An expectant mother is in line for compensation after her colleague told her that ‘nobody wants to see a pregnant woman’ at work. 

A tribunal ruled that Jessica Morgan was the victim of discrimination over the cruel comment which she received after suggesting she could give a presentation to a client. 

She previously had a ‘close working relationship’ with her colleague Frederick Geraint Hawkes, who was in charge of procurement at Panelex Wood Agency, a wood supplier based in Swansea which Ms Morgan joined in April 2020. 

She originally earned £40,000 a year at the small business where she was in regular contact with Mr Hawkes.

But this changed when she announced that she was pregnant. 

Ms Morgan noticed a ‘shift’ in her colleague’s behaviour said that she was not allowed to visit customers and to ‘focus on being a mum’, and also claimed that her boss said he ‘wouldn’t make the mistake of hiring a woman again’ when discussing taking temporary cover. 

Ms Morgan was also pressured into giving her company car back early.

After she left the role, an employment tribunal ruled that she had been the victim of pregnancy discrimination. 

But she didn’t win her case because she brought the claim too late. 

Ms Morgan is still in line for compensation as she was found to have been victimised by her former employer.

In November 2023, prior to going on maternity leave, Ms Morgan offered to assist Mr Hawkes in preparing for a presentation for a client.

In response, he said: ‘Nobody wants to see a pregnant woman Jess.’

She further claimed that when the two discussed hiring temporary cover he said he ‘wouldn’t be making the mistake of hiring a woman again’. 

Mr Hawkes denied making the comment. 

Ms Morgan messaged a friend saying: ‘I’d walk out and start today if it was affordable!  Had some REALLT [sic] sexist comments thrown at me recently and making out I can’t do my job!

‘Not allowed to visit customers anymore ‘no one wants to see a pregnant woman’ was what he said to me last week… I was upset!!’

A tribunal ruled that Jessica Morgan was the victim of discrimination after she received the cruel comment after suggesting she could give a presentation to a client

She felt she was unable to challenge the comments at the time. 

Around the same time Mr Hawkes made comments about Ms Morgan being forgetful – but the tribunal found that this was not connected to her pregnancy. 

Ms Morgan began her maternity leave in January 2024 and she became anxious about her position – making jokes about ‘having her back’.

However, Mr Hawkes told her to ‘focus on being a mum’.

In October 2024, they met up for a meeting in Costa Coffee to discuss her return to work where she was informed that her position no longer existed and they ‘did not know where to put her’.

During the meeting Mr Hawkes said to her ‘surely he [her partner] earns enough for you to stay at home’.

She left the meeting with the understanding that her employment would be brought to an end but that she could keep her company car until Christmas and would be paid any outstanding money.

However, Mr Hawkes later asked for the car back at the end of October.

Ms Morgan brought claims of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, pregnancy discrimination, sex discrimination and victimisation to an employment tribunal in Swansea.

A hearing to determine her compensation will be made at a later date. 

Employment Judge Alys Williams said: ‘In many ways therefore this is a sad case and it is unfortunate that the relationship has broken down to such a degree.

‘We find that her failure to challenge the comments does not undermine her account.

‘She refers in numerous messages to her partner that we have been taken to, to the futility of arguing with Mr Hawkes, something she expressed again in her oral evidence.

‘She also only refers to ‘fighting back’ on one occasion, later in November 2023.

‘We find [Ms Morgan] did not frequently challenge Mr Hawkes and in light of the nature of their relationship, the dependency, anxiety and desire to please we describe above we are satisfied that her failure to challenge does not undermine her account.

‘We are satisfied the comment does amount to unfavourable treatment. It suggests that the way a pregnant woman looks will make her off-putting to clients to the extent that she should not be seen.

‘We find that the request for [Ms Morgan] to return the company car amounts to a detriment.

‘[Ms Morgan] agreed to the termination of her employment on terms, including that she could keep the company car until Christmas.

‘[Panelex] reneged on that agreement very soon thereafter and as soon as [Ms Morgan] sought payment of the sums to which she was entitled.

‘The request to return the company car was as a direct response (couched in terms of a ‘compromise’) to [Ms Morgan’s] request for the wages legally owed to her.

‘The car was used as a bargaining chip for [Ms Morgan] to receive that money which she had made clear from the outset she desperately needed.’

The incident occurred at around 6.20pm on Saturday (August 22) in Scarcroft Hill, shortly after the end of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse.

North Yorkshire Police said: “During an incident in which officers were assisting with the arrest of another individual, a police officer was pushed, causing them to stumble and fall to the ground.”

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A force spokesperson added: “We believe the man shown in the image may have information that could assist our investigation and are asking him, or anyone who recognises him, to get in touch.

“Please email Aimee.Turnbull@northyorkshire.police.uk if you can help.

“Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

“Please quote reference number 12260164304 when providing any information.”

EastEnders fans have been left heartbroken after Denise Fox’s condition took a heartbreaking turn, after discovering that chemotherapy treatment isn’t improving her condition

EastEnders’ Denise Fox has faced a truly heartbreaking turn in her cancer battle. The businesswoman is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive type of blood cancer, which was diagnosed just a matter of weeks ago.

Her first round of chemotherapy didn’t prove to be effective, and last week, she was told her second round isn’t fighting the cruel disease as doctors had initially hoped. With Denise’s condition rapidly deteriorating, Walford residents are on a mission to find a suitable stem cell donor, after it emerged that her immediate family are not matches.

In Monday’s episode of the BBC soap, Denise was told by her consultant that she was “very unwell” and had developed a chest infection, which later turned into sepsis. Sepsis happens when the body has an extreme response to an infection and is life-threatening.

After being informed of her latest medical issue, Denise was told she was being transferred to the intensive care unit as a matter of urgency and would recieve assistance to breathe. “At this point, Denise, we need to breathe for you,” the consultant said, before confirming that Denise would be placed on a ventilator and placed into a medically induced coma.

But while she was told there was a “small” chance she wouldn’t wake up, the consultant was confident that Denise’s condition would dramatically improve with ventilation support, allowing her body to fight her infection.

Denise’s heartbroken partner, Jack, was left distraught as he asked for time with Denise away from the doctors. “You don’t have to be pressured into this,” he warned, citing Martha’s Law, which gives families, patients and carers access to a rapid clinical review if the patient’s condition is deteriorating and they want another opinion.

“I’m not ready,” an emotional Denise said before she was left coughing and struggling to breathe. Denise’s sister, Kim, was informed of the news over the phone, and despite suffering from a cold, she was adamant she would be going to see her sister before she was placed in a coma.

As Denise’s condition worsened, Walford rallied around her, holding a stem cell donor search at the community centre to urgently find somebody suitable to donate stem cells. But while Jack urged their family to visit Denise before she was placed in a coma, she didn’t want her young son, Raymond, to see her in this way.

However, at home, Denise meets a relative, Darnell L J, who is a 25 per cent DNA match and is identified as a half-sibling. However, when Kim and Howie went to message Darnell on the ancestry website, his account had been deactivated. But Patrick came up with an idea: to look through a family memory box to find Denise’s biological father and work out who Darnell is.

Fans have taken to social media to praise actress Diane Parish, who plays Denise. “EastEnders was a hard a and upsetting watch today but very beautifully acted,” said one.

A second added: “I had tears today very hard watch well done to everyone with the acting.” “I was in flood of tears I hope they do not kill her off,” commented a third. A fourth penned: “I shed a tear was heartbreaking.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Nicholas Hoult has backed out of his role as Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming Harry Potter series amid mounting backlash over JK Rowling‘s involvement.

It has been revealed that the part will now be played by Kit Harington, who has stepped in at the last minute after Nicholas blamed ‘scheduling conflicts’.

Nicholas’s role in the series prompted fury from his fans earlier this month, when it was announced he had been cast in the fantasy series.

But just days after the news was announced, it has now been revealed that he is no longer attached to the project.

He was set to play the conniving but charming Professor Lockhart in the upcoming series, but many fans were dismayed by the actor’s decision.

Some fans objected to him taking a role in a production that Rowling is executive-producing, given her well-publicised opposition to aspects of contemporary transgender-rights activism. 

The role was originated by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 blockbuster film, which earned over $883 million at the worldwide box office

Critics argue participating in the HBO series helps financially support a franchise in which Rowling remains involved, rather than treating the series as completely separate from her political views. 

The Golden Globe nominee told Variety previously that giving his voice to the character was easy.

He said: ‘It was a really simple yes, because I love the character.

‘As far as cameos in a series go, you don’t get much more entertaining and fun to do as an actor than Gilderoy Lockhart. It was a no-brainer.’

Filming for the second season of Harry Potter is expected to start this fall, while the first season will come out on HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day.

The role was originated by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 blockbuster film, which earned over $883million at the worldwide box office.

Season two of Harry Potter the series was given the green light back in May and is reportedly set to begin filming in the fall – months before season one’s Christmas premiere. 

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lockhart is a Hogwarts professor who serves as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

As per the book series, the character notably takes the credit for other wizards’ ‘heroic deeds’ after wiping their memories. 

Hoult is no stranger to playing a villain, having previously portrayed Lex Luthor in the 2025 Superman film starring David Corenswet as the titular superhero.

The actor has gained mainstream Hollywood recognition after famously enjoying TV success in the UK young adult series Skins as well as the Hulu comedy The Great, for which he earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. 

The HBO reboot of Harry Potter will see 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin play Harry after the role was famously portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, 37. 

Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley, previously played by Rupert Grint, 38, and Arabella Stanton will complete the trio as Hermione Granger, who was played by Emma Watson, 36, in the iconic early 2000s films.

Speaking recently about landing the titular role in the series, McLaughlin told the BBC: ‘I was always a huge Harry Potter fan when I was younger. And it was like the dream role, of course.’

He also called it a ‘bit surreal’, adding: ‘I’m thrilled to be able to be doing it.’

The HBO reboot of Harry Potter will see 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin play Harry after the role was famously portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, 37

Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley, previously played by Rupert Grint, 37, and Arabella Stanton will complete the trio as Hermione Granger, who was played by Emma Watson, 36, in the iconic early 2000s films; seen in March

Nick Frost is playing the role of Rubeus Hagrid in the TV series, with John Lithgow taking on the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Janet McTeer playing Professor McGonagall.

According to Deadline, Jon Brown, a writer on the not-yet-released first season, has been promoted to co-showrunner alongside Francesca Gardiner for season two of the Harry Potter series.

News of Hoult’s casting comes after author Rowling, who is executive producing the HBO series, said in a post on X in June that she had read the first two episodes of the TV adaptation.

The famed author called the episodes, ‘SO, SO, SO GOOD’.

Grape Tree is the latest addition to the Market Cross Shopping Centre in Selby.

It offers a wide selection of natural ingredients and wholefoods, including nuts, dried fruit, seeds, grains, and products for gluten-free, vegan, and high-protein diets.

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Speaking about this, a representative for Grape Tree said: “We’re delighted to be opening our new Grape Tree store at Market Cross and look forward to becoming part of the local community.

The store offers a wide selection of products packed with natural ingredients and wholefoods (Image: Market Cross Shopping Centre)

They added: “Our aim is to make healthy eating more accessible by offering quality health foods, natural ingredients and everyday essentials at great value prices.

“We can’t wait to welcome customers through our doors and introduce them to everything Grape Tree has to offer.”

The arrival of Grape Tree means Market Cross is now fully let, with every unit occupied.

James Shepherd, managing director of Dransfield Properties, which owns and manages the centre, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Grape Tree to Market Cross.

“The store brings a fantastic range of healthy produce, giving our customers even more choice.

“Every unit at Market Cross is now occupied, which is a strong endorsement of the centre and its position at the heart of Selby.

“It also demonstrates continued confidence in the town centre and its future as a thriving destination for businesses, shoppers and the wider community.”

Grape Tree opened its first store in 2013 and has since grown into a national health food retailer with more than 100 stores.

The statement said the leaders “expressed their determination to increase military support to Ukraine, strengthen its air defence as a matter of urgent priority, enhance co-operation with its defence industry, and share relevant technologies, including through the anti-ballistic missile coalition”.

Scientists have uncovered evidence of a lost world buried beneath Egypt’s desert for more than 70 million years.

Researchers found 14 fossilized teeth that belonged to five now-extinct shark species, including one that may never before have been found in Africa.

The discovery brings the number of shark species identified in the area to at least seven.

It reveals that one of the driest places on Earth was once submerged beneath a warm tropical sea teeming with life.

The discovery was made on Egypt’s Abu-Tartur Plateau, a remote stretch of the Western Desert rich in phosphate deposits.

The teeth varied dramatically in shape: some were thin and needle-like, others were broad and serrated, and one specimen was curved.

Those differences suggest the sharks hunted different prey and occupied separate positions within the food chain.

Together with evidence of small fish, invertebrates and predatory marine reptiles, the fossils reveal a rich ecosystem that once thrived where only deserts exists today.

The team suggested that powerful ocean currents likely carried nutrient-rich water toward the surface, helping plankton and other small organisms thrive. 

That abundance of food supported an entire marine food chain, from small fish and invertebrates to medium-sized sharks and enormous predators. Marine reptiles also lived in parts of the region, according to the study published in the journal Cretaceous Research.

Some of the sharks typically lived closer to shore, while others preferred deeper waters. This suggests the fossils accumulated over time and came from several different parts of the ancient marine environment.

Overall, the findings reveal that the area was once a rich and highly productive ocean ecosystem during the Late Cretaceous period.

Abu-Tartur Plateau is a major limestone highland in the central Western Desert, located roughly 400 miles southwest of Cairo between the Kharga and Dakhla oases. 

It holds one of the region’s largest phosphate reserves, serving as a vital hub for Egypt’s mining and fertilizer industries.

The sharks lived during the Cretaceous period, between 145 and 66 million years ago, when the Earth was much hotter and more humid than it is today.

What is now Egypt was also a lush, tropical landscape, with portions of the country submerged beneath warm Tethys seawater that teemed with marine life.

Researchers recovered 14 fossilized teeth belonging to five now-extinct shark species, bringing the number known from the area to at least seven

By comparing the teeth with fossils found elsewhere in the world, the researchers led by Cairo University linked them to five extinct shark species: Cretalamna cf. maroccana, Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon, Serratolamna cf. serrata, Squalicorax bassanii and Squalicorax pristodontus.

None had previously been recorded at Abu-Tartur, while two, Serratolamna cf. serrata and Squalicorax bassanii, had never before been documented in Egypt.

But one discovery was particularly remarkable.

Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon, distinguished by its long, needle-like teeth, may be the first example of the species ever found in Africa.

Researchers said it could also be the youngest known specimen in the fossil record, as every other example discovered so far is significantly older.

Together, the five species reveal far more than the simple presence of sharks.

Their differently shaped teeth suggest they hunted separate prey and occupied distinct roles within a rich and complex marine ecosystem, rather than competing for the same food.

The team suggested that finding all seven species in the same phosphate-rich layer means their remains accumulated in a warm tropical or subtropical sea. 

The area was probably located along the outer continental shelf and the upper part of the slope leading into deeper water.

The sea also appeared to have been affected by active upwelling, a process in which currents carry cold, nutrient-rich water from the depths toward the surface. 

Those nutrients would have fueled the rapid growth of plankton and other tiny organisms, supporting a large and varied marine food web, according to researchers.

By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER

Updated: 19:19 BST, 24 August 2026

Successful trainer Michael Dods stages the annual open day as part of National Racehorse Week and the event gets more and more popular.

Visitors of all ages flocked to the Denton Hall stables, near Darlington, to enjoy getting up close to the horses.

Future jockey? Ralph, 4, tries out the equicizer horse simulator (Image: Peter Barron)

Star attraction was unbeaten two-year-old Arapaho Gold, owned by Darlington businessman Doug Graham. Winner of the prestigious Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at the famous York Ebor Festival last week, Arapaho Gold is now one of the highest rated young horses in Europe.

Spectators were able to see horses going up the gallops and see a demonstration of the starting stalls. Other attractions included seeing farrier Danny Souter at work, a physio demonstration by Lee Clark, and horses in the equine spa and treadmill.

Farrier Danny Souter gives a demonstration (Image: Peter Barron)

There was also the chance for visitors to test their jockey skills by having a go on the ‘equicizer’ horse simulator.

And Michael Dods, Assistant Trainer, Chloe Dods, and Arapaho Gold’s owner, Doug Graham, took part in a question and answer session.

Michael Dods said: “We always do our best to support National Racehorse Week because it’s a chance to show the public how much is involved in running a racing yard, and how much care the horses receive.

“We’ve held the open day for a few days now and it seems to be getting busier every year. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, approachable yard and it’s always nice to see so many people showing an interest. Hopefully, they found their visit interesting.”

Watching the horses walk back from the gallops (Image: Peter Barron)

Anna Clayton, of Great British Horseracing, described the Denton Hall open day as a “great example” of trainers supporting National Racehorse Week”.

“It’s all about attracting families who might not necessarily be interested in racing, and giving them a fascinating insight into the sport,” said Anna.

“Lots of yards are opening to the public across the country and it’s lovely to see so many happy faces as young and old meet the stars of the sport.”

Zac, 10, and Mae, 12, get up close with Northern Express (Image: Peter Barron)

Des Scott, of Darlington, has been a fan of the sport since childhood but this was his first visit to a racing stable.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “Michael and his team have been wonderful in giving up their time and it’s been so interesting to see how much goes on behind the scenes.”

Fans meet retired racehorses Barney McGrew and Dakota Gold (Image: Peter Barron)

EastEnders spoilers follow for Monday’s (August 24) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.

Denise Fox (Diane Parish) was put into a medically induced coma after a devastating update from doctors amid her cancer battle.

The show legend, as viewers know, was diagnosed in June with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer that requires urgent treatment.

She has undergone two rounds of intense chemotherapy thus far but sadly doctors informed her earlier this month that neither round have had the desired effect on her cancer.

A stem cell transplant is the next phase of treatment.

But while the residents of Walford gathered at the community centre to get tested to see if they’re a match, Denise faced more sad news as she was told that her infection had developed into sepsis and therefore she had to be taken into intensive care and put on a ventilator.

‘We need to put you into a medically induced coma,’ said the consultant. Denise was taken aback and asked if there was a possibility the sepsis could worsen while she was in a coma and that she might not wake up.

The doctor confirmed that there is the small possibility of such a thing but reiterated that her chance of survival is ‘greatly increased’ by the ventilation.

Denise and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) broke down as they attempted to process the news. Jack suggested going to get the kids but Denise was adamant that she couldn’t see them. ‘I can’t say goodbye’, she said through tears.

Later, Denise was taken to intensive care where doctors prepped her for sedation. In emotional scenes, Denise asked Jack to tell all her children that she loves them and discussed practical details including where her will was stored.

Jack held her hand tightly, telling her that he loves her as doctors sedated her.

Meanwhile, back in the Square, Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) had a huge breakthrough when she discovered via an ancestry website that Denise has a half-brother who prove to be a stem cell match.

Jack and Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) smiled through their tears when they were notified, desperately hoping that this unexpected update will be what they need to save Denise’s life.

Can they track down their long-lost relative? And if so, will he prove to be a match?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

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