Newcastle United are in advanced talks to sign Republic of Ireland forward Leanne Kiernan from Liverpool.

The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest but still has more than a year remaining on her Liverpool contract.

It means second-tier Newcastle would be expected to pay a fee to bring in Kiernan, who has been at Liverpool for five years and signed an extension in 2025.

The forward has netted 23 goals in 76 appearances for the Reds, playing a key role in their WSL 2 title win in 2022 as she finished as the club’s top-scorer with 14.

Before joining Liverpool, Kiernan made over 40 appearances for West Ham in the WSL after beginning her career at Shelbourne.

Kiernan has made 38 appearances for the Republic of Ireland since her debut in 2017.

However, she has found game time hard to come by under Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor, starting just once in the WSL before joining Forest in January.

Liverpool have also added to their attacking ranks this summer with the arrival of Germany forward Vivien Endemann from Wolfsburg.

Kiernan would bring attacking depth to Newcastle, who have had a busy transfer window with six additions as they prepare to challenge for the WSL 2 title.

Some families have said they will not return to the Belfast City Mission church following the move

A number of families in Dundonald have expressed their disappointment after Girls and Boys Brigade has been stopped at a Ballybeen church after 50 years.

The Belfast City Mission has said that Girls and Boys Brigade will no longer take place at the Mission Hall on Rosneath Gardens as it has decided to restructure its youth services. However the decision has upset local families whose children attended the organisation there with claims that some have now left the Mission church as a result.

Andrea Keating who had grandchildren who attended the brigades told Belfast Live the decision has caused a lot of upset among children and parents and are not happy with how the BCM has made it.

She said: “For 50 years there has been Girls and Boys Brigade at the Mission Hall and the news that it will now be cancelled has caused a lot of upset of families here. My grandchildren just can’t understand why they won’t be going back to it in September and their parents have said they won’t be going to anything else the church is doing either.

“Parents have asked for an explanation from the Mission and all we have been told is that they are changing the youth services, but only in Ballybeen.

“Some families have said they won’t be returning to the church because of it all and it is really having an impact in the community.”

Belfast City Mission told Belfast Live that the move has been made as part of a restructure of its youth services in the local area which it hopes will be able to engage more people.

It has said there are also a number of other Boys and Girls Brigade groups in the Ballybeen area that the children are able to attend if they wish.

Wilie Logan of Belfast City Mission said: “From time to time, right across mostly all organisations, they restructure and they change things, and we were looking at that part of Belfast and the GB and BB company, and going forward, they just thought that the youth work would be better suited in a different format.

“What we did before we took this decision, obviously, was we looked at, was there other GB and BB companies in Ballybeen, and there is so if children wanted to transfer to them, there’s still that provision.

“But we also have new children’s work within the hall, so the children are very welcome to come to that, similar organisations.”

He continued: “It is disappointing because they did great work down there for a lot of years, but sometimes you have to go in a different direction, and some people accept it and some people, you know, won’t, but there was nothing, nothing untoward whatsoever, and we’re very thankful for the work that was done by the leaders.”

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Organisers said they are turning the space into ‘one of the city’s biggest festival destinations’

A car park in the heart of Belfast City Centre is preparing to be transformed for the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in August.

North Street Car Park, which falls in the pedestrian zone, will swap cars for craic as a pop-up ‘Fleadh hub’ will host guests from August 2-9.

Fleadh Cheoil is the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, hosted in Belfast for the very first time – competitors from all over the world will showcase the very best of traditional music, song, dance and language in All-Ireland competitions.

Over 800,000 people are expected to enjoy the eight-day event, which will also include street performances, pub sessions and stage concerts.

Earlier this year, a 14-day occasional outdoor entertainment licence was granted for the car park from within a marquee located on the site.

The license was applied for by Kelvin Collins, the director of popular pubs Ben Madigan’s Bar & Kitchen in North Belfast and Seatons of Sailortown.

According to social media, preparations have already begun for ‘The Fleadh at North St.’, with the marquee tent being cleaned and ready to set up for the Session Garden on site.

A social media post read: “For eight unforgettable days during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Belfast 2026, we’re transforming North Street Car Park into one of the city’s biggest festival destinations.

“Whether you’re dropping in for a pint between sessions, meeting friends for food, or spending the whole evening with us, North Street is where Belfast comes together.”

The Fleadh at North St. will host live traditional music every day, serve Heineken and Beamish at the bar, and offer local street food and artisan coffee during the eight-day celebrations.

According to the Fleadh guide, it will be open from 3 pm until late.

It said: “Belfast’s pop-up Fleadh hub — live music, bars, street food, sessions and festival craic at North Street Car Park, 2–9 August 2026.

“Featuring the Session garden where musicians are welcome at any time, and the Heineken Marquee, with live music daily during the Fleadh from 3pm till late”.

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

UK inflation eased last month to its lowest rate in 15 months in a temporary boost for the new Prime Minister ahead of a jump in the household energy price cap.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed today that the rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.6 per cent in June from 2.8 per cent in May.

This was the lowest level since March 2025 and comes after food and fuel prices dropped in an early encouragement for the cost-of-living-focused Andy Burnham.

The drop is bigger than expected, given most economists had predicted a sharp fall in petrol and diesel prices would have helped pull the rate down to 2.7 per cent.

The rate of food and non-alcoholic drink inflation was 1.7 per cent, down from 2.2 per cent the previous month amid ‘intense competition between supermarkets’. 

The RAC said the average price of a litre of diesel at UK forecourts dropped by more than 16p from the start to end of June – the largest fall since records began in 2000.

This was driven by news of an interim ceasefire deal between the US and Iran, prompting oil prices to fall below pre-crisis levels.

While energy prices have dropped, economists are viewing this as temporary relief before Ofgem‘s new energy price cap took effect at the beginning of July.

The latest cap was up by 13 per cent compared with the previous rates, meaning the typical household’s gas and electricity bill will increase by £221 to £1,862 a year.

Tensions in the Middle East have also flared again and Brent crude oil prices have been rising during July.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: ‘A fall in motor fuel prices, particularly diesel, helped ease inflation in June.

‘Food prices fell this month, driven by products including chocolate, margarine and beef. Clothing prices also fell with the start of summer sales, with bigger discounts than last year.

‘The cost of raw materials dipped for the first time since January, mainly due to the lower price of crude oil, while the increase in the costs of goods leaving factories slowed again.’ 

The latest data comes two days after Andy Burnham took the reins and formed a new Cabinet.

Mr Burnham announced yesterday that electricity bills will be VAT-free from October 1, saving households about £45 a year as part of the new Prime Minister’s promise to ease cost-of-living pressures.

Cutting VAT from 5 per cent to 0 per cent is estimated to reduce CPI inflation by around 0.1 percentage points when it comes into effect, according to the Government.

This morning, Mr Burnham also announced that single bus fares across England would be capped at £2 from January.

Newly appointed Chancellor John Healey said: ‘Falling inflation is news families want to hear but there is much more to do to give people the breathing space they need.

‘That is why yesterday we cut VAT on electricity bills and today we’re announcing a £2 cap on bus fares from January.

‘We have chosen to focus on the cost of living in our first week, signalling that concern for working people will be at the heart of everything we do.

‘Both these changes are a win-win. They help keep inflation down while helping people afford the essentials.’

Investors expect the Bank of England to keep its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 per cent next week as it continues to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict.

Some policymakers who voted to increase borrowing costs in June are worried about the risks of inflation persistently overshooting the ​2 per cent target.

Financial markets yesterday priced in one or possibly two quarter-point interest rate increases by the end of in 2026.

Responding to the inflation figures, British Retail Consortium economist Harvir Dhillon said: ‘The drop in both headline and food inflation is good news for households, who are benefitting from summer deals.

‘Food inflation had a particularly notable drop, its lowest in almost two years, with prices falling on the month. 

‘This was driven largely by intense competition between supermarkets, trying to entice their customers during a warm spell of weather, despite supply chain pressures.’

He added: ‘Retailers are already facing immense financial pressure, squeezed by higher National Insurance, the triple packaging tax, and other input cost increases tied to the conflict in Iran.

New Chanceller John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street on Monday

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‘If retailers are to keep prices affordable for consumers in the long run, the Government needs to take practical steps to lower the everyday cost of doing business.’

Thomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK, said falling oil prices after the interim ceasefire agreement were the ‘main drag on inflation in June’.

‘However, oil prices have rebounded in July as tensions escalate which means inflation is still likely to peak at around 3.4 per cent in November,’ he added.

He cautioned that food prices could ‘rebound later this year, as higher energy and fertiliser prices due to the conflict in the Middle East make their way through supply chains’.

Sanjay Raja, chief UK economist for Deutsche Bank, said to expect a ‘bumpy path’ ahead.

‘While we’re nowhere close to the peaks seen during the height of the Iran conflict, the energy disinflation path remains uncertain,’ he said.

He also warned that food price rises could be on the horizon.

They fled the scene with a sum of cash in a dark coloured Volkswagen Golf which was waiting outside.

A homeowner was struck on the head by one of two men wearing balaclavas during an aggravated burglary in Co Down earlier today

Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following the reported incident in Ballygowan.

Shortly before 12.45pm on Tuesday, July 21, it was reported that two men wearing balaclavas and dressed in dark clothing entered a house in the Manse Road area.

They fled the scene when the occupant arrived home, making off with a sum of cash in a dark coloured Volkswagen Golf which was waiting outside.

The occupant was struck on the head by one of the suspects during the incident.A PSNI spokesperson said: “Our enquiries are ongoing, and we would appeal to anyone who might have any information which would assist us to contact detectives using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals quoting 718 21/07/26 or call us on 101.

“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

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

Experts have raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in type 2 diabetes among Gen Z women that’s being fuelled by the rising tide of obesity.

Diagnoses of the life-threatening condition have jumped almost 70 per cent among women in England aged 20-29 over the last decade, a major study has found.

This is far higher than the leap for 20-something men, who saw an increase of around 43 per cent.

Meanwhile, diagnoses in Britons aged between 60 and 79 decreased – although this group still makes up the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes in England.

The study, published in the journal Lancet Regional Health, found that the waistlines of women under 30 have grown larger than any other group since 2011.

The average body mass index (BMI) of female diabetics in this age group grew from 37.7 to a morbidly obese score of 40.7. 

Experts warned that the data are particularly worrying given that type 2 diabetes among under 40s – known as early-onset diabetes – is generally more aggressive,  leading to dangerous complications. 

They added that the findings suggest that Government anti-obesity measures are not reaching younger generations.

‘Earlier and more intensive interventions addressing diet, physical activity, and the wider determinants of severe obesity are needed,’ warned the authors, from Imperial College London.

More than four million people in the UK have type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition in which the body does not respond properly to the hormone insulin or cannot produce enough of it, causing blood sugar levels to become dangerously high. 

Left unmanaged, the disease – often triggered by obesity – increases the risk of serious complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness and limb amputation. 

Waistlines in Britain have been expanding for decades, with two-thirds of adults now overweight or obese – classed as having a BMI of more than 25.

Previous research has found that the proportion of UK women with obesity has almost doubled in the UK among women, rising from 16.4 per cent to 30 per cent since 1993.

The new research aimed to analyse how diagnosis rates for type 2 diabetes have changed over time. 

Scientists looked at NHS records covering those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes across England between 2011 and 2024.

They compared annual diagnosis rates by age, sex and ethnicity and examined patients’ BMI at the time of diagnosis.

Among women aged 20 to 29, the annual diagnosis rate sat at around 26 per 100,000 women in 2011.

By 2024, this increased to 44 per 100,000.

This is a surge of 69 per cent over the course of the study period.

Diagnoses in 30 to 39-year-old men and women also increased, though not as sharply as in the younger cohort.

However, 60 to 79 year-old men saw diagnoses drop by around seven per cent.

For women the figure was four per cent.

Despite the rise among younger adults, people over 60 continued to have the highest diagnosis rates overall.

The researchers posed that women may be more likely to have type 2 diabetes picked up by doctors as they face more interaction with healthcare providers than men, for instance during pregnancy. 

Dr Shivani Misra, clinical associate professor at Imperial College London and lead author, said of the findings: ‘We think that the earlier onset of severe obesity in young people is increasing their type 2 diabetes risk in early life and pulling down their age at diagnosis.

‘This is really worrying given the poor health outcomes from early-onset type 2 diabetes and as numbers increase, we need to think about implementing effective treatments as early as possible.’ 

Asked about the role of GLP-1 drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy – which have been used for weight-loss and diabetes – Dr Misra said they should not be seen as a silver bullet.

She said: ‘GLP-1 medications are one component of tackling rising type 2 diabetes in young adults.

‘There is still insufficient research on whether using GLP-1 drugs at scale in adolescents and young adults with obesity can  prevent type 2 diabetes.’

Helen Kirrane, head of policy, campaigns and mobilisation at Diabetes UK, said: ‘The rise in type 2 diabetes among younger adults is deeply concerning.

‘Any diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is serious, but it can be more aggressive in younger people, increasing the risk of devastating complications and cutting lives short.’

Not much has changed in Sarratt since its rolling green fields provided the backdrop for Hugh Grant‘s bumbling best man speech in Four Weddings And A Funeral.

Its quintessentially British scenery – admired by the millions who turned out to see that quintessentially British rom-com – remains untouched, while a list of its attractions would still consist exclusively of three excellent pubs and a Post Office.

From the distant sound of horses’ hooves clipping the surface of its narrow roads to the complete absence of Uber, solid phone signal or any semblance of public transport, Sarratt is stuck in a bygone era many would like to return to.

But the Hertfordshire village is facing an existential threat at the hands of Government housing targets that locals say could ‘ruin’ their rural idyll forever.

Planning applications are proposing 289 newbuild homes on the area’s Green Belt land – an increase of 53.5 per cent, according to campaigners.

An initial development was blocked in 2023 but later approved on appeal after being taken all the way to the Planning Inspectorate.

At the time, officials said the village was an inappropriate location for such projects and recommended the development be the last of its kind.

But families living in Sarratt have been hit by a slew of fresh building proposals – and are concerned this is just the beginning.

They worry the vast housing projects will be a blot on the landscape, and threaten local wildlife, as well as their peaceful rural environment.

The picture postcard location was the setting for Hugh Grant’s bumbling wedding speech in classic British rom-com Four Weddings And A Funeral, pictured

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Helen Lynch – who has expanded the campaign against the encroaching developments from a small WhatsApp group to a village-wide revolt – fears the centuries-old Sarratt way of life is under attack.

The local, 61, told the Daily Mail: ‘We are worried about the long-term impact on nature and wildlife, and the fact that once it’s gone, it’s gone.

‘They are trying to use every argument they possibly can to just concrete over the fields.

‘The walks are circular walks that link up the pubs and it’s been like this for hundreds of years. Unfortunately they are going to go.’

The plans include 97 approved properties adjacent to Church Lane, as well as a further 108 pending decision off the same road.

Meanwhile, another 64 houses are touted for Dawes Lane – pending a decision – and a further 20 in a field behind the Cock Inn on the southern tip of the village.

One developer, Burlington, who the Daily Mail has contacted for comment, is particularly unpopular after campaigners accused the company of using ‘bully boy’ tactics during the legal dispute. 

Barbara Bivens, who has lived on the village green at the end of Dawes Lane for 30 years, agreed that the unique character of the place was under threat, saying: ‘It’s a pretty area. There’s wildlife. It’s going to spoil the environment.

‘Horses come up the lane, hikers go down the lane. You’re going to spoil it all for them. 

‘This is just a lovely village. And we are going to have all these dumper lorries coming up and down. It won’t work.

‘It will be awful. It’s Green Belt land, but that doesn’t mean anything any more does it?’ 

The Campaign To Protect Rural England (CPRE) has recognised Sarratt as ‘Washed-Over Green Belt’ – where every last metre can be classed as Green Belt. 

Planners need exceptional circumstances to build on this land, but the bar for this appears to be falling ever lower and many areas are now being redesignated as Grey Belt, much to the dismay of those who adore them. 

Three Rivers District Council originally proposed 5,000 new homes in their local authority, campaigners say, but Labour argued this was not enough.

The area also lacks an established Local Plan to protect it from such projects – a problem which has heavily harmed the campaign.

The idyllic Hertfordshire village is facing an existential threat at the hands of Labour housing targets that locals say could ‘ruin’ their rural idyll forever (Pictured: Sarratt’s local Post Office)

Helen Lynch, pictured, has expanded the campaign against the encroaching developments from a small WhatsApp group to a village-wide revolt

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And yet, furious locals remain terrified of being branded with the dreaded title, ‘NIMBY’, so are at pains to cut the emotion out of their arguments and stick to the facts.

Indeed, they claim they were even told there was ‘no place’ for sentimental points at a July inquiry into the project.

Their main gripe is with the impact of having potentially dozens of heavy lorries travelling down Sarratt’s narrow lanes during the development process.

It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to leave the idyllic village, but when the Daily Mail had to head home after a recent visit, we realised how cut-off the place really is. 

Buses only depart to the hubs of Watford and Hemel Hempstead every two or three hours, and modern taxi services, like Uber, have a very limited presence in the area.

Ultimately, we had to rely on generous locals to provide lifts and even then the car had to squeeze perilously past other vehicles on tight country lanes, and take lengthy diversions to avoid minor roadworks. 

These are all aspects of the village residents point to when they argue that conducting large-scale developments in the area is highly impractical. 

‘The infrastructure and the road will not take it – this was a track until 1963 when the curb was built,’ Ms Bivens, 78, said. ‘You struggle to get an ambulance down there. You won’t get a lorry through.

‘They are going to have to put double yellow lines all down here. What are they going to do when the fair is here? Parking is manic.’

Gill Goldfinch, who has lived with her husband Steve Goldfinch on the Green for three decades, said: ‘The roads are narrow. The entry to the one they have approved on Church Lane is on the bend of one of the main roads.

‘It just defies any logic that anybody who knows anything about the area would approve something like this.’

To live in Sarratt without a car is to leave yourself virtually stranded – or at least at the mercy of the unreliable transport network.

It follows, then, that hundreds of new neighbours will bring hundreds of new vehicles to a village where parking spaces are already scarce, especially on busy weekend days.

‘At the weekend, so many people come here. We have three very popular pubs. People come here because it is Sarratt and it is in the countryside and they can go walking.

‘But the parking on those days is ridiculous. It is already under strain just with visitors. The weekend we just had, there was just an amazing amount of cars and people.’

Andy Sceats, who lives on Church Lane, said: ‘At the weekend, so many people come here. We have three very popular pubs. People come here because it is Sarratt and it is in the countryside and they can go walking.

Pictured: A portion of Green Belt land adjacent to Dawes Lane in Sarratt which is set to be ‘concreted over’ with newbuild homes

Steve and Gill Goldfinch, pictured, who have lived in the village for three decades, are both concerned about the dangers of increased traffic in the area

‘But the parking on those days is ridiculous. It is already under strain just with visitors. The weekend we just had, there was just an amazing amount of cars and people.’

Ms Goldfinch said: ‘We are appalled. Traffic is already a nightmare. It leads on to the M25 so it is constant. At school time, it is chaos.’

Tony and Jane Spicer – who moved to Sarratt 10 years ago from nearby King’s Langley to enjoy the ‘fresh air and small village feel’ – said: ‘It will be ruined by new houses. The roads will not be able to handle the traffic.’ 

Pre-empting accusations of inviting extra air pollution, developers have plans for green travel baked into their proposals.

One of them – a scheme to turn a small private road next to the Church Lane site into a cycle path – was the subject of the inquiry at the Three Rivers District Council offices in Rickmansworth on July 21.

Locals branded the path ‘dangerous’, featuring two sharp bends and leading on to a 60mph road, and said a woman was killed there several years ago.

Mr Goldfinch said: ‘Part of their argument is that it is in cycling distance to stations – and they’re not. 

‘Cyclists take their lives into their hands round here. It’s a recipe for disaster.’

Ian McClelland, who lives on Church Lane, added: ‘Quite unusually, the local authority laid on a free bus for school children in the village to Sir Clement Danes School because the route has been deemed dangerous.’

Developers are even offering to provide one e-bike per property on the new sites to encourage cycling, but locals say this will not make things any safer on the narrow streets. 

In an area where locals claim school capacity, water supply, phone signal and sewage systems are already creaking – and power cuts are not an uncommon occurrence – there are substantial fears the tsunami of new properties will be unsustainable.

Campaigners say they understand that houses need to be built to ease the strain on the UK housing market.

But they insist there are better places on which to erect them than Green Belt land which overlooks Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty – including the vast swathes of Brownfield land which sits nearby.

Mr Goldfinch said: ‘Everyone’s called a NIMBY – but it just doesn’t make sense.

‘We are not opposed to development on brownfield sites, but it’s not happening.’

‘CPRE told us how much brownfield there was, and more than enough to cope with building requirements,’ Mr Sceats added. ‘But it probably costs more money to clear a brownfield site than to just stick something in a field, whether that field is appropriate or not.

‘They build round here because it is convenient for the developers.’

The proposed homes are touted for ‘affordable housing’ options – properties available at below the market average for the area.

But in Sarratt the average house sells for more than £730,000, according to Rightmove, begging the question of how ‘affordable’ these homes can really be.  

Ms Bivens said: ‘It’s supposed to be affordable housing, but it won’t be affordable for kids in the village. Affordable to someone on £90k maybe.’ 

Mr Goldfinch added: ‘I haven’t seen an awful lot of people in favour of the development. I understand the arguments, but affordable housing round here…I don’t understand it.’

For many, the dream of a peaceful rural life in a picture postcard village is fizzling out fast – but even those considering a move elsewhere are finding it impossible to sell.

‘While they’re doing this, if you want to sell your house, you’ve got no chance,’ Mr Goldfinch said. ‘Prior to this, as soon as property comes on the market, it goes. Now it is sitting there for years.’

Already looking ahead to future battles, Mr McClelland is particularly concerned about the unstoppable ‘urbanisation’ of his beloved local area.

He said: ‘Many years ago, residents were asked if they wanted street lights and they opposed it. People liked the darkness and the feeling they were out in the countryside.

‘Now one of the aspects of the cycle path is they will put lighting in there.

‘Slowly you will get a little rural village urbanised and it will change the character. It’s crazy.’

The situation seems hopeless with councillors ‘hamstrung’ and held hostage by central government targets as well as a move to give planning inspectors more power, according to residents.

Despite this, a truly encouraging campaign has emerged – and gained the support of dozens of passionate locals.

Ms Lynch, who returned to Sarratt three years ago after a spell in Watford, kickstarted Operation BOB (Bog Off Burlington) when she discovered plans to build on the land next to Dawes Lane.

‘There is a very strong sense of community here and this is bringing it together further,’ she said. ‘We are all very defiant we want to keep Sarratt as it is for future generations.

Tony and Jane Spicer, pictured, moved to Sarratt 10 years ago from nearby King’s Langley to enjoy the ‘fresh air and small village feel’ but now think the area will be ‘ruined’

Pictured: A portion of land behind The Cock pub in Sarratt which is touted for newbuild homes

‘We will carry on fighting. There is a fear these greedy developers are going to keep on going.

‘We’ve seen how Burlington work. Their lawyer in the Church Lane appeal used such bully boy tactics, he bullied the inspector, he bullied everybody.

‘If that’s how they behave, that is probably filtering down to the planning level. It will be very difficult not to pass things. 

‘It feels like David and Goliath. We haven’t got the money, we haven’t got the power. All we can do is fight.’

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said:

‘For too long we have not built enough housing, which has put secure homes out of reach.’

‘To meet that challenge we need all areas, including in Three Rivers, to play their part and ensure we build the homes communities need – supported by the right level of infrastructure and services.’

The Daily Mail has approached Three Rivers District Council for comment. 

Paul Coull, 50, first contacted the other person via Hornet, a social media website for members of the LGBTQ+ community, said Rachel Landin, prosecuting at York Crown Court.

Unknown to him, the “Luke” profile purporting to be a 14-year-old boy was operated by adult members of an online anti-paedophile vigilante group who told police about his sexual conversations.

Coull, of Surtees Street, Clifton, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. He had no previous convictions.

“As far as you were concerned, this was a 14-year-old boy,” the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, told Coull. “This court must protect young boys and girls from harm on the internet.

“You richly deserve to go immediately to prison. But Parliament said any sentence under 12 months has to be suspended unless there are really exceptional circumstances and I cannot say there are (in this case).”

He passed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months on condition Coull does 15 days’ rehabilitative activities and 250 hours’ unpaid work and made him subject to a sexual harm prevention order for seven years. Coull will be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

The judge said much of the conversation between Coull and “Luke” had been innocent. “However it did sink into the unacceptable,” he said.

He added: “There was a degree of persistence by the vigilante group” that a real teenager would not have shown.

Defence barrister Rachel Webster handed in character and work references on Coull’s behalf.

She said the online conversations took place at a time when Coull was experiencing low mood and was depressed. He was extremely lonely and craved attention but had looked for it in the wrong place.

He was on medication for depression, but had not been formally diagnosed.

Ms Landin said Coull didn’t ask the age of the person operating the profile on Hornet when they first started talking in the autumn of 2024. 

Eventually “Luke” said he was 14.  Coull responded by saying “Luke” was too young and that sexual acts with him would be illegal. He told the profile he was 48 and “Luke” responded by saying that was all right.

They had a lot of non-sexual conversations and Coull had told “Luke” about the difficulties he had had when he “came out”.

The conversations moved onto WhatsApp where Coull had asked if “Luke” would like him to take his virginity and other sexual topics.

Ms Landin said police had examined Coull’s phone but had found no evidence that Coull had been looking online for indecent images of children.

Andy Burnham has appointed three times as many Northern Cabinet ministers as Southern as he attempts to transfer power away from London.

Backbenchers boasted of the ‘march of the Northern Queens’ as the Prime Minister paraded his new Cabinet for the cameras on Tuesday.

Mr Burnham’s top team also includes triple the number of private school pupils as Sir Keir Starmer‘s – as well as nearly twice the number of Oxbridge graduates.

However, questions were raised about the integrity of some of his appointments, which include a convicted fraudster and a stamp duty dodger.

The so-called ‘King of the North’ has spoken at length about devolving power outside of Whitehall and creating a ‘No 10 North’. 

Now he has rewarded many of his allies – known as the ‘Manchester Mafia’ – with powerful jobs. 

His Cabinet includes 14 members from northern constituencies – including a ‘band of strong, Northern power women’.

Four represent the Midlands, four represent London, two represent the South, three represent Wales and one Scotland.

He made Louise Haigh First Secretary of State despite being a convicted fraudster

New Education Secretary Lucy Powell caused controversy last year after dismissing the grooming gang scandal as a ‘dog whistle’ issue

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Mapping of the areas Mr Burnham’s Cabinet represents indicates that the geographic centre of power has shifted north, it now sits between Sheffield and Knowsley in Merseyside.

But his pitch as a ‘man of the people’ is at odds with his elite Cabinet. Nearly a quarter attended private schools (24 per cent) – a significant increase on the 8 per cent under the previous administration, the Sutton Trust found. 

In comparison, just over 6 per cent of the general population go to fee-paying schools.

The AI minister Kanishka Narayan went to Eton College – where fees are up to £65,000 a year – on a scholarship. 

Hamish Falconer, the minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, attended Westminster School, which costs up to £63,000 a year. 

And Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant went to Cheltenham College – which costs up to £60,000 a year – on a scholarship.

Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander attended the elite Pearson College in Canada, which costs $73,000 (£39,000) a year, on a scholarship.

However, 41 per cent of the top team was educated in the North.

Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson leaves 10 Downing Street following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first cabinet meeting

Lisa Nandy retained her position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

And more than half went to Oxford or Cambridge (54 per cent), compared to 29 per cent of Sir Keir’s Cabinet, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute. Only 1 per cent of the general population attend Oxbridge.

While there are more women in Mr Burnham’s Cabinet, fewer have big jobs. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is now the only woman to hold a great office of state.

Backbencher Oliver Ryan enthused about the ‘stellar appointments’, posting:  ‘Personally I’m completely here for the march of the Northern Queens: Lou, Anneliese, Ange, Lucy, joining Lisa and Bridget – what a squad’.

But the PM faces questions over some of the appointments. He made Louise Haigh First Secretary of State despite being a convicted fraudster. 

And Angela Rayner, reappointed to the housing brief, resigned from government after failing to pay £40,000 of stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove. 

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds apologised last year for lying about working as a solicitor despite not being qualified before he became an MP. 

And new Education Secretary Lucy Powell caused controversy last year after dismissing the grooming gang scandal as a ‘dog whistle’ issue.

Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative Party chairman, said: ‘It is a damning indictment that this is seemingly the best Labour can offer the country.

‘Not only will the public question whether they can trust this ragtag bunch, they will also ask whether they are fit to run the country.’