North Yorkshire Council’s annual review of its library service reveals 1,909,289 visits were recorded during 2025/26, with the authority saying usage has been on an upward trend in recent years as libraries increasingly operate as community hubs.

The increase comes despite an overall five per cent fall in book issues compared with the previous year.

The council said the reduction reflected a national trend, although physical borrowing was also under-recorded during the first two quarters of the year following the introduction of a new library management system.

Digital borrowing continued to grow, with eBook and eAudio issues increasing by 11 per cent and eMagazine and eNewspaper issues rising by 16 per cent.

Councillor Simon Myers, executive member for culture, arts and housing, said it was really encouraging to see an increased use of the county’s Libraries which he said was a testament to the hard work of the librarians and volunteers.

He added: “It is particularly gratifying to see an increase in young users and in membership, year on year. Our libraries really are at the heart of our communities, and I hope that in this National Year of Reading more people will take up this wonderful, free, resource.

“I think Billy Connolly’s recollection of the life-altering power of books rings as true today as it did in my own, painfully shy, youth.

“Billy said ‘when I was an unhappy little boy, going to the library changed my life. It may even have saved it. Amazing as it sounds, literature can do that for you’.”

The annual review also claims North Yorkshire is providing its library service more cheaply than comparable rural councils.

According to the latest data covering 2024/25, the service costs £7.55 per head — the lowest among the rural authorities used for comparison.

Despite the lower expenditure, North Yorkshire recorded the third-highest number of book issues and fourth-highest number of library visits among the comparable authorities.

However, the figures also highlight the significant contribution made by unpaid volunteers to running the service.

North Yorkshire has a network of 42 libraries, including a mobile library, with 31 branches run in partnership with community organisations.

During 2025/26, volunteers contributed 147,924 hours to the service, carrying out roles ranging from helping to run community libraries and hosting children’s story sessions to providing digital support.

The council says its volunteer numbers are the highest among the authorities included in its comparison.

Libraries are also increasingly being used for services beyond borrowing books.

During the year there were 22,353 assisted digital sessions, while residents spent more than 101,000 hours using library computers. More than 2,500 people were helped to access Household Support Fund assistance.

Meanwhile, the relaunched mobile library has also seen increased demand, with visits between January and March 2026 38 per cent higher than during the same period a year earlier.

While the star said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and that the “suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy”, he also attempted to explain his decision to keep political issues at arm’s length.

“I am not complicit,” he wrote. “I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.

“Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”

He continued: “There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.

“Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes.

“However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: Peace.

“I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.”

Sheeran added that, “as with all my support acts”, Macklemore had been allowed to choose his own setlist.

If the statement was meant to placate his fans and other artists on the line-up, it has seemingly had the opposite effect.

Writing on Instagram, Lukas Graham said: “We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.”

Rowe, who opened on the Australian leg of the tour earlier this year and resumed as a support act for the US in June, said he did not “take the decision [to quit] lightly”, adding: “Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this.”

In their post, Beoga said: “As musicians, playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.”

The Senedd group will meet immediately following the shock news of leader Dan Thomas’ departure from the role

Reform UK will on Wednesday begin the process of appointing a new leader after Dan Thomas stood down after being arrested by police.

Mr Thomas resigned on Tuesday after it emerged he had been arrested on suspicion of assault and coercive/controlling control.

Reform UK’s chief whip, Llyr Powell MS, admitted it had been a “challenging” day.

He was asked on BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday if Mr Thomas should remain in the Senedd. He said the investigation was ongoing and added: “I don’t want to presume anything”.

He said it was right for Mr Thomas, and his family’s wellbeing, he would stand down. He denied Mr Thomas’ presence in the Senedd would be a “distraction”.

“We’ll wait for whatever judgement comes,” he said. “In this country we have due process.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here

Reform UK’s Welsh Senedd group was set to meet on Wednesday morning with Helen Jenner, the deputy leader, as interim leader.

The group has a constitution, Mr Powell said, which determines the process of how a new leader will be selected.

The rules will be set there but he said if only one candidate puts their name forward there will be no contest. If there is more than one then there will be a vote of Reform UK Senedd members.

He said he expects the process to be concluded by the end of September.

Mr Powell said he expected there would be some people who would put their names forward on Wednesday.

But who could be in the running?

Llŷr Powell

A stalwart in Nigel Farage’s political journey in Wales Mr Powell refused to rule himself in our out of the race when he was asked on Wednesday morning.

He said he hadn’t had time to consider it.

He stood in the crucial Caerphilly by-election last October and lost but was elected to the Senedd in May. Since becoming chief whip he has been a key player in setting up the group as well as coaching staff and determining policy.

In terms of experience he is one of those who has been close to Nigel Farage, and key players in Reform’s Millbank HQ, and knows how the Senedd works.

Laura Anne Jones

Ambitious, certainly, and the most experienced Senedd politician in the group having served in the National Assembly, as was, from 2003 until 2007 and then again for the last six years. As a Welsh Conservative Laura Anne Jones was elected as a regional member in South Wales East for the second time in 2020. In 2025 she revealed a shock defection to Reform UK and was unveiled by Nigel Farage at the Royal Welsh Show and was elected to represent the party in Sir Fynwy Torfaen in May 2026.

James Evans

Another Conservative who defected to join the group James Evans’ journey into Reform wasn’t straightforward. However he is one of those sat on the front row of the group in the Senedd chamber alongside the other obvious frontrunners.

He holds the key health brief for the party and is clearly ambitious.

He has hinted he won’t stand again in 2030 as he wants to have a life away from politics and start a family so would such a high-profile role be a step too far?

Speaking to the BBC in July Mr Evans said “as things stand today I won’t be standing in 2030”.

He said it was going to be “a long goodbye” and “a lovely four years for me to go”.

“I’m a big believer that some people can go on in politics too long. It was always my intention to only stand two terms.

“I’ve got a wife… I’d like to start a family,” he said. “We’re seen as a bit of public commodity that can be attacked and then, obviously, that spills into our family life, and I don’t want to be bringing up children in that environment.”

Helen Jenner

The current deputy leader, and now interim, Ms Jenner is a former teacher who represents Bangor Conwy Mon. Thrust into the hotseat when Dan Thomas missed First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday she held her own against Rhun ap Iorwerth.

A Welsh speaker, she has experience from outside of politics she can bring to the table.

Jason O’Connell

One of the core members of Reform UK in Wales Jason O’Connell’s name was touted during the last leadership contest as he is seen as a safe pair of hands by those in power in the party.

He did a lot of media work before the election and he’s been given the economy and transport brief under Dan Thomas.

Sunday June 21 2020

3.34am: Noah is seen on CCTV leaving his home on Fitzroy Avenue off the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, turning towards the direction of Queen’s University before returning at 4.08am, barefoot and without his headphones. This footage was first made public in October 2025 as part of an inquest appeal for information.

5.40pm: After a day at home, Noah sets out by bike, wearing a cycling helmet and a backpack, to meet friends in the Cavehill area in the north of the city.

5.41pm: Noah’s friend sends him a message via Instagram telling him the planned trip had been cancelled. He is not thought to have received it as he did not have internet access on his phone outside his home wi-fi.

5.42pm: Noah is captured on CCTV passing Daryl Paul outside Queen’s Quarter housing building.

5.57pm: Noah is seen cycling along North Queen Street.

5.59pm: Noah is seen falling from his bike at bottom of North Queen Street.

6.01pm: Noah is seen cycling past the Grove Wellbeing Centre.

6.02pm-6.05pm: A number of sightings of Noah are reported on Northwood Crescent and Northwood Road, and CCTV footage from a property shows him cycling naked on his bike. The last sighting was of Noah going between two homes towards waste ground where the storm drain was located.

6.50pm: A picture of a hand is taken on Noah’s phone. His phone is later found by a member of the public who hands it into the police.

9.44pm: Noah’s mother Fiona reports him missing to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The police response is described as starting during the phone call which ended at 10.10pm with Noah assessed as being of “medium risk”.

– Monday June 22 2020

Search efforts involving police continue overnight with the police air support unit focused on the Cavehill area, and the Community Rescue Service (CRS) are mobilised.

– Wednesday June 24 2020

Police hold a press conference making an appeal for information to help find Noah, highlighting he had potentially suffered a head injury following the witness report that he had fallen from his bike.

As public interest grew in the case huge crowds turned out to try and help with the search for Noah across areas of north Belfast. Police hail a breakthrough after a member of the public handed in Noah’s backpack and his laptop computer.

Meanwhile the PSNI Hazardous Awareness Search (HES) team start searching the storm drain using camera equipment. They report their work being hampered by a “hostile” crowd which had gathered at Linear Park.

– Thursday June 25 2020

The PSNI’s Search and Rescue team divers take over exploring the storm drain tunnels amid continuing search efforts.

– Saturday June 27 2020

9.45am: Police find Noah’s body in the storm drain underneath a Translink depot, more than 600 metres downstream from where he had last been seen in the area of a culvert inlet behind houses at Northwood Road.

Cheryl belted out hits with The Voice co-star Kelly Rowland as they enjoyed a wild night out at a gay bar in Manchester on Tuesday.

The Girls Aloud singer, 43, and Destiny’s Child star, 45, got their groove on at Via in the world-famous Canal Street.

In clips shared on social media, the pair were seen singing and dancing to Cheryl’s hit Fight For This Love and Kelly’s 2010 tune Commander.

Cheryl looked glamorous in a fluorescent pink and green blazer with towering fuchsia high-heels, while accessorising with a statement ‘Love’ necklace.

Meanwhile, Kelly let her hair down as she stunned in a plunging PVC jumpsuit on the dancefloor.

In more clips as the night went on, Cheryl was later seen belting out her songs while putting on an animated display.

The Girls Aloud singer, 43, and Destiny’s Child star, 45, got their groove on at Via in the world-famous Canal Street

Cheryl and Kelly are currently in Manchester filming the new series of The Voice UK.

It was confirmed Cheryl would be joining the show as a judge amid fury over Tom Jones’s axing. 

Cheryl was pictured arriving at the studio in Salford last week to film The Voice’s blind auditions alongside fellow new coach Aitch. 

It has also been confirmed that Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon are set to replace Emma Willis as hosts on The Voice UK, after she landed the coveted role as a presenter on Strictly Come Dancing.

This new series of The Voice has been marred in controversy, after it emerged that Tom would not be returning as a coach on the show.

Tom has since insisted it wasn’t his decision to leave and said ITV ‘fired’ him ‘because of a financial difficulty with insurance’.

In a statement confirming the lineup, ITV bosses thanked Tom for his work on the show, saying: ‘ITV would like to thank the irreplaceable Sir Tom Jones for all his years on The Voice UK, and the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show.

‘He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him.’

In clips shared on social media, the pair were seen singing and dancing to Kelly’s 2010 hit Commander

Cheryl looked glamorous in a fluorescent pink and green blazer with towering fuchsia high-heels, while accessorising with a statement ‘Love’ necklace

In more clips as the night went on, Cheryl was later seen belting out her hit Fight For This Love

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Meanwhile, Kelly let her hair down as she stunned in a plunging PVC jumpsuit on the dancefloor

Fellow coach will.i.am, who will remain on the show alongside Kelly Rowland, has vented his fury over Tom’s being dropped from the show, with sources claiming he’s made his feelings known backstage.

Sources have revealed that despite Cheryl and Aitch being welcomed as new additions to the lineup, any excitement on set has been replaced by awkwardness over the row.

A source said that while they normally kick filming off with welcome drinks in a swanky five-star hotel, this year things are different.

‘It’s seriously awkward as will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes.’

They told The Sun: ‘It’s pretty uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close with Will and has looked up to Kelly all her career.

‘This is her big TV comeback and right now ITV are letting her be the fall guy for taking Sir Tom’s seat. None of this is her fault, it’s been handled atrociously by the bosses.’

The Daily Mail has contacted will.i.am and ITV representatives for comment.

On Tuesday, Tom insisted he ‘did not want to leave The Voice’ in a furious statement hitting out at ITV.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.

‘The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance. They now say in the press they wanted to ‘refresh’ the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn’t be a chair for me.’

This new series of The Voice has been mired in controversy, after it emerged that Tom Jones would not be returning. The music legend has insisted it wasn’t his decision to leave

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He added that ITV had offered him ‘a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that.

‘So the only thing I know right now, is that there’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.’

When contacted by the Daily Mail, an ITV spokesman said: ‘We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK.

‘While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series.’

Girls Aloud star and former X Factor judge Cheryl has not been on primetime TV in six years, with her last TV outing seeing her as a dance captain on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer in 2020.

Delays are building on the M56 motorway amid reports of a crash.

All traffic has been stopped on the eastbound side of the motorway this morning (Wednesday, September 16). Traffic is stopped from junction seven for Bowdon to junction six for Hale.

Motorway cameras show queues building up to the incident. In a post on X at 9.50am, National Highways said: “Traffic has been stopped on the M56 eastbound between J7 and J6 due to a multi-vehicle collision. @manairport.

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“Emergency services are en route. There are currently delays of 25 minutes on the approach.”

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates.

Big Brother aired emotional scenes last night, as housemate Frankie came out as bisexual. 

The 23-year-old Londoner said he had decided to go on the ITV reality show to share his sexuality for the first time.

Waking up for his first morning in the house, Frankie told his co-stars he had struggled to sleep the night before as he went to bed on ‘a really big low’.

The marketing manager decided to hash it out in the Diary Room on Tuesday night’s episode, explaining he had woken up ‘a little bit upset’. 

In what appeared to be the first time he had ever spoken about his sexuality, he said: ‘I needed to get it off my chest. I came on the show to come out, because I’m bisexual.’

Frankie continued: ‘I’ve been in pain for so long – probably a year and a half or two years – just from the guilt and shame that I’m carrying from it.

‘I just feel like I’ve let down a lot of people,’ he added, breaking down in tears while in the confessional room. 

‘I’m just upset and I’m obviously worried as well,’ he said, referring to his apprehensions about how the news will go down ‘on the outside world’.

He said: ‘Some people might not want to be friends anymore. Some people want to avoid me, not be around me; I guess it’s a little bit sad.’

The Diary Room producer’s voice then asked Frankie what made him feel ready to take such a big step, and he said he felt ‘comfortable’ in the Big Brother setting.

By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 08:52 BST, 16 September 2026 | Updated: 09:28 BST, 16 September 2026

Bella Hadid proved she was every inch the fashion chameleon as she showed off four different outfits while attending events in New York on Tuesday. 

The supermodel, 29, made the streets her catwalk as she switched from minidresses to a vintage Ralph Lauren gown while party-hopping. 

Bella was seen leaving her hotel in a knitted grey midi-dress which she paired with a sheer blue shirt underneath. 

Only a short while later, Bella debuted another look as she headed to the Happy Diamond exhibition. 

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The fashionista showed off her model figure in a minidress and cream satin heels. She accessorised her look with a lemon yellow blazer and embellished handbag. 

Bella, who is an ambassador for Chopard, pulled out all the stops for their event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its free-moving diamond collection, held at Casa Cipriani. 

Bella Hadid proved she was every inch the fashion chameleon as she showed off four different outfits while attending events in New York on Tuesday

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The supermodel, 29, made the streets her catwalk as she switched from minidresses to a vintage Ralph Lauren gown

At the end of the night, Bella hid her tiredness with a pair of sunglasses and returned to her hotel hand in hand with a pal

She wore a vintage shimmering Ralph Lauren gown from 2008. The stunning piece featured a delicate cobweb design of thousands of tiny silver beads. 

Bella appeared in high spirits as she mingled with model Liu Wen and president of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele. 

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At the end of the night, Bella hid her tiredness with a pair of sunglasses and returned to her hotel hand in hand with a pal. 

She changed out of the glamorous dress and into a slinky white silk minidress and burgundy suede heels. 

New York Fashion Week wrapped up on Tuesday. 

Bella recently reflected on her career and what success now means to her.  

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‘Success means something completely different to me now than it did a few years ago. I used to think it was about always working, always saying yes, always chasing the next thing,’ she told ELLE.

‘Now it feels a lot more simple. It’s having the space to wake up and actually enjoy my life, take care of myself, spend time with the people I love, and feel present in the moments that matter. The more I listen to myself and live in a way that feels honest, the more grounded and confident I become.’

Bella was seen leaving her hotel in a knitted grey midi-dress which she paired with a sheer blue shirt underneath and Valentino heels 

Only a short while later, Bella debuted another look as she headed to the Happy Diamond exhibition

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The fashionista showed off her model figure in a minidress and cream satin heels

She accessorised her look with a lemon yellow blazer and embellished handbag

Bella, who is an ambassador for Chopard, pulled out all the stops for their event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its free-moving diamond collection, held at Casa Cipriani

She wore a vintage shimmering Ralph Lauren gown from 2008. The stunning piece featured a delicate cobweb design of thousands of tiny silver beads

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Bella appeared in high spirits as she mingled with model Liu Wen and president of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele

She posed up a storm for photographers 

Bella then changed out of the glamorous dress and into a slinky white silk minidress and burgundy suede heels

She added: ‘As I’ve got older, I’ve realised how important it is to create space for myself. Whether that’s slowing down, moving my body, or just taking a moment to reconnect, those little rituals have become such a big part of how I take care of myself.

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Court files about victims, their families and survivors of the Southport attack were accessed without authorisation

An investigation has been launched after court files concerning victims, their families and survivors of the Southport attack were accessed without authorisation.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said court staff accessed the files without approval and the data breach was discovered during a review of digital systems.

The information accessed for a limited number of people included sensitive and personal data, which is considered likely to result in a high risk to their rights and freedoms.

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There is no evidence any personal data has been shared with third parties, but the incident has been referred to data watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

An MoJ spokesperson said: “We are appalled that this happened and recognise the distress it will have caused victims, survivors, and their families. We apologise to those affected – unauthorised access to court files is completely unacceptable.”

They added: “This is now being investigated urgently, and the Prime Minister has asked the Lord Chancellor to oversee this. All wrongdoing will be met with extremely firm action.”

The Prisons and Probation Service and the Courts and Tribunals Service are investigating, and anyone impacted is being notified directly.

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Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29, 2024. Eight other children, dance teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes were injured in the attack.

The data breach disclosure follows separate cases involving inappropriate or potentially inappropriate access to the medical records of people involved in the attack.

In May, a Liverpool hospital trust admitted nearly 50 staff had inappropriately accessed the records of some victims treated at Aintree Hospital.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) later began investigating potential inappropriate access to patient records by some of its staff.

A man aged 38 denies intimidation and possessing shotgun cartridges without a firearms certificate

A woman was left “emotionally and financially wrecked” after she was forced out of her home during a feud on a Co Down housing estate between rival loyalist factions.

Two statements from ‘Witness A’ which she made to the PSNI were read into the record at the Diplock-style non-jury trial of a man on charges linked to the feud.

Brett Sutcliffe, 38, now of Main Street, Ballynahinch, Co Down denies charges of intimidating ‘Witness A’ from her home in Weavers Grange, Newtownards, and possessing two shotgun cartridges without a firearms certificate.

Belfast Crown Court heard on Tuesday that in her first statement, dated June 13, 2024, ‘Witness A’ said that on March 18, 2024, between 12.30pm and 12.45 pm, her son was leaving their home address at 39 Weavers Grange to go to work.

“He had only left and returned immediately and shouted up the stairs: ‘Mum, come here. There’s bullets at the gate.”

The mother-of-two said she walked the five steps from the front door to the gate where she saw two shotgun cartridges, red and gold in colour, and sitting upright.

“My son took a few pictures of them on his mobile phones but we did not touch them. Both of us returned inside, locked the front door and I rang the police.”

‘Witness A’ said police arrived around 15 minutes later and seized the 12-bore shotgun cartridges..

She added: “After the police left, my son and I were too frightened to leave our home as we felt threatened and in fear of our lives.”

The witness outlined how she moved into 39 Weavers Grange in March 2021 with her daughter. Her son, who was living with his father, came to stay at the weekends.

In 2023, her daughter moved out and her son moved in permanently from January 2024.

She outlined that since moving into the social housing development, there had been a number of incidents “involving mainly one resident by the name of William McCabe who screamed in my face a number of times”.

During the opening of the trial on Monday, a prosecution barrister said McCabe was an associate of the defendant Sutcliffe who at the time lived at nearby Trasnagh Drive.

“Once he alleged that my son was speeding in the area which was a day or two after we moved into our house. He threatened to drag my son out of the car and beat him up.

“This scared the life out of me so much so I could not even get a word in to explain who was driving at the time as my son was too young to drive.”

She recalled another time when she was taking cigarette papers to a friend’s house and she ”waved the papers in the air”.

“About 20 minutes later, Mr McCabe and another male who I don’t know, came to my house. He was shouting at me that I was ‘doing drugs’, and shouting: ‘You’re out. You’re out. We’re getting you out’.

“I shouted back at him ‘why would I want to do drugs? And I get the police?’ My healthcare provider reported this to the police on September 16, 2022.”

She said she had been in hospital in 2024 after suffering from heart failure which she believed was caused by the “stress of living in Weavers Grange over the last three years”.

On March 20, 2024, police called at her daughter’s house where she and her son were staying.

“A police officer served a threat message on me which stated I had 24 hours to leave 39 Weavers Grange, or words to that effect.”

Witness A said that it was a week or so later that her son and other family members moved their personal belongings out of their home except large items such as kitchen goods, beds and a sofa.

“My son and I are living in temporary accommodation and I have no idea when or where we will be permanently rehoused.”

She said she had previously been formally diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and “living at Weavers Grange has added to the trauma”.

“I believe at the time I was the target of ongoing intimidation from the time we moved in until we were forced out fearing for safety,” said ‘Witness A’.

In a follow-up statement recorded on December 17, 2024, she said that when the anonymous threat message came through saying she had 24 hours to get out of her home, she said she was advised by police to request their presence at Weavers Grange when my family went to collect her belongings.

“When I returned on March 21 and again on April 2, 2024, police were requested but they did not turn up until we had been and gone.”

She said she eventually got a permanent address “but it is not the same as the home I left”.

Witness A added: “I have lost a lot of my belongings which took me time to build up. This whole incident has left me emotionally, physically, mentally and financially wrecked. Having to start all over again and rebuild, has left me, my son and the wider family terrified for our lives.”

She said the incident had left her terrified of every little noise, particularly around Halloween time.

Recalling one incident, she said “I heard what I thought was a gunshot. I dropped my shopping and ran home. I really thought someone was shooting at me but I know now it must have been a firework.”

It is the prosecution case that Brett Sutcliffe left the two shotgun cartridges at her gate as a forensic scientist identified a partial DNA profile on the ammunition which matched the defendant’s DNA which was by “direct contact”.

She concluded that it was “one a billion times more likely that the material recovered from the exhibit originated from Brett Sutcliffe”.

At hearing.

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