Andrew Mearns, 57, of Colwyn Place in Llandudno, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court today (August 14, 2026) after pleading guilty to 14 counts of fraud.

The fraud took place while Mearns was a director at Gmund Cars Limited in Knaresborough – a high-value car dealership which specialised in the sale and modification of luxury vehicles, particularly Porsches.

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Between December 2006 and July 2019, Mearns agreed to sell vehicles on behalf of clients on a commission, however he sold the cars and kept the proceeds for himself, leaving clients out of pocket.

Mearns’ crimes came to light after 14 separate reports were made between October 2017 and July 2019 – with police investigating ‘extensively’ for several years.

Police Staff Investigator Corrina Graham-Merrett from North Yorkshire Police said: “Mearns lied to his customers time and time again. Thankfully, his offending was brought to a stop, and we have worked tirelessly to secure evidence against him over many years.

“The financial and emotional impact on his victims has been nothing short of devastating, and will no doubt continue for them whilst civil cases are pursued to have vehicles repatriated. It is right that he now faces the consequences for his actions.

“This case delivers a firm warning: fraud will be met with zero tolerance in our communities. We will pursue those who exploit honest trust by ensuring that we hold them to account.”

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or through the force’s website or by contacting Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

At the top of the Times is the news that ex-Cambridge professor Jason Arday, who has been at the centre of a row in-part focused on accusations of plagiarism, has been found dead. The police have said his death is being treated as “unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious”. Also on the front page, “Burnham calls up the military to tackle fires”.

Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) is set to make yet another big discovery about Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) in EastEnders next week but not before he receives some rather shocking news of his own.

The detective, as viewers know, is investigating the attack carried out on Joel Marshall (Max Murray), whose presence in the Square proved controversial following his release from prison.

Joel was jailed earlier this year after he attacked stepmum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). He also recorded himself having sex with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) without her knowledge or consent.

After he was released, he returned to stay in Walford with dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw), which didn’t go down with the teens of the Square – namely Amy, who invited him to the park under the pretence of an end-of-term party.

When he showed up, Joel was apprehended and tied up using Ricky Butcher’s (Frankie Day) bike lock as the others poured beer over him, filming the incident on their phones.

Joel was later attacked by an unknown assailant, which led to a police investigation, with DC Craig determined to get to the bottom of what transpired.

Over the past week, numerous revelations have come to light, with Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) confirming that she freed Joel prior to the attack while Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) confessed to being with Avani at the time of the assault, which ruled all three out as suspects.

Amy, meanwhile, was quizzed by Craig, who proved supportive, which prompted her to spill the beans about Ricky owning the bike lock used to restrain Joel.

After finding out that Denzel – who she was starting to develop feelings for once more – had a moment with Avani, Amy was devastated and thus sought solace in a bottle of alcohol.

Craig spotted her at McKlunkeys soon after and offered her the opportunity to open up. In unexpected scenes, Amy confessed to being responsible for Joel’s attack, leaving Craig utterly reeling.

Next week, Amy frets about what she’s told Craig, pleading with him to keep it a secret. Craig says he’ll do his best to keep a lid on things but makes it clear they are both compromised now that he knows about Amy’s actions.

The detective, as viewers will recall, withheld the video of the teens tormenting Joel from evidence on Jack and Joel’s request and he fears that this could lead to him losing his job.

With these concerns playing on his mind, will he do as Amy asks and keep shtum about her involvement?

We’ll just have to wait and see as, following Amy’s plea, Craig heads to the station, where he’s told that he’s been suspended from public duty police after a serious complaint is made against him.

As a result, he’s taken off the Joel case.

Back on the Square, Jack tells Amy that the police will likely find Joel’s attacker. Terrified, Amy decides that she’s going to run away – but before she has time to make her escape, Craig catches her.

The question is: just what will Craig have to say about her attempted exit plans? The immediate aftermath has yet to be revealed but what we can say is that later in the week, Craig promises to be there for Amy, who accepts his support.

But just what will happen next?

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MORE: Infuriated Ross tackles Amy over Joel in EastEnders after making a big discovery

MORE: Joel confronts all teen suspects over the attack with an EastEnders twist coming

MORE: Lily exposes a truth in EastEnders with main teen culprit revealed

Stonegate Group has asked the Planning Inspectorate to overturn North Yorkshire Council’s decision to refuse permission for work at The Talbot Hotel, in the market place.

The work, carried out in July 2025, involved replacing two concrete areas with patio surfacing and installing timber fencing to create a garden terrace.

The council refused permission in May after concluding the work had formalised the beer garden and resulted in more intensive use close to neighbouring homes.

The application attracted 11 objections, including from residents of neighbouring properties.

Concerns included increased noise and disturbance, particularly during the evening, as well as the impact of customers coming and going and the sustained occupation of the terrace.

Residents also raised concerns about noise when doors providing access to the terrace were opened and closed, and light spilling from external lighting into neighbouring properties.

Richmond Town Council objected due to concerns about excessive noise disturbing residents, while the council’s environmental protection team also opposed the scheme.

Environmental health officers said they had received noise complaints in August 2025 which coincided with the opening of the refurbished terrace. They concluded its use was likely to have a detrimental impact on people living nearby.

However, the application also received 28 letters of support, with supporters highlighting the importance of maintaining a viable town centre pub, improved facilities and the contribution the business makes to Richmond’s social life.

Stonegate disputes the council’s conclusions.

Planning consultants Bidwells, acting for the company, argue that the land was already part of the pub and used for outdoor customer seating before the improvements.

They say there has been no increase in the capacity of the garden area and that the fencing has actually created a more restricted terrace with fewer tables and chairs, while providing some visual and acoustic screening.

The company adds that issues arising from customers using the outside area can be dealt with through the pub’s premises licence rather than the planning system.

Stonegate says the improvements are important to The Talbot’s commercial viability, helping it attract customers and supporting jobs.

Its appeal statement describes the council’s refusal as “draconian” and says the authority should instead support the hospitality sector.

Orlaith Prenter was recalled to the Antrim squad late in the season and played a starring role as the Saffrons won the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship title

Following a significant hiatus from the inter-county game, Orlaith Prenter returned to play a starring role in the latter stages of Antrim’s TG4 All-Ireland junior football championship success this season.

A winner of the third-tier competition back in 2022, Prenter registered 0-5 when the Saffron County lost out narrowly to Clare in a TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship semi-final on July 23 of the following year.

She subsequently moved to Australia where she worked with an engineering company in Brisbane and while she returned to help St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass to win the Antrim senior club championship in 2024, she was back in the southern hemisphere during the 2025 inter-county season.

Yet this summer saw her moving home once again and although the 26-year-old hadn’t any immediate plans to make an Antrim comeback, she was asked to rejoin the panel in the midst of their ongoing championship campaign.

Appearing first as a substitute in Antrim’s third group game against Longford in the All-Ireland JFC at Tír na nÓg, Randalstown on June 21, Prenter went on to claim a starting berth for their semi-final and final victories over Sligo and Carlow respectively.

“I was back midway through June, I think it was. To be honest whenever I came home, county wasn’t really on my mind because I knew rightly it was so far into the season. When things are going well for a panel, you don’t really want to go in and disturb things. I didn’t even know if the offer would be there coming home,” Prenter admitted.

“Thankfully they gave me a call and asked would I come into the squad. I think they had a couple of things injuries wise and Ana Mulholland had left to go to Australia to play AFL. I was really thankful that I did get that call and it worked out great in the end.

“I think I was only there for the Longford game, the Sligo game and then the final. Not much of a season got played, but I came out at the end with an All-Ireland from it. I can’t really complain!”

The contribution made by Prenter in Antrim’s All-Ireland junior final success at the expense of Carlow in Croke Park on August 2 was substantial as she amassed six points over the course of the contest – five of them coming from play.

While she was content with this scoring return, Prenter was just happy to have come out on the right side of the result.

In fact, she is quick to heap praise upon the LGFA’s ZuCar Golden Boot winner for 2026 – and her St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass club-mate – Maria O’Neill. With just 15 seconds left on the clock, she kicked a decisive point to guide Antrim towards a 1-13 to 2-9 win.

“I think you just kind of know on the day whether things like shooting are going to go your way or are they not. Thankfully they did go my way. I’m happy enough with that and more so the result. I could have kicked a point and if we had won, I would have been happy enough. At the end of the day it just comes down to the result.

“Maria had played an absolute blinder against Sligo. I think Carlow did their homework on her and that was credit to them, but she found her feet there in the last 10 minutes. It was probably the most important period of the game. That’s when she hit her form.”

Aside from collecting the main prize on offer (the West County Hotel Cup), there was satisfaction within the Antrim set-up last Sunday week at finally getting over the line in Croke Park.

You had to go back to their All-Ireland junior final success of 2012 for the last time the Antrim ladies were victorious at GAA HQ – the now-retired Áine Tubridy being the sole survivor from that game 14 years later. From there, the Saffrons went on to lose junior deciders in 2016, 2021 and 2025 in addition to drawing with Fermanagh in the 2022 third-tier showpiece.

Their replay win in the latter took place at the Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh, which meant there was something a little different about their 2026 success.

“We were actually saying funny enough the week before the final, that there was a few who had maybe played three games in Croke Park and hadn’t won one of them.

“It probably was lingering in the back of people’s minds about ‘we’ve been here before and we haven’t been able to finish out games’. It was deadly and hopefully it will stand by us for future games if we get back to Croke Park.”

There won’t be much time to rest for Antrim’s All-Ireland winning stars, however, as the club championship in the Saffron County is set to gather pace in the coming days and weeks.

This Monday will see St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass taking on Naomh Bríd in the Antrim senior championship and Prenter is set to have a big role to play after transferring back to her home team once again in May of this year.

When Moneyglass faced the all-conquering Kilkerrin-Clonberne in an historic final appearance in the AIB All-Ireland senior club football championship at Croke Park on December 13 of last year, Prenter was watching on from the outside. Reaching a national showpiece on the back of winning the Antrim and Ulster championships made it a memorable year for the club and she acknowledges it played a huge part in her decision to return home permanently from Australia.

“Whenever I was away, I remember watching the Ulster final and obviously I was immensely proud of all them, but it does sit at the back of your head ‘I’m the only one now without an Ulster medal from Moneyglass’,” Prenter added.

“That was the kind of the point where I was like ‘I don’t really want to miss out on that again’. Then I actually came home for the All-Ireland final and watched it. I was home for six days, I was so proud of them all. Moneyglass football is just going in such a good direction. Hopefully we can replicate that this year.”

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Former gangland boss and Krays rival Eddie Richardson has died at the age of 90. 

Richardson led the ‘Torture Gang’ in Sixties London and terrorised the capital with his brother Charlie. 

His sister Elaine said Eddie had died yesterday morning in the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley, south London. 

He was admitted with pneumonia a few days ago. 

Elaine Richardson said: ‘We are all very sad. He had his 90th birthday in January. Eddie was a family man and he had a lot of friends, he was very loyal to his friends. We know he was 90 but we are all going to miss him.’

When asked if Richardson had remained involved in his gangland criminal activity in his old age, a source said: ‘He was such a staunch old fella that he could have been up to something but you would never have known.’ 

The south London-based Richardson mob feuded with the east London Kray twins more than 60 years ago. 

Brothers Eddie and Charlie used a scrap metal business and fruit machine company as fronts for a criminal empire involving drug dealing, protection and extortion rackets.

Twin brothers and organised crime bosses Ronnie and Reggie Kray

The Kray Twins, Ronald and Reginald, seen here at home after helping police with their inquiries into a shooting at the Blind Beggar Pub

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The gang was most feared for their bodyguard ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, who tortured anyone who crossed them following trial by kangaroo court run by the brothers. 

His favoured methods of torture were rumoured to be pulling teeth out with pliers, nailing people to the floor using six-inch spikes, and electrocuting others using a crank-handled telephone. 

Eddie shot down the reputation of his gangland rivals, the Kray twins, in 2015 by claiming they were ‘small timers’ who ‘weren’t in his league’.

He said at the time that the famous East End criminals lacked ‘the brains’ to ever be considered true rivals. 

Richardson said he was ‘amazed’ by the interest the Krays still generate and says the pair were nothing like legends in his eyes. 

Richardson said in 2015: ‘The Krays had watched too many US gangster films. They wanted to be like Al Capone but didn’t have the brains to do anything major league.’ 

Eddie was described by two separate Home Secretaries as ‘one of the most dangerous men in Britain’ and served a total of 46 years in jail. 

His career-ending arrest came in 1990, when he was busted following a £70million drugs deal that earned him a 35-year prison sentence, eventually commuted to 13 years. 

Eddie Richardson (left) and Frank Fraser, who was known torturing anyone who crossed the gang

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Eddie Richardson a former member of the infamous ‘Richardson gang’, with one of his paintings at an exhibition of his work in London, Wednesday 1 October 2003

Richardson led the ‘Torture Gang’ in Sixties London and terrorised the capital with his brother Charlie

Aside from the Krays and Fraser, his associates included the Great Train Robbers, the prison reformer Lord Longford and Brian Keenan, then head of the armed council of the IRA. 

In 1966, Ronnie Kray murdered Richardson gang member George Cornell – the night after a fatal gang fight between the Richardsons and another rival mob.

In July that year, on the same day that England won the World Cup, the Richardson gang were rounded up during mass police raids. 

The following year, their so-called Torture Trial surrounding the actions of ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser became a national story. 

Former police officer Dick Kirby examined the impact of gangsters in London during the 1950s and 60s in his book London’s Gangs at War. 

He said in 2017: ‘I read the books which the Krays and their hangers-on had written; then, for comparison, I checked police reports, court & newspaper records and spoke to the police officers who were there at the time, to get at the truth.

‘What I found out about the twins were that they were self-serving, ruthless and murdering bullies.

‘The most harrowing of the stories was undoubtedly the Richardson Torture Gang, though, who used their particular talents to utterly humiliate and denigrate their victims for their own gratification.’ 

Charlie Richardson was sentenced to 25 years for his part in the gang after being convicted of extortion, fraud, assault and grievous bodily harm. 

Eddie was jailed for ten years on top of five for a previous offence. He has spent more than 23 years in prison over two stretches. 

The first spell saw him freed in 1977, but he was jailed again for 35 years in 1990 after being convicted of importing cannabis and cocaine. His final release came in 2002. 

Eddie Richardson remained out of prison for the rest of his life and was living in Beckenham, south London, before his death. 

It was believed that the brothers had fallen out over money and Eddie had not spoken to Charlie for a number of years before his death. 

‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser died in hospital at the age of 90 in 2014. 

He has spent 42 years – almost half his life – in jail for 26 offences. The former gangland leader was handed an Asbo the year before he died after flying into a rage with a fellow pensioner at his care home. 

A powerful earthquake hit Indonesia as authorities told residents to stay away from beaches in case of tsunamis and hundreds were forced to evacuate.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the Indonesian coast around 5.58am local time, around midnight in the UK.

Indonesia’s Flores Island was hit by the quake with a depth of 10km, with the epicentre 68km (42 miles) from Ende, on the southern coast of the island, in East Nusa Tenggara province.

No deaths or injuries were reported immediately after the quake, which was followed by two aftershocks, one with a magnitude of 6.1.

Authorities warned of tsunamis and told residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks as the shallow quake threatened Indonesian coastlines.

Video appearing to be of the Port of Maumere on Flores captured crumbling buildings and shattered windows as people screamed and ran through the streets.

Comprising 17,000 islands, Indonesia is vulnerable to earthquakes because of its position on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, a series of volcanoes and fault lines around the ocean.

Lukas Lotar, a hospital porter, said: ‘Suddenly it started to shake and I panicked.

Windows shattered and plasterwork fell from walls as the 7.7 magnitude earthquake was followed by two aftershocks

People were filmed running through the street and screaming as authorities warned of possible tsunamis

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A small fishing village on the coastline of Flores, the Indonesian island near to where a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit overnight (file pic)

‘Patients also fled the hospital, the jolt was big. I saw some walls were cracked.’

A hospital near Ende was filmed moving its patients outside by local media, though it is unclear whether this was in the same place Mr Lotar described.

Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka, which lies within East Nusa Tenggara province, said strong shaking had damaged buildings as people ran to higher ground.

‘Many buildings here were damaged. I saw that the waiting room at the Pelni port terminal in Maumere had collapsed,’ she said.

A spokesman for the country’s national disaster mitigation agency said the quake struck strongly for around one minute in regions such as Nagekeo and Bima.

Indonesia’s meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BKMG) said it was possible a tsunami could follow the quake.

‘Tsunami modelling results indicate that this earthquake has the potential to generate a tsunami in the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara,’ the agency said.

It warned residents of waves from 0.5m to 3m high as residents in Maumere evacuated to higher ground.

According to witnesses the sea around the island has washed out, a common sign of a coming tsunami. 

The Indonesian quake was of a higher magnitude than that which hit Colombia earlier this week.

That earthquake was a magnitude 7.4 and buried people across the country as buildings collapsed.

A pink sand beach on Flores, which lies in the country’s east (file pic)

The island is on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, named for its volcanoes and fault lines, including the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano which erupted in June last year

At least 111 were killed in Colombia and 87 were injured as the country declared a state of emergency and a race to find survivors began.

Also on the so-called Ring of Fire, the Colombian quake was felt as far away as Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

Indonesia has a history of deadly earthquakes, including the 2004 Boxing Day quake, a 9.1 magnitude event that struck off the coast of Sumatra.

One of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded, it killed 170,000 in Indonesia and a further 52,000 in the surrounding region.

In 2018 a powerful earthquake shook the island of Lombok and more tremors followed during the following weeks, killing more than 550 people on the holiday island and neighbouring Sumbawa.

Later that year, a 7.5 magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island left more than 4,300 people dead or missing.

Flores has also seen recent volcanic activity after the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted last year, spewing ash high into the air.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler birdied the first five holes and shot a 9-under 61 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

The top-ranked Scheffler had 11 birdies and two bogeys in 100-degree heat at TPC Southwind in the playoff opener. He had an 11-under 129 total.

Scheffler tied the tournament course record. He has played the TPC Southwind more times (seven) without winning than any other course on the PGA Tour.

Viktor Hovland and Sungjae Im were tied for second at 8 under. Hovland had a 64, and Im shot his second 66.

Ludvig Aberg was 7 under after a 65.

Jordan Spieth shot 69 to get to 6 under. He was part of a four-way tie for the first-round lead. Spieth is outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup who advance to the BMW Championship next week.

Scheffler entered the week with a 794-point lead over Matt Fitzpatrick in the FedExCup standings. Fitzpatrick was 3 under after a 67.

So much emphasis is on getting into the top 50 because that locks up all the $20 million signature events for next season.

Rory McIlroy played alongside Scheffler the first two days. He followed an opening 74 with a 70, leaving him tied for 60th at 4 over.

___

See AP’s full golf coverage here

A strong earthquake measuring magnitude 7.7 hit off the Indonesian coast early Saturday, prompting a tsunami alert. Authorities have received no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tremor struck the Flores area at 5:58 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located roughly 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The initial quake was followed by several aftershocks.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning for part of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi provinces, and urged residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks. The agency located the shallow undersea quake near Flores island. Residents along affected coastlines were advised to move to higher ground as officials were closely monitoring coastal tide gauges for any changes.

The quake was felt across much of Flores Island. Initial reports indicated there was damage to homes and public facilities, though officials had not yet released estimates of the number of damaged buildings or any casualties.

Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka, a regency within East Nusa Tenggara province, said a number of buildings were damaged by the strong shaking and panicked people ran to higher ground.

“Many buildings here were damaged … I saw that the waiting room at the Pelni port terminal in Maumere had collapsed,” she said.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

In December of 1992, a magnitude 7 earthquake caused a tsunami that killed about 2,500 people on the southeastern island of Flores, part of a group of islands in the eastern half of Indonesia.

Addressing potential broader impacts, Australia’s tsunami warning center stated the undersea tremor presents “no tsunami threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories”.

The Old Mill, Knitsley, near Consett, has been taken over by an ‘experienced local operator.’

The restaurant and pub announced the reopening on Facebook last night (Thursday, August 13).

The post said: “We’re delighted to announce that Knitsley Mill will be opening soon under new ownership and the direction of an experienced local operator.

“The refurbishment is now underway, and we’re working hard behind the scenes to give this beautiful venue a fresh new look while retaining all of its traditional character and charm.

“With years of experience behind the new venture, you can expect great food, excellent service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere for the whole community.

“We can’t wait to welcome you through the doors and reveal everything we have planned.”

An official opening date has not yet been announced.

The community has been quick to show their support.

One person said: “Cannot wait, going to be our new local.”

The site also offers six guest bedrooms that can be used for accommodation.

The Old Mill’s lease was listed earlier this year and closed its doors in April.