placed to avoid a number of the tournament favourites until the latter stages as their bid for World Cup glory gathers pace.

World Cup last-32 draw as it stands

Germany vs ScotlandFrance vs SwedenSouth Korea vs SwitzerlandNetherlands vs MoroccoColombia vs GhanaSpain vs AustriaUnited States vs AlgeriaEgypt vs Czech RepublicBrazil vs JapanIvory Coast vs NorwayMexico vs Cape VerdeEngland vs DR CongoArgentina vs UruguayAustralia vs IranCanada vs BelgiumPortugal vs Paraguay

Emergency services were called to the collision on the A484 near Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire at around 12.20pm, Dyfed-Powys Police said

Six individuals have been hospitalised following a bus crash near a Welsh coastal town. A major incident was declared after a bus crashed near the town of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, at around 12.20pm, Dyfed-Powys Police said.

Thirteen people were assessed and discharged at the scene with a further six taken to hospital for further medical attention. None of the injuries were thought to be life-threatening at the collision site.

Welfare support was made available at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly. The major incident has since been stood down.

The affected route, the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout, will remain shut while collision investigators conduct their examination, police stated, reports Wales Online.

Zoe Hand, managing director of First Bus Franchising – which operates in Wales, said: “Our X11 service was involved in an incident earlier this afternoon on the A484 close to the junction with Old Forge Lane, near Kidwelly.

“A team from our depot at Ammanford travelled to scene immediately to support our driver and look after our customers.

“The safety of everyone who travels with us is always our absolute priority and we are working with the police and ambulance service to care for those who need it and understand the circumstances which led to this incident.”

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli – which encompasses Kidwelly, expressed that her thoughts were with those affected. “My immediate thoughts are with all those people who were involved in the crash, and the emergency services who are helping them,” she said.

“I would reiterate the official request for the public to stay away and find alternative routes to the Parc y Bocs roundabout to Llandyfaelog Road.”

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed in a latest update that all passengers have been safely evacuated from the bus and are now receiving the necessary care. A rest centre has been established at the John Burns centre, where welfare provisions are in place to ensure their wellbeing and safety, a spokesperson confirmed.

The stretch of road between the Parc y Bocs roundabout and Llandyfaelog is set to remain shut for a considerable period while emergency services continue to manage the situation and conduct their investigations. Members of the public are strongly urged to seek alternative travel routes until further notice.

A Dyfed Powys Police spokesperson earlier stated: “Officers are dealing with a major incident in Kidwelly, following a report of a collision involving a bus on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout (Parc y Bocs).

“The road is closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are asked to find alternative routes.”

Traffic monitoring systems are currently reporting significant delays throughout the affected area.

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He had been in a critical condition after he was stabbed multiple times during an incident on Kinnaird Avenue

Stephen Ogilvie has now left the intensive care unit as he continues to make a recovery following the attack on him in North Belfast.

Stephen had been in a critical condition after he was stabbed multiple times during an incident on Kinnaird Avenue on June 8. This sparked widespread disorder across Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland.

The attack on Stephen left him blind in his left eye and at risk of losing sight in the other.

A 30-year-old Sundanese national, Hadi Alodid, has been charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer on the same day and possession of a knife.

Niall Donnan, who set up a fundraiser for Stephen, shared and update from his Stephen’s father which says that his son has now left intensive care and continues to make steps in his recovery, although he has a difficult road ahead of him.

His father said: “We wanted to share a positive update on Stephen’s recovery and thank everyone for their incredible support. Stephen is now out of ICU and is talking more each day, which is a huge step forward for him and his family. While he still has a long road ahead, we are grateful to see him continuing to make progress.

“Your donations, messages, and support have meant so much during this difficult time. Thank you all for standing with Stephen and his family and continuing to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”

The fundraiser for Stephen has now raised over £36,000 and can be found by following this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-victim-of-horrific-belfast-knife-attack?

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Heat warnings are in place covering Cambridgeshire as the UK swelters through a heatwave

Cambridge Water has issued an update to customers amid the heatwave this week. The water company wrote to customers on Tuesday (June 23) with advice to use water only when ‘essential’.

Temperatures in Cambridge are expected to reach highs of 38C this week, according to the Met Office. Long-term average data shows that the maximum average temperature for Cambridge in June between 1991 and 2020 was 20C.

The letter to customers from Cambridge Water said: “A rare Red Extreme Heat Warning has been issued by the Met Office. The red warning joins the existing Amber Extreme Heat Warnings, which stretch from Monday 22 June through to the end of Thursday 25 June, covering much of southern and central England.

“Whilst it was hot yesterday, the heat is set to build further today, with the peak of the heatwave forecast for Wednesday and Thursday this week. Temperatures may reach 39C with a chance of this being exceeded in places.”

It continued: “When the sun comes out and the temperature goes up, typically so does the amount of water used by our customers. This not only has an impact on our work production sites and pumping stations, but also on Cambridgeshire’s precious chalk streams, where we abstract our water from. To help us – and to protect the environment – during this period of extreme weather, we’re asking you to keep to essential water use only.

“Washing your car can probably wait for another day. If plants must be watered, please do so early morning or in the evening, using a watering can. Mulching garden beds will help keep plants hydrated for longer. You don’t need to water the lawn – it will recover once it rains again.”